For many families in the NICU community, specialist appointments and recurring hospital stays are not uncommon. And it can feel challenging to know how to not only navigate their ongoing medical challenges and procedures, but also to ensure that they feel seen, heard, and validated throughout their experiences. Which is why we are thrilled to have a conversation with Dr. Eric Riklin of the UCLA Family Development Program as a guest for today’s podcast episode!

Dr. Riklin not only brings the wisdom of a Clinical Psychologist to this episode, but he also offers his own personal experience of spending a large majority of his childhood in a medical facility undergoing multiple medical procedures and facial reconstruction surgeries. For parents who are looking for insight on how to navigate medical challenges alongside their children as they age, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Eric shares:

• Ways that loved ones in his life helped make hospital experiences feel normal and a special part of his childhood
• Words of hope or encouragement for parents who feel guilt or shame about their child’s recurring hospital stays and visits
• Tangible or practical things that parents can do to prepare their children for an upcoming hospital stay or appointment

We hope that parents of medically complex NICU children feel empowered and reminded that you do not navigate this journey post NICU alone. 💕

Dr. Eric Riklin is a Pediatric Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow at Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), as well as a former Clinical Psychology Intern in the Stress, Trauma, and Resilience (STAR) Clinic at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Eric's psychology training has spanned a wide variety of settings, including hospitals and community mental health centers, providing brief and long-term psychotherapy to children, adolescents, young adults, and families with a wide range of psychiatric, medical, and behavioral concerns. He has over 40 publications and presentations, and has given several talks at various conferences on resilience and the mental health of youth with chronic medical conditions. Eric was born with Crouzon syndrome, a very rare craniofacial diagnosis that manifests as a facial difference and has required 25 surgeries. His experiences to date have crystallized his interest in working as a clinical psychologist with pediatric patients, and their families, as they navigate various medical and mental health needs.

To get connected with Dr. Riklin:

 UCLA Family Development Program

To get connected with DNM:

Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

This podcast episode is not an attempt to practice medicine or provide medical advice. All information, content, and material on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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