Healthy Family Connections

What do you do when your teenage daughter comes home from school one day and, says, “Don’t call me Janet. I’m a boy and my name is Jack”? This week, I answer a question from a psychiatrist who has had a handful of parents come to her sharing that their child has revealed they are transgendered. She sought out my advice on how to work with these parents and families. Listen in for:  Why coming out as transgender is a realization, not a choice Tips for how parents can react to this news in a positive manner   How to avoid the wrong kind of therapy and get it right   Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/dont-call-me-janet-im-a-boy-now/   Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/NeilDBrownLCSW/ https://twitter.com/neildbrownlcsw https://instagram.com/neildbrownlcsw  https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbrownlcsw

What do you do when your autistic teenager wants to help anyone who comes up to him, breaking social distancing and putting himself at risk? This week, I answer a question from a mom who taught her son to be kind and generous. With the current pandemic, Mom is struggling to get her autistic son to understand why he can't help everyone and to keep himself safe. Listen in for:  How to teach kids to keep themselves safe Tips for explaining why social distancing is important How to use role-play to prepare your teen to set limits and stay safe    Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/my-special-needs-teenager-isnt-safe/   Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/NeilDBrownLCSW/ https://twitter.com/neildbrownlcsw https://instagram.com/neildbrownlcsw  https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbrownlcsw

Given the current pandemic, counselors and counseling agencies are using video platforms rather than seeing clients in the office. But, is video counseling a less pleasant, compromised experience? For many years now, in addition to seeing folks in my office, I’ve been seeing people all over the US, Canada, Europe, and beyond. This week on the podcast, I share how video conferencing can be beneficial. Listen in for:  What the ultimate goal is for attending family counseling The advantages families have in using video How to overcome challenges with video counseling   Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/does-zoom-therapy-really-work/   Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/NeilDBrownLCSW/ https://twitter.com/neildbrownlcsw https://instagram.com/neildbrownlcsw  https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbrownlcsw

What do you do, when your 12-year-old son has an undiagnosed neurological disorder that causes him to be angry, hostile, and has everyone in the household walking on eggshells? Today, we answer a question from a dad who is feeling defeated after trying everything he can think of to resolve the issue. Listen in for:  Understanding why humans thrive in a safe environment  The biology behind Control Battles How childhood trauma affects parenting and how to resolve it   Visit our website for the full show notes: https://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/your-control-battle-is-in-your-dna/   Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/NeilDBrownLCSW/ https://twitter.com/neildbrownlcsw https://instagram.com/neildbrownlcsw  https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbrownlcsw

What do you do when your daughter is hostile towards you and blames you for keeping her from her father? This week, I answer a question from a mom who is undermined by her ex-husband causing a strained relationship with her nine-year-old daughter. Listen in for:  How to recognize and accept different temperaments in your children Ways to make your difficult child feel loved and supported The importance of valuing yourself as a parent   Visit our website for the full show notes: http://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/disneyland-dad-undermines-my-parenting   Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/NeilDBrownLCSW/ https://twitter.com/neildbrownlcsw https://instagram.com/neildbrownlcsw  https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbrownlcsw

What do you do when your teenage son, who is a talented athlete, handsome, and popular with friends, has turned hostile and taken up drugs and vaping? This week, we answer a question from a concerned father who is feeling frustrated with his son and doesn't know what steps to take next. Listen in for:  Signs of ineffective accountability in the home How to set an example for your kids to follow your lead The importance of setting the right tone with your teen   Visit our website for the full show notes: http://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/your-son-has-been-in-decline-for-too-long   Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/NeilDBrownLCSW/ https://twitter.com/neildbrownlcsw https://instagram.com/neildbrownlcsw  https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbrownlcsw

With children, teens, and young adults out of school and home with their families, parents are facing unprecedented challenges. This week, I answer a question from a mom who is dealing with her son’s angry and oppositional behavior that is affecting the entire family.  Listen in for:  Effective strategies teachers use that you can implement at home The power of changing the tone in your household How to make everyone in the family feel valued   Visit our website for the full show notes: http://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/can-a-crisis-make-our-family-better/   Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/NeilDBrownLCSW/ https://twitter.com/neildbrownlcsw https://instagram.com/neildbrownlcsw  https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbrownlcsw

We're facing a difficult time right now. Many parents are wondering how best to get their teenagers to understand our current climate without instilling fear and worry. Today, I answer a question from a mom whose teenage daughter is treating her school closure like a vacation and expects to be able to hang out with friends. Listen in for:  Tips on setting limits during this time How we can make our teenagers feel empowered The opportunity we have to keep our family healthy   Visit our website for the full show notes: http://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/in-national-crisis-we-need-our-teenagers-best/   Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/NeilDBrownLCSW/ https://twitter.com/neildbrownlcsw https://instagram.com/neildbrownlcsw  https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbrownlcsw

What do you do when you when your teenager suddenly goes from being close with Mom and Dad to exhibiting destructive behavior and a disrespectful attitude? Today, I answer a question from a mom whose 15-year-old daughter's behavior has been spiraling and she doesn't know what to do next. Listen in for:  The delicate journey teenagers take, especially at age 15 The importance of self-esteem and a positive identity for adolescent success Understanding teenagers' needs for limits and tips for how best to set them.   Visit our website for the full show notes: http://neildbrown.com/17-blog/podcast/mom-help-i-need-limits/   Follow us on social media:  https://www.facebook.com/NeilDBrownLCSW/ https://twitter.com/neildbrownlcsw https://instagram.com/neildbrownlcsw  https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbrownlcsw    

What do you do when you when your 15 year old, picks at the healthy foods you serve, and then pigs out on junk? We’ll talk about this and more on this week’s podcast: My Son Is A Junk Food Junkie.

In this episode Neil responds to a question from a single mother of four, and the oldest and youngest have a contemptuous relationship. She has tried to deal with it but her interventions have been unsuccessful and she’s wondering what if anything more she should do. Neil offers some approaches to family healing but most importantly, wants to empower this Mom to have her standards and values in the family respected and adhered to. Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit

In this episode Neil responds to a Mom struggling to limit her daughters’ cell phone use. She is frustrated that they always have a reason to have them since the cell phones serve so many functions. Neil explains the many documented down sides and risk factors from smart phone overuse and misuse and offers guidelines and a way to talk with teens to establish them. Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit

n this episode Neil responds to a Mom whose 18 year-old daughter has anger issues and is refusing to follow advice and go to counseling. Neil explains to Mom in explicit detail why sending her daughter for individual counseling will change very little and why and how going to counseling as a family will provide a healthy direction and hope for real change. Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit

In this episode Neil responds to a Mom wanting to implement a New Year’s Resolution in her family, that they demonstrate an attitude of kindness. She knows what she wants, but doesn’t know how to get through to the others. Neil applauds the goal and speaks to the virtues of goal setting, and then moves to help this Mom create a strategy to accomplish it. Neil helps Mom see how her default way of dealing with others and her husband’s way, are creating tension in the family that is the root of the family competition and stress. Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit

In this episode Neil responds to a Dad who has shared custody with an X-partner who is extremely emotionally unstable. He wants to know how having an emotionally unstable parent will affect his daughter and how to respond to her questions about her mother, without turning her against her mother. Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit

In this episode Neil answers a question from a mother who has a 13-year-old daughter who refuses to go to counseling and won’t talk if made to go. Mother is trying to do the right thing for her daughter, but her daughter simply won’t cooperate. After attempts with several therapists, Mom feels frustrated and helpless. Neil helps Mom see that her daughter’s refusal to cooperate with therapy, is like other behaviors where Mom is trying to get her daughter to do or stop doing a behavior, and the daughter resists. Neil Speaks to how solutions become problems and how the Parent-Teen Control Battle is now the problem. Neil gives Mom some guidelines for ending the Battle and explains why parental involvement in the counseling with teenagers is vital to healthy outcomes. Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit

In this episode Neil answers a question from a mother who has a 13-year-old daughter who refuses to go to counseling and won’t talk if made to go. Mother is trying to do the right thing for her daughter, but her daughter simply won’t cooperate. After attempts with several therapists, Mom feels frustrated and helpless. Neil helps Mom see that her daughter’s refusal to cooperate with therapy, is like other behaviors where Mom is trying to get her daughter to do or stop doing a behavior, and the daughter resists. Neil Speaks to how solutions become problems and how the Parent-Teen Control Battle is now the problem. Neil gives Mom some guidelines for ending the Battle and explains why parental involvement in the counseling with teenagers is vital to healthy outcomes. Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit

In this episode Neil discusses the challenges young adults face in today’s world with international psychologist and placement specialist, Dr. Mark Burdick. The challenges young adults are facing today are more pronounced than ever. Neil and Mark discuss these challenges, some tips for successfully preparing youth for young adulthood and the opportunities that wilderness and residential treatment programs offer “at risk” young adults today. Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit

In this episode Neil answers a question from a mother who has a 16-year-old son with anxiety and depression. She is at her wits end because he won’t use the skills that the professionals have given him and he uses his condition as an excuse to miss school. The doctor said there’s nothing he can do if her son won’t help himself. Neil explains that anxiety and depression are like many other conditions that children and teens have that ultimately require kids to take charge of. Neil helps this mother see the difference between giving up on her son, and giving up on trying to get him to manage his responsibilities. He gives her a Control Battle ending strategy and speaks to treatment alternatives when outpatient treatment isn’t enough. Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit