Securely Attached
Dr. Sarah Bren
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 1, 2024 • 22min
Q&A: Preventing burnout when you have a sensitive child
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about... 4:33 - Breaking down what "don't overthink the lava" means and how to use that in your parenting. 9:05 - The content of the lava is not the problem we need to solve and spending time and energy on this can reduce our bandwidth. 10:48 - When you have a sensitive child who demands a lot of support, you need to get a tighter grip on your energetic resources. 13:46 - How to optimize your energetic resources and find effective support options to prevent burnout. 16:35 - If you want a framework for managing your child's challenging behaviors, check out my coaching program, Parenting by Design, that empowers moms, dads, and caregivers of sensitive children. ✨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! ✨
Jan 30, 2024 • 1h 3min
Being intentional about the time and energy you devote to your many roles: Balancing parenthood, partnership, and work with Dr. Yael Schonbrun
Discover how the principles of ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) can revolutionize the way you manage the complexities of everyday life. Joining me to help busy parents learn science-backed strategies to ditch guilt, manage overwhelm, and grow meaningful connections is Dr. Yael Schonbrun. In this episode, Dr. Schonbrun shares actionable insights and strategies to help you thrive in your many roles. Whether you're a parent seeking to raise well-adjusted and healthy kids, a partner yearning for a solid and loving relationship, or a working parent striving for balance in your career, this discussion is tailored just for you. Hit play to learn how to enhance your parenting, partnership, and career journey!
Jan 25, 2024 • 34min
Q&A: When school calls: How to address behavioral concerns from my child's teacher?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about... 5:10 - Approaching the situation without shame and trying to do our best not to go to the meeting at the school from a defensive frame of mind. 7:55 - Zooming out from the behavior itself to try to understand what types of emotions are leading to these outbursts will allow us to be more effective in "treating" it. 9:50 - Creating a relationship between you and your child's teacher to establish open lines of communication from the beginning of the year can be helpful. 18:02 - If your child is having a lot of meltdowns in school, they are likely hitting an overload point. 20:06 - Identifying if there have been any big changes in a child's life can help you track down the root issue that could be causing their behavioral issues. 20:28 - Ross Greene's Unmet Needs and Lagging Skills framework can be useful for parents in these situations. 24:25 - Communicating to the child that they are having a hard time and we are there to help them to change the behavior, rather than focusing on the behavior itself. ✨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! ✨
Jan 23, 2024 • 54min
Debunking the myth of learning styles: What the research actually says are the best ways to teach our children with Dr. Dan Willingham
Would you say you're a 👁️ visual or an 👂🏼 auditory learner? What if I told you that the research has actually debunked the theory that learning styles even exist? So, then what actually is the best way for helping our kids to learn, feel successful, and become resilient? That is exactly what I'll be talking about with University of Virginia Professor of Psychology and the author of several amazing books, including the best-selling Why Don't Students Like School?, and most recently, Outsmart Your Brain, Dr. Dan Willingham. In this episode we're shedding light on the factors that influence a child's sense of self-efficacy, the importance of a growth mindset, and the delicate balance between praising effort and problem-solving for success. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or clinician, this is an episode you won't want to miss!
Jan 18, 2024 • 32min
Q&A: Is it okay to bribe my kids to get them to cooperate?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about... 2:22 - Understanding the distinction between bribery and rewards, so you can be most effective in motivating your child. 5:05 - How to use rewards to help our children learn a new habit. 6:50 - A bribe is a tool in a parents toolbox, it's about knowing when to use that tool so you are doing it intentionally and not just falling back on it. 8:07 - A reward is to build momentum, not to sustain a behaviors for a long period of time. 9:10 - When using a reward system, we want to try to help our child notice the internal pleasure they derive from an experience, separate from the external reward. 11:30 - What the research reveals about the difference between using rewards for mundane tasks and chores (like brushing teeth) versus activities that are intrinsically rewarding (like reading, drawing, or practicing an instrument). 18:10 - Being intentional about the choices you make and working to use your parenting tools from a place of confidence rather than anxiety. 21:48 - What are other tools you can use to increase cooperation instead of bribery or rewards? ✨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! ✨
Jan 16, 2024 • 60min
Managing anxiety and stress in parenthood: Finding balance and joy in the journey with Dr. Ilyse Dobrow DiMarco
Uncover proven techniques to manage anxiety, guilt, and overwhelming emotions, empowering you to parent with confidence. 👩👧 Joining me this week is Dr. Ilyse Dobrow DiMarco. Ilyse is the Founder/Director of the North Jersey Center for Anxiety and Stress Management and the author of Mom Brain: Proven Strategies to Fight the Anxiety, Guilt, and Overwhelming Emotions of Motherhood—and Relax into Your New Self. This episode is a must-listen for all new and seasoned moms, with actionable insights, real-world advice, and a fresh perspective on being the parent you want to be. We're offering you guidance on finding joy, letting go of perfectionism, and making decisions aligned with your values!
Jan 11, 2024 • 23min
Q&A: What can parents do to help support their child with ADHD?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about... If your child (or you!) has ADHD, you're going to love all the products from BestSelf as much as I do! CLICK HERE and use code DRSARAHBREN15 to save 15% off your entire purchase! 3:50 - How parents of a child newly diagnosed with ADHD can utilize specific strategies to support them. 6:02 - Understand ADHD and what a child with ADHD might struggle with (and what they might excel in as a result of their neurodiverse brain.) 7:20 - Trustworthy resources for parents of a child with ADHD: ADDitude Magazine 12 Principles for Raising a Child with ADHD by Russell A. Barkley, PhD What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew by Dr. Sharon Saline Smart but Scattered by Peg Dawson, EdD & Richard Guare, PhD 10:36 - ADHD is more of an executive functioning and emotional regulation disorder and symptoms can present vastly different from one child to the next. 15:38 - Looking at ADHD from a strength-based perspective. ✨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! ✨
Jan 9, 2024 • 51min
The fluidity of secure and insecure attachment patterns with Dr. Annie Zimmerman
Embark on a journey of self-exploration that will empower you to rewrite your attachment narrative! Joining me to share her expertise on attachment patterns in adult relationships is psychotherapist and the author of the new book Your Pocket Therapist, Dr. Annie Zimmerman. Together Dr. Zimmerman and I have an engaging conversation that dives deep into the nuances of matrescence and patrescence, how to begin unpacking your triggers, and the transformative 5-step process she outlines in her book, providing parents with a roadmap for increased attachment security and positive change.
Jan 4, 2024 • 15min
Q&A: Are there effective strategies for curbing biting before toddlerhood?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about... 2:02 - Distinguishing between the different interventions for how to respond to biting with a young child versus an older toddler. 5:55 - Babies don't often bite out of angry, but for many other reasons including exploratory and sensory seeking behaviors. 7:53 - When a baby bites another kid and the child has a big reaction, our baby may bite more because they are exploring the response this may illicit. 9:20 - The less attention we give this behavior the more likely we can see a reduction to the biting. 12:04 - If your child is prone to biting other kids, you may have to be their "buddy guard" for a while to try to catch it in the moment before they lose interest in biting. ✨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! ✨
Jan 2, 2024 • 46min
Parenting in the digital age: Navigating screen time, cyberbullying, and social media with Dr. Devorah Heitner
Effective strategies for guiding your child through the digital landscape and preparing them for a tech-savvy future! Join us in this episode as Dr. Devorah Heitner unravels the mysteries of parenting in the age of social media, online gaming, and rapid technological changes. Gain practical insights into setting boundaries, modeling positive behavior, and empowering your kids to navigate the complexities of the digital universe with confidence. Dr. Devorah Heitner has a Ph.D. in Media/Technology & Society and is the author of the books Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World and Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World. From modeling positive tech behavior to understanding your child's readiness for social media, teaching consent, and fostering offline connections, we're covering it all! So don't miss this episode for some keys to creating a harmonious digital family life.
