Catch-Up on Kids Mental Health

Janet Morrison | Catch Collaborative Psychotherapy
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Monthly

The Catch-Up on Kids Mental Health podcast is hosted by Janet Morrison and showcases leading experts in children and adolescent mental health. Tune in each month to learn how to better support children who are struggling with mental health challenges and the everyday stresses of life.

  1. 5d ago

    68 | How Family Relationships Shape Children's Mental Health

    This episode marks the beginning of a special three-part podcast series based on Janet Morrison's upcoming book, Relationships Matter: Building Children's Resilience Within the Family, School and Community. In this first conversation, Janet sits down with special guest host Sandy Poulson to explore the foundational role family relationships play in children's mental health and resilience. Together, they discuss how our own childhood experiences shape the way we parent, why attachment relationships matter, the importance of repair after conflict, emotional regulation, and the impact of screens on family connection. Drawing on more than forty years of experience as a child therapist, school psychological associate, and educator, Janet shares practical insights for parents navigating the challenges of raising children in today's world. This episode is the first in a three-part series exploring the family, school, and community factors that shape children's mental health. To learn more about Janet's upcoming book, Relationships Matter, visit:www.catchpsychotherapy.org/relationshipsmatter Be sure to join the mailing list so you'll be the first to hear about new podcast episodes, book news, launch events, and more.

    34 min

  2. May 5

    67 | Are We Protecting Kids from the Wrong Things?

    In this episode, Janet sits down with social work clinician, researcher, and author Will Dobud to explore a different way of thinking about youth mental health, one that challenges some of our most common assumptions. Janet and Will talk about how well-meaning efforts to protect children may actually be limiting their growth. They explore the idea that young people need more opportunities to take risks, solve problems, and actively participate in their own lives, rather than being treated as passive recipients of care. They also discuss the rise of labeling in mental health, how it can shape identity in unhelpful ways, and why connection and curiosity matter more than quick diagnoses. Throughout the conversation, Will invites parents and caregivers to reflect on their own anxiety, the environments they create, and the importance of allowing children space to struggle, explore, and build confidence. This episode offers a thoughtful and sometimes provocative perspective on how we support young people, and reminds us that there are no simple formulas, only relationships, reflection, and the willingness to trust the process of growing up. To learn more about Will and his work visit his website. For more information on the work we do at Catch, please visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and don’t forget to follow and subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen.  Stay connected with us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    32 min

  3. Apr 7

    66 | Understanding Teenage Anxiety

    In this episode, Janet sits down with therapist, author, and teen anxiety specialist Sophia Vale Galano to explore how anxiety shows up during the teenage years and why it can be so hard to recognize. Janet and Sophia talk about how to distinguish between typical teenage behaviour and when anxiety may be interfering with a teen’s ability to function. They explore what actually helps, emphasizing the importance of slowing down, getting curious, and working collaboratively with teens. They also share practical insights for parents, including how well-meaning efforts can sometimes make anxiety worse, and how building self-esteem and allowing space for struggle and failure can support long-term resilience. This episode offers a grounded, compassionate look at how to support teens through anxiety while helping them build confidence, coping skills, and a stronger sense of self. To learn more about Sophia and her work visit her ⁠website⁠. For more information on the work we do at Catch, please visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and don’t forget to follow and subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen.  Stay connected with us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    28 min

  4. Mar 3

    65 | How To Reduce Aggression & Violence In The Classroom

    In this episode, Janet speaks with Dr. William Ketterer about anger and violence in the classroom and what may be driving aggressive behaviour in children and adolescents. Dr. Ketterer shares his research on self-esteem and explains how a child’s early relationships shape their sense of self. He suggests that aggression is not simply defiance, lack of impulse control, or learned behaviour, but can be a misguided attempt to seek empathy and connection. Together, they explore how self-esteem develops, why children who struggle with belonging may act out, and how teachers’ emotional responses can offer important clues about what a child is experiencing internally. Dr. Ketterer outlines practical strategies educators can use to reduce anger and violence in the classroom by strengthening relationships, increasing empathy, and building a stronger classroom community. Rather than relying solely on punishment or exclusion, this conversation offers a relational approach that supports both teachers and students. Dr. Ketterer also discusses when classroom-based support may be sufficient and when additional therapeutic intervention may be needed. This episode offers a thoughtful reframing of aggression and practical guidance for educators, parents, and professionals working with children. To learn more about Dr. William Ketterer visit his website. For more information on the work we do at Catch, please visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and don’t forget to follow and subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen.  Stay connected with us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    30 min

  5. Feb 3

    64 | Understanding ADHD In Children & Youth

    In this episode, Janet speaks with Dr. Ryan Sultan, a child psychiatrist and researcher specializing in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Dr. Sultan helps unpack what it really means to understand ADHD as a neurodevelopmental condition, and why symptoms can emerge as early as preschool. He explains how differences in brain development affect attention, regulation, behaviour, and self-esteem, and why ADHD is often misunderstood as simply a problem of willpower or discipline. Drawing on clinical practice and long-term research, the conversation explores how ADHD is diagnosed across childhood and adolescence, how it can overlap with anxiety, learning differences, and emotional regulation challenges, and why careful, collaborative assessment across home, school, and community settings matters. Janet and Dr. Sultan also discuss treatment decisions, including when medication is considered, the role of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and the importance of teaching practical skills like organization, emotional awareness, and social regulation. This episode offers parents and educators a grounded, compassionate lens for thinking about ADHD. Rather than framing it as a quick diagnosis or a single solution, it emphasizes early understanding, thoughtful support, and interventions that help children build confidence, resilience, and long-term wellbeing. To learn more about Dr. Sultan and his work please visit his ⁠⁠website.⁠ For more information on the work we do at Catch, please visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and don’t forget to follow and subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen.  Stay connected with us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    31 min

  6. Jan 13

    63 | What Doctors Miss About Children's Mental Health

    In this episode, Janet speaks with Dr. Robert C. Smith, professor emeritus at Michigan State University and author of Has Medicine Lost Its Mind?. Drawing on decades of clinical practice, research, and teaching, Dr. Smith explains how modern medicine came to separate mental and physical health, and why that split still shapes how doctors are trained today. The conversation explores how this gap in training affects modern medicine, from rushed appointments and quick prescriptions to missed opportunities for early support and prevention. Dr. Smith also discusses why lifestyle, stress, relationships, and emotional development are often overlooked, despite their central role in both physical and mental wellbeing. This episode offers parents and educators a broader lens for understanding the healthcare system many children move through. Rather than placing blame on individual doctors or families, it invites reflection on how care might look different if emotional and physical health were treated as deeply connected from the very beginning. To learn more about Dr. Smith and his work please visit his ⁠website. For more information on the work we do at Catch, please visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and don’t forget to follow and subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen.  Stay connected with us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    29 min

  7. 12/02/2025

    62 | Advocating For Children & Youth In Foster Care

    In this episode, Janet speaks with Breana Frazier, a doctoral student at Florida International University whose research explores the foster care to juvenile delinquency pipeline. Breana shares what we know about who enters the foster care system, why those numbers spiked in 2020, and how a lack of stability and trauma-informed support affects children long after they’re placed in care. Together, Janet and Breana look at the emotional and educational challenges foster youth face, the high rates of undiagnosed learning issues, and why behavioral struggles are often misinterpreted rather than understood. They also discuss what happens when children become “crossover youth” who interact with both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and why these young people are so vulnerable to harsher punishments. This conversation is a sobering look at the long term impact of trauma, but also a call to action. Breana highlights the importance of early intervention, consistent caregiving, and real trauma informed training for the adults who work within these systems.

    32 min

  8. 11/04/2025

    61 | Attachment Theory for Teachers and Caregivers

    In this episode, Janet welcomes back Dr. John Stewart to explore how the principles of attachment theory extend beyond the home and into the classroom. Dr. Stewart is a clinical psychologist specializing in attachment-focused treatment with children, adolescents, and families. He’s an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Tufts University School of Medicine and author of What Helps When Children and Families Struggle: An Attachment-Informed Guide for Families and Clinicians. Building on their previous conversation about attachment-focused family therapy, this discussion looks at how teachers and caregivers can foster emotional safety, structure, and belonging for every child – especially those who struggle most. Dr. Stewart shares practical insights about the importance of predictability and “padded boundaries,” how joy and attunement shape a child’s sense of self, and why a teacher’s empathy can be just as healing as a therapist’s. He also reflects on the shared responsibility between parents, teachers, and communities to help children feel both lovable and competent –two foundational experiences that support resilience and learning. To learn more about Dr. Stewart and his work you can visit his ⁠website⁠.  For more information on the work we do at Catch, please visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠ and don’t forget to follow and subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen.  Stay connected with us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    28 min
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About

The Catch-Up on Kids Mental Health podcast is hosted by Janet Morrison and showcases leading experts in children and adolescent mental health. Tune in each month to learn how to better support children who are struggling with mental health challenges and the everyday stresses of life.

Information

  • Creator
    Janet Morrison | Catch Collaborative Psychotherapy
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    69
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Janet Morrison | Catch Collaborative Psychotherapy
  • Show Website
    Catch-Up on Kids Mental Health