July 2022

C LEAMLIVING

Langley High School

Version

ACCOUNTING & TAX SERVICES

Iche Chiu | 360 CPA 866-550-2050 360.cpa

PERMANENT MAKE-UP

Paola Soto | Synergy Beauty 703-734-0772 synergybeautytysons.com

ACUPUNCTURIST

Dr. Sarah Alemi | Eastern Roots Wellness 571-354-6643 easternrootswellness.com

BAKERY

Sandra Penetta | Sweetbites Cafe 703-448-1115 sweetbitescafe.com

CAREER COACH

Kelly Featheringham | Kelly Featheringham ACC, Executive Career Coach 914-489-8856 | kellyfeatheringham.com

EDUCATION

Jinsil Kim | C2 Education of McLean 703-288-4400 c2educate.com

THERAPEUTIC WELLNESS

Yully Ludena | Yulli Therapeutic Healing Center 571-888-5193 yullitherapeuticmassage.com

FACIALS

Anita Azimi | Amazonite Spa by Anita 571-300-5058 amazonitespa.com

FURNITURE

Joni Foerter | Front Porch Furniture Rescue 703-543-9248 frontporchfurniturerescue.com

HAIR STYLIST

Daniel Bechara | Salon Daniel 703-893-5000 salondaniel.com

HEATING AND AIR

Brian Anderson TemperaturePro Northern Virginia 703-828-0886 | temperaturepro.com

REAL ESTATE

Brian Mason | Home Sold 540-314-8745 besteverrealtor.com

RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Stephanie Q. Lawrence | Vinson Hall 703-936-6501 vinsonshall.org

DENTIST

Dr. Negar Tehrani | Aura Dentistry 703-748-1900 auradentistry.com

INSURANCE

Milena Bu | State Farm 225-252-1932 buforyou.com

MOVER

Gina Kovatch | Petra Moving Company 703-547-7631 petramovingcompany.com

MENTAL HEALTH

Eva-Maria Theodosiadis, MD & Dr. Debra Brosius | Integrated Psychology Associates of McLean, LLC 703-215-4101 debrabrosius.com | ipamclean.com

Gloria Bruni

Executive: Crissy Moore Hall

Amanda Capehart

Photographer: Tatiana Dove

ADVERTISING

Contact: Gloria Bruni

gbruni@bestversionmedia.com

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Dear McLean,

The Land of the Free

PHOTO BY TATIANA DOVE

Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements

advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability or timeliness of any content submitted. All content submitted is done so

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Since we last welcomed you into our pages, our nation, and our city, have both celebrated many things. Celebrations have been a bit different these past two years, of course; no festivals or fireworks. But America is now another year older, nonetheless. I hope that despite these trying times you and your loved ones found a way to keep your patriotic spirits alive and remember what a beautiful thing it is to live in the land of the free, I can really say it after growing up in a third world country most of my life .

I don’t know about you, but I intend to dress the flag on the Fourth and wear some red, white and blue. It’s a reminder of what we’re made of. Grit. We don’t quit, my heritage may be another but I was born in the home of the brave.

Talking about freedom, Congrats to our Langley HS Seniors who just graduated and have just encountered “freedom” and adulthood.

Graduation is a time of life that will never come back; you feel so proud of yourself for completing your studies because this is the day that all the hard work you have put in finally pays off. A new phase of life starts right after graduation, so, it can also be termed as the beginning of your success. This is such a joyous and proud moment of celebration. You should enjoy every minute of this day because it is a day that pays off all your hard work.

It was a Wednesday and I just had ankle surgery but I got up to supervise this wonderful photo shoot where my heart melted when I met these 5 superb kids that made me want to start my life all over again.

