Articles by Khadijah Booth Watkins, Associate Director
Khadijah Booth Watkins, MD, MPH, is associate director of the Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), and the Associate Director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Residency Training Program of Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospital. In addition, she provides clinical care to children, adolescents, and families in the Child Outpatient Clinic and continues to teach and supervise fellows, residents, and medical students. To learn more about Khadijah, or to contact her directly, please see Our Team.
Supporting Youth in a World Riddled by Conflict
October 17, 2024
Supporting Youth in a World Riddled by Conflict
Let’s be honest, we’re all stressed. We’re stressed about climate change, world crises, the upcoming election, or even just the common stressors of everyday life: economic pressures, relationship issues, burnout, you name it. So, with all stress, our conversations can easily become more uncivilized. In this episode of Shrinking it Down, Gene and Khadijah discuss […]
Navigating Special Education in Schools Part 2: Working with the Team and Your Child
September 19, 2024
Navigating Special Education in Schools Part 2: Working with the Team and Your Child
This is the first blog post in a two-part series on navigating special education in schools. The focus of this first post is on general legal and practical tips for parents. The second post focuses on working with the IEP and your child. The Special Education system in school can be confusing, especially if you […]
Navigating Special Education in Schools Part 1: Legal and Practical Tips
August 29, 2024
Navigating Special Education in Schools Part 1: Legal and Practical Tips
This is the first blog post in a two-part series on navigating special education in schools. The focus of this first post is on general legal and practical tips for parents. The second post focuses on working with the IEP and your child. Welcome back to a new season of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health […]
Stories for Children’s Mental Health
June 20, 2024
Stories for Children’s Mental Health
Stories Matter, especially when it comes to children’s mental health and wellbeing. For our season finale, Gene and Khadijah are joined by two special guests from Barefoot Books – book editor Lisa Rosinsky and children’s author Joelle Retener. They explore how stories help kids to make sense of the world in all of its confusion […]
Boys, Body Image, and Eating Disorders, feat. Jason Nagata, MD
May 16, 2024
Boys, Body Image, and Eating Disorders, feat. Jason Nagata, MD
Most teens stress over body image at some point. But when you hear the term “eating disorder” what do you think of? Probably not boys and men. Yet, adolescent boys struggle with body image and disordered eating behaviors nearly just as often as girls do. Tune in below, or wherever you get your podcasts. Today […]
The Role of Roleplay in Therapy
April 22, 2024
The Role of Roleplay in Therapy
If you’re a regular listener, you’ll know we often reference the benefits of roleplay games – from dress up to Dungeons & Dragons – for healthy child development. It can help kids better understand themselves, better understand others, and build self-confidence. Today, Gene and Khadijah explore roleplay through a more therapeutic lens. They are joined […]
Alcohol and Drugs. Why Do Teens Use?
March 21, 2024
Alcohol and Drugs. Why Do Teens Use?
Many of us know that the teen years can be a time for experimenting with alcohol and other drugs. But a recent CDC study found the reason why teens use substances today isn’t just for experimentation, but also to stop worrying about problems, and even to help with depression or anxiety. This is really concerning. […]
Equine Therapy. How Does It Work? feat. Janice Gilman of BINA Farm – Shrinking It Down
February 15, 2024
Equine Therapy. How Does It Work? feat. Janice Gilman of BINA Farm – Shrinking It Down
You’ve probably heard of pet therapy, but what about equine therapy? Special guest Janice Gilman of BINA Farm Center joins Gene and Khadijah to help us learn about the many different kinds of equine therapy for kids. What make horses so unique when it comes to therapeutic treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, anxiety, and more? […]
What Can States Do to Support Youth Mental Health? feat. Senator John C. Velis
January 18, 2024
What Can States Do to Support Youth Mental Health? feat. Senator John C. Velis
To address the youth mental health crisis, we need to approach it from different angles – including access, education, and legislation. So, what are states doing to make a difference? Tune in below, or wherever you stream! Today, Gene and Khadijah are joined by special guest Senator John C. Velis of Massachusetts. Senator Velis shines […]
Stimulants! Myths, Misconceptions & Managing the Shortage, feat. Anthony Rostain, MD, MA – Shrinking It Down
December 20, 2023
Stimulants! Myths, Misconceptions & Managing the Shortage, feat. Anthony Rostain, MD, MA – Shrinking It Down
What role should prescription stimulants play in a child’s ADHD treatment plan? Tune in below, or wherever you stream. Today, Gene and Khadijah are joined by Tony Rostain, MD, MA, chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Cooper University Health Care, to discuss this and more. How do you talk to your child about stimulants? […]
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