PODCAST · health
Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple
by Gene Beresin, MD, MA and Khadijah Booth Watkins, MD, MPH
"Shrinking It Down" highlights the fact that youth mental health is anything but simple! Child & adolescent psychiatrists Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins help parents and other caring adults to navigate tough questions about child and teen mental health. From depression and learning disorders, to digital media and societal concerns, Shrinking It Down covers it all. Tune in the THIRD Thursday of every month. Subscribe wherever you stream. About Us: The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital is a multi-media educational resource to help adults support the mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being of young people through innovative education. Visit us online at mghclaycenter.org. This podcast is for educational purposes only. The Clay Center does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any
Episodes
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Back to School in 2026: Why This Year is Different
Why does back to school feel so different this year? In this episode of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Gene and Khadijah take on five worries shaping the 2026 school year: classmates missing amid immigration enforcement, the Meta–Instagram settlement and proposed limits on kids'...
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Cyberbullying: Where There's No Place to Hide
In this episode of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Gene and Khadijah take a hard look at cyberbullying — how it differs from the schoolyard bullying of decades past, why it's harder to escape, and which kids face the highest risk. They walk through the Clay Center's three W's: what…
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Parent and Caregiver Support of LGBTQ+ Youth
In this Pride Month episode of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Gene and Khadijah are joined by Dr. Alex Keuroghlian for a wide-ranging, candid conversation about supporting LGBTQ+ youth. As Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at MaineHealth and former founding director of the MGH...
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Community, Connection, and the Mental Health of Young Black Men
How can parents, mentors, and communities help young Black men feel safe, seen, and supported in today’s world? In this powerful episode of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Gene and Khadijah are joined by Dr. Nadia Ward for an important conversation about the mental health and...
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ADHD Stimulant Medication Shortage
ADHD stimulant medication shortages are affecting more people than ever. In this episode of, Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Gene and Khadijah take a closer look at the ongoing shortage of ADHD stimulant medications and the real impact it is having on children and adults. Joined by...
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Talking with Your Kids about the War in Iran
When the world feels uncertain and headlines hit close to home, how can parents help their children feel safe? In this episode, of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Gene and Khadijah explore how families can support children during times of political conflict, such as the current War…
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Teen Romance in the Digital Era
In this Valetine's Day special of Shrinking it Down, Gene and Khadijah explore how teen romance is being reshaped in the digital age. From texting and social media to AI chatbots, they unpack the ways technology is transforming how teens connect, communicate, and even break up. While some online...
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Anxiety in the Family: Helping One Child Without Leaving Others Behind
In this special episode of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Gene and Khadijah explore how parents can talk openly with children about a sibling’s anxiety. Joined by co-founder of InStride Health, Dr. Kat Boger, they discuss age-appropriate explanations, reducing stigma, supporting...
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Finding Gratitude in a Time of Fear, Anger, and Uncertainty
Thanksgiving is approaching fast; a time of gratitude, reflection, and gathering. But this year feels different. With fear, anger, and uncertainty dominating our world, it’s hard to ask: How are we supposed to give thanks right now? In this holiday episode of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made...
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Exploring the World of AI Therapy
Artificial intelligence (AI) is slowly becoming a major part of our society. Everday more and more people begin to rely on AI for a variety of tasks in their daily routines. While most people use AI for innocuous reasons such as answering basic questions like a search engine would, today we’re…
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Facing the Loss of a Child to Suicide - A Father's Account
Today is World Suicide Prevention Day: a time to bring global attention to the urgent public health crisis of suicide and to reaffirm our collective commitment to prevention through compassion, connection, and community. In this special episode of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple…
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ADHD: The Transition to Adulthood
Welcome back to a new season of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple! For our back-to-school season opener, we are joined by Dr. Tony Rostain for a deep dive on how ADHD changes from teen to adulthood. They break down the importance of early intervention, the benefits of school...
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Chasing Sunshine: Teen Loneliness & Tips for Beating the Summer Blues
While the summer is usually painted as time of fun, freedom, and relaxation, for many teens it can feel like the exact opposite — disconnected, isolating, and emotionally heavy. Without the daily structure of school or regular peer interaction, teens can find themselves feeling invisible, left…
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The Vital Role and Methods of Mental Health Advocacy
Why are our young people struggling so much? In this special episode for Mental Health Awareness Month, Gene and Khadijah dive into the growing youth mental health epidemic. They explore the sharp rise in anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges among children and teens since the...
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More Than Just a Picky Eater - ARFID
Almost everyone knows a picky eater, either from their own childhood or from their child's experiences. But sometimes picky eating goes beyond a simple preference for plain pasta. In this episode of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Gene and Khadijah sit down with Dr. Kamryn Eddy to...
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Teen Nicotine Use
In 2024, the CDC reported that 1 in 29 middle school and 1 in 13 high school students vaped in the past month. This statistic is especially troubling, given that 9 in 10 adults who smoke daily first tried smoking by the age of 18. In this episode of Shrinking it Down, Dr. Randi Schuster, Director...
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Addressing Your Family's Anxieties about California Wildfires
The Palisades Fire has been devastating California since the start of the year, destroying over 23,000 acres and nearly 5,000 structures. In this special episode of Shrinking it Down, Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins explore the emotional impact of these fires, sharing strategies…
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Shrinking it Down will return in January
Shrinking it Down will return on January 23rd for a special episode on teen nicotine misuse. Happy Holidays and we hope you have a great New Year! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Parents Under Pressure
In the recent Advisory, Parents Under Pressure, the US Surgeon General noted that parents are currently more stressed, burned out, and lonely than ever before. The alarming statistics are not all that different than his Advisories on the Youth Mental Health and Loneliness Epidemics that have been...
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Supporting Youth in a World Riddled by Conflict
Let's be honest, we're all stressed. We're stressed about climate change, world crises, the upcoming election, or even just the common stressors of everyday life: economic pressures, relationship issues, burnout, you name it. So, with all stress, our conversations can easily become more...
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Navigating Special Education in Schools Part 2: Working with the Team and Your Child
The Special Education system in school can be confusing, especially if you haven’t been through the process with a child before. In part 2 of this series, Gene and Khadijah continue their discussion with Ellen Braaten, PhD, and Eileen Hagerty, Esq, who specialize in learning disabilities and...
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Navigating Special Education in Schools Part 1: Legal and Practical Tips
Welcome back to a new season of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple! For our season premiere, Gene and Khadijah are joined by two special guests who specialize in learning disabilities and special education law – Ellen Braaten, PhD, and Eileen Hagerty, Esq, – to do a deep dive on the...
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Stories for Children's Mental Health
Stories matter, especially when it comes to children's mental health and wellbeing. For our season finale, Gene and Khadijah are joined by two special guests from Barefoot Books – book editor Lisa Rosinsky and children’s author Joelle Retener. They explore how stories help kids to make sense of…
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Boys, Body Image + Eating Disorders, feat. Jason Nagata, MD, MSc
When you hear the term “eating disorders” what do you think of? Probably not boys and men. Yet, adolescent boys struggle with body image and disordered eating behaviors nearly just as much as girls. On today’s show, eating disorder specialist Jason Nagata, MD joins Gene and Khadijah to unpack…
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The Role of Roleplay in Therapy
If you’re a regular listener, you’ll know we often reference the benefits of casual roleplay games - from dress up to Dungeons & Dragons - for healthy child development. It can help kids better understand themselves, gain a deeper understanding of others, and build confidence. Today, Gene and...
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Alcohol & Drugs - Why Do Teens Use?
The teen years can be a time for experimenting with alcohol and other drugs. But a recent CDC study found the reason why teens use substances today isn’t just for experimentation, but also to stop worrying about problems, and even to help with depression or anxiety. Today, Gene and Khadijah…
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Equine Therapy. How Does It Work?
Many of us have heard of dog therapy and pet therapy. But what exactly is equine therapy? Special guest Janice Gilman of BINA Farm Center joins Gene and Khadijah to help us learn about the many different kinds of equine therapy for kids. What make horses so unique when it comes to therapeutic...
