Voices of Compassion

Parenting expert, author and educator, Julie Lythcott-Haims is well-known for her words of wisdom and encouragement. But in this podcast episode—for the first time—we are invited to listen in on a heart-to-heart conversation between Julie and her 22-year-old son Sawyer, about his journey with ADHD and their family’s road to acceptance. Sawyer bravely shares stories of his diagnosis, his anxiety, h...

The last couple of years have been all about adapting to meet evolving and elusive protocols. For students with learning differences, the shifts from online learning to hybrid to in-person (and back) have made a part of their life that is already challenging exceedingly more difficult. Adaptation is a key aspect of Executive Functioning, which can be lacking in those with learner variability. In t...

Parenting is never easy, but raising a child with exceptional talents who also struggles with learning differences (such as autism, ADHD or dyslexia) is even more complex. This combination of giftedness and challenges–known as twice exceptional (2e)–creates a confusing picture for parents and educators. It can be difficult to see the signs of 2e because it looks different in every child. Their str...

Cutting and other forms of self harm are on the rise with teens as they self injure to help cope with their emotional distress, anxiety and depression. The topic of self harm is a difficult one. It’s so hard to think of our teens injuring themselves intentionally. Today we welcome Jennifer Leydecker back to our Voices of Compassion podcast to discuss non suicidal self injury (or NSSI) and what tha...

We hear more about gender expression these days than we used to. Yet it’s rare to hear a raw, firsthand account about what it really feels like when your gender identity doesn’t match your biological gender — from shame and stigma to self-awareness and acceptance. In this episode, we hear from a trans adult and his mom as they share their inspiring journey. We talk about body dysmorphia, mental he...

Young children typically experience some degree of fear–of separation, the dark, strangers, loud noises and new experiences. But how do we know when it’s something more and prevent these fears from interfering with our children’s daily lives? In this podcast episode, we chat with two child and adolescent psychiatrists, Dr. Natalie Pon and Dr. Glen Elliott , to discuss the various ways anxiety pres...

In this episode, we talk candidly about what parenting a child with ADHD is really like — the challenges, joys, worries and wonder. How do you know when it’s time to get help? Is medication necessary? What kind of impact will your child’s behavior have on the rest of the family?  While we may sometimes wish that our kids came with an instruction manual, remember that you are doing the best yo...

Your child has just been diagnosed with ADHD…now what? Part of you might feel relieved that there’s an explanation for your child’s behavior, while another might feel overwhelmed by the prospect of parenting a child with attention challenges. ADHD is a lifelong journey filled with wonderful surprises and extraordinary obstacles. How can you best equip your child for happiness and success? In today...

It seems like everyone is talking about mindfulness these days. A quick Google search results in 9 Ways to Practice Mindfulness , 16 Types of Meditation and 28 Ways to Practice Mindfulness for Beginners . There is so much out there. So what is mindfulness, really, and does it even make a difference? Do I have to empty my head of all my thoughts, and sit cross-legged on the floor in a zen-like stat...

The transition from high school to college is a rite of passage, a benchmark between parent and child. While exciting, balancing academic demands with the sudden need to be independent can feel daunting, especially for students with learning differences. How can you as a parent best prepare them while they’re still under your wing? In this podcast episode, we sat down with Dr. Nicole Ofiesh , Dire...

A dyslexia diagnosis can be bittersweet: in some ways, it might help explain your child’s struggles in school and their anxieties about falling behind. But finding the right supports for your child is daunting, and you can't help but worry about the long-term impacts on their happiness, confidence and success. In today’s podcast episode, we sat down with CHC’s Lisa Parnello, MEd and Dr. Vivien Kei...

Whether your child just doesn’t want to go to bed at night, or is defiant to anything and everything, Dr. Jody Miller , Head of Esther B. Clark Schools at CHC and Board Certified Behavior Analyst, has seen it all. In today’s podcast episode, Dr. Miller shares her top three go-to strategies for challenging behavior. From positive reinforcement to consequences and consistency, you’ll learn new tools...

