Holding Space

Following on the heels of our last episode all about navigating unexpected challenges and diagnoses as a parent, in this episode Dr. Cassidy talks to a parent who has been through it. Amanda Berg is a mom to a type one diabetic toddler and former NICU RN and contributor to the organization Type One Together. Her toddler was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes at 26 months old (when here second baby was only 4 months old)! In this episode she brings the raw and real of what living with a Type One toddler is like, with a focus on her mental health, getting support, and making meaning. As Amanda would say, "no sugar coating here. We're not happy all the time, and we're not sad all the time. Just real life, with a really hard disease." You can learn more about Type One Together at www.typeonetogether.com. Also be sure to check out the Type One Together brand new podcast, The 108 Podcast! *Become a client of Dr. Cassidy's private practice by visiting www.drcassidymft.com (CA residents only). *Not

In this episode Dr. Kelly Fradin, pediatrician and author of the book Advanced Parenting, talks to us about the unexpected challenges and diagnoses that many families may find themselves facing. Dr. Fradin shares with us what some of these unexpected challenges and diagnoses might look like, the emotions and struggles that come with them, and advice for taking steps to get support, make a plan, and show up for yourself and your children through the unexpected. To learn more about Dr. Fradin and her book visit https://drkellyfradin.com/ or give her a follow over on Instagram @adviceigivemyfriends. *Download Dr. Cassidy's free Rage Triggers Quiz E-Book at https://courses.drcassidymft.com/rage-triggers-quiz *Become a client of Dr. Cassidy's private practice by visiting www.drcassidymft.com --- Join Dr. Cassidy and her cozy era by visiting www.cozyearth.com! Be sure to check out their joggers made with viscose from bamboo. Use code DRCASSIDY35 for 35% off sitewide! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle

In this episode we explore the roots of perfectionism with anti-racism educator Monique Melton! Monique answers the questions: What is the cost of perfectionism on all humans?What steps can we begin to take to unhook from perfectionism and face the way it hurts black people? Monique Melton is an educator, published author, content creator, international speaker, and host of the Shine Brighter Together podcast. She is also the founder of Shine Bright School, which is a global community of people dedicated to doing the work from the inside out for our liberation. The school offers education on topics such as anti-racism in the workplace, equitable business development, anti-racism parenting, inner work/personal growth, committing to anti-racism as a daily practice, and healthy relationships. She is a wife to her high-school sweetheart and a loving mother to two little ones. She is also a natural big, bold dreamer and a joyfully unapologetic Black woman who believes we shine brighter together. Learn more from he

How did you and I first connect? How did you learn about this podcast? My best guess would be that you found yourself here through Instagram. Thank goodness for that! And yet, that little app on our phone can also be the place where we find ourselves in spirals of comparison, shame, overwhelm. That little app gives us access to so many resources and possible connections, but we can leave it feeling more depleted and overwhelmed. Social media's addictive qualities can eat away at all our margins, stealing away from the real connections in front of us, and can have a direct impact on our mental health. So...what can we do about this?  I invited Dr. Anisha Patel-Dunn to explore this with me. Together we name the issues and identify some tangible strategies for developing a healthier relationship with social media.  We are the first generation to enter parenting in the era of social media and it's not going anywhere. So, let's figure it out together. For us, and for our children. Dr. Anisha Patel-Dunn

In this episode we are bridging mental health, interior design, and parenting with therapist turned interior designer Anita Yokota! Anita explores the role that our home environment can have on our mental health and relationships as a parent, and offers simple strategies for designing a home with intention. I also get a chance to ask her my burning questions on making interior design/home purchase decisions and how to create a system for tackling the never-ending laundry. To connect with Anita you can find her on instagram @anitayokota or at her website www.anitayokota.com. Be sure to check out her book Home Therapy! If you liked this episode you might also enjoy: Episode 110: How to Work Through Perfectionism and Tap Into Your Mom Intuition with Renata Cameron Episode 108: Am I Screwing Up My Kids with Dr. Sumi Raghavan To learn more about Dr. Cassidy's California-based private practice visit https://www.drcassidymft.com/ If you're not based in California and looking for a therapist in your area, vis