These five wonderful “kids” who have accomplished so many amazing things starting with Isabella the 1 millon follower social media art influencer; then came William a perfectly groomed young man with the perfect attitude that is going to Yale. Then, McKenzie the Boss of the entrepreneurs and co-captain of the Langley Golf team. Kyle amazed me because he is going to Notre Dame (my dream school for Allegra my daughter) GO IRISH! I went to ND last fall to drop off my amazing and super smart niece Cristina who also makes me want to live my life again. Last but not least; I met Ulaina, this athletic beautiful girl captain of the Rowing team and not just that, she’s going to Stanford. WOW its just WOW to all of them!!

These kids give me hope for the future of our country.

Happy Independence day to all of you McLeaners (Yes! I just invented this word) and thank you for all your positive feedback, please keep contributing to our cute little community magazine that is just here to make your life happier.

Please don’t forget to thank all our Amazing Sponsors for our magazine!!

Yours truly,

NEED FURNITURE?

This Is The Best Time to Purchase Vintage

by Joni Foerter, The Back Dorr

Indefinite shipping delays, poor materials and build quality, transport damage and bigger carbon footprints and deforestation. Do these sound great to you? If not, consider browsing vintage furniture shops for a more affordable, higher quality pieces of furniture. Vintage furniture’s primary advantage is being made of higher quality material, particularly hardwoods, with often superior craftsmanship. In addition, you see the actual item you are going to purchase, not a floor sample or catalog photo. It is not shipped from out of the country, a very time consuming pursuit, nor is it delivered in a flat box with a novel-sized instruction manual that is hard to read.

According to Zillow, “Secondhand furniture and décor will be in demand, a trend driven by supply issues and the desire to reduce waste by giving used furnishings a new life” and “younger homeowners will put a modern twist on design trends that were prominent during their childhoods.” And WSJ indicates that “interior designers and homeowners,

fed up with endless waits for new purchases, are turning to antique, vintage and even contemporary resale furnishings for quicker delivery.”

At shops like Furniture Rescue in Fairfax, VA; there are thousands of pieces of vintage furniture and home decor items that have been previously owned. Why not either buy a previously owned piece or perhaps work some magic on pieces you already own, including that great hand me down from great Aunt Lilly? These types of shops specialize in helping each customer find just the right piece to meet their defined purpose, fit to their space,and to their aesthetic. Consider having the furniture painted, or stained. Another popular option is a paintstain combo. Pinterest has great photo ideas of different paint stain combinations. Learn DYI techniques or find experts to get the job done. Is your furniture too short or too tall? Perhaps modification is a way to modernize something that you really love. If it’s no longer your vibe, consider purchasing new-to-you vintage furniture. Full service shops should be able to take almost any piece of vintage

furniture and either restore to its glory days or create a new future for its vintage bones. Full service rescue operations might include offering repairs, refinishing, painting, creating decorative upgrades and as needed, or adding just a touch of expert TLC to refresh furniture.

New furniture is increasingly harder to find and more expensive. Whereas, vintage furniture has some of the finest and seasoned woods that have been expertly handcrafted and may just need to hit the ‘refresh’ button to add many more years to its life. As we recycle these pieces of furniture back our lifestyles, we avoid much of the waste and energy that is needed to create new furniture. A great alternative is to bring a vintage piece of furniture into your new lifestyle. Forbes, “The trend of sustainability is here to stay.”

All this time at home has made people yearn for a fresh look. The spike in home remodeling and all the moving around people have created new spaces to fill. The Washington Post sees that “Frustrated consumers still waiting for a headboard and bedside tables they ordered six months ago

SIGN UP FOR OUR CLASSES ONLINE. Book a private class for up to 12 friends, great for birthdays or special events. A great fundraiser for your organization.

“Every piece of furniture we work with has a story”

are increasingly willing to buy previously owned.”.

The pandemic made us reinspect our furniture and take care of it. Furniture Rescue has seen a significant uptick in refinishing and repairs. Reusing old furniture is a natural choice to reduce waste for sustainability-minded consumers. Find your new family heirloom that used to belong to another family.

