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
Dec 28, 2023 • 18min
Q&A: How can I help my child prepare for and transition to new childcare?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about... 2:05 - Parents are often worried this transition will be traumatic, but most children will be able to get through it in a healthy way, even if they have big feelings about it. 3:44 - Be mindful that how we feel about this transition is often predictive of how smoothly it will go and can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. 6:04 - There is a period of time where we might see some messiness and regressions, and that still isn't a sign that things are going "wrong." 7:24 - When we panic at our child's big feelings it can become a cycle that can prolong the distress, so we want to try to be mindful not to add fuel to their fire. 8:56 - 8 minutes full of concrete strategies parents can use to prepare for and help their child for a smoother transition to new childcare. ✨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! ✨
Dec 26, 2023 • 50min
Transforming Relationships: How Integrative Attachment Family Therapy can deepen bonds with Dafna Lender
How can parents use the principles of Integrative Attachment Family Therapy (IAFT) to strengthen their connection with their child? That is what I'll be exploring with the co-author of the new book, Integrative Attachment Family Therapy: A Clinical Guide to Heal and Strengthen the Parent-Child Relationship through Play, Co-regulation, and Meaning-Making, Dafna Lender, LCSW. This episode offers a unique perspective on parenting, emphasizing the importance of play, co-regulation, and meaningful interactions in cultivating a resilient and thriving parent-child relationship. 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 sarah@drsarahbren.com ✨ And check out drsarahbren.com for more parenting resources
Dec 21, 2023 • 27min
Q&A: What can I do to ensure my child doesn't feel pressure to perform for other adults?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about... 1:40 - Unpacking whether our child is anxious about this experience, or if we might be projecting our own feelings onto the request for them to perform. 5:33 - What interventions can you use in the moment when someone asks your child to do something you're not sure they want to do. 9:26 - How to avoid fragilizing our kids in this world of gentle parenting. 12:17 - How can we respond when an adult asks our child to perform a social expectation, like giving a hug or answering their questions - whether they're 3 or 10. 15:40 - Deciphering how much we should protect our child from things that make them feel uncomfortable and how much are we should work to stretch them. 20:28 - At what age or developmental stage does it become about manners versus allowing them to listen to their internal drives? ✨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! ✨
Dec 19, 2023 • 58min
Why one size-fits-all parenting doesn't work and how to parent for the way YOUR child is wired with Dr. Danielle Dick
🧬 How do genetics impact our child's temperament, personality, and development? Here to talk about the impact of DNA, environmental factors, and the interplay between a child's actions and a parent's response is Dr. Danielle Dick. Dr. Dick is the author of The Child Code and an internationally recognized and award-winning expert on genetic and environmental influences on human behavior. This episode offers a roadmap for parents, empowering them to embrace their child's innate strengths, manage pitfalls, and foster a nurturing environment tailored to their unique temperament. Tune in for a refreshing perspective that takes the pressure off parenting, encouraging radical acceptance, and intentional guidance in this marathon called parenthood. 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 sarah@drsarahbren.com ✨ And check out drsarahbren.com for more parenting resources
Dec 14, 2023 • 28min
Q&A: Can a child be too young for parents to build their resilience?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about... 2:10 - You can build your child's resilience by helping them establish healthy and secure relationships. 5:22 - Understanding the importance of "good enough" parenting for your child's development. 6:19 - What is the goal of parenting in our child's first year? Is there such a thing as a child being too young for you to build up their resilience? 9:22 - The difference between survival and resilience. 12:45 - What emotion regulation looks like developmentally in the first year and how to become attuned to your baby's different cries. 18:10 - Can we turn sadness and pain into ambition - and is that something you can teach a child? 23:01 - If we frame resilience as the ability to trust yourself and believe your feelings are important, the best way to teach that to a young child is to mirror what they are feeling as real and important. ✨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! ✨
Dec 12, 2023 • 54min
Breaking the perfectionist mold: How embracing the messy middle is healthier for you and your kids with Monica Packer
In a society that places a premium on perfection, reshaping our personal and parenting goals to prioritize growth over perfectionism becomes a formidable task. Here to help empower you to navigate the messy middle ground of parenthood, embrace the long game, and find beauty in the small wins is the founder of About Progress, Monica Packer. Monica is a mom of 5, podcaster, coach, and "recovering perfectionist" herself. Monica's wisdom challenges the conventional all-or-nothing mindset, providing a breath of fresh air with her perspective on the beauty of imperfection and the cultivation of authentic connections. This enlightening and empowering conversation will help all parents seeking to break free from the shackles of perfectionism and usher in a new era of personal and parenting growth. 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 sarah@drsarahbren.com ✨ And check out drsarahbren.com for more parenting resources
Dec 7, 2023 • 19min
Q&A: When do I allow my partner space to problem-solve with our child and when is it time to step in?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about... 2:55 - Raising our own tolerance to the discomfort of our partner being "less effective" than we know we could be with our children. 5:55 - Ask yourself: "What if I am actually NOT the only expert on my child and what my partner is giving her is actually what she needs." 6:47 - Can you physically remove yourself (just in the short term) to allow your partner and child to adjust without you becoming triggered? 9:52 - What is the threshold for when you do want to step in and "rescue"? 12:24 - When we always rescue, we may inadvertently communicate to our child (and our partner!) that they aren't capable of parenting properly. ✨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! ✨
Dec 5, 2023 • 51min
Resilience in the face of transition: Supporting your kids through a big move with military spouse and psychologist Dr. Hannah Samaha
One of the biggest transitions a child can experience is a move away from family, friends, their school, and the life they knew... For military families in particular, this is a challenge many are faced with over and over, so establishing strategies for supporting yourself and your children can be particularly vital. Joining me today is military spouse and clinical psychologist Dr. Hannah Samaha. Together, we'll share practical moving hacks for kids, creative ways to keep them connected with friends they leave behind, and highlight the importance of community for the health of children, parents, and the entire family system. By the end of this episode, you'll learn to embrace imperfection, practice self-compassion, and recognize that showing up for ourselves and our kids doesn't always have to be perfect—it just has to be genuine! 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 sarah@drsarahbren.com ✨ And check out drsarahbren.com for more parenting resources
Nov 30, 2023 • 36min
Q&A: How can we implement consequences that teach, not just punish, our kids?
>>> Download my FREE guide with 3 psychologist-approved discipline strategies that DON'T utilize shame or guilt (and still work to get your child to behave!) Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about... 5:02 - Your tone of voice and way you communicate the consequence to you child is important. 6:45 - Is there a difference between a consequence and a punishment? 7:33 - How being attuned to your unique child will help you determine what the appropriate preparation and consequences should be. 11:32 - The difference between a planned versus a reactive consequence makes a big difference. 13:22 - Do consequences work well for tantrums, aggressive behaviors, and other dysregulated actions? 17:50 - How can parents be consistent, even in unpredictable situations. 25:30 - How to think creatively to find the incentive that will motivate your child best. ✨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! ✨
Nov 28, 2023 • 60min
Balancing love, limits, and empathy: How to use connection to make parenting easier with Jennifer Kolari
🧠 Ready to Level Up Your Parenting Game? Tuning into our bond with our child and their attachment to us can be one of our most powerful tools in parenting. Jennifer Kolari is the founder of Connected Parenting, a method based on the neurobiology of love, teaching parents how to use compassion and empathy as powerful medicine to transform challenging behaviors and build children's emotional resilience and emotional shock absorbers. Tune in to discover the power of empathy, the importance of setting loving limits, and the art of attuning to your child's needs—and how all this can come together to foster increased cooperation, making the journey of parenting a bit smoother and more joyful. 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 sarah@drsarahbren.com ✨ And check out drsarahbren.com for more parenting resources
