Twenty four years ago, I started teaching in Ashland and in 2004, I became a class teacher at The Siskiyou School. Young and passionate, I was a part of co-creating the foundation and principals that school works from today. I also co-owned and ran a wilderness, self-discovery business, Inner Guide Expeditions, where we took youth into the woods for extended periods of time (backpacking trips from 6-21 days long) with an emphasis on self-awareness, connection, and rites of passage. We also led circles and mentored 1:1. After teaching through the Covid era, I noticed a dramatic shift in youth.
The kids in my class who had been lit up and outgoing, were dampened and shut down. They were attached to screens. Their attention spans had plummeted. All to say, their mental and emotional health had suffered. New coping mechanisms developed. This coupled with the already challenging stage of development called adolescence, I knew my time in the classroom was coming to an end.
My calling turned to mentoring youth with a counseling approach, while extending support to their parents. I took the leap three years ago and left my teaching career to begin my own practice and business. SoulFire sprang into life. I currently mentor 20 youth throughout the Valley and also remotely.
Parenting teenagers can be one of the most challenging yet transformative phases of parenthood. Teens are navigating a delicate stage of development, balancing their growing independence with their deep need for guidance and connection. My work is dedicated to helping parents see the whole human being within their teen—not just their behaviors or struggles, but their inner world and unique developmental journey.
I support parents in fostering connection as the foundation of their relationship with their teen. Connection isn’t just about getting along; it’s about creating a space where teens feel seen, heard, and understood—essential elements for them to thrive. I offer one-on-one coaching, facilitate parent-teen conversations, and teach my course, Parenting From the Pulse. These tools equip parents to regulate their own emotions, address unresolved patterns, and approach boundaries with clarity and compassion.
I see teens as incredible beings in a dynamic phase of growth. They’re searching for authenticity, meaning, and trust, even when their actions might suggest otherwise. My work bridges the gap between a parent’s wisdom and a teen’s world, helping families create lasting bonds rooted in respect, understanding, and love.
Meet me and learn a few essential pieces to parenting teenagers in a FREE CALL in the New Year, Wednesday, January 8th, at 5pm, on Zoom. Register online at
www.kellytisdel.com. I look forward to seeing you there! Blessings to the year ahead.
