116. Understanding Trauma Responses in Parents & Struggling Teens, With Trauma Therapist Sarah Allen

Parenting Post-Wilderness: Parenting a Struggling Teen Before, During and After Treatment

Ever found yourself reacting strongly to something, even when it seems like “no big deal”? Or maybe, in a tense moment, you freeze or shut down instead of reacting?
If you’re a parent of a struggling teen, be it addiction, mental health struggles, suicidal ideation or a different struggle, you’ve probably felt your own heart skip a beat more times than you can count.
Today, I talk with trauma therapist Sarah Allen about why we sometimes overreact (or shut down) in response to certain triggers and how it all comes down to our bodies trying to protect us.
Sarah breaks down the idea that trauma doesn’t just live in the mind - it lives in the body. Even when our heads know “things are okay,” our nervous systems might still be on high alert, especially if we’ve been through overwhelming experiences with our kids in the past. It’s that part of us that steps in to make sure we don’t go through that kind of pain again. But sometimes, this automatic response can show up as a jolt of panic, a wave of anger, or even a complete shutdown.
As parents, we’re human too. And with the right tools and support, we can navigate our own responses, even when this journey with our kids takes us through some incredibly challenging terrain.
In this episode on understanding trauma responses in parents of struggling teens, we explore:

• Why our bodies sometimes react before our minds even have a chance;
• How trauma can make it hard to know what’s truly safe or dangerous;
• What over- and under-responses look like as a parent of a struggling teen in treatment or recovery;
• How to bring self-compassion to the way we show up, even if it’s not perfect;
• Different therapeutic approaches, including tips for finding the right fit for you or your family;
• And much more!

Need 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.
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And remember parents, the change begins with us.

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