Parent Like A Psychologist

Many parents quietly believe that needing help means they’re failing. In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist , I gently challenge that idea and offer a much healthier reframe: getting support isn’t giving up – it’s showing up for yourself and your child. If you’ve ever felt guilty for asking for help, struggled to do everything on your own, or worried that seeking support means you “should...

In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist , we explore a powerful idea every parent needs to understand: behaviour is communication . When children don’t yet have the words or skills to explain how they’re feeling, they use behaviour to send the message for them. And just like adults, when that message isn’t heard, it doesn’t disappear, it gets louder . We talk about: Why big, challenging beha...

Many parents tell me they’re waiting. Waiting for things to settle. Waiting for their child to grow out of it. Waiting for the “right time” to get support. In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist , we talk about what actually happens when a child’s emotional, behavioural, or developmental needs go unmet, and why waiting often makes things harder, not easier. When kids’ needs aren’t met, prob...

Have you ever had a small, uncomfortable feeling that something isn’t quite right for your child – and then immediately talked yourself out of it? In this episode, I talk about that quiet gut feeling many parents have and why it matters. The one that whispers “something’s off” even when others say, “They’ll grow out of it” or *“You’re overthinking it.” Drawing on my work as a psychologist, I unpac...

When your child seems to be “acting out just for attention,” it can feel frustrating, personal, and endless. In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist , I’m joined by US psychologist Dr Larry Waldman to unpack what’s really going on underneath “attention-seeking” behaviour – and how parents can respond in a calmer, more effective way. Drawing on decades of work with children, teens, and famili...

What does it really take for a girl to grow up liking herself in a world that constantly tells her she’s not enough? In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist , I sit down with bestselling author and researcher Kasey Edwards to unpack the key ideas behind her book Raising Girls Who Like Themselves . Kasey and her husband, Dr Christopher Scanlon, spent 10 years investigating what helps girls de...

How attachment-first parenting helps kids thrive in the age of screens and AI In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist , I sit down with Todd Sarner,  parenting coach, marriage therapist, and author of The Calm and Connected Parent: An Attachment-First Guide to Raising Resilient Kids in the Age of Screens and AI . Todd’s work centres on helping parents lead with calm confidence, strong b...

In this episode, I sit down with therapist and parent Morganne Crouser , who brings a rare mix of lived experience and clinical insight. Morganne has worked for years with neurodivergent families in the US, providing intensive in-home therapy, supervising clinicians, and consulting with parents who are trying to make sense of new diagnoses. She’s also a parent to three neurodivergent young people-...

Parenting in a digital world can feel overwhelming – especially with constant talk of screen time, social media, and bans that seem to change every five minutes. In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist , I’m joined by Dr Jo Orlando, researcher and author of Generation Connected: How to Parent in a Digital World at Every Age and Stage . Jo has spent the last 15 years in Australian homes, scho...

If your school mornings feel like a battle zone — with lost shoes, tears, or tense standoffs at the door — you’re definitely not alone. In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist , Educational and Developmental Psychologist Leanne Tran unpacks why mornings can be so hard for kids (and parents!) and what you can do to bring more calm and cooperation to the start of your day. You’ll learn: ✨ Why...

Does your child burst into tears when dinner looks different, refuse a birthday party invite, or panic at the thought of trying swimming lessons? You’re not alone — and it’s not stubbornness or “bad behaviour.” In this episode, we unpack what’s really going on when kids resist new experiences and how you can support them with compassion and confidence. Inside this episode, you’ll learn: ✨ The rea...

In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist , Leanne is joined by Adelle Sushames —a late-diagnosed AuDHD clinical psychologist, creator of the NDME and Spoon Theory card decks, and the voice behind Neurodivergent Ally . Together, they explore how neurodivergent children (and adults) can better understand their needs, communicate them, and feel empowered rather than pathologized. Adelle shares h...