Join us for our upcoming classes:

All Classes taught at 3158 Spring St., Fairfax, VA 22031, all materials included and all are taught by Joni Foerter. All classes begin at 6:00 pm except the class on Tuesday, October 11. Classes fill quickly, so register early. Register at https://furniturerescue.myshopify.com/ collections/classes

PAINTING 101 CLASS - July 16, August 18, September 14, October 11 (noon to 3pm), November 17, December 8, $135

Come learn about furniture painting. You'll master the techniques necessary to create your own beautiful heirloom at home. I'll show you the proper application of paint, distressing, and finishing. You’ll take home hand painted sample boards and the confidence to tackle your project. Learn about the difference in paint types, furniture prep, paint application and a variety of finwish techniques.

OYSTER PAINTING CLASS - August 12, October 7, December 7 $85

Join us for an Oyster Shell Painting Class. Each student will make and take two adorable Oyster Shell Ring Dishes and a Wine Bottle Hang Tags or Holiday Ornaments. Each participant will get to choose their own oysters and choose from many designs. All materials included. Additional oyster painting kits are available for purchase at the time of the class.

PAINTING 201 CLASS - September 29 $135

Open to anyone who has taken the Painting 101 class at Furniture Rescue. Learn advanced finishing techniques, tackling difficult to work with projects, stencils. Also practice using molds, applicques, stencils and more to dress up any finish.

DINING CHAIR RECOVER CLASS - July 13 $135

Update a set of dining room chairs by re-covering the cushions with a stylish new fabric. Each student can bring one or two chair bottoms for recovering. Please bring two yards of your own fabric. Check out the upcoming article from Joni at Furniture Rescue. How to identify quality vintage furniture, it could be your next family heirloom.

Haynes, Grace. “These Will Be the Top Home Decor Trends of 2022, According to Zillow” Southern Living, 08 December 2022.

Koncius, Jura. “Antique and vintage sales have soared, thanks to supply chain issues” Washington Post, 26 January 2022.

Lauren, Amanda. “What Zillow, Wayfair, Yelp And 1stDibs Are Predicting About Home Design Trends In 2022” Forbes, 27 December 2021.

Slatalla, Michelle. “How Shipping Delays Turned Used Furniture Into a Hot Commodity” Wall Street Journal, 24 Feb 2022.

RENT

P

ALL TYPES OF

RETREAT

by Yully Ludena, Yulli Therapeutic Healing Center

Cusco – Day 1

Program begins with one transfer from the Cusco airport to your lovely hotel conveniently situated off the historic Plaza de Armas.

Cusco & Sacred Valley Day-2

Visit the vat Inkan site of Saksaywaman overlooking the city of Cusco. Continue on to the ritual fountains at Tampumachay. Participate in a ceremony to honor Yaku, the spirit of water, to open the body’s chakras.. A traditional coca-leaf ceremony invites you to tap into the presence and energies of Pachamama, Mother Earth.

Fire Ceremony Day-3

AM: This day is dedicated to Pachamama, Mother Earth. Relax in the splendors of nature and enjoy a tour of the Seven Chakra Gardens. Optional private coca-leaf reading with an authentic Qero healer visiting from the high Andes.

School Visit & P’isaq Day-4

An ayni day. Drive through the Sacred Valley to a Quechua mountain school supported by the nonprofit Willka T’ika Children’s Fund. Since 1995, Willka T’ika has supported high mountain community communities where few tourists are privileged to visit. Continue to the spectacular ruins of P’isaq, overlooking impressive Incan terraces. Hike to the Temple of the Sun and walk in a silent personal vision quest.

Machu Picchu Day-5

Visit the sunlit terraces of Machu Picchu. Enjoy a fabulous guided tour of the ancient “City of Light.” Experience a journey through the masculine energy temples of political and spiritual power, followed by a deep reconnection of feminine earth energies. Hike to Inti Punku, the original Incan Gateway to the Sun or to the Incan bridge.

that

This is a different type of massage experience. At Yulli Therapeutic Healing Center you’ll never have the same treatment twice. That’s because our therapists customize each session to what your body needs at that specific moment in time. Step into our calming studio and leave the rest to us.

