When faced with an upset teen, adults are often tempted to rush in and immediately try to fix whatever is causing the distress. But in these moments, what teens usually need most from adults is actually our steady, reassuring presence. In this Untangling Family Life video, Dr. Lisa Damour unpacks why it’s so hard to resist the urge to fire off questions or propose solutions—and why it’s so important that we find ways to steady ourselves. From there, she offers practical steps for doing both, so we can respond to upset teens in a way that supports them best.
For additional resources be sure to check out the Untangling Family Life video Getting Teens to Open Up and for teenagers, Dear Teenagers: What is Mental Health and What it Is Not.
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