In Episode 59 of Teens: No Cap, host Charity Chaffee sits down with mental health professionals Justyna Wolek and Reagan Webb to explore the realities of the juvenile justice system. Drawing from their clinical experience at youth correctional facilities—including the McLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Oregon—Justyna and Reagan shed light on the systemic challenges and chronic dysregulation that incarcerated youth face daily.

This powerful conversation dives deep into the complex intersection of trauma and our punitive justice system. Together, they question how society can better support vulnerable teens who are too often punished for systemic failures out of their control.

Key Topics Covered in This Episode:

🌟 Life Inside the System: The day-to-day realities and high-crisis environments of juvenile detention facilities.

🌟 The Cycle of Trauma: How adverse childhood experiences and systemic failures directly correlate with youth incarceration.

🌟 Treatment vs. Punishment: The intense challenges of providing strength-based, person-centered mental health treatment in a mandated, highly restrictive environment.

🌟 Brain Development & The Law: A look into Oregon’s Measure 1008, brain development up to age 25, and how legislation impacts youth sentencing and rehabilitation.

🌟 The Power of Connection: Why showing up as a consistent, stable adult is the most crucial intervention for teens in the justice system.

If you're a mental health professional, parent, or just someone passionate about youth advocacy, this episode will completely shift your perspective on how we view "resistant" teens.

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and keep an eye out for Part 2! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Join the Teens Uncharted Community:

Clinicians: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BHi1bkcXZ/

Parents: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CLjk1359K/

Like our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575657270757

Join us in Skool: https://www.skool.com/teens-uncharted/about

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teens.uncharted/

#TeensNoCap #JuvenileJustice #TeenMentalHealth #TraumaInformedCare #YouthJustice #MentalHealthAwareness #SocialWork #TherapyForTeens #AtRiskYouth #TherapistLife

Welcome to episode 58 of Teens: No Cap, hosted by licensed mental health counselor Charity Chaffee! In this episode, Charity is joined by Dr. Terry Rousseau, publisher Alexia Melocchi, and editor Heidi Stangeland to discuss the creation and powerful message behind their new children's novel, Jenna Finds a Dog.

Originally written as a screenplay by Terry during the COVID-19 lockdown, the story was adapted into a novel with the help of Little Studio Films to reach a younger audience. The group dives deep into the realities of teen mental health, the risks of relying too heavily on medication as a quick fix, and the profound therapeutic benefits of connecting with animals and nature.

Key Topics Discussed in This Episode:
🗣️ The inspiration behind Jenna Finds a Dog and its connection to impulsive and explosive behavioral challenges in kids.
🗣️ Why society and the medical field often overmedicate children instead of exploring alternative interventions.
🗣️ The healing power of animal and equine therapy in regulating the nervous system.
🗣️ The importance of getting kids off their screens, out into nature, and giving them a sense of purpose.
🗣️ How storytelling and publishing can be utilized to serve a social purpose and support mental wellness.
🗣️ Tips for therapists and writers looking to publish purpose-driven stories.

Where to Find the Book: Jenna Finds a Dog is available online at major retailers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
https://www.amazon.com/Jenna-Finds-Dog-Terence-Rousseau/dp/B0GW5Q3542
https://books.google.com.ph/books/about/Jenna_Finds_a_Dog.html?id=8Wvt0QEACAAJ&redir_esc=y
https://health.usnews.com/doctors/terence-rousseau-615626
https://www.alexia-melocchi.com/
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CPYLXFS6/about

Join the Teens Uncharted Community:
Clinicians: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BHi1bkcXZ/
Parents: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CLjk1359K/
Like our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575657270757
Join us in Skool: https://www.skool.com/teens-uncharted/about
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teens.uncharted/

#TeensNoCap #TeenMentalHealth #JennaFindsADog #AnimalTherapy #EquineTherapy #YouthMentalHealth #ParentingTips #LittleStudioFilms #PodcastEpisode58

Welcome back to episode 57 of Teens: No Cap! Today, host Charity Chaffee, LMHC, sits down with Sarah Haugh, an LMHC based in Topsfield, MA who specializes in anxiety and trauma. In this episode, Charity and Sarah dive deep into the complexities of "school avoidance"—a term Sarah prefers over the pathologizing labels of "school refusal" or "truancy."

