Teenager Therapy

Thank you for your support throughout the last five years. Teenager Therapy has been a constant for so long and you've all helped give our lives so much meaning. This is our last episode to you, I hope you give it a thoughtful listen. We know you'll all go on to live amazing, fulfilling, and thoughtful lives. Fall in love with your existence. We love you.

Hi, it's Kayla and Gael and we started a podcast company dedicated to producing original shows that help you feel less alone. It's called Astro Studios and the first show under it is called Friendgroup. Each season of Friendgroup highlights how 16 young people dealt with a common life issue. We wanted to personally show you the first episode of Friendgroup, "outgrowing the love you had for them | vinh, 19" please let us know what you think! If you like it, you can listen to season 1 one Friendgroup everywhere you get your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram @astrostudios.xyz or friendgroup.xyz Visit dosomething.org/teenagertherapy to participate in Camp Reboot and add some tools to your mental health toolkit! You’ll even be entered for the opportunity to earn a $2,000 scholarship and other exclusive items! You can also follow them on IG @dosomething Where to find us: Instagram @gaelaitor @_kaylasuarez @_thomaspham

How do we say this... the last episode of TT will air on September 18th. Surprise! After 5 years, Teenager Therapy is officially coming to an end. In this episode, we explain everything - why it's happening, what's next, and how to keep up with us. We're also going to ask you to send us a message, note, or anything else you wish to tell us before our last episode. DM it to us on Instagram @teenagertherapy !! Where to find us: Instagram @gaelaitor @_kaylasuarez @_thomaspham Unfinished Thoughts is Gael's other podcast @astrostudios.xyz is Kayla and Gael's podcast production company Visit dosomething.org/teenagertherapy to participate in Camp Reboot and add some tools to your mental health toolkit! You’ll even be entered for the opportunity to earn a $2,000 scholarship and other exclusive items! You can also follow them on IG @dosomething

Do you feel mature or do you find yourself feeling like a kid still? In this episode, we explore why we unreasonably expect ourselves to act grown & mature, our craving to be youthful, and the process of letting ourselves be seen for who we are.

Do you feel like you might never be truly happy? Do you avoid joy knowing it's temporary? In this episode, we talk about what it takes to be happy, how to be okay with sadness, and how to accept the endless journey towards happiness. News! Kayla and Gael started a podcast company, it's called Astro Studios. Their first show just came out and it's called Friendgroup. You can listen to it everywhere! You can also follow us on socials @teenagertherapy and follow Astro Studios @astrostudios.xyz

Do you hate yourself? Do you feel pessimistic about life? Are you constantly wondering why you're so harsh on yourself even when you know you don't deserve it? In this episode, we talk about self-hatred and how to continue forward when everything feels pointless. News! Kayla and Gael started a podcast company, it's called Astro Studios. Their first show just came out and it's called Friendgroup. You can listen to it here. You can also follow us on socials @teenagertherapy and follow Astro Studios @astrostudios.xyz

Change is uncomfortable but if life is change, then how do you come to terms and learn to accept the growing pains? In this episode, we talk about our experience with constant change, reverting back to old habits, and learning to deal with growing pains. News! Kayla and Gael started a podcast company, it's called Astro Studios. Their first show just came out and it's called Friendgroup. You can listen to it here. You can also follow us on socials @teenagertherapy and follow Astro Studios @astrostudios.xyz

A banter between 3 friends who are slightly sleep deprived, disoriented, and hungry. News! Kayla and Gael started a podcast company, it's called Astro Studios. Their first show just came out and it's called Friendgroup. You can listen to it here. You can also follow us on socials @teenagertherapy and follow Astro Studios @astrostudios.xyz

do you ever feel like life is passing you by? being so focused on work or school that you forget stopping to rest is an option? in this episode, we talk about our longing to go back to simpler times, the growing pains of life, and how we wish we could rest. News! Kayla and Gael started a podcast company, it's called Astro Studios. Their first show just came out and it's called Friendgroup. You can listen to it here. You can also follow us on socials @teenagertherapy and follow Astro Studios @astrostudios.xyz

have you and your friends fantasized about living together? in this episode, we talk about our experience living together for the past month, bad habits we've noticed in each other, and how having a functional household requires a lot of sacrifice. hope you enjoy! keep up with us on socials @teenagertherapy

Content Warning: In this week’s episode, we will be discussing issues that may be disturbing or triggering to some. Some things we will be discussing will include but are not limited to mentions of Sexual Assault, Coercion, Mental Health Struggles, etc. If you or someone you know is struggling, please refer to this episode description for resources and support. While this episode will not include either party from the following case, we are discussing it with their consent. Over a year ago, one of our podcast hosts was accused of SA. We were asked to hold them accountable but struggled to figure out what that meant. This episode is us reflecting on our response to a very serious situation, an apology for our shortcomings, and an attempt to understand what holding someone accountable looks like. For more information about accountability and alternative justice, go to www.safebae.org/360-schools/accountability-training/ *********** Unfortunately, the audio file for this episode got corrupted so we are forced to use our backup. Please excuse the poor audio quality. You will also notice we re-recorded certain parts to better reflect our feelings on the situation. Thank you for your patience. Resources National Sexual Assault Hotline (USA): Call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit https://www.rainn.org/ RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): Offers support, information, and resources for survivors of sexual assault in the United States. Visit their website at https://www.rainn.org/ Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 (US) or 686868 (Canada) to connect with a trained crisis counselor. National Domestic Violence Hotline (USA): Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit https://www.thehotline.org/ 1in6: Offers support and resources for male survivors of sexual abuse. Visit their website at https://1in6.org/ Women's Aid (UK): Provides information and support for women experiencing domestic violence and sexual assault. Visit their website at https://www.womensaid.org.uk/ VictimConnect: Offers a helpline and online chat services for all victims of crime in the United States. Visit their website at https://victimconnect.org/

Do you think you self-sabotage? Are you able to accept love? Does your past trauma make it hard for you to open up again? In this episode, we talk about the difference between self-sabotaging and protecting yourself, intentionality in dating, and having the courage to open up while Thomas begins his dating adventures in NYC. Enjoy! News! Kayla and Gael started a podcast company, it's called Astro Studios. Their first show just came out and it's called Friendgroup. You can listen to it here. You can also follow us on socials @teenagertherapy and follow Astro Studios @astrostudios.xyz

Do you think social media traps you into only making friends with people you have mutuals with? Does it make it harder to get out of your social bubble? In this episode, we talk about how we decide who to be friends with, if mutuals make us more or less likely to be friend with someone, and ways to try to get out of our social bubble. Enjoy! Also this is our first episode filmed in NY! Woooo! You will also notice a camera crew in the room, that's for a secret project we're a part of that we'll tell you about later! Follow us on socials everywhere @teenagertherapy

Do you feel lonely even though you have friends surrounding you? Do you feel as if you're always on the search for a deeper connection? In this episode, we talk about feeling misunderstood, alone, and how to stay connected to friends despite distance.

We're moving to NY! Sorta... In this episode, we talk about how consequential these next 2 months will be, how radically different our life will look, and the pressure to figure out who we are and what we're doing with our life.

do you feel frustrated with your body? do you feel like you're in this never-ending journey of body positivity? in this episode, we talk about our experience losing a significant amount of weight, feeling bad regardless, and what we've learned about food & exercise.

If you're like Gael, you might struggle to be on time. It seems like no matter how hard you try, you will certainly be late. In this episode, we talk about a recent situation that left Thomas and Kayla feeling frustrated, the disrespectful nature of being late, and the thought process behind why some of us struggle to be on time more than others. Enjoy!

You know those situations make you realize wow... that's a very full circle moment? In this episode, we talk about the numerous full circle moments we've had and reflect on the childhood version of us that would have gone wild if we told them what has happened. We also dive into giving life meaning and how to ensure you live a fullfilling life. Enjoy!

We asked you to give us some gooood q&a questions and you delivered. Here's a casual episode that reveals how we would all m*rder each other... in case you've been wondering.

we're nominated for a webby! vote for us here! What does it mean to give up someone? What does it feel like to be given up on? Why do we give up on people and how do we handle it? In this episode we talk about giving up on one-sided friendships, pointless relationships, and how sometimes giving up on someone is the best thing you can do to help them grow.

Do you have trouble figuring out what you want? Whether it's a big decision or a small one, why do we feel so conflicted about what the right choice is? In this episode, we talk about the frustrating experience of not knowing what we want, feeling frozen in place, and how to tune in to yourself. 

Do you feel pressured to fall into a lucrative career? The need to dream big and reach greater heights than everyone else in your family? The constant pressure to do more and be better. In this episode, we talk about the annoying stress of feeling like we're not doing enough. The feeling of believing we should have bigger dreams instead of settling for what makes us happy. 

Is it dangerous to try everything once? How do you know if you're ready to try that drug? Scared of liking it too much? In this episode, we talk about our relationship with drugs, the thought process behind if we decide to try something or not, and when you should definitely avoid something. Be safe, be responsible.

We had the privilege of speaking with US Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy on the youth mental health crisis and the importance of giving each other grace as we navigate the issues of everyday life. Enjoy!

Do you ever feel like you're not social enough? That maybe you're not a likable person? Perhaps you go through phases where you don't have the energy to talk to anyone. In this episode, we talk bout feeling like we're not social enough, having trouble getting along with people, and finding a balance between being outgoing and reserved in social situations. 

Do we give up on friendships/relationships too easily? Is it possible to heal without time apart? When is the pain and problems not worth dealing with anymore? In this episode, we talk about our relationship with each other and the lessons we've learned about friendships worth fighting for. We talk about our issues, how we resolve them, and the value of shared history.

Do you despise your own femininity? Lean towards masculinity even if it's not you? In this episode, we talk about our own struggles with our sexuality, the labels inside the community, and learning to grow into our true selves. Enjoy!

Do you ever feel like you're not doing enough? Not joining enough movements, not speaking up about important issues, not being an activist? In this episode, we talk about the shame we as POC can feel when we think about our involvement in social movements. How often times, we can beat ourselves up for not doing enough when in actuality, we should give ourselves more grace. We were busy worrying about rent, groceries, supporting our parents & caring for our mental health. It's okay if you aren't advocating for every political issue important to you. You're not any less impressive because of it. 

