Overpowering Emotions: Tools for Child & Teen Anxiety and Resilience

In today’s episode of Overpowering Emotions, I discuss the profound link between trauma and attachment and how these intertwined factors shape our relationships, well-being, and capacity for growth. I will discuss how trauma can disrupt attachment processes, leading to a wide range of emotional and relational challenges. I also discuss the significance of creating safe and nurturing environments to support children and teens affected by trauma, fostering secure attachments as a pathway to healing and resilience. Whether you are a parent, caregiver, therapist, or simply interested in the complexities of human connection, tune in to uncover the powerful connection between trauma and attachment, and discover how understanding this dynamic can empower children, teens, individuals, and families on their journey towards healing and resilience.Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

In today’s episode of Overpowering Emotions, I continue to talk about the nervous system and strengthening its flexibility. I introduce the concept of the window of tolerance and how it influences our ability to adapt to stressors in our environment. I discuss the factors that can contribute to a small window of tolerance in children. From trauma and anxiety to sensory sensitivities and living in chronically stressful environments, these challenges limit emotion regulation and executive functioning, leading to rigidities and inflexibility within the nervous system that can manifest behaviourally. It is important to recognize that all children have different window sizes. Those with small windows need lots of empathy, understanding, and patience from the adults around them. We can, however, help children develop a larger window of tolerance (and a more flexible nervous system) through foundational pillars for optimal functioning and strategies to strengthen their emotional literacy and emotion regulation capacity. Children and teens also need to learn to map their nervous system to develop self-awareness. Tune in to learn more! Prefer to watch? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiE9xPTuJR4&t=193s Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

In today’s episode of Overpowering Emotions, I delve into the intricate workings of the nervous system and uncover the crucial link between our brain, body, and emotional well-being. Anxiety and trauma affect millions of individuals worldwide, presenting complex challenges that can significantly impact daily life. To effectively address and navigate these experiences, it is essential to understand the nervous system. As we dissect the intricate web of neurons and synapses, we discover how our brain and body communicate to shape our emotional responses. Throughout this episode, I break down the complex nature of the nervous system and offer invaluable insights into the connection between the nervous system and pathways involved in anxiety and trauma responses. Understanding how the nervous system interacts with and influences our emotions, thoughts, and behaviours is critical to helping kiddos manage their anxiety. After all, our nervous system has a remarkable capacity to adapt and rewire itself to foster resilience and promote healing. Prefer to watch? Check out the video at https://youtu.be/M59UlL6tohQEnjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

We know the importance of play in childhood. But play is important throughout our entire life because it offers many benefits for our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Play can reduce stress, improve our mood, and boost our learning, problem-solving, and creativity. Play is also a fantastic way to express ourselves, connect with others, and experience joy and pleasure. Importantly, play can also be a powerful tool in managing anxiety and trauma. Engaging in playful activities allows us to express ourselves freely and creatively, which can also help us process difficult emotions and experiences in a safe and supportive environment. Play also has the ability to promote resilience and emotional regulation. In today's episode, I had the chance to talk with Angie Berret about the power of play and why play is so helpful in managing anxiety and trauma. Do not miss this fantastic conversation! Want to watch? Watch here: https://youtu.be/l0red_vzRkY About Angie: Angie Berrett (she/they) is an Intuitive Movement Coach, Registered Nurse, Advanced Trauma-Informed Yoga Instructor, and Stand-Up Paddleboard Yoga Instructor who understands the human body and how it works. She helps people relieve stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma through play, movements, and fun so they can have healing and peace in their lives. Check out her blog post about the power of play in healing complex trauma: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/simplifying-complex-trauma/202208/playfully-moving-trauma-and-pain-healing-and-peace How to find Angie: https://angieberrettmovement.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/angieberrettmovement/ https://Instagram.com/angieberrettmovement https://www.facebook.com/AngieBerrettMovementEnjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

Today I had the opportunity to I had the chance to speak with Patricia Morgan about anxiety and trauma. Anxiety and trauma are often closely linked. Indeed, traumatic experiences can lead to the development of anxiety disorders, and individuals who have anxiety disorders may be more susceptible to trauma. This is such an important topic because anxiety and trauma not only affect our mental and physical health, but they can also limit our success in relationships, and even day-to-day functioning. It is essential to understand the anxiety and trauma and how to address them effectively. This is an important discussion because traumatic events are stored differently in the brain and therefore there are specific treatment considerations. Tune in for an insightful and informative discussion on managing anxiety and trauma. About Patricia: With a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology, Patricia Morgan works with organizations and individuals who want to strengthen their everyday resilience. She provides bite-sized nuggets of insight to help people emerge stronger after facing unthinkable challenge. Patricia’s books include From Woe to WOW: How Resilient Women Succeed at Work and the Canadian bestseller, Frantic Free: 167 Ways to Lighten Up and Calm Down. Patricia was named a Woman of Vision by Global TV and is a recipient of the Spirit of CAPS (Canadian Association of Professional Speakers) for her contribution to the Canadian speaking industry. Patricia is often referred to as a spunky seniorpreneur as she is an author, speaker, therapist, mother to three, grandmother to five, great-grandma to two . . . and happily married most days. ❤️🐞 Follow Patricia:  https://www.solutionsforresilience.com/ Books we discussed in today's episode: Easy Ego State Interventions: Strategies for working with parts (Robin Shapiro) Get Past Your Past (Francine Shapiro) No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model (Dr. Richard Schwartz) Polyvagal Exercises for Therapists and Clients: 50 Client-Centered Practices (Deb Dana) The Polyvagal Theory (Stephen Porges) Homecoming: Reclaiming and Healing your Inner Child (John Bradshaw) Growing Up Again: Parening Ourselves, Parenting Our Children (Jean Illsley Clarke) What happened to you? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing (Oprah Winfrey & Bruce Perry) Atlas of the Heart (Brenee Brown)Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

