Your Anxious Child

KIDS THESE DAYS: Interview with Will Dobud, PhD

Will Dobud, PhD talks about his new book coauthored with Nevin Harper KIDS THESE DAYS: Understanding and Supporting Youth Mental Health. Rather than adopting the age old perspective of looking at the younger generation and saying some version of "Kids these days..." The authors suggest that the youth mental health crisis is what might be termed a "wicked problem" that does permit easy solutions. What has been missing is taking a serious look at the environmental context in which children are growing up in. Digital interference, environmental toxins, a culture of safety are some of the environmental factors impinging on the younger generation and adversely effecting their mental health. For more information https://www.kidsthesedaysbook.com/will-dobud [https://www.kidsthesedaysbook.com/will-dobud]

Selective Mutism and Bravery Grows: Interview with Dr Melissa Giglio

Dr Melissa Giglio and Daisy Geddes have recently published Bravery Grow and an accompanying workbook The Bravery Grows Journal & Workbook: Building Bravery in Anxious Kids with Selective Mutism and Social Anxiety Dr Melissa Giglio is a clinical psychologist specializing in the treatment of anxiety disorders. She is the director of Central Health Partners Child Development Team in Hong Kong. She created an intensive group therapy program for selective mutism "Confident Crew"'. Her coauthor, Daisy Geddes is an associate Psychologist and assoicate director of the Selective Mutism Program at CHP. In this interview I talked with Dr Giglio about the book she coauthored with Daisy Geddes. In any anxiety disorder, psychoeducation about the condition is a critical first step. Bravery Grows captures the experience of a child with selective mutism in a way that will appeal to children and their caregivers. It can be a puzzling condition for both the child and caregivers and this book will provide much needed clarification. For more information https://bravemightyminds.com/ [https://bravemightyminds.com/]

Helping the Neurodivergence Teen with DBT: Interview with Rhiannon Theurer, LMFT

Rhiannon Theurer, LMFT has just published The Neurodivergence Skills Workbook for Teens: DBT Tools To Help You Deal with Sensory Sensitivity, Manage Emotional Overwhelm and Thrive. Rhiannon Theurer is a neurodivergent therapist in private practice who works with neurodivergent teens and adults. She can be found at rhiannon@rhiannontheurer.com [rhiannon@rhiannontheurer.com] Rhiannon Theurer talks in her book and in this interview about how the skills taught in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can be so helpful for neurodivergence teens who may for a variety of reasons experience the world in a more intense and nonvalidating manner.

Morbid Curiosity-Interview with Coltan Scrivner, PhD

Coltan Scrivner, PhD has just published Morbidly Curious: A Scientist Explains Why We Can't Look. He defines morbid curiosity "...a curiosity about things that are threatening or potentially dangerous". In the interview and in his book he explains why it is important to be curious about things that are dangerous. He provides an entirely new perspective about why children enjoy scary stories, the appeal of horror movies, haunted houses and true crime stories. All of these activities help you become familiar and explore the sensation of being afraid in a fictional context which in turn has been shown to help you with real life fears and dangers. For more information about Coltan Scrivner, here is his website https://www.coltanscrivner.com [https://www.coltanscrivner.com/]

Selective Mutism: Interview with Rachel Busman, PsyD, ABPP

Rachel Busman, PsyD, ABPP is a clinical psychologist and senior director of the Child and Adolescent Anxiety and Related Disorder Program at Cognitive Behavioral Consultants in White Plains, NY. She was previously the past president of the Selective Mutism Foundation and the director of the Selective Mutism Service at the Child Mind Institute. She also runs a camp for children with Selective Mutism Voices Rising which is held during the summer and during the school year. Dr Busman has written Being Brave with Selective Mutism: A Step-by-Step Guide for Children and Their Caregivers. This is a very helpful guide for parents and children dealing with selective mutism. In this interview, Dr Busman provides an overview of selective mutism and highlights some the key interventions for this condition. She speaks with an energy and clarity that I think you will inspiring and motivating. For more information about Dr Busman https://www.cbc-psychology.com/cbc-staff/rachel-busman-psyd-abpp [https://www.cbc-psychology.com/cbc-staff/rachel-busman-psyd-abpp] and for the Voices Rising Program https://www.cbc-psychology.com/events/voices-rising-winter-2026 [https://www.cbc-psychology.com/events/voices-rising-winter-2026] Dr Busman recommends the Selective Mutism YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6GwY4kccpkcmgl-uNIA5tg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6GwY4kccpkcmgl-uNIA5tg] and of course The Selective Mutism Foundation is an excellent source of information https://www.selectivemutism.org/ [https://www.selectivemutism.org/]