Voices of Compassion

Adolescence is an important time of self-discovery during which teens often grapple with questions about identity and purpose. They want to understand who they are and their place in the world and this can bring about profound existential reflection. In today’s world, our youth can feel like the future is uncertain as they experience rapid societal changes, some economic instability and global cha...

Mental health conditions can affect anyone regardless of race, gender or identity. However, how you respond to it may be different based on your cultural values and beliefs. NAMI (or the National Alliance on Mental Illness ) reports more than half of Latinx young adults ages 18 to 25 with serious mental illness may not receive treatment.  Welcome to this special episode focused on mental heal...

In today's episode, we celebrate the power of bilingualism as a strength rather than a challenge. Join us in a conversation with doctoral psychology intern at CHC, Chelsea Yanuaria . In addition to being a mental health professional, Chelsea is bilingual herself. She provides a unique lens on the journey of emergent bilingual individuals, highlighting the unique advantages and strengths that come...

The journey of a parent is often a winding path, sometimes obscured by the unknown, yet it’s rich in challenges that can become catalysts for growth and understanding. In this special podcast episode, we have a conversation with Jen Ullyot, a parent coach who has longtime connections with CHC through her kids and more. She candidly shares her experiences, offering insights into the rollercoaster o...

Recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal a concerning surge in persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness among high school girls in particular. In just a decade, these numbers have nearly doubled. In today’s episode, we talk with Dr. Katie Reeves, health researcher and Nurse Practitioner who specializes in the care of anxious, suicidal, and self-harming te...

Being an adolescent girl can be hard – add learning challenges and giftedness – and everything seems to be amplified. In this podcast episode, we welcome guest, Dr. Lisa White , Psychologist at The Summit Center, who works with twice exceptional girls, as we discuss how these remarkable individuals perceive themselves and navigate school and life. You’ll gain valuable insights about twice exceptio...

Along with its challenges, ADHD also brings unique strengths. Those strengths are often overshadowed by challenges, so in today’s episode we want to shed light on the strengths! In this episode we explore these strengths and how understanding strengths can transform the way we think about ADHD and how we can support our students with ADHD. We talk with CHC psychologists, Dr. Marjan Ebadi and Dr. D...

In this episode we have the opportunity to hear about the remarkable journey of Sean Nesamoney , who was a high school student with a love and talent for music. It’s a testament to the synergy between music and mental health, showcasing how Sean’s passion for music became a vision for a concert to highlight and support teen mental health resources in the community. As you listen, you’ll be moved b...

Join us as we talk with Drs. Fernette and Brock Eide about the often misunderstood and overlooked strengths of dyslexia, shedding light on how to identify and nurture these remarkable attributes. The Eides are founders of Dyslexic Advantage and leading figures in the field of dyslexia research and advocacy. With decades of experience, they have altered our understanding of dyslexia beyond its chal...

In a world where ADHD is often overshadowed by its challenges, this episode offers a refreshing perspective that focuses on uncovering its strengths. Listen now for an insightful conversation with Ross Loofbourrow, a millennial who not only lives with ADHD but thrives! Through Ross’s lived experience, we gain a unique vantage point that highlights the importance of understanding and harnessing the...

Today’s podcast episode underscores the power of resilience, understanding and growth in the face of mental health challenges. Join us for this conversation with Jack and his mom, Cheri. Jack was a teen who seemingly had it all – popular with his peers, strong friendships, a leader on the Varsity track team and a very strong student (graduated as Valedictorian of his class!). Yet, beneath the surf...

Our brains are not fully developed until the mid-20s, so it’s no wonder that our adolescents still need help with the all important executive functioning skills. In this episode, we talk about the often underestimated yet pivotal aspect of cognitive growth: executive functioning in teens. Tune in as our guest host, Natalie Tamburello , discusses executive functioning with Dr. Sharmila Roy , and St...

People with learning disabilities and mental health challenges are often implicitly or explicitly taught to overcome their differences. Try harder, push through, fix and succeed. These messages of normalization can lead to shame, a desire to hide our true selves, decreased likelihood of success and increased mental health challenges.  Today’s podcast episode was first aired live and is sponso...

ADHD is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder among U.S. children and adolescents, leading to differences in attention, impulsivity, energy and behavior. All of this can be disruptive to a child’s school and learning experience as well as their social-emotional wellbeing. There is no cure for ADHD, but there are treatments available to reduce the impact of these brain differences on a child’...

Studies indicate that Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is “the best tool we have” for self-harming and suicidal adolescents. So what is it and why is it so effective? DBT teaches important social-emotional and resilience skills for life enhancement. Based on the dialectic of acceptance and change, skills include mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, communication, emotion regulation and dist...

One of the most important things we can do for our children is to help them develop resilience. A common misconception is that people are either resilient or not; that we’re born one way or the other. In fact, the process of building resilience is a lifelong journey of learning to cope with challenging experiences and adapt well in the face of adversity. It’s important to let our kids make mistake...

Join us today for our first ever LIVE Voices of Compassion Podcast episode where we speak with alumni of the  National Center for Learning Disabilities Young Adult Leadership Council , Misha Nicholas, Rachelle Johnson and Stevie Mays about how they have learned to embrace their learning disabilities as a proud part of their identity instead of a deficiency to overcome. Understand why the lang...

Autism can present in many different ways, but at its core it's about social communication. Autism is usually suspected at a young age because children aren’t developing language or social skills at the same rate as their peers. Sometimes parents don’t want to have their child screened for autism because they are afraid of labels, stigma and limitations. But while overwhelming, diagnosis can also...

When you hear a sound, how do you respond? You might choose to ignore it or investigate its source. This process of using our senses to interpret a situation and respond in a purposeful way is called sensory integration. When these systems don’t synthesize, whether due to a diagnosis like autism or ADHD or to a skills deficit, it can lead to a whole host of learning and behavioral challenges. Stud...

A 2022 Pew Research Center study revealed that nearly 80% of 13-17 year-olds check at least one social media feed at least hourly, and over a third said they did so “almost constantly.” How can we develop healthy social media practices that support, not hinder, our mental health? In today’s podcast episode, CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services experts Dr. Tracy Cavaligos , Licens...

Today’s episode was developed in response to a request from our partners at Palo Alto Unified School District…and while it’s great for all listeners, is intended especially for teachers!  Increasingly, educators are being asked to manage not just the academic and social-emotional wellbeing of their students, but also address mental health challenges and learning differences in the classroom....

In honor of Valentine’s Day, today’s podcast is all about pursuing what you love. While it’s never too late to follow your dreams, we hope you’ll share this inspiring episode with the young adults in your life! We have all heard the phrase, “find a job you love, and you’ll never work another day in your life.” But is it really possible? Do we have to choose between happiness and a living wage? Wha...

Navigating learning and mental health challenges is difficult; adding racial and ethnic diversity to the mix can magnify the inequities and complexities of the journey. In today’s podcast episode we talk with Dr. Melina Foden , licensed clinical psychologist at CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services and Atira Roberson, a full-time learning disabilities advocate who proudly proclaim...

We are all different, and we know that not every child fits into a specific category. Is your child struggling with learning or behavioral outbursts? Your child is not broken and you are not a bad parent. One helpful tool may be getting your child evaluated. An evaluation is not about labeling, but providing useful information and practical insights so your child can thrive throughout their lifesp...

Self-advocacy is more than speaking up for yourself–it’s about self-awareness, understanding our needs and clear communication. It’s about asking for what we want and need, but not demanding it. In today’s podcast episode, CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services experts Joan Baran, PhD , licensed clinical psychologist and Meghan Collins, MS, MPhil , doctoral psychology intern share...