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  • Smoke, Not Fire: What Your Child's Meltdown Is Really Trying to Tell You with Dr. Jacqueline Jacobs Tynan

    Smoke, Not Fire: What Your Child's Meltdown Is Really Trying to Tell You with Dr. Jacqueline Jacobs Tynan
    2026/07/07

    Guest: Dr. Jacqueline Jacobs Tynan, licensed clinical psychologist specializing in attachment-based therapy for children, families, and parents, trained in Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT).

    In this episode, Dr. Courtney sits down with Dr. Jacqueline to unpack why kids' big behaviors are rarely the real problem — they're a signal. They dig into selective attention, the difference between a tantrum and a trauma response, and why repairing after we get it wrong matters more than never missing the mark.

    What You'll Learn:

    • Why behavior is the "fire alarm," not the fire — and how to find the source
    • The real difference between selective attention and ignoring your child
    • Why giving in to stop the crying can unintentionally teach kids their feelings are unsafe
    • The "vending machine" metaphor for how kids learn which behaviors get their needs met
    • How to use selective attention earlier in the behavioral chain instead of at the peak of a meltdown
    • How to start telling the difference between boundary-testing and trauma-driven behavior
    • Why getting it "wrong" about 70% of the time and repairing builds more trust, not less
    • How labeled praise and connection can shift a child's whole sense of self over time

    Resources & Links:

    • Learn more about Dr. Jacqueline Jacobs Tynan's work
    • What is Circle of Security?
    • Postpartum Support International
    • Integrated Behavioral Health: integratedbhs.com

    Legal Disclaimer: While this podcast may provide information that is educational in nature, it is not intended to be a health care service, psychotherapy, or the practice of psychology. This podcast’s main purpose is to provide educational insights for all stages of child and family development. We will not provide diagnoses or specific recommendations for your family. At no point is a therapeutic relationship established by way of your unilateral participation by listening to these episodes, and we cannot provide advice or privileges associated with a therapeutic relationship. We recommend that anyone who is seeking a therapeutic relationship reach out to Integrated Behavioral Health at info@integratedbhs.com to begin the interview process of becoming a client or receiving a referral. If at any point in your listening or engaging with the content of this podcast, you experience an emergency, please immediately call 911 or go to your local emergency room.
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    49 分
  • Happy Parents, Happy Kids: A Summer Survival Guide for Couples with Bozhena Evans, LCSW

    Happy Parents, Happy Kids: A Summer Survival Guide for Couples with Bozhena Evans, LCSW
    2026/06/30

    Summer is supposed to feel like freedom — but for most parents, it's also when couple connection quietly falls apart. In this episode, Dr. Courtney sits down with couples and sex therapist Bozhena Evans, LCSW to talk about why the summer transition is hard on relationships, how to stop the communication spirals before they start, and the surprisingly simple practices that can keep you and your partner feeling like a team.

    What You'll Learn:

    • Why the loss of school-year structure puts stress on couples — and what to do about it
    • How to have scheduling conversations without them turning into conflict
    • The difference between "I" language and blame language — and why it changes everything
    • What soul gazing is and how two minutes of eye contact can reconnect you
    • The science behind the 20–40 second hug (oxytocin + cortisol reduction, no gym required)
    • How to ask for what you need without making your partner feel pressured
    • Why planning for intimacy is not a mood killer — it's a lifeline
    • The guilt parents feel about taking alone time, and how to reframe it
    • How to transition out of "work mode" or "parent mode" and back into "partner mode"
    • Why happy parents really do make happy kids

    Resources & Links:

    • Bozhena Evans, LCSW: link to her practice website | Instagram: @bozhenaevanstherapy
    • Integrated Behavioral Health: integratedbhs.com | Instagram: @integratedbh

