Somatic Experiencing Therapy is a type of therapy developed by Peter Levine to deal with trauma, but which is extremely relevant  helping all sorts of anxiety conditions in children. When children become anxious they often "shut down" or "freeze up" and this type of therapy has an important contribution to helping children with this part of the fight/flight/freeze response. Candy Smith is a licensed clinical professional counselor, somatic experiencing practitioner and registered play therapist as well as certified yoga instructor. She is a highly regarded therapist in translating somatic experiencing therapy into effective treatment for children. More information about Candy Smith can be found on web site candysmithcounseling.com where she has a blog and a series of videos explaining Somatic Experiencing Therapy. The videos are short and to the point, just want the busy parent and professional need.

Expert Interview #20 Candy Smith: Somatic Experiencing and the Anxious Child

This is a podcast for parents for who have an anxious child. Practical suggestions are given to  help with a wide range of situations in which  anxiety can interfere with a child's life

Self-Help

Health

Kids & Family

Health & Fitness

Jonathan Dalton, PhD is a licensed psychologist who is the founder and director of the Center for Anxiety and Behavioral Change in Rockville, MD. He specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. He is a sought after speaker and passionate advocate of public education concerning mental health issues. In this podcast, Dr Dalton explains anxiety may present differently in neurodivergent children. While a decrease in parental accommodation is a central part of the treatment in neurotypical children, Dr Dalton points how accommodations to the sensory sensitivity of neurodivergent can be a critical part helping the child. Listen to this podcast to learn some practical interventions and also the thoughtfulness required in helping these children. Dr Dalton has a way of presenting methaphors that I think you will also enjoy   Dr Dalton can be found at: https://changeanxiety.com/about-us/ His recent master class "Understanding Anxiety: A Strength-Based Perspective" can be found at https://neurodivergentinsights.com/trainings

How anxiety can show up differently in Neurodivergent Children: Interview with Jonathan Dalton, PhD

 Yshai Boussi, LPC is a licensed professional counselor who works with teens and families. Polyvagal theory developed by Steven Porges is a perspective that many clinicians have found very useful. Yshai Boussi has presented this theory in very practical terms that can help parents become more attuned to their teenager and remain more connected to them. To learn more about Yshai Boussi and view his blog https://portlandfamilycounseling.com/about-us/yshai-boussi-lpc/

Staying Connected with your teen using polyvagal parenting: Interview with Yshai Boussi, LPC

Lenore Skenazy is the author of Free-Range Kids: How Parents and Teachers Can Let Go and Let Grow and is President of Let Grow, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting play and independence in children and adolesecence. Ms Skenazy created quite a sensation after her article "Why I Let My 9-Year-Old Ride the Subway Alone" and got labeled "America's Worst Mom". This lead her to start Let Grow which is an invaluable resource for helping schools and parents promote healthy growth promoting independence in children. Her approach has the benefit of simplicity and common sense. By encouraging independent activity, you are promoting confidence and decreasing anxiety in your child. And it also happens to be fun. Pair this interview with the one I did last year with Camillo Ortiz, PhD who developed an innovative approach to helping anxious children by givng them mega doses of independence.  Ms. Skenazy also helped Jonthan Haidt in his recent book Anxious Generation write the recommendations about how to correct a "phone based childhood" and return it to a "play based childhood".       Let Grow website  https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrFEIxplh1mPrQWQyNXNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNiZjEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1714424681/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fletgrow.org%2f/RK=2/RS=UD_aH_MXQEBH_BBxdrHFYlXabIM-

Decreasing Anxiety by Promoting Independence: Interview with Lenore Skenazy President of Let Grow

Linda K. Murphy is a speech language pathologist who has written two books, Declarative Language Handbook and Co-Regulation Handbook. I found her books wonderful in clarifying how language can either turn the volume up or down on anxiety. Imperative language, those questions or comments that demand a response can create stress or anxiety. In contrast, declarative or descriptive language can help your child achieve a more regulated and open state. In this conversation, we talk about the power of just describing or observing, rather than jumping into problem solving. In this approach, we can begin to avoid unproductive power battles and foster a more collobrative relationship with our children. For more information about Linda K. Murphy, MS, CCC-SLP https://www.declarativelanguage.com/   

Using Declarative Language to help your anxious child: Interview with Linda K. Murphy, MS, CCC-SSP

Regine Galanti, PhD has just published Parenting Anxious Kids: Understanding Anxiety in Children by Age and Stage. She is the author of several other books aimed at helping children with anxiety such as Anxiety Relief for Teens.  She is the founder of Long Island Behavioral Psychology and can be found at https://www.longislandbehavioral.com/team In this interview we have a chance to explore her new book which contains invaluable advice for parents of anxious children at each stage of their development           

Expert Interview #20 Candy Smith: Somatic Experiencing and the Anxious Child

Download our free app to listen on your phone