Can you tell us about your book, "Seen, Heard &
Understood"?
Seen, Heard & Understood - Parenting and Partnering with
Teens for Greater Mental Health" is my Amazon best-selling book that has
quickly become a survival guide for parents seeking authentic connection with
their teenage children. This transformative guide equips parents with essential
insights and practical tools to support their teenagers' mental health during
challenging times. Combining personal anecdotes, extensive research, applied
psychology, and science-backed strategies, the book helps parents comprehend
their teens' developmental stages and behaviors effectively.
What motivated you to write the book?
I started writing the book in 2021 after spending a decade
guiding international adventures for teens through my company, Project World
School. During that time, I researched and developed a powerful toolkit to
support teens on their inner journeys, addressing anxiety, depression, fear,
discomfort, triggers, and identity exploration. When the world shut down in
2020, I further developed a mental wellness toolkit as teens worldwide were
struggling with their mental health. This led to the launch of Transformative
Mentoring for Teens. "Seen, Heard & Understood" combines
psychology, neurobiology, and social development theories to provide parents
with the tools they need to support their child's mental health, transform
their relationships, and work towards improved well-being.
What age group did you write the book for?
The book "Seen, Heard & Understood" is written
for parents, caretakers, and those who work with adolescents. It is even
recommended for parents with kids of all ages, as a significant focus of the
book is transitioning into partnership parenting.
How long did it take you to write "Seen, Heard &
Understood"?
It took me a year to research and write the book. However,
the information, exercises, and tools were cultivated over my lifetime, as the
initial research for promoting greater mental health was part of my own
personal healing journey.
How did you come up with the title for the book?
As a teenager, I often felt invisible within my family. I
never felt seen, heard, or understood, and that was my deepest desire. I never
want another teen to have that experience, which is why I chose the title
"Seen, Heard & Understood."
Did anything stand out as particularly challenging when
writing the book?
The book involved profound research, including reading
scientific journals, interviewing experts, and creating or adapting existing
tools to better serve teens' mental health. My innate ability to deeply connect
with teens, which was a contributing factor to the success of Project World
School, inspired the launch of Transformative Mentoring for Teens and the
subsequent writing of "Seen, Heard & Understood."
What do you enjoy doing when you're not writing?
Lainie Liberti: When I'm not writing, I enjoy playing with
my 3 dogs, spending time in my rooftop garden, and creating art through
painting. I also cherish my weekly visits from my 24-year-old son, Miro, who
comes over to do his laundry. All is in perfect balance in the world.
Where can readers find out more about your work?
Readers can find more information about my work at the following links:
Transformative Mentoring for Teens: https://transformativementoringforteens.com/
Partnership Parenting: https://partnershipparent.com/
Project World School: https://projectworldschool.com/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ilainie/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ilainie/
