Ep 137: How To Respond When Your Teen’s Anxiety Feels Big

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Sharing some of my favorite throwback episodes from Kids These Days...

What if the first second of your response could change how your teen handles anxiety? We unpack a practical, compassionate approach to big feelings that begins with a steady face and ends with stronger connection. No jargon, no lectures—just a clear framework you can use tonight.

We start with the counterintuitive move that lowers the temperature fast: fix your face. Learn why a neutral, grounded expression and tone signal safety to a nervous system on high alert—and how to repair quickly if your surprise or frustration slips out. Then we pivot to co-regulation, using short prompts and shared breathing to slow runaway thoughts. Instead of shutting worries down, we draw them out with simple questions that shrink vague fears into specific, manageable pieces.

With calm restored, we shift to consent. You’ll hear scripts that honor autonomy: “Do you want my take?” and “What should we do together?” When teens say yes, we offer concise, doable steps instead of lectures. When they say no, we respect the boundary—and keep the door open. We also map out the follow-up rhythm that builds trust over time: a light touch the next day, a check-in later in the week, and a watchful eye for changes in mood, sleep, school, and friendships. Finally, we cover how and when to seek professional support, frame it as teamwork, and navigate waitlists while keeping momentum at home.

If you’ve ever wondered how to help without hovering, how to listen without minimizing, or how to advise without taking over, this guide to teen anxiety gives you the tools. Expect practical language you can borrow, evidence-informed reasoning for each step, and a steady reminder that presence beats perfection. If this helped, share it with a friend who’s supporting a worried teen, subscribe for more science-backed parenting strategies, and leave a review to tell us which step made the biggest difference.

This podcast is meant to be a resource for the general public, as well as fellow therapists/psychologists. It is NOT meant to replace the meaningful work of individual or family therapy. Please seek professional help in your area if you are struggling. #breakthestigma #makewordsmatter #thingsyoulearnintherapy #thingsyoulearnintherapypodcast

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