YULLY LUDENA

Ollantaytampu & Maras Day-6

the ceremonial site of Ollantaytampu and its famous Sun Temple. Meditate in the Chakra Gardens of your choice and allow yourself time to receive the ancestral crown chakra energies beneath the 1000-yearold lucuma tree. Enjoy an Andean SPA treatment, or crystal light therapy session.

Day-7

town of

Departure

for early morning yoga, meditation or a closing session before breakfast. Ideal flights to schedule depart from Cusco between 2 pm-5 p.m. Additional costs apply for an individual transfer for guests with earlier/later departures. Arrive home feeling blessed with the pure spiritual energy of your transformational Andean journey-of-a-lifetime.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Outstanding Future ON THEIR WAY TO AN

Kyle

PHOTOS BY TATIANA DOVE

QUESTION & ANSWER SERIES COMPILED BY GLORIA BRUNI

McKenzie Kousoum Hiek

What he has accomplished before college:

• 1st place Model UN champion eight times at the state, national, and international level (five consecutively)

• Elected Student Equity Ambassador Leader for Langley High School by the county Superintendent and Principal

• Founder of MH Academy (focuses on students with speech impediments and debate)

• Founder Fairfax County Public Schools Equity Coalition (joins organizations around FCPS to encourage activism)

• Co-founder of Bullseye Landscaping (local landscaping company with 15+ employees and 75+ customers)

• Semifinalist for Posse Scholarship (merit based leadership program)

• Elected Best Delegate in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia Model UN Circuit 20212022 (first place)

• Founder and President of the Langley Diversity and Equity Club (facilitates discussion through town halls and charity events)

• Vice President of the National Honor Society

• 2nd place record holder for all time gavel count at Langley High School (11 gavels)

• National Speech and Debate Association Top 10 international speaker Langley High School Principal Award Recipient (only 1 student chosen out of 434)

What his friend & mentor says:

McKenzie is a student with the talent to succeed anywhere because of his natural charisma and generosity to help. I met him when he was about 11, I have been a witness to his rapid growth in the abilities to think independently and to efficiently problem-solve. When we were coaching debate, I could legitimately delegate tasks to him and expect them to be executed with creativity and intelligence; for a teenage boy to be that intellectually competent is rare. Argumentative reasoning in context is hard even for adults. For him to develop this skill and try, himself, to teach it to children quietly impressed me with his character and his poise. The startlingly prescient business proposals he's brought to me for counsel in the past 2 years have convinced me that, if he were not so young, he could already be a founder or entrepreneur. He's just-plain fun to be around, and you couldn't find a more optimistic guy, who stays on track, shedding setbacks like water off a duck's back. He's the kind of student who other students will love to have around because he's so positive, approachable, and confident.

In the future :

I look to study finance, especially with the goals to one day pursue a career in investment banking or eventually entrepreneurship. I want to be an individual who can better link ethics with everyday capitalism to benefit the most amount of stakeholders. I am currently going to study finance at Penn State, however, look to attend graduate school or finish my undergraduate degree at another institution”

When he goes off to college, he will miss Sunday brunches with his mom Kolyma as well as going to the gym with his sister Cami. Those are moments, that while some may consider small, are special to him to decompress and laugh with the people he loves, as well as playing with Happy his dog and feeding him Puppy ice cream.

Just like you, Bud has held many roles, each providing different challenges. He is not letting any challenges slow him down. Just like you, he is resilient.

Come explore Vinson Hall Retirement Community and hear from our residents. Learn how to take control of your future and remain resilient. Call us today to schedule a tour!

“Always wake up ambitious and go to bed knowing that you tried your best.”

