#18 Leveraging Cuteness and Delight to Support Student Mental Health with Dr. Chandler Chang

In this episode we interview Dr. Chandler Chang of Therapy Lab. Dr. Chang discusses how - though they are not expected to act as therapists - teachers play an important role in supporting students' mental health in schools. Dr. Chang's therapy company has experience providing wellness services in schools. Her school pilot program provides brief coaching sessions that teach students concrete life skills to destigmatize therapy. She explained that common issues therapists are seeing in adolescents post-Covid include anxiety, depression, grief, and isolation. Teachers can help by building caring relationships with students, teaching them coping skills, and recognizing when a given issue goes beyond their expertise and requires assessment by a mental health professional, such as the school counselor.  To support student mental health, teachers can also incorporate simple wellness practices into class routines like breathing exercises, journaling, and mood check-ins. These help build self-awareness and coping skills. When talking with struggling students, teachers should listen without judgment and validate feelings. It's important to refer students with serious ongoing issues to professionals rather than trying to counsel them oneself. To start a wellness initiative at your school, consider student needs, get administrator support, and start small with evidence-based approaches. Finally, teachers should prioritize their own self-care and mindfulness to avoid burnout and so they can model wellness behaviors for students.---Guest Bio:Using evidence-based treatments and a compassionate approach, Dr. Chang offers expertise based on almost two decades of clinical experience, both in private practice and at prestigious research-oriented psychology programs, including UCLA and NYU’s Child Study Center.Chandler has a passion for incorporating science into psychological practice and a mission to train other therapists in this way, while providing affordable mental health services for all.Outside of work, Chandler loves yoga, trying new recipes, walking her labradoodle Lisa, and watching The Great British Baking Show with her two sons.Guest Links:Therapy Lab: https://www.therapylab.com/Co-Host Links:Seth FleischauerFounder and President of Banyan Global LearningLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-fleischauer/Website: https://banyangloballearning.com/Lauren PintoCofounder of Ambitious Ed, Educational Technology SpecialistLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-s-pinto/Website: https://www.ambitioused.com/