Today I dive into Part 2 on anxiety and trauma. While there are some approaches that are similar for both, there are some special considerations with trauma. After all, traumatic memories can stay trapped in the amygdala and continue to trigger scary thoughts and big emotions that keep us stuck in traumatic responses. Because trauma disrupts the connections in the brain, we need to rewire the brain to be more integrated and connected. Listen in to hear more on today’s episode of Overpowering Emotions! Prefer to watch? https://youtu.be/LTuZUnOWykoEnjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

In today's episode of Overpowering Emotions, I lay the foundation for understanding trauma and anxiety. Trauma is defined as an event or experience that overwhelms an individual's ability to cope, leading to feelings of intense fear, helplessness, and horror. Anxiety, on the other hand, is an excessive and persistent worry and fear. While not everyone who experiences trauma develops an anxiety disorder, trauma can be a significant risk factor for developing anxiety. Trauma can alter the brain's stress response system, making individuals more sensitive to stress and more prone to anxiety. Additionally, avoidance behaviours that may develop as a coping mechanism after trauma can also contribute to the development of anxiety disorders. Listen in to hear more about trauma and anxiety in Part 1 of this series. Prefer to watch? https://youtu.be/zwkoTMSZh9UEnjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

In today's episode, I am joined by fabulous Dr. Tonia Winchester who chats about how we can use Neurolinguistic programming (NLP) to help - not just manage - but heal old emotional pain and stories that are keeping us from being who we want to be, doing what we want to be doing, and having what we want to be having. NLP is a psychological approach that focuses on the relationship between the neurological processes of the brain, language, and behavioural patterns. It is based on the belief that language and behaviour are interconnected and that, by changing the language and thought patterns we use, we can change our behaviour and the outcomes we achieve. Moreover, by changing the way we think and talk about our experiences, we can shift our perspective and reduce the impact of negative emotions while developing new patterns of behaviour that promote resilience, healing, and well-being. Dr. Tonia talks about how she guides her clients through a "Breakthrough" process where they easily and gently clear the past, and recode their unconscious minds, priming them to make and sustain positive changes in their health and beyond. The results are a strengthened connection to self - more self-love, worth, and value - allowing them to take care of themselves in a self-affirming way, build happy, meaningful relationships   and compelling futures. Don't miss this incredible episode! Prefer to WATCH? https://youtu.be/VuN1DIjdd2c More about Dr. Tonia Winchester: Dr. Tonia Winchester has been in practice as a licensed Naturopathic Doctor since   2007. Now as a Neuro Linguistic Programming Master Coach and Practitioner, she uses contemporary brain-based techniques to transform people's minds so they can transform their lives. She helps women break through burnout, stress, anxiety, pain, and fatigue so that they can find joy and energy again - ultimately allowing them to   create exceptional lives for themselves, their families and communities. When she's not transforming lives she is getting lost (and found) in the forest, salsa dancing, and turning paper into pretty things. Her book, Smiling in the Shower: The Simple Swift Way to Breakthrough Burnout and Create Happy Energized Days is available at toniawinchester.com Check out these resources: How emotions are made by Lisa Feldman Barrett Behave by Robert Sapolsky The myth of normal by Gabor Mate :) Smiling in the Shower :) by Tonia Winchester Follow her at Toniawinchester.com  Facebook.com/coachtonia Instagram.com/coachtonia Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

Every year, millions of teenagers struggle with thoughts of depression, deep sadness, isolation, stress, and helplessness. Because of their mental health issues, thousands die by suicide, making it one of North America's leading causes of death among teens. Sadly, and too often, the parents of these teens are the last to learn about their child's mental problems, and sometimes it's too late to take action. In today's episode, Elliot Kallen talks about his work educating teens, young adults, and their families, about depression and suicide to save lives. Tune in to hear more about the signs to watch out for and what we can do to support the children and teens in our lives. About Elliot Kallen Elliot is the Co-Founder and President of A Brighter Day, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping teens manage depression and stress. Elliot and his wife started the nonprofit in 2015 in memory of their youngest son, Jake, who died by suicide at 19. A Brighter Day aims to stop teen suicide by educating teens and their parents about mental disorders, and providing resources they can use to reach out and communicate when depression and stress are affecting either their own or the lives of those around them. Find out more about A Brighter Day and access their free resources at: https://abrighterday.info/Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

In today's episode, I have the opportunity to speak with Jayne Wesler about her new book Railroaded, which tells the story of a young ADHD man surrounded by a rash of recent suicides.   We also chat about the shame epidemic of ADHD, the pressures of today's children and teens, and key skills children and teens must learn and that parents must model.   Importantly, we talk about what to watch out for in case a child may experience suicidal ideation and how we can support them.    And, sprinkled along the way, I mention some scary research, such as the link between media and teen suicide (whether social media or shows, such as the 30% increase in suicide after the show 13 Reasons Why aired) and even the strong association between suicide-story publicity and subsequent airplane and automobile accidents.   Don't miss today's important episode! Prefer to watch? https://youtu.be/xJrQi2UEEdg About Jayne Jayne M. Wesler is an author, licensed clinical social worker, and attorney. As a partner in the law firm of Sussan, Greenwald, & Wesler, Ms. Wesler has for decades helped students with disabilities obtain the kind of educational programming that helps them achieve success. As a psychotherapist, she has worked with teens and children in various settings, including schools and mental health settings. As an author, Ms. Wesler now pours her experience into her fiction to entertain and to teach lessons. Ms. Wesler wrote Railroaded to demonstrate that students with disabilities and troubled teens can lead happy, productive lives if they are given the support they need. Follow Jayne Website: [email protected] Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087760443305 Facebook group for parents of kids with special needs: https://www.facebook.com/groups/582193559118338 Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jayne-M-Wesler/author/B08NHTTWSB?ref Extra Resources Talkspace app: www.tapping.com (emotional freedom tapping) Handbook for Parents of Children with Special Needs: A Therapeutic and Legal Approach. https://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Parents-Children-Special-Needs/dp/1735540501Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

