Risk-taking and Teens: A Delicate Balance
Episode Description
People tend to perceive risk as being inherently negative. But for teenagers, risk-taking is a healthy, normal, and important part of growing up. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, Host Tim Unsinn talks to Vanessa Lien, Nurse Practitioner, about creating a safe environment for your teenager to take risks—and knowing when to step in when they start taking risks that could result in serious and long-term negative consequences.What to Expect
- Learn about risk—both positive and negative.
- Understand why teens take risks.
- Learn how to reduce risk-taking by building connections and involving children in decision-making.
- Explore ways to model healthy risk-taking.
Things to Think About
- How will you support your teen?
- How can you create a safe environment for healthy risk-taking?
- How can you stay involved in your teenager's life?
Transcript
Risk-taking and Teens: A Delicate Balance
Featuring Vanessa Lien, Nurse Practitioner
Host Tim Unsinn:
Welcome to Mind Your Mind, a podcast presented by Dakota Family Services, an outpatient behavioral health clinic located in Minot, Bismarck, and Fargo North Dakota. In this podcast, I will talk with our experts about understanding and nurturing our mental health and wellness. I'm your host, Tim Unsinn. Join me each episode as we explore the intricacies of our minds, decrease the stigma of mental illness, learn practical tips for managing our mental health and well-being, and recognize when it's time to ask for help. Join me now to Mind Your Mind. Welcome to this episode of mind your mind.
Our guest is Vanessa Lien. Vanessa is a nurse practitioner and provides outpatient diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric and behavioral health conditions, as well as medication management of clients to all of all ages, Vanessa. It's great to have you on Mind Your Mind.
Vanessa Lien:
Thank you for having me. I'm happy to be here.
Host Tim Unsinn:
Our topic is going to be healthy risks, but you know the routine. Before we get to the topic of the day, we ask you, "Why do you do what you do?"
Vanessa Lien:
Well, one of the main reasons that I do what I do...as a nurse practitioner, I really have that opportunity to improve mental health of patients and also at the same time, improve that quality of life. So I can weigh and treat the impact of having a mental illness on my patients, and also help them just to function better in society. And one of the highlights to me is the tremendous amount of research that's happening in neuroscience. And we're only just beginning to understand the complicated system of our brains and how it affects our behaviors. So psychiatry to me is just very intellectually stimulating and challenging, and I knew I would never get bored in this field.
Host Tim Unsinn:
Great answer. Love that. Why you do what you do, healthy risk. Okay. So when we first started talking about healthy risk, I mentioned to you that it sounds like an oxymoron healthy risk, but what is risk taking and is it normal?
Vanessa Lien:
Yeah, it does seem kind of like an oxymoron. Risk, by definition, is just a choice. It's choices that we make with an uncertain potential outcome. And that can be a desirable or undesirable outcome. So in comparison, it'd be winning money in a bet, or losing money. So desirable and undesirable. And in general, people tend to perceive risks as being inherently negative things. And this really isn't true. So risk behaviors, they fall along a spectrum. On one end of this spectrum are the negative risks, which are generally perceived as being, you know, antisocial, maybe dangerous or harmful. And on the very other opposite end are positive types of risks, which are socially acceptable risks that maybe have the potential to benefit a person's well-being. And they have less severe or dangerous potential consequences. In general, risk-taking behavior is a normal part of development and it can help people build confidence and really strengthen their decision-making skills. And for our adolescents and teenagers, risk-taking is really about teenagers finding out who they are and exploring boundaries that exist.
Vanessa Lien:
So risk taking is really important to know that it's not about a teenager being rebellious and it's actually an essential part of identity development for teenagers. So contrary to popular belief, risk-taking behavior can be healthy, and help people thrive. Now on that note, children really are more likely to take risks than adults because the different parts of the brain are maturing at different times, which is kind of what we talked about in our last session. Now, the part of the brain that's in charge of self-regulation and really thinking through consequences matures later than the part of the brain that is impulsive and reactive. So it's kind of natural for a teenager to engage in a behavior and that results in maybe a parent or an adult saying, "What on earth were you thinking?"