    Legal Disclaimer: While this podcast may provide information that is educational in nature, it is not intended to be a health care service, psychotherapy, or the practice of psychology. This podcast’s main purpose is to provide educational insights for all stages of child and family development. We will not provide diagnoses or specific recommendations for your family. At no point is a therapeutic relationship established by way of your unilateral participation by listening to these episodes, and we cannot provide advice or privileges associated with a therapeutic relationship. We recommend that anyone who is seeking a therapeutic relationship reach out to Integrated Behavioral Health at info@integratedbhs.com to begin the interview process of becoming a client or receiving a referral. If at any point in your listening or engaging with the content of this podcast, you experience an emergency, please immediately call 911 or go to your local emergency room.
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    43 分
  • Permit Their Humanity to Flourish: What the Research Says About Raising Emotionally Healthy Boys with Dr. Stephanie Bono

    Permit Their Humanity to Flourish: What the Research Says About Raising Emotionally Healthy Boys with Dr. Stephanie Bono
    2026/06/23

    Guest: Dr. Stephanie Bono, licensed psychologist and founder of Evergrow Therapy & Assessment in the Denver Highlands. Steph specializes in ADHD, anxiety, insomnia, and parenting, and leads workshops for moms raising toddler boys — including her new boy mom playgroup at Sloane's Lake in Denver.

    Episode Summary: Dr. Courtney sits down with Denver psychologist and boy mom Dr. Stephanie Bono for a warm, research-packed conversation about what it really takes to raise emotionally healthy boys. From the sharks on their onesies to the way we respond when they cry, Steph breaks down the subtle — and not so subtle — ways we start putting boys in a box long before they can walk. This one is for every parent who wants to raise a son who grows into a man capable of close relationships, emotional awareness, and a full, rich life.

    What You'll Learn in This Episode:

    • How gender bias shows up in parenting before your baby is even born
    • The clothing and toy research that will change how you look at your kid's closet
    • Why boys are actually deeply relational by nature — and what starts to weed that out of them
    • The difference between explicit and implicit gender messaging, and which one is harder to catch
    • How to talk to your son about his emotions without shutting them down
    • What to do when your kid comes home saying something that makes you want to flip a table
    • The long-term consequences of hyper-masculinity — and why the research is more alarming than most parents realize
    • The manosphere, the incel movement, and how a secure home attachment is your best protection
    • The one question Steph asks herself every time Miles cries

    Resources & Links:

    • Dr. Stephanie Bono: evergrowledenver.com
    • Boy Mom Toddler Playgroup at Sloane's Lake — details on Dr. Steph's website
    • How to Raise a Boy by Michael Reichert, PhD
    • Integrated Behavioral Health: integratedbhs.com
    • Follow Dr. Steph: @evergrowpsychology
    • Follow IBH: @integratedbh

    Legal Disclaimer: While this podcast may provide information that is educational in nature, it is not intended to be a health care service, psychotherapy, or the practice of psychology. This podcast’s main purpose is to provide educational insights for all stages of child and family development. We will not provide diagnoses or specific recommendations for your family. At no point is a therapeutic relationship established by way of your unilateral participation by listening to these episodes, and we cannot provide advice or privileges associated with a therapeutic relationship. We recommend that anyone who is seeking a therapeutic relationship reach out to Integrated Behavioral Health at info@integratedbhs.com to begin the interview process of becoming a client or receiving a referral. If at any point in your listening or engaging with the content of this podcast, you experience an emergency, please immediately call 911 or go to your local emergency room.
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    52 分
  • High Limits, High Connection: A Father's Day Conversation on Showing Up for Your Kids with Bryce Giron Mathern

    High Limits, High Connection: A Father's Day Conversation on Showing Up for Your Kids with Bryce Giron Mathern
    2026/06/16

    In this Father's Day episode, Dr. Courtney sits down with Denver-based therapist and dad coach Bryce Giron Mathern to talk about what it really means to show up as a present, connected father. Bryce shares his personal journey through IVF, miscarriage, and becoming a dad in his 40s to twin boys — and how fatherhood has been his single greatest growth experience. Together they unpack why modern dads are navigating something genuinely unprecedented, what nervous system regulation has to do with parenting, and two simple tools any dad can use starting tonight.

    What You'll Learn in This Episode:

    • The "high limits, high connection" framework and why you need both
    • Why your nervous system — not your parenting strategy — is your most important tool
    • How to recognize when you're dysregulated before it affects your kids
    • Why feeling understood makes kids more compliant (not less)
    • The difference between guilt and shame in parenting — and how to work with both
    • The 30-second rule for non-compliance
    • The "fill the bucket" approach for exhausted parents at the end of a long day

    Resources & Links:

    • Bryce Giron Mathern's practice: wholehearteddads.com
    • Integrated Behavioral Health: https://www.integratedbhs.com/
    • Follow Bryce: @wholehearted_dads
    • Follow IBH: @integratedbh

    Legal Disclaimer: While this podcast may provide information that is educational in nature, it is not intended to be a health care service, psychotherapy, or the practice of psychology. This podcast’s main purpose is to provide educational insights for all stages of child and family development. We will not provide diagnoses or specific recommendations for your family. At no point is a therapeutic relationship established by way of your unilateral participation by listening to these episodes, and we cannot provide advice or privileges associated with a therapeutic relationship. We recommend that anyone who is seeking a therapeutic relationship reach out to Integrated Behavioral Health at info@integratedbhs.com to begin the interview process of becoming a client or receiving a referral. If at any point in your listening or engaging with the content of this podcast, you experience an emergency, please immediately call 911 or go to your local emergency room.
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    57 分
  • Cultivating an Identity-Safe Home: Decoding Myths and Parent-Youth Connection with Dr. Marissa Nunes-Moreno

    Cultivating an Identity-Safe Home: Decoding Myths and Parent-Youth Connection with Dr. Marissa Nunes-Moreno
    2026/06/09
    June is Pride Month, making it the perfect time to evaluate the environment we are building within our own four walls. While many parents hold deeply open-minded values and want their homes to be an "identity-safe zone," a wave of intense anxiety often hits the surface the moment topics like gender exploration, sexual identity, or pronouns enter the chat. Parents freeze out of a catastrophic fear of saying the wrong thing or causing permanent damage.In this episode, Dr. Courtney Lynn sits down with Dr. Marissa Nunes-Moreno, a clinical psychologist and the Director of Mood Specialty Services at the Pediatric Mental Health Institute at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Together, they strip the shame away from the identity conversation. Dr. Marissa delivers an empathetic, clinical permission slip to drop perfectionism, outline the mechanics of "correct and move on," and explain how leaning into mistakes actually deepens trust with your children.Key Takeaways & Learning PointsThe Fallacy of the Perfect Script: Trust is not built by never making a mistake; it is built through rupture and repair. When a parent models how to take accountability and do better, it teaches children how to navigate their own real-world mistakes.The Mechanics of "Correct and Move On": When slipping up on a friend's or child's pronouns, avoid over-apologizing or spinning into a shame spiral. Forcing a young person to comfort you for your mistake centers your guilt. Instead, swiftly correct yourself ("Excuse me, they...") and keep moving forward.De-Gendering Daily Environments: For younger children, gender exploration is often just concrete world-sorting. Parents can proactively challenge assumptions by decoupling toys, colors, and clothing from rigid gender binaries.Do Good Before It Feels Good: You do not have to fully understand the intricate nuances of modern gender terminology to fiercely support your child. Align your parenting behaviors with your core family values (love, kindness, safety) first, and let your understanding catch up later.Dismantling the "Phase" Myth: Labeling an identity exploration as "just a phase" is a dismissive linguistic tool that fractures relationships. Even if a child's expression shifts over time, treating their present reality as temporary means missing out on who your child is right now.Chapter Markers & Time Stamps[00:17] Intro: Dr. Courtney introduces Pride Month, parental anxiety, and the fear of saying the wrong thing.[03:50] Normalizing Mistakes: Dr. Marissa on why perfection is an illusion and how rupture and repair builds genuine trust.[07:42] Pronoun Slip-Ups in Real-Time: A concrete guide to handling pronoun mistakes gracefully without putting the spotlight on the youth.[11:04] Habitual and Subtle Blindspots: Rethinking gendered nicknames, automatic parenting catchphrases ("the boys/the girls"), and evolving style expressions.[19:48] Early Childhood & De-Gendering: How young children construct rules about the world and how to instill open family values before school systems intervene.[27:34] Handling Extended Family & Grandparents: Strategies for navigating conflicting generational values and using curious follow-ups with your child.[31:11] Keeping the Door Overtly Open: Why children carry a pervasive fear of family rejection (even with highly supportive parents) and how to explicitly state your allyship.[38:28] When You Don't Know the Answer: Ditching defensive responses, avoiding interrogating "Why" questions, and exploring the child's perspective.[43:37] Busting the Biggest Myths: Debunking the fear that talking about identity "creates" it, and moving past the need for total comprehension.[49:14] Clinical Wrap-Up: Dr. Courtney breaks down the 4 definitive rules for your parenting playbook.Resources Mentioned in this EpisodeClinical Care: Pediatric Mental Health Institute at Children’s Hospital ColoradoRecommended Reading: "The Family Book" by Todd Parr"Mommy, Mama, and Me" by Lesléa Newman"Julián is a Mermaid" by Jessica LoveConnect with UsIf you are trying to untangle your own internalized childhood messaging, lower the stakes of perfectionist parenting, or need an evidence-based clinical team to support your family's communication and nervous system health, our doors are open.Visit our practice: Integrated Behavioral HealthLegal Disclaimer: While this podcast may provide information that is educational in nature, it is not intended to be a health care service, psychotherapy, or the practice of psychology. This podcast’s main purpose is to provide educational insights for all stages of child and family development. We will not provide diagnoses or specific recommendations for your family. At no point is a therapeutic relationship established by way of your unilateral participation by listening to these episodes, and we cannot provide advice or privileges associated with a therapeutic relationship. We recommend that anyone who is seeking a therapeutic relationship reach out to ...
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    51 分
  • Beyond "The Twins": Fostering Individual Identity in Multiples with Dr. Margot Lewis

