The Coping Toolbox, a Child Psych Podcast

Helping Kids Develop a Healthy Body Image

In this episode, Drs. Laila, Jenn and Mary discuss what parents can do to help their children and teens develop a positive body image. Topics such as food culture at home, the dangers of diet culture, modelling positive body image, building self-esteem separate from appearance, and critical media consumption are reviewed.
Resources:
Sick Kids: https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/article?contentid=625&language=english
Kelty Mental Health: https://keltymentalhealth.ca/body-image-struggles
CHEO: https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/resources-and-support/resources/P5686E.pdf
Picture Perfect: The Direct Effect of Manipulated Instagram Photos on Body Image in Adolescent Girls. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/15213269.2016.1257392

What Can You Do When it Feels Like You Can’t Do Anything? Early Intervention Advice from a Speech Language Pathologist with Shauna Haight, SLP

In this episode, Dr. Mary is joined by Shauna Haight, Paediatric Early Intervention Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) from Ottawa (Ontario). They explore markers that indicate a child is a late talker, the value in taking a “let’s try and see what happens approach” rather than a “let’s wait and see approach,” how parents can access support, and what parents can do to help their young children while waiting to receive services. Early intervention strategies and screen-time recommendations for young kids also are discussed. 
 
Resources: 
 
Hanen Centre: https://www.hanen.org/Home.aspx
 
Banter Speech and Language: https://www.banterspeech.com.au
 
CHEO First Words: https://www.firstwords.ca

How to Support Kids Who Have Experienced Trauma with Dr. Phil Ritchie

In this episode, Dr. Jenn is joined by Dr. Phil Ritchie, a Clinical Psychologist from Ottawa (Ontario). Topics include discussing how to define trauma, exploring symptoms that may be exhibited, describing important points for caregivers to keep in mind when supporting a child who has experienced trauma, and outlining when to seek help.
Resources:
The National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative: https://www.samhsa.gov/child-trauma
MindMasters 2: Skills That Last a Lifetime: https://www.santepubliqueottawa.ca/fr/public-health-services/resources/Documents/MM2_ENG_Oct_2019_OPH_FIN_web_FINAL-s.pdf

Helping Parents Get Their S*** Together with Dr. Maggie Mamen

In this episode, Dr. Mary is joined by Dr. Maggie Mamen, an award-winning Clinical Family Psychologist and best-selling author from Ottawa (Ontario). With the goal of helping parents feel empowered as leaders within the family unit, Dr. Maggie discusses conceptualizing the family as a small business, the importance of differentiating between choice and obligation, how to effectively co-parent with differing parenting styles, and how to manage sibling rivalries. 
 
***This episode is geared toward parents and contains adult subject matter.***
 
Resources: 
 
Books:
 
Laughter, Love & Limits: Parenting for Life by Dr. Maggie Mamen.
 
Who's in Charge? A Guide to Family Management by Dr. Maggie Mamen.
 
The Pampered Child Syndrome: How to Recognize it, How to Manage it, and How to Avoid it - A Guide for Parents and Professionals by Dr. Maggie Mamen.

OCD - When Thoughts Get Stuck and Behaviours Take Over with Dr. Jennifer Karp

In this episode, Dr. Jenn is joined by Dr. Jennifer Karp, a Clinical Psychologist from Ottawa (Ontario). Topics include: what are common symptoms of OCD, how does it develop and how is it maintained, and what evidence-based treatment is typically used to treat OCD.
Resources:
Websites:
IOCDF.org 
CHEO's OCD Handout: https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/resources-and-support/resources/P4934E.pdf
Anxiety Canada's OCD Parent Handout: https://www.anxietycanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/hm_OCD.pdf
Books:
Talking Back to OCD by John March.
Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD by Eli Lebowitz.

Separation and Co-Parenting with Dr. Samantha Goldwater-Adler

In this episode, Dr. Jenn is joined by Dr. Samantha Goldwater-Adler, a Clinical Psychologist from Montreal (Quebec). Topics include what to consider when telling your child/children you are separating, emotional and practical tips when learning to co-parent, and strategies to communicate with your former partner to improve co-parenting.
***This episode is geared toward parents and contains adult subject matter.***
Resources:
Book: The Divorce Talk: How to Tell The Kids: A Parent’s Guide to Breaking the News Without Breaking Their Hearts by Vikki Stark.
Online resources:
https://naitreetgrandir.com/en/feature/children-and-separation/
Information for kids about separation and divorce by Department of Justice Canada: What Happens Next? - Justice Canada

Coping Strategies for Childhood Immunizations and Pain

In this mini episode, Dr. Laila and Dr. Jenn review coping strategies for both children and parents to use during childhood immunizations (e.g. during COVID-19 vaccines or routine childhood immunizations). Techniques such as the use of distraction, deep breathing, physical comfort/positioning, positive self-talk, and modelling calm parenting behaviours are reviewed.
Resources:
Websites:
https://immunize.ca/pain-management-children
https://itdoesnthavetohurt.ca
https://kidsinpain.ca
https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/pain?topic=acutepain
Handout for Parents - Kids and Teens:
https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/uploads/handout_images/painreduction_kidsandteens_e.pdf
Handout for Parents - Infants and Toddlers:
https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/uploads/handout_images/painreduction_under3_e.pdf
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgBwVSYqfps
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjJtOP3StIuUPbAkWgm5V17TdXBGA1uzH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XoGUTbFOtI

Mindful Parenting with Dr. Marina Heifetz

In this episode, Dr. Mary is joined again by Dr. Marina Heifetz, Child and Adolescent Psychologist and mindfulness educator from Toronto (Ontario) for a discussion on mindful parenting. They review the benefits of mindful parenting and explore how to bring this into practice through approaches, such as the TINGLE method and responding rather than reacting. The importance of parents’ awareness of their own emotions, appropriate expectations for each child, and self-compassion are discussed.
Resources:
https://www.gottman.com/blog/mindful-parenting-how-to-respond-instead-of-react/
Dr. Kristin Neff: https://self-compassio.org/category/exercises/#guided-meditations 
 

Mindfulness for Children and Teens with Dr. Marina Heifetz

Dr. Mary is joined by Dr. Marina Heifetz, a Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychologist and mindfulness educator from Toronto (Ontario), for a discussion on mindfulness. They discuss benefits for children, youth, and parents as well as practical tips for incorporating mindfulness into a busy lifestyle. Dr. Marina guides listeners through a relaxing mindful practice.
Resources:
Apps: Headspace, Smiling Mind, Calm.
Book: Breathe Like a Bear - 30 Mindful Moments for Kids to Feel Calm and Focused Anytime, Anywhere by Kira Willey.
Website: Mindful.org

Social Media, Technology Use and Youth Mental Health with Dr. Kim Hellemans

In this episode, Dr. Laila is joined by Dr. Kim Hellemans, professor and Chair of the Department of Neuroscience at Carleton University (Ottawa, Ontario) and co-host of the award winning podcast, Minding the Brain. They explore the link between excessive social media and technology use and children's mental health, and discuss coping tools for both youth and parents.
Resources:
https://www.cmaj.ca/content/192/6/E136
https://cmha.ca/blogs/screens-and-your-child-the-inside-scoop
https://www.cps.ca/en/documents/position/screen-time-and-young-children