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Securely Attached

249 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago - ★★★★★ - 74 ratings

Securely Attached is your go-to parenting podcast, supporting moms and dads from pregnancy all the way through their child's adolescence and every stage in between.

Join us every Tuesday as clinical psychologist and mom of two Dr. Sarah Bren shares her expertise and interviews top experts in the field, simplifying complicated concepts and pulling back the curtain on the brain science and psychology that drives and shapes the parent-child relationship.

And now, every Thursday, Dr. Sarah Bren is joined by Dr. Emily Upshur and Dr. Rebecca Hershberg for a special segment, Beyond The Sessions. We’re answering YOUR parenting questions from the perspective of clinical psychologists highly trained in developmental science and real-life moms who get that parenting is messy, and sometimes we have to laugh, cry, and throw out the “rules.”

From toddler tantrums, to effective discipline strategies, to leaning into the principles of respectful parenting, and to managing your own mental wellness as a parent—this podcast is your ultimate resource for judgment-free, research-backed information you know you can trust.

About Sarah Bren, PhD
Dr. Sarah Bren is a licensed clinical psychologist and mom of two who helps parents understand the building blocks of child development and how secure relationships form and thrive. Her work is focused on helping parents find their inner confidence so they can respond to any parenting problem that comes along and raise kids who are healthy, resilient, and kind.

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Episodes

97. Treating autism with a strength based approach: And how all parents can use this method to help their child reach their greatest potential with Dr. Lynn Kern Koegel

April 04, 2023 09:00 - 57 minutes - 52.5 MB

In honor of World Autism Month I am speaking with an expert in the field of autism treatment and the author of the new book, Hidden Brilliance: Unlocking the Intelligence of Autism, Dr. Lynn Kern Koegel.   Whether your child has Autism or not, her strength-based approach that uses a child's natural interests to drive their motivation and help them tap into their full potential will resonate with parents of children with both neurodiverse and neurotypical brains.     I want to hear ...

96. Balancing the load of parenthood: Becoming a team with your partner-in-parenting with Lauren A. Tetenbaum

March 28, 2023 09:00 - 42 minutes - 38.8 MB

Eve Rodsky's Fair Play method has swept the nation and become a cultural phenomenon. By being intentional about how we definite our roles, rebalancing our to-do list, and feeling aligned with our partners, we are able to challenge societal norms to find a fair balance of the mental load of parenthood that works best for us.   Joining me this week is certified Fair Play method facilitator and LMSW, Lauren A. Tetenbaum.   This episode will help you catalog and understand your unique ne...

95. Are we ever really done being postpartum? Redefining what it means to be postpartum with Mama Psychologists' Dr. Chelsea Bodie

March 21, 2023 09:00 - 48 minutes - 44.3 MB

Every postpartum is different! So whether this is your first time being pregnant or you have done this before, surrounding yourself with the proper support during this period of transition is key.   Here to offer you tools for a smoother adjustment is the co-author of Not Your Mother's Postpartum Book and co-creator of @mamapsychologists, Chelsea Bodie.   This episode covers a lot, because honestly, postpartum is a lot — from challenging what society claims it’s supposed to look lik...

94. Toddler sleep: Why it’s different than infant sleep and how to use the attachment relationship to help them fall asleep, with Eileen Henry

March 14, 2023 09:00 - 58 minutes - 53.8 MB

When it comes to childhood development, sleep is not a linear process. It's normal for young children to have ups and downs, regressions, and growth spurts with their sleep.   Here to talk about how you can help your toddler say goodnight without the struggle is sleep specialist and RIE associate Eileen Henry.   Beyond just tips and tricks, this episode will allow you to truly understand how to use your secure attachment bond to help your child feel more at ease with going to bed, a...

93. Quit the never-ending to-do list: How to find balance in the home, at work, and in parenthood with Chelsi Jo

March 07, 2023 10:00 - 48 minutes - 44.6 MB

When we become parents, time management strategies become more important than ever! Juggling activities and social calendars for ourselves, with our spouse, and for our children can feel like a full time job.   Here to talk about her approach to systemizing the lives of busy parents in order to help us feel more in control of our days with less stress, overwhelm, and burnout is Chelsi Jo.   From the clutter in our homes to our need to always be busy, and the seemingly never-ending ta...

92. Is fun the antidote to burnout? How play could be the key to mental health and well-being with Dr. Mike Rucker

February 28, 2023 10:00 - 59 minutes - 54.9 MB

The General Social Survey's findings on Americans' happiness levels are troubling. Only 19% of those polled in 2022 said they were very happy, the lowest percentage since this survey began collecting data in 1972.   So what can we do to feel more joy? One huge factor may involve how and how much time we devote to play. Here to discuss ways we can infuse more fun into parenthood is the author of the new book The Fun Habit, Dr. Mike Rucker.   From being intentional about what we choos...

91. Addressing the crushing weight of parenthood: How to lighten the load in pregnancy and parenthood with Dr. Christine Sterling

February 21, 2023 10:00 - 57 minutes - 52.6 MB

Do you feel the pressure to get everything “right”? We know the scientifically proven effects stress has on parents. And what’s more, how this parental stress can negatively impact our children. And yet, we still lack proper support systems for caregivers and families.   Joining me today is Dr. Christine Sterling, a board-certified OB/GYN who has made it her mission to provide comprehensive support to people undergoing the physical and emotional challenges of pregnancy and postpartum. ...

90. Seeing the world through your toddler's eyes: Helping your child feel seen, understood, and validated with the co-authors of the Terrific Toddlers series

February 14, 2023 10:00 - 45 minutes - 42.1 MB

Toddlers are often misunderstood. They’re no longer babies, yet they still have very little knowledge of the world and the way things work—something that is easy to forget when we are constantly being blown away by their maturity and developmental leaps at this age.   I am so excited to be joined this week by the co-authors of the Terrific Toddlers series, Carol Zeavin and Rhona Silverbush to talk all things toddlerhood.   We’ll help you learn and understand exactly how you can best ...

89. Fostering deep and meaningful relationships: How to resolve conflict, prioritize our needs, and set appropriate boundaries with Dr. Rick Hanson

February 07, 2023 10:00 - 52 minutes - 47.7 MB

Life is all about who we spend it with. But relationships—with ourselves, our partners, our children, and especially our extended family—can be complicated.   Joining me to talk about his new book, Making Great Relationships, and to offer strategies for fostering healthy, effective, and fulfilling relationships of all kinds is neuropsychologist and NY Times best-selling author, Dr. Rick Hanson.   So whether you are looking to feel deeply connected to your child, learn how to set boun...

88. Preventing tragedy and shining a light on postpartum psychosis: What it is, what it's not, and how to find support for yourself or a loved one with Paige Bellenbaum

January 31, 2023 10:00 - 38 minutes - 35 MB

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions about postpartum psychosis, infanticide, and suicide.   As the tragic news of the mother of 3 in MA who took the lives of her children and then attempted to take her own life has spread, there has been a great deal of misunderstanding in the media and on social media.   In order to prevent the spread of misinformation, I invited Paige Bellenbaum of the Motherhood Center to join me today to help clarify the difference between postpart...

87. Why do I have 2 moms? Helping children understand the beauty in family differences with LGBTQ+ mom and clinical psychologist Dr. Erica Miller

January 24, 2023 10:00 - 48 minutes - 44.7 MB

How can you raise your children to be resilient, confident, and proud when you are raising them in a non-traditional family? And how can everyone raise our children to value inclusivity and acceptance no matter what shape or size our family is?    I am honored that Dr. Erica Miller is back on the podcast to share her personal story of being a gay parent and the lessons she has learned from her own experience and her professional role as a clinical psychologist.   There is no one way...

86. How to mindfully parent a threenager: Navigating power struggles, limit testing, and excessive no’s with your 3-year-old

January 17, 2023 10:00 - 36 minutes - 33 MB

When our kids hit 3 years old we can start to see some new behaviors and attitudes come online. At this age children often want to exert their power and independence, and seem to find a new favorite word—“no!”   Back on the podcast to help a listener and any parents who are looking for help navigating what some refer to as the “threenager” stage is Dr. Emily Upshur.   In this episode, we’ll help you understand why this is developmentally healthy, what you can do during power struggle...

