About Laura Thomas & Parentology World
Parenting teens is tough. Nobody hands you a manual, and it often feels like you’re flying blind.
Welcome!
Parenting teens is tough. Nobody hands you a manual, and it often feels like you’re flying blind.
I’m Laura Thomas: psychotherapist, parenting coach and mentor, author, and mum of two teens. I’ve spent over 22 years helping families through some of the hardest parts of adolescence - explosive outbursts, shut-downs, anxiety, school refusal, and everything in between.
What I saw again and again was this: when a teen struggles, parents are often left out of the picture. Schools focus on behaviour. Services focus on waiting lists. Parents are told to “hold the line” but rarely given the tools to do it.
That’s why I created Parentology World: to change the conversation. To give parents and teens support that actually works in real life, not just on paper.
I’ve spoken in schools, trained professionals, and written two bestselling books (Parenting Teen Boys with Confidence and Parenting Unstoppable Girls). I also developed the RESET framework - a simple, proven way for families to move from chaos to calm.
And I know the worry from the inside, too. As a mum of two teenagers, I’ve lived (and am living!) the slammed doors, the exam stress, the endless negotiations. I bring that lived experience into every session, alongside my professional expertise.
I am so pleased you have found this website I really hope it brings reassurance, validation and a sense of calm hope!
Why I Created Parentology World
I’ve spent my career in the counselling and mental health world - supporting children, teens, and families in schools, the NHS, social services, charities, and local authorities. Over the years one thing has become clear: the need for good quality mental health support has exploded, and for teenagers it often feels almost impossible to get.
The final push to create Parentology came in summer 2024, when a mother reached out to me - overwhelmed and desperate. Her daughter had self-inflicted scars, but services had turned her away because “it wasn’t bad enough yet.”
That moment changed everything. I realised something crucial: parents shouldn’t have to wait for a crisis before they can get expert support.
Parentology World was built for that gap - to give parents tools, answers, and guidance before things spiral. So you can act when you notice your teen drifting, rather than only when everything breaks.
My Credentials
I bring clinical rigor and lived experience to everything I do. Fully qualified and continuously learning!
M.Ed in Social, Emotional & Mental Health in Adolescents
B.Sc. (Hons) in Psychology
NVQ 4 in Working with Families with Multiple and Complex Needs
QCF: Working with Children and Young People
Registered member of the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS Acc.) and BACP-certified in counselling young people
Fully insured (Holistic and Hiscox)
You can also read my research here:
“Are parents being heard? Parents’ experiences of participating in multi-professional meetings as part of the Education, Health and Care Plan process.”
I’ve spoken at conferences, workshops, parent groups, and school settings. I’m author of two parenting books - Parenting Teen Boys with Confidence and Parenting Unstoppable Girls - both built on the same principles you’ll find in the RESET framework and the therapy room.
The RESET Framework
Everything I do is built around a method I’ve developed over years of working with teens and parents. It’s called RESET - a five-step way to stay calm, be clear, and respond confidently even when emotions run high.
Here’s how RESET works:
R – Recognise the issue
Notice what’s going on beneath the surface — behaviour is a form of communication.E – Empathise in the moment
Choose connection first, not correction. Let your teen feel seen and heard.S – Say what matters
Identify the values or boundaries that really count — without lecturing.E – Emotionally regulate together
Support your teen in calming down, by staying steady yourself.T – Take action with confidence
Choose a clear, calm next step that builds trust and teaches what to do next time.
My books, workshops, and 1:1 work all weave this together, so whatever path you take, you’re not guessing — you have a map.
Other Things I Do
Offers talks & workshops for schools, sports clubs, parent groups. Topics include transition to secondary school, anxiety, self-harm prevention, mental wellbeing.
Deliver parenting tools that are practical, grounded in research, and real-world tested.
My work is not just professional - it’s personal. As a parent, I understand what it’s like to worry, to second-guess, to feel alone. That empathy shapes how Parentology works.
Getting Started
If you’re ready to stop second-guessing yourself and start parenting with more clarity, calm, and confidence, here are a couple of ways in:
Book a free 30-minute call — no pressure, just a chance to talk through what’s happening and figure out what might help you right now.
Grab a free tool or browse the free resource vault and books if you want to start today.
Whether your teen is starting to pull away, having emotional shutdowns, or you’re just lying awake worrying - you don’t have to do this alone. Welcome to Parentology World
“You explained things so clearly and really took the time to listen. We never felt rushed or dismissed. You helped us make sense of what was going on beneath the surface, and gave us steps we could actually follow through with. For the first time in a long time, we felt confident and that we could be supported with your help.”
— Parent of 13yr old