Supporting a teen with anxiety requires patience, empathy, and effective communication. Here are some top tips for helping your teen manage anxiety, with 5 simple principles:
1. Be Present
Give Your Full Attention: When your teen is feeling anxious, put distractions aside and focus entirely on them. Your presence alone is comforting.
Stay Calm: Your teen will pick up on your emotional state, so staying calm helps to create a safe space for them to express their feelings.
2. Actively Listen
Listen Without Interrupting: Let your teen explain their fears and worries without jumping in. This gives them the space to process their feelings.
Acknowledge Their Emotions: Even if the anxiety seems minor, avoid dismissing it. Show that you understand, tune into their language and how they are viewing the world by saying things like, “I can see this is really bothering you.” "I can hear you feel bothered by...."
3. Be Comfortable with Silence
Give Them Time: Sometimes your child may struggle to put their feelings into words. Silence allows them to gather their thoughts, and it shows that you’re there, ready to listen whenever they’re ready to talk.
Avoid Filling the Silence: Resist the urge to offer solutions immediately. Silence encourages your teen to keep talking or reflect on their feelings - their is so much power in the pause for both you and your teen!
4. Repeat Back Their Exact Words
Reflect What You Hear: Repeating your child's words can make them feel heard and validated. For example, if they say, "I'm really scared about school tomorrow," you can respond, "You're really scared about school tomorrow." This shows you’re truly listening.
Validate Their Experience: By reflecting their words, you help them feel understood without minimising their feelings. This also encourages further discussion about what’s making them anxious.
5. Model Calm Behaviour
Be the Example: Children learn from observing. Managing your own stress and anxiety in healthy ways shows them how to cope.
These approaches will make your teen feel heard, supported, and more equipped to manage their anxiety, cultivating a safe environment for them to express themselves.
If you and your teen are suffering with anxiety, we can help. At Free Young Minds we offer effective rapid hypnotherapy solutions designed to ease anxiety for both teens and parents.
Our compassionate approach helps teens build confidence and resilience while empowering parents with the tools they need to support their child. We offer one to one services and you can join our private members portal for only £9.99 per month. We are offering many courses, hypnotherapy audibles and effective tools and techniques for helping you and your teen navigate mental and emotional well-being towards a calmer, more balanced life?
Contact us today for a free consultation, and let’s start this journey together!"
Join our membership portal here: https://courses.masteryourgreatness.com/bundles/free-young-minds
Visit our website here: https://www.freeyoungminds.com/
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