In this episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, Furkhan interviews Susan Caso, a seasoned therapist with over 20 years of experience. Susan shares her insights on the increasing rates of suicide, particularly among men, and the impact of the pandemic on mental health. She introduces her book, 'The Parenting Connection,' which aims to help families build stronger connections. They discuss the challenges of modern parenting, especially regarding screen time and social media's influence on teens. Susan also talks about her role in the 'LIV Project' and its efforts to raise awareness about suicide through a documentary and community initiatives. The conversation covers key strategies for fostering open, trusting relationships with children, the importance of emotional transparency, and proactive approaches to discussing mental health and suicidal ideation. As a mom of three with grown and middle school-aged children, Caso understands the complexities of raising kids in today’s hyper-connected world. Her book draws on her 20 years of clinical experience, sharing personal insights and proven strategies for fostering a deep emotional bond between caregivers and teenagers. The Parent-Teen Connection is more than just a guide—it's a roadmap for parents looking to cultivate what she calls "connectedness" within their families to safeguard teens in today's world. From building trust and belonging through the “mom/dad” role vs. the” parent” role to enhancing communication with their teens utilizing what she terms "the volley,” Caso gives families straightforward advice from both the standpoint of a therapist and a mother who has seen it all. Susan holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology and Counselor Education from the University of Colorado and undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Human Development from the University of Kansas. She studied Dr. Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics and was trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), developed by Dr. Sue Johnson and Dr. Les Greenberg. Learn more at SusanCaso.com. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:00 Susan's Background and Experience 02:36 Parenting Challenges in the Digital Age 05:40 The LIFT Project and Suicide Awareness 07:37 Proactive Approaches to Suicidal Ideation 09:42 Building Connection and Trust with Teens 13:14 Balancing Support and Independence 31:11 Addressing Suicidal Thoughts in Therapy 34:46 Supporting Friends and Family with Suicidal Thoughts 40:17 The Importance of Emotional Transparency 43:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Sponsors of the Podcast: BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/ez10 for 10% off your first month of therapy WeShape: https://weshape.postaffiliatepro.com/scripts/dcfogwyuk?a_aid=FurkhanDandia&a_bid=d7508fa8 for 35% all plans. Aura: https://aura.com/ez10 for a free two-week trial Plunge: https://plunge.com/ez Mint Mobile: https://trymintmobile.com/ezconversations for 15$ for an unlimited cell phone plan Mental: https://getmental.com/ez NuCalm: https://nucalm.com/free-trial?/ref=ez for a one-week free trial Descript: https://get.descript.com/e2d248wpwtav for creating podcast episodes If you would like to support EZ Conversations, here are all the ways you can do that: Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/eunoiazen Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/eunoiazen YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrqBp_zdRiIfBRV4wURSZ2A LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furkhan-dandia-ccc-mba-072a8a1ba/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EzConversations Or find Furkhan's Book, Pursuit of Self Love: 30 Uplifting Messages and Reflections. The Kindle version is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Pursuit-Self-Love-Uplifting-Messages-Reflections-ebook/dp/B0C4D1XYL1 Subscribe to the EZ Reflections Newsletter: https://ez-reflections-newsletter.beehiiv.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
