Dr. Terri Coaching

Dr. Terri Coaching I help parents of anxious teens reduce conflict and better support their teen, so they can build confidence, improve academics, and be successful in life.

04/05/2026

POV: Your teen has a headache…�Googles their symptoms for 10 minutes…�and suddenly they’re convinced they have a brain tumor.

So they come to you asking:

“Do you think I’m dying?”�“Are you sure I’m okay?”�“Should we go to the ER?”

If you’re parenting an anxious teen, this scenario probably feels very familiar.

Anxiety makes the brain hyper-focused on physical sensations.

A normal headache or body sensation suddenly feels like a serious threat, and Googling symptoms often makes it worse because the internet shows worst-case scenarios first.

So your teen tries to calm the fear by searching for reassurance…

From Google.�From you.�From anyone who can tell them they’re okay.

The problem is that reassurance usually helps for a few minutes, but then the anxiety comes back and the cycle repeats.

This is one of the most common patterns I see with anxious teens — and it can feel exhausting for parents.

The good news is there are ways to respond that help teens gradually feel less dependent on reassurance and more confident handling anxiety.

If you’re parenting an anxious teen and want to better understand what’s happening and how to help, follow along.

You’re not alone in this. ❤️

I just did a free training on how you can help your teen reduce their googling of symptoms. Comment TRAINING if you want me to send you the link.

5 Phrases your anxious teen wants you to stop saying immediately:1. “Stop being dramatic.”2. “Just take some deep breath...
03/15/2026

5 Phrases your anxious teen wants you to stop saying immediately:

1. “Stop being dramatic.”
2. “Just take some deep breaths”
3. “You have to get over this or you will never survive as an adult.”
4. “You’re embarrassing me.”
5. “I can’t take this anymore.”

Your teen’s anxiety is already high and phrases like these make them panic more.

I have teens in my therapy office every week who tell me they wish their parents understood their anxiety or tried to understand instead of assuming they are being dramatic.

Instead, notice your own feelings and resist the urge to say something spicy to them.

They are not trying to make your life more difficult. (Even though sometimes it may feel like that.)

Start my notifying their feelings and validate them.

“ It seems like you are really anxious right now.”

Less words. No lectures.

Save this for the next time your teen is at level 10 freak out and you are tempted to tell them to stop being dramatic.

03/10/2026

Real talk parents…you might be accidentally creating a panic attack when you text your teen at school about their grades.

I am a recovering obsessive portal checker.

I get it.

You care about your teen’s future. You want them to be successful.

Looking at any Z’s in the grade book spikes my own anxiety IMMEDIATELY.

But when you text your teen about it when they are at school, two things are likely to happen:

1. Your teen’s anxiety will spike because they are worried you are upset or mad at them. Most teens are already stressed and don’t want to disappoint you.
2. Your teen will get defensive and an argument will start through text in the middle of their class.

Guess what won’t be happening?
�Their work in that class.

Your teen’s brain is in fight or flight mode, which means thinking isn’t working.

Texting them at school IS. NOT. HELPFUL.

Wait until they get home, have had a snack, and a little break, THEN talk to them about their plan to correct this.

If you want to know how to do this without inducing a massive argument or panic attack, DM me SCHOOL.

02/24/2026

When anxiety is high, everything you say can feel wrong.

Too firm? You’re “mean.”�Too soft? You’re “not helping.”�Too logical? “You don’t get it.”

Here’s what I come back to every single time:

1️⃣ Lower my voice instead of raising it.�If I escalate, their nervous system escalates.

2️⃣ Say less.�An anxious brain can’t process lectures. Short. Calm. Clear.

3️⃣ Regulate myself first.�If I’m anxious, rushed, or frustrated… anxiety wins.

4️⃣ Validate the feeling — not the fear.�“I can see this feels overwhelming.”�(Not: “You’re right, this is a disaster.”)

5️⃣ Focus on the next tiny step.�Not the whole problem. Just the next 5 minutes.

Most parents think they need better words.

What they actually need is a calmer nervous system and a repeatable plan.

Anxiety spikes are predictable.
�Your response can be too.

💬 Comment RESET if you want tools to stay calm and confident during the next meltdown.
�💾 Save this — you’ll want it when emotions are high.

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12535 Orange Drive, Suite 612
Davie, FL
33330

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