The Path To Peace Therapy Podcast

Stephanie Buckley
  • 5.0 (7)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Struggling with ADHD, ADD, or OCD in your family? You're not alone. ADHD, ADD, and OCD don't just affect individuals, they impact the entire family. As a therapist & mom with lived experience, I share real insights & strategies to help teens, young adults & families thrive—without the emotional "scar tissue." 💙 As a therapist and a mom with lived experience, I know the struggles firsthand. From chaotic mornings to emotional meltdowns, these challenges can create tension, frustration, and misunderstanding. But it doesn't have to be that way. 💙 On The Path to Peace Podcast, I share practical strategies, expert insights, and real-life stories to help teens, young adults, and families recognize ADHD/ADD/OCD, navigate daily struggles, and build a more peaceful, connected home. Through professional expertise and personal experience, The Path to Peace Podcast offers a real, compassionate, and empowering approach to managing these disorders—so you and your family can move forward with confidence, understanding, and connection. Subscribe now to start your journey toward a harmonious and happy home life! ✅ How ADHD, ADD & OCD show up in daily life ✅ Practical tips to help your child, teen, or young adult succeed ✅ The role each family member plays—and how to create harmony ✅ How to minimize emotional "scar tissue" & foster understanding Let's create a thriving, happy home together. Listen now! 🎙️💡 #ADHD #OCD #MentalHealth #Parenting#Peacefullife

  1. Dear Parents, Accepting Your Child's Resignation Letter As CEO!!

    2D AGO

    Dear Parents, Accepting Your Child's Resignation Letter As CEO!!

    Show Notes: The CEO Resignation Follow Up Title: Accepting the Resignation: Taking the Keys Back Host: Stephanie Buckley, AMFT, ADHD Parenting Strategist & Family Systems Coach Episode Summary In the second installment of the "Dear Parent" series, Stephanie Buckley provides the formal response to the child's "resignation" from Episode 1. This episode features the Parents' Acceptance Speech a powerful script designed to help you and your partner reclaim the "Executive Suite" of your home. Stephanie explains why returning a child to their rightful role is a restorative act of love that stabilizes the entire family system. Key Takeaways The Parents' Acceptance Speech: A definitive script for Mom and Dad to establish a unified, sturdy front and take back the "final say." Structural Restoration: Why a clear hierarchy is not about dominance, but about creating the systemic harmony necessary for a family to thrive. The 4 Restoration Shifts: The Protected Passenger: Shifting from hyper-vigilance to felt-safety. The Creative Director: Moving from manipulation (managing adults) to mastery (age-appropriate skills). The Learner-in-Training: Shifting from the pressure of performance to the freedom of trial and error. The Regulated Nervous System: Moving from cortisol-driven chaos to adult-led containment. The "Ceiling" Concept: How being a sturdy leader allows your child the freedom to be "messy" and "small" because they trust you won't break. ADHD & Executive Function: Why neurodivergent children need you to be their "External Executive Function" to succeed in the real world. The "New Job Description" for the Child Role: The Learner / Explorer / Protected Member. Mandate: Growth, play, and age-appropriate contribution. Benefit: The removal of adult-level weight, allowing for secure attachment and nervous system regulation. Resources Mentioned Download the Speech: Get the Parents' Acceptance Speech script at ThePathToPeaceTherapy.com Connect with Stephanie: Follow on Instagram @ThePathToPeaceTherapy Next Episode: The Boardroom Scripts: How to hold the line during the initial protest.

    14 min
  2. Dear Parent, The Letter Your Child Would Write To You If They Could!! The CEO Resignation Letter

    3D AGO

    Dear Parent, The Letter Your Child Would Write To You If They Could!! The CEO Resignation Letter

