On this episode of the Healthy Family Project Podcast, we're joined by child psychologist Dr. Stephanie Smith. This episode is all about talking to teens about mental health, teen mental health and what parents need to know to navigate the teen years with their kids. Dr. Stephanie shares amazing advice for deciphering teen behavior, ways to keep family communication open and honest, and how to determine when professional help is necessary.

The teen years are hard. Outgrowing childhood but not quite an adult just yet, this period of time comes with lots of changes for teens and parents. As a parent, it feels like overnight, your little one who turned to you for everything is all of a sudden an angsty teen. As a mom with a preteen and teen, this episode on talking to teens about mental health is near and dear to my heart.

Especially given the events children and teens have had to face since the pandemic started, it's more important than ever to prioritize mental health and keep an eye out for changes in moods and behaviors that can signal to a larger problem.

Dr. Stephanie Smith has been a regular contributor to the blog and guest on the podcast for years. She joined us for this episode to share her expertise in child psychology and help parents navigate teen mental health struggles. Dr. Stephanie emphasizes the importance of keeping strong lines of communication, even as our teens pull away and want to become more independent. Tune in to the episode to hear more about behaviors to look out for, tips concerning privacy, and resources to turn to if a teen is in need of counseling.

About Our Guest, Dr. Stephanie Smith

Dr. Stephanie Smith is a mother, clinical psychologist and author of Dr. Stephanie. In her practice, she works with moms, dads, teens and tweens. Dr. Smith uses humor, compassion and common sense to help people make positive changes in their lives. She especially enjoys working with parents to assist them in strengthening their families from the inside out.

On her blog, she writes about technology, parenting, friendship, and pop culture – all with a mental health twist. In addition, Dr. Smith is an official blogger for the American Psychological Association’s blog, Your Mind, Your Body.

What We Cover:

Want to skip straight to a hot topic? See timestamps below. But of course, we recommend listening all the way through to get all the great tips and tricks!

• 2:08 Welcome back, Dr. Stephanie!
• 4:05 Tips for deciphering teen behavior
• 7:21 Rules for respecting privacy
• 12:35 How to determine if professional help is needed
• 16:00 School Counseling
• 17:37 Affordable Mental Health Resources
• 27:20 How can families be supportive when there's a mental health struggle
• 31:54 Advice to parents who fault themselves
• 36:02 How to gauge if counseling is working

Relevant Links

• Ask the Psychologist: Holidays, Family, & Stress
• Mental Health Resources for Parents of Adolescents
• Helping Teenagers Cope with Covid-19
• Mental Health Literacy: Parenting Your Teen
• Check out Dr. Stephanie's website
• Get in contact with Dr. Stephanie

Other Podcast Episodes to Check Out:

• Episode 70: How to Raise an Adult
• Episode 42: Meditation Benefits for Kids
• Episode 35: Helping Kids Make Good Choices
• Episode 25: Easing Test Anxiety in Kids & Teens