In today’s installment of my comorbidity series, I explore the relationship between depression and anxiety, two of the most common mental health disorders that affect millions of people worldwide, and why they often occur together. These diagnoses are often talked about separately, but they often coexist. In fact, more than half of the people experiencing depression also have anxiety. Although there are key differences, there are a lot of similarities between anxiety and depression as well, including some overlapping symptoms and contributing factors. This is an important topic because, when they co-occur, they can reinforce each other and even make each other worse. It is therefore important to understand the key pathways to depression and anxiety and what we need to prioritize to help children and teens manage these effectively. Especially since treatment can look very different from treating one alone. And focusing on the wrong thing can actually make things worse. All things I discuss today, so be sure to listen in! Prefer to watch? You can check out my video: https://youtu.be/iJzLGFG_CZU Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

In today’s episode, I continue my discussion on Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and the best way to support these kiddos. I discuss the importance of understanding the child or teen’s unique profile, including their sensory needs and communication style in creating the most effective support. The typical strategies we would use to support anxious, or even autistic, children and teens do not necessarily work with these kiddos.  Learn what does work and how interventions can be adapted using a collaborative and flexible approach. Given that PDA is relatively new, this is an important episode for anyone working with neurodivergent kiddos who have trouble managing the demands of everyday life. You will gain valuable insights into how to support these complex and often misunderstood kiddos. And, if you missed part one last week, be sure to go back and listen in because I talk about key characteristics of PDA, including the avoidance of demands, difficulties with social communication, and a need for control.Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

In today’s episode of Overpowering Emotions, I dive into the misunderstood world of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and its link to anxiety. In Part One today, I discuss the key characteristics of PDA, including the avoidance of demands, difficulties with social communication, and a need for control.  PDA is often misunderstood. Unfortunately, without a clear understanding of PDA, children and teens may receive inappropriate supports that fail to address their specific needs and can worsen their anxiety and worsen avoidant behaviours. Even worse, these kiddos may be stigmatized and considered "difficult" or "oppositional.”  This episode is a must-listen to learn more about PDA and ensure that these children and teens receive the support and intervention they need to thrive.Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

Today I jump into Part 2 on the anxiety-autism connection and how to manage both.  Last week I discussed the link between autism and anxiety and important considerations when supporting autistic children and teens. This week I continue the conversation by discussing the variables that maintain anxiety and how to best manage anxiety.    The link between anxiety and autism highlights the importance of addressing the unique considerations of anxiety in our autistic children and teens. Fortunately, there are many strategies that can help them manage their anxiety while also improving socialization, mental health, academic performance, independence, and quality of life.    Whatever we do to support these children and teens, it is important to maintain empathy, understanding, and a commitment to evidence-based practices. In doing so, we can help our autistic children and teens to achieve their full potential and to live fulfilling lives.   If you are a mental health professional who diagnoses autism, be sure to check out my workshop on differentiating Autism from ADHD and other common comorbidities, including anxiety and trauma: https://koru-learning-institute.thinkific.com/courses/differential-diagnosisEnjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

This week I continue the comorbidity series. This is Part 1 of my dive into unpacking the anxiety-autism connection.In this week's installment of my comorbidity series, I dive into Part 1 of the anxiety-autism connection in (Part 1).  Anxiety is a common experience for many kiddos, but autistic children and teens are particularly vulnerable. Today I discuss what is happening in the brain and the differences between autistic-related anxiety and our shared understanding of anxiety. I also discuss the difference between OCD behaviours and stimming. The link between anxiety and autism is complex and multifaceted. The link between anxiety and autism is multifaceted, and several factors contribute to this link. Social differences, differences in processing information, sensory sensitivities, alexithymia, and intolerance to uncertainty are just a few examples. Understanding the difference between autism-related anxieties and co-occurring anxiety is critical to develop individualized strategies that will be most effective for managing anxiety and promoting success for our children and teens. If you are a mental health professional who diagnoses autism, be sure to check out my workshop on differentiating Autism from ADHD and other common comorbidities, including anxiety and trauma: https://koru-learning-institute.thinkific.com/courses/differential-diagnosis Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

This week is Part 2 of my interview with Dr. Jeremy Sharp, as first seen on The Testing Psychologist (https://www.thetestingpsychologist.com/348-differentiating-adhd-asd-part-2-w-dr-caroline-buzanko/) in which I dive into a discussion of differentiating ADHD & ASD. Definitely check out Part 1 before you tackle this one! In part 2 today, I discuss: The overlap and differentiation of “Part B” of DSM ASD symptoms from ADHD symptoms The developmental considerations of ASD and ADHD Why we shouldn't compare males and females The assessment process and tools to do a comprehensive assessment Cool Things Mentioned Caroline’s previous episodes (one & two) on parental perceptions of the evaluation Caroline’s training for differentially diagnosing ASD and ADHD: https://koru-learning-institute.thinkific.com/courses/differential-diagnosis(use code TTP25 for 25% off!) Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

This week I am sharing an episode first seen on The Testing Psychologist (https://www.thetestingpsychologist.com/346-differentiating-adhd-autism-part-1-w-dr-caroline-buzanko/) in which I dive into a discussion of differentiating ADHD & ASD with Dr. Jeremy Sharp. For you testing psychologists out there, how many kids have you seen over the last few years with rule-outs of both ADHD and autism spectrum disorder? If you’re anything like our practice…hundreds. These are the two most common referral questions in our practice, yet they’re also challenging to tease apart. In part 1 today, we discuss: Why it’s important for clinicians to tease these apart Neuroanatomical similarities and differences between the two The overlap and differentiation of “Part A” of DSM ASD symptoms from ADHD symptoms Cool Things Mentioned Caroline’s previous episodes (one & two) on parental perceptions of the evaluation Caroline’s training for differentially diagnosing ASD and ADHD: https://koru-learning-institute.thinkific.com/courses/differential-diagnosis(use code TTP25 for 25% off!) About Dr. Caroline Buzanko Dr. Caroline Buzanko is a Psychologist. Mother. International Speaker. Yoda of anxiety. ADHD Superhero. And Changer of Lives. With over twenty years working with children, teens, and their families, her focus is on developing long-term success and maximizing their resilience. She also trains other mental health professionals and educators to optimize their effectiveness conducting psychological assessments and working with children and teens. Get in touch: Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzanko/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ Overpowering Emotions Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/overpowering-emotions-podcast-helping-children-and/id1618828819Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, I continue talking about ODD and anxiety and, importantly, how to manage them. There are numerous considerations when we have a kiddo with an ODD diagnosis, like addressing their (mis)interpretations of situations. But, even more importantly, I discuss the key environmental issues that must be addressed before we can ever work on kids' skills. Part 2 of this ODD/anxiety series is critical to optimize our success in working with children and teens diagnosed with ODD and their families.   If you haven't already, be sure to watch Part 1 to first understand these kiddos' emotion  (dys)regulation and information processing biases, along with their developmental age, parent-child interactions, accommodations, and control. Warning: I ran into some technical difficulties and didn't realize my mic was on the fritz so the last part does sound a little tinnier - apologies! Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

Episode #71 of Overpowering Emotions Today I talk about the link between Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and anxiety. I walk through several important considerations to lay the foundation to support these children and teens. The underlying processes of anxiety and ODD are nearly identical. Children or teens who experience either have trouble controlling their emotions and their reactions to those emotions. We know anxiety shows up differently from one person to the next (e.g., some will withdraw while others may be aggressive and overly disruptive). However, what is the same for both is the underlying anxiety that drives those behavioural reactions. Indeed, ODD kids pay attention to negative information in their environment and misinterpret situations as threatening – just like anxious kids do. And both avoid. However, those who avoid aggressively (and tend to misinterpret the signals as even more threatening than others) are the ones most likely diagnosed with ODD. This episode is critical to understand what is going on for these children and teens, including emotion  (dys)regulation and information processing biases, along with their developmental age, parent-child interactions, accommodations, and control. With this knowledge, we can be far more helpful in our interventions to support them. In the video I also talked about a few things you can check out: Mad Cat Burger and Fries video (to see how other animals tend to respond aggressively when scared): https://ca.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&ei=UTF-8&p=youtube+mad+cat+burger+and+fries&type=E211CA105G0#id=1&vid=19ab6b1ac4fa91ace8abf5f52488bda6&action=click A short video on revenge behaviours from my 30 day parenting challenge:  https://youtu.be/He1_jdhm9mE And the accompanying parenting challenge workbook:  https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/parentingchallengebook/Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

Valentine’s can come with a lot of emotional turmoil for children and teens that adults might not even be aware of. There are lots of decisions about what to give and who to give something to while minimizing total humiliation. And, if kids have expectations that aren’t met, such as not getting a card from someone or as many as they get, it could fuel negative narratives they have about themselves. Like they’re not special or liked. In today’s episode, Caroline talks about, no matter what happens with friends, things adults can do to ensure children feel cherished. She then talks about how to make others feel loved and appreciated and, ultimately, how to promote prosocial emotions (and strengthen their own resilience and emotion regulation). Whether you celebrate Valentine’s or not, this is an important episode to establish regular practices and traditions to ensure children and teens’  number one need is met (to belong) while promoting their appreciation for life, others, and themselves. Prefer to watch? Check out the episode here:  https://youtu.be/dAJYaMHBrHsEnjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

Continuing my series on comorbidities with anxiety, today I jump into Part 2 on ADHD and anxiety. Anxiety is common among ADHDers. However, sometimes they can mimic, overshadow, or mask each other. Therefore, it is important to differentiate the two and understand what's what to treat most effectively. In today's episode, I talk about how to differentiate ADHD from anxiety and the best treatment approaches to supporting these kiddos. I also discuss medication considerations when trying to treat both ADHD and anxiety. Want to learn more to maximally support students? Be sure to check out my Anxiety and/or ADHD masterclasses! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/ Want to watch? Check out the episode here: https://youtu.be/YUqcq7wKqNEEnjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

Continuing my series on comorbidities with anxiety, today I talk about ADHD and anxiety. This is an important relationship to address because anxiety is ADHD’s most common comorbidity, so there is a very clear link between the two. Moreover, there are important implications when trying to treat both ADHD & anxiety. In Part 1 today, I discuss the relationship between ADHD and anxiety and how although anxiety can exist on its own separate from ADHD, anxiety can often develop as a result of ADHD (especially when it's not managed effectively). Be sure to then tune in next week when I go through differentiating ADHD from anxiety and how to best support these kiddos! Want to learn more to maximally support students? Be sure to check out my Anxiety and/or ADHD masterclasses! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/ Want to watch? Check this episode here: https://youtu.be/-0tydlvMLKUEnjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

