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
279. Q&A: How can I maintain a relationship with my mom who has extremist political views?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...
- Breaking down the difference between having differing political view points v…
278. Music, mindfulness, and play: Using play to strengthen your child's secure attachment bond with Vered Benhorin
Music therapist Vered Benhorin is teaching parents how they can use play and music as powerful tools to strengthen connection, foster attachment, and make parenting feel a little easier.
In this ep…
277. Q&A: Is “nesting” during a divorce better for your kids?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...
- What does it mean to be “nesting” during a divorce?
- What types of logisti…
276. The surprising science of sibling relationships: Why your kids fight and how to foster closeness with Dr. Jonathan Caspi
Sibling relationships are some of the longest-lasting and most influential relationships in our lives, but they’re also filled with complexity. Dr. Jonathan Caspi, a renowned expert on sibling relati…
275. Q&A: How can I help my child learn to be patient when she wants my attention immediately?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...
- What is developmentally typical for 2-year-olds when it comes to manners and …
274. The lifelong impact of early relationships: How secure attachment influences children's ability to make sense of their experiences and cope in the face of adversity with Dr. Alan Sroufe
What role do early attachment relationships play in shaping who we become? In this episode, Dr. Alan Sroufe, a pioneering researcher in attachment, shares decades of insights from his groundbreaking …
273. Q&A: How do I rekindle my friendships after being so mom-focused for years now?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...
- It can be tricky to maintain relationships when you’re in different stages of life…
272. Maternal health, dyadic work, and IFS: Why specialized mental healthcare providers matter with Rebecca Geshuri and Paige Bellenbaum
Discover how maternal mental health care is evolving and why specialized support is critical for mothers with Paige Bellenbaum, LCSW, PMH-C and Rebecca Geshuri, LMFT, PMH-C.
In this episode we expl…
271. Q&A: When switching daycares, should I transition my toddler in steps or all at once?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...
- How to best approach daycare transitions and is there a right or a wrong answer to…
270. Breaking free from "girl-boss" culture: Balancing career, family, and fulfillment with Neha Ruch
Neha Ruch is sharing strategies for embracing flexibility as you balance, shift, and grow in both your career and parenthood.
In this episode we explore:
- How to redefine what “career” means to …
269. Q&A: How do I get my young kids to stop swearing?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...
- Unpacking your own feelings about swearing (or any undesirable behaviors) your chi…
268. A deep dive on parental burnout: What it is, why it happens, and how to overcome it
A deep dive on combating parental burnout to start off 2025 with more balance.
In this episode I dive deep into…
- Understanding what parental burnout actually is and how it is different from reg…
267. Q&A: My 5-year-old says she doesn’t want a sibling but I want to have another baby. What do I say?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...
- Translating the question: I don’t want a sibling may actua…
266. Emotion regulation through play: Turning everyday moments into growth opportunities with Dr. Abbré McClain and Dr. Jacqueline Salazar
Discover how to use the power of play to strengthen your child’s emotional regulation and foster meaningful connection, with Dr. Abbré McClain and Dr. Jacqueline Salazar.
In this episode, we explor…
265. Q&A: My husband and I had a big fight in front of our kids, how do we make sure this doesn’t negatively impact them?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...
- Breaking down the different strategies you’d use with kids whether this is a …
264. The hidden dangers of EdTech: How technology in schools impacts learning, child development, and mental health with Andy Liddell
Discover the impacts of EdTech in schools and how parents can advocate for their children’s education with technology attorney Andy Liddell
- What EdTech is and how technology like iPads and Chrome…
263. Q&A: How do I respond to my daughter’s “mean girl” behaviors? Is she a bully?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...
- Bullying is often an expression of pain, so leading with…
262. Unifying mothers in a post-election America: Advocating for Women’s Rights through bipartisan reform with Erin Erenberg
Motherhood comes with immense challenges, but when mothers come together, they can spark transformative change. In this inspiring episode, Erin Erenberg, founder of Totum Women and co-founder of the …
261. Q&A: Can my kid also get dysregulated from positive emotions, like excitement?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...
- Dysregulation isn't just a result of negative emotions, ki…
260. Neurodiverse brains and sleep: How to modify traditional sleep strategies with Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown
Joining me today is Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown to share the science behind why sleep is so essential, how to adapt sleep strategies for those with neurodiverse brains, and practical tips for tackling co…