REACHing Solutions is a podcast dedicated to helping pediatric clinicians better understand and navigate the world of children’s mental health in primary care. Presented by The REACH Institute, our mission is simple: to enhance the nation’s capacity to address pediatric mental health through transformative training for healthcare professionals. Each episode brings you real-life cases and real-life experts in the field of pediatric mental health, sharing valuable insights and practical advice that you can immediately incorporate into your practice. Whether you're looking to build your confidence or expand your toolkit, this podcast offers insights and practical skills that can help you make a meaningful difference in the lives of your patients.
Safe Landing: Guiding Families Through Pediatric Mental Health Emergencies
Deciding to send a child to the emergency room for a mental health crisis is never only a clinical call. It's also a deeply emotional moment for the child, the family, and the clinician. In this episode of REACHing Solutions, Dr. Amy Dryer draws on 20+ years as a pediatrician, including a decade in the ER, to share how primary care clinicians can handle that moment with confidence and care. Learn how to ask about suicidal thoughts directly and without judgment, and why asking never increases risk. She explains how to keep a teen's trust while staying firm about safety, and how to tell a parent "this is not your fault." You'll also hear how to set up an office process that runs as smoothly as an asthma response, how to use the first visit back to turn a crisis into a plan, and how to stay a steady partner even when families are hard to reach.
29 Sept 2026
The Caregiver Connection: Improving Outcomes for Children and Families
A child's mental health doesn't exist in isolation. In this episode of REACHing Solutions, Dr. Laura Madoo explores how pediatric clinicians can better support caregivers whose stress, anxiety, depression, or other challenges may be affecting the entire family. Learn practical strategies that are feasible in a busy office for recognizing caregiver strain, building trust through compassionate conversations, addressing stigma, connecting families with resources, and creating a more family-centered approach to care that benefits both children and the adults who care for them.
Resources mentioned:
- Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS): https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/Postnatal%20Depression%20Scale.pdf
25 Aug 2026
Packing for College: Preparing Teens for Mental Health Success
Students spend months preparing for college, but mental health preparation is often overlooked. In this episode of REACHing Solutions, Dr. Jackie Cotton discusses how pediatric clinicians can help adolescents and families get ready for one of life's biggest transitions. Learn how to identify students who may be at higher risk, strengthen self-care habits, discuss medication management, connect students with support resources, and encourage the self-advocacy skills they'll need when they're on their own.
Resources mentioned:
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline dial or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org/chat/. Type “Ayuda” to connect with a Spanish-speaking counselor.
24/7 hotline for LGBTQ+ youth: Thetrevorproject.org/get-help
National Alliance for Mental Health College Educator and Student Guides: collegeguide.nami.org
26 May 2026
From Classroom to Clinic: Building Better Mental Health Partnerships
Schools are often the first to notice when a child is struggling, yet many pediatric providers feel unsure about how to effectively collaborate with educators and school staff. In this episode of REACHing Solutions, child and adolescent psychiatrist Jim Wallace shares practical strategies for building stronger school partnerships to support children’s mental health. Drawing on decades of experience consulting with school systems, Dr. Wallace discusses why schools are critical partners in care, common barriers to communication, and actionable tips for navigating IEPs, evaluations, and school collaboration with confidence. Listeners interested in learning more can also explore REACH’s Collaborating with Schools course.
28 Apr 2026
Hesitancy to Hope: Talking with Families About Psychiatric Medications
Conversations about psychiatric medication can be some of the most challenging moments in pediatric care. Parents may arrive feeling fearful about starting treatment, unsure about continuing, or wondering if it’s time to take a break.
In this episode of REACHing Solutions, we sit down with Dr. Noor Jihan Abdul-Haqq, integrative pediatrician and REACH faculty member, to explore how these conversations unfold in real-world practice. She shares her perspective on building trust with hesitant families, addressing common concerns about treatment, and approaching decisions around medication use, switches, and ongoing management, all grounded in clear communication.
31 Mar 2026
Burnout and Boundaries: A Pediatric Clinician’s Perspective on Staying Well
Burnout and compassion fatigue are increasingly common among pediatric clinicians, yet they’re rarely discussed openly. In this episode of REACHing Solutions, Dr. Amy Kryder shares an honest perspective on how burnout develops, how to recognize it, and the pressures clinicians face in primary care. This conversation explores boundaries, mindset shifts, and ways to stay grounded while caring for others.
24 Feb 2026
Time Crunch: Delivering Pediatric Mental Health Care in a Busy Practice
In this episode of REACHing Solutions, we sit down with developmental-behavioral pediatrician and longtime REACH faculty member, Dr. Gene Hershorin, to address one of the most common challenges pediatric providers face: time. With appointment slots often limited to 15 minutes, addressing behavioral health concerns can feel overwhelming. Dr. Hershorin shares practical, realistic strategies to help busy clinicians deliver mental health services without sacrificing quality of care. He also reflects on his own experience leveraging billing strategies to drive system-level change within hospital settings.
26 Jan 2026
Digital Dilemmas: A Pediatrician's Take on Social Media and Kids
In the second episode of REACHing Solutions, we sit down with adolescent medicine specialist, pediatrician, and REACH faculty member, Dr. Jasmine Reese, to explore the complex role of social media in kids’ lives. Dr. Reese tackles some of the most pressing questions facing providers and parents today: When is the right time to introduce social media? What signs suggest a child’s use may be becoming problematic? And how should adults respond when concerns arise? This conversation offers practical guidance grounded in clinical expertise and real-world experience.
26 Jan 2026
Introduction to REACH: Transforming Pediatric Mental Health Care
In the inaugural episode of REACHing Solutions, we sit down with REACH’s founder and board chair, Dr. Peter Jensen and CEO, Dr. Lisa Hunter Romanelli, to explore how a bold vision became a national movement. Together, they trace the origins of REACH, from early academic work to building an independent nonprofit designed to bring evidence-based mental health care into everyday pediatric practice.
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