Your Anxious Child

How Screen Based Technology Can Rewire Your Brain: Interview with Mari Swingle, PhD

Dr Mari Swingle was one of the first people to warn us about the dangers of screen based technology. Her book i-Minds: How and Why Constant Connectivity is Rewiring our Brains and What to Do About It was first published in 2019. This well researched book provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and promises this new technology poses for us. I found her explanation about why children have such difficulty getting off or dismounting from their technology compelling. Her intriguing phrase is that it involves vestibular system lock-in. Listen to the interview to hear her explanation for what is an all frequent occurrence in many households. For more information about Dr. Swingle https://swingleclinic.com/about/our-staff/dr-mari-k-swingle [https://swingleclinic.com/about/our-staff/dr-mari-k-swingle] http://www.drmariswingle.com/about-dr-mari/ [http://www.drmariswingle.com/about-dr-mari/]

Freeing Your Child From Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Interview with Tamar E Chansky, PhD

The first edition of Freeing Your Child From Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by Tamar E. Chanksky, PhD was published 25 years and now there is a revised and updated edition (2025) . This book has remained the standard reference book for parents who are trying navigate the complex territory of parenting a child with OCD. The book has stood the test of time. Children as David Elkind, PhD once explained are "cognitive aliens" in that they think about the world quite differently from adults. Fortunately, Dr Chansky is remarkable in her ability to articulate a program of action in child friendly language with a mixture of humor and compassion. This one of the things that makes her so special. For more information about Dr Tamar Chansky https://tamarchansky.com/ [https://tamarchansky.com/]

Treating BFRB in children and adolescents: Interview with Dr Jennifer Gola and Dr Renae Reinardy

When a child engages in hair pulling, skin picking and other body focused repetitive behaviors, it can be very alarming for parents. Children feel compelled to engage in the BFRB but often feel quite embarrassed and ashamed. Drs Jennifer Gola, Marla Deibler and Renae Reinardy talk about their new book, Free To Be Me with a BFRB: The Ultimate Kid's Guide to Living Well with Hair Pulling, Skin Picking, Nail Biting, and other Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors. This book provides a very comprehensive and compassionate approach to the treatment and management of BFRB's. Our discussion provides an excellent introduction to this topic and to a very useful resource for parents, children and therapists. For more information https://thecenterforemotionalhealth.com/staff/dr-jennifer-gola [https://thecenterforemotionalhealth.com/staff/dr-jennifer-gola] https://thecenterforemotionalhealth.com/staff/dr-marla-w-deibler/ [https://thecenterforemotionalhealth.com/staff/dr-marla-w-deibler/] https://www.lakesidecenter.org/about.html [https://www.lakesidecenter.org/about.html] and also see Dr Marla Deibler's blog on Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/from-surviving-to-thriving [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/from-surviving-to-thriving]

Parenting Anxiety: Interview with Meredith Elkins, PhD

Meredith Elkins, PhD is a clinical psychologist who specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders in children and families. She is also the co-program director at the McLean Anxiety Mastery Program at McLean Hospital. She has just published Parenting Anxiety: Breaking The Cycle of Worry & Raising Resilient Kids. Her book provides a comprehensive foundation for parents to help themselves and their children who are struggling with anxiety. In our discussion, Dr Elkin points out the importance in distinguishing between the everyday usage of anxiety and the more clinical use of the term. She also talks about the current parenting culture of "intensive parenting" can inadverently predispose children towards anxiety. As a true expert of the treatment of anxiety disorders both in the interview and in her book, she offers such practical advise for parents and clinicians. For more information about Dr Elkin https://www.meredithelkinsphd.com [https://www.meredithelkinsphd.com/]

"But I'M BORED" Interview with Lizzie Assa, MSED

Lizzie Assa, MSED, discusses her new book BUT I'M BORED: Discover the Power of Independent Play to Raise Confident, Resilient Kids It is a book about how to compassionately foster independent play in your child and why it is so important. It is filled with fun suggestions about how to build "play pockets" and rather profound insights such as "Who we are alone is someone different from who we are with others, and knowing both parts of yourself is valuable for everyone's growth. Until they are alone, a child may not be able to distinguish their needs and desires from someone else's" (p15) In the process of following her suggestions about fostering independent play, you will also be building many of foundational skills in coping with anxiety in whatever form in may show up for your child. Lizzie Assa is someone to listen to. For more information about Lizzie Assa https://www.workspaceforchildren.com/about [https://www.workspaceforchildren.com/about]