The Coping Toolbox, a Child Psych Podcast
A podcast hosted by Canadian licensed Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychologists Drs. Jennifer Vriend, Laila Din Osmun, and Mary Simmering McDonald, C.Psych. Topics covered include a wide variety of subjects such as dealing with child anxiety, low mood, sleep difficulties and parenting issues. Guest speakers include other Child Psychologists and developmental professionals.
Our Editor's Take
The Coping Toolbox, a Child Psych Podcast enables parents to help kids thrive despite social, physical, or mental obstacles. Hosts Dr. Mary Simmering McDonald, Dr. Laila Din Osmun, and Dr. Jenn Vriend are licensed clinical child psychologists. They work in Canadian private practices. The providers created this show during the COVID-19 pandemic to make help accessible. They persisted because wait lists and costs continue to restrict mental health access.
The podcast hosts counsel parents because helping kids cope begins with parental self-care. Children emulate their caregivers' coping strategies. Listeners learn tips for parenting kids with autism. They get insights about obsessive-compulsive disorder, teen sleep, and bullying. These psychologists give parents the confidence they need to reassure their kids. Their advice benefits the entire family.
Body image is a growing concern among children and youth. The doctors reference a study indicating that half of teen girls feel overweight. They say emergency rooms are overrun by eating disorder cases. Constant exposure to edited social media images exacerbates the problem. Parents learn how to help. The doctors explain ways to build a child's self-esteem apart from their appearance. Teaching kids about healthy eating is essential. But that can trigger kids with eating disorders. The Coping Toolbox, a Child Psych Podcast discusses healthy eating and exercise. It also incorporates considerations for eating disorders.
Anxiety is prevalent among many kids. The hosts provide several tools to calm children. Needle pokes create significant anxiety in 63 percent of young kids. Half of teens share that dread. The hosts interview the CEO of the Meg Foundation about immunization pain and fear. They reveal a theory about why needle fright is lower in Canada than in the US. Should parents expose children to fears or distract them? Is relaxation breathing effective? Or should children release anxiety through activity? These specialists clarify conflicting research.
The Coping Toolbox, a Child Psych Podcast provides hope for a better night of sleep and a calmer morning. Parents learn what behavior is normal versus concerning. Most caregivers know that a child's mental health can affect their own. These compassionate doctors address both.
Episodes