Author and Boulder licensed therapist Susan Caso will share more about the strategies she’s found effective in her family therapy private practice at an upcoming talk about her book on “The Parent-Teen Connection.”

“The intent of the book is to create stronger families, to help create a deep sense of belonging, communication and emotional closeness,” she said. “That’s what safeguards kids in today’s world.”

The talk and book signing is at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Boulder Bookstore, 1107 Pearl St., Boulder. To register, go to boulderbookstore.net/event/susan-caso-parent-teen-connection.

The talk is in partnership with the Parent Engagement Network and the Boulder Valley School District. Jordan Goto, Boulder Valley’s health and wellness coordinator, plans to ask Caso questions as part of the talk.

Caso also is working with the Parent Engagement Network to set up parent-led book groups at schools to continue the conversation.

Stacy Cornay, executive director of the Parent Engagement Network, said it’s “totally common” for parents to struggle with creating close relationships with their teens. Parents, she said, need to know they’re not alone.

“We don’t ever judge,” she said. “We just try to provide the best, research-based information we can. We know parents want to do the best they can for their children.”

She added that it’s become increasingly challenging to be a parent in the wake of COVID, pointing to the U.S. Surgeon General’s September advisory on the mental health and well-being of parents.

“I’m thrilled that PEN is able to partner with Susan on this,” she said. “It’s another way for parents to check in.”

Caso said she wrote the book so it would feel like she’s talking to parents and caregivers on her couch, allowing her to share what’s worked. She includes scenarios her clients have encountered, as well as her experiences with her own children, who are 26, 21 and 11.

“I see the same negative patterns that families get stuck in, and my intent in publishing this book was to reach more people with the strategies and tools that work in sessions with families to break negative cycles and create connection,” she said.

She said family life is filled with distractions, including cell phones, social media and parent work demands. Then there’s the pressure for kids to achieve top grades in school and devote hours to extracurriculars.

“Every passing year, we’re demanding more of our kids,” she said. “That also means less time at the dinner table with our kids and less time to build that strong connection.”

Her advice is to for parents to create pockets of time and change their mindset from focusing on the “to dos of life” — have you finished chores and completed homework — to using that time to connect emotionally with their teens.

“It’s really cultivating a relationship, not just being their parent, but being mom and dad,” she said.

She said the book covers what creates true connection and what causes disconnection, as well as showing parents how to create a sense of belonging at home and how to have healthy communication. Barriers to belonging, she said, include bullying at home, judgement and criticalness.

“The goal at home shouldn’t be for their kids to feel vulnerable, at-risk in sharing with their parent, but to create an environment at home that promotes emotional transparency,” she said. “So it doesn’t feel risky for kids to let their parent know how they are feeling or to reach to their parent for support or ask for what they need.”