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Your Teen’s Protein Powder Obsession Isn't as Healthy as You Think
This week, it’s microplastics. Last week, it was forever chemicals in dental floss. The week before that, gas stoves, dry shampoo, talc, deodorant, chewing gum — take your pick. It’s hard to keep track. And if I, someone with a Ph.D. in cancer research, feel overwhelmed, I can only imagine how the average parent feels.
Let me be clear: cancer is devastatingly real. It has touched nearly every family in this country—including mine. As a teenager, I suddenly lost both of my grandmothers to aggressive forms of cancer in the same year. It changed the course of my life.
But the way we talk about health risks today feels more like a fear machine than a guide. And in the noise, we’re missing some of the most promising science that could change how we approach long-term health from the very beginning of life. The current culture of constant panic — delivered in push alerts and all-caps headlines — risks doing real harm. Fear without context isn’t education. It’s anxiety.
According to the American Cancer Society, nearly two million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year. About 40% of people will face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. And yes, environmental factors play a role. But not everything is an equal threat — and not every new study warrants a siren.
As I see it, our most urgent problem is not that we don’t have prevention options. It’s that we’re not translating them into meaningful public guidance. We need better communication about risk — what’s real, what’s theoretical, and most importantly, what’s actionable.
Instead, we’ve created an environment where people are inundated with headlines but offered no real path forward. That kind of saturation breeds skepticism, not engagement.
Meanwhile, many of the most promising developments in cancer prevention are being drowned out. For example: scientific health news around the role of the gut microbiome, and its role in shaping the immune system and setting the stage for lifelong health.
At Persephone Biosciences, where I’m a co-founder, we’re leading the largest-ever complete study of infant gut health in the U.S. One of our recent findings: 76 percent of American infants have low levels of Bifidobacterium, beneficial bacteria that was once foundational to the infant microbiome. These infants were, consequently, found to be at higher risk for developing atopic conditions including food allergies, eczema, and asthma. Bifidobacterium helps train the immune system and may play a key role in protecting against chronic disease later in life — including, yes, cancer. (PS: a simple solution to re-introducing Bifidobacterium back into infants’ biomes is in the works and is promising.)
That’s a big deal. But you won’t see it trending on Twitter or topping Google News, because “Low Infant Gut Bacteria Levels May Predict Disease Risk” doesn’t get clicks the way “Your Tap Water May Cause Cancer” does.
It’s not that the science is lacking — it’s that the signal is lost in the noise.
We need a reset. All of us — leaders, scientists, journalists, consumers — must prioritize proportionality and clarity over panic. We all need to leave more room for nuance; emerging science is seldom black and white, and consumers and parents deserve the space to understand its complexity without fear-driven oversimplification.
There’s real, solution-driven science happening. Let’s amplify that, not another breathless list of everyday products to fear.
As moms, we have power. We decide who we follow and what we click on. Every time we pause before sharing a panic-inducing headline or choose to seek out information from trusted scientific sources, we too help shift the culture. And when we share these findings with our pediatricians and with other families, we help redefine the standard of care.
And in the case of supporting the infant microbiome, that can mean incorporating supplementation of critical gut microbes like Bifidobacterium into a child’s feeding routine and focusing on diet by making sure kids are exposed to a wide variety of fruits, vegetables for fiber, and fermented foods for natural probiotics. Small, thoughtful choices like these can help set our children on a healthier path and move the conversation from fear to action.
Cancer is scary. But fear isn’t a strategy. Facts are. There’s solution-driven science happening, like the work being done in early-life immune health. That’s where our attention should be.
Before you go, shop our favorite skincare brands for teens:
]]>In one video, a teen uses a spoon to pop off brackets one by one; another uses pliers. Both of them explain that they’re heading to military boot camp soon, where they’re not allowed to have braces. One explains that no orthodontists were able to see him to take the braces off professionally, adding “I’m pretty sure I’ll regret this decision later.”
He’s probably right. Whether it’s due to tooth pain, discomfort, or job requirements, it won’t surprise you to hear that removing braces at home is not a good idea, no matter how much your teen wants them off.
“It’s incredibly scary and unfortunate,” Dr. Erika Faust, a top orthodontist in New York City and founder of Elite Orthodontics NYC, tells SheKnows of the trend. “Teens have no idea how damaging this can be to their enamel and the integrity of their teeth as a whole.” While popping the brackets off might not seem so difficult (sometimes a poorly-placed bite of food will do it!), it turns out that applying this kind of intense pressure in the wrong way can injure or even fracture your teen’s teeth.
“Watching orthodontists remove [braces] may also make it seem like it’s very easy to do,” notes Dr. Faust, “but orthodontists understand the science behind the forces involved, have studied your teeth and have the manual dexterity to do it properly.”
When it’s an untrained hand removing braces, there are a long-term risks involved. “At best, small fractures of tooth enamel can occur which are not necessarily visible, but can weaken the teeth significantly,” explains Dr. Faust. There will also be small pieces of cement left behind, which can attract stains and bacteria. And, in the worst-case scenario, your teen could fracture their tooth outright, Dr. Faust says — an injury that would require reconstruction by a dentist.
If your teen or young adult needs or wants their braces off before their scheduled time, there is a solution that doesn’t require prying them off in your home bathroom. “Most orthodontists are willing to remove the braces early if the parent gives permission,” Dr. Faust says, although she notes that orthodontists will likely stress that the treatment is not finished or ideal. “Communication between the patient, parent, and orthodontist is key in these scenarios,” she adds. While taking your teen’s braces off early isn’t great, it’s definitely better than them letting them try to do it themselves (after learning from a TikTok video!).
]]>Thanks to TikTok, teens are much more well-versed in curating the perfect skincare routine than we were as adolescents. That also means they’ve probably been asking you to buy them beauty products to replicate that glow of their favorite celebs or online influencers (whom you might not even recognize). If you’re shopping for your middle schooler or high schooler, consider saying yes. An essential life skill is carrying out a good, healthy skincare routine, and it’s it’s never too early to get started!
Best Skincare Brands for Teens at a Glance
Best Overall: Starface
Best New Skincare Brand: Pour Tous
Best Scientifically Backed: Saint Crewe
Best Dermatologist Guided: Evereden
Best Cleansing Balms: Banila Co.
Best Skincare Sets: Erly Sleepover Bundle
Most Popular: E.l.f.
Most Effective: Olay
Best for Targeted Treatments: First Aid Beauty
Best Affordable: The Inkey List
Best Influencer-Approved: Bubble Skincare
Best Dermatologist-Created: BTWN
Best Celebrity-Owned: florence by mills
Best Sustainable: Cocokind
Best for Teen Boys: JB SKRUBB
Best Customized: Glossier
Best for Teen Athletes: Rally
Best Sunscreen Brand: SuperGoop!
