They cover the difference between identity and self-concept, how labels help or hurt a child’s confidence, social media’s role in connection and comparison, and how to stay supportive when a child’s identity doesn’t match what a parent expected. John also shares what to do when caregivers don’t agree, and what he wishes more parents understood about a process that’s rarely linear. 

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In Part One, Britt opened up about losing her sister to suicide and the grief that followed. This episode widens the lens: they're joined by Tina Maltese Gio, LCSW, Senior Director of Child and Adolescent Programs at Compass Health Center, Northbrook, for a broader conversation on what suicide prevention looks like for children, teens, and families. 

In this episode, they cover: 

• How to recognize when a child or teen may be struggling 
• How to have a direct, caring conversation about suicide 
• How families can support one another through crisis and recovery 
• How to support a loved one grieving a suicide loss 

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, or a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.  

If there is an immediate danger or medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. 

Parent Resource Guide: https://hubs.ly/Q04xgXqC0

This June marked ten years since host Britt Teasdale's eldest sister, Kat, died by suicide. In this episode, Britt shares a personal reflection on that loss, and sits down with co-host Beth Hope, LCSW, to talk about grief, memory, and what it means to hold space for someone's whole life, not just the way it ended.

In this episode, they discuss:

• What it's like to carry grief from suicide loss, and how that grief can shift over time
• What helped and what didn't help Britt cope after her sister's death
• How families can talk with children about suicide loss
• Ways to honor and remember someone whose life was so much more than how they died

This episode includes conversations about suicide, suicidal thoughts, and suicide loss. Please take care of yourself as you listen, and feel free to pause or step away if you need to. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.

In this episode of You Only Know What You Know, hosts Beth Hope, LCSW, and Britt Teasdale are joined by Dr. Alex Timchak, Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist, and Regional Medical Director, to discuss how medication decisions are made, when psychiatric care may be appropriate, and how medication can work alongside therapy and other mental health supports. They also explore common concerns about side effects, dependency, and long-term use, while explaining how progress is monitored throughout treatment. 

If you've been wondering how medication fits into your child's treatment, this episode offers an honest look at how psychiatrists approach these decisions and what families can expect along the way. 

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Beth, Britt, and Heather break down how parental burnout differs from anxiety or depression, including the early emotional, physical, and relational signs to watch for. They also tackle unequal household responsibilities, boundary-setting in a culture that demands more from parents than ever, and how patterns like accommodation can keep family stress cycles going—along with practical strategies to help parents protect their energy and make changes that actually stick. 

Meet the Guest: Heather Katz, LCSW 

Heather is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over twenty years of experience providing therapeutic services to children, teens, and adults. She supports individuals and families facing a wide range of challenges, including depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Heather has developed deep expertise in trauma, PTSD, and relationship-based harm — including teen dating violence and intimate partner abuse. Her work has also included facilitating support groups for both survivors and perpetrators of abuse, working with military service members and their families, and leading trainings on domestic violence and family maltreatment. 

In this episode, Beth and Britt sit down with Katie Torres, LCSW, to explore what OCD looks like inside a family system — from the child experiencing it to the siblings who witness it and the parents trying to navigate it all. Katie brings sixteen years of clinical expertise and the grounded perspective of a mom of three to this essential conversation. 

In this episode, Beth and Britt sit down with Melissa Blitz, M.Ed., LCPC, Director, Center of Excellence and Greta Holt, LCSW, Principal Family Therapist, to explore what it means to parent at the edge of autonomy when a young adult is struggling with their mental health. Together, they talk about how to stay connected without overstepping, how to express concern without damaging trust, and what support looks like when you’re no longer in control of the decisions.

The conversation also addresses a growing concern many families describe as “failure to launch.” Listeners will hear why today’s path to independence often looks different than it did in previous generations.

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In this episode, Beth Hope and Britt Teasdale sit down with Adam Honecker, LCSW, Director of Compass Health Center’s Adolescent PHP and IOP Programs in Chicago, to explore what’s happening beneath the surface when school starts to feel impossible.

Together, they unpack the different reasons kids and teens may avoid school — including anxiety, social pressure, perfectionism, burnout, and the need for safety and connection — and how parents can begin to respond with understanding instead of fear.

Throughout the conversation, they discuss how school avoidance can show up differently across ages, why physical symptoms like headaches and stomachaches are often part of the picture, and practical ways families can support their child while building resilience and maintaining their own mental health.

In this conversation, Beth Hope and Britt Teasdale sit down with Dr. Rachael Levine, Ph.D., LCP, the Director of Young Child Programs & Center of Excellence at Compass Health Center, to move the conversation away from fear and toward clarity.

Together, they explore what we know about screen use, why it’s so hard for kids (and adults) to unplug, and how families can focus less on perfect limits and more on balance, awareness, and connection.

Learn More About Compass Health Center

Together, they explore what today’s teens are really struggling with—from chronic overwhelm and emotional dysregulation to the pressure of constant connection—and why it can be so hard for parents to know what’s “normal” versus what may signal a need for support. Drawing from decades of clinical experience and their own perspectives as parents, David and Claudia help demystify the mental health landscape, offering clarity without alarm and guidance without fear-based messaging. 

This episode addresses the questions parents are asking every day: How do I know when to step in? Who should my child talk to? How do I balance resilience and support? And how can I stay grounded when everything feels urgent? 

Whether your teen is thriving, struggling, or somewhere in between, this conversation offers reassurance, perspective, and practical insight—reminding parents that noticing, staying curious, and showing up matter more than having all the answers. 

Learn More About Compass Health Center

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