CAYA Conversations
Join us as we dive into the real challenges and triumphs of family and student life in the Clarkston area. Our expert therapists and community voices bring their insights to the table, discussing topics that matter most to families and teens today.
Our first season, Parenting Under Stress, focused on supporting parents through the ups and downs of raising kids; covering stress and time management, co-parenting, blended families, and positive reinforcement.
Now, we’re excited to launch a brand-new 6-episode season: Talk It Out for Teens. This series is all about helping teens navigate what it means to grow up in a fast-paced, always-connected world. We’ll talk about managing anger and stress, understanding substance use, building healthy relationships, and reclaiming your mindset in the age of social media.
Whether you’re a parent, teen, or part of our community, these conversations are designed to empower, educate, and inspire.
Tune in to connect, learn, and grow together.
CAYA Conversations
Latest Episodes
Riding the Wave: Real Talk on Grief
Grief doesn’t follow a script—it moves like a tide, showing up in waves after a funeral, a breakup, a move, or one of those “little deaths” that catch you off guard. We sit down with Jason Scimemi to unpack what the five stages actually look li...
When Anger Is A Signal, Not The Story
Ever feel your temper flip from zero to sixty before you can catch it? We break down what’s really happening in your brain during anger, using an office analogy that makes the science simple: the “security guard” amygdala races to protect you w...
Substances, Choices, & Limits
Teen life comes with pressure: friends, stress, curiosity, and a constant pull to try what everyone else is trying. We dig into the real reasons teens reach for substances and separate short-term “feel chill” effects from the long-term costs to...
Stress, Tamed
Ever wonder where normal stress ends and overwhelm begins? We dig into the telltale signs and share practical tools you can use anywhere—before class, after practice, or during a late-night study crunch—to calm your body, clear your head, and g...
Protect Your Peace - Healthy Relationships
Boundaries aren’t punishments; they’re instructions on how to treat us. We sat down to map the difference between supportive relationships and the kinds of dynamics that drain your energy, cloud your judgment, and put your safety at risk. From ...
Alexis Smith, LLMSW
Co-host
David Turner, LLC
Co-host
Delaney Battaglia, LLMSW
Co-host
Elizabeth Yesakov
Co-host
Jason Scimemi, LLP, Clinical Director
Co-host
Lauren Ruben, MS, LPC
Co-host
Max Denny, Graduate Student Intern
Co-host
Raeleen Davis, LPC
Co-host
Samantha Hazelton, LLP
Co-host
Trish Brown, LPC
Co-host