Today's Teenager
113 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 109 ratingsFor more than 20 years Roy Petitfils, LPC has worked with teenagers as an educator, youth minister and today as a counselor in private practice specializing in adolescent and family therapy. He offers insight to help you understand today's teens with practical tips, tools and strategies to help you communicate with, discipline and positively influence the teens in your life.
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Episodes
115: Managing Cooped Up Teens
March 25, 2020 16:53 - 23 minutes - 31.7 MBIn this episode, Roy offers insight and strategies into caring for and managing teens during the COVID19 epidemic. Roy has established Today's Teenager as a non-profit organization dedicated to covering the expenses of therapy sessions and other mental health services for teens and families that would otherwise be unable to afford them. Visit todaysteenager dot com for more information.
114: Teens And Trauma, Part 3
March 11, 2020 09:00 - 30 minutes - 41.2 MBIn the final installment of a three-part series on teens and trauma, Roy offers practical and effective strategies adults can use to help teens who have been traumatized. Roy has established Today's Teenager as a non-profit organization dedicated to covering the expenses of therapy sessions and other mental health services for teens and families that would otherwise be unable to afford them. Visit todaysteenager dot com for more information.
113: Teens And Trauma, Part 2
March 09, 2020 14:58 - 20 minutes - 28.5 MBIn the second installment of a three-part series on teens and trauma, Roy focuses on the variety of ways that trauma affects the adolescent brain. Roy has established Today's Teenager as a non-profit organization dedicated to covering the expenses of therapy sessions and other mental health services for teens and families that would otherwise be unable to afford them. Visit todaysteenager dot com for more information.
112: Teens And Trauma, Part 1
March 06, 2020 10:00In this first of a three-part series on teens and trauma, Roy defines and explains trauma, how it effects teens, and how adults can identify and help traumatized teens. Roy has established Today's Teenager as a non-profit organization dedicated to covering the expenses of therapy sessions and other mental health services for teens and families that would otherwise be unable to afford them. Visit todaysteenager dot com for more information.
112: Teens And Trauma, Part 1
March 06, 2020 10:00In this first of a three-part series on teens and trauma, Roy defines and explains trauma, how it effects teens, and how adults can identify and help traumatized teens. Roy has established Today's Teenager as a non-profit organization dedicated to covering the expenses of therapy sessions and other mental health services for teens and families that would otherwise be unable to afford them. Visit todaysteenager dot com for more information.
111: Helping Teens Set And Respect Boundaries, Part 3
February 18, 2020 20:06 - 13 minutes - 18.5 MBIn this third of a three - part series of micro episodes, Roy offers strategies and insights that will help you to discuss the importance of setting and respecting boundaries with teens. Roy has established Today's Teenager as a non-profit organization dedicated to covering the expenses of therapy sessions and other mental health services for teens and families that would otherwise be unable to afford them. Visit todaysteenager dot com for more information.
109: Helping Teens Set And Respect Boundaries, Part 1
February 12, 2020 10:00 - 10 minutes - 14.1 MBIn this first of a three - part series of micro episodes, Roy defines and explores what the term "boundaries" means for relationships and its importance to adolescent growth. Roy has established Today's Teenager as a non-profit organization dedicated to covering the expenses of therapy sessions and other mental health services for teens and families that would otherwise be unable to afford them. Visit todaysteenager dot com for more information.
108: Talking Concussions with Dr. Josh Couvillon
February 11, 2020 10:00 - 36 minutes - 49.9 MBIn this episode, Roy discusses the dangers teen athletes faced when suffering a concussion and the best practices for treatment. Dr. Joshua Couvillon is a licensed Chiropractor in Texas and Louisiana. He currently practices in Lafayette, Louisiana at Clark Integrated Medical Clinics. Josh holds degrees in Biology, chemistry, human biology, and Chiropractic. He received 2 bachelors degrees from university of Louisiana in the fields of biology and chemistry. He also holds a bachelors deg...
