The Child Psych Podcast

We’re airing a re-run today of one of our most popular podcast episodes with Dr. Laura Markham.Most parents think that if our child would just "behave," we could maintain our composure as parents. The truth is that managing our own emotions and actions is what allows us to feel peaceful as parents. Ultimately we can’t control our children or the hand life deals them—but we can always control our own actions. Parenting isn’t about what our child does, but about how we respond."In this podcast we interview one of our FAVOURITE parenting experts Dr. Laura Markham, Clinical Psychologist, best-selling author of the book "Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids" and "Peaceful Parents, Happy Siblings" and founder of AHA!Parenting where we talk about how to keep our cool as parents! Want more of Dr. Markham?! Use code ICPSAVE30 to TAKE 30% OFF her courses: Peaceful Parents, Happy Siblings: https://instituteofchildpsychology.com/product/peaceful-parent-happy-siblings-how-to-stop-the-fighting-raise-friends-for-life/ How to Raise an Emotionally Healthy Child: https://instituteofchildpsychology.com/product/how-to-raise-an-emotionally-intelligent-child/Interested in more from the Institute? The Parenting Handbook: Your Guide to Raising Resilient Children is the ultimate guide to nurturing emotional regulation, resiliency, connection, and well-being in children. Find out more here Our  parenting membership comes with over 90 Parenting & Mental Health Courses and more!. Click here Our professional membership offers affordable, accessible training all in one spot for mental health professionals! Find out more  hereWe have amazing free parenting content on:YoutubeInstagramFacebook

Childhood anxiety is more common than many parents realize, and it can show up in ways that are confusing or overwhelming for both children and the adults who care for them. In this episode, we explore how worries take shape in a child’s mind and what families can do to help children build confidence, resilience, and bravery in the face of fear.Inspired by the ideas behind Shrink Your Worries, this conversation focuses on practical ways to help children understand their anxious thoughts, calm their bodies, and gradually face the situations that feel scary. Rather than trying to eliminate worry completely, the goal is to help children learn that they are capable of moving through fear with the right tools and support.We discuss why worries can feel so big for children, how avoidance can unintentionally strengthen anxiety, and why small steps toward bravery can make a powerful difference over time. Parents will also learn how to respond to anxious moments with calm, connection, and encouragement so children feel supported rather than overwhelmed.This episode is especially helpful for parents, educators, and professionals who want to better understand childhood anxiety and learn practical strategies that empower children to face their worries with courage.To find out more about Poppy, click here , more here too on Poppy's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poppyoneillbooks/

In this sneak peak from our upcoming summit, we are joined by renowned clinician, researcher, and author Dr. Robert Melillo for an in-depth conversation on understanding and supporting children with neurodevelopmental challenges.Dr. Melillo, a leading expert in functional neurology and creator of the Brain Balance Program, shares insights from decades of research and clinical work with children experiencing difficulties such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, OCD, and other learning and behavioral challenges. Drawing from his best-selling book Disconnected Kids, he explains how subtle imbalances in brain development can affect behavior, learning, attention, and emotional regulation.Throughout the episode, Dr. Melillo breaks down the concept of functional disconnection syndrome, describing how differences in communication between brain regions — particularly between the hemispheres — may contribute to many of the struggles children experience. He also discusses how the brain’s remarkable ability to change through neuroplasticity opens the door to meaningful intervention and growth.Listeners will hear practical, research-informed strategies that can be used at home, in schools, or in clinical settings to support developing brains. From movement-based therapies and sensory stimulation to nutrition and cognitive exercises, this conversation explores holistic approaches designed to strengthen brain networks and support long-term development.👀 Something Big Is Coming for Parents…We’re launching The Parent Coach — and trust us, you’re going to want this in your back pocket. More details soon!The 2026 ICP Parenting Summit is next month!Join us March 16–19 for 35+ expert masterclasses and four interactive half-day workshops, featuring leading voices like Ross Greene, Laura Markham, Robert Melillo, Lawrence Cohen, Kim John Payne, and Jon Fogel. We’ll be diving into the topics parents need most: screens, discipline, anxiety, emotional regulation, neurodiversity, resilience, play, and more.The summit is completely free, and VIP packages include lifetime access, toolkits, certificates, and a digital copy of The Parenting Handbook.Click here to save your seat!• how to repair and reconnect after the storm has passed• ways to build emotional skills so these explosions happen less oftenTammy and Tania share compassionate, practical strategies that help parents lead with steadiness instead of shame or punishment. You’ll walk away understanding how to hold boundaries while still protecting your connection — even in the hardest moments.If you’ve ever felt crushed, angry, or unsure what to do after hearing those words, this episode will help you see them differently and respond in a way that strengthens your relationship rather than strains it.A must-listen for parents raising emotionally healthy, resilient kids.In this episode, you’ll learn:• The science behind functional disconnection syndrome and how it relates to neurodevelopmental disorders• How hemispheric brain imbalances may influence behavior, learning, and motor skills• Non-medical interventions that can support brain development, including diet, movement, sensory input, and targeted cognitive activities• How neuroplasticity allows the brain to reorganize and strengthen over time• Practical ways parents, educators, and clinicians can implement these approaches to help children thriveThis episode is a must-listen for parents, therapists, educators, and healthcare professionals seeking a deeper understanding of the developing brain — and practical tools to better support children facing learning, behavioral, and developmental challenges.LINK TO HIS BEST-SELLING BOOK--> https://a.co/d/0jdB23nD

In this episode of The Child Psych Podcast, we’re joined by Rebecca Geshuri, licensed marriage and family therapist, certified in Internal Family Systems, Perinatal Mental Health, and Brainspotting, and co-author of When Good Moms Feel Bad.Rebecca is the Founder of Second Street Collective, where she provides psychotherapy and support to moms and families throughout California. In addition to her clinical work, she teaches workshops to therapists, physicians, doulas, and yoga practitioners, has presented at the IFS Institute and Postpartum Support International conferences, and has been featured on several prominent podcasts. Her work is deeply grounded in both clinical expertise and the lived experience of being a mother to three daughters. You can find her on social media @rebeccageshurilmft.In this powerful and deeply validating conversation, Rebecca helps us understand why the mothers who care the most often struggle the most—and why maternal distress is not a sign of failure, but a signal that something tender needs attention.Together, we explore how Internal Family Systems (IFS) offers a compassionate framework for depathologizing maternal rage, anxiety, and guilt, and how understanding our internal “parts” can transform the way we parent in real time. Rebecca explains the difference between Good Mom parts and Bad Mom parts—and why both are actually trying to protect us—and unpacks the role shame plays in keeping mothers silent and isolated.We also talk about unblending: how creating space from overwhelming emotions allows mothers to respond more calmly to their children, even in the hardest moments. Rebecca speaks directly to parents who fear their anger is damaging their children, offering a powerful reframe about nervous systems, repair, and connection. She also shares how healing a mother’s inner world directly supports a child’s regulation, attachment, and sense of safety.Finally, Rebecca introduces the concept of the Inner Mom—the calm, compassionate internal leader every parent already has—and offers gentle guidance on how to access that part when overwhelm takes over.This episode is a must-listen for any parent who has ever wondered:Why is this so hard if I love my child so much?And for any mother who fears she’s already failed, Rebecca offers a message of deep reassurance, hope, and permission to begin again.Find her on social @rebeccageshurilmftHere is the link to her new book, "When Good Mom's Feel Bad" : https://rebeccageshurilmft.com/book👀 Something Big Is Coming for Parents…We’re launching The Parent Coach — and trust us, you’re going to want this in your back pocket. More details soon!The 2026 ICP Parenting Summit is next month!Join us March 16–19 for 35+ expert masterclasses and four interactive half-day workshops, featuring leading voices like Ross Greene, Laura Markham, Robert Melillo, Lawrence Cohen, Kim John Payne, and Jon Fogel. We’ll be diving into the topics parents need most: screens, discipline, anxiety, emotional regulation, neurodiversity, resilience, play, and more.The summit is completely free, and VIP packages include lifetime access, toolkits, certificates, and a digital copy of The Parenting Handbook.Click here to save your seat!• how to repair and reconnect after the storm has passed• ways to build emotional skills so these explosions happen less oftenTammy and Tania share compassionate, practical strategies that help parents lead with steadiness instead of shame or punishment. You’ll walk away understanding how to hold boundaries while still protecting your connection — even in the hardest moments.If you’ve ever felt crushed, angry, or unsure what to do after hearing those words, this episode will help you see them differently and respond in a way that strengthens your relationship rather than strains it.A must-listen for parents raising emotionally healthy, resilient kids.

