

Get on Their Turf with Dr. Suzanne Simpson
Dr. Suzanne Simpson
Are you worried about your teen’s anxiety, screen time, or emotional distance? You’re not alone. Get on Their Turf is the parenting podcast that helps you support your child’s mental health and build lasting connection. I’m Dr. Suzanne Simpson, teacher and researcher with 3 decades of experience, and biweekly I share expert interviews, parenting strategies, and real stories from my work in classrooms and a youth psychiatric unit. Episodes explore teen anxiety, depression, screen time struggles, listening without fixing, and spotting early warning signs of stress or crisis. Let’s raise kids who feel safe, seen, and heard—because connection changes everything.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 2, 2024 • 43min
Supports for Self-Harm and Suicidation: Speaking with Liz Kay
Liz Kay is a registered clinical counselor who specializes in providing therapy for self-harm and suicidal ideation. This episode is intended to assist parents whose children may be unsafe. Liz explains Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and its use as a tool for mental health support. She describes how parents can access public and private care, as well as home strategies for a child living with suicidal ideation. Episode Notes:Support teams in Vancouver area:Child and Youth Mental Health: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/child-teen-mental-healthVancouver: Foundry, Crisis and Adolescence Response Team (CART)Surrey: Foundry, Short Term Assessment Response Team (START)North Vancouver: Foundry, Youth Emergency Response Team (YERT)A great DBT app to be used alongside a therapist is: https://www.diarycard.net/ Online Family SupportParent Peer support and connection to local resources is FamilySmart: https://familysmart.ca/parent-peer-support/ DBTRU (YouTube channel): https://www.youtube.com/dbtruSashbear: https://sashbear.org/Borderline Personality Disorder Society of BC: https://www.bpdbc.ca/resourcesFind my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBWNew releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST.👉 Get the free guide "8 Ways to Get on Your Kid's Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.comConnect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsuzannesimpson/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drsuzannesimpson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566148964209Please note that the contents of this website are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinion only and have not been scientifically evaluated.

Jul 26, 2024 • 59min
Talking Death by Suicide with David and Laura Donovan
This episode is about the death of Felicity Donovan. Please note a content warning: we discuss events leading up to, during, and after her death. David and Laura Donovan offer what parents, educators, and our community can learn from the loss of their daughter. The intention of this episode is to explore what we can, collectively, do better to combat the increasing loss of loved ones due to suicide.Episode Notes:Study Reveals Most Effective School-Based Suicide Prevention Programs Evidence-Based Prevention:https://scienceblog.cincinnatichildrens.org/study-reveals-most-effective-school-based-suicide-prevention-programs/The National Suicide Prevention Action Plan (2024 to 2027):https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/national-suicide-prevention-action-plan-2024-2027.htmlFind my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBWNew releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST.👉 Get the free guide "8 Ways to Get on Your Kid's Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.comConnect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsuzannesimpson/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drsuzannesimpson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566148964209Please note that the contents of this website are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinion only and have not been scientifically evaluated.

Jul 19, 2024 • 30min
Talking Gender Diversity with Olli
This episode explores gender diversity and the LGBTQIA+ community. Olli explains his process of questioning gender, as well as his arrival to transitioning. We discuss the challenges of gender diversity, and ways our community can better support. Please note that parental permission has been given for this episode.Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBWNew releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST.👉 Get the free guide "8 Ways to Get on Your Kid's Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.comConnect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsuzannesimpson/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drsuzannesimpson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566148964209Please note that the contents of this website are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinion only and have not been scientifically evaluated.

Jul 12, 2024 • 37min
Major Depressive Disorder: Speaking with Dr. Jordan Cohen
In this episode, Dr. Cohen explains Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). He outlines diagnostic criteria, warning signs for developing depression, and various treatment options to manage MDD.Episode notes:Depression, by Kelty Mental Health: https://keltymentalhealth.ca/depression#:~:text=Call%201%2D800%2DSUICIDE%20(,Suicide%20Prevention%20and%20Intervention%20Line.Helping Your Child or Youth with Depression, by Cheo: https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/resources-and-support/resources/P4931E.pdfFind my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBWNew releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST.👉 Get the free guide "8 Ways to Get on Your Kid's Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.comConnect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsuzannesimpson/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drsuzannesimpson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566148964209Please note that the contents of this website are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinion only and have not been scientifically evaluated.

