Child Psychiatrist Gayani DeSilva helps kids cope with divorce

A child and adolescent psychiatrist, Dr. Gayani DeSilva obtained her medical training at Albany Medical College before interning at Brown University and doing a residency at Harvard. She has won numerous awards for her insights and work that includes helping children in juvenile justice centers and foster care.

“Much of that work consists of understanding the complex array of needs of adolescent and young adult criminal and violent offenders,” Gayani explained. “I work to understand the interplay between mental illness, societal factors, and interpersonal issues.”

Based on her experience and research, she has so far written two book (see below) that provide insight for parents hoping to help a depressed tweens and keep their children from suffering from addiction.

“I am dedicated to improving health and wellness of children, and also the whole family,” says the mother of a son who practices in Laguna Beach, CA. “Straight talk and practical expertise are my tools. “To understand the deeper needs of a child, a parent can better support them as they mature.”

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A Psychiatrist’s Guide: Helping Parents Reach Their Depressed Tween

Dr. DeSilva explains: In my practice as a child and adolescent psychiatrist, the parents of my patients most often ask me, What do I say to him (or her)? These are well meaning parents who care deeply for their children, but find themselves at a loss for how to begin, maintain and resolve conversations with their children who struggle with illnesses like depression, ADHD, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

Though this book focuses on how parents can converse with their children who have mental illness, the skills and tools presented in this book are applicable to parents of all children.

Parents when faced with the challenge of trying to connect with their children are frequently so focused on their child talking with them, that they miss ways to make a meaningful connection that leads to increased understanding between the parent and child. This book will help parents learn to be cognizant of childhood developmental processes and about how their child s illness impacts development. Using knowledge about neurodevelopment, psychological development, and psychiatric disorders, parents will learn how to use conversation to improve bonding, bolster their child s self-esteem, and aid their child s development.

Click here to buy the book. 


A Psychiatrist’s Guide: Stop Teen Addiction Before It Starts

Dr. DeSilva explains: “Addictive substances and activities hijack the teenage brain to create an addiction. This book demystifies addiction from a neurological and psychological perspective, explaining the way the brain changes in response to addictive stimuli and psychological factors.

The teenage brain and psyche are particularly vulnerable to developing addictions, because during the teen years, the brain is in a phase of rapid and profound development. Moreover, more than half of all suicides were with people who were intoxicated.

With a non-judgmental approach, I describe family dynamics and parenting choices that inadvertently promote the development of an addiction. Armed with knowledge about how addiction develops, I coach parents on how to optimize their parenting strategies to help their children avoid getting addicted.

Click here to buy the book.