85. What it means to be a working parent today: Challenging parental guilt, managing your time, and setting effective boundaries with Daisy Dowling

January 10, 2023 10:00 - 55 minutes - 50.7 MB

Working parents have traditionally been forced to compartmentalize their roles. Make sure we don't hear the baby crying on the Zoom. Be fully present as a parent without any distractions or interruptions. But we are whole beings, with both of those vital parts integrated to form who we are.    Here to help parents bridge that gap and shift the narrative to see how being both career-driven AND family-focused can be an incredible strength is Daisy Dowling. Daisy is the Founder & CEO of Wor...

84. Social anxiety in parenthood: Navigating play dates, mom-friends, and putting yourself out there with Justine Carino

January 03, 2023 10:00 - 46 minutes - 42.3 MB

From striking up conversations with other parents at the playground, hosting playdates with our child’s new best friend, attending a birthday party without knowing the other parents there, and even just navigating the perceived (and sometimes very real) judgment from others, once we become parents we often find ourselves in social situations we may never have been in before.   Here to help parents work through any social anxiety they may feel and learn how they can best support the devel...

83. Parenting through loss: Navigating the struggles of infertility, miscarriages, and loss in parenthood with Dr. Shara Brofman

December 27, 2022 10:00 - 55 minutes - 50.9 MB

Family planning isn’t easy for all parents. And having an uncomplicated or full-term pregnancy once does not guarantee the same results the next time around.   Parenting while coping with any form of reproductive loss, be that unsuccessful IVF attempts, miscarriages, stillbirths, and beyond can be a grueling reality for many families.   Here to discuss how to navigate fertility struggles in parenthood is clinical psychologist Dr. Shara Brofman.   If you are going through somethin...

82. Tips for traveling with babies, toddlers, and children: What every parent needs to hear before their family vacation begins with Jennie Monness

December 20, 2022 10:00 - 47 minutes - 43.8 MB

Are you dreading your upcoming family trip? Traveling with kids can be a lot to handle and the stress of this can leave us feeling defeated, even before we board the plane or hit the road.   So joining me this week to help you feel prepared and ready for traveling with your kids is the queen of play herself, Jennie Monness.   In this episode, we’ll help you set proper expectations for travel days, give you strategies based on psychology and child development, and suggest practical to...

81. My child keeps biting, what do I do? How to address biting in toddlers and young children with Dr. Emily Upshur

December 13, 2022 10:00 - 35 minutes - 32.4 MB

It's developmentally normal, even typical, for toddlers and young children to bite. But that doesn't mean we just sit back and let it happen.    Here to talk about the many reasons children bite and how parents can effectively respond to this behavior is the co-founder of Upshur Bren Psychology Group, Dr. Emily Upshur.   In this episode we’ll talk about exactly what to do when your child bites, plan b and c for when that strategy isn’t working, and advice for what to do before and af...

80. How a sex therapist strives to raise her children to be sex positive: Unpacking developmentally appropriate expectations, boundaries, body autonomy, and consent with Dr. Holly Richmond

December 06, 2022 10:00 - 44 minutes - 41 MB

One of the things that I hear time and time again from parents is that it feels like parenthood is a constant tightrope walk. And knowing how to meet our children’s curiosity about sex without projecting our own (often complicated) feelings onto the conversation is certainly no exception.   Here to offer some clarity on how we can set developmentally appropriate expectations of our kids and gentle expectations of ourselves when it comes to talking to them about sex is Dr. Holly Richmond....

79. Helping your child cope with anxiety: A conversation with clinical psychologist Dr. Terri Bacow

November 29, 2022 10:00 - 50 minutes - 45.9 MB

When our children feel anxious or afraid, it can be difficult for parents to know exactly how they should respond. Many parents put pressure on themselves to solve or fix this problem for their child, which is often impossible and a less than ideal way to handle this tricky situation.   Joining me to talk about childhood anxiety and offer support for parents navigating this in their own family is the author of Goodbye, Anxiety: A Guided Journal for Overcoming Worry, Dr. Terri Bacow.   ...

