The Courage to Take the First Step

Aurelia Ehrensperger is a social scientist with a PhD on breathing. Even during her doctoral studies, she knew that she did not want to pursue academic research. Instead, she wanted to explore and experience things for herself – and find her own path of discovery. In her work at the university and as a vocational school teacher, more and more students and trainees approached her with their challenges, frustrations and feelings of despair. Aurelia Ehrensperger realised: this is something I am really good at. Further training in systemic coaching gradually provided a professional framework for this intuition.

“I want my work to be focused on people’s strengths and resources, empowering them along the way. Witnessing personal growth and experiencing people in all their vitality is an enormously rewarding task for me.”

Aurelia Ehrensperger knows from personal experience just how much courage change requires. As a young woman, she sought various forms of therapy and went through personal, physical and professional crises. She did not find a way forward in what seemed like security, but rather by letting go of old beliefs and fixed ideas about the future.

“I came face to face with myself and found the strength to take a leap into the unknown. During that time, the phrase ‘But what if it works?’ became my guiding light.”

Today, Aurelia Ehrensperger works with young adults aged 16 to 30, supporting them with questions about meaning and personal obstacles, dropping out of education or training programmes, performance pressure, as well as issues relating to friendships and family planning. Many of her clients live with ADHD or other forms of neurodivergence. Aurelia Ehrensperger also provides very practical support, for example in preparing for exams or job interviews. In her work – which includes hypnosystemic methods – she transforms entrenched cycles of negative thinking into positive perspectives. A discontinued degree programme or self-doubt can thus become a resource that opens up new doors.

“Given the sheer abundance of opportunities available today, young adults often struggle with a lack of direction, combined with considerable uncertainty about what the future holds in terms of performance expectations. They frequently lack access to an inner compass, as well as self-esteem and trust in life. I see this development as a societal failure, not an individual one.”

Aurelia Ehrensperger clearly distinguishes her work from conventional psychotherapy: diagnoses and medication-based treatment belong in the hands of psychiatric professionals. Especially given that waiting times for a place in therapy can often stretch over several months, her accessible coaching service is valuable – also as a meaningful complement to conventional therapy.

“Young people who have had everything cleared out of their way in life have the hardest time. In a way, they have been deprived of the experience of being able to make a difference themselves, and thus of the opportunity to develop resilience.”

One distinctive feature of her service is the option to communicate via voice messages through messaging apps. Instead of waiting two weeks for the next appointment, clients receive a response within 24 hours. This immediate point of contact – a trusted human being, not an AI – makes a significant contribution to alleviating acute distress.

Aurelia Ehrensperger deliberately chose to build her self-employment on two professional pillars. Alongside running her own practice, she continues to support students at a university of applied sciences – a combination that provides her with financial security, professional exchange and the freedom she needs.

She turned to Ahead’s start-up advisory service for support with assessing market acceptance, refining her offering and pricing, and addressing administrative matters.

“I found the sincerity and clarity at Ahead disarming. I was able to benefit from a wide range of expertise and gain a fresh perspective on my offering, both for myself and my clients. It gave me momentum and confidence – the consultation really inspired me.”

Aurelia Ehrensperger

“ But what if it works?” – Systemic Coaching for Young Adults

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