From Classroom to Clinic: Building Better Mental Health Partnerships

From Classroom to Clinic: Building Better Mental Health Partnerships

Schools are often the first to notice when a child is struggling, yet many pediatric providers feel unsure about how to effectively collaborate with educators and school staff. In this episode of REACHing Solutions, child and adolescent psychiatrist Jim Wallace shares practical strategies for building stronger school partnerships to support children’s mental health. Drawing on decades of experience consulting with school systems, Dr. Wallace discusses why schools are critical partners in care, common barriers to communication, and actionable tips for navigating IEPs, evaluations, and school collaboration with confidence. Listeners interested in learning more can also explore REACH’s Collaborating with Schools course.

Hesitancy to Hope: Talking with Families About Psychiatric Medications

Conversations about psychiatric medication can be some of the most challenging moments in pediatric care. Parents may arrive feeling fearful about starting treatment, unsure about continuing, or wondering if it’s time to take a break.  In this episode of REACHing Solutions, we sit down with Dr. Noor Jihan Abdul-Haqq, integrative pediatrician and REACH faculty member, to explore how these conversations unfold in real-world practice. She shares her perspective on building trust with hesitant families, addressing common concerns about treatment, and approaching decisions around medication use, switches, and ongoing management, all grounded in clear communication.

Burnout and Boundaries: A Pediatric Clinician’s Perspective on Staying Well

Burnout and compassion fatigue are increasingly common among pediatric clinicians, yet they’re rarely discussed openly. In this episode of REACHing Solutions, Dr. Amy Kryder shares an honest perspective on how burnout develops, how to recognize it, and the pressures clinicians face in primary care. This conversation explores boundaries, mindset shifts, and ways to stay grounded while caring for others.

Time Crunch: Delivering Pediatric Mental Health Care in a Busy Practice

In this episode of REACHing Solutions, we sit down with developmental-behavioral pediatrician and longtime REACH faculty member, Dr. Gene Hershorin, to address one of the most common challenges pediatric providers face: time. With appointment slots often limited to 15 minutes, addressing behavioral health concerns can feel overwhelming. Dr. Hershorin shares practical, realistic strategies to help busy clinicians deliver mental health services without sacrificing quality of care. He also reflects on his own experience leveraging billing strategies to drive system-level change within hospital settings.

Digital Dilemmas: A Pediatrician's Take on Social Media and Kids

In the second episode of REACHing Solutions, we sit down with adolescent medicine specialist, pediatrician, and REACH faculty member, Dr. Jasmine Reese, to explore the complex role of social media in kids’ lives. Dr. Reese tackles some of the most pressing questions facing providers and parents today: When is the right time to introduce social media? What signs suggest a child’s use may be becoming problematic? And how should adults respond when concerns arise? This conversation offers practical guidance grounded in clinical expertise and real-world experience.