Hard Conversations with Kids: Navigating Grief and Loss- Dr. Elena Lister & Dr. Michael Schwartzman

Elena Lister, MD, and Michael Schwartzman, PhD are co-authors of the book “Giving Hope: Conversations with Children about Illness, Death, and Loss”, a guide to help parents have tough conversations with their children regarding heavy topics. The two met when Dr. Lister was called to be a grief consultant at the school where Dr. Schwartzman was serving as a consulting psychologist. After meeting, they began to combine their years of experience to create a book together. Dr. Lister has been a child psychiatrist for over 35 years. She began advocating for families who are navigating death and loss after losing her own daughter to leukemia. Dr. Lister is also the author of the book “I Will Remember You”, which helps adolescents work through their emotions when dealing with the death of a loved one. Dr. Schwartzman helps children, adults, and couples through his private practice in New York. The two authors combine their expertise to share resources and tools for families to have real and honest conversations on loss.
In today’s episode of Conversations on Healing, host Shay Beider talks with Dr. Lister and Dr. Schwartzman as they share how their professional paths crossed, leading to the creation of the book “Giving Hope.” They explain the importance of telling children the truth regarding death and how this can be used as an opportunity for children to increase trust and feel safe. They explain how to begin these conversations in order to create an open and continuous dialogue. Dr. Lister explains some of our cultural influences and how they create a stigma around the natural phenomenon of death and dying. Working through this conversation with children allows them to be able to move through their grief and grow personal resilience. Additionally, the guests offer advice on how to navigate the difficult conversation of suicide with children and how to handle their tough questions. This episode offers a plethora of advice and tools for parents and families who might be experiencing some of life’s most difficult moments.

Listen to the complete episode by clicking the player above. Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing

Show Notes:
Read their book: “Giving Hope” here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/678233/giving-hope-by-elena-lister-md-and-michael-schwartzman-phd-with-lindsey-tate/
Check out the book: “Armfuls of Time: The Psychological Experience of the Child”: https://www.amazon.com/Armfuls-Time-Psychological-Experience-Life-Threatening/dp/0822955652
Read Dr. Schwartzman’s book: “The Anxious Parent”:https://michaelschwartzmanphd.com/author/#for-parents
Find “I Will Remember You: What to do When Someone You Love Dies” by Dr. Lister: https://www.betterworldbooks.com/product/detail/I-Will-Remember-You-9780439139618



This podcast was created by Integrative Touch, which is working to change the way people experience healthcare. A leader in the field of pediatric integrative medicine, the organization supports families whose children have any type of special health or medical need. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. The organization reaches thousands of people each year in hospitals and communities and offers unique Telehealth programs to families and healthcare providers during this challenging time. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, individuals are able to receive wellness education and integrative medical services at little or no cost

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