All Episodes

Grief is a rollercoaster—and for children, the ride can be unpredictable. In this heartfelt episode, CHC experts, Karly Crockett, LCSW, and Rachel O’Harra, LMFT explore how kids experience loss within the family system and why grief should be shared, not silent. They unpack how grief shows up at different developmental stages—from toddlers to teens—and share real examples of what to say (and what to avoid) when talking to kids about death and loss. You’ll learn how to support children through emotions that ebb and flow, from confusion to anger to moments of calm, and how your own grief as a caregiver can shape theirs. Because when caregivers make space for a child’s feelings, they build connection, resilience, and hope that lasts a lifetime.

What does it really mean to raise strong girls — and how has our understanding of their needs evolved? In this heartfelt conversation, we talk with CHC experts, Marjan Ebadi, PhD and Emily Hsu, PhD, about the unique challenges girls face growing up today. From the moment a young girl says, “I can’t do it,” to the pressures of body image, perfectionism, and social media, we explore how confidence develops — and sometimes dips — through childhood and adolescence. We’ll share real stories, and practical ways parents can help girls build resilience, embrace mistakes, and believe in their own brilliance. We’ll also talk about the power of modeling confidence as adults, and why this generation of girls gives us so much hope for the future.Our conversation includes an examination of what makes teens vulnerable today, including the complex role of social media and digital environments in both creating risk and offering protection. We explore how factors like LGBTQ+ identity, bullying, academic pressure, and family dynamics intersect with suicide risk, particularly here in Silicon Valley and the SF Bay Area, where we've experienced the profound loss of teens to suicide. Rather than shy away from this difficult reality, we address it directly to strengthen our prevention efforts.Join us in this conversation with CHC’s Clinical Psychology Doctoral Interns, Michelle Hull and Roxanna Flores as we explore practical strategies for fostering healthy motivation while protecting teen mental health.

How do you know if your child is making progress in therapy? What if therapy came with a GPS that showed you exactly where your child is on their mental health journey and the best route to reach their goals? In this episode, we explore measurement-based care (MBC) with CHC experts Pardis Khosravi, PsyD and Emily Hsu, PhD – about this approach that's transforming mental health treatment by making progress visible and treatment more effective. Join us as we break down this game-changing practice that combines regular progress tracking with personalized care. We'll discover why MBC matters for everyone – not just clinicians – and how simple questionnaires and check-ins can dramatically improve the therapy experience. Our conversation includes an examination of what makes teens vulnerable today, including the complex role of social media and digital environments in both creating risk and offering protection. We explore how factors like LGBTQ+ identity, bullying, academic pressure, and family dynamics intersect with suicide risk, particularly here in Silicon Valley and the SF Bay Area, where we've experienced the profound loss of teens to suicide. Rather than shy away from this difficult reality, we address it directly to strengthen our prevention efforts.Join us in this conversation with CHC’s Clinical Psychology Doctoral Interns, Michelle Hull and Roxanna Flores as we explore practical strategies for fostering healthy motivation while protecting teen mental health.

When your young child with ADHD has an explosive meltdown over something seemingly small, it's not manipulation—it's neurobiology. In this Voices of Compassion podcast episode, we talk with CHC experts, Neilson Chan, PhD, and Marjan Ebadi, PhD, about emotional dysregulation in young children with ADHD, exploring why their emotions feel bigger, last longer, and come on more rapidly than their neurotypical peers. Listen in as we discuss why children with ADHD are at higher risk for emotional regulation challenges and how executive function plays a role, along with common triggers and strategies that parents and caregivers can use to support their young children. This episode is perfect for parents, educators, and caregivers looking for compassionate approaches to supporting young children with ADHD through their biggest emotional moments.

Teen suicide is one of the most challenging topics we face as a community, yet it's crucial we address it head-on. Listen to this conversation with Stanford’s Shashank Joshi, MD and CHC’s Jennifer Leydecker, LMFT as we talk about youth suicide and explore comprehensive prevention strategies that work at the community level. Our conversation includes an examination of what makes teens vulnerable today, including the complex role of social media and digital environments in both creating risk and offering protection. We explore how factors like LGBTQ+ identity, bullying, academic pressure, and family dynamics intersect with suicide risk, particularly here in Silicon Valley and the SF Bay Area, where we've experienced the profound loss of teens to suicide. Rather than shy away from this difficult reality, we address it directly to strengthen our prevention efforts.Join us in this conversation with CHC’s Clinical Psychology Doctoral Interns, Michelle Hull and Roxanna Flores as we explore practical strategies for fostering healthy motivation while protecting teen mental health.

