Navigating Problematic Sexual Behaviors in Teenage Boys: A Guide for Parents

In this final episode of Unlocking Hope, host Tiffany Silva Herlin, LCSW, sits down with Emily to reflect on her family’s journey after her son’s return home from residential treatment at Oxbow Academy. Emily shares the ups and downs of reintegrating into daily life, the ongoing work required for healing, and the tools that continue to guide their family forward. Her story highlights both the chal...

In this episode of Unlocking Hope, host Tiffany Silva Herlin, a licensed clinical social worker, continues her conversation with Emily. Emily shares her family's journey through residential treatment at Oxbow Academy, discussing the difficult but transformative process of her son's stay and the powerful role of parent involvement in their family's healing. This episode covers: The Uncomfortable Tr...

Welcome to Unlocking Hope, a podcast dedicated to sharing the powerful stories of families who have found healing through residential treatment. In this episode, we talk with Emily, a courageous mother who recounts the emotional and complex journey of her son’s path through multiple programs, including wilderness therapy and therapeutic boarding school, before ultimately finding the right fit at O...

*Disclaimer-* Please remember that this podcast is not a replacement for therapy, nor do we provide legal advice. Please always seek a mental health professional and lawyer for your situation. Raising a son who is struggling with inappropriate sexual behaviors is a tremendously difficult experience for any parent, and seeking treatment can feel overwhelming. Understandably, parents might have conc...

*Disclaimer-* Please remember that this podcast is not a replacement for therapy, nor do we provide legal advice. Please always seek a mental health professional and lawyer for your situation. It can be incredibly distressing and confusing when your son is struggling with problematic or compulsive sexual behaviors. You may feel a wide range of emotions - from fear and anger to helplessness and sha...

Please remember that this podcast is not a replacement for therapy. Please always seek a mental health professional for your specific situation. — As a parent of a teen, it's crucial to recognize when escalating problematic sexual behaviors necessitate professional intervention. Despite these challenges, commitment to change brings hope for growth and healing. Join Tiffany Herlin, LCSW, and Meredi...

Please remember that this podcast is not a replacement for therapy. Please always seek a mental health professional for your specific situation. — The pervasive influence of pornography addiction touches countless families. It erodes trust, fosters shame, and distorts healthy relationships. It’s important to understand how family dynamics play a role in helping your child heal. Join Tiffany Herlin...

Please remember that this podcast is not a replacement for therapy. Please always seek a mental health professional for your specific situation. — When a teenager views pornography, it can create a cycle of shame and isolation, exacerbating mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Teens may turn to pornography due to feelings of loneliness or trauma, and this behavior can further isolate...

Please remember that this podcast is not a replacement for therapy. Please always seek a mental health professional for your specific situation. — Discovering that your child is using pornography can be a challenging and distressing experience for any parent, raising concerns about their child's mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. Join Tiffany Herlin, LCSW, and Meredith Barney, t...

When teenagers with autism struggle with hypersexuality, seeking out treatment can be a difficult decision for parents. It's important to remember that therapy and treatment can play a crucial role in addressing this issue and providing support for both your son and your family. In this podcast episode, In this podcast therapist Tiffany Herlin, a licensed clinical social worker, talks with Matthew...

In our modern world, technology has become an integral part of our everyday lives. As parents, it is essential for us to actively oversee our children's use of technology, the internet, gaming, and social media. This responsibility becomes even more important when raising a teenager who is facing challenges with autism and hypersexuality. In this podcast episode, therapist Tiffany Herlin, a licens...

Parenting teenagers with autism and hypersexuality can be a difficult task. Luckily, several practical strategies can successfully control these behaviors. In this podcast episode, therapist Tiffany Herlin, a licensed clinical social worker, talks with Matthew Child, LMFT, a therapist at Oxbow Academy about: When to seek professional help from a therapist or counselor who specializes in working wi...

Raising a child or teenager with autism can be quite demanding. However, when that child also struggles with sexually inappropriate behaviors the challenges can become even more overwhelming. In this podcast episode, therapist Tiffany Herlin, a licensed clinical social worker, talks with Matthew Child, LMFT, a therapist at Oxbow Academy about: Parents and caregivers often find themselves facing nu...

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. One common issue that teenagers with ASD may face is hypersexuality or sexually inappropriate behaviors. This refers to a range of behaviors, such as hyper-fixation on sexual topics, impulsive and inappropriate sexual behaviors, and difficulty understanding appropriate sexual be...

Trigger warning - This podcast contains an in-depth discussion about Child-on-Child Sexual Abuse (COCSA) and may be triggering for people who've experienced a sexual assault. If you are a victim of rape or sexual abuse and need assistance please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673). All mentions of a clinical polygraph are used for therapeutic purposes only and are not i...

Trigger warning - This podcast contains an in-depth discussion about Child-on-Child Sexual Abuse (COCSA) and may be triggering for people who've experienced a sexual assault. If you are a victim of rape or sexual abuse and need assistance please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673). All mentions of a clinical polygraph are used for therapeutic purposes only and are not i...

Trigger warning - This podcast contains an in-depth discussion about Child-on-Child Sexual Abuse (COCSA) and may be triggering for people who've experienced a sexual assault. If you are a victim of rape or sexual abuse and need assistance please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673). All mentions of a clinical polygraph are used for therapeutic purposes only and are not i...

Trigger warning - This podcast contains an in-depth discussion about Child-on-Child Sexual Abuse (COCSA) and may be triggering for people who've experienced a sexual assault. If you are a victim of rape or sexual abuse and need assistance please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673). All mentions of a clinical polygraph are used for therapeutic purposes only and are not i...