You want to help them.
They don’t want to be helped.
How on earth are you going to reach them?
What I Need From You: the essential guide to reaching troubled teens
is based on Sam Ross’ years of listening to, researching and working with the most challenging, disengaged young people. Written in the voice of those teens and also in hers, it will change the way you work with young people.
This is what our troubled teens need you to read.
This is what they need you to hear.
This is what they need from you.
Read this and change lives.
The buzz on Sam Ross:
Supports the importance of hearing what teenagers have to say
She helps me to keep focused on the needs of the child/teenager and take into account their point of view. Their voices and experiences need to be listened to and taken notice of - Teenage Whisperer supports the importance of really hearing what teenagers have to say!
Safeguarding Trainer
Sam Ross Teenage Whisperer What I Need From You
5.0
2018-09-24T11:10:47+01:00
Safeguarding Trainer
https://www.teenagewhisperer.co.uk/testimonials/supports-the-importance-of-hearing-what-teenagers-have-to-say/
Innovative ideas and resources
She provides me with innovative ideas and resources to use with individuals with learning disabilities and their parents, carers and support workers that I support.
Behaviour Support in Secondary School
Sam Ross Teenage Whisperer What I Need From You
5.0
2018-09-24T12:00:27+01:00
Behaviour Support in Secondary School
https://www.teenagewhisperer.co.uk/testimonials/innovative-ideas-and-resources/
Amazing resource
Gives ideas, perspective and inspiration.
Crisis Intervention Team Lead
Sam Ross Teenage Whisperer What I Need From You
5.0
2018-09-24T11:16:05+01:00
Crisis Intervention Team Lead
https://www.teenagewhisperer.co.uk/testimonials/amazing-resource/
One of the best publications
Sam Ross gives insight into how young people feel and think. This informs our work with young people and reminds us that we cannot assume we know how young people feel on every occasion. I forward the newsletter to our team and the feedback from staff is always very positive. I think it's one of the best publications we receive, which is honest and genuine, and gives a young person's perspective. Thank you.
Restorative Justice Co-ordinator
Sam Ross Teenage Whisperer What I Need From You
5.0
2018-09-24T12:18:56+01:00
Restorative Justice Co-ordinator
https://www.teenagewhisperer.co.uk/testimonials/one-of-the-best-publications/
I’ve learnt so much!
I've learnt more about troubled teens, helping me understand them better and be a better practitioner.
Youth Worker
Sam Ross Teenage Whisperer What I Need From You
5.0
2018-09-24T11:17:26+01:00
Youth Worker
https://www.teenagewhisperer.co.uk/testimonials/ive-learnt-so-much/
Ideas
Gives me ideas to use when training others.
Juvenile Probation Counselor
Sam Ross Teenage Whisperer What I Need From You
4.0
2018-09-24T11:14:52+01:00
Juvenile Probation Counselor
https://www.teenagewhisperer.co.uk/testimonials/ideas-2/
There’s hope for our teens
My copy of 'Anger is My Friend' is totally dog-eared and I've bought a couple of copies for colleagues because I'm not lending mine! Teenage Whisperer reminds me that there's hope for our teens.
Teacher in a Pupil Referral Unit
Sam Ross Teenage Whisperer What I Need From You
5.0
2018-09-24T11:57:53+01:00
Teacher in a Pupil Referral Unit
https://www.teenagewhisperer.co.uk/testimonials/theres-hope-for-our-teens/
Helps me explain teen behaviour to parents
I am a high school teacher and I deal with incredible kids everyday. I'm often used as the gateway and voice of the young person and their parents. It's good to know how to explain to parents the behaviour of the students without finger pointing or negativity. I often refer to you writing about the troubled teen holding in to the end of the line, thrashing about, in my sessions with parents. It also keeps me connected to the young people as I get older and further from their age group!
High School VET Coordinator and Careers Counsellor
Sam Ross Teenage Whisperer What I Need From You
5.0
2018-09-24T12:22:17+01:00
High School VET Coordinator and Careers Counsellor
https://www.teenagewhisperer.co.uk/testimonials/helps-me-explain-teen-behaviour-to-parents/
I’m not alone
Helps me to understand I'm not alone.
Parent of two teens
Sam Ross Teenage Whisperer What I Need From You
5.0
2018-09-24T11:18:30+01:00
Parent of two teens
https://www.teenagewhisperer.co.uk/testimonials/im-not-alone/
Helps me relate
Helps me relate to the issues facing teenagers and that we aren't alone facing/tackling issues and difficulties.
Mother of 18 year old
Sam Ross Teenage Whisperer What I Need From You
5.0
2018-09-24T12:05:14+01:00
Mother of 18 year old
https://www.teenagewhisperer.co.uk/testimonials/helps-me-relate/
Shows the importance of listening to young people
The Teenage Whisperer has over the years guided me towards a more empathic way of working. It has encouraged me to make use of the most important resource available to those working with teenagers; I am referring to young people themselves, a vast pool of knowledge garnered from lived experience. The teenage whisperer has shown me that what a young person wants is as important, perhaps more important than what any text book may tell me they need. Thank you Teenage Whisperer.
Homelessness Support Worker (16-25 year olds)
Sam Ross Teenage Whisperer What I Need From You
5.0
2018-09-24T11:54:12+01:00
Homelessness Support Worker (16-25 year olds)
https://www.teenagewhisperer.co.uk/testimonials/shows-the-importance-of-listening-to-young-people/
Fantastic reading
Helps me to understand my own kids and the ones I volunteer with! It's fantastic reading. I especially like the creative writing from teenagers' perspectives- I wish more people would read this as it would certainly change the negative attitudes that some people have towards this age group.
Parent and Volunteer worker with teenagers
Sam Ross Teenage Whisperer What I Need From You
5.0
2018-09-24T11:11:37+01:00
Parent and Volunteer worker with teenagers
https://www.teenagewhisperer.co.uk/testimonials/ideas/
Insight and perspective
Teenage Whisperer gives me insight and perspective. It reminds me to step back and consider the individual child and their issues. This allows me to support staff to do the same rather than using blanket phrases like 'year eight are mental' or 'this year group have issues'. It is also nice to signpost parents to the blog as many really struggle with the puberty years and the battles they face arguing with new teenagers.
Teacher
Sam Ross Teenage Whisperer What I Need From You
5.0
2018-09-24T11:03:16+01:00
Teacher
https://www.teenagewhisperer.co.uk/testimonials/insight-and-perspective/
Helps me better understand issues young people face
Sam Ross and Teenage Whisperer enable me to reflect on my practice and parenting with realistic experience and expertise sharing the real nitty gritty of their complex relationships. It helps me better understand issues young people face. I love how it is written from the young person's perspective. It helps me stop chasing my answers and try to be with the young person looking for their answers.
Parent and Sexual Health Nurse
Sam Ross Teenage Whisperer What I Need From You
5.0
2018-09-24T11:07:26+01:00
Parent and Sexual Health Nurse
https://www.teenagewhisperer.co.uk/testimonials/helps-me-better-understand-issues-young-people-face/
Ideas how to approach situations and behavior differently
I have found it very helpful in trying to understand and empathize with my troubled teenage granddaughter. I like that you provide insight into their perspective, and give ideas how to approach situations and behavior differently.
Grandparent
Sam Ross Teenage Whisperer What I Need From You
5.0
2018-09-24T11:20:26+01:00
Grandparent
https://www.teenagewhisperer.co.uk/testimonials/4673/
Helping them find their answers
She helps me stop chasing my answers and to try and be with the young person looking for their answers.
Young People's Nurse
Sam Ross Teenage Whisperer What I Need From You
5.0
2018-09-24T10:59:05+01:00
Young People's Nurse
https://www.teenagewhisperer.co.uk/testimonials/helping-them-find-their-answers/
4.9
16
Sam Ross is a Teen Behavioural Consultant and founder of this popular ‘Teenage Whisperer’ blog. Really understanding teens is the beginning, middle and end of her work. With experience in youth justice, education and in private practice, she helps professionals and parents reach troubled teens through her website, books and public speaking engagements.
Chapters in What I Need From You include:
Compassion: My consumption, your compassion
Determination: I promise you… I will try and piss you off
Curiosity: Caring with curiosity- getting to the heart of relationship-based working
Positivity: Show me I’m not completely crap
Patience: Please give us our time
Laughter: Shining light in my darkness
Practicality: Don’t just talk… do
Boundaries: Do you care enough to stop me?
Reality checks: Don’t talk about me… I’m normal
Guidance: By my side
Needs Identification: My sticky tape- you can’t take away without replacing
Forward Thinking: Don’t let me define myself by my past
Humility: Mutual learning, mutual respect
Courage: Did you knock on my door
Non-Judgementalism: Start with me where I am
Creativity: Creative thinking, creative solutions, creative change
Serious Help: Are we a joke? Liked but a liability?
Collaboration: Strength in numbers
Hope-filled Vision: When working with some teens seems pointless