Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam

Parenting Anxious Teens: How to Build Confidence Instead of Fear | Dana Colthart
Does your teen avoid challenges, shut down under pressure, or constantly seek reassurance? It can be hard to know whether they're simply nervous or struggling with anxiety—and many of the ways parents naturally try to help can actually make anxiety worse.
In this episode, Dr. Cam sits down with licensed clinical social worker Dana Colthart, who specializes in treating OCD, anxiety, panic disorders, and eating disorders, to discuss practical strategies for supporting anxious teens. Together, they explain why avoidance strengthens anxiety, how parents can validate their teen's fears without reinforcing them, and what it really takes to build resilience and confidence. If you're tired of watching your teen struggle and wondering how to help without making things worse, this episode offers expert guidance and actionable tools.
 
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE
How to recognize when your teen's anxiety has become avoidance—and why that matters
Why reassurance and accommodation often make teen anxiety worse instead of better
How to validate your teen's fears while helping them build confidence through discomfort
Simple parenting strategies that support resilience without increasing anxiety
 
🎧❤️ ENJOYING THE SHOW?
Don't keep it to yourself! Share your favorite episode and leave a rating and review to help other parents find the support they need. Your feedback helps me create even more episodes filled with practical tips for you and your family! Thanks so much for your support! 🙏💫
🔔 Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE so you never miss another solution-packed episode! 🙌
 
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Cognitive Diffusion
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
 
CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Dana Colthart
Website: https://www.danacolthart.com
Practice: Clear Light Therapy New Jersey
 
CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell
Website: askdrcam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
TikTok: @the.teen.translator
YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam
Facebook: @DrCamCaswell
 
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Understanding Teen Anxiety and Avoidance
02:54 The Role of Diagnosis in Treatment
05:42 Identifying and Addressing Avoidance Behaviors
08:36 Mistakes Parents Make in Supporting Anxious Teens
11:20 The Importance of Communication and Support
14:18 Navigating Self-Defeating Thoughts
17:02 The Power of Diffusion Techniques
20:02 Building Patience and Understanding
22:46 Managing Urgency and Expectations
25:32 Creating a Safe Space for Recovery
28:30 The Role of Parental Support in Treatment
31:23 Final Thoughts and Resources
 
ABOUT THE SHOW
The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth.
Whether you're struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together.
#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #TeenAnxiety #MentalHealth

Talking to your teen about sex is one of the conversations we dread most. But avoiding it can leave teens turning to friends, social media, or porn for answers. So how do you have an honest conversation without making everyone want to disappear?
👉 Want your teen to come to you with the hard questions? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn what to say in awkward moments, stay calm when the topic gets uncomfortable, and become the person their teen trusts with the big stuff. Try it free for 7 days
In this episode, I sit down with Amy Lang, M.A., a sexuality educator, parent educator, and author of Sex Talks with Tweens. Amy shares how to swap fear and awkwardness for confidence and connection, and how to talk about consent, porn, LGBTQ+ support, body autonomy, and sexual health in ways teens can hear.
Whether you're wondering when to start these conversations or how to recover after saying the wrong thing, this episode will help you build trust and prepare your teen for healthy relationships and safer choices.
 
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Why preparing your teen for healthy relationships works better than trying to prevent sex
How to talk about consent, porn, birth control, and healthy sexuality without shame
Why short, frequent talks work better than one big talk
How to recover when you say the wrong thing
How supporting LGBTQ+ teens and creating a judgment-free home builds safety and trust
 
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Why talking about sex feels so awkward
03:01 Why your values matter in sex education
06:00 Preparing teens for healthy relationships
08:54 What teens already know, and what they don't
11:56 Sexuality and identity exploration
14:57 Talking about pleasure and consent
17:36 Supporting LGBTQ+ teens
20:25 Building trust and connection with your teen
23:27 Keeping the conversation open
24:12 What to do when it gets awkward
27:40 Healthy relationships and consent
30:26 Preparing teens for real-life situations
34:38 How porn affects teens
38:20 Consent and relationship red flags
43:32 Supporting neurodivergent families
47:29 Resources for parents and teens
 
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Sex Talks with Tweens by Amy Lang
Amaze.org
Body Drama by Michele Slee
Raising Teens Who Talk to You (Happily Family)
 
CONNECT WITH AMY LANG
Website: BirdsAndBeesAndKids.com
Instagram: @birdsbeeskids
Facebook: @birdsandbeeskids
YouTube: @birdsbeeskids
Podcast: Just Say This!
 
CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL
Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
Parenting Teens Academy
 
ABOUT THE SHOW
Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach. Each episode gives you practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insight to build a stronger relationship with your teen.
⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.
🔔 Follow the show so you never miss an episode.

Does it feel like you're always competing with your teen's phone for their attention? Many of us worry that endless scrolling is replacing curiosity, conversation, and family time. But what if getting your teen off their phone isn't about taking it away? What if it's about giving them something better to move toward?
👉 Want your teen to choose time with you over another hour of scrolling? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to set screen limits without the battles, connect through their teen's interests, and get their teen talking to them again. Try it free for 7 days
In this episode, I sit down with Ty Allan Jackson, an award-winning children's book author, literacy advocate, and youth motivational speaker. We talk about why phones aren't the real enemy, how to set screen time boundaries without constant conflict, and simple ways to make teens want to spend more time with you.
Ty believes there's no kid who doesn't love to read. There are only kids who haven't found the right book yet. And the same goes for connection.
 
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
How to reduce screen time without constant power struggles
Why connection works better than trying to control phone use
How to spark curiosity and reading by building on what your teen already loves
Why asking your teen to teach you something builds confidence and conversation
Simple ways to set tech boundaries while strengthening your relationship
 
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Why screens are crowding out curiosity
02:54 How reading changed Ty's life
05:50 Building connection beyond screens
09:00 How to find the right book for your teen
11:49 Why relationships open up communication
14:55 Setting screen time boundaries
18:02 Connecting through your teen's interests
21:00 Why joy matters: being a playful parent
 
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Ty Allan Jackson's books
 
CONNECT WITH TY ALLAN JACKSON
Website: TyAllanJackson.com
Instagram: @TyAllanJackson
X: @TyAllanJackson
Facebook: Ty Allan Jackson
 
CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL
Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
Parenting Teens Academy
 
ABOUT THE SHOW
Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach. Each episode gives you practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insight to build a stronger relationship with your teen.
⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.
🔔 Follow the show so you never miss an episode.

Co-parenting is hard enough when both parents are on the same team. When your co-parent is narcissistic, or turns every parenting decision into a competition, it can leave you exhausted, second-guessing yourself, and worried about your kids.
👉 Feeling like you're holding the whole thing together? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, you'll find calm ways to handle the hard moments, steady support, and a community of parents who get it, so your home can be the safe place your teen needs. Try it free for 7 days (www.skool.com/parenting-teens-academy.)
In this episode, I sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Kibby McMahon, CEO of KulaMind and an expert in personality disorders. We talk about why narcissistic co-parents thrive on power struggles, how to stop getting pulled into the drama, and how to protect your kids while keeping your own peace.
If you're tired of defending yourself, feeling manipulated, or wondering how to give your kids stability despite a difficult co-parent, this episode gives you practical tools and some much-needed reassurance.
If you or your kids are ever unsafe, contact local emergency services or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
 
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
How to recognize narcissistic co-parenting behaviors and avoid endless power struggles
How the Gray Rock technique helps you respond without escalating conflict
How to set boundaries and communicate when collaboration feels impossible
How to protect your kids from unhealthy dynamics and help them build resilience
 
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Co-parenting with a narcissist
01:10 Meet Dr. Kibby McMahon
02:50 What narcissism is
05:21 Why narcissistic dynamics become a competition
09:14 How to stop getting pulled into the fight
10:50 The Gray Rock technique explained
15:05 Using collaborative communication
18:17 Handling different parenting styles
20:56 Helping kids navigate two households
23:02 Making requests that work
25:34 Can kids develop narcissistic traits?
28:35 Avoiding the counter-reaction trap
30:42 Final advice for parents
32:16 Resources and closing thoughts
 
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Gray Rock communication technique
 
CONNECT WITH DR. KIBBY MCMAHON
Website: KulaMind.com
Instagram: @dr.kibby
Podcast: A Little Help for Our Friends
 
CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL
Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell 
 
ABOUT THE SHOW
Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach. Each episode gives you practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insight to build a stronger relationship with your teen.
⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.
🔔 Follow the show so you never miss an episode.

