Gene Beresin, MD, MA and Khadijah Booth Watkins, MD, MPH

Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple

Health EN ↓ 189 episodes

"Shrinking It Down" highlights the fact that youth mental health is anything but simple! Child & adolescent psychiatrists Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins help parents and other caring adults to navigate tough questions about child and teen mental health. From depression and learning disorders, to digital media and societal concerns, Shrinking It Down covers it all. Tune in the THIRD Thursday of every month. Subscribe wherever you stream. About Us: The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital is a multi-media educational resource to help adults suppo...

Author

Gene Beresin, MD, MA and Khadijah Booth Watkins, MD, MPH

Category

Health

Podcast website

www.instagram.com

Latest episode

Jun 18, 2026

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Episodes

The Importance Of Civility In Today's Political Climate 07.11.2016

Gene and Steve discuss the seeming decrease in civility that has characterized our political discourses over the past months and has also become pervasive throughout our entire culture – not just in politics. Check out the accompanying blog on our website: http://www.mghclaycenter.org/parenting-concerns/families/talking-kids-2016-politics-parents-duty-volatile-political-climate/ Hosted on Acast. S...

Raising Moral Children 31.03.2016

Gene and Steve get more abstract in today’s topic as they discuss ethics and morality and how we get kids to think in ways that we’ll be proud of, and ways that they’ll be proud of later on in life. Check out the accompanying blog on our website: http://www.mghclaycenter.org/parenting-concerns/families/raising-moral-children-parental-strategies-that-last-a-lifetime/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...

Grace's Story: Living With A Chronic Medical Illness 25.02.2016

Gene and Steve welcome a special guest,Grace, to talk about a really complicated topic: When you have a chronic medical illness on top of the already challenging experience that is life as a teenager. Check out the accompanying blog on our website: http://www.mghclaycenter.org/parenting-concerns/living-with-a-chronic-medical-illness/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leaving Home - A Student's Perspective 22.01.2016

Gene and Steve welcome special guests Ellen Braaten, PhD and her son, to talk about what is it like for kids and young adults to go off to college or work. What are the stresses and struggles, along with the joys and positive things that happen? Check out the accompanying blog on our website: http://www.mghclaycenter.org/parenting-concerns/teenagers/when-kids-leave-home-part-2/ Hosted on Acast. Se...

The Psychological Gift Of Giving A Gift 21.12.2015

Gene and Steve focus in on the roles of giving and receiving. Check out the accompanying blog on our website: http://www.mghclaycenter.org/parenting-concerns/families/the-psychological-gift-of-giving-a-gift/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Home Is Where The Heart Is: Thinking About Homeless Children In The Classroom 10.12.2015

In this third podcast on the Lesley University Child Homelessness Initiative, Gene and Steve welcome a Massachusetts teacher and the mother of one of her students who had a period of homelessness, to discuss the ins and outs of homelessness, its impact on kids, and how teachers can help. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are You Afraid Of The Dark? A Look At Specific Phobias 13.10.2015

We all have fears – some hardwired in survival, some based on traumatic events, and some a little less rational – that is, phobias. Phobias tend to be persistent, resistant to reassurance, last from 6 months to 20 years. Gene and Steve delve in and take a closer look. Check out the accompanying blog on our website: http://www.mghclaycenter.org/parenting-concerns/grade-school/specific-phobias/ Host...

Leaving Home: The Transition To College Or Work 04.09.2015

Dr. Schlozman looks to colleagues Drs. Beresin and Braaten on the daunting, terrifying unknown of how to help your kids transition to life after high school - work, college, trade school or whatever they may have in store. Check out the accompanying blog on our website: http://www.mghclaycenter.org/parenting-concerns/teenagers/when-kids-leave-home/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...

Bad to the Bone: Juveniles in Jail 20.08.2015

Guests Judith Edersheim, J.D., M.D. and Robert Kinscherff, Ph. D., J.D. join Drs. Beresin & Schlozman to discuss the unique qualities of the adolescent brain, treatment of juveniles in the justice system, and how these factors relate. Check out the accompanying blog on our website:  https://www.mghclaycenter.org/parenting-concerns/families/bad-to-the-bone-seven-myths-about-juveniles-in-ja...

The Impact of Divorce: All Children Only Get One Childhood 11.08.2015

40-50% of marriages end in divorce, but what about the kids? Guest Heidi Webb Ed. M, J.D., who's law firm takes a holistic approach to guiding families through this difficult transition, discusses the impact of divorce on children and how to ACTCIVIL. Check out the accompanying blog on our website: http://www.mghclaycenter.org/parenting-concerns/grade-school/the-impact-of-divorce-all-children-only...

Substance Use - How The Addiction Free Futures Project Can Make A Difference 14.07.2015

Kristen Chello from the Massachusetts Children's Mental Health Campaign and John Kelly, Ph. D. sit down to talk about the Addiction Free Futures campaign and how to prevent adolescent substance misuse and abuse misuse before it begins. Check out the accompanying blog on our website: http://www.mghclaycenter.org/parenting-concerns/teenagers/adolescent-substance-use-how-the-addiction-free-futures-pr...

