Articles by Gene Beresin

August 20, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Building Mental Wellness in Children: What Parents Can Do

Este artículo está disponible en español. Parents are the true experts when it comes to knowing their children, and often the first to notice any changes in their kids’ behavior: Colin was a happy youngster. He had friends, did well in school, and got along with his siblings and parents at home. But in recent months, […]

August 11, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Teaching for the Test or Teaching for Real Life?

I have never been good at standardized tests. In fact, I’m horrible. The problem is that in standardized tests, as opposed to general knowledge or understanding of a particular problem, you need to know what the specific question is looking for. But I just don’t think that way. I overthink every question. While many folks […]

June 22, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Shrinking It Down: When Nightmares Become Reality in the U.S. (Special Episode)

You can also listen to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for “Shrinking It Down.” *** In research that’s been done about kids’ fears, the most frightening thing is losing or being left without a parent. Through the events at the U.S. southern border in the last weeks, we have watched migrant […]

May 29, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Digital Media: For Better or Worse?

It was Patriot’s Day in Massachusetts. I was meeting with a film maker about a possible collaboration on a documentary. We were interested in the impact of digital media on youth. We were considering if our preoccupation with smart phones somehow alienates us from nature, and whether this was particularly characteristic of the younger generation. […]

May 9, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Greatest Strength: Challenges Met With Courage

This blog post is part of a series entitled Real Lives, Real Stories. The following family accounts of their personal experiences have been published with their consent, to support the mission of The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds, and let others in similar situations not feel so alone. Introduction Gene Beresin, M.D. We all have […]

April 25, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

When Survival is Not at Stake: Explaining the Mystery of Panic Disorder

Imagine you’re crossing a street and are almost hit by a massive Mack® truck. You jump out of the way. Your heart is racing and pounding, you’re sweating, trembling, hyperventilating, and short of breath. You feel a pit in your stomach, nausea, choking, and tightness in your chest. Your fingers and toes are tingling. The […]

April 18, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Creativity Gives Our Brains a Boost: Shrinking It Down (Season 1, Episode 12)

You can also listen to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, SoundCloud, and most podcast apps – just search for “Shrinking It Down.” *** Is creativity important for human relationships? We don’t just think so, we know it! Think about it, yourself: What does it mean when you watch a movie with family or create music with friends? […]

April 10, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

The Power of Music: To Feel, Heal, and Connect

You can also hear more about the power of music therapy as a clinical practice. Listen below, or search for “Shrinking It Down” wherever you stream. “The best music is essentially something to provide you to face the world with.”                                     Bruce Springsteen “Music doesn’t lie. If there’s something to be changed in this world, […]

March 29, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Teen and Parent Misconceptions about Driving and Marijuana

Friends don’t let friends drive drunk. AdCouncil (1983) We all remember this slogan. It was coined at the launch of the Drunk Driving Campaign. Since then, awareness of the serious risks of driving under the influence of alcohol are well known. And there have been significant changes in driving behavior. The many ad campaigns, prevention […]

March 21, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Is Age 27 the New 18? – Shrinking It Down

You can also subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, SoundCloud, and most podcast apps – just search for “Shrinking It Down”.  *** Does turning 18 mark the start of adulthood, or is this milestone simply a cultural construct? These days, researchers say that legal adolescence should continue into the mid-20s. In this episode of Shrinking It […]