AuDHD in Teenagers: Understanding the Overlap Between Autism and ADHD
The term AuDHD is increasingly being used to describe young people who experience traits of both autism and ADHD, although it is not currently a formal clinical diagnosis
In this week’s Let’s All Talk Mental Health session, host Tara Dolby was joined by resident clinical psychologist Dr Sarah-Jane Knight to explore how autism and ADHD can overlap in teenagers, why adolescence can be a particularly challenging time for neurodivergent young people, and how parents can focus on practical and appropriate support, rather than getting too caught up in labels.
Teen Friendships: Judgement, Confidence and the Courage to Disagree Well
Friendships are central to teenage life. They shape identity, confidence, belonging and emotional wellbeing. Yet they can also be complicated and emotionally charged, especially when teenagers are together all day at school and then remain connected online long after lessons have finished.
In this week’s Let’s All Talk Mental Health session, host Tara Dolby was joined by Jessica Hawley, CEO of the RAP Foundation (Raising Awareness and Prevention), to talk about teen friendships, peer dynamics and how parents can support young people to communicate with confidence, handle judgment and build courage in their relationships.
Overwhelmed Teens: Anxiety, Avoidance and Finding Your Parental Authority
Adolescence has always been emotionally intense, but many parents feel that today’s teenagers are carrying more than ever. Academic pressure, social comparison, online life and constant connectivity can create a level of stress that tips from ordinary anxiety into overwhelm.
In this week’s Let’s All Talk Mental Health session, host Tara Dolby was joined by our resident Clinical Psychologist, Dr Sarah Jane Knight, to talk about overwhelmed teens, anxiety, avoidance and how parents can respond with calm, confident authority rather than control or panic.
Online and Under Pressure: Teen Anxiety, Body Image and Self-Esteem
Adolescence has always involved comparison, some self-doubt and a strong need to belong, but what’s changed is the intensity. Today’s teenagers are growing up with constant online exposure, peer pressure and standards that lack reality and are difficult to escape.
In this Let’s All Talk Mental Health session, Dr Gemma Allison, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, talk about how online influences and peer dynamics affect teen anxiety, body image and self-esteem, and how parents can support their children without hovering, overcorrecting or closing conversations down.
Why Teens Self-Harm: What They’re Trying to Feel (or Not Feel)
Self-harm is one of the most frightening issues a parent can encounter. Self-harm can be hard for parents to understand and emotionally difficult to sit with, particularly as it is something many feel unprepared for when it comes to light and raises immediate concerns over safety and wellbeing.
Tired, Wired and Falling Behind: The Truth About Teen Sleep
Teen sleep can become a daily battleground. Many parents describe the same pattern: late nights, slow mornings, big moods, and a teen who feels constantly tired, yet still cannot switch off.
In this Let’s All Talk Mental Health session, Dr Faith Orchard, Research Psychologist and Associate Professor at the University of East Anglia, explained what healthy teen sleep looks like, why adolescence changes sleep biology, and which everyday habits tend to knock sleep off track. She also shared practical ways parents can support better sleep, without turning bedtime into a nightly argument.
ADHD and Teen Pressure: Why “Just Try Harder Doesn’t Work” (and what helps instead)
Teenagers have a lot on their plates; exams, friendships, identity, independence, and the constant sense that they should be “on it” with organisation, motivation and self-control.
For teens with ADHD, those same pressures can feel weightier because ADHD affects the very skills school and adolescence demand most: planning, time management, task initiation, emotional regulation and sustained attention.
Teenage Low Mood or Depression? Understanding What Your Teen May Be Going Through
Teenage years are a time of huge emotional change. Mood swings, withdrawal, tiredness and frustration can all be part of growing up. For parents, it’s often hard to know when these shifts are part of normal development and when they might signal something more concerning.
In this Let’s All Talk Mental Health session, our resident Clinical Psychologist Dr Sarah Jane Knight explored the difference between low mood and depression in teenagers, offering reassurance, clarity and practical guidance for parents who are trying to support their child without overreacting or overlooking something important.
Negotiating Teen Boundaries: Parenting Without Power Struggles
Parenting a teenager can feel like standing beside someone who is bravely learning how the world works for the very first time. Teens are wired to push, to test, to stretch themselves into new territory; and even when they look full of confidence, they’re often feeling the fear underneath. Their brains are urging them forward into independence, yet what they need most in this stage is a strong, steady sense of where the edges are.
