Securely Attached

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode I talk about...   - How to handle Halloween candy without guilt, power struggles, or micromanaging. - Strategies for finding that balance between restricting sweets while also allowing your child to enjoy the fun of the holiday. - Why your own food anxieties might be showing up more than you realize — and how not to pass them on. - How to use this as an opportunity to build trust, awareness, and healthy boundaries. - Practical ways to help kids build awareness, self-control, and a healthy relationship with food that lasts long after Halloween.   If your feeling overwhelmed about just how you're going to approach trick-or-treating this year, this episode will help you cut through the noise, manage your own worries, and approach this holiday with more confidence.     LEARN MORE ABOUT ME:   Check out my website: drsarahbren.com  Follow me on Instagram: @drsarahbren      REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:   📚 Child of Mine: Feeding with Love and Good Sense by Ellyn Satter   🎧 Collaboration over control: Using Collaborative Problem Solving to navigate power struggles, tantrums, and challenging behaviors with Dr. Stuart Ablon   🔗Watch my ✨FREE✨ workshop, Overcoming Power Struggles, where I'll teach you the exact strategies I use in my clinical practice to help parents break free from the cycle of yelling, threats, and negotiations—and instead foster cooperation, connection, and calm. Just visit drsarahbren.com/powerstruggles to get instant access to this workshop.       CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how can I help your child feel less scared of Halloween?   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to know if you're giving in too much and becoming permissive 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about what to do if you have a kid who would never stop eating if you don't restrict their food intake      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!

Chelsea Skaggs is here to talk about how couples can keep your romantic relationship strong as you move beyond from early stages of survival mode deeper into parenthood.   Together we explore:   How the demands of parenting shift as your children grow, and what that means for your romantic connection. Tips for getting your partner on board if only one of you feels ready to work on deepening your connection. Simple and practical strategies for attuning to your partner and "reading" the room for your best chance of success feeling a deepened connection. Navigating mismatched energy levels and intentions so bids for connection aren't thwarted. A power tool anyone can implement right away that can be help you to break out of reactive patterns. How your own nervous system regulation can be a starting point for closeness, including what polyvagal theory teaches us about this. Addressing resentment as a signal of unmet needs—and how to get to the root rather than staying stuck in this toxic loop. Why it's essential to focus on what's within your control and give yourself permission to care for yourself, instead of blaming your partner for meeting their needs.   If you're ready to move beyond just getting through the day and reconnect with your partner in a deeper way, this conversation is for you.     LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST: 🔗 https://www.postpartumtogether.com/   🎧 57. Sex after baby: How to reconnect and increase intimacy with your partner with Chelsea Skaggs   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.     CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:   🎧 59. Sex after baby part II: When we want to want it but we're just touched out   🎧 244. Understanding parental dysregulation: How to identify and manage your triggers with Dr. Amber Thornton   🎧 148. Unlocking the power of polyvagal theory: Using the nervous system to wire our children for resilience, with Seth Porges   🎧 115. Q&A: Can you get stuck in a state of fight-or-flight?

We're doing something a little different on Beyond the Sessions this week! Instead of answering a listener question, Dr. Emily Upshur, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, and I are unpacking a fascinating (and slightly unsettling) study about how media exposure to traumatic events can affect our mental health—and what it means for us and our kids.   In this episode, we talk about:   - A study that found people who watched repeated news coverage about the Boston Marathon Bombing showed more markers of stress than some who were actually there. - Why constant exposure to distressing headlines can keep your nervous system stuck in fight-or-flight. - How past trauma and chronic stress can make us more vulnerable to media-induced anxiety. - What "orienting to safety" means and simple ways to help your brain (and your child's) return to calm. - How to talk to kids about scary news stories in age-appropriate, grounding ways.   In a world where we're surrounded by 24/7 coverage of crisis and tragedy, this conversation will help you understand what's happening inside your brain and body and give you tools for focusing on building resilience and safety for your child.     REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:   📚 Media's role in broadcasting acute stress following the Boston Marathon bombings     ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about parental dysregulation with Dr. Amber Thornton   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about parental burnout   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to be intentional with your tech use with Catherine Price   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about motherhood as a millennial with Marcella Kelson     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!

