Dr. Kat, PsyD

02/28/2026

📚✨ March is Reading Month! ✨📚

Books shape how children see themselves.
They build confidence.
They teach courage.
They give language to big feelings.
They help kids feel less alone.

As a psychologist and a mom, I wrote these stories with intention — to support children emotionally while celebrating who they are;
and to provide guidance for parents & caregivers 💛

💙 Amazing Boy – celebrating strength, kindness, imagination, and the incredible potential inside every boy. https://a.co/d/0aD9G0yZ

💗 Amazing Girl – empowering girls to be brave, bold, creative, and beautifully themselves. https://a.co/d/0jiRoMRF

🏥 Vera Goes to the Hospital – a gentle, reassuring story that helps children prepare for medical experiences and feel safe through uncertainty. https://a.co/d/06jciIz0

🌈 My Big Feelings – teaching little ones that all feelings are okay and giving them tools to express and manage emotions. https://a.co/d/06b6jR32

🩰 Tiny Toes Ballet – a joyful celebration of dance, confidence, and rhythm. https://a.co/d/01vT2DyI

🍎 Apple Orchard Adventure – a heartwarming family story about bravery and regulating emotions. https://a.co/d/07C4rrch

These books build resilient, confident, emotionally healthy children; AND each book includes thoughtful guidance for parents and caregivers — because supporting kids doesn’t stop when the story ends ❤️

If you’re celebrating March Reading Month at home or in the classroom, I’d be honored to be part of your bookshelf. 📖✨

— Dr. Kat Lewitzke
Psychologist | Mom | Author

11/24/2025

✨ Dr. Lewitzke and her daughter, Vera, spread holiday joy by donating Amazing Girl and Amazing Boy books to children at Mott Children’s Hospital. After her own stay there this summer, it was Vera’s idea to give back and empower other kids with the books she inspired. 💛📚

Dr. Lewitzke and her daughter Vera spread holiday joy by donating empowering Amazing Girl and Amazing Boy books to children at Mott Children’s Hospital.

05/02/2025

Thank you, Oakland University, for the honor of serving as the alumni speaker at the spring commencement ceremony. It was a truly memorable and meaningful experience!
🖤💛🐻

04/22/2025

Words matter 🙏🏻 ❤️

03/05/2025

Inspired by son and daughter, my children’s books are finally available on Amazon!

This journey has been years in the making, and I can hardly believe I’m finally sharing “Amazing Girl” and “Amazing Boy” with the world.

Writing this wasn’t just about creating a story—it was about celebrating the unique qualities of girls and boys; and reminding them they are enough, just as they are.

I also included a special section for parents to spark meaningful conversations with your child!

It includes:
✅ Open-ended questions to encourage deep thinking and self-expression
✅ The power of encouraging words and how they shape confidence
✅ Building self-esteem through positive affirmations
✅ Reflection questions to deepen your child’s connection with the book

“Amazing Girl” and “Amazing Boy” are for every girl and boy who dreams big and every adult who wants to empower them.

If these books can make even one child feel seen and valued, then every moment spent writing was worth it 🙌🏻

Amazing Girl 💜
Link - https://a.co/d/8QMoXRU

Amazing Boy💚
Link - https://a.co/d/3EL9SvC

09/06/2024

As a mom, it breaks my heart that we live in times where vigilance is necessary. During my daughter's preschool orientation, they discussed lockdown drills—essentially active shooter drills. Secondary trauma is real and can impact those indirectly exposed to trauma, like family members or professionals. Anxiety in kids can show up as irritability, withdrawal, or difficulty focusing. To help, create a safe space for your child and tailor conversations to their age. We wear matching bracelets to feel connected while at school. 💕 We’re in this together. 💖

09/05/2024

💔 As a mom, my heart goes out to the kids and their families during these challenging times. It’s heartbreaking that we live in an era where we have to stay so vigilant. During my daughter’s preschool orientation, they talked about different drills, including a lockdown drill – which we know is essentially an active shooter drill.

Secondary trauma is real. It can impact those who aren’t directly affected but who support trauma survivors, like family, friends, or professionals. Symptoms can include anxiety, trouble sleeping, and heightened emotional responses.

Anxiety in kids can show up in many ways – irritability, withdrawal, school refusal, or difficulty focusing. Here are a few tips to help your child process and cope:

🔹 Create a Safe Space
• Pick a calm, private environment where your child feels secure.
• Let them know it’s okay to feel their emotions, and reassure them you’re there to listen.

🔹 Tailor the Conversation to Their Age
• Young Children (6 and under): Keep it simple. Reassure them that adults are working hard to keep them safe.
• Elementary Age (7-12): Offer more factual information, answer their questions, and avoid graphic details.
• Teens (13 and older): They can handle more complex discussions, so acknowledge their feelings and encourage open dialogue.

For my 4- and 6-year-old, we wear matching bracelets as a small way to feel connected and secure when they’re at school. 💕

✨ S.T.O.P. Grounding Technique for Teens✨
This quick and easy technique helps teens center themselves when they’re feeling overwhelmed:

1️⃣ S – Stop: Pause what you're doing to interrupt negative thoughts.

2️⃣ T – Take a Breath: Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 2, and exhale for 6.

3️⃣ O – Observe: Notice how you feel, what you see, hear, or smell, and any physical sensations.

4️⃣ P – Proceed: After grounding yourself, calmly move forward with a clear mind.

We’re all in this together – let’s support each other and help our kids feel safe and secure. 💖

See video link below for the full segment👇🏼

https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/video/tips-on-talking-to-your-children-about-tragedies/

Dr. Kat Lewitzke shares strategies on how to cope with tragedies and how to speak to your children about them.

08/29/2024

I recently had the opportunity to speak on CBS Detroit about the Surgeon General’s statement on parental stress, and the trends we’re seeing are alarming:

* 70 to 72% of mothers and 92% of fathers are now in the workforce.

* The labor force participation rate for mothers has significantly increased in recent years, with 70.4% of mothers with children under 5 now working.

This rise in parental workforce participation, combined with financial pressures like student loans and inflation, is driving stress levels higher than ever. The burden of balancing work, childcare, and financial responsibilities is pushing parents to their limits.

Coping strategies are crucial to maintaining well-being and creating a nurturing environment for children. I encourage parents to focus on self-care, build support networks, practice time management, and seek professional help if needed.

Addressing these stressors isn’t just about individual solutions; we also need policy changes that support job flexibility. Together, we can create a more supportive environment for parents, ensuring better mental health outcomes for families.

Watch the full segment here: https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/video/surgeon-general-calls-parent-stress-a-public-health-issue/

08/29/2024

I recently had the opportunity to speak on CBS Detroit about the Surgeon General's statement on parental stress, and the trends we’re seeing are alarming:

* 70 to 72% of mothers and 92% of fathers are now in the workforce.

* The labor force participation rate for mothers has significantly increased in recent years, with 70.4% of mothers with children under 5 now working.

This rise in parental workforce participation, combined with financial pressures like student loans and inflation, is driving stress levels higher than ever. The burden of balancing work, childcare, and financial responsibilities is pushing parents to their limits.

Coping strategies are crucial to maintaining well-being and creating a nurturing environment for children. I encourage parents to focus on self-care, build support networks, practice time management, and seek professional help if needed.

Addressing these stressors isn't just about individual solutions; we also need policy changes that support job flexibility. Together, we can create a more supportive environment for parents, ensuring better mental health outcomes for families.

Watch the full segment here:

https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/video/surgeon-general-calls-parent-stress-a-public-health-issue/

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has called for changes to national attitudes toward parenting and caregiving.