The Parentologist's Dr. Kim Van Dusen Takes on Picky Eating
Dr. Kim Van Dusen, LMFT, RPT is a mom of two and the CEO/Owner/Founder of The Parentologist, a San Diego-based family and lifestyle brand about everything parenting with a therapeutic twist. She has a Master’s in Television Broadcasting and Marital and Family Therapy as well as her Doctorate in Psychology. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Registered Play Therapist, University Professor, Public Conference Speaker, Blogger, and the Host of her own Podcast called The Parentologist Podcast! She is a writing contributor for many publications, a regular on San Diego CBS 8 morning news, and a two-time breast cancer survivor. She is currently writing her first book.
How long have you been addressing parent and child issues, such as picky eating, in San Diego?
I have been practicing therapy with children for 14 years. Early on in my therapeutic career, I found my passion in working with children and their parents. Picky eating is a behavioral concern for so many parents since it's such a common issue from toddlerhood to teenhood.
While living in San Diego, how did you decide on the name The Parentologist?
I wanted my business brand name to encompass both my personal and professional passions and achievements. Having a Doctorate in Psychology and being a parent, the Parent-Tologist was born. I coined and trademarked the term since I had an expertise in parenting and psychology and wanted a name that represented my relatability and my specialty.
What is it about your content that speaks to parents in San Diego and worldwide?
My main focus is helping parents navigate parenthood and give them tools to help their child's behavior through a play-based, solution-focused, and positive behavioral support lens. My content, whether it be a podcast, a blog, or a social media post, my goal is to break down common childhood behaviors and give practical tips that are digestible and easy to implement. Parents relate to my content because I am a mom myself and have been in the trenches and also have professional expertise to contribute. Parents reward my content due to its practicality and palatable way to parent and help their children for a more positive home environment.
You are a Registered Play Therapist. How does this training inform how you help parents and kids?
Being a play therapist is the main modality tool that helps parents and children. My training has helped me see the world through a child's eye and then in turn teach parents how to relate to their child in a way they can communicate and understand, which helps them respond more positively using very specific play-based techniques.
Picky eating is a very difficult issue. What overall tips do you have to help families as they struggle with picky eating in San Diego or elsewhere?
I would suggest that parents stay calm when their child is having any type of picky eating issue. Some of these picky eating issues are developmentally appropriate for typical children and will pass with age and or developmental or cognitive level. For other children, they might need some more extensive intervention. If a child is having chronic issues with picky eating and it's affecting their day to day life, then I recommend seeking help from a professional sooner than later. Even though there is a lingering stigma to seeking mental health and nutritional advice, parents need to advocate for their children, learn tools, and gather information on how they can help, and know that their child will be ok. The more we try to force our children to eat, shame them for not eating, etc. will only create more issues down the road around their own self worth, relationship with food, etc.
How can parents use play as a tool to help children with picky eating? I have a great blog post that parents can use as a resource, as well as an Instagram Reel I created on this topic and also a podcast episode where I interview a pediatric nutritionist on the topic of picky eating.
My biggest play-based tool is to expose a child to a variety of foods with various smells, colors, tastes, and textures so they can utilize their sensory system to explore the food. I suggest giving small portions and a buffet snack tray at mealtime so the child doesn't feel the pressure of having to eat one particular food at one particular meal time. They can always ask for seconds, but it can be overwhelming and intimidating to have too much on their plate at one time.
I also recommend pairing safe, prefered foods with unfamiliar, unpreferred foods together. Let your child pick the vegetable of the week at the grocery store with you and also have them help you in the kitchen to help you prepare it.
Most importantly, look for small wins. Let your child make small steps toward eating new and or less preferred food (like vegetables). At first they might look at it, then smell it, then lick it, then play with it (yay) and then finally, after ample and consistent exposure, they may taste it. Any and all progress is a step forward and should be recognized and praised.
Children innately want to please their caregivers, and will focus on the behavior a parent pays attention to, so if you praise them for playing and trying to explore their food instead of consequence them for not eating their entire meal (or a portion of their meal) or force them to, they will repeat that behavior. Lastly, use puppets to hand them food and feed them (or convince them to take a bite) and present food in a fun, playful way like making it into shapes or serving the food in the back of a dump truck or in a bento box or ice cube tray!
You provide such amazing resources for parents via Instagram, your podcast, speaking gigs, and your website. How can people access these resources and contact you?
The best way to access my resources is via my podcast, my blog/website, and via Instagram. I can be emailed at theparentologist@gmail.com as well. I will be starting a newsletter soon with exclusive parenting tips, giveaways, and links to my latest blogs and podcast episodes, which they can sign up directly on my website or send me a DM via Instagram and I will get them connected!
Social Media Links
https://www.instagram.com/theparentologist/
https://www.facebook.com/theparentologist
http://twitter.com/drparentologist
https://www.pinterest.com/parentologist/
Blog/Website Link
Podcast Link
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-parentologist-podcast/id1568620347
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Hey everyone, I really appreciate you reading my blog! Have a wonderful day. :)
Marianne
If you are struggling to find online eating disorder treatment with help with bulimia, binge eating or other eating disorders in San Diego, schedule a free, 15-minute phone consultation using the online scheduler (just click on the orange button), and I will help you get where you need to be!
I am also offering a class called Binge Eating 101: Redefining Your Relationship with Food and with Your Body. Registration deadline is April 5th, and it begins Tuesday, April 19th. Spots are limited so register today!
You can find more information about me on Instagram @drmariannemiller or on my Facebook page.