Helping kids understand how their brain works: An Interview with Dr. Crystal Collier

About this episode

Janine Halloran interviews Dr. Crystal Collier about understanding brain development and reducing high risk behaviors in children.

As parents, we are concerned that our kids and teens may engage in high risk behaviors as they grow up. How can we, as parents, encourage our children away from engaging in these high risk behaviors? Or, if they are already doing any of these behaviors, how can we encourage them to stop them? In today’s episode Janine and Dr Collier discuss: Dr. Collier’s work in addiction and adolescence development How your brain can change and the affect you can have on your reactions How parents can reduce high risk behavior How to keep lines of communication open between parent and child Chatting with your child with framework, ‘We feel, we deal and we trust.’ Finding coping skills and strategies How Dr Collier likes to rest and relax And remember, do not forget about yourself, take a few minutes for you and have a little fun! About The Guest - Dr. Crystal Collier Dr. Crystal Collier, LPC-S, herself a person in long-term recovery, is a therapist and educator whose comprehensive prevention model, which teaches the neurodevelopmental effects of risky behavior to students, school staff, and families, was selected for the Prevention and Education Commendation from the National Council on…

People in this episode

Hosts: Janine Halloran, Janine

Guest: Dr Crystal Collier

Topics covered

• brain development
• high risk behaviors
• parenting
• communication
• coping skills

Keywords

• addiction
• adolescence
• neurodevelopment
• communication strategies

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: the Prevention and Education Commendation, the Torch Bearer Award, Coping Skills for Kids

More episodes of Calm and Connected Podcast

• Episode #188: Helpful Equations To Connect with and Support Kids: An interview with Sonali Vongchusiri · December 11, 2025 · 34 min
• Supporting teen emotional regulation while staying connected: An interview with Ronnie Vehemente · November 20, 2025 · 26 min
• Cooking as a Way to Connect: An Interview with Amy Nesbitt · November 6, 2025 · 23 min
• Exploring and Understanding a Child’s Sensory Systems with Sarah Collins · October 9, 2025 · 28 min
• Coping Skills Practice: Processing · August 21, 2025 · 4 min
• Coping Skills Practice: Movement · August 7, 2025 · 4 min