Your Zen Friend

Send Lauren a text!

Sometimes we have unrealistic expectations about our summer ahead. I just had a family vacation with some real highs and lows. I'm talking about temps in the 60's with rain on a beach vacation and a stomach bug or food poisoning kind of lows. Not fun! In this episode, I'll share about that eventful trip, how it can be helpful to have realistic expectations for the summer and 5 ways you can have more connection, peace and calm with your tweens and teens this summer.

📻 Key Episode Highlights

• Why having realistic expectations for summer can help reduce stress and disappointment
• A true story of summer vacation highs and lows that many parents will relate to
• 5 practical ways to create more connection with your tweens and teens this summer
• Strategies for managing expectations while still creating meaningful summer memories

☺️ Mentioned on this episode

• How to For Easy Friendship Bracelets

🏠 Resources for Parents

• For CT residents: Email me the word, "Newsletter," to get on my mailing list! You'll receive announcements for free fall workshops and any upcoming groups, workshops or offerings in my counseling private practice
• Over 200 podcast episodes available to listen to while I'm on break

💌 Let's Connect!

• Website: yourzenfriend.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @YourZenFriendPod
• Join our private Facebook group: Your Zen Friend

💛 If you're finding this podcast helpful, please share it with a friend—it's the best way to help the podcast grow in order to offer more free support to parents of anxious tweens and teens!

Special Announcement: I'll be taking a break from the podcast for the summer to focus on growing private practice. This will help me have more peace and calm this summer! I hope to be back in the fall. Make sure you are following this podcast so that you will receive a new episode once one drops!

Remember: Parenting a tween or teen with anxiety is challenging, so take some time today (and every day) to do something kind for yourself! 💕

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health. 

Send Lauren a text!

Does it feel like your teen is more afraid of being "awkward," than you ever were at their age? As a therapist working with kids and teens, I've noticed today's generation seems particularly afraid of social missteps. What we used to call being "embarrassed" has evolved into something they call "awkward". In this episode, I'll explore why kids are so afraid of awkward moments nowadays and share practical ways you can help your tween or teen to take healthy risks, and survive those cringeworthy social moments when they do happen. Because they happen to all of us!

I'll also share some of my own mortifying experiences throughout the episode 🤪

📻 Key Episode Highlights

• Why today's teens fear "awkwardness" more than previous generations ever feared embarrassment
• How growing up with smart devices and social media impacts teens willingness to take healthy risks
• Why kids today have fewer opportunities for low-stakes social mistakes
• How shifts in parenting affect children's resiliency
• How you can help your teens to take healthy risks and recover when awkward moments happen
• Practical strategies for validating feelings while normalizing awkwardness
• Why sharing your own awkward moments (with humor) helps your teen

🏠 Resources for Parents

• For CT residents: Special wizard-themed courage workshops and mindfulness-based teen groups coming summer 2025 at Firefly Counseling and Wellness in Sandy Hook, CT
• Available before mid-July 2025

💌 Let's Connect!

• Website: yourzenfriend.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @YourZenFriendPod
• Join our private Facebook group: Your Zen Friend

💛 If you're finding this podcast helpful, please share it with a friend—it's the best way to help the podcast grow in order to offer more free support to parents of anxious tweens and teens!

Remember: Parenting a tween or teen with anxiety is challenging, so take some time today (and every day) to do something kind for yourself! 💕

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health. 

Send Lauren a text!

Is this time of year feeling absolutely insane for you as a parent? Between field trips, graduations, concerts, and athletic awards, these final weeks of school can push even the most organized families to their breaking point. In this episode, I'll share three essential tips to help you navigate this hectic time with more peace, joy, and calm—while supporting your anxious tween or teen.

📻 Key Episode Highlights

• Why this time of year is the most overwhelming for families with tweens and teens
• How anxiety escalates during stressful times and what that means for your child
• Understanding your child's "alarm system" and why it sounds louder than necessary
• Three practical strategies to survive the end-of-school chaos with your sanity intact
• Permission to lower your parenting bar and embrace "good enough"
• How to lean into what you actually enjoy during this busy season
• Creative ways to let things slide temporarily and ask for help

🏠 Resources for Parents

• For CT residents: Special wizard-themed courage workshops and mindfulness-based teen groups coming summer 2025 at Firefly Counseling and Wellness in Sandy Hook, CT
• Available before mid-July 2025

💌 Let's Connect!

• Website: yourzenfriend.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @YourZenFriendPod
• Join our private Facebook group: Your Zen Friend

💛 If you're finding this podcast helpful, please share it with a friend—it's the best way to help the podcast grow in order to offer more free support to parents of anxious tweens and teens!

Remember: Parenting a tween or teen with anxiety is challenging, so take some time today (and every day) to do something kind for yourself! 💕

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health. 

Send Lauren a text!

Are you and your tween or teen struggling with anxiety treatment and wondering why it doesn't seem to be "working" right away? In this episode, I'll share the #1 misconception about anxiety recovery and help you understand what real healing actually looks like.

