Welcome back to Teens No Cap! I'm your host, Charity Chafee, a licensed mental health counselor specializing in teens and their families.

Today, I am absolutely jazzed to welcome Jamie Roberts to the show! Jamie is a California-based LMFT who specializes in working with neurodivergent teens and young adults (ADHD, autism, learning differences, and anxiety). She joins us to discuss her incredible new book, Neurodiversity for Teen Girls, and share her own journey of receiving a late diagnosis of AuDHD in her thirties.

In this episode, we dive deep into:
✅The Diagnostic Gap: Exploring why 80% of autistic girls do not receive a diagnosis by age 18.
✅The Phone Battery Analogy: A highly relatable update to the traditional "spoon theory" that helps teens effectively communicate their daily energy levels.
✅Redefining Self-Harm: Why we need to start viewing self-harm as a form of "pain regulation" for dopamine-deprived brains.
✅Harm Reduction Strategies: How to implement "distract and delay" techniques to keep teens safe, rather than relying on abstinence-only approaches that don't work.
✅Finding Yourself in Fiction: A look at the six crystal-named archetypes in Jamie's book (like Citrine, Onyx, and Emerald) that help neurodivergent teens feel seen and understood.

Resources & Links Mentioned:
✨Jamie's New Book: Neurodiversity for Teen Girls [https://a.co/d/04DEEBbR]
✨Jamie's First Book: Mindfulness for Teen Anxiety [https://www.amazon.com/dp/1638783829]
✨Neuroaffirming Clinical Trainings: Check out Neuropebble! [https://www.linkedin.com/company/neuropebble-corp/posts/]
✨Follow Jamie Everywhere: @NeuroDivergentTherapist [https://www.instagram.com/neurodivergenttherapist/]
✨ Visit Teens Uncharted Website: https://www.teensuncharted.com/
✨ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teens.uncharted/

#Neurodiversity #AutismInGirls #ADHD #HarmReduction #TeenMentalHealth #TeensNoCap #ParentingTeens #JamieRobertsLMFT

Working with teenagers isn't the same as working with children or adults. Because of their unique brain development, teenagers are their own distinct clinical subspecialty.

In Episode #40 of Teens: No Cap, licensed mental health counselor Charity Chaffee breaks down the critical standards of care required for working effectively with adolescents. If you want to offer better scaffolding and support to your teen clients and navigate family dynamics with confidence, these are the practices you need to implement.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:
✨Parent Involvement: Why treating a teen in a vacuum doesn't work and how to include regulated parents at regular intervals.
✨The Intake Process: The importance of holding completely separate intake sessions for teens and parents.
✨Customized Paperwork: Why teens need their own tailored intake packets and policies written in language they can understand.
✨Wraparound Support: How attending school meetings (like IEPs and 504s) gives you a greater sense of the landscape your clients face.
✨Clear Boundaries: Setting firm, written policies for texting, outside contact, and mandated reporting.
✨Tracking Progress: Using quarterly check-in forms to give teens a safe, alternative way to disclose difficult behaviors like self-harm.

Connect & Learn More:
Website: https://www.teensuncharted.com/
Provider Community: Join our free Skool community for professionals who love working with teens
https://www.skool.com/teens-uncharted/about
Upcoming Training: Join the Harm Reduction Training on April 10th

#teentherapy #MentalHealthCounselor #TeensNoCap #StandardsOfCare #TherapistTips #AdolescentMentalHealth #ClinicalPractice #PrivatePractice #TherapistCommunity #ParentingTeens

Welcome back to Teens No Cap! In episode 39, we are tackling a heavy but crucial topic for March, which is Self-Harm Awareness Month. Self-harm is still a very taboo subject today, and there are many misconceptions about what it actually is. As a licensed mental health counselor specializing in high-risk teens, I want to share a different perspective on how we approach and treat self-injury.

