Top Books for Parents and Teens Recommended by a Licensed Therapist
If you’ve ever wished for a guidebook to help you understand your teen, or wished your teen had one to understand themselves, you’re not alone. Raising tweens and teens can feel like an emotional rollercoaster, especially in today’s fast-paced, high-pressure world.
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I’m often asked what resources I recommend to help families feel more confident, connected, and equipped for these transformative years. Whether you’re parenting an anxious middle schooler or supporting a teen through emotional ups and downs, these therapist-approved reads offer insight, tools, and reassurance for both of you.
Here are 6 of my go-to book recommendations for families navigating adolescence together.
1. The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults
By Frances E. Jensen
Ever wonder why your teen does what they do even when it doesn’t make sense? Dr. Frances Jensen, a neuroscientist and mother of teenagers, breaks down the latest brain science behind adolescent behavior in an accessible and fascinating way. This book helps parents understand the neurological “construction zone” teens are in with practical advice on how to support decision-making, risk-taking, sleep, and learning. It’s both empowering and deeply informative—perfect for parents who want to approach their teen with more empathy and clarity.
2. Parenting the New Teen in the Age of Anxiety: A Complete Guide to Your Child's Stressed, Depressed, Expanded, Amazing Adolescence
By John Duffy
This modern classic acknowledges the very real stress, anxiety, and pressures today’s teens are facing and how parenting needs to evolve in response. Dr. Duffy emphasizes connection, listening, and presence over control. You’ll walk away with concrete strategies for strengthening communication and creating a home where your teen feels safe, seen, and supported, especially during emotionally turbulent times.
3. The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness
By Jonathan Haidt
For parents who are concerned about the impact technology has on emotional development, this book is essential. Jonathan Haidt explores how smartphones, social media, and reduced independence have reshaped childhood and how we can course-correct. It’s eye-opening, well-researched, and offers actionable steps for raising resilient, emotionally healthy young people in a digital-first world.
4. Think Confident, Be Confident for Teens: A Cognitive Therapy Guide to Overcoming Self-Doubt and Creating Unshakable Self-Esteem
By Marci G. Fox and Leslie Sokol
This is one of my favorite book recommendations for teens themselves. In a friendly and relatable tone, this workbook-style guide teaches practical CBT-based tools for building confidence, handling negative self-talk, and tackling social anxiety. It’s especially helpful for teens who are navigating friendship struggles, self-doubt, or school stress. Parents can even read along or discuss exercises to deepen the connection and reinforce growth.
5. Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions Into Adulthood
By Lisa Damour
“Untangled” is a must-read for parents of tween and teen girls. Dr. Lisa Damour lays out the seven key developmental stages girls go through during adolescence. From seeking more independence to developing emotional intelligence, this book helps parents know what’s normal, what to expect, and how to support each phase with compassion. It’s both validating and practical while helping parents shift from panic to perspective during tough transitions.
6. The Teen Girl's Survival Guide: Ten Tips for Making Friends, Avoiding Drama, and Coping with Social Stress
By Lucie Hemmen
Written directly for teen girls, this guide tackles social struggles head-on. It’s full of straightforward, empowering advice for navigating friendships, school pressure, and self-esteem. This is a great choice for girls who need support with boundaries, peer pressure, or just want to feel less alone. I often recommend this book to clients because it speaks the language of teens and helps them feel understood and empowered.
While books won’t fix everything, they’re a powerful starting point. Whether you’re reading on your own as a parent, sharing a book with your child, or leaving a copy on their nightstand “just in case,” these resources open doors for conversation, understanding, and growth. Every family is different, and every kid is unique. But with the right tools and compassionate guidance, it is possible to navigate these years with more confidence, connection, and awareness.
Want more resources like this?
Join my email list for therapist-approved resources, practical parenting tips, and updates on upcoming workshops and support groups for teens, tweens, and families.
Check out these related posts:
How to Use Journaling Prompts to Connect With Your Child
How to Help Teens and Tweens Regulate Overwhelming Emotions