If you've ever sat across from a teen who is completely checked out on the therapy couch, you know that just talking about trauma doesn't always cut it. In Episode 64 of Teens Uncharted: the Pod, host Charity Chaffee sits down with Nick Bremer, a pre-licensed therapist based in Michigan who is completely flipping the script on somatic work. Nick is certified in trauma-informed weightlifting and uses physical resilience—literally picking up heavy things—to help teens process anxiety and trauma when words just aren't enough.

Whether working with student-athletes navigating performance anxiety, teens managing ADHD, or LGBTQ+ youth building bodily autonomy, Nick seamlessly integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and somatic skills right on the gym floor. We dive into the neuroscience of the window of tolerance, why framing exercise as "intentional movement" is crucial for emotional regulation, and how to authentically connect with teens outside the confines of traditional talk therapy.

Connect with Nick Bremer:
Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/nick-william-bremer-jenison-mi/1392742
Instagram: @_therapy.with.nick_ https://www.instagram.com/_therapy.with.nick_?stkn=Y254bTUzODgwd2xk
Tahoma Counseling: https://tahomacounseling.com/

Join the Teens Uncharted Community:
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#TeensUncharted #TeenTherapy #TraumaInformedWeightlifting #SomaticTherapy #NickBremer #TeenMentalHealth #CBT #TraumaRecovery #StudentAthleteMentalHealth #TherapyForTeens

If you work with teens, you know that therapy does not happen in a vacuum, and eventually, school will enter the chat. In Episode 63 of Teens Uncharted, licensed mental health counselor Charity Chaffee dives into the complexities of school collaboration during the back-to-school season. As requested by our listeners, this episode explores how therapists, parents, and school professionals can communicate effectively. The goal is to work together in a way that protects teens, supports caregivers, and keeps everyone on the same team.

Key Takeaways in This Episode:
💜 The Annual Cycle of Teen Stress: There is a predictable pattern of teen struggle throughout the school year. This cycle often begins with the anxiety of heading back to school. It is followed by increased boredom and academic pressure during the mid-October and November grind. Finally, teens often experience prolonged challenges during the long, grueling month of March.
💜 Effective Communication Strategies: Outside therapists should proactively schedule short, 10-15 minute chats with school psychologists or social workers at the beginning of the academic year. This allows professionals to share relevant information and discuss client needs without violating confidentiality.
💜 Proactive Safety Planning: It is highly recommended to establish safety plans early in the school year. Therapists and parents must understand a school district's specific crisis management and screening protocols. Getting ahead of these policies prevents care teams from scrambling reactively during an active crisis.
💜 Defining Healthy Roles: Parents are advised against acting as the primary enforcers of educational tasks and homework. Instead, schools must be the ones to enforce academic rules and deliver natural consequences.
💜 Navigating Professional Disagreements: Outside therapists must maintain collaborative, civil relationships with school staff. It is crucial not to speak poorly about the school to the teen, as this breaks down therapeutic rapport. Furthermore, private therapists should avoid attempting to direct the work or enforce the lanes of school professionals.

Whether you are a private practice therapist, a school counselor, or a parent navigating the teenage years, this episode provides actionable guidance to better support the adolescents in your life.

Join the Teens Uncharted Community:
Website: https://www.teensuncharted.com/
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#TeensUncharted #TeenTherapy #SchoolCollaboration #MentalHealthCounseling #ParentingTeens #BackToSchool #TherapistTips #CharityChafee

In Episode 62 of Teens Uncharted, licensed mental health counselor Charity Chafee tackles an unspoken reality in the field: getting abruptly fired by your teen clients. Rather than letting a sudden termination trigger imposter syndrome or financial panic, this episode explores how to process the experience and use it to become a better clinician.

In this episode, we cover:
🎧 Why being fired is an inevitable milestone in a therapist's career and a valuable opportunity for professional growth.
🎧 The difference between an emotional, knee-jerk firing and a standard discharge after goals are met.
🎧 How to preload termination protocols during the initial intake to help teens and parents practice healthy transitions and conflict resolution.
🎧 Why a therapist's goal during a termination discussion should be understanding the client's choice, not convincing them to stay.
🎧 How to objectively analyze a failed case to recognize your accountability and process your own guilt or shame.

