by Lauren Goodman | Aug 13, 2026 | Teen Anxiety Therapy
What To Do When Your Teen is Dealing with Academic Stress
One thing all adolescents have in common is that at some point or another school stresses them out. Whether they’re given a tough assignment, they need a certain grade on a final exam to pass the class, or anything in between, academic stress is hard to deal with. This is what makes knowing how to help teens with academic stress so important.
5 Tips on How to Help Teens with Academic Stress
Here are 5 tips to help your teenager cope with school stress:
1. Help Them Keep the Big Picture in Mind.
Remind your teen that a high school grade or class doesn’t define who they are as a person. It’s the effort they make and the ability to cope with challenges that matters.
2. Give Them Guidance on How to Seek Out the Help They Need
One way to help teens with academic stress is teaching them how to find important resources. As your teenager gets older, you should do less of the actual calling/emailing teachers and tutors for them. Instead, teach them how they can get help and access resources on their own.
3. Teach Them to Break Problems Into Small Pieces.
When your teen gets large assignment like a long paper or project, it can feel overwhelming. Teach them to make a checklist of steps to get the assignment done. Kids who learn to patiently outline papers, research carefully, write a draft, edit their draft, and then turn in their papers tend to get better grades. They also learn huge life skills about time management and planning.
4. Help Your Teen Learn to Pace Themself Slowly
Studying a little bit every day will benefit your teen more than studying in spurts. Help your teen learn that even on days they have no homework assignments, they should still be working on school. If they take the time to work when there’s no work assigned, then they can stay ahead. This reduces future stress.
5. Teach Them to Study in Groups
If your child is stressed about how to handle a difficult class, it can really help if they get together with a few of their friends who have the same class. It makes it more fun, and it makes it easier to stick with it for longer. Different students understand different parts of the material. If they work together, they can help each other learn.
What You Can Do to Help Teens Dealing with Academic Stress
School can feel overwhelming at times. One of the best things you can do is help your teenager develop a plan for managing their workload. Teens aren’t always great at following through on their plans, so you may need to gently help them stay on track.
It’s also important to recognize your child’s limits. If your teen is working as hard as they can and earning a 2.5 GPA, don’t pressure them to become a 3.5 student. Over time, they may begin to feel like nothing they do is ever good enough. Instead, focus on effort, growth, and progress.
Most importantly, remind your teenager that they don’t have to face academic challenges alone. With support, encouragement, and a good plan, they can work through even the classes and assignments that feel impossible right now.
Helping teens grow and families improve connection,
Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT
by Lauren Goodman | Aug 7, 2026 | Teen Anxiety Therapy
Teen Alcoholism
Sadly, teen alcohol addiction is more common than many parents realize. When we think of an alcoholic, we usually picture an adult, not a teenager. It can be hard to imagine that a teen could develop a dependence on alcohol, especially since they’re underage. However, some teenagers do develop unhealthy drinking habits that can quickly turn into addiction.
Most teenagers are not daily drinkers, if they drink at all. If they do drink, it is usually only at parties or social events. Still, if you ask your teen, they can probably name one or two classmates who have a reputation for “always” being drunk. These are the teens at the highest risk for addiction (if they’re not already struggling with it).
Teen Alcohol Addiction and Blackout Drinking
These are the teens I worry about most as a therapist. They come back to school on Monday talking about how they were so drunk over the weekend that they can’t remember large parts of it. They may laugh it off, but what they don’t realize is that this is called blackout drinking, and it has a very high correlation with future alcoholism.
These adolescents tend to struggle with limits. Every time they drink, the only thing that stops them is their body. They may start vomiting or pass out, but until then they keep taking shots, sipping beer, or drinking mixed drinks. Most of us can think of someone we knew in high school who fit this description. Did they become an alcoholic? The girl I’m thinking of did. Thankfully, she’s now thriving in recovery, but her twenties were incredibly difficult.
