The Teen Anxiety Maze- Parenting Teens, Help for Anxiety, Anxious Teens, Anxiety Relief

Cynthia Coufal | Teen Anxiety Coach | School Counselor | Parent Advocate | Help for Anxiety
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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.

  1. 12/16/2025

    Your Teen’s Story Isn’t Finished Yet — Here’s How to Help Them Rewrite It

    Send us a text What if one simple question could help your teen break free from anxiety, self-doubt, and the negative stories they’ve been carrying all year? In this powerful end-of-year episode, we revisit one of the most transformational tools I’ve ever used as a school counselor and teen anxiety coach: the story your teen is telling themselves — and how to help them rewrite it for 2026. Teens are living with heavy narratives like: “I’m the anxious one.” “I’m always behind.” “I mess everything up.” “Everyone else has it together except me.” These aren’t truths — they’re stories, often written by fear and anxiety. And parents have more influence than they realize in helping teens choose a healthier, braver, more grounded identity. Inside this episode, you’ll learn: ✨ The #1 question every family should ask before the year ends ✨ How anxiety quietly rewrites your teen’s identity ✨ A 3-step reflection activity you can do together this week ✨ How school counselors and educators can use this in January ✨ How to help your teen name the story they WANT to live in 2026 ✨ Why chapter-title exercises build confidence, clarity, and emotional resilience This is a gentle, hopeful reset — for you and your teen — before the new year begins. If you want to build connection, calm anxious patterns, and support your teen’s confidence in 2026, this episode will walk you step-by-step into the conversations that change everything. If you want deeper support as you raise a teen who struggles with anxiety, join Parenting Through the Maze — my private parent community where I teach calm communication, confidence-building strategies, and practical tools to help your child grow into their strongest, healthiest self. https://www.betterregulatethannever.com/parenting-through-the-maze I also work 1:1 with young people to help them write a new story. If you would like me to be a story guide for your child, set up a time for us to talk about the details.  👉 Here is my calendar:  https://calendly.com/ccoufal/yourfamilysnextstep And if this episode helped you, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE it with another parent who could use a little encouragement today. Your teen’s story isn’t finished — and neither is yours. Let’s write the next chapter together.  Find my podcast Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com Text me: 785-380-2064 More information

    17 min

  2. 12/09/2025

    The One Word that Can Change 2026 for You and Your Teen

    Send us a text  What if a single word could change the entire direction of your year?  In this episode, I share one of my favorite year-end rituals: choosing a Word of the Year — a simple, powerful practice that helps teens, parents, and school counselors move into 2026 with clarity, intention, and emotional grounding.  Instead of setting resolutions that fade by February, one word becomes a compass. A filter. A steady anchor you return to when life gets overwhelming.  You'll learn:  ✨ Why choosing one word is more effective than traditional resolutions ✨ How parents and counselors can guide teens through a meaningful reflection process ✨ Easy activities to bring your word to life (vision boards, lock screens, micro-goals, and more) ✨ The questions that help kids identify what they truly need in the year ahead ✨ My personal word for 2026 — GUIDED — and the story behind why I chose it This episode will help you and the young people in your life release the pressure of perfection, connect with inner wisdom, and step into the new year feeling calmer, clearer, and more empowered.  What’s YOUR word for 2026? Send me a DM or email and share the word that will guide your year.  Perfect for:  Parents • Teens • School Counselors • Educators • Anyone craving a fresh start in 2026  Find my podcast Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com Text me: 785-380-2064 More information

    8 min

  3. 12/02/2025

    Why You Freeze When You Need to Speak Up

    Send us a text In this new episode, Cynthia unpacks why saying no feels like danger to your brain — and how tiny daily “Boundary Reps™” can completely change your confidence, your relationships, and your emotional energy.  You’ll learn:  ⭐ Why your brain treats boundaries like a threat ⭐ The hidden lie behind people-pleasing (and why it’s really fear management) ⭐ A real story of a 19-year-old who couldn’t say no — and how 20 seconds of courage changed everything ⭐ The Boundary Reps Challenge — 10 tiny exercises that build boundary strength ⭐ The mindset shift: “I can handle 20 seconds of awkward” ⭐ The truth that will set every teen, parent, and adult free:  You are allowed to disappoint people. And they are allowed to be disappointed. And nothing is wrong.  ✨ Get the Boundary Reps™ Challenge Worksheet Download it here Find my podcast Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com Text me: 785-380-2064 More information

    8 min

  4. 11/25/2025

    The Anxiety Maze Archives: Test Anxiety is NOT about the test. It's about the brain.

    Send us a text Finals season is here — and so is the test anxiety that so many teens and college students struggle with. In fact, research shows:  25–40% of students experience significant test anxietyAbout 20% experience test anxiety at severe levelsStudents with high test anxiety score an average of 12 percentile points lower even when they’ve studiedAnxiety directly impacts memory, focus, motivation, and performanceIf your teen is melting down during study time, avoiding preparation, blanking during exams, or overwhelmed before finals, this episode will help.   Today’s re-released episode walks through: What test anxiety really is Why test anxiety spikes before finalsWhat’s happening in the brain and body during anxietyWhy students blank even when they’re preparedHow sleep, preparation, and routines impact performanceSimple, powerful tools students can use to calm their body and keep their brain onlineSteps to take before, during, and after the testA free guided relaxation audio to help them reset their nervous systemYou’ll hear Cynthia explain how thoughts drive anxiety — not the test itself — and why the alarmed nervous system makes it impossible to think clearly during finals.    🎁 Bonus: Free Test Anxiety Relaxation Audio   🌟 NEW: December Parent Workshop — December 8  Helping Teens Manage Test Anxiety (Without Adding to It!)   Parents play a huge role in helping teens regulate during finals. In this live workshop, Cynthia will teach you: How to recognize test anxiety (and what it looks like at home) What helps your teen’s brain stay calm and focusedSleep, routine, and study habits that protect performanceWhat to say (and what to avoid) during stressful weeksTools you can use together to reduce panic, overwhelm, and shutdownHow to model calm even when you’re stressedPlus — you’ll receive the Test Anxiety Meditation to use at homeDate: Monday, December 8 Time: 6:00 PM CST Register here 🙌 NEW: Pay-What-You-Want Test Anxiety Strategy Sessions (for Teens + College Students) For the next four weeks, Cynthia is offering 1-hour personalized test anxiety strategy sessions to help teens understand their triggers, regulate their nervous system, and walk into finals confident — not panicked.   Each teen session includes: A 1-hour personalized coaching sessionA custom Test Anxiety PlanTest-day strategy and reset toolsThe Test Anxiety MeditationA personalized study routine✨ BONUS: Access to 4 Guided Pomodoro Co-Study Sessions (students can join immediately — even before their session)Perfect for:  High schoolers • College students • ACT/SAT/ • Young adults with high-stakes exams   Book a session here   Find my podcast Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com Text me: 785-380-2064 More information

    23 min

  5. 11/18/2025

    The Anxiety Maze Archives: Questions to Ask Yourself

    Send us a text   When anxiety takes over, it’s easy to believe your thoughts are the truth. But what if the way out of anxious thinking isn’t finding the right answer—it’s asking a better question?  In this episode, Cynthia Coufal shares how both teens and parents can use intentional self-questioning to shift perception, process emotions, and plan their next best step through anxiety.  We’ll explore:  ✨ Why anxious thoughts often sound like questions (“What if I fail?” “Why can’t I stop worrying?”) and how to reframe them  🧠 The neuroscience behind curiosity and calm — and why labeling emotions reduces stress in the brain  💬 The difference between control questions and curious questions 🌱 Practical prompts you can use this week to help yourself or your teen pause, reflect, and respond with more peace  Cynthia blends new research with compassionate insight to show that calm doesn’t come from silencing your thoughts — it comes from questioning them with intention.  Because the quality of your questions determines the quality of your calm. 🌿   Reflection Prompts from This Episode:  What question do I ask myself most when I’m anxious?Does that question make me feel smaller or stronger?What’s one new question I can practice this week?Which part of the Triangle Formula do I need to focus on — my perception, my process, or my plan?   🎧 Listen if you or your teen ever feel trapped in anxious overthinking, perfectionism, or self-doubt. This episode will help you turn curiosity into calm — one question at a time.   Find my podcast Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com Text me: 785-380-2064 More information

