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.

PTSD and kids with special needs…Inclusion Fusion Library

Posted on October 25, 2013 by Dr. G

In Jolene’s presentation, she discusses six common myths and misconceptions about PTSD in children. Continue reading →

Posted in Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion Fusion, Key Ministry, PTSD | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Treating the traumatized child or teen

Posted on October 24, 2013 by Dr. G

The treatment approach with the most support in the research literature is trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT). TF-CBT has been demonstrated superior to other non-specific or non-directive therapies in kids from preschool age through adolescence. Continue reading →

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Complicated kids…teasing out the effects of trauma from mental illness

Posted on October 22, 2013 by Dr. G

One of the challenges we face in treating kids with trauma is sorting out the extent to which the symptoms leading to referral are trauma-related, or associated with some other mental health disorder in which the symptoms are totally unrelated to the trauma. Continue reading →

Posted in Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Mental Health, PTSD | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Mission Field Next Door: Mark 2:1-12

Posted on October 20, 2013 by Dr. G

When was the last time you took a chance in order to introduce a friend or a neighbor to Jesus? After all, we understand the stakes to be a lot higher. The friends were seeking to relieve their friend from the burden of ten or twenty years of paralysis. We who call ourselves Christians know the stakes are MUCH greater. Eternity is on the line! Continue reading →

Posted in Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Mental Health, Ministry Environments, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bridging the Gap Can Be Fun and Not Scary…Inclusion Fusion Library

Posted on October 18, 2013 by Dr. G

In Marie’s presentation from Inclusion Fusion 2012, she shares creative ways that churches…and the most fearful, inexperienced volunteer in the church-can serve kids with special needs and their families using fun, meaningful outreach opportunities. Continue reading →

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When do the effects of trauma cross the line into PTSD?

Posted on October 16, 2013 by Dr. G

Kids with PTSD are more likely to have Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Separation Anxiety Disorder, males with PTSD are more likely to have concomitant substance use disorders and Conduct Disorder, with depressive, bipolar, anxiety and substance use disorders occurring more commonly among adults with PTSD. Continue reading →

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Meet me at St. Mark’s Findlay THIS SUNDAY!

Posted on October 15, 2013 by Dr. G

We’ll talk about the functional impairments associated with ADHD, anxiety disorders and Asperger’s Disorder in children and teens, and share practical ideas for addressing the challenges each condition poses to “doing church” for the affected kids and their families. Continue reading →

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Our Broken Mental Health System…a diagnosis

Posted on October 13, 2013 by Dr. G

Here’s a formulation as to why our mental health system in the U.S. is failing so many of the families it was created to serve.
Continue reading →

Posted in Controversies, Families, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Sticks and Stones, Clicks and Phones: Solutions for Preventing Bullying at Church…Inclusion Fusion Library

Posted on October 11, 2013 by Dr. G

In her presentation for Inclusion Fusion 2012, Katie tackled the issue of bullying…and focused on bullying prevention. Pastors, KidMin leaders and volunteers need to know how to proactively prevent bullying, because sadly, this kind of behavior can—and does—occur in churches, too. In this presentation, she shared some practical strategies that can change the social culture of Sunday mornings.
Continue reading →

Posted in Controversies, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Inclusion Fusion, Key Ministry, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Why it’s so hard to assess kids for the potential effects of trauma

Posted on October 9, 2013 by Dr. G

Here are some of the reasons why it’s so difficult to get a good handle on the extent to which a child has been impacted by trauma… Continue reading →

Posted in Controversies, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, PTSD | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment