The first 13 days in August will be dedicated to my list of the 13 ways the Netflix television show 13 Reasons Why can act as a jumping-off point for a conversation on teens and mental health. Here is the third: 3. Isolation Teens often think high school is supposed to be the best time ofRead more
13 Ways “13 Reasons Why” Expands The Conversation On Teens And Mental Health: 2. Rape And Sexual Assault
For the first 13 days in August (with a full round-up on August 14), I’ll be highlighting the 13 ways I, as an NYC therapist who works with teens, think the Netflix drama series 13 Reasons Why expands the conversation on teens and mental health: 2. Rape And Sexual Assault The show is spot-on about whatRead more
13 Ways “13 Reasons Why” Expands The Conversation On Teens And Mental Health: 1. Suicide
“13 Reasons Why” Can Be A Jumping-Off Point To Discuss Real Issues Facing Teens As an NYC therapist who works with teens, I couldn’t ignore the polarized response to the depiction of teens, mental health and suicide in Netflix’s show 13 Reasons Why. The show centers around high school junior Hannah Baker who leaves thirteenRead more
Therapy For Cutting: How To Talk With Your Teen And Help Them Talk About What They Are Feeling
Often when parents seek therapy for teens who are struggling with depression or anxiety, they are also looking for therapy for cutting. Cutting is when someone is takes an object such as a knife (dull or sharp), scissors, a paper clip or another sharp object and cuts themselves with it to create a painful butRead more
Your Kid is Just Not That Into You: Rebellion and Teens
As a parent, does it ever seem like your teen is sick of you, not that interested in what you have to say and avoids you? Well, you’re right. Your teen is just not that into you. Just like the 2005 book He’s Not That Into You, if it feels like your adolescent wants space fromRead more
Bone-Chilling Loneliness In Teens
Why Bone Chilling Loneliness? Bone-chilling loneliness is a phrase I’ve been thinking about recently in my NYC therapy practice as a way to categorize depression. I prefer the phrase because it gets to the heart of the lows that someone with depression feels. The term and diagnosis depression are so prevalent in both psychotherapy andRead more
The Less Traveled Path: Taking a Break from College
In my NYC therapy practice, I work with many teens and families of teens who have decided to take a break from college. This can be a difficult decision and it is hard to know when it is time to muscle through the semester and when might be the time to press the pause button.Read more
DIY Development: Helping Teens Work Through Normal Anxiety
Anxiety is a normal part of teen development that I see in my NYC therapy practice. Between college admission, SAT/ACT prep, stressors of social dynamics in and outside of high school, the first semesters of college and just being a teen, is it any wonder teens are anxious? This is all normal anxiety and thisRead more
Setting Teens Up To Thrive During Their College Experience
In my NYC therapy practice, I come across a lot of teens, young adults, and their families who feel really stuck around college. From choosing a college to how to manage coursework once they get there, this time in a teenager’s life is full of questions and potential lessons. But this is also a time, albeitRead more
A NYC Therapist on Talking to Teens (hint: skip the eye roll)
Advice for parents and adults on communication with teens from a NYC therapist Parents, teachers and other adults often wonder how to talk to teens. As a therapist who’s worked with teens in New York City for over ten years, it’s impossible for me to resist starting my tips for communicating with teens with somethingRead more