Shiloh Sevin’s well-being improves thanks to her psychologist and the Calm app.
When Shiloh Sevin was 9 years old, she started having panic attacks while at sleepovers with friends.
Her parents had divorced when she was younger, and the stress became overwhelming.
She had trouble breathing during school and found herself constantly fidgeting. Soon, her symptoms began occurring daily.
Sevin often needed to take breaks from her 4th grade class to visit the nurse’s office.
Sevin’s mother, Hope Sanders, sought therapy for her daughter.
Sevin began sessions with Alana K. Miller-Clayton, PhD, a psychologist for Kaiser Permanente in Atlanta.
Miller-Clayton taught Sevin breathing exercises and stress management techniques, and introduced her to the Calm app.
Calm is a sleep and meditation app that can lower stress and anxiety.
“The app can be an extension of therapy,” Miller-Clayton said. “The Calm app, along with therapy, can provide kids support and structure when practicing their coping skills, allowing them to feel more comfortable.”
The app is available to Kaiser Permanente members at no extra cost. Members 13 and older can download and use it on their own. Younger members may use it under the supervision of a clinician. Sanders accessed the Calm app through kp.org and started using it with her daughter.
The sleep stories and calming techniques within the Calm Kids section helped Sevin manage her anxious feelings. She used the short meditation exercises when she felt overwhelmed. And she said using the app helped her deal with her parents’ divorce and social interactions at school.
“The Calm app has different types of exercises,” Sevin said. “They are easy to click through. They helped me get back into breathing. Even if I wasn’t having an anxiety attack, it helped me fall asleep. The sleep and meditation exercises calmed me down.”
Sanders said she was happy her daughter benefited from Miller-Clayton’s guidance and the Calm app.
“Having her talk to somebody unbiased about what she’s feeling has been really good, and being able to stay with the same therapist for all this time has been amazing,” Sanders said.
The Calm app, along with therapy, can provide kids support and structure when practicing their coping skills, allowing them to feel more comfortable. Alana K. Miller-Clayton, PhD
With therapy and the Calm app, Sevin’s mental health and wellness improved.
At 12 years old and in 7th grade, her anxiety and stress symptoms lessened. She no longer uses the stress management techniques she learned every day. But they still come in handy in stressful situations and when she has trouble sleeping.
“I used to use the app daily to calm down. Now, I don’t think about it unless I can’t sleep or I need help with deep breathing,” Sevin said.
Sanders mentioned that learning to cope with stress has allowed Sevin to get back to being herself. She’s a smart and responsible girl who loves to cheer and help at home with her younger brother.
Sevin still sees Miller-Clayton for continued support.
“I hope other therapists recommend the Calm app,” Sanders said. “It’s a great tool.”
Learn more about youth mental health and self-care apps for your everyday life.
An expert’s insights on the changing mental health landscape, its impact …
Endless bad news is just one fingertip away online. One Kaiser Permanente …
If you're rethinking your habits, here are some questions to keep in mind.
Primary care teams can make a big difference in their patients’ lives, …
A lifelong educator seeks behavioral health care to manage repetitive worries, …
After a long period of loneliness and isolation, Roberta Maguire gets the …
Young people face growing pressures from social media, school, and other …
A Ventura County community-based nonprofit provides counselors to help …
Connecting through a shared heritage gives one therapist a unique perspective …
Policy changes are crucial for better opioid addiction treatment.
