At your wit's end with your teen?

Vanessa Van Petten: Life coaches, family managers, teen self-esteem coaches ... they seemed to be all the rage last year. If you are watching "Real Housewives of Orange County" this season, you might have seen me working with the Curtin family (Lynn, Frank, Raquel, and Alexa). Lynn called me the Teen Whisperer, the media called me the next Supernanny for Teens ... we call ourselves youthologists.

I work with many families and teens as a youthologist, helping kids with everything from study skills to self-esteem, and parents with communication, keeping boundaries, and maintaining a harmonious home. In some homes (as you will see on "Real Housewives of Orange County"), I feel like more of a family peacemaker, arbitrating between two sides (teens vs. parents), making final decisions, and drafting up family contracts. In others, we come in and do 12-week programs on goals, study skills, gratitude, and clean bedrooms.

I know what you are thinking: Why can't these parents just step up and do it themselves? We get this question all the time. And we ask back: Do you ever feel like you are speaking into a vacuum when talking to your kids about chores, homework, or friends? Sometimes families need someone to come in and reset the family downward spiral, habits, and ruts.

Our training process is amazing, and our youthologists serve as role models for kids so that they actually listen to us (we often find that a mom can tell a kid to study early for a test a thousand times, but they do not listen until someone else steps in and suggests it). Teens listen to us because youthologists are usually closer in age, less clinical than therapists, and very open about expectations. Parents can utilize our help as a way to reach moody or distant teens, as a muscle to organize, and as a neutral space in some war-zone homes.

Lastly, the feedback we got from "Real Housewives" was astounding. Families contacted us, but many realized that youthology is a new career path for coaches, moms, teachers, and 20-somethings looking for a career where they can work part-time, make great money, and actually help people. Check us out at radicalparenting.com to learn more about our 12-lesson training course or to see exactly what a youthologist would do if they came into your home ... or if you would like to find someone in your area, click here.

Vanessa Van Petten authored a parenting book when she was 17, called "You're Grounded!" and her daily blog, OnTeensToday.com is read by thousands of teens and parents daily.