Guiding you through the journey of adolescence:
• Insights from a former “troubled teen.”
• Mentorship / coaching for teens and young adults.
Join the Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hominginstinct Mentorship and coaching for teens and families from someone who has been through it, and gets it — a formerly "troubled teen" who is a healed and healthy adult. My name is Ciara, and as a teenager, I struggled with almost every “problem behavior” in the book — disordered eating, self-harm, multiple su***de attempts. I was diagn
11/05/2025
When your teen suddenly has to go somewhere — grabs the keys, steps out, says they “just need to get out” — it can seem impulsive, dramatic, or avoidant.
It’s emotional overwhelm. This is what’s going on ⬆️
11/04/2025
While anger, at face value, can seem oppositional, defiant, or rude— sometimes it’s a defense mechanism.
A way to protect against shame, fear, or vulnerability that feels too big to touch.
11/03/2025
When your teen is shrugging you off, being avoidant, withdrawn, or doing something that just feels confusing or frustrating — chances are, it’s a defense mechanism.
It’s not meant to hurt you, or to be careless, defiant, or disrespectful. It’s their mind’s way of trying to stay safe — to avoid pain, shame, or vulnerability that feels like too much to handle in that moment.
When you can see your teen’s defenses for what they are — signs of distress, not disrespect, protection not opposition — you can respond with curiosity instead of control.
🤍
10/09/2025
Nothing can rupture trust or shake a relationship quite like a lie. And yet, it happens all the between teenagers and the adults who care for them.
Because the word “lying” carries so much moral weight, we sometimes miss what’s really going on underneath, especially when it’s chronic or compulsive.
The truth is, teenagers lie to protect themselves, to maintain privacy, to avoid shame or punishment, to feel some sense of control, to create a world/reality that feels bearable, to feel better about themselves…
And no, this doesn’t make lying okay. But it does point us toward a new direction: creating the safety where the truth can finally be told 💛
06/10/2025
For some teen girls who are hurting, overwhelmed, or aching for connection - s*x can seem like the fastest way to feel valued, close, or seen.
We have to see what’s really going on - and start offering teens what they’re truly searching for: connection, safety, and a sense of self that doesn’t rely on being chosen.
05/13/2025
When I was in treatment, I dreamt of going home! Oh, how I couldn’t wait to be back - eat dinner with my family, drive the car, see my friends, go to my favorite sandwich spot, sleep in my own bed…
But no one really prepares you for how hard it can be— Returning to the fast pace of life.
The old triggers. The way no one quite understands where you’ve been—or who you’ve become.
We created the Post-Treatment Support Group because coming home is a different kind of challenge. And you don’t have to navigate it alone 💛
Our next 6-week group is for teen girls who’ve been in treatment (wilderness, residential, inpatient, TBS, etc.) and starts May 27th.
It’s a space to reconnect, reflect, and move forward together.
✨ Come as you are
💬 Share your story
🤝 Connect with others who get it
🌱 Keep growing
Link in bio for all the details and sign-up! Feel free to message with any questions 💗
07/24/2024
I was honored to share my story with Will White! His podcast explores the history and evolution of wilderness therapy as a modality for mental health. We discuss what is valuable and unique about wilderness therapy, and how it has informed my work with adolescents. Please give it a listen, and share with any parent, teen, or practitioner you think might appreciate :)
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3RtM4kf7drnu7Q0EUc6Yy9?go=1&sp_cid=a88726d99161939db7015b57da57af9c&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop&nd=1&dlsi=696392ba5c414ee1
🌟 New Episode Alert! 🌟 From “Troubled Teen” to Transformative Mentor: Ciara Fanlo's Inspiring Journey
Join us for a powerful and eye-opening episode of "Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors" featuring the incredible Ciara Fanlo, founder of Homing Instinct. 🎙️🌲
Ciara's story is one of resilience and transformation. As a troubled teen struggling with depression and anxiety, she found hope and healing through wilderness therapy. In this episode, she shares how the immersive experience in nature was pivotal in her recovery, offering her new perspectives and coping mechanisms. However, she also candidly discusses the challenges and shortcomings she faced in a therapeutic boarding school, highlighting the pros and cons of different teen treatment programs.
Learn how Ciara uses her personal journey to provide tailored support and guidance to struggling teens, helping them discover their potential and find a sense of purpose. Her dedication to helping others navigate their challenges is truly inspiring.
Listen on any podcast platform or our website Storiesfromthefield.com.
🎧 Highlights:
• The transformative power of wilderness therapy
• Pros and cons of therapeutic boarding schools
• Insights into mentoring teens and young adults
• The founding of Homing Instinct and its mission
11/05/2023
A beautiful interview with Sheryl Gould of Moms of Tweens and Teens!
We talked about ...
🤍 The loneliness many young people experience
🤍 Why connection is ESSENTIAL for teens
🤍 How parents can positively impact their children
Listen here!
What Your Hurting Teen Needs You To Know, Interview with Ciara Fanlo Today, on the podcast, I talk with Ciara Fanlo. Ciara is a writer and the founder of Homing Instinct, a platform that offers support for teens and their fami...
08/17/2023
Mad In America hosted a panel on revisiting and reimagining how we approach diagnosis and "disorder" in adolescents.
I had the honor of speaking alongside a mother who supported her son through crisis, and a brilliant child and adolescent psychiatrist!
Definitely worth a listen if you are interested in hearing inspirational messages about how we need to change the paradigm around mental health!
Family Panel Discussion Supporting a Child, Teen, or Young Person in Crisis Please join Mad in America for a special family panel discussion featuring guest speakers Ciara Fanlo, a recovered “troubled teen”; Morna Murray, a parent wh...