In this episode, we sit down with Elle Wilks, confidence advocate and co-founder of Fearless Girls Club, to explore a pattern many parents notice but don’t always understand: why girls’ confidence so often drops around age 10.This is the age when many girls shift from carefree self-expression to self-consciousness. Peer approval, appearance, performance, and social comparison begin to carry more weight. What once felt easy — speaking up, trying new things, being silly, taking risks — can suddenly feel loaded with fear of getting it wrong.Elle shares what is happening developmentally, socially, and emotionally during this stage, and how subtle messages about being “good,” “nice,” and “liked” can slowly disconnect girls from their authentic voice. We talk about the growing influence of friendships, perfectionism, school pressure, and the early impact of social media culture — even before many girls are officially online.Drawing from her work with girls and families through Fearless Girls Club, an award-winning UK social enterprise supporting girls aged 8–12, Elle explains how confidence isn’t built through lectures — it grows through experiences of courage, creativity, and connection. Their monthly themed activity boxes are designed to spark those moments, giving girls practical tools, stories, and creative challenges that nurture bravery, kindness, and self-worth in a hands-on, meaningful way.Most importantly, this conversation is packed with practical ways parents can respond when confidence begins to wobble. You’ll learn how to:• notice early signs of shrinking confidence• support bravery without adding pressure• shift conversations away from appearance and toward identity• help girls build resilience after social setbacks• create a home environment that protects self-worthIf you’ve seen your once bold, expressive child become more hesitant, emotional, or self-critical, this episode will help you understand why — and show you how to gently guide her back toward self-trust.An empowering listen for parents, educators, and anyone who wants to help girls grow up grounded, confident, and secure in who they are.👀 Something Big Is Coming for Parents…We’re launching The Parent Coach — and trust us, you’re going to want this in your back pocket. More details soon!The 2026 ICP Parenting Summit is next month!Join us March 16–19 for 35+ expert masterclasses and four interactive half-day workshops, featuring leading voices like Ross Greene, Laura Markham, Robert Melillo, Lawrence Cohen, Kim John Payne, and Jon Fogel. We’ll be diving into the topics parents need most: screens, discipline, anxiety, emotional regulation, neurodiversity, resilience, play, and more.The summit is completely free, and VIP packages include lifetime access, toolkits, certificates, and a digital copy of The Parenting Handbook.Click here to save your seat!• how to repair and reconnect after the storm has passed• ways to build emotional skills so these explosions happen less oftenTammy and Tania share compassionate, practical strategies that help parents lead with steadiness instead of shame or punishment. You’ll walk away understanding how to hold boundaries while still protecting your connection — even in the hardest moments.If you’ve ever felt crushed, angry, or unsure what to do after hearing those words, this episode will help you see them differently and respond in a way that strengthens your relationship rather than strains it.A must-listen for parents raising emotionally healthy, resilient kids.

In this episode, Tammy Schamuhn and Tania Johnson tackle one of the most painful moments in parenting: when your child looks at you and says, “I hate you.”Those words can sting, shock, and even shake your confidence as a parent. But Tammy and Tania explain why this moment is far less about hatred — and far more about big feelings, overwhelmed nervous systems, and developing brains that don’t yet have the skills to say what they truly mean.You’ll learn what’s actually happening beneath those words, why kids often say this to the people they feel safest with, and how your response in that moment can either escalate the situation or help your child return to regulation.In this conversation, we cover:• why “I hate you” is often a sign of emotional overload, not disrespect• how brain development limits kids’ ability to express complex feelings• what not to say in the moment• how to stay calm when you feel hurt or triggered👀 Something Big Is Coming for Parents…We’re launching The Parent Coach — and trust us, you’re going to want this in your back pocket. More details soon!The 2026 ICP Parenting Summit is coming!Join us March 16–19 for 35+ expert masterclasses and four interactive half-day workshops, featuring leading voices like Ross Greene, Laura Markham, Robert Melillo, Lawrence Cohen, Kim John Payne, and Jon Fogel. We’ll be diving into the topics parents need most: screens, discipline, anxiety, emotional regulation, neurodiversity, resilience, play, and more.The summit is completely free, and VIP packages include lifetime access, toolkits, certificates, and a digital copy of The Parenting Handbook.Click here to save your seat!• how to repair and reconnect after the storm has passed• ways to build emotional skills so these explosions happen less oftenTammy and Tania share compassionate, practical strategies that help parents lead with steadiness instead of shame or punishment. You’ll walk away understanding how to hold boundaries while still protecting your connection — even in the hardest moments.If you’ve ever felt crushed, angry, or unsure what to do after hearing those words, this episode will help you see them differently and respond in a way that strengthens your relationship rather than strains it.A must-listen for parents raising emotionally healthy, resilient kids.

