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Parents, do you worry about your teen’s emotional well-being and how anxiety may be affecting their daily life? Have you felt helpless or unsure about how to support your teen through their struggles? Are you concerned about the long-term impact of anxiety on your teen’s mental health? Are you looking for guidance and support from experts who understand what you’re going through and can provide practical advice to your teen for navigating this journey? Hi, I’m Monica Crnogorac and I’m so excited that you’re here on Parenting Anxious Teens. Things may seem smooth and easy for me now, but they weren’t always this way. I remember what it felt like to be a teen and feel overwhelmed, alone, confused, and frustrated. Even though I had the awareness of how I was feeling, I still struggled to overcome the heavy emotions because I was afraid of letting anyone in. I was hoping I would be able to ignore it and shove it under the rug without really needing to address it. What happened? My feelings of anxiety and overwhelm intensified and that freaked me out. I needed to find a way to free myself from the hole I dug, so I finally decided to work with someone who helped me let go of the burdens of anxiety I was carrying for years. It wasn’t easy and it made me shed a few tears, but I was able to release the pain and move forward to living a life where anxiety doesn’t have the driver seat. Let me tell you, the time, energy, and money I put towards my own transformation is what inspired me to help teens today. Resolving my own anxiety allowed me to uncover the secret to overcoming big emotions in an easy, manageable, and adaptive way. After falling in love with the self-growth journey, I went to school to get educated and certified so I can empower you and tell you everything I know. Inside this podcast, we explore the nature of non-clinical anxiety, uncovering its triggers, signs and symptoms, and the profound impact it has on a teen’s life. Parents, you will learn how to understand, support, and empower your teens through their struggles with anxiety. You’ll learn actionable steps you can take to create a supportive environment at home and help your teen manage their anxiety effectively. But we don’t stop there. I bring on expert guests, share anxiety hacks, and equip both teens and parents with practical strategies for building resilience, coping with stress, and navigating those turbulent waters with grace and strength. We are going to simplify teenage anxiety for you because I want you see your teen happy, confident, and thriving. I want you to be able to have a strong and supportive relationship with them where everyone feels understood and supported. Most importantly, I want to help them reach their full potential despite what they’re going through. So, grab your favourite drink, get in some comfy clothes and let’s dig in. You can find me here: Instagram: @__consciouscoach Work with me: www.consciouscoach.biz Connect: monica@consciouscoach.biz
Episodes
2 days ago
2 days ago
Hi Parents!
What if the key to helping your anxious teen wasn’t just about them - but started with you? In this episode, we’re exploring the powerful connection between emotional wounds and how they impact parenting, especially when raising teens who struggle with anxiety.
I’m joined by Shelly Robinson - certified trauma-informed parent coach, founder of Raising Yourself, and mom of two teens. Shelly specializes in helping parents reconnect with themselves so they can show up more calmly and intentionally in their parenting. Her work invites parents to move beyond reaction and into meaningful, heart-centered connection with their kids.
More About Shelly:
Shelly Robinson is a conscious parenting coach, the founder of Raising Yourself, and the creator of the Connected Kid Toolkit. She helps parents break generational cycles and build emotionally connected homes, with a global community of more than half a million parents engaging with her work. Through her warm, insight-driven approach, Shelly empowers caregivers to heal unresolved childhood wounds and raise their children with greater clarity, compassion, and presence. Her insights have been featured on MindValley, GoZen, Raised Good, and Good News LA, and her work continues to support families in creating grounded, healing-centered homes.
Together, we unpack how your triggers are actually invitations, clues that point toward unhealed parts of yourself. Shelly breaks down how self-awareness and self-compassion can change how you connect with your teen, especially when they’re overwhelmed, shut down, or angry. We also dive into what it means to normalize tough emotions, navigate conflict without projecting, and show up as a calmer, more grounded version of yourself.
By the end of this conversation, you’ll feel seen, supported, and empowered with actionable tools to parent from a place of awareness, not anxiety. Because when you heal - you create space for your teen to heal, too.
Big hugs,
Monica Crnogorac
Next Steps
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Hi Parents!
Have you ever wondered if letting your teen have a drink at home might teach them to be more responsible with alcohol? It’s a question many parents ask themselves - especially when they’re trying to balance trust, safety, and the reality that teens are exposed to alcohol earlier than ever.
In today’s episode, I’m diving into one of the most common (and complicated) parenting dilemmas: should I let my teen drink underage, especially if it’s under my supervision? I’ll walk you through the latest research, debunk some of the myths about “safe drinking environments,” and give you a deeper understanding of how alcohol impacts your teen’s developing brain and emotional well-being.
We’ll also explore the connection between underage drinking and anxiety, and why some teens use alcohol to manage their emotions or mask inner struggles. If you’ve ever worried that your teen might be using substances to cope - or you’re just not sure how to even start this conversation - this episode is for you.
I’ll share practical, real-world strategies for how to approach the topic of alcohol with your teen in a way that builds trust, encourages healthy decision-making, and opens the door to honest communication. We’ll also talk about the long-term risks of early alcohol use, why supervised drinking isn’t always protective, and how to model boundaries that still allow for connection.
By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer sense of how alcohol affects the anxious teen brain, why setting limits matters more than you think, and how to guide your teen with confidence - without creating fear or disconnect.
Big hugs,
Monica Crnogorac
Next Steps
Tuesday May 20, 2025
Tuesday May 20, 2025
Hi Parents!
Worried your teen is choosing friends who aren’t the best influence? Maybe you’ve noticed changes in their mood, behavior, or values - and you’re not sure how to step in without being pushy or overbearing.
In today’s episode, I’m sharing 5 ways to help your teen choose healthier friendships - without damaging your relationship or coming across as the controlling parent. These strategies are designed to empower both you and your teen with tools for self-awareness, communication, and decision-making.
We’ll talk about what to look for in a healthy friendship, how to open up conversations about peer pressure, and why some teens stay in toxic friendships even when they know it’s not good for them. Most importantly, I’ll walk you through how to support your teen in making better choices - while still honoring their growing independence.
By the end of this episode, you’ll feel more confident in how to guide your teen without lecturing or judging - and you’ll have practical ways to encourage relationships that uplift and support them.
Big hugs,
Monica Crnogorac
Next Steps
Tuesday May 13, 2025
Tuesday May 13, 2025
Hi Parents,
What if easing your teen’s anxiety wasn’t just about therapy or medication - but also about their meals, sleep habits, and screen time?
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Matt Bernstein, clinical psychiatrist and CEO of Accord, to explore the powerful, often-overlooked link between metabolism and mental health. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Bernstein shares how everyday choices - from the foods we eat to the light we’re exposed to - can influence anxiety, focus, and emotional regulation.
We break down how metabolic dysfunction (like blood sugar crashes, poor sleep, and blue light overload) can fuel anxiety in teens - and how simple, science-backed changes can help. Dr. Bernstein explains the benefits of a whole-food, high-fat, low-carb diet, how circadian rhythms affect mood, and why walking after meals might be one of the easiest tools for mental wellness.
You’ll also hear why ultra-processed foods are more damaging than we think, how screen time affects the brain, and why sleep is a non-negotiable for well-being. If your teen struggles with anxiety, low energy, or mood swings, this episode offers clarity and hope.
About Dr. Matt Bernstein:
Dr. Matt is a board-certified psychiatrist and CEO of Accord, a platform transforming mental health through metabolic care. A leader in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, he connects brain health to lifestyle habits like nutrition, movement, and sleep. In 2023, he hosted the first public conference on metabolic psychiatry to advance this important conversation.
This episode is packed with practical strategies to help your teen feel calmer, more balanced, and better equipped to thrive - even in a world full of sugar, screens, and stress.
Big hugs,
Monica Crnogorac
Next Steps
Tuesday May 06, 2025
Tuesday May 06, 2025
Hi Parents,
Is your teen constantly criticizing their body, obsessing over food, or showing sudden changes in eating habits? You’re not alone - and neither are they.
In this episode, I’m sitting down with Leslie to explore the deeper roots of disordered eating and body anxiety in teens. We dive into how these struggles often stem from anxiety, low self-esteem and the need for control.
Leslie offers insight into what disordered eating actually looks like, the early warning signs to watch for, and why resistance or denial is a common first reaction when teens are approached. You’ll learn how to start supportive conversations without adding pressure, how to help your teen build self-awareness, and why creating healthy habits before college is one of the most important things you can do.
More About Leslie:
Leslie is a triple-certified Life, Health, and Nutrition Coach who specializes in working with teens and parents to overcome disordered eating, body anxiety, and low self-esteem. She is the host of the Healthy Teen Life podcast and offers personalized coaching programs designed to help teens develop balanced relationships with food and themselves.
Her unique program focuses on powerful mindset shifts, empowered eating strategies and self-compassion tools. The result? Confident young adults who overcome weight challenges, develop healthy relationships with food, and unlock their potential for happier, healthier lives.
This episode is filled with practical advice and real-life examples that will help you better support your teen’s mental and physical well-being - with empathy and confidence.
👉 Free Resource: Leslie has generously shared her Free Parent Answers Guide: 6 Common Signs of Disordered Eating. Use this guide to recognize the signs early and start addressing unhealthy habits right away - before they escalate.
Big hugs,
Monica Crnogorac
Next Steps
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Hi Parents!
Ever feel like you're struggling to understand your teen's behaviour? It can be frustrating when their actions leave you confused, and you’re not sure how to help them. But what if their behaviour is actually sending you hidden messages about what they’re really going through?
In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the 5 surprising messages behind your teen’s behaviour that parents often miss. These messages go beyond the surface-level actions and offer key insights into your teen’s emotional and mental state. By understanding these hidden signals, you’ll be better equipped to respond in ways that build connection and foster trust.
I’ll break down the different types of behaviour - like defiance, laziness, or aggression - and explain what they really mean. Plus, I’ll share strategies for how to approach these behaviours without falling into common parenting traps, like frustration or disconnect. The goal is to help you recognize when your teen is struggling with something deeper than what their actions may show on the surface.
By the end of this episode, you’ll have a deeper understanding of what’s happening behind your teen’s behaviour - and how you can help them in ways that truly make a difference.
Big hugs,
Monica Crnogorac
Next Steps
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
Hi Parents,
Does your teen feel trapped in their own mind - overwhelmed by constant “what if” thoughts or stuck in repetitive behaviors they feel they have to do “just in case”? You're not alone - and neither are they.
In this episode, I sit down with Ben Sedley, clinical psychologist, author, and expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), to explore how anxiety and OCD show up in teens - and what parents can do to help. With over two decades of experience, Ben has supported teens as they navigate obsessive thinking, anxiety spirals, and the deep shame that often comes with intrusive thoughts. If your teen is struggling and you feel unsure of how to help, this conversation will offer clarity, direction, and hope.
We talk about what OCD really is - beyond the common myths of being neat or orderly - and how intrusive thoughts work, why everyone has them, and when they cross the line into OCD. Ben breaks down how compulsions might momentarily ease anxiety, but often trap teens in a deeper cycle of fear and distress. We also explore the subtle ways parents may unintentionally reinforce anxiety and how shifting to more supportive responses can make a meaningful difference.
Ben’s compassionate, real-world advice reminds us that while we can’t take anxiety away, we can help our kids build the tools they need to live fully - even with fear.
More About Ben:
Ben Sedley is a New Zealand-based clinical psychologist and co-founder of ACT Wellington, where he works with teens, families, and adults using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. He’s also the author of several books designed to help kids, teens, and parents better understand and manage anxiety, including:
📖 Stuff That Sucks: A Teen's Guide to Accepting What You Can't Change and Committing to What You Can
📖 Stuff That's Loud: A Teen's Guide to Unspiraling When OCD Gets Noisy
This episode is filled with powerful insights to help your teen feel less alone - and more in control - no matter what their mind throws at them.
Big hugs,
Monica Crnogorac
Next Steps
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
Hi Parents!
What if your teen’s moodiness, irritability, or refusal to engage isn’t defiance - but anxiety in disguise?
In this episode, I’m joined by Dayna Abraham, bestselling author of Calm the Chaos, National Board Certified educator, and mom of three neurodivergent kids. With warmth and wisdom, Dayna helps parents uncover the hidden signs of anxiety and offers powerful tools for when typical parenting approaches fall short.
We explore:
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Subtle ways anxiety shows up in teens’ behavior
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Why “acting out” might actually be a sign of distress
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How to meet your teen where they are using the Calm the Chaos framework
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How ahead-of-the-moment plans can prevent anxiety from spiraling
More about Dayna:
As the founder of the Calm the Chaos parenting approach, Dayna blends her background in education with lived experience to support families navigating big emotions and challenging behaviors. She’s been featured on NBC, NPR, and Parents.com and is a trusted voice for parents raising anxious or neurodivergent kids.
🎧 She’s also the host of the Calm the Chaos Podcast, where she shares practical tools and inspiring stories to help parents create more peace at home.
This episode has many practical insights to help you create a calmer, more connected relationship with your teen - starting today.
Big hugs,
Monica Crnogorac
Next Steps