Best Korean Skincare: Glow Recipe
Best Splurge: Skin Pharm
It’s true that we only had a handful of healthy skincare options to choose from when we were 13 if you wanted to zap zits (does a certain grapefruit face scrub stir up any memories?). Now, there are more effective and affordable options than ever targeted for the unique needs of teen skin. Bonus: The packaging on these newer teen skincare brands are super IG-worthy, so they make for the perfect medicine cabinet #shelfie. You won’t even mind them cluttering the bathroom counter every morning. They’re that cute, trust us.
As for teen skincare product lines, there’s Bubble, a nontoxic skincare brand for teens, that makes taking care of acne actually fun — so much so, that we wish we had this brand in our younger years. The Inkey List boils things down to simple ingredients without all the fillers, keeping costs down. BTWN is also filling the gap in the young adult skincare world with eco-friendly, socially conscious, and gender-neutral products created by a dermatologist, no less. There’s a laundry list of other teen skincare brands (many available on Amazon and Target), so read on to find the best brands to stock your teenager’s bathroom with (and even your own bathroom — there is no age limit on these products!).
Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Target is a SheKnows sponsors, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
]]>Understanding the New Landscape
Once your child turns 18, national laws completely change your relationship with their healthcare. You can’t automatically get their medical information or make medical decisions for them. I know this feels strange at first, but it’s actually a good opportunity to help them develop important adulting skills. If they’re comfortable with it, have them sign a HIPAA authorization form so you can still access their medical information during emergencies or major health decisions.
Finding the Right Primary Care Provider
The first step is helping your teen understand that finding a healthcare provider is sort of like dating. You want to find the right match. Schedule a “meet and greet” appointment with a Primary care and OB-GYN clinician, whether they’re an MD, DO, PA, or APRN. This appointment isn’t for handling urgent problems. Think of it as checking if the vibes are right. Does your child feel comfortable asking questions? Does the provider listen and explain things clearly? Is the clinician comfortable discussing health topics your teen has learned about on TikTok or other social media? Just like with dating, if they don’t hit it off, your teen can try with another clinician.
It’s also become extremely normal for young adults who don’t have ongoing health conditions or take regular medications, to choose to skip establishing care with a primary care provider initially. Instead, they’ll identify an urgent care center covered by their insurance and go there when they need care. As a physician, I believe it’s OK to use urgent care for those unexpected injuries and illnesses. However, it’s good to have a primary care doctor too — as someone who knows your complete medical history, they can become your health advocate when you need it.
Navigating College Health Systems
Not every teen plans to attend college, but for those who do, college health centers offer significant advantages: they’re convenient, affordable, and the providers understand the unique challenges college students face. The downside is that services might be limited during breaks and summer sessions. Help your young adult understand what their college health center offers and what might require outside referrals. Many students use campus health for routine care while maintaining relationships with specialists from home. If your child is attending university, encourage them to start with the campus resources for cost and convenience. However, be aware that they can also access off-campus care options.
Know Your Health History
This transition reveals a significant gap in how families communicate about health. Your young adult needs to understand their complete medical history, including allergies, current medications, and most importantly, why they take each medication. Even young adults with chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes may struggle to manage their health independently, not because they’re irresponsible, but because you’ve been the primary decision-maker and health advocate throughout their adolescence. They may not fully understand the day-to-day requirements of managing their conditions or know crucial details like medication allergies, their complete diagnosis list, or family health history.
I’ve seen countless young adult patients frantically calling their parents from my office because they can’t answer basic questions about their health. This scrambling often happens at the worst possible moments when they’re already sick or dealing with a health crisis.
If your child takes medications, ensure they understand the names (both generic and brand names), dosages, the reason for taking the drug, and the importance of consistency. This knowledge becomes essential during emergencies or when establishing care with new clinicians.
Teach them to keep a medication list of this information on their phone so it’s easy to access. At every medical appointment, they will ask about their medications and allergies. They should also be prepared that they might be asked to share information about their sexual health and drug or alcohol use.
Emergency vs. Urgent Care
It’s important to teach your young adult about the difference between urgent care (for things like minor injuries, infections, or illness) and emergency care (for chest pain, serious injuries, difficulty breathing, or anyone nonresponsive). Understanding when to use each one can save money, ensure they get appropriate care, and help them help their friends, too.
Prevention and Ongoing Care
Those 18 and older should stay current with important vaccinations, including annual flu shots to prevent seasonal influenza; the HPV vaccine series, which protects against human papillomavirus and reduces cervical cancer risk, ideally completed before age 26; meningitis vaccines to prevent serious bacterial infections common in college settings; and tetanus boosters every 10 years for wound protection. They should also get screened for sexually transmitted infections when sexually active, even if they don’t have any symptoms. Young women should begin regular Pap smears at age 21 to screen for cervical cancer and precancerous changes, regardless of sexual activity, and be informed about options for birth control, such as birth control pills, IUDs, implants, or other methods that best fit their health needs and lifestyle.
Help them set up their patient portals, understand their telemedicine options, and learn how to communicate with their clinician between visits. Not everyone realizes that anything they write in a patient portal is part of their permanent medical record.
Your Evolving Role as a Parent
Your role shifts from healthcare director to consultant. Be available for guidance while encouraging independence. Help them organize their important health documents, understand their insurance benefits, and prepare questions for appointments. Remember, this transition takes time. Some young adults will be ready to handle everything independently, while others will need more gradual support.
When you prepare your child with these tools and knowledge, you’re setting them up for a lifetime of success to advocate for the healthcare they deserve. That’s one of the most valuable things you can give them as they learn to be their own Chief Medical Officer.
Before you go, shop these skincare brands your teen will love:
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Claims about the benefits of the supplement fill social media feeds and (spoiler alert!), some of these are actually backed by reliable science.
Creatine has been extensively studied and used by athletes for years to help boost muscle mass and performance. But like any supplement, creatine isn’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and you can’t be sure what you’re buying is safe. And even though there’s plenty of research on creatine, most studies have focused on adults.
So is it safe for teens? “Creatine can be safe for teens, but it’s important to weigh the potential modest benefits against the risks,” says registered dietitian Amy Stephens, a certified specialist in sports nutrition in New York City who works with the New York University athletic department. Here’s what to know.
What Is Creatine?
Creatine is a naturally-occurring compound in the body made of three amino acids — arginine, glycine, and methionine. Produced by the liver, kidneys, and pancreas, and primarily stored in the muscles, it helps produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), your body’s cellular “energy currency.” In addition to making creatine, your body absorbs it from dietary sources of animal-based foods, in particular red meat and fish.
Most people (including teens) can maintain their creatine stores through diet, but many athletes use creatine supplementation — most commonly creatine monohydrate — to help improve performance in certain types of exercise and training.
“Creatine, one of the most studied ergogenic aids, increases phosphocreatine stores in skeletal muscles, improving ATP production during high-intensity exercises like sprinting and weightlifting,” explains Laura Goldberg, M.D., a pediatric sports medicine specialist at University Hospitals and clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH. “Studies show creatine supplementation enhances skeletal muscle mass, strength and power, and muscular endurance.”
Why Does My Teen Want To Take Creatine?