108: Talking Concussions with Dr. Josh Couvillion
February 11, 2020 10:00In this episode, Roy discusses the dangers teen athletes faced when suffering a concussion and the best practices for treatment. Dr. Joshua Couvillon is a licensed Chiropractor in Texas and Louisiana. He currently practices in Lafayette, Louisiana at Clark Integrated Medical Clinics. Josh holds degrees in Biology, chemistry, human biology, and Chiropractic. He received 2 bachelors degrees from university of Louisiana in the fields of biology and chemistry. He also holds a bachelors deg...
110: Helping Teens Set And Respect Boundaries, Part 2
February 11, 2020 01:58 - 12 minutes - 16.9 MBIn the second part of Roy's three-part look at the importance of helping teens set and respect boundaries, he explores the reasons helping teens with boundaries is so often a difficult process. Roy has established Today's Teenager as a non-profit organization dedicated to covering the expenses of therapy sessions and other mental health services for teens and families that would otherwise be unable to afford them. Visit todaysteenager dot com for more information.
107: Helping Teens To Emotionally Forecast
December 20, 2019 16:25 - 6 minutes - 9.41 MBIn this episode, Roy explains the phenomenon of emotional forecasting, its importance in emotional and psychological development, and how adults can help teens learn how to employ emotional forecasting in their lives. Roy has established Today's Teenager as a non-profit organization dedicated to covering the expenses of therapy sessions and other mental health services for teens and families that would otherwise be unable to afford them. Visit todaysteenager dot com for more information.
106: Teens And Romantic Relationships
November 22, 2019 16:26 - 20 minutes - 28.8 MBIn this episode, Roy explores the psychological and emotional dynamics of teen romantic relationships and offers strategies for discussing them with young people. Roy has established Today's Teenager as a non-profit organization dedicated to covering the expenses of therapy sessions and other mental health services for teens and families that would otherwise be unable to afford them. Visit todaysteenager dot com for more information.
105: Helping Teens Problem Solve
November 04, 2019 20:42 - 10 minutes - 14.8 MBIn this episode, Roy offers insight into the difficulty teens face when solving problems due to age and inexperience. Roy provides tips useful in helping teenagers re-frame what they consider to be threats not as dangers to be survived but rather challenges to be addressed and resolved. Roy has established Today's Teenager as a non-profit organization dedicated to covering the expenses of therapy sessions and other mental health services for teens and families that would otherwise be unab...
104: Interview with Stacey Sumereau
October 01, 2019 16:42 - 32 minutes - 44.5 MBRoy welcomes former professional Broadway actress, Stacey Sumerau. Stacey shares her experiences as a teen struggling to be the smartest, prettiest, and most talented performer she could be, how that struggle led to an eating disorder and ultimately, a spiritual transformation that informs her current work as a speaker who inspires teens to give their lives over to God's plan. Visit Stacey's official website for more on her speaking and experiences as a member of the Lifetime TV series, ...
103: Dr. Michael Reichert Talks Raising Healthy Boys
August 07, 2019 16:18 - 33 minutes - 46.4 MBIn this episode, Roy welcomes Dr. Michael Reichert, a psychologist and author whose new book, "How To Raise A Boy: The Power of Connection To Build Good Men" is receiving widespread acclaim. Dr. Reichert drew on his decades of experience working to counter societal conventions of how boys become men. Roy and Dr. Reichert discuss ways that those who work with boys and young men can help create compassionate, self - aware, and healthy men. Click here for more information "How To Raise A B...
102: Placeholder Conversations
July 31, 2019 09:00 - 5 minutes - 7.21 MBIn this episode, Roy explains how to employ the skill of placeholder conversations, brief exchanges with teens that help prime them for more in-depth discussions on important topics at a future date. Roy has established Today's Teenager as a non-profit organization dedicated to covering the expenses of therapy sessions and other mental health services for teens and families that would otherwise be unable to afford them. Visit todaysteenager dot com for more information. Dr. Dore and he...
101: The Power Of Reminiscing
July 29, 2019 09:00 - 5 minutes - 8.18 MBIn this episode, Roy discusses how looking back with teens on their progress in healing and personal achievement can encourage their continued growth and success. Roy has established Today's Teenager as a non-profit organization dedicated to covering the expenses of therapy sessions and other mental health services for teens and families that would otherwise be unable to afford them. Visit todaysteenager dot com for more information. Dr. Dore and her staff embrace their orthodontic pat...
