In this episode of Tell Me It Will Be OK, I talk with Dr. Ali Navidi about disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs)—common, impairing GI conditions affecting 13–20% of children and especially likely in kids with anxiety, trauma history, eating disorders, or autism. We discuss the complex, bidirectional “chicken-and-egg” relationship between anxiety and GI symptoms, emphasizing that symptoms are real and not “all in the head,” while warning against simplistic gut-health claims used to sell supplements. Dr. Navidi explains how hypervigilance, catastrophizing, gut-brain signaling, and visceral hypersensitivity reinforce symptoms, and outlines evidence-based treatment using gut-focused CBT and clinical hypnosis, which are supported by decades of research and included in GI guidelines. He describes psychoeducation, hypnosis “talent” tests, and how telehealth services at GIPsychology.com provide access nationwide.

Takeaways:

• The podcast episode delves into the intricate relationship between gastrointestinal symptoms in children and their resultant anxiety, illustrating the complexities involved in understanding this connection.
• I emphasize the notion that while dietary changes may influence anxiety levels, the idea that anxiety can be solely cured through diet or supplements is overly simplistic and misleading.
• The discussion introduces the concept of disorders of gut-brain interaction, which are surprisingly prevalent among children, particularly those with anxiety or trauma histories.
• Dr. Ali Navidi shares that effective treatment for these conditions often requires specialized approaches, including gut-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and clinical hypnosis, both supported by substantial research.
• We highlight the importance of educating parents about the nature of their child's symptoms, emphasizing that understanding is a crucial first step toward effective treatment.
• Lastly, the podcast underscores the role of imagination and focused attention in managing anxiety, suggesting that children can leverage these skills to alleviate their symptoms in a therapeutic context.

Links referenced in this episode:

• gipsychology.com

Mentioned in this episode:

TELL ME IT WILL BE OK: The Practice

I invite you to check out TELL ME IT WILL BE OK: The Practice, a guided reflective journaling podcast for parents raising anxious kids in a worried world. This is not a list of things you’re doing wrong. This is not a bunch of one size fits all parenting advice. This is a place to remember what you already know. (And to learn some new stuff along the way.) Each session is approximately 30 minutes. I help us get grounded; share resources, inspiration, and information; and then using thoughtful prompts we journal together to move you forward in your understanding. It also includes access to our own private community. You can sign up for a free sample practice at my site: OpenBookParenting.com

Dawn Friedman MSEd interviews Dr. Roxanne Daleo, an expressive arts and somatic therapist who works with kids and families. Daleo describes her early work with hospitalized and terminally ill children and how training at Harvard, including Dr. Herbert Benson’s relaxation-response research, shaped her focus on the mind-body connection and breath. She explains expressive arts therapy as a nonverbal, right-hemisphere approach using music, rhythm, imagery, drawing, painting, and other art forms, emphasizing process over product and why it can fit children who resist talk therapy. Daleo discusses somatic principles, psychoneuroimmunology, and examples from hospital settings where imagery and art supported calming and healing. She shares practical techniques for parents, guided imagery storytelling, resources on her website, and a free “Head and Heart Anxiety Reset” call.

00:00 Introduction

02:21 Roxanne's Origin Story

05:28 What Are the Expressive Arts?

07:37 Why Expressive Arts Over Talk Therapy for Kids

08:20 Somatic Work & the Mind-Body Connection

28:26 Working with Perfectionist Kids

31:53 Storytelling & Guided Imagery

40:42 Breathing & the Holistic Approach

44:58 Resources & How to Connect with Dr. Roxanne

Download Dr. Daleo's story, The Magic Seed: Courage as an mp3:

http://drroxannedaleo.com/roxanne_daleo_magic_seed_1.mp3

Her website is at: http://drroxannedaleo.com

Mentioned in this episode:

TELL ME IT WILL BE OK: The Practice

I invite you to check out TELL ME IT WILL BE OK: The Practice, a guided reflective journaling podcast for parents raising anxious kids in a worried world. This is not a list of things you’re doing wrong. This is not a bunch of one size fits all parenting advice. This is a place to remember what you already know. (And to learn some new stuff along the way.) Each session is approximately 30 minutes. I help us get grounded; share resources, inspiration, and information; and then using thoughtful prompts we journal together to move you forward in your understanding. It also includes access to our own private community. You can sign up for a free sample practice at my site: OpenBookParenting.com

Dawn Friedman hosts a solo episode of the Tell Me It Will Be OK podcast for parents raising anxious kids, challenging the belief that good parenting should feel good and arguing that struggle, conflict, and insecurity can be normal signs that an approach needs to change as children grow. She emphasizes that parents can’t control kids’ feelings or behavior—whether a child falls asleep or feels anxious belongs to the child—so the work is to focus on what parents can control, avoid codependent attempts to force change, and use frustration as information to clarify values, boundaries, expectations, and strategies. Using bedtime and sleeping alone as an example, she describes planning for worst-case scenarios and viewing growth as an ongoing process for both child and parent. She also announces “Tell Me It Will Be OK: The Practice,” a weekly guided journaling private podcast with a community, launching July 6, $25/year at OpenBookParenting.com.

00:00 Introduction

05:53 Understanding Child Anxiety

06:46 The Bedtime Deep-Dive

12:34 Parenting Is For Parents Too

19:23 Tell Me It Will Be OK: The Practice

Mentioned in this episode:

TELL ME IT WILL BE OK: The Practice

I invite you to check out TELL ME IT WILL BE OK: The Practice, a guided reflective journaling podcast for parents raising anxious kids in a worried world. This is not a list of things you’re doing wrong. This is not a bunch of one size fits all parenting advice. This is a place to remember what you already know. (And to learn some new stuff along the way.) Each session is approximately 30 minutes. I help us get grounded; share resources, inspiration, and information; and then using thoughtful prompts we journal together to move you forward in your understanding. It also includes access to our own private community. You can sign up for a free sample practice at my site: OpenBookParenting.com