“The most common reason teens want to take creatine is to increase muscle strength and size,” says Stephens. “Research suggests that, when used correctly and combined with consistent resistance training, creatine may lead to a six to ten percent improvement in lifting strength over a five-week period.” That means an athlete who is able to bench press 100 pounds, might, in theory, be able to increase that load to 110 pounds.
Creatine supplementation may also give athletes a performance boost in “high-intensity” sports that require quick bursts of strength, such as football or sprinting, and it may play a role in faster recovery from muscle soreness after intense training. (There is little to no proven benefit to taking creatine when it comes to endurance sports like running or swimming.)
But the research supporting these benefits has primarily focused on adults, and supplements may present different risks in growing teen bodies.
“While some studies have reported benefits, it’s important to note that most have small sample sizes and limited long-term data specific to teens,” cautions Stephens, who points to a recent review of over 9,000 journal articles on creatine supplementation in teens ages 11 to 18, which found the overall quality of the existing research to be poor and lacking consistent findings.
A Growing Trend
Creatine use has typically been more common among male athletes such bodybuilders and football players. And in teens, creatine use appears to still be more common in boys than girls.
The University of Michigan’s most recent Monitoring the Future report, which surveys substance use in 25,000 U.S. secondary school students each year, found that creatine use has increased in the five-year period following the pandemic.
In this year’s survey, 13 percent of twelfth graders reported using creatine in the past 12 months; 11.7 percent of tenth graders; and 4.6 percent of eighth graders. Study authors hypothesize this increase may be due to the rise in fitness and weightlifting that occurred during the social distancing policies of the pandemic.
Creatine use was more common in boys across all age groups with 22 percent of twelfth grade boys having used creatine compared to 4 percent of girls; and 19 percent of tenth grade boys versus 3.6 percent of girls.
This gender divide may be less pronounced among competitive athletes. In a global study of elite teen athletes, 72 percent of males and 28 percent of females reported using creatine to enhance sports performance.
Dr. Goldberg stresses the need for more research in both adolescents and female athletes — and notes the potential benefits for women post-menopause who are more prone to losing muscle mass as they age. “The more we study creatine, the more we learn it may have medical and health benefits beyond athletes.”
Is Creatine Safe for Teens?
Creatine can be safe for teen athletes, particularly those involved in strength or power sports, but there are plenty of reasons to skip it.
“For highly active teens who are already training hard, eating well, and getting quality sleep, creatine may offer a modest performance boost,” says Stephens. “But for most teens, it’s more valuable to first focus on the foundations: nutrition, sleep, exercise, and recovery.”
There’s reason to hold off from a mindset standpoint as well, she adds: “It’s important for a teen to know what their bodies are capable of before adding a supplement.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend the use of performance-enhancing supplements for those under 18, citing the lack of research showing benefits in younger athletes and the absence of FDA regulation.
“A major concern with creatine — and all dietary supplements — is quality control,” says Stephens. “Supplements are not regulated by the FDA in the same way that prescription medications are. As a result, some products may contain undisclosed ingredients or may not match what’s listed on the label.” Contamination is a risk as well.
It’s also important to be aware of possible side effects of creatine use including temporary weight gain (often 1 to 3 pounds in teens) and to know that it’s not recommended for anyone with an existing kidney condition.
How To Take Creatine Safely
Is your teen planning to try creatine? Here’s how to help them stay safe.
Talk to your teen. “If your teen is asking about creatine, use it as an opportunity to have a broader conversation about fueling, training, and overall health,” says Stephens. Seek help from a health professional if you have concerns about an eating or exercise disorder, or your teen’s mental health.
Consult your teen’s health care provider. It’s always a good idea to check in with your teen’s health care provider before they start taking any supplement. The typical recommended dose of creatine monohydrate is generally 3 to 5 grams per day, says Dr. Goldberg. Taking it with a carbohydrate and/or protein may help increase absorption.
Include dietary sources of creatine. Healthy food sources of creatine, says Stephens, include red meat such as beef or lamb, pork, poultry, and fish (in particular herring, salmon, and tuna).
Choose “third-party tested” products. Both experts recommend choosing a product that’s been tested by an independent third party — meaning that a company other than the manufacturer has evaluated it. Reliable companies to look for on the product’s label include USP, Informed Sport, and NSF Certified for Sport. Examples of third-party tested brands include Thorne, Bulk Supplements, and Klean Athlete.
Opt for “creatine monohydrate.” This is the most studied type of creatine supplement.
Skip the “loading phase.” While some adults start with an initial higher dose “loading phase” of creatine to build up the body’s creatine stores, both experts say it isn’t necessary for teens.
Take a break. Stephens suggests cycling off creatine every few months to reassess whether supplementation still seems necessary. And continue to stress the important role that proper hydration, sleep, and healthy eating have in performance.
Before you go, shop our favorite skincare brands for teens:
]]>And then this summer’s latest beauty trend started making its way across TikTok. It turns out, tan is in again (was it ever out?) and Gen Z is taking it to a new level. Their strategy? Track the UV index and go out when when it’s at its peak. Effective — yes. Potentially harmful — unfortunately, also yes.
What is the TikTok UV index tanning trend?
All over TikTok, “teens and young women recommend following the UV index and going outside to tan when the UV is in the higher ranges,” Dr. Kseniya Kobets, MD, Director of Cosmetic Dermatology at Montefiore-Einstein Advanced Care, tells SheKnows.
A quick skim of TikTok reveals videos of young women sharing their secrets to getting the perfect bikini tanline, debating the proper index to tan at, or even complaining when they skipped tanning on what was forecast to be a low UV day (4) only to see the sun come out bright and the UV come in at an 8. “It was such a missed opportunity!” that TikToker laments.
So what is the UV index?
The UV index is a scale that measures “the intensity and potential damage of ultraviolet (UV) rays on a given day,” Dr. Kobets explains. The index runs from 0 to 11+; the higher the number, the greater risk of skin damage. Anything 8 and above is defined as “Extra protection needed,” according to the Environmental Protection Agency. “Be careful outside, especially during late morning through mid-afternoon,” the EPA cautions, noting that if you’re outside, you should be in protective clothing, minimum SPF-15 sunscreen, and a wide-brimmed hat.
Of course, this tanning trend has teens, tweens, and young adults doing just the opposite. “I don’t even take the time to go outside when it’s 5 or lower,” one young woman said on TikTok. “The best UV index to go outside is obviously 11.”
Is the UV index tanning trend harmful?
“It’s well established that intense UV exposure, especially enough to cause sunburn, increases the risk of skin cancer,” says Dr. Kobets. UV radiation, she explains, “damages skin cells at a molecular level, even if there is no visible sunburn.” That means that “repeated or intense exposure” to high UV levels “can cause cumulative DNA damage, which increases cancer risk and leads to premature aging.”
For reference, Dr. Kobets notes, getting just one bad sunburn with blisters before you’re 18 can increase your lifetime risk of melanoma by about 50 percent. And even without visible redness and burns, “UV rays from both the sun and tanning beds cause DNA damage in skin cells,” she explains. “This not only raises the risk of skin cancer but also accelerates signs of aging like wrinkles, skin sagging, hyperpigmentation, and sunspots.”
