Lainie Liberti is a mental health coach and counselor dedicated to supporting teens as they navigate emotions, identity, and self-worth in a world that often overlooks their voices. Featured on Humans of Fuzia for her deeply purpose-driven journey, Lainie’s work reflects the power of healing, empathy, and partnership—values that resonate strongly with our global community of change-makers.
Q. What inspired you to start your journey as a mental health coach for teens?
I felt it was deeply important to have an adult who truly shows up for teens in a world where their voices are often not taken seriously. My own personal healing journey shaped everything. As a child and adolescent, I felt invisible, misunderstood, and lacked tools to manage my inner world. In my 20s and 30s, I began learning about self-healing, mental health, and emotional regulation. I never imagined that this path of healing myself would one day become my life’s purpose to help others. Now, in my 50s, I see how every step led me here.
Q. What challenges did you face while building your work, especially during the early stages?
I began working with teens in 2012 through international world schooling retreats. These were immersive learning experiences that combined travel and emotional growth. When the world shut down in 2020, my entire travel-based work stopped. That forced me to pivot completely into the online space. Suddenly, instead of working with families who were into alternative education, I had to reach a much wider audience of parents struggling with teen mental health. Entering this broader space was difficult, especially during such a sensitive global time. But I focused on what I knew best—holding safe emotional spaces for teens—and that became the foundation of everything I do today.
Q. What has been your proudest milestone so far?
In 2022, I published my book after spending over a year and a half writing it. I combined neuroscience, adolescent psychology, cultural development, and all the tools I had used over the years. The book became a bestseller on Amazon and continues to rank highly in adolescent psychology categories even years later. What makes me most proud is that the book helps parents move away from authoritarian parenting into a partnership-based approach, where healing and growth happen side by side with their teens.
Q. Are you a solopreneur or do you work with a team?
I am a solopreneur.
Q. What are your thoughts on women empowerment and leadership today?
We are living in a time where empathy and compassion are urgently needed. As women, we naturally hold space for these qualities. This isn’t about gender competition, but about our ability to create safe spaces for difficult conversations, healing, and connection. I truly believe this is a powerful moment for women to lead with heart, depth, and emotional intelligence.
Q. What message would you like to share with future women leaders and entrepreneurs?
Know yourself—deeply and honestly. Understand your internal values, not just your external goals. Always honor the triple bottom line: what’s good for you, the community, and the environment. Be willing to be uncomfortable, to sit with uncertainty, and to move forward even when the full picture isn’t clear. Each small step will eventually reveal your path.
Q. What does success mean to you, personally and professionally?
Success means living in alignment with your core values—living with passion and purpose. Discovering your purpose is a personal responsibility, and when your life aligns with it, that feeling is the greatest success of all.
“Live in alignment with your core values—when passion and purpose guide your life, success naturally follows.”
Connect with Lainie Liberti: Lainie Liberti | LinkedIn
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