Parent Like A Psychologist

In this episode, we're diving into the captivating journey of self-discovery and healing with Emma Gilmore from Hope Rising Coaching. Emma's passion for empowering women in midlife shines through as we explore her unique approach to guiding individuals towards transformation. Prepare to be inspired as Emma shares her personal experiences and insights. Through her own transformative journey with al...

In this podcast episode, I’ll be sharing a change in plans and diving into the topic of cricket—a significant part of our family life. I’ll explore the broader benefits of community and club sports, highlighting the importance of physical activity in helping children manage stress. I’ll discuss the positive impact of team sports in developing competence and essential life skills, including emotion...

In today’s episode, as I gear up for the next school year, I’ve been mulling over something interesting. You know how people often say you’ve got to choose between academic success and well-being? Well, what if it’s not that black and white? What if there’s more to it? I’ve come across some fascinating research that suggests we might have it all wrong. Could it be that, instead of being at odds, d...

In this episode with Dr Tommy Tran, an experienced paediatrician specialising in ADHD, we will delve into the intricacies of ADHD medication and its potential impact on children. With over 11 years of expertise, Dr Tran will shed light on the expected effectiveness of medication, categorising them into stimulants and non-stimulants. He will discuss potential challenges, anticipated side effects, a...

In today’s episode, I’ll explore the challenges of managing children’s behaviour during the summer holidays, emphasising the importance of understanding the underlying reasons for their actions. I’ll discuss the significance of laying a solid foundation by meeting children’s needs, setting boundaries, and providing structure. Encouraging positive behaviour will involve consistency, clear expectati...

In this podcast episode, I’m looking ahead and contemplating the upcoming 2024 school year. Reflecting on the lessons learned from managing summer transitions, I share insights on how to prepare for the new academic journey. From tackling book lists and uniforms to exploring three key strategies for a smooth start, I emphasise the importance of early planning. Firstly, I encourage parents to consi...

Hello there, As I sit here on this public holiday in Australia, just on the brink of the New Year, I want to discuss a topic that’s close to my heart – the significance of play. Today, with families across the country enjoying a break and children revelling in the school holidays, there’s no better time to explore the importance of play in our lives. In this episode, we’ll be shifting gears from t...

In this upcoming episode, I’ll be acknowledging the incredible job you’re doing by taking a moment for yourself amid the chaos of family life. Whether you’ll be listening on Christmas Day—like Jens—or any other day, it’s commendable that you’re prioritising self-care. I’ve chosen to focus on self-care during the festive season because, as parents, it’s crucial to recognise its importance. I’ll del...

In today’s conversation, I aim to delve into the art of fostering social connections during the summer break, prioritising the cultivation of meaningful relationships over the formal development of social skills or structured opportunities for children. Rather than focusing on altering inherent skills, my perspective aligns with neuro-affirming practice—embracing and supporting children as they na...

Today, I want to share insights into creating sensory-friendly activities for children during the holidays. As a parent of a child with sensory processing differences, I understand how important it is to consider their unique needs. We'll explore the importance of identifying triggers and understanding your child’s sensitivities—whether it’s sound, lights, or crowds. We’ll discuss the diverse jour...

In today’s episode, I’ll be delving into the challenges of managing summer transitions for children, especially those with autism or ADHD. I’ll share strategies to help prepare for changes, maintain structure, and reduce the impact of transitions. We’ll begin by looking at the broader picture of summer break transitions – shifting from the structured environment of school to the more free-flowing...

In today’s episode, I’ll delve into the topic of cognitive assessments – a subject that often arises in my conversations with parents. Drawing on my experience as a psychologist, I aim to shed light on the significance of these assessments for parents navigating the complexities of their child’s development. I’ll explore the reasons why parents might consider cognitive assessments. Firstly, for th...

