Articles by Gene Beresin

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 […]

March 7, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Hope Beyond Anorexia – Shrinking It Down (Season 1, Episode 9)

You can also subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, and most podcast apps – just search for “Shrinking It Down”.  *** Note: The following person’s account of his/her personal experience has been published with his/her consent to support the mission of The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds, and let others in similar situations not feel […]

February 26, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

What is Emotional Eating?

Jump To: Tips For Parents I love watching football. When I was watching the playoffs this year, it was obvious that some ads were really overrepresented – those promoting comfort food and alcohol (mostly beer). And they’re super compelling. I tend to eat healthy, organic food. But I can tell you, the urge to grab […]

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

A Closer Look at Anorexia Nervosa

For more information about eating disorders, and ways you can help to make a difference for a young person in your life, please visit the National Eating Disorder Association website. #NEDAwareness *** Anorexia Nervosa deeply affects everyone. It’s torture for the afflicted person, terrifying for parents, and terribly frustrating for clinicians. And sadly we tend […]

February 24, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Why Activism Is Good For Teens — And The Country

When I was a ninth grader in 1964, I was suspended from school for selling peace buttons for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. I was a tad anxious about how my mom would react, but when I came home that morning, she was beaming. “Good for you! Just don’t sell any more on school property,” […]

February 19, 2018

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Preventing School Shootings: Playing the Mental Health Card is Off the Mark

Another senseless shooting and more loss of lives. We’ve said it before and we will say it again, our hearts go out to the families in the community of Uvalde. But how many times do we have to say this? While the individual responsible was clearly disturbed, this issue is not about mental illness. There […]