Your Zen Friend

Send Lauren a text! Sometimes we have unrealistic expectations about our summer ahead. I just had a family vacation with some real highs and lows. I'm talking about temps in the 60's with rain on a beach vacation and a stomach bug or food poisoning kind of lows. Not fun! In this episode, I'll share about that eventful trip, how it can be helpful to have realistic expectations for th...

Send Lauren a text! Does it feel like your teen is more afraid of being "awkward," than you ever were at their age? As a therapist working with kids and teens, I've noticed today's generation seems particularly afraid of social missteps. What we used to call being "embarrassed" has evolved into something they call "awkward". In this episode, I'll explor...

Send Lauren a text! Is this time of year feeling absolutely insane for you as a parent? Between field trips, graduations, concerts, and athletic awards, these final weeks of school can push even the most organized families to their breaking point. In this episode, I'll share three essential tips to help you navigate this hectic time with more peace, joy, and calm—while supporting your anxious...

Send Lauren a text! Are you and your tween or teen struggling with anxiety treatment and wondering why it doesn't seem to be "working" right away? In this episode, I'll share the #1 misconception about anxiety recovery and help you understand what real healing actually looks like. ✨ What's Bringing Me More Zen Tune in till the end of the episode when I share how I incorpo...

Send Lauren a text! Are you starting to notice signs of anxiety in your tween or teen and wondering if it might be time to get seek support? In this episode, I’ll share how to know when your child could benefit from working with a qualified therapist and help you feel more confident about what to do next. ✨ What's Bringing Me More Zen Tune in till the end of the episode when I share how an o...

Send Lauren a text! Parenting a tween or teen with anxiety is challenging! This Drop of Zen, a short guided mediation, is designed to offer you support and self care.  This mediation is perfect to do anytime you would like to connect with joy. Perfect for a mid day break or a morning exercise to help you feel positive and more joyful.  Enjoy! 😌 This podcast is for informational and educational pu...

Send Lauren a text! In this episode, I focus on how parents can find qualified therapists who treat OCD in children and teens, understand ERP therapy (the gold standard in OCD treatment) and support their child's recovery journey. ✨ What's Bringing Me More Zen Tune in till the end of the episode to discover my new favorite protein-packed snack that helps me through mid-day energy slumps...

Send Lauren a text! In this episode, I explore the key differences between OCD and anxiety in tweens and teens. Learn how to recognize the signs and identify when your child might need specialized support.  ✨ What's Bringing Me More Zen Tune in till the end of the episode to discover my favorite free meditation app! I'll tell you how it's been keeping me accountable to meditate on...

Send Lauren a text! In this episode, I explore the link between smartphone use and anxiety in tweens and teens. I'll introduce the term "problematic smartphone use," explain what it looks like, how to recognize if your child is struggling with it, and share practical (as well as creative) strategies to help them set healthier boundaries with their phone. ✨ What's Bringing Me M...

Send Lauren a text! In this episode, I tackle a common dilemma parents face: should you reassure your anxious tween or teen when they're worried, or could that actually make their anxiety worse? I'll share practical strategies to help you know when it's ok to offer a little reassurance. And I'll let you know when it's better to not reassure and what you can do instead.  📢...

Send Lauren a text! In this episode, I'm taking off my therapist hat and getting real about the challenges of parenting - especially when it comes to raising tweens and teens. Join me for some honest conversation about the ups and downs of this parenting journey! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 ✨ I'll share with you: Why parenting is ridiculously challenging (and keeps changing just when you think you&apos...

Send Lauren a text! In this episode, I'm tackling the Sunday Scaries - those end-of-weekend worries that so many tweens and teens experience. If your child's weekend joy turns to anxiety as Monday approaches, this episode is for you! 😰 ✨  I'll share with you: How to recognize Sunday Scaries in your tween or teen (including some surprising signs you might not expect!) Why anxiety t...

Send Lauren a text! In this episode, I'm diving into something SO many parents tell me about - that feeling of walking on eggshells around their anxious tween or teen. That sense that you're literally tiptoeing through your own house, scared that saying or doing the wrong thing might trigger a reaction that sends your whole family's day into a spiral. If this sounds familiar, you&ap...