    Beyond "The Twins": Fostering Individual Identity in Multiples with Dr. Margot Lewis
    2026/06/02
    If you are a parent of multiples, your day-to-day reality is a completely different ballgame. The physical and emotional exhaustion of the early years is next level. But beyond the logistics of double strollers and synchronous tantrums lies a fascinating, highly specialized psychological landscape. We often celebrate the deep, non-verbal bond twins share, but clinically, that "womb-mate" connection can sometimes stall a child's individual identity development.In this episode of Kids These Days, Dr. Courtney Lynn sits down with Dr. Margot Lewis, a licensed clinical psychologist, military veteran, and founder of Twinsight Therapy. As an identical twin who navigated these exact identity waters herself, Margot has dedicated her research and clinical practice to twin psychology and twin parent coaching.Together, they break down why twins experience a complex "double separation" process, the psychological danger of rigid childhood labels, and how to protect your kids from the relentless cultural comparison trap. Most importantly, Margot delivers a liberating truth that every parent of multiples needs to hear: stop trying to make everything 50/50 equal.Key Takeaways & Learning Points:The Concept of Double Attachment: Why singletons only have to separate from mom to find themselves, whereas twins must navigate a "double separation" from both parent and co-twin.Nervous System Syncing: How infants and toddlers use their twin as a primary self-soothing object, and how this can delay independent emotional regulation.Separation is Not Severance: Navigating the short-term developmental dysregulation of separate classrooms and separate playdates for long-term psychological health.The Trap of Complementary Labeling: How early physical or medical differences (like birth weight) can trap twins into rigid lifelong roles like "the caretaker" vs. "the cared-for."Dismantling the Attention Myth: Deconstructing old literature to prove that splitting parental attention across multiples does not lead to suboptimal or insecure attachment.The Cookie Dilemma: Why trying to force perfect 50/50 equality is an impossible burden that prevents children from building real-world resilience.Chapter Markers & Time Stamps:[00:13] Intro: Dr. Courtney on the social-emotional trajectory of multiples vs. singletons.[02:42] The Identity Crisis of Adolescence: Dr. Margot shares her personal journey growing up as an identical twin and the gap in standard therapy training.[05:39] The Double Separation Process: Understanding twin psychology, womb-mate bonding, and enmeshment.[07:55] Co-Soothening & Emotional Regulation: Why twins often lag behind singletons in developing independent coping mechanisms.[09:37] Classroom Separation in Kindergarten: What the research actually says about separating multiples early in school.[13:18] Nurturing the Two Identities: Balancing individual permission to move in and out of the twin unit without damaging the twin bond.[20:04] Shutting Down the Onlooker Comparison Trap: Practical scripts for handling intrusive questions from strangers.[24:34] Unconscious Roles & Medical Labels: How early interventions (OT, speech, birth weight) create implicit operational identities.[27:51] The Multiples Postpartum Shock: Grieving the idealized singleton postpartum experience and handling twin manipulation.[30:51] Debunking the Suboptimal Attachment Theory: Reassuring parents that shared attention does not mean compromised security.[31:59] Singular Shining Moments: Fostering one-on-one parent outings and separate peer friendships.[40:44] The 50/50 Equality Trap: Why the half of the cookie given to a twin is never perceived as big enough.[44:40] Finding a Twin Specialist: Moving past regular parenting advice when a disturbance occurs in the home.[46:26] Outro: Dr. Courtney's clinical reflection on building resilience through healthy differences.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Dr. Margot Lewis’s Practice: Twinsight TherapyConnect with Us:Navigating the intense, overstimulating seasons of parenting multiples? Our clinical team at Integrated Behavioral Health is here to support your family system. Schedule a consultation with our team today.Legal Disclaimer: While this podcast may provide information that is educational in nature, it is not intended to be a health care service, psychotherapy, or the practice of psychology. This podcast’s main purpose is to provide educational insights for all stages of child and family development. We will not provide diagnoses or specific recommendations for your family. At no point is a therapeutic relationship established by way of your unilateral participation by listening to these episodes, and we cannot provide advice or privileges associated with a therapeutic relationship. We recommend that anyone who is seeking a therapeutic relationship reach out to Integrated Behavioral Health at info@integratedbhs.com to begin the interview process of becoming a client or receiving a referral. If at...
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    48 分
  • From 11 Moms to 350+: Building a Real Village with Tessa Metiva

