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
299. Q&A: I know we’re supposed to love our children equally…but what if I don’t?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...
- It may be taboo to say, but it's very common for parents t…
298. The science of energy healing: The impact attention, intention, and presence has on our nervous system with Stephanie Filardi
297. Q&A: Is my 3-year-old’s hitting a sign of aggression or sensory seeking?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...
- What are sensory seeking and sensory inhibiting behaviors and drives?
- How you …
296. How we heal: Rethinking attachment through the lens of AEDP with Dr. Diana Fosha and Karen Pando Mars
In this episode, the creator of AEDP, Dr. Diana Fosha, psychotherapist Karen Pando-Mars, and I dive into the science of healing attachment wounds and exploring how AEDP can help people create healthi…
295. Q&A: How can I get my child with ADHD go from one activity to the next without a fight?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...
- The science of why transitions are so hard for the ADHD brain - it’s not just that …
294. Parenting styles across cultures: The universal and unique factors that influence secure attachment bonds with Dr. Miguelina German
The way we parent isn’t just shaped by psychology—it’s deeply influenced by culture, shaping how our children experience love, discipline, and security in ways we may not even realize. Joining me to …
293. Q&A: How can I find a safe therapist after experiencing complex trauma?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...
- When you notice unhealthy patterns in how you tend to show…
292. Can a secure attachment bond protect children against Imposter Syndrome? A conversation with Dr. Lisa Orbé-Austin
What if small shifts in the way you parent could help prevent Imposter Syndrome in your child before it even starts? Dr. Lisa Orbé-Austin is joining me this week to help parents learn how to raise a …
291. Q&A: How can I help my child who’s scared every small injury is an emergency?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...
- What to do when your reassurances to your child doesn’t help soothe their anx…
290. Self sacrifice, mom-guilt, and martyrdom in motherhood: Fighting against the pressure to be perfect with Gayane Aramyan
In this episode, licensed marriage and family therapist Gayane Aramyan joins me to unpack the “perfect mom” pressure so many of us contend with on a daily basis.
In this episode we cover:
- Why o…
289. Q&A: My 5-year-old has been clingy and hyperfocused on one friend, is this normal?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...
- Dr. Sarah and Dr. Rebecca sympathize with this mom and reflects on how great …
288. Parenting after complex trauma: A mother's journey toward healing in parenthood with Stephanie Foo
When journalist and author Stephanie Foo was diagnosed with Complex Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), she left her job and devoted herself to healing—a journey she chronicled in her bestsellin…
287. Q&A: Is my guilt over being a working mom hurting my parenting?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...
- Dr. Sarah and Dr. Rebecca debate whether mom-guilt is inherent to all mothers…
286. Empowering girls to navigate media, body image, and societal pressures with Dr. Jo-Ann Finkelstein
Girls are often sent messages that can leave them feeling unseen, unheard, and boxed in by societal expectations. How can we as parents help them challenge these limiting narratives and grow into the…
285. Q&A: When is the best time to tell my toddler that I'm pregnant?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...
- Exactly when we’d recommend you tell your child that you…
284. The do’s and don’ts of supporting a grieving child: What every parent needs to know with Dr. Dan Wolfson
Grief isn’t something we get over—it’s something we integrate. Joining me to discuss this and the best way to support children through profound loss is Dr. Dan Wolfson, a clinical psychologist specia…
283. Q&A: What can I do when my child feels left out by her friends?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...
- First things first, why are schools still sending out candy grams in this cur…
282. Beyond the 6-week checkup: A realistic look at postpartum and early parenthood with Dr. Jessica Vernon
Do you know the signs of postpartum depression? Many parents (and even medical professionals) often miss diagnosing new mothers with a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder. Here to help shed light on …
281. Q&A: My high-schooler is struggling with perfectionism and academic pressures, how can I help him feel less stressed?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...
- Even if we aren’t adding more pressure onto our kids, the world often pushes exter…
280. Codependency, insecure attachment, and relationship patterns: Creating stronger, healthier romantic partnerships with Alana Carvalho
How does attachment security relate to codependency? The Codependent Perfectionist, Alana Carvalho, LMHC, is here to explore just that!
In this episode, we cover it all:
- How does codependency f…