Misdiagnosis, trial-and-error medication, and treatment plans that miss the real issue are realities many families haave to face, even though the last thing you want is guesswork when it comes to your struggling teen’s or young adult’s care. That’s where psychological testing comes in.

In this conversation with Liz Griffith, owner of Psychological Solutions, we dive into why comprehensive psychological testing for teens is such a critical piece of the puzzle. Liz shares how accurate testing helps families, therapists, and treatment programs move forward in your kid’s treatment with clarity, saving precious time, money, and heartache.

We explore the differences between psychologists, psychiatrists, and therapists, what a full evaluation actually looks like, and how the right diagnosis can dramatically change the treatment path. Liz also opens up about her own daughter’s journey with anxiety and OCD, offering parents a real-life example of why getting clear answers matters so much.

In this episode on psychological testing for teens, we discuss:

• Why misdiagnosis is so common in teen mental health;
• The crucial differences between ADHD, autism, anxiety, and OCD;
• How testing can uncover both challenges and strengths in your teen;
• Why a “checkbox diagnosis” isn’t enough for lasting progress;
• How comprehensive evaluations give therapists the tools they need to help effectively;
• And more!

You can learn more about Psychological Solutions at www.psychologicalsolutions.org, or reach out to them through support@psychologicalsolutions.org or call 801-528-5140

Looking for support?

🗺️Need help setting healthy boundaries with your teen AND following through? My free guide will help you do so by creating your own Parent Home Plan!

🤍Influence lasting change in yourself and your struggling teen with my private coaching or parent group program specifically created for parents of struggling teens.

Have a question or need support? You can email me at beth@bethhillmancoaching.com

You can support the show by:

Leaving a review

Subscribing to the show

And remember parents, the change begins with us.

You want to protect your child and give them a better life than you had. But sometimes, those good intentions backfire, leaving our teens less capable, less confident, and more dependent than we ever wanted.

In this conversation with licensed clinical counselor and life coach Virginia Townsand, we explore how over-helping can unintentionally create learned helplessness, and what you can do instead to foster independence and resilience in your teen.

Virginia and I talk about the difference between “doing for,” “doing with,” and letting your child “do for themselves,” and how shifting into that middle ground can build confidence, life skills, and self-advocacy. You’ll walk away with practical tools you can start using today to stop rescuing and start empowering.

In this episode on helping your teen build independence, we discuss:

• Why intention and impact often don’t match when parenting teens;
• How over-helping can lead to learned helplessness;
• The role of discomfort in building resilience and confidence in teens and young adults;
• Practical strategies to move from “doing for” to “doing with”;
• The long-term benefits of letting your teen struggle and grow;
• And more!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Connect with Virginia at www.janus-co.com

Looking for support?

🗺️Need help setting healthy boundaries with your teen AND following through? My free guide will help you do so by creating your own Parent Home Plan!

🤍Influence lasting change in yourself and your struggling teen with my private coaching or parent group program specifically created for parents of struggling teens.

Have a question or need support? You can email me at beth@bethhillmancoaching.com

You can support the show by:

Leaving a review

Subscribing to the show

And remember parents, the change begins with us.

You step in to help, ease your kid’s struggles, but is your help actually helpful or is it keeping your struggling teen or young adult from making the changes they need most? You want the best for them, but how can you influence internal change?

It’s a painful truth many parents don’t realize: sometimes “help” becomes enabling. By rescuing your struggling teen from discomfort, whether through financial support, extra comforts, or stepping in to soften the consequences, you may unintentionally be preventing the internal accountability that fuels real, lasting change.

In this conversation, Seth and I unpack how easy it is to blur the line between helping and enabling, why it happens, and how you can shift toward offering the kind of support that encourages your teen to take ownership of their choices.

In this episode on helping vs. enabling your struggling teen, we discuss:

• How parents unknowingly provide comforts that block internal change;
• Why lasting transformation only happens when teens feel consequences;
• The emotional toll on parents who “rescue” and how to handle it;
• Red flags that signal you might be enabling instead of supporting;
• What true support looks like and why it often feels so hard;
• And much more.

Looking for support?
🗺️Need help setting healthy boundaries with your teen AND following through? My free guide will help you do so by creating your own Parent Home Plan!

🤍Influence lasting change in yourself and your struggling teen with my private coaching or parent group program specifically created for parents of struggling teens.

Have a question or need support? You can email me at beth@bethhillmancoaching.com

You can support the show by:
Leaving a review
Subscribing to the show

And remember parents, the change begins with us.

🔆 Small GROUP COACHING program starting September 3rd, 2025 🔆
Sign up or learn more over at www.bethhillmancoaching.com/groups
I hope to see you there!

Ever wondered if your teen’s latest mood swing, eye roll, or total shutdown is just part of growing up or a sign that something deeper is going on? You’re not alone. Parents ask me about normal teen behavior almost daily, especially when past struggles or treatment make it harder to tell what’s typical and what’s cause for concern.

In this conversation with therapist and parent coach Jen Murphy, we explore how understanding human growth and development stages can take the guesswork (and the panic) out of your reactions. Jen shares how to spot age-appropriate behavior, when to trust your gut as a parent, and how to respond in ways that foster connection with your struggling teen or young adult kid instead of conflict.

You’ll come away with more clarity, more compassion (for yourself and your teen), and practical ways to navigate even the most baffling days of parenting.

In this episode on normal teen behavior, we discuss:

• The key developmental stages of adolescence and how they show up in daily life;
• Why egocentrism is normal and how to balance it with responsibility;
• How to tell when behavior is “normal” for your teen and when it’s not;
• Why trusting your parenting gut matters more than any book or expert;
• Healthy ways to step back, regroup, and respond without escalating conflict;
• And many more insights from Jen!

Looking for support?
🗺️Need help setting healthy boundaries with your teen AND following through? My free guide will help you do so by creating your own Parent Home Plan!

🤍Influence lasting change in yourself and your struggling teen with my private coaching or parent group program specifically created for parents of struggling teens.

Have a question or need support? You can email me at beth@bethhillmancoaching.com

You can support the show by:
Leaving a review
Subscribing to the show

And remember parents, the change begins with us.

🔆 Small GROUP COACHING program starting September 3rd, 2025 🔆
Sign up or learn more over at www.bethhillmancoaching.com/groups
I hope to see you there!

When your teen lies to you, it can feel like a betrayal, whether it’s about doing the dishes, where they were last night, or something much bigger. But what if their dishonesty isn’t a sign of disrespect, but a sign of something deeper?

Today, therapist Dana VanRenterghem is back to unpack the emotional complexity behind why teens lie. From little white lies to big cover-ups, together we explore what’s often happening beneath the surface: fear, shame, and the deep need for connection. And with all those new insights into why your teen or young adult might lie to you, how can you shift from punishment to understanding

You’ll gain insight into how to stay grounded in moments of dishonesty, why rewarding truth-telling might not build integrity, and how to create a home where your teen feels emotionally safe enough to be honest, even when it’s hard.

This is the long game of parenting. It’s not about quick fixes or bribing your teen into transparency. It’s about building trust, speaking to the emotional brain, and being a safe person for your child to come to, especially when they mess up.

In this episode on why teens lie, you'll learn:

• How lying often stems from fear of losing connection;
• Why consequences don’t usually solve dishonesty?
• What’s behind the impulse to hide, withhold, or bend the truth;
• How to validate your teen’s feelings without condoning the behavior;
• The importance of avoiding labels like “liar”;
• Ways to foster emotional safety and encourage honest conversations;
• What to say when your teen does tell the truth;
• Why this kind of parenting takes time, and how to stay the course;
• And valuable insights from Dana!

