In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Jeanine Connor – psychodynamic psychotherapist, author, and editor of the BACP Children, Young People and Families Journal. Jeanine has worked with adolescents for over 25 years, and she’s not afraid to challenge the assumptions that often cloud the conversation around young people.
We talked about the recent media frenzy following the Adolescence TV programme. Jeanine shared her frustration with the narratives that paint adolescent boys as dangerous and fuel a rush to ban smartphones. “It’s time for meaningful conversations,” she told me, “not fear and blame.”
Jeanine highlighted that for most young people today – especially Gen Z – diversity is simply part of life. “It’s not an issue,” she said. “Some people are gay, some are straight, some are trans, some are cis. It just is.” But when adults panic, banning technology or shutting down conversations, they risk isolating the very young people they want to protect.
Instead, Jeanine encourages us to listen and learn. Whether it’s about gender identity, social media use, or mental health struggles, the key is to approach young people with curiosity and respect. As she put it, “What they need is to feel seen, listened to, and loved.”
Our conversation covered everything from the influence of social media and the rise of the manosphere, to the importance of therapists being clear and open about their stance on trans issues. Jeanine doesn’t shy away from calling out misinformation and advocating for genuine inclusion.
Above all, she reminded me that young people aren’t a problem to be fixed—they’re a generation full of insight, resilience, and potential.
🎧 You can listen to the full conversation on the Good Enough Counsellors podcast here:
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