Surprising Things You Should Know to Keep Your Kids Safe Online
Episode Description
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.What to Expect
- Learn about new websites and platforms used to target children.
- Learn how predators use Facebook, Instagram, and other seemingly safe sites, to reach children.
- Learn how to educate your children about the dangers of the internet.
- Discover tools to monitor your children’s online activities.
Resources: Learn More
- Bark
- Qustodio
- NetNanny
- WebWatcher
- ESRB
- Common Sense Media
- Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
Things to Think About
- Ninety percent of children ages 8-16 have viewed pornography online.
- The dark web constitutes about 96% of the internet.
- Have you heard of Omegle or OnlyFans.com?
About the Guest
Lucas Mitzel provides therapy for children, adolescents, and adults, ages 5 - 30. He believes building relationships with clients is the most important piece of successful therapy. He loves what he does, because it allows him to walk next to people he would never have met had he chosen a different profession, as they work to make amazing life changes. He has the honor of meeting people at their worst, all while watching them grow into the people they’ve always wanted to be.
Transcript
Surprising Things You Should Know to Keep Your Kids Safe Online
Featuring Lucas Mitzel, LCSW, Dakota Family Services
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.
Tim Unsinn:
Welcome to this episode of Mind Your Mind. Our guest is Lucas Mitzel. Lucas is a therapist on the Fargo campus and provides outpatient therapy for children, adolescents, and young adults. Lucas, it's great to have you on mind your mind. Our topic is internet safety. However, before we get to the topic, let's talk about why you do what you do. Why is this work important to you?
Lucas Mitzel:
Well, this work is important to me because I want to help as many people as I can. And so if I can assist one person and help them become a better version of themselves or be the person that they can be that makes everything worth it.
Tim Unsinn:
Again, our topic is internet safety. And first question up, I know internet safety has been a buzz for parents for a long time, just because with COVID and all the other stuff that's going on, it just seems like there's way more activity on the internet. So what are the dangers of the internet?
Lucas Mitzel:
Well, it's a really, really big topic. I did a talk on this for about three hours at the North Dakota Mental Health Counselors Association conference this spring. I'm going to try and keep it short for this, but I would, I like to start with just an analogy. If you take the internet and you think about it like a firearm, a lot of people are raised around firearms, especially in the North Dakota area. I was always taught that you respect a firearm. You learn what it can do, but you don't necessarily need to be scared of it. If you replaced firearm with the internet, you teach kids, you teach others, what the dangers are of it. That if you give it to somebody without any knowledge of how to use it, they could hurt somebody or themselves.
Lucas Mitzel:
Education is the biggest piece here that we need to work on with our families, with our kids. And that's what I hope to do. If you look at the percentage of pornography on the internet, there's astounding rates. 90% of children between the ages of eight and 16 have viewed pornography. Most of the time it's unintentional. Most of the time, it is from peer to peer. 90% of kids between the ages of five and 17 use computers. At age five, we have 25% of kids using computers. And that was in 2001. So, looking at what we use today, especially during this pandemic and the quarantine, I imagine that rates are probably upwards to a hundred percent all the time. The internet is...you have three types of internet, or three levels.
Lucas Mitzel:
When you look at the internet, it's kind of like an iceberg. So, you have the surface of the iceberg, which is a lot of the websites that we use such as Google, Facebook, the normal websites that everybody looks at. The deep web constitutes of medical records, databases things that you use a lot of times in college to get information. The dark web, that is where you would have a lot of illegal activities, such as drug trafficking or human trafficking. I actually have worked with kids who access the dark web. They buy drugs from like California and they ship them over here to North Dakota and then they will distribute them themselves. And they figured all of this out using the dark web. The dark web constitutes about 96% of the internet, which is insane. And a lot of it is stuff that we just don't even know about. Going back to pornography just a little bit. Age of first exposure is around 11. When you look at the top 100 sites visited in 2020, six of them were pornographic websites. And the top one was seventh overall. So 47% of families report pornography being a problem in their home. And it leads to significant family issues, whether that be between marriages or just conflict in the home in general with parents and kids.
