Good Enough Shrink

Hello! We are back after a busy month at the clinic! In this episode, we discuss a very niche topic -- the different levels (or continuum) of care in mental health treatment. These acronyms can be so confusing for parents and families, so we hope to clarify them for you as you navigate what is the appropriate level of care for you or your loved ones. 

Topics Discussed:

• Overview of mental health continuum of care
• The importanc...

In this episode, we explore the impact of the Los Angeles wildfires on families and the individual person, emphasizing trauma-informed care and support for those affected by disasters. We also cover practical tips for disaster psychiatry, psychological first aid, and how to start an honest conversation with your kids about traumatic exposures.

Topics discussed:

• What is a disaster? 
• What is trauma? 
• Acute stress disorder vs PTSD 
• Ris...

In this episode, we discuss the challenges in dealing with the recent executive orders against the LGBTQ+ community. We go over the emotional toll of political rhetoric, the need for access to gender-affirming care in youth, and how important it is to slow down and examine gender dysphoria in children (and adults!) from a compassionate and open-minded perspective. We get personal talking about our struggles with the current politic...

This is a long-awaited episode! We talk about the difference between feeling lonely and being alone, and the biological mechanisms that drive humans to connect with each other. After we intellectualize it all (as doctors do), we get to the root of the problem in loneliness -- the importance of fostering a sense of safety. Join us in this exploration on how loneliness is deeply rooted in your attachment experience! 

Topics Discussed:

This week, we explore the curious and unnerving world of artificial intelligence (AI) and mental health. We discuss its potential benefits in healthcare for both psychiatrists and patients, as well as risks such as harmful content, liability issues, privacy issues, and blurring the line between what is real and fake. We are excited and wary of this new technology that is inevitably going to be in every aspect of our lives. Join us ...

Welcome to the new year! This episode is about how to approach making a change in your life. Your ambivalence, values, fears, and goals are all crucial parts of what makes you you. It's also important to just take a pause sometimes in this ever-changing world today. So I hope this quick episode will give you that pause and reflection to propel you toward what matters the most in your life! 

Have questions for us,...

Hello there! This episode is a dense one. We discuss neurosis and anxiety from the perspective of childhood and growth. We go over concepts of “basic anxiety” and “neurotic pride”, reflecting on healthy and unhealthy narcissism fueling anxiety as proposed by the psychoanalyst, Karen Horney. We explore how the DSM anxiety disorders are categorized, the importance of a holistic approach to treatment, and the use of medication in mana...

We are back! In this episode, we discuss the nitty gritty, fascinating details of schizophrenia and psychosis. We explore the devastating stigma associated with schizophrenia, the challenges of diagnosing and managing severe mental illnesses, and the importance of honoring the patient as a human being. Join us, as we three child psychiatrists chat about how to build trust and collaboration in mental health care, and keep the hope a...

Hello! We are continuing our conversation on psychosis. In this episode, we focus on differential diagnoses for psychosis, including medical and psychiatric conditions that can often be confused with a truly psychotic disorder like schizophrenia. Specifically, trauma is a big one, leading us to lose ourselves in the imbalance of imagination and reality. Especially in kids! Lastly, we talk about treatment of psychosis, our approach ...

Hello! This week, we delve into the fascinating history of how we conceptualize psychosis and schizophrenia. All those with schizophrenia have psychosis, but not all those with psychosis have schizophrenia. From a psychological framework to a biological one, the field of psychiatry has gone back and forth between the two and really struggled to understand schizophrenia. Now, we are just starting to see the interplay between genetic...

School is back in full swing, and so is everyone's anxiety! We discuss the challenges kids, teens and parents face as they reintegrate back to school after the summer break. We delve into the various reasons for school avoidance and refusal, which are critical in understanding what is actually behind it. We conclude with a discussion on what to do about it -- mainly the importance of early preparation, open communication, acce...

*Trigger warning for content on self-harm, suicide and eating disorders. Please feel free to opt out and prioritize your sense of safety if you need to do so.*

This is a tough one. The positive effects of social media on mental health can be lifesaving, yet its negative effects may lead to a life taken far too early. We have a nuanced discussion on social media's pros and cons, and how to help your child or someone who may be a...

 We are back! In this episode, we talk about attachment theory from a neuroscientific and neurobiological perspective. We highlight how talking about our emotions can help us regulate them, and make room for empathy and "mentalizing" other people's experiences. We also discuss how attachment trauma can disrupt brain development, and how mindfulness and staying attuned to your body can mitigate this. Finally, we discu...

In this episode, we take a quick break from attachment theory and dive into a very real, current problem we face today: the stimulant medication shortage for the treatment of ADHD. We explore the complex regulatory systems surrounding stimulants, including supply chain issues and being lumped into the category of Schedule II medications monitored by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to fight the Opioid Epidemic. The pressures from ...

Welcome back! In this episode, we discuss the significance of the humanistic approach to psychiatry, and the importance of relationships and the environment in child development. We talk about core concepts in attachment theory, such as the Strange Situation by Mary Ainsworth, adult attachment interview by Mary Main, and mentalization by Peter Fonagy. We emphasize that attachment serves as its own biological and motivational system...