    From 11 Moms to 350+: Building a Real Village with Tessa Metiva
    2026/05/28

    We talk a lot about clinical frameworks and evidence-based psychological theories on this show. But today, we are stepping out of the clinic and straight onto the playground to talk about the real-world execution of mental health: community.

    In this special bonus episode, Dr. Courtney sits down with Tessa Metiva, the founder of the Denver-based Cool Mom Collective and host of the Mama’s Got the Mic podcast. When Tessa found herself pregnant in 2024 and lacking a local support system, she didn't wait around for a village to appear—she built one from scratch. What started as an 11-mom mocktail meetup has snowballed into a thriving, hyper-active network of over 350 local mothers.

    Dr. Courtney and Tessa dive deep into the modern isolation epidemic, the physical and emotional survival of the early postpartum days, the raw reality of postpartum rage, and actionable steps to put your phone down and form authentic connections right in your neighborhood.

    Key Takeaways: What We Break Down
    1. The "Relocation" Support Gap: Why modern career and college patterns leave new parents completely isolated from their generational villages, and how to bridge that gap intentionally.
    2. Vulnerability Breeds Vulnerability: The clinical reality of how a simple doorbell diaper swap or an unbrushed-hair interaction acts as co-regulation for a dysregulated postpartum nervous system.
    3. Normalizing Postpartum Rage: Demystifying the biological cycle of maternal rage—overstimulation, the short fuse, the explosive rush, the emotional crash, and the subsequent shame wave.
    4. The "New Car" Connection Analogy: How to shift your focus to spot potential parent friends in the wild (at coffee shops, parks, and walks) and the exact low-stakes scripts to start a conversation.
    5. The 33% Rule on the Playground: Why you don't need a cinematic, picture-perfect village 100% of the time. Showing up and making an effort one-third of the time is more than enough to anchor your mental health.

