Episódios

  • Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...

    - Unpacking what you consider to be a “chore” versus what is just an expectation of your child as a member of the household.

    - How do you teach your child to do chores (and why you may need to remind them to do it over and over and over again!)

    - At what age is it appropriate to expect your child to be able to accomplish tasks like chores?

    - How to take advantage of routines when it comes to setting expectations and creating habits with your child.

    - Being intentional about looking for opportunities where your child can help out that are aligned with your family values.

    - Will giving chores decrease your child’s intrinsic motivation? (And why it’s not so black and white)

    ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about unlocking motivation with Dr. Ellen Braaten

    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about balancing the load of parenthood with Lauren A. Tetenbaum

    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode that busts positive parenting myths with Tracy Gillett

    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!

  • Get science-backed strategies to raise kids who are compassionate, kind, and successful in today’s chaotic world with Melinda Wenner Moyer.

    In this episode, we explore:

    - How becoming a parent shifted Melinda’s attention to applying science and research to answer her most pressing parenting questions

    - One of the most surprising and counterintuitive things Melinda learned when she started to dig into the research on parenting.

    - How to approach challenging topics, like race, authentically and in age-appropriate ways without needing a “script.”

    - Diving into Carol Dweck’s research study using fixed vs growth mindset language with kids and how it affected their perseverance (Spoiler: Kids who were given fixed mindset messaging showed less resilience.)

    - Why kids lie, the best ways we can respond when they do, and how this can impact how likely they are to be open with us as they get older.

    - How attachment security impacts our kid’s ability to be confident, curious, flexible, and compassionate

    If you’re looking to raise kind, resilient kids who feel safe being honest with you, this conversation is filled with insights to help you make that happen!

    LEARN MORE ABOUT MELINDA:

    https://www.melindawennermoyer.com/

    READ MELINDA'S BOOKS:

    📚 How to Raise Kids Who Aren't Assholes: Science-Based Strategies for Better Parenting--from Tots to Teens

    📚 Hello, Cruel World!: Science-Based Strategies for Raising Terrific Kids in Terrifying Times

    JOIN MELINDA'S SUBSTACK:

    📖 Is My Kid the Asshole?

    FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:

    📱@melindawmoyer and @drsarahbren

    ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE:

    Read more about Carol Dweck

    Watch the Instagram reel we talk about: Teaching my boomer mom about gentle parenting

    CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

    🎧 Raising conscious kids: A thoughtful exploration of bias, cultural identity, and diversity with Dr. Dana E. Crawford

    🎧 The hidden dangers of an achievement centric approach with Jennifer Breheny Wallace

    🎧 Raising emotionally intelligent sons: Parenting boys to combat "toxic masculinity" with Ruth Whippman

    🎧 Debunking the myth of learning styles: What the research actually says are the best ways to teach our children with Dr. Dan Willingham

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  • Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...

    - Unpacking what “shy” really means and exploring the space between shyness and social anxiety.

    - When to encourage your child and push them out of their comfort zone versus when it's better to respect their boundaries.

    - Thinking of shyness as a feeling and not a character trait - plus a script for how to articulate that distinction to your child.

    - Why young children may act more shy around other kids, especially in environments like a playground.

    - The different levels of support you can use to stretch your child with specific real-world examples of how this may sound and play out.

    - Saying hello is a common struggle many “shy kids” face. We're discussing whether or not you should force them to say hello.

    - Different parenting approaches and strategies to try based on your child’s age.

    ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about temperament and personality with Dr. Koraly Pérez-Edgar

    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about why birthday parties may be challenging for your child

    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!

  • In honor of ADHD Awareness Month, we're talking about how mindfulness can reduce symptoms of ADHD with Dr. Lidia Zylowska.

    In this episode we explore:

    - Does having ADHD make it harder to engage in mindfulness and meditation practices? (Spoiler: Yes, but there are things we can do about that!)

    - What the research reveals about mindfulness in teens and adults with ADHD and the science of how a mindfulness practice strengthens neurological deficits in the brain.

    - Parenthood requires so much executive functioning, sensory stimulation, and stress, so often this is when the strategies we’ve been using to manage symptoms of ADHD fall apart.

    - Concrete strategies, like the best time of day, introducing aspects of physicality, and logistical considerations for how to incorporate mindfulness practice into your life when sitting still feels too difficult or daunting.

    - Tips for identifying what helps you personally feel less flooded that can serve as your go-to’s when things start to feel scattered, stuck, or overwhelming.

    - The importance of self-compassion in mindfulness and how this is an often overlooked, yet key piece of mindfulness practices.

    If you're curious about how mindfulness can make a real difference for those with ADHD, this episode is a must-listen!

    LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. LIDIA:

    https://lidiazylowska.com/

    READ LIDIA'S BOOKS:

    📚 The Mindfulness Prescription for Adult ADHD: An 8-Step Program for Strengthening Attention, Managing Emotions, and Achieving Your Goals

    📚 Mindfulness for Adult ADHD: A Clinician's Guide

    WATCH LIDIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS:

    💻 MindfulRxADHD

    ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:

    👉🏻 ADDitude

    👉🏻 Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)

    👉🏻 Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA)

    GET MORE SUPPORT:

    👉🏻 Go to upshurbren.com if you're interested in resources for you or your child with ADHD, including individual, group, parenting support, and neuropsychological evaluation services tailored to your unique needs.

    CHECK ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

    🎧 The benefits of mindfulness: How to use this practice for ourselves and our children with Diana Winston

    🎧 The science of “mom-rage” and how to use mindfulness as a as a tool for being less reactive with Diana Winston

    🎧 ADHD and attachment security: How to connect with and support your neurodiverse child with Dr. Norrine Russell

    🎧 How do I help my child with ADHD utilize school support systems without feeling embarrassed or self-conscious?

  • Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...

    - What are the advantages of telehealth appointments and the ability to do virtual sessions from anywhere.

    - Do the full range of emotions and subtle nuances get lost when you’re talking through a screen? (Spoiler: Our brains fill in so much it often feels like we’re in the same room.)

    - What to consider to determine if virtual therapy may not be the best option for you.

    - The different levels of interventions and the types of support that can match up with each.

    - If you are doing virtual therapy, how to maximize the experience and specific strategies to implement to make your sessions most effective.

    - What is the difference between therapy and mental health coaching and what are the different rules for each based on the state you live in.

    REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:

    👉🏻 If you're interested in exploring our therapy and coaching support services, feel free to reach out to us at Upshur Bren Psychology Group for a free 15-minute consultation so we can suggest a treatment plan for your unique needs.

    ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about newborn sleep with Greer Kirshenbaum

    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about staying mindful in postpartum and early parenthood with Dr. Kira Bartlett

    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about going back to work after maternity leave with Lauren Smith Brody

    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!

  • Here to talk about the unique challenges that come from pregnancy and postpartum with multiples is the founder of Gold Coast Doulas, Kristin Revere.

    In this episode we explore:

    - What exactly is a doula and how can doulas be helpful for expecting and postpartum parents, especially for those with multiples?

    - Understanding the emotional, physical, and logistical stress associated with having twins or triplets.

    - Resources that are available and insurance coverage options broken down for those seeking access to doula care (whether you're having one baby or more).

    - A framework—including the most important questions to ask—when looking for a doula that can meet your family's unique needs and best support you.

    - The difference between a night nurse and a postpartum doula and what to consider to determine what type of care would be best for your family.

    - Baby registry tips, postpartum strategies, and what an average day with a doula supporting multiples may look like.

    If you've ever wondered what a doula does and how they can help, especially if you're expecting multiples, this conversation is for you!

    SHOW NOTES:

    (link)

    LEARN MORE ABOUT KRISTIN & GOLD COAST DOULAS:

    https://www.goldcoastdoulas.com/

    READ HER BOOK:

    📚 Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby by Kristin Revere and Alyssa Veneklase

    LISTEN TO HER PODCAST:

    🎧 Ask The Doulas Podcast

    ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:

    Fertility, birth, and postpartum insurance and care resources:

    - Carrot

    - Progyny

    - Maven

    - Tricare

    - MomsBloom

    🤳 DOWNLOAD my free postpartum mental health checklist

    💻 WATCH my free workshop, Confident Parenting from the Start, to get tools and strategies that you can put into practice right away to challenge self-doubt, put an end to your panic-Googling, and finally find the ease and enjoyment in early parenthood!

    👉🏻 JOIN ME in The Authentic Parent, my comprehensive self-paced course that takes my workshop to the next level and teaches you everything you need to know (that no one tells you ahead of time) for how to confidently move through your first year of parenthood.

    CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

    🎧 Maternal mental health throughout pregnancy and parenthood with birth doula Carson Meyer

    🎧 Rethinking the birth plan: How to create a plan with your OBGYN that supports resilience and reduces anxiety with Dr. Shieva Ghofrany

    🎧 NICU survival guide: Establishing a secure attachment even when your child is in the hospital with the founders of NICU Nook

    🎧 Beyond postpartum depression: A breakdown of all PMADs

    🎧 Becoming a grandparent: Embracing the complicated identity shifts that come when your baby has a baby with Carol Merle- Fishman

  • Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...

    - Dr. Rebecca shares how she made the decision of whether or not to send her own two children to sleep-away camp. (Spoiler: She chose to send her older child, not her younger son.)

    - The logistical and financial pointers to think of that can potentially buy you some extra time to make this decision.

    - Is it better to send them when they’re not ready, or hold them back for a year and risk the potential consequences? Dr. Sarah and Dr. Rebecca share what they suggest parents do if you’re on the fence.

    - The developmental milestones and skills you want to look for to help you decide if your kid may be ready for camp.

    - Should you send your kid to sleep-away camp? It all boils down to a simple-single answer (a Beyond the Sessions first!)

    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!

  • Join me for an inspiring conversation with Lauren Smith Brody, author and founder of The Fifth Trimester, as we explore the realities and challenges of being a working parent.

    In this episode we discuss:

    - The one thing that Lauren has observed to most galvanize people to stand up for their needs and their family's needs in the workplace.

    - Dr. Sarah shares the oh-so-relatable working-mom struggle that led her to be 8 months pregnant, crying alone in a coffee shop.

    - How to step back and identify if the “rules” aren’t working for you and how you can start to feel more empowered to break them (even when it’s hard!)

    - A simple strategy for making it easier for your work to say yes to your requests (Hint: The first step is understanding why it’s an economically good decision for your boss to make the accommodations you’re requesting.)

    - What a small business owner can do to support working parents when they don’t necessarily have the financial resources to do all the big-ticket items they wish they could.

    - How employers can help their teams “resentment-proof” their career and their lives with solutions for the future.

    Tune in for a conversation packed with insights on how to empower working moms and transform workplace culture!

    LEARN MORE ABOUT LAUREN SMITH BRODY:

    https://www.thefifthtrimester.com/

    READ LAUREN'S BOOK:

    📚 The Fifth Trimester: The Working Mom's Guide to Style, Sanity, and Success After Baby

    LEARN MORE ABOUT CHAMBER OF MOTHERS:

    https://chamberofmothers.com/

    VOTE LIKE A MOTHER:

    https://chamberofmothers.com/vote-like-a-mother/

    ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:

    🎧 LISTEN to my podcast interview with fellow Chamber of Mothers member Alexis Barad-Cutler

    🎧 LISTEN to my podcast interview with fellow Chamber of Mothers member Raena Boston

    📚 READ The R.O.I. of Caregiving Benefits white paper

  • Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...

    - What are the barriers we are grappling with as a society in terms of parental mental health?

    - The energy, resolve, and 'all-emcompassingness' of parenthood has long been ignored and undervalued in our society.

    - Is it okay for moms to make themselves a priority, even over the long list of your child’s needs? - Our answer may (but hopefully won’t) surprise you.

    - Is the “parenting industrial complex” causing parents to feel more shame, fear, and dependency?

    - How to tune into your instinct and feel empowered knowing you’re the expert on your own kid.

    - Getting through the misinformation and noise to help you take some of the pressure off your shoulders.

    - What parents (and everyone) can do to support parental mental health!

    REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:

    📚 U.S. Surgeon General Issues Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents

    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!

  • Join me for a deep dive into the essential aspects of emotional regulation in parenting with clinical psychologist, Dr. Amber Thornton.

    In this episode we explore:

    - Cognitive, emotional, physical, and physiological regulation - the differences between all four and how this knowledge can help you feel more grounded.

    - Dr. Amber shares her PCR Method that parents can use to identify and manage their own dysregulation.

    - How to understand your parenting triggers (because we all have them!) so you can use more effective strategies tailored to your unique nervous system.

    - Gain practical approaches for reparenting yourself to meet the needs of your younger self.