Vanessa Lien:
So part of raising a child is helping the child define those boundaries. And it's a balancing act that really requires knowing when to let a child take risks in a safe environment versus taking risks in a situation where they could endanger themselves or even other people. And again, this being a normal part of development and knowing that risk-taking behavior increases from childhood into adolescence and then it starts to decrease in adults as those brains mature. So don't let that fool you though. Adults have patterns of risk-taking too. So think, for example, what they are and make sure that you're always modeling good behavior when you're around your children. For instance, I tell parents, "Drive in the car as if you want your child to drive, and if you make a mistake, make sure you talk about it." If you ran that stop sign or didn't stop completely, bring it up right away and say, "Hey, I really did not stop for the appropriate amount of time. That's pretty dangerous and someone could get hurt." Bring it up and have one of those crucial conversations.
Host Tim Unsinn:
I'm glad I didn't model driving for my daughter because she's a great driver, very cautious, unlike her dad. So we talk about healthy risk-taking. How can we support healthy risk-taking?
Vanessa Lien:
Healthy risk taking can really build confidence and help teach some of those natural consequences. So unfortunately, without guidance, teenagers can really take some risks that result in some serious and long-term consequences. So, you know, one thing we think of a lot when talking about teenagers and risks is texting and driving. So doing that texting and driving can really have some potential, even life ending, it could be fatal if there was to be an accident. So there's several ways that we can support healthy risk taking in children and adolescents. And the first thing is by providing healthy options and alternatives. So providing teenagers with options for risk-taking provides the thrill that they're being, that they're seeking when they're doing and taking risks, with minimal negative consequences. And again, another thing that I encourage is modeling and labeling positive behaviors. So always keep in mind that your behavior influences your child.
Vanessa Lien:
So again, discuss with your child, the positive behaviors that you choose and why you chose them. So if you take a risk that you don't want your child to take, acknowledge it. So again, "I drove in an aggressive manner. It was risky. I put us in harm's way and I apologize for doing that." Make that apology and talk with them about what happened and why you would make that choice differently next time. So another thing in research we see is like teenagers who tend to drink a little bit more often, use alcohol, typically a lot more than not come from households where their parents maybe drank a lot. So again, teenagers model their parents. So even though we may think that your teenagers ignoring you, which a lot of times it seems like, they really are watching. So that's important to know another step would be to talk with your child about risk taking and healthy decision-making.
Vanessa Lien:
So have those ongoing conversations about risks, healthy and unhealthy, and the potential consequences and make sure the conversation is always in a dialogue and not a lecture. I mean, we know teenagers just don't respond well to lectures. So engage in a conversation and hear their point of view too. So in day to day life, if you guys are watching a movie together, maybe turn the question back to them. Like, "What did you think about the decision that that main character just made." Have the conversation, you know. When your teen is out with their friends and maybe they start doing something that you're not comfortable with, maybe alcohol, drugs, anything like that, how are you going to handle that? Or if something has happened and you're struggling with a decision that your teen has made, just verbalize, "I'm really struggling to understand that decision you just made."
Vanessa Lien:
Help me get a better sense of what went on in your mind and what went into the decision and this will help guide some of those crucial conversations to have with the kids. And another important factor is to really develop deep social support system for kids. This really supports healthy risk taking and research suggests that the wider range of social support available to a teenager. So having parents that are supportive, family, friends makes it less likely that a teen will engage in unhealthy risk-taking behaviors. So involve your child in like different community events and support healthy relationships between your child and the social supports around you. So these may be things, again, like friends, relatives, church communities different afterschool activities or sports leagues, you know. As kids, we turn to our coaches as mentors and really look up to them. So those are just some ideas.