Resources & Links:
Download the free "You're Fired" processing workbook at https://www.teensuncharted.com/clinical-resources-teens-uncharted to help you critically analyze and move through abrupt terminations.
Join a community of 6,000+ professionals in our new Facebook group: "Therapists Who Work with Teens". 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/

#TeensUncharted #TeenTherapy #TherapistLife #MentalHealthCounselor #ClinicalPractice #ClientTermination #TherapistTips

Welcome back to the very first episode of our newly rebranded podcast, Teens Uncharted the Pod! Whether you have been here since the beginning or are just tuning in, we are so happy to have you for the Season 2 premiere.

This podcast is dedicated to discussing teens through the lens of the professionals who work with them, including therapists, social workers, doctors, and coaches. In this episode, Charity tackles the common pushback that working with teenagers carries too high of a liability.

Here is what we are unpacking today:
✨ The Liability Myth: Charity explains why she believes teens actually carry less liability than adults. She highlights how teenagers have a built-in web of collaborative support, including school social workers, pediatricians, and guardians.
✨ Systemic Reflections: The devastating Lindsay Clancy trial is an opportunity to take a critical look at the mental health system. Charity discusses how even in a state with top-tier care like Massachusetts, a lack of collaboration between providers can leave dangerous gaps.
✨ Insurance Hurdles: Insurance companies often dictate care and prioritize their wallets over clients. Charity points out how the current system discourages essential collaborative consultation by treating it as unpaid labor for therapists.
✨ Exciting Updates: Charity shares her nervous excitement about being accepted to speak at an upcoming summit in March 2027, where she will present on harm reduction frameworks for teens.
✨ Season 2 Preview: Get ready for a packed season featuring interviews with psychiatrists, DBT specialists, and individuals sharing their lived experiences receiving mental health care as teens.

"I think we can learn a lot from tragedy if we can lean into it and really take a critical look at what happened and why."

Connect with the Community:
Website: Check out https://www.teensuncharted.com/ and sign up for the mailing list to get all the upcoming goodies.
Facebook Group: Join the conversation in the "Therapists Who Work with Teens" Facebook group, which has grown to almost 6,000 members! 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
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#TeensUncharted #TeenTherapy #MentalHealthPodcast #TherapistLife #MentalHealthSystem #TherapyLiability #SocialWork #Season2Premiere

Welcome to Episode 60 of the Teens: No Cap Podcast!
I can't believe we've made it to 60 episodes, and to celebrate, we have some massive announcements. This episode marks the official finale of our "No Cap" era, as we are shifting gears and rebranding to Teens Uncharted the Pod starting next season. Thank you to all the wonderful guests who have shared their expertise and helped this community grow!

In This Episode, We Cover:
🌟 Exciting updates on our Facebook community, "Therapists Who Work with Teens," which is now almost 6,000 members strong.
🌟 My reflections on the successful beta launch of the Parent Integration Training.
🌟 A sneak peek at a new deep-dive clinical training on teens launching in late September or early October.
🌟 A fun and insightful game of "Cap or No Cap" where we tackle common misconceptions and myths about teen mental health.

Myths We Bust in the "Cap or No Cap" Game:
🌟 If a teen gets straight A's and plays sports, their mental health is perfectly fine.
🌟 Sleeping all weekend and isolating is just normal teenage hormones.
🌟 Self-harm and dark social media posts are simply attention-seeking behaviors.
🌟 Asking a struggling teen directly about suicidal thoughts will put the idea in their head.
🌟 Therapy is only necessary if you have hit rock bottom or have a severe mental health diagnosis.
🌟 Social media is the 100% sole reason for the current teen mental health crisis.
🌟 Teens today are softer and lack the resilience of older generations.
🌟 Putting a teenager on antidepressants or anxiety medication will definitively change their personality.

Get Involved & 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/

#TeensUncharted #TeenMentalHealth #TherapistsWhoWorkWithTeens #TeenTherapy #PodcastFinale #CapOrNoCap #MentalHealthAwareness #ParentIntegration

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/

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

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