    Resources & Links Mentioned
    1. Join the Cool Mom Collective: If you are a Denver-area mom looking for your village, check out the Cool Mom Collective Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/coolmomcollectiveden/
    2. Listen to Mama's Got the Mic: Catch Tessa's podcast on all major streaming platforms. https://www.instagram.com/mamasgotthemic/
    3. Dr. Courtney’s Connection Roadmap: Get actionable communication scripts, clinical frameworks, and parental sanity savers sent straight to your inbox. Head over to Instagram and comment "NEWS" on the latest post to instantly receive your Connection Toolkit!
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    26 分
  • Vacation or Just a Location Change? Erasing the Travel Mental Load with Lana McClure

    Vacation or Just a Location Change? Erasing the Travel Mental Load with Lana McClure
    2026/05/26
    Have you ever packed up your car for a weekend getaway with a baby or toddler, looked at the literal mountain of gear, and wondered: Is this even worth it? For most parents of young children, standard travel isn't a vacation—it’s just parenting in a different zip code. The cognitive and logistical mental load required to keep a toddler safe, fed, and sleeping on the road is enough to cause full-blown parental burnout before you even arrive at your destination.In this episode of Kids These Days, Dr. Courtney Lynn sits down with Lana McClure, founder of Tot Friendly Homes, a revolutionary company certifying short-term vacation rentals (like Airbnbs and VRBOs) as truly family-ready. Lana shares her personal travel pain points that sparked this business, the developmental science behind toddler routine preservation, and how changing your physical environment serves as a vital psychological intervention for parents.Turn down the pressure valve, drop your bags, and learn how to move out of high-alert maternal vigilance and back into a state of playful presence.Key Takeaways & Learning Points:The "Travel Tax" on Parental Mental Health: Why parents struggle to rest when their vacation environment triggers constant environmental vigilance.The 5 Pillars of Essential Comforts: Breaking down the foundational needs of a traveling family—Sleep, Eat, Potty, Play, and Safety.Preventing the Dreaded Vacation Regression: How toddler-sized bathroom inserts and step stools preserve independent routines learned at preschool and home.The Multi-Child Design Gap: Why standard "family-friendly" filters fail families with two or three young children, and how to fix the puzzle pieces.Environmental Design as a Nervous System Intervention: Shifting the body from a sympathetic (fight-or-flight) state of tracking safety hazards to a parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) state of connection.Chapter Markers & Time Stamps:[00:16] Intro: Dr. Courtney on the crushing weight of the mental load and parental burnout during travel.[02:19] The Cross-Country Wake-Up Call: Lana’s personal inspiration for Tot Friendly Homes after moving from Chicago to Denver with a newborn.[05:30] Aspiration vs. Reality: Debunking the curated "travel influencer" culture and validating the actual logistics of traveling with toddlers.[08:26] Inside the Certification: The 30 essential products and premium hospitality standards required for the Tot Friendly Homes stamp of approval.[11:27] Protecting Hard-Earned Routines: Preserving potty training milestones and independent habits while out of the home environment.[13:36] Obligation Travel: Navigating work trips, family weddings, and why cramped hotel rooms are a recipe for sleepless nights.[17:57] Solving the Multi-Kid Puzzle: Moving past a single pack-and-play to design spaces for families with multiple young children.[22:24] Falling in Love with Your Family Again: Erasing chores and errands to open up room for true adult relaxation and patient presence.[24:52] Future Pipelines: Where to find certified homes in Colorado and across the United States.[26:36] Outro: Dr. Courtney's clinical perspective on environmental design and nervous system regulation.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Tot Friendly Homes Website: https://www.totfriendlyhomes.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/totfriendlyhomes/Accolades: First Place Winner of the Regis University Innovation ChallengeConnect with Us:Are you struggling with parental burnout, transition stress, or chronic anxiety that a weekend getaway couldn't fix? Our therapeutic team at Integrated Behavioral Health is here to walk with you. Visit our website to schedule a consultation.
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    28 分