Dr. Carla Caturia

This presentation addresses the "pressure cooker" of anxiety faced by high-achieving teens who appear successful but are secretly struggling internally. Drawing on 20 years of experience with over 10,000 families, Dr. Carla Caturia reveals how external achievement can be a "false start" for burnout and why traditional over-functioning from parents often decreases a teen's confidence. Participants will be introduced to the RISE Model—focusing on Resilience, Independence, Self-Esteem, and Emotional Regulation—and discover three specific "secrets" to shifting from performance-driven pressure to identity-based confidence. By implementing small, intentional "2mm shifts," parents and educators can move beyond micromanagement into a mature, harmonious relationship that builds a teen's internal strength for the long term.

This program addresses the "high anxiety" faced by high-achieving teens who feel intense pressure to maintain perfect academic records and packed extracurricular schedules. Drawing on 20 years of experience as a school leader and professor, Dr. Carla Caturia helps parents identify the mistake of over-functioning to prevent failure, which often leaves the student feeling suffocated and distant. Through her unique SHIFT pathway—focusing on State, Habits, Integration, Foundation, and Transformation—Dr. Carla provides tactical tools to move families from micromanagement to a mature, balanced relationship. By validating a teen's internal experiences and leading with empathy, parents can replace the cycle of constant nagging with a collaborative environment that champions self-reliance and academic excellence.

This program explores the complex neurobiology of teen motivation and addresses the growing concern of disengagement. Drawing on key psychological frameworks—including Self-Determination Theory and Self-Efficacy—Dr. Carla Caturia helps parents bridge the "developmental gap" by shifting from constant reminders to supporting a teen's sense of autonomy and competence. Participants will examine the four critical dimensions of motivation—Competence, Control, Interest, and Relatedness—to understand why their teen may be unmotivated in school yet deeply passionate about other pursuits. By moving beyond the question of "why" and adopting a coaching mindset, parents will learn a tactical three-step process to handle objections and clarify the limiting beliefs that often mask as laziness. Ultimately, this session empowers parents to replace pressure with purposeful guidance, helping their teens move from a stressed, disempowered state toward an authentic and self-reliant future.