Most gifted and talented kids have super intense feelings. As parents and caregivers, how can we help them with this and stay tuned-in to what’s going on with them emotionally and socially? Paying attention to their emotional intensity is critical.

For this episode in our emotional health series, I’m talking with Dr. Matt Zakreski, a psychologist and expert on giftedness and neurodiversity. He has a deep passion for helping gifted and talented kids manage their thoughts, feelings, and actions. Hit play to hear our conversation about: 

• What makes gifted and talented kids’ brains unique [02:17];
• How we, as parents, can help them regulate their emotional intensity for healthy and positive growth [09:16];
• Strategies for managing emotional disruptions that happen in public [10:54]; and
• Advice for helping gifted and talented teens manage their emotional development. [14:56]

Don’t miss Today’s Takeaways! 

Listen all the way to the end of the episode for three tips to help ensure your gifted and talented kids survive and thrive in their emotional development. 

Links and Resources 

• Check out the video version of this episode on the Gifted Minds YouTube channel.
• Visit Dr. Matt’s Facebook page for a dose of mental health advocacy and humor.
• Learn more about GT School, an online program that helps gifted and talented kids supercharge their academics.

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About Dr. Matt Zakreski

Matthew Zakreski, PsyD (Dr. Matt) is a high energy, creative clinician who specializes in working with children, adolescents, and their families to provide therapy and psychological evaluations. He is a researcher and author on giftedness, and thrives in supporting young people in understanding, developing, and celebrating their unique brains and ways of operating in their world. He received BAs in Psychology & Communications at Wake Forest University and assisted with research at Harvard Psychophysiology Lab at the Harvard University Business School before attending graduate school at Widener University, where he earned his Doctorate in Psychology (PsyD) from the Institute of Graduate Clinical Psychology. 

Podcast Credits

• Executive Producer and Host: MacKenzie Price
• Executive Producer: Lindsay Grubb, TillCo Media 
• Senior Producer: Amanda Avery
• Senior Editor: Alisa Jenkins, Springboard Marketing
• Marketing: Patrick Harrell 
• Video Production/Editing: Kevin Smith, Picturebox Productions
• Music Producer: Dyami Wilson