Kyle Matthew Hund

“God, Country, Notre Dame”

• President of the French Club

• Member of National, Science, French, and Math Honor Societies

• Track Runner- Hurdles and Sprinter

His Favorite memories from high school:

“The McLean v. Langley football game where Langley won it at the last second”

What his mentor says:

Kyle is a graduate of Langley High School, Class of 2022. He will be attending the University of Notre Dame and plans to major in Finance and Economics at the Mendoza College of Business.

Kyle is an intelligent, hard-working, and motivated young man. He participated in year-round athletics to include Varsity track as a hurdler, joined many school activities including

French Club and National Honor Society, and excelled in a rigorous AP schedule while maintaining a 4.5 GPA. Kyle volunteers as a McLean youth basketball coach for his younger brother’s team and during the last few summers volunteered with St. Luke Catholic Church through their weeklong summer “Work Camp.” He has held a part-time job at Wegmans since September 2020 and was the recipient of a 2022-2023 Wegmans Scholarship. He is also an avid gym goer.

Kyle’s most endearing qualities are his resiliency and willingness to embrace new experiences. Growing up in a military family, Kyle moved 8 times during his first 18 years of life and attended 6 different schools. He lived abroad in England for 6 of those years and attended British schools, traveling to over 30 countries. Kyle is excited to study abroad while he’s a student at Notre Dame. He is a remarkable young man with a bright future ahead.

What her Mentor says about her:

When I think about what makes this community exceptional, the words compassionate, inspiring, and resourceful come to mind. Ulaina Ahn embodies these qualities and more. She stands out for her emotional maturity, genuine enthusiasm, and care for humanity. I first met Ulaina when she approached me, interested in my work with refugees. But she was unlike many people that have done so– Ulaina had thoroughly researched the field and developed critical questions that captured some of the complexities in working with refugee communities. I was taken aback by her insight, intellect, and internal motivation to support those that are disproportionately affected by adversity.

Through conversations with her, I find myself forgetting that she's a high school student. She asks questions that are both technical and personal, with a confidence and humility that are difficult to carry as a young person. A quick learner and always willing to help, Ulaina has become a go-to person for me in learning new skills. Ulaina is versatile and skilled in multiple areas and shares her knowledge

with those around her. I’m so excited to see her flourish – it’s a pleasure to support her compassionate and creative ideas and I’m so thankful for her presence in the community.

-Suzan Song MD, MPH, PhD

In The future :

She will be attending Stanford University for a double major in political science and economics and a minor in philosophy.

We at McLean Living Magazine are sure that being welcomed to one of the most prominent schools on the planet is a feeling like no other. Once you step foot on the campus, you know that you have just taken a step towards a bright future.

“To be good, and to do good, is all we have to do.” - John Adams

William Wallace-Gomez Orr

• Intern at the Smithsonian Institution working with their collection of humanoid robots.

Strode

William is the son of David Orr and Selma Gomez Orr with Camila his sister. His grandparents are Peter and Joan Orr as well as Orlando and Selma Gomez.

National Merit

• National

Co-President

• Captain of school’s

• Advisory Council of

Academic team

Co-Editor of the Teen Newsletter of the CDC Museum

"William is one of the most polished young men to ever come through Langley High School. He has a real passion for learning, and it showed each and every day. Whether he was trying to crack the secrets of multivariate calculus or brushing up on his literature knowledge for a Quizbowl match, William is unmatched in his hunger for knowledge. He is a fiercely dedicated friend and a role model for his peers. This was especially apparent in his role as President/Captain of the Quizbowl and Scholastic Bowl teams."

"In his two years with this role William transformed the program with his leadership and grew the program by inviting any and all to join. He ensured that Quizbowl was welcoming and accessible for all; a place where members could have a good time and be themselves. Langley won’t be the same without William, but he is leaving it a much better place than when he began. William represents the best of us in Saxon Country!"