In this episode of The Child Psych Podcast, we’re joined by Devon Kuntzman, parenting educator, early childhood specialist, and advocate for developmentally informed, connection-based discipline.Devon is best known for helping parents reframe toddler behavior—not as defiance or misbehavior, but as communication rooted in brain development, emotional growth, and a deep need for connection. With years of experience supporting families through the most intense and misunderstood years of early childhood, Devon brings clarity and compassion to moments that often leave parents feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or unsure.Together, we explore how our cultural definition of discipline often sets parents and toddlers up for struggle—and why traditional approaches like punishment, threats, or time-outs frequently backfire during the toddler years. Devon explains what’s actually happening in a toddler’s developing brain during meltdowns, refusal, and power struggles, and why expecting impulse control or emotional regulation from young children is both unrealistic and unfair.Drawing from her book Transforming Toddlerhood , Devon helps parents understand why toddler behavior isn’t personal—and how shifting from control to connection can completely change the parenting experience. We talk about the critical difference between discipline and punishment, what toddlers truly learn when fear or control is used, and how parents can respond in ways that build emotional regulation, resilience, and long-term mental health.👀 Something Big Is Coming for Parents…We’re launching The Parent Coach — and trust us, you’re going to want this in your back pocket. More details soon!The 2026 ICP Parenting Summit is coming!Join us March 16–19 for 35+ expert masterclasses and four interactive half-day workshops, featuring leading voices like Ross Greene, Laura Markham, Robert Melillo, Lawrence Cohen, Kim John Payne, and Jon Fogel. We’ll be diving into the topics parents need most: screens, discipline, anxiety, emotional regulation, neurodiversity, resilience, play, and more.The summit is completely free, and VIP packages include lifetime access, toolkits, certificates, and a digital copy of The Parenting Handbook.Click here to save your seat!Known for her relatable, shame-free approach, Devon empowers parents to trust themselves, regulate their own nervous systems, and move through toddlerhood with confidence rather than constant correction. This conversation is especially supportive for caregivers who want to raise emotionally healthy children without losing themselves in the process.If you’ve ever wondered:* Why doesn’t traditional discipline work with toddlers?* What is my child actually trying to tell me through their behavior?* How can I set limits without damaging our relationship?This episode offers reassurance, insight, and a powerful reframe that many parents have been waiting for.Devon's Book "Transforming Toddlerhood: How to Handle Tantrums, End Power Struggles, and Raise Resilient Kids---Without Losing Your Mind" --> https://a.co/9AGhuXkDevon is a featured speaker at our 2026 Children's Mental Health and Parenting Summit. To register for this FREE event please visit: https://instituteofchildpsychology.com/summit-registration-spring-2026/

In this heartfelt episode of The Child Psych Podcast, we’re joined by Her Royal Highness Princess Noor of Jordan—author, mother, and passionate advocate for raising emotionally healthy children through compassion, presence, and storytelling.Princess Noor takes us behind the scenes of her meaningful children’s books, including Sometimes, Pandy’s Book of Thanks, and Whisper’s Journey, exploring why themes like emotional awareness, kindness, mindfulness, and gratitude are not “extras,” but foundational skills for childhood.Together, we talk about how stories can help children name and move through big feelings, build emotional intelligence, and strengthen parent-child connection. Princess Noor also shares gentle, practical ways parents and educators can use storytelling as a tool for shared regulation—helping kids feel safe, understood, and supported during emotional moments.We also explore how motherhood shaped her writing, how her Jordanian heritage influences the messages she shares, and what she hopes children will carry with them long after the book is closed: a deeper sense of self-worth, calm, and compassion.This episode is a beautiful reminder that sometimes the most powerful emotional tools come in the form of a simple story—read together.👀 Something Big Is Coming for Parents…We’re launching The Parent Coach — and trust us, you’re going to want this in your back pocket. More details soon!The 2026 ICP Parenting Summit is coming!Join us March 16–19 for 35+ expert masterclasses and four interactive half-day workshops, featuring leading voices like Ross Greene, Laura Markham, Robert Melillo, Lawrence Cohen, Kim John Payne, and Jon Fogel. We’ll be diving into the topics parents need most: screens, discipline, anxiety, emotional regulation, neurodiversity, resilience, play, and more.The summit is completely free, and VIP packages include lifetime access, toolkits, certificates, and a digital copy of The Parenting Handbook.Click here to save your seat!