
A partnership between StoneBridge Church & Mosaics of Mercy
WAYS TO LISTEN/WATCH
Equip Online is a bi-weekly video and audio podcast with a goal to offer hope and help for parents and families by shedding light on mental well-being through ongoing discussions with mental health experts. New episodes launch every other Thursday.
Our hosts, Brian Dunn and Wally Smith, are both pastors at StoneBridge Church who have a desire to help families have a strong foundation of mental wellness.
About our partnership with Mosaics of Mercy
We are excited to be partnering with Mosaics of Mercy whose mission is to be a hub of hope, resources, and education empowering each journey toward mental well-being. The partnership will ensure we pick the most relevant topics facing our community as well as connect us with the right local experts to discuss these topics.
If you need to seek professional help, we encourage you to use this ministry to find a local counselor that can offer assistant.
MOST RECENT EPISODE

Coping with the COVID-19 Pandemic as a College Student
Date: June 9, 2021
Guest: Christie Farris LPC
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
While the country continues to battle the coronavirus, college health professionals are also monitoring a growing crisis among young adults struggling with mental health problems, including suicidal ideation, anxiety and depression related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our guest on this episode is Christie Farris. Christie is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. She focusses on what brings meaning to a person’s life and how best to fulfill that potential existence. Sometimes that leads us to considering what is happening in life that blocks a person’s ability to have healthy relationships, self-acceptance, or life enjoyment. She addresses past hurts, loneliness, and the need for healing and peace. Family and couples’ relationships often have a huge impact on one’s sense of self, so she works together to address these relationships with authenticity.
For more information on Christie and her practice go to http://christiefarriscounseling.com/
Equip Online is a partnership with StoneBridge Church and Mosaics of Mercy.
www.gostonebridge.com
www.mosaicsofmercy.com
Listen to our podcast with any of these links
http://bit.ly/Equip_Spotify
http://bit.ly/Equip_Google
http://bit.ly/Equip_Apple
#mentalhealth #mymentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #covid19 #collegeandcovid #mentalhealthpodcast #equiponline #parenting #socialmediaandmentalhealth #socialmedia.awareness #anxiety #anxietyrecovery #depressionawareness #majordepression #selfharm #selfharmawareness #addict #addiction #addicted #addictionawareness #addictionrecovery #suicide #suicideprevention #suicideawareness #yourstoryisntoveryet #ptsd #breakthesilence #stigmafighter #eatingdisorder #selfharm #selfcare #selfhelp #sober #sobriety #soberliving #recovery #endthestigma #breakthestigma #stopthestigma #mentalillnessawareness #mentalillnessrecovery #pandemic #isolation #socialmedia #mentalwellness #mentalhealthrecover #church #thewoodlands #christiancounselors
EPISODE RESOURCES

Teen Suicide: Warning Signs & Prevention
Date: June 1st, 2021
Guests: Sherry Burkhard and Jeremy Sprott
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
In this episode we will be discussing suicide prevention with an emphasis on knowing the warning signs among youth. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please reach out immediately to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. These services are free and confidential.** Suicide attempt and death rates among pre-teens, teenagers and young adults have risen in the past decade and the increase among youths has outpaced all other age groups. While no teen is immune, there are factors that can make some adolescents more vulnerable than others. Now, more than ever, it has become increasingly important for parents to understand how to tell if your teen might be suicidal and where to turn for help and treatment.
Our guests on this episode are Sherry Burkhard and Jeremy Sprott. Sherry is a registered nurse and Executive Director of the non-profit Mosaics of Mercy in Magnolia, Texas. Mosaics of Mercy’s mission is to help families navigate mental health and addiction recovery. They serve the community as a hub for mental health resources, education, and hope. Jeremy is the CEO & Founder of Mental Health Solutions in Houston, Texas. Mental Health Solutions provides oversight and full-service mental health crisis management solutions through its designated crisis response team. This team will evaluate individual patients in crisis and recommend appropriate referral sources as well as provide expedited transfers to inpatient psychiatric facilities for patients needing such services.
For more information go to www.mosaicsofmercy.com or www.mentalhealthresponse.com.
You can also email Jeremy at jeremy@mentalhealthresponse.com.
Equip Online is a partnership with StoneBridge Church and Mosaics of Mercy. www.gostonebridge.com www.mosaicsofmercy.com
Listen to our podcast with any of these links
http://bit.ly/Equip_Spotify
http://bit.ly/Equip_Google
http://bit.ly/Equip_Apple
#mentalhealth #mymentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #covid19 #mentalhealthpodcast #equiponline #parenting #socialmediaandmentalhealth #socialmedia.awareness #anxiety #anxietyrecovery #depressionawareness #majordepression #selfharm #selfharmawareness #addict #addiction #addicted #addictionawareness #addictionrecovery #suicide #suicideprevention #suicideawareness #yourstoryisntoveryet #ptsd #breakthesilence #stigmafighter #eatingdisorder #selfharm #selfcare #selfhelp #sober #sobriety #soberliving #recovery #endthestigma #breakthestigma #stopthestigma #mentalillnessawareness #mentalillnessrecovery #pandemic #isolation #socialmedia #mentalwellness #mentalhealthrecover #church #thewoodlands #christiancounselors
EPISODE RESOURCES
For more information go to www.mosaicsofmercy.com or www.mentalhealthresponse.com.
You can also email Jeremy at jeremy@mentalhealthresponse.com.

Social Media and Mental Health
Date: May 13th, 2021
Guest: Tessa Stuckey
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
Today, many of us use social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram to connect with each other. While each may have its benefits, we must remember that social media can never be a replacement for real-world human connection. Spending too much time on social media can make you feel lonelier and more isolated—and exacerbate mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.
Equip Online is a partnership with StoneBridge Church and Mosaics of Mercy.
www.gostonebridge.com
www.mosaicsofmercy.com
Listen to our podcast with any of these links
http://bit.ly/Equip_Spotify
http://bit.ly/Equip_Google
http://bit.ly/Equip_Apple
#mentalhealth #mymentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #covid19 #mentalhealthpodcast #equiponline #depression #depressionhelp #depressionawareness #depressionsupport #anxietyanddepression #selfcare #pandemic #isolation #socialmedia #mentalwellness #church #thewoodlands #christiancounselors
EPISODE RESOURCES
Safe phone for kids – https://gabbwireless.com/
Bark Phone Monitoring Program – https://www.bark.us/
For the Sake of Our Youth: A Therapist’s Perspective on Raising Your Family in Today’s Culture.
Available at: Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/for-…
Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Sake-Our-Youth… https://anchor.fm/tessa-stuckey

Battling depression in a COVID 19 World
Date: April 30th, 2021
Guest: Kate Turner LPC
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
If isolation, anxiety, economic uncertainty, and the daily onslaught of bad news generated by the coronavirus pandemic are taking a heavy toll on your mood, you’re not alone. The stress of social isolation, the worry about jobs, money, health, and the profound feelings of loss that many of us are experiencing now can trigger depression for the first time or exacerbate symptoms if you’ve already been diagnosed.
Our guest on this episode is Kate Turner. Kate is Licensed Professional Counselor, Family Navigator and School Liaison for Mosaics of Mercy. Kate has taught in public and private school settings and was an elementary counselor in Conroe ISD as well as Spring ISD for a total of 15 years. She loves to reach parents with Love and Logic(r) curricula which she has taught for over 20 years. Kate just closed a private counseling practice, and now works with the great team at Mosaics of Mercy in Magnolia – helping families find mental health resources. Kate is also the school liaison for Mosaics and is looking forward to bringing the message of mental health and hope to area campuses.
Equip Online is a partnership with StoneBridge Church and Mosaics of Mercy.
www.gostonebridge.com
www.mosaicsofmercy.com
Listen to our podcast with any of these links
http://bit.ly/Equip_Spotify
http://bit.ly/Equip_Google
http://bit.ly/Equip_Apple
#mentalhealth #mymentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #covid19 #mentalhealthpodcast #equiponline #depression #depressionhelp #depressionawareness #depressionsupport #anxietyanddepression #selfcare #pandemic #isolation #socialmedia #mentalwellness #church #thewoodlands #christiancounselors
Tweetable Moments

Understanding the Anxious Brain
Date: April 16th, 2021
Guest: Carolyn Robistow LPC
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
Life in today’s fast-paced world is complex, with more stressors and less direct social support than in past generations. Being anxious is a normal part of life. However, people sometimes experience prolonged periods of anxiety that can affect their social, work, or personal lives. The good news is that our understanding of the fight-or-flight response has led to well-researched, effective treatments and coping methods.
Our guest on this episode is Carolyn Robistow. Carolyn is a Licensed Professional Counselor whose specialty is helping people-pleasing perfectionists with Anxiety and OCD. She also works as an alcohol relationship coach for grey area drinkers. Most of her clients are high achievers who feel like, despite the successes they’ve had in life and on paper, they are stuck and unable to reach their full potential because of hidden, mental battles, whether it be anxiety, OCD, or an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. She uses a technique called Brainspotting to help people get unstuck. For more information on Carolyn and her practice go to https://joyeffectcounseling.com
Equip Online is a partnership with @StoneBridge Church and @Mosaics of Mercy.
www.gostonebridge.com
www.mosaicsofmercy.com
Listen to our podcast with any of these links
http://bit.ly/Equip_Spotify
http://bit.ly/Equip_Google
http://bit.ly/Equip_Apple
#mentalhealth #mymentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #covid19 #mentalhealthpodcast #equiponline #anxiety #depression #anxietyrelief #anxietyawareness #anxietysupport #anxietyanddepression #selfcare #pandemic #isolation #socialmedia #mentalwellness #church #thewoodlands #christiancounselors
Tweetable Moments
7:26 – Coping skills removed from us because of COVID-19.
9:35 – 10:39 – Crossing the line between being anxious & anxiety.
12:20 – It’s unrealistic and an unhealth expectation to say we should be able to just talk ourselves out of an anxiety or panic attack.
13:48 – Lower case t trauma
15:00 – Snarled necklace analogy
17:20 – The difference between a panic attack and an anxiety attack.
18:32 – Brainspotting strategy
22:16 – What is anxiety?
23:33 – Coping strategies
27:55 – Managing your thought life.
30:55 – Let our brain and body do what they’re designed to do.
31:15 – Brainspotting analogy
33:13 – Getting rid of the ‘should’ statements.
35:17 – Barrier of anxiety
36:39 – Anxiety and Wellness ripple effect
38:47 Two of the most meaningless words are “I’m Fine”.

Job Loss: Maintaining Good Mental Health in Times of Transition
Date: April 1st, 2021
Guest: Adam Bertoch
Our guest on this episode is Adam Bertoch. Adam is a Chemical Dependency Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapist. Adam enjoys working with teens, families, and adults who wrestle with a variety of life struggles including addiction, depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, and loss. Adam believes the most important aspects to living a good life are the relationships we have with one another, and he is devoted to helping people establish and maintain meaningful relationships. For more information on Adam and his practice go to https://onthemendcounseling.com/
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
Addiction is a disease that affects thought and behavior and takes a toll on the body, mind, and spirit. Many people struggle with or have someone in their life who suffers from an addiction problem, whether it be dependence on drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, shopping, or some other form of addiction. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, there is help available.
Show References:
https://onthemendcounseling.com/blog-posts/
Equip Online is a partnership with StoneBridge Church and Mosaics of Mercy.
www.gostonebridge.com
www.mosaicsofmercy.com
Listen to our podcast with any of these links
http://bit.ly/Equip_Spotify
http://bit.ly/Equip_Google
http://bit.ly/Equip_Apple
#mentalhealth #mymentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #covid19 #mentalhealthpodcast #equiponline #parenting #addict #addiction #addicted #addictionawareness #addictionrecovery #suicide #suicideprevention #eatingdisorder #selfcare #selfhelp #sober #sobriety #soberliving #recovery #pandemic #isolation #socialmedia #mentalwellness #church #thewoodlands #christiancounselors

Job Loss: Maintaining Good Mental Health in Times of Transition
Date: March 18, 2021
Guest: L.P.C.S. Bill Jack Davis
Our guest on this episode is Bill Jack Davis. Bill Jack is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor. He’s been the director and therapist at The Bridge Counseling Center in Conroe for 30 years and works with adults, adolescents, and children with a wide variety of concerns including depression, anxiety, behavioral and relationship concerns.
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
EPISODE RESOURCES
For more information on Bill Jack and his practice go to
https://www.facebook.com/The-Bridge-Counseling-Center-134430173295031
or contact him at 936-441-8255.

The COVID 19 Mental Health Tsunami
Date: March 4, 2021
Guest: Dr. Paul Looney
Dr. Looney has been a practicing physician and psychiatrist for over twenty-five years. Most of this time he has been in private practice but has also worked in the prison system, on a university campus, and as a psychiatrist for the State of Texas. He practices psychiatry alongside a number of other Christian mental health providers at White Stone Associates which he founded in The Woodlands, Texas.
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted or halted critical mental health services in 93% of countries worldwide as the demand for mental health is increasing. A WHO survey of 130 countries provides global data showing the devastating impact of COVID-19 on access to mental health services. Bereavement, isolation, loss of income and fear are triggering mental health conditions or exacerbating existing ones. Many people may be facing increased levels of alcohol and drug use, insomnia, stress, depression, and anxiety, and while there is a sense of relief with the roll out of a vaccine, the question becomes – is mental health our next pandemic?
Our guest on this episode is Dr. Paul Looney.
Dr. Looney has been a practicing physician and psychiatrist for over twenty-five years. Most of this time he has been in private practice, but has also worked in the prison system, on a university campus and as psychiatrist for the State of Texas. He practices psychiatry alongside a number of other Christian mental health providers at White Stone Associates which he founded in The Woodlands,Texas.
For more information on Dr. Looney and his practice go to http://paullooneymd.com/
Equip Online is in partnership with StoneBridge Church and Mosaics of Mercy.
www.gostonebridge.com
www.mosaicsofmercy.com
EPISODE RESOURCES
SEASON ONE

The Art of the Deal: Teen Version
Date: January 10th, 20201
Guest: Meredith Weise, Ph.D
Meredith is a Licensed Psychologist (LP), Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. She holds a Ph.D. in School Psychology from Louisiana State University, did her pre-doctoral internship at Nebraska Internship Consortium in Professional Psychology, Boys Town site and post-doctoral training at Aldine Independent School District. She has extensive experience working with children, teens and families and uses two evidence-based treatments in her work with tweens and teens, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and skills informed by Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
www.gostonebridge.com
www.mosaicsofmercy.com
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
“It’s my way or the highway” may be a battle call to some teens. Consider the value of engaging in negotiation instead of battle. Negotiation is a healthy mental exercise that benefits both teens and parents. It gives you the opportunity to learn what’s important to your teenager and why. Simply put, you’ll get to know your child better through your negotiations. Today we are going to be looking at how we as parents can help teach our teens to negotiate for what they want in a healthy way.
EPISODE RESOURCES

Grief and the Holidays: The empty chair at the table
Date: December 13th, 2020
Guest: Bridget K. Caletka, LPC-S, LMHC
Bridget received a Bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from the University of Connecticut, a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (C.A.G.S.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Messiah College. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) in Texas, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in New York, a National Certified Counselor and a Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) and Board Certified Coach (BCC) through the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC).
Bridget’s particular focus is journeying with grieving clients. As a Certified Compassionate Bereavement Care Provider® she helps clients with end of life issues and those coping with serious or chronic illnesses. She provides crisis intervention for individuals and organizations in the aftermath of tragedies, such as the sudden death of an employee or a loved one.
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
For those who are grieving, the holidays can be unfamiliar terrain. This time of year can be filled with fond remembrances of loved ones who are on your mind yet absent from your traditions and rituals. Acknowledging the difficulties of holidays after loss does not make a potentially difficult time any easier but preparing for the holidays by tapping into helpful coping strategies may provide some much-needed help. Today we will be talking about those coping strategies.
EPISODE RESOURCES
Books:
On Grief and Grieving – by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
Companioning the Bereaved – by Alan Wofelt
Healing Your Grieving Heart – There are various versions for this, one for parents, one for teens, one for kids, and one for spouse loss. There is also a companion guide with 100 practical ideas. All excellent.
Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss, and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief – by Joanne Cacciatore
Grieving Is Loving – companion piece to Bearing the Unbearable – by Joanne Cacciatore (to be released on Dec 8th 2020)
Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief – by David Kessler
A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows Through Loss – by Jerry Sittster (faith based)
A Grief Observed – C.S. Lewis (faith based)
Other Resources:
SAMHSA’s National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Bo’s Place: https://www.bosplace.org/en/
Center for Loss & Life Transition: https://www.centerforloss.com
Companioning Model in a PDF: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5126aabee4b0633b1266f555/t/5925e658f5e2313305a4282c/1495656024162/TENENTS+OF+COMPANIONING.pdf
Mourner’s Bill of Rights in a PDF: https://www.centerforloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/MBR.pdf
MISS Foundation: (find a Certified Compassionate Bereavement Care provider) https://missfoundation.org
American Counseling Association: https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/mental-health-resources/grief-and-loss-resources

The Parent Advocate: Mental Health Medication for Kids
Date: November 13th, 2020
Guest: Bibilola Ladipo-Ajayi, Licensed Pharmacist
Bibi is a pharmacist and currently in her final year as a Graduate Marriage and Family Therapy student. As a pharmaceutical drug information specialist, she has had the privilege to serve her community by simplifying complex scientific and medical information for her patients. Coupled with her passion to help individuals build and maintain healthy lives and thriving relationships, her pharmaceutical background provides a unique opportunity to help clients understand their medication therapy as it relates to their mental health.
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
As a parent of a child with a behavioral or emotional disorder, you may be feeling overwhelmed as you try to help your child cope with their problems. There are numerous ways your child’s mental health can be managed, such as through medication or through interventions such as play therapy, parent-child therapy, family therapy, or individual talk therapy. Medications should fit a child’s circumstances and be part of a plan that includes other therapies. Today we will be talking about helping parents advocate for their kids with medication for mental health.
EPISODE RESOURCES
Connect Psychological Services PLLC
For more information on Bibi, please visit www.truenorthtw.com
Equip Online is in partnership with StoneBridge Church and Mosaics of Mercy.
www.mosaicsofmercy.com

My Teen is Stuck in Anxiety and Depression. What do I do?
Date: November 7th, 2020
Guest: Meredith Weise, Ph.D
Meredith is a Licensed Psychologist (LP), Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. She holds a Ph.D. in School Psychology from Louisiana State University, did her pre-doctoral internship at Nebraska Internship Consortium in Professional Psychology, Boys Town site and post-doctoral training at Aldine Independent School District. She has extensive experience working with children, teens and families and uses two evidence-based treatments in her work with tweens and teens, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and skills informed by Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
Being a teenager can be tough. Their bodies and brains are changing quickly at a time when parents, teachers and peers expect a lot from them. Even before COVID-19, the mental health of our teens was an issue. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 13.3% of U.S. kids ages 12 to 17 had at least one major depressive episode during the previous year and one-third had an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. Today we will be talking about how to distinguish between normal teen angst and anxiety or depression and what parents can do to help their kids cope.
EPISODE RESOURCES
For more information on Meredith or the Connections Child and Family Center, please visit https://connectionsfamilycenter.com/

Does My Child have OCD?
Date: October 29th, 2020
Guest: Joy Ryan, Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist (RPT)
Joy is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Registered Play Therapist (RPT). She holds a master’s degree in counseling from Sam Houston State University and an additional master’s degree in Christian Education from Southwestern Theological Seminary. Her professional counseling experience has included working with school-age children using play therapy to address trauma, anxiety, depression, and adjustment to significant family changes, adolescents, and families. Joy has received training in Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) by the International OCD Foundation through its Behavior Therapy Training Institute. Joy is currently accepting clients with OCD, Trichotillomania, Tourette’s Syndrome, and Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
In this episode: OCD is often incorrectly portrayed in the media as merely an obsession with cleanliness, but in reality, it’s a deeply misunderstood condition that can wreak havoc on daily childhood activities like playing with friends, going to school, or enjoying hobbies. Today we’ll be talking about OCD as it related to our kids and how we as parents can help them.
EPISODE RESOURCES

How to Talk to your Kids about Sex
Date: October 15th, 2020
Guest: Cheryl Butler, Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC-S, True North
Episode Description: It’s the subject that makes parent’s sweat and kids squirm. Today we’re talking about teaching our kids about sex. Our children live in a highly sexualized society where they’re exposed to sexual language, images, and behaviors before they may be prepared to handle them. Our guests, Cheryl Butler and Dana Spinler, will be covering the why, when, and how to have “The Talk”.
Cheryl is a licensed professional counselor (LPC), counselor supervisor (LPC-S), and certified “boy mom” of twin 9-year olds and a 5-year-old. She is the founder of True North, a counseling and consulting practice in The Woodlands, Texas. Her expertise includes working with families, children and adolescents, and couples. Dana is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with a master’s in counseling from Liberty University. She has worn many hats as a social worker, Navy wife, teacher, stay-at-home mom, homeschool educator, women’s advocate, business owner, and adoptive parent. Her style of counseling helps to build resilience through acceptance and commitment to finding hope.
For more information on Cheryl and Dana go to https://www.truenorthtw.com/
EPISODE RESOURCES
Tweetable Moments
7:41 – the world is pretty loud about it, but parents are often pretty quiet about it, and we need to reverse that
10:29 – Most kids by the age of 13 have been exposed to pornography.
12:30 – No internet filter is going to be good enough to protect our kids from exposure to sex, so we want that information coming from us, not Johnny on the school bus.
14:07 – We want our kids drinking pure water, we don’t want them drinking from the toilet.
37:07 – We feel really privileged to have these conversations with families because if not, often people end up in the counseling office, in marriages, having marital conflict surrounding sexual hurts, or individual sexual trauma, so we feel like it is such a gift. We want every parent to really be their child’s therapist.
37:30 – Oftentimes parents will be the kids to us so we can have these conversations, but we feel like God has equipped parents to do it themselves.