From the minute we become parents, we start fixating on sleep–are our babies getting enough? Too much? Will they ever sleep through the night? Will we ? It’s a hot topic because we know how critical it is for healthy development, both mental and physical. As our kids turn to teens, we may monitor their sleep less, but it doesn’t become less important to their wellbeing and academic performance. Te...

Content trigger warning. Please be advised that today’s episode discusses suicide and suicidal ideation. If you are having thoughts of suicide, feeling suicidal or have concerns that someone you know may be at risk of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741. You are not alone. It can be hard to imagine t...

The journey is where we all learn to do hard things. We make mistakes, experience successes (and failures), develop resilience, practice growth mindset and build self-confidence. As parents, if we focus on the destination — winning the race, acing the SATs or getting into the “right” college — our children miss out on all those experiences that serve as the building blocks to social emotional grow...

We are all different. As parents and caregivers, it’s important to teach our kids how differences enrich our lives and enhance our communities. How can you help them value diversity and see it as a strength? In today’s podcast episode, CHC experts Tony Cepeda, LMFT and Liberty Hebron, LPCC explain how to encourage an open dialogue with your kids, model curiosity and respect, embrace each other’s d...

From panic attacks to self-harm, one brave mom shares her story of supporting her daughter with anxiety and depression. When you’re worried about your child, your days revolve around gathering the resources and help that they need. But what about you? Your emotions as a parent may exacerbate your own mental health challenges, and raise feelings of self-doubt or blame. Don’t miss our conversation w...

Starting kindergarten is both exciting and scary — for children and their parents. Young children thrive when they feel comfortable, safe and secure. But it can be challenging to help your child feel prepared when everything feels so uncertain right now. What can you do to make the leap less worrisome and more fun? Listen in to today’s podcast episode with our guest, Dr. Natalie Pon , Child and Ad...

Only one thing is certain this school year, and that’s the fact that no one knows what to expect. Parents, students and staff are feeling apprehensive about what the transition to full-time, on-campus learning will look like. We may be eager for our kids to jump right back into academics to make up for a year of learning loss, but we also know that they need to feel safe, secure and emotionally re...

“Different does not mean deficit. Therefore, we are striving to become a part of the salad bowl.” Hear from our special guest, Dr. Gloria Morrow, a nationally recognized Clinical Psychologist, speaker and author as she shares her expertise and personal narrative of growing up “different.” Dr. Gloria walks us through the importance of embracing diversity and how cultivating cultural humility c...

For over a year, we’ve been sheltering in place, wearing masks and keeping our distance from others. The CDC has recently eased restrictions, and we are gradually coming out of our COVID caves. Already, over half of Americans say they have gone out to eat, while almost 60% have recently visited friends and relatives. As a result, some people’s emotional wellbeing has improved and others are experi...

As our children develop their own identities, it’s up to parents to teach them how to interact with other cultures, beliefs and backgrounds. It all starts with self-reflection, developing an understanding of our own cultural beliefs and biases. From there, we can acknowledge the history of systemic oppression against minority cultures, developing compassion and empathy along the way. Finally, and...

As parents, we all want to create a safe, nurturing and stable home for our families. And the collective, cumulative trauma of the past year made it harder than ever. And so it makes sense that we might turn to trauma-informed parenting, often utilized by foster parents or those whose children have experienced trauma, for ideas. In this podcast episode, we sat down with Dr. Pardis Khosravi , licen...

As Head of Adolescent Mental Health Services and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at CHC, Dr. Vidya Krishnan , sees her fair share of anxious children and parents. But what if the therapy is precisely the thing they’re most anxious about? In this podcast episode, Dr. Krishnan shares ways to introduce therapy to our children: as an opportunity to learn how to use our words better and handle big em...

Sometimes we forget (when they give us the silent treatment or shut themselves in their room) that what our teens really want is to be heard. To feel validated and seen for who they really are as they formulate their identities independent from their parents. But connecting with teenagers in a meaningful way can be hard, especially in this time of competing demands where we are juggling multiple r...