I have a friend; lets’ call her Jane. Jane has a list. A list of 100 things that her teenager should be able to do by the time he is 18. It's a great list...

Read my Top Tips for anyone heading off to uni!

Peacocks. An emotional support duck. And an entire zoo. These are just some of the animals I have met on my travels as a school speaker around the UK.

A gap year is now an increasing opportunity to do something ethical, whilst making yourself more employable.

Welcome to my Growing a Grown Up website for parents and families of teens.

Self-harm is one of the most frightening issues a parent can encounter. Self-harm can be hard for parents to understand and emotionally difficult to sit with, particularly as it is something many…

Podcast Episode · Parenting Teenagers Untangled - Understand and Talk to Your Teenager · 25 March · 36min

In 2026, new data reveals a fascinating "optimism-anxiety paradox" among young people. They are simultaneously more hopeful about their own potential than they’ve been in years, yet deeply stressed…

Welcome to my Growing a Grown Up website for parents and families of teens.

New! Download my webinars for more info on how to help your young person.

The teenage years are such a wild ride of emotions and new experiences that maintaining motivation for the things that ‘matter’ can be an occasional (OK… frequent!) challenge for some. And what…

Welcome to my Growing a Grown Up website for parents and families of teens.

Dr Dominique Thompson is an award winning UK GP, young people’s mental health expert, TEDx speaker, author and educator, with over 20 years of clinical experience caring for students, including as a police and expedition doctor, and most recently as Director of Service at the University of Bristol Students’ Health Service. She was named Bristol Healthcare Professional of the Year 2017.

I’m increasingly asked two questions at schools and when I’m chatting with parents: “Is AI bad for my teen?” and “What should I be doing about it?” After reviewing the evidence here’s a clear,…

I’m increasingly asked two questions at schools and when I’m chatting with parents: “Is AI bad for my teen?” and “What should I be doing about it?” After reviewing the evidence here’s a clear,…

Welcome to my Growing a Grown Up website for parents and families of teens.

I specialise in improving young people’s mental health and wellbeing through experience-based talks and consultancy.

A fascinating and slightly sobering survey was released recently, analysing current students’ health, and suggesting areas that might need a little more care or support. So what do I as a parent, and…

Welcome to my Growing a Grown Up website for parents and families of teens.

Join Dr. Jane Gilmour as she interviews leading experts to uncover the fascinating science behind adolescent brain development. This series explores key themes such as identity formation, emotional re...

I specialise in improving young people’s mental health and wellbeing through experience-based talks and consultancy.

An important part of growing up is taking risks... but are our youngest generation still taking enough risks, or the right kind of risks? Are they in fact 'Generation Sensible', or is this a…

Join Dr. Jane Gilmour as she interviews leading experts to uncover the fascinating science behind adolescent brain development. This series explores key themes such as identity formation, emotional re...