Parenting Anxious Teens | Parenting Teens, Managing Teen Anxiety, Parenting Strategies

Monica Crnogorac - Teen Anxiety & Confidence Coach, Teen Anxiety Specialist
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Parents, do you worry about your teen’s emotional well-being and how anxiety may be affecting their daily life? Have you felt helpless or unsure about how to support your teen through their struggles? Are you concerned about the long-term impact of anxiety on your teen’s mental health? Are you looking for guidance and support from experts who understand what you’re going through and can provide practical advice to your teen for navigating this journey? Hi, I’m Monica Crnogorac and I’m so excited that you’re here on Parenting Anxious Teens. Things may seem smooth and easy for me now, but they weren’t always this way. I remember what it felt like to be a teen and feel overwhelmed, alone, confused, and frustrated. Even though I had the awareness of how I was feeling, I still struggled to overcome the heavy emotions because I was afraid of letting anyone in. I was hoping I would be able to ignore it and shove it under the rug without really needing to address it. What happened? My feelings of anxiety and overwhelm intensified and that freaked me out. I needed to find a way to free myself from the hole I dug, so I finally decided to work with someone who helped me let go of the burdens of anxiety I was carrying for years. It wasn’t easy and it made me shed a few tears, but I was able to release the pain and move forward to living a life where anxiety doesn’t have the driver seat. Let me tell you, the time, energy, and money I put towards my own transformation is what inspired me to help teens today. Resolving my own anxiety allowed me to uncover the secret to overcoming big emotions in an easy, manageable, and adaptive way. After falling in love with the self-growth journey, I went to school to get educated and certified so I can empower you and tell you everything I know. Inside this podcast, we explore the nature of non-clinical anxiety, uncovering its triggers, signs and symptoms, and the profound impact it has on a teen’s life. Parents, you will learn how to understand, support, and empower your teens through their struggles with anxiety. You’ll learn actionable steps you can take to create a supportive environment at home and help your teen manage their anxiety effectively. But we don’t stop there. I bring on expert guests, share anxiety hacks, and equip both teens and parents with practical strategies for building resilience, coping with stress, and navigating those turbulent waters with grace and strength. We are going to simplify teenage anxiety for you because I want you see your teen happy, confident, and thriving. I want you to be able to have a strong and supportive relationship with them where everyone feels understood and supported. Most importantly, I want to help them reach their full potential despite what they’re going through. So, grab your favourite drink, get in some comfy clothes and let’s dig in. You can find me here: Instagram: @__consciouscoach Work with me: www.consciouscoach.biz Connect: monica@consciouscoach.biz

  1. 4D AGO

    100 | What 100 Episodes Taught Me About Parenting Anxious Teens

    Hi Parents! This is my 100th episode and I can’t believe I’m here! In this milestone episode, I reflect on the journey behind the podcast from the fear I had when I first started, to the vulnerability of putting my voice out into the world, and the moments I genuinely questioned whether I should continue. I share why I originally started podcasting, how I moved away from short-form content into long-form conversations, and what shifted when I realized how powerful this platform could be for truly connecting with parents navigating teen anxiety. One of the biggest themes that continues to come up is how much teens learn from the way you show up as parents - how you respond to stress, how you regulate yourself, and how deeply they are influenced by your emotional patterns. To celebrate 100 episodes, I also introduce my 8-week program for parents of anxious teens, The Parent’s Anxiety Toolkit™ created to help you go from feeling overwhelmed and unsure… to calm, confident, and equipped with the exact tools and language to support your child through anxiety. This episode is a celebration of growth, courage, consistency, and every single listener who has been part of this journey with me. 👉🏻 Book a call here if you have questions about the parent program Big hugs, Monica Crnogorac Next Steps Book a Free Discovery Call Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program Connect With Me on Instagram

    20 min

  2. MAY 12

    99 | How Parents Can Raise Boys Who Respect Women and Break Cycles of Abuse with Liz Ortenburger

    Hi Parents! Today we’re diving into an important and often uncomfortable topic, but one that matters deeply for the way our kids grow up to understand relationships, respect, and accountability. I’m joined by Liz Ortenburger, the CEO of SafeNest, Nevada’s largest and most comprehensive nonprofit addressing domestic and sexual violence. Liz has spent more than two decades working to protect women and children and to challenge the way communities respond to abuse. Through her leadership at SafeNest, she oversees programs that provide emergency support, prevention education, housing, legal advocacy, and intervention services designed to disrupt cycles of violence before they continue into the next generation. In this episode, we talk about the powerful role parents play in shaping how boys understand respect, responsibility, and relationships with others. Liz shares why prevention starts long before adulthood and how the messages kids absorb at home, both spoken and unspoken, can shape how they treat others later in life. We also discuss how witnessing unhealthy relationship dynamics can impact children emotionally and behaviourally, even when those patterns are subtle. Liz explains why raising boys who hold themselves and others accountable is such an important part of preventing violence and creating safer communities. Throughout our conversation, Liz offers practical insights for parents who want to model empathy, accountability, and respect in their own homes while also having honest conversations with their teens about boundaries, consent, and healthy relationships. This episode is a powerful reminder that the way we talk about respect, conflict, and accountability at home plays a major role in the relationships our children will build in the future. Additional Resources Mentioned in Episode 👉🏻 Futures Without Violence - Coaching Boys into Men Program 📚 Hope Rising Big hugs, Monica Crnogorac Next Steps Book a Free Discovery Call Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program Connect With Me on Instagram

    57 min

  3. MAY 5

    98 | Why Motherhood Triggers Anxiety and How Moms Can Cope with Psychologist Dr. Terri Bacow

    Hi Moms! Motherhood brings so much love and for many moms, it also brings a level of worry and pressure they never expected. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Terri Bacow, a New York-based therapist with over 15 years of experience supporting people through major life transitions, especially moms navigating stress and anxiety. Terri and I talk honestly about why motherhood can heighten anxiety, even when everything looks “fine” on the outside. We explore the mental load moms carry, the guilt that creeps in when expectations feel impossibly high, and how constant worry can slowly take away joy and presence. Terri shares how anxiety often shows up as second-guessing, irritability, sleepless nights, and feeling like you’re never doing enough - no matter how hard you try. We also dive into how Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help moms understand and interrupt anxious thought patterns instead of getting stuck in them. Terri explains CBT in a very practical, approachable way and offers insight into how small mindset shifts can make a big difference in how moms feel day to day. If you’re a mom who feels overwhelmed, on edge, or quietly struggling with anxiety, this episode is a reminder that you’re not alone. Support is possible, and change doesn’t have to feel so heavy. 📚 Goodbye Anxiety: A Guided Journal for Overcoming Worry (for Teens) P.S. First person to email Terri will get a FREE copy of the journal sent to you! Big hugs, Monica Crnogorac Next Steps Book a Free Discovery Call Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program Connect With Me on Instagram

    35 min

  4. APR 28

    97 | Why Consequences Do Not Work for Anxious Teens and How Solving Problems Collaboratively Helps with Dr. Ross Greene

    Hi Parents! If you’ve ever wondered why traditional discipline seems to make things worse for your anxious teen, this episode will help you see their behaviour through a completely different lens. In today’s conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Ross Greene, a clinical psychologist and the creator of the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions model. Ross has spent decades working with children who struggle with anxiety, explosive behaviour, school refusal, and emotional regulation, and his work challenges the idea that kids misbehave because they don’t want to do better. Instead, he reminds us that kids do well if they can. We talk about the growing mental health crisis among kids and teens and why so many young people are overwhelmed right now. Ross explains how adults are often taught to focus on behaviours rather than the problems underneath them, and why this approach unintentionally escalates anxiety and power struggles. We also explore why punishment, rewards, and consequences don’t create lasting change for anxious kids and what accountability looks like when collaboration is at the centre. This episode is especially helpful for parents who feel exhausted, confused, or discouraged and are looking for a more compassionate, effective way to support their teen. Ross offers practical insight into how small mindset shifts can change how we respond in hard moments and how working with our kids instead of against them builds trust, safety, and long-term skills. 📚 Ross's New Book: The Kids Who Aren't Okay Big hugs, Monica Crnogorac Next Steps Book a Free Discovery Call Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program Connect With Me on Instagram

