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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
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
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