Securely Attached

Dr. Sarah Bren
  • 5.0 (115)
  • 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. 11H AGO ·  VIDEO

    The mattering gap: Why so many parents feel invisible, overwhelmed, and disconnected with Jennifer Wallace

    Jennifer Wallace joins the podcast to explore a powerful but often overlooked foundation of mental health and resilience: the human need to feel like we matter. While so much of parenting focuses on what we do for our kids, this conversation invites us to look inward, because a child's sense of mattering is deeply shaped by how much their parents feel valued, seen, and significant in their own lives. Drawing from research and real-life stories, we unpack why so many adults today feel invisible, overwhelmed, or defined by achievement, and how that shapes the way we show up in our relationships with our children.   Together we explore:   - What it actually means to "matter" and why it's different from self-esteem or a sense of purpose. - Why parents today are at risk of feeling like they don't matter, and how that impacts their kids. - The connection between mattering, anxiety, burnout, and loneliness. - A simple framework for building deeper, more meaningful relationships. - Why "delight" is a critical ingredient in helping children feel secure and valued. - How to model a healthy sense of self so your child doesn't feel pressure to be your "everything." - Practical ways to help kids both feel valued and add value in their families and communities. - How showing others they matter can actually be the fastest way to feel like you matter too.   This conversation is a reminder that parenting doesn't happen in a vacuum. When we feel grounded in our own worth, supported by meaningful relationships and a sense of connection, we create the conditions for our children to internalize that same belief: you matter, just as you are.     LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST: 🔗Jennifer Wallace  📚Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose 📱IG: @jenniferbrehenywallace 🎧 Listen to Jennie's first Securely Attached podcast about the hidden dangers of an achievement centric approach     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: 🔗 Feeling weighed down by mom-guilt, identity shifts, or the mental load of parenting? Upshur Bren Psychology Group specializes in maternal mental health and offers therapy and coaching to help you feel more grounded and supported. Visit upshurbren.com to learn more about support options or schedule a free consultation call so we can share recommendations for a personalized plan to meet your unique needs.     CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how play could be the key to mental health and well-being with Dr. Mike Rucker   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about parental burnout: What it is, why it happens, and how to overcome it   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about fostering deep and meaningful relationships with Dr. Rick Hanson

    45 min

  2. 5D AGO

    Q&A: How do I tell my child he's going to start therapy?

    Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...   - Why it's important to tell your child that they are starting therapy (and why many parents avoid it). - How to explain therapy in simple, developmentally appropriate language your child will actually understand. - Why using your child's own words for their struggles, like "worry" or "big feelings," matters. - What to call a therapist and how to describe what they do in a way that makes sense to kids. - What to do if your child asks, "Is something wrong with me?" - Why getting your child's buy-in matters and how to help them feel invested. - How to frame therapy as something the whole family is working on together.   This episode will help you feel more confident in how to approach this conversation, reduce anxiety around starting therapy, and support your child in a way that builds trust, openness, and emotional resilience.     REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:   📚 Want to learn more about talking to your child about going to therapy? Read Upshur Bren Psychology Group's blog article: How to Tell Your Child You're Taking Them to Therapy: A Compassionate, Practical Guide for Parents   👉 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 know if your child is too young for therapy   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to know if group therapy would be a good fit for 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. MAY 19 ·  VIDEO

    Nature vs nurture: Understanding sensitivity, resilience, and what really shapes kids with Dr. Jay Belsky

    Dr. Jay Belsky joins the podcast to explore one of the most important and often misunderstood truths in parenting: the same environment does not affect every child the same way. Drawing from decades of research on nature and nurture, this conversation looks at how biology and experience work together to shape development, and why some kids are more sensitive to their environments while others are more resilient.   Together, we explore:   Why some children are more affected by parenting, stress, and environment than others. The difference between sensitivity and susceptibility, and why it matters for long-term development. What "developmental plasticity" is and how it shapes the way kids respond to their experiences. Why resilience is not always a good thing and sensitivity is not always a problem. How nature and nurture work together to shape each child in unique ways. The one thing within a parent's control that can help protect children from adversity. How to shift from trying to control outcomes to supporting the child you have. The difference between "carpenter" parenting and "gardener" parenting, and why it changes everything. How to set realistic expectations for yourself and your child without lowering the bar.   This conversation offers a powerful reframe for parents who feel confused, overwhelmed, or frustrated when what works for one child doesn't work for another. It is about understanding your child as an individual, letting go of the pressure to get it exactly right, and focusing on what truly supports healthy development over time.     LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST: 🔗Dr. Jay Belsky 📚The Nature of Nurture: Rethinking Why and How Childhood Adversity Shapes Development      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:   📚The Gardener and the Carpenter: What the New Science of Child Development Tells Us About the Relationship Between Parents and Children by Alison Gopnik    📚 The Nurture Assumption: Why Children Turn Out the Way They Do by Judith Rich Harris   👉 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 orchid and dandelion children with Dr. W. Thomas Boyce   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about the neuroscience of raising emotionally resilient kids with Dr. Kristen Lindquist   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to support your sensitive, "spicy," highly emotional child?   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about preventing burnout when you have a sensitive child

    1h 4m

  4. MAY 14

    Q&A: How do I help my toddler cope with an absent parent?

    Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...   What the research actually says about attachment and why one strong, secure relationship is enough for healthy development. Why your child asking for the other parent may actually be a sign of a secure attachment, not a problem. How toddler development (around age 2) shapes their awareness of family structure and separation. How to talk about an absent parent in a way that is simple, neutral, and developmentally appropriate. The importance of naming and validating your child's feelings, like sadness, curiosity, or confusion. How your own emotional responses can influence how often your child brings this topic up. Why these questions often show up at bedtime and how to respond while still holding bedtime boundaries.   This episode will help you feel more grounded and reassured in your role as a parent, and more confident in how to support your child through big feelings, hard questions, and family differences in a way that strengthens your connection.     REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:   👉 Want extra support in your parenting journey? Upshur Bren Psychology Group offers in-person and virtual 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   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to support children experiencing abandonment or separation from a parent     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. MAY 12

    Creating a calmer home: Using design and organization to support your child's nervous system with Rachel Melvald

    Rachel Melvald joins the podcast to explore a powerful but often overlooked influence on our children's behavior, mood, and regulation: the spaces they live in. Drawing from her work in Neurodesign, this conversation looks at how our home environment shapes the nervous system and impacts how both kids and parents feel and function.   Together, we explore:   How clutter and visual overwhelm increase cognitive load and dysregulation in kids (and adults). Why fewer toys can actually support more focused, creative, and independent play. How predictable, organized spaces help children feel safer and more regulated. The role of sensory input, like lighting, color, texture, and movement, in shaping behavior and mood. Why natural elements are so powerful for calming the nervous system. How to think about different spaces in your home and the function you want them to serve. Simple, practical changes that can have an immediate impact on how your home feels. How design can support not just individual regulation, but connection, boundaries, and family relationships.   This conversation offers a new lens on parenting, one that goes beyond behavior strategies and focuses on the environment itself. It's about creating spaces that support regulation, connection, and well-being for the whole family.     LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST: 🔗https://www.psychitecture.com/  📚NEURODESIGN: The Art and Science of Harmonious Living  📱@rachelmelvald    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: 🔗Pikler Triangle  🔗 Toddler Trampoline     CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about finding balance in the home, at work, and in parenthood with Chelsi Jo   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how you can teach your toddler to clean up their toys without power struggles?   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about buying less and living sustainably with The New York Stylist, Liz Teich

    52 min

  6. MAY 7

    Q&A: What should I do when my toddler fights diaper changes and refuses to use the potty?

    Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...   What to do when your toddler refuses the potty and fights diaper changes, leaving you stuck in a frustrating in-between stage. Why diaper changes and potty training resistance is often less about the potty and more about control and autonomy. Common ways power struggles often show up during diaper changes and potty training. Simple and practical strategies to give your child more agency without losing necessary boundaries to reduce tension and make diaper changes feel less like a battle. Creative strategies to build positive associations with the bathroom. What it looks like to go slower with potty training, and why that can be more effective.   This episode will help you approach diaper changes and potty training with less pressure, more clarity, and practical strategies to reduce the daily struggles while supporting your child's growing independence.     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.   CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode with a deep dive into potty training   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how pediatric pelvic health can impact potty training, bed wetting and constipation with Quiara Smith   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about what to do if your toddler is otherwise potty trained, but still won't poop on the potty   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to handle potty regressions in older children     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!

    16 min

  7. MAY 5

    How to help your child have a healthier relationship with screens: The psychology behind what actually works with Catherine Price

    Catherine Price returns to the podcast to talk about one of the biggest challenges facing parents today: how to help kids build a healthier relationship with screens. Drawing from her new book, The Amazing Generation (co-authored with Jonathan Haidt), this conversation explores how to move from power struggles and fear-based messaging to approaches that build insight, agency, and real buy-in from kids themselves.   Together, we explore:   Why simply telling kids to "get off screens" often backfires. What kids are actually getting from screens (and what they're missing). How to explain to kids that tech companies are designed to capture attention in a way that makes them feel empowered. Why "real world" experiences are critical for development and how screens can crowd them out. Practical ways to support connection and independence without defaulting to smartphones. How to have conversations about screens that don't lead to shutdown or conflict. Simple shifts that can help your child become more aware, reflective, and intentional with technology. Why building a full, engaging life offline naturally reduces screen time.   This conversation is about more than just screen time. It's about helping kids develop the awareness, confidence, and agency to make choices that align with the kind of life they actually want to live, and how we, as parents, can support that process.       LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST: 🔗 Catherine Price 📚 The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a Screen-Filled World 🔗 Free Guide: The Family Guide to Screen/Life Balance: Your 7-Day Plan for Fewer Fights and More Fun 📚 How to Break Up with Your Phone, Revised Edition: The 30-Day Digital Detox Plan 📚 The Power of Fun: How to Feel Alive Again 📱 IG: @catherinepriceofficial  🎧 242. Have phones displaced our ability to play and have fun? How to be intentional with your tech use with Catherine Price    LEARN MORE ABOUT ME: 🔗 Dr. Sarah Bren  🔗 Upshur Bren Psychology Group 📱IG: @drsarahbren     ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: 👉  Whether it's screen time battles, feeling stuck in constant pushback, or trying to help your child make healthier choices without power struggles, these patterns can be hard to shift on your own. Upshur Bren Psychology Group offers in-person and virtual therapy and parent coaching to help you build insight, strengthen connection, and create meaningful, lasting change. Visit upshurbren.com to explore our services or schedule a free 30-minute consultation to find the right support for your family.     CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about why screens and ultra-processed foods keep kids wanting more (but never satisfied) with Michaeleen Doucleff   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about teaching kids healthy tech habits free of guilt or power struggles with Ash Brandin   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about why kids remember more when they write by hand with Dr. Audrey van der Meer   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about the hidden dangers of EdTech with Andy Liddell

    50 min

  8. APR 30

    Q&A: How do I support my child with language delays during playdates?

    Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about how to support a child who is struggling to communicate with their peers.   Together we explore:   The difference between scaffolding and helicopter parenting, and how to find the right balance. How your goals for a playdate can shape how much you step in. The role of context, including the child your kid is playing with and how familiar they are with each other. What scaffolding can actually look like in the moment, beyond just helping with words. How narrating and "sportscasting" interactions can support both kids without taking over. How to tune into your child's cues to determine whether something is truly a problem. The trap of overthinking and how to recognize when things might actually be going just fine.   This episode will help you feel more confident in knowing when to step in, when to step back, and how to support your child's social and communication skills in a way that builds both competence and connection.       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.     CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about helping a child who struggles with perfectionism    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about what to do if your child is reading below their grade level, but resistant to going to tutoring    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about fostering secure attachments in peer relationships     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!

    14 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
115 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
    416
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2021-2026 Dr. Sarah Bren
  • Show Website
    Securely Attached

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