In this episode I sit down with New York Times Bestselling author Eve Rodsky. Together we explore the real issue of women shouldering the brunt of domestic and parenting responsibilities, regardless of whether they work outside the home. The unequal emotional labor and “invisible work” in a relationship has real costs for everyone involved, but Eve is here to share the light that comes with the solution!  Eve's Fair Play book and card deck completely changed the trajectory of my own marriage, and she's here to share more about the system that saved hers and countless others. To learn more about Eve's work and Fair Play visit https://www.everodsky.com/fair-play To learn more about Dr. Cassidy's California-based private practice visit https://www.drcassidymft.com/ If you're not based in California and looking for a therapist in your area, visit https://www.drcassidymft.com/blog/how-to-find-a-therapist-like-me Make the most of bedtime with Boll and Branch sheets. Get 15% off your first order

I've got one foot in toddler land and one foot in tween land. Yes, it feels like the splits and damn do the splits hurt sometimes. AND, it has also provided me this unique experience to see the thread between these two seasons and the push for independence and big feelings that come with both.  I'm fortunate to call New York Times Bestselling Author and founder of Good Inside, Dr. Becky Kennedy, a friend and colleague. And as I find myself looking ahead to the teen years I had to ask her..."Do you think we're all destined to have a strained relationship with our teens?" Her answer was "No", and together we wondered if we can set the stage for a different relationship with our children early on. In this episode we invite you all to join us in this conversation as we dive deeper into exploring the link between how we parent our children early on and the connection and trust we experience with our teens. Already past those toddler years? Don't worry, we walk you through the import

Parenting can be overwhelming, throw in being a Highly-Sensitive Person (HSP) and oof...it can be a lot. In this episode we support you in understanding what it means to be a HSP, the challenges and gifts that come with it, and tangible ways to care for yourself in this modern era of parenting. Amy Lajiness, LCSW, PMH-C is a Therapist and Coach who has spent countless hours supporting Highly Sensitive (HSP) parents in reclaiming their peace and confidence. Amy is a Highly Sensitive Person herself as well as a mother of two highly energetic young children. Amy holds certifications in Perinatal Mental Health and HSP, and is passionate about providing resources for HSP parents, teaching them how to harness their strengths and manage challenges with grace and confidence, in order to thrive in parenthood. You can find Amy at www.highlysensitiveparenthood.com (for HSP Parent Resources & Coaching) and at www.innernaturetherapy.com (for Therapy for HSPs & Parents in California).  Amy is offering listeners of

Let's talk about sex baby...but after baby!  I'm so excited to share my conversation with New York Times bestselling authors of the book Sex Talks: The Five Conversations that will Transform Your Sex Life, Vanessa and Xander Marin. She's a sex therapist with 20 years of experience, and he's a regular dude! Together they've made it their mission to provide the sex education we all deserve but didn't get. In this episode we are talking to parents, because let's be real...there can be SO many blocks to intimacy after baby and beyond. This episode will help you answer the question: "where do we even start?" Vanessa is also one of my book besties. We connect over our love of spicy fantasy fiction, and share how reading spicy books can be a supportive step in reconnecting with that part of ourselves in parenthood. Connect with Vanessa and Xander over on Instagram @vanessaandxander where they share informed and open sex education with a hint of humor that makes it oh so relatable.

The pandemic showed us all how quickly things can change, and as parents we had to face that not only for ourselves, but for our kids too. I invited Sarah Rosney, licensed clinical social worker, back on to the podcast to provide strategies for supporting our children (and ourselves) with navigating change.  Whether the change has to do with a new baby, a new home, a new school, a new schedule, a divorce, a death, an illness, or even a new big kid bed...there are ways we can bridge both connection and communication with our children as we move through it. Sarah offers us the roadmap. Follow Sarah and soak up more of her support at @sarah_the_therapist on Instagram or you can learn more about Sarah's courses at https://sarahrosneylcsw.com/mindful-wellness-classroom/ To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sibling relationships...the challenges, the pressure, the rivalries. Yep, it's real. If you grew up with siblings, maybe you can even connect to these experiences.  Yet, supporting sibling relationships can also provide opportunities for deep connection, empathy-building, and so much more. I am thrilled to share my conversation with Jessica Rolph, co-founder and CEO of Lovevery and mom to 3. Jessica and I offer tangible strategies for you to support the relationship between your children from the start, through their early years and beyond. Learn more about Lovevery (and their amazing subscription play kits) by clicking here! Continue to connect with Jessica and Lovevery on Instagram @lovevery and @jessicarolph and tune into Jessica's podcast My New Life. Athletic Greens is giving you a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with you first purchase. Go to athleticgreens.com/holdingspace. Make the most of bedtime with Boll and Branch sheets. Get 15% off your first order when you use pr

You know what's really having it's moment right now (and I'm LOVING it!)? Internal Family Systems and "parts" work. What is Internal Family Systems, and why is this therapeutic approach so helpful when it comes to understanding our triggers and developing a new relationship with our emotions? You're going to leave this episode with the answer. I invited Vanessa Trine, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor on to the podcast to help me unpack why "parts" work is so powerful in our personal work as parents, breaking cycles, and supporting our children. To connect with Vanessa: Website: www.vanessatrine.com Support Deck: https://odddaughterpaper.com/products/support-deck  To learn more about Dr. Cassidy's California group private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today we are talking about origin wounds, those painful experiences from when you were young that find themselves showing up in present day relationships and patterns. I invited fellow Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and author of the book Origins of You, Vienna Pharaon, to walk us through understanding how we can begin to understand and heal our origin wounds. Even if you had a wonderful childhood, we have all experienced disappointment, been hurt, or felt pressure to look or be a certain way. Of course, not everything is experienced as trauma, but that doesn’t make it any less important for us to explore and heal. These wounds can originate in our family systems, but they can also form later on in life through partner relationships, our work environment, friendships, and they can impact our own experience as parents. In this episode Vienna introduces us to 5 origin wounds: worthiness, prioritization, belonging, safety, and trust. You'll leave the episode with an understanding of your own origin w

You're reading the parenting books, following the experts on social media, listening to the podcasts, maybe even buying the courses...and somehow in the tough moment with your child none of the "strategies" feel intuitive...can you relate? Yea, same, and I'm considered one of those "experts!" Maybe you relate to trying to hold it all together, but underneath you wonder if something is actually wrong with YOU. In this episode I invited my good friend and fellow therapist and mom Renata Cameron to unpack these experience with me. Together we discuss the role of anxiety (and the desire to get it perfect) in these tough parenting moments, understanding why we get stuck, and breaking generational cycles through reparenting.  Funny enough, the parts of you that struggle the most will help us unlock that maternal intuition you're trying to tap into, and this episode will not only explain why but will help you take the first step. Renata is one of the amazing therapists for moms in my grou

In this episode we are shedding light on the often misdiagnosed experience of Postpartum OCD. I invited Licensed Therapist Jenna Overbaugh to share her professional (and personal!) experience with postpartum OCD. Together we open the door to the internal experience of living with OCD and discuss the symptoms, impact, treatment and how to get the support you need from your healthcare team. Jenna doesn't hold back and you'll leave this episode informed and feeling less alone. Connect with Jenna: @jenna.overbaugh on Instagram All The Hard Things Podcast Resources mentioned in the episode: IOCDF.org (International OCD Foundation)Postpartum.net (Postpartum Support international)Treatmyocd.com (evidence based treatment in and out of the US) This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth. Visit https://cozyearth.com/ and use code DRCASSIDY35 for 35% off your order sitewide. I have their joggers and pull-over crew in Ivory! To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassid

Am I screwing up my kids? I've laid in bed wondering this and I know I'm not alone. In this episode I invited Dr. Sumi Raghavan to help us explore the answer to this question. Together we discuss steps we can take today to begin the work of breaking generational cycles as parents, unhook from unrealistic expectations of perfection, and tap into our own intuition amidst all the noise when it comes to showing up for our kids (and ourselves). Dr. Sumi Raghavan is a clinical psychologist practicing virtually in Brooklyn, New York. She's also a mom of two and a cross-cultural scholar who has always been interested in the intersection of culture and mental health. In her practice she works with adults coping with a range of factors including trauma, workplace stress and burnout, depression, anxiety, interpersonal and relationship concerns and grief and loss. As a cross-cultural practitioner, she really enjoys working with BIPOC clients and welcomes conversations about our multiple and intersecting ident

The toddler years...somehow one of my favorite stages and simultaneously so exhausting and triggering. In this episode I invited my colleague Gayane Aramyan, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and fellow mother to a 2 and half year old, on to the podcast to talk about the challenges of the season and how we can move beyond survival. We discuss tantrums, triggers, self-care and relationships during this cute AND demanding season. You can learn more about Gayane, her practice, and her motherhood group by visiting her website www.therapywithgayane.com or following along on instagram @therapywithgayane. This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth. Visit https://cozyearth.com/ and use code DRCASSIDY35 for 35% off your order sitewide. I have their joggers and pull-over crew in Ivory! To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The coughing, the sneezing, the snot, the sore throats...this viral season has been A LOT. I invited Dr. Krupa Playforth, board certified pediatrician and mom of 3 back on to the podcast to help us navigate the load of caring for our sick kids while navigating all the stress of being a parent (and possibly sick yourself!) We discuss: *Proactive steps we can take to boost immunity and protect our family from all the germs going around *Caring steps we can take once the illness hits our home, and the data behind some recent trends *Supporting our children in building a healthy relationship with illness while building connecting rituals around illness within our families *Navigating the mental, physical, and relational load of parenting with sick kids or while sick yourself Social media and the internet can be powerful, but they can also be a mine of misinformation. Dr Playforth believes every parent deserves clear, evidence-based, nuanced answers to common child health questions to help them feel empowered and

Finally, an episode fully dedicated to EMDR! In this episode we're taking you behind closed doors to demystify this powerful and evidence-based approach to processing your trauma and triggers. We walk you through what EMDR is, who it can help, and how to find an EMDR trained therapist. I'm also thrilled to introduce you to EMDR certified therapist and consultant Sarah Rosney, LCSW. Licensed in New York, New Hampshire and Massachusetts she has a special interest in supporting adults in processing their birth experiences, pregnancy loss, and attachment-based trauma. If you are based in California and interested in starting your own EMDR work, you can connect with and learn more about our EMDR trained therapists here: www.drcassidymft.com Resources mentioned in the episode: Sarah Rosney, LCSW: www.sarahrosneylcsw.com Find an EMDR therapist: https://www.emdria.org/ Center for Excellence in EMDR Therapy: https://emdrtherapy.com/ Episode 104: Birth Trauma with Dr. Alex Shrake Episode 101:Pregnancy Loss with

This episode has been a long time coming. I've shared my birth stories on this podcast before, but I've wanted to do a deeper dive into birth trauma for a long time now. When planning this episode there was no better person to dive deep with than my colleague Dr. Alexandra Shrake. Her own traumatic birth was the muse for her research and her desire to hold space for others who have experienced an intense or traumatic birth, and in this episode we: *Support you in naming the parts of your birth that were traumatic *Identify the symptoms and impact of birth trauma for the birth person AND non-birthing support person who was in the room too *Discuss steps one can take to begin to process and heal from birth trauma *Explore protective steps one can take as they prepare for birth Resources mentioned in the episode: My Birth Stories Podcast Episode EMDR Mommies Tell All Podcast Episode Scary Mommy EMDR Article Postpartum Support International Directory To learn more about Dr. Alex or connect with her, visit