In this episode, we cover:
🎙️ Why terms like "truancy" and "refusal" feel like accusations to teens. These labels can damage a teen's self-esteem and provoke a defensive response.
🎙️ The real roots of school avoidance. Sarah explains how it is often a symptom of underlying struggles like generalized anxiety, social anxiety, or perfectionism.
🎙️ How the anxiety cycle works. Avoiding a stressful situation brings temporary relief, but it ultimately amplifies the anxiety for the next time.
🎙️ The accidental enabling by parents and schools. Allowing teens to take excessive mental health days or sit in the counselor's office all day can inadvertently reinforce the avoidance cycle.
🎙️ Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) strategies. The goal isn't to remove the anxiety entirely, but to help teens build the tolerance to feel their anxiety and still go to school.
🎙️ The importance of systemic collaboration. Therapists, parents, and school personnel must work together with flexibility and warmth to support a titrated exposure plan.

Connect with Sarah Haugh:

Website: https://northshoreprofessionaltherapy.com/
Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/sarah-haugh-anxiety-trauma-licensed-therapist-topsfield-ma/1364597

Join the Teens Uncharted Community:
Clinicians: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BHi1bkcXZ/
Parents: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CLjk1359K/
Like our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575657270757
Join us in Skool: https://www.skool.com/teens-uncharted/about
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teens.uncharted/

#TeensNoCap #SchoolAvoidance #TeenMentalHealth #AnxietyRelief #TherapyPodcast #ParentingTeens #ERP #ChildPsychology

Welcome back to another episode of Teens: No Cap! In episode 56, host Charity Chaffee, a licensed mental health counselor in Massachusetts, sits down with the amazing Yasmin Miranda. Yasmin is a licensed mental health counselor in Florida, Maryland, and Pennsylvania who specializes in working with teenagers and young adults.

In this episode, they dive deep into the incredible value of bringing a teen's favorite fandoms—from anime and superheroes to shows like Ginny & Georgia and Harry Potter—directly into the therapy room. Whether you are a clinician looking to connect better with your younger clients or a parent trying to understand your teen's obsession with a certain character, this conversation is packed with insight and practical takeaways!

In This Episode, We Cover:
🎧 Yasmin discusses her diverse background working in community mental health, youth facilities, juvenile drug court, and prisons. She also shares her recent transition into running her own virtual private practice.
🎧 Both therapists reflect on how graduate school programs often gloss over adolescent development. They also note that these programs frequently fail to prepare students for the business side of private practice.
🎧 Yasmin explains her unique therapeutic niche of using fiction, comic books, and TV shows to build trust with teens. She shares a specific success story of using My Hero Academia to help shy twin clients open up.
🎧 The conversation highlights how externalizing conversations through fictional characters creates a safe space for teens. This method allows them to explore difficult, heavy topics like eating disorders, self-harm, and peer pressure without feeling judged.
🎧 Yasmin and Charity discuss how analyzing complex or polarizing characters, like Severus Snape or Daryl Dixon, can help teens process their own struggles. These character arcs help teens see that they are still capable of growth and bravery despite their flaws or past mistakes.
🎧 Yasmin encourages therapists to embrace the "beautiful chaos" of adolescence and not fear bringing media into sessions. She emphasizes that you do not need to be an expert in a fandom to let your client teach you and use it effectively in therapy.

About Our Guest:
👤 Yasmin Miranda is an LMHC licensed in FL, MD, and PA, offering virtual counseling primarily for teens and young adults in their 20s and 30s. Be sure to check out her TikTok series where she breaks down mental health diagnoses through relatable pop culture lenses!
👤 https://care.headway.co/providers/yasmin-miranda
👤 https://www.mind-diagnostics.org/listing/234783-Yasmin-Miranda

Join the Teens Uncharted Community:
Clinicians: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BHi1bkcXZ/
Like our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575657270757
Join us in Skool: https://www.skool.com/teens-uncharted/about
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teens.uncharted/

#TeensNoCap #TeenTherapy #GeekTherapy #MentalHealthPodcast #TherapistLife #PopCultureTherapy #AdolescentMentalHealth #TherapyForTeens #ParentingTeens #FandomsInTherapy

Welcome back to episode 55 of Teens: No Cap with your host, Charity Chafee! In this episode, we sit down for a deeply insightful conversation with Amie Parsons, a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA) who specializes in working with teenagers and neurodivergent populations.

Amie shares her fascinating career shift from being a high school history and special education teacher to pursuing her true passion in counseling. Together, Charity and Amie tackle the messy, beautiful reality of raising and treating teens, shedding light on the critical gap in mental health resources available for this age group.

Episode Highlights:
🤔 Amie reflects on her impactful time working at a residential treatment center.
🤔 She discusses her experience volunteering for the Trevor Project Crisis Hotline.
🤔 The conversation highlights how schools and systems often lack the resources to support teens reaching out for help.
🤔 Amie opens up about raising neurodivergent children and the importance of leading with curiosity rather than reactivity.
🤔 We discuss a philosophy called "Parenting with Dignity," which emphasizes allowing teenagers to fail in a safe manner to build decision-making skills.
🤔 Amie shares a brilliant safety strategy where teens can use the phrase "order a large pepperoni pizza" as a secret code to be rescued from an uncomfortable party.
🤔 Charity and Amie explore the vital role of humility and repairing mistakes within the parent-child relationship.
🤔 Amie reveals the inspiration behind her practice name, Star Stuff Counseling, reminding teens that they are beautifully made of the same minerals as the stars.

About Our Guest:
Amie Parsons is currently licensed in Texas, living in New York, and preparing for a move to Germany. You can connect with her and learn more about her practice, Star Stuff Counseling, using the links below!
Star Stuff Counselling Website: https://www.starstuffcounseling.com/index.html
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starstuffcounseling

Join the Teens Uncharted Community:
Clinicians: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BHi1bkcXZ/
Parents: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CLjk1359K/
Like our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575657270757
Join us in Skool: https://www.skool.com/teens-uncharted/about
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teens.uncharted/

#TeensNoCap #TeenMentalHealth #ParentingTeens #Neurodivergence #AmieParsons #TherapyForTeens #TeensUncharted #StarStuffCounseling

Welcome to another episode of Teens: No Cap! In this episode, host Charity Chaffee sits down with Dr. Rachel Hughes, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), child mental health specialist, and certified autism spectrum disorder clinical specialist based in Washington state.

Dr. Hughes brings an incredibly refreshing and honest perspective to the realities of treating neurodivergent teens, navigating family systems, and surviving the current mental health landscape.

Key topics covered in this episode include:
🎧 The Art of Code-Switching: Why teen therapists shouldn't just pick a "side" between the adolescent and the parents. Dr. Hughes explains how to act as a bridge to ethically and effectively treat the whole family system.
🎧 Re-framing "Mean" Teens: Why a teenager pushing boundaries, talking back, or being "mean" in session is actually a prime clinical opening and a strong indicator of a secure attachment.
🎧 Parenting a Teenager: How parents can successfully transition their role from being a "caretaker" in the driver's seat to acting as a "mentor" and guardrail as their teen gains independence.
🎧 The Reality of Therapist Burnout: A candid, unfiltered discussion on the broken insurance system, the devaluation of mental health care, and how capitalism is driving therapist burnout across the industry.
🎧 Post-COVID Developmental Stunting: How the pandemic disrupted critical milestones, specifically leaving the 19-to-21-year-old demographic feeling stuck and struggling to launch into adulthood.
🎧 Bringing Your Teen Self to Session: Dr. Hughes and Charity bond over their own "spicy" teenage years—from Hot Topic phases to blasting Linkin Park—and discuss why being a real human is always better than being a "blank slate" therapist.

Whether you are a parent trying to figure out how to best support your adolescent's autonomy, or a fellow clinician feeling the weight of the mental health system, this episode is full of validation, laughs, and deep clinical wisdom.

Follow Rachel Hughes:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelhughesphd/?hl=en
Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/rachel-hughes-issaquah-wa/742605

Join the Teens Uncharted Community:
Clinicians: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BHi1bkcXZ/
Parents: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CLjk1359K/
Like our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575657270757
Join us in Skool: https://www.skool.com/teens-uncharted/about
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teens.uncharted/

#TeenTherapy #FamilyTherapy #NeurodivergentTeens #MentalHealthMatters #TherapistBurnout #ParentingTeens #TeensNoCapPodcast #PostPandemicYouth #AuthenticTherapy #TherapyRealTalk

In Episode 53 of Teens: No Cap, host Charity Chaffee sits down with therapist Alyssa Desroches to explore the intersection of neurodivergence, trauma, and EMDR therapy in teenagers. They dive deep into why "high-performing" and high-masking neurodivergent teens are often missed, the vital difference between oppositional behavior and nervous system overwhelm, and how compounded "small t" traumas impact a teen's daily life.

Alyssa shares her expertise as a virtual therapist across Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, specializing in neurodivergence, high performance, burnout, and complex trauma. Together, they explain why EMDR can be incredibly effective and fast-acting for teens compared to adults, and how teens uniquely build safety and resources in therapy—often centering around the powerful theme of "freedom".

In this episode, we cover:
✨Spotting Neurodivergence: How autism and ADHD frequently go under the radar in high-performing teens, often presenting as extreme exhaustion or emotional shutdown at the end of the day.
✨Behavior vs. Nervous System: How to differentiate between a teen making an oppositional choice and an involuntary nervous system reaction.
✨EMDR for Teens: Why EMDR often works faster for teenagers, taking advantage of their brain plasticity to build a healthy foundation before adulthood.
✨Creative Resourcing: How EMDR resourcing looks different for teens, shifting away from peaceful landscapes and focusing on objects, role models, or symbols of independence like a first car.
✨Care Collaboration: The importance of properly preparing parents for shifts in their teen's behavior during EMDR processing.
✨Provider Teamwork: How specialized therapists can effectively collaborate with a teen's primary talk therapist to tackle recurring behavioral themes and stuck points.

Follow Alyssa:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/alyssa-desroches-neurodivergent-burnout-newington-ct/1223593
Alyssa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seedoftruthcounseling/
Website: https://seedoftruthcounseling.com/

Join the Teens Uncharted Community:
Clinicians: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BHi1bkcXZ/
Parents: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CLjk1359K/
Like our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575657270757
Join us in Skool: https://www.skool.com/teens-uncharted/about
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teens.uncharted/

#teentherapy #Neurodivergence #EMDR #AutismInTeens #ADHD #TeensNoCap #CharityChaffee #MentalHealthPodcast #TraumaTherapy #ParentingTeens

Welcome back to another episode of the Teens: No Cap! In Episode 51, host Charity Chaffee sits down with Laura Chackes, a psychologist and owner of the Center for Mindfulness and CBT in St. Louis, Missouri. Laura specializes in treating anxiety, OCD, and Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs).

In this important conversation, we explore the heavily stigmatized and under-recognized world of BFRBs. Laura sheds light on how parents and clinicians can identify these conditions, reduce client shame, and implement effective, compassionate treatment strategies.

Key Takeaways from this Episode:
✨What are BFRBs?: Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors include hair pulling (trichotillomania), skin picking (excoriation disorder), and other behaviors like cheek or nail biting.
✨The Hidden Struggle: Teens often experience intense shame and go to great lengths to hide their BFRBs using clothing, makeup, or fake eyelashes.
✨BFRBs vs. Self-Harm: While self-harm generally involves an intent to cause pain to regulate emotions, BFRBs are typically self-soothing or stimulating behaviors where the harm caused is unintentional.
✨What Not to Say: Telling a teen to simply "stop" their behavior is entirely ineffective and will likely only increase defensiveness or secrecy.
✨Approaching Treatment: Effective therapy starts with mindfulness and self-compassion to manage the shame before trying to change the behavior itself.
✨Redefining Recovery: The goal of BFRB treatment is not necessarily complete cessation of the behavior, but rather managing it so it no longer disrupts the teen's life.

Connect with Laura Chackes:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/laura-chackes-saint-louis-mo/66259
https://www.instagram.com/laurachackes/
Facebook Support Group: Search for "Overcoming Skin Picking and Hair Pulling Help for BFRBs".

Join the Teens Uncharted Community:
Clinicians: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BHi1bkcXZ/
Parents: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CLjk1359K/
Like our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575657270757
Join us in Skool: https://www.skool.com/teens-uncharted/about
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teens.uncharted/

#TeensNoCap #LauraChackes #BFRB #SkinPicking #HairPulling #Trichotillomania #Dermatillomania #TeenMentalHealth #TherapistResources #ParentingTeens #SelfCompassion

Are you struggling to connect with your teenager, or wondering why they seem totally shut down? In Episode 50 of Teens: No Cap, we dive deep into the unfiltered reality of teen mental health and how families can break cycles of generational trauma.

Episode Summary:
In this episode, we sit down with licensed social worker Tatyana White to explore what really goes on in therapy sessions with kids ages nine and up. She shares her authentic approach as a queer person of color and mom , explaining why being a "yes person" simply doesn't work with teenagers. We tackle heavy topics like the compound stress placed on parentified children , the importance of holding parents accountable for behavior changes , and why "radical acceptance" is sometimes the only way forward in difficult environments. Plus, you'll hear practical tips for building communication, like using Disney movies to talk about feelings and creating a "Dictionary of Me" with your kids.

Connect with Tatyana White:
Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/tatyana-white-moorestown-nj/1447705
Instagram: @thrivingwithtaty

Join the Teens Uncharted Community:
Clinicians Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BHi1bkcXZ/
Parents Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CLjk1359K/
Facebook Page: Like Us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575657270757
Skool Community: Join us in Skool https://www.skool.com/teens-uncharted/about
Instagram: Follow us @teens.uncharted https://www.instagram.com/teens.uncharted/

#TeensUncharted #TeenMentalHealth #ParentingTeens #GenerationalTrauma #Parentification #FamilyBoundaries #TeenTherapy #ParentingAdvice

Welcome back to another episode of Teens: No Cap! In Episode 49, host Charity Chaffee, LMHC, sits down with Sarah Evert, LICSW, a clinical social worker and private practice owner based in Minnetonka, MN. Both Charity and Sarah are fiercely passionate about specializing exclusively in adolescents, and they break down exactly why teens require a completely different therapeutic approach than adults or younger children.

In this episode, we dive into:
🎧Why traditional 9-to-5 therapy scheduling doesn't work for busy, burnt-out high schoolers balancing sports, jobs, and AP classes.
🎧How the "pressure and release" method of training wild Mustangs perfectly mirrors the journey of parenting and building trust with teenagers.
🎧The importance of collaborating with parents instead of treating therapy like an "us vs. them" battle.
🎧Why practicing unconditional positive regard—and allowing teens to unmask, even if it means swearing in session—builds essential trust.
🎧Charity’s signature "-10 to +10" scale for harm reduction and helping high-risk teens shed shame around their choices.
🎧Sarah's creative interventions, including using customized music playlists to help teens process messy breakups and grief.
🎧Reframing the pressure of "practice makes perfect" for students, because perfection is just an opinion.

Connect with our Guest:
Sarah Evert operates her private practice in Minnetonka and maintains a thoroughly vetted mental health provider referral list for families in Minnesota. https://www.instagram.com/s.e.e.psychotherapy/
https://seepsychotherapy.com/

Join the Community:
Clinicians: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BHi1bkcXZ/
Parents: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CLjk1359K/
Like our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575657270757
Join us in Skool: https://www.skool.com/teens-uncharted/about
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teens.uncharted/

#TeenTherapy #MentalHealthPodcast #TeensNoCap #ParentingTeens #HarmReduction #SocialWork #AdolescentTherapy #LICSW #LMHC #MentalHealthAwareness