EPISODE · Jun 16, 2026 · 34 MIN
How to Support a Grieving Teen While You're Still Grieving
from Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam · host Dr. Cam
Grief in teens rarely looks the way parents expect. Instead of tears and open conversations, it often shows up as irritability, withdrawal, risk-taking, or emotional distance. That can leave parents wondering whether their teen is grieving at all—or how to help if they are. In this episode, Dr. Cam sits down with grief expert and Master Certified Life Coach Krista St. Germain to unpack what grief really looks like in adolescents and why many common approaches to helping grieving teens can unintentionally make things harder. Together, they explore the latest understanding of grief, the impact loss has on the brain and body, and practical ways parents can support their teens through difficult life transitions and losses. Whether your teen is grieving the death of a loved one, the loss of a friendship, a major life change, or simply the challenges of growing up, this conversation will help you feel more confident supporting them with compassion and understanding. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE Why grief in teenagers often looks like typical adolescent behavior and how to recognize the hidden signs The Dual Process Model of Grief and why the traditional five stages of grief are outdated What parents should say—and avoid saying—to support a grieving teen How modeling healthy emotional expression helps teens build resilience and emotional intelligence 🎧❤️ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Don't keep it to yourself! Share your favorite episode and leave a rating and review to help other parents find the support they need. Your feedback helps me create even more episodes filled with practical tips for you and your family! Thanks so much for your support! 🙏💫 🔔 Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE so you never miss another solution-packed episode! 🙌 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE Why teens naturally pull away from parents during adolescence — and what it actually means for your relationship How emotional safety and nervous system regulation improve communication with teenagers The parenting shift that helps teens become more independent, responsible, and emotionally resilient Practical ways to build stronger family relationships without control, pressure, or constant conflict RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Dual Process Model of Grief (Stroebe & Schut) Post-Traumatic Growth Research The Widowed Mom Podcast CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Krista St. Germain Website: https://coachingwithkrista.com Podcast: The Widowed Mom Podcast Instagram: @lifecoachkrista YouTube: KristaSt-Germain Facebook: CoachingwithKrista CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell Website: AskDrCam.com Instagram: @DrCamCaswell TikTok: @the.teen.translator YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Facebook: @DrCamCaswell EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 Understanding Grief in Teens 02:57 Krista's Personal Journey with Grief 05:51 Outdated Beliefs About Grief 08:53 The Dual Process Model of Grief 12:04 Navigating Grief as Parents 15:00 Recognizing Grief in Teenagers 17:53 The Importance of Shared Grief Experiences 18:41 Navigating Emotions as Parents 20:00 Supporting Grieving Children 22:31 Empowering Children Through Grief 24:41 Believing in Resilience 26:49 Trusting the Process of Growth 30:42 Finding Meaning in Hardship ABOUT THE SHOW The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth. Whether you're struggling with teenage behavior, communication challenges, anxiety, motivation, or emotional well-being, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together. #theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #TeenGrief #ParentingThroughGrief
What this episode covers
Grief in teenagers rarely looks the way parents expect, often masquerading as typical adolescent behavior—irritability, withdrawal, and emotional volatility. In this transformative conversation with grief expert and master certified life coach Krista St. Germain, parents learn that grief extends far beyond bereavement. It encompasses the loss of a parent, friend, or pet, plus developmental losses like the transition from childhood to adolescence that parents themselves experience. The outdated five-stage grief model has given way to the dual process model, which emphasizes healthy oscillation between confronting loss and finding restoration. This framework helps parents understand that healing happens through intentional balance, not linear progression toward ”acceptance.” Critically, grief affects the entire body—not just emotions. Brain fog, hormonal changes, immune system dips, and physical fatigue are normal neurological responses as the brain relearns where loved ones fit in our lives. Parents often inadvertently shut down their teens’ grief by attempting to fix it, offering false comfort (”everything happens for a reason”), or pressuring premature processing. Instead, modeling healthy emotional expression, normalizing grief as a natural human response, and providing presence without judgment creates safety. The most powerful parental strategy: believing in your teen’s resilience. When teens sense parental doubt about their ability to survive grief, they internalize that doubt. Conversely, demonstrating faith in their capability—while sitting alongside them in pain—builds confidence to navigate life’s hardships and opens doors to post-traumatic growth.
NOW PLAYING
How to Support a Grieving Teen While You're Still Grieving
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Mar 26, 2026 ·1m
Mar 19, 2026 ·34m
Feb 18, 2026 ·11m
Feb 11, 2026 ·45m