Dr Beck - Helping Parents Support Anxious Kids

22/07/2025

✨ Page Update: A New Name That Reflects YOU ✨

Hi everyone, it’s Dr Beck here 👋

You may have noticed that the page has a new name:
👉 Helping Parents Support Anxious Kids

I wanted to share why…

Over the past few months, I’ve had more and more parents of younger children reaching out — not just teens — saying:

“My child seems anxious… but I’m not sure if it’s ‘bad enough.’”
“They worry all the time and get overwhelmed, but I don’t know what to do.”
“Is this group still for me?”

The truth is: anxiety often shows up early — and when it does, parents are the first to notice.

So I’ve decided to widen the focus of this group to include all parents supporting kids aged roughly 8 to 18 who are struggling with worry, overwhelm or anxiety — whether it’s full meltdowns or quiet overthinking.

🧠 You don’t need a diagnosis.
🧡 You do need support.
And that’s what this group is here for.

Nothing else is changing — I’ll still be sharing practical tools, gentle insights, and compassionate guidance. But now, the name reflects the heart of who this space is really for.

Thank you for being here. You’re not alone.
Let’s keep supporting each other and our kids to feel safe, brave, and connected 💛

Warmly,
Beck

25/06/2025

🌿 Exams (or school) are over… so why doesn’t it feel better?

I’ve heard this a few times recently — from teens and parents.

You imagine that once the pressure lifts, you’ll feel free, relaxed, or even joyful. But instead? You or your teen feel flat, edgy, or just… off.

Here’s why:

Your nervous system doesn’t switch off the moment exams end.

If things have been hard for a while, your body and mind may need time to decompress.

And if you're not feeling how you thought you would, you might worry that something’s wrong.

But nothing is wrong.

This is a normal part of the adjustment period — and you don’t need to fix it. Just acknowledge the shift, slow things down, and give yourself and your teen permission to feel whatever is there.

💬 Simple ways to support yourself:

Breathe and move slowly for a few days — the nervous system will catch up.

Focus on connection, not correction — sit with your teen, even in silence.

Notice the urge to rush back into “doing” — then gently pause.

This is how we re-regulate after a period of strain. And that is healing.

Let me know if this resonates with you.

Dr Beck

07/04/2025

Feeling too overwhelmed to even think about how to help your anxious teen?
You’re not alone—and you’re definitely not failing.

Tomorrow evening, I’m running a free workshop designed specifically for parents who feel lost, stuck, or simply too exhausted to keep searching for solutions.

💡 This isn’t about doing more. It’s about finally finding a calm place to begin.

🌿 Free Workshop: Feeling Lost on How to Help Your Anxious Teen?
📅 Tuesday 9th April | ⏰ 6.00–7.00 PM (UK)
💻 Live on Zoom — replay available
👉 https://www.drbeck.co.uk/help-your-anxious-teen

If you’re already signed up, amazing! If not—maybe this is your sign to take just one small step forward.

No pressure. No to-do lists. Just practical support that meets you where you are.

I’d love to welcome you there

Practical answers when nothing seems to be working.

01/01/2025

🌟 A New Year, A Fresh Start 🌟

Happy New Year to all the incredible parents out there! 🎉

As we step into 2025, let’s remember that change happens in the small moments. It’s not about grand resolutions or instant transformations—it’s about the little steps forward:
💬 Choosing to listen instead of solve.
💪 Supporting your teen through their challenges with patience and understanding.
🎉 Celebrating those small victories, even if they feel tiny.

Parenting a teen can feel overwhelming, but every small action you take matters. Here’s to a year of progress, connection, and resilience. 💙

What’s one small step you’re planning to take this year to support your teen? Share in the comments below—we’d love to cheer you on! 😊

11/12/2024

🌟 Parenting Tip: Aligning with Your Core Values 🌟

As parents, it’s easy to feel pulled in many directions—between societal expectations, family opinions, or even our own worries. But one of the most empowering things we can do is to reflect on our own parenting values and use them as a compass for making decisions.

For example, some parents might prioritise academic success and school attendance above all else, while others focus on emotional well-being and connection. Neither is wrong, but knowing what matters most to you can help you feel more confident and intentional in your approach.

Here are some tips to stay grounded in your values:

💡 Identify Your Core Values: What do you want your teen to remember about their childhood? What qualities do you want to nurture in them?
💡 Recognise External Pressures: Are your choices being influenced by what others expect, or do they align with what truly matters to you?
💡 Communicate with Your Teen: Let your teen know why you prioritise certain things. For example, “In our family, we focus on mental health first, so let’s figure out how to manage school in a way that supports your well-being.”
💡 Stay Flexible: Values can evolve as your teen grows. Reflect regularly to ensure you’re staying aligned with what’s most important.

This idea came up in a recent workshop I hosted, and it resonated so strongly with parents that I wanted to share it more widely. Parenting is a journey, and staying connected to your values is a powerful way to navigate it with clarity and confidence.

👉 For more tips and resources like this, check out The Anxious Teen Collective—a supportive membership designed to empower parents of anxious teens.

💬 What’s one core value that guides your parenting? Share in the comments below!