78. What to do before, during and after we lose our cool: Helping parents navigate their own big feelings with Dr. Cindy Hovington

November 22, 2022 10:00 - 59 minutes - 54.7 MB

As parents, we don’t always get it right. But having the tools and skills to process our own big feelings and navigate emotion regulation in ourselves can have a big impact on how we support our children.   Joining me to talk about ways we can establish a healthy relationship to our emotions and teach our children to do the same is the founder of Curious Neuron, Dr. Cindy Hovington.   This episode will help you learn the benefit of slowing down, how to cut yourself some slack, and wh...

77. Staying flexible, present and self-compassionate in early parenthood: Practical mindfulness tools for postpartum mental health with Dr. Kira Bartlett

November 15, 2022 10:00 - 47 minutes - 43.4 MB

While it’s wonderful that there is much more talk about postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and other perineal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) than ever before, the flip side of that coin is that sometimes when new parents experience a PMAD after the birth of their child they feel ashamed for not seeing it coming.   The reality is there is nothing you did or didn’t do that causes you to have a PMAD. However, there are ways to prepare, and strategies to use during the postpartum...

76. Secure attachment is optimal, but insecure attachment may not be as bad as we think: A conversation with attachment researcher Dr. Or Dagan

November 08, 2022 10:00 - 53 minutes - 49 MB

We talk a lot about secure attachment on this podcast—which is certainly the best case scenario. But the reality is that not everyone forms a secure attachment bond. So what can we learn about insecure attachment patterns? And are there some forms of insecure attachments that are better than others?   Here to answer these questions and discuss the finding of his research on attachment theory is Dr. Or Dagan.   Whether you’ve never heard about attachment theory before or you’re deep i...

75. RIE in the real world: How two moms use and teach RIE with Courtney Dern

November 01, 2022 09:00 - 51 minutes - 46.8 MB

RIE, which stands for Resources for Infant Educarers, is a parenting philosophy created by Magda Gerber that has gained a lot of attention in recent years. Yet, there are still some common misconceptions many parents have about this approach.   Here to shed some light on the teachings of RIE is the founder of Beech Street Parenting, Courtney Dern.   If you are pregnant or a new parent, you won’t want to miss hearing why you actually need way less stuff than you may think, strategies ...

74. You can't sit with us: How to handle peer rejection in early adolescence with Dr. Emily Upshur

October 25, 2022 09:00 - 41 minutes - 37.7 MB

Were you uninvited to a birthday party, laughed at by a group of mean girls, or maybe even bullied? If you had some tough times in elementary, middle, or high school, it’s easy to inadvertently be projecting your own experiences onto your child as they develop their own social group.   Last week’s Securely Attached episode was all about peer rejection in toddlerhood—how to make space for a dialogue, develop a growth mindset, and help your child build their compassion, empathy, and social...

73. I don't want to play with you: How to handle peer rejection in toddlerhood Q&A with Dr. Emily Upshur

October 18, 2022 10:00 - 30 minutes - 27.9 MB

When we hear our children say things like, “I don’t want to play with her” or “that’s my toy” it’s easy for us to feel flooded and want to shut down the situations with comments like, “that’s not very nice” or “you need to share.”   But peer rejection is a normal and healthy part of development. While it may take some work for us to calm our own fight or flight response so we can be open to this, it can be helpful to try to lean in and open up a dialogue with our children in these instan...

72. Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE): How a new treatment for childhood anxiety and OCD is revolutionizing care with Dr. Eli Lebowitz

October 11, 2022 10:00 - 51 minutes - 46.8 MB

Human evolution is incredible. We come out of the womb knowing that our greatest chance of survival is to attach to a primary caretaker who will keep us safe. And that innate wisdom is what motivates children to seek closeness and connection to their secure base.   When children suffer from an anxiety disorder the threat detector in their brain is on overdrive and more and more they rely on their parents to protect and soothe them. And while parents have the best intentions, this interp...

71. The neuroscience of mindfulness and how teaching these skills to our kids has worldwide impact with Dr. Dan Siegel

October 04, 2022 10:00 - 36 minutes - 33.6 MB

When we teach our young children to slow down, to notice their emotions, then equip them with tools for navigating their tricky feelings like disappointment, impatience, boredom, sadness, or anger, we lay the foundation for a kinder and more empathetic society.   It was an honor to speak to Dr. Dan Siegel, a pioneer in the field of psychology and the study of mindfulness.   It all starts with us! We’ll talk about mindset shifts parents can make to foster self-compassion and ways we ...