Altogether, Dr. Kobets calls the UV index tanning trend “extremely concerning.” Seeking out high UV exposure for the sake of getting tan “ignores long-term risks in favor of short-term appearance changes,” she explains. It’s a trend she’s seen not just on the internet but in her own practice as well. “Young patients are often drawn to the instant gratification of a tan and may not fully appreciate the long-term consequences,” she notes. “Gen Z is very invested in skincare and wellness, yet also vulnerable to viral trends that may lack scientific backing.”
Part of the problem? Despite what we know about the harms of tanning, Western culture still associates a bronzed glow with “healthy-looking skin.” Every new generation needs to be educated about the long-term harms of high-UV sun exposure. Even Gen Z, who are more in-the-know about skincare than any of us, could use a reminder.
What can parents do?
To that end, your teens and tweens might need a summer skincare refresher. Per Dr. Kobets, that means going back to the basics of sun protection:
Staying in the shade when you can, especially between 10 am and 4 pm.
Using broad-spectrum SPF 30-50 and reapplying at least every two hours (more frequently when you’re swimming or sweating).
Wearing UPF-protective clothing so the sun doesn’t penetrate your clothes. Wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses are also a good idea.
Opting for mineral-based sunscreens for sensitive, eczema-prone, or easily-irritated skin. This includes sunscreens with active ingredients of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Using self-tanners instead. Dr. Kobets recommends using a self-tanner with DHA or botanical based, DHA-free self-tanners, both of which are “safer alternative[s] to UV tanning.”
As for how to relay these tips to your tanning-obsessed teens, well, it starts with “honest, age-appropriate conversations,” Dr. Kobets says. “Emphasize that skin cancer is not just a distant risk, it can mean scars from surgical excisions, chronic skin changes, and even loss of life in cases like melanoma.” She also recommends highlighting how expensive it can get to reverse sun damage with cosmetic treatments.
Of course, you’ll also want to listen to your own advice. “Model sun-safe behavior yourself,” Dr. Kobets says. “Teens are more likely to listen when they see you applying sunscreen and taking care of your own skin.”
Before you go, shop our favorite skincare brands for teens:
]]>According to ABC Fitness Wellness Watch, new gym memberships among Gen Zers increased by 29 percent. Strength training is popular among girls and boys alike, while girls gravitate toward group fitness classes like yoga and pilates, too. And according to Strava, the older tier of Gen Z would rather make social connections through running groups than by hitting the bars at night.
But is it all as healthy as it looks?
Like all things adolescent, it depends. The drive toward fitness among the younger generation is, in large part, fueled by social media. Take a peek at TikTok and you’ll discover that #GymTok alone has nearly 35 million posts, covering everything from nutrition to workout recommendations. The downside? Often, viewers aren’t getting advice from people who have the expertise to guide exercise routines in a safe, healthy manner. That’s why young people who are mimicking what they see on their screens are often at risk of injuries.
“I’m seeing an obsession with the gym,” says Reena Vokoun, who is an ACE-certified trainer, CEO of Passion Fit, and mother of two teenage sons. “Their fitness choices and their workouts are definitely being influenced by what they’re seeing on social media.”
To be clear, nobody wants to squash Gen Z’s enthusiasm for exercise. Starting workout habits now can set them up for a lifetime of healthy living. But getting hurt won’t do much to foster that motivation, so here are four ways parents can make sure that fitness practices remain age-appropriate, safe, minimize injuries, and give teens the best chance for long-term success.
Encourage clarity of fitness goals and objectives. When the #FitTok algorithm latches on to teens, the purpose of working out often gets blurry. Boys and girls are inundated with images of what they think is an ideal body type, whether it’s toned and chiseled or slender and lean. Body image is distorted, especially for young, impressionable people. Instead of chasing better health (mental and physical) and higher quality of life through exercise, adolescents may focus on what they look like instead, which leads to all kinds of problems like bigorexia and eating disorders, as well as low self-esteem.
In fact, TikTok recently banned the #SkinnyTok hashtag, which promoted extreme diets and weight loss tips to followers. European policymakers pressured the social media platform to get rid of #SkinnyTok to protect girls’ mental health.
While no age group is immune to diet culture, teens are especially vulnerable at a time when their bodies are already rapidly changing. That’s why it’s important to frame fitness goals in terms of overall well-being.
“Sometimes there is such a focus on aesthetics,” Vokoun says, “this focus on how they look versus how they feel.”
The problem isn’t confined to girls, either. Erin McTiernan, a pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, previously discussed with SheKnows the rise of body image and eating disorders among teen boys, which she attributes not just to social media, but to societal pressures for boys and men to look “tough” and “strong.” She recommends that parents have an open and ongoing dialogue with their teens about their exercise objectives.
“Ask about conversations among their friend group about fitness routines or diets,” McTiernan says. “Parents can also help educate their [children] on the importance of fueling their bodies with a variety of foods and taking rest days to promote recovery.”
It’s not a new concept, but often influencers (or “fitfluencers”) set up young audiences with unrealistic expectations, whether it’s the way that body composition might change as a result of following their recommendations or the rate of progress somebody might see. It can lead to consequences for teens, some of whom may not understand that a host of factors lead to different results for different people (like genetics or skill level)—and that it takes time and patience to see any kind of change.
Teens are old enough to set tangible goals, like deadlifting a certain weight or completing a 5K race, for example, but they should also understand that it takes time to reach those goals in a safe manner. Doing too much, too soon without having the basics nailed—like proper lifting form or gradually building endurance—can lead to injury.
While research hasn’t found any reason to restrict teens from weight lifting or specializing in a favorite sport, experts like Heather Menzer, MD, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, still advise that teenagers engage in a variety of activities so that they reduce the likelihood of overtaxing any one area of their bodies, resulting in overuse injuries like tendonitis or stress fractures.
“Setting realistic goals based on a teen’s current level of fitness fosters a healthier mindset,” Dr. Menzer says. “And it’s important to promote balanced routines that aren’t just cardio or just weightlifting. At this age, they should have a well-rounded approach to exercise.”
Seek out in-person help if you can. Social media isn’t all bad, especially if it’s stoking curiosity, connection, and community around fitness. But the bits and pieces and highlight reels that tend to bubble to the top of the feed neglect a lot of essential guidance that newbies need to learn in order to engage in activities like weightlifting and strength training effectively and safely. And creators are often more experienced or much older than the consumers of the content, too, so it’s not tailored for the needs of a younger demographic.
Blindly following an influencer who has no idea what a follower’s fitness level, physiology, or skill sets are is a recipe for trouble.
“Content can lack important information like proper form, safety, injury prevention, and recovery,” Vokoun says. “A lot of times, full-grown adults are giving advice to these kids on social media, and they’re not taking into consideration what might be detrimental and where they might be in their growth or puberty.”
