Show Notes
Dr. Janet Sasson Edgette has 30 years experience as a psychologist. She is the author of 6 books – 3 focused on adolescents. One is directed towards therapists and the other two are geared towards parents. Dr. Edgette began her work in a treatment center for teens and found that the manner in which many professionals were working with teens was not effective. She finds that teens respond best using a personalized approach where the therapist uses their humanity. Listen to the interview to find out more and check out her bio below.
Interview Highlights
[3:05] Janet shares her story about why she practices as a psychologist focusing on teens. She emphasizes that many teens do not voluntarily come for therapy and states that this has to be addressed in order for therapy to be effective.
[7:30] Janet shares some of the ways she works with teens in her practice as a clinical psychologist. She is natural and forthcoming with clients. She doesn’t ask about feelings very often as teens don’t want to be asked about how they feel. She also states that in order to be effective with adolescents, one shouldn’t overuse empathy because it is not natural for teens. At the same time, it is important to talk about personal accountability with teenagers.
[15:00] Janet discusses the 6 books that she has written and briefly explains each – the 3 that apply to teens and are: 1) Adolescent Therapy That Really Works: Helping Kids That Never Asked for Help in the First Place (a book for therapists); 2) Stop Negotiating With Your Teen: Strategies for Parenting Your Angry, Moody, Manipulative, or Depressed Adolescent (for parents); and 3) The Last Boys Picked: Helping Boys Who Don’t Play Sports Survive Bullies and Boyhood
[20:18] Janet shares how she finds time for writing. She is a night owl and loves to write after 5pm and sometimes writes on the weekends.
[24:28] Janet sees 20-23 clients per week. She does her own administrative supportive and maintains contact with physicians and schools. Janet also does clinical training with therapists and meets with parents in the community and does talks for parents. She also teaches classes for therapists.
[26:54] Janet states that she works 8-11 hours each day and often spends 5-6 hours writing on the weekends.
[30:14] Janet talks about how she attracts clients to her practice. In addition to providing talks, she sends materials to school counselors and pediatric practices. She is also active on Facebook.
[33:52] Janet reports that it can be challenging to be a solo practitioner. She also says that the business part of her practice is difficult for her and that it can be stressful to keep clients coming in.
[37:30] Janet shares her advice for others building a practice. Janet emphasizes the importance of bringing who you are and your humanity into your practice.
Bio – Janet Edgette, Psychologist – Exton, Pennsylvania
Dr. Janet Sasson Edgette is a clinical psychologist, author, and speaker with thirty years of experience practicing in the Philadelphia suburbs. Her specialty is working with children and
teenagers and their parents, with special attention to those kids who are reluctant to engage in counseling or who have had negative experiences in the past.
In fact, her article, “ Why Teens Hate Therapy” (Psychotherapy Networker, Sept/Oct 2012) has turned out to be one of the most popular pieces she’s written. Janet has written six books on parenting, counseling, and sport psychology, including the popular parenting paperback, Stop Negotiating with Your Teen: Strategies for Parenting Your Angry, Manipulative, Moody, or Depressed Adolescent, and a critically acclaimed book for mental health professionals entitled, Adolescent Therapy That Works: Helping Kids Who Never Asked for Help in the First Place.
My most recent book— called a “ MUST READ” by Parent magazine—is The Last Boys Picked: Helping Boys Who Don’t Play Sports Survive Bullying and Boyhood. In addition to her clinical work, Janet runs training workshops, speaks in her community, and consults to schools, mental health agencies, and a wide array of parenting groups.
Links
Juliet mentioned this article in the podcast: Do You Have a Uniqueness Hangup?
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