Securely Attached

Dr. Marisa G. Franco, psychologist and author of the new book Worth: The New Science of Self-Esteem and Secure Attachment, sits down with me to explore a side of attachment we don't talk about nearly enough: our relationship with ourselves.   Together we explore:   Why trying to "act secure" may actually leave you feeling more insecure. What it really means to become "secure-ish," and why security doesn't require getting rid of your anxiety, insecurity, or uncomfortable emotions. The surprising connection between attachment and self-worth, and why changing how you feel about yourself may require more than positive thinking. How experiences from your past can become a blueprint for what you expect from relationships today, and the fascinating science suggesting that blueprint can be edited. Why being the agreeable, easygoing person isn't always as healthy as it looks, and where all those suppressed emotions can eventually go. What your relationship with your own emotions has to do with how you respond when your child is having big ones. Why some parents find themselves losing it more with the people they love the most, even when they're working incredibly hard to stay calm. How learning to welcome the parts of yourself you've spent years trying to change may be one of the most powerful ways to build genuine security from the inside out.   If you've ever wondered why you can understand secure attachment intellectually but still find yourself falling into old patterns, this conversation offers a very different way of thinking about what it actually means to feel secure, not just in your relationships, but within yourself.     LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST: 🔗 Dr. Marisa G. Franco  📚 Worth: The New Science of Self-Esteem and Secure Attachment 📱 @drmarisagfranco     LEARN MORE ABOUT ME: 🔗 Dr. Sarah Bren  🔗 Check out my group practice, Upshur Bren Psychology Group, offering therapy and coaching for individuals, children, parents, and families  📱IG: @drsarahbren     ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: 🔗 Click HERE to download my free guide, The Four Pillars of Fostering Secure Attachment, helping you parent with a focus on attunement and trust.   👉 Want extra support in your parenting journey? Upshur Bren Psychology Group offers therapy and coaching to give parents the tools to feel more grounded and confident as they navigate parenthood and learn how to most effectively support their child. Visit upshurbren.com to explore our services and schedule a free 30-minute consultation call to find the support that's right for your family.     CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about fostering secure attachment relationships   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to support your child's secure attachment even if you didn't grow up with it, with Dr. Miriam Steele   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode with what children need from us at every stage of development to foster a secure attachment   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about whether insecure attachment may not be as bad as we think with Dr. Or Dagan

Jennifer Anderson, registered dietitian, founder of Kids Eat in Color, and author of the new book Feed Them Well: A Guide to Raising Healthy, Confident Eaters for Life, joins me to help parents cut through the noise around nutrition, focus on what actually matters, and let go of the guilt, perfectionism, and fear that so often surround mealtimes.   Together we explore:   Why the atmosphere around the table may matter just as much as what's on your child's plate. The surprising reason play can be one of the most effective tools for helping picky eaters become more adventurous. How to tell the difference between nutrition advice that's worth paying attention to and the headlines designed to scare you. The simple framework Jennifer uses to help parents stop worrying about every food trend and focus on the changes that make the biggest difference. Why talking about foods as "good" or "bad" may shape the way children think about eating in ways we don't always realize. What parents can do when the usual feeding advice doesn't seem to work for their unique child. How your own relationship with food may be influencing your child's, often without you even realizing it. The permission every parent needs to stop chasing perfect nutrition and start building a healthier relationship with food for the whole family.   Whether you're navigating picky eating, trying to cut through the endless stream of nutrition advice online, or simply hoping mealtimes can feel a little less stressful, this conversation will leave you feeling calmer, more confident, and equipped with practical strategies you can start using right away.     LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST: 🔗 Kids Eat in Color  📚 Feed Them Well: A Guide to Raising Healthy, Confident Eaters for Life 📱 IG: @kids.eat.in.color TikTok: @kids.eat.in.color  FB: Kids Eat in Color    LEARN MORE ABOUT ME: 🔗 Dr. Sarah Bren  🔗 Check out my group practice, Upshur Bren Psychology Group, offering therapy and coaching for individuals, children, parents, and families  📱IG: @drsarahbren   ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: 👉 Need support with picky eating or feeding challenges? If mealtimes have become a source of stress, or your child is struggling with picky eating, ARFID, or other feeding challenges, Upshur Bren Psychology Group offers parent coaching to help you better understand what's driving your child's eating and learn practical, evidence-based strategies to support them. Visit upshurbren.com to learn more or schedule a free 30-minute consultation call to find the support that's right for your family.   CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about picky eating, ARFID, and SPACE with Dr. Yaara Shimshoni   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about nurturing open mindedness in kids through food with Priya Krishna   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about what to do if your child would never stop eating unless you restrict them?

Dr. Siggie Cohen, child development specialist, parenting expert, and author of the new book You Are the Parent joins me to discuss why so many parents today feel overwhelmed, second-guess themselves, and wonder if they're getting it all wrong.   Together we explore:   Why so many well-intentioned parents get stuck in a cycle of trying new parenting strategies that never seem to work, and what to focus on instead. The subtle difference between validating your child's emotions and accidentally reinforcing behaviors that aren't helping them. Why behavior doesn't change because of the perfect consequence or script, but because of something much deeper happening within the parent-child relationship. The common child development misconceptions that leave parents expecting too much or too little from their children. Why repeating the same explanations over and over often isn't the answer, even when your child seems like they "aren't listening." How to respond to hitting, aggression, and other challenging behaviors in ways that support both emotional regulation and healthy boundaries. What it really means to become your child's leader without becoming controlling, harsh, or authoritarian. How to begin changing long-standing family patterns, even if your child is older and you've been parenting a different way for years. The powerful mindset shift that can help you stop parenting from fear and start trusting yourself again.   If you've ever worried about whether you're validating too much, setting too many limits, or simply trying your best while feeling pulled in a dozen different parenting directions, this conversation will help you cut through the noise, feel more confident in your role, and better understand what children truly need to thrive.     LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST: 🔗 Dr. Siggie Cohen  📚 You Are the Parent: Move from Overparenting to Balanced Parenting and Become the Leader Your Child Needs – A Framework for Confident Parenting Through Discipline, Boundaries, and Emotional Skills 📱 @dr.siggie     LEARN MORE ABOUT ME: 🔗 Dr. Sarah Bren  🔗 Check out my group practice, Upshur Bren Psychology Group, offering therapy and coaching for individuals, children, parents, and families  📱IG: @drsarahbren     ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: 👉 Want extra support in your parenting journey? Upshur Bren Psychology Group offers therapy and coaching to give parents the tools to feel more grounded and confident as they navigate parenthood and learn how to most effectively support their child. Visit upshurbren.com to explore our services and schedule a free 30-minute consultation call to find the support that's right for your family.     CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to integrate effective discipline that prioritizes emotional and mental health with Sarah R. Moore   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about teaching children emotion regulation through co-regulation with Dana Rosenbloom   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about what parents can do when none of the gentle parenting scripts and tips work for your kid with Dr. Cindy Hovington

As part of our 5-Year Anniversary Summer Series, we're bringing back one of the most meaningful and foundational conversations in Securely Attached history. Many parents worry that if they didn't experience a secure attachment in their own childhood, they'll unknowingly repeat those same patterns with their children. But one of the most hopeful findings in attachment research is that our past does not have to determine our children's future.   In this conversation, I sit down with renowned attachment researcher Dr. Miriam Steele to explore how secure attachment develops, how insecure attachment patterns are passed from one generation to the next, and, most importantly, how we can break those cycles.   Together we discuss:   What secure and insecure attachment really mean, and some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding attachment theory. How children develop different attachment strategies in response to their early caregiving experiences. Why secure attachment is built through consistent responsiveness, not perfect parenting. The surprising research showing that parents don't need to be attuned all the time for children to develop secure attachment. What reflective functioning is and how it helps parents interrupt intergenerational cycles of insecure attachment. Why understanding your own childhood experiences can transform the way you parent your children. The difference between attachment science and popular "attachment parenting." Why repair matters more than getting it right every time. Practical ways to strengthen your relationship with your child, even if you didn't grow up with secure attachment yourself. The hopeful message that it is never too late to create a more secure future for your family.   This conversation is a powerful reminder that secure attachment is not about perfection, nor is it determined by the childhood you had. It is built through thousands of ordinary moments of connection, curiosity, repair, and reflection. Dr. Steele's research offers tremendous hope that when we become more aware of our own patterns and learn to respond with greater understanding, we have the power to change the trajectory not only of our own lives, but of future generations.   ⭐ Celebrating 5 Years of Securely Attached ⭐ If you've enjoyed the podcast over the years, we'd love your help celebrating this milestone. Our birthday wish is simple: five stars for five years. If these conversations have supported you and your family, please consider leaving a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Your support helps more parents discover the show and allows us to continue bringing these conversations to families around the world.

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...   What intrusive thoughts actually are. How to recognize when a repetitive question or worry is more than ordinary curiosity, and the subtle clues that can help you tell the difference. The types of topics (like private parts, germs, or order) that are most common in intrusive thinking. The simple shift that can help your child stop identifying with the thought and begin seeing it as something separate from who he or she is. Why reassurance often brings only temporary relief, and what tends to work better in the long run. Practical, child-friendly strategies that can help kids feel more in control when their brains get "stuck" on a thought. How to respond in ways that reduce shame, build confidence, and help your child develop the skills to cope with intrusive thoughts over time.   Whether your child is experiencing intrusive thoughts because of anxiety, OCD, PANS/PANDAS, or you're simply wondering if what you're seeing is developmentally typical, this episode will help you better understand what's happening inside your child's mind and give you practical tools to respond with confidence and compassion.     REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:   👉 Looking for support for a child struggling with anxiety, OCD, or intrusive thoughts? Upshur Bren Psychology Group offers evidence-based treatment for children and families, including SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and a combination of approaches tailored to your child's unique needs. Visit upshurbren.com to learn more or schedule a free 30-minute consultation with our care team. We'll listen carefully, answer your questions, and help you determine the best next step for your family.   📚 What to Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming OCD by Dawn Huebner     CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about PANS and PANDAS and why some children develop sudden OCD, anxiety, or tics after illness with Dr. Nancy O'Hara   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) with Dr. Eli Lebowitz   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to know when your child's anxiety requires a mental health intervention     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!