How to Help Your Teen Have a Positive Body Image
Date: October 1st, 2020
Guest: Brittany Gilchrist, Brittany is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas and is a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist (CEDS) through the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals.
In this episode. So often the “comparison complex” runs the gamut from being slightly annoyed by a tiny flaw to developing an obsession with a body part that intrudes on one’s every waking moment. Today we’ll be talking about unrealistic comparisons and strategies parents can use to help their teens have a positive body image.
Equip Online is a partnership between StoneBridge Church and Mosaics of Mercy whose mission is to be a hub of hope, resources, and education empowering each journey toward mental well-being. If you need to seek professional help, we encourage you to use this ministry to find a local counselor that can offer assistant.
EPISODE RESOURCES
Peace and Purpose Counseling
Books mentioned with links to purchase on Amazon:
Tweetable Moments
5:09: It’s rare to find an individual who will look at themselves in the mirror and think, man, I just love every single aspect of my body.
5:34: Whether you’re an adult or child, we have struggles with this. We can be so negative about ourselves and embracing who we’ve been created to be.
6:11: Body image is our mental picture of our size, shape, appearance. It’s how we feel about our body. It’s how we feel in our body. It also includes our perceived belief or understanding about how other people see our bodies.
7:39: Sometimes body image can be MINIMIZED into a vanity issue or we don’t want to talk about it because we don’t want to put those ideas into our kids heads.
8:04: 80% of American girls have been on a diet before the age 10. That’s staggering.
8:40: The NYT did a study of nursing homes and interviewed people near the end of their life and what were some of the regrets that they had at the end of their life? The number one answer was the time I spent hating my body.
10:08 : If we don’t learn to love and accept ourselves, our body, who we are, it impacts your relationships too.
14:50: When individuals are looking through magazines, looking at media, there’s so much work being done, there’s so many people and teams in place to make somebody look different than they are.
15:17: Helping our young people understand that what they are looking at isn’t real, that it’s literally not a human necessarily that they’re looking at and that can be a helpful way for them to process the comparisons that they’re falling in to are maybe just largely unrealistic.
27:28 Most of the time when people do make drastic changes to their bodies, it doesn’t get them that result that they’re wanting. They’re still unsatisfied. They’re not necessarily getting the happiness or the acceptance or the love they thought was going to be on the other side.

How to Help My Child Manage Their Emotions
Date: September 17th, 2020
Guest: Lauren Pasqua, clinical child psychologist and the founder/director of the Connections Child and Family Center
In this episode, Brian and Wally talk to Lauren Pasqua about having realistic expectations for your child in emotional moments and practical techniques for parents to help kids self-manage their emotions.
Lauren is a clinical child psychologist and the founder/director of the Connections Child and Family Center in The Woodlands, Texas. She is passionate about working with our communities youngest members and understands that being a parent and helping children manage their emotions and big feelings is one the hardest jobs.
Equip Online is a partnership between StoneBridge Church and Mosaics of Mercy whose mission is to be a hub of hope, resources, and education empowering each journey toward mental well-being. If you need to seek professional help, we encourage you to use this ministry to find a local counselor that can offer assistant.
For more information, please visit www.equiponlinepodcast.com
EPISODE RESOURCES
Connections Child and Family Center
Books mentioned with links to purchase on Amazon:
Tweetable Moments
4:40 – 4:59
Big emotions – Big feelings in kids. I like to give a framework to understand where those feelings are coming from and what is actually realistic to expect of your child in those situations.
9:49 – 9:59
Kids capacity to manage their feelings, to manage their behavior fluctuates throughout the day, from day to day. It depends on a lot of different factors like sleep, appetite, stress.
14:36 – 14:40
Self-regulation is something that develops over a life-span, even into adulthood.
14:42 – 14:53
School-age kids and younger really don’t have that full capacity for self-regulation or self-management and they need us to work with them.
20:21 – 20:28
Emotional intelligence and social intelligence, both of those interpersonal skills are more predictive of long-term success.
Techniques
21:18 – Regulate yourself: if we go up, our kids go up
22:26 – Name it to tame it (label the child’s feelings)
26:22 – The Coping Box
29:23 – Bibliotherapy (book therapy)

A Family's Journey Towards Mental Well-Being
Date: September 3, 2020
Guest: Sherry and Chris Burkhard, Executive Director, Mosaics of Mercy, Mosaics of Mercy
In this episode, Brian and Wally talk to Sherry and Chris Burkhard about expectancy vs. expectations, getting the family back into alignment when a family member hits a bump in the road and being authentic with others about your life.
EPISODE RESOURCES

How to Deal With Financial Stress as a Family
Date: August 20, 2020
Guest: Cheryl Butler, Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC-S, True North
In this episode, Brian and Wally talk to Cheryl Bulter about the impact financial stress has on families. She shares ways that a family can not just overcome the burden of financial stress but can be a stronger family after walking through it.