Episode 135: Dr. Jerry Weichman, Psychologist, Author, and Creator of the Raising Families Platform and Podcast

Written By Susie Gurley

In this episode of the Just a Mom podcast, psychologist Dr. Jerry Weichman talks about the realities of parenting teens today, the impact of social media and device addiction on mental health, and practical ways parents can create healthier boundaries at home. Dr. Jerry Weichman is a child and adolescent psychologist with over 27 years of experience working with preteens, teens, and parents. He is also the founder of the Raising Families platform, which offers free resources to help families navigate mental health, parenting, and technology challenges.. Weichman shares why he chose to work with teens and families, what he has learned from more than 27 years in practice, and how parents can better support their kids through adolescence with short, consistent, real-world conversations. This conversation is a powerful reminder that parenting requires intention, consistency, and connection. Dr. Weichman’s guidance gives parents practical steps they can use right away to reduce chaos, build trust, and help their kids develop the skills they need for life.

http://drjerryweichman.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@RaisingFamilieswithDrJW

https://www.raisingfamiliespodcast.com/

https://theweichmanclinic.com/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1435717473?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

Susie Gurley

Susie Stapp Gurley was born and raised in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. She married her college sweetheart, Dan Gurley, shortly after graduating from TCU with a degree in advertising and public relations. In her first career, Susie worked in college admissions and academic advising. Simultaneously she pursued a master’s degree from The University of Central Missouri in sociology and then worked for the Sedgwick County, KS Department of Aging as a case worker. Susie stepped away from the professional world in 1997 to become a stay-at-home mom. She spent the majority of the last 25 years as a wife, mother, and volunteer, primarily in her church and her three children’s schools and activities.

Susie became a mental health advocate after her youngest son became a teen spokesperson about his battle with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. In 2018, at the age of 15, Will founded the You Matter Festival, a music festival promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Will shared his personal mental health struggles with the 1,000-person crowd, which started his role as a local KC teen advocate for mental health. Because of Will’s involvement, Susie recorded a video #Zeroreasonswhy (https://zeroreasonswhy.org), a Kansas City area organization working to end teen suicide in the Johnson County, Kansas area. This video was viewed over 10,000 times, which was the impetus of the Just A Mom podcast. Susie decided that she needed to follow the brave trail blazed by her son and became an outspoken advocate for parents of children who struggle with mental illness. The Just a Mom podcast launched in September of 2022 and encourages parents to know that they are not alone and there is hope.

Susie served as the Executive Director of the You Matter Festival and is currently on the Friends of Johnson County Mental Health Board. Susie has grown three children, two daughters-in-law, and a son-in-law.

Next

Episode 134: Lisa Katona Smith, Mom, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, and Author