Teen Therapist Rachael Martin

20/03/2026

The shift that changes everything!

Anxiety makes parents feel like they should fix it.

But what if your role isn’t to remove the feeling…

but to help your teen realise they can survive it?

That shift changes everything.

In my latest podcast, I share 3 ways to support anxious teens without damaging their confidence — even when everything in you wants to step in.

👉 Comment POD for the link
Or head to my bio 🎙️

18/03/2026

When your teen is anxious, your instinct is to help! To fix it! Reassure them!

Make it better!

But anxiety doesn’t respond to fixing — it responds to feeling safe.

Here are 3 things that actually help:
🩹 Don’t fix too quickly
Fixing secretly sound like: “I don’t think you can cope.”
😭 Let them feel it
Strong emotions aren’t dangerous — avoiding them is what keeps anxiety stuck.
🗣 Ask before helping
“Do you want advice or just someone to listen?” builds confidence.

⚠️ These sound simple… but in the moment, they’re hard.

In my latest podcast episode, I walk through real-life moments showing how this actually looks as a parent — what to say, what to hold back, and what makes the biggest difference.

👉 Comment POD and I’ll send you the link
Or find it in my bio 🎙️

10/03/2026

Gaming isn’t ALWAYS the problem.

It’s meeting needs real life isn’t.
In games, he knows:
✔ The rules
✔ The mission
✔ How to level up
✔ When he wins

In real life?
It’s confusing.
Slow.
Socially brutal.

Instead of only restricting gaming:
Find MORE places they feel good at something
Then help him build competence & confidence here too. It should be no surprise people like doing things they feel good at...this is especially true with teenagers! Their world is full of quick hit dopamine hits...it is our job to help them TRY to find other ways too!
Some ideas....
• Gym goals
• Job skills
• Hands-on projects
• Sports
• Coding
• Music

Boys need wins! Help them find more... dont take away what have established.

That is not to say i dont think there is an issue around gaming/social media and the online world, addiction is a thing... but these escapes, these games do build skills too and if sensibly managed they can help with resilience, emotional control and many more life skills!

If you get the chance find out how good your teen is as well... I was in total awe when I saw how quick my son responds in games and the things he can do!!

Its not always the enemy when you understand the reason BEHIND gaming!!!

06/03/2026

Teenage Sons... bit of a minefield right 🤔

I had the pleasure of speaking with Jason Dean from A Band Of Brothers Crawley & Men Share Listening Group Crawley about parenting teenage sons!

This episode could in all honesty have been 12 episodes as there is a lot too this but in just over 30 mins Jason shares his experience and expertise in working with young men and teenage boys from working with the 2 above awesome groups... he also shares some of his own parenting journey too!

Thank you Jason for your time, such a cracking episode!!

⌨️ Comment SONS for a link!

05/03/2026

When your son snaps, slams doors, or gives attitude…

Look underneath.
Teen boys are rarely just angry. 😡
They’re overwhelmed and don’t know how to say it. 😟

Instead of: “Why are you so disrespectful?”

First Try Listening with EMPATHY

Consider what today, this week, this month has been like for your son?

If you had lived through that experience... How would it feel? ...NOT in your shoes but in your SONS shoes... with his priorities, his beliefs and his values!

Be in his team... not agreeing or judging along with the rest of the world!

Anger is an emotional response that usually hides another... what is that for your son?

And not forgetting the ever important... Where might he have learnt this? If you think it could be partly from you get working with that...and speak with him about how you know its not simple...because you have done the same. Not shame, blame or guilt... more understanding and EMPATHY for what's going on INSIDE!

Its easier to calm down when you feel understood — not controlled or judged.

In my conversation with Jason Dean, we break down why boys default to anger and how parents can approach this and use a sense of belonging to give your sons a grounding place to learn control.

This one is an important one!

Go listen.

Comment SONS for a link

05/03/2026

🥳 No World Book day!!! Wahoo!!! 🥳

You have to sn**ch every little win when raising teenagers!!! 😃👏👏

02/03/2026

Teen boys don’t need harsher discipline.

They need stronger leadership.

Here are 3 actionable shifts:
1️⃣ Regulate yourself first.
If your voice rises, his defenses go up. Pause before responding. Lower your tone. Slow your pace.
2️⃣ Respect before Advice
Embarrassment builds distance. Advice secretly says "you can not do this" Respect builds influence and your ever important relationship.
3️⃣ Believe in his capability.
Call out who he’s becoming.
Instead of “Why would you do that?” try:
“That’s not the kind of man you’re becoming.”
Boys rise to identity.

If you want the deeper breakdown — I unpack it in my episode with Jason Dean.

🎧 Go listen. It will change how you parent your son!

Comment SON for a link!

27/02/2026

🎧 Supporting Teenage Sons - New Episode

Jason Dean from A Band Of Brothers and Men Share Listening group shares his expertise in ways to support teenage sons.

You’ll walk away with fresh perspectives, practical tips, and a deeper understanding of how to support your teenage son.

Listen here

https://open.spotify.com/show/69N5WjQ13d2yQ54gfaUiyw

More info on A Band Of Brothers work and to contact Jason here is their page!!

22/02/2026

19/02/2026

Here is something freeing:
Most parenting mistakes don’t come from lack of love…
They come from nervous system reactions.
When we feel triggered, we reach for control.
But control often fuels the very behaviour we’re trying to stop.
Regulated parenting isn’t permissive.
It’s leadership.
And it is a skill — not a personality trait.
If learning how to stay calm in hard moments is something you want more of…
🎧 The newest episode is waiting for you.

18/02/2026

This is why I do what I do! 🥰

He was an awesome client and it was a privalidge to work with him!

17/02/2026

Parents often try to reason with a teen who is emotionally flooded.
But logic cannot reach a nervous system in fight-or-flight.
Instead:
✔️ Sit down
✔️ Soften your voice & face
✔️ Say less
✔️ Validate & understand first
Then — problem solve later.

I go deeper into exactly how to stop emotional spirals in my new Podcast episode.
🎧 It’s one every parent should hear.

https://open.spotify.com/show/69N5WjQ13d2yQ54gfaUiyw