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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 08, 2025
Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
Hi Parents!
Is your teen struggling, but every time you try to help, they push you away? You’re not alone. Many parents feel stuck in a cycle of offering support, only to be met with resistance, frustration, or complete shutdowns.
In today’s episode, we’re tackling one of the biggest parenting challenges: why teens reject help - even when they clearly need it - and how you can shift their mindset without the power struggles. I’ll be sharing three key strategies that will help you validate their emotions, reshape how they view support, and empower them to take ownership of their own growth.
We’ll discuss why so many teens refuse therapy, coaching, or even just talking about their struggles, and why their resistance is often rooted in identity, fear, or past disappointments - not rebellion. I’ll also walk you through a simple but powerful approach to making help feel like a choice, not a demand.
This episode is packed with actionable insights, including:
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How to talk about therapy or coaching without triggering defensiveness
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Why shifting your language from ‘fixing’ to ‘supporting’ makes all the difference
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The role autonomy plays in getting your teen to take the next step
By the end of this episode, you’ll have a roadmap for breaking through resistance and guiding your teen toward the help they actually need - without the arguments or pushback.
Big hugs,
Monica Crnogorac
Next Steps
Tuesday Apr 01, 2025
Tuesday Apr 01, 2025
Hi Parents!
If you’ve ever watched your teen struggle to fall asleep - only to wake up exhausted, irritable, and even more anxious - you’re not alone. Sleep and anxiety are deeply connected, creating a cycle that’s tough to break.
This week, I’m joined by Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown, a triple board-certified sleep physician and founder of Restful Sleep MD. She’s also the best-selling author of Beyond Tired - A Sleep Physician’s Guide to Solving Your Child’s Sleep Problems for Good. Dr. Brown is passionate about helping families improve sleep for better mental, emotional, and physical health.
In this episode, we dive into why teens are especially vulnerable to sleep struggles, how anxiety disrupts their rest, and what parents can do to help their teen finally sleep well. Dr. Brown shares actionable strategies to improve your teen’s sleep habits and break the anxiety-sleep cycle for good.
I know you’ll walk away from this episode with fresh insights and practical tools to help your teen get the rest they need!
Big hugs,
Monica Crnogorac
Next Steps
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
Hi Parents!
Have you ever mistaken your teen’s anger for defiance, only to realize it was anxiety? When teens feel overwhelmed, their emotions can show up as outbursts, leaving parents unsure of how to help.
This week, I’m joined by Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, a recognized expert in children’s mental health and founder of the Global Institute of Children’s Mental Health. With 30 years of experience, she specializes in nervous system dysregulation - a key factor in anxiety, ADHD, OCD, and mood issues.
More about Dr. Roseann:
A bestselling author and top 1% podcast host, Dr. Roseann is known for her C.A.L.M.S. Dysregulation Protocol™, offering simple, science-backed strategies to help parents support their uniquely wired children. Featured in The New York Times, Forbes, and Parents Magazine, she’s passionate about helping kids thrive emotionally, behaviourally, and academically.
In this episode, we break down why anxiety can look like anger, what’s happening in your teen’s brain during emotional outbursts, and how you can help them self-regulate and build resilience.
I know you’ll walk away with powerful insights!
👉 Free Resource: Dr. Roseann has generously shared 147 Therapist-Endorsed Self-Regulation Strategies for Children and Therapist’s Essential Coping Skills for Kids and Teens to help parents support their child’s emotional well-being.
Big hugs,
Monica Crnogorac
Next Steps
Tuesday Mar 18, 2025
Tuesday Mar 18, 2025
Hi Parents!
This week, I’m excited to bring you a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Margolese, a clinical psychologist specializing in anxiety, OCD, depression, and emotional regulation in children and teens. With years of experience helping families navigate these challenges, Dr. Margolese offers expert insights into supporting your teen’s emotional well-being and managing overwhelming emotions before they escalate.
More about Dr. Stephanie Margolese:
Dr. Margolese is a staff psychologist at the Jewish General Hospital’s Child Psychiatry Outpatient Department and an Associate Member in McGill University’s Department of Psychiatry. She’s also the co-author of My Brain Team: What to Do When Emotions Run High, a therapeutic resource that helps kids understand and regulate their emotions.
In this episode, we dive into the science behind emotional regulation, how parents can help their teens "close their lid" during emotional outbursts, and why validation is key in building trust. Dr. Margolese also shares practical strategies for guiding anxious teens through fear, avoidance, and low confidence.
I know you’ll walk away from this episode with powerful tools to help your teen manage big emotions and build long-term emotional resilience!
👉 Free Resource: Dr. Margolese has generously shared a free tool to help parents and educators support kids in managing emotions. Download it here: Tools at Home or In the Classroom
Big hugs,
Monica Crnogorac
Next Steps
Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
Hi Parents!