Teens who are interested in new activities can greatly benefit from in-person guidance from coaches or certified personal trainers who can teach them how to go about it safely (Planet Fitness offers free summer gym memberships to high school students, which comes with free sessions with personal trainers as well as teen-specific workouts plans designed to build strength safely and gradually). Having a knowledgeable adult watching (and correcting) technique or creating training schedules that are appropriate for age and fitness level—and incorporate an adequate amount of rest and recovery—can help younger athletes thrive.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that teenagers get 60 minutes of “vigorous” physical activity most days, with three days per week focusing on bone and muscle strengthening exercise. According to an AAP clinical report, kids can start strength training (think: push ups, resistance band exercises, and other body-weight exercises) as young as 7 or 8 years old. With proper supervision, they can graduate to lifting weights, starting with light weights, in middle school.
“Scientific research supports a wide acceptance that children and adolescents can gain strength with resistance training with low injury rates if the activities are performed with an emphasis on proper technique and are well supervised,” the report says.
While many members of Gen Z seem to be meeting the suggestions for the amount of exercise they complete in a week, social media might also encourage them to exceed them.
Indeed, Dr. Menzer says that promoting unhealthy workout habits, primarily overtraining (going hard, every day), are among the biggest problems she sees with social media-based advice, especially among Gen Z.
“The strategies for exercise and fitness can be very different for growing athletes, and it’s important that teenagers are staying within their own abilities,” she says. “What an adult is doing on TikTok is probably not appropriate for growing bones and growing bodies.”
Monitor these aches and pains. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell when a teen is suffering a real injury. They’re often so active, whether in sports or generally running around with friends, so a certain amount of soreness and fatigue is normal — not to mention the occasional “growing pains,” a catchall term for the aches that adolescents sometimes experience in their legs as their bodies develop.
But if a teen has been hitting the weights a lot or just starting another form of exercise routine, sometimes ramping up those activities too quickly, without refining form or technique, can result in injuries that need medical attention.
With her sons, who play soccer and also lift weights at the gym, Vokoun is especially attentive to pain concentrated in the knees or the back. Trouble in those areas usually means an athlete needs to adjust their lifting form or adjust the amount of weight they’re using. Vokoun also reminds her boys that they need to work different muscle groups on different days, to give each area enough time to adapt and repair.
“We also talk to our pediatrician and doctors as parents to get their opinion based on genetics, their current size, the sports they’re doing, and where they’re injury-prone, to help make recommendations about what’s safe and what’s not,” Vokoun says.
When in doubt, it never hurts to seek help, Dr. Menzer says, especially if a child is displaying instability or has swelling somewhere — or the pain isn’t going away. The most common injuries she treats in her practice are muscle strains, ligament problems, patellar instability, and ACL tears, among a wide range of other issues, depending on the sport.
“Most injuries I see aren’t because of something they learned on TikTok, but because of overuse that leads to pain,” Dr. Menzer says. “If there’s a concern, sometimes it’s just reassuring to hear a doctor say it’s going to be OK. We are always here to help.”
Beware of the salespeople — and what they’re selling. Social media is rife with people just trying to make a buck off their accounts. In the wellness and fitness space, that often means influencers promote products that aren’t meant for kids, like protein powders, creatine, energy drinks, bars, shakes, and other supplements that they promise will propel consumers to next-level, muscle-making results.
First and foremost, teens should eat a wide variety of real foods that fuel their active lives and not rely on powders or shakes to meet arbitrary protein intake goals. But also, the most reputable sources of fitness information on platforms like TikTok won’t try to sell their followers anything — and they’ll list their certifications and education on their profile accounts.
“As a parent and as a health and fitness professional, all the energy drinks and protein powders and products people are trying to sell definitely make me nervous,” Vokoun says. “It’s not good for growing teens.”
Vokoun encourages her sons to follow experts and coaches who have an educational background in anatomy, physiology, or personal training. It’s not that she dictates who they follow, but she tries to steer them toward high-quality information.
“It’s more about empowering them and teaching them that, just like anything else, look for credible sources. If they’re taking advice from somebody who doesn’t have the proper education, it’s only going to be to their detriment,” Vokoun says.
Dr. Menzer offers similar advice and encourages parents to model these behaviors for their kids. Often, what you’re doing on social media and in the gym is the most important example teens will find.
“Be proactive and address the trends they’re picking up online,” Dr. Menzer says. “No form of exercise is bad for them, as long as they’re getting the right guidance.”
Before you go, shop our favorite skincare brands for teens:
]]>It’s a reasonable assumption: of course, the impetus for two women starting a menstrual care brand for tweens and teens would be their own first-period stories. But in the case of RedDrop’s co-founders, educator Dana Roberts and Dr. Monica Williams, you would be wrong. When the two set out to build a holistic safe haven for young girls and their parents, their sole motivation was the next generation.
“Red Drop was started out of my classroom,” Roberts, then a fifth-grade teacher, recalls. “I was teaching in a single gender environment, and so I had a classroom full of 22 fifth-grade girls, and my daughter was in the fifth grade at that time. More than half of them started their periods with me. And it was crazy, it was insane. In particular, there was one story where a girl asked me if she was dying. So that really changed the whole dynamic of my classroom.”
Roberts’s response was an early iteration of what would become RedDrop’s signature period kits. Initially dubbed “First Purse,” the makeshift set included a pair of underwear, pads, tampons, wipes, a disposable trash bag, and small calendar. But Roberts knew her curated approach needed to extend further, so she looked to tap her sister-in-law, Dr. Monica Williams.
“Monica is a serial entrepreneur. So I went to her and I was like, ‘Hey, I have this idea,’” says Roberts. “She was knee-deep into her own company, and she couldn’t see it at the time, but that was because my niece McKenzie was only a baby.” Buying into RedDrop took a few more years, but Dr. Williams eventually returned to the idea once she realized her own daughter’s first period was looming. “As a physician, still not being really clear on how to have that conversation without making it sound like a lifelong disease was really tricky,” she admits.
All of a sudden, Roberts’s initially forgettable idea was a close-to-home need for Dr. Williams, and the two joined forces to create the RedDrop brand in 2019. The origin story underscored an idea that would become essential to their undertaking. “No matter the profession, no matter how educated you are, it has to resonate,” Roberts notes. “It has to sometimes literally be like, ‘Oh my God, my baby’s 10, it’s coming.’”
With new-and-improved period kits, specialized smaller-fit pads, hygiene wipes, educational resources, and a newly-released swimwear line, Roberts and Dr. Williams are changing the period game for children and parents alike, offering a range of resources that remains rare amongst larger-scale feminine product brands.
For now, it’s still a revolution. But they’re both hoping it won’t be one forever.
SheKnows: My favorite thing about the RedDrop brand is that you all are addressing having your period as a holistic experience. It’s not just your first bleed. It actually permeates this little girl’s life all of a sudden. Talk to me about the intentionality behind addressing first periods and the periods of tweens and teens as a holistic experience.
Dr. Monica Williams: Let me ask you a question. Do you remember your first period?
SK: Absolutely. You want to hear the story?
MW: Yes, I would love to hear your story, but what I’ll tell you is, it is a keystone memory for 99 percent of women. And that right there is why we do what we do. Let’s hear your story.
