Your Questions About Building a Healthy Parent-Teen Relationship, Answered
In this Q&A edition of the Thriving Kids Podcast, Dr. Dave Anderson takes on parents’ top questions about raising teenagers. Building on last week’s conversation with Dr. Lisa Damour, he shares research-backed guidance for navigating everything from therapy resistance and social media boundaries to privacy battles, motivation slumps, and shifting moods — all while keeping connection and communication strong at home.
Have a question for Dr. Dave? Email podcast@childmind.org
What you’ll learn
• How to approach therapy when your teen refuses to go
• The best way to address vaping or substance use without pushing your teen away
• What to do when school motivation swings from “I love it” to “I don’t care”
• How to set limits around social media that actually stick
• Ways to balance trust, privacy, and safety at home
• How to support anxious teens without reinforcing avoidance
• Signs that moodiness is typical vs. when it’s time to seek help
• Why staying connected — even through protest — protects teen mental health
Find related resources at childmind.org.
Have a question for Dr. Dave? Email podcast@childmind.org
What you’ll learn
• How to approach therapy when your teen refuses to go
• The best way to address vaping or substance use without pushing your teen away
• What to do when school motivation swings from “I love it” to “I don’t care”
• How to set limits around social media that actually stick
• Ways to balance trust, privacy, and safety at home
• How to support anxious teens without reinforcing avoidance
• Signs that moodiness is typical vs. when it’s time to seek help
• Why staying connected — even through protest — protects teen mental health
Find related resources at childmind.org.
Creators and Guests
Host
Dave Anderson
Dave Anderson, PhD, is the Vice-President of Public Engagement and Education and a senior psychologist in the ADHD and Behavior Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute. Dr. Anderson focuses on the expansion of our awareness-building and prevention programs while also leading initiatives that build the Child Mind Institute brand, foster strategic partnerships, and forge new relationships with policy makers and youth mental health leaders.
Producer
Andrew Dearling
Andrew Dearling is the Digital Director at the Child Mind Institute, where he leads strategy and execution across web, email, social media, and digital campaigns. He focuses on using digital tools to connect more families with mental health resources, expand the organization’s reach, and drive measurable impact. Andrew combines deep expertise in content, platforms, and performance marketing with a clear understanding of how to reach people where they are, and move them to take action.
Producer
Chad Garber
Chad Garber, a seasoned Creative Producer with over 15 years of experience, shapes branded video, digital, and experiential content for Fortune 100 companies, agencies, and in-house teams to Child Mind Institute. Known for building high-performing creative operations, he led pro-bono productions to multimillion-dollar campaigns for brands like Verizon, Microsoft, New Balance, Budweiser, and FedEx. His sharp storytelling, deep production expertise, and collaborative leadership move ideas from concept to screen with impact.