    - Why being an imperfect parent is actually beneficial, and even optimal, for your child’s development!

    - How understanding the scientific principles of attachment theory can help reduce fear and lower the stakes we feel in parenthood.

    Discover practical strategies to help you navigate the challenges of parenthood while fostering a healthier connection with your children.

    LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. AMBER:

    https://www.dramberthornton.com/

    READ DR. AMBER'S BOOK:

    📚 A Parent's Guide to Self-Regulation: A Practical Framework for Breaking the Cycle of Dysregulation and Mastering Emotions for Parents and Children

    WATCH DR. AMBER ON YOUTUBE:

    💻 https://www.youtube.com/@dramberthornton

    ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:

    👉🏻 Click HERE for my workshop, Be the Calm in Your Child's Storm: How to Keep Your Cool When Your Child Loses Theirs, to get the exact therapeutic interventions I use with my patients that can change the way your brain and body interprets your child’s dysregulation to help you stay cool in the heat of the moment.

    👉🏻 Click HERE to download my free guide, The Four Pillars of Fostering Secure Attachment, helping you parent with a focus on attunement and trust.

    FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:

    @dramberthornton

    @drsarahbren

    CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

    🎧 The psychology behind dysregulation with Cara Goodwin

    🎧 Teaching children emotion regulation skills through coregulation with Dana Rosenbloom

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

  • Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...

    - What is a phobia, and how can it show up (like, for this 7-year-old who developed a fear of vomiting after having a stomach bug) in kids?

    - How to recognize when your child’s phobia or anxiety might require additional support versus when soothing and comfort may be enough to help them through their discomfort.

    - When to treat child anxiety or phobias with CBT and when to use a SPACE approach - and how to determine the best fit for your child.

    - What a supportive statement is and how it can be a powerful first step to helping your child manage their fears (plus, why mastering it can mean your job as a parent is done!)

    - A counterintuitive approach: how reframing our own responsibility to focus on our responses and behaviors rather than trying to change our child’s behavior can take a huge weight and pressure off a parent's shoulders.

    - The biggest mistake that Dr. Sarah and Dr. Emily see parents make when they try to implement a SPACE approach - and how to avoid this pitfall.

    REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:

    📚 Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD: A Scientifically Proven Program for Parents by Eli R. Lebowitz, PhD

    👉🏻 If you're interested in exploring support options for your child's anxiety, including SPACE small groups and one-on-one interventions, feel free to reach out to us at Upshur Bren Psychology Group for a free 15-minute consultation so we can suggest a treatment plan for your unique needs.

    WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CHILDHOOD ANXIETY:

    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about the creator of SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) Dr. Eli Lebowitz

    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about using SPACE to treat ARFID with Dr. Yaara Shimshoni

    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about when it may be time for a mental health intervention to help your child manage their anxiety symptoms

    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about navigating your child's anxiety with Dr. Terri Bacow

    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!

  • After the birth of her daughter, Catherine Price noticed a disconnect—her baby was looking up at her, while she was looking down at her phone. This sparked her interest in understanding why our phones are so hard to put down, what that’s doing to our memory, creativity, and overall lived experience, and how we can break free from the grip of technology to live more intentional lives.

    In this episode we explore:

    - Catherine’s definition of fun: The overlapping of playfulness, connection, and flow. Plus, how understanding each can help us experience genuine fun that refills our buckets.

    - When our jobs don’t have a clear start time and end time, it can become addicting to staying connected 24/7. Tune in for specific strategies to intentionally combat this.

    - Catherine coaches Dr. Sarah through the relatable struggles she and so many parents experience when attempting to put down the phone (Sneak peek: it’s taken her 6 months to plug in the alarm clock she bought instead of using her phone next to her bed.)

    - An easy first step people can take to cut the cord with their phone.

    - Strategies for when and how to communicate with your kids about screen time (that don’t cause them to shut down or feel defensive). Plus, how to break down the process of getting your kid their first phone into smaller steps that usher them more gradually into the digital world.

    - Setting appropriate tech boundaries that honor your family's values while also taking into consideration how much of kids’ social lives are facilitated through technology today.

    Listen now for insights and actionable tips to help you free yourself from your screens to have more fun!

