One of the very best scientific predictors for how any child turns out—in terms of happiness, social skills, mental health, academic success, and meaningful relationships—is whether at least one adult in their life has consistently shown up for them.
In this mini-episode, I speak with Tina Bryson, Deena Margolin, and Jennifer Kolari about how to develop secure attachment in your kids, how providing a calm, safe presence can radically change how a child’s brain develops, and how to help our kids process big feelings.
Tina Bryson is the founder and executive director of The Center for Connection, a multidisciplinary clinical practice, and The Play Strong Institute, a center devoted to the study, research, and practice of play therapy through a neurodevelopmental lens. She is a licensed clinical social worker, providing pediatric and adolescent psychotherapy and parenting consultations. Dr. Bryson keynotes conferences and conducts workshops for parents, educators, clinicians, and industry leaders around the world. She is the co-author, with Dan Siegel, of The Yes Brain, The Whole-Brain Child, No-Drama Discipline, and The Power of Showing Up, as well as the upcoming book, Bottom Line for Baby. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Southern California and lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three children.
Deena Margolin is a marriage and family therapist and mindfulness teacher in Los Angeles who works primarily with children and families. Trained in the field of interpersonal neurobiology, Deena explores how the mind, brain, and relationships come together to shape who we become—and how we can harness the potential of neuroplasticity, the mind’s incredible ability to change throughout the lifespan, to grow healthier and happier. In working with children, Deena has cultivated a unique approach to child therapy that blends mindfulness, neuroscience, art, and play. Through games, activities and reflective exercises, Deena helps children discover their natural strengths and build new tools for looking inside, making sense of what they are experiencing, and internalizing new ways to approach challenges and stress. Deena also worked at the Mindsight Institute, as Associate Director, with Daniel J. Siegel and Caroline S. Welch and trained at the Center for Mindful Living in Los Angeles.
Jennifer Kolari is a child and family therapist and one of the nation’s leading parenting experts and the founder of Connected Parenting. She is the author of Connected Parenting: How To Raise A Great Kid, and You’re Ruining My Life!: Surviving the Teenage Years with Connected Parenting. Jennifer is a frequent guest on Canada AM, CBC, Breakfast Television, CTV News Channel, and Global’s The Morning Show. Her advice can be found in many Canadian and U.S. magazines, such as Today’s Parent, Redbook, Parent, and Canadian Family. Her entertaining workshops and insightful strategies, shared with warmth and humor, make her a highly sought-after speaker with schools, corporations and agencies throughout North America. Jennifer has been helping children, teens and families get connected for over twenty years.
Find Dhru’s full-length conversation with Tina Bryson here: https://broken-brain.lnk.to/TinaBryson/
Find Dhru’s full-length conversation with Deena Margolin here: https://broken-brain.lnk.to/DeenaMargolin/
Find Dhru’s full-length conversation with Jennifer Kolari here: https://broken-brain.lnk.to/JenniferKolari/
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