100: Good Vs. Bad Stress
July 05, 2019 09:00 - 13 minutes - 18.8 MBIn the 100th episode of Today's Teenager, Roy again addresses the importance of recognizing how impacting stress is for young people today. Roy illustrates the differences between positive and negative sources of stress and offers insight into helping teens to recognize these differences and how to manage both in their lives. Roy has established Today's Teenager as a non-profit organization dedicated to covering the expenses of therapy sessions and other mental health services for teens a...
099: Should I Drug Test My Teen?
April 24, 2019 01:04 - 7 minutes - 9.61 MBIn this micro episode, Roy offers his thoughts on a questions he's often asked by parents of teens: 'should I drug test my teen?' Roy discusses the positive and negative aspects of the issue and provides insight into making the best decision for your teen and your family. Roy has established Today's Teenager as a non-profit organization dedicated to covering the expenses of therapy sessions and other mental health services for teens and families that would otherwise be unable to afford t...
098: Teens And Stress Avoidance
April 01, 2019 16:57 - 30 minutes - 41.8 MBIn this episode, Roy examines a growing trend among today's youth to avoid the stress that results from awkwardness. As Roy explains, this phenomenon is not exclusive to teens who suffer from social anxiety. Roy offers details and examples from his work with teens and strategies parents and those who work with teens can use to challenge teens to properly engage and cope with awkwardness and stress. Roy has established Today's Teenager as a non-profit organization dedicated to covering th...
097: Getting Teens To Do What They Don't Want To Do
February 26, 2019 17:15 - 14 minutes - 19.4 MBIn this episode, Roy responds to a question from a parent: "How do I get my teen to do what they don't want to do?" Roy explores the various factors involved in both the parent(s)' asking of the question and the teenager's refusal to do something the parent wants them to do. Roy examines the value of the adage "choose your battles" and how it applies to raising teens not as older children but as young adults. Roy has established Today's Teenager as a non-profit organization dedicated to ...
096: Dealing With Teen Drama
February 22, 2019 18:00 - 25 minutes - 35.3 MBEven those who don't work with teens are familiar with the term "teen drama." Despite the stereotypes and caricatures associated with the term, teens experience emotional and mental stressors that are more intense given their age and state in life. Roy explains the causes and signs of these stressors and offers strategies parents and adults who work with young people can use to help teens to cope and overcome. Roy has established Today's Teenager as a non-profit organization dedicated to ...
094: Dr. Lisa Damour And Anxiety In Teen Girls
February 12, 2019 10:00 - 46 minutes - 64.1 MBIn this special episode of Today's Teenager, Roy discusses the effects of the rising anxiety epidemic on teen girls with Dr. Lisa Damour, PhD. Dr. Damour is a clinical psychologist, regular writer for The New York Times and contributor to CBS News. She has witnessed the rising tide of stress and anxiety in her own research, in private practice, and in the all-girls’ school where she consults. Dr. Damour and Roy discuss how the epidemic of teenage anxiety is especially difficult for girls ...
095: Talking Tech Addiction with Marissa Verson Harrison
February 08, 2019 05:59 - 43 minutes - 60.1 MBRoy welcomes Marissa Verson Harrison to discuss the realities of tech addiction, especially prevalent among today's young people. Marissa has developed ScreenAge Bootcamp, a program designed to help parents guide children in learning to use technology as a means of enhancing their lives instead of being dominated by it. She talks her philosophy and offers helpful strategies for parents and those working with young people in what she calls "The ScreenAge." Click here for more about Mariss...
093: How To Stop Being A Perfect Parent
January 21, 2019 10:00 - 23 minutes - 31.8 MBIn this episode, Roy addresses how anxiety and fear manifest themselves in a parent's desire to be 'the perfect parent.' Roy illustrates how damaging this can be to both parents and young people alike and offers strategies to cope with the anxiety and worry that leads to perfectionism. Roy has established Today's Teenager as a non-profit organization dedicated to covering the expenses of therapy sessions and other mental health services for teens and families that would otherwise be unab...
