Why are we triggered when our kids "copy bad behavior"? It has a lot to do with the stories we tell ourselves about the way they're acting. If we shift our perspective just slightly, we can reduce conflict AND build the emotional regulation muscle in our children. Here's what Heidi covers in this podcast, taken from a live Q&A call in her parenting program: • Why the stories we tell ourselves can increase conflict with our kids • The hidden reason why our bodies switch to 'fight-or-flight' w...
Feb 12, 2025•4 min
What if the secret to parenting an ADHD child isn’t trying harder—but trying differently? It makes sense when you think about it. ADHD brains are wired differently, and so are their challenges. ADHD coach Sharon Collon shares her journey from chaos to calm and how you can tailor solutions to your family’s unique needs. After spending over $30,000 in her son's first year post-diagnosis and developing an autoimmune condition from burnout, Sharon discovered that success comes not from trying harder...
Jan 18, 2025•1 hr 17 min
Ever feel like your SPICY kid is allergic to the word "no"? They're actually wired to struggle with three things that make it *look* like they're being difficult 'on purpose' (when it's really just their brain asking for help). Tune in for a perspective shift to help you parent with less stress and more connection. Explore why spicy kids struggle with “no” (and how to set boundaries that stick). Understand why connection is like oxygen for them, and what you can do about it. Learn the SPICY fram...
Nov 27, 2024•5 min
Dental anxiety isn't just about teeth — it's also about feeling powerless . It's a topic I covered on a recent Prism Perspective call. Tune in to learn... • How to help your child understand their anxiety • Simple strategies to make dental visits less traumatic • Why lying about pain backfires (and what to say instead) • Ways to empower your child with choice and control -- Strong-willed child at home? Discover just how S.P.I.C.Y. they are with this quick, 5-minute quiz * https://heidilinks.com/...
Nov 20, 2024•38 min
'Does everyone need therapy?' It's kind of like asking 'does everyone need deodorant'? Not strictly. BUT... Do you remember your last train ride on a summer day? Or that Uber trip? Or the customs line at the airport? Yechh... The sights, the sounds... the... smells. Body odor (and lack of deodorant!) in a small space is kind of like our emotional struggles and unresolved traumas. Both have an impact on the people around us, and we often don't even realize it! The thing to remember is that therap...
Oct 13, 2024•6 min
I don't know about you, but I like to imagine parenting as a marathon, not a sprint ♀️ But it's hard to think long-term when every day feels like a race to the finish line. It's like the parenting version Groundhog Day... …we roll into bed exhausted, disconnected, frustrated, and anxious because we KNOW we're only hours away from doing it all again So, here's a little secret… By making small changes to the way we parent each day, the wins start to rack up - fast. And in the process, we create a...
Sep 26, 2024•10 min
If you're battling your teenager over late-night phone sessions, you're not alone! In this episode, Heidi shares why phone and tech boundaries are especially tricky for strong-willed and neurodivergent kids (you know - the SPICY children who don't respond to 'traditional' parenting techniques ). Learn how to identify what's really driving their behavior and unpack strategies for compromise that work for everyone. Here's the question Heidi received for Q&A from a mom in the Prism Perspective ...
Sep 05, 2024•20 min
When we're trying to improve our emotional wellbeing, we usually focus on the present or the future. But what if the key to healing and feeling ‘whole’ is actually in our past? That's where reparenting comes in. Reparenting is about connecting with and caring for your inner child—the part of you that holds the memories and feelings from your early experiences. Sound a little ‘woo woo’... or… maybe super-interesting? Either way, this deep-dive coaching session with Leigh (one of our team members)...
Jun 27, 2023•48 min
Parenting a SPICY child is often lonely, exhausting, isolating and overwhelming. I know because I have a SPICY child myself, and I see ya’ll in private practice every week We live in a society that says children should all fit into a neat little box of behavior and personality… and if they don’t… well… it must be the parents’ fault! But most of society has no clue what it’s like to parent a SPICY child! Join me as I break down some of the myths surrounding self-compassion, and why making it a ha...
Jun 19, 2023•18 min
Heidi answers the following question in this episode: " Hi Heidi, why doesn’t positive parenting work on my spicy 8 year old? My 10 year old is so different and much more dutiful, compliant and easy. My 8 year old is aggressive, violent and hates any talk about feelings. It feels like we are all walking eggshells. My husband yells and isn’t as patient as me, but I lose it too, as nothing seems to work. I could talk about feelings and validate the emotions of my 10 year old but Mr 8 hates any kin...
Aug 30, 2022•32 min
Ever wondered if transformation was possible for you, or if healing yourself was even an option outside of therapy? I chatted with my colleague and fellow therapist, Tom Ahern this week, all about our journeys in self-healing and managing our mental health. It was fascinating to dive deep into the topic and explore the idea that therapy isn’t the only route to self-healing (pretty wild - coming from two therapists!). Some of the questions we discuss: What does self-healing mean anyway? Why do yo...
Aug 12, 2022•1 hr 2 min
One of the most common things people say to me is, "I know if I could just change my thinking and be more positive, then I’d be happy. I know it's my fault I'm unhappy because of the thoughts I choose ". If it were THAT simple and just 'thinking happy thoughts' was the key to everything, then the world would be a really happy place. But it's not, because it's not that simple. Taking a 'bottom up approach' is a much easier way to find happiness. When we begin the practice of noticing how we feel ...
Aug 01, 2022•11 min
I often hear from parents: "My child’s teacher has recommended my son / daughter have an assessment to understand their behaviors a bit more. I’m not sure how I feel about this. I think a label will hurt them long-term and I don’t want them to be treated differently." In this clip, I share my thoughts on this and provide some guidance around WHY an assessment may or may not be helpful. I hope it helps! -- Strong-willed child at home? Discover just how S.P.I.C.Y. they are with this quick, 5-minut...
Jul 27, 2022•19 min
Join Heidi and Vanessa (a trauma therapist and Licensed Mental Health Social Worker) on their deep dive into all things body image, and how to find freedom in food. Some of the topics covered: What determines health? What is body neutrality? Easy ways to promote healthy body image to your kids How to protect your kids from developing a negative body image Labeling foods "good" or "bad" Emotional eating, and what to do if you or another family member is doing it The ideal meal time experience, an...
Jun 24, 2022•1 hr 52 min
I wanted to share a recent question I received in my parenting group about teenagers and their unique challenges. It opened a HUGE can of worms as I honed in on the real issue behind this mom’s concerns - a loss of control. Q: “ My 17-year-old is staying in her room and isolating, not talking to us as much as she used to. I’m worried something is going on. Can you help? ” It’s such a classic scenario that can lead to feelings of rejection, sadness and a loss of control for parents. But is ‘contr...
May 26, 2022•28 min
One of the common questions I hear in my private practice is ‘Why does my child have anxiety, especially when they have nothing to be stressed about?’ While it’s easy to view their anxiety as ‘attention seeking’ or ‘being dramatic’, the key message they need from us is: you are safe, and I can help you. With that in mind, we need to reframe the way we view anxiety and understand how - and why - it shows up in our children. Join me as I dive into the origins of anxiety, how it manifests in our ow...
May 12, 2022•22 min
Mental Health Social Worker and nutritionist Vanessa Preston joins me to discuss the ways women are healing their relationship with their bodies and making room in their lives to pursue what's - actually - important to them. Her online program, the Body And Food Freedom Project, has received rave reviews from my clients, my friends, and moms in my parenting program, and I'm super keen to share her message because I think it's so important for everyone to hear. Vanessa's refreshing take on diet c...
Mar 03, 2022•1 hr 29 min
Being ‘successful’ is about more than luck. It often involves learning a trade, building relationships, and staying curious - even in the face of adversity and potential failure. Join Heidi as she speaks with Joe Titus, whose experience in the finance sector and on Wall St has taught him a thing or two about the essential personality traits to be successful in any area of life. What to expect in the episode: Is a career on Wall Street worth it? Do you have to be smart to make a lot of money on W...
Feb 12, 2022•46 min
No matter how mentally healthy, resilient, or happy you are, we all go through times when we’re faced with something difficult. Join Heidi and guest Janine Halloran as they discuss the coping methods that suit unique personalities, and how to identify your own coping skills. What to expect in the episode: What is a coping skill, and why is it important? How do parents implement coping skills? In what ways can parents model good coping skills? Coping skills change throughout your life. Why? How t...
Feb 06, 2022•52 min
One of the most common questions I get is from parents is - “how do I deal with a child who is refusing to go to school?” If it's a 6 year old starting school, or a 12 year old not getting out of the car, or a 16 year old refusing to get out of bed…. most parents can attest to the frustration and sadness that comes when your child refuses to go to school . I have personal experience with this with my own kids, and I can feel it in my bones when another parent is sharing their painful drop off st...
