Securely Attached

Dr. Sarah Bren
Securely Attached

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. 1 DAY AGO

    256. Project-Based Learning: Teaching kids to think critically, creatively, and collaboratively with Kim Mishkin

    Kim Mishkin is here to shed light on Project-Based Learning, an education model that encourages kids to explore, problem-solve, and collaborate in ways that tap into their natural curiosity and interests.   In this episode we explore:   - What Project-Based Learning (PBL) is and how it differs from the standard American education model.   - The origins of the PBL model and what current research reveals about its efficacy for educating kids?    - Why allowing children to help shape the direction of their curriculum reinforces their motivation to learn and fosters curiosity.   - How core academic subjects like reading, writing, and math are covered with a PBL approach.   - Will kids who have been educated in a PBL elementary and middle-school be able to successfully transition to a standard American academic high-school or college environment?   - Ways parents can integrate elements of the PBL approach into everyday life, helping to build critical thinking and curiosity in their children, even outside a PBL school.   If you’re curious about alternative education models or looking for ways to inspire a love of learning in your child, this conversation is packed with insights you won't want to miss!       LEARN MORE ABOUT HUDSON LAB SCHOOL: https://www.hudsonlabschool.com/   ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: 👉🏻 PBL Works 📚 Project Based Learning (PBL) Starter Kit 🎥 Most Likely to Succeed     CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Debunking the myth of learning styles: What the research actually says are the best ways to teach our children with Dr. Dan Willingham   🎧 The hidden dangers of an achievement centric approach with Jennifer Breheny Wallace   🎧 Fostering independent play and a love of learning with Lizzie Assa

    52 min
  2. 6 DAYS AGO

    255. BTS: How do I stop my child from picking up his friend's bad behaviors?

    Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...     - Is it developmentally appropriate for my 3-year-old to start to mimic their friends' behaviors?   - How to approach differences when our kid’s friends or our family friends have different rules and limits than we do.   - A conversation you can have with your child after they spend time with their friend and you start to see behaviors that you do not allow in your house - and how these can lead to larger conversations about peer pressure as they get older.   - Zooming back to determine what your larger goals are will help you know what to focus on and what to let go of.   - If you’ve ever wondered, “How can I get my kid to listen to me, especially in a highly exciting situation?” we’ll give you a precursor that you may be skipping that could help!   - Dr. Rebecca shares her #1 golden rule of all child playdates.   - Dr. Sarah shares her 4 S’s for how to make playdates most successful.     ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about appropriate consequences when your child doesn't listen to you   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about using consequences intended teach, not punish your 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!

    24 min
  3. NOV 12

    254. Back by popular demand: Attachment theory and fostering secure attachment relationships

    Let's revisit the foundation of raising securely attached kids! I'm bringing back one of my first ever episodes to help parents understand the basics of how a secure attachment bond impacts children's resilience, confidence, and overall well-being.   Tune in to hear:   - What secure attachment is and how it plays a key role in nurturing a child's confidence, curiosity, and ability to handle life’s ups and downs.   - The powerful influence of feeling safe and seen on a child's ability to be honest, adaptable, and resilient.   - Practical strategies for fostering secure attachment, no matter the age of your child.   - How attachment affects a child’s development into a compassionate, kind individual who can build meaningful relationships throughout their life.   This episode offers science-backed insights and actionable tips and is a must-listen for all parents!     SHOW NOTES: (link)   INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT ATTACHMENT SCIENCE? Click HERE to download my free guide, The Four Pillars of Fostering Secure Attachment, helping you parent with a focus on attunement and trust.   LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. SARAH: https://drsarahbren.com/   FOLLOW DR. SARAH ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/drsarahbren/     CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Breaking the cycle of insecure attachment: How to support your child's secure attachment even if you didn't grow up with it with Dr. Miriam Steele   🎧 Secure attachment is optimal, but insecure attachment may not be as bad as we think with Dr. Or Dagan   🎧 Can my kid be securely attached to me if I'm insecurely attached in my adult relationships?

    26 min
  4. NOV 5

    252. Secure attachment and growth mindset: The science behind raising well-adjusted kids with Melinda Wenner Moyer

    Get science-backed strategies to raise kids who are compassionate, kind, and successful in today’s chaotic world with Melinda Wenner Moyer.   In this episode, we explore:   - How becoming a parent shifted Melinda’s attention to applying science and research to answer her most pressing parenting questions   - One of the most surprising and counterintuitive things Melinda learned when she started to dig into the research on parenting.   - How to approach challenging topics, like race, authentically and in age-appropriate ways without needing a “script.”   - Diving into Carol Dweck’s research study using fixed vs growth mindset language with kids and how it affected their perseverance (Spoiler: Kids who were given fixed mindset messaging showed less resilience.)    - Why kids lie, the best ways we can respond when they do, and how this can impact how likely they are to be open with us as they get older.   - How attachment security impacts our kid’s ability to be confident, curious, flexible, and compassionate    If you’re looking to raise kind, resilient kids who feel safe being honest with you, this conversation is filled with insights to help you make that happen!       LEARN MORE ABOUT MELINDA: https://www.melindawennermoyer.com/   READ MELINDA'S BOOKS: 📚 How to Raise Kids Who Aren't Assholes: Science-Based Strategies for Better Parenting--from Tots to Teens   📚 Hello, Cruel World!: Science-Based Strategies for Raising Terrific Kids in Terrifying Times   JOIN MELINDA'S SUBSTACK: 📖 Is My Kid the A*****e?   FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: 📱@melindawmoyer and @drsarahbren   ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE: Read more about Carol Dweck Watch the Instagram reel we talk about: Teaching my boomer mom about gentle parenting    CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Raising conscious kids: A thoughtful exploration of bias, cultural identity, and diversity with Dr. Dana E. Crawford   🎧 The hidden dangers of an achievement centric approach with Jennifer Breheny Wallace   🎧 Raising emotionally intelligent sons: Parenting boys to combat "toxic masculinity" with Ruth Whippman   🎧 Debunking the myth of learning styles: What the research actually says are the best ways to teach our children with Dr. Dan Willingham

    50 min
  5. OCT 29

    250. How to make mindfulness more “user-friendly” for parents with ADHD with Dr. Lidia Zylowska

    In honor of ADHD Awareness Month, we're talking about how mindfulness can reduce symptoms of ADHD with Dr. Lidia Zylowska.   In this episode we explore:   - Does having ADHD make it harder to engage in mindfulness and meditation practices? (Spoiler: Yes, but there are things we can do about that!)   - What the research reveals about mindfulness in teens and adults with ADHD and the science of how a mindfulness practice strengthens neurological deficits in the brain.   - Parenthood requires so much executive functioning, sensory stimulation, and stress, so often this is when the strategies we’ve been using to manage symptoms of ADHD fall apart.   - Concrete strategies, like the best time of day, introducing aspects of physicality, and logistical considerations for how to incorporate mindfulness practice into your life when sitting still feels too difficult or daunting.   - Tips for identifying what helps you personally feel less flooded that can serve as your go-to’s when things start to feel scattered, stuck, or overwhelming.   - The importance of self-compassion in mindfulness and how this is an often overlooked, yet key piece of mindfulness practices.   If you're curious about how mindfulness can make a real difference for those with ADHD, this episode is a must-listen!     LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. LIDIA: https://lidiazylowska.com/   READ LIDIA'S BOOKS: 📚 The Mindfulness Prescription for Adult ADHD: An 8-Step Program for Strengthening Attention, Managing Emotions, and Achieving Your Goals   📚 Mindfulness for Adult ADHD: A Clinician's Guide   WATCH LIDIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS: 💻 MindfulRxADHD   ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: 👉🏻 ADDitude 👉🏻 Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) 👉🏻 Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA)   GET MORE SUPPORT: 👉🏻 Go to upshurbren.com if you're interested in resources for you or your child with ADHD, including individual, group, parenting support, and neuropsychological evaluation services tailored to your unique needs.   CHECK ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 The benefits of mindfulness: How to use this practice for ourselves and our children with Diana Winston   🎧 The science of “mom-rage” and how to use mindfulness as a as a tool for being less reactive with Diana Winston   🎧 ADHD and attachment security: How to connect with and support your neurodiverse child with Dr. Norrine Russell   🎧 How do I help my child with ADHD utilize school support systems without feeling embarrassed or self-conscious?

    1h 1m
  6. OCT 24

    249. BTS: Do you think virtual therapy would be helpful for my postpartum challenges?

    Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...   - What are the advantages of telehealth appointments and the ability to do virtual sessions from anywhere.   - Do the full range of emotions and subtle nuances get lost when you’re talking through a screen? (Spoiler: Our brains fill in so much it often feels like we’re in the same room.)   - What to consider to determine if virtual therapy may not be the best option for you.   - The different levels of interventions and the types of support that can match up with each.   - If you are doing virtual therapy, how to maximize the experience and specific strategies to implement to make your sessions most effective.   - What is the difference between therapy and mental health coaching and what are the different rules for each based on the state you live in.     REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES: 👉🏻 If you're interested in exploring our therapy and coaching support services, feel free to reach out to us at Upshur Bren Psychology Group for a free 15-minute consultation so we can suggest a treatment plan for your unique needs.     ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about newborn sleep with Greer Kirshenbaum   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about staying mindful in postpartum and early parenthood with Dr. Kira Bartlett   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about going back to work after maternity leave with Lauren Smith Brody     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!

    20 min
5
out of 5
85 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.

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