Life Coach

Zach Waters

Helping kids, adolescents, families, and young adults make sense of what’s going on and move forward.

Pasadena, MD, United States

Virtual & in-person12+ years experienceAccepting new clientsFree discovery callVerified profile

Usually responds within 24 hours200+ clients coachedAmerica/Eastern

Speaks:English

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Background

About

I did not come into this work through a single path or title. I never imagined this is what I would be doing. It grew out of years of being in the middle of real situations with kids, adolescents, and families where things were not working, emotions were high, and the usual approaches were not creating change or providing relief from the turmoil people were facing. Over time, I found that what was most needed was not more advice or more control, but someone who could step into the situation, see what was actually going on beneath the surface, and help create a clear path forward.

Over the past 12+ years, I have worked in this space in a range of roles, including within the public school system at the middle, high school, and district levels, directly in communities with families throughout Baltimore City and the surrounding metropolitan area, and alongside community organizations. My work has included counseling, advocacy, conflict mediation, program administration, and leadership, all within real-world environments where the challenges were ongoing and the outcomes mattered.

A lot of the young people I work with are not lacking intelligence or ability. They are navigating complexity they do not fully understand, often in environments that feel overwhelming, inconsistent, or out of sync with how they process the world, which is increasingly noisy, high-pressure, and socially relentless. This can show up as frustration, defiance, withdrawal, poor decision-making, or patterns that repeat no matter what is tried. My role is to help make sense of those patterns, bring clarity to what is driving them, and help both the young person and the adults around them move forward in a more intentional and effective way.

I work directly with adolescents, and I also work closely with parents, caregivers, and systems such as schools and community organizations. Real change does not happen in isolation. It cannot. It happens when both the young person and the environment around them come into better alignment. That means clearer expectations, stronger consistency, and real follow-through, alongside helping the young person develop the awareness and responsibility to meet those expectations.

I help identify where things are breaking down, where expectations are unclear or inconsistently applied, and where responses are unintentionally reinforcing the problem. From there, I work with those involved to create a more stable, honest, and workable path forward that does not bend to avoidance, but supports real growth.

Clients trust me because I am direct, honest, and grounded. I am not interested in surface-level solutions, excuses, or temporary compliance. I focus on helping people understand what is actually happening and what it will take to move forward in a way that is sustainable. That means asking better questions, challenging what is not working, and staying steady in the process, even when things are difficult.

At the core of my work is a simple philosophy: when you can clearly see what is going on, you can make better decisions. My role is to help create that clarity and support what comes next.

Experience: 12+ years
Languages: English

What sets me apart

Why Choose Zach

I do not approach people or their struggles as isolated problems to fix. I look at the full picture: the person, the environment around them, the relationships, the pressure, and the ways those things interact in real life. My work is not about surface level advice, temporary solutions, or quick relief. It is about helping people clearly and objectively see what is actually happening underneath the situation so that meaningful and lasting change can actually occur.

Methodology

My Coaching Approach

My approach centers on helping people see what is actually going on, come into better alignment, and move forward. I do not work from a rigid script or one-size-fits-all model. Every situation is unique, and the work starts by understanding what is happening beneath the surface, not just what is being presented.

At the same time, I am a human being who is being given the unique privilege of seeing your situation from the outside. That perspective often allows me to recognize patterns and dynamics that are difficult to see from within. I take that responsibility very seriously, and I expect the same level of engagement from the people I work with.

This work requires honesty on all sides. If you want change either in yourself or in a situation but are not willing to look at yourself or consider what may need to change, no amount of work will lead where you want it to go. Real progress happens when there is a willingness to understand the full picture and engage with it directly.

In a typical session, we slow things down and work through what is happening in real time. That often includes identifying patterns, clarifying expectations, and separating what is within someone’s control from what is not. I ask direct questions, reflect what I am seeing, and help bring structure to situations that feel confusing or overwhelming. The goal is not just insight, but clarity that leads to real action.

When working with adolescents, I focus on helping them develop greater awareness, ownership, and the ability to make better decisions. At the same time, I work closely with parents and caregivers to create consistency, clear expectations, and follow-through in the environment around them. Real change happens when both sides are engaged and working in alignment.

Over the past 15 years, I have studied a wide range of psychological philosophies and practices across both Western and Eastern traditions, and I apply what actually works. I don’t rely on a single framework. I draw from a dynamic blend based on what is most useful for the situation in front of us.

Sessions are practical, focused, and collaborative. We identify what is not working, make adjustments, and take clear next steps. Over time, the goal is to build greater clarity, stronger decision-making, and more stable patterns that hold outside of the sessions themselves providing sustainable, long-term freedom.

In some cases, I work alongside my business partner, Tina. Together, we run The Next Right Thing, a consultation-based practice focused on helping individuals, families, and systems navigate complex situations. She brings a distinct perspective shaped by years of hands-on experience across a range of environments, which complements my own, and together we’re able to see and address dynamics that are often missed when viewed from a single angle.

Best Fit

Who I Help

I work best with adolescents, families, and young adults who have tried multiple approaches and are still seeing the same patterns. Things probably feel stuck, escalating, or inconsistent, and what has been tried so far has not created lasting change.

The people I work with are often navigating frustration, defiance, withdrawal, feelings of failure, or poor decision-making, not because they lack ability, but because they are overwhelmed by complexity they do not fully understand. This is often happening in a world that feels increasingly noisy, high-pressure, and difficult to navigate. Parents and caregivers are often feeling worn down, unsure what is actually helping, and caught between supporting their child and holding necessary boundaries.