31/10/2024

🌟 Helping Your Teen Face Their ‘Monsters’ 🌟

Does your teen’s anxiety make their world feel like a haunted house full of fears? 🏚️

This blog explores how to guide them through their “scary” moments with understanding and small, practical steps toward resilience. Learn how facing fears, even one step at a time, can make all the difference. 💪👻

👉 Read the full article:

Tackling Anxiety One Step at a Time. Is anxiety making your teen’s world feel like a haunted house? This guide for parents provides strategies to help them take on their fears, one small step at a time, turning anxiety into manageable moments. 🌟

27/10/2024

🌟 Final Day to Join The Anxious Teen Collective at Our Founding Rate! 🌟

Are you a parent of a teen struggling with anxiety? The Anxious Teen Collective is designed just for you—a comprehensive, psychologist-led membership with live workshops, monthly Q&A sessions, and our full Anxiety Allies Programme. This is a structured path to help your teen break free from anxiety and build resilience for the future.

Today’s your last chance to join at the special £15/month rate! Don’t miss it—sign up by midnight tonight! 🌙

👇 Learn More & Join

Join The Anxious Teen Collective for psychologist-led strategies and a supportive parent community.

10/10/2024

🤔 Why Do Teens Push Parents Away When They Clearly Need Help? 🤔

Have you ever tried to help your anxious teen, only to be met with a frustrated "I’m fine" or "Just leave me alone"? It can feel so isolating, especially when you know they’re struggling but seem to push you away at the same time.

Here’s the thing—teens often resist help, not just from parents but from teachers and professionals too. It’s not that they don’t need the support, but anxiety can make accepting help feel overwhelming or even like a loss of independence.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. This is something I hear from parents all the time—and it can feel so frustrating and lonely. But there’s a way forward.

Here are a few reasons teens might push you away, and what you can do about it:
1️⃣ They’re trying to protect their independence.
2️⃣ They’re afraid of judgment or failure.
3️⃣ They’re overwhelmed and don’t know where to start.
4️⃣ They’re trying to protect you from their struggles.

If you want to dive deeper into understanding why this happens and how you can better support your teen, I’m hosting a free workshop next Thursday 17th October , From Worrier to Warrior: How to Build Your Teen’s Confidence to Face Anxiety Head-On.

Click the link to find out more and sign up: https://www.drbeck.co.uk/warrior-workshop-oct24

It might just be the turning point you’ve been looking for.

02/10/2024

Is Reassurance Keeping Your Teen Stuck in Anxiety?

If your teen is struggling with anxiety, it’s natural to want to soothe their fears by saying things like “Everything will be fine” or “There’s nothing to worry about.” But what if those comforting words are doing more harm than good?

Many parents fall into the reassurance loop—trying to calm their anxious teen, only to find that the anxiety keeps coming back. The truth is, while reassurance might help in the moment, it doesn’t address the root of the problem. Your teen may feel like you don’t understand how overwhelming their anxiety is, which can create distance between you and make things even harder.

Instead of simply reassuring them, here’s a small shift you can try:

Validate their feelings. Say something like, “I can see how hard this is for you right now. Let’s talk about what’s making you feel this way, and we’ll figure it out together.”

This way, your teen feels heard, and you’re helping them work through the anxiety rather than avoiding it.

Want to learn more about how to support your teen in overcoming anxiety? I’m hosting a free workshop in a few weeks where I’ll be diving deeper into these strategies.

Keep an eye out for more details soon!

25/09/2024

🌟 Why Teens Avoid Anxiety-Triggering Situations 🌟

Does your teen seem to back out of things at the last minute? One day they’re all set to go, and the next, they can’t face it. It can feel confusing, even frustrating. But this inconsistency is often a result of anxiety spiking and their brain going into fight-or-flight mode.

🧠 Anxiety doesn’t just disappear; it creates avoidance behaviours that feel like the only option in the moment. But here’s the tricky part: Avoidance might provide short-term relief, but it fuels anxiety in the long run.

If your teen is avoiding social events, school, or other activities, here are a few steps you can take to help them:
- Recognise the patterns of avoidance and understand when it’s driven by anxiety.
- Encourage small steps to face fears without pushing them too hard, too fast.
- Celebrate their effort even when things don’t go perfectly.

📅 I’ll be sharing more on how to help your teen break the cycle of anxiety and avoidance in my free upcoming workshop, From Worrier to Warrior: How to Build Your Teen's Confidence to Face Anxiety Head-On, in October. Keep an eye out for more details next week!

13/09/2024

🌟 New Resource for Dads Supporting Anxious Teens! 🌟

Mums, does this sound familiar? 🤔 You’re working hard to support your anxious teen, but sometimes it feels like your partner doesn’t quite get it. Maybe they don’t understand why it’s so tough for your teen to take small steps, or why celebrating little wins is so important. You’re not alone—this is something I’ve heard time and again in our community.

That’s why I’ve created a brand-new guide just for Dads. 💡 It breaks down how anxiety works, how it affects your teen, and what Dads can do to play a crucial role in supporting their journey to overcome it.

If this sounds like something that could help your family, or if you want to share it with your partner, you can download it for free today! Let’s help Dads feel confident and empowered to make a difference. 💪

👉 https://www.drbeck.co.uk/dads-guide-teen-anxiety

I'd love to hear how it goes if you share it with your partner! 💬

Download this free guide for practical tips and expert advice on supporting your teen's mental health.