Autism in the Teen Years: What to Expect and How to Help
Adolescence is a transformative and sometimes turbulent time for most young ones. For autistic teenagers, the teen years can bring additional challenges and opportunities. In this week’s Let’s All Talk Mental Health session, we were joined by Dr Rebekah Easton, Clinical Psychologist and Co-Founder of Well Rooted Wellbeing, who shared her expertise on understanding and supporting autistic teens.
Helping Your Teen Deal with Bullying
Bullying is a big issue for teens, and according to the ONS approximately 1 in 5 experience in-person bullying. We know that it’s a traumatic experience, and that the emotional and psychological effects can last a long while. In this week’s Let’s All Talk Mental Health session, we were joined by Kat Fuller, a highly experienced Family Support Practitioner and the Parent Support Manager at anti-bullying charity Kidscape, to talk about how parents, carers, and schools can better understand, identify, and address bullying - both online and offline.
Understanding Eating Issues in Teens
This week’s session, Understanding Eating Issues in Teens, explored one of the most challenging and sensitive topics facing families today: teenage eating disorders. Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr Georgie Cox joined us to share her expertise on identifying early warning signs, supporting recovery, and navigating the complex influences shaping young people’s relationships with food.
Parenting Teens with OCD
This week’s Let’s All Talk Mental Health session focused on Parenting Teens with OCD, led by consultant clinical psychologist Chloe Volz. Drawing on her extensive experience as head of the National Specialist CAMHS team, Chloe offered parents and carers valuable insights into recognising, understanding, and supporting young people living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Is Your Teen Having Friendship Issues? You Can Help.
Friendships are at the heart of teenage life. They provide belonging, connection, and a sense of identity during one of the most socially and emotionally intense stages of development. Yet, these same friendships can also be turbulent, marked by shifting dynamics, peer pressure, and sometimes exclusion or conflict.
Supporting Neurodiversity at Home and in School
This week at Let’s All Talk Mental Health, we welcomed Dr Liz Dawes, founder of Every Mind Child Psychology and a Clinical Psychologist specialising in neurodiversity. Dr Dawes shared practical insights on how parents, carers, and educators can better support neurodivergent teenagers, particularly those with autism and ADHD, both at home and in school.
How Tech and AI Are Reshaping Teen Moods, Minds, and Relationships
This week at Let’s All Talk Mental Health, we were joined by Dr. Charlotte Armitage for an interesting conversation on: How Tech and AI Are Reshaping Teen Moods, Minds, and Relationships.
It’s no secret that technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are changing the way most people live their lives. Phones, tablets, and now even chatbots are part of our children’s daily world. But what does this mean for their moods, mental health and relationships? Psychologist, Dr. Armitage, founder of BeDeviceWise talked us through the upsides and the downsides, as well as some of the practical steps parents might want to consider.
Back to School Anxiety: How to Help Your Teen
As the new school year begins, many teenagers face a wave of challenges - from adapting to fresh academic demands to managing social pressures. This transition period can be stressful and, for some, it sparks heightened anxiety. In this week’s session, clinical psychologist Dr Sarah Jane Knight shared valuable insights and strategies to help parents and educators support teenagers through this time.
Helping Your Child Through School Transitions
Whether it’s moving up to secondary school or stepping into sixth form or college, these changes bring a mix of excitement, anxiety, and uncertainty - not just for teens, but for their families too. In this week’s session, we talked to Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Sarah-Jane Knight, about supporting teenagers through school transitions.
Teens & Gaming: A Parent’s Guide
We know that today's teens play more games than any previous generation, which is why the Let’s All Talk Mental Health team wanted to understand more about gaming and its impact on teenagers. We were joined by two experts, Psychotherapist, Alison Smith, and Psychiatrist, Dr. Romayne Gadelrab from the National Centre for Gaming Disorders. They provided an understanding of when gaming becomes a problem, and how families can respond with empathy, structure, and support.
Screens, Teens & Mental Health - A Parent's guide
This week’s Let’s All Talk Mental Health session focused on a topic that resonates deeply with many families: teenagers and smartphone use. With insights led by consultant psychiatrist Dr. Nicky Kalk, the discussion explored the growing concerns around smartphone habits, their links to mental health, and practical strategies families can use to encourage healthier tech use.