Teen Anxiety – How to Support Without Enabling

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Hook:

  • “Teen anxiety is at an all-time high. But as parents, how do we help them without accidentally making it worse?”

Big Idea:

  • Teens need support, but they also need to build resilience—the key is guiding, not shielding.

Why This Matters:

  • Anxiety is rising due to social media, academic pressure, and uncertainty.

  • Avoidance fuels anxiety. If we let them skip things that scare them, their fear grows.

  • We need to co-regulate, not overprotect.

Coaching Approach:

  • Validate, but don’t amplify: “I see that you’re anxious. That’s okay. You can handle this.”

  • Encourage small steps: Instead of letting them opt out, ask: “What’s one tiny step you can take?”

  • Teach grounding tools:

    • Breathwork – inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 6.

    • Visualisation – picture the situation going well.

    • Reframing thoughts – “What if it does go okay?”

  • Be their safe space, not their shield. They need to learn to manage emotions, not avoid them.

Takeaway Mantra:

  • “I am my teen’s safe space, not their shield from discomfort.”

CTA:

  • Want a guided anxiety relief visualisation for your teen? Get it in my app!

Olga Kolgusheva

Olga is a web designer & copywriter with a passion for clean editorial type, irregular grids, and monochromatic looks.

https://applet.studio
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