    36 min

  5. APR 21

    96 | Why Anxious Teens Procrastinate and How Executive Function Skills Help Them Get Started with Carrie Bonnett

    Hi Parents! In this episode, I’m joined by Carrie Bonnett, a veteran teacher and Executive Function coach who works with students and families around the country using a brain-first, no-shame approach. Carrie brings decades of experience supporting kids, parents, and educators, and she’s passionate about helping teens thrive by understanding how their brains actually work. During our conversation, we dig into what executive function really means and why it plays such a significant role in anxiety and procrastination for teens. We talk about why so many anxious teens struggle to get started even when they care deeply about school and responsibilities, and how anxiety can interfere with planning, organization, and task initiation. Carrie helps reframe procrastination as a brain-based challenge rather than a character flaw and shares practical ways parents can reduce overwhelm, support motivation, and move away from constant reminders and power struggles. We also explore why traditional tools like to-do lists don’t always work for teens and how parents can shift their approach to better match their child’s brain. This episode is especially helpful for parents who feel stuck in nightly homework battles or worry about their teen’s independence and confidence.  👉🏻 FREE Task Initiation Toolkit Big hugs, Monica Crnogorac Next Steps Book a Free Discovery Call Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program Connect With Me on Instagram

    38 min

  6. APR 14

    95 | When Teen Anxiety Looks Like Avoidance or Shutdown with Psychiatrist Dr. Tracey Marks

    Hi Parents! Anxiety in teens doesn’t always look like worry or fear. For many families, it shows up as avoidance, irritability, emotional shutdown, or behaviours that are often misread as defiance or lack of motivation. Today I'm joined by Dr. Tracey Marks, a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in helping people build healthier responses to stress through neuroscience-based tools. Dr. Marks explains why the teenage brain under stress often moves into protection mode, making it harder for teens to communicate, focus, or engage. Tracey also breaks down the overlap between anxiety, ADHD traits, and stress behaviours, helping parents understand why labels alone don’t tell the full story. Together, we discuss common ways well-meaning parents accidentally escalate anxiety, how parents can respond differently in heated or withdrawn moments, and why a parent’s own emotional regulation plays a critical role in helping teens feel safe and supported. Parents will leave this episode with a clearer lens for interpreting their teen’s behaviour, practical tools to use in real-life moments, and reassurance that supporting an anxious teen is not about fixing them, but about creating safety, understanding, and connection. Additional Resources: 🎙️ Resilience Reset Podcast 👉🏻 Mental Wellness Store Big hugs, Monica Crnogorac Next Steps Book a Free Discovery Call Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program Connect With Me on Instagram

    41 min

  7. APR 7

    94 | How to Help Girls Build a Strong Sense of Self with Cathy Adams

    Hi Parents! In this episode, I’m joined by Cathy Cassani Adams, LCSW - therapist, author, educator, and co-host of the Zen Pop podcast, for a powerful conversation about what it really means to help girls build a strong sense of self. So often, we focus on confidence and achievement, but confidence alone doesn’t protect our girls from anxiety, self-doubt, or people-pleasing. Today, Cathy and I talk about the difference between confidence and a true sense of self, and why so many girls struggle when they learn to look outside themselves for approval instead of trusting their inner voice. We explore the subtle, well-intentioned ways adults can unintentionally undermine a girl’s sense of self, how anxiety can show up when girls feel disconnected from who they are, and what it looks like to support girls without trying to fix or control their emotions. Cathy shares insights from her years of clinical work, teaching, and parenting, offering parents a compassionate and realistic lens for raising girls in today’s high-pressure world. This conversation is especially for parents who want to raise girls who feel grounded, emotionally safe, and secure in who they are - not just confident on the outside, but deeply connected to themselves on the inside. Resources Mentioned: 📚 A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the World 🧐 Enneagram Personality Test Big hugs, Monica Crnogorac Next Steps Book a Free Discovery Call Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program Connect With Me on Instagram

