Resilient Teens How Mindful Healing is Transforming Adolescent Mental Health with Lianna Tsangarides

Episode Topic

In this episode of "Mastering Counseling," host Becky Coplen sits down with Lianna Tsangarides, the founder of Mindful Healing, to explore the transformative power of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in treating teenagers. Lianna shares her journey from working in intensive outpatient and residential settings to establishing her own practice focused on long-term healing for teens struggling with self-harm, suicidal ideation, and intense emotions. This conversation delves into the unique challenges teenagers face in today’s digital age and how Mindful Healing’s comprehensive DBT program helps them build resilience, emotional regulation, and coping skills that lead to lasting change.

Lessons You’ll Learn

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the practical application of DBT in a therapeutic setting, particularly for teenagers grappling with high-risk behaviors. Lianna explains how a structured, goal-oriented approach, combined with mindfulness practices, can effectively reduce self-harm, manage anger outbursts, and help teens gain control over their emotions. You’ll also learn about the importance of parent involvement in therapy, the role of group sessions in reinforcing DBT skills, and the benefits of tracking progress through data. This episode provides a deep understanding of how to create a supportive environment that fosters long-term healing for adolescents.

About Our Guest

Lianna Tsangarides is a licensed clinical social worker and the founder of Mindful Healing, a therapy practice dedicated to helping teenagers through Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). With a background in intensive outpatient programs and residential care, Lianna was inspired to create a therapeutic space where teens could engage in long-term healing rather than cycling through crisis care. At Mindful Healing, she leads a team that offers both individual and group therapy sessions, specializing in DBT for adolescents dealing with self-harm, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation. Lianna’s approach emphasizes mindfulness, emotional resilience, and comprehensive care, making her practice a beacon of hope for struggling teens and their families.

Topics Covered

This episode covers a wide range of topics related to DBT and adolescent mental health. Lianna discusses the foundational principles of DBT, including mindfulness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance, and how these skills are taught and reinforced in both individual and group therapy settings. The conversation also touches on the unique challenges that today's teenagers face, such as social media anxiety and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, Lianna provides insight into the operational side of running a therapy practice, from choosing a name that reflects the practice’s mission to managing the business aspects of a growing team. The episode wraps up with a look at the future of Mindful Healing, including the expansion of parent programs and new group offerings.