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
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...
Is your brain constantly telling you you're not good enough, or that everyone’s judging you? That voice—the inner critic or inner roommate—might sound convincing, but it’s not telling the truth.
In this episode, I break down 7 common thinking traps like mind reading, catastrophizing, and all-or-nothing thinking, and show you how to challenge them using powerful questions.
💬 You’ll learn:...
Sign up for my July Workshop: How to Calm Your Teen's Anxiety Without Triggering Yours
Could your child’s anxiety or tics be something more? Meet Ethan Pompeo, whose health journey led to answers—and a mission to help others.
Ethan was misdiagnosed with Tourette’s as a teen and put on over 40 medications before discovering the real root of his symptoms: PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric D...
Parenting differences can create chaos in families, but they don't have to. In this episode, I break down the four main parenting styles—authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and uninvolved—and explain how understanding these differences can transform your co-parenting relationship.
Drawing from my own experience navigating conflicting parenting styles in her first marriage, Cynthia shares honest insights ab...
What if everything you thought you knew about human trafficking was wrong?
In this powerful episode, I sit down with Erin Williamson, a national expert in child trafficking prevention and survivor care, to reveal the truth about how trafficking really happens — and what parents, educators, and caregivers must know to protect the children in their lives.
You’ll learn:
How traffickers use gro...
Feeling overwhelmed? Mind racing with thoughts about school, friendships, the future, or just... everything? You're not alone. This sleep meditation is specifically designed for teens and young adults who struggle with anxiety and racing thoughts at bedtime.
What you'll find in this meditation:
✨ Techniques to quiet your overactive mind
✨ Body relaxation exercises to release tension
✨ Gentle...
Exhausted parent, this one's for you. After a day of endless decisions, mental checklists, and carrying the invisible load of family life, your mind deserves to rest. This sleep meditation is specifically designed for parents who struggle to "turn off" at bedtime.
What you'll find in this meditation:
✨ Recognition of the unique mental load parents carry
✨ Permission to stop being ...
Wendy Cole: Transitioning at 67 & Living as Your True Self
Have you ever felt like you weren’t living as your real self?
In this powerful episode, I sit down with Wendy Cole, a Transition Mentor who made the life-altering decision to transition at age 67. Wendy shares her deeply personal story—from knowing her true identity as a child to finally embracing it decades later.
We talk about...
🌈 You Are Loved. You Belong. 🌈
In this heartfelt Pride Month episode, I open up about my journey through faith, spirituality, and becoming a lifelong ally to the LGBTQIA+ community.
Growing up in a conservative religion, I struggled to reconcile the love I felt from God with the rejection I saw around me. As an adult, I found a way to hold onto the parts of my faith that were rooted in love, mercy, and...
What if your anxiety isn't actually anxiety—but your blood sugar crashing?
In this episode, board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Tracy McCarthy reveals the connection between what you eat and how you feel. After years of prescribing medications and feeling limited by traditional approaches, Dr. McCarthy discovered functional medicine—and it changed everything.
🎯 What You'll Learn:
✅ The #...
Divorce doesn’t have to damage your kids. In this episode, certified divorce coach and therapist Karen McNenny shares how divorced parents can reduce anxiety in children by improving communication, building co-parenting strategies, and creating stability across two homes. Whether you're going through a divorce or supporting families who are, you’ll learn practical tips to protect your child’s mental health and e...
Did you know your anxiety might be lying to you? 🤯
In this powerful episode of The Teen Anxiety Maze, I’m joined by award-winning teen mental health speaker and bestselling author, Brittany Richmond, to expose the lies anxiety tells—and how teens can take back control.
We talk about Brittany’s personal journey with multiple anxiety disorders, how perfectionism can mask deep emotional struggles, and ...
What if we celebrated teens the same way we celebrate celebrities? ✨
In this inspiring episode of The Teen Anxiety Maze, I talk with Orlana Darkins Drewery, founder of The Shyne Awards, a red-carpet ceremony that honors young people (ages 13–24) doing incredible things in academics, arts, community service, and more.
We discuss:
🌟 How to recognize and celebrate the small wins in teens' liv...
In this powerful episode, I sit down with Sid McNairy — bestselling author, spiritual coach, and 2024 World Peace Award recipient — to explore how we can transform anxiety, fear, and inner chaos into peace, clarity, and purpose.
Sid shares his journey from football coach to global peace leader and breaks down “The Practice,” a life-changing framework anyone can use to raise their frequency, create inner harmo...
I gave a Baccalaureate speech this year to my hometown high school, and I wanted you to hear my message as well!
Please share it with anyone that could use a hopeful message for the future!!
I am sending much love to all graduates and their families!
Find my podcast
Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com
Text me: 785-380-2064
More information
Is your teen constantly overwhelmed, anxious, or shutting down? In this episode, we explore practical, research-backed ways to help them regain calm and confidence, without forcing or fixing.
Join me, Cynthia Coufal, teen anxiety coach, as I sit down with Dr. Matthew Berstein, psychologist, educator, and mindfulness expert, for a refreshing conversation about how anxiety shows up in teens and what actually he...
Is your anxious teen really ready for college? In this episode of The Teen Anxiety Maze, I’m joined by college success coach Alexandra Holt, founder of Campus Thrive Coaching, to tackle one of the most common and stressful questions parents face: What if my child isn’t ready for college?
We talk about:
✅ How anxiety impacts college readiness
✅ What skills your teen needs before they leave home
✅ ...
Is your child struggling with math anxiety? Avoiding homework, saying “I’m not a math person,” or feeling frustrated by numbers?
In this episode, I talk with Mina Neuberg, CEO of Wonder Math, the only math program designed to build confidence and reduce anxiety through storytelling, adventure, and a growth mindset.
You’ll learn:
✅ Why math anxiety affects nearly 60% of students
✅ How Wonder...
Is your teen’s anxiety just normal stress — or something more? In this powerful episode, we unpack the science of hope and how it can be a game-changer for kids struggling with anxiety.
I’m joined by Sara Stockwell, a longtime educator, school psychologist, and mental health advocate who brings deep insight and personal experience to the conversation. We talk about:
✅ The real difference between nor...
Jodi Silverman, empty nest coach, reveals how the journey of letting go starts when teens gain independence - not when they leave home. Learn to shift from "fixer" to "coach," empowering both yourself and your teen while reducing parental anxiety.
Discover practical strategies for:
Reclaiming your identity while parenting teens
Helping teens build confidence through supported fail...
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