Grief in teens rarely looks the way parents expect. Instead of tears and open conversations, it often shows up as irritability, withdrawal, risk-taking, or emotional distance. That can leave parents wondering whether their teen is grieving at all—or how to help if they are.

In this episode, Dr. Cam sits down with grief expert and Master Certified Life Coach Krista St. Germain to unpack what grief really looks like in adolescents and why many common approaches to helping grieving teens can unintentionally make things harder. Together, they explore the latest understanding of grief, the impact loss has on the brain and body, and practical ways parents can support their teens through difficult life transitions and losses. Whether your teen is grieving the death of a loved one, the loss of a friendship, a major life change, or simply the challenges of growing up, this conversation will help you feel more confident supporting them with compassion and understanding.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

Why grief in teenagers often looks like typical adolescent behavior and how to recognize the hidden signs
The Dual Process Model of Grief and why the traditional five stages of grief are outdated
What parents should say—and avoid saying—to support a grieving teen
How modeling healthy emotional expression helps teens build resilience and emotional intelligence

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WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

Why teens naturally pull away from parents during adolescence — and what it actually means for your relationship
How emotional safety and nervous system regulation improve communication with teenagers
The parenting shift that helps teens become more independent, responsible, and emotionally resilient
Practical ways to build stronger family relationships without control, pressure, or constant conflict

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Dual Process Model of Grief (Stroebe & Schut)
Post-Traumatic Growth Research
The Widowed Mom Podcast

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Krista St. Germain

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Understanding Grief in Teens

02:57 Krista's Personal Journey with Grief

05:51 Outdated Beliefs About Grief

08:53 The Dual Process Model of Grief

12:04 Navigating Grief as Parents

15:00 Recognizing Grief in Teenagers

17:53 The Importance of Shared Grief Experiences

18:41 Navigating Emotions as Parents

20:00 Supporting Grieving Children

22:31 Empowering Children Through Grief

24:41 Believing in Resilience

26:49 Trusting the Process of Growth

30:42 Finding Meaning in Hardship

ABOUT THE SHOW

The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth.

Whether you're struggling with teenage behavior, communication challenges, anxiety, motivation, or emotional well-being, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together.

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