✨ What's Bringing Me More Zen

• Tune in till the end of the episode when I share how I incorporate Harry Potter themes into counseling and some upcoming themed events that could help your tween or teen experience how therapy can actually be fun!

📻 Key Episode Highlights

• The big misconception about anxiety recovery: expecting to do feared things without feeling fear
• Understanding "Signal vs. Noise" when it comes to anxiety responses
• How to recognize real progress in anxiety treatment
• Riding the Worry Hill framework for managing anxiety
• Two practical tips for parents supporting anxious tweens and teens

🏠 Resources for Parents

• For CT residents: Special Harry Potter themed events coming this spring/summer 2025 at Firefly Counseling and Wellness in Sandy Hook, CT: FireflyCounselingAndWellness

💌 Let's Connect!

• Website: yourzenfriend.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @YourZenFriendPod
• Join our private Facebook group: Your Zen Friend

💛 If you're finding this podcast helpful, please share it with a friend—it's the best way to help the podcast grow in order to offer more free support to parents of anxious tweens and teens!

Remember: Parenting a tween or teen with anxiety is challenging, so take some time today (and every day) to do something kind for yourself! 💕

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health. 

Send Lauren a text!

Are you starting to notice signs of anxiety in your tween or teen and wondering if it might be time to get seek support? In this episode, I’ll share how to know when your child could benefit from working with a qualified therapist and help you feel more confident about what to do next.

✨ What's Bringing Me More Zen

• Tune in till the end of the episode when I share how an old TV show that's now streaming is bringing me joy!

📻 Key Episode Highlights

• Understanding and normalizing anxiety 
• Recognizing when anxiety becomes overwhelming
• Signs that indicate your tween or teen might need professional help
• Brief overview of OCD symptoms. For more information on signs and symptoms of OCD check out Episode #123, Anxiety or Something More? A Parent's Guide to Recognizing OCD 

🏠 Resources for Parents

• For CT residents check out my private practice which specializes in supporting children, teens and families dealing with anxiety and OCD: Firefly Counseling and Wellness
• Directory for qualified therapists who treat OCD

💌 Let's Connect!

• Website: YourZenFriend.com
• Email: [email protected] 
• Instagram: @YourZenFriendPod
• Join our private Facebook group: Your Zen Friend

💛 If you're finding this podcast helpful, please share it with a friend—it's the best way to help the podcast grow in order to offer more free support to parents of anxious tweens and teens!

Remember: Parenting a tween or teen with anxiety is challenging, so take some time today (and every day) to do something kind for yourself! 💕

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health. 

Send Lauren a text!

Parenting a tween or teen with anxiety is challenging! This Drop of Zen, a short guided mediation, is designed to offer you support and self care. 

This mediation is perfect to do anytime you would like to connect with joy. Perfect for a mid day break or a morning exercise to help you feel positive and more joyful. 

Enjoy! 😌

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health. 

Send Lauren a text!

In this episode, I focus on how parents can find qualified therapists who treat OCD in children and teens, understand ERP therapy (the gold standard in OCD treatment) and support their child's recovery journey.

✨ What's Bringing Me More Zen

• Tune in till the end of the episode to discover my new favorite protein-packed snack that helps me through mid-day energy slumps! 
• Click here to see where you can buy this snack for yourself 

📻 Key Episode Highlights

• Finding qualified OCD therapists with specialized training
• Understanding ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) therapy - the gold standard in OCD treatment
• Practical strategies for parents to support children with OCD
• Essential resources for families navigating OCD treatment

⚠️ Finding Qualified OCD Therapists When seeking treatment for your child, look for specialists with:

• Experience with pediatric/adolescent OCD specifically
• Training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

How to find a qualified therapist who specializes in treating OCD in children and teens:

• International OCD Foundation directory: https://iocdf.org/find-help/
• Insurance provider networks
• University medical centers with OCD programs
• Ask your child's pediatrician for a referral

💡 Understanding ERP Therapy

• The therapist creates a hierarchy of feared situations
• Gradual exposure to anxiety-provoking situations
• Learning to respond to intrusive thoughts and obsessions
• Learning to resist compulsions
• Active participation at home through homework assignments
• Progress over perfection - celebrating effort and success
• Temporary increase in anxiety is expected initially
• Increased confidence and resilience over time

🏠 How Parents Can Support Their Child

• Reduce accommodation of compulsions
• Avoid offering reassurance
• Support ERP homework
• Manage your own anxiety about your child's distress

💌 Let's Connect!

• Website: https://www.laurencounseling.com/
• Email: [email protected] 
• Instagram: @YourZenFriendPod
• Join our private Facebook group: Your Zen Friend

💛 If you're finding this podcast helpful, please share it with a friend—it's the best way to help the podcast grow in order to offer more free support to parents of anxious tweens and teens!

Remember: Parenting a tween or teen with anxiety is challenging, so take some time today (and every day) to do something kind for yourself! 💕

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health. 

Send Lauren a text!

In this episode, I explore the key differences between OCD and anxiety in tweens and teens. Learn how to recognize the signs and identify when your child might need specialized support. 

✨ What's Bringing Me More Zen

• Tune in till the end of the episode to discover my favorite free meditation app! I'll tell you how it's been keeping me accountable to meditate on a daily basis. And how I'm noticing positive differences from staying consistent. 

📻 Key Episode Highlights

• The critical differences between anxiety and OCD
• How to recognize OCD symptoms in tweens and teens
• Why understanding these differences matters for treatment

⚠️ When to Seek Professional Help If your child is experiencing persistent intrusive thoughts, engaging in compulsive rituals, or showing extreme anxiety that interferes with daily life, it may be time to consult a qualified therapist.

• Look for therapists specialized in Exposure Response Prevention Therapy
• If you live in the state of Connecticut reach out to me for support at https://www.laurencounseling.com/
• Use the International OCD Foundation to find qualified professionals: https://iocdf.org/find-help/

💡 Resources Mentioned

• YouTube videos by Nathan Peterson on OCD healing
• International OCD Foundation resources

💌 Let's Connect!

• Website: https://www.laurencounseling.com/
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @YourZenFriendPod
• Join our private Facebook group: Your Zen Friend

💛 If you're finding this podcast helpful, please share it with a friend—it's the best way to help the podcast grow in order to offer more free support to parents of anxious tweens and teens!

Remember: Parenting a tween or teen with anxiety is challenging, so take some time today (and every day) to do something kind for yourself! 💕

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health. 

Send Lauren a text!

In this episode, I explore the link between smartphone use and anxiety in tweens and teens. I'll introduce the term "problematic smartphone use," explain what it looks like, how to recognize if your child is struggling with it, and share practical (as well as creative) strategies to help them set healthier boundaries with their phone.

✨ What's Bringing Me More Zen

• Tune in after the break to discover what recently brought me more zen. I was the lucky winner of a contest at a local salon and day spa! I'll tell you about the fabulous services I won and one in particular which I will definitely be returning for! Even if you're not local, I guarantee this service is offered in your area too ☺️

If you're local to Fairfield County or Litchfield County, CT, check out the fabulous salons, DPZ on Main in Danbury or DPZ North in Litchfield: https://thedpz.com/

📻 Mentioned in this episode: An NPR report on the results of adults taking a 2 week break from using the internet on their smartphones: Click here to read it

💌 Let's Connect!

• Website: yourzenfriend.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @YourZenFriendPod
• Join our private Facebook group: Your Zen Friend

⚠️ When to Seek Professional Help: If your child is showing severe signs of problematic smartphone use such as extreme irritability when separated from their phone, significant sleep disruption, declining grades, or withdrawal from family activities, it may be time to consult with a qualified clinician. If you live in the state of Connecticut, feel free to contact me through my website: yourzenfriend.com - And if you live elsewhere ask your child's pediatrician or school guidance counselor for a referral.

💛 If you're finding this podcast helpful, please share it with a friend—it's the best way to help the podcast grow in order to offer more free support to parents of anxious tweens and teens!

Remember: Parenting a tween or teen with anxiety is challenging, so take some time today (and every day) to do something kind for yourself! 💕

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health. 

Send Lauren a text!

In this episode, I tackle a common dilemma parents face: should you reassure your anxious tween or teen when they're worried, or could that actually make their anxiety worse? I'll share practical strategies to help you know when it's ok to offer a little reassurance. And I'll let you know when it's better to not reassure and what you can do instead. 

📢 Important Scheduling Update:
* I'll be releasing new episodes twice a month for the next few months (instead of weekly). 

✨ What's Bringing Me More Zen
* Tune in after the break to discover what's bringing me more zen this week - a special segment about ignoring anti-aging marketing aimed at women and embracing our beauty and confidence as we age! 👑

💌 Let's Connect!
* Website: yourzenfriend.com
* Email: [email protected]
* Instagram: @YourZenFriendPod
* Join our private Facebook group: Your Zen Friend

⚠️ When to Seek Professional Help:
If your child is constantly seeking reassurance, sending worried texts throughout the day, or struggling to attend school or activities, it may be time to consult with a qualified clinician. If you live in the state of Connecticut, feel free to contact me through my website: yourzenfriend.com - And if you live elsewhere ask your child's pediatrician or school guidance counselor for a referral. 

💛 If you're finding this podcast helpful, please share it with a friend—it's the best way to support the show and help more parents of anxious tweens and teens! 

Remember: Parenting a tween or teen with anxiety is challenging, so take some time today (and every day) to do something kind for yourself! 💕

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended to be a replacement for diagnosis, mental health therapy or psychological treatment of any kind. Please consult with your doctor or mental health provider in order to care for your physical or mental health.