Articles by Gene Beresin

October 2, 2019

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

What Is a Personality Disorder?

I’ve always had a problem with the label “personality disorder,” and so have many of my patients. I think it’s because we typically associate “personality” with a “person,” so the term seems to suggest that there’s something wrong with the human being. But short of reinventing a better name for it, let’s define what this term means and try to understand it in a more meaningful and […]

September 25, 2019

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

When Kids Talk of Suicide – Shrinking It Down

Tune in wherever you get your podcasts – just search for “Shrinking It Down.” As the summer fades and we move into Autumn, activities in our lives start to build up and so can the stress. Perhaps this is one reason that September is national Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. It’s an unsettling topic, but in […]

August 7, 2019

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Why Chores Are Important for Kids

Chores. We all remember them. Some were associated with allowance, others simply mandatory. For many kids, and I bet for most of us, they were often an intrusion on other more important things to do. As a parent, I’m sure you’ve asked (hopefully without screaming), “Did you take out the trash and clean your room?” […]

June 5, 2019

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Summer Challenge: Come Together for Mental Health – Shrinking It Down

Tune in wherever you get your podcasts – just search for “Shrinking It Down.” We shouldn’t need science to tell us that getting together with other people is beneficial. Still, the science is pretty fascinating, and in the data-driven age in which we live, knowledge is power! In this episode, Steve and Gene dig into […]

May 28, 2019

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Gaming Disorder: Is It a Real Illness?

Hear a conversation about gaming disorder below, or search for “Shrinking It Down” wherever you stream. Este artículo está disponible en español. “He is playing games all the time. Every chance he gets! From the time he gets home until bedtime, he’s in his room on that computer. And spends almost no time with the family. […]

May 22, 2019

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Illuminating Mental Health Through Art, featuring Multimedia Artist Elisa H. Hamilton – Shrinking It Down

Tune in wherever you get your podcasts – just search for “Shrinking It Down.” At the Clay Center, we often stress the importance of creativity for supporting healthy youth development and community relationships. So, we’re thrilled to have socially engaged multimedia artist Elisa H. Hamilton join Gene and Steve in today’s episode! Elisa is a visiting artist with the […]

May 7, 2019

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Self-Care for Resilience – Shrinking It Down

Tune in wherever you get your podcasts – just search for “Shrinking It Down.” Did you know Ellen enjoys boxing for self-care, and that Gene depends on daily interactions with his dog, Bear? This week is Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week! What better way to celebrate than by focusing on self-care, and on building resilience […]

April 25, 2019

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Understanding ADHD – Shrinking It Down

Tune in wherever you get your podcasts – just search for “Shrinking It Down.” We all get distracted and disorganized. Today, it seems more than ever with digital media consuming our lives. We bet you’ve even wondered, at some point in your life, whether you might have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Heck – do […]

April 24, 2019

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Managing Sibling Conflicts: The Obvious and Hidden Battles

A lot has been written on sibling rivalry, particularly about name calling, arguing, provoking, physical fighting, and other forms of overt hostility. Almost every article suggests that this is inevitable and normal. In drawing comparisons, writers often reference the animal kingdom – baby birds throwing weaker siblings out of the nest, carnivores snatching a sibling’s […]

April 18, 2019

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

It’s the Time of the Season for… Mental Illness – Shrinking It Down

Tune in below or wherever you get your podcasts – just search for “Shrinking It Down.” Flowers are blooming. People are smiling. On the surface, it seems as if spring is the sweetest season of all. And while it is rejuvenating and joyful in many ways, it’s also associated with the highest rates of psychiatric […]