Sure. I was raised by my dad. I remember exactly what he said, and I remember exactly what I said. He said, ‘This is just something that happens for girls.’ And I was in so much pain that I was like, ‘I wish I was a boy!’ And so I look at RedDrop and I think about parents, specifically men — they don’t know the thing that’s coming their way. And I think about how long it took me to realize that my period was a holistic experience. That did not happen overnight.
Dana Roberts: I think about when we have these conversations, especially, and I’m very unapologetic when I say Black women and Black girls will experience higher rates of sexual exploitation. Black women also experience higher rates of medical systemic racism. So I often think, what if we could have this conversation to start advocacy on how you navigate your relationships with your body, and not just sexual or love relationships? I’m talking about your relationship with your doctor, your relationship with your coaches, your relationship with yourself, your parents. The more and more and more I become immersed in this work, it is just so super important, especially to a demographic of women and girls who just face so many challenges in trying to empower themselves and advocate for themselves about their bodies.
Trauma’s usually passed down, for the most part. And so, how I look at it is, our parents and our caretakers did the best that they could do. And now, for us, it’s just shifting the whole narrative, like not sexualizing periods and really just talking about it as a biological function. This is what’s going to happen to your body. And I really do believe that if we would’ve had some better conversations, I’m talking about we, me and my mom, that even though she prepared me, that I would be so much better prepared for the stage that I’m in right now, which is menopause, and I’m so unprepared.
SK: Monica, anything to add there?
MW: I don’t know if I can say it was intentional from the beginning, but definitely medically, learning to advocate for yourself is huge. And I think some of the tools that we provide really help with that. So with the period tracker, if you are able to articulate that ‘I’ve had this many days,’ or ‘My cycle is this irregular,’ or ‘Now it’s regular,’ and you have physical proof, you can speak about that with real clarity and get better care.
Another piece of this story, too, that I often forget, is to whom I’m married. He was also a single dad at the time, and your story kind of reminded me of that. And I remember during our first meeting, he recalled his daughter getting her first period and him literally not having any idea what to do. He was picking up the phone, calling his sisters, calling his mom. They came over, swooped in, and kind of took care of things. But I do think this kit and the way that we started was really based on a lot of those experiences that I heard about, I didn’t personally experience, but were really integral and critical to the formation of this partnership.
My favorite part of the self-advocacy intention is the Bathroom Pass. Dana, I’m guessing that came from you?
DR: Actually, I think Monica really led that one.
MW: Honestly, that came from when me and another former partner visited Douglas County. It was our first engagement, and the two of us did a meeting, and they mentioned bathroom passes. And so we’re like, ‘Sure, we can make ’em.’ And that’s honestly how that happened.
SK: I’m also really inspired by the fact that you all are also focusing a couple of the products on education; you could have just made period products for little girls and kept it at that. Talk to me about adding in that educational element for both the girls and the parents.
DR: I mean it has to go hand-in-hand. I think what Monica and I have realized through this journey is that there is a very real lack of understanding. And I will say, there is a real thirst for understanding. We get in front of girls a lot, and honestly, the parents are the ones that are shy and don’t want to really have the conversations. But the girls are asking very pointed questions about their bodies, about everything. Literally, when they feel comfortable, the sky’s the limit with their questions. When you realize that girls are learning about their bodies sometimes through trauma-induced conversations with their parents by no fault of their own, or they’re learning from their friends, or unfortunately now they have the world kind of at their fingertips and they’re learning through Google, it just makes sense for us to be able to explain it in a way that they can understand it.
SK: Okay, Growing Up Powerful. Talk to me about it. Because, I won’t lie, I was experiencing this whole brand as my 11-year-old self, maybe. And so when I saw the Growing Up Powerful title, even I was like, why didn’t somebody tell me I was growing up powerful? So talk to me a little bit about that book, the purpose, the title, and putting it together.
MW: So Growing Up Powerful is actually in partnership with Rebel Girls. So Rebel Girls reached out to us and said, ‘Hey, we have this Growing Up Powerful book and we really have a real concentration on puberty and periods.’ And so what we partnered with them on is, that particular section all based on puberty and periods. We wrote the foreword and then sprinkled some of our advice and education through there, especially as it relates to using products and making sure that you’re prepared for camp and spend-the-nights and all those things. So it was actually really a blessing, because we really wanted to write a book, but it’s only us. And so to be able to partner with them to get it curated and out there was really a blessing. And it’s actually, I would say one of our best sellers, we’ve had to keep it in rotation, which lets you know that people, parents, caretakers, girls, they want to learn about the overall, like you said, holistic experience of puberty and periods.
SK: I mean, it sounds like another juncture at which God took over and sent Rebel Girls your way. I also loved the YouTube content, the blogs, and all these other learning tools. There’s so much at a parent’s fingertips now that I can only imagine what kind of things parents have said to you all? What kind of things have you heard back? What are parents saying? What are girls saying? Tell me a little bit of a story maybe about interactions you’ve had in the world due to your work and what people are mirroring back to you or thanking you for.
MW: I really enjoy the in-person events where we get to interact with girls. Some of the interactions with moms, I think a lot of them are digital, but where we get to really interact with girls — I think Dana really underscored it earlier in the conversation about how open they are, how thankful they are that they can talk about this freely. Some moms are not present in the room, and they can ask questions that maybe feel a little taboo. ‘Am I still a virgin after I use a tampon?’ It’s really rewarding. I think it’s also refreshing because I feel like moms are the most afraid of this situation, and it’s refreshing that the girls aren’t and that they embrace their bodies. So I feel really rewarded by what we’re doing, and I’m hopeful that we are really making a long-term impact because what we’re doing for this generation of girls hopefully transforms the next generation. I think it’s really, really exciting.
DR: I tell people when I leave this earth, my goal is if my children have daughters, it will resonate through my granddaughters and through my great-granddaughters. And that’s the goal: preferably, this won’t even be a conversation for them. I do think, like Monica said, we do get the most feedback, I would say from girls, but we get a lot of feedback from parents digitally. They’ll do some reviews, they’ll send us emails. We did a couple of focus groups and I think it’s honestly sometimes a sense of relief. They’re just relieved that they’re there, that we are here, and that they kind of have a partner in this journey. Unless you had this amazing experience with your own mom, there’s no guidebook to this. You have to figure it out. And so to be able to go to YouTube or to be able to look at our digital classes or whatever, just helps them help prepare their girls.
SK: It sounds like what you both hope for in the future is that this isn’t even a thing. That this all becomes more integrated into the little girl’s experience, to the point where this work is not revolutionary. So am I hitting that on the head in terms of what your hopes are for the future?
DR: Yeah, absolutely. I’m sure I can speak for Monica on this. What we hope for is that this isn’t even a real thing, it’s just a normal conversation. We know that we are not going to be the anomaly on products or on this experience, and that’s okay. So what we hope for is that eventually this will become such a normal process that girls have multiple options to figure out what is best for their bodies. When you say ‘revolutionaries,’ I have become really grounded recently in—and a lot of people don’t realize— the fact that a Black woman created the sanitary belt. Mary Patrice Kenner created the sanitary belt. She got no money from that. She got no recognition except for now. Now people Google her during Black History Month and they give her props, but generationally, her family didn’t get generational wealth from that, you know what I’m saying? And so it is a revolution for us to be able to continue her work on her shoulders. It’s revolutionary for me. I assume, too, for Monica as well, it is destined to really catapult this Black woman because we wouldn’t be here without her.
SK: I believe I read it in, I don’t remember which blog entry, but the whole idea here is normalizing a young girl’s period experience to make room for the rest of her life. She’s still at school, she still has friends, she still has this whole life outside of getting her period. So I want to hear from each of you, just a message to little girls who have just gotten their first period. What do the leaders of Red Drop want to say to her specifically?
DR: I would say to her that she has the opportunity to wake up every day and still do whatever she wants to do in her period journey because of the intentionality of Black women. Because we are very intentional, and we believe that she deserves that holistic positive experience. What we want her to do is to take those tools, products, education, empowerment, advocacy, and live her best life, whether she’s on her period or not.
MW: It’s a mix of things. Part of me feels like this is only the beginning because, kind of like Dana said, I’m also in the menopause phase, and now at the other end of this arc, you really realize how many changes our bodies go through, and that it’s really just the beginning. And I think it’s just important to embrace those changes, embrace your body, and get ready for the next ones. But that’s a hard message to give to a 10, 11-year-old kid. So what I anticipate is they’re feeling curious, anxious, scared, nervous, happy, excited. There’s this whole range of feelings, and I think that that’s all normal, and I think it’s also just really important to know that you’re not alone. This is happening to half of the population on this planet. So in the best way possible, feel empowered, feel a part of a huge community, and embrace it and just get ready for the ride.
Before you go, shop our favorite teen skincare brands:
]]>Earlier this month, Movember, a charity dedicated to bringing awareness to and support for men’s health, released a study about the impact of masculinity content on young men and teens, including the impact on their mental health. Based on survey results from more than 3,000 young men ages 16-25 in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, researchers found that young men who engage with masculinity influencers are “more likely to report worse mental health outcomes, a reduced willingness to prioritize their mental health, and higher rates of risky health behaviors,” like steroid use and exercising while injured.
This finding is notable considering nearly two-thirds of young men who participated in the survey reported “actively and regularly [engaging] with at least one men and masculinity influencer” and many find it “entertaining, motivating, and inspiring.”
Masculinity Content & Worse Mental Health Outcomes
Young men who regularly engage with content from at least one men or masculinity influencer reported “high levels of psychological distress.” More specifically, young men who watched this content reported higher levels of worthlessness (27 percent compared to 23 percent of young men who did not engage in this content), nervousness (26 percent compared to 19 percent in the non-engagers) and sadness (26 percent compared to 19 percent).
Interestingly, this is true despite the study’s findings that young men who watch this content were also “more optimistic about their personal circumstances and the social circumstances of men in future.”
Dr. Zishan Khan, M.D., board-certified psychiatrist with Mindpath Health, described similar concerns about the growing influence of masculinity influencers on young men’s mental health and emphasized the potential long-term impact of masculinity influencer’s messaging. He noted that, “[t]hese online spaces often promote rigid, hypermasculine ideals that not only discourage emotional vulnerability but actively shame it. This kind of messaging can be incredibly damaging—it isolates men from healthy support systems and fosters maladaptive coping mechanisms like substance use, aggression, or avoidance of medical and mental health care.” Over time, Dr. Khan added, “this can actually lead to worsening anxiety, depression, and even suicidal ideation, particularly when they feel they’re failing to live up to these unrealistic expectations.”
A Reduced Willingness To Prioritize Mental Health
While many young men were “directly targeted by algorithms and fed this through their social media feeds,” a number of young men were drawn to men and masculinity influencers because they were looking for guidance or support.
Unfortunately, study results reveal that these men and boys are not receiving that guidance and support, and often, finding the opposite. According to Movember’s researchers, the content from men and masculinity influencers is likely at odds with “common protective factors for wellbeing (i.e., social connection and looking after your mental health.”
Survey results reveal that young men who engage with men and masculinity content were less likely to prioritize their mental health as compared to those who didn’t engage with those influencers (45 percent compared to 55 percent). They were also less likely to see spending time with family and friends as important (40 percent versus 47 percent).
Spending time with family and prioritizing mental health are generally believed to be positive factors for well-being, and it is concerning to note the large discrepancy between young men who engage with masculinity content and those who don’t. This discrepancy led the study authors to suggest that the content young men are “being served [is] pushing potentially harmful advice for their own health and their views of men’s roles in society.”
Dr. Sam Zand, a psychiatrist at Anywhere Clinic, has “seen firsthand how young men turn to online spaces like the ‘manosphere’… because they’re seeking belonging, identity, and guidance.” He notes that, unfortunately, much of the content they end up finding runs “directly against the practices that support long-term mental health and personal growth” and “reinforces emotional suppression, distorted masculinity, and mistrust of vulnerability.”
Higher Rates of Risky Health Behaviors
Self-improvement, physical and mental, is one of the core themes discussed by men and masculinity influencers. In and of itself, this content is not problematic, and, as the study authors note, can have positive benefits for young men, encouraging them to drink less and move more.
However, when taken to an extreme, this messaging can turn troublesome, as evidenced by the study’s findings. According to Movember’s survey, almost half (47 percent) of “young men watching men and masculinity influencers admitted to working out despite being injured, compared to 39 percent of non- engaged young men.” These same young men were “also significantly more likely to use performance-enhancing or body modifying substances, including nootropics or supplements (26%, relative to 16% of non-engaged young men), diet pills (19%, compared to 11% of non-engaged young men) and steroids (19%, compared to 11% of non-engaged young men).”
A 2023 study highlighted similar concerns about the rise of risky behavior after exposure to men and masculinity influencers and warned physicians that “the increased pressure on young adults to achieve an appealing athletic physique promoted by many influencers on social media platforms” had the potential to lead to the abuse of substances, like anabolic-androgenic steroids, and the use of these substances is “increasing dramatically,” at least in the United States.
At a time when “young people, including many young men are experiencing complex life stressors and mental health challenges” Movember’s report offers urgent insight into men and masculinity creators and how widespread its impact is on teen boys’ and young men’s mental health. For parents, educators, and others, this report is an important stepping stone toward figuring out how to truly support our young men and boys — which includes having an open line of communication and being as aware as you can be about what and who they’re watching online.
Before you go, check out our favorite mental health apps:
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Navigating the world of therapy for your teen or tween can feel like a big, intimidating task. You might wonder: Where do I even begin? Will my teen open up to a complete stranger? How do I know I can trust this person with my kid? The pressure to find the “perfect fit” can be overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to support your child through a challenging time. But here’s a secret: finding a therapist is a lot less like making a lifelong commitment and more like finding the perfect pair of shoes — you need to shop around, try them on, break them in, and see how they really fit!
