What are people saying?
“Ms. LaMotte made me feel like I could do more than I thought I could, and she made me feel like I am doing better than how I felt like I was doing. When I was upset about my oral book report she helped me calm down and she gave me things to take my mind off the things that were bothering me. Since she helped me, I have done better. I try hard now and I try to do things on time and try to keep up with my stuff. I still remember what she helped me realize- that my great godmother would want me to keep trying my best in school, and that I haven’t let her down.
I feel like Ms. LaMotte could give girls motivation because that’s what she gave me. She helped me realize I could do better than I thought I could. She could also help girls figure out what we need to do- she never tells us. She could help us figure out what we need to do on our own, and she helps us come up with our own advice."
-8th grade girl from Oakland, CA
I feel like Ms. LaMotte could give girls motivation because that’s what she gave me. She helped me realize I could do better than I thought I could. She could also help girls figure out what we need to do- she never tells us. She could help us figure out what we need to do on our own, and she helps us come up with our own advice."
-8th grade girl from Oakland, CA
“Shandra has an incredible gift to really hear people and allow them to open up and discover their own inner beauty and strength. She has the ability to honestly connect with people and help people connect with others. Not only does Shandra facilitate this within and among adults, but she is able to bring this out in young people as well. I have witnessed her work with young teens and have seen the passion she has for empowering young people. My own teaching practice has also grown from using the skills I have learned from Shandra's practice, especially around connection and community building. There are specific issues that plague young women, especially around the issues of voice, communication, self empowerment, connection etc. Shandra has the tools to support these young women and help them find the power within themselves to find their voice and use it in a healthy way to create positive relationships with themselves, their peers, their teachers and their entire community.”
-Stephanie Berger, 8th grade English Teacher
-Stephanie Berger, 8th grade English Teacher
"Shandra is the most powerful teen empowerment coach I know. She sees the wounds of others clearly, and her compassionate heart melts your defenses so real healing can emerge. I've worked with Shandra in workshop settings as well as the classroom and she walks her talk. Shandra's coaching style is unique because she combines her knowledge of real-life teaching experience with cutting edge healing modalities that teen girls desperately need. Shandra is more than a coach, she's the change-agent our world has been waiting for to train and support the next generation of women leaders to LOVE what they see in the mirror. She has the ability to spread transformation in an instant because of her deep listening skills and intuition. These skills CANNOT be taught. I've personally seen the hard work she has put into her teen empowerment business through research, practice, and determination, and I encourage all parents/ guardians and teen girls to experience her coaching so our world can be a better place."
-Chrissy Brady Smith, Women's Empowerment Coach
-Chrissy Brady Smith, Women's Empowerment Coach
"I called Shandra for help because I was feeling frustrated and frankly, sad, about how my normally great relationship with my son was changing into one filled with tension, stress and arguments. He was maturing, no longer a "kid" and neither one of us really knew how to navigate this transformation. I was worried and angry (he was too) but both of is did know that we wanted things to improve!
Shandra was an amazing partner for both of us. For me, she helped me understand what behavior was normal and expected (a huge relief that I wasn't misreading things or he wasn't "normal") and gave me practical strategies for coping and for communicating. For my son, she listened to him without judgement and created a partnership that he trusted. This meant that he was willing to open up and talk making the whole process better. He was also willing to try strategies they crafted together to help him take on responsibilities, deal with consequences and earn more freedoms.
Her method works and the skills that I learned continue to work after our weekly sessions ended. My relationship with my son remains so much stronger and I think both of us feel less stress because we now know how to handle conflicts as they come up. Its not that we do not have issues, but resolving them productively has built a better foundation for the coming high school years.
I am so grateful to have met Shandra and decided to make the investment to work with her."
-- LR, mother of 14-year-old boy
Shandra was an amazing partner for both of us. For me, she helped me understand what behavior was normal and expected (a huge relief that I wasn't misreading things or he wasn't "normal") and gave me practical strategies for coping and for communicating. For my son, she listened to him without judgement and created a partnership that he trusted. This meant that he was willing to open up and talk making the whole process better. He was also willing to try strategies they crafted together to help him take on responsibilities, deal with consequences and earn more freedoms.
Her method works and the skills that I learned continue to work after our weekly sessions ended. My relationship with my son remains so much stronger and I think both of us feel less stress because we now know how to handle conflicts as they come up. Its not that we do not have issues, but resolving them productively has built a better foundation for the coming high school years.
I am so grateful to have met Shandra and decided to make the investment to work with her."
-- LR, mother of 14-year-old boy
"Shandra has been such a strong influence on my daughter. I had originally heard her speak at a PPA event and was so drawn in by her poise, her insights and her clarity about what is going on with pre-teen/teen girls. She totally understands this demographic and really gets what drives this age group.
My daughter has high anxiety and low self-esteem and refused to go to therapy. So I called Shandra and we set up a time for her to come and meet with my daughter and me. Shandra's warmth immediately made my daughter feel at ease and after about six sessions, I can already see how much a difference she has made. Shandra has really helped her feel better about herself; has helped to uncover her inner strength and resolve, which is lovely to see. She was even open to playing volleyball last season, as Shandra inspired her. Team sports had always overwhelmed her in the past, so this was enormous. And she had a blast, which lifted her spirits, because as it turns out, she is rather good.
What I also appreciate is my conversations with Shandra - we check in after every couple sessions and while she never betrays my daughter's confidence, we talk about how I can better support her as her mom.
I could not recommend her highly enough for any family looking for some support as they navigate the rollercoaster of the teen years. I definitely owe her for my sanity, that's for sure!"
-- VM, mother of a soon to be 13-year-old girl
My daughter has high anxiety and low self-esteem and refused to go to therapy. So I called Shandra and we set up a time for her to come and meet with my daughter and me. Shandra's warmth immediately made my daughter feel at ease and after about six sessions, I can already see how much a difference she has made. Shandra has really helped her feel better about herself; has helped to uncover her inner strength and resolve, which is lovely to see. She was even open to playing volleyball last season, as Shandra inspired her. Team sports had always overwhelmed her in the past, so this was enormous. And she had a blast, which lifted her spirits, because as it turns out, she is rather good.
What I also appreciate is my conversations with Shandra - we check in after every couple sessions and while she never betrays my daughter's confidence, we talk about how I can better support her as her mom.
I could not recommend her highly enough for any family looking for some support as they navigate the rollercoaster of the teen years. I definitely owe her for my sanity, that's for sure!"
-- VM, mother of a soon to be 13-year-old girl