Parenting Teens Through Connection

Adolescence

Back to School Teen Social Scene

Julie Baron LCSW-C on August 31, 2026

The start of a new school year requires social adjustment. Not all teens are wired the same for social activity. How can parents help?

The start of a new school year requires social adjustment. Not all teens are wired the same for social activity. How can parents help?

Adolescence

Are Teens and Parents Ready for Back to School Without Cell Phones?

Julie Baron LCSW-C on August 18, 2026

As families get ready to start a new school year, many teens are facing a new reality—a school day without their smartphone. Schools will need parents' help to make this work.

As families get ready to start a new school year, many teens are facing a new reality—a school day without their smartphone. Schools will need parents' help to make this work.

Creativity

The Power of Creativity for Adolescent Well-Being

Julie Baron LCSW-C on June 17, 2026

Creative expression offers adolescents a healthy outlet for processing emotions, exploring identity, and finding moments of joy and calm.

Creative expression offers adolescents a healthy outlet for processing emotions, exploring identity, and finding moments of joy and calm.

Adolescence

Listening to Teens Can Save Lives

Julie Baron LCSW-C on May 4, 2026

There are many factors that affect youth mental health. Data suggests that listening by supportive figures and caring adults can improve mental health and save lives.

There are many factors that affect youth mental health. Data suggests that listening by supportive figures and caring adults can improve mental health and save lives.

Adolescence

Do You Know Where Your Teen Is?

Julie Baron LCSW-C on March 10, 2026

Available monitoring technology makes it easy for parents to track teens' every move, though that does not mean they automatically should. Consider these strategies when deciding.

Available monitoring technology makes it easy for parents to track teens' every move, though that does not mean they automatically should. Consider these strategies when deciding.

Adolescence

Why Today's Teens Are Taking Fewer Risks

Julie Baron LCSW-C on January 26, 2026

Today's teens seem less interested in exercising their independence muscles. Learn how parents can help teens take the risks they need to grow up and practice “adulting.”

Today's teens seem less interested in exercising their independence muscles. Learn how parents can help teens take the risks they need to grow up and practice “adulting.”

Suicide

When Struggling College Students Come Home

Julie Baron LCSW-C on December 15, 2025

As many college students are returning home on break, parents are uniquely positioned to detect troubles with mental health and offer supportive responses.

As many college students are returning home on break, parents are uniquely positioned to detect troubles with mental health and offer supportive responses.

Parenting

When Your Young Adult Seems Stuck

Julie Baron LCSW-C on November 9, 2025

Parents can be understandably distraught when their young adult seems unable to engage in tasks to promote independence. Here's what parents can (and cannot) do to help.

Parents can be understandably distraught when their young adult seems unable to engage in tasks to promote independence. Here's what parents can (and cannot) do to help.

Therapy

How Dialectical Behavior Therapy Helps Struggling Teens

Julie Baron LCSW-C on August 26, 2025

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) with adolescents is an effective treatment for transforming chronic crisis behaviors into skillful coping to promote a life worth living.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) with adolescents is an effective treatment for transforming chronic crisis behaviors into skillful coping to promote a life worth living.

Adolescence

How Teens Help Teens

Julie Baron LCSW-C on August 10, 2025

Beyond the headlines about bullying, teen relationships more often boost emotional resilience, teach life skills, and even provide crisis support.

Beyond the headlines about bullying, teen relationships more often boost emotional resilience, teach life skills, and even provide crisis support.

Parenting

Are You an Anxious Parent of a Teen?

Julie Baron LCSW-C on July 22, 2025

Parenting teens and young adults can and should be anxiety-provoking. Learn how to manage parental anxiety with these 5 important strategies.

Parenting teens and young adults can and should be anxiety-provoking. Learn how to manage parental anxiety with these 5 important strategies.

Identity

Keep Pride Alive Year-Round

Julie Baron LCSW-C on June 29, 2025

Three keys to supporting authenticity in LGBTQ+ and all youth to promote mental health and well-being.

Three keys to supporting authenticity in LGBTQ+ and all youth to promote mental health and well-being.

Adolescence

5 Powerful Ways to Boost Teen Mental Health

Julie Baron LCSW-C on April 27, 2025

Research repeatedly indicates that connected relationships promote mental health particularly for adolescent. Learn how parents can play a powerful role.

Research repeatedly indicates that connected relationships promote mental health particularly for adolescent. Learn how parents can play a powerful role.

Video Game Addiction

How Parents Can Out-Game Their Gamers

Julie Baron LCSW-C on March 1, 2025

Taking away your teens' gaming may not be the way to prevent compulsive gaming.

Taking away your teens' gaming may not be the way to prevent compulsive gaming.

Adolescence

How to Help Teens Manage Intense Feelings and Mood Swings

Julie Baron LCSW-C on December 9, 2024

With so much changing for adolescents, it can be hard to tell what intense feelings and mood swings are expected and when they may need professional care.

With so much changing for adolescents, it can be hard to tell what intense feelings and mood swings are expected and when they may need professional care.

Anxiety

5 Coping Strategies for Navigating an Uncertain Future

Julie Baron LCSW-C on November 4, 2024

Uncertainty is a fact of life. Managing uncertainty and associated anxiety is an important life skill for teens. Parents can model these five strategies.

Uncertainty is a fact of life. Managing uncertainty and associated anxiety is an important life skill for teens. Parents can model these five strategies.

Education

Supporting Mental Health for Students

Julie Baron LCSW-C on October 14, 2024

Colleges and universities have the potential to play a vital role in promoting the mental and emotional health of young people. It is time they step up.

Colleges and universities have the potential to play a vital role in promoting the mental and emotional health of young people. It is time they step up.

Adolescence

Setting Teens Up for Success

Julie Baron LCSW-C on September 5, 2024

Parents and supportive adults want the teens in their care to be successful. It can feel tempting to over-manage their efforts. That is not what teens need to achieve.

Parents and supportive adults want the teens in their care to be successful. It can feel tempting to over-manage their efforts. That is not what teens need to achieve.

Anger

Taming Teens' Anger

Julie Baron LCSW-C on July 26, 2024

Anger is a particularly challenging emotion for teens to express, and it can be easily misinterpreted. Here's how caring adults can help.

Anger is a particularly challenging emotion for teens to express, and it can be easily misinterpreted. Here's how caring adults can help.

Social Media

Are Smartphones and Social Media Really That Bad for Teens?

Julie Baron LCSW-C on July 5, 2024

Parents are understandably confused about how to manage smartphone and social media use with their pre-teens, teens, and emerging adults. Here are some valuable tips.

Parents are understandably confused about how to manage smartphone and social media use with their pre-teens, teens, and emerging adults. Here are some valuable tips.