Today I am talking about the link between anxiety and sensory processing challenges. They are closely related and often co-occur. Anxiety affects our body in so many ways - including how our brain processes sensory input. When we get anxious, we are more likely to experience sensory overload. Similarly, when we are feeling overloaded by sensory input, we are more likely to feel anxious and want to avoid them. In today's episode, I talk all about sensory processing, sensory over- and under-responsivity, the relationship between anxiety and sensory sensitivities, and how we can best support our anxious children and teens. Prefer to watch? Check out the episode here: https://youtu.be/YBTYTgXiR_Q Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

In today's episode, I readdress tics, OCD, and anxiety. Although understanding the differences is important because treatment options can be very different, how we adults respond to tics, obsessions and compulsions, or anxious thoughts is very similar. And yes, there are ways that are help our kiddos manage the difficulties they experience  and ways that only make things worse. In today’s episode, I re-emphasize the importance of responding effectively when anxiety (and all its manifestations) shows up. Whether it is tics, anxiety, or big emotional outbursts, we need to respond in helpful ways. This is a theme you hear me talk a lot about because our responses can make all the difference in the world. Want to watch? You can here: https://youtu.be/XI1El0oHMas Episode 67Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

In today's episode of Overpowering Emotions, I kick off my comorbidity series in which I talk about anxiety and other diagnoses it likes to hang out with. Today I discuss the difference between tics and tic-related Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Both can have disruptive and embarrassing symptoms that can interfere with daily functioning. There is a lot of overlap between the two, highlighting the close relationship they have with each other. The majority of kiddos with one likely also have experienced the other. And, clinically, it can be extremely tricky to distinguish complex tics from compulsions. Understanding the difference between the two is important because the function of the behaviours we see are usually very different, even when anxiety is in the mix with both. Therefore, how we treat them is very different as well. It is essential to understand the relationship between OCD and tics to optimize children and teens' success.  Be sure to hear more about these differences between tics and compulsions and what to watch out for. Want to watch this episode? You can here: https://youtu.be/pNCOC5fyIMoEnjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

In today's episode, I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Hilary Sims. We discuss anxiety and the biggest impacts of COVID and anxiety: isolation and low self-esteem. We talk about how to address these and what parents can do to help their children. Hilary and I talk about a lot of issues and ideas - be sure to tune in to hear more! I also have a couple of bonus resources. We mentioned using emotions cards or emotion wheels to open up communication channels and build emotional literacy. You can access this resource HERE (https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/emotioncardsbodyoutlines/). We also talked about journaling to highlight the successes we have had everyday, but also the opportunity to reflect on mistakes we have made and how we can do things a little better tomorrow. I mentioned a journal worksheet that I often give clients, which you can also access HERE (https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/successjournal/). About Hilary: Hilary Sims of Life Balance Counselling helps people from aged 12 and upwards to live a more fulfilling life by learning how to deal with their mental health issues in a different way. Hilary is a Registered Member of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapy (BACP) and an Accredited Member of the National Counselling Society (NCS) based in Stourbridge, West Midlands. Hilary has a Diploma in both Therapeutic Counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and a certificate in Counselling Children and Young People. She offers Humanistic Person Centered Counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Solution Focused Therapy (SFT). Hilary offers face to face, video or telephone sessions. [email protected] www.lifebalancecounselling.netEnjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

Today’s episode is a recast from the podcast, Mindfulness off the cushion, in which I speak as a guest about helping build mindfulness into children's and family's lives. Building mindfulness in your daily life is easy to do when you set the right intentions. No, it doesn't have to be formal sitting meditations. It's about learning to stay present with, and even enjoy, the things you are already doing. We all know that, when we build mindfulness, we are helping our kids also boost attention, promote resilience, and manage anxiety. Listen in to hear practical ways to create more mindfulness. You can also check out a previous article I wrote on building focus, which incorporates elements of mindfulness too. (Read it here: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/20-essential-things-to-help-kids-with-adhd-build-focus/) In this episode I again share the emotions cards and body outlines, which you can find here: Emotion Cards and Body Outline: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/emotioncardsbodyoutlines/ Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

With the holidays upon us, I wanted to do an episode on how to make the most of them. While I started to go through the things to destress, I realized that, truly, the one and most important thing to focus on is presence over presents (and busyness and rushing and chaos that can take us out of the moment). To optimize our presence, we need to be mindful. Therefore, I knew the best episode this week was with mindfulness expert Claudio Barrientos. Listen to today's episode to learn more about how to bring mindfulness into your own life to make the most of the holidays. In addition, I do have a guide about how to make the most of the holidays: 1. Check out this resource: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/holidayguide/ 2. Listen in on my other podcast, Parents of the Year, where my husband and I talk about making the most of the holidays as a family. https://apple.co/3du8mPK About Claudio Barrientos: Claudio was raised in Spain and Connecticut. He is an avid traveller with an endless curiosity of people, culture, food, philosophy, and psychology. He received his undergraduate degree in Philosophy & Theology from University of San Francisco, and his master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Texas San Antonio. Currently, Claudio is a Licensed Master Social Worker. As a therapist, Claudio’s approach is informed by both his personal practice of mindfulness meditation and his desire to make mindfulness relatable to anyone seeking relief from the daily stressors of life. Claudio’s path in the helping profession began in 2010 when he became a certified Mindfulness Instructor. Since that time, he has been on a mission to integrate his education in mindfulness with therapeutic interventions such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Claudio has worked with adolescents and adults in a DBT Intensive Outpatient Program, provided mental health services in Spanish to unaccompanied minors in the Office of Refugee Resettlement, and taught mindfulness to thousands of people across boardrooms, classrooms, and the general public.Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

On today's episode of Overpowering Emotions, I talk about how to help kiddos who are scared to use the bathroom in public. While this is true for a lot of young children, there are still a lot of older children - even tweens and teens - who continue to avoid using public toilets. Fear of going using the public bathroom is common, but not talked about, which is why it's important to open the conversation. Unfortunately, so many kiddos "hold" all day, which can lead to long-term health problems. While parents tend to accommodate kids when they are young (e.g., avoiding going out in the first place),  accommodations are not sustainable and only make anxiety worse. We need to help kids manage this fear sooner than later (it's definitely easier to help them learn to cope when they are younger but it's never too late - even for our tweens and teens). In today's episode, I share simple ideas to help kiddos learn to go to the bathroom in public successfully. Prefer to watch? You can here: https://youtu.be/OhjdZMU2MXUEnjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

We all want to help kiddos reach their full potential. However, when we put them under too much pressure, there can be serious consequences for kids. While we certainly want to set expectations for children and encourage them, the pressure to constantly perform well in any and all parts of life can lower their motivation and lead to mental health problems. Especially when kids feel like every test or every performance is going to make or break their future success. You can also watch this episode here: https://youtu.be/B07lMxmXY5g In today's episode, I had the incredible opportunity to chat with Dr. Christopher Thurber. We discuss findings from  his new book, The Unlikely Art of Parental Pressure: A Positive Approach to Pushing Your Child to Be Their Best Self including the ways that parental pressure can be harmful and what to do instead. Dr. Thurber shares practical examples that we all can apply in our work with families (or as parents ourselves!). Be sure to tune in to today's episode. Learn more about Dr. Christopher Thurber: Dr. Christopher Thurber enjoys creating and sharing original content for business leaders, independent educators, and youth development professionals. He is a board-certified clinical psychologist, educator, author, and father. Chris earned his BA from Harvard University in 1991 and a PhD in clinical psychology from UCLA in 1997. A dedicated teacher from a young age, Chris has more than 30 years of experience working with camps and independent schools. He has written numerous book chapters and scholarly articles on leadership, homesickness, and youth development. An awardwinning contributor to Camping Magazine and Camp Business, Chris has also shared his opinions and expertise on national and international radio, television, print media, podcasts, and webinars, including the Today Show, NPR, and CNN. In 2007, Chris co-founded ExpertOnlineTraining.com, which quickly became the Internet’s most popular and respected educational resource for youth leaders. The hundreds of thousands of subscribers to this library of video training modules come from 43 different countries. Chris also coauthored the critically acclaimed Summer Camp Handbook with Dr. Jon Malinowski. This award-winning preparatory resource was recently translated into Mandarin to support the burgeoning camp movement in China. Chris also designed the only empirically-validated homesickness prevention program, called Prep4Camp. During the academic year, Chris serves as one of the psychologists and instructors at Phillips Exeter Academy, an independent secondary school. He and his wife, Simonida, an analytical chemist and musician, live in New Hampshire with their sons Danilo, born in 2002, and Sava, born in 2004. You can learn more about Chris, and access all of his publications and resources, by visiting his website, DrChrisThurber.com. Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

In part 2 of my discussion on test anxiety, I go through more practical and effective strategies, such as study strategies, and things students can do during and after the test to manage test anxiety and optimize their academic success now and into the future. Want to watch this episode? You can also watch it here: https://youtu.be/ZSPzjTwbpb0 AND, be sure to check out this Test Taking Skills resource (https://korupsychology.ca/essentialskillsfortesttaking/)Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

Loads of kids get stressed when they have to write a test. In fact, most students say that schoolwork and tests are the most stressful things in their lives. However, when that stress becomes too big, worries can make it hard for students to learn, remember what they learn, think clearly, notice mistakes, and show what they have learned. Test anxiety impairs student success and can even harm their well-being.  It is essential to learn about test anxiety and how to manage it effectively. Tune in today for part 1 of this important topic. AND, be sure to check out this Test Taking Skills resource (https://korupsychology.ca/essentialskillsfortesttaking/) Prefer to watch? You can also watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/PjUUHyIg2UIEnjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

Today I continue the discussion on supporting anxious student success in school. One thing that I see impairing anxious students that happens far too often are accommodations for anxiety in the classroom. The strategies for anxiety in students' Individualized Program Plans (IPPs), though well-intentioned, actually make the student's anxiety worse and lead to worse outcomes over time. This is because they are not strategies at all – they usually allow kids to escape anxiety. One small accommodation to allow kids to sit out of class presentations can snowball into complete school refusal. It’s a very slippery slope.Tune in to ensure you are not making these mistakes and what needs to happen to actually support anxious students.*IMPORTANT! Remember: our responses are ALWAYS supportive and empathetic. The strategies I discuss are designed to strengthen a child's emotional resilience within the context of a secure and supportive relationship. The goal is to avoid reinforcing anxiety through accommodation while still providing the necessary connection children need to thrive. Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

Being human means we all feel some social anxiety. We are social creatures and have a foundational need to belong. However, it starts to become a problem when we feel such intense worries that it interferes with our ability to function, our relationships, and our ability to live life. Social anxiety is on the rise and has only intensified since COVID.  During that time kiddos have missed out on so many important developmental opportunities to connect and socialize. ( Adults too have gotten out of practice with being in social situations.)  When it starts interfering with life, we need to do something about it immediately. Tune in to today's episode where I discuss the importance of building skills and strengthening kids' capacity to cope effectively when social anxiety shows up. And, here is the Door Study I mention in the show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWSxSQsspiQEnjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