    Title: Dear Parent, The Letter Your Child Would Write To You If They Could!!  The CEO Resignation   Host: Stephanie Buckley, AMFT, ADHD Parenting Strategist & Family Systems Coach Episode Summary In the series premiere of the "Dear Parent" series, Stephanie Buckley explores the "Upside-Down Pyramid" in modern homes. We often think we are empowering our children by giving them the "final say," but from a Family Systems perspective, we are actually over-promoting them into a role they are neurologically unequipped to handle. Stephanie reads the "CEO Resignation Letter" a perspective shifting look at the anxiety and exhaustion children feel when they are forced to be the boss of their parents. Key Takeaways The Management Crisis: Why "Collaborative Parenting" can accidentally turn into "Abdicated Authority." The CEO Resignation Letter: A heart-opening script written from the child's perspective, asking for the keys to the house to be taken back. The Sturdy Container: Moving from being a negotiator to a "Sturdy Pilot" who provides the emotional containment children need to feel safe. The ADHD Connection: Why clear boundaries and a "Proper Hierarchy" are essential for the neurodivergent brain to find peace. House to Home: How restoring the natural order of the family transforms a stressful building into a harmonious sanctuary. The "Hierarchy Check-In" Questions Are you notifying your child of the plan, or asking them for permission? Is your child managing your emotions, or are you containing theirs? Does your child feel "big" and anxious, or "small" and protected? Resources Mentioned The CEO Resignation Kit: Get the full scripts, "Boardroom" cheat sheets, and the Hierarchy Audit at my [Stan Store]. Connect with Stephanie: Reach out for sessions or follow for daily strategies on Instagram @ThePathToPeaceTherapy. Website: ThePathToPeaceTherapy.com

    9 min
  3. Dear Parent, How to Know If Your Family Is Running on Stress Hormones!!

    4D AGO

    Dear Parent, How to Know If Your Family Is Running on Stress Hormones!!

    Is your home feeling tense, reactive, or constantly on edge? In this episode, Stephanie Buckley breaks down what it really means when a family is running on stress hormones. You'll learn how elevated baseline cortisol affects tone, transitions, sleep, emotional regulation, and connection inside a household. Stephanie explains the role of the amygdala in threat detection, how chronic stress lowers frustration tolerance, and why what looks like a behavior problem may actually be a biology pattern. This episode covers: • What baseline cortisol is and how to recognize it • How the amygdala drives reactivity • Why transitions become explosive • The difference between hyperarousal and burnout • Practical "safety signals" that help lower stress chemistry over time  • The role of sleep, protein, sunlight, reduced evening stimulation, and gut stability in emotional regulation If you're tired of walking on eggshells and ready for steadiness in your home, this episode will give you both clarity and direction. Connect with Stephanie Buckley: Parenting Strategist & Family Systems Coach Website: ThePathToPeaceTherapy.com Email: StephanieB@ThePathToPeaceTherapy.com Instagram: @ThePathToPeaceTherapy

    19 min
  4. Dear Parent, Saying No Is A Gift For You Child With ADHD: Stop Avoiding the Discomfort That Builds Strength and Resilaince!

    FEB 12

    Dear Parent, Saying No Is A Gift For You Child With ADHD: Stop Avoiding the Discomfort That Builds Strength and Resilaince!

    Welcome back to The Path To Peace Podcast. I'm Stephanie Buckley,  an ADHD Parenting Strategist and Family Systems Coach, mother to a thriving twenty-three-year-old neurodivergent son with ADHD, and married for over three decades.  In this episode, Stephanie Buckley explores why saying "no" is not harmful   it's essential. Frustration tolerance is a developmental skill that must be built intentionally through calm, consistent boundaries and delayed gratification. Stephanie explains the neuroscience behind emotional regulation, including how the amygdala and prefrontal cortex work together during disappointment, why dopamine functions best with delay, and how over-negotiation weakens resilience. You'll learn why tears are not damage, why limits create safety, and how practicing manageable frustration at home prepares children for a world structured around expectations, boundaries, and outcomes. Saying no isn't rejection. It's preparation. Resources: ThePathToPeaceTherapy.com Instagram: @ThePathToPeaceTherapy Email: StephanieB@ThePathToPeaceTherapy.com Peace is possible   and you don't have to do this alone.

    21 min
  5. Dear Parent: If Your Child Is Running Your Home, Anxiety Is Running It Too!!

    FEB 11

    Dear Parent: If Your Child Is Running Your Home, Anxiety Is Running It Too!!

    *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-(--header-height)" dir="auto" style= "caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id="dbeec567-31b3-4507-989a-d1ff40b690d0" data-testid="conversation-turn-95" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn="user">   *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" style= "caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id="4aefb817-4271-4f55-87f1-1b0feb0a6c09" data-testid="conversation-turn-96" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn="assistant"> Dear Parent: If Your Child Is Running Your Home, Anxiety Is Running It Too In this episode of The Path to Peace Therapy Podcast, Stephanie Buckley explores what happens when family hierarchy flips and children unintentionally become the emotional or logistical leaders of the home. Through the lens of Family Systems Theory and nervous system science, she explains why kids are not wired to carry adult-level responsibility and how role confusion quietly fuels anxiety, cortisol, and behavioral dysregulation. You'll learn why structure lowers anxiety, the difference between authoritarian and authoritative parenting, and how reclaiming calm leadership actually creates safety and connection. If this resonates, share it with a parent who needs permission to lead again. Resources: ThePathToPeaceTherapy.com Instagram: @ThePathToPeaceTherapy Email: StephanieB@ThePathToPeaceTherapy.com Peace is possible  and you don't have to do this alone.   More episodes that can be super helpful!!!  Dear Parent, This is why I'm taking the iPad, iPhone and computer away from your neurodivergent child and no, I'm not ruining your child's life. I'm saving their nervous system. https://open.spotify.com/episode/49K17b38xaSUNMURffzJ2k?si=U03TEjAATLWWEsD3ySpmCQ I'm Giving You Permission to Take It Away Why Removing the iPad, iPhone, and Gaming Consoles Why Saying No to Screens Is a Nervous System Intervention!! https://open.spotify.com/episode/016ao6gZxz7FLi3oda4sth?si=Fy2w1_OAR2CIK1pvgj_J8g When Screens Hijack the ADHD Brain: Video Games, Social Media, and Dysregulation https://open.spotify.com/episode/077PxA3kibjwLJwG6jxdas?si=3UdFZqvYSjuPXQazZNnCvw

    8 min
  6. Dear Parent, This Is Why I'm Taking the iPad, iPhone, and Computer Away From Your Neurodivergent Child And No, I'm Not Ruining You Child's Life……I'm Saving Their Nervous System!!

    FEB 11

    Dear Parent, This Is Why I'm Taking the iPad, iPhone, and Computer Away From Your Neurodivergent Child And No, I'm Not Ruining You Child's Life……I'm Saving Their Nervous System!!

    Dear Parent, This Is Why I'm Taking the iPad, iPhone, and Computer Away From Your Child And No, I'm Not Ruining Your Child's Life I'm Saving Their Nervous System! In this episode of The Path to Peace Therapy Podcast, Stephanie Buckley gives parents clear, compassionate permission to take screens away and explains why doing so is not cruel, outdated, or punitive, but a necessary nervous system intervention for neurodivergent children, especially those with ADHD. Stephanie breaks down how video games and social media hijack dopamine regulation, spike cortisol, and shut down executive functioning, making transitions, school, and daily routines feel impossible. She explains why meltdowns after turning off screens are not manipulation, but signs of neurological dependency and why holding the boundary is exactly how regulation is learned. This episode also explores how excessive screen use reshapes the entire family system, turning parents into referees and routines into negotiations, and why restoring structure, predictability, and real-world regulation is essential for long-term emotional health. If you've been afraid to say no, worried about backlash, or stuck avoiding meltdowns, this episode is your wake-up call—and your permission slip. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why screens are uniquely dysregulating for neurodivergent and ADHD brains What's actually happening in the brain when your child melts down after screens are removed How dopamine dependency fuels emotional explosions and power struggles Why limiting screens protects—not harms—your child's nervous system What to say (and not say) when you take devices away How removing screens can restore calm, connection, and leadership in the family system About the Host Stephanie Buckley is a Parenting Strategist and Family Systems Coach, an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, and the mother of a thriving, now 23-year-old neurodivergent son with ADHD. She has been married for over three decades and brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work with families. Connect with Stephanie Website: ThePathToPeaceTherapy.com Instagram: @ThePathToPeaceTherapy Email: StephanieB@ThePathToPeaceTherapy.com Disclaimer This episode is for educational purposes and to provide support. It is not a substitute for professional mental health evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment.

    21 min
  7. I'm Giving You Permission to Take It Away Why Removing the iPad, iPhone, and Gaming Consoles Why Saying No to Screens Is a Nervous System Intervention!!

    FEB 11

    I'm Giving You Permission to Take It Away Why Removing the iPad, iPhone, and Gaming Consoles Why Saying No to Screens Is a Nervous System Intervention!!

    In this episode of The Path to Peace Therapy Podcast, Stephanie Buckley gives parents permission to take screens away—and explains why limiting iPads, phones, and gaming is a necessary nervous system reset for neurodivergent children with ADHD. You'll learn why over-explaining makes dysregulation worse, how to hold boundaries without power struggles, and what to replace screens with so kids can rebuild regulation through movement, creativity, and connection. This episode is a direct, compassionate wake-up call for parents ready to lead again. Host: Stephanie Buckley, Parenting Strategist & Family Systems Coach, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, mother to a thriving 23-year-old neurodivergent son with ADHD, married for over three decades. Connect: ThePathToPeaceTherapy.com Instagram: @ThePathToPeaceTherapy Email: StephanieB@ThePathToPeaceTherapy.com Disclaimer: Educational purposes only. Not a substitute for professional mental health care.   More episodes  When Screens Hijack the ADHD Brain: Video Games, Social Media and Dysregulation. https://open.spotify.com/episode/016ao6gZxz7FLi3oda4sth?si=Fy2w1_OAR2CIK1pvgj_J8g You're Not Bad at Parenting:  Your ADHD Household is Missing Proper Systems  https://open.spotify.com/episode/077PxA3kibjwLJwG6jxdas?si=3UdFZqvYSjuPXQazZNnCvw

    13 min
  8. When Screens Hijack the ADHD Brain: Video Games, Social Media, and Dysregulation

    FEB 11

    When Screens Hijack the ADHD Brain: Video Games, Social Media, and Dysregulation

    n this episode of The Path to Peace Therapy Podcast, Stephanie Buckley explains why video games and social media are especially dysregulating for neurodivergent children with ADHD and why behavior challenges are often rooted in brain chemistry and family systems, not defiance or laziness. Stephanie breaks down how dopamine dysregulation, screen-based stimulation, and inconsistent routines can sabotage emotional regulation, transitions, and cooperation, and why parents searching for a "quick fix" actually find the most relief by addressing the biology of the child and the structure of the family system together. This episode offers a compassionate, science-based reframe to help families move from chaos to calm. Host: Stephanie Buckley, Parenting Strategist & Family Systems Coach, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, mother to a thriving 23-year-old neurodivergent son with ADHD, married for over three decades. Connect: ThePathToPeaceTherapy.com Instagram: @ThePathToPeaceTherapy Email: StephanieB@ThePathToPeaceTherapy.com Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. Not a substitute for professional mental health care.

    36 min
See All (116)

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Struggling with ADHD, ADD, or OCD in your family? You're not alone. ADHD, ADD, and OCD don't just affect individuals, they impact the entire family. As a therapist & mom with lived experience, I share real insights & strategies to help teens, young adults & families thrive—without the emotional "scar tissue." 💙 As a therapist and a mom with lived experience, I know the struggles firsthand. From chaotic mornings to emotional meltdowns, these challenges can create tension, frustration, and misunderstanding. But it doesn't have to be that way. 💙 On The Path to Peace Podcast, I share practical strategies, expert insights, and real-life stories to help teens, young adults, and families recognize ADHD/ADD/OCD, navigate daily struggles, and build a more peaceful, connected home. Through professional expertise and personal experience, The Path to Peace Podcast offers a real, compassionate, and empowering approach to managing these disorders—so you and your family can move forward with confidence, understanding, and connection. Subscribe now to start your journey toward a harmonious and happy home life! ✅ How ADHD, ADD & OCD show up in daily life ✅ Practical tips to help your child, teen, or young adult succeed ✅ The role each family member plays—and how to create harmony ✅ How to minimize emotional "scar tissue" & foster understanding Let's create a thriving, happy home together. Listen now! 🎙️💡 #ADHD #OCD #MentalHealth #Parenting#Peacefullife

Information