Therapist in your EAR

If you've ever screamed at your kid and then sat in shame wondering what kind of mother you are — this episode is for you. Mom rage is a nervous system response. We're talking about how we can better understand it and most important practice with repair. The research is clear, it's not the rage that harms your child. It's the unrepaired rupture. This episode gives parents the roadm...

In this honest and relatable episode let's explore what it really means to raise kids with a healthy relationship to food—especially when we’re still untangling our own. So many of us grew up surrounded by diet culture, mixed messages about “good” and “bad” foods, and worth tied to how we looked in those skinny jeans. Now, as adults and parents ourselves, we’re trying to do better—without alwa...

You’ve spent the whole day curating the perfect day for your child—zoo, ice cream, playground, favorite dinner. And then, one final “no” sends them spiraling into a meltdown. Suddenly, all your effort feels invisible. If you’ve ever found yourself exhausted, resentful, or muttering, “I’m never doing this again,” you’re not alone. In this episode, Jamie Kreiter, licensed clinical therapist, perinat...

This episode explores the concept of helicopter parenting—what it is, why it happens, and how it can unintentionally impact a child’s development. While often rooted in love and protection, overly involved parenting can send subtle messages that undermine a child’s confidence and ability to navigate challenges independently. Drawing from child development theories by Piaget and Erikson, the episod...

What Does It Mean to Be an Empath? The word empath gets thrown around a lot—but what does it actually mean? In this episode, we explore the difference between emotional sensitivity and emotional absorption, and how early experiences, trauma, and boundaries shape how we relate to others. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by other people’s emotions or struggled to separate your feelings from theirs, y...

In this episode, we dive into parentification , explaining how it happens in families where parents are emotionally unavailable, struggling with illness, or simply overwhelmed. As a parent, I will also reflects on subtle ways we may unknowingly place too much responsibility on older siblings and offers practical strategies to help break the cycle. We discusse the long-term impact of parentificatio...

In this episode of Therapist in Your Ear, we will dive into the world of kindergarten crushes. When her young daughter announced she was getting married—to a fellow kindergartener—Jamie took it as an opportunity to explore what these early "relationships" really mean. She reassures parents that young children expressing interest in having a “boyfriend” or “girlfriend” is a completely nor...

Therapist In Your Ear – Is Gentle Parenting Killing Us? Gentle parenting promises empathy, respect, and connection—but is it sustainable for parents? In this episode, therapist and mom Jamie Kreiter explores the emotional toll of gentle parenting, the pressures of social media, and whether this approach is leaving parents burned out. With insights from research and experts, we’ll discuss how to fi...

I have debated about sharing this personal letter in such a public form. But a common theme continues for the parents that I interact with— how to carry their own personal worries about the future while striving to create a stable, joyful and carefree world for their children. Amid political turmoil, I want to explore how hope, resilience, and love can guide us as we build a brighter future. In th...

In this episode of Therapist in Your Ear , we’re tackling a timely topic: election anxiety. With the stress and tension has come from this Presidential election, it’s crucial to have effective coping tools. I’ll guide you through strategies to cope with your feelings and provide you with practical tools to manage stress. We’ll explore connecting with your values to shift from anxiety to purpose, c...

When was the last time you shared a laugh with a friend who *really* gets the ups and downs of motherhood? In this episode, we dive into the importance of mom friends and why these connections are more than just a nice-to-have—they’re essential for mental health and resilience. We'll explore the unique benefits of friendships with other moms, like emotional support, practical help, and a shared se...

In this episode, we honor October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month by diving into the complex, often unspoken grief that accompanies miscarriage and infant loss. We explore how unprocessed grief can deeply affect both emotional and physical health, manifesting in chronic pain, fatigue, and mental health challenges. You'll learn about the signs of grief, the cultural silence surrounding...

In this quick five-minute video, I dive into the essentials of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and its powerful framework for understanding the relationship between our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Using a triangle as a visual representation of the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors triangle, I break down how these three components interact and influence one another. You'll learn how our t...

Please join me with Rachelle Mallik, MA, RD, LDN, owner and founder of The Food Therapists. Rachelle provides nutrition support during all stages of fertility, pregnancy and postpartum with weight-inclusive, evidence-based nutrition guidance.

As a therapist specializing in maternal mental health, I often hear from my clients that they feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of tasks, responsibilities and emotional demands placed upon them as mothers. Whether you work outside of the home—balancing career with family or you’re a stay-at-home mom, managing the complexities of child rearing and household tasks, the maternal mental overload is...

We’ve all been there – juggling career, household responsibilities, and the emotional well-being of our families, which often peaks in intensity right after 5 PM. With school back in session and routines in full swing, most of us find ourselves facing this stretch of the day with dread. If you’re anything like me, the period between 5 PM and bedtime can feel like a marathon where everyone’s energy...

As parents, sometimes our best teachers are our kids. Check out this mini-episode for a life lesson that I learned from my daughter. I try to keep this in mind when I am interacting with my children to make sure that I am responding to them vs. reacting!

As a therapist and a parent, one of the most important lessons we can teach our children is how to stay safe in a world that can sometimes be unpredictable. Traditionally, we’ve done this through the concept of “stranger danger,” but this approach has its limitations. Early in my career, I worked with children who had experienced trauma and abuse. It was in this role that I began to rethink how we...

In this episode, I delve into the impact of mom guilt on mental and emotional well-being. We'll discuss how mom guilt is often unspoken and how this can lead to stress, anxiety, and even depression, eroding self-esteem and creating a sense of inadequacy. Over time, mom guilt can strain relationships, cause burnout, and steal the joy of parenting. We'll also address the isolation and shame...

Let's explore concept of being a “good mom” and the pressures of parenting perfection. I discuss D.W. Winnicott’s “Good Enough Mother” or parent theory, which reassures parents that striving for perfection isn’t necessary to raise happy, healthy children. Through real-life examples, I will illustrate how embracing imperfections, setting boundaries, and practicing self-compassion can help child...

We all do it; but how many of us are doing it in front of our toddler?? I am talking about going to the bathroom! We joke about not being able to pee in peace. But it's a real issue and that could impact your mental health. So why is it so stressful?

In the chaos of life, it is hard to sit down and meditate. When I recommend mindfulness meditation as a tool for managing stress and finding inner peace. I am met with pushback. And I get it… The idea of sitting still and quieting my mind felt impossible, especially in the chaos of my own daily life where I was balancing a career, a household, and the endless responsibilities of parenthood. Here’s...

Are you the parent who takes on the majority of the childcare and household responsibilities? Manages the children's schedules? Remembers every birthday party, soccer game and play date. Are these things usually by default and without explicit agreement? Then you are probably (most likely) the default parent.

Ever have an opportunity to practice a parenting scenario before it happens? Tune in to hear my story when my daughter refused an activity.

For as long as I can remember, perfectionism had been an inherent part of who I was. Perfectionism, often celebrated in our achievement-oriented society, sets an unattainable standard that inevitably leads to stress, anxiety, inadequacy and burnout. This brings many to therapy. Learn from a recovering perfectionist how to address perfectionism in children, and avoid a lifelong struggle!