092: How To Stop Nagging Your Teen
January 04, 2019 17:20 - 13 minutes - 19.1 MBIn this micro episode, Roy offers strategies for approaching the young people in your life about responsibilities and expectations in ways that will not feel like nagging to them. Roy has established Today's Teenager as a non-profit organization dedicated to covering the expenses of therapy sessions and other mental health services for teens and families that would otherwise be unable to afford them. Visit todaysteenager dot com for more information. Dr. Dore and her staff embrace thei...
091: Raising Adult Children with Jan Risher
January 02, 2019 10:00 - 37 minutes - 51.6 MBIn this episode, Roy talks with Jan Risher about the challenges and joys of parenting adult children. Jan is an award - winning journalist, investigative reporter, and former managing editor of The Times of Acadiana. Roy and Jan also discuss Jan's new book, Looking to the Stars from Old Algiers and Other Long Stories Short, a collection of her columns written over fifteen years. Roy has established Today's Teenager as a non-profit organization dedicated to covering the expenses of therapy ...
090: Small Talk For Teens with Debra Fine
December 28, 2018 16:23 - 28 minutes - 39.5 MBIn this episode, Roy discusses the importance of learning conversational skills with Debra Fine. A nationally recognized keynote speaker, bestselling author and conversation expert, and author of The Fine Art of Small Talk: How to Start A Conversation, Keep it Going, Build Rapport – And Leave a Positive Impression. Debra shares insightful and invaluable tips in aiding young people to build solid conversational skills that are especially helpful to teens struggling with anxiety and social int...
089: Tips For Becoming More Approachable To Teens
November 05, 2018 18:12 - 20 minutes - 28.2 MBIn this episode, Roy talks about how adults can be more approachable to the teens and young people in their lives. Roy acknowledges that some people are naturally approachable in general but believes that approachability is a skill set that can be learned. Roy offers seven tips for being more approachable to teens, including the importance and effectiveness of smiling and learning to truly listen to teens instead of being preoccupied with advice to give when approached by a teen. Roy has e...
088: Sexual Abuse And Assault Of Teens With Laurie Degatto-Whitten
October 29, 2018 15:31 - 36 minutes - 50.7 MBRoy discusses sexual abuse and assault of teens with Laurie Delgatto-Whitten. For close to thirty years, Laurie has served in the field of youth ministry. She has been involved in various local, regional, and national youth ministry training programs and conferences. She has a longstanding interest in the spirituality of adolescents, and is an outspoken advocate for teen involvement in the Church. She has written and edited dozens of ministry and educational books and resources. As a surviv...
087: A Conversation About Young People And Failure with Jessica Lahey
October 09, 2018 15:45 - 43 minutes - 59.2 MBIn this episode, Roy talks with New York Times best-selling author Jessica Lahey. Roy and Jessica discuss her groundbreaking and controversial book, The Gift of Failure: How The Best Parents Learn To Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed. Jessica's experience as an educator led her to write a book about how perfectionism and the desire to be everything to everyone leads young people to become more anxious and apathetic about learning. Jessica and Roy also discuss how young people see succ...
086: Getting Things Done For Teens with Mike Williams
September 24, 2018 16:28 - 33 minutes - 45.6 MBIn this episode, Roy talks with Mike Williams, co - writer of "Getting Things Done For Teens," based on the original book written by David Allen. The purpose of the book, from its back cover: "Very little time, focus, or education is being spent teaching and coaching this generation how to navigate this unprecedented amount of “stuff” entering their lives each day. How do we help the overloaded and distracted next generation deal with increasing complexity and help them not only survive,...
085: Talking Challenges And Opportunities For Hispanic Youth with Dr. Hosffman Opino
September 14, 2018 17:32 - 48 minutes - 67.1 MBIn this episode, Roy discusses the challenges and opportunities experienced by Hispanic youth today with Dr. Hosffman Opino. Dr. Opino was born in Colombia where he pursued undergraduate studies in Philosophy. He taught philosophy and religion at various academic levels and worked for the National Confederation of Catholic Education of Colombia. He currently holds an M.A. in theology with concentration in Church History and a Ph.D. in Theology and Education from Boston College. “In an atte...
084: Interview iwth John Hodges Davis
August 29, 2018 01:44 - 29 minutes - 40.9 MBIn this episode, Roy interviews young adult, John Hodges Davis. John shares his journey as a child and a teen pursuing a golf scholarship and a professional golf career. In his Junior year, John and his family discovered that he was born with hip dysplaysia, ultimately leading to two major surgeries which forced him out of competition and into a search for a new dream. John shares what was helpful to him during a bout of depression and how his faith opened the door for a new direction in his...
083: Advanced Communications Tips For Talking With Teens
August 03, 2018 20:23 - 13 minutes - 18 MBIt's common for teens to say things to us or about us that provoke strong emotions in us. In this episode, Roy offers strategies to avoid inflicting your emotional reaction on your teen while also acknowledging the incident instead of pretending it didn't happen. Among the strategies Roy suggests are using the phrase "when you (teen behavior) I feel (your vulnerable emotion)," along with the question "tell me more" when talking with teens. These tips and others will enable you to engage in ...
Episode 082:Explaining Vs. Excusing Behavior
August 02, 2018 19:21 - 6 minutes - 8.8 MBIn this episode, Roy discusses the difference between letting teens know that we understand their reasons (or lack thereof) for explaining their behavior and giving them a pass for their behavior, thereby excusing it. Roy suggests that as caring adults, we do teens no favors by excusing their choices and behavior and offers suggestions for communicating this concept to teens. Roy has established Today's Teenager as a non-profit organization dedicated to covering the expenses of therapy se...
081: How Much Screen Time Is Too Much?
June 25, 2018 09:00 - 26 minutes - 36.5 MBIn this episode, Roy addresses one the questions he's most frequently asked by parents: how do you know how much screen time is enough for kids and how do you know when they're spending too much time on their devices? Roy believes that while there are no exact formulas for just how much screen time is best, Roy does believe that the issue of screen time should not be avoided or ignored. Roy offers principles and tips to have conversations with spouses and young people about the importance o...
080: 13 Reasons Why Season 2
June 02, 2018 17:55 - 49 minutes - 68 MBIn this episode, Roy addresses the second season of the controversial Netflix series, 13 Reasons Why. Roy begins by detailing the plot of the first and second seasons and then explores the positive and negative elements of the series. Roy offers strategies and talking points for adults who wish to discuss the show's themes with teens. Today's Teenager on season one of 13 Reasons Why: Part 1. Part 2. Roy encourages adults working with young people to take advantage of the resources ...
079: Dealing With Teenage Apathy
April 23, 2018 09:00 - 24 minutes - 34.1 MBIt’s easy to see how one could assume that today's youth doesn’t care as much as teens once did. Over the years, Roy has discovered several, at times overlapping, reasons teens become apathetic. Many parents and other adults will comment or complain that teens don't care about school, church, or their future as much as they believe they should. In this episode, Roy explains that the truth is that today's teens are disenchanted with the world today. At the root of much of this apathy is d...
078: Helping Teens Regulate Emotions
March 30, 2018 09:00 - 27 minutes - 38.3 MBAs Roy explains in this episode, more and more teens are having difficulty regulating their emotions. Being “emotional” and having a roller coaster of feelings is a normal part of being a teenager. Yet many teens experience this intensity at unhealthy levels and for extended lengths of time. Roy explores how teen's inability to “cap”, regulate or de-escalate their feelings puts them at risk for more serious emotional problems such as anxiety and depression. Roy offers strategies aimed at h...
077: Helping Teens Define Success
March 09, 2018 10:00 - 22 minutes - 30.4 MBIn this episode, Roy addresses one of the greatest sources of anxiety for teens today: the pursuit of an unhealthy and often unconscious definition of success. Roy uses the example of teens who suffer panic attacks after failing tests to address what grades and performance really mean to some teens. For teens consciously or unconsciouly struggling to live up to a harsh definition of success, a failing grade really represents their belief that they are unable to succeed in school and in the l...
076: Existential Depression In Teens
February 26, 2018 17:41 - 28 minutes - 38.8 MBIn this episode, Roy explores a form of depression that many adults are unaware young people are experiencing: existential depression. This type of depression is often a of psychological and spiritual experiences in which matters of life and death, freedom, intimacy, and ultimate meaning weigh heavily on a teen. As Roy explains, existential depression was believed to only be experienced by 'gifted' teens who are creatively or artistically talented. Roy shares his belief that the label 'gif...
075: Helping Perfectionist Teens
February 06, 2018 18:34 - 27 minutes - 38.3 MBIn this episode, Roy explores the surprising way that anxiety manifests among many teens today: perfectionism. The teen who has to do most things absolutely perfectly, like homework with little point value or getting upset when not making a perfect score on a test are teens struggling with anxiety-driven perfectionism. Roy explains that while these many not seem to be related to anxiety, they very much are and result from increasing demands on teens from almost countless social and person...
074: Teens And The Holiday Blues
December 26, 2017 19:36 - 13 minutes - 18.7 MBFor many, the holidays are “the most wonderful time of the years," but for others it can feel like the worst. Adults are often unaware that teens also feel "the holiday blues." In this episode, Roy explores the warnings signs that indicate the young person or people in your life are experiencing those blues. Roy then offers simple and effective strategies that will aid you in shepherding teens through their holiday sadness and also determine if a teen may need more intensive help from a men...
073: Responding Instead Of Reacting To Teens
December 15, 2017 10:00 - 9 minutes - 13.2 MBIn this episode, Roy discusses the struggle many adults have when working with teens: reacting instead of responding to their behavior. Roy builds on Dr. Steven Covey's observation that humans have a gap between a stimulus and response and that this gap can be widened through forethought and awareness of behavioral triggers. Roy suggests techniques that can aid in responding instead of reacting, including prayer and processing triggers and difficulties with a trusted person. Roy has esta...
072: Why Are Some Teens Delaying Getting Their Driver's License?
November 28, 2017 10:00 - 16 minutes - 23 MBIn this episode, Roy addresses the surprising phenomenon of teens putting off getting their driver's licenses. Roy shares from his own experience working with teens as a counselor and from his interaction with teens and adult through speaking. The prevailing trend is that more and more teens avoiding the acquisition of their driver's license, for reasons varying from anxiety over taking the driving test to feeling that having a driver's license is not necessary. Roy breaks down the findi...
071: Helping Teens With Anxiety
November 14, 2017 10:00 - 9 minutes - 13.2 MBIn this episode, Roy further addresses how anxiety affects young people, especially their spiritual life. Roy offers tips for helping teens who struggle with anxiety, including less technology, more social interaction with friends and family, and avoiding transferring anxiety to teens. Roy has established Today's Teenager as a non-profit organization dedicated to covering the expenses of therapy sessions and other mental health services for teens and families that would otherwise be unab...
070: Social Media And Teen Mental Health
November 07, 2017 10:00 - 10 minutes - 14.2 MBIn this micro episode, Roy addresses how social media impacts the mental health of today's teenagers. Roy focuses on how social media apps like Snapchat and Instagram affect dopamine production and dependence in the brain. Roy also discusses how social media curbs proficiency in recognizing verbal and non - verbal social cues and how some teens are robbing themselves of a rich social life by spending time on social media instead. Roy has established Today's Teenager as a non-profit organ...
069: Teens And Unhealthy Relationships
November 03, 2017 09:00 - 19 minutes - 26.6 MBIn this episode, Roy explores traits of unhealthy relationships that today's teens find themselves in. These may include overprotective and obsessive behavior like one partner requiring the other to disclose social media passwords or more seriously, sexual and other types of abuse. Roy also offers tips for assisting teens in avoiding unhealthy relationships or to recognize and then leave unhealthy relationships. Roy strongly encourages parents to discuss relationship issues with teens, e...
068: Teens And Sexting, Part 2
October 23, 2017 09:00 - 18 minutes - 24.7 MBIn this second episode on teens and sexting, Roy offers practical strategies for helping young people who are texting and attempt to dissuade those who are not from the behavior. Roy's strategies include acknowledging the reality of sexting and setting consequences for teens who have use multiple social media accounts in addition to those parents already know about. Roy has established Today's Teenager as a non-profit organization dedicated to covering the expenses of therapy sessions...