The teenage brain

Any parent with a teenager can tell you that their child’s adolescent years can be confusing, anxiety-ridden, tumultuous. Even the strongest parent/child relationships are tested during this time, leaving both sides frustrated. But what parents, teens, and teens might not know is that these behavioral changes are greatly influenced by neurobiology.

Our guest is Dr. Dan Siegel, the author of Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain. Based on groundbreaking research in interpersonal neurobiology, Dr. Siegel explores how brain development affects teenage behavior and relationships, and helps promote understanding between parents and their teens.

Dr. Siegel is currently clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine where he is on the faculty of the Center for Culture, Brain, and Development and the Co-Director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center. Daniel J. Siegel received his medical degree from Harvard University and completed his postgraduate medical education at UCLA with training in pediatrics and child, adolescent and adult psychiatry. He served as a National Institute of Mental Health Research Fellow at UCLA, studying family interactions with an emphasis on how attachment experiences influence emotions, behavior, autobiographical memory and narrative. He is the also the author of many books, including the award winning books Parenting from the Inside Out and Mindsight.

Click here to listen to Dr. Siegel’s basic review of breath reflections »

Web Extra

Dr. Dan discusses teens and autism with Carol Moog who co-authored The Autism Playbook For Teens with Irene McHenry.