The Comparison Trap: Teaching Teens to Navigate Social Media Without Losing Self-Worth
“Comparison is the thief of joy.” – Theodore Roosevelt Though Roosevelt couldn’t have imagined Instagram or TikTok when he spoke these words, his insight feels more relevant today than ever before. As a licensed counselor working with teens for nearly a decade, I’ve watched social media transform from a fun way to connect with friends […]
Identity Exploration: Supporting Teens Through Questions of Self
“Who am I?” This seemingly simple question becomes extraordinarily complex during the teenage years. As someone who has counseled teens through identity exploration for nearly a decade, I’ve witnessed both the exhilarating freedom and profound uncertainty that comes with this fundamental developmental task. Whether you’re a parent watching your child try on different identities like […]
Social Anxiety in Teens: When Shyness Becomes Something More
You’ve probably heard it countless times: “She’s just shy” or “He’ll grow out of it.” As someone who’s worked with teenagers for nearly a decade in various settings from schools to university counseling centers, I’ve seen how easily social anxiety gets mislabeled as simple shyness. While shyness is a temperament trait that many teens navigate […]