Feb 01, 2022•56 min
The loss of a loved one creates a new kind of 'normal' and introduces us to a kind of suffering that we have never known. Join me as I speak with special guest Brendan Murray as he opens up about his experiences with death and the loss of his parents. For anyone dealing with the loss of a loved one, Brendan shares some techniques to cope with grief and loss to help you get back to life. What to expect from the episode: Feelings and vulnerability in grief How does losing someone you love affect y...
Jan 04, 2022•1 hr 12 min
Heidi joins writer, podcaster and creator Tom Ahern in this wide ranging discussion on religion, psychedelics, ego, EMDR, toxic masculinity and the art of becoming a better listener. What to expect from the episode: What makes listening the most challenging skill to learn? Ways to become a better listener Why is validation important? Why do some people not want to listen and seem to be just waiting for their turn to speak? Why having an ego isn't always a bad thing How can you help others in the...
Sep 16, 2021•1 hr 25 min
Ever wondered why you react the way you do? Or what's behind the quote 'mind-body connection'? Join Heidi for the answers as she dives into Polyvagal Theory with Justin Sunseri of the Stuck Not Broken podcast . Justin shares his expertise on all things Polyvagal Theory, and explores the connection between our behaviors, emotions and the way we respond. Here are the things to expect in the episode: What is Polyvagal Theory and how is it used in therapy? What are the benefits of Polyvagal Theory? ...
Sep 06, 2021•1 hr 10 min
If you're contemplating booking Heidi for a 1-on-1 session OR you can't decide whether her parenting program is right for you, then you don't want to miss this. Heidi walks you through the program and how it works, helps you understand whether it's a good fit, and lays out what you need to do get the most out of it when you join. -- Strong-willed child at home? Discover just how S.P.I.C.Y. they are with this quick, 5-minute quiz * https://heidilinks.com/quiz-pod * At the end, you'll receive a fr...
Aug 22, 2021•40 min
It feels like this lockdown has been the most damaging to our collective mental health since the beginning of the pandemic. The number of clients I’m seeing with increased anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation is off the charts. So many people are either resuming anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medication, or starting it for the first time. My waitlist is the highest it has ever been, and every therapist I know is in the same situation. We simply cannot keep up with demand as rolling lockdo...
Aug 11, 2021•53 min
Cancer. Depression. Prison. Anxiety. Anorexia. Addiction. Autism Spectrum. No matter the illness, diagnosis, or challenging behavior… when a family has a child who demands more parental attention than others, it can cause lifelong damage to family relationships – IF – parents don’t take steps to validate the experience and acknowledge the needs of the siblings. Parents I’ve worked with in the past have told me that being the parent of a child who is unwell or has challenging behaviors is “overwh...
Aug 01, 2021•43 min
If you’re human, there’s a 100% guarantee that you’ve experienced anxiety at some time in your life. If you’re in the minority, you probably don’t feel its effects all that much. Lucky for you! But if you’re in the majority, anxiety can feel like an uninvited guest that shows up EVERYWHERE, sucking the joy out of life. While we can never fully rid ourselves of anxiety, we can learn to manage it. The problem is the majority of us don’t know how to manage anxiety. We all were raised by rookies who...
Jul 04, 2021•32 min
I remember when my eldest daughter was nearly two years old, and I was adjusting to having a newborn and a toddler, I found this rage within me that I had never experienced before. It scared me. I reached out to my high school friend Karina (who has three boys a bit older than my kids) and I will never forget what she told me. Karina said, “Heidi, you’re totally normal. I never knew I had an anger management problem until I had kids.” Do you ever ‘lose it’ with your kids? Or have that rage that ...
Jun 26, 2021•25 min
After my interview with first responder, Sergeant Kevin Briggs, I KNEW I had to track down Kevin Berthia, 'the man on the bridge', to hear more of his story. Listen in as Kevin shares his story of adoption, loneliness, helplessness, love, hope and self-worth - all punctuated by his very-public attempted suicide on the Golden Gate Bridge. Berthia made international headlines in 2005 when that gut-wrenching 90-minute ordeal went viral (Google 'Kevin Berthia' to see the harrowing photo). Find out w...
May 18, 2020•2 hr 7 min•Ep. 5
Heidi speaks with retired California Highway Patrolman Kevin Briggs (aka: The Guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge ) about his suicide prevention work, his time as a crisis negotiator, managing depression on the job, talking people back from the edge, and his post-CHiPS life. This fascinating look at the life and work of Sergeant Briggs is the first in Heidi’s new podcast series, Tell The Others. Learn more about Sergeant Briggs and his work: http://www.pivotal-points.com/ http://www.facebook.com/...
May 10, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 1
