Holding Space

In this episode you get to witness my conversation with Susie Allison, M.Ed., of @busytoddler, in which I share our 3 year olds current struggles with independent play, and the impact it's having on our whole family. Susie talks me through the proven strategies to support independent play and guess what...they worked! Susie shares the benefits of independent play for your child's development and for the whole family system...and how we can still feel present and connected even with more independent play happening in our homes. This is an episode you won't want to miss! Looking for more independent play support from Susie, including some of her favorite toys? Check out her independent play blog post here!  Susie Allison is a former teacher with a Master's in Early Childhood Education and a mom to 3 kids. Her mission is to bring hands-on play and learning back to childhood, support others in their parenting journey, and help everyone make it to nap time. Visit her at www.busytoddler.com or on In

In this episode I invited fellow therapist Tessa Ritchie to join me in sharing the challenges of postpartum for BOTH parents, the impact these struggles can have on our relationship, and how to feel better together! Tessa shares her own personal story of experiencing postpartum anxiety and rage, her partner's struggles with depression postpartum, and the communication tools and strategies they used to heal and feel more present with each other and in parenthood. *Become a client of Dr. Cassidy's or Tessa by visiting www.drcassidymft.com (CA residents only). *Not based in California but looking for more support? Click here for steps on how to find a therapist in your area! Join Dr. Cassidy and her cozy era by visiting www.cozyearth.com! Be sure to check out their pajamas made with viscose from bamboo. Use code DRCASSIDY35 for 35% off sitewide! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I am so excited to introduce you to Casey Mouton, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and mom. Casey was the first therapist I hired to join my group practice, and today you get to hear her story. Casey is a survivor of postpartum depression and anxiety, and in today's episode she shares how that experience showed her the kind of support she truly needs. Learning about the type of support SHE needs became protective later on when her son unexpectedly had a stroke and she found herself navigating parenting a child with a disability. She shares how her partner had different needs in terms of support, the mental load of parenting a child with a disability, and steps you can take to feel less alone in your own parenting journey. TW: this story includes a medical emergency associated with Covid and discussions of postpartum depression and anxiety. Sometimes listening to someone else's story is exactly what we need, and sometimes we're not in a space yet to witness someone else's experience, and

Let's talk about softness, and being soft in a world that can be so hard. What does it mean to be soft? I invited Dr. Akilah Cadet to share in this conversation about softness as a human. Together we explore the beauty of connecting with softness, within ourselves and in our relationships. We identify how softness can get squashed and the benefits of connecting with the parts of us that are soft. We unpack the complexity of being a human in a hard world, the dance between anger and softness, harmony over balance, and Dr. Cadet offers a bridge into accessing our agency and power when faced with hardship within ourselves and the oppressive systems around us. Dr. Cadet is the Founder and CEO of Change Cadet. As a Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneur her work is behind some of the biggest brands you use everyday. Dismantling white supremacy through storytelling is at the core of her work as a leader, speaker, creative director, producer, writer, editor and author of forthcoming book White Supremacy is All Around: No

This is a Holding Space first! In today's special episode with speech therapists Carly and Katie of Wee Talkers, we are inviting your little one to tune in too! In the first half of the episode Carly and Katie offer supportive (and simple) ways you can support speech everyday with your children. Ever find yourself more stressed from all the information about child development out there? This conversation will leave you feel informed and empowered, without the pressure. You don't need to be a speech therapist to support your child's speech while having fun! Towards the end of the episode we invite your little one to join in with some fun song time! Consider this a connection opportunity, with some hidden speech support thrown in. I also share a connection ritual song that I sing every night with our kids that has proven to help us accept the hard feelings from the day too. Wee Talkers teaches parents of babies and toddlers how to support their child’s language and communication development. They of

How do we actually experience restorative rest as busy parents? What are the layers that can get in the way when it comes to resting? Why is rest so important? We are diving in for some rest talk in today's episode with Ashley Neese, author of the book Permission to Rest. Ashley was previously on the podcast, episode 38: How to Breathe, following the release of her first book all about the power of breath. She is a breathwork teacher who has spent over a decade working at the intersections of embodiment, transformation, and renewal. I can't wait to share more of her work with you through this conversation, and hope this episode and her book support you in reclaiming rest because you are so worthy of it, just as you are. Get her book Permission to Rest here! *Become a client of Dr. Cassidy's private practice by visiting www.drcassidymft.com (CA residents only). *Not based in California but looking for more support? Click here for steps on how to find a therapist in your area! Join Dr. Cassidy and h

Do you find it hard to ask for support and rely on others? Does this struggle show up in your partner relationships? Are you hoping to break this pattern and set a strong model/foundation of autonomy AND interdependence for your kids? Well, i'm so glad you're here! In this episode I share my conversation with Dr. Tracy Dalgleish all about breaking these cycles, getting the support we need from our partners, and finding the balance between intimacy and autonomy in our relationships. Dr. Tracy Dalgleish is a clinical psychologist and relationship expert who is on a mission to help couples break old relationship cycles and find joy in their relationships again.  Her forthcoming debut book, I Didn’t Sign Up for This: A Couples Therapist Shares Real-Life Stories of Breaking Patterns and Finding Joy in Relationships...Including Her Own (September 12, 2023), features case studies from her practice and her own relationship. Be sure to check out her book I Didn't Sign Up For This and her I'm Not Your S

In this episode we honor that self-care sounds great, but how does it realistically fit into our busy lives? I sat down with Taylor Elyse Morrison, author of the book Inner Workout, to discuss self-care for skeptics. With the wellness world booming, why are so many of us still struggling?! Tune in and walk away with a deeper understanding and practical tools you can start using today! *Become a client of Dr. Cassidy's private practice by visiting www.drcassidymft.com (CA residents only). *Not based in California but looking for more support? Click here for steps on how to find a therapist in your area! Join Dr. Cassidy and her cozy era by visiting www.cozyearth.com! Be sure to check out their pajamas made with viscose from bamboo. Use code DRCASSIDY35 for 35% off sitewide! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode we dive into the world of sibling relationships. Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt, a New York Times bestselling author, philanthropist, and mother, shares her unique perspective and experiences on this often complex and cherished bond. In this candid conversation, Katherine opens up about her own relationship with her siblings, highlighting the joys and lessons learned along the way. From childhood adventures to adult camaraderie, she shares heartwarming anecdotes that resonate with anyone who has shared a special bond with their brothers or sisters. We explore the dynamics that can shape sibling relationships, the impact of birth order, and how nurturing these connections can contribute to personal growth and emotional well-being. As a mother herself, Katherine also offers valuable insights into helping children build strong sibling bonds and fostering a sense of unity within the family. Join us as we celebrate the power of sibling connections and gain valuable wisdom with Katherine.  Be sure t

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