Parenting Shrink Wrapped
Parenting Shrink Wrapped is your all-access pass to the wild and wonderful journey of raising kids! Hosted by Dr. Melissa Wellner, a double board-certified psychiatrist and child and adolescent psychiatrist, and Samantha Straub, a licensed therapist, educator, and parenting coach, this dynamic duo brings a perfect mix of professional expertise and mom humor. With five kids between them—and thousands more they’ve supported in their professional roles—they’re here to share practical strategies and real-life stories that will help you navigate everything from tantrums to teen drama. Whether you're handling sleepless nights or the chaos of carpool, you'll find relatable advice and a good laugh along the way. Strap in, because parenting is a ride, and we're here to make it a little smoother!
Parenting Shrink Wrapped
#35 Parenting with Chronic Illness: Showing Up with Self-Compassion, Even on Hard Days with Dr. Katie Lawliss
In this powerful conversation, Sam and Melissa welcome Dr. Katie Lawliss—a licensed psychologist specializing in chronic illness and ADHD, who also lives with cystic fibrosis. Katie shares her personal journey from childhood diagnosis to becoming a health psychologist, revealing how chronic illness shaped her identity and sparked her passion for normalizing mental health care in this community. Together, they explore the unique challenges parents face when their bodies don’t cooperate: navigating fatigue and “brain fog,” coping with the unpredictability of flare-ups, and maintaining presence and connection with their children.
About Katie
Dr. Katie Lawliss is a clinical psychologist specializing in chronic illness, trauma, and ADHD. As both a therapist and a person living with a chronic illness, she brings personal insight and professional expertise to the challenges of navigating caregiving while managing health. Katie is passionate about helping others feel seen, supported, and empowered to create meaningful lives even when things feel uncertain or hard.
Resources
- Episode 25 – Shots, Swabs & Stress: Helping Kids Cope with Medical Anxiety with Dr. Missy Hendricks
Listen on Parenting Shrink Wrapped - Connect with Dr. Katie Lawliss
Website: www.drkatielawliss.com
Get expert support, fresh strategies, and a judgment-free parent community—so you can stop feeling stuck and start parenting your teen with more clarity, confidence, and connection.
You know when your kid screws up in some way, and you're sure of the lesson you want them to learn from it....but you’re not sure how to say it in a way they’ll actually hear?
Download Sam's free video guide that walks you through a simple, step-by-step process for handling these tough conversations called the L.O.V.E.D. framework.
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Dr. Melissa: Annapolis Psychiatry
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