A Pediatrician's Perspective on Anxious Children: Interview with Kristen Cook, MD

Kristen Cook, M.D. is a pediatrician who has just published Parenting REDEFINED: A Guide To Understanding and Nurturing Your Child's Behavior To Help Them Thrive. She also has a podcast MomDocTalk https://www.kristencookmd.com/podcast Whenever there is a problem with your child, the first recommendation is often to consult with your pediatrician. They have a unique vantage point of being familiar with every stage of child development and have often seen the same child from infancy to college graduations. So as think about how to help our anxious children, the perspective of a pediatrician is an extremely valuable contribution. In  Dr Cook book and podcast, she provides very clear and concise information on a wide range of issues. Today we focused on vaccines, medical trauma and how parents and pediatricians can collaborate effectively together. I

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 http://www.drmariswingle.com/about-dr-mari/

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/

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-marla-w-deibler/ 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

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  

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

Marni L Jacob, PhD, ABPP has just published What to Do When You Have a Tricky, Sticky, Picky Brain: Cognitive Behavioral Strategies to Help Kids with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Dr Jacob discusses her new book and provides an overview of the cognitive behavioral treatment for OCD. Her book is geared toward adolescents and teens when the condition is most commonly diagnosed. It has been estimated to affect 1-2 out of every 100 children.  Central to the treatment of OCD is understanding the relationship of Thoughts, Feelings and Behaviors and well as the centrality of response prevention based therapy. Adolescents will find the answers they have been searching for in this comprehensive guide. For more information about Dr Jacob https://www.jacobcenterforebt.com

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  

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/

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 [email protected] 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.