Alcohol Dependence in Social Situations
Many teens who develop alcohol addiction don’t seem to know how to socialize without drinking. In fact, not bringing alcohol to a social gathering often doesn’t even occur to them. If they go bowling with friends, they sneak alcohol into a water bottle. If they go to a school dance, they mix rum into their soda before they even arrive. (One of my best friends in high school did this. Sadly, he later struggled with addiction.) They know where the after-party will be, and they believe alcohol is simply part of having fun. In reality, they may be developing a dangerous dependence on alcohol.
When Does Teen Alcohol Addiction Become Serious?
Teenagers can develop real physical dependence on alcohol, just like adults. They can experience withdrawal symptoms, and in some cases, may need medically supervised detox. Some teens also require inpatient treatment or rehab to safely stop drinking.
As a parent, it’s important to pay attention to patterns rather than isolated incidents. If your teen seems preoccupied with partying, restless when they’re not, or increasingly surrounded by peers who normalize heavy drinking, those are worth noticing. While experimentation is common in adolescence, frequent binge drinking, blackouts, vomiting, or passing out are not “normal teen behavior.” These can be warning signs of teen alcohol addiction and should be taken seriously.
Getting Help for Teen Alcohol Addiction
If this describes your child, you may feel scared, frustrated, or even helpless. It can be incredibly painful to watch a teen make choices that feel out of your control. This is often the point where outside support becomes important. Not only is this important for your teen, it can be important for you as the parent. You don’t have to navigate this alone.
So, can teens be alcoholics? Sadly, yes. But there is also real hope. With early support, treatment, and connection, recovery is absolutely possible.
Helping teens grow and families improve connection,
Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT
by Lauren Goodman | Aug 7, 2026 | Teen Anxiety Therapy
Recognizing the Signs Your Teen Needs Anxiety Therapy
If your teen seems overwhelmed by worry, it can be heartbreaking to watch. As a parent, you may wonder if what they’re experiencing is normal stress or something more serious. What are the signs your teen needs anxiety therapy? How do you know if it is serious enough for therapy? Knowing the answers to these questions can help you decide when it’s time to reach out for professional support.
What Are the Signs Your Teen Needs Anxiety Therapy?
1. They Can’t Stop Worrying
It is normal for teenagers to feel anxious about a big test, an important game, or a special event. Those worries usually go away once the situation passes. However, if your teen worries all the time about things like school, friendships, or the future, they may be struggling to control their anxiety. When anxiety sticks around and starts affecting everyday life, talking to a therapist can be a great next step.
2. Stress Is Affecting Their Sleep
Sleep is vital, especially for teenagers. Losing sleep because of anxiety is often a sign your teen needs anxiety therapy. If your teenager has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep because their mind won’t stop racing, there are a few things you can try together.
Encourage them to write down their worries before bed along with a simple one-sentence plan for each concern. Sometimes putting worries on paper helps the brain relax. Prayer, meditation, reading, or other calming bedtime routines can also help. If your teen still feels overwhelmed night after night and cannot quiet their thoughts, it may be time to seek counseling.
3. They’re Having Panic Attacks
Panic attacks are a sign that anxiety has become overwhelming. They can cause physical symptoms like a racing heart, chest tightness, shortness of breath, sweating, hot flashes, nausea, or vomiting.
If your teenager is having panic attacks, it is important to seek professional help. If they’re dealing with panic disorder, a therapist can teach them ways to manage anxiety, and in some cases, a psychiatrist may also recommend medication.
4. Social Situations Feel Overwhelming
Does your teen replay every conversation, worrying they said something wrong? Do they avoid social situations because they feel too nervous to be themselves? Teens with social anxiety often want friendships but feel frozen when talking to other people. They may overthink every interaction and struggle to relax around their peers. Social anxiety is often a key sign your teen needs anxiety therapy.
Because healthy friendships are an important part of growing up, getting help for social anxiety can make a big difference in your teen’s confidence and emotional well-being.