Shannon Parkin survived 7 suicide attempts. She shares her story of hope …
Our investment in the Watts neighborhood of California, in partnership …
The Kaiser Permanente Colorado Health Action Summit gathered nonprofits, …
A Kaiser Permanente doctor shares key details. By learning more about autism, …
Funding from Kaiser Permanente in Washington helps to promote mental health, …
Behavioral health consultants can provide a better understanding of often …
Feeling emotional or overwhelmed after a new baby’s arrival? You’re not …
After a lifetime of feeling isolated, Moth Wygal finds connection thanks …
Naomi Girma, a sports ambassador for Kaiser Permanente, is passionate about …
One in 5 people experience depression, anxiety, or other mental health …
Gabriel Abarca had no hope for his future. Then the team at Kaiser Permanente …
The Kaiser Permanente Watts Counseling and Learning Center started as a …
Kaiser Permanente supports the ballot measure to expand and improve mental …
You have only one heart. ‘Prescribe’ yourself a few changes to help protect …
Kaiser Permanente opens medical offices and a new home for the Watts Counselin …
Supporting behavioral and mental health in communities where needs are …
Grateful for compassionate and successful Hodgkin lymphoma treatment at …
Better public policies can help address the challenges. We encourage policymak …
There aren’t enough mental health professionals in the U.S. to meet the …
We offer housing-related legal help to prevent evictions and remove barriers …
Pavan Somusetty, MD, explains how people who need support and guidance …
Six steps help you prep for winter trips.
A child and adolescent psychiatrist shares tips on supporting your child …
Kaiser Permanente’s partnership with Fontana Unified School District brings …
Use biofeedback to help manage stress.
Former Major League Baseball player Drew Robinson shares his story of hope …
San Diego Wave Fútbol Club star defender Naomi Girma, Kaiser Permanente …
Our clinicians help patients get the care they need to move forward with …
Kaiser Permanente increases access to mental health services in Southern …
Expanding access to high-quality mental health services
These tips from Don Mordecai, MD, Kaiser Permanente’s national mental health …
Learn how lifestyle medicine is part of cancer care at Kaiser Permanente.
Many people with cancer experience depression and anxiety. Mental health …
Unique challenges and societal pressures can impact men’s emotional well-being …
Kaiser Permanente and the San Diego Wave Fútbol Club host a second Wave …
Kaiser Permanente is here to help with care and valuable tools to support …
Take time to adjust to a new baby and lifestyle changes — and reach out …
Shared experience helps young people in Oregon build confidence for their …
Creating a healthy relationship with social media can help safeguard the …
A Kaiser Permanente member shares his personal journey of navigating bipolar …
Changing my career and becoming a therapist revealed ways our country can …
Susan Sandhu struggled to find meaning in her life after an injury forced …
Trauma-informed outreach efforts in Orange County are being recognized …
Expanded access to high-quality, affordable mental health care supports …
Child psychiatrist defines anxiety, its symptoms, how to address it, and …
Kaiser Permanente’s partnership with Special Olympics Southern California …
Treatment for bipolar disorder and opiate addiction helps a Kaiser Permanente …
Southern California psychiatrist offers practical advice for parents to …
Kaiser Permanente in Southern California partners with San Diego Wave Fútbol …
Kaiser Permanente provides members with convenient ways to improve their …
A sleep expert shares 4 practical tips for coping with the time shift and …
Project Nurture in Portland, Oregon, provides treatment and a path forward …
Expert shares 5 valuable tips for parents and guardians to help children …
Valerie Dionne wins our 2023 George Halvorson Community Health Leadership …
Kaiser Permanente invests $3.3 million to build healthy social connections …
A Kaiser Permanente psychiatrist shares advice for coping when stress won't …
To meaningfully improve health equity, we must shift our focus to outcomes …
When someone you care about is struggling, it can be hard to know what …
A sports medicine physician and mental health therapist discuss the mind-body …
By reaching out early and providing care that’s personalized to parents’ …
An innovative telehealth program gives patients direct access to pharmacists …
Kaiser Permanente’s new Center for Gun Violence Research and Education …
We must do more to prevent gun violence and educate on its health implications …
Trusted conversations help youth feel safe when community violence occurs.
Newly released results show the Presence of Mind initiative can be an effectiv …
As overdose deaths skyrocket, an addiction medicine specialist explains …
We applaud President Biden and Congress as they begin to set policies that …
Assessment helps parents and caregivers intervene early when kids are at …
Stuck at home during the pandemic, a Kaiser Permanente member with autoimmune …
Don Mordecai, MD, Kaiser Permanente’s national leader for mental health …