Vanessa Lien:
Another tip would be to make sure you're promoting family connectedness to reduce risk-taking. So when children really feel connected to their families, the likelihood of making poor choices and taking those unhealthy risks, really diminishes. So I encourage parents to involve children in decision-making. Involve them in setting the rules and expectations, and maybe at night time share about their day or how your days were over a meal. And so some of the dialogue that might come around that, just to give an example. "So What are some ideas about what we should do today? You know, it's a Saturday, we have the whole day off, what are some ideas that you have about what we could do?" Or maybe another thing in, in the teen years as maybe establishing a curfew? So "I have some thoughts about possible curfew times, but I want to hear you out and listen to your thoughts before making that final decision." It kind of gets the teens to have a little buy-in.
Vanessa Lien:
Those are some interesting ways to kind of engage the kids. Another important fact is also monitor your child and stay involved with them. So parental monitoring and involvement, it really has a positive influence on risk-taking behavior in kids. So know where your child is, first of all, and check and see if they are where they say they're going to be. And that doesn't have to be, you know, something like following them in a car and making sure they go but just a quick text. "Hey, Just checking in to see how things are going?" Or even a quick text to the parents. "Hi, I'm just checking to see how little Billy is doing over at your house." So stay involved in your kids' lives, know their friends and know their friends' parents as well. It really helps if you work hard and develop a trust in your relationship and look for opportunities to show that you're trusting your child.
Host Tim Unsinn:
You are listening to Mind your Mind. Our guest on this episode is Vanessa Lien and Vanessa has been talking healthy risk, a lot of great information. Final question for you before we let you go. What do you do personally, to mind your mind?
Vanessa Lien:
I personally mind my mind by practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness is something that allows me to be fully present and aware of what I'm doing, where I am, and just kind of where I'm at in the day. And I also like to practice meditation, and that is something that allows me to kind of venture into the workings of my mind, the sensations, my emotions, thoughts, and just really keep me grounded.
Host Tim Unsinn:
Vanessa, it has been great having you on Mind Your Mind, a lot of great information, a lot of information that I think as parents, maybe our kids are grown and gone, but this is information we listen to, that we can share with others. So thank you so much for your time. Thank you so much for your talent.
Vanessa Lien:
Thanks for having me. I appreciate it.
Host Tim Unsinn:
Thank you for joining us for Mind Your Mind, a podcast presented by Dakota Family Services. You can't have health without behavioral health. Remember to mind your mind. For more information links to additional resources, contact information, and much more go to DakotaFamilyServices.org.
Other Podcast Episodes
Bullying and your Kids: What You Need to Know
15-25% of American students have experienced bullying. And cyberbullying is on the rise. Children who experience bullying suffer from long-lasting effects including depression, anxiety, loneliness, low self-esteem, low academic achievement, and more. Children engaging in bullying behavior are impacted as well. In this episode of "Mind Your Mind," Dakota Family Services therapist, April Morris, LCSW, talks about the impact of bullying and what parents can do to help.;
Coping with Chaos: Tips for Staying Sane During Trying Times
2020 was the year for living with chaos. Everything—at home, at work, and at school—is out of sync and changing from day to day. In this episode of "Mind Your Mind," Dakota Family Services psychologist, Dr. Megan Spencer, shares simple tips for building routine and structure into your life. She also provides an excellent, yet simple, way to ground yourself when you start to feel overwhelmed or anxious.;
Untangling Your Child's Grief
Children experience grief over many things—the loss of a loved one, moving away from their friends, the death of a pet. In this episode of "Mind Your Mind," Lucas Mitzel, a therapist at Dakota Family Services, talks about the stages of grief, and how to walk your child through the grieving process. He will also talk about ways to determine if your child needs to see a professional who can help them untangle the many emotions of grief.;
Suicide Warning Signs and Prevention
