Back to top

Our mental health experts speak to the short- and long- term effects of the drastic levels of adversity, uncertainty and grief children and adolescents have faced since the pandemic began.

Ariel Horvitz, Psy.D.
• 
Jocelyn McDonnell, M.A., LCPC, NCC
• May 26, 2022

Earlier this year, the nation's leading experts in pediatric health declared the mental health crisis among children so dire that it has become a national emergency.  It also prompted an influential group of experts to recommend for the first time, screening all children ages 8 to 18 for anxiety. If left untreated, reports show that those who develop anxiety at a young age are at an increased risk for substance misuse, adult anxiety, and depression. 

As a result, we have put together a panel of mental health experts, including Ariel Horovitz, Psy.D, Jocelyn McDonnell, M.A., LCPC, NCC and Alejandra Cardenas Oliveros, M.A., LCPC that can speak to the short-term and long-term effects the last two years have had on our children of all ages. 

Please note that additional resources and answers to questions that were brought up during the discussion will be forthcoming. 

Ariel Horvitz, Psy.D.

Therapist
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Team

Dr. Horvitz received her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Studies. Her background is working with children, teens, families and parents. She has also worked with adult clients regarding emerging adulthood stress and new parent concerns.

Jocelyn McDonnell, M.A., LCPC, NCC

Therapist
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Team
Ms. McDonnell (she/her) earned her Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. With a passion for a working therapeutic alliance that helps clients feel empowered, she completed her Master of Arts in Counseling at The Family Institute at Northwestern University. In her practice, Ms. McDonnell specializes in the use of CBT and ERP and enjoys helping clients explore how their thoughts, behaviors and feelings are interconnected.