About Me
My name is Kevin Racine, and I am proud to say that I have made a significant, positive impact on many lives. As a certified Child and Youth Worker, I have used my education and real-world experiences to enact meaningful change within my community.
My expertise lies in coaching individuals through behavioural and emotional transformations. Friends and family often describe me as having the "Life of an Empath" – a quality that allows me to foster feelings of safety and security, encouraging others to trust and confide in me. This empathetic approach is a superpower that I wield when working with clients.
In addition to my empathetic nature, I also value the strategic use of tasteful humor. I believe that when working with adolescents, creating an atmosphere of relaxation and relatability is crucial. This sets the stage for efficient and effective results, as the client feels comfortable opening up and engaging with the process.
My expertise lies in coaching individuals through behavioural and emotional transformations. Friends and family often describe me as having the "Life of an Empath" – a quality that allows me to foster feelings of safety and security, encouraging others to trust and confide in me. This empathetic approach is a superpower that I wield when working with clients.
In addition to my empathetic nature, I also value the strategic use of tasteful humor. I believe that when working with adolescents, creating an atmosphere of relaxation and relatability is crucial. This sets the stage for efficient and effective results, as the client feels comfortable opening up and engaging with the process.
My methodology
With over 30 years of experience, my approach is rooted in fundamental interpersonal skills that have become the foundation of my effectiveness – a "back to basics" approach.
At the core of my practice are the essential human attributes of trust, honesty, respect, and accountability. While these skills are not innate, they can be cultivated through learning and application. In fact, I believe most of our behaviours – both positive and negative – stem from and can be further developed through these core competencies.
I begin by assessing my clients' current skill levels in these areas. From there, I work collaboratively with them to identify opportunities for growth through open and challenging conversations. These discussions provide insight into their moral compasses, allowing me to guide them towards constructive behaviour changes.
When working with teenagers, I believe in a direct and realistic approach. Sometimes, the truth needs to be stated plainly in order to catalyze meaningful change. After all, people are unlikely to modify their behaviour if they don't recognize the need and the benefits of doing so. Many are reluctant to embrace change without a clear understanding of the positive outcomes. As an expert in youth work, I excel at helping my clients see the value in changing course and taking the necessary steps to achieve it.
At the core of my practice are the essential human attributes of trust, honesty, respect, and accountability. While these skills are not innate, they can be cultivated through learning and application. In fact, I believe most of our behaviours – both positive and negative – stem from and can be further developed through these core competencies.
I begin by assessing my clients' current skill levels in these areas. From there, I work collaboratively with them to identify opportunities for growth through open and challenging conversations. These discussions provide insight into their moral compasses, allowing me to guide them towards constructive behaviour changes.
When working with teenagers, I believe in a direct and realistic approach. Sometimes, the truth needs to be stated plainly in order to catalyze meaningful change. After all, people are unlikely to modify their behaviour if they don't recognize the need and the benefits of doing so. Many are reluctant to embrace change without a clear understanding of the positive outcomes. As an expert in youth work, I excel at helping my clients see the value in changing course and taking the necessary steps to achieve it.
My motivation
As a veteran Child and Youth Worker, I've heard countless parents express frustration over the limited services available for their teenage children. Even when services do exist, long waitlists compound the problem. Drawing on 30+ years of frontline experience that no book can replicate, I've pivoted my career to help parents invest in their teens' success and bridge that critical gap. Metaphorically, I'm offering something teens didn't know they needed – not a video game or material purchase – but the power to believe in themselves, which I'm uniquely positioned to instill.
My credentials
Certifications and Training:
- Child and Youth Worker, St Clair College
- Certified Trauma Support Specialist, Arizona Trauma Institute
- ASIST Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Living Works Canada
- Moral Reconation Therapy-MRT® Training
- Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training
- Physical Management of Aggressive Behavioural Training (PMAB)
- Good standing member of the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care
Areas of specialization:
- Behavioural issues and social challenges
- Trauma and low self esteem
- Parenting for whole family wellness
- Anger processing and crises intervention
- Coping with stress and peer pressure
- Self-care, self-compassion work
- Managing emotions
Examples of what I can help with:
- Learning difficulties in school
- Stubborn or disobedient teens
- Temper tantrums and mood swings
- Communication and social skills
- Lack of independence
- Refusing to shower or brush teeth
- Aggression towards peers or others
- Poor coping skills
- Teen hygiene
- Impact of social media
Other:
- LGTBQ+ friendly
- Cultural awareness and sensitivity
- Services provided in English only