In this month's episode, Janet Morrison talks to Colleen Mousseau, a Registered Psychotherapist and Clinical Director at AWC Grief Support. Colleen is a leader and team builder, advocating for inclusive mental health care for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities. Throughout this episode, Janet and Colleen discuss what distinguishes traumatic grief from grief, the long-term effects for children if grief is not managed and what markers to look out for...

In this month’s episode, Janet Morrison talks to Andrea Warnick, an educator, registered psychotherapist, nurse, and thanatologist.  Andrea offers compassionate support to individuals facing serious illness, dying, or the death of a loved one. With 25 years of experience, she understands the importance of this support for integrating grief and thriving in life. Janet and Andrea discuss the need for open communication about death and illness within families, the importance of preparing...

In this month’s episode, Janet Morrison talks with Dr. Maiysha Clairborne, an Atlanta-based physician, trainer, and consultant.  Specializing in integrating alternative and traditional medicine, Dr. Clairborne trains individuals in organizations to learn how to communicate effectively and fulfill personal goals while meeting organizational outcomes. She is the author of the Wellness Blueprint, co-author of Conscious Anti-racism, and host of the Black Mind Garden podcast. During their...

In this month’s episode, Janet interviews Dr. Giovanni Foti, a seasoned clinical and forensic psychologist to discuss conduct disorder in children and teens. Specializing in children, teens, and families, Dr. Foti has worked with various clinical and forensic settings that have included outpatient, secure treatment, youth justice, and private practices. Janet and Dr. Foti discuss the criteria and possible risk factors that may lead to a conduct disorder diagnosis. Dr. Foti also highlights...

In episode 40, Janet delves into the effect of social media on the mental well-being of young people with returning guest, Dr. Daniel Zdzieborski. A Clinical Psychologist with experience in hospitals, schools, community and private practice settings, Dr. Zdzieborski specializes in treating children and adolescents with mental health and neurodevelopmental concerns. Together, Janet and Dr. Zdzieborski examine how children’s engagement with social media platforms can nurture connections and...

In episode 39, Janet talks to Dr. Jessica Gomez, a licensed psychologist and executive director of Momentous Institute, a leading youth mental health research and services organization located in Dallas, Texas. Under Dr. Gomez’s leadership, Momentous Institute has pioneered breakthrough programs that are proving successful in strengthening the mental health and well-being of children and families. Her work at Momentous Institute highlights how early intervention can help young people better...

In this month’s episode, Janet speaks with Dr. Debra Stein, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Garry Hurvitz Sickkids Centre for Community Mental Health. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in supporting newcomer children, youth, and families, addressing resettlement and acculturation concerns.  As an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, Dr. Stein lectures on refugee mental health to diverse audiences. She also serves as a Subject Matter...

In this month's episode, Janet welcomes Eva Marszewski, a lawyer and the Founder of Peacebuilders International. Peacebuilders is an organization dedicated to using restorative practices to keep young people away from the criminal justice system and guide them toward a brighter future and Eva’s work through them has earned her the Order of Ontario and the Law Society Medal. During this episode, Janet and Eva explore the trauma associated with young people going through the court process....

In this month’s episode, Janet engages in a conversation with Dr. Carmen Logie, a faculty member at the Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto and the Canada Research Chair in Global Health Equity and Social Justice with Marginalized Populations. Carmen's ongoing research centers on HIV testing and treatment across Canada, Uganda, and Jamaica, with a particular focus on how stigma contributes to substandard care and outcomes among marginalized groups. These groups...

In this month’s episode, Janet welcomes Ulrica Jobe, an educator, counselor, and workshop facilitator with extensive experience working with parents, children, families, and teachers. Ulrica is the founder of True Compass, an organization with a mission to support social-emotional learning and provide family coaching and counseling services. She also serves as the Parent Coach on staff at The Giving Tree, a counseling center in Toronto. Janet and Ulrica engage in a conversation about the...

In this month’s episode, Janet welcomes Catherine Lau, a registered psychotherapist and certified art therapist from The Giving Tree, a counseling center in Toronto.  As an expert in applied behavior analysis, Catherine works with families and individuals of all ages experiencing challenges, including acquired brain injury, depression, anxiety, and complex medical conditions.  During their conversation, Janet and Catherine explore what art therapy is and what makes it unique compared to...

In this month’s episode, Janet welcomes Dr. Dan Zdzieborski to the podcast to discuss how exercise supports better mental health in children and adolescents. Dr. Zdzieborski is a Clinical Psychologist who assesses and treats children and adolescents with mental health and neurodevelopmental concerns.  Janet and Dr. Zdzieborski discuss how exercise has a positive impact on anxiety, depression and cognitive and academic functions, as well as how physical activity affects different parts of...

In this month’s episode, Janet speaks with Dr. Clare Pain who is a psychiatrist at Mt. Sinai Hospital and a professor at the University of Toronto. Dr. Pain assesses and provides treatment for patients who suffer from the effects of psychological trauma and she has published several articles and three books on this subject. Janet and Dr. Pain explore the term trauma including common symptoms of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and how sufferers can resolve and heal from the past. They...

In this month’s episode, Janet explores the topic of attachment theory and why it's so important in early childhood development and throughout the lifespan of a child. Janet explains what attachment theory is and why it's so important in understanding the parent-child relationship. She explores how children need caring adults, and how powerfully these figures, or lack of them, can affect a child’s confidence, self-esteem, and quality of relationships.    For more information please read...

In this month's episode, Janet talks with Snjezana Pruginic from Circle Point Wellness, an organization working at the intersection of wellness and social justice. Snjezana has worked with child soldiers in Colombia to support their ongoing process of reintegration into civil society, and in the justice system in Canada, helping youth to feel more empowered and self-regulated. She has also assisted teachers, parents, and youth justice professionals to better understand traumatized youths’...

In this month’s episode, Janet explores the topic of neurodiversity in children with Dr. Barbara Muskat, a clinical social worker and professor at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto. Dr. Muskat has worked in a variety of settings in her 40 years as a social worker including 20 years at Integra, an agency that specializes in addressing the psychosocial needs of children with learning disabilities and being past director of Social Work at the Hospital for Sick...

In this month’s episode, Janet speaks about the relationship children have with their bodies, and other people’s bodies, to help parents and caregivers better understand what’s normal behavior and what’s not. Janet talks about how infants and children are infinitely curious about their bodies, how children explore their bodies and compare them to parents, siblings and peers. She also points out how important it is to not shame children for their natural curiosity but to ensure their...

In this month’s episode, Janet speaks with Dr. Barbara Fidler, a clinical developmental psychologist, who has been practicing for over 35 years and has an independent practice in Toronto. A large part of her practice is working with parents and children in separation/divorce. She provides a range of services including therapy with couples and families, consultations, family mediation and parenting coordination. Also, she is an author and provides training to mental health professionals,...

In this month’s episode, Janet speaks with Blake Pearson M.D. who is a practicing family physician and internationally recognized leader in the field of cannabinoid-based medicine. Dr. Pearson has educated over 1000 fellow practitioners around the world and has focused his Southwestern Ontario-based practice on cannabinoid medicine, treating patients from across Canada with a range of complex conditions. Janet and Dr. Pearson discuss how he came to start treating children, how the...

In this month’s episode, Janet speaks with Michael Blugerman, social worker, psychotherapist and the director of Children's Resource and Consultation Centre of Ontario, a licensed adoption agency since 1980. Janet and Michael discuss how international adoptions have changed since the 80s, extended kinship programs that are now in place to prioritize homing children with family members, the importance of a child's adoption story and the challenges experienced by inter-racial adopted...

In this month’s episode, Janet speaks with Jose Acosta the principal of Burrows Hall Junior Public School in Toronto about some of the ways he approaches mental health at his school and the types of challenges his students experience. Janet and Jose discuss his role as the principal, how he approaches mental health challenges in the classroom, the various ways they support their students (including the Catch program), and the huge impact COVID has had on everyone. If you would like to...

In this month’s episode, Janet talks to Jeffrey Schiffer, the Executive Director of Native Child and Family Services of Toronto. This organization strives to provide a life of quality, well-being, caring, and healing for children and families in the Toronto Native Community. Janet and Jeffrey talk about how Native Child and Family Services of Toronto was founded, the services they provide, the differences between them and other agencies, and the importance of keeping Native children near...

In this month’s episode, Janet talks to Paul Rogers the President of Ontario Track 3 Adaptive Sports Association, a charitable organization that provides skiing opportunities for children and teens with physical and developmental disabilities. Janet and Paul talk about how children with physical and mental disabilities benefit from their programs and the importance of making sports accessible. If you’d like to find out more about Track 3 you can visit their website here. 

In this month’s episode, Janet is talking about what mentalization is and why It matters to children's mental health and development. Janet covers the concept of mentalization, its importance to children and adults, and why it is essential for the development of friendship, intimacy, social intelligence, and mental health. If you’d like to find out more about this subject please read our article on mentalization or visit our website.