Helping Teens and Families Live Happier Lives

teenage girl hunches over and cries with the title "sad and overwhelmed"
teenage boy smoking a joint with the title "unmotivated and disinterested"
teenage girl perfectionist looks insecure and holds sign reading "me 4 class prez."
teenage girl in despair about dropped notebook "overcome by trauma.'
angry teenage boy in baseball cap with title "angry and belligerent."
boy in hoodie using tablet: "shy and withdrawn."

Helping Teens and Families Live Happier Lives

teenage girl hunches over and cries with the title "sad and overwhelmed"
teenage boy smoking a joint with the title "unmotivated and disinterested"
teenage girl in despair about dropped notebook "overcome by trauma.'
angry teenage boy in baseball cap with title "angry and belligerent."
teenage girl perfectionist looks insecure and holds sign reading "me 4 class prez."
boy in hoodie using tablet: "shy and withdrawn."

Helping Teens and Families Live Happier Lives

teenage girl hunches over and cries with the title "sad and overwhelmed"
teenage boy smoking a joint with the title "unmotivated and disinterested"
teenage girl in despair about dropped notebook "overcome by trauma.'
angry teenage boy in baseball cap with title "angry and belligerent."
teenage girl perfectionist looks insecure and holds sign reading "me 4 class prez."
boy in hoodie using tablet: "shy and withdrawn."

Helping Teens and Families Live Happier Lives


How do you talk to your middle school tweenager about heavy topics like suicide? Well, let's
talk about that today on Tips on Teens. My name is Kent Toussaint. I'm a licensed marriage and
family therapist, and I specialize in helping kids, teens, and families to live happier lives.
I lead two organizations, Teen Therapy Center and the nonprofit 501c3 organization, child
and teen counseling, both here in Woodland Hills, California. Every Wednesday at noon, I jump
onto Facebook Live to answer your parenting questions. Let's answer today's. There have been
several reported runaways and suicide attempts at our middle school this semester. How should
I be talking to my kids about this without freaking them or me out? Thank you for your question.
This is a really tough one. I totally understand the discomfort and the fear aligned with all
this. How you talk about it, the first thing is make sure that you are feeling grounded and comfortable
or at least able to embrace the discomfort of the conversation.


Because if you're scared of it, and you're hesitant, your kids are going to pick up on that. And
they're going to be just as hesitant, if not more. So it's really important that you're doing
your work on yourself, whether that's through journaling, talking to your own therapist or
whatever that is, make sure you feel you can talk about this in a direct and respectful manner.
Second, let's create an environment where there's little to no distraction where you guys
can talk. Maybe that's in the car, maybe that's in her bedroom or in the kitchen table. And again,
that is without a cell phone present. I know that's a challenge, but that's, you know, the cell
phone just going to get in the way. Third is just talk about a directly with some compassion.
You know, you can say, Hey, I know, there's been a lot of, you know, suicide attempts at school
lately. And I imagine it's got to be kind of tough. I'm curious how you're feeling about it. Now,
you may get the you know, don't let that throw you.

It's okay. Stay in the conversation and say, Well, if I were you, I would have a lot of feelings.
And I just want you to know that I want to be a safe place for you to talk about that. And you may still
get the shrugging of shoulders and say, Hey, you know, I just want to make sure you're feeling
safe and you don't feel alone because a lot of times suicide or running away comes from the same
place of feeling trapped, feeling overwhelmed, feeling like you don't know what to do. And
so it feels like, you know, it's the cliche line. It's the permanent solution to a temporary
problem. Some kids relate to that. Some kids won't, it just depends. But I want to make sure you
don't feel trapped. And I'm wondering, have you ever felt this way? Have you ever felt like you
need to kill yourself or run away to escape your problems? Right now, I know the alarm bells in
your head are ringing, like, I can't say that. I'm gonna give them the idea, and you're not. You're
not. If they haven't thought about

it, they're likely to say, no, and roll the eyes, and you can probably take them at their word.
If you ask the question, hey, have you thought about suicide before, or running away, and you
get the long pause, or you just get the hmm there may be something more there and I think it's okay
to acknowledge that hey you know your long pause or your ambiguous answer you know makes me concerned
because I love you so much I want to make sure that you don't feel alone and you don't feel trapped
and if you can't talk to me I want to make sure you have someone to talk to whether that's your cousin
whether that's a therapist whether that's your rabbi whoever that is someone who can be a support
for your teenager and or teenager. And if you need to find that person, I encourage you to find
that person. But it's talking about, you know, coping skills that you know, through creativity,
through physical activities, social activities, grounding exercises, exercises like breathing
exercises, there's a lot

of things that help, but helping them understand that being alone with these feelings is overwhelming.
Sharing these feelings in a safe place where you're not going to feel judged, where you're going
to feel supported, not necessarily that you're going to give the answers, just that you can
just listen and understand may be enough. And I think it's helping to create those environments
and helping them understand that those environments are there. Also providing the 988, the
National Suicide Hotline. So if they have, you know, three in the morning they can't sleep and
they don't want to wake you up, but they're willing to call 988, that's an option too. It's a big
topic. Again, running away and suicide, painting with a broad brush here, often come from the
same place of feeling overwhelmed, feeling like these problems are beyond one's capacity
to handle and it'll never end. As adults, we know, most of us, that problems come and go. And no
matter how big the problem is, eventually it passes.

And it depends not, the problem is not what defines us, it's how we respond to the problem. and
helping our kids understand how we respond to problems is what defines us, who we are, not the
problem itself. This is a huge topic, obviously, and I'm going to scratch the surface a little
bit, but I think it's really important to talk about kids directly about this in an open and healthy
conversation, not trying to convince them, not trying to change their minds, but help them
understand that you understand how they feel. That's our question for today. Again, my name
is Kent Toussaint with Teen Therapy Center. If you want more information, give us a call at our
phone number below. We love to hear your questions. If you want me to answer your question here
on Tips on Teens, you can email us at tipsonteens at teentherapycenter .com. You can also join
our Facebook group, Tips on Teens. We'd love to have you join. Thanks again, and I'll see you
guys next week. Bye -bye.

Empowering Teen Mental Health and Family Well-Being: How Teen Therapy Center Helps Teens and Families Thrive

At Teen Therapy Center, our mission is simple yet profound: to help children, teens, and families live happier, more fulfilling lives. We’re passionate about what we do, and we’re good at it. We like to say “we speak teen and we speak parent.” Through our unique approach, we break down the barriers that often exist between teens and their parents, fostering open, honest communication. This is achieved by our dedicated team, who are not just experts in their fields but also know how to connect with both teens and parents in a way that resonates.

Understanding Teen Mental Health

The teenage years are a period of immense change, growth, and challenges. Teen mental health is a critical area of focus at Teen Therapy Center because we understand the unique struggles teens face today. From navigating social pressures to managing academic expectations, teens often encounter overwhelming stress. Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to more serious mental health concerns, such as anxiety and depression.

Anxiety in teenagers is more common than many realize. The constant pressure to excel in school, fit in socially, and plan for the future can create significant stress. This anxiety, if not addressed, can hinder a teen’s ability to enjoy life and achieve their full potential. Our therapists work closely with teens to help them identify the sources of their anxiety and develop effective coping strategies.

Depression in teens is another critical issue that we address. It’s not just sadness; it’s a pervasive feeling of hopelessness that can affect every aspect of a teen’s life, from their relationships with family and friends to their academic performance. Our therapeutic approach is designed to meet teens where they are, offering them a safe space to express their feelings and guiding them toward a brighter outlook on life .We believe that the mental health of a teenager is intricately connected to the well-being of the entire family. That’s why we offer family therapy for teens. Family dynamics can be complex, and when a teen is struggling, it often affects the whole family. Family therapy helps to address these challenges by improving communication, resolving conflicts, and strengthening the bonds that hold the family together.

At Teen Therapy Center, our family therapy sessions are tailored to meet the unique needs of each family. Whether it’s helping parents understand their teen’s perspective, resolving long-standing conflicts, or simply providing a space for open dialogue, our therapists are here to support you every step of the way. We work to create an environment where every family member feels heard and valued, and where positive change can take root. When we treat a teen, we treat the whole family.

A Team That Truly Cares

Our staff is a group of fun-loving professionals who come from a variety of backgrounds, bringing a wealth of experience and diverse perspectives to the table. This diversity allows us to connect with a wide range of clients, ensuring that we can provide the best possible care for every individual and family who walks through our doors.
We pride ourselves on our ability to bridge the gap that often exists between generations, making it easier for teens and their parents to understand each other and work together toward a common goal.

Start Your Journey with Us

We offer individual, family, and group therapy, and we’re committed to helping you find the support that’s right for you. We understand that seeking therapy is a big step, and we’re here to make that process as smooth as possible. That’s why we’re happy to offer a free consultation to see if we’re the right fit for you and your family. If not, we’ll still help guide you to the support you need.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at (818) 697-8555. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety in teenagers, depression in teens, or seeking family therapy for teens, we’re here to help. We’d love to hear from you and start working together to build a happier, healthier future for your family.697-8555, we’d love to hear from you!

Online and Phone Sessions Available!

Teen Therapy Center is offering virtual therapy through platforms like Zoom, FaceTime, or via phone call. Whether you attend session in-person or from home, our therapists remain committed to providing a high level of care, compassion, and support for you and your family.

Online and Phone Sessions Available!

Teen Therapy Center is offering virtual therapy through platforms like Zoom, FaceTime, or via phone call. Whether you attend session in-person or from home, our therapists remain committed to providing a high level of care, compassion, and support for you and your family.

Our Latest "Tips on Teens" Video

Tips on Teens is our weekly segment on Facebook Live where Kent Toussaint answers your parenting questions. We cover a wide range of topics affecting teens and their families. We’ve archived all the videos right here on the site. 

Click below to search our library of Tips on Teens videos for answers to your questions. As always, we love to hear your questions. Send them to us here.