70. Helping children process, accept and understand death: With death doula Heather Hogan

September 27, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 59 MB

It can be difficult and scary to talk about death as adults, so having to do so with our kids can cause us to freeze up and shut down. But by being open and honest about death, an inevitable part of life, we lay the groundwork our children need to develop the tools to process loss and work through feelings of grief and pain.   Here to help us unpack our own anxiety, so we may break cycles of avoidance and fear, is death doula Heather Hogan.   If you’ve never heard of a death doula, ...

69. How to support children experiencing abandonment or separation from a parent: Q&A with Dr. Emily Upshur

September 20, 2022 10:00 - 38 minutes - 34.8 MB

There can be many reasons why children may experience prolonged separations from a parent. From planned separations like for military families or when one parent must take a job far away, to unplanned situations in the case of mental illness, substance abuse or abandonment.   I’ve received several listener questions asking for guidance on how to best help their child process and work through their parental abandonment issues, so here to offer insight on this subject is Dr. Emily Upshur....

68. Transitioning from one child to two: How to support everyone as your family grows with supermom Lindsay Ellingson

September 13, 2022 10:00 - 56 minutes - 51.6 MB

When we become parents for the second or third time, one of the most common experiences (that people often don't talk about) is the grief parents feel for their big kiddo and the changes that are about to rock their world. That is just one of the many emotions, challenges and joys that come with expanding our families.   Here to talk about what it was like for her to transition from one child to two, is model, mom and co-founder of Wander Beauty, Lindsay Ellingson.   From growing he...

67. Parents are burnt out: A breakdown of what went wrong and how we can prioritize our own mental health with Shelley Kemmerer

September 06, 2022 10:00 - 48 minutes - 44 MB

During the pandemic, "burnout" became a trendy buzzword getting thrown around social media, blogs, and moms groups. But what is the actual medical definition of burnout and how can learning about what it is help us to move out of the never ending state of exhaustion many parents are faced with today?   Joining me to clear the confusion and offer strategies for finding balance is Board Certified Physician Assistant and the founder of Run Tell Mom, Shelley Kemmerer.    The cure to bur...

66. Busting parenting gender stereotypes: A dad's perspective on respectful parenting with Eli Weinstein

August 30, 2022 10:00 - 50 minutes - 46.7 MB

The stereotypes surrounding fatherhood often revolve around a disengaged father figure described as “baby-sitting” their own child, lacking deep emotions, and blindly following their wife’s advice.   But that is far from the reality for most modern-day fathers. Here to give us that often elusive real dad perspective is father of two and therapist, Eli Weinstein.   Eli will give us a peek into the mind of a dad, discuss the importance of men finding their own community of support, an...

65. Helping preschool parents prepare for drop-off, separation anxiety, and the development of social skills with Meredith Gary

August 23, 2022 10:00 - 57 minutes - 52.6 MB

In preschool, learning is far less about the ABC’s and 1,2,3’s and far more about developing an awareness of yourself and the world around you. Knowing how to best support your child and help them feel more comfortable transitioning to a school environment can be instrumental in setting them up for success.   Joining me this week to help parents learn how to guide their children through this transition is the co-director of the Downtown Little School, Meredith Gary.   From strategies...

64. Moving beyond parenting scripts: Fostering deep, authentic and connected conversations with your kids with Rebecca Rolland

August 16, 2022 10:00 - 42 minutes - 39 MB

Science has shown that the best way to help our kids become independent, confident, kind, empathetic, and happy is by talking with them. But while we may know that what we say to our children matters, we may not know exactly how to get started or what to do to encourage honest, open and thoughtful communication.   Here to help parents learn the secrets of effective communication is speech pathologist, Rebecca Rolland.   This episode will help you to understand just how powerful lang...

63. Potty training, bed wetting and constipation: A conversation about pediatric pelvic health with Quiara Smith

August 09, 2022 10:00 - 51 minutes - 47.1 MB

Whether potty training isn’t going as planned, or you’re just nervous about gearing up to undertake your child’s’ transition out of diapers, that added pressure, frustration and anxiety can create a vicious cycle, making potty learning more difficult— for you and your child.   Here to offer a podcast style “potty class” for parents so they can identify potential problem areas (physically and emotionally), and avoid potty training pitfalls, is the owner of Aloha Integrative Therapy, Occu...