High-conflict divorce doesn't just end a marriage, it can shake your identity, your parenting, and your ability to feel grounded. Joining me to share guidance for parents at the beginning, in the thick of it, or still processing the aftermath is divorce coach Karen McMahon.   Together we explore:   - What defines a high-conflict parent and how this dynamic impacts families. - Why trying to change your ex keeps you stuck—and where your real power lies. - Practical strategies to co-parent effectively, even when cooperation feels impossible. - How to protect kids from the emotional "shrapnel" of conflict while staying grounded yourself. - How unresolved trauma and attachment patterns can influence who we choose as partners—and how to break those cycles. - The role of boundaries, support systems, and self-healing in transforming not just your divorce, but your identity moving forward.   Whether you're in the midst of a high-conflict divorce or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers compassionate insight and practical tools to help you reclaim your confidence, protect your children, and move forward with grace.     LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST: 🔗 https://www.jbddivorcesupport.com/  🎧 Journey Beyond Divorce Podcast 📞 Rapid Relief Call     FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: 📱@journey_beyond_divorce 📱@drsarahbren     ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: 🔗 If you're currently in the midst of separation, moving forward after divorce, or adjusting to life post-split, Upshur Bren Psychology Group's weekly virtual Divorce Process Group for Women provides a safe space for women to process their emotions, gain support, and build strategies for moving forward. Visit https://upshurbren.com/group-womensdivorce or schedule a free 30-minute consultation call to learn more.     CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧334. Divorce, custody & co-parenting: The legal considerations parents need to know with matrimonial attorney Lisa Zeiderman   🎧 42. Busting divorce myths and breaking down the true affect it has on children: A conversation with Michelle Dempsey-Multack    🎧 322. Navigating divorce or separation through a family systems approach: Preventative steps to reduce the risk of insecure attachment with Una Archer   🎧106. Recognizing and overcoming codependency in parenthood with Alana Carvalho   🎧 199. Q&A: What are strategies for co-parenting with a narcissist?  

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...   - Why potty regressions can happen even years after a child is toilet trained. -Why getting to the root of your child's challenges — whether accidents stem from a medical issue or a psychological struggle — is key to finding the right approach and intervention. - What to do (and what not to do) when your child starts hiding accidents out of shame or embarrassment. - How to help your child take ownership and build confidence, without making them feel bad. - Practical tips for handling accidents at playdates, with friends, or in public, while preserving your child's dignity.   This episode will help you make sense of what's behind potty regressions in older kids and offer practical, shame-free ways to support your child's body awareness, confidence, and emotional well-being.     CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode with everything you need to know before you start potty training    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about bed wetting, constipation and pelvic health with Quiara Smith   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about interoception and the importance of helping kids connect body signals to emotions with OT Kelly Mahler     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!

Joining me this week is Dr. Peter Vermeulen, psychologist, author, and founder of Autism in Context. Peter has spent more than 35 years helping families, educators, and clinicians better understand autism and what it truly means to live a happy, meaningful life.   Together we explore:   - Why happiness and well-being deserve as much attention as therapies or interventions for autistic individuals - and what we can learn from autistic people who are thriving. - How reframing "stereotyped interests" as passions and talents can open doors to meaning, confidence, and even careers. - Why predictability is so essential for autistic children's sense of safety and how parents can build that into daily routines and relationships to foster a secure attachment bond. - Just like you feed your child before they get hangry, how parents can "pre-regulate" their child's nervous system throughout the day to prevent overload, meltdowns, and dysregulation. - Why autistic children absolutely do form attachments — and how differences in communication and perception can lead to misunderstandings in connection, not an absence of it. - Practical ways to nurture love and security (Spoiler: things like creating predictable rituals, using concrete symbols, establishing shared routines to strengthen your bond, and more!)   Peter's message is both deeply compassionate and hopeful: autistic individuals are capable of happiness, love, and purpose — and when we meet them with curiosity and respect for how their brains see the world, we can help them build lives filled with meaning and joy.     LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST: 🔗 https://petervermeulen.be/  🔗 Good Feeling Questionnaire 📚 Autism as Context Blindness 📚 Autism and The Predictive Brain   FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: 📱@pedrovermeulen 📱@drsarahbren     ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: 🔗 Every child deserves to feel safe, understood, and supported — and every parent deserves a place to turn. At Upshur Bren Psychology Group, we offer a full continuum of autism services: diagnostic testing, individual therapy, and parent support groups for families raising children and young adults on the spectrum. Visit upshurbren.com to learn more about support options for you and your child.   🔗 Leo Kanner and autism: a 75-year perspective   🔗Attachment and Autism Spectrum Disorder (Without Intellectual Disability) During Middle Childhood: In Search of the Missing Piece     CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about treating autism with a strength based approach with Dr. Lynn Kern Koegel   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about neurodiverse brains and sleep with Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about determining if a neuropsych evaluation is right for your child with Dr. Yael Rothman & Dr. Katia Fredriksen   🎧 Listen to my podcast episodes about Resources for Infant educarers with Deborah Carlisle Solomon

Joining me this week is Jessica Baum, licensed mental health counselor, relationship expert, and author of the new book SAFE: Coming Home to Yourself and Others.   Together we explore:   - How insecure attachment patterns form in childhood and continue to shape how we show up as adults and parents. - Why parents with a history of insecure attachment may find themselves more easily triggered by their children. - The difference between awareness and healing, and why insight alone isn't enough to create real change. - How to repair attachment wounds by learning to regulate your own nervous system. - What the "Wheel of Attachment" reveals about the fluid, nuanced nature of our attachment patterns. - How doing your own inner work can transform not just your relationships, but the emotional security you pass down to your kids.   If you've ever wondered why you react the way you do or how to stop repeating painful relational cycles, this conversation will help you understand what's happening beneath the surface and give you hope that true, lasting healing is possible.   LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST: 🔗https://jessicabaumlmhc.com/interview 📚Safe: An Attachment-Informed Guide to Building More Secure Relationships 📚Anxiously Attached: Becoming More Secure in Life and Love 🔗 Conscious Relationship Group    FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: 📱IG: @jessicabaumlmhc, FB: Conscious Relationship Group, LinkedIn: Jessica Baum, LMHC, CAP 📱@drsarahbren     ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: 🔗 Interested in learning more about attachment science? Go to drsarahbren.com/secure to download my free guide, The Four Pillars of Fostering Secure Attachment, helping you parent with a focus on attunement and trust. 📚 The Heart of Trauma: Healing the Embodied Brain in the Context of Relationships 🔗 What is conscious parenting?     CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode breaking down the basics of attachment theory (this is a great place to start!)   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about codependency, insecure attachment, and relationship patterns with Alana Carvalho   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode whether or not insecure attachment is really as bad as we think with attachment researcher Dr. Or Dagan   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to break the cycle of generational trauma and insecure attachment patterns with Dr. Miriam Steele

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...   - Why some kids, especially sensitive kids, get dysregulated all over again when parents calmly try to talk about what happened later. - How shame can get triggered in your child, even when you're trying to be gentle and supportive. - What to do when "teaching moments" keep turning into meltdowns. - Why focusing on the before (not the after) of a hard moment can make all the difference. - Practical ways to help your child build self-control, handle frustration, and practice new skills without reactivating big emotions.   If you've ever thought, "I waited until she was calm… why is she losing it again?" this episode will help you understand what's really going on beneath the surface and give you fresh, compassionate strategies to help your child learn and grow.     REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:   🔗 Go to drsarahbren.com/discipline 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!   👉🏻 Learn more about Parenting by Design, my guided program for increasing behavioral and emotional regulation in sensitive kids.     CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about helping "Big Reactors" learn to regulate and manage their intense emotions with Claire Lerner 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about disciplining your sensitive child with Dr. Vanessa Lapointe 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about supporting a child a sensitive child 🎧Listen to my podcast episode about preventing burnout when you have a sensitive 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!

Joining me this week is Devon Kuntzman, the author of the brand-new book Transforming Toddlerhood: How to Go From Surviving to Thriving in the Toddler Years. Devon is here to talk about what's really going on beneath the surface of those big toddler behaviors—and how parents can respond with calm, confidence, and connection.   Together we explore:   Why those "challenging" toddler behaviors (like tantrums, hitting, and defiance) are actually developmentally appropriate—and what they're communicating. How to shift from punishment to teaching, and use discipline as a tool for learning rather than control. The meaning behind Devon's concept of developmentally smart parenting and how it helps you set firm but kind limits. Practical tools for staying grounded and patient during your child's biggest meltdowns. How to step out of power struggles without giving up your authority. Why your calm, confident presence is the most powerful parenting strategy you have.   Whether you're deep in the toddler trenches or preparing for this next stage, this conversation will help you see your child's behavior through a new lens—and bring more confidence, connection, and compassion into your parenting.     LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST: 🔗 https://www.transformingtoddlerhood.com/ 📚 Transforming Toddlerhood: How to Handle Tantrums, End Power Struggles, and Raise Resilient Kids—Without Losing Your Mind   FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: 📱@transformingtoddlerhood 📱@drsarahbren   CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 94. Toddler sleep: Why it's different than infant sleep and how to use the attachment relationship to help them fall asleep, with Eileen Henry   🎧 90. Seeing the world through your toddler's eyes: Helping your child feel seen, understood, and validated with the co-authors of the Terrific Toddlers series   🎧 209. How can I get my toddler to share and play nicely with other kids?   🎧 231. BTS: How can I build my toddler's assertiveness skills?

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...   - Why Halloween can feel scary for preschoolers and what's happening developmentally as they work through the difference between what's real and pretend. - Strategies you can use to help your child feel safe and confident around spooky decorations, costumes, and trick-or-treating. - A simple tip you can start doing now to help your child understand that masks and costumes are just pretend. - How to prepare your child ahead of time with coping strategies for when something feels too scary in the moment. - How to know when it may be appropriate to gently stretch your child's comfort zone and when to call it a night.   If your little one is nervous about ghosts, monsters, or just the noise and chaos of Halloween night, this episode will help you turn spooky season into a playful, confidence-building experience for your child and a less stressful one for you.       ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions with Dr. Eli Lebowitz   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about building your child's resilience   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about supporting your child's emotional growth and regulation with Dr. Kristen Lindquist     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!

Joining me this week is Kate Rope. We're talking about how parents can raise daughters who feel strong, capable, and deeply connected to themselves, while also supporting our own mental health as parents.   Together we explore:   - How to parent from hope (rather than fears) and why this can help your child feel safer, more capable, and resilient. - How identifying your family's "North Star values" can guide you through tough parenting decisions. - The deceptively simple, yet powerful shift of pausing and listening before reacting. - Practical ways to nurture assertiveness, support healthy friendships, and help girls trust their inner voice. - Why our own self-care and modeling are essential to raising strong, emotionally secure kids. - How to create everyday opportunities for girls to practice autonomy, confidence, and consent.   Whether you're raising a daughter or simply want to strengthen the emotional wellbeing of the kids in your care, this conversation is filled with insight, validation, and real-life strategies you can start using right away.     LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST: 🔗https://katerope.com/    📚Strong As a Girl: Your Guide to Raising Girls Who Know, Stand Up for, and Take Care of Themselves   📚Strong As a Mother: How to Stay Healthy, Happy, and (Most Importantly) Sane from Pregnancy to Parenthood: The Only Guide to Taking Care of YOU! 💻 https://katerope.substack.com/     FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: 📱@kateropewriter 📱@drsarahbren     ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: 🔗 Want to learn more about therapy and coaching resources at Upshur Bren 🔗 Want to learn more about therapy and coaching at Upshur Bren Psychology Group? 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: 🎧 304. Stress, screens, shifting hormones, and early puberty: Why parenting 6-12 year olds is more important now than ever with Dr. Sheryl Ziegler    🎧286. Empowering girls to navigate media, body image, and societal pressures with Dr. Jo-Ann Finkelstein   🎧146. The hidden dangers of an achievement centric approach with Jennifer Breheny Wallace   🎧 108. How to talk so your teen will listen (plus lay the groundwork for this when they're little) with Elizabeth Bennett  

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...   - The difference between executive function coaching and academic tutoring, and how to decide which is right for your child. - Practical systems and routines (like planners, folders, and structured study spaces) that you can implement yourself to help your child stay on top of assignments. - How to co-create routines and systems with your child that build independence and make them more likely to stick with it. - When to consider a neuropsychological evaluation for your child—and how identifying whether challenges stem from ADHD, learning differences, or executive functioning deficits can help you target the right supports to strengthen their skills. - How parents can support their child without overwhelming them or stretching family resources too thin.   Understanding the difference between executive function coaching and tutoring can make all the difference in getting your child the support they truly need. This episode will help you feel confident and informed as you decide what's right for your family.     REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:   🔹 If your child struggles with organization, planning, or follow-through, executive function support can make a huge difference. At Upshur Bren Psychology Group, we offer in-person and virtual coaching nationwide. Visit upshurbren.com/executive-function-coaching to learn more or schedule a free consult call to find the right support for your child.   🔹 Wondering if a Neuropsychological Evaluation could help clarify your child's challenges? Visit upshurbren.com/neuropsychological-testing to learn more about the services we offer at Upshur Bren Psychology Group, or schedule a quick, free call to talk through your child's unique needs and explore the best next steps.       ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about determining if a Neuropsych Evaluation is right for your child with Dr. Yael Rothman & Dr. Katia Fredriksen   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about the hidden dangers of an achievement centric approach with Jennifer Breheny Wallace   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how technology in schools impacts learning, child development, and mental health with Andy Liddell   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about why boys and girls need different things with Michael Gurian     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!

Joining me is Dr. Stephen Porges, one of the most influential voices in modern neuroscience and the creator of Polyvagal Theory, the framework that has transformed how we understand safety, connection, and emotional regulation.   Together we explore:   - How Polyvagal Theory emerged and how it builds upon attachment theory to explain our biological need for safety and connection. - The science behind our "gut feelings," and how the body reflexively detects safety and threat in our environment. - Why hypersensitivities can cause us to misread others' intentions and what this reveals about our own physiological state. - Why thinking in circular patterns rather than cause-and-effect can transform how we interpret behavior. - Why so many parenting strategies fall flat when a child's nervous system is in a defensive state, and practical ways to reshape these moments to be more effective. - The hopeful truth that the nervous system is flexible and how "retuning" it can repair patterns of stress and disconnection.   Dr. Porges's groundbreaking research offers a powerful new lens for understanding the human condition, revealing how our nervous system shapes behavior and influences the way we relate to our children, our partners, and ourselves. At its core, it's a reminder that beneath all our words and actions lies a shared biological need to feel safe, seen, and connected.     LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST: 🔗 https://www.polyvagalinstitute.org/  🔗 https://www.whatisthessp.com/   ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: 📚 Our Polyvagal World: How Safety and Trauma Change Us by Stephen W. Porges PhD and Seth Porges   🎧 Unlocking the power of polyvagal theory: Using the nervous system to wire our children for resilience with Seth Porges   👉 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.   CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Parenting highly sensitive kids: Helping "Big Reactors" learn to regulate and manage their intense emotions with Claire Lerner   🎧 Teaching children emotion regulation skills through coregulation with Dana Rosenbloom   🎧 Using presence as the antidote to trauma: How we begin to break cycles with Dr. Jacob Ham

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...   - How to stay connected to your older children while caring for a baby in the NICU. - Why consistency, rituals, and transitional objects can help kids feel secure when routines are disrupted. - Creative ways to maintain a sense of closeness, even when you can't physically be present. - How to involve siblings in bonding with the new baby from afar. - Why it's okay to give yourself grace and lean on support systems during this stressful time.   If you've ever worried about balancing the needs of multiple children during a family crisis, this episode offers compassionate guidance and practical strategies to help your older kids feel loved, supported, and secure—even when life pulls you in different directions.     REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES: 🎧NICU Survival Guide with the founders of NICU Nook, Dr. Stephanie Simon and Amanda Neilan   📚 Growing Families: Helping Children Cope with a New Sibling     CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how "mom brain" can be our greatest strength, not our biggest weakness with Dr. Nicole Pensak   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about processing birth trauma with Dr. Sterling   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about maternal health and Internal Family Systems with Rebecca Geshuri and Paige Bellenbaum     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 this episode, OT and interoception expert Kelly Mahler uncovers the 8th sense and dives into how interoception plays such a foundational role in children's ability to regulate their bodies, emotions, and behaviors.   Together, we discuss:   - What interoception is and how it impacts everything from toileting and eating to emotional regulation and social connection. - Why some kids struggle to notice or interpret their body's signals and how this can show up as meltdowns, anxiety, or difficulties with attention. - Practical, relational strategies parents can use at home to help kids strengthen interoceptive awareness through play, modeling, and curiosity. - How occupational therapy can support children's sensory and emotional development beyond (spoiler: it's more than improving just handwriting or fine motor skills).   If you've ever wondered why your child seems to go from 0 to 100 in seconds, or why calming strategies don't always seem to "stick," this conversation will give you new insights and tools to help your child build lifelong regulation skills from the inside out.     LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST: 🔗 https://www.kelly-mahler.com/  📚 The Interoception Curriculum  📱 Join the Interoception: The Eighth Sensory System Facebook Group     FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: 📱 @kelly_mahler 📱@drsarahbren     ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: 👉 Want games specifically designed for fostering emotion regulation? Go to drsarahbren.com/games to get my free guide packed with games you can play with kids of all ages!     CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about emotion regulation during the middle years with Alyssa Blask Campbell   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about sensory sensitivity with  The OT Butterfly Laura Petix    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about polyvagal theory with Seth Porges

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...   Are there different "rules" when disciplining kids with a neurodiverse condition, like autism, if they act aggressively toward your child? The difference between protecting your child and overstepping another parent's role. Practical, respectful ways to set boundaries with kids who aren't yours. How to manage playdates so everyone feels safe, supported, and set up for success. Why parents' "thresholds" for conflict differ, and how to navigate those differences with compassion. The value of open communication (with other parents and your own child) in tricky social dynamics.   If you've ever found yourself unsure about intervening when someone else's child crosses a line, this episode offers clear guidance, empathy, and strategies to help you respond with confidence while keeping all kids safe       REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:   🔗 Want to learn more about therapy and coaching at Upshur Bren Psychology Group? 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.     ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about fostering secure attachment in your child's peer relationships with Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about neurodivergent brains and sleep with Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about treating autism with a strength based approach with Dr. Lynn Kern Koegel     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!

Joining me is Ash Brandin, educator and author of Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family. Ash brings a fresh, nonjudgmental perspective to how families can navigate technology with intention and respect.   Together we explore:   - Why the "less is better" approach to screens often creates guilt and power struggles, plus a strategy that is more effective. - How to use Ash's "ABCs of screen time" framework (access, behavior, and content) to make intentional choices that meet everyone's needs. - The importance of respect and collaboration in setting screen boundaries (and boundaries in general) which help kids learn to be active participants, not passive rule-followers. - How video games are a form of play that, used intentionally, can build autonomy, resilience, and connection. - Practical strategies to help kids notice their internal states, regulate emotions, and transfer those skills beyond screens.   Whether you're navigating video games, phones, or family movie nights, this conversation offers practical tools and a compassionate perspective to help your whole family build a healthier relationship with technology.     LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST: 🔗 https://www.thegamereducator.com/ 📚 Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family 📚 The Gamer Educator Substack    FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: 📱@thegamereducator 📱@drsarahbren   ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: 🔗 I'm so excited to be partnering with PokPok to offer you an exclusive discount. You'll get 25% off, plus a 7-day free trial to see how it works for your family. Go to drsarahbren.com/pokpok and introduce your child to screen time that feels more like playtime.     CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about regulation and screen time with Alé Duarte   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about EdTech with Andy Liddell   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how smartphones really affect kids' mental health with Dr. Wendy Rote   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about battling over screen time with The Screentime Consultant Emily Cherkin

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...   Why your child may not calm down, even when you lead with empathy and connection. How to redefine what it means for a strategy to "work" in the heat of the moment. The role of patience and presence when your child's nervous system just isn't ready to shift. Why successful co-regulation doesn't always mean a calm child. How to disengage without disconnecting—and why that can sometimes be the most effective approach. Practical ways to support yourself so you can stay regulated when your child isn't.   If you've ever tried "all the right things" and still found yourself stuck with a child who can't calm down, this episode will help you feel validated, supported, and grounded in what you can (and can't) control.     REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:   👉 Want games specifically designed for fostering emotion regulation? Go to drsarahbren.com/games to get my free guide packed with games you can play with kids of all ages!     ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about the psychology of dysregulation with Cara Goodwin   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about using coregulation with Dana Rosenbloom   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about raising emotionally resilient children with Dr. Kristen Lindquist     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!

Parenting in the middle years (ages 5–12) comes with big feelings, new social pressures, and challenges parents don't always see coming. Alyssa Blask Campbell, author of the new book, Big Kids, Bigger Feelings, joins me this week to unpack the emotional, social, and developmental shifts of the middle years.   Together we explore:   The ninth sense: neuroception. How this rarely talked about sense shapes kids' feelings of safety, belonging, and regulation. What it means to support kids based on their unique nervous system and sensory profile (and why one-size-fits-all strategies don't work). How to replace control with curiosity to strengthen connection and reduce conflict. The role of social belonging, identity, and "fitting in" during the elementary years—and why what feels small to us can feel huge to them. Practical tools for navigating anxiety, dysregulation, and big feelings in ways that foster resilience and confidence.   Big kids really do have bigger feelings—and this episode will leave you with fresh insights, concrete strategies, and a sense of clarity as you support your child through these transformative years.     LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST: 🔗 https://www.seedandsew.org/    🎧 Listen to the Voices of your Village podcast   🤔 Take the Seed and Sew Regulation Questionnaire - seedquiz.com    📚Tiny Humans, Big Emotions: How to Navigate Tantrums, Meltdowns, and Defiance to Raise Emotionally Intelligent Children   📚 Big Kids, Bigger Feelings: Navigating Defiance, Meltdowns, and Anxiety to Raise Confident, Connected Kids   🎧 140. How understanding our child's sensory sensitivities can help us strength their emotional intelligence with Alyssa Blask Campbell     FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: 📱@seed.and.sew 📱@drsarahbren     REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:   👉🏻 Want games specifically designed for fostering emotion regulation? Go to drsarahbren.com/games to get my free guide packed with games you can play with kids of all ages!   ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about Polyvagal Theory and using the nervous system to wire our children for resilience with Seth Porges   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about understanding sensory sensitivities with occupational therapist Laura Petix   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions with Dr. Eli Lebowitz   🎧Listen to my podcast episode about school refusal with Dr. Erica Miller  

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...   Why intentionality and authenticity are the most important tools when building new relationships with kids. How to manage nerves, regulate your own emotions, and follow the children's lead so the interaction feels natural and comfortable. Practical strategies for structuring the first meeting (think short, sweet, semi-structured, and supervised) to set everyone up for success. How to consider the larger family context, including co-parenting dynamics and whether a conversation with the children's dad could be helpful. Why keeping expectations realistic and aiming simply for "they'd like to see me again" can take the pressure off and allow genuine connection to grow over time.   Whether you're stepping into a blended family yourself, supporting a partner who is, or just curious about how kids adjust to new relationships, this episode offers insight, validation, and practical takeaways to make those first meetings a little less daunting—and a lot more positive!     REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:   👉🏻 Interested in joining a weekly virtual support group for women navigating divorce? Led by an experienced therapist, this group offers a safe space to process emotions, gain support, and build strategies for moving forward. To learn more or join the waitlist, visit upshurbren.com/group-womensdivorce or schedule a free 30-minute consultation call to see if this group is the right fit for you.     ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode busting myths about divorce with Michelle Dempsey-Multack   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to navigate divorce or separation while prioritizing secure attachment with Una Archer   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about whether or not you want to choose to "nest" during separations     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!