Jul 12, 2024 • 34min
Talking Depression with Darian Hooshi
This episode is about what it’s like to live with depression as a successful, outgoing, university graduate. Darian gets candid to help us understand better the lived experience of depression. We discuss how it can fester and affect life. Darian describes how he overcame his diagnosed mental health disorder and gives ways for us to support others who endure this often-hidden challenge. Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBWNew releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST.👉 Get the free guide "8 Ways to Get on Your Kid's Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.comConnect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsuzannesimpson/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drsuzannesimpson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566148964209Please note that the contents of this website are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinion only and have not been scientifically evaluated.

Jul 5, 2024 • 29min
What About the Parents? with Ruth Kelly
This episode is for parents navigating their child’s mental health challenges. Ruth Kelly talks about her journey, the scrutiny she faced from health care and educational professionals, and where she found support.Parent Support Resources from Ruth:Parent Support Resources from Ruth:Family Smart – offers BC Parent peer Support, events, workshops and education resources. The Help for the Hard Times Course is fantastic.https://familysmart.ca/ Pathways--Families Helping Families: https://pathwayssmi.org/Boundaries Family and friends Support Group for loved ones with addictions https://boundariesgroup.ca/ (nominal fee for attending)Touchstone – Community based social service agency offering programs and counselling, for Richmond and surrounding areas https://www.touchstonefamily.ca/Kelty Mental Health resource Centre – peer support and resource tools https://keltymentalhealth.ca/Foundry – BC Integrated Youth Services for youth 12-24 in BChttps://foundrybc.ca/ Province of BC Mental Virtual mental health supports https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/virtual-mental-health-supportsFind my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBWNew releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST.👉 Get the free guide "8 Ways to Get on Your Kid's Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.comConnect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsuzannesimpson/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drsuzannesimpson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566148964209Please note that the contents of this website are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinion only and have not been scientifically evaluated.

Jun 21, 2024 • 38min
Talking Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with Sophie Cummings
In this episode, Sophie and I explore Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Sophie shares her story from emerging OCD to a several-week stay at a hospital. She describes what OCD is and how it “worked” for her, as well as her best tools to not only overcome, but to live with joy in what she describes as a rat-infested, germ-laden New York City.Episode Notes:Sophie’s Instagram: @sophiecummingssFind my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBWNew releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST.👉 Get the free guide "8 Ways to Get on Your Kid's Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.comConnect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsuzannesimpson/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drsuzannesimpson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566148964209Please note that the contents of this website are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinion only and have not been scientifically evaluated.

Jun 14, 2024 • 34min
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Speaking with Dr. Jordan Cohen
Dr. Cohen and I explore Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I learn about how it is diagnosed, as well as therapeutic practices that are used to manage this mental health challenge. Dr. Cohen explains effective strategies such as exposure therapy, as well as ways that we can support loved ones faced with OCD.Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBWNew releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST.👉 Get the free guide "8 Ways to Get on Your Kid's Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.comConnect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsuzannesimpson/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drsuzannesimpson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566148964209Please note that the contents of this website are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinion only and have not been scientifically evaluated.

Jun 7, 2024 • 27min
Talking Anxiety-Parenting for Dummies with Ianna Simpson
This podcast is a candid conversation between mother and daughter. Ianna Simpson tells me what she needed as her anxiety developed from early childhood. We discuss her experience with anxiety, as well as the do’s and don'ts for parents navigating this mental health challenge with their children.Anxiety Canadahttps://www.anxietycanada.com/BC Children’s Hospital/Kelty Mental Healthhttps://keltymentalhealth.ca/anxietyFind my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBWNew releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST.👉 Get the free guide "8 Ways to Get on Your Kid's Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.comConnect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsuzannesimpson/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drsuzannesimpson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566148964209Please note that the contents of this website are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinion only and have not been scientifically evaluated.

May 31, 2024 • 29min
Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Speaking with Dr. Jordan Cohen
This episode discusses Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Dr. Cohen explains what specifically constitutes GAD, how it appears in others, and gives specific DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. We explore various tools to recovery, including talk therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy, and medications with “black box labels.” We end with his advice about tangible ways to support those who endure GAD.Find my interview playlist on YouTube Dr Suzanne Simpson, at Get On Their Turf:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC8JprFdrPA&list=PLi7xFsX7h7tdxBsVx38UIRVrvnCc_9IBWNew releases every second Monday 8:00 am PST.👉 Get the free guide "8 Ways to Get on Your Kid's Turf" at www.drsuzannesimpson.comConnect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsuzannesimpson/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuzannesimpson/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drsuzannesimpson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566148964209Please note that the contents of this website are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinion only and have not been scientifically evaluated.


