Overpowering Emotions: Tools for Child & Teen Anxiety and Resilience

On Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline continues the #JourneyofResilience2024. What makes some children adept at bouncing back and even thriving from challenges while others in the same situation struggle? It's more than just natural tenacity; resilience is a complex interplay of skills, behaviours, and environmental influences.  Dr. Caroline discusses how resilience manifests through a varie...

Today on Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline continues the #JourneyofResilience2024 by discussing the foundational building blocks of resilience and how parents, schools, and communities can collaboratively nurture resilience in children and teens. From creating a safe and stable environment to fostering autonomy and independence, she covers the essential elements that contribute to resilient beha...

Join us in the latest episode of Overpowering Emotions - the first of #JourneyofResilience2024. To start this journey, Dr. Carline talks about how moving beyond the conventional view of simply bouncing back from adversity and ensuring children thrive. Discover the multifaceted nature of resilience, encompassing emotional, psychological, social, and physical aspects. She discusses key frameworks to...

In this recast episode of  Overpowering Emotions,  as we continue our series on parental traps that exacerbate children's anxiety, I discuss conditional safety learning. I first discuss the generalizability of fears and how learned fears - even those not consciously remembered - can significantly influence a child's perception of safety and danger. Using relatable examples, like a fear o...

In today's recast episode of Overpowering Emotions, I wanted to readdress the often-overlooked realm of safety behaviours and their impact on anxiety, especially in children and teens. Learn about how these behaviours, while seemingly helpful in the short term, can paradoxically worsen anxiety over time by reinforcing the belief that certain situations or feelings are unbearable without certain ac...

In today's episode, I continue back on the traps we fall into that inadvertently worsen children's anxiety. In today's recast, we focus on the counterintuitive concept that striving for relaxation can actually amplify anxiety. We unpack the paradox of 'trying' to relax when anxious and why making relaxation the goal can be problematic. In this episode, I discuss how emphasizing the reduction of an...

In today’s episode of Overpowering Emotions, I take a little detour from my usual discussions and capitalize on the New Year (when some people might start thinking of goals and new habits) to speak with special guest Jorge V. Gonzalez, who has embraced his life's calling with unwavering passion. Based on his journey, he offers a blueprint for anyone longing to discover and fulfill their true purpo...

Today on Overpowering Emotions, I want to capitalize on the holiday season's unique opportunities for nurturing emotion regulation and resilience in children. I discuss how to balance holiday excitement with essential routines. I chat about strategies for family bonding, managing expectations, and creating a supportive environment to foster emotional well-being and resilience in our children. Tune...

This week on Overpowering Emotions, I build on last week’s discussion about extinction bursts and validation, diving into the empowering parenting approach of Non-Violent Resistance (NVR). I explore how NVR transitions families from accommodating anxious behaviours to fostering empowerment and resilience in children. NVR, initially a response to violent or self-destructive behaviours, is beneficia...

In today’s episode of Overpowering Emotions, I discuss the challenging concept of extinction bursts in the context of reducing accommodations for anxious children. Last week's discussion on accommodation strategies for anxious children set the stage for this deeper exploration. As we start withdrawing these accommodations to promote independence and resilience, parents and educators often face an...

Today on Overpowering Emotions, I continue the parent trap series with a focus on one of the most significant traps: Accommodation. As adults, it is our instinct to shield anxious children from distress. However, when we do this, are we helping or hindering their growth? This episode delves deep into the effects of over-accommodation — from speaking for a shy child to avoiding certain social situa...

Today on Overpowering Emotions, I kick off the new Parent Traps series talking about an incredibly influential, but often overlooked aspect of parenting: the distinction between promoting reasonable safety and falling into the anxiety-inducing trap of catastrophizing. Ever wonder how a simple "Be careful!" can spiral into a storm of worries in a child's mind? It's all about the words we choose. Jo...