More about Dana VanRenterghem, LMSW (she/her)
Dana is a therapist who believes in the healing power of relationships. With a background in residential treatment, trauma recovery, and family systems, she brings deep compassion and insight to her work with parents, teens, and young adults. Dana is part of the team at the Family Intensive Institute and draws from approaches like Internal Family Systems (IFS) and EMDR. Outside of therapy, she’s a marathon runner, jiu jitsu purple belt, and proud stepmom who knows firsthand that parenting is the toughest challenge of all.

More episodes with Dana:

• #145 How to Apologize to Your Teen or Young Adult Kid With Dana VanRenterghem

Looking for support?
🗺️ Need help setting healthy boundaries with your teen AND following through? My free guide will help you do so by creating your own Parent Home Plan!

🤍 Influence lasting change in yourself and your struggling teen with my private coaching or parent group program specifically created for parents of struggling teens.

Have a question or need support? You can email me at beth@bethhillmancoaching.com

You can support the show by:
Leaving a review
Subscribing to the show

And remember parents, the change begins with us.

🔆 Small GROUP COACHING program starting September 3rd, 2025 🔆
Sign up or learn more over at www.bethhillmancoaching.com/groups
I hope to see you there!

It’s one of the most heartbreaking parts of parenting a struggling kid: watching them resist the very help they need, even when they KNOW they need it.

In today’s conversation, Seth and I talk about the resistance to change: what it looks like, why it shows up, and how powerless it can make you feel as a parent. Whether your teen is avoiding treatment, clinging to unhealthy coping mechanisms, or simply refusing to engage with the support you're offering, this kind of resistance can feel like an endless loop of frustration, fear, and grief.

We unpack the patterns we’ve seen over and over again, both in teens and in the families who love them. And we offer encouragement and insight to help you hold your ground without giving up hope.

You are not alone in this.

In this episode on resistance to change, we discuss:

• The difference between not knowing and not being willing
• Why fear and shame often sit at the root of resistance
• What to do when your teen knows something has to change, but still refuses help
• How to offer support without enabling or rescuing
• When it’s appropriate to set limits or natural consequences
• The deep inner work parents have to do to stay steady through the spiral
• And more.

Looking for support?
🗺️Need help setting healthy boundaries with your teen AND following through? My free guide will help you do so by creating your own Parent Home Plan!

🤍Influence lasting change in yourself and your struggling teen with my private coaching or parent group program specifically created for parents of struggling teens.

Have a question or need support? You can email me at beth@bethhillmancoaching.com

You can support the show by:
Leaving a review
Subscribing to the show

And remember parents, the change begins with us.

🔆 Small GROUP COACHING program starting September 3rd, 2025 🔆
Sign up or learn more over at www.bethhillmancoaching.com/groups
I hope to see you there!

What if your struggling kid isn’t defiant, out of control, or ungrateful… but just hurting, lost, and desperate to be understood?

In this follow-up conversation, Enzo returns. Last week, he shared his story. This time, he’s here to offer something every parent craves: honest, compassionate advice from someone who’s been there. Someone who ran from treatment, overdosed, and nearly didn’t make it, but did.

Enzo shares what he wishes his parents had done differently, why curiosity is more powerful than control, and how even the most chaotic-seeming kids are often just craving connection, leadership, and respect.

This episode is filled with wisdom you won’t hear from professionals alone, because it comes straight from lived experience.

In this episode on what struggling teens wish their parents knew, we discuss:

• The biggest misconceptions parents often have about “troubled” teens
• Why most struggling kids are actually highly sensitive
• The power of curiosity, and how asking the right questions can shift everything
• What teens really feel when parents try to control their behavior
• How emotional regulation (not panic) helps parents lead effectively
• Why respect for your teen’s individuality is more powerful than advice
• The kind of leadership teens are secretly looking for
• What Enzo is doing now to support other teens and families on this journey

Looking for support?
🗺️Need help setting healthy boundaries with your teen AND following through? My free guide will help you do so by creating your own Parent Home Plan!

🤍Influence lasting change in yourself and your struggling teen with my private coaching or parent group program specifically created for parents of struggling teens.

