by Lauren Goodman | Oct 4, 2026 | Teen Anxiety Therapy
How Do Today’s Teens Find Happiness?
Happiness for teens can sometimes feel hard to find. If you’re reading blogs on this site, it may mean that you or someone you love is struggling to feel happy. I’ve been there too, and I know how hard that can be.
We often look to things like a new outfit, the latest video game, a trip to a theme park, something good to eat, or especially social media. These things can bring us pleasure. For a few minutes, or maybe even a few hours, we feel happy. That feeling keeps us coming back for more. But eventually, those things can leave us feeling empty. So, what can help create more lasting happiness for teens?
5 Things That Can Increase Happiness for Teens
1. Practice Gratitude Every Day
There are probably people in your life that you rely on. Maybe it’s your mom who listens when you need to vent, a teacher who always takes the time to listen, or a friend who sits with you at lunch every day. Try to visibly thank someone each day. Send a text, write a note, or simply tell someone that you appreciate them. Making gratitude part of your daily routine can help you notice the good things and people in your life. Practicing gratitude is a simple way to create more happiness for teens and adults alike.
2. Learn to Challenge Negative Thoughts
It’s easy to think that nobody cares about you. You might believe you’re not as smart as someone else or that you will never accomplish much. The hard part is reminding yourself that these thoughts aren’t always true. Happy people work on challenging their negative thoughts. The first step is to recognize the thought. The second step is to test whether it is actually true. The third step is to replace it with something more realistic and positive.
For example, if you think, “Nobody cares about me,” look back at the last 24 hours. Did someone say hello to you, hug you, smile at you, give you a ride, or send you a message? If even one person did one of those things, you have evidence that your thought isn’t completely true. You could replace it with something like, “At least one person cares about me.” Learning to challenge negative thoughts can be an important part of happiness for teens.
3. Get in the Habit of Smiling
People often wait for someone else to smile at them first. If everyone does that, nobody ends up smiling. Try smiling first. It might feel awkward at first, but it can make a difference. When you smile, other people may see you as more friendly and approachable. This makes them want to smile back or spend time with you.
Smiling can also affect how you feel. Research has found connections between smiling, the brain, and our emotions. In fact, smiling is healthy. A simple smile can be one small step toward happiness for teens.
4. Exercise Can Support Happiness for Teens
Regular physical activity can be good for both your body and your mood. Exercise can give you more energy and help you feel better throughout the day. For teens, finding an activity they enjoy can make exercise feel less like a chore and more like something fun. It could be playing a sport, going for a walk, riding a bike, dancing, or doing another activity you enjoy. Exercise is one more tool that can support happiness for teens.
5. Make Time for Prayer or Meditation
Five minutes may not seem like much time, but taking a few minutes each day to slow down can help you step away from the busyness of life. Meditation can give your mind a chance to slow down and refocus. Prayer can do the same while also giving you time to connect with God. This can help remind you that you aren’t alone and that God loves you.
Taking even a few quiet minutes each day can support a better mood and a greater sense of peace, which can contribute to happiness for teens.
Happiness for Teens Comes From Daily Habits
Most if not all of these tips are things you’ve probably heard before. The bigger question is: What’s keeping you from putting them into practice? It may take some time to notice a difference, so don’t expect everything to change overnight. Start with one small habit and build from there. Happiness isn’t merely the result of luck or circumstances. Our habits, thoughts, relationships, and choices can all affect how we feel. We may naturally focus on what’s going wrong, but we can also learn to notice what’s going right.
Finding happiness for teens isn’t about being happy every minute of every day. It’s about learning healthy ways to handle difficult emotions, appreciate the good things in life, and build habits that support your well-being. You can do it! Start with one small change today and see where it leads.
Helping teens grow and families improve connection,
Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT
by Lauren Goodman | Oct 4, 2026 | Teen Anxiety Therapy
Is Your Teen Doing Too Much?
Many teenagers feel overwhelmed by everything they have going on. Between school, activities, sports, friends, and screens, it can feel like there is always something demanding their attention. Even when they look like they are relaxing, they may still be stimulating their minds with phones, social media, video games, or other screens. True downtime can be hard to find. There is also a lot of pressure to give kids every opportunity possible.
As a mom, I understand this pressure, and I struggle with it too. We want our kids to have a bright future, so it can be easy to feel like everything is important. We want them to build a strong resume, get into a good college, and have plenty of opportunities. But what does a good future really look like? Is it only about career opportunities? Or is it also about learning how to balance work with other parts of life? Teens need to learn how to manage their time, set priorities, and make choices based on what matters to them. Helping overwhelmed teenagers find that balance can be challenging, especially in today’s competitive culture.
Are Overwhelmed Teenagers Really Prepared for Success?
What if we spend so much time creating opportunities for our kids that we forget to teach them how to make the most of those opportunities? A teen might get into the college they or their parents have dreamed about, but they also need the skills to manage everything that comes with that experience. Teens need to learn many important skills as they grow. School and first jobs can help them learn how to work with others, meet expectations, and function in a work environment. But there is much more to becoming a successful adult than knowing how to get a good job.
Teens also need to learn how to care for themselves physically, emotionally, spiritually, and relationally. They need opportunities to make healthy food and exercise choices, cope with difficult emotions, build strong friendships, and develop their faith if that is important to their family. There are many different parts of a healthy, successful life. Helping overwhelmed teenagers understand this can help them see that success doesn’t have to mean being great at just one thing.
How Can I Help My Overwhelmed Teen?
If your teenager feels overwhelmed much of the time, it may be helpful to take a closer look at how they are spending their time. Sometimes, too much energy is going toward one area of life while other important areas are being pushed aside. For example, your teen might be playing a high-level sport that takes 20 or more hours each week. That’s a significant time commitment and may leave little room for rest, school, friends, or family. In other cases, a teen might be taking five AP classes and putting most of their energy into academics.
For overwhelmed teenagers, balance can be just as important as achievement. Help your teenager think about what matters to them and what they want their life to look like instead of simply trying to keep up with what everyone else is doing.
A Personal Story About an Overwhelmed Teen
I know one young man who put most of his energy into academics and developed strong work habits. He took multiple AP classes and eventually attended USC, which was a great accomplishment. However, once he got to college, he realized there were other skills he still needed to develop. He struggled with relationships and peer pressure and had a difficult time managing the social side of college. Eventually, he left USC and attended community college while living at home.
During those two years, he had an opportunity to grow in some of the areas of life that had received less attention during his teenage years. He eventually transferred to LMU, graduated, and got a good job. His story had a positive ending, but the transition was difficult. Focusing heavily on academics had helped him achieve an important goal, but he also needed time to develop other parts of his life. His experience is a good reminder that success involves more than one area.
Helping Overwhelmed Teenagers Find Balance
If your teen is consistently overwhelmed, take a look at the balance in their life. Are they spending so much time on one goal that they have little time for anything else? Do they have enough time for sleep, relationships, hobbies, family, and simply taking a break? Help your teenager set goals that allow them to grow as a whole person rather than focusing on just one area. Encourage them to think about what matters to them and what kind of life they want to build.
Most of the time, feeling overwhelmed may be connected to having too much on a teen’s plate. But sometimes, there may be something else contributing to those feelings. If your teen continues to feel overwhelmed even after making changes to their schedule, therapy can be helpful. If you’d like additional support, please feel free to reach out.
Helping teens grow and families improve connection,
Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT
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
