Building Confidence Through Self-Discovery
Where does self-confidence come from? According to researchers, confidence is built from both external elements, like a positive family environment, and internal elements, like a strong sense of self. To develop a strong sense of self, tweens and teens need opportunities for self-discovery: learning about their unique character, beliefs, abilities, and feelings. By exploring themselves, […]
Building Confidence Through Self-Discovery
Where does self-confidence come from? According to researchers, confidence is built from both external elements, like a positive family environment, and internal elements, like a strong sense of self. To develop a strong sense of self, tweens and teens need opportunities for self-discovery: learning about their unique character, beliefs, abilities, and feelings. By exploring themselves, […]
Why is Nurturing Self-Discovery so Important Right Now?
If you’ve been following us for a while, you probably already know that everything Lucero creates – from new features in the app to our social posts – is a collaboration between licensed clinical therapists and a team of youth advisors. Hands down, we believe that the best way to address the current youth mental […]
Raising Your Teen to Embrace Vulnerability
When parents are asked what qualities we hope for in our teens, we use words like kindness, courage, resilience, and purpose. Vulnerability probably doesn’t make it onto many lists, but maybe it should. According to clinical social worker and researcher Dr. Brené Brown, embracing vulnerability – including our imperfections, mistakes, and difficult emotions – is […]
How Healthy Habits Can Improve Your Connection to Yourself and Others
Connection is a cornerstone of teen mental health. But what does it mean for teens and tweens to feel connected? Imagine that each positive relationship in your teen’s life is like a single strand in their individual safety net. Many relationships equal a strong safety net. When they’re struggling, make a mistake, or need help, […]
Why Connection With Others is So Important for Teens
Connection with others is important at every age, but it’s critical for teens. Research shows that positive relationships with family, friends and others build teens’ self-esteem, increase their resilience, lower their risk of anxiety and depression, and even help them be more physically healthy. Connections give teens a support system when they’re facing challenges and […]
Helping Your Teen Nurture Friendships
Did you know that friendship is one of the most important measures of adolescent development and mental health? Several recent studies confirm that close, supportive teen friendships correlate with everything from increased empathy and self-esteem to lower rates of depression and anxiety. Friendships even provide protection against the adverse effects of bullying and the stress […]
The Science of Belonging and Connection
“A deep sense of love and belonging is an irreducible need of all people,” says researcher and author Brené Brown. “We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong.” Belonging is important at every age, but it’s especially important for tweens and teens. Research shows that close, trusting […]
The Benefits of Volunteering for Teens
Volunteering is on the decline among teens, according to a recent study by the University of Maryland’s Do Good Institute. Researchers say many factors contribute, including busier school and extracurricular schedules, families relocating more frequently and the rise in social media and online communities. It may be hard to find time to get involved, but […]
How to Help Teens Manage Emotions
A day in the life of a teenager can feel like an emotional rollercoaster– for them and for their parents. Teens sometimes shift rapidly from elation to frustration, excitement to anxiety, and joy to despair, and those feelings are often complex and confusing. Emotional intensity is normal during adolescence, says psychologist Erik Nook, and so […]
