Often parents stress the importance of academics and sports, and the importance of healthy relatinships gets pushed off. As a result, often teens don't know how to function in a relationship (including friendships) or realize the importance of emotional intimacy.   It is key for parents to speak to their teens emotions with compassion. "There are plenty of fish in the sea" doesn't necessarily promote this.  Try to tap into the internal experience of the child. When the emotion is named, teens feel heard and acknowledged. Teens develop greater self-confidence when they are aware of their emotions.   Teens need to learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable and practice self soothing behaviors. Teens who develop a relaxation response and other stress management skills feel less helpless and have more choices when responding to stress.