Author Archives: Dr. G

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About Dr. G

Dr. Stephen Grcevich serves as President and Founder of Key Ministry, a non-profit organization providing free training, consultation, resources and support to help churches serve families of children with disabilities. Dr. Grcevich is a graduate of Northeastern Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), trained in General Psychiatry at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at University Hospitals of Cleveland/Case Western Reserve University. He is a faculty member in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at two medical schools, leads a group practice in suburban Cleveland (Family Center by the Falls), and continues to be involved in research evaluating the safety and effectiveness of medications prescribed to children for ADHD, anxiety and depression. He is a past recipient of the Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Dr. Grcevich was recently recognized by Sharecare as one of the top ten online influencers in children’s mental health. His blog for Key Ministry, www.church4everychild.org was ranked fourth among the top 100 children's ministry blogs in 2015 by Ministry to Children.

Too much visual stimulation may be bad for most kids…

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Dr. G

The research describing the impact of environment upon learning in children offers one of the best examples of how churches can take concrete steps to become more welcoming to all families (especially those with children who struggle with attentional regulation or sensory processing) and more effective during the limited time they have to influence kids without having to develop a stand-alone ministry “program” or requiring families to self-identify their kids with disabilities. Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Autism, Resources, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ed Stetzer is dead-on about mental illness and Christians…now what?

Posted on June 8, 2014 by Dr. G

Sadly, I can’t help but conclude that in our desire as church to avoid the influence of anti-Biblical worldviews foundational to some treatment orientations employed in the mental health community and worldviews held by the vast preponderance of mental health practitioners…we’ve forgotten to love the people experiencing mental illness and contributed to needless suffering by millions of Christ followers and their families.
Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Controversies, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Why would they want to come to church?

Posted on June 3, 2014 by Dr. G

What would draw a family to church for whom church wasn’t part of their upbringing… especially when they have to overcome the complications of attending church with a child with a disability? Continue reading →

Posted in Key Ministry, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Want to be a online worship host?

Posted on May 29, 2014 by Dr. G

Worship hosts play a critical role at Front Door. Continue reading →

Posted in Key Ministry, Strategies, Training Events | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Observations from a Christian Psychiatrist…Elliot Rodger and the Santa Barbara Killings

Posted on May 25, 2014 by Dr. G

We know that vulnerable kids experience enormous harm from harsh words and bullying, and our schools and institutions have appropriately taken steps to protect them. But what about protecting vulnerable kids from the impact of the highly sexualized culture in which we live? I’ve treated a number of kids in recent years who exhibit the effects of trauma resulting from exposure to sexual material or situations fairly common to daily life.
Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Anxiety Disorders, Autism, Controversies, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Treatment doesn’t eliminate the need for ongoing support…

Posted on May 22, 2014 by Dr. G

Clearly, good treatment can help the vast majority of kids and families impacted by mental illness. But treatment doesn’t always work as well as we would hope in the fallen, messed-up world we live in. And families need our support through every step of their journey. Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Advocacy, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Families, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Families impacted by mental illness crave support from their church…

Posted on May 20, 2014 by Dr. G

The study points out a crying need on the part of families impacted by mental illness for help and support through their local church to facilitate inclusion and spiritual growth. Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Spiritual Development | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Why are thousands of toddlers receiving ADHD medication?

Posted on May 18, 2014 by Dr. G

Why would a two or three year old NEED medication for ADHD?
Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Advocacy, Families, Key Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Putting the pieces together…Guest blogger Kathleen Bolduc

Posted on May 15, 2014 by Dr. G

Where do we go for solace? For rest and refreshment? For an infilling of joy? We know where to find those things for our kids, but where do we find them for ourselves? Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Parents, Resources, Stories, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

If churches knew how many people mental illness impacts, they’d be more interested in reaching them

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Dr. G

The segment of the population impacted by disability, especially families impacted by mental illness, trauma and developmental disabilities, would in my mind represent the ultimate “low-hanging fruit” for local churches Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Mental Health, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments