It’s actually remarkable to watch…when you give a teenager the time and space to talk something through and just simply listen, their wheels turn and what they come up with amazes me! I see this often in coaching sessions when talking through a sticky situation or stuck in indecision. Giving them the space to share […]

Cultivating Teen Happiness

February 27, 2024

Why the simple act of listening to your teen is so beneficial to their personal growth and self identity

In a world that often emphasizes the importance of self-esteem, a growing body of research suggests that self-compassion may be the key to unlocking a healthier, more resilient mindset…especially for teenagers navigating the challenges of adolescence. For most of my years as a counselor in the education setting, I focused on developing self-esteem in tween […]

Cultivating Teen Happiness

January 31, 2024

Self-Compassion: The New Paradigm in Teen Well-being

All too often teenagers tell me they just CAN’T talk to their parents. And when it comes to communication, one of the most important messages to my teen clients is just how critical it is to maintain communication with their parents. This can be a touchy topic. Developmentally, teens are in the phase of life […]

Cultivating Teen Happiness

January 24, 2024

The Art of Listening…to Your Teenager

When the New Year approaches or a new beginning arrives, there is often a buzz in the air of excitement and high energy. This particularly happens at the start of the New Year or the start of a new school year, a new semester, the beginning of a sports season or the beginning of college. […]

Cultivating Teen Happiness

January 6, 2024

A fresh, self-loving approach to New Beginnings

Wishing your teen had more of a ‘glass half full’ attitude? This is a common concern I hear from parents. I’ve got some suggestions for you… For starters, the teen years are tumultuous. Layer on an unexpected disappointment or unfavorable outcome that happens to be near and dear and you have just created the perfect […]

Cultivating Teen Happiness

December 31, 2023

How to help your teen establish a “Glass Half Full” attitude