Dr. Leigh Weisz is the Founder of Coping Partners, a mental health clinic. As a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice, she was on staff and affiliated with The Family Institute at Northwestern University for several years. She has experience working with children, adolescents, families, and individual adults in areas such as child and adolescent family therapy, grief and loss, and relationship issues.

Dr. Weisz earned her graduate degree in clinical psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology with a specialty in children and families. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and Spanish from the University of Michigan, having graduated with honors. Dr. Weisz has practiced in community mental health, hospitals, and outpatient family medicine practice settings.

Parenting during childhood development brings unique challenges, from navigating anxiety and obsessive-compulsive behaviors to fostering emotional resilience and balancing technology usage. While overwhelming at times, these hurdles can present growth opportunities when families embrace understanding, validation, and proactive support. What insights can you gain from experts helping children cope with these challenges?

Dr. Aryn Froum sheds light on OCD in children, explaining how compulsions differ from superstitions and why these behaviors aren’t driven by choice. Dr. Eli Lebowitz explores the distinct nature of child anxiety, emphasizing that it’s rooted in developmental and biological differences. Demi Agaiby uses a “lighthouse” metaphor to help athletes — and anyone facing burnout — reconnect with their core motivation and purpose. Dr. Leigh Weisz highlights the importance of creating safe spaces for kids to process emotions, encouraging parents to prioritize validation over fixing. Meanwhile, Ben Kessler examines technology’s influence on kids’ functioning, illustrating how excessive use can disrupt sleep, hygiene, and emotional well-being.

In this episode of The Coping Podcast, Dr. Leigh Weisz brings together experts like Dr. Aryn Froum, Dr. Eli Lebowitz, Demi Agaiby, and Ben Kessler to provide actionable strategies for parents, caregivers, and educators. Their insights offer a roadmap for helping kids navigate anxiety, OCD, and the everyday stressors of growing up.

Dr. Emily Lieberman is a board-certified pediatrician with over a decade of experience caring for children and adolescents. She earned her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and her medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine, completing her pediatric residency at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. A passionate advocate for child health and safety, Dr. Lieberman uses her voice to promote preventive care and family-centered strategies in clinical and community settings.

​Do family dinners often turn into power struggles over what your child will or won’t eat? Are you stuck in a cycle of making multiple meals just to avoid tantrums at the table? If you're tired of catering to picky eaters and longing for more peaceful, productive mealtimes, you’re not alone. How can parents reclaim control without turning dinner into a battlefield?

According to Dr. Emily Lieberman, a board-certified pediatrician specializing in child nutrition and behavior, the key is to serve one family meal — no exceptions, no substitutions. She highlights the importance of modeling healthy eating behaviors and creating consistent mealtime expectations. When parents stop offering alternate meals and resist the urge to give in to tantrums, stress levels drop, and children begin to engage with a wider variety of foods. Dr. Lieberman also encourages incorporating children into the meal prep process, which fosters curiosity and ownership over what they eat.

In this episode of The Coping Podcast, Dr. Leigh Weisz sits down with Dr. Emily Lieberman to discuss how parents can end mealtime battles with their picky eaters. They explore the power of the “no thank you bite,” why snacking habits impact productive dinners, and how to keep mealtimes positive and consistent. Dr. Lieberman also gives advice on when to seek professional help for extreme eating behaviors.

Dr. Debra Kissen is a licensed clinical psychologist and the CEO and Founder of Light On Anxiety Treatment Centers, which specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety and related disorders. As an internationally recognized speaker and author, she has co-authored books, including Overcoming Parental Anxiety and The Panic Workbook for Teens. In her recent book, she explores practical tools for parents to manage anxiety and enjoy parenting, drawing from both clinical insights and personal experience.

Parenting is often described as one of the most rewarding yet challenging experiences, but for many parents, worry and anxiety overshadow the joy. Why does it feel so difficult to stay calm and make clear decisions, especially when your child is distressed? How can you maintain your emotional and mental well-being during parenting challenges?

According to Dr. Debra Kissen, an internationally recognized anxiety expert and author, the parent brain is wired for survival, attuning deeply to a child’s emotions through empathy and mirror neurons. While essential for bonding, this connection can amplify anxiety when parents feel their child’s distress as their own. The result is a cycle of heightened emotions where both parent and child struggle to cope effectively. By understanding this wiring and implementing tools for emotional regulation, parents can disrupt the cycle, build confidence, and guide their children through challenges while remaining calm.

In this episode of The Coping Podcast, Dr. Leigh Weisz speaks with Dr. Debra Kissen, CEO and Founder of Light On Anxiety Treatment Centers, about overcoming parental anxiety by rewiring the brain. They explore how to identify and manage emotional triggers, practical tools for staying calm in stressful moments, and strategies for fostering self-compassion as a parent. Dr. Kissen also shares advice on relinquishing control and finding more joy in everyday parenting.

Demi Agaiby is the Founding Director and Mental Performance Consultant at Beyond Horizons Performance, a mental performance consultancy for performers and athletes. With over 20 years of commercial and concert dance training and a master’s degree in sport and exercise psychology, Demi has worked with hundreds of performers to master their mindset and mental skills. She has presented at the National Dance Education Organization, the National Dance Coaches Association, the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, and more.

Helping young athletes navigate the highs and lows of competitive sports can be a daunting task for parents. How can they support their children through setbacks like injuries, burnout, and performance pressures, all while fostering resilience and joy?

According to Demi Agaiby, a mental performance consultant and sports psychology expert, focusing on the process rather than the outcome is crucial for boosting performance during setbacks. She highlights the importance of praising effort, maintaining open communication, and building multidimensional identities that allow young athletes to thrive in and out of their sport. By helping children connect to their “why,” parents can guide them back to their intrinsic motivations during challenging times. Demi also emphasizes creating opportunities for exploration and cultivating transferable skills, such as leadership and teamwork, which carry over into every aspect of life.

In this episode of The Coping Podcast, Dr. Leigh Weisz is joined by Demi Agaiby, Founding Director and Mental Performance Consultant at Beyond Horizons Performance, to discuss how parents can build resilience in their young athletes. They explore strategies for managing burnout, balancing identity with sports, and viewing setbacks as growth opportunities. Demi also gives practical advice for creating a support system and fostering emotional intelligence in children.

Dr. Lisa Novak is the Co-founder and Clinical Director of Illuminate Psychological Assessments. As a licensed clinical psychologist, she specializes in neuropsychological assessments for children, adolescents, and young adults and supervises other licensed and pre-licensed clinicians in their assessment work. Her areas of expertise include learning disabilities, ADHD, and the interplay between physical and mental health concerns. Dr. Novak earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

In today’s digital age, many parents find themselves struggling to balance their children’s screen time with their emotional well-being. With smartphones dominating daily life, how can we help kids develop resilience, strong social skills, and healthy habits both online and offline?

According to clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Novak, the secret is mindful technology use. She explains that excessive smartphone use, especially in younger children, has been linked to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and social isolation. She highlights that over-parenting in real life while under-parenting online creates a dangerous gap, where children are overprotected in person but left vulnerable to the addictive nature of social media. If remained unchecked, this balance can lead to impaired attention, sleep deprivation, and difficulty building real-world connections.

In this episode of The Coping Podcast, Dr. Leigh Weisz speaks with Dr. Lisa Novak, Co-founder and Clinical Director of Illuminate Psychological Assessments, about the challenges of balancing tech and childhood. Together, they explore how smartphones and social media impact emotional development, how delaying screen time can improve resilience, and how parents can model healthier tech habits. Dr. Novak also gives advice on creating screen-free environments at home and fostering real-world independence.

Dr. Leigh Weisz is the Founder of Coping Partners, a mental health clinic. As a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice, she was on staff and affiliated with The Family Institute at Northwestern University for several years. She has experience working with children, adolescents, families, and individual adults in areas such as child and adolescent family therapy, grief and loss, and relationship issues.

Dr. Weisz earned her graduate degree in clinical psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology with a specialty in children and families. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and Spanish from the University of Michigan, having graduated with honors. Dr. Weisz has practiced in community mental health, hospitals, and outpatient family medicine practice settings.

Balancing work and family life can feel like an impossible juggling act. Is it possible to achieve a true work-life balance? What steps can you take to manage personal and professional life effectively?

According to Dr. Leigh Weisz, a clinical psychologist specializing in family and child therapy, you can achieve work-life balance with the right strategies. She notes that letting go of guilt is crucial for managing the pressures of both work and family. Additionally, Dr. Weisz highlights the importance of creating a supportive network and finding ways to make your work environment more accommodating. When implemented, these tips can significantly reduce stress and improve overall well-being.

In this episode of The Coping Podcast, host Dr. Leigh Weisz discusses practical steps to achieve work-life balance. She shares six key strategies, including the importance of letting go of guilt, staying connected with family even when away, and the necessity of self-care. Tune in to discover how these steps can help you manage your responsibilities more effectively and create a healthier, more balanced life.

Kelsey Mora, CCLS, LCPC is a dual-certified child life specialist and licensed clinical professional counselor with over nine years of experience helping children, teens, and parents cope with mental illness, injury, loss, and grief. She has worked in pediatric intensive care units and co-chaired perinatal and pediatric bereavement councils. Kelsey founded her own private practice, Kelsey Mora PLLC, and is the Chief Clinical Officer of Pickles Group, a nonprofit aiding children affected by parental cancer. She is also a registered Wonders & Worries provider, part of the Food Allergy Counselor Network, and the author of "The Dot Method: an interactive tool to teach kids about cancer."

Navigating the complexities of a cancer diagnosis is challenging for anyone, but how do you explain it to a child? How can parents find the right words to help their children understand such a difficult topic without causing additional fear or confusion?

Child life counselor Kelsey Mora recommends beginning discussions early and keeping the conversations age-appropriate and ongoing. She highlights the importance of using simple, honest language and providing consistent emotional support. Interactive tools and visual aids, like Kelsey’s Dot Method workbook, can help children grasp the concept of cancer and its treatments. These methods aid in comprehension and empower children by involving them in the process and addressing their fears directly.

In this episode of The Coping Podcast, host Dr. Leigh Weisz sits down with Kelsey Mora, Owner of Kelsey Mora PLLC and Chief Clinical Officer at Pickles Group, to discuss talking to kids about cancer. They explore practical strategies for breaking down complex medical information, the significance of emotional validation and support, and the role of creative, interactive tools in helping children cope with illness.

Michelle Winterstein is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Coping Partners, a practice dedicated to supporting children, adolescents, and families through emotional and behavioral challenges. Michelle received her Master of Social Work degree with honors from New York University and has extensive experience in both hospital and outpatient settings. She specializes in working with young children, adolescents, and their parents, addressing issues such as behavioral problems, anxiety, and social pressures. Michelle also has experience in childhood obesity and is trained in motivational interviewing and change readiness.

In today's digitally driven world, children are constantly bombarded by social media, impacting their mental and emotional well-being. How can a summer camp experience transform your child's development and independence?

According to Dr. Leigh Weisz, a licensed clinical psychologist, sending kids to overnight camp provides a crucial digital detox, freeing them from the pressures of social media. She highlights how children at camp engage in real-world interactions and build meaningful relationships unburdened by online comparisons. Michelle Winterstein adds that camp also fosters independence, as kids make decisions and resolve conflicts without parental intervention. These experiences equip children with essential life skills and boost their confidence, preparing them for future challenges.

In this episode of The Coping Podcast, Dr. Leigh Weisz and Michelle Winterstein discuss the transformative benefits of overnight camp for kids. They dive into the importance of a social media detox, the development of independence, and how parents can support their children's resilience from a distance. Tune in to discover practical tips and insights on maximizing your child's growth throughout the camp experience.