In this episode, Janet speaks with Dr. Barbara Perry about the rise of hate crimes and online hate communities, particularly how they impact children and youth.  Dr. Perry is a professor at Ontario Tech University and the director of the Center on Hate, Bias, and Extremism. She holds a UNESCO Chair in Hate Studies and was recently named to the Order of Canada. As one of Canada’s leading experts on hate crimes and right-wing extremism, she advises policymakers, practitioners, and media on these issues and has authored multiple books, including In the Name of Hate and Right-Wing Extremism i ..read more

In this episode, Janet speaks with Paula ​Rosen about the challenges some children face with speech and language development and how early intervention can make a lasting impact. Paula is ​a ​licensed ​Speech Language ​Pathologist ​who ​has ​over 30 ​years ​of ​experience ​as both ​a ​school ​clinician ​and private ​practitioner ​treating children of all ages. She ​currently ​is part of the multi-disciplinary team ​at ​Wonderspeak ​clinic ​in Toronto, where she works with adults and professionals to ​build ​confidence ​in ​their ​workplace ​communications. Janet and Paula discuss the spectrum ..read more

In this episode, Janet speaks with Dr. Jonathan Singer, PhD, LCSW. Dr. Singer is a professor at Loyola University in Chicago's School of Social Work and the Founder and host of The Social Work Podcast. Dr. Singer is the author of two editions of Suicide in Schools and an award-winning researcher specializing in family-based interventions for suicidal and cyberbullied youth, service access, school-based suicide responses, and the use of technology in education and clinical practice. Dr. Singer is also a former president of the American Association of Suicidology.  Janet and Dr. Singer disc ..read more

In this episode, Janet Morrison talks with Cassandra Moore, the Assistant Director of The CBT Institute of Southern California.  Cassandra specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention of Tics (CBIT). Through her practice, she provides individual, family and group therapy to treat a variety of disorders including ADHD, mood disorders, Tourette/Tic Disorders, defiance, eating disorders, and anxiety disorders. She is also the co-author of Tic’d, A Child's Guide to Defeating Tics, which teaches children an ..read more

In this episode, Janet Morrison speaks with Cathy Maser (she/her) about gender dysphoria and ways to support trans children and youth.  For the past 18 years, Cathy’s clinical practice has been focused on youth with chronic illness, substance misuse, sexual health, gender identity and mood disorders. Through her practice, she has provided gender-affirming care to youth and was also a lecturer at the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto for 12 years. She recently retired after 35 years at Sick Kids Hospital and continues to work with community partners to e ..read more

In this episode, Janet Morrison talks with Dr. Katreena Scott about the severe consequences for children growing up in violent households including developmental trauma disorder.  Dr. Scott is a Professor of Applied Psychology at the University of Western Ontario. She is the Academic Director of the Centre for Research & Education on Violence against Women & Children. Her research includes preventing gender-based and sexual violence on university and college campuses, helping workplaces recognize and respond to employees at risk for lethal domestic violence, and helping child prot ..read more

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 Children in Toronto. Janet and Dr. Muskat discuss how the perception of neurodiversity has changed over t ..read more

In this episode, Janet Morrison speaks with Dr. Elaine Levy about how access to quality child care impacts the mental health and well-being of children and families.  Dr. Levy is VP of Child Care & Family Services at WoodGreen Community Services in Toronto, which operates eight licensed childcare sites and provides additional family support services. Janet and Dr Levy discuss the rigorous standards and quality assessments for childcare centers in Ontario, the benefits that these environments provide for children and parents, and the role of early intervention in addressing development ..read more

This month, Janet Morrison talks with Dr. Vladimir Barayev MD FAAP, a Board Certified Pediatrician, Lactation Counselor, and father of two, who believes passionately in high-quality and personal care for children. Janet and Dr. Vlad discuss the relationship between physical and mental health and the six pillars of health he uses when working with families. Dr. Vlad believes acting as a whole family unit, rather than focusing solely on the child, when addressing the six pillars is instrumental to success. They also explore how to celebrate the incremental steps on the way to improving overall p ..read more

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 a child who is suffering from traumatic grief.  Colleen also shares how group therapy can help g ..read more