08/06/2026
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What does a child’s brain need to truly thrive? 🧠
🎙️ In this episode of The Child Psych Podcast, Tammy sits down with Dr. Daniel Amen — physician, double board-certified psychiatrist, founder of **Amen Clinics**, and author of *Raising Mentally Strong Kids* — for a powerful conversation about children’s brain health.
Dr. Amen explains why we need to stop separating “mental health” from brain health.
Because anxiety, ADHD, emotional dysregulation, learning, motivation, sleep, mood, and resilience are all deeply connected to the health of the brain and body.
Together, Tammy and Dr. Amen explore how everyday choices shape children’s brains — including nutrition, sleep, movement, screens, stress, connection, substances, and the environments they grow up in.
In this episode, we discuss:
▪️ Why mental health is really brain health
▪️ How brain health impacts anxiety, ADHD, mood, learning, and resilience
▪️ Why gut health matters for emotional well-being
▪️ The role of protein, healthy fats, fiber, and blood sugar regulation
▪️ How screens and social media can affect dopamine and motivation
▪️ Why delaying smartphones and setting technology boundaries matters
▪️ How sleep, movement, sunlight, and exercise support the developing brain
▪️ Why connection, listening, and attachment protect children’s mental health
▪️ How parents can build “brain reserve” and resilience in their children
▪️ Practical ways to model brain-healthy habits at home
💛 Dr. Amen reminds us that children make better choices when they understand their brains.
When kids learn to ask, “Is this good for my brain or bad for it?” they begin building the foundation for healthier choices, stronger relationships, greater resilience, and lifelong well-being.
🎧 Listen to this episode of **The Child Psych Podcast** wherever you get your podcasts.