As someone deeply immersed in the world of writing, recent experiences with report writing and engaging conversations about memoirs have highlighted the challenges many children with ADHD or autism face when it comes to expressing themselves on paper. It’s a topic that’s been on my mind, especially as I launch a new podcast, Between the Lines , where authors discuss the intricacies of the writing...

In today’s episode, I want to discuss school refusal —a complex issue I’ve encountered both as a parent and as a psychologist. School refusal presents in many forms, and it is more common among neurodivergent children and those with learning disabilities. Today, I’ll explore the reasons behind it, approaches to help, and practical advice for parents. What factors might contribute to school refusal...

In today’s special episode, we are joined by Dr Shiromi . With over 15 years of experience in the medical field, Dr Shiromi is a distinguished Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. In addition, she has dedicated considerable time to the study of psychological strategies. We will be discussing Cloud GP for Patients – a resource designed to help individuals prepare for a m...

In today’s episode, I want to discuss the topic of visual support . It’s a subject that has gained a great deal of attention lately, and I’ve noticed that many people have been downloading the guide available on my website, which explains how to create visual supports at home. So, I’ll begin with the basics: What are visual supports? These are tools that present information visually rather than re...

In this engaging podcast episode, I’d like to share my passion for enhancing the parenting experience and nurturing happy, well-adjusted children. My primary focus is on developing essential life skills in children, such as emotional regulation and problem-solving . I’ll emphasise that parenting isn’t a race , and I’ll encourage parents to take the time to ensure their children acquire these cruci...

In today’s episode, I discuss the important topic of emotional regulation , which is especially relevant for families going through challenging times. Emotional regulation is the ability to manage our feelings and return to a calm state when emotions run high. We all experience emotions differently – some people have intense, quick-to-fade emotions, while others experience slower, longer-lasting f...

Today, we're diving into the fifth and final episode of our series on managing behaviour. It feels like we’ve been on this journey for quite some time, and perhaps you feel the same way. As parents, we often find ourselves talking about our children’s behaviour — it’s simply part of the deal. But today, we’re shifting gears slightly. Instead of focusing solely on behaviour, I want to talk about ef...

In this episode of the "Managing Behaviour Series," I discuss strategies for dealing with defiant or aggressive behaviour in children. It’s a challenging situation for parents, but understanding and addressing these behaviours is essential. First, I highlight that it’s important to recognise that some level of defiance is normal as children grow and become more independent. However, it’s crucial t...

Welcome back to another episode of the “Parent Like a Psychologist” Podcast . In this third part of my series on managing children’s behaviour, the focus is on how to encourage positive behaviour proactively. I’ll break it down into a few important parts. I’ll discuss why it’s so important that your child knows what you expect from them. You can’t just make up rules on the spot. Be clear about wha...

Welcome back to another episode. In this second part of my series on managing children's behaviour, I’m talking about how to handle meltdowns and tantrums. The main things I’ll cover are stopping these emotional outbursts from escalating and teaching children how to handle their feelings. First and foremost, staying calm is the key when your child is in the midst of a meltdown, even in public sett...

In today’s episode, I want to talk about how to guide your children in a positive way. Discipline isn’t just about what to do when children act up; it’s like a whole plan that includes preventing problems before they start, handling behaviour when it happens, and what to do afterwards. I will be talking about the importance of having clear rules. That means you and your partner should make some ru...

In this episode, I am talking about anxiety in children. Anxiety is when children feel very worried, even if there’s no big problem. I explain how anxiety is different from normal fear and how it involves thoughts, feelings, and how our body reacts. I also talk about why some children might have anxiety and how parents can help. I mention that sometimes parents can also feel anxious, and that’s ok...

Today's episode is all about the causes of ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, and Learning Disorders. When children have conditions like ADHD or anxiety, parents often wonder if they caused it, either through genes or choices they've made. We're going to talk about some common differences children have: ADHD, autism, anxiety, and learning disorders. We’ll also discuss how parents play a role in these conditio...