150: When Your Teen's Anxiety Triggers Your Own

When our teen's worry sets off our own, it can feel like two nervous systems locked in the same storm. In this heartfelt conversation, I sit down with my friend and colleague Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart to unpack what’s really happening beneath those moments of reactivity and how parents can shift from fear-based reacting to compassionate, grounded responding.We talk about:Why our teens’ anxiety activates our own nervous systemPractical tools to create space between trigger and response (hello, rage walks!)How repair and connection help rebuild trust after we come in hotLoving (and respecting) the teen you have, while holding boundaries, even when it’s hardDr. Ann-Louise Lockhart is a pediatric psychologist, parent coach, and author of Love the Teen You Have: A Practical Guide to Transforming Conflict into Connection (out October 28). Find her at https://drannlouiselockhart.com and on Instagram @dr.annlouise.lockhart.Links + Resources:Love the Teen You Have Learn more about my private practice for California and New York parents at www.drcassidymft.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode we're exploring the relationship between breastfeeding and a new mom's mental health. To help us really go deep (and practical) on this topic, I had the absolute joy of sitting down with Dawnita Wicks, a registered nurse, public health nurse, and internationally board-certified lactation consultant.I first connected with Dawnita because I had clients who were struggling not just with feeding, but also with their mental health. When they worked with her, they came back to me saying: “She really saw all of me - the feeding goals AND my mental health.” I knew I had to meet this unicorn of a provider.In our conversation, we talk about what it’s like to sit at the intersection of infant feeding and maternal mental health. We share our own postpartum stories (including my first experience of birth trauma, breastfeeding challenges, and postpartum anxiety), the shame that so often convinces us to stay silent, and the power of support that honors both our goals and our needs.We also unpack the cultural messages around feeding, why sleep is a critical piece of the puzzle, and how there are so many more options than the “all or nothing” plans we often think we have to follow.If you’ve ever felt torn between wanting to meet your feeding goals and also desperately needing rest, connection, and mental health support...you are not alone. This episode is for you.In This Episode, We Talk About:Why feeding goals and maternal mental health don’t have to competeMy own story of postpartum anxiety, shame, and perfectionism after a traumatic birthThe pressure to “do it all right” and how it keeps us from asking for helpWhy even a 4–6 hour block of sleep can change everythingHow to navigate shame and cultural messages like “breast is best”The importance of individualized, compassionate feeding plansResources and Links:Connect with Dawnita at www.womantwowoman.netFollow Dawnita on social: @dawnitawicksLearn more about my practice at www.drcassidymft.comFind notes from this episode on SubstackIf this episode resonates with you:Share it with a friend who might need this conversation, subscribe to Holding Space, and leave a review - it helps other parents find their way here!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In today’s solo episode, I open up about how I’m preparing for perimenopause at 40, and why I don’t want to walk into this transition as unprepared as I felt during postpartum.We’ll talk about:What perimenopause and menopause actually meanThe commonly known symptoms and the less-discussed symptoms that can feel really destabilizing tooHow perimenopause intersects with mental health, parenting, and relationshipsThe protective practices I’m layering in now (yep, increasing protein is in there).My goal is to help you feel less blindsided and more resourced, so you can move through this season informed, intentional, and supported!Resources MentionedThe New Menopause by Dr. Mary Claire Haver (plus her provider directory)Melissa Wood Health for strength and functional movementBased in CA or NY and ready to start therapy? Learn more about my group practice at www.drcassidymft.comFor written takeaways, resource links, and updates on my journey, subscribe to my Substack: A Little Space, PleaseIf today’s episode resonated, share it with a friend who might need it too!Subscribe to Holding Space wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’t miss upcoming episodes.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If you’re in the postpartum season, you already know...sleep deprivation is A BEAST. It affects everything: your mood, your relationships, your health, and your ability to feel present with your baby.In this episode I’m breaking down why protecting your rest matters, how to get restorative sleep (even if your baby is waking frequently), and how to navigate sleep conversations with your partner without spiraling into resentment.We’ll cover:Why your sleep mattersHow to get consolidated rest when your baby’s not sleeping through the nightSupport strategies for breastfeeding parentsHow to share the load with your partnerA framework/scripts for bringing up tough sleep conversationsPractical ideas for splitting shifts, activating support, and improving sleep hygieneWhat to do when anxiety or hypervigilance keeps you awakeIf you’re ready to start valuing your own rest without guilt, this episode will give you permission, strategies, and a plan to start tonight.Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:Read the written version of this episode on Substack hereFind a therapist or learn more about my practice hereIf you found this episode helpful:💌 Subscribe to my Substack for written tools and strategies from new episodes.🎧 Share this episode with a friend in the postpartum season.⭐ Leave a review to help other parents find this resource!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Do you feel that familiar dread or restlessness in your body as the weekend winds down? You’re NOT alone! In this episode, we explore the Sunday Scaries through the lens of the nervous system, naming the hidden pressure so many women and moms carry into the week.We’ll break down why this anticipatory anxiety happens, how it can activate survival responses and what your body is trying to tell you.Then, I’ll guide you through a grounding visualization called The Sunday Sanctuary, a practice you can return to any time to feel more regulated, resourced, and ready for the week.In this episode:What the Sunday Scaries actually are and why they show upHow your nervous system reacts to the anticipation of the week aheadA new way to meet the pressure...with gentleness and self-trustA 7-minute visualization to help you reconnect with your values and feel ready to begin againMentioned in this episode:Substack companion post + full visualization scriptLearn more about becoming a client at www.drcassidymft.comVisualization music credits: Take a moment to breathe- instrumental by normal the kidAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this solo episode of Holding Space, I’m diving into one of the most common and quietly painful questions I hear from parents (and ask myself too):Why am I so reactive?If you’ve ever found yourself snapping before you even realized what was happening, crying over something small, or wondering, what is wrong with me? This episode is for you. You're not broken. You're carrying a lot. And reactivity is often your nervous system’s way of trying to protect you.In this episode, I explore the deeper layers beneath reactivity and offer practical ways to create just enough margin to respond instead of react.I talk about:How emotions are messengersWhat your nervous system is trying to tell you when you feel floodedWhy fawn, fight, freeze, flight, and flock responses are so common in parenthoodThe invisible labor of caregiving, and how it fuels burnout and shutdownSensory overwhelm in modern parenting and why it hits so hardHow your hormones and cycle shape your emotional capacityWant to go deeper?Come hang out with me on Substack! This post includes every reflection, tool, and prompt from the episode...plus a few extras.Resources mentioned in this episode:→ Dr. Haver’s provider directory: https://thepauselife.com/pages/recommended-physicians→ Substack: A Little Space, Please: https://drcassidy.substack.com/→ Other related episodes:136: How to Carry Less While Enjoying Motherhood More127: How to Rest (Realistically) as a Modern Day Parent103: The Default Parent94: The Depleted, Distracted, Grumpy, Guilty Parenting CycleDownload my free triggers guide here!Learn more about our therapy services for California and New York parents here: https://www.drcassidymft.com/Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of Holding Space, I welcome parenting educator and content creator behind the account Mother Could, Myriam Sandler, for a real and refreshing conversation about play in parenthood.Together, we unpack the pressure many parents feel to “play the right way,” especially in today’s era of intensive parenting.Episode highlights:How perfectionism and productivity culture shape our expectations around playWhy boredom matters—and how it supports creativity and independent playThe role of accessibility in helping kids play independentlyWhat to do when your child wants to play with you—but you need spaceHow to identify your own “play superpower” (even if it’s not getting on the floor)Practical tips for setting up multi-age play spaces at homeWhether you love crafting sensory bins or prefer connecting through board games, 3D printing, or sports, this episode invites you to reclaim play in a way that honors your capacity and your child’s uniqueness.Resources Mentioned:Playful by Design by Myriam SandlerFollow Myriam on Instagram @mothercouldAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of Holding Space, Dr. Cassidy sits down with Megan McNamee, a registered dietitian nutritionist and co-founder of Feeding Littles, to discuss the intersection of perfectionism, parenting, and feeding children. Megan shares insights on how parents can move away from the pressures of perfectionism, especially in the context of feeding their kids, and embrace a more intuitive and balanced approach to mealtime.We dive into common struggles parents face when it comes to feeding their kids, such as dealing with picky eating, the pressures of packing lunches, and the stress of meeting societal expectations. Megan offers practical advice on how to navigate these challenges while keeping mealtime enjoyable and stress-free.Resources Mentioned:Feeding Littles Lunchbox BookFollow Feeding Littles on InstagramAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What do you REALLY need to know about caring for your postpartum body?To answer this question I invited Ruth Macy, a pelvic health physical therapist, and Courtney Naliboff, a teacher, writer, and musician, on to the podcast to talk about all things postpartum recovery and self-compassion.Together we explore:The inspiration behind their book "Your Postpartum Body: The Complete Guide to Healing After Pregnancy"The concept of radical self-acceptance and compassion in healing after birthThe essential needs for postpartum recovery: rest, hydration, nutrition, and support (and how to make them a priority)The challenges/human cost of lactation and the mental health impact of weaningSystemic barriers to postpartum care and practical solutions to navigate themLearn more about Courtney and Ruth’s book here!If you're a California parent and interested in learning more about working with Dr. Cassidy and her therapy services visit www.drcassidymft.comIf you're not a California resident and interested in starting therapy, you can learn how to find a therapist in your area by visiting https://www.drcassidymft.com/blog/how-to-find-a-therapist-like-meAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

You are cordially invited to tune into our spicy book chat!I invited Sex Therapist and New York Times Bestselling Author Vanessa Marin on to the podcast to talk about all things Fantasy Fiction (especially of the spicy variety).Together we dissect:*What exactly is "smut?"*Why is fantasy so appealing?*What are some of the benefits for women reading spicy romance novels?*What are some of the tricky parts of these books to keep in mind?*Are smutty books basically just porn?*How can romantasy reading be a reclamation of time and pleasure for the busy woman?AND of course we are sharing our favorite books to add to your list and what we are reading next (download the list for yourself here: https://courses.drcassidymft.com/bookrecsLearn more about Vanessa's book and offerings at vmtherapy.com and give her a follow @vanessaandxander!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy