Jennifer Kozek: Healing From Within- Understanding Inflammation and How It Affects Mental Health

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Today, we're tackling a subject that's often misunderstood and downright frightening for parents: PANDAS, or Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal. Yep, it's a mouthful, but trust me, understanding it could make a world of difference for your child.

Our special guest today is Jennifer Kozek, a licensed clinical social worker and a mom who's intimately familiar with PANDAS because both of her children have been diagnosed with it. Jennifer's journey is not just about the challenges she faced, but also about the solutions she discovered along the way.

So, what exactly is PANDAS? How does it affect our kids, and most importantly, how can we help them? Jennifer's story sheds light on these questions as she shares her experiences navigating the medical maze to find answers for her family.

One thing Jen discovered early on is that traditional Western medicine wasn't cutting it for her kids. They deserved more, and she was determined to find it. That determination led her to integrative medicine and holistic therapies, where she finally found some relief for her children.

But here's the kicker: Jennifer's research didn't just stop at PANDAS. She uncovered a common thread linking inflammation to many modern-day disorders, including PANDAS, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, and more. It's eye-opening information!

So, grab your notebooks because this episode is jam-packed with invaluable insights and practical tips on how to reduce inflammation and provide comfort to our precious little ones who are grappling with not just PANDAS, but a whole host of mental health challenges.

Stay tuned, because this conversation is about to get real, and it just might change the way you approach your child's health forever. Let's dive in!

BIO:
Jennifer Giustra-Kozek, LPC, NCC is a mother, wife, board-certified psychotherapist and internationally recognized blogger, advocate and national speaker. Jennifer has seen the anxiety and the autism epidemic unfold in her private practice and has watched the harmful impact of medication on many young clients. The ADHD epidemic turned personal when Jennifer’s young son was diagnosed. She plunged into the world of safe and natural healing modalities outside of the pharmaceutical model. She is the author of a five-time award winning book - Healing Without Hurting: Treating ADHD, Apraxia, and Autism Spectrum Disorders Naturally and Effectively without Harmful Medication. And, has also co-authored a book titled, Brain Under Attack: A Resource for Parents of Children with PANS/PANDAS. She has been featured in the HEAL documentary, on many podcasts, news stories and her articles appear in many publications. Jennifer consults and blogs with thousands of moms through social media to teach them about alternative and natural solutions. To receive more info on how you and your family can overcome ADHD, apraxia, anxiety and more without medication visit Jennifer’s website.

RESOURCES/ REFERENCES:
IG @Healingwithouthurting
facebook.com/onyourpathtohealing
Books:
Healing without Hurting Jennifer Giustra-Kozek
Brain Under Attack Beth Lambert MA, Contributor Jennifer Kozek
Dirty Genes Ben Lynch ND

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their specific situations.