Does your teen seem overwhelmed by things that don’t appear hard to others? Do homework battles, emotional intensity, or social struggles feel bigger than “typical teen behavior”?

In this episode of Inside the Teen Mind, Dr. Lisa Konick and Amanda break down what neurodivergence really means in adolescence—how it shows up in emotions, behavior, anxiety, and relationships—and why it’s not about effort or attitude.

You’ll walk away with practical, compassionate strategies to reduce power struggles, adjust expectations, and better support your teen’s unique wiring.

Because when neurodivergent teens feel understood, they don’t just cope—they thrive.

About Us: Inside the Teen Mind is hosted by Dr. Lisa Konick, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Konick & Associates, and Amanda McMillen, LCSW, Executive Director of the Alive Center.

Together, they bring a compassionate, real-world perspective to understanding adolescent development, mental health, and the systems that shape teen lives. Through clinical expertise, social work insight, and a shared commitment to supporting teens and the adults who care for them, Lisa and Amanda aim to equip listeners with clarity, empathy, and practical tools to help teens thrive.

In this episode, we’re focusing on late adolescence, the launchpad stage – typically ages 18 to 24. This segment will help you understand the emotional and social transformation young adults experience as they move into independence, form stable identities, and expand their worldview.

Inside the Teen Mind is hosted by Dr. Lisa Konick, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Konick & Associates, and Amanda McMillen, LCSW, Executive Director of the Alive Center.

Together, they bring a compassionate, real-world perspective to understanding adolescent development, mental health, and the systems that shape teen lives. Through clinical expertise, social work insight, and a shared commitment to supporting teens and the adults who care for them, Lisa and Amanda aim to equip listeners with clarity, empathy, and practical tools to help teens thrive.

In this episode, we’re exploring middle adolescence, ages 15 to 17—the stage many parents describe as the “storm and stress” years. Whether you’re listening to this alone or as part of our full episode, this segment will give you insight into the emotional intensity, identity exploration, and social changes that define the high school years.

Inside the Teen Mind is hosted by Dr. Lisa Konick, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Konick & Associates, and Amanda McMillen, LCSW, Executive Director of the Alive Center.

Together, they bring a compassionate, real-world perspective to understanding adolescent development, mental health, and the systems that shape teen lives. Through clinical expertise, social work insight, and a shared commitment to supporting teens and the adults who care for them, Lisa and Amanda aim to equip listeners with clarity, empathy, and practical tools to help teens thrive.

This segment focuses on early adolescence, typically ages 10 to 14. Even if you’re joining us just for this portion, you’ll get a clear picture of what’s happening during this important transition from childhood to the early teen years. This is the stage where rapid physical, cognitive, and emotional changes begin to take center stage—and parents often describe it as the moment when their once-predictable child starts to feel like a stranger in their own home.

Read the Blog! For a deeper dive into what parents and educators are really noticing during this stage, we invite you to read our companion blog post. In Stages of Adolescence: What Parents & Educators Are Really Seeing, we break down the developmental shifts of early adolescence, explain why behaviors can change so quickly, and share practical insights to help you respond with confidence and connection. Read more here.

Inside the Teen Mind is hosted by Dr. Lisa Konick, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Konick & Associates, and Amanda McMillen, LCSW, Executive Director of the Alive Center.

Together, they bring a compassionate, real-world perspective to understanding adolescent development, mental health, and the systems that shape teen lives. Through clinical expertise, social work insight, and a shared commitment to supporting teens and the adults who care for them, Lisa and Amanda aim to equip listeners with clarity, empathy, and practical tools to help teens thrive.

The final trailer is here! Listen to the Episode 3 trailer of "Inside the Teen Mind - Late Adolescents: The Launchpad Stage".

In Episode 3, Dr. Lisa Konick and Amanda McMillen, LCSW, dive into Late Adolescence—the time of major transitions, independence, and preparing for adulthood. Gain practical insights, understand the challenges teens face, and learn strategies to support them as they navigate these crucial years.

Don’t miss this 3-part mini-series—clarity, empathy, and tools for every adult who cares about teens!

Inside the Teen Mind is hosted by Dr. Lisa Konick, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Konick & Associates, and Amanda McMillen, LCSW, Executive Director of the Alive Center.

Together, they bring a compassionate, real-world perspective to understanding adolescent development, mental health, and the systems that shape teen lives. Through clinical expertise, social work insight, and a shared commitment to supporting teens and the adults who care for them, Lisa and Amanda aim to equip listeners with clarity, empathy, and practical tools to help teens thrive.

🎧 Dive deeper into the teen mind! Listen to the Episode 2 trailer of "Inside the Teen Mind: The Roller Coaster Stage".

In Episode 2, Dr. Lisa Konick and Amanda McMillen, LCSW, explore Middle Adolescence—the age of independence, identity shifts, and intense emotions. This episode breaks down what’s happening in teen brains and gives practical, real-world strategies for parents, educators, and caregivers.

Get ready for insight, empathy, and tools to help your teen thrive!

Inside the Teen Mind is hosted by Dr. Lisa Konick, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Konick & Associates, and Amanda McMillen, LCSW, Executive Director of the Alive Center.

Together, they bring a compassionate, real-world perspective to understanding adolescent development, mental health, and the systems that shape teen lives. Through clinical expertise, social work insight, and a shared commitment to supporting teens and the adults who care for them, Lisa and Amanda aim to equip listeners with clarity, empathy, and practical tools to help teens thrive.

🎧 Curious what’s really going on in your teen’s mind? Listen to the Episode 1 trailer of "Inside the Teen Mind - Early Adolescents: The Construction Phase".

Dr. Lisa Konick and Amanda McMillen, LCSW, give a sneak peek of their 3-part mini-series on Early, Middle, and Late Adolescence. Practical insights, real talk, and expert strategies await!

Inside the Teen Mind is hosted by Dr. Lisa Konick, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Konick & Associates, and Amanda McMillen, LCSW, Executive Director of the Alive Center.

Together, they bring a compassionate, real-world perspective to understanding adolescent development, mental health, and the systems that shape teen lives. Through clinical expertise, social work insight, and a shared commitment to supporting teens and the adults who care for them, Lisa and Amanda aim to equip listeners with clarity, empathy, and practical tools to help teens thrive.

Welcome to Inside the Teen Mind, a psychology-informed look into the world of teens. Join Dr. Lisa Konick and Amanda McMillen, LCSW, as they utilize their over 40 years of combined experience working with adolescents in both professional and personal capacities to provide insight and practical tips to support youth as they navigate the teen years.

Inside the Teen Mind is hosted by Lisa Konick, PhD, licensed clinical psychologist and Founder of Konick & Associates, and Amanda McMillen, LCSW, Executive Director of The Alive Center. Together, they bring a compassionate, real-world perspective to understanding adolescent development, mental health, and the systems that shape teen lives. Through clinical expertise, social work insight, and a shared commitment to supporting teens and the adults who care for them, Lisa and Amanda aim to equip listeners with clarity, empathy, and practical tools to help teens thrive.