In today's episode, I spoke with Joanne Williams about the art of mastering emotions to enhance our lives. We explore the unique messages each emotion brings and the critical role of tuning into these messages for our personal development and well-being. We also tackle the detrimental effects of self-comparison and offer alternative, healthier approaches. We highlight the transformative power of g...

It is easy to get caught in the endless cycle of pleasing others at the expense of our own well-being. In today’s fast-paced world, we are facing more demands than ever before, contributing to our own emotional exhaustion (and children’s dysregulation). In today’s episode, guest expert Dr. Iris discusses the signs of burnout and how we can find our joy and take care of ourselves. And, become maste...

Today I jump into a topic that's essential yet often overlooked— the symbiotic relationship between safety and resilience. How do we navigate the tightrope between safeguarding our children from potential dangers and fostering their resilience? This episode aims to shed light on this intricate balance. I break down the multifaceted roles that safety and resilience play in the lives of our children...

Sharpening critical thinking skills is a game-changer in managing emotions. Dive into part 2 of this discussion on critical thinking where we dive into its potent impact on emotion regulation. We will also discuss 25 practical strategies to help children and teens strengthen this critical skill for mastering emotions and building their resilience. If you'd like to read more, check out this blog po...

In today's episode, I delve into a crucial skill we all need to cultivate in children and teens: Critical Thinking. Why is it so essential? How does it pave the way for academic excellence, emotional well-being, and resilience? Not just a buzzword, critical thinking is the bedrock of independent thought, effective decision-making, and problem-solving. Tune in as I discuss practical strategies for...

Today on Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline chats with guest expert Dr. Brice Willis to unmask performance anxiety. This topic strikes a chord with students who struggle with perfectionism, athletes, and anyone who has felt the pressure to shine in the spotlight. Performance anxiety, that gripping feeling of unease that can accompany high-stakes situations, is a phenomenon that affects individual...

Welcome to another insightful episode of Overpowering Emotions. Now that we are a month into school, I wanted to readdress a critically important topic - separation anxiety. While it's entirely normal for young children to experience separation anxiety, its persistence into the elementary (and beyond!) can signal a more serious concern. This is especially true when it starts interfering with every...

Welcome to another enlightening episode of Overpowering Emotions. Today, I had the chance to speak with special guest Jaimee Campanella about a topic that many of us struggle with daily - our relationship with time. It's a topic that not only influences our personal emotional landscape but also holds profound implications for the well-being of our children and the harmony within our homes. For man...

Welcome back to the concluding part of our Best of Back to School Success series on managing school avoidance. If you happened to miss the preceding two episodes, I encourage you to catch up on them, as they lay the groundwork for fostering student triumph within a nurturing environment, guided by knowledgeable adults adept at skillfully addressing moments of anxiety. In today's episode, I'm honin...

Welcome back to the next installment of the Back to School Success series. In today's episode, I jump into Part II of our exploration of School Avoidance, where I shift focus to treatment considerations. I discuss the necessity of adopting a comprehensive school-based approach and highlight the imperative to address the multifaceted needs of students, families, and schools. Drawing from the resili...

To kick off my 100th! episode of Overpowering Emotions, I wanted to revisit the BEST OF my Back to School success episodes. This three-part series is one of the most crucial topics I have addressed on this show and that holds immense significance in the realm of education. Specifically: School-avoidant behaviours.  School avoidance (or refusal) is a multifaceted concern that necessitates a th...

Welcome to the next installment of this Back to School Success Series! As parents and educators, we all share the common goal of helping our kids thrive emotionally and academically. A key element in this journey is fostering a sense of achievement within the school environment. In today's episode, we explore a fundamental aspect of academic accomplishment that reaches beyond mere grades – the art...

Welcome to another invigorating episode of Overpowering Emotions, your guide to building resilient, empowered kids!  In this segment, Dr. Caroline discusses the dynamic world of parental involvement and its profound impact on children’s academic success. Join her as she shares ways to foster strong parent-teacher relationships, amplify the educational journey, and nurture a supportive environ...