In today's episode of Mind Your Mind, your host Tim Unsinn talks with Christy Wilkie about suicide warning signs and things you can do to make a difference. Christy, a therapist at Dakota Family Services, wants to normalize conversations about suicide so people don't feel like they are suffering alone. She says, "There is never a reason to not ask the question, 'Hey, are you OK?' Asking the question can save a life.";
The Many Dimensions of Wellness
In today's episode of Mind Your Mind, your host Tim Unsinn talks with Dr. Wayne Martinsen. Dr. Martinsen, Medical Director and Psychiatrist at Dakota Family Services, defines wellness as more than just the absence of disease, but as a state of well-being. In this episode he will share current wellness research, questions to ask to determine your own well-being, and steps you can take to achieve and maintain wellness.;
How to Support a Friend with Cancer
When someone in our life has cancer, it's difficult to know what to say or how to help. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, Host Tim Unsinn talks to April Morris about how you can best support a friend or loved one who has cancer. Morris, an outpatient therapist at Dakota Family Services, shares tips for knowing what/what not to say, and actions that speak louder than words.;
Getting Some Zzzzz's: The Importance of Sleep
Sleep is just as important for mental health as it is physical health. During sleep, our brains process our memories, emotions, and other information. In this episode of "Mind Your Mind," April Morris tells us why sleep is so important for overall well-being and encourages us to prioritize sleep. April, a therapist at Dakota Family Services, provides practical tips for improving sleep hygiene so you can live your best life.;
Relaxation Techniques to Reduce Stress
Stress does not discriminate, and it comes in many shapes and forms. In this episode of "Mind Your Mind," Dr. Megan Spencer talks about ways to identify and listen to the stress in our bodies. Learn relaxation techniques for managing stress over time, self-care routines that decrease negative stress, and things you can do to bring calm into your life.;
Exercise for Mental Health
Physical activity has a huge potential to enhance our well-being. Exercise increases our mental alertness, energy, and positive mood. In this episode of "Mind Your Mind," Christy Wilkie, therapist at Dakota Family Services, talks about how movement, even for five minutes, can promote changes in the brain that lead to neural growth, reduced inflammation, and feelings of calm and well-being. Listen now to learn more about how moving your body can improve your mental health.;
Understanding Mental Health Diagnoses
Diagnosing children with a mental health-related condition can be controversial. Many worry this gives children a label that is set in stone and will follow them around their entire lives. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, Dr. Wayne Martinsen talks about the role of diagnosis in getting children the help they need. Martinsen encourages us to think about mental health diagnoses the same as we do any health diagnosis. If you go the doctor and they diagnose you with strep throat, that doesn’t mean you’ll have strep throat forever, or that you are a strep throat victim. It just means that you have a collection of symptoms that point to strep throat, and the doctor will use that diagnose to provide the appropriate treatment.;
Normalizing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD is diagnosed and treated at a much higher rate than in the past, especially in the United States. Why? In this episode of Mind Your Mind, Dr. Wayne Martinsen, Psychiatrist/Medical Director at Dakota Family Services, explains how the changing world has made it harder for people with shorter attention spans to be successful. In the past, if school was hard for you, you could get a job, work your way up, and live a middle-class lifestyle. Not so in today’s world. Learn more about this fascinating take on ADHD.;
Exploring the Feelings Wheel
In today's episode of Mind Your Mind, your host Tim Unsinn talks with Christy Wilkie about the Feelings Wheel*. Christy, a therapist at Dakota Family Services, says humans experience 34,000 different feelings! She demonstrates how to use the Feelings Wheel to help you identify your emotions so you can control the behaviors associated with them. *Adapted by classtools.net from the Emotional Wheel. The Emotional Wheel was developed by American psychologist, Dr. Robert Plutchik.;
The Teen Brain
In today's episode of "Mind Your Mind," Vanessa Lien, Nurse Practitioner, talks about the many changes occurring in the teen brain. The teenage brain is highly susceptible to stress, but it is also very resilient. Learn coping strategies you can teach your teen to protect their brains and help them cope with stress and emotional struggles.;
Managing Back to School Anxiety