62. Motherhood as advocacy: A conversation about paid family leave, abortion access and gun reform with Raena Boston

August 02, 2022 10:00 - 49 minutes - 45.3 MB

Moms are overwhelmed, exhausted and burnt out. There is a major lacking in systems to support new, working and stay-at-home moms… so basically, that's every mother.   It is important for us to fight for change, but the weight of that constant battle and stream of seemingly never-ending bad news can feel too heavy to carry at times.   Joining me to discuss the advocacy work The Chamber of Mothers is doing, ways you can get involved, and how to find joy in an often turbulent world is ...

61. Giving our children enough space to grow and learn: Raising self-confident and resilient children with Nellie Harden

July 26, 2022 10:00 - 46 minutes - 42.8 MB

Being intentional about the way we parent our young children now can help lay critical groundwork that will allow them to flourish in adulthood. Lessons like independence, self-confidence, and resilience can all be fostered through helping to build emotional intelligence in our kids.   Joining me to discuss how you can help prepare your own children to tackle life in the real world is mother of 4 and Family Life & Leadership Coach, Nellie Harden.   We’ll talk about why and how you ca...

60. The battle over screen time: Helping our children form a healthy relationship to technology with Emily Cherkin

July 19, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 56.7 MB

Parenting in an age of ever changing technology—battling over screen time use, deciding when to allow your child to have a smart phone, and understanding how much screen time is too much—can be confusing for parents of children of all ages.   Joining me today to help parents learn to cut through the confusion and successfully navigate parenting in the digital age is The Screentime Consultant, Emily Cherkin.   If you want to understand why screens are so addictive, how to help our chi...

59. Sex after baby part II: When we want to want it but we're just touched out

July 12, 2022 10:00 - 37 minutes - 33.9 MB

A few weeks ago I recorded an amazing episode on sex and intimacy after baby with The WTF Trimester creator, Chelsea Skaggs. And it seemed to hit a nerve, because I received tons of feedback from that episode! For some of you, learning how to communicate your needs to your partner in a way they would be able to hear you was just what you needed. But I also got some DMs from moms who are facing a different problem when it comes to sex in early parenthood…   Whether after the birth of a c...

58. How to ease your child's anxiety for doctors visits: A conversation with pediatrician Dr. Rachel Geronemus

July 05, 2022 10:00 - 42 minutes - 39.1 MB

There is no shortage of doctor visits and wellness checks during your child’s first few years. And that can cause some apprehension and anxiety for both parents and children.   I am so excited to welcome my family’s own pediatrician, Dr. Rachel Geronemus, onto the podcast to fill us all in on what pediatricians want parents to know! This conversation is chalk full of helpful tips, like what you can expect at your child’s next doctor's appointment, developmentally appropriate expectation...

57. Sex after baby: How to reconnect and increase intimacy with your partner with Chelsea Skaggs

June 28, 2022 10:00 - 44 minutes - 40.8 MB

For many couples, the birth of a child can bring with it a shift in their intimate relationship. Having a child triggers such a sudden and massive transition to our identity, our body and sometimes even our sex drive, so it makes perfect sense that new parents can often find themselves on different pages when it comes to intimacy and sex.   And that is just one of the reasons I am so excited to talk about ways couples can rebuild connection and intimacy in their relationship with life c...

56. Setting your child’s brain up for success this summer: How to keep executive functioning skills strong without the structure of the school year

June 21, 2022 10:00 - 47 minutes - 43.9 MB

Executive functioning skills are the systems, structures and routines we establish in our daily life that make us successful. Do you always put the mail on the end table when you walk in the door? That’s a perfect example of this.   These skills are housed within the prefrontal cortex and that part of the brain isn’t fully developed until we are in our 20s! So all children, whether they are neurotypical or struggle with an executive functioning skills deficit like ADHD, can benefit from ...