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What Can States Do to Support Youth Mental Health? feat. Senator John C. Velis
To address the youth mental health crisis, we need to approach it from different angles – including access, education, and legislation. So, what are states doing to make a difference? Today, Gene and Khadijah are joined by special guest Senator John C. Velis of Massachusetts. Senator Velis shines...
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Next Week: Senator John Velis of Massachusetts
Very special guest Senator John C. Velis of Massachusetts joins Gene and Khadijah to discuss legislative opportunities to address the youth mental health crisis. He says a big focus needs to be on schools, for both intervention and prevention. Be sure to tune in next week on the THIRD Thursday of...
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Stimulants! feat. Anthony Rostain, MD, MA
What role should prescription stimulant medication play in a child’s ADHD treatment plan? Today, Gene and Khadijah are joined by Tony Rostain, MD, MA, chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Cooper University Health Care, to discuss this and more. How do you talk to your child about...
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Tune in Dec. 21! Ritalin, Adderall & ADHD
Special guest Anthony Rostain, MD, MA joins us this month to discuss all things stimulants - myths, misconceptions, and managing the shortage. If you have a young person in your life with ADHD, or have ADHD yourself, you don't want to miss this episode! See you back here on December 21st - the...
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Lonely College Students
Recent national surveys show that a significant proportion of college students report having felt overwhelmed, anxious, and lonely during college. If college is supposed to be the “best years of your life” then why are so many students lonely? That’s what Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Khadijah Booth...
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Fears and Phobias in Kids and Teens, feat. Susan Sprich, PhD
All of us have fears – kids and adults alike. Many of us even enjoy a good scare now and again (there’s a reason why horror movies do so well). Most fears – real or imagined – eventually respond to reassurance, emotional calming, or distraction. But when a fear persists, resisting rational or...
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Shrinking It Down returns on October 19!
Transcript: Hi, this is Gene Beresin, co-host of Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple. We’ll have all new episodes for you beginning next month – on the THIRD THURSDAY of every month. We’ve got some great topics lined up for this season: the stimulant shortage, phobias in kids and teens,...
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Coping With Gun Violence, Together - feat. Gretchen Felopulos, PhD
With increasing gun violence and constant media coverage, many kids are scared to go to concerts, to malls, to school. Many adults are feeling the same. Today, special guest Gretchen Felopulos, PhD, the education and training lead for the Center for Gun Violence Prevention at MGH, joins Gene and...
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ASD: Making the Transition to College, feat. Chris Keary, MD
The transition to college can be huge for all kids, but for young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) there's even more to consider in making it a smooth transition. As parents, how do we best support them? How involved should we be? Special guest Dr. Chris Keary of the MGH Lurie Center…
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Digital Vigilance and Our Kids
We’ve reached a point in time where most of our kids have grown up with digital media as a way of life. Social media, instant viral news, e-learning, digital surveillance – it’s all here to stay. And it’s not all bad. But there are some legitimate concerns about how it’s impacting the mental…
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How Should We Respond to Anxiety in Our Kids? feat. Kevin Simon, MD
Anxiety. It's rising in our kids and teens. What can we do to help? Today, Gene and Khadijah are joined by very special guest Dr. Kevin Simon, Chief Behavioral Health Officer for the City of Boston. Dr. Simon draws on his experience in child & adolescent psychiatry, addiction medicine, health...
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Understanding Obesity Stigma, feat. Angela Fitch, MD, FACP, FOMA
We often hear about how stigma can prevent treatment for mental disorders and promote feelings of shame or low self-worth among those struggling. Did you know the same is true for obesity? Obesity is a complex disease, and stigma stems from a misunderstanding of what it is, what contributes, and...
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Dr. Gene and Dr. Khadijah Answer Your Questions
From challenges with hair pulling to supporting a child through a regression in toilet training, Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins answer real parent questions in this episode. For each question, they offer clinical insight to help parents better understand what might be going on…
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Our next special guest is... YOU.