So your fourth grader isn't focusing on homework anymore and it's driving you nuts and it's
causing a lot of arguments. What are you gonna do about it? Well, let's talk about that today
on Tips on Teens. My name is Kent Toussaint. I'm a licensed marriage and family therapist and
I specialize in helping kids, teens and families to live happier lives. By the way, if you or
someone you care for could really benefit from talking to or working with a family therapist
who specializes in kids and teens, please reach out to us at Teen Therapy Center. Our contact
information is in the caption below. Now let's jump into today's parent -submitted question
on tips on teens. My son is in fourth grade and now that the homework demands are increasing,
I'm noticing that he's struggling a lot more. It takes him forever to get it done. Even with me
helping, he has a really hard time focusing. I find myself losing patience with him, So, it's
hard on me too. What can I do about it? And how do I know if I need

to get him evaluated? Well, thank you for your question. Again, another question I think a lot
of parents can really relate to. Let's start with the first part of your, the last part of your
question first. Do you need to get him evaluated? It's very individual, and it really depends
on what's going on. If you feel your kid's really struggling with attention issues, processing
issues, and really struggling, if you're in public school, you can go to the public school and
demand that your child is evaluated for an IEP or 504. I'm not going into the details of the differences
of those, but those are rights that you have guaranteed by the federal government and your school
must respond. Now if you're in a private school, it's a little different. I think you'd still
go to your local public school for those resources, but they can do a full evaluation and see
if your kid needs additional support, additional accommodations. Now the trade -off you get
is if you go through the school, it'll take

a long time, but it's free. If you go privately, it costs a lot more money, but you're probably
going to get a more thorough evaluation and you're going to get it much more speedily done. So
it's up to you to weigh the pros and cons of going through the public school or going privately.
Once you get that evaluation, they will be able to determine, does your child need accommodations?
Would your child benefit from certain interventions to help them focus more? But in supporting
your child, I encourage you to weigh these two options, and it's not a binary thing. It's probably
a scale, in a sense, where you want to prioritize more. Do you want to prioritize your son's dedication
to schoolwork, or do you want to prioritize your relationship with your son? Again, it's not
binary. You can focus on both, but which one has more of the priority? I encourage you to focus
on the priority of the relationship with your son. So your child's self -esteem, self -worth,
self -identity is largely based on,

especially if he's in fourth grade, his relationship with you. So if he's feeling like he's
always in trouble, never good enough, not, you know, just always feeling like he's disappointing
you, he will internalize that likely into seeing himself that way. And if he does, it's going
to be harder for him to do school the rest of his life. I'd much rather your child have a safe, healthy,
comfortable, um, strong and healthy relation with you than with homework. Homework can always
be addressed later on. It really can. There's nothing he's learning in fourth grade that can't
be adapted and learned at another time. So I'm saying, I'm not saying that his schoolwork is
not important. It is. I just don't think it's as important as his relationship with you. Again,
I'm not saying it's either or, I'm just saying maybe we prioritize the relationship a little
more and focus less on the homework. So as he grows and develops and the stakes are higher as an
adolescent, he has you as a support. He feels

loved and appreciated by you, therefore it's easier for him to love and appreciate himself.
This is a big thing and it's hard to wrap your head around it for everyone because we get so focused
on grades and homework assignments that we lose track of what your child's emotional needs
are. If your child is needing, you know, vision therapy, or medication or occupational therapy,
or, or just, you know, regular talk therapy, play therapy, you know, those things can be evaluated
and assess for in the assessment with school or just talking to a therapist. So look at this holistically,
don't get so locked into, he needs to get A's so he can go to Harvard. If he wants to go to college,
there's plenty of colleges to go to and no one really knows how to define a good college. Just,
I want to get to a good college. There's plenty of good colleges out there. It's really about
how he approaches college instead of the college he goes to. So be patient. Remember that you
have a family because you want

to have love and compassion and support and keep that in mind. It's not always easy to do. I'm
not saying this is easy. It's easy for me. It's not always easy for me also. I struggle with it.
I think every parent struggles with it, but it's really important to keep that in mind. Anyways,
that's our question for today. My name is Kent Toussaint with Teen Therapy Center and the non
-profit 501c3 organization, Child and Teen Counseling, both here in Woodland Hills, California.
If you'd like me to answer your question here on Tips on Teens, go ahead and email us at tipsonteens
at teentherapycenter .com, or you can direct message us right here on Facebook or Instagram
or YouTube. We love your questions. Thanks again. Again, my name is Kent Tuzont and I look forward
to talking to you guys next Wednesday at noon on Facebook Live. Bye -bye.

How does YOUR kid fit in?

Channel 2 News Logo

"Ask Kent" at CBS Morning News

Our Clinical Director, Kent Toussaint, appeared on his ongoing segment “Ask Kent” at CBS Morning News.  Kent answered questions from parents about REAL parenting issues.

Subscribe here for updates from Teen Therapy Center

You’ll receive entertaining articles and information on upcoming parent workshops.

Newsletter Form
child and teen counseling logo: drawing of happy kid with speech bubble that says "child & teen counseling."

Check out our sister, non-profit organization, Child & Teen Counseling for services on a sliding scale!