    59 min

  8. MAR 31

    93 | Helping Your Teen Build a Healthy Relationship Around Food with Registered Dietitian Lee Cotton

    Hi Parents! In this episode, I’m joined by Registered Dietitian Lee Cotton, author and mindful eating expert, to discuss how parents can help their teens build a healthy relationship with food and foster positive body image. Lee shares practical strategies for creating a home environment where conversations about food, nutrition, and body image are approached with mindfulness, care, and positivity, helping teens feel supported rather than judged. We explore how subtle messages at the dinner table - what you say and how we you it - can shape a teen’s thoughts and behaviours around food and their bodies. Lee helps parents recognize early signs that a teen may be struggling with anxious or disordered eating and offers guidance on how to respond in ways that promote trust, self-awareness, and a balanced approach to nutrition. Whether your teen experiences anxiety around food or you simply want to create a mindful, supportive home environment, this episode is full of actionable advice and insights parents can start using today. 📚 A Nourishing Perspective Big hugs, Monica Crnogorac Next Steps Book a Free Discovery Call Visit My Website for More Information on My 8-Week Program Connect With Me on Instagram

    34 min
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About

Parents, do you worry about your teen’s emotional well-being and how anxiety may be affecting their daily life? Have you felt helpless or unsure about how to support your teen through their struggles? Are you concerned about the long-term impact of anxiety on your teen’s mental health? Are you looking for guidance and support from experts who understand what you’re going through and can provide practical advice to your teen for navigating this journey? Hi, I’m Monica Crnogorac and I’m so excited that you’re here on Parenting Anxious Teens. Things may seem smooth and easy for me now, but they weren’t always this way. I remember what it felt like to be a teen and feel overwhelmed, alone, confused, and frustrated. Even though I had the awareness of how I was feeling, I still struggled to overcome the heavy emotions because I was afraid of letting anyone in. I was hoping I would be able to ignore it and shove it under the rug without really needing to address it. What happened? My feelings of anxiety and overwhelm intensified and that freaked me out. I needed to find a way to free myself from the hole I dug, so I finally decided to work with someone who helped me let go of the burdens of anxiety I was carrying for years. It wasn’t easy and it made me shed a few tears, but I was able to release the pain and move forward to living a life where anxiety doesn’t have the driver seat. Let me tell you, the time, energy, and money I put towards my own transformation is what inspired me to help teens today. Resolving my own anxiety allowed me to uncover the secret to overcoming big emotions in an easy, manageable, and adaptive way. After falling in love with the self-growth journey, I went to school to get educated and certified so I can empower you and tell you everything I know. Inside this podcast, we explore the nature of non-clinical anxiety, uncovering its triggers, signs and symptoms, and the profound impact it has on a teen’s life. Parents, you will learn how to understand, support, and empower your teens through their struggles with anxiety. You’ll learn actionable steps you can take to create a supportive environment at home and help your teen manage their anxiety effectively. But we don’t stop there. I bring on expert guests, share anxiety hacks, and equip both teens and parents with practical strategies for building resilience, coping with stress, and navigating those turbulent waters with grace and strength. We are going to simplify teenage anxiety for you because I want you see your teen happy, confident, and thriving. I want you to be able to have a strong and supportive relationship with them where everyone feels understood and supported. Most importantly, I want to help them reach their full potential despite what they’re going through. So, grab your favourite drink, get in some comfy clothes and let’s dig in. You can find me here: Instagram: @__consciouscoach Work with me: www.consciouscoach.biz Connect: monica@consciouscoach.biz

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