Securely Attached

20. How will masks impact children’s language and social-emotional development? A conversation with SLP Becky Birkenfeld

Masks can cause a great deal of stress for parents - it’s one more thing to remember before getting out the door in the morning, can be a source of power struggles, and perhaps the most daunting, the fear that months spent without seeing full faces will impede their child’s development.   Today I am joined by speech-language pathologist and founder of Let’s Gab Speech, Becky Birkenfeld. Becky will answer all our burning questions about mask wearing and suggest some actionable and simple ...

20. How will masks impact children’s language and social-emotional development? A conversation with Speech & Language Pathologist Becky Birkenfeld

Masks can cause a great deal of stress for parents - it’s one more thing to remember before getting out the door in the morning, can be a source of power struggles, and perhaps the most daunting, the fear that months spent without seeing full faces will impede their child’s development.   Today I am joined by speech-language pathologist and founder of Let’s Gab Speech, Becky Birkenfeld. Becky will answer all our burning questions about mask wearing and suggest some actionable and simple ...

20. How will masks impact children’s language and social-emotional development? A conversation with a Speech & Language Pathologist

Masks can cause a great deal of stress for parents - it’s one more thing to remember before getting out the door in the morning, can be a source of power struggles, and perhaps the most daunting, the fear that months spent without seeing full faces will impede their child’s development.   Today I am joined by speech-language pathologist and founder of Let’s Gab Speech, Becky Birkenfeld. Becky will answer all our burning questions about mask wearing and suggest some actionable and simple ...

19. Navigating sibling fights: Q&A with Dr. Emily Upshur

Sibling dynamics can be complicated! And the way we parent the interactions between brothers and sisters often looks different than how we would handle the same situations in a playdate, daycare or school setting. In today’s episode, I am joined by Dr. Emily Upshur and we’ll help one mom who asks for advice on how to understand and respond to her kids when they're fighting.   We’ll offer mindset and behavioral shifts you yourself can make, break down the psychology of sharing, and help y...

19. Navigating sibling fights

Sibling dynamics can be complicated! And the way we parent the interactions between brothers and sisters often looks different than how we would handle the same situations in a playdate, daycare or school setting. In today’s episode, I am joined by Dr. Emily Upshur and we’ll help one mom who asks for advice on how to understand and respond to her kids when they're fighting.   We’ll offer mindset and behavioral shifts you yourself can make, break down the psychology of sharing, and help y...

18. Finding your footing in fatherhood: My husband's journey with RIE and respectful parenting

Parents often feel they need to be perfectly aligned with their partner in their parenting approach. While it is true that sharing the same overall values and standards do help, allowing your partner to parent in a way that feels most authentic to them can actually make for a healthy and diverse experience for children. And both relationships, while different, can still create secure attachment bonds.   Today I am welcoming my husband Danny to the podcast. We’ll share the lessons we lear...

18. Finding your footing in fatherhood: My husband's journey

Parents often feel they need to be perfectly aligned with their partner in their parenting approach. While it is true that sharing the same overall values and standards do help, allowing your partner to parent in a way that feels most authentic to them can actually make for a healthy and diverse experience for children. And both relationships, while different, can still create secure attachment bonds.   Today I am welcoming my husband Danny to the podcast. We’ll share the lessons we lea...

17. Busting parents' biggest sleep myths

If you’ve ever asked, “is it bad my baby naps less than my friends’ kids?” “is it too late to break the poor sleep habits I created?” or the all too common “am I doing this right?,” this sleep episode is for you! Along with my guest, infant and child sleep consultant and owner of Lolo Lullaby, Lauren Wolf, we’ll be busting parents’ biggest sleep myths.   Whether it’s navigating power struggles, setting proper developmental expectations, making mindset shifts, or learning to find what wor...

17. Busting parents' biggest sleep myths with Lauren Wolf

If you’ve ever asked, “is it bad my baby naps less than my friends’ kids?” “is it too late to break the poor sleep habits I created?” or the all too common “am I doing this right?,” this sleep episode is for you! Along with my guest, infant and child sleep consultant and owner of Lolo Lullaby, Lauren Wolf, we’ll be busting parents’ biggest sleep myths.   Whether it’s navigating power struggles, setting proper developmental expectations, making mindset shifts, or learning to find what wor...