5. They Ask for Help
This may seem obvious, but one of the clearest signs your teen needs anxiety therapy is when your teen asks for counseling. Sometimes parents assume their child is just going through a phase or only wants therapy because a friend is going. While that can happen, many teenagers ask for help because they have been struggling for a long time and finally feel ready to say something.
Take your teen seriously when they ask for support. Reaching out early can prevent anxiety from becoming even more overwhelming.
Trust Your Instincts as a Parent
Parenting is hard, and there is no instruction manual. Every child is different, which means there is no perfect answer for when anxiety deserves professional help. If you have noticed one or multiple of these signs, your teen may need anxiety therapy. Trust your instincts. Asking questions and gathering information is always a good first step.
If you’re unsure whether counseling is the right choice, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are always happy to talk through your concerns. Asking questions is free, and sometimes a simple conversation can help you decide what is best for your teen.
Helping teens grow and families improve connection,
Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT
by Lauren Goodman | Aug 5, 2026 | Teen Anxiety Therapy
Understanding Back to School Anxiety in Teens
At the end of summer, I start getting more calls from parents who are worried about their teenager’s anxiety. Back to school anxiety is pretty common. Right when school is about to start, stress levels go up. It makes sense. Teens are going from a few months of freedom back to social pressure, schoolwork, and structure. That shift can feel overwhelming.
Why Back to School Anxiety Happens
Back to school anxiety can show up for different reasons. Some teens worry about grades. Others worry about friends, fitting in, or even just getting back into a routine. Understanding what’s underneath your teen’s anxiety is the first step in helping them.
1. Make an Academic Plan
Some teens feel anxious because they work very hard and expect a heavy workload. Others feel anxious because they struggle to stay on top of schoolwork and worry about falling behind.
Some teens need help learning that every assignment doesn’t need to be perfect. This causes assignments to take a very long time leading to stress and burnout. On the other hand, some need to learn how to work harder or study more effectively. Talking through a simple plan before school starts can make a big difference.
2. Talk About Social Anxiety
Oftentimes back to school anxiety stems from worries about fitting in. Teens want to be liked, and many want to be popular. Others feel anxiety around dating or friendships. These worries often grow stronger as school begins again. Talking openly about these pressures can help your teen feel less alone.
3. Prepare for Routine Changes
Other times back to school anxiety comes from worrying about how things will change at home once school starts. Over the summer, they’ve likely stayed up late, spent more time with friends, and had fewer responsibilities. When school starts, expectations shift—earlier bedtimes, homework, and less screen time.
This can lead to conflict. One helpful approach is to give your teen as much responsibility as is appropriate for their age. For example, if you tell your teen that they are expected to wake up on their own, you no longer need to constantly nag them about that. They will have to learn to set an alarm or go to bed earlier. Because you no longer need to nag them, they will feel less irritation.
4. Acknowledge Boredom and Frustration
Some teens feel anxious about being bored in class. Sitting for hours and listening to topics they don’t enjoy can feel draining. I remember feeling this way about math. Sitting through long classes felt like torture, and it definitely affected my mood.
You may not be able to change their schedule, but you can let your teen know you understand. Sometimes feeling understood is enough to ease some of the stress.
Back to School Anxiety Can Show Up in Unexpected Ways
Sometimes anxiety doesn’t show up directly. Your teen might suddenly seem stressed about sports, friendships, or other things. Often, underneath it all, they are worried about going back to school.
Talking Is the Best Way to Reduce Back to School Anxiety
The most important thing you can do is talk to your teen. Help them figure out what’s really bothering them. When they understand their anxiety, you can work together to take simple steps to manage it.
Helping teens grow and families improve connection,
Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT
by Lauren Goodman | Jul 28, 2026 | Teen Anxiety Therapy
Why Learning How to Improve Study Habits Can Help Lower Homework Stress
Feeling overwhelmed by homework? Learning how to improve study habits can make school feel less stressful and help you get more done in less time. Better study habits are not about working harder all night—they are about learning how to work smarter, stay organized, and make your time count.