55. Parenting through an American gun crisis: Helping parents feel educated, informed and empowered

June 14, 2022 10:00 - 32 minutes - 29.5 MB

Raising children today in a world saturated with guns, active shooter drills at school and mass shootings on the news can leave parents feeling overwhelmed and unsure.   I wanted to talk directly to you about the psychology and developmental aspect of aggression and the impact of both toy and real guns on our children and society at large. This isn’t about me telling you what is right or wrong, good or bad, what you should or shouldn’t do with your own child, but simply about arming you...

54. My child is non-binary: A personal story of acceptance and love from Alexis Barad-Cutler

June 07, 2022 10:00 - 50 minutes - 46.4 MB

As our children grow into the people they will be, so too do we grow into the parents we become. Alexis Barad-Cutler, the founder of Not Safe For Mom Group, found herself in that very situation when her youngest child, Gavi, expressed the need to be the “real Gavi” at 3-years-old.   In this episode Alexis shares her raw and powerful story of leaning in and learning how to support her gender nonconforming child in a way that makes them feel seen, accepted and loved. Whether you are findi...

53. Positive parenting isn’t permissive parenting: How to integrate effective discipline that prioritizes emotional and mental health with Sarah R. Moore

May 31, 2022 10:00 - 48 minutes - 44.2 MB

If you're listening to this podcast, you're probably already at least somewhat versed in the styles of positive, gentle, respectful or responsive parenting. But whatever you call it, there are many societal misconceptions about what these styles are. Here to help me bust some myths and dig into the research and brain science behind why we're shifting past behaviorism is Sarah R. Moore. From intergenerational transmission of parenting styles, redefining our goals, and the importance of stre...

52. Setting boundaries with your parents and in-laws: Navigating family dynamics Q&A with Dr. Emily Upshur

May 24, 2022 10:00 - 43 minutes - 39.9 MB

Establishing and holding boundaries can be challenging, especially when those limits need to be set within family units.   Dr. Emily Upshur, my partner from our group practice Upshur Bren Psychology Group in Westchester, NY is back to help one mom who writes in looking for help establishing boundaries with her in-laws. We’ll talk about strategies for engaging grandparents while also maintaining appropriate boundaries, the difference between internal and external boundaries and how you c...

51. Simplifying the jargon associated with therapy: How to be an educated consumer of psychological interventions with Dr. Katie C. Lewis

May 17, 2022 10:00 - 44 minutes - 40.3 MB

Finding a therapist who you trust and who can offer you proper support can be a complicated process for many people. One of the reasons for this is the confusing and sometimes even misleading terms used in the field of mental health.   Joining me today is research psychologist and medical staff member at the Austen Riggs Center, Dr. Katie C. Lewis. We’ll discuss the differences and similarities between cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy, how to determine w...

50. Addressing a broken system: How to prioritize your mental and physical health during complicated pregnancies with high-risk OB/GYN Dr. Tracy Shevell

May 10, 2022 10:00 - 44 minutes - 40.7 MB

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and I want to highlight the importance of finding trusted resources women can turn to for maternal mental health support through pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and postpartum. Joining me today is Dr. Tracy Shevell. We’ll discuss her almost 20 years of experience in a hospital setting that led her to believe the system is broken and the how she’s working to change this by creating Blue Moon Perinatal. We’ll also review her 3-step process to help expecting pare...

50. You're pregnant, now what? Navigating pregnancy and postpartum mental health with Dr. Tracy Shevell

May 10, 2022 10:00 - 44 minutes - 40.7 MB

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and I want to highlight the importance of finding trusted resources women can turn to for maternal mental health support through pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and postpartum.   Joining me today is Dr. Tracy Shevell. We’ll discuss her almost 20 years of experience in a hospital setting that led her to believe the system is broken and the how she’s working to change this by creating Blue Moon Perinatal. We’ll also review her 3-step process to help expecting...

49. Supporting our children's emotional regulation and sensory processing experiences: With occupational therapist Laura Petix

May 03, 2022 10:00 - 58 minutes - 53.6 MB

There are many activities parents can incorporate into their child’s daily routine to support their sensory processing abilities and help them learn to effectively regulate their emotions.   Joining me this week is Laura Petix, also known as The OT Butterfly, to discuss what exactly occupational therapy is, why it can be so beneficial for children, the role our 8 senses (that’s right, I said 8) play in our ability to remain calm and in control, and the best way to set our children up fo...