Managing mental health between specialist visits, with Elizabeth Reichert, PhD

As youth mental health remains one of the top concerns among the pediatric population, pediatricians are in a critical position to support emotional check-ins and guide families toward meaningful connection. Elizabeth Reichert, PhD, a pediatric and adolescent psychologist at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health and codirector of the Stanford Parenting Center, emphasized the power of small, intentional interactions, including those that do not include devices or cell phones.

"When the phone is away, it allows space and time for other opportunities and ways to connect," said Reichert. "Even just 5 minutes of one-on-one time, whether it's preparing dinner together or taking the dog for a walk, can be so powerful in creating space and warmth and love and connectedness between the parent and child."

Reichert, who previously highlighted signs that children may be struggling emotionally in an earlier discussion—including sleep disruptions, withdrawal, or increased reassurance seeking—now turns our attention to what pediatricians can do in the examination room to foster emotional well-being.

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She noted that pediatricians see children more frequently than many mental health professionals, especially during sick visits. That frequent access, she said, creates a natural opportunity for pediatricians to check in with both children and parents using open-ended questions.

"Approaching the conversation with curiosity and a nonjudgmental approach is going to be really powerful," Reichert said. "The moment a child feels like they're being judged or questioned in some way…that has a tendency to [make them shut down]."

She encouraged pediatricians to use validation as a tool in these conversations, saying "validation is not necessarily agreeing with a child but just acknowledging that what it is is real, it's valid, and it's OK," said Reichert. Phrases such as "I can tell that this is really hard for you right now" or "That sounded like a really scary thing you saw on TV" can help children feel understood.

Reichert also recommended normalizing emotional challenges and reinforcing that children are not alone. Highlighting resources such as a school counselor, therapist, or the pediatrician themselves can plant a seed that help is available.

She concluded by pointing providers to the Stanford Parenting Center, which offers free online tools for parents and caregivers. "We try to offer...actionable tools that they can use to help support the emotional well-being of their kids."