Articles by Anthony L. Rostain, M.D., M.A. and Gene Beresin

March 9, 2026

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Fostering Independence in Teens & Young Adults with ADHD: A Parent’s Guide

Parenting a teen or young adult with ADHD can feel like walking a tightrope: you want to keep them safe, and you want them to grow. In today’s “always‑on” world—post‑pandemic, digitally saturated, and full of uncertainty—that balance is harder than ever. This guide distills practical insights and strategies to help you nurture autonomy, resilience, and […]

February 19, 2026

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Teen Romance in the Digital Era

In this Valetine’s Day special of Shrinking it Down, Gene and Khadijah explore how teen romance is being reshaped in the digital age. From texting and social media to AI chatbots, they unpack the ways technology is transforming how teens connect, communicate, and even break up. While some online spaces can create a sense of […]

December 18, 2025

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Anxiety in the Family: Helping One Child Without Leaving Others Behind

In this episode of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Gene and Khadijah are joined by Dr. Kat Boger to explore what it’s like for families when one child is struggling with an anxiety disorder. They discuss how to explain anxiety in an age-appropriate way, unintended effects of family accommodation, and realistic strategies to […]

November 20, 2025

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Finding Gratitude in a Time of Fear, Anger, and Uncertainty

Thanksgiving is approaching fast; a time of gratitude, reflection, and gathering. But this year feels different. With fear, anger, and uncertainty dominating our world, it’s hard to ask: How are we supposed to give thanks right now? In this holiday episode of Shrinking it Down: Mental Health Made Simple, Gene and Khadijah discuss the importance […]

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

The Holidays This Year: Expressing Gratitude During a Time of Severe Deprivation

Your browser doesn’t support HTML5 audio. Download the MP3. Will the Circle Be Unbroken – Arranged and played by Dr. Gene Beresin It’s that time of the year. The Holidays. We all know it. Families are making plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanzaa. We’re already seeing holiday ads on TV, pop ups on […]

October 30, 2025

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Ways To Help Your Lonely Teen – Teenager Mental Health

This animated short from teenagermentalhealth.com brings to life the guidance and advice from Dr. Gene Beresin’s book, Ways to Help Your Lonely Teen. Originally written as a direct response to former U.S Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s advisory on the growing loneliness epidemic among young people, this guide suggests practical ways to implement his 7 recommendation. Watch […]

October 16, 2025

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Exploring the World of AI Therapy

Artificial intelligence (AI) is slowly becoming a major part of our society. Everday more and more people begin to rely on AI for a variety of tasks in their daily routines. While most people use AI for innocuous reasons such as answering basic questions like a search engine would, today we’re here to discuss one […]

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Adventures in AI Therapy: A Child Psychiatrist Goes Undercover

Recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) have introduced powerful, easily accessible tools for a rapidly expanding range of uses. Among those uses are specialized chatbots that serve in the role of a therapist, intended as either adjuncts to or simulations of work with a real-life therapist. In addition, people now can utilize AI to curate […]

September 18, 2025

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

What to Look For, When to Worry, What to Do: An Approach to the Mental Health of Your Kids, Teens and Young Adults

When it comes to medical or psychiatric issues challenging our children of all ages, we often know something is wrong but don’t readily know how to assess the problem. We might see changes in their behavior or emotions that we know are deviations from their baseline. For example, a child may have a rash, or […]

September 12, 2025

By Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Your Lived Experience and Advocacy: Transforming Mental Health for Youth

What if our stories held more power than we know? What if our lived experience could help others who might be struggling? What if our experiences could help others gain a greater understanding of youth mental health? When a young person struggles with their mental health, there can be a profound effect on their friendships, […]