Here is what we cover in tonight's episode:
💡We expand the definition of self-harm beyond traditional cutting or burning to include disordered eating, substance abuse, and high-risk sex practices.
💡We discuss how self-harm is often an attempt to manage an internal state and self-preserve through means the person has control over.
💡I explain why asking a teen "why" they self-harm is unhelpful because it puts them in a state of defense and forces them to justify their coping skills.
💡We explore the alternative of asking "what is that like for you?" to foster collaboration and curiosity.
💡I break down why telling someone to "just stop" ignores the reality that the behavior has become a predictable, comforting friend to them.
💡We look at recovery through the lens of micro-steps, focusing on building behavioral scaffolding rather than expecting overnight healing.
💡We discuss how relapse is a normal part of the process and a learning opportunity, not a failure.

If you are a clinician treating teens, don't forget to join the free school community for monthly case consultations and private practice building sessions.

Don't forget to like, follow, and subscribe!

#TeensNoCap #SelfHarmAwarenessMonth #HarmReduction #TeenMentalHealth #TherapyForTeens #MentalHealthCounseling #ParentingTeens #HighRiskTeens #TherapistLife

Is your health journey impacting your teen’s body image?

In Part 2 of our deep dive into GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic and Wegovy), Charity Chaffee, LMHC, and Dr. Emily Gordon, Psy.D., explore the complex "spiderweb" of parenting while on a weight-loss journey. As GLP-1s become a cultural movement, many parents are left wondering: Should I tell my teenager?.

In this episode, we discuss the "Great Untangling"—the process of separating your health decisions from your teen’s developing identity. We cover how to handle accusations of hypocrisy, why "do as I say, not as I do" fails with observant teens, and how to maintain family rituals when your eating habits change.

In this episode, we discuss:
✨The Narrative Shift: Why it’s safer for your teen to get the story from you than from an AI or Google.
✨Developmental Risks: Why GLP-1s are a different conversation for a developing teen brain versus an adult.
✨Family Rituals: How to keep the "connection" at the dinner table even if your appetite has changed.
✨Body Positivity vs. Acceptance: Helping teens navigate a culture preoccupied with thinness while making your own health choices.
✨Authentic Parenting: Being "messy and grey" instead of perfect to deepen your relationship.

About Our Guest:
Dr. Emily Gordon is a licensed psychologist (MA, VT, CT, FL) specializing in adolescents, young adults, and eating disorder prevention.

#GLP1 #ParentingTeens #BodyImage #Ozempic #Wegovy #EatingDisorderPrevention #TeensNoCap #DrEmilyGordon #MentalHealth #BodyAcceptance #WeightLossJourney

Happy Friday! In this episode of Teens No Cap, host and licensed mental health counselor Charity Chaffee dives deep into the "lens" she uses in her specific practice: Harm Reduction.

Many parents and providers struggle with the shift between childhood and teenhood, often defaulting to a demand for compliance. Charity explains why a "hard no" often backfires and how shifting the locus of control from compliance to support can actually keep your teen safer.

In this episode, we cover:
📌What Harm Reduction Is (and Isn't): It’s not about condoning high-risk behavior; it’s about safety, problem-solving, and keeping the conversation open.
📌The Power of 1%: How micro-changes and "analytical improvements" lead to long-term growth and success.
📌Autonomy vs. Secrecy: Why providing "scaffolding" prevents teens from "claming up" or engaging in dangerous behaviors in secret.
📌Radical Acceptance: Facing the reality of consequences (like STIs, pregnancy, or substance use) without living in a world of denial.
📌The Change Process: Understanding the cycles of collapse, learning, and growth.

"Your kid is going to fuck up. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when." Learn how to be the source of support they need when it happens.

Connect with Charity:
If you’re a parent or provider interested in learning how to apply harm reduction to your work or home life, reach out!
https://www.teensuncharted.com/
https://www.instagram.com/teens.uncharted/

Subscribe for more episodes on navigating the uncharted waters of teenhood.

#TeensNoCap #HarmReduction #ParentingTeens #TeenMentalHealth #AdolescentTherapy #CollaborativeParenting #MentalHealthCounselor #TeensUncharted #ParentingTips #Scaffolding

Is it "all in their head," or is something else going on?

In this episode of Teens: No Cap, Charity Chaffee sits down with Destiny Davis, LPC, CRC, a specialist in counseling people with physical and mental disabilities. Together, they dive deep into the pervasive issue of chronic illness in teenagers—an often invisible struggle that is frequently misidentified as "just anxiety."

In this episode, we discuss:
✨The Diagnosis Gap: Why it takes an average of 7 to 10 years for many (especially females) to receive a proper diagnosis.
✨The Power of Validation: Why believing your teen’s symptoms (like chronic stomach pain) is the first step to preventing further trauma.
✨Parenting with Distress Tolerance: Learning how to manage your own fears so you can better advocate for your child in school and medical settings.
✨ACT for Chronic Illness: How Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps teens separate their identity from their symptoms and live a value-driven life.
✨Medical Gaslighting: Destiny shares her personal story of growing up with a parent dismissed by the medical system and how that shaped her career.

About Our Guest:
Destiny Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor based in Atlanta, GA. She specializes in working with individuals navigating the intersection of mental health and chronic physical conditions.
Website: https://www.thechronicillnesstherapist.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.chronicillnesstherapists/

Follow and Visit Us:
Website: https://www.teensuncharted.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teens.uncharted/

#ChronicIllness #TeenMentalHealth #ParentingTeens #InvisibleIllness #MedicalGaslighting #TherapyForTeens #ACTTherapy #DisabilityAwareness #MentalHealthMatters

Welcome to our Valentine's Day chat on all things teen relationships! Whether you are a parent supporting your teen's first relationship or navigating the preteen dating years, this episode is for you.

It can be tempting for parents to say, "No dating until college!". However, if teens don't date now, they often end up navigating their first serious relationships in college without the supervision, guidance, or feedback of a parent. In this episode, we discuss why teen relationships shouldn't be dismissed, but rather viewed as the groundwork and foundation for future adult relationships.

In This Episode, We Cover:
✨The Danger of Abstinence-Only Dating: Why forbidding teens from dating means they miss out on learning healthy dynamics while they still have a safety net.
✨The "Fall in Love and Be Done" Myth: How media like The Summer I Turned Pretty and My Life with the Walter Boys sets unrealistic expectations that love is simply found, rather than actively maintained.
✨Defining the Code Words: How to help teens break down vague words like "trust" into actionable concepts like consistency, transparency, and communication.
✨The Power of Neutrality: Why parents must remain neutral and curious, avoiding the trap of either demonizing a teen's partner or glorifying them as "perfect".
✨Teen Couples Counseling?: Why addressing conflict resolution, needs, and attachment in teen relationships could prevent them from routinely needing to heal trauma in their 20s and 30s.

Connect with Us:
Instagram: @teens.uncharted
Website: www.teensuncharted.com
www.raisingvibrance.com

#TeenRelationships #ParentingTeens #TeenMentalHealth #TeensNoCap #ValentinesDay #DatingAdvice #TeenTherapy #HealthyRelationships #TrustAndCommunication #ParentingTips

In this powerful episode, Haley Moss—autistic attorney, author, and neurodiversity advocate—joins Teens Uncharted for a deep conversation about autism, neurodivergence, and supporting teens through self-discovery and advocacy.

We explore:
🔹 The pressure to constantly achieve and how to enjoy the journey
🔹 Navigating autism and neurodiversity in school, work, and relationships
🔹 Parenting teens with empathy, flexibility, and acceptance
🔹 Disability neutrality vs. the “superpower” narrative
🔹 How to advocate for yourself and your teen in IEP meetings and beyond
🔹 The importance of community, communication, and self-acceptance

Whether you’re a teen exploring your own neurodivergence, a parent learning how to support your child, or an educator wanting to create more inclusive spaces—this episode is packed with insight, validation, and hope.