When we first recognize that our child is neurodivergent, it can feel like the ground shifts beneath us. Parenting becomes less about “fixing” behaviors and more about reshaping expectations, letting go of old norms, and creating a home environment that truly works for everyone. In this heartfelt and personal episode of Parent Like a Psychologist , the host reflects on the real and often emotional...

Travelling with kids can feel like an Olympic-level parenting challenge—especially when anxiety, boredom, or a strong need for control enters the mix. In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist , we unpack practical, evidence-informed strategies to make family trips smoother and more enjoyable. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The power of preparation: How visual schedules and clear communica...

In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist , host Leanne Tran sits down with Sandrine Alexandre Hughes — part-time lawyer, mum of three, and creator of the online safety resources See Me Together Online and the card games All the Likes and Smoke, Mirrors & Filters . Together, they explore how parents can build their children’s digital resilience and online safety awareness through connectio...

In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist , we dive deep into one of the most overwhelming and confusing challenges parents face: meltdowns. If your child goes from calm to explosive over small things, can’t be reasoned with in the heat of the moment, or leaves the whole family feeling like they’re walking on eggshells—you’re not alone, and you’re not a bad parent. Together, we explore: The ke...

In this episode, I dive into one of my favourite things—talking through a book that’s reshaped how I think about parenting. Today, I’m reviewing Differently Wired by Deborah Reber, a powerful blend of memoir, guide, and rallying cry for parents raising children who experience the world in unique ways—whether through ADHD, autism, dyslexia, anxiety, giftedness, or simply not fitting into the "typic...

This week’s episode is a little different—less about a single parenting topic and more of a reflection on three unexpected but powerful conversations I had with my teenager. None of them were planned. They unfolded while folding laundry, sitting at the dinner table, and driving home from school. Yet, each one highlighted how simply being present can open the door to deep connection. Here’s what we...

Do you ever find yourself yelling more than you’d like, feeling like the noise, clutter, and constant demands at home never stop? You’re not alone—and this episode is for you. In today’s conversation, we’re diving into practical, realistic ways to create a calmer home environment without needing perfection or exhausting effort. From reducing sensory overload to setting up predictable routines, you...

This week on Parent Like a Psychologist , I’m joined by paediatric occupational therapist and author Dave Jereb , whose book Challenging the Story is changing the way parents and professionals think about children’s behaviour. We dive into what it really means to support the people who support the kids —and why connection, not compliance, is the key to helping children thrive. 💡 In this episode,...

In this episode of Parent Like a Psychologist , we explore Low Demand Parenting by Amanda Diekman — a compassionate and practical approach gaining attention among parenting circles and neurodivergent communities. Drawing from Diekman’s lived experience as a late-diagnosed PDA autistic woman, pastor, parent coach, and mother of neurodivergent children, the book offers a roadmap for parents raising...

In this powerful and validating episode of Parent Like a Psychologist , I’m joined by the insightful Lisa Chan — former Pediatric Occupational Therapist and creator of the Chaos to Calm course — to unpack what’s really going on beneath the surface of our kids’ challenging behaviors, and what parents can do when traditional parenting approaches just aren’t working. Together, we explore the critical...

In this powerful and practical episode of Parent Like a Psychologist , host Leanne Tran, psychologist and parent, explores the unique challenges autistic children face in school environments—and how parents can advocate effectively for the support their kids need. Drawing on her dual perspective as both a psychologist and a parent, Leanne unpacks: Why primary schools can be overwhelming for autist...

How do we become the kind of parent our kids actually need—especially when they’re autistic, neurodivergent, or simply wired differently than we expected? This episode unpacks one of the most essential but often misunderstood parenting skills: attunement —or simply, tuning in . Whether you're raising an autistic child, have ADHD yourself, or just sometimes feel out of sync with your kid, this conv...

In this insightful and heartwarming episode of Parent Like a Psychologist , we return from the school holiday break refreshed—and ready to dive back into a crucial topic in our autism series: why stimming matters for autistic kids . Stimming, or self-stimulatory behavior, often includes repetitive movements, sounds, or phrases like hand flapping, rocking, or echolalia. It’s frequently misunderstoo...