Dr. Erin Yosai, LP, NCSP

04/16/2026

Mei Mei has come out to play play! 💜

Meet Mei—a sensitive, kind-hearted Monkey whose mind can get overwhelmed by worries, self-doubt, and big feelings. When these feelings start to take over her day and cause her to withdrawal, Mei's support network teams up to help Mei in finding her way back to connection, confidence, and joy.

Mei Mei the Monkey (Mei's version)

04/13/2026

This past week, we met Ida the Tiger, a character who feels and expresses things in a big way. This version of her story is designed to be watched alongside a caring adult, with built-in opportunities to pause, reflect, and connect.

Throughout the story, you’ll see prompts that invite conversation. These moments are a chance to slow down and help children think about what they’re noticing, feeling, and experiencing.

As you watch together, you can support your child by:
•Asking open-ended questions (instead of yes/no questions)
•Noticing and naming what you see (“I see Ida’s shoulders slumping…”)
•Reflecting your child’s ideas back to them (“It sounds like you think she’s feeling frustrated”)
•Offering encouragement and validation (“That makes sense” or “I’ve felt that way too”)
•Letting your child lead the conversation and take their time to figure out harder words ot concepts.

The goal isn’t to get to “right” answer—it’s to create a space where your child feels heard, understood, and supported! -Dr. Yo

Mr. Long is the classroom school teacher in the Thought Zoo Series. In this Thought Zoo story, we meet Ida the Tiger, a character who feels and expresses thi...

04/08/2026

04/08/2026

Here's my new YouTube channel!

Welcome to a space where stories help kids make sense of big feelings and busy thoughts—and remind them they’re not alone. Dr. Yo's channel features engaging stories designed to support emotional growth, confidence, and connection. Created by a licensed child psychologist and school psychologist...

04/08/2026

Ida has officially been released into the wild!

My ultimate goal is to generate enough interest in my Thought Zoo stories to launch a Kickstarter campaign and have beautifully illustrated children’s books created. For now, I’ll be releasing dual versions of the story throughout the week: Ida’s Version, the straightforward read-through, and Mr. Long’s Version, which includes prompts and reflection questions for caring adults.

Following my creative passion has been incredibly enjoyable and personally fulfilling. If even one other person finds joy or benefit in the Thought Zoo stories, Ida has fulfilled her purpose. Stay tuned—Ida has 11 other classmates who will also be introducing themselves over the next few months. The most generous way you can help me build this world is to like, share, and follow the Thought Zoo YouTube Channel with those you believe may connect with their stories.

Ida is not a quiet kind of tiger.She feels things big.She thinks things big.And sometimes… she reacts big, too.Ida has a fire inside her—a bright, powerful e...

03/23/2026

Every great storytime needs a transition warning!

As per the Yosai usual, I’m not taking the traditional approach to publishing my children’s books. In hopes of securing the investments and funding needed to create a beautiful book series , I’ll be sharing the Class Zoo series across video & podcasting spaces and my website.

Not only will I be sharing the stories, but providing commentary, curriculum, and parent guides. Stay tuned!

Ida will be released to the wild 04.08.26!

02/20/2026

Ida popped into my brain about six months ago, and wouldn’t go away until I started putting pen to paper.

Now, Ida and her 11 classmates make up the “Thought Zoo” series- a children’s book concept that braids together education, brain science, and evidence based intervention techniques through relatable characters and their stories.

All. In. Rhyme.

With some puns thrown in for good measure.

2026 is the year I start my journey towards becoming a children’s book author. Wanna come along?

02/12/2026

I loved this commercial that aired during the Super Bowl. Such a beautiful example of the power of modeling. I will definitely be incorporating it in future teaching examples.

One of my favorite things to teach education and psychology trainees is that they have unknowingly committed to a modeling career. (Insert Zoolander joke here). Kids are always watching and absorbing the ways adults talk to others, talk about themselves, handle mistakes, process emotions, and navigate failure. We have so much power to be positive voices in youth’s lives, and eventually in their heads. Their internal monologues, self-concepts, approach to life. It’s an incredibly powerful privilege; thanks to those who carry the torch of positive mentoring and modeling.

Everyone knows that commercials are major part of the Super Bowl. During Sunday's game between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, the National Fo...

02/05/2026

2024 and 2025 were cocoon years for me, both personally and professionally (burnout, like, whoa, y’all.)

But the goo has finally exploded and it’s time to attempt flight. 🦋In the darkness, I’ve recovered my creative spark ⚡️ and though deeply vulnerable, I’m so excited to share with you all what I’ve been working on 🔜 🐯🔥🐴

01/05/2026

Had a great time presenting to the Olathe high school psychology staff this morning at their professional learning! If you’re interested in learning more about OASIS or having us come talk to your students about school psychology, contact us! 💙❤️🌾🌾

12/18/2025

One of my psychologist pet peeves (doesn’t mean I don’t laugh at them and repost them 😁) are all the 3-second clips on social media saying if you do a certain thing you definitely are autistic or adhd or AUDHD

We are all human and we all have fun interests and weird quirks about us that make us who we are. Some of these trades can be related with autism, ADHD, or learning disabilities, but often these traits do not impact the overall quality of our lives — in multiple areas of our lives (think relationships, work, school, home life) for years and years and years and years.

Just because you like to line up your cars or your m&ms 🙋🏻‍♀️, or talk + think quickly doesn’t mean you have “the ‘Tism” or ADHD… but if those things affect you to the degree that they are hindering your achievement potential, personal goals, and QOL, it may mean that there’s some things you want to reflect about and talk to a professional.

Clinical diagnosis matters. There has to be a very thorough data collection and assessment process that helps parse out your cognitive abilities, environmental impacts, and other life events that contribrute to what you’re experiencing… and that is impacting your quality of life in detrimental ways.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8y21N3g/i

Check out Dr. Erin Yosai (Dr. Yo)’s video.

11/03/2025

Like and share and venmo cash 💰 if you love a school psychologist 🤓💛📚🍎