The Teen Anxiety Maze- Parenting Teens, Help for Anxiety, Anxious Teens, Anxiety Relief
Struggling to grasp the root causes of your teen's anxiety? Finding it tough to communicate effectively with them about their struggles? Feeling overwhelmed by the stresses of everyday life? Look no further. I've got you covered. 🎙️ Welcome to The Teen Anxiety Maze, where I delve into the heart of teen anxiety to bring you practical solutions and heartfelt support. Ranked in the top 10% globally, my podcast is your go-to resource for understanding and managing teen anxiety. 👩👧👦 With 33 years of experience working with young people and families, including 25 years as a school counselor and 2 years as a teen anxiety coach, I bring a wealth of knowledge and insight to the table. Having raised an anxious teen myself, I understand the challenges firsthand. 💡 In each episode, we'll explore effective coping mechanisms and strategies tailored to manage anxiety, drawing from both professional expertise and personal experience. Together, we'll uncover the root causes of anxiety, process it, and create a unique plan for your teen based on their strengths and values. 👨👩👧👦 But this podcast isn't just for teens. Parents, this is your opportunity to gain valuable insights into understanding and supporting your anxious teen. By listening together, you'll find conversation starters that bridge the gap and foster open communication. 🌟 Subscribe now so you never miss an episode packed with actionable advice and heartfelt support. Connect with me on social media or via email to have your questions answered. Let's navigate the journey of teen anxiety together, one episode at a time. Your teen's well-being starts here.
Episodes
So many college freshmen hit a wall mid-semester — feeling lonely, overwhelmed, or unsure if they belong. In this episode, I share my personal story of dropping out mid-semester and what I’ve learned from working with students who are living that same experience today.
You’ll learn:
Why the mid-semester slump happens (the “messy middle”)
What students can do when they feel stuck or anxious
What if “normal” isn’t real?
In this episode, teen anxiety coach Cynthia Coufal reveals why “normal” is a social construct — and how chasing it creates more anxiety, comparison, and self-doubt.
You’ll hear powerful insights inspired by Jonathan Mooney, author of The Short Bus and Normal Sucks, and learn Cynthia’s 3-step Triangle Formula (Perception – Process – Plan) to calm your mind, build confiden...
Do homework battles happen daily in your house? You’re not alone.
In this episode, I talk with Jessyka Coulter, founder of ACE Cookie Tutoring, about why so many teens struggle with homework — and how parents can help them learn how to learn.
Jessyka explains the difference between content tutoring and study skills coaching, revealing how missing skills like time management, organization, and note-t...
Ever been on vacation and felt anxious — even though everything should be perfect? You’re not alone.
In this episode, I share why vacations can actually trigger anxiety for people who thrive on structure and routine. You’ll learn how to find the right balance between freedom and predictability, so you can finally relax and enjoy your time away.
🌴 In this episode:
Why unstructured time make...
Have you ever looked at your teen scrolling on their phone and thought, “I’ve completely lost control of this?”
You’re not alone. Many parents feel overwhelmed trying to balance their teen’s screen time and social media use while keeping the peace at home.
In this episode, Cynthia Coufal, Teen Anxiety Coach and founder of The Anxiety Maze Navigator, shares how to:
✅ Set screen time limits without con...
Ever feel worse after scrolling through social media?
You're not imagining it. Social media algorithms are designed to keep your attention—not to show you the truth.
In this episode, I'm breaking down how these algorithms control what you see, how they impact your mental health, and most importantly—how to take back control.
Whether you're a teen feeling the pressure or a p...
✨ What if your teen’s biggest challenges could actually become their greatest strengths?
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Blythe Metz-Mändmets—metaphysician, author of Dear Teenager, You Are Amazing, and holistic healing coach—to explore her 5 Keys to Creating a Life You Love.
We dive into practical tools for both parents and teens, including:
✅ How unconditional self-love builds confidence ...
🎉 I am celebrating 5 YEARS of the podcast! 🎉
To mark this milestone, I’m taking you back to where it all began — my very first episode, recorded during the pandemic. I was terrified and excited, but I knew I had to share the message that changed my life:
✨ You are 100% worthy and loveable, exactly as you are. ✨
This episode started as a way to reach my students when I couldn’t be with the...
Have you ever wondered why breathing techniques that work for your friends leave you feeling more anxious? Or why everyone tells you to "just relax" when your mind won't stop spinning?
After years of helping people manage anxiety, I've discovered something crucial: we've been treating anxiety like it's one-size-fits-all, when it's actually as unique as your fingerprint.
🎉 I’m celebrating 5 years of podcasting! In this episode, I’m sharing the 5 biggest lessons I’ve learned after showing up behind the mic every single week for half a decade.
These lessons aren’t just about podcasting—they’re about creativity, resilience, and personal growth. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to keep a podcast going long-term (or you just want some inspiration for your own journe...
Have you ever joked, “I need a glass of wine after today”—without realizing your kids were listening? Stress and drinking are often paired in our culture, but what message does that send at home?
In this episode, I sit down with Adriana Cloud—a certified Gray Area Drinking coach, life coach, hypnotist, and host of the How to Drink Less podcast. After being a daily drinker for over a decade, Adriana quit in 20...
Have you ever wished there was a way to calm stress quickly—whether it’s your teen shutting down, emotions running high, or life just feeling overwhelming?
In this episode, I sit down with Barb Fletcher, a Certified HeartMath® Coach and Stress Mastery Educator, to explore simple, science-backed tools that help you shift from chaos to calm in just minutes a day.
You’ll learn:
✨ What “coherence” re...
Feeling overwhelmed by all the parenting advice out there? You’re not alone—and today’s guest, Jessica Shelley, is here to help you cut through the noise.
Jessica is a mom of six, former public school teacher, and co-founder of Launch Family—a personalized support platform that gives parents clear, practical guidance based on their unique family goals. Whether you homeschool, your kids are in public school, o...
Is your teen avoiding showers? Are you tired of the nightly hygiene battles? In this episode, I sit down with Sabrina Yavil, founder of Gryme — a clean, safe personal care brand made just for tweens and teens.
With 20 years in the beauty industry and three boys at home, Sabrina saw a huge gap in the market — and in parenting. She shares how the right products (and the right mindset) can build independence, re...
Is your teen overwhelmed by the question, “What do you want to do with your life?” You’re not alone—and you’re not powerless.
In this episode of The Teen Anxiety Maze, I talk with career guide and author Jay Dusold, who’s on a mission to help teens and young adults find their True Job Match—and ditch the anxiety and confusion that come with too many choices and too little clarity.
💬 We cover:
<...
In this episode, we’re diving into why worry is normal — and how you can help your teen manage it in a healthy, empowering way. If you’ve ever told your child “Don’t worry” and it didn’t seem to help, this episode is for you.
You’ll learn:
✅ Why worry is a natural part of the brain’s alarm system
✅ The real reasons kids (and adults!) feel anxious
✅ How to talk to worry — not just about it
✅ A...
Are teen athletes under more pressure than we realize?
In this episode, I sit down with Licensed Professional Counselor and cheerleading coach Kaitlyn Sampson to talk about the hidden mental health struggles young athletes face—and what parents, coaches, and educators can do to help.
From performance anxiety and perfectionism to overloaded schedules and parental pressure, Kaitlyn shares powerful insights fro...
What do you do when your child comes out to you?
How do you support a transgender or nonbinary child — especially when it feels unfamiliar, overwhelming, or even scary?
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Lulu, also known as The Momatrician — a pediatrician, parent coach, gender and sexuality educator, and the proud mom of a transgender child. But her journey didn’t begin with full understanding and acce...
When should I push my anxious child—and when is it too much?
In this episode, I share a personal story about my grandson learning to swim and the powerful lesson it taught me about supporting anxious kids through discomfort without sending them into panic.
If you're a parent wondering:
“Am I pushing too hard?”
“Should I back off?”
“How do I help my child grow without ...
What if helping your teen set just one clear, meaningful goal could shift their entire future?
In this episode, I’m joined by Phylicia Littleton, a National Certified Counselor and career consultant at Pearson Virtual Schools. We dive into how school counselors and parents can help teens set SMART goals that lead to real academic, emotional, and career success.
You’ll learn:
✅ How SMART goals im...
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