By Gene Beresin, MD, MA and Khadijah Booth Watkins, MD, MPH
"Shrinking It Down" highlights the fact that youth mental health is anything but simple! Child & adolescent psychiatrists Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins help parents a
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The podcast currently has 173 episodes available.
In the recent Advisory, Parents Under Pressure, the US Surgeon General noted that parents are currently more stressed, burned out, and lonely than ever before. The alarming statistics are not all that different than his Advisories on the Youth Mental Health and Loneliness Epidemics that have been escalating since the late 1970s.
In this episode of Shrinking it Down, Gene and Khadijah discuss this new advisory and what parents can do to combat these increased feelings of stress and loneliness.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Let's be honest, we're all stressed.
We're stressed about climate change, world crises, the upcoming election, or even just the common stressors of everyday life: economic pressures, relationship issues, burnout, you name it. So, with all stress, our conversations can easily become more uncivilized.
In this episode of Shrinking it Down, Gene and Khadijah discuss the key elements of conflict resolution, strategies for civil conversations, and a special role-play scenario to help demonstrate positive conflict resolution.
Episode music by Gene Beresin
Episode produced by Spenser Egnatz
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Special Education system in school can be confusing, especially if you haven’t been through the process with a child before.
In part 2 of this series, Gene and Khadijah continue their discussion with Ellen Braaten, PhD, and Eileen Hagerty, Esq, who specialize in learning disabilities and special education law. They discuss evaluation results, advocacy, and the importance of destigmatizing special ed.
Media List
Episode music by Gene Beresin
Episode produced by Spenser Egnatz
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome back to a new season of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple!
For our season premiere, Gene and Khadijah are joined by two special guests who specialize in learning disabilities and special education law – Ellen Braaten, PhD, and Eileen Hagerty, Esq, – to do a deep dive on the special education system. On part 1 of this two-part series, they provide legal and practical tips by discussing the definitions, rights, and processes involved in special education evaluations
Episode music by Gene Beresin
Episode produced by Spenser Egnatz
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Stories matter, especially when it comes to children's mental health and wellbeing.
For our season finale, Gene and Khadijah are joined by two special guests from Barefoot Books – book editor Lisa Rosinsky and children’s author Joelle Retener. They explore how stories help kids to make sense of the world in all of its confusion and beauty by taking a closer look at Marley’s Pride, a new children’s book about overcoming big anxieties and realizing the power of community. Plus, stay tuned to the end to hear everyone’s favorite children’s book!
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We wish you a story-filled summer! We’ll see you back here in October on the Third Thursday of every month. Until then, be well.
Episode music by Gene Beresin
Episode produced by Spenser Egnatz and Sara Rattigan
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
When you hear the term “eating disorders” what do you think of? Probably not boys and men. Yet, adolescent boys struggle with body image and disordered eating behaviors nearly just as much as girls.
On today’s show, eating disorder specialist Jason Nagata, MD joins Gene and Khadijah to unpack what every parent should know about disordered eating in boys. They discuss the pressures boys face when it comes to body ideals, the impact of sports culture, and how to recognize signs of an eating disorder in your child.
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Special thanks to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) for connecting us with special guest Jason Nagata, MD.
Podcast theme music by Gene Beresin, MD, MA
Episode research by Spenser Egnatz
Episode produced by Sara Rattigan
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
If you’re a regular listener, you’ll know we often reference the benefits of casual roleplay games - from dress up to Dungeons & Dragons - for healthy child development. It can help kids better understand themselves, gain a deeper understanding of others, and build confidence.
Today, Gene and Khadijah explore roleplay through a more therapeutic lens. They are joined by special guests John Corbett, MD and Terrance Dolan, MD, two MGH/McLean Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellows (and lovers of roleplay games) to delve deeper into how it can be used in therapy and at home to support our kids’ mental health. Stay tuned to the end to hear everyone’s favorite games!
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Follow along with the conversation.
Thanks for joining in this conversation. We’ll see you back on the THIRD Thursday of next month!
Podcast music by Gene Beresin
Episode produced by Sara Rattigan
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The teen years can be a time for experimenting with alcohol and other drugs. But a recent CDC study found the reason why teens use substances today isn’t just for experimentation, but also to stop worrying about problems, and even to help with depression or anxiety.
Today, Gene and Khadijah discuss how to approach your teen if you’ve discovered they are using alcohol, marijuana, or a prescription or over-the-counter drug, and what health risks to know about for each of these.
These are hard conversations to have. We hope that ours will help you to have yours.
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If you have a question that we didn’t cover, please get in touch. Write to Gene or Khadijah at [email protected].
Music by Gene Beresin
Episode produced by Sara Rattigan and Spenser Egnatz
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Many of us have heard of dog therapy and pet therapy. But what exactly is equine therapy?
Special guest Janice Gilman of BINA Farm Center joins Gene and Khadijah to help us learn about the many different kinds of equine therapy for kids. What make horses so unique when it comes to therapeutic treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, anxiety, and more? Plus, tune in until the end to hear everyone's favorite horse films and TV shows!
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Follow along with the conversation.
New episodes on the THIRD Thursday of every month. Subscribe wherever you stream!
Music by Gene Beresin
Research by Spenser Egnatz
Produced by Sara Rattigan
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
To address the youth mental health crisis, we need to approach it from different angles – including access, education, and legislation. So, what are states doing to make a difference?
Today, Gene and Khadijah are joined by special guest Senator John C. Velis of Massachusetts. Senator Velis shines light on current efforts in Massachusetts to better utilize schools for prevention and early intervention, to help increase the behavioral health workforce, and more. He also generously shares some of his personal mental health journey.
Read the episode transcript.
Media List
Follow along with the conversation.
We’ll see you back the THIRD Thursday of every month. Subscribe wherever you stream.
Music by Gene Beresin
Episode produced by Sara Rattigan
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The podcast currently has 173 episodes available.
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