Ken Ginsburg MD

Congrats? The word “congratulations” is not usually associated with parenting teenagers. Honestly, have you learned to expect “survival guides” to the teen years? Reflect on that for a moment. Your expectations of adolescents may have already been negatively flavored.

A distorted view of adolescence as a time of storm and stress, trouble, and turmoil fills parents with foreboding. In turn, your adolescent is sensitive to the unspoken signals you send when you fear their growth. Too many adolescents quickly learn that their stage of life is worthy of an eye roll and, worse yet, that they are disappointing their parents just by growing—a process they couldn’t stop if they wanted to.

Ginsburg provides a toolkit that will empower you with the communication skills to bring out the best in your teen, and to strengthen your relationship. It will also prepare you with the strategies you’ll need to bring your child back to being their best self if they do go astray.

Dr. Ginsburg is a pediatrician specializing in Adolescent Medicine at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and Co-Founder and Director of Programs at Center for Parent and Teen Communication. He also serves Philadelphia’s youth enduring homelessness as Director of Health Services at Covenant House Pennsylvania. The theme that ties together his clinical practice, teaching, research and advocacy efforts is that of building on the strength of teenagers by fostering their internal resilience. His goal is to translate the best of what is known from research and practice into practical approaches parents, professionals and communities can use to prepare children and teens to thrive.