Dr. Sarah Bren

Securely Attached

Kids EN ↓ 429 episodes

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'r...

Author

Dr. Sarah Bren

Category

Kids

Podcast website

drsarahbren.com

Latest episode

Jul 9, 2026

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Episodes

Secure attachment and growth mindset: The science behind raising well-adjusted kids with Melinda Wenner Moyer 05.11.2024

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...

Q&A: How can I encourage my shy child without making them feel like being shy is bad? 31.10.2024

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...     - Unpacking what "shy" really means and exploring the space between shyness and social anxiety.   - When to encourage your child and push them out of their comfort zone versus when it's better to respect their boundaries.   - Thinking of shyness as a feeling and not a character trait...

How to make mindfulness more "user-friendly" for parents with ADHD with Dr. Lidia Zylowska 29.10.2024

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...

Q&A: Do you think virtual therapy would be helpful for my postpartum challenges? 24.10.2024

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...

Preparing for pregnancy and postpartum with twins or triplets with doula and newborn care specialist Kristin Revere 22.10.2024

Here to talk about the unique challenges that come from pregnancy and postpartum with multiples is the founder of Gold Coast Doulas, Kristin Revere.   In this episode we explore:   - What exactly is a doula and how can doulas be helpful for expecting and postpartum parents, especially for those with multiples?   - Understanding the emotional, physical, and logistical stress associated with having...

Q&A: How can I tell if my child is ready for sleep-away camp? 17.10.2024

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...     - Dr. Rebecca shares how she made the decision of whether or not to send her own two children to sleep-away camp. (Spoiler: She chose to send her older child, not her younger son.)   - The logistical and financial pointers to think of that can potentially buy you some extra tim...

Turning parenthood into a career asset for working moms and dads with The Fifth Trimester's Lauren Smith Brody 15.10.2024

Join me for an inspiring conversation with Lauren Smith Brody, author and founder of  The Fifth Trimester , as we explore the realities and challenges of being a working parent.   In this episode we discuss:   - The one thing that Lauren has observed to most galvanize people to stand up for their needs and their family's needs in the workplace.   - Dr. Sarah shares the oh-so-relatable working-mom...

Q&A: Diving deep into how vital parental support is on this World Mental Health Day 10.10.2024

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...     - What are the barriers we are grappling with as a society in terms of parental mental health?   - The energy, resolve, and 'all-emcompassingness' of parenthood has long been ignored and undervalued in our society.   - Is it okay for moms to make themselves a...

Understanding parental dysregulation: How to identify and manage your triggers with Dr. Amber Thornton 08.10.2024

Join me for a deep dive into the essential aspects of emotional regulation in parenting with clinical psychologist, Dr. Amber Thornton.    In this episode we explore:   - Cognitive, emotional, physical, and physiological regulation - the differences between all four and how this knowledge can help you feel more grounded.   - Dr. Amber shares her PCR Method that parents can use to identify and mana...

Q&A: How can I help my child overcome a phobia? 03.10.2024

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...     - What is a phobia, and how can it show up (like, for this 7-year-old who developed a fear of vomiting after having a stomach bug) in kids?   - How to recognize when your child's phobia or anxiety might require additional support versus when soothing and comfort may be enough to hel...

Have phones displaced our ability to play and have fun? How to be intentional with your tech use with Catherine Price 01.10.2024

After the birth of her daughter, Catherine Price noticed a disconnect—her baby was looking up at her, while she was looking down at her phone. This sparked her interest in understanding why our phones are so hard to put down, what that's doing to our memory, creativity, and overall lived experience, and how we can break free from the grip of technology to live more intentional lives.   In this epi...

Q&A: How can I help my child with separation anxiety for a smoother daycare drop off? 26.09.2024

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...   - Understanding the basics of your child's cognitive development can help inform what you do to soothe them when they have a hard time transitioning to daycare each morning.   - How important your own calm nervous system is for helping your child feel safe.   - What to do in the...

Processing birth trauma: How to make sense of, heal, and move forward after a difficult birthing experience with Dr. Sterling 24.09.2024

Dr. Sterling, ObGyn and founder of Sterling Parents, dives deep into the complex relationship between stress, trauma, pregnancy, and birth.   In this episode we explore:   - The impact of stress and anxiety on fetal development and pregnancy outcomes.   - What birth trauma is, how frequently it occurs, and common symptoms people may feel (and may not even realize is trauma).   - Dr. Sterling share...

Q&A: How can I support my child's self-confidence when she calls herself dumb? 19.09.2024

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...     - The urge may be to talk your child out of thinking they're "dumb," but it can be helpful to stay with this feeling and lean into being curious about her experience.   - How to zoom out and determine if your child is speaking out of frustration and is just emoting or if they a...

Temperament, personality, and parenting: What you do (and don't) have control over as a parent with Dr. Koraly Pérez-Edgar 17.09.2024

How can you honor who your child is while still equipping them with the tools they need to thrive in our fast-paced world?   That's exactly what I'm talking about with my guest, McCourtney Professor of Child Studies and Professor of Psychology at Penn State, Dr. Koraly Pérez-Edgar.   In this episode, we dive into:   - What temperament actually is from a psychological standpoint (it's probably not...

Q&A: Why are birthday parties so hard for my kid? 12.09.2024

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...     - How there is a lot of weight put on attending all the birthdays your child gets invited to, and hear us share a permission-granting reframe you can tell yourself when you feel that pressure.   - How to work toward identifying the aspect of birthday parties that are overwhelmi...

Rethinking discipline: How to get through to your sensitive child and teach them lessons that will stick with Dr. Vanessa Lapointe 10.09.2024

I'm joined by Dr. Vanessa Lapointe to discuss effective discipline strategies and how to approach those tough parenting moments with warmth, compassion, and understanding - for yourself and your child.   In this episode, we dive into:   - The profound impact of coregulation and why it's a crucial first step we don't want to skip if we want the discipline and lessons we're trying to teach our kids...

Q&A: How can I prepare for an IEP or 504 meeting after my child receives an ADHD diagnosis? 05.09.2024

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...   - Who can assess, evaluate, and diagnose neuropsychological diagnosises like ADHD, dyslexia, autism, etc., and how to go about getting one for your child if you don't have a formal diagnosis yet.   - The benefits of a comprehensive evaluation, when your child might not need such an in...

Parenting with the "Whole-Brain": How to work with the brain rather than fight against with Dr. Dan Siegel 03.09.2024

Is your child explosive? Do you struggle to keep your own emotions in-check, then feel guilty after you lose your cool?   We're all working with the same equipment and understanding the basics of what is happening in our kid's brains and our own brains when we get dysregulated can have a huge impact on how often we're able to stay calm in the face of life's chaos.   I am honored to be joined once...

Q&A: How can I get my child to cooperate without using threats? 29.08.2024

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...     3:49 - How a child's developmental ability to conceptualize time is different than adults' and how this gets in the way of them sharing our sense of urgency.   6:58 - Kids often have trouble transitioning to things they don't want to do, we'll talk through strategies for helpin...

Lessons from a crisis negotiator: Utilizing conflict resolution strategies in your parenting with Karleen Savage 27.08.2024

In this episode, I'm sitting down with hostage and crisis negotiator Karleen Savage to share practical strategies to help you manage conflict and family dynamics.   In this episode, we explore:   Crisis Negotiation at Home:  How to apply professional conflict resolution techniques to everyday parenting challenges.   Encouraging Accountability:  A framework for structuring conversations with your c...

Q&A: How can I build my toddler's assertiveness skills? 22.08.2024

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...     4:38 - What Dr. Sarah says about assertiveness skills that causes Dr. Rebecca to have a major eye-roll moment.   6:08 - The assertiveness skills that you can expect to see at different stages of your child's development - and how to allow these things to shift, change, and be f...

Busting positive parenting myths to help you authentically foster secure attachment and connection with Raised Good's Tracy Gillett 20.08.2024

Are you feeling overwhelmed with all the conflicting parenting advice out there? In this episode, I'm joined by Raised Good's Tracy Gillett to discuss how one simple guiding principle can serve as your parenting compass.   In this episode, we explore:   - How the attachment relationship comes into play when our kids are "pushing our buttons" and what we can do to decrease how often they test the l...

Q&A: A 10-year-old's take on starting a new school year, navigating friendships, and what he wants every parent to keep in mind 15.08.2024

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, me, and and a very special guest  talk about...     2:48 - The changes a 5th grader, Henry, is expecting are in store for him before the start of a new school year and how he feels about them.   4:22 - What it feels like to meet new people and how a kid views making new friends.   5...

A deep dive into potty learning: Everything you need to know to successfully potty train your child 13.08.2024

Is potty training causing your stress or anxiety? I'm unpacking everything you need to know to help your child learn to use the potty with more confidence and ease.   In this episode, we explore:   - Readiness Signs:  What to look for physically, behaviorally, and emotionally to know if your child is ready to start potty training.   - Setting the Stage:  What to do before you start potty training...

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