Parenting Tips

“The long-term goal of communicating with his dad…is actually going to be more therapeutic in the long run and helps him get over the short term anxiety…” Dr. James Mazza is a professor of psychology at the University of Washington College of Education. As a researcher and practitioner, he is focused on adolescent mental health issues, particularly internalizing disorders such as depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, exposure to violence and especially suicidal behavior. He helped develop a social emotional regulation curriculum, called Skills Training for Emotional Problem-Solving for Adolescents (STEPS-A). interested in the impact of cyberbullying (social media) and exposure to community violence to PTSD, depression, anxiety and suicidal behavior. His current work also looks at the impact of cyberbullying, exposure to community violence, depression, anxiety and suicidal behavior. Dr. Mazza earned his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

“I need to ask you something and I want you to know that whatever the answer is, I love you…” Persistent bullying becomes a waking nightmare for 16-year-old Kyle, whose struggles with negative thinking take center stage when it seems like everyone at school is against him. Feeling trapped and alone, Kyle turns to alcohol to suppress the self-critical voice that echoes in his head. Kyle hides the bullying and the alcoholism from his father Mario, who he believes could never understand what he’s going through. Sensing that something is wrong, Mario shares about his own struggle with PTSD after serving in the military and helps Kyle get comfortable communicating his feelings. Alcohol doesn’t numb the pain forever, but when his negative thoughts become overpowering again, Kyle finds that opening up about his struggle with people who care about him is a more powerful remedy than drinking could ever be.

“I need to ask you something and I want you to know that whatever the answer is, I love you…” Persistent bullying becomes a waking nightmare for 16-year-old Kyle, whose struggles with negative thinking take center stage when it seems like everyone at school is against him. Feeling trapped and alone, Kyle turns to alcohol to suppress the self-critical voice that echoes in his head. Kyle hides the bullying and the alcoholism from his father Mario, who he believes could never understand what he’s going through. Sensing that something is wrong, Mario shares about his own struggle with PTSD after serving in the military and helps Kyle get comfortable communicating his feelings. Alcohol doesn’t numb the pain forever, but when his negative thoughts become overpowering again, Kyle finds that opening up about his struggle with people who care about him is a more powerful remedy than drinking could ever be.