Ken Ginsburg is a pediatrician specializing in Adolescent Medicine at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He is the Founder and Program Director at The Center for Parent and Teen Communication. Among the Center's efforts is the comprehensive website for both parents and teens that aims to strengthen family connections. See www.parentandteen.com. He also is Director of Health Services at Covenant House Pennsylvania, where he serves Philadelphia’s homeless and marginalized youth. As an adolescent doctor, the early years of his career focused on teens’ problem behaviors. It became clear that “picking up the pieces” was not the right approach. Rather, the solution had to be in raising children prepared to thrive and equipped to make wise decisions. Recognizing this, the focus of his work shifted to supporting parents. He strives to translate the best of what is known from research and practice into practical approaches parents, professionals, and communities can use to build resilience in children and teens. Two core principles guide his approach. First, it is the healthy connection – the unwavering strong relationship — between parent and child that is the essential element that prepares a young person to thrive. Second, most behaviors we fear in adolescents are misguided attempts to cope with stress. Therefore, if we are to reduce the risk in our children’s lives, we need to equip them, starting in early childhood, to address life’s challenges in healthy ways. Dr. Ginsburg lectures widely to national and international parent and professional audiences. He is honored to work on behalf of those who serve our nation, preparing military parents and professionals to incorporate stress reduction and resilience building strategies into the lives of our nearly two million military-affiliated children. He works with Covenant House International’s sites to solidify and magnify their practice model rooted in the healing power of loving and respectful adult connections with youth. His greatest privilege is to be a husband and the father of two young adult daughters. For more information, see www.fosteringresilience.com and www.parentandteen.com.