We're kicking off 2023 with a special episode of Shrinking It Down featuring *you* our listeners. What questions do you have about the mental health of a child or teen in your life? Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins will answer them on January 19! E-mail your questions:...
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BONUS: How Do Social Justice and Youth Sports Intersect?
How do social issues intersect with youth sports? Tune in to this bonus episode of Shrinking It Down, featuring Dr. Jonathan Jenkins of the Sport Psychology Program at Mass General, for a thoughtful conversation on how societal concerns, including systemic racism, continue to impact our all of…
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Young People, Sports, and Mental Health ft. Dr. Jonathan Jenkins, Psy.D, CMPC
Sports can be such a positive space for young people to let off steam, learn important life skills, and build long lasting relationships. There are times, though, when it can be too much, injury strikes, or someone doesn’t make the team they were hoping to. Dr. Jonathan Jenkins joins Gene and...
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Self-Harm In Teens ft. Dr. Blaise Aguirre, MD
*Content Warning: This episode contains segments of discussion that may be difficult for some audience members to hear. Content such as descriptions of self-harm methods are included. Self-harm is a rising mental health concern that tends to begin in the teenage years. But what are some of the...
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The Benefits of Music Therapy ft. Marisabelle Díaz-Falcón, MT-BC
As Dr. Gene Beresin always says, music is a universal language. To kick off our new podcast season, and in honor of Gene’s new book, Music, today we’ll look into the ways music can help us heal. Special guest Marisabelle Díaz-Falcón, a board-certified music therapist at Massachusetts General...
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Get Ready for a New Season
It's nearly time for a new season of Shrinking It Down! Co-hosts Gene Beresin, MD, MA and Khadijah Booth Watkins, MD, MPH have some great mental health topics and great guests in store for you. But until then, Hold On.... Beginning October 20, tune in the 3rd Thursday of every month for new...
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How do I talk to my kids about gender and sexuality? Ft. Dr. Marshall Forstein, MD, DLFAPA
*Content warning: Some of the conversation today includes topics that some listeners may find sensitive including sexuality, gender identity, and violence towards members of the LGBTQIA+ community. What is gender identity? How is it different from sexual orientation? And why are pronouns so...
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How Does Schizophrenia Affect a Young Person and Their Caregivers?
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Leading up to this month, we received questions from our Instagram followers. In this podcast miniseries, Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins answer them. Today's question: How does Schizophrenia affect a young person and their caregivers? Dr....
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How Do You Find Out If Your Teen Has Undiagnosed ASD?
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Leading up to this month, we received questions from our Instagram followers. In this podcast miniseries, Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins answer them. Today's question: How do you find out if your teenager has undiagnosed ASD (Autism Spectrum...
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The Power of Peer Support ft. Valerie Grison-Alsop & Julia Esposito
We all know that parents and other adults tend to be the last people teenagers want to talk to about their problems. At this stage of life teens are more likely to reach out to friends in times of need. With this in mind, Valerie Grison-Alsop, founded Give Us the Floor, a nonprofit organization...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
"Shrinking It Down" highlights the fact that youth mental health is anything but simple! Child & adolescent psychiatrists Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins help parents and other caring adults to navigate tough questions about child and teen mental health. From depression and learning disorders, to digital media and societal concerns, Shrinking It Down covers it all.
Tune in the THIRD Thursday of every month. Subscribe wherever you stream.
About Us: The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital is a multi-media educational resource to help adults support the mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being of young people through innovative education. Visit us online at mghclaycenter.org.
This podcast is for educational purposes only. The Clay Center does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any
HOSTED BY
Gene Beresin, MD, MA and Khadijah Booth Watkins, MD, MPH
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple have?
Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple currently has 191 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple about?
"Shrinking It Down" highlights the fact that youth mental health is anything but simple! Child & adolescent psychiatrists Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins help parents and other caring adults to navigate tough questions about child and teen mental health. From depression and learning...
How often does Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple release new episodes?
Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple publishes regularly with 191 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple?
You can listen to Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple?
Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple is created and hosted by Gene Beresin, MD, MA and Khadijah Booth Watkins, MD, MPH.
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