    11 min

  6. 11/11/2025

    E 270 I Dropped Out Mid-Semester Here’s What I Wish I’d Known

    Send us a text So many college freshmen hit a wall mid-semester — feeling lonely, overwhelmed, or unsure if they belong. In this episode, I share my personal story of dropping out mid-semester and what I’ve learned from working with students who are living that same experience today. You’ll learn: Why the mid-semester slump happens (the “messy middle”) What students can do when they feel stuck or anxious How parents can support without rescuing How to normalize uncertainty and build emotional resilience Whether you’re a student feeling lost or a parent wondering how to help, this episode will give you hope, perspective, and practical next steps. 🎧 Listen to The Teen Anxiety Maze Podcast 📘 Learn more at CynthiaCoufalCoaching.com 💌 Download my free Parent’s Guide to Teen Anxiety: https://www.betterregulatethannever.c... #collegefreshman #anxietyhelp #collegelife #mentalhealth #teencoach #transition #collegeanxiety #parentingteens #emptynest #midsemesterslump #collegeparents #anxietymanagement   Struggling with anxiety in your family? If anxiety is causing tension, fights, or disconnect in your home, you don’t have to face it alone. I help parents bring more peace, confidence, and connection to their families. Let’s talk—schedule a free consultation today or email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com Find my podcast Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com Text me: 785-380-2064 More information

    31 min

  7. 11/04/2025

    E 269 Why "Being Normal" is Making You Anxious (and What To Do Instead)

    Send us a text  What if “normal” isn’t real? In this episode, teen anxiety coach Cynthia Coufal reveals why “normal” is a social construct — and how chasing it creates more anxiety, comparison, and self-doubt. You’ll hear powerful insights inspired by Jonathan Mooney, author of The Short Bus and Normal Sucks, and learn Cynthia’s 3-step Triangle Formula (Perception – Process – Plan) to calm your mind, build confidence, and take brave action as your authentic self. If you’ve ever said, “I just want to be normal,” this episode will change the way you see yourself — and help you feel safe being real. ✨ Download your free Redefining Normal Reflection Guide in the show notes to start applying the Triangle Formula in your life. https://cheerful-writer-462.kit.com/2fac7aa60e   Struggling with anxiety in your family? If anxiety is causing tension, fights, or disconnect in your home, you don’t have to face it alone. I help parents bring more peace, confidence, and connection to their families. Let’s talk—schedule a free consultation today or email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com Find my podcast Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com Text me: 785-380-2064 More information

    35 min

  8. 10/28/2025

    E 268 The Real Reason Teens Hate Homework

    Send us a text  Do homework battles happen daily in your house? You’re not alone. In this episode, I talk with Jessyka Coulter, founder of ACE Cookie Tutoring, about why so many teens struggle with homework — and how parents can help them learn how to learn. Jessyka explains the difference between content tutoring and study skills coaching, revealing how missing skills like time management, organization, and note-taking cause stress, anxiety, and frustration for both kids and parents. You’ll learn: ✅ Why “I don’t have homework” is rarely the real problem ✅ The 12 essential study skills every teen needs to succeed ✅ How parents can stop nagging and start empowering their kids ✅ What schools often miss when it comes to teaching kids how to learn 🎁 Free Resource: Download Jessyka’s Homework Buster guide to help your teen overcome homework resistance → https://www.acecookietutoring.com/about-jessyka Connect with Jessyka Coulter: 🌐 Website: https://www.acecookietutoring.com/ 📘 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/asforstudents  📺 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoDL_P08NEyLFdfIH7IEgsQ Connect with Cynthia Coufal Coaching: 🌐 www.betterregulatethannever.com 💛 Learn more about Parenting Through The Maze: https://www.betterregulatethannever.com/parenting-through-the-maze #parenting #teens #studyskills #homeworkhelp #teenanxiety #education #learninghowtolearn #anxietycoach #cynthiacoufal #theanxietymazenavigator   Struggling with anxiety in your family? If anxiety is causing tension, fights, or disconnect in your home, you don’t have to face it alone. I help parents bring more peace, confidence, and connection to their families. Let’s talk—schedule a free consultation today or email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com Find my podcast Email me: ccoufal@cynthiacoufalcoaching.com Text me: 785-380-2064 More information

    28 min
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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.

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