Going back to school after summer vacation can be a stressful time for both kids and parents. The transition from the unstructured summer to a more regimented routine can lead to stress and anxiety. Worries about fitting in, bullying, homework, getting to school on time, and dealing with peer pressure are all additional stressors that may weigh on children when it's time to go back to school. In this episode of “Mind Your Mind,” Tim Unsinn speaks with Therapist Falan Johnson. Falan helps us understand why back to school anxiety is common, provides strategies for managing the added stress, and shares resources parents can use to prepare their children for the new school year.;
Grieving a Loss by Suicide
The grief of losing a friend or loved one to suicide is complicated and can be especially difficult. In addition to the grief, sadness, and loneliness of any loss, people might experience guilt, confusion, rejection, anger, and shame. The stigma of suicide complicates it even more, often preventing survivors talking about their loss or getting the help they need. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, Tim Unsinn visits with Dakota Family Services' therapist, Christy Wilkie. Christy helps listeners understand the complicated nature of suicide grief and how to move through it with compassion and self-acceptance.;
Surprising Things You Should Know to Keep Your Kids Safe Online
You will be shocked at the seemingly safe places predators can connect with your children online. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, Lucas Mitzel, a therapist at Dakota Family Services, talks about the things you need to know to keep your children safe. Learn the many websites and platforms used to target children, how to monitor their internet usage, and how to talk to your children about the dangers.;
Beyond the Baby Blues: Understanding Postpartum Depression
Pregnancy and the birth of a child can be a joyous and exciting time, but some women struggle with their mental health as they transition to motherhood. Depression, anxiety, and other pregnancy-related mental health conditions may surface during or after pregnancy. In this episode of "Mind Your Mind," Tim Unsinn speaks with Clinical Psychologist Dr. Megan Spencer. Dr. Spencer helps us understand the common symptoms and causes of postpartum depression, as well as what to do if you think you may be experiencing it.;
The Surprising Health Benefits of Meditation
Did you know that in addition to calming and focusing our minds, meditation can improve our physical health? In this episode of Mind Your Mind, Host Tim Unsinn visits with Dr. Wayne Martinsen, Psychiatrist, Dakota Family Services, about the surprising health benefits of meditation. A regular meditation practice can increase longevity, reduce the risk of dementia, reduce inflammation, and play a significant role in the treatment of high blood pressure and immune disorders. Learn about the many forms of meditation and how you can start your own meditation practice today.;
Spoon Theory: A Metaphor for Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression are invisible illnesses—meaning they don't have outward symptoms visible to others. Because they are invisible, they are often hard for people to explain. In this episode of "Mind Your Mind," Host Tim Unsinn visits with April Morris, LCSW, Therapist, Dakota Family Services. April references the spoon theory of chronic illness created by Christine Miserandino, an award-winning writer, blogger, speaker, and lupus patient advocate. Listen now to learn more about spoons as a metaphor for energy and how you can use them to understand and explain anxiety and depression.;
Supporting a Child with High Functioning Autism
While we hear a lot about autism in the news, many of us still have misconceptions about its causes and symptoms. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, therapist Falan Johnson dispels some of these misconceptions and explains the three levels of autism. Johnson then focuses on the least understood level—high functioning autism. Learn how to identify symptoms of high functioning autism in your child, the importance of early intervention, and ways you can support them.;
How to Set Clear and Healthy Boundaries
In this episode of Mind Your Mind, therapist April Morris talks about boundaries. April will define boundaries, explain their importance, and help you set boundaries that match your values and strengthen your relationships. Learn how healthy boundaries can improve your mental and physical health, and how you can say “no” respectfully.;
Talking About Infertility
Going through infertility tests and treatments can be an extremely difficult and lonely time for couples. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, Lucas Mitzel talks about his own experience. He also shares tips for couples struggling with infertility, and for friends and family members who want to be supportive but don’t know what to say or do.;
When Fear Overwhelms: Panic Attacks
In this episode of Mind Your Mind, Host Tim Unsinn talks to Therapist Falan Johnson about panic attacks. What do they feel like? What causes them? How can you prevent or manage them? Listen now to learn more and discover techniques that might work for you or your loved one.;
When Your Child is Struggling
Are you concerned about your child's mental health but aren't sure what to do? Join Host Tim Unsinn and his guest, Therapist Jesse Lamm, as they discuss ways you can support your child through a difficult time.;
Stress and Anxiety Management for College Students
Are the stresses of college (constant worry, fitting in, lack of sleep, etc.) affecting your ability to function? Join Host Tim Unsinn and his guest, April Morris, LCSW, as they discuss ways to manage or eliminate the stressors that are impacting your well-being.;
Insomnia: When You Just Can't Sleep
Are you struggling to get enough sleep each night? Maybe you have difficulty falling and staying asleep. You can't get comfortable. You feel anxious and your brain just won't shut off. According to the Sleep Foundation, over one-third of adults in the U.S. sleep for less than seven hours a night. Join Host Tim Unsinn and his guest, April Morris, LCSW, in this episode of "Mind Your Mind," as they discuss how insomnia can affect many other areas of your life, as well as practical tips to improve your sleep hygiene.;
Mood Disorders in Children and Adolescents
It's not unusual for children to have temper tantrums or for adolescents to be angry. But when they become out of proportion to the situation in intensity and duration, your child might be suffering from a mood disorder. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, Host Tim Unsinn visits with Dr. Megan Spencer, a psychologist at Dakota Family Services. Listen now to learn how to distinguish between normal mood changes and mood disorders, and some steps you can take to help your child.;
Building Resilience in Ten Steps
Resilience is not a personality trait or characteristic. Resilience isn't ignoring or emotional numbing or pretending that a problem doesn't exist. And being resilient doesn’t mean we won’t face adversity. Rather, resilience is our ability to bounce back from adversity. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, Dr. Megan Spencer, psychologist at Dakota Family Services, shares ten ways to build resilience so you are ready when adversity strikes.;
Why Do I Feel Sad?
You can probably think of a dozen things that make you feel sad. Sadness is a normal human emotion that helps us process the events in our lives. But what is "normal" sadness? When does sadness move from "normal" to something you may need help processing? In this episode of "Mind Your Mind," Falan Johnson, a therapist at Dakota Family Services, will answer these questions and more. Learn the importance of allowing yourself to feel sad so you can move past it, and, when it might be time to seek professional help.;
Becoming a Better You
In today's world, we are constantly bombarded by messages about who we should be, how we should look, what we should do or wear, and more. With the increased accessibility and prevalence of social media, kids and adolescents are hearing and seeing these messages at younger and younger ages. How do we help ourselves and our teens combat these messages and find our true selves? In this episode of "Mind Your Mind," Therapist Jenika Rufer helps us wade through the unimportant things to find what we truly value so we can become our best selves.;
Getting the Most out of Therapy
Unsure of whether your therapy is working for you? In this episode of “Mind Your Mind,” our host Tim Unsinn talks with Dakota Family Services therapist Lucas Mitzel about how to make your therapy sessions more productive. Making progress in therapy can often come down to simply having an open mind and a plan for discussion. Although each session can evoke a wide range of emotions, you should always leave feeling that some sort of movement has happened.;
Rewiring Our Minds: The Power of CBT
In this episode of Mind Your Mind, host Tim Unsinn and Dakota Family Services therapist Christy Wilkie talk about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and its effectiveness in battling unhelpful thoughts and beliefs. Utilizing cognitive restructuring, CBT helps change inaccurate and damaging self-perceptions and perceptions of others, leading to healthier day-to-day thought patterns. Christy also touches on multiple CBT exercises to try at home, as well as some of her own tactics for promoting helpful thoughts.;
Understanding & Managing Anxiety (Community Chat series)
Are your worries and fears about the future getting in the way of daily life? If so, you may be one of the many people who suffer from anxiety. In this special Community Chat episode of Mind Your Mind, Christy Wilkie and Lucas Mitzel talk about the many types of anxiety and what they can look like in both children and adults. They also touch on ways to combat anxiety attacks, including using grounding techniques, mindfulness, muscle relaxation, and more.;
Autism: Signs, Symptoms, & Intervention
In this episode of Mind Your Mind, host Tim Unsinn and psychiatrist Dr. Wayne Martinson discuss autism and signs of it in children, touching on the different levels of the autism spectrum and where people fall. Learn about how autism often affects children's social skills, communication, and behavior, as well as its connections to other disorders and how to handle it.;
Coping Exercises
Many people find themselves dealing with high levels of stress and anxiety in their daily lives. However, there are plenty of simple strategies to help regulate these emotions. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, host Tim Unsinn talks with therapist Sandy Richter about various coping exercises to help you regulate and calm yourself, including breathing and movement exercises for both children and adults.;
Genetic Testing & Its Role in Treatment
Medication can affect people in many different ways. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, host Tim Unsinn and psychiatric nurse practitioner Amanda Daggett talk about genetic testing and its use in discerning how different individuals might react to various medications. Tim and Amanda also touch on some of the facts and myths surrounding genetic testing, including what testing can and can’t indicate and where the science is currently at.;
Understanding Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems people face. However, there are many ways to manage and understand it. On this episode of Mind Your Mind, host Tim Unsinn and therapist Lucas Mitzel discuss what causes anxiety and how it can affect people’s day-to-day lives, as well as the difference between anxiety and fear and how to combat chronic anxiety with grounding techniques.;
The Power of Social Connections (Community Chat Series)
In this special Community Chat episode of Mind Your Mind, Psychologist Megan Spencer and Psychiatrist Wayne Martinsen discuss how loneliness and social isolation are increasing in our country, as well as what that means for individuals’ health in the long term. They also give advice on how to get yourself or your loved ones more connected with others, including how to connect both in-person and online.;
Shining Light in the Darkness with DBT (Community Chat Series)
Does it seem like your child is “stuck” in therapy, or engaging in dangerous behaviors like self-harm and suicidality? In this special Community Chat episode of Mind Your Mind, Psychologist Hannah Baczynski and therapist April Morris discuss Dialectical Behavior Therapy and its effectiveness in treating patients who have found traditional therapy unsuccessful. Learn about the 4 core skills of DBT and what makes DBT unique from other forms of therapeutic treatment.;
Does My Child Need Medication?
When our children are struggling with their mental health, it can be hard knowing how to help them. However, in addition to therapy, medication can be a viable and effective option for improving your child’s mental health. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, our host Tim Unsinn talks with psychiatric mental health nurse Amanda Daggett about how to know if your child needs medication, what the process is for a prescription, and how to tell if their medication is right for them.;
Depression in Children and Adolescents
Did you know that depression occurs in about 15% of children? In this episode of Mind Your Mind, our host Tim Unsinn talks with Psychiatrist Dr. Wayne Martinsen about depression in kids and adolescents, including signs of depression to look out for and how to know when to reach out to a care provider. They also touch on how to know whether your child’s sadness is caused by depression or other external factors and what you can do to try and prevent depression in your child.;
Recognizing Depression in Children & Adolescents (Community Chat Series)
It can be difficult knowing how to recognize and treat depression in children and adolescents. In this special community chat episode of Mind Your Mind, Psychologist Megan Spencer and Therapist April Morris discuss signs of depression to look out for, including both behavioral and physical signs that your child may be depressed. They also touch on the influence of environment, physical illnesses or diagnoses, and genetics on children’s mental health.;
How to Fit In While Staying True to Yourself
Humans are hardwired for social connection, but it can be difficult knowing where to fit in as unique individuals. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, host Tim Unsinn and therapist Christy Wilkie talk about the importance of using your strengths, interests, and relationships to figure out where you belong. They also touch on signs that you might not be staying true to yourself, as well as how to handle feelings of being left out.;
