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Securely Attached

Securely Attached

By: Dr. Sarah Bren
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About this listen

 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're answering YOUR parenting questions from the perspective of clinical psychologists highly trained in developmental science and real-life moms who get that parenting is messy, and sometimes we have to laugh, cry, and throw out the "rules." From toddler tantrums, to effective discipline strategies, to leaning into the principles of respectful parenting, and to managing your own mental wellness as a parent—this podcast is your ultimate resource for judgment-free, research-backed information you know you can trust. About Sarah Bren, PhD Dr. Sarah Bren is a licensed clinical psychologist and mom of two who helps parents understand the building blocks of child development and how secure relationships form and thrive. Her work is focused on helping parents find their inner confidence so they can respond to any parenting problem that comes along and raise kids who are healthy, resilient, and kind.© 2021-2025 Dr. Sarah Bren Hygiene & Healthy Living Parenting & Families Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships
Episodes
  • Q&A: How do I get my 3-year-old to stop crying over everything?

    Q&A: How do I get my 3-year-old to stop crying over everything?
    Dec 18 2025

    Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...

    - What is actually happening when your toddler cries over every little thing, from dropped toys to leaving the playground.

    - Why saying "don't cry" often backfires, and what actually helps shorten the crying instead.

    - The simple validation strategy that calms big feelings faster, even when every part of you wants the tears to stop.

    - How to model emotional regulation by moving forward without ignoring your child or shutting their feelings down.

    - When to offer empathy, when to add a little distraction (and why the order you do this really matters!) for helping toddlers build resilience.

    If your child seems to dissolve into tears at the smallest frustration, this episode will help you understand the developmental reasons behind all that emotion and give you practical, real-world tools for supporting their feelings while still keeping your day moving.

    REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:

    👉 Want games specifically designed for fostering emotion regulation? Go to drsarahbren.com/games to get my free guide packed with games you can play with kids of all ages!

    CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

    🎧Listen to my podcast episode about helping parents decipher whether you have a child who is anxious or just sensitive

    🎧Listen to my podcast episode about understanding toddlerhood with Devon Kuntzman

    🎧Listen to my podcast episode about supporting your toddler's sleep with Eileen Henry

    WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU:

    Go to https://drsarahbren.com/question to send us a question or a topic you want to hear us answer on Securely Attached - Beyond the Sessions!
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    16 mins
  • Settling your unsettled baby: How to read your child's cues, build routines, and trust your instincts with pediatrician Dr. Golly

    Settling your unsettled baby: How to read your child's cues, build routines, and trust your instincts with pediatrician Dr. Golly
    Dec 16 2025
    Pediatrician and bestselling author Dr. Golly (aka Dr. Daniel Golshevsky) joins me this week to help new parents make sense of the early weeks with a newborn and feel more grounded, confident, and connected along the way. Together we explore: - How to understand newborn behavior and cues so you can respond with more confidence. - What really matters in the first four weeks — and what you can let go of. - Why some babies struggle to settle, and how to support their developing nervous system. - How to create flexible, supportive routines without slipping into rigidity or pressure. - The powerful role of partners and non-breastfeeding caregivers in bonding and soothing. - How parents can tune out the noise, trust their instincts, and feel less overwhelmed by conflicting advice. Whether you're navigating confusing cues, unpredictable sleep, feeding challenges, colic, or the general overwhelm of early parenthood, this episode offers clarity and reassurance during one of the most intense transitions of your life. LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST: 🔗Learn more about Dr. Golly and use code securelyattachedVIP15 for 15% off all Dr Golly courses at www.drgolly.com 🔗Get Dr. Golly's free Sleeping Tips checklists 📚Your Baby Doesn't Come with a Book: Dr Golly's Guide to the First Four Weeks of Parenthood 📚Dr Golly's Guide to Family Illness: Sneezes, Wheezes and Common Diseases 📚Our Baby, Our Baby, What Do You Need?: A Dr Golly Lift-the-Flap book 📚Our Baby, Our Baby, What Did You Say?: A Dr Golly Lift-the-Flap book FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: 📱@drgolly 📱@drsarahbren ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: 🔗 Go to drsarahbren.com/secure to download my free guide, The Four Pillars of Fostering Secure Attachment, helping you parent with a focus on attunement and trust. WANT TO TAKE YOUR LEARNING EVEN FURTHER? Join me in The Authentic Parent, my comprehensive self-paced course that takes my workshop to the next level and teaches you everything you need to know (that no one tells you ahead of time) for how to confidently move through your first year of parenthood. CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about lightening the load in pregnancy and parenthood with Dr. Sterling 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode with a realistic look at postpartum and early parenthood with Dr. Jessica Vernon 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about movement in pregnancy and postpartum with Dr. Megan Roche 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how "mom-brain" can be our greatest strength with Dr. Nicole Pensak
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    53 mins
  • Q&A: How to know if group therapy would be a good fit for my child?

    Q&A: How to know if group therapy would be a good fit for my child?
    Dec 11 2025

    Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...

    - What actually happens in a group therapy session for kids and how it differs from one-on-one therapy.

    - How group therapy can help children practice social skills, build confidence, and feel less alone in their struggles.

    - The fears many parents have about group therapy, including concerns about negative peer influence, comparison, or awkwardness.

    - The different types of groups therapists run, including skills-based groups, process groups, and hybrid formats, and how to know which one fits your child best.

    - Why peer support can be uniquely powerful for kids with anxiety or low self-esteem and how group leaders create a safe, supportive environment.

    - What to ask a group leader before signing up so you can feel confident it will be the right match for your child.

    If you've been curious whether group therapy might help your child feel supported, connected, and more capable in whatever challenges they are facing, this episode will give you a clear picture of what group work really looks like and how to decide if it could be a good fit for your kid.

    REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:

    🔗 Want to learn more about group therapy and coaching resources at Upshur Bren Psychology Group? Visit upshurbren.com to explore our services and schedule a free 30-minute consultation call to find the support that's right for your family.

    CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode determine the fine line between supporting your child versus feeding their anxiety

    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about the different forms of therapy with Dr. Katie C. Lewis

    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about why parenting 6-12 year olds is more important now than ever with Dr. Sheryl Ziegler

    🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about the difference between executive function coaching and tutoring

    WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU:

    Go to https://drsarahbren.com/question to send us a question or a topic you want to hear us answer on Securely Attached - Beyond the Sessions!
    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
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