Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens

215: Is It Possible to Talk About Feelings Too Much?

Apr 15, 2025
A deep look at when emotional talk helps and when it becomes harmful rumination. Practical ways to reroute spiraling conversations and offer nonverbal coping options. Signs that persistent overanalysis may point to anxiety or OCD tendencies. Strategies to get teens to open up and to support them without needing every detail.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Talks That Heal Versus Talks That Spin

  • Talking about feelings helps when it produces relief by verbalizing emotions.
  • If conversation leaves a teen feeling worse, it has likely become rumination.
ADVICE

Reroute Gently Toward Other Coping Tools

  • Acknowledge the teen and name the pattern: suggest talking may be making them feel worse.
  • Offer alternative coping options and elevate them alongside talking, like music or exercise.
INSIGHT

Feelings Inform, They Don't Decide

  • Therapists teach emotional fluency and then remind clients feelings don't decide actions.
  • The goal is knowing feelings but bringing them back under control to move on.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app