Teen Speak logo

Teen Speak® Is a Teen Communication Program for Parent Engagement in Youth Mental Health

Our evidence-based skill-building program that you can share with parents helps them have more confident and connected conversations about youth mental health, risk … about youth mental health, risky behaviors and everyday life.

Because Teens Don’t Come With a Playbook

Parents today face a perfect storm—technology overload, academic pressures, and social stressors leave many feeling disconnected from their teens.

Teens who feel more connected:

  • Use less substances
  • Delay having sex
  • Have less depressive feelings leading to suicide

Yet professionals hear from parents all the time:

  • “We just talk past each other.”
  • “It’s like we’re speaking different languages.”
  • “I worry about my teen and don’t know how to reach them.”

Practical Skills for Real Conversations

Teen Speak turns proven professional communication strategies into accessible, parent-friendly tools. Delivered in short, relatable modules, the program helps parents:

  • Build trust and understanding with their teens
  • Navigate sensitive conversations without judgment
  • Address topics like mental health, substance use, peer pressure, and social media stress
Teen Speak on a laptop

“Grounded in over 25 years of youth and family expertise, Teen Speak empowers parents while strengthening the professional-parent partnership.”

– Dr. Jennifer Salerno, DNP, CPNP, FAANP, visionary behind Teen Speak

Backed by Research. Built for Parents. Delivered by You.

Guidance icon

Real-World, Relatable Guidance

Inspired by the real-life challenges parents face every day.

Strategy icon

Evidence-Based Strategies

Proven methods made simple, supportive, and easy to apply.

Digital formats icon

Engaging and Flexible Digital Learning Formats

Bite-sized micro-learning, a self-paced online course, and interactive workshops.

When Conversations Improve, So Do Outcomes

78% of parents

felt confident during challenging situations.

77% of parents

reported comfort talking about high-risk behaviors.

53% of parents

reported a strong parent-teen connection.

*following Teen Speak participation

Our Solutions for Impacting Parent-Teen Relationships

For Professionals: The Teen Speak Training of Educators

Equip yourself to deliver Teen Speak parent skill-building workshops through our exclusive facilitator training. Graduates receive:

  • Teen Speak Facilitator Certificate
  • Step-by-step facilitator guide
  • Ready-to-use workshop presentations, videos, and resource materials
  • Discounts on Teen Speak books, virtual courses, and workbooks

For Parents: Teen Speak Delivered in Three Flexible Formats

Micro-Learning Modules:

Quick, practical tips parents can access anytime via a simple link you share.

Teen Speak Course document

Parent Online Course:

An engaging, self-paced program that builds communication skills and strengthens relationships.

Parent-Teen Workshop:

A dynamic two-hour live event bringing parents and teens together to laugh, connect, and learn new strategies they can put to use immediately.

Teen Speak on YouTube

“Teen Speak brings much-needed science to the complex task of parenting teens. Dr. Salerno’s real life scenarios and practical suggestions reflect her professional expertise as a nurse practitioner who has cared for many teens and guided preventive care improvements among clinicians and public health professionals. This book offers numerous techniques that aim to transfer healthy decision making skills from parent to teen. A must read for all parents!” – Margaret McManus, The National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health

“Teen Speak provides excellent techniques for talking with teens and finding ways to adapt our approaches to avoid conversational dead ends. I plan to use these with my patients and my sons.” – Dr. Steve North, Family Physician and Adolescent Medicine Specialist

“Teen Speak is the closest thing to an owner’s manual for parents of teenagers. They will find insight about their developing teens and practical advice and guidance on how to support healthy parent-teen relationships. A must read for every parent!” – Dr. Terri D. Wright, American Public Health Association

Get the Teen Speak Book: A Guide to Understanding and Communicating with Your Teen

The stronger your relationship with your teen, the greater the opportunity to guide them through the challenges the teen years present. This guide translates the strategies employed by healthcare professionals into accessible, practical tactics for parents who want to build and strengthen a trusting relationship with their tween or teen that will last through adulthood.

Teen Speak cover

Ready to Strengthen Your Connections With Teen Speak?