Positive Thinking for Teens: Tools to Improve Mood, Build Self-Esteem and Motivation

Sponsored by the Glenbard Parent Series.

For teens these days, it seems as if one stressor fades into the next, and kids and parents alike are running on empty. Being a teen can be an emotional roller coaster. Young people feel overwhelmed by unrealistic expectations from their friends, family, social media feed, teachers, and even themselves. It is normal for them to have thoughts and feelings such as “I’ll never measure up.”

Katie Hurley, LCSW, and child and adolescent psychotherapist, will talk about how parents and educators can identify the symptoms of stress and anxiety and understand how to help when teens struggle. Hurley will help adults understand the role personality type plays in how young people interact with the world around them, process stressful situations, and cope with obstacles. She will help guide parents and educators away from the “fix it” role and into a “support” role, in order to begin practicing positive, empathic communication to help young people succeed.

Katie is also a parenting educator, public speaker, and writer. She is the founder of “Girls Can!” empowerment groups for girls between ages 5-11. Hurley is the author of the award-winning No More Mean Girls: The Secret to Raising Strong, Confident, and Compassionate Girls; The Depression Workbook for Teens: Tools to Improve Your Mood, Build Self-Esteem, and Stay Motivated; and The Happy Kid Handbook: How to Raise Joyful Children in a Stressful World. Hurley covers mental health, child and adolescent development, and parenting for The Washington Post, PBS Parents, Psychology Today, Everyday Health, PsyCom, and US News and World Report, among other places. She practices psychotherapy in the South Bay area of Los Angeles and earned her BA in psychology and women’s studies from Boston College and her MSW from the University of Pennsylvania. She splits her time between Los Angeles and coastal Connecticut with her husband and two children.

This event is free to all and will be presented virtually. The link will be posted here when available to log in to this webinar from your computer, tablet or phone.