by Christine Lawler LMFT | Feb 26, 2026
Social anxiety in teens isn’t just “shyness.” It’s a common condition characterized by intense fear and avoidance of social interaction, often leading to distress in school, friendships, and daily life. When it comes to teenagers with social anxiety, research and clinical practice clearly show that supportive, evidence-based strategies make a real difference in a teen’s ability to manage anxiety and build confidence.
Let’s talk about practical approaches you can use at home and in partnership with professionals to help your teen thrive. Here is how to help a teenager with social anxiety.
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by Christine Lawler LMFT | Oct 30, 2025
Teenagers are juggling school, friendships, identity, family, and an always on social world. It’s no surprise that mental health concerns are common. In the U.S., recent CDC data show a worrying rise in adolescent distress: around 4 in 10 high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and roughly 1 in 5 seriously considered suicide in 2023. These are the kinds of numbers that make parents, teachers, and clinicians sit up a little straighter.
Let’s talk about some practical things you can do to improve your teenagers mental health. Keep reading to learn more.
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by Christine Lawler LMFT | Jun 12, 2025
The teenage years are full of challenges- changing bodies, shifting social circles, academic pressures, and growing independence. In the midst of all this change, self confidence plays a powerful role. It’s the foundation that helps teens make healthy choices, form strong relationships, and bounce back from inevitable setbacks.
But what exactly is self confidence, why does it matter so much, and how can we help teens grow it in a healthy way? While no one parents or guides teenagers perfectly, making an effort to nurture their self confidence can be life changing.
Keep reading to learn more.
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by Christine Lawler LMFT | Mar 19, 2025
Have you ever felt like even the smallest things set you off? From minor inconveniences to major life changes, it may seem like everything- work, relationships, responsibilities, and even social interactions- leaves you feeling drained and overwhelmed. If you find yourself thinking, “Why does everything stress me out?” you’re not alone. Many people experience heightened sensitivity to stress, or your stress may even be linked to depression or anxiety. Understanding why you get worried or stressed over little things is the first step toward finding relief.
Keep reading to learn more.
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by Christine Lawler LMFT | Feb 19, 2025
Being a parent to a teenager can be tricky, and some may have the opinion that a teenage girl is even trickier (but also pretty magical, right?) Self esteem is a fundamental aspect of any persons growth. Self esteem in a teenage girl shapes their mental health, physical health, friendships, and aspirations. According to the CDC, teenage girls are experiencing higher levels of sadness, alcohol use, and violence compared to teenage boys.
Navigating the world of social media, peer expectations, and societal norms can be pretty tough when you don’t even have a fully developed prefrontal lobe yet.
Strengthening self esteem is key to helping teen girls make it through adolescence with confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of self-worth. Keep reading to learn more.
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