Articles by Gene Beresin

May 19, 2021

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Q+A: How Can I Help My Child Control Thoughts That Fuel Anger?

We all have things that cause our anger to flare – waiting in long lines; feeling dismissed by a friend or family member; feeling that another person is treating us unfairly or not paying attention to what we are saying. And once we are angry, the thoughts that arise while in this state can cause […]

April 28, 2021

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Mental Health Challenges and Latinx Children & Teens, featuring Angel Caraballo, MD – Shrinking It Down

Over the past year, the Clay Center has worked to support even more young people by translating our free, online resources for Spanish-speaking parents and caregivers. In this time, we’ve seen high readership on topics like emotionally supporting kids and teens during COVID-19, the importance of sleep for child mental health, and how to help young people manage anxiety and stress.  On […]

April 23, 2021

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

How To Talk With Kids About Gun Violence

Recent mass shootings that have made national news headlines are a frightening reminder to us all of this “new normal.” Beyond those that have made national headlines, there are many more incidence of gun violence – sometimes more than one a day – for which the trauma is felt only locally. Listen to Dr. Felopulos […]

April 16, 2021

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

10 Consejos de Cuidado Personal para Padres

Como padres, nuestro trabajo principal es cuidar de nuestros hijos, incluidos nuestros hijos adultos jóvenes. Es difícil pensar en algo más importante que el bienestar de nuestros hijos. Nos preocupamos por su éxito académico, vida social y logros recreativos. Nos preocupamos por su salud física, ajuste emocional y felicidad en general. Como adultos, además tenemos […]

April 14, 2021

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

A Closer Look at High-Functioning Autism, featuring Robyn Thom, MD – Shrinking It Down

Coming into April, Autism Awareness Month, we’ve noticed more families coming to our website with questions about high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Some are seeking guidance on challenges families face, some are wanting to learn more about behaviors stereotypically associated with ASD, and others are wondering what happened to the Asperger’s diagnosis. On today’s episode of “Shrinking It […]

March 31, 2021

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

The Art of Civil Conversations: 9 Parent Strategies

Are you an educator? You may be interested in our Conflict Resolution Curriculum for students. Learn more here. “Are you out of your mind? You’re not old enough to go to a climate change demonstration. What do you even know about the climate? Besides, we’re in the middle a pandemic. Enough said!”  So says the […]

March 17, 2021

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Medicating with Meditation? The Power of Mind Body Medicine, featuring Darshan Mehta, MD, MPH – Shrinking It Down

On today’s episode of Shrinking It Down, Gene and Khadijah welcome special guest Dr. Darshan Mehta, Medical Director of the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine of Massachusetts General Hospital, to talk about something we could all use more of: Meditation. This past year has brought on new stressors and anxieties for families, on top […]

March 10, 2021

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

The Positive Value of Conflict Resolution

Are you an educator? You may be interested in our Conflict Resolution Curriculum for students. Learn more here. Conflict is a natural part of our lives. We inevitably have disagreements with others from time to time in our values, beliefs, behavior, and much more. But recently, we’ve seen what feels like insurmountable conflict dividing our […]

February 17, 2021

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

How Do We Heal From Here? A Guide for Families and Our Nation

I cannot think of a time in recent history when our nation was more polarized, and resentment and anger so pervasive. One thing we know, though, is that our kids and teens are watching, picking up on, and asking questions about the intensity of it all. There are calls for unity and healing almost everywhere […]

February 10, 2021

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Teen Breakup Violence, Part 2: At-Risk Emotions – Shrinking It Down

Content Warning: Today’s episode is the second in a two-part series on teen relationship violence. It may be difficult for some of our listeners.  When we look underneath a young person’s anger, or shame, or grief, there is often a hidden need that’s not being met. Learning how to identify and address these hidden needs is a […]