About Joanna Lilley: Joanna Lilley holds a Master’s degree in Counseling from West Virginia University and is a Nationally Certified Counselor. Before entering the consulting field, she spent more than a decade working with struggling adolescents and young adults through both state-run and private wilderness therapy programs. She also served as a coach for students on academic probation and worked on a university treatment team supporting students in recovery.

After years of helping young adults find stability and direction, Joanna transitioned to consulting, where she now serves as an independent matchmaker between families and the resources their young adult needs—rather than acting as the coach or therapist herself. Known for her balance of empathy, honesty, and directness, she builds trust with both parents and young adults, helping families move from confusion to clarity with compassion and transparency.

In this episode, Brian and Joanna Lilley discuss: 

• Understanding the unique challenges faced by young adults when parents are balancing elder care and work stress
• How therapeutic consulting provides neutral, qualified guidance for struggling families
• The importance of setting clear and consistent boundaries as children transition into adulthood
• Building collaborative support systems that include parents, professionals, and mentors

Key Takeaways:

• Parents must take care of their own mental and emotional health first; without stability and rest, they can’t effectively support their children.
• Boundaries are not punishments; they’re safeguards that protect both parents and young adults while fostering respect and accountability.
• Having a neutral, qualified third party, such as a therapeutic consultant or life coach, can transform family dynamics by easing conflict and restoring communication.
• Consistency between parents is vital. When caregivers present a united front and follow through on expectations, young adults feel secure and guided rather than confused or rebellious.

“If you set any type of boundary but you don't uphold it, then that's the biggest sin, because at this point, you've just allowed your child to disregard anything that you put in front of them that feels like a rule or an expectation.” — Joanna Lilley

Connect with Joanna Lilley: 

Website: https://lilleyconsulting.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-lilley-ma-ncc-12546566/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LilleyConsultingLLC/

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/success-is-subjective-podcast/id1499891712 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LilleyConsulting/featured 

Host contact information: 

• Email: [email protected] 



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