Tim Unsinn:
I would Google dark web because I have no idea, but younger generations, those that are more adept at getting online and doing different things pretty easy. So that brings me to what websites do I need as a parent to be aware of.
Lucas Mitzel:
I would argue you need to be aware of all of them, but if you take even the most, but seemingly benign websites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, it is really important for parents to be aware of everything that you can do on those platforms. Facebook is known as the largest social media platform. I mean, almost everybody has a Facebook nowadays. But a lot of people don't realize that you can do video chatting on Facebook, that you can add almost anybody. There's a phenomenon known as mass ads where, and a lot of people have experienced this, where you get an invite from somebody who you don't know. And if you were to do some digging and look into that, that person who added you, they have very few friends, and it makes no sense how they would even know you.
Lucas Mitzel:
Lot of times, kids don't know this. And so, they'll just add people to add them. And this can cause a lot of issues. And that's where you have people who are looking for kids, who are wanting to hurt kids, or just have followers for whatever reason, adding people. And so kids need to know about these things in order to prevent these people from having contact with your children. A lot of people don't realize that you can message anybody on Facebook and if you message back, they can actually see your profile. So, telling kids that, you know, you need to, you can only talk to people that, you know, be careful with who you're adding. With Instagram, a lot of the same stuff. But there's also a thing called Finstagram with an F and that's a fake Instagram account.
Lucas Mitzel:
This is where kids will make an Instagram, that they're okay with their parents seeing and that's the one that they'll add their parents on and their relatives. And then they'll have an actual Instagram account where they will share things that they don't necessarily want their parents to see. So making sure you are aware of what your kids are doing, what websites are on, what email addresses they're on. It takes 30 seconds to make a new email address. Just being aware of what's going on with that. Twitter you can message people too. A lot of people don't realize this. You can find anything on Twitter and just follow them. You don't even have to follow a lot of people to be able to view the material. There's a lot of pornographic material on Twitter, along with Instagram and Facebook, that people aren't aware of.
Lucas Mitzel:
There's a website known as onlyfans. And that is where people will take pictures of themselves typically in a pornographic way. And will sell that to people. And that website is advertised everywhere. People will advertise their only fans accounts on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, which we'll get to in a little bit, Tik TOK Snapchat, which are some of the most popular, some of the most popular apps that kids use nowadays. Only fans is everywhere right now. This is a really big thing. It's joked a lot about and the parents don't know that this is what's going on. If you look at Reddit, as I mentioned earlier, they call themselves or they used to call themselves the front page of the internet. And Reddit is basically a website where you have a bunch of small communities known as subreddits, and it's just people sharing their shared interests.
Lucas Mitzel:
It's a great way to connect with like-minded individuals. So there's a really great resource out there. So if you're really into crafting things or specific hobbies, you can find a whole community of people that share your passion or share your hobby. And so then you can get more information and more resources that way. It's fantastic. However, there are pages and pages and pages and pages of inappropriate material on this website. And it's not moderated. Well, they say that it's moderated, but it's moderated by volunteers of each subreddit. So it's not really. If it violates a rule of that subreddit, those moderators in air quotes can take it down. But a lot of people don't. There's a chat slash message feature that allows you to communicate with anybody on the site, as long as you know, or have seen, their username.
Lucas Mitzel:
And this is pretty unfiltered. So, there's pretty much anything that you can do on there. Omegle is having a resurge right now, and that's a free online video chatting service. You can get matched with random people online and you can video chat with them face-to-face. You have no idea who you're going to be matched with. You have no idea what they're going to do. It's considered anonymous, but on the website, this is a direct quote from their website. It says, "Predators have been known to use this site. Please be careful." So, the website itself tells you that it's dangerous. These chats are unmoderated. Nudity is often shown. People who just show up on the video chat are naked, performing sexual acts, and the highest population of users are typically kids just trying to be goofy or silly.
