Eating disorders have been on the rise in children and adolescents following the COVID-19 pandemic and the Eating Disorder Program at Lurie Children’s is equipped to offer comprehensive care that is practical and tailored to meet the needs of this population. In this episode, Dr. Gregg Montalto, a leader in the Eating Disorders Program, talks about the complexities of eating disorders, emphasizing their nature as brain disorders rather than behavioral choices, discusses different types of eating disorders, the importance of early recognition and intervention and the need for equitable treatment options.

In this episode, Sara Budowsky, LCSW, a Lurie Children’s clinical social worker and psychotherapist in The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, shares insights on differentiating between shyness and social anxiety, the types of fears children experience and supportive strategies to build confidence in young people. She also dives into the importance of validating children's feelings, breaking down fears into manageable steps and the role parents play in fostering emotional resilience.

Dr. Craig Garfield and Dr. John James Parker (JJ) Parker discuss the often underappreciated significance of fathers in family health. They share insights from their experiences as both dads and doctors, which have informed their development of programs and research on the beneficial effects of fathers on child development and family well-being.