The Coping Toolbox, a Child Psych Podcast

Helping Your Anxious Child Use Intentional Practice with Dr. Dawn Huebner

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

Healthy Relationships

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
 
 

Building Resilience in Children & Teens

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.

Social Anxiety in Children and Teens

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
 

Grief in Children with Joanne Doucette, MSW, RSW

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

Sleep in Children with Dr. Penny Corkum

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.pdfCHEO Sleep Handout: https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/resources-and-support/resources/P5643E.pdf
 
 

Kids and Needles: What Every Parent and Healthcare Provider Should Know to Reduce Pain and Fear with Dr. Jody Thomas

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

Bullying in Children and Youth with Dr. Wendy Craig

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

Healthy Lifestyle and Exercise for Youth with Connie Beaulieu, CSCS

As a follow-up to the Helping Kids Develop a Healthy Body Image episode, Dr. Laila interviews Connie Beaulieu, CSCS, a Fitness Professional with over 25 years of experience from Ottawa (Ontario). They discuss healthy lifestyle choices for youth including avoiding fad diets, the negative influence of social media on body image, the importance of regular exercise, and how parents can help model healthy lifestyle choices.
***Although this discussion is around a psychologically healthy and balanced approach to nutrition and exercise, some of these topics can be sensitive to some listeners. If these topics are triggering for you, please look after yourself by seeking help.***
Resources:
CHEO - Helping Your Child or Youth Spend More Time Outdoors:
https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/resources-and-support/resources/P6200E.pdf
Caring for Kids - Physical Activity for Children and Youth:
https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/healthy-living/physical_activity
Government of Canada - Healthy Living Activity Tips for Children and Youth: 
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/physical-activity-tips-children-5-11-years.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/physical-activity-tips-youth-12-17-years.html

10 Tips for Back-to-School

With summer coming to an end and a new school year approaching, Drs. Jenn and Mary discuss 10 tips to help parents and kids prepare for the transition to school. Topics include getting back into a routine, normalizing anxiety, practicing COVID measures, empowering kids, and modelling healthy behaviours.
Resources:
https://www.camh.ca/-/media/files/camh_covid19_infosheet-backtoschool-children-anxiety-pdf.pdf
https://www.anxietycanada.com/articles/coping-with-back-to-school-anxiety/
https://childmind.org/article/back-to-school-anxiety-during-covid/