Even when kids learn helpful coping skills for anxiety, they sometimes resist using them—especially in social situations like school, where they worry about looking "different" or standing out. In this vlog, Janine Halloran, LMHC, and author of The Coping Skills for Kids Workbookand The Coping Skills for Teens Workbook, offers parents and professionals a practical solution to this common challenge.
Janine shares two powerful, "invisible" coping skills that children can use to manage anxiety without drawing attention to themselves. Through a step-by-step script, she walks you through how to introduce these skills to kids, making them feel more comfortable and confident. Plus, Janine demonstrates a role-play with a 13-year-old boy to show exactly how to use these strategies in real-life situations.
Key Takeaways:
- Two effective "invisible" coping skills: imagine your favorite placeand positive self-talk.
- How to role-play and practice these skills with your child, so they feel comfortable using them on their own.
- Tips for making coping skills feel less "stigmatizing" in social settings like school.
- The importance of "chill" and relatable communication with teens when teaching coping strategies.
This vlog provides helpful language and strategies that can be implemented immediately, giving kids tools to manage anxiety discreetly and confidently.
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Want more helpful tips to manage bright kids' and teens' anxiety and mental health? Check out the Mental Health SOS series.