PTSD: Signs, Symptoms, & Treatment (Community Chat Series)
While often perceived as only relating to those who’ve experienced warfare, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can affect anyone. In this special Community Chat episode of Mind Your Mind, Psychologist Dr. Hannah Baczynski and therapist Lucas Mitzel explain what trauma is, how it affects each person differently, and when to seek treatment for trauma-related symptoms. They also discuss different treatment options for PTSD, touching on the pros and cons of each.;
Autism in Children & Adolescents (Community Chat Series)
Though autism is one of the most commonly discussed mental health diagnoses in the community, it is often one of the most misunderstood. In this special Community Chat episode of Mind Your Mind, therapists Lucas Mitzel and Falan Johnson discuss what autism is, how it appears in children and adolescents, and how it may look different between individuals. They also touch on how autism can show up differently in boys than in girls and offer intervention tips for parents and caregivers.;
Autism in Adults (Community Chat Series)
Autism is sometimes perceived as a disorder that only affects children and adolescents, but it is actually a lifelong diagnosis. In this special Community Chat episode of Mind Your Mind, psychologists Dr. Hannah Baczynski and Dr. Megan Spencer explore the symptoms and nuances of autism in adults, touching on the history of autism spectrum disorder, the research surrounding it, how autism commonly presents in adults, and more.;
Spirituality & Mental Health
Though spirituality is often associated with religion, it can mean much more than simply attending religious services or praying. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, host Tim Unsinn and psychiatrist Dr. Wayne Martinsen define spirituality and discuss its relevance in daily life, touching on ways people experience, express, and cultivate spirituality. They also talk about the link between spirituality, religion and meaning in life.;
Setting Healthy & Realistic Goals
Setting goals is easy. Working towards them is hard. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, host Tim Unsinn talks with Dakota Family Services therapist Christy Wilkie about how to set healthy, realistic goals, as well as the importance of managing your expectations and staying persistent. Whether you’re starting an exercise routine, writing a book, trying a new diet, or building your career, keep these tips in mind when setting your next big goal.;
Facing Your Fears
Fear is powerful. It can cause us to avoid problems, people, and even opportunities in our life. But it can also be overcome. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, host Tim Unsinn speaks with Falan Johnson, a therapist at Dakota Family Services, about the function of fear and how to face it. Learn where fear comes from, how to identify it, and how to calm down and build confidence when you’re feeling afraid.;
The Three R's: Regulate, Relate & Reason
In this episode of Mind Your Mind, our host Tim Unsinn talks with Dakota Family Services therapist Jessie Mertz about the “3 R’s”—Regulate, Relate, and Reason. They discuss what each term means, how they build upon each other, and how this approach can help you calm others who are experiencing distress.;
What is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a chronic, complex mental health disorder that affects around 1% of people in the United States. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, host Tim Unsinn and psychiatrist Dr. Wayne Martinsen discuss the symptoms and implications of schizophrenia, touching on its many effects on individual and family life. Learn about how schizophrenia is treated, how it affects physical health, when it tends to develop, and how it is perceived between cultures.;
How to Have a Conversation About Mental Health
Although the stigma surrounding mental health is gradually disappearing, it can still be tricky knowing how to talk about it. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, host Tim Unsinn and psychologist Megan Spencer explore how to have a conversation with someone about their mental health, including signs that you should talk to them, how to start the conversation, and some possible reactions to expect from the other person.;
Seasonal Affective Disorder (Community Chat Series)
Feeling like you’ve got the winter blues? If you’re noticing symptoms of depression with the change of seasons, it may be a sign that you’re suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. In this special Community Chat episode of Mind Your Mind, therapists Christy Wilkie and Lucas Mitzel discuss the common symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder, how it can affect other mental health disorders, and some useful tips, tricks, and resources for managing symptoms of SAD.;