17. Busting parents' biggest sleep myths to turn bedtime from stressful to restful with Lauren Wolf

If you’ve ever asked, “is it bad my baby naps less than my friends’ kids?” “is it too late to break the poor sleep habits I created?” or the all too common “am I doing this right?,” this sleep episode is for you! Along with my guest, infant and child sleep consultant and owner of Lolo Lullaby, Lauren Wolf, we’ll be busting parents’ biggest sleep myths.   Whether it’s navigating power struggles, setting proper developmental expectations, making mindset shifts, or learning to find what wor...

16. Time Saving Hacks: 5 ways parents can get back time

You don’t need to be Ferris Bueller to realize that time moves pretty fast these days. And for parents, that can lead to feelings of stress, exhaustion and burnout.   In this episode, I’ll walk you through 5 actionable steps you can start taking today to get more time back into your days and weeks. And then, once you’ve found these extra minutes or even hours, I’ll help you take stock of what matters most. So you can be intentionally spending this newfound freedom on things that fill up ...

15. Expanding the postpartum conversation: How PMADs can affect new fathers with Dr. Emily Upshur

The postpartum period presents new parents with a massive identity shift and an overwhelming flood of sudden changes. It’s important we talk about this and acknowledge that having a newborn is hard. While about 20% of mothers experience a PMAD, there is also a lesser talked about, yet still common situation that can occur.    1 in 10 new fathers or non-birthing partners experience some form of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder within the first year after the birth of their child. In th...

15. Expanding the postpartum conversation: How PMADs can affect new fathers

The postpartum period presents new parents with a massive identity shift and an overwhelming flood of sudden changes. It’s important we talk about this and acknowledge that having a newborn is hard. While about 20% of mothers experience a PMAD, there is also a lesser talked about, yet still common situation that can occur.    1 in 10 new fathers or non-birthing partners experience some form of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder within the first year after the birth of their child. In th...

14. Motherhood as a Millennial: Tuning out the noise and learning to find trust in ourselves

Millennial moms and dads have a lot of their plates. As the first generation to become parents in this advanced digital age, we’re especially hard-hit by the mom-guilt, constant comparisons, and access to an overwhelming (and unvetted) amount of information. Many of us were raised with punishments, sticker charts, and external rewards systems - so it’s no wonder we now find ourselves looking outward for validation.   In this episode, Marcella Kelson and I discuss ways millennial parents ...

14. Motherhood as a Millennial: Tuning out the noise and learning to find trust in ourselves with Marcella Kelson

Millennial moms and dads have a lot of their plates. As the first generation to become parents in this advanced digital age, we’re especially hard-hit by the mom-guilt, constant comparisons, and access to an overwhelming (and unvetted) amount of information. Many of us were raised with punishments, sticker charts, and external rewards systems - so it’s no wonder we now find ourselves looking outward for validation.   In this episode, Marcella Kelson and I discuss ways millennial parents...

13. Beyond postpartum depression: A breakdown of all PMADs (perinatal mood and anxiety disorders)

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders effect about 20% of women. It’s important we prepare parents-to-be for the possibility that they may experience this, and the symptoms to look out for. In this episode, I’ll be discussing the different forms of PMADs - postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum bipolar disorder and postpartum psychosis, and a few others. I’ll also share who is most at risk for developing these during and after pregnancy and what you can do if you or someone you...

13. Beyond postpartum depression: A breakdown of all perinatal mood and anxiety disorders

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders effect about 20% of women. It’s important we prepare parents-to-be for the possibility that they may experience this, and the symptoms to look out for. In this episode, I’ll be discussing the different forms of PMADs - postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum bipolar disorder and postpartum psychosis, and a few others. I’ll also share who is most at risk for developing these during and after pregnancy and what you can do if you or someone you...

12. Healing trauma and fostering connection through cooking with children with Chef Kibby

In this episode I am joined by professional chef and father to biological, adopted and foster children, Chef Kibby. You’ll hear how he uses the kitchen to help his children learn to trust and work through their trauma. And we'll walk you through what goes on in your child's brain when they engage in these activities.   All parents can use the 3 step process we’ll discuss to help you connect with your own children, regardless of whether they’ve experienced trauma or are just looking for a...

12. Healing trauma and fostering connection through cooking with children

In this episode I am joined by professional chef and father to biological, adopted and foster children, Chef Kibby. You’ll hear how he uses the kitchen to help his children learn to trust and work through their trauma. And we'll walk you through what goes on in your child's brain when they engage in these activities.   All parents can use the 3 step process we’ll discuss to help you connect with your own children, regardless of whether they’ve experienced trauma or are just looking for ...

11. How parents can teach body safety rules and help prevent child sexual abuse

Warning: This episode includes discussions on childhood sexual assault and may be triggering for some listeners.   It falls on us as parents to push through our own discomfort to engage in conversations that allow us to learn and understand the best ways to protect our children and keep them safe. In this episode, I am joined by Feather Berkower to discuss ways you can arm yourself and your children with tools to prevent sexual abuse. We’ll talk about preventative measures, the conversat...

11. How parents can teach body safety rules and help prevent child sexual abuse with Feather Berkower

Warning: This episode includes discussions on childhood sexual assault and may be triggering for some listeners.   It falls on us as parents to push through our own discomfort to engage in conversations that allow us to learn and understand the best ways to protect our children and keep them safe. In this episode, I am joined by Feather Berkower to discuss ways you can arm yourself and your children with tools to prevent sexual abuse. We’ll talk about preventative measures, the conversa...

10. Is it picky eating or a feeding disorder? And how to handle both with Rebecca Taskin

When parents have a picky eater on their hands it’s easy for them to unwittingly enter into a dance with their child that can lead to them becoming more and more resistant to foods as parents grow more and more frustrated during mealtimes. If you’ve been stuck in this dynamic with your own child, don’t worry, there is a way out of this vicious cycle.   In this episode, I’m joined by Rebecca Taskin, a trained feeding therapist and licensed speech and language pathologist. We’ll discuss te...

10. Is it picky eating or a feeding disorder? And how to handle both!

When parents have a picky eater on their hands it’s easy for them to unwittingly enter into a dance with their child that can lead to them becoming more and more resistant to foods as parents grow more and more frustrated during mealtimes. If you’ve been stuck in this dynamic with your own child, don’t worry, there is a way out of this vicious cycle.   In this episode, I’m joined by Rebecca Taskin, a trained feeding therapist and licensed speech and language pathologist. We’ll discuss te...

10. Is it picky eating or a feeding disorder? How to handle both with feeding therapist Rebecca Taskin

When parents have a picky eater on their hands it’s easy for them to unwittingly enter into a dance with their child that can lead to them becoming more and more resistant to foods as parents grow more and more frustrated during mealtimes. If you’ve been stuck in this dynamic with your own child, don’t worry, there is a way out of this vicious cycle.   In this episode, I’m joined by Rebecca Taskin, a trained feeding therapist and licensed speech and language pathologist. We’ll discuss te...

09. Child favoring one parent? Strategies that strengthen bonds and foster flexibility: Q&A with Dr. Emily Upshur

Favoring one parent over the other is a very common and developmentally normal phase for children. In this episode, Dr. Emily Upshur and I help a mom who is struggling with this issue. We discuss identifying which battles to pick, techniques she can use to help her child grow comfortable with Dad doing more, and how to handle this often highly emotional situation while being sensitive to the feelings of all the parties involved - Mom, Dad and child.    If you're managing similar struggl...

09. Child favoring one parent? Strategies that strengthen bonds and foster flexibility 

Favoring one parent over the other is a very common and developmentally normal phase for children. In this episode, Dr. Emily Upshur and I help a mom who is struggling with this issue. We discuss identifying which battles to pick, techniques she can use to help her child grow comfortable with Dad doing more, and how to handle this often highly emotional situation while being sensitive to the feelings of all the parties involved - Mom, Dad and child.    If you're managing similar struggle...

08. Sleep training, sleep learning, cry it out or never let them cry: The basics of creating an ideal sleep environment with Eileen Henry

When it comes to helping our children with sleeping, the goal is to make them feel confident and capable of independently falling asleep and then falling back asleep if they wake up in the middle of the night. Sounds simple enough, but how do we as parents help our children build that skillset? In this episode, my guest Eileen Henry and I will review many of these factors. We’ll discuss regulation techniques, how to create an ideal sleep environment - both physically and emotionally - and ho...

08. Sleep training, sleep learning, cry it out, or never let them cry: The basics of creating an ideal sleep environment with Eileen Henry

When it comes to helping our children with sleeping, the goal is to make them feel confident and capable of independently falling asleep and then falling back asleep if they wake up in the middle of the night. Sounds simple enough, but how do we as parents help our children build that skillset? In this episode, my guest Eileen Henry and I will review many of these factors. We’ll discuss regulation techniques, how to create an ideal sleep environment - both physically and emotionally - and ho...

08. Sleep training, sleep learning, cry it out or never let them cry: The basics of creating an ideal sleep environment

When it comes to helping our children with sleeping, the goal is to make them feel confident and capable of independently falling asleep and then falling back asleep if they wake up in the middle of the night. Sounds simple enough, but how do we as parents help our children build that skillset? In this episode, my guest Eileen Henry and I will review many of these factors. We’ll discuss regulation techniques, how to create an ideal sleep environment - both physically and emotionally - and ho...

#7 - Getting on the same page as your partner in parenting

What do I do when my partner and I are not on the same page with our parenting values, how do we raise our kids, how can we address behavioral issues?  In this episode, I’ll be tackling all those questions and helping you and your partner work as a team to create a united front. I’ll cover when and how to have conversations together (sneak peak: it’s the same advice I give parents about when to communicate with their child too). How to determine and define the values that are important to ...

07. Getting on the same page as your partner in parenting

What do I do when my partner and I are not on the same page with our parenting values, how do we raise our kids, how can we address behavioral issues?  In this episode, I’ll be tackling all those questions and helping you and your partner work as a team to create a united front. I’ll cover when and how to have conversations together (sneak peak: it’s the same advice I give parents about when to communicate with their child too). How to determine and define the values that are important to ...

#6 - Teaching children emotion regulation skills through coregulation : A conversation with Dana Rosenbloom 

Young children often need our help to get their bodies and minds back into a regulated state after they’ve lost their cool. One of the most effective tools parents can use to do this is to coregulate with their child. Start by making sure you’re regulated yourself, then become a solid and grounding presence, and continue holding firm to the limits you’ve set. In this episode, I am joined by Dana Rosenbloom of Dana’s Kids and together she and I cover exactly how parents can follow this proce...

06. Teaching children emotion regulation skills through coregulation with Dana Rosenbloom

Young children often need our help to get their bodies and minds back into a regulated state after they’ve lost their cool. One of the most effective tools parents can use to do this is to coregulate with their child. Start by making sure you’re regulated yourself, then become a solid and grounding presence, and continue holding firm to the limits you’ve set. In this episode, I am joined by Dana Rosenbloom of Dana’s Kids and together she and I cover exactly how parents can follow this proces...

06. Teaching children emotion regulation skills through coregulation : A conversation with Dana Rosenbloom 

Young children often need our help to get their bodies and minds back into a regulated state after they’ve lost their cool. One of the most effective tools parents can use to do this is to coregulate with their child. Start by making sure you’re regulated yourself, then become a solid and grounding presence, and continue holding firm to the limits you’ve set. In this episode, I am joined by Dana Rosenbloom of Dana’s Kids and together she and I cover exactly how parents can follow this proce...

05. Using the RIE method to create strong parent-child relationships 

I’m joined by Deborah Carlisle Solomon and together we'll discuss 3 easy to implement and actionable steps parents can start taking today to strengthen trust and cooperation in their parent-child relationships - and the best part is that you can add them right into the routines you’ve already established! I want to hear from you! Send me a topic you want me to cover or a question you want answered on the show! ✨ DM me on Instagram at @securelyattachedpodcast or @drsarahbren ✨Send an emai...

05. Using the RIE method to create strong parent-child relationships with Deborah Carlisle Solomon

I’m joined by Deborah Carlisle Solomon and together we'll discuss 3 easy to implement and actionable steps parents can start taking today to strengthen trust and cooperation in their parent-child relationships - and the best part is that you can add them right into the routines you’ve already established!   I want to hear from you! Send me a topic you want me to cover or a question you want answered on the show! ✨ DM me on Instagram at @securelyattachedpodcast or @drsarahbren ...

05. Using the RIE method to create strong parent-child relationships with Deborah Carlisle Solomon

I’m joined by Deborah Carlisle Solomon and together we'll discuss 3 easy to implement and actionable steps parents can start taking today to strengthen trust and cooperation in their parent-child relationships - and the best part is that you can add them right into the routines you’ve already established! I want to hear from you! Send me a topic you want me to cover or a question you want answered on the show! ✨ DM me on Instagram at @securelyattachedpodcast or @drsarahbren ✨Send an emai...

#05 - Using the RIE method to create strong parent-child relationships 

  I’m joined by Deborah Carlisle Solomon and together we'll discuss 3 easy to implement and actionable steps parents can start taking today to strengthen trust and cooperation in their parent-child relationships - and the best part is that you can add them right into the routines you’ve already established! I want to hear from you! Send me a topic you want me to cover or a question you want answered on the show! ✨ DM me on Instagram at @securelyattachedpodcast or @drsarahbren ✨Send an e...

