Brave Minds: Healing Anxiety and Trauma

In this episode, Lisa Weiss, LCSW, and Elaine Harrison-Yau, LCSW, of Brave Minds NJ, dive into the often-misunderstood world of selective mutism.

Elaine, who specializes in working with children experiencing selective mutism, shares her clinical insight into this anxiety disorder, including what selective mutism looks like, why children may struggle to speak in certain settings, and how anxiety can play a role.

Together, Lisa and Elaine explore treatment approaches such as PCIT-SM (Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for Selective Mutism), as well as practical ways parents, teachers, and other caring adults can create supportive environments where children feel safe, understood, and empowered to use their voices.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, mental health professional, or simply looking to better understand selective mutism, this conversation offers education, compassion, and practical tools for supporting children and families.

Leah Behar, LCSW, and Marissa Aitken, MSW Intern, discuss the differences between punishment and natural consequences in parenting. They explore how these approaches impact children's learning, emotional development, and family dynamics, offering practical guidelines for implementing natural consequences effectively.

In this conversation, Linda Farag, LSW and Lisa Weiss, LCSW delve into the complexities of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), exploring its symptoms, the challenges of diagnosis and treatment, and the impact it has on individuals' lives. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding both obsessions and compulsions, the role of therapy, and the significance of finding a knowledgeable therapist. Additionally, it addresses the often-taboo themes associated with OCD and the long-term effects of untreated symptoms, emphasizing the need for compassion and effective treatment strategies.

In this episode, host Lisa Weiss, LCSW, sits down with Alexandria Bleich, LPC, for an honest conversation about what it really means to lose a parent. Together, they talk openly about how grief doesn’t follow a timeline, how it can show up years later in unexpected ways, and how it shapes who we become. They explore the messy, lifelong nature of parental loss, the pressure we put on ourselves to “be okay,” and why self-compassion matters more than ever. Lisa and Alexandria also share the importance of therapy, personal rituals, and supportive communities in finding a way forward—without pretending the pain disappears.

In this episode, Cristina Varriale, LAC, joins Lisa Weiss, LCSW, to share her journey into positive discipline—what it is, how it differs from traditional punitive methods, and why understanding children's behavior through the lens of mistaken goals matters. They explore the impact of childhood experiences on adult behavior, common misconceptions, and the difference between gentle parenting and positive discipline. Cristina offers practical guidance for parents, reflects on cultural influences, and emphasizes the importance of respect and boundaries in parenting. The conversation wraps up with encouragement for overwhelmed parents and helpful resources for continued learning.

This conversation offers valuable insights for parents into the mental health challenges young athletes face. Casey Conte, LCSW and Lisa Weiss, LCSW discuss performance pressure, perfectionism, burnout, and how parents can best support their children. They also touch on practical coping tools, the role of EMDR in healing, and the importance of finding balance in sports and life

Link the the How We Feel App: https://howwefeel.org/