- Teachers/Coaches Elisa Steele and Jay O’Rourke College/Career Plans: Yale University

“Something that I will miss while at college is hiking in Great Falls Park with my family. “

Eastern Roots Wellness:

Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic

AREA’S PREMIERE NATURAL PAIN RELIEF CLINIC

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BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

"Practice makes progress, not perfect"

What she has accomplished before college:

• Derwent contracts and campaigns

• She did a Michaels PRIDE campaign

• She’s worked on campaings for ARTEZA, Derwent, Instagram, Pentel, Snapchat & Youtube

• Art director for National English Honor Society & member of Russian Honor Society

• Social media influencer with over 1 million followers across all platforms, notably 750k+ on TikTok and 400k+ on YouTube

AWARDS

• Scholastic Art and Writing silver key (2018)

• 100,000 YouTube subscribers milestone plaque

What her teacher says: I have known Isabella Obradovich for over a year, first as her 11th grade English teacher and this year as her 12th grade English teacher. I can say unequivocally that Isabella is one of the best students I have had the pleasure of teaching. Isabella seeks to be a better student at every opportunity, and is an enthusiastic learner of all subjects, even those she does not feel personally interested in. Isabella is a compassionate and conscientious classmate, and can work cooperatively with anyone. Isabella fiercely supports her classmates, especially when

they are struggling. She never hesitates to check-in on her peers and her teachers. Isabella has even asked me every day how I am doing and always offers to help me with classroom tasks. Outside of school, Isabella is an (obviously) talented artist in various mediums. She is also skilled in social media, serving as an Instagram Ambassador. She is passionate about using social media in a positive way to share her art expertise and highlight other creators. Isabella is a dedicated, thoughtful, and dependable person. She has made an immeasurable impact on me in the time I have known her. I know the world is a better place because Isabella is in it. Should you have any further questions about Isabella, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely, Riley Cosgrove English Teacher, Langley High School

In the Future: “ I plan to study Art Education at Miami University and pursue a career as an art teacher while continuing to be an influencer on the side.”

Contact us to Book your FREE Barre Class!