Research consistently shows that the bond between a therapist and a teen is crucial for treatment success. A 2023 study in the Systematic Review of Adolescent Therapeutic Alliance in Mental Health Interventions revealed that the quality of the therapeutic relationship is a primary factor in improving mental health outcomes for teens, whether in school-based or outpatient settings. The study found that techniques like motivational interviewing and active listening were especially effective in building rapport and enhancing treatment success.
So, whether you’re navigating this process for the first time or you’re simply switching providers, take a deep breath, and let’s break down how to find a therapist who not only fits but also helps your teen thrive.
Finding a Therapist For Your Teen
What Are You Looking For? The first step is to identify what your teen needs support with. Do they need help managing anxiety, boosting self-esteem, or maybe coping with big changes like divorce, bullying, or even navigating friendships? Look for therapists who specialize in working with teens or tweens and have experience addressing the specific issues your child is facing.
Tip: Check out therapists’ bios on their websites, organization directories, or through referral from your current pediatric providers, to get a sense of their background, training, and approach. If you find terms like “CBT for anxiety and mood disorders,” “family systems therapy,” “family dynamics”, “conduct and behavior specialties,” or “trauma-informed care,” it’s a good sign that they’re serious about treating specific issues. If you’re not sure where to start looking, services such as BetterHelp has a Teen Counseling division that connects families with licensed therapists trained in adolescent mental health. From there, it’s simple and convenient to book virtual sessions that fit around your teen’s schedule.
Shop Around: Don’t feel pressured to commit to the first therapist you meet. Yes, you can shop for your therapist! It’s perfectly okay to “try on” a few before settling on the right one. Be completely honest and respectful towards your clinician and explain the process you are in with your child. A true family-trained provider will understand that it is crucial for the kid to feel connected in order to embrace a therapeutic approach.
Tip: Ask for an introduction video call before committing. This initial chat can be super helpful, especially if your teen is feeling nervous or unsure about meeting a new therapist. It’s a casual way for them to get a sense of who the therapist is and how they communicate, which can ease some of those first-meeting jitters. If you’re unsure, you can start with a quick parent-to-therapist conversation to make sure their approach aligns with your family’s values and goals before introducing them to your teen. Remember, this process is all about finding the right fit for everyone involved!
Check for Credentials and Specializations: Ensure the therapist is licensed and trained specifically to work with teens and tweens. Look for credentials such as LCSW, LMHC, LPC, LMFT, or other recognized qualifications. If your child has unique needs (like ADHD, autism, or learning differences), finding a therapist who specializes in those areas can enhance treatment effectiveness. If you’re considering BetterHelp, you don’t have to worry about that as all of its mental health professionals are fully licensed to work in individual practice in their state.
A Family-Centered Approach is Key: Teens need their own safe space to talk freely without other family members in the room. But a therapist who has a family-centered approach will view the family as part of the therapeutic process, and will engage parents in ways that are supportive, respectful, and open. While the therapist will maintain complete confidentiality about what your teen shares in private sessions, they should also be willing to communicate with you about general progress and areas where you can be helpful.
For example: You might hear things like, “I think your teen could use some more downtime at home,” or “Let’s try to find more one-on-one bonding time.” This kind of feedback is a sign the therapist is committed to the whole family’s wellness and understands that improving the environment the child is part of is as important as exploring the symptoms they are experiencing.
Inclusivity and Cultural Competence: If your family has a specific cultural or religious background, language preference, or unique values, seek out a therapist who understands and respects these aspects. You’re looking for an ally, not just a provider. A culturally competent and inclusive therapist will be open to exploring how culture, religion, language, sexual orientation, and values shape your teen’s experiences, offering a safe space to address both personal and cultural challenges.
Tip: When interviewing potential therapists, don’t be afraid to ask questions like, “How do you incorporate cultural or religious backgrounds into your therapy?” or “Have you worked with families from similar backgrounds before?” This ensures that your teen is working with someone who sees and celebrates their whole identity, creating a truly supportive environment.
Empower Your Teen in the Process: Involving your teen from the start is one of the most powerful ways to ensure a positive therapy experience. Encourage them to participate in selecting potential therapists by reviewing profiles and discussing what therapy styles resonate with them. As therapy progresses, give your teen space to share feedback — do they feel comfortable and understood? Are their goals being addressed? Discussing and setting these goals together not only personalizes the process but also teaches important self-advocacy and self-awareness skills.
Reminder: Your role here is to support rather than control. Being in therapy is their journey. While it’s natural to want to guide this process, your teen needs room to express their needs, boost a sense of agency and confidence, and reinforce that their voice matters.
When Is a Therapist the Right Fit for Your Teen?
You’ll know you’ve found a good fit when your teen seems more relaxed, open, or engaged. They show interest in attending sessions and they start sharing small snippets of their progress, like “The therapist gave me this breathing exercise, and it actually helped. “It’s okay if it takes a few sessions to see these signs—trust is built over time, especially with teens!
How Do You Know It’s Not the Right Fit?
If it feels like a struggle for your child to open up after several sessions, or if their discomfort with the therapist isn’t improving over time, it may not be the right fit. Notice if your teen frequently dreads sessions, becomes more withdrawn afterward, or shares that they feel misunderstood. Also, look for signs like worsening behavior issues at home or school, or a growing sense of hopelessness. Trust your instincts, and theirs—therapy should be a safe space where they feel heard and supported, not one that adds stress or anxiety.
What to Do If Therapy Isn’t Working Out For Your Teen
Sometimes, even after trying, it’s clear the match isn’t right. Maybe your teen doesn’t feel connected, or the therapist’s approach just doesn’t seem to be clicking. That’s totally okay! Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all.
If you don’t notice progress, start by having an honest chat with your teen—ask how they’re feeling about the sessions. Sometimes, a small tweak in the approach or even a different type of therapy can make all the difference. Don’t hesitate to loop in the therapist too; they might offer helpful suggestions or even refer you to another professional who’s a better match.
Above all, don’t let bumps in the road get you down! Keep searching until you find the therapist who truly “clicks” with your teen. It might take a bit of time, but the effort will be worth it. Your family deserves a compassionate therapist who sees you as part of the solution. So, lace up, be patient, and remember: your teen’s mental wellness is always worth the journey!
Welcome to Family Reset, a monthly column and must-go destination for all parents seeking guidance (and grasping for some sanity) in the wild adventure of raising children. Behind this compelling and candid read is New York psychotherapist, writer, editor, and “mommyyy” Zuania Capó, (or just call her Z), a compassionate, multicultural, and integrative therapist passionate about supporting families to thrive and connect. Armed with a touch of wisdom, insightful tips, a witty spirit, tons of honesty, and a sprinkle of humor, she is here to help you navigate the complexities of parenthood while prioritizing your well-being.
Family Reset is not just a source of advice; it’s a vibrant community where parents can find inspiration, share their stories, and realize they are not alone in the exhilarating roller coaster ride of parenting. Have questions? Want answers? Get ready to hit that reset button and connect with Z at zcmentalhealth@zuaniacapo.com.
Before you go, check out our favorite mental health apps: