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Good Enough Shrink

Good Enough Shrink

Written by: Dr. Jenna Cheng Dr. Patrick Kelly
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About this listen

We are child psychiatrists practicing in the Los Angeles area on a mission to demystify psychiatry and mental health. The title of this podcast is a tribute to the psychoanalyst, Donald Winnicott, and his concept of the "Good Enough Parent.” This is the idea that the imperfect but sufficient provisions of a parent will build a resilient child in an imperfect world. We want to empower children and parents to embrace their strengths and flaws, and know that you are good enough.


We want to emphasize the power of holding difficult emotions from the lens of attachment theory. Attachment theory is based on the idea that humans need a social bond with another to survive. This bond, when it is “good enough”, serves as a secure base from which a child can explore the world. When this attachment is disrupted, it can lead to emotional issues, and sometimes full-blown psychiatric disorders. This is where therapists and psychiatrists come in.


This podcast is for the curious adults, parents, family members, mental health professionals and trainees. So we hope you join us in this adventure to explore science and mental health from a developmental perspective.


© 2026 Good Enough Shrink Hygiene & Healthy Living Parenting Physical Illness & Disease Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships
Episodes
  • #30 Perinatal Mental Health - Postpartum Anxiety, Depression, OCD, Psychosis and Their Treatments

    #30 Perinatal Mental Health - Postpartum Anxiety, Depression, OCD, Psychosis and Their Treatments
    Apr 30 2026

    In this episode, we are skimming the surface of this vast and important field of perinatal mental health. Whether you are an expecting mother, father, partner, concerned family member or friend, or a mental health professional, we hope to leave you with a sense of hope that there are many options for treatment and that you are not alone.

    **Content in this podcast is not direct medical advice. Please always seek your own psychiatrist, physician, or licensed mental health professional for individually recommended treatments.**


    Topics Discussed:

    • Perinatal and Postpartum Mental Health Conditions
      • Anxiety
      • Baby Blues vs. Postpartum Depression
      • OCD
      • PTSD
      • Bipolar disorder
      • Psychosis
    • Causes of Perinatal and Postpartum Mental Health Conditions
      • Biological, psychological, and social factors
    • Treatments
      • Therapy first!!
      • SSRIs
      • Antipsychotics
      • Neurosteroids
      • TMS, ECT
    • Paternal Mental Health
    • Special Cases: Infertility, Miscarriages, NICU stays


    Resources:

    https://womensmentalhealth.org/

    https://postpartum.net/

    Lacmed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/

    https://postpartum.net/professionals/certification/


    Have questions for us, or feedback about our podcast? Send us a message!
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    59 mins
  • #29 Weathering the Storm - A Candid Discussion on Suffering

    #29 Weathering the Storm - A Candid Discussion on Suffering
    Mar 29 2026

    Hello listeners! This episode, I was inspired by conversations with my closest friends on what exactly it means to endure suffering. I wanted to demonstrate what it actually looks like to "weather the storm" or "ride the wave" as they call it. If you are typically a person who has the answers and currently at a loss, this episode is for you.

    *Trigger warning on a brief discussion of suicide

    Topics Discussed:

    • Important introduction to set the stage
    • What happens to your brain and body in chronic stress?
    • Story time
    • Processing your emotions one by one
    • Clinical depression and antidepressants


    Have questions for us, or feedback about our podcast? Send us a message!
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    20 mins
  • #28 How to Talk to Your Kids About the News

    #28 How to Talk to Your Kids About the News
    Mar 1 2026

    As we continue to see violence, political conflict, and distressing news in the world, we bring to you this episode to help guide parents on how to talk to their kids about difficult news. The physical and mental effects of high stress-states, trauma, and disasters are devastating, and we are right here figuring this out with you.

    • Core concepts to share with your kids
    • Case 1: Your 7 year-old is scared of school shootings
    • Case 2: Your 14 year-old is afraid for attacks on the LGBTQ+ community
    • Case 3: Your 20 year-old is wanting to participate in ICE protests


    Resources:

    https://www.aacap.org/aacap/Families_and_Youth/Resource_Centers/Disaster_Resource_Center/Home.aspx

    https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/disasters-and-children/?srsltid=AfmBOoo0r1lGRsII7rhW3dc2X6_bLPxh8jxYpIs5H3TDfS77dcQK0lQQ

    Have questions for us, or feedback about our podcast? Send us a message!
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
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