Helping Teens and Families Live Happier Lives






Helping Teens and Families Live Happier Lives






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.
Your teenage son finds himself in a toxic relationship, and when you try to address it, he threatens
self -harm. What are you going to 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 live happier lives. Let's jump into today's parent -submitted
question on Tips on Teens. My 17 -year -old son has been dating a girl since October. Things seemed
okay at first, but by January, he stopped hanging out with his friends. She called and yelled
at him every day while he was on spring break. Because he was busy with hockey, we didn't limit
their time together. Now we've set boundaries. He can see her two to three times a week and the
other days are for family or friends He's completely freaked out saying our rules make him so
unhappy. He wants to hurt himself We've tried therapy, but he quits after two to three sessions
saying he doesn't like the therapist
We feel like we're being held hostage by his threats We can't enforce rules or consequences
without him saying he'll harm himself. What do you suggest? Thank you for your question This
is a topic we've dealt with a lot here on Tips on Teens. The first and foremost thing we want to
talk about is safety. He's threatening to harm himself. Now what does that mean? It's a pretty
vague term. Is that cutting? Is that suicide? Either way, we need to address this. If he's not
willing to be in therapy, now whether that's you found some great therapist, he just doesn't
like them, or you haven't found the right therapist, I don't know.
Even if it's just self -injury, self -harm, cutting, without the intention of suicide, without
help and support, that could easily transition to suicidal thoughts and suicidal actions.
So, you may need to consider getting him checked into a residential facility for his safety.
You can go to your insurance company, contact some of the other therapists you've worked with,
see with who they refer in your area. But this is something serious and you want to take this seriously.
And I think you need to address this with him from a place of compassion, not from a place of judgment
or anger, but from a place of empathy and compassion so he can somehow feel that you are there
trying to help him.
I think that the more compassion and empathy that you guys share, the more open he may be to your
thoughts and feelings and your concerns. What you don't want to do is get lost in the, well, your
girlfriend's bad for you, she shouldn't treat you this way. The more you badmouth her, the more
you criticize her, the more you put him in a corner where he has to defend her. And I guarantee
you, he will tell her everything you've said, which will make her hate you even more, puts your
son in this place where he has no choice, but he feels he has to be the white knight and defend her.
And you don't want to put him in that situation. But you can listen, you can ask him questions
about how he's feeling. Hey, if he's venting about his girlfriend, button your lip, open your
ears. If you need to say anything, just say, hey, how are you feeling with this? What do you want
to do? You don't want to give advice. It's really important that you do set boundaries, that
he does have a balance in his life,
that he does have hobby, that he does have friends, he does have time with his family, he does
have time for school. If the girlfriend becomes his only source of purpose and happiness, he's
going to be a bad guy. He's going to be a bad guy. He's going to be a bad guy. He's going to be a bad
guy. He's going to be a bad guy. He's going to be a bad guy. He's going to be a bad guy. He's going
to be a bad guy. He's going to be a bad guy. He's going to be a bad guy. He's going to be a bad guy. He's
going to be a bad guy. He's going to be a bad guy. He's going to be a bad guy. he's gonna go down a darker
and darker hole. So I agree with you, he does need to have some balance. And the way to do that,
hopefully, is if you can find a therapist that he can connect to, and if he can't, you may need
to look and do higher levels of care, like residential, to make sure that he's not going down
the path of deeper self -injury and suicide. That's our question for today on Tips on Teens.
Thank you for submitting
your question. If you'd like me to answer your question here on Tips on Teens, please email us
at tipsonteens .com. teens at TeenTherapyCenter .com. You can also join our Facebook group,
Tips on Teens. Come join us. We'd love to have you there. Please have your comments. Share your
comments. And if you have any other questions, you can always call us here at Teen Therapy Center.
Our contact information is down below. Thanks again. Have a great week, guys. Bye -bye.
How does YOUR kid fit in?
























"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.
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