In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Deborah Kissen, clinical psychologist, CEO and founder of Light on Anxiety Treatment Centers in the US, and author of several books on anxiety in children, teens and parents.

This one is for any parent who has ever wondered whether their child is anxious or just being difficult, whether they're making things worse by trying to help, or whether they should have stepped in sooner. Dr. Kissen answers all of it, and her answers are honest, practical and often reassuring in ways that feel genuinely earned rather than just comforting.

We cover how to tell the difference between normal stress and a clinical anxiety disorder, why school refusal should be treated as a mental health emergency rather than a behaviour problem, and why the reassurance parents naturally reach for can actually fuel the cycle rather than break it. Dr. Kissen also explains what to do when anxiety shows up as anger or rudeness, how to handle panic attacks at home, and why disengaging in those moments is not bad parenting but a deliberate strategy.

There is also a frank conversation about parental guilt, whether anxiety is passed down through families, and why getting support for your own anxiety is always worth doing, whether you are doing it for yourself or because you hope it will help your child too.

To find Dr. Kissen's books, resources, worksheets and treatment centres, visit: 👉 https://lightonanxiety.com

To learn more about Wendy's work, explore resources, or stay up to date with future episodes, visit: 👉 https://wendycastelino.com/

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