Do you stay in toxic relationships/friendships to avoid being alone? Are you scared of not being able to handle certain emotions without someone by your side? In this episode, we dive into the topic of learning to be alone, independence, and learning to trust yourself. We discuss the importance of being comfortable with your own company, having faith you'll pick yourself up, and realizing learning to be alone requires self-trust.

Are your wealthiest friends the ones most likely to refuse to acknowledge the wealth disparity? Perhaps they are the stingiest with their money? In this episode, we delve into the topic of nepotism and privilege and their impact on college life, focusing on the experiences of students from less privileged backgrounds. We discuss how to deal with the sense of entitlement and disregard for the financial struggles of their peers that wealthier friends may exhibit, and also offer suggestions on how to talk about money as a college student."

Do you struggle with prioritizing your own wants over the ones of your parents? In this episode, we explore the delicate balance between prioritizing oneself and prioritizing one's parents. We discuss the importance of taking care of oneself and setting boundaries, as well as the cultural and emotional factors that can make it difficult to put oneself first. 

A reflection on our coming-of-age and our last full year as teenagers. Join us as we sit on the beach at sunset to discuss the lessons we've learned throughout our adolescence. An honest episode recounting our struggles, triumphs, and hopes as we enter one of the most transformative decades of our lives.

Have you realized you feel drained instead of uplifted after spending time with some of your closest friends? Do you feel like you've outgrown your friends? In this episode, we talk about what to do when you realize you and some of your closest friends are unrecognizable. The realization that the only thing that is keeping you together is a shared history. 

What does it mean if they heart your story? Why haven't they followed you back? Why did they unfollow you? In this episode, we unpack and try to make sense of all of the social media rules that rule our experience on the internet and in our social circles. Hope you enjoy!

Do you feel guilty giving in to cravings? Do you count every calorie you eat? Have you ever punished yourself for eating a "dirty food"? In this episode, we talk about our relationship with food, our bodies, and learning to have a healthier mindset. 

How often do you truly feel loved? Do you have many moments where you do or are they rare relics? In this episode, we take a look at times we found ourselves feeling loved in the purest way possible, why we sometimes have a hard time accepting love, and how we often question why we feel so unloveable. 

We started the podcast to express the issues we go through as teens, but what happens when the success of the show changes the issues we face? At what point do we become unrelatable and our problems become far too different from when we started? In this episode, we dig into a niche issue that comes with having a social media following, such as being scared of being idolized, wanting to be treated the same, and feeling used.

*Audio corrupted, sorry for bad quality!* Are you used to being naturally good at a lot of things? Feeling like you pick things up quickly? What happens when you try something you really want to be good at and realize you’re not? In this episode, we talk about the humbling experience of genuinely feeling incompetent, how we overcome it, and times we’ve genuinely felt dumb.

In this episode, we talk about how to know when it's our job to tell our friends to do better vs when it isn't our place. We talk about the annoyance of friends that constantly ask for advice but never take it, Thomas's hatred for cheaters, and how to know when it isn't our place. Enjoy!

Have no plans for Halloweekend? Come listen to us ramble about feeling jealous of NYU kids, regretting not applying to more schools, and how to choose a Halloween costume you feel comfortable with. Enjoy!

Has something bad or weird ever happened and you feel like it's a big tragedy until you look back on it in the future and realize if it hadn't happened some other good thing wouldn't have either? In this episode we talk about learning to trust the universe, focusing on the present, and feeling hopeful for the future knowing everything will be okay. 

Did you recently break up with your partner? Have a fall out with your best friend? Have someone close to you pass away? In this episode, we talk about how to deal with the grief of losing someone you love, ways to overcome, and how losing people in our life has made us feel. Enjoy!

A very big announcement this episode. Not only does this mark our 4 year anniversary, but it also starts the beginning of a new era. Thank you for listening to us for the past four yers, we love you and can't wait to keep growing up together.

Do you run away from your problems? Maybe you give up on them? Or do you try to suppress them? In this episode, we talk about how we deal with our issues and conflict, how we can improve, and where it might come from. Enjoy!

Do you leave the room when your dad comes home? Do you find it hard to love your mom? Have you given up on your relationship with your parents? In this episode, we talk about our relationship with our parents, how it has evolved, and how we hope it progresses. Enjoy!

*Audio got corrupted, apologies for the bad sound quality* Are you an indecisive person? Do you find yourself never knowing what you want? How do you figure out what it is you want? In this episode, we talk about being indecisive, learning to make decisions, and how to figure out what we want. Enjoy!

Do you bond with your friends by going out to eat? What makes a restaurant good enough to eat at? Would you ever go vegan? In this episode we talk about our eating habits, why food is so important to our social lives, and if we’d ever go vegan. Enjoy!

Are we the assholes for accepting the free food that a waiter mistakenly offered us? Should we be okay with people stealing food? Sneaking into movie theaters? Enjoy this episode where we ramble about a bunch of topics and also say goodbye to Isaac! Enjoy!