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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 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
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