Teen Anxiety Therapy: Tools and Insights from Ann Mac Prevost, LPC

In this week’s episode of The Therapy Show, I sat down with Ann Mac Prevost, LPC, a South Carolina-based therapist who specializes in helping teenagers navigate anxiety. Ann Mac brings years of clinical experience and a deep understanding of how anxiety presents in adolescents today.

As therapists, we know that teen anxiety isn’t a one-size-fits-all issue. It can show up as social withdrawal, perfectionism, irritability, avoidance, or even emotional outbursts. In our conversation, Anne-Mac breaks down the most common anxiety profiles she sees in her practice and shares how she tailors therapy to meet teens where they are.

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Why Teen Anxiety Is on the Rise

Ann Mac highlights two major contributors to the surge in teen anxiety: COVID-19 and smartphone use. The disruption of routines, loss of social interaction, and increased reliance on screens during the pandemic amplified existing anxiety, and for many teens, reinforced avoidance behaviors that persist today.

She also emphasizes how social media creates constant opportunities for comparison, which can undermine a teen’s self-esteem and fuel anxious thought patterns.

A Family Systems Approach to Treatment

One of the most powerful takeaways from this episode is Ann Mac’s family-centered approach. Rather than working with teens in isolation, she meets with parents first to understand their role in the anxiety cycle. As she puts it, “Anxiety is a family problem.”

This approach helps identify parental accommodations that may unintentionally reinforce anxiety. Whether it’s avoiding difficult conversations, rescuing teens from uncomfortable situations, or modeling anxious responses themselves, parents often need just as much support in navigating anxiety as their children.

Validating Feelings, Challenging Behaviors

Ann Mac uses a “yes to feelings, no to behaviors” framework to help teens manage anxiety. This means validating a teen’s emotions, letting them know it’s okay to feel anxious, while still encouraging them to face their fears and build tolerance for discomfort.

In practice, this might look like:

• Validating the fear of speaking in class

• Encouraging attendance despite that fear

• Supporting gradual exposure with CBT tools

• Coaching parents to avoid over-accommodating

Practical Tools for Therapists

Throughout the episode, Ann Mac shares practical therapeutic strategies, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to challenge distorted thoughts

• Exposure therapy to reduce avoidance behaviors

• Mindfulness and breathing practices, paired with daily practice reminders

• Externalization techniques to help teens view anxiety as one part of themselves, not their whole identity

• Parent coaching to shift unhelpful family dynamics

Whether you’re new to working with teens or looking to sharpen your clinical skills, this episode offers valuable insights into how to deliver effective, collaborative teen anxiety therapy.

Links mentioned in this episode:

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The Therapy Show with Lisa Mustard is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. Always consult with your own healthcare provider regarding any personal health or medical conditions.