More about Enzo
Vicenzo "Enzo" Narciso grew up in Seattle, Washington, where struggles with substance use, skipping school, and falling in with the wrong crowd led him to drop out of high school. A turning point came when he was sent to Elements Wilderness Therapy in Utah, followed by treatment at a therapeutic boarding school. After returning home, Enzo relapsed, and a near-fatal overdose left him in a coma, after which he had to relearn basic tasks while beginning to rebuild his life.

Driven by perseverance and support, Enzo committed to long-term healing and personal growth. His path eventually led him to pursue higher education and later, a career helping others. Today, he shares his story and mentors kids from the next generation to inspire those navigating similar challenges, emphasizing that meaningful change is possible with consistent effort and courage.

You can reach out to Enzo at enzo@lifestrategiesmentors.com

Have a question or need support? You can email me at beth@bethhillmancoaching.com

You can support the show by:
Leaving a review
Subscribing to the show

And remember parents, the change begins with us.

🔆 Small GROUP COACHING program starting September 3rd, 2025 🔆
Sign up or learn more over at www.bethhillmancoaching.com/groups
I hope to see you there!

What’s underneath the chaos when your teen or young adult is out of control? I may seem like they don’t care about anything: school, their future, you. But what if underneath, there’s a deep sense of fear, loneliness, and the desperate need to belong?

As parents, we often only see the surface: defiance, shutdowns, risky behavior, silence. But there's always something underneath. And this conversation offers a rare and incredibly valuable glimpse inside the mind of a troubled teen who lived through it all, and came out the other side.

This week, I’m joined by Enzo, a young man who spent years struggling with school refusal, substance abuse, and running away from treatment. After overdosing twice, he made a decision that changed everything. Today, Enzo works with teens in the very program he once ran from.

You’ll hear Enzo’s story in his own words: honest, insightful, and full of perspective most parents never get to hear. If you’ve ever wondered what your teen is thinking or why they’re making such dangerous choices, this episode will give you a whole new lens.

In this episode on what goes on inside the mind of a troubled teen, we discuss:

• What Enzo remembers about being labeled a “behavioral” kid in elementary school
• How early therapy, ADHD meds, and divorce shaped his internal world
• The pull of belonging, and why he clung to his new friend group, even when it meant breaking rules
• His decision to run from treatment and how his family tried to intervene
• The two near-fatal overdoses that finally changed his mindset
• The surprising role of small, consistent goals in rebuilding his life
• Why he now works in treatment, and what he’s learned from helping teens just like he once was
• What he wishes every parent knew about kids who are struggling

Looking for support?
🗺️Need help setting healthy boundaries with your teen AND following through? My free guide will help you do so by creating your own Parent Home Plan!

🤍Influence lasting change in yourself and your struggling teen with my private coaching or parent group program specifically created for parents of struggling teens.

More about Enzo
Vicenzo "Enzo" Narciso grew up in Seattle, Washington, where struggles with substance use, skipping school, and falling in with the wrong crowd led him to drop out of high school. A turning point came when he was sent to Elements Wilderness Therapy in Utah, followed by treatment at a therapeutic boarding school. After returning home, Enzo relapsed, and a near-fatal overdose left him in a coma, after which he had to relearn basic tasks while beginning to rebuild his life.

Driven by perseverance and support, Enzo committed to long-term healing and personal growth. His path eventually led him to pursue higher education and later, a career helping others. Today, he shares his story and mentors kids from the next generation to inspire those navigating similar challenges, emphasizing that meaningful change is possible with consistent effort and courage.

You can reach out to Enzo at enzo@lifestrategiesmentors.com

Have a question or need support? You can email me at beth@bethhillmancoaching.com

You can support the show by:
Leaving a review
Subscribing to the show

And remember parents, the change begins with us.

🔆 Small GROUP COACHING program starting September 3rd, 2025 🔆
Sign up or learn more over at www.bethhillmancoaching.com/groups
I hope to see you there!