Parenting a “spicy” teen? You’re not alone. In this powerful episode of Hey Tabi, licensed trauma therapist Tabitha Westbrook sits down with Dr. Greg Wilson, LPC-S and author of When Home Hurts, to talk about raising adolescents through trauma, grief, and chaos, without losing your mind (or your compassion).

Together they unpack:
💥 Why your “ghost pepper” teen’s outbursts might actually be pain in disguise
💥 How trauma, from loss, abuse, or today’s chaotic world, shapes behavior
💥 Practical tools for parents to stay calm, connected, and regulated when kids explode
💥 How to hold firm boundaries and lead with empathy
💥 What to do when you’ve “done everything right” and your child is still struggling
💥 Why curiosity, community, and faith matter more than control

Whether you’re navigating grief, abuse recovery, or the rollercoaster of adolescence, this conversation offers hope, humor, and hard-earned wisdom.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro & Greg’s story of loss and calling
04:00 – Why kids today are more anxious and traumatized
07:00 – Balancing compassion with healthy boundaries
12:00 – Parenting ghost pepper-level teens
18:00 – How to stay regulated when your child isn’t
24:00 – Grieving the “what should have been” as a parent
36:00 – Repairing when you’ve messed up
45:00 – When faith feels shaken in parenting
54:00 – Finding safe community & not parenting alone

Resources Mentioned:
Greg's Practice - https://w

Wanna say hi? Send a text!

At The Journey and The Process we strive to help you heal. Our therapists are trauma specialists who use evidence-based tools like EMDR, Brainspotting, Somatic Experiencing, and Internal Family Systems to help you heal - mind, soul, and body. Reach out today to start your healing journey. https://thejourneyandtheprocess.com/

 This book is for every Christian woman who has been harmed sexually, whether that happened in childhood, adulthood, or even within your coercive controlling marriage, and you're longing to feel safe in your body again. We talk about the hard stuff, shame, desire, faith, and even questions like, is this sin or is this trauma?

You don't have to untangle it alone. Body & Soul, Healed & Whole is for you. Get a copy here today - https://a.co/d/8Jo3Z4V

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Order Body & Soul, Healed & Whole: An Invitational Guide to Healthy Sexuality After Trauma, Abuse, and Coercive Control

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📩 Connect with Tabitha:
💻 Tabitha's Website - www.tabithawestbrook.com
📲 Tabitha's Instagram - www.instagram.com/tabithathecounselor
🎙️ Podcast Homepage - https://heytabi.buzzsprout.com

💻 The Journey & The Process Website - www.thejourneyandtheprocess.com
📲 The Journey & The Process Instagram - www.instagram.com/_tjatp

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👍 If this episode resonated with you, please like, subscribe, and share to help others who need this information!

🚨 Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy and is intended for educational purposes only. If you're in crisis or need therapy, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional.

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