5 Ways to Foster Connection

Connection is a core component of adolescent mental health. Without supportive relationships, tweens and teens are far more likely to experience depression and anxiety and to be at risk for self-harm. Positive relationships with family, friends and others build tweens’ and teens’ self-esteem, increase their resilience, lower their risk of anxiety and depression, and even […]
Helping Your Teen Manage Social Anxiety

For teens with social anxiety, each day brings a battle inside their brains: a chronic sense of dread, constant self-criticism and fear of humiliation. Their anxiety may be triggered by walking down a crowded hallway at school, being called on in class, talking on the phone, or any other situation that involves interacting with others. […]
Raising A Confident Teen

As parents, we all want to raise confident kids. We want them to bravely speak their minds, stand up for what they believe in, go for their goals, and embrace whatever makes them special and unique. But the teen years bring changes that can challenge kids’ confidence and even lead to setbacks in their self-esteem. […]
Raising Your Teen to Have Self-Compassion

“In this incredibly competitive society of ours, how many of us truly feel good about ourselves?” asks author and self-compassion researcher Dr. Kristin Neff. It’s a sobering question, especially when we’re talking about teens. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry identifies “negative thoughts or feelings about themselves” as one of the top causes […]