In this episode, Dr Jodi Richardson welcomes Dr Lexi Frydenberg, a pediatrician with over 20 years of clinical experience working with children and families at a large pediatric hospital in Melbourne and the Victorian Children's Clinic.
Dr Frydenberg shares what she's seeing in the clinic and how anxiety in children has changed, particularly post-COVID. She explains how anxiety often shows up in ways parents might not expect - through behavioral challenges, tummy aches, headaches, and school refusal - rather than children simply saying "I'm anxious."
In this conversation, they discuss:

How young children are now presenting with anxiety (younger than the traditional tween years)
The three main ways anxiety presents in children: somatic symptoms, articulated worries, and behavioral challenges
Why it's important not to rush to label children with diagnoses
The concept of anticipatory anxiety and how labels can become self-fulfilling prophecies
Practical first steps for parents: recognition, education, and having conversations at the right time
The power of "catching them being good" and focusing on strengths over challenging behaviors
Co-regulation: how parents need to regulate themselves first before helping their child
The fine line between helicopter/lawnmower parenting and teaching resilience
Graded exposure with practical examples (like food-related anxiety)
Why celebrating small wins matters more than achieving the end goal

Dr Frydenberg emphasizes that anxiety is a normal, protective response we all experience, but offers clear guidance on when it's gone too far and practical strategies families can use while waiting for professional support.
This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Join us next week for Part 2, where Dr Frydenberg discusses the roles of different practitioners, when medication might be helpful, and what to do when teens refuse to talk.
Resources mentioned:

https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/anxiety/ https://mentalhealth.melbournechildrens.com/media/kiuftzzo/mhs_childhood-anxiety_guide_e-single.pdf

Raising Children’s Network: https://raisingchildren.net.au/

Anxiety and fears in children (0-8 years) Generalised anxiety in children (3-8 years) Anxiety: the stepladder approach (3-18 years) Raising Healthy Minds App

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In Australia, 1 in 10 families are navigating life with food allergies - and the anxiety that comes with keeping children safe can be overwhelming. In this essential conversation, Dr. Jodi Richardson welcomes Tamara Hubbard, founder of the Food Allergy Counselor and author of May Contain Anxiety: Managing the Overwhelm of Parenting Children with Food Allergies.
Tamara is pioneering mental health support in food allergy care, helping families find what she calls the "just right balance" between anxiety and quality of life. As both a therapist specialising in food allergies and a parent who walks this path herself, she brings unique insight into the daily challenges families face - from label reading and school lunches to managing the fear of anaphylaxis.
In this episode, you'll discover:

Why anxiety is a natural part of food allergy management (and when it becomes overwhelming)
The powerful "what if to if-then" strategy for managing worried thoughts
How to determine what's safe, safe enough, and not safe for your child
Why avoidance can extend beyond what's medically necessary
The importance of having your healthcare team answer key safety questions
How families can live full, rich lives despite food allergy diagnoses

Whether you're newly navigating a food allergy diagnosis, supporting someone who is, or simply want to understand what these families experience daily, this conversation offers hope, practical strategies, and validation for the very real challenges of keeping children safe while helping them thrive.
Book Release: May Contain Anxiety is available now in North America in hardcover, paperback, e-book, and audiobook formats. Australian print editions are expected in early 2025, with digital versions available now.
Connect with Tamara: Visit foodalergycounselor.com for resources, articles, and therapeutic worksheets, or follow @foodallergycounselor on social media.

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In this episode, Dr. Jodi Richardson sits down with social worker Jessica Homicki to explore anxiety in primary school-aged children and its impact on families. Jessica, who leads Uniting's School Attendance Support Program in Southern Melbourne, brings over ten years of experience working with families affected by trauma and disadvantage.
Together, they discuss:

How anxiety presents differently in children aged 5-12
The connection between early childhood experiences, attachment, and anxiety
Why avoidance becomes such a significant part of the anxiety picture
Practical strategies for parents who are struggling with school refusal or "school can't"
The importance of self-care for parents and why putting on your own oxygen mask first isn't selfish
Gaps in mental health services for primary-aged children
The Stop, Pause, Play framework for responding to your child's distress
Small, achievable steps for managing bedtime anxiety and sleep routines

Jessica also shares valuable insights about the Window of Tolerance and provides guidance on accessing support through parenting programs like Tuning Into Kids, Bringing Up Great Kids, and Circle of Security.

This conversation is essential listening for any parent navigating childhood anxiety, particularly in the wake of COVID-19's lasting impact on our children's emotional wellbeing.

Links Mentioned:
- Circle of Security
https://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com/pages/what-is-the-circle-of-security#

- Tuning in to Kids and Teens
https://tuningintokids.org.au/what-is-tuning-in-to-kids/our-programs/

- Bringing up Great Kids and Parenting Adolescents
http://bringingupgreatkids.org/en/

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