Jade’s Journey From Homeless Child To Lesley University Student 18.06.2015

Our second podcast with the Lesley University Child Homelessness Initiative with program director Lisa B. Fiore and Lesley University student Jade. Learn about CHI from both the teaching and learning sides. Check out the accompanying blog on our website:  https://www.mghclaycenter.org/parenting-concerns/young-adults/jades-journey-from-homeless-child-to-lesley-university-student-a-story-of-res...

PTSD In Our Young Soldiers: A Vietnam Veteran's Perspective 04.06.2015

Arthur Segaloff, Purple Heart veteran of the Vietnam War, discusses his personal experience with PTSD, and the effects of PTSD for soldiers returning home from wars Iraq and Afghanistan. Check out the accompanying blog on our website: http://www.mghclaycenter.org/hot-topics/military-sexual-trauma-challenges-to-our-female-soldiers-and-veterans/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...

Creativity And Mental Illness 21.05.2015

Is there a connection between creativity and mental illness? Dr. Mark Vonnegut joins to discuss. Check out the accompanying blog on our website: http://www.mghclaycenter.org/parenting-concerns/creativity-mental-illness/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What Is Separation Anxiety? 22.04.2015

Separation anxiety can create chaotic, emotional, vexing moments for parents, children and teachers. What is it, and what can you do? Check out the accompanying blog on our website: https://www.mghclaycenter.org/parenting-concerns/infants-toddlers/what-is-separation-anxiety/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Music For Autism Is Music For All: Reshaping And Expanding A Disability-Friendly Space 01.04.2015

Dr. Robert Accordino, founder of Music for Autism, discusses the organization and its mission to make music concerts accessible to individuals with autism and their families. Check out the accompanying blog on our website: http://www.mghclaycenter.org/parenting-concerns/grade-school/music-for-autism-is-music-for-all-reshaping-and-expanding-a-disability-friendly-space/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...

The Plight Of Homeless Children In The United States 27.02.2015

Child homelessness is a national crisis. The first in a series of podcasts in collaboration with Lesley University Child Homelessness Initiative. Check out the accompanying blog on our website: http://www.mghclaycenter.org/parenting-concerns/infants-toddlers/plight-homeless-children-united-states/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nicole's Story: Recovery From Anorexia Nervosa 13.02.2015

"Your heart cannot beat unless you feed it". Anorexia nervosa is a deadly and very complex disease. Nicole shares her story of recovery along with Dr. Emily Gray. Check out the accompanying blog on our website: http://www.mghclaycenter.org/parenting-concerns/teenagers/anorexia-nervosa-access-care/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ali's Story: The Effects Of Sexual Assault On Mental Health 08.01.2015

Sexual assault is a disturbing, distressing, but important and relevant topic. Sexual assault survivor and UN Global Hero Ali Safran shares her story and how she's worked to support other survivors and end sexual violence. Check out the accompanying blog on our website: http://www.mghclaycenter.org/parenting-concerns/teenagers/alis-story/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...

Why Watch Holiday Classics This Season? 22.12.2014

Why are we drawn, year after year, to classic holiday movies? Drs. Beresin & Schlozman discuss the nostalgic draw of holiday films. Check out the accompanying blog on our website: http://www.mghclaycenter.org/hot-topics/watch-holiday-classics-season/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Tis The Season: Tips For Coping With Holiday Stress 22.12.2014

We're supposed to make merry and be joyous during the holidays, so why are we so stressed? Listen here for tips on how to cope with holiday stress. Thank you for joining us in this journey and conversation. If you have a question or comment about holiday stress that we didn't cover, we’d love to hear from you!  Write to us here . Media List Coping With Holiday Stress (Clay Center for Young He...

Putting A Little Thanksgiving Into Your Nightly Family Dinners 25.11.2014

Family dinners can make for happier families and healthier kids. Anne K. Fishel from The Family Dinner Project chimes in! Check out the accompanying blog on our website: http://www.mghclaycenter.org/parenting-concerns/families/putting-little-thanksgiving-nightly-family-dinners/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emotional Turmoil And The Overwhelmed High School Student 03.11.2014

Pressure and stress has increased for high school students applying to college. When do these pressures begin, and should parents be worried for their kids? Check out the accompanying blog on our website: http://www.mghclaycenter.org/parenting-concerns/the-stressed-junior/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Scary Is Too Scary During Halloween? 27.10.2014

Halloween can be fun and whimsical, but there's another, more scary side to the holiday. What is it that makes us enjoy being scared? Drs. Beresin and "Zombie Doctor of the Living Dead" Schlozman discuss. Check out the accompanying blog on our website: http://www.mghclaycenter.org/parenting-concerns/infants-toddlers/scary-scary-halloween/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...

Developmental Challenges Of Middle School: It’s Not So Much Who You Are, But Whom You’re With 24.09.2014

Middle school is a difficult experience for many kids - but why? Gil Noam, Ed. D, Ph. D discusses this infamously treacherous time - and why it doesn't have to be so traumatic - with Drs. Beresin and Schlozman. Check out the accompanying blog on our website: http://www.mghclaycenter.org/parenting-concerns/teenagers/developmental-challenges-middle-school-much-youre/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...

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