If you’re feeling burned out on homework and the never-ending pile of worksheets, essays, math problems, projects, and labs, you’re not alone. I remember those days! Sometimes I had so much homework that I spent an entire Sunday just trying to catch up. On really bad days, I stayed up way too late trying to finish everything, only to wake up early the next morning and keep working before school. At some point or another, everyone feels sick of homework.
The good news is that small changes to the way you study can make a big difference. When you learn better ways to manage your time and focus your energy, homework becomes less overwhelming and you can have more time for the things you enjoy.
1. Taking the Right Classes
Challenge yourself and always do your best. At the same time though, know your limits. Even if you are capable of taking every AP class available, that doesn’t mean you should. For some students, taking too many advanced classes creates so much stress that their grades actually suffer because they cannot perform at their best. In addition to this, some classes come with so much homework that students start to hate learning. Learning how to improve study habits often starts with moderating your workload.
Remember, lower homework stress can sometimes lead to better-quality work. It’s also important to remember that the name of your college does not guarantee your future success. It works the opposite way too. Not getting into a top university doesn’t mean you are a failure or that you won’t do well in life. What matters most is what you do with the opportunities you have. No matter where you go to school, you can stand out by building relationships with professors, working on projects, and getting involved. Whether you attend a community college or a highly competitive university, your effort and dedication matter. Once you’re a few years out of school, employers usually care about your skills, work-ethic, and experience most anyway, not which school you went to.
Take classes that help you reach your goals but don’t overdo it. There is more to life than academic success.
2. Work While You’re Working
This is one of the most simple and the most helpful ways to improve study habits. When you sit down to do homework, focus on getting it done. Avoid distractions like your phone, television, or anything else that pulls your attention away. If you need to, find a quiet space to work or ask your parents to take your phone until you are done so that you can focus better. When you stay focused, you can finish your work much faster. You will also remember more of what you learn, which means you will not have to spend as much time studying later.
3. Study Smarter, Not Harder
Many students do not know how to study effectively. Good study habits are not about spending endless hours looking at a textbook. They are about using your time wisely. Focus most of your energy on the things you do not understand yet. For topics you already know, a quick review may be enough. Learning how to improve study habits means finding study methods that work best for you.
4. Study Regularly Instead of Cramming
Cramming the night before a test usually does not work well. It can also hurt your sleep, and being tired makes it harder to focus and remember information. You will perform better when you give yourself enough time to learn the material and get plenty of rest.
Improving Study Habits Can Help You Build a Less Stressful Future
From a therapist’s perspective, following these tips can make a big difference in your stress levels. My goal is for you to enjoy your life while also learning how to work hard and handle challenges. As you grow into adulthood, you will face pressure and responsibilities. Learning good work habits now can help you handle those challenges without creating unnecessary stress. School is not just about grades. It is also a chance to learn how to work efficiently, manage your time, and take care of yourself.
Helping teens grow and families improve connection,
\Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT
by Lauren Goodman | Jul 17, 2026 | Teen Anxiety Therapy
How to Help Your Teen Overcome a Phobia
Watching your child struggle with a phobia (also known as a simple phobia) can be heartbreaking. You know their fear doesn’t make logical sense, but to them it feels completely real. Helping your teen overcome a phobia takes patience, understanding, and the right support. As a therapist, I’ve helped many teens work through phobias. As someone who experienced two phobias myself, I also know firsthand how overwhelming they can be. One of my phobias was a fear of sleeping away from home, and I want to share that experience because it is more relatable for kids and teens.