Are you worried that your teen isn’t learning smart money habits? With financial stress impacting so many families, teaching teens how to budget, save, and make wise spending choices is more important than ever.
In today’s episode, we’re diving into financial literacy - one of the most crucial life skills for teens. I’ll be sharing five key strategies to help your teen develop financial confidence and responsibility. When teens understand how to manage money, they feel more in control, less anxious, and better prepared for adulthood.
We’ll talk about why financial stress impacts teens more than we often realize and how the pressure to keep up with their peers can make money management even harder. I’ll also address some of the biggest financial challenges parents face, from teens spending their money as soon as they get it to struggling with saving or budgeting.
This episode will introduce a simple system to help teens build healthy money habits, including a budgeting approach they can actually stick to. I’ll also share why encouraging your teen to earn their own money can be a game-changer and how a simple mindset shift can help them avoid impulse spending.
Let’s equip your teen with the skills they need to make smart financial decisions - so they can avoid costly mistakes and build lifelong confidence with money!
Big hugs,
Monica Crnogorac
Next Steps
Tuesday Mar 04, 2025
Tuesday Mar 04, 2025
Hi Parents!
If your teen struggles with anxiety, school refusal, or avoidance, you’re not alone. Many parents unknowingly reinforce anxious behaviours by offering constant reassurance or making accommodations to reduce distress - but what if these well-intentioned actions are actually keeping your teen stuck?
In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Regine Galanti, a clinical psychologist who works with children, teens, and families navigating anxiety. We discuss why avoidance strengthens anxiety, how CBT strategies empower teens to face fears, and the role of parents in reducing accommodations while still providing support. Dr. Galanti offers practical steps to help your teen build resilience and confidence - without feeling overwhelmed.
More About Dr. Galanti:
She is a leading expert in anxiety, OCD, and behaviour challenges. She is the founder of Long Island Behavioral Psychology and has been featured in The New York Times and The Washington Post for her work in child and adolescent mental health.
She is the author of:
📖 Parenting Anxious Kids
📖 Anxiety Relief for Teens
📖 When Harley Has Anxiety
As the president of the Society for Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (SCCAP), Dr. Galanti is dedicated to advancing evidence-based treatments for child mental health.
I’m sure this episode will equip you with valuable insights and practical tools to help your teen navigate anxiety and the daily challenges it brings!
Big hugs,
Monica Crnogorac
Next Steps
Tuesday Feb 25, 2025
Tuesday Feb 25, 2025
Hi Parents!
Have you ever caught yourself saying something and thought, Wow, I sound just like my mom or dad? If you're raising a teen with anxiety, you might be passing down more than just personality traits - you could be unintentionally transferring your own anxious patterns. This episode is all about understanding the connection between generational anxiety cycles, how they show up in your family dynamic, and, most importantly, how to break the cycle.
We’ll explore why anxiety patterns often run in families, the subtle ways they can be passed down, and how your own stress responses might be shaping your teen’s emotional world. I'll also share some eye-opening research, personal aha moments, and actionable strategies to help you create a healthier emotional environment at home.
From small shifts in how you respond to stress to practical tools like reframing thoughts and pausing before reacting, these insights will empower you to break the cycle and foster resilience in your teen.
Tune in to discover how self-awareness and intentional parenting can transform not just your teen’s anxiety, but your entire family’s emotional well-being. Let’s rewrite the story together!
Big hugs,
Monica Crnogorac
Next Steps
Tuesday Feb 18, 2025
Tuesday Feb 18, 2025
Hi Parents!
This week, I’m thrilled to bring you a conversation with Beth Hillman, a double-certified parent coach who specializes in helping parents of struggling teens find clarity, confidence, and peace. Beth’s personal journey through her son’s wilderness therapy experience inspired her to support parents navigating similar challenges. Her wisdom and compassion shine through as she shares invaluable insights on rebuilding trust, setting healthy boundaries, and letting go of what’s outside your control.
More about Beth Hillman:
Beth is the founder of Parenting Post Wilderness and a certified life and parent coach. After her 15-year-old son entered wilderness therapy, Beth experienced firsthand the fear, uncertainty, and emotional toll that comes with parenting a struggling teen. Determined to help other parents feel less alone, she became a coach dedicated to guiding families through difficult transitions - whether their teens are in treatment, transitioning home, or navigating life’s everyday struggles.
In this episode, we explore topics like enmeshment in parent-teen relationships, how to shift from control to connection, and practical steps for rebuilding trust after conflict. Beth shares real-life strategies to help you feel more grounded in your parenting journey, even in the toughest moments.
I know you’ll walk away from this episode with fresh perspectives and tools to create a healthier, more connected relationship with your teen!
Big hugs,
Monica Crnogorac
Next Steps