Kid Therapist Podcast: Recent Episodes
Allison McQuaid
Get an inside look into the thoughts and experiences of two Maryland mental health therapists, Allie and Lauren, who specialize in helping children, tweens and teens improve their mental health! Together they will share info about mental health concerns for today’s youth, tips and creative ideas for other clinicians working with kids, and any other thoughts related to the child’s mind! Allie and Lauren have experience working in a variety of settings: private practice, school-based therapy settings, and community mental health centers.
In this episode Lauren welcomes special guest, Whitney Thompson, LCPC to discuss how teens are feeling and trying to cope during the Covid 19 pandemic.
Whitney is a LCPC (Licensed Counselor) in the states of Maryland and Colorado. She is the owner of Anchor Counseling Centers, a private practice with multiple locations in Carroll County and Howard County. While maintaining a small caseloa , Whitney also speaks frequently on the topic of teenagers and parenting skills at private institutions and Universities. Her focus in her career has been teenagers (mostly teenage girls) with whom she connects well with and can help them grow to their full potential. Whitney is honored to work with Allie and previously work with Lauren at Anchor Counseling Centers as they are both amazing counselors.
https://www.anchorcounselingcenters.com
In this episode, Allie welcomes special guest Marie Stancovich, LCPC to discuss how older kids and teens, and especially the grown ups in their lives, may be dealing with the struggle "to achieve" and "be positive" during this challenging and uncertain time of a world pandemic. Marie provides ways to manage this term coined "toxic positivity" and how to deal with uncomfortable emotions during this stressful time.
Marie Stancovich is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Maryland. She is also a Nationally Certified Counselor and member of Sigma Chi Iota. She is the owner of Wokini Therapy Services located in Eldersburg Maryland.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/marie-stancovich-eldersburg-md/289222
https://wokinitherapy.com
In this episode, Lauren welcomes the amazing Dr. Rachel Altvater to the podcast to discuss ways technology as your friend, not enemy, during this time of Covid-19 and quarantine life.
Introduction to Tele-Play Therapy by Dr. Altvater:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kmZJdC0eTbc
Are you noticing old behaviors (or even new ones) presenting during this stressful time? Allie provides some tips for navigating the regressive behaviors and how to cope with these adjustments.
In this episode Lauren provides strategies and tips for navigating online learning throughout the stress of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Allie's goal with this week's podcast is to provide some quick ideas as to how to manage some family dynamics right now which may also translate after the lockdown has been lifted as well.
https://www.5lovelanguages.com
https://www.amazon.com/Love-Languages-Children-Secret-Effectively/dp/B01GQO95PY/ref=sr_1_5?crid=22PL44S6LE1E4&dchild=1&keywords=5+love+languages+by+gary+chapman&qid=1585773339&sprefix=5+love%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-5
The FOMO (fear of missing out) is real right now for kids and teens! Kids are not just fearful of missing out, they are actually missing out! They miss their friends, school, sports, and they need those peer connections more than ever. Today Allie provides some tips about how to keep your kids connected, which can be helpful during confusing times like we are experiencing now, or anytime they are needing that extra boost of connection to friends.
During this worrisome and uncertain time of the COVID-19 world pandemic, our kids are still the center of our world. What they need right now is comfort, safety, routines, and PLAY!
Lauren provides tips and ideas about how to play with your kids while many of you are spending a lot more time with these little humans right now!
Allie provides tips and resources to encouraging appropriate listening skills for your kids.
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Modeling from parents/caregivers
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Connect before correct
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Focus on what you can and cannot control about the situation
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Collaborate and problem solve with your child together
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Give them choices
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Be playful!
Book recommendations:
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk Paperback
by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7 Paperback
by Joanna Faber and Julie King
No Drama Discipline
by Dr. Dan Siegel and Dr. Tina Payne Bryson
Lauren and Allie are back for Season 2 of the Kid Therapist Podcast and are ready to discuss more topics and ways to help parents/caregivers/those who work with kids navigate difficult issues in their lives.
Allie & Lauren wrap up season 1 with 10 ways to cultivate and inspire your family to promote positive mental health in the new year.