Lucas Mitzel:
And then they see things that they just can't unsee. People's ASL is often asked on here. So, when you go on the chat, they'll say ASL question mark. And that means age sex location. So, they'll say, 15 slash M, which means male, or F means female, and then their country. And if you're in the United States, typically they use their state. So right away, predators are asking where like, how far away are you, what sex are you and what age you are. And a lot of times, if you're a female, cause it's typically male-dominated on these websites looking for females, if you're a female, they'll stick with you and they'll want to chat with you. If you're male, they'll press next. At any point during the chat, you can press next and end the call. But that's just a taste of some of the websites that are out there that are popular right now, among kids.
Tim Unsinn:
As a parent, listening to this podcast of Mind Your Mind with Lucas Mitzel, you're like we're just pulling the internet. We're pulling the plug at home. We're just not going to be, be a part of that. So as a parent, are there apps that I could use that would help me alert me as to what my kids are doing? You know, like they have stuff to hide it from me as a parent. Are there things that I can use to kind of subvert that and get around it and know what they're doing?
Lucas Mitzel:
Yeah. There's a lot of different monitoring services that you can use. Some of the big ones right now are...there is one called Bark. This has got really good reviews. It monitors internet access on the computer and on your phone. I'm going to mispronounce these, quiz studio, Q U S T O D I O. Net nanny. Those are two other internet monitoring services. For phone monitoring, you have bark, kid bridge and web watcher. These are some of the higher rated ones. Most of them take a subscription, but like with bark, a lot of them can actually monitor what kids are typing too. So they can, you can put in key words, such as suicide or self-harm, and you will get a message notifying you that that was typed which allows you to really pay close attention to what's going on. I will urge parents though, that just because you have a monitoring device does not mean that you need, you get to be lazy because I promise you that there is a way to get around every single one of these things. And kids are really smart and they have friends that are really smart and they want to get around these things sometimes. So don't stop asking questions. Don't stop talking, don't stop having conversations with your kids, and providing them education. Educate them about just general internet safety, who you share information with, which should be typically nobody, t be suspicious of people that you don't know on the internet, teach kids to follow their instincts. I would download the apps or go on the websites that your kids are going on so that you can see for yourself what it's like. That's the best way in my mind.
Tim Unsinn:
And don't just have the one and done conversation. It should be a continuing monologue, continuing conversation with your kids, because things are changing. I mean, you were talking about stuff and I'm like, I was up on some of that and the rest of it, I'm just lost. So, I'm glad I have an adult child now and not have so many worries that many of the parents do well. That was just a lot of great information about internet safety and really appreciate you sharing this with us. It's an episode of Mind Your Mind that you can go back and listen to over and over, pause it, write down information. If you need to just get to know this stuff as a parent, because it's so important to protect our kids, even when they don't know they need protection, they need protection. So, before we wrap up, though, I always had that one last question for all of our guests. And that is what do you do Lucas personally, to mind your mind?
Lucas Mitzel:
Yeah, I think that that's a really important question that we need to continue to discuss especially as COVID continues. One of the best things is to have a routine. And so making sure that you take the time during your day for yourself to do what you need to do to be the best version of yourself for your, for your family, for your work. And that looks different for everybody, but I try and take as much personal time as I can from work, or I try and just do things that I find fun around the house
Tim Unsinn:
As a new parent that is taking care of a child. Good job. All right.
Tim Unsinn:
Thank you, Lucas. I appreciate your time. 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 Dakota Family Services.org.
Other Podcast Episodes
Risk-taking and Teens: A Delicate Balance
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.;
Bullying and your Kids: What You Need to Know
Fifteen-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, LMSW, 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.;
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," Jenika Rufer, a therapist at Dakota Family Services, 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.;
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.;
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.;