Securely Attached

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...   How to prepare a toddler for a parent's surgery or temporary physical limitations in a way that is honest, concrete, and not scary. Creative, developmentally appropriate ways to help your child understand and process upcoming changes to routines—like playtime, bedtime, or physical clo...

Chelsea Skaggs is here to talk about how couples can keep your romantic relationship strong as you move beyond from early stages of survival mode deeper into parenthood.   Together we explore:   How the demands of parenting shift as your children grow, and what that means for your romantic connection. Tips for getting your partner on board if only one of you feels ready to work on deepening your c...

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...     What you can do if you're wondering: "Is my kid's ADHD diagnosis real or do I have an active 10-year-old kid?" How to evaluate the accuracy of a diagnosis and what steps to take if you're unsure or want a second opinion. Practical tools you can use to support...

Clinical psychologist and author of the bestselling  Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids , Dr. Laura Markham joins me for a rich conversation about what peaceful parenting  really  means — and how it can help you set firm, loving limits while staying deeply connected to your child.   Together we explore:   Why connection, not control, is the true foundation of cooperation and emotional resilience.   What...

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...   How to find the grey space in your parenting choices and how black and white thinking can be a sign of your own anxiety and overwhelm. The difference between being wishy-washy and intentionally shifting your strategy. How to use "love and limits" to navigate situations that may f...

Una Archer joins me for a thoughtful conversation about how to help children feel safe, secure, and resilient in the face of their parents' separation or divorce.   Together we explore:   Why there's no one-size-fits-all approach to separation, even among siblings, and why tuning into each child's unique needs matters. What the Circle of Security framework is and how it can be used to support chil...

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...   When your child says "I'm bored" does that actually mean they are? How to decode their language to get to the root of their struggles. What is a developmentally appropriate amount of time parents can expect of their children to play independently? What is a "bored list" and a "bo...

New York Times bestselling author, therapist, and social philosopher Michael Gurian joins me for a fascinating conversation about the brain science behind why boys and girls often need different things—and how understanding these differences can help us raise emotionally healthy, resilient kids.   Together we explore:   The difference between sex and gender. Why boys' brains often orient more towa...

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...   What "scaffolding" and "accommodations" actually mean, where they differ, and where they overlap. Why the exact same parenting move can either build your child's confidence or unintentionally undermine your intentions, and the simple trick to figure out which one you're doing! How you...

Clinical neuropsychologist and co-author of  The Self-Driven Child , Dr. William Stixrud joins me for a powerful conversation about how we can raise confident, resilient kids by helping them feel a greater sense of control, without giving up our role as parents.   Together we explore:   Why a low sense of control is one of the most stressful experiences a child (or adult) can have, and how we can...

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...   What is the difference between attachment bonds and parental preferences? If your child shows you their most dysregulated behaviors, doesn't listen to you, or is their messiest self with you, what these behaviors may reveal. (Spoiler: It's a good sign!) If your child does have an inse...

Melinda Wenner Moyer, author of the new book Hello, Cruel World! joins me to break down the most essential skills kids need to thrive in today's complicated times.   Together we explore:   The three powerful themes Melinda saw again and again in her research and how you can tap into these to help you be more effective in your parenting. Practical and realistic ways to help kids feel truly seen and...

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...     Why potty training blends both physiological and psychological factors and how parents can wrap their head around both to best support your child. How parents can understand the biological-psychological feedback loop and how this can affect your child's body...

Sharon Itkoff Nacache is joining me to break down the myths and truths about art therapy—what it is, what it isn't, and why creativity can be such a powerful tool for healing, integration, and resilience.   Together we explore:   The common questions people have about art therapy, and how integrating creative arts into therapy can support emotional processing, integration, and healing.  The differ...

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...   There is no correlation between a baby who self-weans and the development of a secure attachment. You're going to piss off your kids a lot… that's totally normal and doesn't mean that they won't form a strong and healthy attachment to you. It makes sense your child wants what fee...

In this episode, I'm joined by cognitive psychologist and ADHD expert Eliza Barach to explore the brain-based differences that drive many of the challenges (and strengths!) that come with ADHD.   Together we cover:   The neuroscience of an ADHD brain and why having this basic knowledge can be so impactful for your parenting! How understanding the roles of dopamine and norepinephrine are important...

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...     How do you know when to encourage your child to stick with an activity versus when it's okay to let them step away? Does your approach change if the activity is a team sport versus an individual activity? What are effective ways to talk to your partner about...

Dr. Wendy Rote is joining me to unpack some surprising and even counterintuitive findings about kids, smartphones, and social media. She and her team are in the middle of a groundbreaking longitudinal study following tweens over time, giving us rare insight into how technology is shaping the mental health and identity development of Generation Alpha.   Together we explore:   Why the question  "Is...

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...     It's okay to set boundaries without needing to justify why you are setting them. How to communicate your boundaries to a friend or neighbor (with a sample script you can use!) to honor your needs without burning a bridge.  Effective communication strategies a...

Jennie Monness is joining me this week to break down the difference between developmentally normal (and healthy!) anxiety and signs that your child may need additional support—and how you can adjust your parenting approach to effectively support both.   Together we explore:   Why our instinct to remove discomfort may actually make anxiety worse—and what to do instead. How to support children with...

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...   What to do when your toddler spirals from silly to overstimulated in seconds. Unpacking the difference between dysregulation and high arousal—and why this distinction matters. Strategies parents can use to share joyful, silly and playful moment with your sensitive child without o...

What if the way we talk about birth is shaping the way we experience it—before it even begins? Joining me to unpack this is journalist, professor, and author of Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section , Rachel Somerstein.   Together we explore:   The hidden biases and ingrained language that shape how we view birth—why terms like "failure to progress" reinforce harmful narratives...

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...   What is the difference between sharing and taking turns from a developmental standpoint? When the validation of your child's feelings doesn't seem to work well–what to do instead. Why there actually is a form of grief as a part of the taking turns experience and a mindset shift you can...

In this episode, psychologist and author of The Crucial Years Dr. Sheryl Ziegler joins me to shine a light on the unique needs and challenges of raising 6-12 year olds - a period often overlooked in parenting conversations, despite being a period of massive emotional, social, and biological development.   Together we explore:   Why puberty is starting younger than ever, what's driving this trend,...

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...   Not all school refusal looks the same. Learn how to recognize the different types and when it's time to seek extra support. Understanding the science of anxiety and how these feelings can actually create physical symptoms like tummy aches or headaches. Strategi...