Dr. Lisa Damour Shares Insights on Teen Wellness at SCH

This week, SCH welcomed clinical psychologist and New York Times bestselling author Dr. Lisa Damour for a series of insightful presentations, sponsored by the McCausland Foundation, for students, families, and faculty.

“There’s nothing quite like seeing Lisa in person,” said Head of School Steve Druggan. “She really distills down the essence of the challenge of parenting and teaching in today’s world.”

Dr. Damour, known for her books like Untangled and The Emotional Lives of Teenagers, focused on coping. She discussed normalizing the experience of discomfort, stress, and anxiety, emphasizing that a mentally healthy teen has the adaptive coping skills (think: playlists, cuddles with the dog, skincare routines!) to manage these normal feelings. 

“Every way we slice the data, we get one result in terms of what matters in the health and well-being of kids, and it’s the quality of their relationships with the adults in their lives,” she told families, noting that “holding space” for children when they want to talk about their feelings is crucial. 

Students explored the concept of productive struggle, learning that school is supposed to be challenging because this is a place where growth and learning happen. She also talked to Middle School students about her experience as a consultant on Inside Out 2.

The visit reinforced SCH's commitment to its Culture of Wellness initiative, integrating research-backed approaches to support the emotional and psychological well-being of all members of the community.

You can find resources on Dr. Damour’s robust website, including chatting with Rosalie, her “AI-powered librarian,” here.