M c LEAN MARKET is Sizzling

PND 918 Mackall Ave Mclean 3 3 $1,500,000.00

PND 1164 Randolph Rd Mclean 5 4/1 $1,994,900.00

PND 6444 Elnido Mclean

6 $2,500,000.00

PND 6425 Noble Dr Mclean 4 3 $1,049,000.00

PND 907 Georgetown Ridge Ct Mclean 5 6/1 $3,775,000.00

PND 6645 Kirkley Ave Mclean 6 6/1 $2,525,000.00

PND 6618 Malta Mclean 6 6/3 $7,900,000.00

PND 1532 Wrightson Dr Mclean 7 7/1 $2,575,000.00

PND 1926 Westmoreland Mclean 6 5/1 $1,873,990.00

A/C 1581 Spring Gate Dr #5306 Mclean 1 1 $334,000.00

PND 6719 Baron Rd Mclean 4 3/1 $809,000.00

PND 8220 Crestwood Heights Dr #210, Mclean 1 2 $529,000.00

PND 7130 Merrimac Dr Mclean 6 5/1 $1,899,000.00 2

PND 6649 Hazel Ln Mclean 6 6/1 $2,550,000.00 2

PND 6813 Dean Mclean 6 6/1 $2,550,000.00 2

A/C 7616 Burford Mclean 4 3 $1,499,900.00 3

PND 6811 Market Square Dr Mclean 4 2/2 $800,000.00 3

PND 6320 Halsey Rd Mclean 5 4/1 $1,530,000.00 3

PND 6823 Churchill Rd Mclean 5 4 $1,295,000.00 3

PND 1122 Kensington Rd Mclean 4 3/1 $915,000.00 3

A/C 7522 Old Dominion Dr Mclean 5 4/1 $1,575,000.00 4

Status Address City Beds

Baths Current Price Days on Market

A/C 1226 Perry William Dr Mclean 5 5/1 $2,295,000.00 4

PND 6635 Hampton View Pl Mclean 3 3/1 $1,215,000.00 4

PND 1445 McLean Mews Ct Mclean 4 4/1 $1,149,000.00 4

PND 5952 Woodacre Ct Mclean 4 3/1 $2,150,000.00 4

PND 1952 Foxhall Rd Mclean 4 2/2 $975,000.00 4

PND 1758 Westwind Way Mclean 3 2/0 $434,976.00 4

PND 8220 Crestwood Heights Dr #1719, Mclean 1 1/1 $559,900.00 4

PND 1422 Lady Bird Dr Mclean 4 4/1 $1,600,000.00 5

PND 1651 Westwind Way Mclean 3 2 $434,900.00 5

PND 6615 Chesterfield Ave Mclean 6 4 $1,250,000.00 5

PND 7020 Capitol View Dr Mclean 6 6/2 $2,895,000.00 5

PND 6600 Mulroy St Mclean 4 3/1 $1,295,000.00 5

PND 6532 Fairlawn Dr Mclean 5 3/1 $1,625,000.00 5

PND 1602 Great Falls St Mclean 6 5/1 $1,749,000.00 5

PND 856 Sconset Mclean 6 5/1 $2,550,000.00 5

PND 1003 Carlton Ct Mclean 5 6/1 $3,899,000.00 5

PND 7441 Backett Wood Ter Mclean 3 2/1 $879,950.00 5

by Ashley Sullender (Graduate Student) and Dr. Debra Brosius, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Integrated Psychology Associates of McLean

it seem like your teenager is acting like a therapist to all of his/her friends? Are you concerned about the emotional burden your child is undertaking in friendships? Teens therapizing teens is real. An article in the New York Times (July 29, 2020), illustrates this point. High schoolers across the country are seeking ‘Teenager Therapy,’

Integrated

a podcast started by five teens. The intent was to create a space for teens “to feel vulnerable and to talk things through.” Yet these teen therapists have no training and there is no confidentiality, so what happens when the listeners are in crisis? Developmentally, it is appropriate for teens to seek other teens for support regarding daily stressors, advice and problem solving. However, when a teen is in emotional crisis, abusing substances, or has an active eating disorder, it is not appropriate for teenagers to be actively engaging as a pseudotherapist. Teens by nature are self-focused,

rendering them incapable of a true and helpful therapeutic interaction. While teens may think they are being a good friend or empathetic, they may be using these interactions as a way to avoid their own emotional experiences. Moreover, total self-sacrifice is not a characteristic of a healthy relationship and contributes to personal distress.

This trend of teen therapizing appears only exacerbated by social media platforms such as TikTok. Known as “mental health TikTok,” teens are using social media to flesh out psychological issues and self-diagnose. While increased visibility has its benefits, it also has a severe impact on selfesteem. First, teens have begun to turn to their screens as a way to “wind down.” However, swiping for hours does not promote healthy coping, but rather allow teens to dissociate from their distress rather than working through it. Moreover, increased screen time has a large impact on quality of sleep, another factor known to impact mental health. In the 2019-2020 school year, less than 30% of students in FCPS obtained an average of eight or

more hours of sleep on a school night.

Moreover, apps like TikTok have curated algorithms for each of their users. This means that the more you engage with certain topics, the more of that content you are provided. This is important when you consider the kind of information your teens are taking in. Many teens prefer to watch videos, reels, or tiktoks about things that they idealize (e.g., being older, thinner, having a boyfriend) and the algorithm begins to feed them more of that content. While seemingly harmless, this creates a situation where your teen is consistently intaking information about the things they wish they had, thus making them feel dissatisfied or deficient in some way.

If you are concerned, seek professional help for your child by calling our practice at 703-215-4101. All teens should have immediate access to the crisis text line in their phones (741741) as well as the suicide hotline 1-800-2738255. Parents are also encouraged to role model appropriate help-seeking behavior.