Your teen locks themselves in their room, explodes for no reason — and you no longer know how to reach them?
Doors slam. Screens replace conversations. Grades plummet. You oscillate between wanting to shake them and fearing you'll push them further away. You wonder if it's "just adolescence" or something deeper. You feel like you're losing your child.

What you're going through, millions of parents experience. And neuroscience now has clear answers about what's happening in the adolescent brain — and what actually works to maintain the bond. This book gives you the keys.

Written by a CBT psychotherapist, this guide draws on the work of Siegel, the latest neurodevelopmental research, and recent studies on the impact of social media to offer a concrete, science-based method.

What you'll discover in this book
Understanding what's happening in your teen's mind:

The adolescent brain: why an immature prefrontal cortex explains impulsivity, risk-taking, and disproportionate reactions
Social media and dopamine: the mechanism of digital addiction and its effects on self-esteem
School anxiety, social phobia, bullying: recognizing the warning signs before it's too late
Self-harm, eating disorders, dark thoughts: red flags that should never be ignored
Attachment in adolescence: why your teen pushes you away while desperately needing you

Restoring communication and setting boundaries:

Active listening adapted to teens: phrases that open dialogue vs. those that shut it down instantly
Setting limits without authoritarianism: Baumrind's authoritative parenting model
Managing conflicts without escalation: the delayed response and emotional reframing technique
Negotiating screen time: family contracts, schedules, and alternatives that work
Supporting identity development: career, sexuality, values — without imposing or giving up
When to seek help: clinical criteria to distinguish a normal crisis from pathological distress

A book grounded in practice
This is not a theoretical book. Each chapter contains:

Detailed case studies — 15 clinical stories (Lucas, 14, walled off in video games; Emma, cyberbullied; Yanis, in complete academic disengagement; and 12 other journeys)
Practical exercises — 8 exercises per chapter: warning signs observation grid, structured parent-teen dialogue, screen time contract, family emotional journal, 4-step regulation technique
Verified scientific references — Every concept is supported by the most recent publications in neuroscience and adolescent psychology

Who is this book for?

You're a parent of a teen who's pulling away and you want to understand what they're going through
Your teenager is in crisis (disengagement, isolation, constant conflict) and you're looking for solutions
You want to prevent the risks linked to social media and bullying
You want to improve family communication without giving up your authority
You're an education or mental health professional looking to deepen your practice

"A teenager doesn't slam the door to leave you. They slam it to make sure you'll still be there when they come back."

About the author

Gildas Garrec is a CBT psychotherapist. Author of over 470 articles on psychologieetserenite.com, he has developed a comprehensive ecosystem of online therapeutic tools: 68 psychological tests, 8 structured programs, and ScanMyLove, a couple's conversation analysis tool based on 14 clinical models.

"The Essentials of Applied Psychology" collection — 13 books to understand, take action, and move forward.

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