When Teens Turn to AI for Advice & Companionship: What Parents Need to Know
A free community seminar with therapists Melissa Murphy, LPC, and Anthony Cernera, LPC-A, helping parents, educators, and families understand the hidden risks and potential benefits of AI companions and chatbots.
Where: River House Adult Center, 125 River Rd Ext, Cos Cob, CT 06807
When: Saturday, September 13, 2025, offered twice at 10am or 2pm
AI chatbots aren’t science fiction anymore. They’re already in our kids’ pockets. What does that mean for their mental health?
Teens and young adults are turning to AI for advice, comfort, and even companionship. Sometimes, these tools offer support in ways that feel helpful. But they also come with risks: false information, emotional dependence, unhealthy attachments, and gaps in social development.
As parents and professionals, we missed the early warning signs with social media and we’re still living with the fallout. We can’t afford to make the same mistake with AI.
This seminar will give you the insight, language, and tools you need to guide your teen through this new digital landscape.
Event Details
📍 Where: River House Adult Center, 125 River Rd Ext, Cos Cob, CT 06807
📅 When: Saturday, September 13, 2025
🕙 Times: 10:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. (choose one session)
💵 Cost: Free (advanced registration required - find below)
What You’ll Learn
In this 60-minute interactive session, you’ll:
Understand why teens are drawn to AI companions and what needs these tools appear to meet.
Explore the hidden risks: misinformation, unhealthy attachments, privacy concerns, and distorted development.
Hear about the possible benefits of AI for learning, creativity, and safe exploration — and how to encourage healthy use.
Learn practical questions and conversation starters to use with your child.
Walk away with strategies to set boundaries, model resilience, and keep your teen grounded in real-world relationships.
Who Should Attend
This seminar is designed for:
Parents of teens and young adults
Educators and school staff
Youth workers, clergy, and community leaders
Anyone concerned about how AI is shaping the next generation
About the Presenters
Melissa Murphy, MA, CMHC, LPC
Melissa Murphy is a seasoned psychotherapist and founder of Growth & Resilience Group. She specializes in helping teens, young adults, and families navigate life’s transitions, emotional overwhelm, and attachment wounds. Known for her grounded and compassionate style, Melissa integrates traditional psychotherapy with trauma-informed, holistic approaches that reconnect people with their authentic selves.
Anthony A. Cernera, M.Ed., M.A., LPC-A
Anthony Cernera is a trauma-focused psychotherapist who works with children, teens, and adults. He integrates EMDR and parts work to help clients heal deeply from trauma, attachment wounds, and grief. With nearly two decades in nonprofit leadership and a personal story of resilience featured on Good Morning America and Men’s Health, Anthony brings warmth, clarity, and expertise to his work with families.