Teen Anxiety with Sophia Vale Galano, LCSW

Psychotherapist and podcast host Jessica Fowler interviews licensed clinical social worker and author Sophia Valle Galano about teen anxiety and her book, Calming Teen Anxiety: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Your Teenager Cope with Worry. Sophia Valle Galano explains that teen anxiety often looks different than adult anxiety and may appear as overwhelm, school refusal, panic symptoms, isolation, or irritability. Adults should assess frequency and the degree of impairment. Sophia and Jessica explore what to do when teens refuse therapy, including brainstorming alternative supports.  Sophia emphasizes boundaries around teen therapy, not over-involving parents or grilling teens afterward, and highlights listening, collaboration, preventive approaches, and not avoiding difficult topics like substance use and sexual health to build trust and safety.

About the author:

Sophia Vale Galano is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, author, speaker, teacher and practicing therapist. Sophia was born in Los Angeles, raised in London, and holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from New York University. She has been providing therapy since 2015 and has over a decade of experience working with adults and adolescents. Sophia has treated individuals and families in her private practice while also providing therapy in medical, educational, residential and outpatient settings. She is an expert at treating teenage anxiety, and is the author of the book, Calming Teenage Anxiety: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Your Teenager Cope with Worry.