How My Phobia Started
When I was 8 years old, I used to spend the night at my friend Tracy’s house. She was my best friend at the time. We spent hours making up games, creating our own “newspapers,” and putting on plays that probably drove our parents nuts. One night I couldn’t fall asleep. Tracy always left Nickelodeon on throughout the night. I watched show after show while becoming more and more anxious because I wasn’t sleeping. I knew I probably could have fallen asleep if the television had been turned off, but Tracy (who was very bossy) had made it clear I wasn’t allowed to touch it because she couldn’t sleep without it.
The next morning I went home completely exhausted and emotionally drained. The following weekend I tried sleeping at Tracy’s house again, but I ended up calling my parents to come get me. From then on, the same thing happened almost every time I tried to spend the night somewhere else. It gradually developed into a form of separation anxiety that was only relieved if I knew I could be home and in my own bed by 8:30 that night.
Helping Your Teen Overcome a Phobia: Two Effective Approaches
There are two well-established ways of helping your teen overcome a phobia. Both involve facing the fear instead of avoiding it, but they differ in how quickly they do so. While flooding (the first approach) usually works faster, gradual exposure (the second approach) is more gentle and your teen is less likely to fight you when you use this method.
Method #1
The first approach is called flooding. This means facing the fear all at once, allowing the anxiety to rise, and staying in the situation until it naturally begins to come back down. It is extremely uncomfortable, but it can be very effective at getting rid of the phobia quickly.
Method #2
The second approach you can use when helping your teen overcome a phobia is called gradual exposure. Rather than confronting the biggest fear immediately, your child works through a series of smaller, manageable steps. Each step is repeated until it no longer creates much anxiety before moving on to the next one.
For example, if your teenager is afraid of sleeping away from home like I was, gradual exposure might look something like this:
- Visiting a friend’s house for an hour.
- Staying through dinner.
- Staying until bedtime but going home to sleep.
- Sleeping over with the understanding that a parent will pick them up early in the morning.
- Spending a full night away from home.
- Repeating sleepovers regularly until the anxiety fades.
Whenever your teen completes one step, next time they move on to the next one. You can apply the same method to other types of phobias. The goal isn’t to eliminate anxiety overnight. The goal is to gradually teach the brain that the feared situation is actually safe.
My Experience With Flooding
I wish my parents had known about the gradual approach. Instead, after several years of this fear, we used flooding. They told me that when I decided to spend the night somewhere, there would be no coming home no matter how anxious I became. They arranged for me to stay with a trusted family friend. I cried. I panicked. It was one of the hardest nights I can remember. Then morning came. I still remember how proud I felt thinking, “I’m finally over my fear of spending the night away from home.”
Why Repetition Matters When Helping Your Teen Overcome a Phobia
Unfortunately, I wasn’t over it. The next time I spent the night somewhere else, the fear came rushing back. I couldn’t believe it. I felt incredibly discouraged. My parents again insisted I stay the night, and while it was still difficult, it was slightly easier than the first time. In total, it took about 11 sleepovers before the anxiety finally disappeared. Even after that, if I went several months without spending the night away from home, I could feel the fear beginning to creep back in. To keep it from returning, I had to continue sleeping away from home about once a month for a while.
Consistency Is Key
One thing I hope you take away from my story is that there is nothing “simple” about a simple phobia. I actually dislike that term because it minimizes how disruptive these fears can become. My phobia kept me from enjoying birthday sleepovers, team sleepovers, late nights at friends’ houses, and even summer camp, despite the fact that I still went.
Whether you choose flooding or gradual exposure, consistency is essential. The natural temptation is to avoid fear whenever anxiety becomes overwhelming. Unfortunately, avoidance teaches the brain that the situation really is dangerous, making the phobia even stronger. Instead, encourage your child to face the fear one step at a time, celebrate each success, and continue practicing long after the anxiety starts to improve. Over time, the brain learns that the feared situation is safe, and the fear begins to lose its grip. Helping your teen overcome a phobia is rarely quick or easy, but it is absolutely possible. With patience, consistency, and plenty of encouragement, most teens can learn to face fears that once felt impossible to overcome.
Helping teens grow and families improve connection,
Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT
