Securely Attached

Dr. Sarah Bren
  • 5.0 (110)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

  1. 5H AGO

    PANS and PANDAS explained: Why some children develop sudden OCD, anxiety, or tics after illness with Dr. Nancy O'Hara

    Dr. Nancy O'Hara, pediatrician and leading expert in PANS and PANDAS, joins me to unpack why some children experience sudden, dramatic changes in behavior, anxiety, OCD, tics, sleep, or emotional regulation following illness. For many families, these symptoms appear almost overnight and are often misdiagnosed as "just anxiety," behavioral issues, or psychiatric disorders, leaving parents confused, dismissed, and unsure how to help their child.   Together we explore:   - What PANS and PANDAS are, and how infections like strep, viruses, or tick-borne illness can trigger sudden neuropsychiatric symptoms in children. - What to assess to help you determine if your child has a generalized anxiety disorder or if it may be PANS/PANDAS that is the root cause of their symptoms. - Why PANS/PANDAS is often missed or misunderstood in both medical and mental health settings. - The three-pronged approach to treatment: Addressing the trigger, the immune system, and the child's emotional and behavioral symptoms. - How therapy, both for parents and children, can support recovery, even when symptoms have a medical origin. - Understanding that there is real hope for healing and that it's never too late to identify and address PANS or PANDAS.   This episode is designed to help parents and clinicians feel more informed, less alone, and more confident in recognizing when a child's behavior may be signaling something deeper. PANS and PANDAS are real, treatable conditions that deserve compassionate, comprehensive care.     LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST: 🔗Dr. Nancy O'Hara  📚Demystifying PANS/PANDAS: A Functional Medicine Desktop Reference on Basal Ganglia Encephalitis 🎧 Demystifying PANS/PANDAS Podcast      FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: 📱IG: @nhoharamd FB: Nancy O'Hara MD, MPH, FAAP  📱IG: @drsarahbren      ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:   👉 Looking for support for a child struggling with anxiety or OCD? If your child is struggling with anxiety or OCD, Upshur Bren Psychology Group offers SPACE-based parent support through both a virtual group and individualized care. Go to upshurbren.com/space to learn more or book a free 30-minute consultation with our care team, who will listen carefully and help you determine the best support for your family.   🔗 Dr. O'Hara's mentor, Sidney M. Baker, MD  🔗 Susan Swedo, MD, who created the acronym and coined the terms of PANS and PANDAS  📚 Super Sam and the Battle Against PANS/PANDAS by Dr. Lindsey Wells  🔗 Practitioner directories and community support: Aspire and  Look Foundation  🔗 For practitioners: PANDAS Physicians Network 🔗 A helpful resource you can bring to your pediatrician: The Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry - February 2017  📚 The Comprehensive Physicians' Guide to the Management of PANS and PANDAS: An Evidence-Based Approach to Diagnosis, Testing, and Effective Treatment by Dr. Scott Antoine  🔗 Autism and PANS PANDAS 🔗 The Medical Academy of Pediatrics and Special Needs 🔗 Ilads  🔗 Psychiatry Redefined      CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how mold, Lyme, pesticides, and other toxins may be impacting your child's physical and mental health with integrative pediatrician Dr. Pejman Katiraei   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to handle potty regressions in your older child?   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) can be an effective treatment for childhood anxiety and OCD   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to help autistic kids build joy, confidence, and connection with Dr. Peter Vermeulen

    52 min

  2. 5D AGO

    Q&A: How can I encourage sibling empathy without making them responsible for each other's feelings?

    Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...   - The subtle but important difference between encouraging empathy and unintentionally parentifying a child. - What reflective functioning is and why helping your child develop this skill may be one of the most important things you can do as a parent. - What helps empathy develop naturally in children without pressure or responsibility. - Ways to navigate mismatched messages from extended family while staying grounded in your own parenting values. - What parents can do to foster healthy sibling dynamics.   If you have ever worried about asking too much of your older child, felt activated by comments about siblings taking care of each other, or wondered how to support healthy sibling relationships without repeating old patterns, this episode offers clarity, nuance, and a calmer way forward.     REFERENCES AND RELATED 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.     ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about why your kids fight and how to foster closeness with Dr. Jonathan Caspi   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about sibling rivalry and jealousy   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about breaking the cycle of insecure attachment with Dr. Miriam Steele     WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU:   Go to https://drsarahbren.com/question to send us a question or

    19 min

  3. FEB 10

    Why parenting can shake up your marriage: How to fight better, repair faster, and stay connected with Eli Weinstein

    Eli Weinstein, couples therapist and author of the upcoming book From I Do to We Do: Navigating Marriage in Parenting Years, joins me to talk about what really happens to a relationship after kids.   Together we explore:   - Why parenthood doesn't just add stress, it reactivates attachment patterns and old wounds in both partners. - What's really happening when you keep having the same fight on repeat, and how to begin spotting the deeper need beneath it. - How mental load, feeling unseen, and constant "downloading" logistics quietly erode connection and build resentment. - The difference between "we made up" and actually repairing what keeps breaking. - How couples get stuck in "gridlock arguments" and what helps uncover what's really driving the conflict. - The role overstimulation and nervous system overload play in reactivity at home. - Practical ways couples can reset and regrow in this new season, without waiting for more time, sleep, or perfect circumstances   This episode is designed to help you feel less alone in the mess of marriage after kids, and more confident about what actually helps couples stay connected, communicate better, and find their way back to each other.       LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST: 🔗Eli Weinstein  📚From I Do to We Do: Navigating Marriage in the Parenting Years 🎧The Dude Therapist Podcast 🎧 Listen to Eli's last Securely Attached episode about busting parenting gender stereotypes with Eli Weinstein      FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: 📱@eliweinstein_lcsw 📱@drsarahbren     ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: 🔗 Want to learn more about therapy and coaching resources at Upshur Bren Psychology Group? Visit upshurbren.com to explore our services for individuals, couples, parents and kids 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 secure attachment influences children's ability to make sense of their experiences and cope in the face of adversity with Dr. Alan Sroufe   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about codependency, insecure attachment, and relationship patterns with Alana Carvalho   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about whether your child can be securely attached to you if you are insecurely attached in your adult relationships

    49 min

  4. FEB 5

    Q&A: Can you spoil a toddler by holding them too much?

    Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...   - Why so many parents start questioning their instincts around holding and comforting as their baby becomes a toddler. - How to tell when your child truly needs comfort versus when they may be ready for a small, supportive stretch. - What increased clinginess may be communicating and how decoding the root cause can guide what to do next. - Why soothing and physical closeness do not undermine independence and often play a key role in helping it develop. - How to move away from rigid parenting rules and make moment-to-moment decisions rooted in attunement and nervous system cues. - What it looks like to honor your own limits without making your child feel unsafe, rejected, or "too much."   If you have ever wondered whether you are helping or hurting your child by picking them up, holding them, or setting boundaries around your availability, this episode will help you navigate those moments with more confidence.     REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES: 🔗 Donald Winicott   👉 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.   ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about confidently parenting your toddler with Transforming Toddlerhood's Devon Kuntzman   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about toddler sleep with Eileen Henry   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about Helping your child feel seen, understood, and validated with the co-authors of the Terrific Toddlers series     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!

    21 min

  5. FEB 3

    Why good moms feel bad (and how to stop letting your emotions run the show) with Rebecca Geshuri

    Rebecca Geshuri, therapist and co-author of the new book When Good Moms Feel Bad joins me to talk about why so many "good moms" still feel overwhelmed, reactive, or stuck in cycles of guilt, anger, and self-criticism.   Together we explore:   - Drawing from Internal Family Systems (IFS) Rebecca breaks down what "parts work" is and how understanding your inner parts can reduce reactivity and shame. - How polarization between "what my child needs" and "what I need" fuels burnout and emotional overwhelm. - Why parenting feels hardest when younger, protective parts take over. - What the "inner mom" is and how learning to access this part of yourself builds calm, confidence, and connection. - A simple framework to slow down in triggering moments and respond with more compassion. - How self-compassion and nervous system awareness support secure attachment — for both you and your child.   If you've been feeling overwhelmed and burnt out in parenthood, this episode offers validation, language for what you're experiencing, and practical tools to help you feel more grounded, regulated, and connected.       LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST: 🔗 Rebecca Geshuri  🔗 Second Street Collective  📚 When Good Moms Feel Bad: An Empowering Guide for Transforming Guilt, Anxiety, and Anger into Compassion, Confidence, and Connectedness 🎧 Listen to Rebecca's first Securely Attached interview about her approach combining Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy with maternal mental health   LEARN MORE ABOUT ME: 🔗 drsarahbren.com  📱@drsarahbren   ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: 🔗 Want to learn more about therapy and coaching resources 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: 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about why specialized mental healthcare providers matter with Rebecca Geshuri and Paige Bellenbaum   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode to help you learn to lighten the load in pregnancy and parenthood with Dr. Sterling   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about the science of mom-rage Diana Winston   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode exploration of healing trauma through presence, connection, and self-awareness with Dr. Jacob Ham    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about the science of energy healing with Stephanie Filardi

    53 min

  6. JAN 29

    Q&A: What is body doubling and how can it help my child with ADHD focus?

    Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...   - What body doubling actually is and why your child may focus better simply because someone is nearby. - Why getting started on tasks (homework, getting dressed, chores) is often harder than the task itself for kids with ADHD. - How to be intentional about helping reduce procrastination, distraction, and emotional overwhelm for your child. - How to use body doubling in ways that build independence over time, instead of creating power struggles or burnout. - Real-life, low-effort examples of body doubling that don't require special systems, tutors, or more on your plate.   If your child struggles to get started, loses focus easily, or can only seem to work when someone is sitting with them, this episode offers a strategy to support them in a way that feels sustainable and actually works.     REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:   👉🏻 Interested in learning more about Upshur Bren Psychology Group's Parenting Your Child with ADHD 8-week virtual workshop series to empower parents of children, adolescents, and young adults with ADHD? Go to upshurbren.com/group-adhd or schedule a free 30-minute consultation call to learn more.     CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about with real-life strategies for parenting a child with ADHD with Dr. Eliza Barach   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about  how can I get my child with ADHD go from one activity to the next without a fight?   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how you can prepare for an IEP or 504 meeting after my child receives an ADHD diagnosis   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how you can help your child utilize school supports without feeling embarrassed or self-conscious     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!

    21 min

  7. JAN 27

    Orchid and dandelion children: How sensitivity shapes children's health, behavior, and resilience with Dr. W. Thomas Boyce

    Dr. W. Thomas Boyce, author of The Orchid and the Dandelion, joins me to talk about why some children are biologically more sensitive to their environments and how that sensitivity can become either a challenge or a powerful strength.   Together we explore: - What it means to have either an orchid or a dandelion child and why this exists on a spectrum rather than as a strict either-or. - Why sensitive children often struggle the most in stressful environments and thrive the most in supportive ones. - How nervous system reactivity and regulation show up differently across kids and what that means for how you parent. - The difference between sensitivity and fragility and why sensitive kids can be incredibly resilient when the right supports are in place. - How parents can support orchid children without overprotecting or pushing them too hard.   This episode is designed to help parents better understand their child's sensitivity, feel less afraid of getting it wrong, and walk away with a clearer sense of how to support their child in a way that builds resilience, confidence, and long-term emotional health.     LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST: 📚The Orchid and the Dandelion   FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: 📱@theorchidandthedandelion  📱@drsarahbren   ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: 👉 Want to get my research-backed framework for increasing cooperation and emotion regulation skills in your sensitive child? Check out Parenting by Design, my guided program to help you parent your unique child in a way that increases cooperation, defuses power struggles, and rebuilds their trust in your authority–all while supporting your child's mental health and your own.    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 parenting a sensitive, "spicy," highly emotional child   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about temperament and personality with Dr. Koraly Pérez-Edgar   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about preventing burnout when you're the parent of a highly sensitive child

    55 min

  8. JAN 22

    Q&A: How can I support my child who struggles with perfectionism?

    Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...   - How to understand what is really happening when a young child becomes intensely frustrated or self critical. - Why perfectionistic behaviors in early childhood are often developmentally normal and when they may begin to impact confidence or emotional well being. - What to do in the moment when your child is dysregulated and why reassurance, praise, or growth mindset language often does not land when emotions are running high. - How staying curious about your child's negative self talk can actually support resilience and self awareness over time. - Ways to protect your child's inner voice and self esteem without trying to rush her out of uncomfortable feelings.   If your child gets stuck in frustration, takes mistakes personally, or is hard on themself, this episode will help you learn how to support their long term emotional growth.     REFERENCES AND RELATED 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.     ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode: Self-compassion, critical thinking, and connection: What the research reveals about raising capable kids with Melinda Wenner Moyer   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode: Secure attachment and growth mindset: The science behind raising well-adjusted kids with Melinda Wenner Moyer   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode: Helping sensitive kids build self-esteem and get out of a cycle of self-criticism with Dr. Blaise Aguirre   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode: Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) with Dr. Eli Lebowitz     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!

    22 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
110 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Sarah Bren
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    388
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2021-2025 Dr. Sarah Bren
  • Show Website
    Securely Attached

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