Resources:
Psychologist Dr. Jody Carrington
Psychologist Dr. Ashleigh Warner
Dan Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson No Drama Discipline
In this episode we welcome special guest Courtney Mack, LMSW to discuss grief and loss in kids.
Resources discussed:
https://www.amazon.com/Invisible-String-Patrice-Karst/dp/031648623X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=invisible+string&qid=1575994109&sr=8-1
https://www.amazon.com/Invisible-String-Workbook-Creative-Activities/dp/0316524913/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=invisible+string&qid=1575994109&sr=8-4
https://www.amazon.com/Book-Lost-Things-John-Connolly/dp/1442429348/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+book+of+lost+things&qid=1576000645&sr=8-1
https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Your-Grieving-Heart-Teens/dp/1879651238/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1NQTOT1B79GG3&keywords=healing+your+grieving+heart+for+teens&qid=1576000672&sprefix=healing+your+grief%2Caps%2C137&sr=8-1
https://www.amazon.com/When-Children-Grieve-Adults-Divorce/dp/0060084294/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3SYB1HYOFOUHG&keywords=when+children+grieve&qid=1576000718&sprefix=when+children+gr%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-2
https://www.amazon.com/Fault-Our-Stars-John-Green/dp/014242417X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=5VCKURYR3JTA&keywords=the+fault+in+our+stars+book&qid=1576000742&sprefix=the+fault+in%2Caps%2C259&sr=8-1
Today we discuss how to help encourage and empower body positivity in kids. We have a very special guest Alex Morella, LGPC. Alex Morella is a licensed graduate therapist working within a private practice setting. Alex has a background in working with those coping with trauma and anxiety disorders, body dysmorphia, and self-esteem issues. Alex is a firm believer in the body positivity movement. She passionate about supporting others in strengthening their mind and body connections, as well as, building a sense of home within their bodies.
What is gratitude?
How can you practice gratitude with your kids?
Resources:
The things I’m grateful for – cute short stories for kids about being thankful and grateful – Arnie Lightning
A Thank you Walk: A story about gratitude – Nancy Loewen
Apple Cake – Dawn Casey
Grateful Together – Vicky Perreaulut
The 3 minute gratitude journal for Kids: A journal to teach children to practice gratitude and mindfulness – Modern Kid Press
Play Gratitude Pick-up Sticks – play therapist – Kim Feeney
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What is play therapy?
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How does it work?
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Why might a parent want to consider taking their child to see a registered play therapist?
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What therapy looks like with teens?
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Any ways you love to encourage parents to play with their kids?
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How can a therapist become a registered play therapist?
A review of 10 Free mental health apps for your kids
1. Smiling Mind
2. Breathe, Think, Do Sesame
3. MindShift
4. Emotionary
5. Super Stretch Yoga
6. Relax Melodies
7. Moodpath
8. Insight timer
9. Calm- free trial
10. Headspace
What are social skills and why are they important?
Find out what's typical for your child's developmental age.
Learn ways to teach social skills at home.
We recap the Lynn Lyons two day workshop in New Hampshire and share the DOs and DONTs when approaching anxiety treatment for kids in therapy.
Our first podcast guest! Suzie Lawyer, LGPC joins us and shares her experience and insight about school counselor roles and therapist roles in your kids lives!
- Why do kids have trouble sleeping at night?
- What can I do?
Books we recommend for bedtime
"A Bedtime Yarn" – Nicole Winstanley
"The Moon Inside" – Sandra Feder
"Bedtime for Frances" – Russell Hoba
"Kid’s guide to overcoming problems with sleep" – Dawn Huebner
In this episode:
What are some signs that my kid might have higher than normal levels of anxiety?
How can I help my anxious child?
Sources:
www.cdc.gov
www.apa.org
https://www.lynnlyonsnh.com
https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Think-About-Purple-Elephants/dp/1925335488
https://www.amazon.com/Worry-Says-What-Allison-Edwards/dp/1937870510/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=worry+monster&qid=1567970562&s=books&sr=1-1
—What are some signs are behaviors your child might need counseling —What happens in therapy? —Where do I find a therapist?