Securely Attached
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.
- Update frequency
- every 3 days
- Average duration
- 41 minutes
- Episodes
- 341
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2025
319. Q&A: Where’s the line between supporting my child and feeding their anxiety?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...
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What “scaffolding” and “accommodations” actually mean, where they differ, and wher…
318. The neuroscience of control: Helping kids cope with stress and become self-driven with Dr. William Stixrud
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 gre…
317. Q&A: My 5-year-old prefers my husband, does that mean she is more securely attached to him?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...
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What is the difference between attachment bonds and parental preferences?
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If you…
316. Self-compassion, critical thinking, and connection: What the research reveals about raising capable kids with Melinda Wenner Moyer
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:
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The thre…
315. Q&A: My toddler is otherwise potty trained, but still won't poop on the potty - what can I do?
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 psycholo…
314. The hidden power of creativity in supporting mental health, resilience, and burnout with art therapist Sharon Itkoff Nacache
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 resili…
313. Q&A: Is it possible to wean my strong-willed one-year-old off breastfeeding without damaging our bond?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...
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There is no correlation between a baby who self-weans and the development of …
312. What every parent needs to know about ADHD: Brain science, behavior, and real-life strategies with Dr. Eliza Barach
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.
Tog…
311. Q&A: What can I do when my husband pressures our son to play sports, but that’s just not who he is?
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 wit…
310. How smartphones really affect kids' mental health: Surprising findings from cutting-edge research with Dr. Wendy Rote
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 longitudina…
309. Q&A: How do I set boundaries with my neighbor whose child keeps coming over uninvited?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...
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It’s okay to set boundaries without needing to justify w…
308. Is it normal anxiety or something more? Understanding the signs and supporting kids through fears with Jennie Monness
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 …
307. Q&A: My toddler is so sensitive that even when I'm being silly with him, he loses it. What can I do?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...
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What to do when your toddler spirals from silly to overstimulated in seconds.
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306. C-Sections, birth trauma and the fight for better maternal care with Rachel Somerstein
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 t…
305. Q&A: My 3-year-old is ok with sharing, but refuses to take turns - what can I do?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...
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What is the difference between sharing and taking turns from a developmental standp…
304. Stress, screens, shifting hormones, and early puberty: Why parenting 6-12 year olds is more important now than ever with Dr. Sheryl Ziegler
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 …
303. Q&A: My 8-year-old is suddenly refusing to go to school, how should I handle this?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...
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Not all school refusal looks the same. Learn how to recogn…
302. Is a Neuropsych Evaluation right for your child? Breaking down the process with Dr. Yael Rothman & Dr. Katia Fredriksen
What if understanding how your child thinks and learns could completely change the way you support them—and help them thrive in the process? Dr. Yael Rothman and Dr. Katia Fredriksen of Neuropsych Mo…
301. Q&A: How can I help my child handle losing without meltdowns or tears?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...
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Simple, effective emotion regulation strategies that actually work for 6-year…
300. When your child has a chronic illness: Navigating challenges, fostering autonomy, and managing anxiety with Dr. Kate Herts
When your child has a chronic illness, it doesn’t just impact their physical health—it can touch every corner of their life and yours. But the signs that something deeper is going on aren’t always as…