The Coping Toolbox, a Child Psych Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, Jenn interviews Jana DeCristofaro, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Community Response Program Coordinator at Dougy Center, and host of the  “Grief Out Loud” podcast. We discuss how grief might appear during different developmental stages across childhood and adolescence. We explore long-term effects of grief and protective factors. Jana outlines the challenges of helping your child grieve, while you as a caregiver are grieving, and ideas to manage these difficult times. The difficult question about talking to children about terminal illness is explored.  

Resources:

https://www.dougy.org/resources/audience/parents-caregivers?how=self-care&who=&type=

https://www.dougy.org/

https://www.dougy.org/news-media/podcasts

https://thecopingtoolbox.podbean.com/e/grief-in-children-with-joanne-doucette-msw-rsw/

In this episode Dr. Mary and Dr. Jenn describe self-compassion as a helpful skill to practice. They discuss how self-compassion helps us to be kinder to ourselves while navigating the challenges of raising kids. Three steps toward self-compassion are explored: 1. Noticing our thoughts; 2. Reminding ourselves that raising kids is a tough job and we are not alone; and 3. Be kind to ourselves. They examine how we tend to be critical of ourselves, particularly when we are having a difficult time. The positives of practicing self-compassion are highlighted, including that when we are more compassionate toward ourselves, we can be more compassionate toward others.

Resources:

https://self-compassion.org/

In this episode, Dr. Laila interviews world-renowned child psychologist, parent coach and award-winning author, Dr. Dawn Huebner. They discuss the importance of intentional practice in the treatment of childhood anxiety disorders and how parents can help their children take on right-sized, progressive challenges when facing fears.

Resources: 

1. Dr. Huebner’s Website & Books, including Dr. Dawn's Mini Books About Mighty Fears: https://www.dawnhuebnerphd.com/books-by-dawn/

2. Dr. Huebner’s TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jryCoo0BrRk

In this episode, Drs. Mary, Jenn, and Laila discuss qualities that are frequently observed as part of healthy relationships. Listeners are encouraged to observe what qualities they notice in their present relationships. Qualities discussed include having a sense of acceptance, respect for boundaries, a sense of independence, feeling supported, reciprocity and balance, and having fun.

  Resources:   1. PREVNet's Healthy Relationships Tool: https://www.prevnet.ca/resources/healthy-relationships-tool   2. Dr. Nadine Thornhill's YouTube video (Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre - Teaching Teens about Consent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVJ9PvQ0QUY   3. Teach Your Teen to Set Emotional Boundaries by Marilyn Price-Mitchell, Ph.D.: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-moment-youth/201904/teach-your-teen-set-emotional-boundaries  

 

In this episode, Drs. Jenn, Laila and Mary discuss how parents can help their children and teens build resilience. Topics covered include the importance of modelling resilience, optimism, self-compassion and self-care, routines, and supporting children during difficult situations.

Resources:

The Resilience Workbook for Kids: Fun CBT Activities to Help You Bounce Back from Stress and Grow from Challenges by Caren Baruch-Feldman et al.

The Grit Workbook for Kids: CBT Skills to Help Kids Cultivate a Growth Mindset and Build Resilience by Elisa Nebolsine et al.

The Resilience Workbook for Teens: Activities to Help You Gain Confidence, Manage Stress and Cultivate a Growth Mindset by Cheryl M. Bradshaw.

In this episode, Drs. Jenn, Laila and Mary discuss social anxiety in children and teens. Common symptoms, evidenced-based treatment, and how parents can help their children cope with social anxiety are reviewed.  Resources: https://www.anxietycanada.com/disorders/social-anxiety/ The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook for Teens: CBT and ACT Skills to Help You Build Social Confidence by Jennifer Shannon LMFT and Christine Padesky  

In this episode, Dr. Jenn is joined by Joanne Doucette, Registered Social Worker, from Ottawa (Ontario). They discuss differences between grief and mourning, the uniqueness of the experience of grief, emotions associated with grief (e.g., guilt, anxiety, and anger), suggestions for how to talk to your child about death and illness, and how to support your child’s grief journey.  Resources: https://kidsgrief.ca https://www.dougy.org https://andreawarnick.com https://www.childrenandyouthgriefnetwork.com

In this episode, Dr. Jenn interviews Dr. Penny Corkum, Registered Psychologist & Professor in the Clinical Psychology Program with the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Dalhousie University (Halifax, Nova Scotia). She is the principal investigator for the Better Nights, Better Days pan-Canadian team. Dr. Corkum shares her expertise in children’s sleep. Topics include: the importance of sleep and consequences of inadequate sleep, the effects of COVID on sleep, and the role of behavioural interventions in the treatment of sleep issues.

Resources:

Better Nights Better Days: https://betternightsbetterdays.ca/

Sick Kids Sleep Handout: https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/article?contentid=646&language=english&utm_source=sickkidsfoundation&utm_medium=newsandmedia&utm_campaign=junepromo

Anxiety Canada Sleep Handout: https://www.anxietycanada.com/articles/getting-a-good-nights-sleep/

https://www.anxietycanada.com/sites/default/files/dealing_with_co_sleeping.pdf CHEO Sleep Handout: https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/resources-and-support/resources/P5643E.pdf

 

 

In this episode, Dr. Laila interviews Dr. Jody Thomas, Clinical Health Psychologist, Founder and CEO of the Meg Foundation, and Adjunct Faculty at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Thomas discusses evidence-based strategies that parents and healthcare providers can use to reduce pain and prevent needle fears in children. The importance of minimizing painful experiences and medical trauma in early life for long-term health is reviewed. 

Resources:

Meg Foundation: www.megfoundationforpain.org

Interactive tool for creating a plan: https://www.megfoundationforpain.org/blog/supermeg-interactive-chatbot-that-helps-kids-manage-the-anxiety-and-pain-of-needle-pokes

Pain Champions: https://www.megfoundationforpain.org/pain-champions

Resources for healthcare providers: https://www.megfoundationforpain.org/providers

For this episode, Dr. Mary is joined by Dr. Wendy Craig, leading scientist and expert on bullying prevention and co-founder and Scientific Co-Director of PREVNet (Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network) for a discussion on bullying in children and teens. Dr. Craig shares her expertise regarding how to recognize bullying, health implications for all individuals involved in bullying, and the importance of adult intervention in the prevention and disruption of bullying. Helpful ways that children, youth, parents, and teachers can respond when they receive reports of or witness bullying are discussed. In addition, bullying in the context of COVID-19 and ideas for supporting individuals who experience racial bullying are reviewed. Finally, ideas for supporting the individuals victimized by and those perpetrating the bullying are reviewed.   Resources:   PREVNet:  https://www.prevnet.ca https://www.prevnet.ca/resources/videos   Sick Kids:  Bullying: https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/fr/article?contentid=303&language=English Parent Handout: Bullying Handout for Parents: https://sickkidscmh.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Bullying-Final-May-2020.pdf   Youtube: What Makes a Bully? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSQRfsvKUHE What Parents Need to Do in Schools: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URsjAvx6zzo&t=36s Racial Bullying: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZylSQBCM3JU