    LEARN MORE ABOUT CATHERINE PRICE:

    https://catherineprice.com/

    READ CATHERINE'S BOOKS:

    📚 The Power of Fun: How to Feel Alive Again

    📚 How to Break Up with Your Phone: The 30-Day Plan to Take Back Your Life

    JOIN CATHERINE'S SUBSTACK:

    📖 How to Feel Alive with Catherine Price

    ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:

    👉🏻 Click HERE to sign up for Dr. Sarah's newsletter to find out if she is able to complete Catherine’s challenge to take her phone out of her bedroom for the weekend!

    🤳 Opal - The app Dr. Sarah said she uses to help her manage her screen time.

    📱 ScreenZen, Brick, and Unpluq- Products Catherine recommends to help people manage their screen use.

    📺 Watch Diane Sawyer's ABC News report, Screen Time

    📳 Pinwheel, Gabb, and Troomi - Kid and teen phones Catherine mentions in the episode.

    📚 Read The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt and the The New York Times essay, Gen Z Has Regrets by Jonathan Haidt and Will Johnson

    CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

    🎧 Regulation, reward systems, and rest: Rewiring the way our kids interact with screens with Alé Duarte

    🎧 How play could be the key to mental health and well-being with Dr. Mike Rucker

    🎧 What are the do’s and don’t for introducing screens to my toddler?

    🎧 Helping our children form a healthy relationship to technology with Emily Cherkin

  • Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...

    - Understanding the basics of your child's cognitive development can help inform what you do to soothe them when they have a hard time transitioning to daycare each morning.

    - How important your own calm nervous system is for helping your child feel safe.

    - What to do in the moment at drop off when your child is crying, struggling, or having a hard time settling in.

    - What you can do outside the heat of the moment to build your child's ability to separate from you and relieve some of the stress surrounding going to daycare that they feel.

    - What a warm handoff looks like and how you can work with the daycare providers to create an environment that makes it easier for your child to say goodbye.

    REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:

    📚 Read my blog for helping your child transition to a new daycare

    🎶 Listen with your child to the Daniel Tiger song, Grownups Come Back

    🎧 Tune in to my podcast interview with Eileen Henry on getting toddlers to stay in their own bed at night

    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!

  • Dr. Sterling, ObGyn and founder of Sterling Parents, dives deep into the complex relationship between stress, trauma, pregnancy, and birth.

    In this episode we explore:

    - The impact of stress and anxiety on fetal development and pregnancy outcomes.

    - What birth trauma is, how frequently it occurs, and common symptoms people may feel (and may not even realize is trauma).

    - Dr. Sterling shares her own deeply personal and inspiring experience struggling with and working to heal from the trauma she experienced after the birth of her first child.

    - Why so many women downplay and minimize their symptoms, and how this can inadvertently be a block to their healing.

    - Practical tips for what you can do during pregnancy to reduce the potential risk of experiencing birth trauma.

    - Steps you can take immediately after birth, or even years later, to begin healing from trauma.

    - You do not have one shot at having an empowering birth - how to make meaning of what happened to you so you can shift your birth trauma into a positive experience for yourself!

    LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. STERLING:

    https://sterlingparents.com/about-us/

    JOIN DR. STERLING'S MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM:

    https://sterlingparents.com/waitlist/

    ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:

    🤳 DOWNLOAD my free postpartum mental health checklist

    🎧 LISTEN to my first interview with Dr. Sterling about the physical and emotional challenges of pregnancy and postpartum

    🎧 LISTEN to an episode about using Internal Family Systems to emotionally support mothers with the creators of The Mothercentric Approach

    WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PARENTING COACHING AND INDIVIDUAL THERAPY?

    👉🏻 If you're interested in exploring support options, feel free to reach out to us at Upshur Bren Psychology Group for a free 15-minute consultation so we can suggest a treatment plan for your unique needs.

  • Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...

    - The urge may be to talk your child out of thinking they're "dumb," but it can be helpful to stay with this feeling and lean into being curious about her experience.

    - How to zoom out and determine if your child is speaking out of frustration and is just emoting or if they actually have internalized that they think they aren't smart.

    - How to talk with your child in a way that helps build back their confidence in themself when they are struggling to learn something new, like reading.

    - We also want to try not to catastrophize this situation either - just because your child is saying this doesn't mean they will permanently have a poor self-image.

    - You can boost your child's self-confidence by feeling confident in their ability to handle the challenges they face.

    - How to get clear with your kid about what they think "smart" and "dumb" means, and building flexibility around those ideas.

    REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:

    👉🏻 If you're interested in exploring whether your child could benefit from a Neuropsychological Evaluation, CLICK HERE to learn about what we offer at Upshur Bren Psychology Group or SCHEDULE A FREE CALL to learn more about the available resources for your unique needs.

    📚 BoyMom: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity by Ruth Whippman

    🎥 Inside Out and Inside Out 2

    WANT TO LISTEN TO MORE EPISODES ON THIS TOPIC:

    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about what to do when your child says "I hate myself"

    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about learning styles and what the research reveals are the best methods for teaching children with Dan Willingham

    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about the hidden dangerous and pressures of achievement centered systems with Jennifer Breheny Wallace

    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!

  • How can you honor who your child is while still equipping them with the tools they need to thrive in our fast-paced world?

    That's exactly what I'm talking about with my guest, McCourtney Professor of Child Studies and Professor of Psychology at Penn State, Dr. Koraly Pérez-Edgar.

    In this episode, we dive into:

    - What temperament actually is from a psychological standpoint (it’s probably not what you think it is!) and the factors professionals use to measure and map it out.

    - What impact temperament has on the way sensitive, shy, or explosive children regulate their emotions and respond to their environment.

    - How parents can create opportunities for their child to become self-actualized and why focusing on self-actualization is the precursor to helping them achieve and thrive.

    - Inhibited versus exuberant - how finding the right niche for a child’s unique temperament can define their success, even if it doesn’t align with traditional expectations.

    - How to find that middle ground between pushing your child when they need a bit of encouragement and nurturing them when they need more support and scaffolding.

    Tune in for valuable insights that will help you navigate the complexities of parenting with more confidence and compassion!

    LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. KORALY PÉREZ-EDGAR:

    https://www.catlabpsu.com/our-team-1

    CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

    🎧 How understanding your child's sensory sensitivities can strengthen their emotional intelligence with Alyssa Blask Campbell

    🎧 Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) with Dr. Eli Lebowitz of the Yale Child Study Center

    🎧 Debunking the myth of learning styles with Dr. Dan Willingham

  • Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...

    - How there is a lot of weight put on attending all the birthdays your child gets invited to, and hear us share a permission-granting reframe you can tell yourself when you feel that pressure.

    - How to work toward identifying the aspect of birthday parties that are overwhelming for your child - and what the most common triggers are (like transitions, loud sounds, lots of kids) to help you get started.

    - Why it actually makes sense that this is so hard for parents when kids struggle with birthday parties. What social stakes are at play, and how to balance those with what is best for your kid.

    - How to celebrate the birthday boy or girl in a manner that is more realistic for your child, but that allows them to still feel included and fosters their peer relationships.

    - What you can do before the birthday party to help prepare your child for what they can expect and how to navigate their dysregulation if they get overwhelmed once you're there.

    - Two psychologist-mom's recommendations of exactly how to respond (when to nurture them and when to push them) when your child gets clingy at a birthday party.

    WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SIMILAR TOPICS:

    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about understanding your child's sensory sensitivities with Alyssa Blask Campbell

    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about helping your child form strong friendship bonds with Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore

    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about what you can do when your child experiences peer rejection in elementary school

    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!

  • I'm joined by Dr. Vanessa Lapointe to discuss effective discipline strategies and how to approach those tough parenting moments with warmth, compassion, and understanding - for yourself and your child.

    In this episode, we dive into:

    - The profound impact of coregulation and why it's a crucial first step we don't want to skip if we want the discipline and lessons we're trying to teach our kids to stick.

    - How to navigate those “bad behavior” moments by rethinking the entire framework of discipline (Spoiler Alert: It starts with a mindset shift to help you understand how there is actually no such thing as “bad" behaviors.)

    - The up-side of having a more sensitive, reactive, or explosive kid - and how to nurture their more sensitive side to bring out their best qualities and help them manage their big emotions so they are more in control of their behaviors.

    - The powerful role of connection in discipline, including how to create a safe space where your child can learn and grow, even in the midst of challenging behaviors.

    - Strategies for parents struggling to keep their cool, working through feelings of guilt or shame, and understanding that it's never too late to implement new parenting approaches.

    If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by traditional discipline methods or wondered how to discipline your child in a way that strengthens your bond, this episode is for you!

    LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. VANESSA LAPOINTE:

    https://drvanessalapointe.com/

    READ DR. VANESSA'S BOOKS:

    📚 Discipline Without Damage: How to Get Your Kids to Behave Without Messing Them Up

    📚 Parenting Right From the Start: Laying a Healthy Foundation in the Baby and Toddler Years

    INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT DISCIPLINE?

    Click HERE to download my free guide on effectively disciplining your child with strategies that don't utilize shame or guilt - but still work to get your child to behave!

    CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

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

    🎧 How to move out of power struggles and into cooperation with Jen Lumanlan

    🎧 Busting positive parenting myths to help you authentically foster secure attachment and connection with Raised Good's Tracy Gillett

  • Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...

    - Who can assess, evaluate, and diagnose neuropsychological diagnosises like ADHD, dyslexia, autism, etc., and how to go about getting one for your child if you don’t have a formal diagnosis yet.

    - The benefits of a comprehensive evaluation, when your child might not need such an in-depth approach, and how to determine which is right for your unique child.

    - Navigating the school support system and what they are required to provide for you and your child after you make a formal request.

    - The basic differences between an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) versus a 504 plan.

    ✨✨✨Want more details?: CLICK HERE to read a blog article that breaks this all down for you.✨✨✨

    - What are soft-building services and how your child’s teacher can implement these tools to help your child thrive.

    - It can be helpful for parents to work with an advocate in this process - this can reduce anxiety and to allow you to have a dedicated person with a deep understanding of this process and your child’s rights to advocate on their behalf.

    - What to do when the recommendations from your child’s evaluation don’t correspond with the services your child’s school provides - and when to bring in a professional to help translate this jargon for you.

    - Never apologize for advocating for your child! It can help you feel more comfortable and empowered to go into these meetings with action items and knowing what you’re asking for.

    - Working to come together to create a collaborative environment with your school system, your child’s teachers, and your mental health professional.

    REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:

    👉🏻 If you're interested in exploring more personalized support options, reach out to us at Upshur Bren Psychology Group for a free 15-minute consultation so we can suggest a treatment plan for your unique needs.

    WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SIMILAR TOPICS:

    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about parenting a child with Autism with Dr. Lynn Kern Koegel

    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about helping your child feel comfortable utilizing school supports without feeling self-conscious

    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about creating a secure attachment with your neurodiverse child with Dr. Norrine Russell

    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!

  • Is your child explosive? Do you struggle to keep your own emotions in-check, then feel guilty after you lose your cool?

    We're all working with the same equipment and understanding the basics of what is happening in our kid's brains and our own brains when we get dysregulated can have a huge impact on how often we're able to stay calm in the face of life's chaos.

    I am honored to be joined once again by Dr. Dan Siegel to explore:

    - The "window of tolerance" - what it is and how to use it to help you and your child stay grounded, even during stressful moments.

    - Dan performs a visceral Yes/No Exercise that listeners can follow along with to become a more effective regulator of your own threat response.

    - There is no such thing as being perfect, real secure attachment boils down to proper repair after you lose your cool. We cover the most effective strategies and tools for facilitating repair in your relationship with your child.

    - Everyone has innate temperament and personality traits (like sensitivity, intensity of their reactions, and their response to novelty), but do those proclivities become intensified by our attachment relationships?

    - How to apply these strategies to kids who don’t fit the mold - who are sensitive, explosive, neurodiverse, or quick to become dysregulated.

    - Dan’s views as a psychiatrist on how medication and clinical interventions can be properly used with children.

    - How to look at any diagnosis from the perspective of integration versus disintegration - and by looking at it this way, what that means for treatment.

    LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. DAN SIEGEL:

    https://drdansiegel.com/

    A FEW OF DAN'S BOOKS FOR PARENTS TO GET STARTED WITH:

    📚 Parenting from the Inside Out

    📚 The Whole-Brain Child

    📚 The Power of Showing Up

    📚 No-Drama Discipline

    CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

    🎧 The neuroscience of mindfulness with Dr. Dan Siegel

    🎧 How to use mindfulness for ourselves and our children with Diana Winston

    🎧 How to support your child's secure attachment even if you didn't grow up with it with Dr. Miriam Steele