Parenting for Tweens & Teens
The tween and teen years bring enormous change. Young people are developing a more complex inner world, navigating intense social dynamics, and working hard to build independence while still relying on their parents for emotional grounding.
It can be difficult for caregivers to know what is “typical” adolescent behavior and what may signal a need for additional support. Our parenting services help you understand these distinctions so you can respond with clarity, confidence, and care.
A strong parent–teen relationship is one of the most powerful protective factors for long‑term mental health. Research on attachment security in adolescence highlights a few key experiences that help teens feel understood and supported. Teens who can say that the following statements are “usually true” of their parents tend to feel more secure and fare better emotionally over the long-term:
“My parents respect my feelings.”
“My parents accept me as I am.”
“My parents understand me.”
“My parents can tell when something is bothering me.”
“I tell my parents about my problems.”
These statements capture the heart of what helps teens thrive: feeling respected, accepted, known, and emotionally connected. They also offer a simple way to reflect on your relationship with your teen. If you feel open to it, you might ask your teen how they would rate each statement on a scale of 1 to 5. Their answers can spark meaningful conversations and highlight areas where small shifts in communication or connection could make a big difference.
If you find that many of the ratings fall below 4 or 5, you are not alone, and it does not mean anything is “wrong.” It simply points to places where support, new strategies, or a fresh perspective may be helpful. Our parenting guidance focuses on strengthening communication, deepening connection, and helping you respond to your teen in ways that promote both independence and emotional security.
By understanding what is developmentally expected, what may signal emerging mental health concerns, and how your relationship shapes your teen’s resilience, you can support them through this stage with steadiness and confidence.
Parents are their teen’s most imporant resource
Parents remain their teen’s most important source of stability, even when it doesn’t always feel that way. When adolescents struggle with anxiety, intense emotions, rule‑breaking, or defiant behavior, parents often end up carrying the weight of managing crises, setting limits, and trying to keep communication open. Our services are designed to support you in that role. We help you understand what your teen’s behavior may be signaling, strengthen the strategies that protect your relationship, and build approaches that reduce conflict and increase connection. With the right support, parents can become a steady, effective anchor for their teen during a period that can otherwise feel unpredictable and overwhelming.
Child and Teen Solutions (CATS) is a mental health clinic based in Seattle, Washington. We are staffed by psychologists and therapists who specialize in children, teens, young adults, and parent coaching. We offer both in-person and telehealth services. Our office is located in the Madison Park neighborhood, near Lake Washington.
