What if all our talk about mental health is making it harder for kids to cope with life?

Dr Justin Coulson sits down with educational and developmental psychologist Claire Rowe to unpack the rise of therapy speak, the dangers of labelling normal emotions as mental health problems, and why constantly checking in on how our kids feel might not be helping them. Discover how to support children through difficult feelings without teaching them to fear every bump in the road.

Key Points


How therapy speak on social media is changing the way we see ourselves and others


Why labelling children as anxious or sensitive can shape their identity


When mental health labels help and when they go too far


Why taking action and helping others can be more useful than constantly focusing inward


How to build resilience without dismissing children's feelings

Quote of the Episode

“You can do hard things.” Claire Rowe

Resources Mentioned


Claire Rowe Psychologist on Instagram


Rowe and Associates, Sydney


Lucy Foulkes, psychologist and researcher


Sami Timimi, psychiatrist


Abigail Shrier, author

Action Steps for Parents


Talk about feelings using everyday words like worried, sad or disappointed rather than turning every emotion into a label.


Remind your child that difficult feelings are normal and that asking for help is okay.


Encourage them to take small steps through challenging situations instead of automatically avoiding them.


Help them connect with others through family, friendships, sport, hobbies and community.


Let your child know you are there to support them, even when they have a hard day.

What if all our talk about mental health is making it harder for kids to cope with life?
Dr Justin Coulson sits down with educational and developmental psychologist Claire Rowe to unpack the rise of therapy speak, the dangers of labelling normal emotions as mental health problems, and why constantly checking in on how our kids feel might not be helping them. Discover how to support children through difficult feelings without teaching them to fear every bump in the road.
Key Points
<ul>
<li>
How therapy speak on social media is changing the way we see ourselves and others
</li>
<li>
Why labelling children as anxious or sensitive can shape their identity
</li>
<li>
When mental health labels help and when they go too far
</li>
<li>
Why taking action and helping others can be more useful than constantly focusing inward
</li>
<li>
How to build resilience without dismissing children's feelings
</li>
</ul>
Quote of the Episode
&ldquo;You can do hard things.&rdquo; Claire Rowe
Resources Mentioned
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/clarerowe_psychologist/?hl=en">Claire Rowe Psychologist on Instagram</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.roweandassociates.com.au/">Rowe and Associates,</a> Sydney
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.lucyfoulkes.co.uk/">Lucy Foulkes</a>, psychologist and researcher
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.samitimimi.co.uk/">Sami Timimi</a>, psychiatrist
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2273934/abigail-shrier/">Abigail Shrier</a>, author
</li>
</ul>
Action Steps for Parents
<ul>
<li>
Talk about feelings using everyday words like worried, sad or disappointed rather than turning every emotion into a label.
</li>
<li>
Remind your child that difficult feelings are normal and that asking for help is okay.
</li>
<li>
Encourage them to take small steps through challenging situations instead of automatically avoiding them.
</li>
<li>
Help them connect with others through family, friendships, sport, hobbies and community.
</li>
<li>
Let your child know you are there to support them, even when they have a hard day.
</li>
</ul>

Deciding which parenting advice to follow? Join the thousands of mums and dads who turn to Australia’s most downloaded parenting podcast.

Dr Justin Coulson and his wife Kylie bring real parenting solutions every day, cutting through the noise of modern advice with clear, practical guidance for every step of parenting.

From early childhood challenges to the complexities of the teenage years, each daily episode offers simple, evidence-based strategies to help you feel more confident in your decisions and more connected to your kids.

Deciding which parenting advice to follow?&nbsp;Join the thousands of mums and dads who turn to Australia&rsquo;s most downloaded parenting podcast.
Dr Justin Coulson and his wife Kylie bring real parenting solutions every day, cutting through the noise of modern advice with clear, practical guidance for every step of parenting.
From early childhood challenges to the complexities of the teenage years, each daily episode offers simple, evidence-based strategies to help you feel more confident in your decisions and more connected to your kids.

The Happy families podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now.

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Clare Rowe on the Mental Health Industrial Complex

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/85f36d52-d9d5-4bcc-8df3-b4e7007fc5fe/transcript