My guest this week is clinical psychologist Dr. Jeffrey Bernstein, bestselling author of The Anxiety, Depression, & Anger Toolbox for Teens (affiliate link). Jeff specializes in treating kids and teens. In this episode we talk about how the pandemic has affected young people, and the warning signs parents can look for that could indicate their child is having a mental health crisis. We also explored how to talk with our children about their mental health, and how Jeff’s powerful blend of mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, and positive psychology can equip kids and teens with the skills they need to navigate any challenge. I think you’ll find a lot in this episode that’s really useful.

Other topics we touched on included:

• The need for effective mental health treatments for young people
• What has made the pandemic period so challenging for our mental health
• The importance of gratitude for our mental health
• Warning signs parents can look for that signal a mental health crisis in their child
• How to talk with our kids about their mental health
• Carl Rogers’s view of therapy as requiring empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard
• What to do when a young person isn’t willing to seek mental health treatment
• How parents can help their kids with their mental health
• Useful tools for teens dealing with anxiety, depression, and anger
• The many demands kids and teens experience at school
• Social anxiety and body image concerns among young people
• The stress of family conflict
• Mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Positive psychology: Strengths, gratitude, grit, flow, and optimism
• Life’s two major skills: the ability to calm down, and the ability to solve problems
• Helping kids and teens to deal with social anxiety
• The value of asking the question: “What is the worst thing that could happen?”
• Giving kids permission to feel good about themselves
• Remembering that our kids/teens are kids/teens
• Always leading with empathy

Jeffrey Bernstein, PhD, has worked with more than three thousand children, teens, and families.

He completed his doctorate at SUNY Albany, where he received training in evidence-based CBT approaches for children, teens, adults, couples, and families.

He’s the author of many great books, including 10 Days to a Less Defiant Child (affiliate link) and The Anxiety, Depression, and Anger Toolbox for Teens.

Jeff has appeared on The Today Show, Court TV, CBS Eyewitness News Philadelphia, 10! Philadelphia NBC, and National Public Radio.

He’s been in practice for over thirty years and continues to help improve the lives of children, teens, couples, and families.

Find Jeff online at his website.

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