As an adolescent I was overly eager to fit in with the "Scrippies," which was our sarcastic name for the cool kids. I'm sure my overeagerness was off-putting. In sixth grade some girls were called biters, some were called the b-word and some were called...
Oh no! It's finally happened! Your teen has come home asking for permission to get a tatoo. Maybe you have a hundred tatoos already so this doesn't really bother you. However, if you're like most parents you're not exactly ecstatic about this new development. ...
I've been a therapist for a decade now. I've worked with teens in private practice for that entire duration. I've heard a lot of different stories, many of which involve trauma. I've noticed with trauma there is a natural tendency to incorrectly predict its effects...
People get confused by the term codependent, or coaddict. I thought today I'd address codependence/coaddiction to see if it clears it up. If someone you love is engaging in an unhealthy behavior such as drug abuse, gambling, excessive shopping, etc., it is very...
Vaping is becoming an extremely common means of substance use among tweens and teens. Many of my later teen clients are completely addicted to nicotine. It all started innocently enough, and usually in middle school. Please watch the following video on a few basics...
You work full-time and your teenager is home after school. It feels very frustrating that they stay home a good part of the day, or are out having fun with friends while the house needs a lot of attention. Maybe you don't even care about the chores around the house...
If you're a parent who wishes to connect better with your teen, you'll have to have elements of friendship in your relationship. The parents who know how to listen well and care about what their kids care about seem to also have authority. The parents I see in...
This post will not apply to every parent. Some of you have kids who are very comfortable with who they are. They seem relaxed and self-assured. What a blessing! There are a large number of you though who have teens that really want approval. This can take...
There are some things to look for this holiday season if you suspect depression in your teenager. Here are a few signs: Helping teens grow and families improve connection, Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT
It is very, very important to take good care of yourself physically. You already know this though. What you probably also already know, but maybe haven't been thinking about, is how critical it is to exercise. As a whole, we Americans like to procrastinate...
Hello, I’m Lauren! If you notice your teen struggling, you might be feeling helpless, hopeless, frustrated or concerned as a parent. Try to remember, there is hope. I want to help your adolescent feel better. My hope is for them to enjoy their life again. I want them to feel confident they can handle whatever situations arise.
