Can We Talk? Navigating Parent-Teen Dynamics with Charis Denison

As a parent, Dr. Dan knows how important today’s discussion with expert and educator Charis Denison will be for all families: talking and communicating is the key to all relationships, especially relationships with our children and teens.

Charis Denison has worked for two decades with a special focus on the topics parents and teens need to address most to have a positive relationship and effective communication. Recently her work was featured in Peggy Orenstein’s new book, Girls & Sex: Navigating the New and Complicated Landscape and she regularly lectures on this subject and many others.

Today Dr. Dan and Charis address many important and provocative topics including:
• What are the most important issues our teens are facing today?
• What is the most effective way to talk to teens about drug use?
• What are kids’ concerns about sex and sexuality?
• What are some ideas to help us impart our values to our kids?
• What do most teens want from their parents during this time?
And more.

Charis Denison built her experience primarily by working with schools and nonprofits for more than 20 years. After initially teaching middle and high school English and Creative Writing, Charis began to develop curricula and publish articles related to social justice, ethics, human development, community involvement, and experiential education. She has received national recognition for her work in those fields, as well as for her community-based work with American teens and Tibetan refugees in Central Asia.

Charis holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Development from the University of San Francisco. She has been a faculty member at Westridge School in Pasadena, CA, the Urban School of San Francisco, the Branson School in Ross, CA, and Marin Academy in San Rafael, CA. Currently, she runs Prajna Consulting while also maintaining long-term teaching relationships at several Bay Area schools, including Sonoma Academy, Head-Royce School, University High School, and Sir Francis Drake High School. Through Prajna, Charis consults with schools, parents, students, and businesses both organizationally and individually. She also facilitates workshops and speaks on a wide variety of topics.