Parenting a child with unique needs can feel isolating. In this episode, we talk with our own CHC Parent Support Group facilitators and psychologists, Olivia McDonald, PsyD, Emily Cree, PsyD, and Emily Hsu, PhD, about how parent support groups create vital connections for families facing unique challenges that go far beyond typical parenting experiences. Our experts share insights on why peer support is so valuable for parents dealing with complex diagnoses, from the relief of knowing "you're not alone" to the practical wisdom that comes from shared experience. Whether you're newly navigating this journey or seeking community after years of going it alone, this episode offers hope and practical guidance for finding your support village. Because when parents feel anchored and understood, children benefit too. Join us in this conversation with CHC’s Clinical Psychology Doctoral Interns, Michelle Hull and Roxanna Flores as we explore practical strategies for fostering healthy motivation while protecting teen mental health.

Today's teens face unprecedented pressure to excel academically, socially, and in extracurricular activities, contributing to rising rates of stress and mental health challenges among young people. This pressure stems from competitive college admissions, social media comparison culture, peers and unrealistic expectations to name a few. While healthy motivation encourages growth and learning from mistakes, harmful pressure creates chronic stress focused solely on outcomes and perfection. Parents can support their teens by emphasizing effort over results, creating safe spaces for open conversation, and modeling balanced approaches to challenges. Understanding the difference between supportive encouragement and damaging pressure is crucial for helping young people develop resilience rather than burnout. Join us in this conversation with CHC’s Clinical Psychology Doctoral Interns, Michelle Hull and Roxanna Flores as we explore practical strategies for fostering healthy motivation while protecting teen mental health.

In this Voices of Compassion episode, we talk with CHC experts, Ramsey Khasho, PsyD, Chief Clinical Officer and licensed psychologist, and Pardis Khosravi, PsyD, Clinical Director and license psychologist to take a clear-eyed look at the real state of teen mental health in 2025. Moving beyond sensationalized headlines, we’ll discuss recent data showing promising developments as well as still concerning trends.

In this episode, we explore the complex relationship between digital devices and family well-being. We examine how screen time affects developing brains and physical health, from sleep disruption to attention impacts. Our CHC experts, Vidya Krishnan, MD and Olivia McDonald, PsyD, share practical strategies for establishing healthy boundaries around technology use, emphasizing the importance of age-appropriate limits and parental modeling. We also discuss why personalized approaches work better than rigid rules, considering each child's unique temperament, interests, and developmental needs. Join us for an insightful conversation about fostering digital wellness while embracing the benefits technology can bring to our lives.

Join us for this podcast episode as we explore the experience of neurodivergent individuals navigating a world designed for neurotypical minds. In this conversation with CHC experts, Melanie Hsu, PhD, Clinical Director and licensed psychologist and Marjan Ebadi, PhD, licensed psychologist, we talk about challenging the traditional deficit model that focuses on "fixing" neurodivergent traits, instead embracing a strengths-based approach that celebrates the unique abilities and perspectives that neurodiversity brings. We also discuss the emotional toll of masking—the exhausting practice of hiding natural behaviors to fit in—and share insights on recognizing when loved ones might be suppressing their authentic selves.

Autism diagnoses have increased in the last several years. Why is that? Join us as we explore the nuanced world of neurodevelopmental disorders and how several conditions can present with symptoms that mimic autism spectrum disorder. Our CHC expert licensed psychologists, Whitney Geller, PhD and Neilson Chan, PhD, discuss the core features of autism—social communication challenges, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors—while examining why diagnosis rates have risen dramatically in recent years. Listen in as we talk about how other conditions like ADHD, anxiety disorders and more can sometimes be mistaken for autism due to overlapping behavioral presentations.

Join us for this podcast episode as we talk with CHC experts, Emily Hsu, PhD, licensed psychologist and Danna Torres, LMFT exploring the essential skill of distress tolerance for parents navigating the emotional rollercoaster of raising children. Learn why developing the ability to withstand difficult emotions without reacting impulsively can transform your parenting journey. We discuss practical strategies to build this crucial skill—including mindfulness practices and calming techniques. Discover how strengthening your distress tolerance models healthy emotional regulation for your children. When parents can remain steady during storms of frustration, exhaustion, and worry, children gain the security and emotional tools they need to develop resilience for life's challenges.