Theresa T. Nguyen, MD
Chair of Pediatrics, GBMCDr. Nguyen is a pediatrician who practices integrative medicine, a whole-person approach to healing, incorporating all aspects of lifestyle (mind-body, nutrition, sleep) in partnership with her patients and families. Dr. Nguyen graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a degree in biomedical engineering. She received her medical degree and master’s degree in health policy from New York University School of Medicine and New York University Wagner. She completed her pediatric residency and Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars fellowship at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She recently concluded a two-year fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. Dr. Nguyen has worked both as a health policy analyst as well as a clinician. She is the co-chair of the Education Committee of the Section on Integrative Medicine of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is a past co-chair of the Maryland AAP Pediatric Council. Dr. Nguyen has been with the GBMC Health Partners Pediatric Group since 2000 and is an assistant professor of pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She is passionate about integrative whole-person wellness for her patients and her physician colleagues.
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Body image pressure is no longer just affecting girls—more boys are now struggling with body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. In this episode, we discuss where these pressures come from, how they show up differently for boys and girls, and what parents can do to support healthier relationships with food and body image. -
Nutrition guidance evolves as science evolves, and that can feel overwhelming for parents who are simply trying to feed their kids well. In this episode, we unpack the recent changes to the federal food pyramid and explain what these tools are really meant to do.
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Most of parenting has very little to do with our kids. In this episode, we explore how our childhood experiences show up in moments of parenting stress, why everyday parenting moments can trigger us, and how this can lead us to respond in ways we might not intend, all through the lens of Internal Family Systems framework. This isn't another parenting style or item we need to check off the list. This episode simply offers another way of understanding ourselves, so we can parent with calm, clarity, and connection.
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We are well into January, but it's never too late to reflect. In this episode, we review key parenting themes from 2025 and share what parents should leave behind and what they should bring into 2026.
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Play is fun, but it's also how children communicate. In this episode, we are joined by psychologist and play therapy expert Dr. Rachel Altvater to explore what kids express through play and why it’s such a powerful therapeutic tool. From understanding play themes and symbolic behavior to learning why children need control, autonomy, and emotional safety, this conversation helps parents see play as a window into their child’s internal world.
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It happened; you yelled. You swore you never would, but you did. You are not alone. There isn't a parent in the world who hasn't lost their cool, and honestly, it's important you did. Repair is an essential skill for parents to learn and to model for our kids.
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Entitlement shows up in many families — whether it’s resistance to chores, frustration when things don’t go their way, or racing through Christmas gifts and asking, “Is that it?” In this episode, we break down the roots of entitlement in kids and why today’s instant gratification culture makes it even harder for them to wait, cope, and problem solve.
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Small doses of practical parenting advice based on real-life experiences. If you're wondering how much tech is too much, what counts as responsible AI use, or how to protect your child’s cognitive development in a digital world, this episode offers actionable insights straight from the research.
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The digital world can literally feel like its own world. In this episode, we discuss the importance of media and digital literacy, the benefits and risks of media, and how to protect their own safety, privacy, and sovereignty. This conversation empowers families to build safer, healthier digital habits together.
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TW: discussion of suicideIn this episode, we outline how to co-create a suicide prevention safety plan with your adolescent—what it is, what goes in it, and how to keep it accessible. Talking about suicide doesn’t put the idea in kids’ heads. Open conversations are where it starts.
