Teen Girls: A Crash Course

Conflict, communication, and connection with your daughter

Adolescence
Taking Stock of Summer

Lucie Hemmen Ph.D. on July 28, 2013

Summer can be a mixed bag for teens and their parents. While expectations for fun, friends, and freedom begin to distract teens in spring, by late July many are feel restless and irritable.

Summer can be a mixed bag for teens and their parents. While expectations for fun, friends, and freedom begin to distract teens in spring, by late July many are feel restless and irritable.

Suicide
Teens and Suicide

Lucie Hemmen Ph.D. on June 17, 2013

Among concerns parents have about their teens, the even fleeting thought of suicide ignites a terror so visceral, realistic consideration and inquiry may be hastily abandoned. Teen girls, often pros at hiding their struggles, may leave parents out of the loop regarding the extent of their hopelessness.

Among concerns parents have about their teens, the even fleeting thought of suicide ignites a terror so visceral, realistic consideration and inquiry may be hastily abandoned. Teen girls, often pros at hiding their struggles, may leave parents out of the loop regarding the extent of their hopelessness.

Self-Harm
Cutting to Cope Part Two

Lucie Hemmen Ph.D. on January 23, 2013

"Molly’s mom found out about Molly’s self-cutting one day upon encountering her daughter emerging from the shower. Even though Molly chose to cut on her belly and upper thighs as an attempt to keep her behavior an absolute secret, a chance meeting in the bathroom revealed her behavior." Dr. Lucie Hemmen discusses ways to identify and treat cutting behavior in teens.

"Molly’s mom found out about Molly’s self-cutting one day upon encountering her daughter emerging from the shower. Even though Molly chose to cut on her belly and upper thighs as an attempt to keep her behavior an absolute secret, a chance meeting in the bathroom revealed her behavior." Dr. Lucie Hemmen discusses ways to identify and treat cutting behavior in teens.

Self-Harm
Stressed Out Teen Girls: Cutting to Cope

Lucie Hemmen Ph.D. on November 28, 2012

While self-harming is not a new phenomenon, cutting is showing a disturbing rise in popularity. Eager to please, overly stressed teen girls are at risk.

While self-harming is not a new phenomenon, cutting is showing a disturbing rise in popularity. Eager to please, overly stressed teen girls are at risk.

Adolescence
Teen Girls Displaying an Interesting Adaptation

Lucie Hemmen Ph.D. on October 15, 2012

In our culture at a time when very little is sacred, girls are making a personality adaptation that protects them. Our girls are getting crustier.

In our culture at a time when very little is sacred, girls are making a personality adaptation that protects them. Our girls are getting crustier.

Adolescence
Teen Girls: Nibbling to Separate

Lucie Hemmen Ph.D. on September 24, 2012

As a young intern, I once heard my supervisor describe mothering teen girls as being similar to getting “nibbled to death by minnows”. Pre-motherhood, I didn’t really get it.

As a young intern, I once heard my supervisor describe mothering teen girls as being similar to getting “nibbled to death by minnows”. Pre-motherhood, I didn’t really get it.

Adolescence
Parenting Teen Girls

Lucie Hemmen Ph.D. on May 24, 2012

It’s not easy being a teen girl and not easy parenting one. More than previous generations, today’s teen girls face a daunting range of stressors that put them at risk for serious issues including self-harming behaviors, substance abuse, eating disorders, anxiety and depression.

It’s not easy being a teen girl and not easy parenting one. More than previous generations, today’s teen girls face a daunting range of stressors that put them at risk for serious issues including self-harming behaviors, substance abuse, eating disorders, anxiety and depression.

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November 2025
Healing Family Splits

Cut-offs cut deep and wide, their emotional impact reverberating far beyond the combatants. Because much of the suffering is hidden, repair is challenging for everyone, not least of all therapists.

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