When a child is struggling with a mental health problem, it may negatively impact many domains of daily life functioning, including family dynamics, academic performance, social interactions, and self-esteem.
This page features interviews with mental health experts on assessment and treatment strategies for a wide variety of mental health concerns. All strategies discussed by our experts are backed by scientific evidence. If you think your child may be struggling with a mental health problem, it is important that you consult with school staff or a local healthcare professional.
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Parent Video: Child Abuse and Family Conflict
Dr. David Kolko defines physical abuse and reviews the impact of abuse and family conflict on children. In addition, he discusses helpful resources for families. Dr. Kolko is a Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He is board-certified in Child and Adolescent Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology and a fellow of the American Psychological Association. --- Professional Resources - http://effectivechildtherapy.fiu.edu/course/index.php?categoryid=2 ---
Parent Video: Adherence to Medical Treatment
Dr. Michael Rapoff defines adherence and reviews techniques that parents can use to help their children follow through with doctor-recommended treatment plans. Michael Rapoff, Ph.D. is currently Ralph L. Smith (Distinguished) Professor of Pediatrics, Vice-Chair for Research/Scholarship, and Director of the Faculty Mentoring Program in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Kansas Medical Center. --- Professional Resources - http://effectivechildtherapy.fiu.edu/course/index.php?categoryid=3 ---
Parent Video: Youth Aggression/Conduct Problems
Dr. J. Mark Eddy discusses conduct problems and aggressive behavior in children and the recommended evidence-based treatments to help with this problem. J. Mark Eddy, Ph.D., is Director of Research for Partners for Our Children (POC), a licensed psychologist, and research scientist at the University of Washington. --- Professional Resources - https://effectivechildtherapy.fiu.edu/course/search.php?search=aggression ---
Parent Video: Teen Substance Use
Dr. Ken Winters discusses evidence-based psychosocial treatment options for adolescents with substance use problems. Ken Winters, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota, director of the Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research, and a Senior Scientist with the Treatment Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA. --- Professional Resources - http://effectivechildtherapy.fiu.edu/course/index.php?categoryid=5 ---
Parent Video: Treating Youth Anxiety and Social Phobia
Dr. Deborah Beidel discusses evidence-based treatments for anxiety and social phobia in children. Deborah Beidel, Ph.D. ABPP is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Central Florida and the Director of UCF Anxiety Disorders Clinic. --- Professional Resources - http://effectivechildtherapy.fiu.edu/course/index.php?categoryid=6 ---
Parent Video: Treating Autism
Dr. Connie Kasari discusses evidence-based treatment options for children with autism. Connie Kasari, Ph.D. is Professor of Education and Psychiatry at UCLA and a founding member of the Center for Autism Research and Treatment. --- Professional Resources - http://effectivechildtherapy.fiu.edu/course/index.php?categoryid=7 ---
Parent Video: Assessing Children's Mental Health
Dr. Paul Frick discusses how parents can seek help if they are concerned about their child's behavior and the process of evidence-based assessment. Paul J. Frick, Ph.D is a University Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology at the University of New Orleans. Dr. Frick's expertise encompasses assessment of youth mental health as evidenced by his recent publication of "Clinical Assessment of Child and Adolescent Personality and Behavior." --- Professional Resources - http://effectivechildtherapy.fiu.edu/course/index.php?categoryid=8 ---
Parent Video: Treating Childhood ADHD
Dr. William Pelham discusses evidence-based treatment options for ADHD. William Pelham, Ph.D., ABPP is a Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at Florida International University and the Director of the Center for Children and Families. --- Professional Resources - http://effectivechildtherapy.fiu.edu/course/index.php?categoryid=9 ---
Parent Video: Medication Treatment for ADHD
Dr. James Waxmonsky discusses medication options for the treatment of ADHD in children. James Waxmonsky, M.D. is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Florida International University's Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine and the Medical Director for the Center for Children and Families. To learn more about Dr. Waxmonsky or medication for ADHD, please click here: --- Professional Resources - http://effectivechildtherapy.fiu.edu/course/index.php?categoryid=9 ---
Parent Video: Using Time Out
Dr. Gregory Fabiano discusses the use of time out from positive reinforcement for children with ADHD. Gregory Fabiano, Ph.D. is an associate professor of Counseling, School, and Educational Psychology at the University at Buffalo. --- Professional Resources - http://effectivechildtherapy.fiu.edu/course/index.php?categoryid=4 ---
Parent Video: Treating Youth with Bipolar Disorder
Dr. Mary Fristad discusses evidence-based treatment options for children with bipolar spectrum disorders. Mary Fristad, Ph.D., ABPP, is a Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology and Nutrition at the Ohio State University. To learn more about Dr. Fristad or about treatments for bipolar spectrum disorders please click here:http://effectivechildtherapy.fiu.edu/professionals/keynotes#fristad. To read more about treatments for bipolar disorder please click here: --- Professional Resources - http://effectivechildtherapy.fiu.edu/course/index.php?categoryid=10 ---
Parent Video: Treating Depression in Youth
Dr. Anne Marie Albano discusses depression in youth and evidence-based treatments for depression. Anne Marie Albano, Ph.D., ABPP, is an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry at Columbia University and the Director of the Columbia University Clinic for Anxiety and Related Disorders at Columbus Circle in New York City. --- Professional Resources - http://effectivechildtherapy.fiu.edu/course/index.php?categoryid=11 ---
Parent Video: Medication Treatment for Childhood Mood Problems
Dr. Gabrielle Carlson discusses medication and treatment options for children with mood problems, including depression, anxiety, and mood lability. Gabrielle Carlson, M.D., is a Professor of Psychiatry and the Director of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Stony Brook University. --- Professional Resources - http://effectivechildtherapy.fiu.edu/course/index.php?categoryid=6 ---
Parent Video: Helping Children with Divorce
Dr. Robert Emery discusses the best practices to help transition children in families dealing with divorce. Robert Emery, Ph.D. is Professor of Psychology and Director of the Center for Children, Families, and the Law at the University of Virginia. --- Professional Resources - http://effectivechildtherapy.fiu.edu/course/index.php?categoryid=12 ---
Parent Video: Effective Mental Health Treatment
Dr. William Pelham discusses how parents can find effective mental health services for their children and what parents should look for in a therapist and treatment plan. William Pelham, Ph.D., ABPP is a Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at Florida International University and Director of the Center for Children and Families. --- Professional Resources - http://effectivechildtherapy.fiu.edu/course/index.php?categoryid=13 ---
Parent Video: Reading Skills for Children
Dr. Barbara Foorman discusses the importance of intervening early for children who have difficulties with reading. In addition, she discusses things that parents can do with their children in order to help them learn how to read. Barbara Foorman, Ph.D. is the Francis Eppes Professor of Education at Florida State University and the Director of the Florida Center for Reading Research. --- Professional Resources - http://effectivechildtherapy.fiu.edu/course/view.php?id=86 ---
Parent Video: Treating Childhood OCD
Dr. John Piacentini discusses evidence-based treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder in children. John Piacentini, Ph.D., ABPP, is a Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences in the David Geffen School of Medicine and Director of the Child OCD, Anxiety, and Tic Disorders Program at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA. --- Professional Resources - https://effectivechildtherapy.fiu.edu/course/index.php?categoryid=21 ---
Parent Video: Treating Childhood Obesity
Dr. David Janicke discusses multi-component behavioral interventions for childhood obesity. In addition, he discusses the impact of being overweight or obese in childhood. David Janicke, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Florida. --- Professional Resources - https://effectivechildtherapy.fiu.edu/professionals/ ---
Parent Video: Risky Teen Behavior
Dr. David Wolfe discusses how to identify and prevent risky behaviors, such as substance use, sexual relations, and violence in relationships, during the teen years. David Wolfe, Ph.D., ABPP, is a senior researcher at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), where he directs the Centre for Prevention Science. He is also a professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of Toronto. --- Professional Resources - http://effectivechildtherapy.fiu.edu ---
Parent Video: School Refusal Behavior
Dr. Anne Marie Albano discusses school refusal behavior in children due to anxiety and treatments for this problem. Anne Marie Albano, Ph.D., ABPP, is an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry at Columbia University and the Director of the Columbia University Clinic for Anxiety and Related Disorders at Columbus Circle in New York City. --- Professional Resources - http://effectivechildtherapy.fiu.edu/course/view.php?id=97 ---
Parent Video: Youth Suicide Risk
Dr. Cheryl King discusses the recommended assessment procedures for youth suicide. Cheryl King, Ph.D. is Director of the Youth Depression and Suicide Prevention Program in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan. --- Professional Resources - http://effectivechildtherapy.fiu.edu/course/index.php?categoryid=19 ---
Parent Video: Treating Tourette Syndrome
Dr. Douglas Woods discusses evidence-based treatments for Tourette's syndrome. Douglas Woods, Ph.D. is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. --- Professional Resources - http://effectivechildtherapy.fiu.edu/course/index.php?categoryid=20 ---