I am so excited to have Shyness expert Nadia Finer join me on today's episode. Nadia believes it's okay to be shy and that, in fact, shyness is an essential factor in today's world. Nadia is on a softly spoken mission to help shy people be more mighty. She's the UK's leading shyness expert; the author of two books about shyness – Shy and Mighty (published by Quercus) and Shy and Mighty for Kids, (published by DK), the host of the Shy and Mighty podcast, and a coach specializing in shyness.Nadia knows what it's like to struggle with shyness. You see, all her life she's had a little voice. Really little. The kind of voice that makes random people tell Nadia that she should be a cartoon voice-over actress. A voice so little that when strangers ring her house phone, they ask Nadia to put her mum on the phone. It's no wonder she's often shy and self-conscious!Nadia believes that shyness is not a weakness, or a shameful secret. Shy people are not broken. And they don't need to change who they are. Nadia is a regular speaker in organizations and schools around the UK. She has appeared on Radio 4 Saturday Live, Woman's Hour, and the ITV News. She's been in the Times, Guardian, the Telegraph, The Telegraph, The Independent, and in Good Housekeeping.On today's episode, we discuss:*  What shyness really is and why we feel shy*  How to work with your shyness instead of against it*  Why the world needs shy people*  How to turn your shyness into a superpowerAbout Nadia FinerFor 15 years, Nadia Finer has helped people of all ages to overcome insecurities and fears to achieve their dreams. With more than 50 percent of the world population experiencing shyness, Nadia's work to raise awareness of shyness in schools and organisations has helped change thousands of lives.Check out Nadia´s socials belowhttps://www.facebook.com/iamshyandmightyhttps://www.instagram.com/iamshyandmighty/https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadiafiner/ https://twitter.com/nadiafinerEnjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

Next on the journey of social anxiety, I have to ensure we talk about social media because it plays a huge role in the amount of social anxiety people experience today.In today's episode I had a fascinating discussion with Dr. Jon Gruda on anxiety detection using linguistic analysis.We get into a few different things, though a large part of our discussion was on how our posts can influence others' emotions, contributing to the very real phenomenon of emotional contagion. Additionally, Dr. Gruda shares ideas for everyone about how we can think about the influence of our posts we put out on social media as well as how others' posts can affect us.I talk a lot in all my workshops on how much social media affects our kids in particular and contributes to a considerable amount of social anxiety.There are also some great tips for our children and teens who use social media.Don't miss out on this fantastic episode.About Dr. Gruda:Dr. Jon Gruda is an Assistant Professor in Organisational Behaviour at the National University of Ireland Maynooth. One of his primary research streams has been developing machine learning models that can infer anxiety using social media data. He also conducts research on the intersection of anxiety, personality, and leadership.University page: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/people/jon-grudaPersonal website: https://www.jongruda.com/Twitter: @learn2upgradeEnjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

Today, I talk about how we address perfectionism in more detail. Yes, I do talk about the most important thinking trap to address, but I also highlight the things we must DO to help anxious kiddos manage perfectionism. After all, as with anything related to anxiety, it's more about what we do than what we say. BONUS: Is perfectionism holding you, a client, or someone you know back? Check out this quiz to see! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/is-perfectionism-holding-you-back/ Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

As I work through some of the biggest anxiety-provoking school-related things for students, today I talk about perfectionism.  Perfectionism has steadily increased over the years, with our younger generations establishing increasingly more extreme standards for themselves, which can be crippling. It is critical we address perfectionism before anything else. Otherwise, we won't get very far in helping children and teens manage anxiety or other big feelings. Perfectionism contributes to, and even maintains, whatever struggles a student has, whether self-doubt, worries, or depression.  If we can see improvement with perfectionism, everything else may improve too. Don't miss this two-part series! These students need our help. Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

In this special episode, I am a guest on the BELIEVE IN PEOPLE Podcast with Kevin Tibbles & Amy Goldberg In this episode we talk about helping children and teens master their anxiety, and what parents need to know. Find out what kids wish parents knew … A conversation worth having. Check out BELIEVE IN PEOPLE Podcast: A podcast for people with hope. You can also WATCH HERE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOKLslZRq7c&feature=youtu.be) Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

Today I finish my discussion on managing school avoidance. If you've missed them, check out the previous two episodes in which I addressed the foundational considerations for setting up student success with a supportive environment with adults who know how to respond effectively when anxiety shows up. Today I focus on the skills students need to learn and the processes we must implement to promote student success in returning to school. AND, if you want to deep dive with me and learn exactly how to do a functional analysis to figure out exactly what is happening for students and design an effective re-entry plan in managing school avoidance, don't miss out on my upcoming School Refusal training! (https://bit.ly/schoolrefusalworkshop) Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

I continue the Back to School Success series and today's episode is Part II on School Refusal where I begin digging into treatment considerations. I discuss the need for a comprehensive school-based approach and outline the student, family, and school needs to be addressed. Using the resilience pyramid (https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/pyramidofresilience/) that I have discussed in previous episodes, I dive into the need to first set up the right environment for students to be successful at home and school. And especially how we must focus on making school a safe, inviting, connecting, and inclusive place for students. Be sure to check out this week's episode and identify what needs are not being addressed. This episode sets the stage for next week, where I get into the skills students need to learn and specific re-entry plans. AND, if you want to deep dive with me and learn exactly how to do a functional analysis and design an effective re-entry plan in managing school avoidance, don't miss out on my upcoming School Refusal training! (https://bit.ly/schoolrefusalworkshop)Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

We are in the Back to School Success Series in which I talk about all school-related anxieties and how to maximally support anxious students to become masters over anxiety.In today's episode, I start addressing the big topic of School Refusal. It is such a big topic that I had to break the issue into three parts.In part 1 today, I lay the foundations of all the important considerations we need to set these students up for success. Don't miss this episode - school refusal is a psychiatric crisis and when these students do not get the support they need, they are vulnerable to a whole host of social, emotional, psychological, and health risks.In today's episode, I mention Youth Mental Health Canada's survey on school refusal. Check it out here: https://ymhc.ngo/research/research-surveys/AND, if you want to deep dive with me and learn exactly how to do a functional analysis and design an effective re-entry plan in managing school avoidance, don't miss out on my upcoming School Refusal training! (https://bit.ly/schoolrefusalworkshop)*IMPORTANT!  Remember: our responses are ALWAYS supportive and empathetic. The strategies I discuss are designed tostrengthen a child's emotional resilience within the context of a secure and supportive relationship. Secure attachment ensures that children feel safe, supported, and understood, which is essential for fostering independence and emotional growth.  The goal is to avoid reinforcing anxiety through unhelpful responses while still providing the necessary connection children need to thrive. This approach is about finding a balance between supportive empathy and confidence that promotes healthy emotional development.  Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

While some separation anxiety is normal in early childhood, it becomes serious when it doesn't go away as children get into their elementary school years and interferes with typical activities like going to school or going to a friend's house.While it can be hard for children and teachers to see children in distress, we don't want to fall into the common traps that make anxiety stronger, like allowing children to avoid the things they're afraid of and reassuring them that everything will be fine.In today's episode, I discuss these traps and what we can do instead to help these children master the uncomfortable thoughts and feelings that come with separation anxiety.*IMPORTANT!  Remember: our responses are ALWAYS supportive and empathetic. The strategies I discuss are designed tostrengthen a child's emotional resilience within the context of a secure and supportive relationship. Secure attachment ensures that children feel safe, supported, and understood, which is essential for fostering independence and emotional growth.  The goal is to avoid reinforcing anxiety through unhelpful responses while still providing the necessary connection children need to thrive. This approach is about finding a balance between supportive empathy and confidence that promotes healthy emotional development.  Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

Today is a jam-packed episode in which I cover the most essential part of helping our children develop solid emotion regulation skills. A key point I have talked about repeatedly is that kiddos need to learn to cope with their emotions and build resilience through the right experiences. Today I talk specifically about how important stress inoculation is for kiddos to learn to manage big feelings. When kids are allowed to stay within their comfort zones and adults walk on eggshells to avoid any big emotional or behavioural meltdowns, we are setting these kiddos up for failure. They never learn how to cope. They lose the chance to practice and grow The focus on today then is about setting up the right experiences so that kiddos can cope with their frustration, grief, disappointment, anger, worries, and other big feelings. And learn helpful ways to respond (instead of giving up, freaking out, or avoiding). I also talk about how important stress inoculation is to self-esteem, confidence, and competence. Don’t miss today’s episode – it is the foundation for our success to support children and youth’s emotion regulation.Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

In Part 8 of this Emotion Regulation Skill-building series, I talk about raising self-awareness of the behavioural aspect of emotion. This skill is foundational for managing any emotion and even any behaviour. When we talk about behaviours, these include our body language as well as what we actually do when big emotions come up. Tune in today to find out more about how to help kiddos develop self-awareness about this third important aspect of emotion.Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

In today's episode I introduce two key aspects of emotions: the physiological and cognitive. I also discuss the need to develop self-awareness of these experiences for effective emotion regulation. Lack of self-awareness is the biggest barrier to self-regulation. Many kids aren't even aware that they are on the brink of an emotional meltdown or if they are engaging in problematic behaviours. That is why we need to start here, with self-awareness. Without it, no skill development will ever happen. Don't miss this episode - learn what you need to know about regulation and how to help kiddos raise their awareness of emotions. You can also WATCH HERE!Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

We are continuing our skill-building classes. I have focused a lot on co-regulation and previously talked about what co-regulation looks like depending on kiddos' age. Today, I am talking about what self-regulation looks like for our kids depending on their ages and how we can establish appropriate expectations and supports to help them be successful.Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

As part of the Emotion Regulation Skill Building series, I am extremely excited to welcome Dr. Hendrie Weisinger to the show to talk about how parents can help promote their children's emotion regulation skills.Dr. Weisinger is a leading authority on the application of emotional intelligence and anger management and the originator of the highly regarded techniques of criticism training as well as a pioneer in the emerging field of "pressure management" - including parenting. Check out more of Dr. Weisinger at: @PressureTweets www.hankweisingerphd.com And you can find his book The Unlikely Art of Parental Pressure: A Positive Approach to Pushing your Child to Be Their Best Self on Amazon at https://www.amazon.ca/Unlikely-Art-Parental-Pressure-Positive/dp/0306874776Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

I have talked lots about responding effectively to anxiety and other big feelings.  It is critical I address it again in this skills-building series because, even if we don't ever get to the kids' skill-building, how adults respond to big emotions when they show up makes all the difference in the world. And hearing it again is important because parents need lots of reminders and practice so get unstuck from our habitual (and unhelpful) ways of responding. Adults need to learn how to become effective emotion coaches. And I talk about how to do this (with one key, easy communication hack parents can master today) in this episode, so be sure to listen in! You can also check out these resources to help parents become effective communicators with their kiddos.Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/

I spent the last two weeks talking parental stress and co-regulation. Because they need help. If their emotions overwhelm them, they cannot regulate their emotions on their own. Today I talk about the difference between misbehaviour and stress behaviour as well as what effective co-regulation looks like for kiddos depending on their ages from preschool years all the way up to adulthood.Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/ Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/