Send Lauren a text! In this episode, I’m talking about a struggle that’s super common for tweens and teens: social anxiety. I’ll cover what it is, how to spot it, and, most importantly, how you can help your child to take healthy risks in social situations. Social anxiety can show up in many ways, such as avoiding social situations, fearing judgment, or overthinking conversations. These feelings c...

Send Lauren a text! In today’s episode, I’m answering our first listener question from Anna, a fellow Zen Friend, who’s struggling with her own anxiety triggered by her daughter’s anxiety. ✨ Here’s what we’ll cover in this episode: Why your anxiety makes sense – Understanding the emotional connection between you and your child. The Anxiety Feedback Loop – How your child’s anxiety can trigger your...

Send Lauren a text! Welcome to your Zen Bonus Boost! This is a short (and hopefully sweet) episode designed to offer support, strategies and tips for parents of anxious tweens and teens. On this episode I'll tell you why it is important and helpful to validate your own feelings as well as your children's. I'll give you examples of how you can practice self compassion as well as offe...

Send Lauren a text! In this episode, we’re diving into 3 ways to bring more balance to you and your tween/teen in 2025 ! 🎉 ✨ Here’s what we’ll cover in this episode: 1️⃣ Reducing the pressure (on yourself and your kids) 2️⃣ Tackling overscheduling to create more room for connection 3️⃣ Valuing relaxation, creativity, and movement I’ll also share relatable stories (including some parenting wins a...

Send Lauren a text! In this episode, I’m diving into routines and predictability—how they can help (and sometimes hinder) your anxious tween or teen—and exploring the joy and connection that holiday traditions bring. I’ll also share a peek into my family’s Christmas traditions, both past and present. Traditions are powerful—they create connection, foster joy, and give us something to look forward...

Send Lauren a text! Feeling overwhelmed with all the holiday to do's? Guest and friend of the pod, Vicki Smith will help us to clear our schedules of the stuff that doesn't serve us so that we have more time to do the things we enjoy. Self care isn't just about lighting candles and wearing cozy socks. One terrific way to care for yourself, especially during the holidays is to set he...

Send Lauren a text! In this festive episode, I’m sharing how I’ve shifted my holiday traditions to create more peace and joy during this busy season. Whether you're juggling the magic-making or supporting an anxious tween or teen, it can feel like a lot (especially for us moms 🫠 🎧 Tune in for: The traditions I’ve let go of (goodbye, elf shenanigans and cookie parties!) What I’ve said YES to...

Send Lauren a text! Welcome, Zen Friend! ✨ In this episode, we’re exploring why the holiday season can be particularly tricky for tweens and teens with anxiety. From high expectations to social stress and academic pressures, we’ll dive into what makes this time of year challenging and how you can help. 🎙️ In This Episode: The impact of high expectations and perfectionism during the holidays Why a...

Send Lauren a text! Welcome, Zen Friend! ✨ In this episode, we’re diving into perfectionism —how it ties to anxiety, how to spot it in your tween or teen, and what you can do to help. Perfectionism isn’t just about wanting to do things well; it’s often driven by fear and worry. We’ll explore how this anxiety shows up in academics, extracurriculars, body image, and even social settings. I’ll share...

Send Lauren a text! When your child struggles with anxiety, it’s natural to want to make the anxiety go away. But sometimes our efforts result in making anxiety bigger. In this episode, I'm talking about three common mistakes parents (and sometimes even therapists) make when trying to support children and teens. And most importantly, I'll tell you what you can do instead to help effectiv...

Send Lauren a text! In this episode, I’m talking about how anxiety often looks confusing in tweens and teens—sometimes appearing as irrational fears or even "bad behavior." Many parents question whether their child’s reactions are actually anxiety or just acting out. Using real stories and examples, I show why these fears may not make sense but are still very real. Sometimes a kid's...

Send Lauren a text! In this episode, we’re getting real about healing. Whether you or your tween or teen are dealing with anxiety, chronic pain, or just about anything else, I’ve got you covered. I’ll talk about some common misconceptions I see in my work with counseling clients, and share my favorite way to look at the healing journey - imagining  a game board of life. This simple analogy can hel...