Should I Push My Anxious Teen... or Let it Go, and Pull Back?

Episode 11: Should I Push My Anxious Teen… or Let It Go and Pull Back?What should parents do when a teen says, "I can't do it" — whether it's going to school, trying out for a team, or facing a social situation? In this episode, child and adolescent clinical psychologists, Dr. Suzanne Allen and Dr. Annalise Caron, dive deep into this common parenting dilemma: Should you push your teen to do hard things—or back off?This insightful episode explores how to support adolescents facing anxiety, avoidance, or depression with empathy, strategy, and connection. Drawing from evidence-based practices like exposure therapy, the hosts offer four essential parenting principles to help you encourage your child without adding pressure or power struggles.You'll learn:Why anxiety is a normal part of adolescent development—and when it becomes a concernHow to tell the difference between helpful encouragement and unhelpful pushingHelpful strategy #1 “Zooming out” if your teen is melting down.Helpful strategy #2  Compassion (for yourself and your teen) is a superpower during anxious moments.Helpful Strategy #3: Regulate Yourself!  Parental emotional reactions impact teen behavior and resilienceHelpful Strategy #4:  Stay on the same team with your teen—even when your teen doesn’t act like a teammateWhen to consider seeking professional mental health supportWhether you're dealing with school refusal, performance anxiety, or general emotional overwhelm, this episode gives you actionable tools and a calming framework for parenting with connection and confidence.Watch on YouTube:  The Parenting PairConnect with us:📩 Email: [email protected]📱 Instagram: @‌theparentingpair🎙️ If this episode resonates with you or someone you know, please share it. Let’s build a more connected, compassionate parenting community—one episode at a time.DISCLAIMER: The Parenting Pair Podcast is designed for informational and educational purposes only. Do not rely on the information presented in this podcast as as a substitute or replacement for professional -- psychological or medical -- advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about you or a family member's well being, please contact a licensed mental health professional or physician.