Grief in teens rarely looks the way we expect. Instead of tears and open conversations, it often shows up as irritability, withdrawal, risk-taking, or emotional distance. That can leave us wondering whether our teen is grieving at all, or how to help if they are, especially when we're grieving too.
👉 Trying to hold your teen up while you're running on empty? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, you'll find steady support from me, a community of parents who get it, and calm ways to stay close to your teen through the hardest seasons. Try it free for 7 days
In this episode, I sit down with grief expert and Master Certified Life Coach Krista St. Germain, host of The Widowed Mom Podcast, who knows loss firsthand. We talk about what grief looks like in teens, why some common ways of helping can backfire, how loss affects the brain and body, and how to support your teen while you're carrying your own grief.
Whether your teen is grieving a death, a lost friendship, a major life change, or the losses that come with growing up, this conversation will help you support them with more confidence and compassion.
If your teen's grief comes with signs of hopelessness or talk of self-harm, reach out to a mental health professional right away. In the US, call or text 988 anytime.
 
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Why grief in teens often looks like typical teen behavior, and the hidden signs to watch for
The Dual Process Model of Grief, and why the five stages of grief are outdated
What to say, and what to avoid saying, to a grieving teen
How to support your teen while you're grieving too
How showing your own emotions helps your teen build resilience
 
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 What grief looks like in teens
02:57 Krista's personal story of loss
05:51 Outdated beliefs about grief
08:53 The Dual Process Model of Grief
12:04 When parents are grieving too
15:00 Recognizing grief in teenagers
17:53 Why grieving together matters
18:41 Handling your own emotions as a parent
20:00 Supporting grieving kids
22:31 Helping kids feel capable through grief
24:41 Believing in your teen's resilience
26:49 Trusting the process of growth
30:42 Finding meaning in hardship
 
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Dual Process Model of Grief (Stroebe & Schut)
Post-traumatic growth research
The Widowed Mom Podcast
 
CONNECT WITH KRISTA ST. GERMAIN
Website: CoachingWithKrista.com
Podcast: The Widowed Mom Podcast
Instagram: @lifecoachkrista
YouTube: Krista St-Germain
Facebook: Coaching with Krista
 
CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL
Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
Parenting Teens Academy
 
ABOUT THE SHOW
Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach. Each episode gives you practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insight to build a stronger relationship with your teen.
⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.
🔔 Follow the show so you never miss an episode.

Is your teen struggling with ADHD or anxiety, or with being a teenager? More teens than ever are being diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, depression, and autism. In this episode, child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Sami Timimi joins me to talk about when a diagnosis helps and when it gets in the way.
👉 Want to know when to worry and when to breathe? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to respond to their teen with calm and clarity, fight less about grades, phones, and attitude, and get their teen talking to them again. Try it free for 7 days
As parents, we're trying to figure out which mood swings, outbursts, and worries are part of growing up and which ones signal something more serious. Dr. Timimi, author of Searching for Normal, explains why treating everyday teen struggles as disorders can chip away at resilience and confidence. He also shares why a strong relationship with your teen often does more than trying to fix them.
If you're wondering whether therapy, medication, or a diagnosis is the right next step, this conversation will help you think it through with a clear head.
This episode isn't a replacement for professional care. If you're worried about your teen's safety, reach out to a doctor or mental health professional right away. In the US, call or text 988 anytime.
 
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
How to tell normal teen behavior from a serious mental health concern
Why moodiness, worry, and defiance are often part of healthy development
The hidden risks of over-diagnosing ADHD, anxiety, and depression in teens
How clinical labels can shape the way teens see themselves
How to build a resilient teen without overprotecting or over-controlling
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 The rise in teen mental health diagnoses
05:41 Are we over-diagnosing normal teen behavior?
11:04 Building resilience instead of fixing teens
16:25 Why modern parenting runs on fear
21:56 How clinical labels shape teen identity
 
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Searching for Normal by Dr. Sami Timimi
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
 
CONNECT WITH DR. SAMI TIMIMI
Website: samitimimi.co.uk
Instagram: @dr_samitimimi
 
CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL
Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
TikTok: @the.teen.translator
Facebook: @DrCamCaswell
 
ABOUT THE SHOW
Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach. Each episode gives you practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insight to build a stronger relationship with your teen.
⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.
🔔 Follow the show so you never miss an episode.

If your teenager suddenly seems distant, emotional, or wants nothing to do with you, you’re not failing as a parent — and you’re definitely not alone. In this eye-opening episode of the Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast, Dr. Cam Caswell sits down with Aliyah Singh, Hannah Ticajo, and Caitlin Severin from CultivaTeen Roots to unpack the real reason teens push parents away — and why it’s actually a normal part of adolescent development.
Together, they explore the science behind parenting teens, emotional safety, communication, self-regulation, and healthy family relationships. You’ll learn why controlling behavior often damages connection, how social media impacts parenting expectations, and why the key to raising confident, independent teens is shifting from managing them to supporting them. This conversation is packed with practical parenting strategies to help parents reduce conflict, strengthen trust, improve communication with teenagers, and rediscover joy in the teen years.
If you’re exhausted by constant power struggles, worried about losing connection with your child, or wondering how to support your teen without pushing them further away, this episode will give you hope, clarity, and actionable tools you can start using immediately.
 
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE
Why teens naturally pull away from parents during adolescence — and what it actually means for your relationship
How emotional safety and nervous system regulation improve communication with teenagers
The parenting shift that helps teens become more independent, responsible, and emotionally resilient
Practical ways to build stronger family relationships without control, pressure, or constant conflict
 
5 KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR PARENTS OF TEENS
1. Connection Grows Through Presence, Not Pressure
Spending calm, low-pressure time together helps teens feel emotionally safe and more willing to connect naturally.
2. Teens Need Support More Than Control
Shifting from “manager” to “consultant” helps teenagers build confidence, independence, and problem-solving skills.
3. Regulated Parents Create Safer Relationships
Parents who practice self-regulation model emotional safety and help reduce tension and conflict at home.
4. Reflective Listening Builds Trust
Teens open up more when parents listen without interrogating, fixing, or immediately offering advice.
5. The Teen Years Shape Long-Term Family Relationships
How parents respond during adolescence strongly impacts future adult relationships with their children.
 
🎧❤️ ENJOYING THE SHOW?
Don’t keep it to yourself! Share your favorite episode and leave a rating and review to help other parents find the support they need. Your feedback helps us create even more episodes filled with practical parenting strategies and encouragement for families raising teens.
Thanks so much for your support! 🙏💫
🔔 Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE so you never miss another solution-packed episode!
 
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Listeners can use the code CONNECT to get 20% off of our foundational online course, Making AdoleSense.
 
CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTS
Aliyah Singh, Hannah Ticajo & Caitlin Severin — Cultivate Teen Roots
Website: Cultivate Teen Roots
Instagram: @CultivateTeenRoots
 
CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST
Dr. Cam Caswell
Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
TikTok: @the.teen.translator
YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam
Facebook: @DrCamCaswell
 
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Joyful Parenting02:59 Understanding the Challenges of Parenting Teens05:50 Reframing Connection with Teens08:42 Shifting from Control to Support11:21 The Importance of Emotional Safety14:29 Finding Joy in the Teen Years17:07 The Role of Curiosity in Parenting19:56 Navigating Insecurities and Building Trust22:58 Creating a Safe Space for Communication25:45 Letting Go of Control and Embracing Change28:40 Finding Community and Support31:40 Conclusion and Resources
 
ABOUT THE SHOW
The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build stronger family relationships and support your teen’s emotional growth.
Whether you’re struggling with communication, teenage behavior, emotional outbursts, or parenting stress, each episode provides actionable tools to help parenting teens feel more connected, calm, and rewarding.
#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #ParentingTeens #FamilyRelationships

How do you raise a confident, resilient, successful teen? Sheinelle Jones interviewed the moms behind some of the most extraordinary people of our time, including Lady Gaga, Serena and Venus Williams, Steph Curry, and the Jonas Brothers, to find out.
👉 Wondering if you're doing this right? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents trade second-guessing for confidence, stay present without losing their cool, and build the kind of relationship their teen comes back to as an adult. Try it free for 7 days
In this episode, I sit down with Sheinelle Jones, co-host of Today with Jenna & Sheinelle and author of Through Mom's Eyes: Simple Wisdom From Mothers Who Raised Extraordinary Humans. Here's what stood out: it's not about perfect parenting, strict rules, or doing everything "right." It's about presence, trust, and knowing what matters most in the moments that feel hardest.
We talk about what these moms did differently, the biggest regrets they shared (especially around screen time), and why your teen not appreciating you right now doesn't mean you're failing. If you've ever wondered, "Am I doing this right?" this episode will bring you clarity, perspective, and a whole lot of relief.
 
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
The surprising traits that moms of highly successful people share
Why presence matters more than perfection, and what that looks like with teens today
The biggest parenting regrets, and how to course-correct now
Why your teen's lack of appreciation is normal, and what it says about your relationship
What it means to fight for your joy, even in hard seasons
 
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Why parents question themselves more than ever
02:51 What moms of extraordinary people did differently
05:48 The power of presence and community
08:58 Letting go of perfect parenting
11:58 Fighting for your joy and building resilience
14:52 Raising teens in a digital age, and screen time regrets
17:51 What motherhood teaches us
 
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Through Mom's Eyes: Simple Wisdom From Mothers Who Raised Extraordinary Humans by Sheinelle Jones
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
 
CONNECT WITH SHEINELLE JONES
Show: Today with Jenna & Sheinelle
Profile: NBC Insider
Instagram: @sheinelle_o
 
CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL
Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
Parenting Teens Academy
 
ABOUT THE SHOW
Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach. Each episode gives you practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insight to build a stronger relationship with your teen.
⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.
🔔 Follow the show so you never miss an episode.

If your teen is hiding things or not telling you the full truth, it can feel like you're losing them. And our instinct is to tighten the rules, ask more questions, and stay on top of everything.
But here's the part most parents aren't told. Teen secrecy usually isn't about rebellion or disrespect. It's about development.
👉 Want to be the one your teen comes to when it matters most? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, you'll learn my COLLABORATE Method, so you can make honesty feel safe, stay calm when the truth is hard to hear, and keep your teen talking to you. Try it free for 7 days
In this episode, I break down why teens keep secrets, what's going on in their brain, and why common reactions like punishment, pressure, and constant checking often make things worse.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Why teen secrecy doesn't always mean what you think it means
The response that often makes teens hide even more
What parents miss when they focus only on getting the truth
How to become the person your teen comes to when it matters most
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Why teen secrecy feels so scary
04:30 What's going on in your teen's brain
09:00 Why punishment backfires
13:30 How to make honesty feel safer
18:00 Shifting from control to connection
THE SERIES
This episode is part of the series 7 Teen Behaviors Parents Punish That Are Actually Signs of Healthy Development.
Episode 269: Attitude
Episode 271: Refusing to do chores
Episode 273: Arguing about everything
Episode 275: Acting entitled
Episode 277: Making risky and bad choices
CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL
Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
Parenting Teens Academy
ABOUT THE SHOW
Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach. Each episode gives you practical tools to reduce conflict, build connection, and help your teen grow into a capable, confident adult.
⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.
🔔 Follow the show so you never miss an episode.

What would you do if your teen told you a classmate was making threats? Most of us freeze, unsure whether to panic, dismiss it, or act.
👉 Connection is one of the strongest protections a teen has. Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn how to stay close, notice when something's off, and become the person their teen turns to when life gets hard. Try it free for 7 days
In this episode, I sit down with Nicole Hockley, co-founder of Sandy Hook Promise, who lost her six-year-old son Dylan in the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting. We talk about one of the most important skills a parent can build: knowing when something is wrong with your teen before it becomes a crisis.
Nicole has spent more than a decade studying the warning signs that come before school violence and teen crisis. A crisis rarely comes out of nowhere. The signs are usually quiet, easy to explain away, and easy to miss.
 
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN
The difference between subtle and overt warning signs, and why the subtle ones are more dangerous
Why telling your teen "you're overreacting" can make things worse
The most powerful protective factor against teen crisis (hint: it's not monitoring)
What to do when a peer reports something concerning about your child
How to secure lethal means at home, and why this one step saves lives
A tiered response plan that helps you stay calm and act at every level of concern
 
A WORD FROM NICOLE
"I would much rather be embarrassed by being wrong than be horrified by being right."
 
IF YOU OR YOUR TEEN IS IN CRISIS
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988
Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741
Emergency: call 911
Reaching out for help is never an overreaction.
 
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 How Sandy Hook changed school safety
00:29 Nicole Hockley's story and her son Dylan
01:24 How Sandy Hook Promise prevents violence
04:22 Warning signs of violence and struggle
07:22 When to act on escalating behavior
08:38 Building trust and open communication with teens
11:04 Responding to concerns about potential harm
12:29 Common mistakes parents make
16:21 What to do if your teen shows threatening behavior
20:38 A parent's role in prevention and safety
25:16 Key takeaway: relationships over control
26:52 How to be a trusted adult for your teen
 
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Sandy Hook Promise's UnTargeting initiative and latest report with Children and Screens
 
CONNECT WITH NICOLE HOCKLEY AND SANDY HOOK PROMISE
Website: SandyHookPromise.org
Instagram: @sandyhookpromise
Facebook: @SandyHookPromise
X: @sandyhook
TikTok: @sandyhookpromise
YouTube: Sandy Hook Promise
 
CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL
Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
Parenting Teens Academy
 
ABOUT THE SHOW
Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach. Each episode gives you practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insight to build a stronger relationship with your teen.
⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.
🔔 Follow the show so you never miss an episode.