Securely Attached
448 episodes — Page 1 of 9
Q&A: Am I wrong...or did my doctor give bad parenting advice?
The neuroscience of resonance: How to use language to strengthen attachment with your child with Sarah Peyton
The connection crisis: Why kids are struggling with friendship and what parents can do with Dr. Niobe Way
How to build a secure attachment with yourself: The connection between self-worth and parenting with Dr. Marisa G. Franco
Picky eating, protein, food dyes, and nutrition myths: What parents actually need to know with Jennifer Anderson
"Gentle parenting" isn't enough: Why kids need both emotional validation and boundaries with Dr. Siggie Cohen
Back by Popular Demand: How to support your child's secure attachment even if you didn't grow up with it with Dr. Miriam Steele
Q&A: What should I do if my child has intrusive thoughts?
Child custody through divorce: Navigating the courts and building a custody schedule that works with Michael Fried
Q&A: How can I get my child to be potty trained at night?
How to use music to strengthen your child's attachment, reduce stress, and create more moments of connection with Vered Benhorin
Q&A: Does my child have anxiety or are they just highly sensitive?
Back by Popular Demand: What to do when your child says, "I'm stupid," "I hate myself," or "I'm a bad kid"
Q&A: What do I do when my child says "no" to everything?
The gut-brain connection: How food affects your child's mood, behavior, and mental health with Dr. Uma Naidoo
Q&A: Is my 3-year-old being rude or just acting their age?
Back by Popular Demand: The neuroscience of sleep training, bed sharing, and baby sleep with Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum
Q&A: How can I get my toddler to brush their teeth without a power struggle?
Nonviolent Communication in parenthood: A communication framework that can transform the way you parent with Oren Jay Sofer
Q&A: How can I support my child with PANS or PANDAS through anxiety and OCD?
Back by Popular Demand: Teaching children emotion regulation through co-regulation with Dana Rosenbloom
Q&A: How do I tell my children we're getting divorced?
Raising a neurodivergent child: How connection, co-regulation, and self-compassion change everything with Debbie Reber
Q&A: Why does my child follow me from room to room?
Back by Popular Demand: Using Presence as the Antidote to Trauma with Dr. Jacob Ham
Q&A: How can I help my child adjust to a big move?
Why anxiety can be good for us: Helping your child handle fear, uncertainty, and discomfort with Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary
Q&A: How should I respond when my child touches herself?
How collaborative divorce and positive psychology can reduce conflict and support your children with Andrea Vacca
Q&A: How can I help my sensitive child stand up for themself to peers?
A deep dive into strengthening your child's attachment as they grow: What children need from us at every stage of development
Q&A: How do I help my child sleep independently without pressure?
The mattering gap: Why so many parents feel invisible, overwhelmed, and disconnected with Jennifer Wallace
Q&A: How do I tell my child he's going to start therapy?
Nature vs nurture: Understanding sensitivity, resilience, and what really shapes kids with Dr. Jay Belsky
Q&A: How do I help my toddler cope with an absent parent?
Creating a calmer home: Using design and organization to support your child's nervous system with Rachel Melvald
Q&A: What should I do when my toddler fights diaper changes and refuses to use the potty?
How to help your child have a healthier relationship with screens: The psychology behind what actually works with Catherine Price
Q&A: How do I support my child with language delays during playdates?
Lice explained: How to treat it, stop the spread, and skip the shame, from a registered nurse
Q&A: Why does my child go from being fine to melting down in a matter of seconds?
Divorce with less conflict: Co-parenting, emotion regulation, and supporting your kids with Katherine Miller
Q&A: When and how should I tell my child about his autism diagnosis?
Doulas, birth plans, and anxiety: How to feel more confident and less overwhelmed in pregnancy and postpartum with Sarah Ludwig
Ep 401Q&A: What should I do when my toddler hits or pulls my hair?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about... Why the expectation that toddlers should already know how to regulate themselves is a common parenting myth. What's actually happening in a child's brain and body when their emotional "gas tank" is empty. Why your child's big reaction to a limit doesn't mean you've done something wrong. The difference between holding a boundary and trying to solve your child's feelings. What to do when your child's behavior is physically aggressive, like hitting or hair pulling. Why your own triggers matter and how understanding them can help you respond differently. The foundational factors (like sleep, fresh air, movement, and connection) that often drive behavior more than discipline strategies. If you've ever felt powerless, guilty, or overwhelmed in the face of your child's big emotions, this episode will help you zoom out, reset unrealistic expectations, and approach these moments with more clarity and compassion—for both your child and yourself. REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES: 👉 Want extra support in your parenting journey? Upshur Bren Psychology Group offers therapy and coaching to give parents the tools to feel more grounded and confident as they navigate parenthood and learn how to most effectively support their child. Visit upshurbren.com to explore our services and schedule a free 30-minute consultation call to find the support that's right for your family. CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about the psychology behind dysregulation with founder of Parenting Translator Cara Goodwin 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about what to do when your child is hitting 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to identify and manage your triggers with Dr. Amber Thornton 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about using the attachment relationship to help your toddler fall asleep, with Eileen Henry WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU: Go to https://drsarahbren.com/question to send us a question or a topic you want to hear us answer on Securely Attached - Beyond the Sessions!
Ep 400GLP-1s and parenting: Body image, food noise, and talking to your child about changes to your body with Dr. Rachel Goldman
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are everywhere right now. But behind the headlines and social media debates are real people navigating complicated questions about body image, health, and how to talk about these changes with their families. Clinical psychologist Dr. Rachel Goldman joins me to unpack the psychology behind GLP-1 medications, the concept of "food noise," and how parents can thoughtfully talk to their children about changes in their own bodies. Together we explore: Why obesity is now understood as a chronic, multifactorial disease rather than a simple issue of willpower. What "food noise" is and why GLP-1 medications can dramatically quiet the constant mental chatter around food. The biggest misconceptions about GLP-1 medications and why they're not simply "weight loss drugs." Why significant body changes can bring up complicated identity and emotional shifts. How parents can talk to kids about weight loss or body changes without reinforcing shame or diet culture. The difference between body positivity and body neutrality and why neutrality may be more realistic and helpful for many families. Small language shifts that help children focus on what their bodies do, rather than how they look. Why it's never too late for parents to shift the way they talk about bodies and health. This conversation will help you understand the science and psychology behind GLP-1 medications and give you practical tools and language to navigate your own health journey and talk about it with your kids in thoughtful, supportive ways. LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST: 🔗 Dr. Rachel 📚 When Life Happens: The Mindset Shift You Need to Manage Stress, Build Confidence, and Break Free FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: 📱@drrachelnyc 📱@drsarahbren ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: 👉 Want extra support in your parenting journey? Upshur Bren Psychology Group offers therapy and parenting coaching to help you feel more grounded and confident as you support your child's emotional development and navigate challenges like body image, big emotions, anxiety, and family dynamics. Visit upshurbren.com to explore our services and schedule a free 30-minute consultation call to find the support that's right for your family. CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about navigating their effects on body image from early childhood to teen years with Dr. Miriam Steele 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about empowering girls to navigate media, body image, and societal pressures with Dr. Jo-Ann Finkelstein 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about youth sports and body image with Zoë Bisbing
Ep 399Q&A: Are time-ins better than time-outs?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about... What a time-in actually is and how it's different from a time-out. How to tell if your child's behavior is coming from dysregulation, a skill gap, or deliberate behavior. How to know which discipline tools will work best in each unique situation. The difference between co-regulating during a meltdown and teaching a behavioral boundary (and how to know when to use each). How to use time-outs as a teaching tool, not a punishment. How developmental stages affect behaviors like hitting, tantrums, and defiance—and what realistic expectations to set. Why trying to find the "perfect parenting script" often makes discipline harder. The one question to ask yourself that will help you decide what to do in the moment. If you've ever found yourself wondering whether you should comfort your child, correct the behavior, or step away entirely, this episode will help you zoom out, understand what's really going on underneath the behavior, and respond more intentionally. REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES: 🔗 Longitudinal Relationship Between Time-Out and Child Emotional and Behavioral Functioning 👉 Feeling confused about discipline strategies like time-ins, time-outs, and consequences? Visit drsarahbren.com/timeout to download my ✨FREE✨ Discipline Guide to learn when and how to use these tools in a way that actually supports your child's development while reducing power struggles at home. This guide breaks down how to respond to common behaviors like tantrums, hitting, and defiance so you can feel more confident in the moment. 📚The Tantrum Survival Guide: Tune In to Your Toddler's Mind (and Your Own) to Calm the Craziness and Make Family Fun Again by Rebecca Schrag Hershberg, PhD CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about using your child's brain, body and nervous system to guide your parenting Dr. Mona Delahooke 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about the psychology behind dysregulation with founder of Parenting Translator Cara Goodwin 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to integrate effective discipline that prioritizes emotional and mental health with Sarah R. Moore WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU: Go to https://drsarahbren.com/question to send us a question or a topic you want to hear us answer on Securely Attached - Beyond the Sessions!
Ep 398Back by popular demand: Attachment theory and fostering secure attachment relationships
Let's revisit the foundation of raising securely attached kids! I'm bringing back one of my first ever episodes to help parents understand the basics of how a secure attachment bond impacts children's resilience, confidence, and overall well-being. Tune in to hear: What secure attachment is and how it plays a key role in nurturing a child's confidence, curiosity, and ability to handle life's ups and downs. The powerful influence of feeling safe and seen on a child's ability to be honest, adaptable, and resilient. Practical strategies for fostering secure attachment, no matter the age of your child. How attachment affects a child's development into a compassionate, kind individual who can build meaningful relationships throughout their life. This episode offers science-backed insights and actionable tips and is a must-listen for all parents! INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT ATTACHMENT SCIENCE? Click HERE to download my free guide, The Four Pillars of Fostering Secure Attachment, helping you parent with a focus on attunement and trust. LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. SARAH: https://drsarahbren.com/ FOLLOW DR. SARAH ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/drsarahbren/ CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Breaking the cycle of insecure attachment: How to support your child's secure attachment even if you didn't grow up with it with Dr. Miriam Steele 🎧 Secure attachment is optimal, but insecure attachment may not be as bad as we think with Dr. Or Dagan 🎧 Can my kid be securely attached to me if I'm insecurely attached in my adult relationships?
Ep 397Q&A: How do I handle sibling rivalry when my baby keeps touching my toddler's toys?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about... Whether it's developmentally realistic to expect a baby and a toddler to "work together" during play. If separating siblings in certain moments is helpful parenting… or something we're supposed to avoid. The concept of "territory" in child development and why young children often need spaces and projects that feel protected. Why pushing young children to share too early can sometimes make cooperation harder later on. How helping a toddler trust that their creations and belongings will be respected can actually reduce sibling rivalry over time. The difference between communal family spaces and personal spaces for kids' toys and projects. Simple ways to set boundaries that support both children's needs without turning every moment into a negotiation. Where kids actually learn to get along with siblings — so you can focus on the moments that matter and release some of the pressure around the rest. If you're parenting siblings close in age and feel like you're constantly refereeing fights over toys, this episode will help you better understand what's developmentally normal and give you practical ways to support both children without feeling like you have to force sharing or cooperation before they're ready. REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES: 👉 Want extra support in your parenting journey? Upshur Bren Psychology Group offers therapy and coaching to give parents the tools to feel more grounded and confident as they navigate parenthood and learn how to most effectively support their child. Visit upshurbren.com to explore our services and schedule a free 30-minute consultation call to find the support that's right for your family. CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about encouraging sibling empathy without making them responsible for each other's feelings 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to get your toddler to share 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about soothing your baby and encouraging a closed sibling bond with Dr. Golly WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU: Go to https://drsarahbren.com/question to send us a question or a topic you want to hear us answer on Securely Attached - Beyond the Sessions!