Dr. Marcie Faust is the Principal of South Park Elementary School, where she leads a team dedicated to fostering innovative teaching practices and supporting student well-being in Deerfield, Illinois. In her role, she creates learning environments to empower, support, and prepare students for the future. Dr. Faust also has experience as an early childhood program director, director of innovative learning, classroom teacher, and technology coach.

Kids are growing up in a world filled with more uncertainty, stimulation, and pressure than ever before. Many parents instinctively try to smooth every bump in the road, but what if those tough moments are exactly what children need to grow stronger? How do we know when to step in and when to step back?

According to Dr. Marcie Faust, an educational leader who spends her days supporting students and guiding families, the answer starts with letting children sit with their discomfort. Drawing from her experience working closely with both students and parents, she explains that children build resilience when adults offer a calm presence and thoughtful coaching rather than fixing problems for them. Her "power of the pause" approach encourages parents to resist the urge to rescue and instead model steady reassurance. In her view, these everyday moments lay the groundwork for emotional regulation and confidence that lasts far beyond elementary school.

In this episode of The Coping Podcast, Dr. Leigh Weisz is joined by Dr. Marcie Faust, Principal of South Park Elementary School, to discuss helping children build resilience through discomfort. They explore how parents can practice pausing, how letting kids handle small challenges strengthens emotional regulation, and the importance of fostering independence at home and school. Dr. Faust also shares advice on navigating peer conflict without over-involvement.

Jaime Monaco, LCPC, and Rivka Benjamin, LCSW, are Co-founders and Therapists at Enso Wellness Centers in Northbrook, a mental health program specializing in partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) care for children and adolescents. Under their leadership, Enso Wellness has become known for its collaborative, wraparound approach involving families, schools, and providers. Jaime has over a decade of experience in CBT, SPACE, parent coaching, and behavioral interventions, while Rivka began her career as a school-based mental health counselor.

When a child is overwhelmed, it can feel like the whole family is holding its breath. Behaviors that look confusing on the surface often reflect moments when kids simply don't have the right tools yet. What does it take to help them feel capable again?

The answer, according to child therapists Jaime Monaco and Rivka Benjamin, starts with practical skills kids can use in the moments when they feel anxious, frustrated, or out of control. They explain that progress isn't built in a quiet office but in everyday situations that trigger stress. For Jaime, exposing kids to those real-life challenges in a safe environment reveals what skills they actually need, not just the ones they can recite. Rivka believes that true growth comes from collaborative support where therapists, parents, and schools all reinforce the same expectations. With the right support, meaningful change is possible.

In this episode of The Coping Podcast, Dr. Leigh Weisz is joined by Jaime Monaco, LCPC, and Rivka Benjamin, LCSW, Co-founders of Enso Wellness Centers, to discuss helping kids build skills that truly work in real-life situations. They explore how to identify triggers, practice coping tools through exposure, and reduce unhelpful accommodations at home. Jaime and Rivka also give advice on collaborating effectively with schools and providers.

Andrew Fishman is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and the Owner of Video Game Health, a platform that helps parents and adolescents understand and manage the impact of video games on mental health. He works with teens and young adults in individual, family, and group therapy on balancing gaming habits and promoting overall well-being. Andrew is certified by the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board for treating video game addiction.

Is your child's love for video games a harmless pastime or a sign of something more serious? Many parents struggle to know when gaming is simply a fun social activity and when it crosses the line into unhealthy territory. How can you recognize the difference and guide your child toward balance?

According to Andrew Fishman, a licensed clinical social worker specializing in gaming and mental health, most kids who play video games are not at risk for addiction and enjoy the same level of life satisfaction as non-gamers. Concerns arise when gaming becomes a coping mechanism for depression or when kids want to stop but feel they can't. Recognizing the difference between normal teenage power struggles and signs of true addiction is key to protecting mental health and relationships. Andrew also highlights the importance of creating real-world connections and teaching emotional regulation.

In this episode of The Coping Podcast, Dr. Leigh Weisz sits down with Andrew Fishman, Owner of Video Game Health, to talk about how parents can identify gaming addiction versus healthy gaming. They discuss warning signs such as withdrawal symptoms and a loss of interest in other activities, how to set practical boundaries, and why online gaming can be a positive social outlet. Andrew also shares strategies for building emotional regulation and balance in kids' lives.