I am a strong fit for individuals and families who are willing to look honestly at what is happening and make meaningful adjustments. This work requires consistency, follow-through, and a willingness to move away from short-term fixes in order to build something more stable and sustainable.

The goal is to create clarity, restore alignment, and establish patterns that actually hold over time. When that happens, decision-making improves, relationships become more grounded, and forward movement becomes possible in a real way. The work I do is not focused on short-term relief, but on long-term resolution.

Expertise

Specialties & Certifications

Specialties

Confidence & Mindset
Stress & Burnout
ADHD & Neurodivergent
Communication Skills
Anger Management
Youth & Teen
Relationship
Life Transitions
Parenting
Academic
Manifestation
Self-Esteem & Self-Worth
HSP (Highly Sensitive Person)
Public Speaking
Leadership
Grief & Loss
Business
Healing & Trauma Recovery

Certifications

Life Coaching Practitioner
Youth Mental Health First Aid - National Council on Mental Wellbeing
Trauma-Informed Care - National Alliance on Mental Illness
Psychological First Aid (PFA) - National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Background

Education & Training

Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

2017

Life Coaching Practitioner Certification

Academy of Modern Applied Psychology

2024

Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) in Schools Training

University of Maryland School of Medicine

2023

Early Intervention Program (EIP) Training

University of Maryland School of Medicine

2020

Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification

National Council for Mental Wellbeing

2023

Trauma-Informed Care

National Alliance on Mental Illness

2026

What I offer

Services

15-Minute First Call Consultation

Call me, tell me what you’ve got going on, and I’ll give you my initial take. From there, we’ll decide if it makes sense for us to work together.

15 minFREE

Comprehensive Overview Session

This is a one-hour initial session where we walk through your situation in detail so I can begin to understand the full picture of what is actually going on. I will ask direct questions, identify key patterns, and begin forming a clear direction. This session sets the foundation for any ongoing work. Pricing for ongoing sessions is determined on a sliding scale and will be discussed at the conclusion of the Comprehensive Overview session.

60 min$50.00

Ongoing Work Session

This is where the work happens. We build on what has been identified, work through the dynamics driving the situation, and make adjustments that lead to meaningful change. The focus is on clarity, consistency, and follow-through so that new patterns take hold and actually last. Between sessions, I may provide written summaries, visual maps, or simple graphics that capture key insights, patterns, and direction so the work stays clear and actionable.

60 min$50.00 - $500.00

What clients say

Testimonials

“I had the opportunity to work alongside Zach and Tina in the high school environment where behavioral incidents, particularly during dismissal, were a consistent issue. What stood out immediately was their ability to step back, understand what was actually driving the behavior, and implement changes that were both simple and immediately effective. Rather than relying on more discipline or reactive measures, they focused on the structure and timing of the environment. The adjustments they made significantly reduced conflicts during dismissal and created a more stable and manageable process for both students and staff. Over time, their approach contributed to a broader shift in the school culture. The consistency, clarity, and follow-through they helped establish played a meaningful role in improving overall outcomes, including the highest number of graduating students in the school’s history.”

Michael S.

School Administrator

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Questions

Frequently Asked

This work is focused on clarity, alignment, and forward movement. While therapy often focuses on processing and emotional exploration, my work is more direct and structured around understanding what is happening, what needs to change, and what is preventing that change. The goal is not just insight, but meaningful and sustainable progress.

Yes. In many situations, I collaborate closely with Tina Gillmeister, who is my partner in this work. While I focus on helping people see what is going on and creating direction, Tina brings a strong grounding and relational presence that helps people stay with the process and integrate the work in a way that actually lasts. We do not approach this as two separate services, but as a complementary dynamic when it is needed. Most situations benefit from both perspectives, especially when there is a need for both clarity and steady support at the same time.

Both. I work directly with adolescents and young adults, and I also work closely with parents and caregivers. Real change happens when both the individual and the environment around them are aligned and working together.

Because each situation is unique, there is no fixed timeline. Some situations begin to shift quickly once there is clarity and consistency, while others take longer depending on how established the patterns are. The focus is not speed, but creating changes that actually last.

This is not a good fit for those looking for quick fixes, minimal involvement, or short-term relief without making real, meaningful changes. The work requires honesty, consistency, and a willingness to look at what is actually happening, even when it is uncomfortable.

I work best with adolescents, young adults, and families who are experiencing patterns that are not improving despite effort. This may include behavioral challenges, family conflict, lack of follow-through, school-related issues, or situations that feel stuck or escalating.

My approach is direct, honest, and grounded. I help identify what is actually happening, where things are breaking down, and what needs to change. This often involves both supporting the individual and strengthening the environment around them.

Most families and people I work with feel this way when they reach out. In many cases, the issue is not with effort, care, or dedication, but misalignment. My role is to help identify what is being missed and create a more effective path forward.

Sessions are focused and conversational. We work through what is actually happening in real time, identify patterns, and clarify what needs to change. The goal is not just to talk, but to leave with a clearer understanding and specific next steps that can be applied immediately.

That is common. In many cases, I start by working first with the parents or caregivers. Changes in structure, expectations, and responses often create the conditions for your child to engage over time.

Yes. I often work with schools, community organizations, and, when appropriate, legal or system-involved situations. My role is to help bring clarity and alignment across everyone involved, especially when communication has broken down or approaches are inconsistent or ineffective. I do not approach this as being “on one side.” The focus is on understanding what is actually happening, identifying where things are not working, and helping create a more consistent and effective path forward that supports the person while also respecting expectations.

Yes. This work requires honesty, which is hard for a lot of people. I will help identify where things are breaking down, including patterns on both sides. The goal is not to assign blame or judgement, but to create clarity and alignment so that real change can happen.

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