Connect with Haley Moss:
https://haleymoss.com/

Teens Uncharted Platform:
www.teensuncharted.com

📢 Subscribe for more honest conversations about teens, mental health, and growing up in today’s world.

#TeensNoCap #Neurodiversity #AutismAcceptance #TeenMentalHealth #NeurodivergentTeens #ParentingTeens #IEP #DisabilityAdvocacy #AutismAwareness #HaleyMoss #TeensUncharted #InclusiveParenting #SelfAdvocacy #TeenTherapy #ActuallyAutistic #DisabilityNeutrality

What do you do when your teen says they don't want to go to college? In this episode, host Charity Chaffee talks with Cathy Tallone, founder of The Non-College Blueprint: Finding Futures That Fit. They discuss how to navigate this pivotal decision without shame, build a practical and fulfilling alternative path, and support your teen's confidence, values, and network.

Cathy shares her personal journey, the "stackable skills" approach, and actionable steps for parents feeling lost or anxious about their teen's future beyond traditional education.

In this episode, we cover:
🔹Why the "college or bust" mindset is outdated
🔹How to respond when your teen rejects the college path
🔹The 3 key pillars for building a non-college future: Values, Confidence, and Networking
🔹Real-world examples of alternative paths and "stackable skills"
🔹Reducing parent anxiety and rebuilding the parent-teen relationship around this choice

Connect with Cathy Tallone:
Email: [email protected]
Free Facebook Group: Non-College Teens
Book a complimentary call or explore coaching packages

Follow Teens Uncharted:
 @teens.uncharted 
www.teensuncharted.com

Timestamps:
00:00 Preview & Intro
01:05 Cathy’s Intro & The Non-College Blueprint
06:23 The Problem with the "College Blueprint"
11:10 Building a Bridge Instead of Shame
18:21 How Parents Should Respond
23:37 The 3 Pillars: Values, Confidence, Networking
34:50 Expanding Options Beyond Trades
44:27 A World of Opportunities Without a Degree
51:55 Purpose Building & The Boy Mom Perspective
55:50 How to Work with Cathy & Closing

#TeensUncharted #NonCollege #ParentingTeens #AlternativeCareer #TeenMentalHealth #FuturePlanning #Homeschool #Worldschool #ParentingAdvice #LifeCoach #EducationAlternatives #TeenSupport #CollegeAlternatives #SkillsOverDegree #GenZ #Parenting

In this important first installment of a two-part series, Dr. Emily Gordon returns to Teens: No Cap to discuss the rise of GLP-1 medications and their impact on teen mental health, body image, and eating behaviors. We dive into the history of these drugs, their shift from diabetes treatment to widespread weight loss use, and the serious risks they pose for adolescent development.

🔍 In this episode, we cover:
➡️The origins of GLP-1 medications and how they work
➡️Why they are becoming so popular—and what’s being overlooked
➡️The dangers of malnutrition, emotional disconnection, and long-term health effects
➡️How teens and parents can navigate conversations about weight, medication, and self-worth
➡️The importance of slowing down and making informed decisions—not quick fixes

This conversation is essential for parents, caregivers, and anyone concerned about the mental and physical well-being of teens in today’s “quick-fix” culture. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll dive deeper into how to talk about food, body image, and self-acceptance.

👥 Guest: Dr. Emily Gordon
🎙 Host: Charity Chaffee, LMHC
📌 Episode: 32 | Teens No Cap

💬 Join the conversation in the comments below:
Have you or your teen been affected by the rise of GLP-1 medications? What questions do you have about their use and impact?

📢 Subscribe and hit the bell 🔔 so you don’t miss Part 2 of this critical discussion!

#GLP1 #TeenMentalHealth #EatingDisorderAwareness #BodyImage #ParentingTeens #MentalHealthPodcast #TeensNoCap #DrEmilyGordon #WeightLossMedication #TeenHealth #InformedConsent #EatingDisorderRecovery #Psychology #AdolescentDevelopment #HealthyTeens