Supporting Kids with OCD: Strategies for Parents & Caregivers

Parenting a child with OCD can be difficult because you often have to go against your natural instincts. In this episode Michelle and Bryn are joined by Jen, a parent of a youth living with OCD, and Dr. Evelyn Stewart, Psychiatrist at BC Children's Hospital and founding Director of the Provincial Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Clinic. They discuss what OCD is and isn't, how to know when to reach out for help, approaches parents can use to not 'feed the OCD' and practical strategies to help best support your child at home.

You can read the full transcript for the podcast here.

EPISODE RESOURCES

Kelty Webpage: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Parent Peer Support for Families at the Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre

Guest bios

Jen Moss

Parent

Jen is a mom of a wonderful youth who has been diagnosed and is living with OCD. Jen is a writer, teacher and creative director at a podcasting company. She knows the importance and power of sharing stories that matter and the connection they can create.

Dr. Evelyn Stewart

Psychiatrist, BC Children’s Hospital

Dr. Evelyn Stewart, is a Psychiatrist at BC Children’s Hospital and the founding Director of the Provincial Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Clinic and Research Program. Through her work, Dr. Stewart helps children and youth affected by OCD, as well as supports their families along the journey. She is a leading clinical, genetic and neuroscience researcher and professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia.

Where You Are | S4 EE11 | June 28, 2023

Words of Wisdom: Reflecting on 4 Seasons of Where You Are

Our hosts come together to reflect on episodes that have resonated with them. They discuss some of the gems that our guests have shared on the topics of sleep, feeding and eating, self-harm, anxiety, concurrent disorders, and more.

Where You Are | S4 EE10 | May 24, 2023

Supporting Your Child Who Has Experienced Trauma

Our hosts Bryn and Char speak with Lynne Godfrey (parent and grandparent) and Dr. Linda Uyeda to explore trauma, understand its impact on mental health and wellbeing, and share strategies parents and caregivers can use to support their child who has experienced trauma.

Where You Are | S4 EE9 | May 3, 2023

Re-Release (ICYMI) - Eating Disorders: How Parents Can Play an Active Role in Recovery

In this episode Michelle and Bryn are joined by Kelly, a parent of a youth diagnosed with an eating disorder, and Dr. Jennifer Coelho, Psychologist at BC Children’s Hospital’s Provincial Specialized Eating Disorder Program, to answer questions we often hear from families about supporting a youth with an eating disorder.

| S4 EE8 | April 12, 2023

No Shortage of Questions: Helping Kids Cope with Big Life Changes

In this minisode, we bring questions from BC families to a leading BC Children's Hospital child psychiatrist and family therapist on how to support kids through big life events and changes such as starting a new school, moving, etc. Listen for strategies that you can share with your child to help them cope with changes that come with big life events.

Where You Are | S4 EE7 | March 22, 2023

No Shortage of Questions: Supporting Your Child During Separation and Divorce

In this minisode, we bring questions on separation and divorce from BC families to a leading BC Children's Hospital child psychiatrist and family therapist. Hear tips to support both you and your child's well-being and strategies to cope during these hard times.

Where You Are | S4 EE6 | March 1, 2023

No Shortage of Questions: Talking With Your Child About Scary News and World Events

Our hosts bring questions from BC families who are looking to better understand how they can talk with their kids about scary news to Dr. Ashley Miller. Hear tips for starting conversations without inciting fear and strategies you can share with your child to help them cope with scary news.

Where You Are | S4 EE5 | February 8, 2023