04. You Hear "I hate you!" - But what is your child really trying to communicate

  Dr. Sarah and Dr. Emily respond to a mom who is asking for help figuring out what to do when her child says “I hate you!” or uses hurtful language. I want to hear from you! Send me a topic you want me to cover or a question you want answered on the show! ✨ DM me on Instagram at @securelyattachedpodcast or @drsarahbren ✨Send an email to [email protected] ✨ And check out drsarahbren.com for more parenting resources

04. You hear "I hate you!" but what is your child really trying to communicate: Q&A with Dr. Emily Upshur

 Dr. Sarah and Dr. Emily respond to a mom who is asking for help figuring out what to do when her child says “I hate you!” or uses hurtful language.   I want to hear from you! Send me a topic you want me to cover or a question you want answered on the show! ✨ DM me on Instagram at @securelyattachedpodcast or @drsarahbren ✨Send an email to [email protected]                                         ✨ And check out drsarahbren.com for more parenting resources

#04 - You Hear "I hate you!" - But what is your child really trying to communicate

  Dr. Sarah and Dr. Emily respond to a mom who is asking for help figuring out what to do when her child says “I hate you!” or uses hurtful language. I want to hear from you! Send me a topic you want me to cover or a question you want answered on the show! ✨ DM me on Instagram at @securelyattachedpodcast or @drsarahbren ✨Send an email to [email protected] ✨ And check out drsarahbren.com for more parenting resources  

03. The Wonders of Play: More Than Just a Way to Pass the Time : A conversation with Jennie Monness

Jennie Monness, creator of @momommies and co-founder of Union Square Play and I discuss what exactly the function of play is (spoiler alert - it’s more than you might imagine), why play is so important for healthy development, and how to create a safe and enriching environment for your child.   I want to hear from you! Send me a topic you want me to cover or a question you want answered on the show! ✨ DM me on Instagram at @securelyattachedpodcast or @drsarahbren ✨Send an ema...

#03 - The Wonders of Play: More Than Just a Way to Pass the Time : A conversation with Jennie Monness

  Jennie Monness, creator of @momommies and co-founder of Union Square Play and I discuss what exactly the function of play is (spoiler alert - it’s more than you might imagine), why play is so important for healthy development, and how to create a safe and enriching environment for your child. I want to hear from you! Send me a topic you want me to cover or a question you want answered on the show! ✨ DM me on Instagram at @securelyattachedpodcast or @drsarahbren ✨Send an email to info...

02. Attachment Theory and Fostering Secure Attachment Relationships

In my deep dive on the topic of attachment theory I’ll review the nuts and bolts of exactly what it is and why secure attachment bonds are so essential to the formation of personality and predictive of all kinds of positive mental health outcomes. I want to hear from you! Send me a topic you want me to cover or a question you want answered on the show! ✨ DM me on Instagram at @securelyattachedpodcast or @drsarahbren ✨Send an email to [email protected] ✨ And check out drs...

#02 - Attachment Theory and Fostering Secure Attachment Relationships

  In my deep dive on the topic of attachment theory I’ll review the nuts and bolts of exactly what it is and why secure attachment bonds are so essential to the formation of personality and predictive of all kinds of positive mental health outcomes. I want to hear from you! Send me a topic you want me to cover or a question you want answered on the show! ✨ DM me on Instagram at @securelyattachedpodcast or @drsarahbren ✨Send an email to [email protected] ✨ And check out drsarahbren....

#01 - Hi, I'm Dr. Sarah Bren

  In this episode I’ll tell you a bit more about myself and my journey to create this podcast. I’ll talk about how and why I pivoted my clinical work from adults with trauma histories to parenting. And I’ll share my passion for helping parents understand the building blocks of child development and how to harness the power of the parent-child relationship so they can calmly and confidently respond to any problem that arises, feel more in sync with their child, and truly enjoy parenting!⁠⁠...

01. Hi, I'm Dr. Sarah Bren

  In this episode I’ll tell you a bit more about myself and my journey to create this podcast. I’ll talk about how and why I pivoted my clinical work from adults with trauma histories to parenting. And I’ll share my passion for helping parents understand the building blocks of child development and how to harness the power of the parent-child relationship so they can calmly and confidently respond to any problem that arises, feel more in sync with their child, and truly enjoy parenting!⁠⁠...

Trailer

Securely Attached Podcast Trailer

  Parenthood is a messy, chaotic, wild ride - and guess what, that’s okay! I’m Dr. Sarah Bren, a clinical psychologist and mom of two. I’ve built a career dedicated to helping families find deep connections, build healthy relationships, repair attachment wounds, kick the guilt, and raise kids who are healthy, secure, resilient, and kind. In this podcast, I’ve taken all of my clinical experience, current research on brain science and child psychology, and the insights I’ve gained on my own ...