Shows
Educated Parent: Evidence-Based Parenting Tips to Solve Everyday Parenting ProblemsTransition Anxiety Is Real: Helping a Child Adjust to Change with StorytellingDoes your child melt down when something new is on the horizon? Whether it's starting a new school year, a big birthday, or a shift in routine, transition anxiety is real. In this episode, I share why understanding the reality of transition anxiety - and using the power of story - is one of the most effective tools for helping a child adjust to change.We dive into the science and heart behind the importance of storytelling to child development, and I walk you through my favorite storytelling formula that’s easy, even if you’re not “a cre...2025-07-2924 min
Educated Parent: Evidence-Based Parenting Tips to Solve Everyday Parenting ProblemsThe Parent’s Guide to Back to School Shots: How to Ease the Fear of Vaccinations (Even If Your Kid Is Scared of Needles) with Dr. Jody ThomasDoes your child melt down before shots? Do you feel that pang of dread when the school nurse mentions back to school shots? You are so not alone - and the good news is, it doesn’t have to be this way.In today’s episode, I’m joined by world-renowned pediatric pain expert, and the founder and CEO of the nonprofit Meg Foundation, Dr. Jody Thomas to tackle a surprisingly common parenting challenge: managing your child’s fear of vaccinations and anxiety around back to school shots. If your child is scared of needles - or you are...2025-07-2227 min
Educated Parent: Evidence-Based Parenting Tips to Solve Everyday Parenting ProblemsHow to Stop Meltdowns Before They Start by Managing Expectations and Parenting Without Power StrugglesWondering how to stop meltdowns before they hijack your whole day? In this episode, I break down the real causes of temper tantrums - and how to prevent them by setting clear expectations with your child. You’ll learn exactly how to handle disappointment when your child’s big dreams crash into reality, and how to approach parenting without power struggles in a way that’s practical, compassionate, and grounded in real-life experience.In this episode, I share:Why unmet expectations are one of the most common causes of temper tantrum - and how to catc...2025-07-2118 min
Educated Parent: Evidence-Based Parenting Tips to Solve Everyday Parenting ProblemsHow to Stop Meltdowns Before They Start by Managing Expectations and Parenting Without Power StrugglesWondering how to stop meltdowns before they hijack your whole day? In this episode, I break down the real causes of temper tantrums - and how to prevent them by setting clear expectations with your child. You’ll learn exactly how to handle disappointment when your child’s big dreams crash into reality, and how to approach parenting without power struggles in a way that’s practical, compassionate, and grounded in real-life experience.In this episode, I share:Why unmet expectations are one of the most common causes of temper tantrum - and how to catc...2025-07-1518 min
Educated Parent: Evidence-Based Parenting Tips to Solve Everyday Parenting ProblemsShould You Keep Pushing Your Child to Succeed or Back Off? with Kristin Mervich, LCSWEver wonder how to strike the right balance between pushing your child to succeed and respecting autonomy in children? Today’s episode tackles just that - because knowing whether to step in or take a step back can feel like a balancing act.On this episode, I chat with therapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker Kristin Mervich about the tricky dilemma high-achieving parents face: when to keep pushing your child to succeed, when to trust autonomy in children, and how guiding a child sometimes means knowing when to back off. We dig into the...2025-07-0824 min
Educated Parent: Evidence-Based Parenting Tips to Solve Everyday Parenting ProblemsSPECIAL EPISODE: How to Talk to Your Kids About the Tragedy at Camp MysticIn the wake of the heartbreaking tragedy at Camp Mystic this weekend, many parents are struggling to find the right words to comfort and guide their children. I created this short, unedited episode to help you navigate those difficult conversations with your children, including the script I used with my 6-year-old at home. This is a raw version of what would typically be a full Educated Parent podcast episode that I recorded quickly to meet the moment, because I know many of you are searching for guidance right now. Whether your child was directly affected...2025-07-0711 min
The Entrepreneurial Therapist PodcastEP 181: BTS of a Thriving Group Practice with Dr. Leah ClionskyIs private practice dead in 2025—or are there just new rules to succeed? In this episode, I sit down with returning guest Dr. Leah Clionsky, founder of a thriving 17-therapist group practice, who shares exactly how her practice just hit its best revenue month ever—up 35% year-over-year—despite widespread uncertainty in the industry. We dig deep into what she's seeing in the market, how she identifies early warning signs before referrals drop, and the bold marketing moves she’s made to stay ahead of the curve. Topics Covered in This Episode: 6:28 - Why “Is private practice i...2025-07-0221 min
Educated Parent: Evidence-Based Parenting Tips to Solve Everyday Parenting ProblemsHow to Help an Angry Child Calm Down Without Losing Your Cool: The Key to Connection Before CorrectionEver wonder how to help an angry child calm down without turning into a volcano yourself? I’ve got you. In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly what to do in those intense parenting moments - when emotions are high and your kid is spiraling. We’re talking how to deescalate a child, fast, using the power of connection before correction.As a psychologist (and a mom of two who’s very familiar with meltdowns), I know that dealing with children’s anger can feel like walking through a minefield. But once you get how val...2025-07-0124 min
Educated Parent: Evidence-Based Parenting Tips to Solve Everyday Parenting ProblemsInvolved Dads Raise Thriving Kids: Here’s How to Connect With Your Child Without Overthinking It with Dr. John Paul AbnerI get asked about this advice for dads all the time: “I want to be more intentional as a dad, but I don’t know where to start.” This episode is a masterclass in advice for dads who want tangible tips for how to connect with your child - no overthinking required.I sit down with Dr. John Paul Abner to talk about why involved dads are a game-changer for child development and how to connect with your child with just a few simple shifts. Whether you’re craving more quality time, fun ideas, or...2025-06-2426 min
Educated Parent: Evidence-Based Parenting Tips to Solve Everyday Parenting ProblemsHow to Say No to Your Child and Survive the AftermathLearning how to say no to your child can feel like walking a tightrope. We want to hold boundaries in parenting firmly, but we also don’t want to break their spirit—or ours! In today’s episode, I’m tackling this essential skill head-on. As a psychologist and mom, I know that how to say no to your child can feel like an emotional minefield. But here’s the thing: setting boundaries in parenting is crucial. Together, we’ll explore strategies for parenting without yelling and how to manage temper tantrums without losing your mi...2025-06-1726 min
Educated Parent: Evidence-Based Parenting Tips to Solve Everyday Parenting ProblemsIs Anxiety Good for You? 3 Steps for Building Confidence in Kids When They’re Trying New Things with Ivy Ruths, PhDIs anxiety good for you? That’s the question at the heart of this week’s episode, where I sit down with Dr. Ivy Ruths, a licensed specialist in school psychology, specializing in treating anxiety, OCD-related disorders, and parenting challenges.Ivy shares three concrete steps for helping your child try new things and dealing with childhood anxiety. She also shares the hidden benefits of anxiety and how these moments (even when challenging) can be crucial for building confidence in kids.Dr. Ivy Ruths and I break down the idea that anxiety isn’t somethi...2025-06-1024 min
Educated Parent: Evidence-Based Parenting Tips to Solve Everyday Parenting ProblemsWhat to Do With Teens: How to Make the Most of Time Together and Strengthen Your Parent Teenager RelationshipEver finally get a “yes” from your teen to hang out… and then sit there awkwardly wondering, “Now what?”If you’ve found yourself unsure what to do with teens once you’re actually together, this episode will walk you through it step by step. This is part two of our series on teen connection. Last week we covered how to get your teen to hang out with you. This week is about what to do with teens once you're there. From creating comfort to avoiding conversation-killers, we’re focusing on strategies that work in real life. 2025-06-0323 min
Educated Parent: Evidence-Based Parenting Tips to Solve Everyday Parenting ProblemsShould I Force My Teenager to Spend Time with Me? What to Do When Your Teenager Shuts You OutOne of the most common questions those parenting teens and tweens ask is "should I force my teenager to spend time with me?" or what to do when your teenager shuts you out?If you’ve felt the sting of rejection when your once-chatty child turns into a quiet, phone-absorbed teen, you’re not alone. In this episode, I break down how to connect with your teenage son or daughter when they seem more interested in hanging out with their friends than with your parent teenager relationship. I’ll share why this is a totally normal...2025-05-2721 min
Educated Parent: Evidence-Based Parenting Tips to Solve Everyday Parenting ProblemsWhy Does My Child Get Hyper at Night? How to Handle Bedtime Zoomies with Emma Wilking GhelberEver wonder why does my child get hyper at night… just when you’re ready to wind down? If you’ve ever felt like your kids have had an espresso right before bed, you’re not alone. Those bedtime zoomies – when kids suddenly start bouncing off the walls – can make creating a bedtime routine for kids feel impossible. But what if I told you that this chaos has a reason? In this episode, I’m joined by pediatric occupational therapist Emma Wilking Ghelber to break down why bedtime zoomies happen and share calming activities for kids before bed...2025-05-2024 min
Educated Parent: Evidence-Based Parenting Tips to Solve Everyday Parenting ProblemsWhat to Do When Your Child Hits You: Why It Happens and How to Stop a Child from HittingIf you’re struggling with what to do when your child hits you or wondering why does my child hit me when they’re upset, this episode is for you. As a clinical psychologist and a mom, I’ve seen firsthand how confusing and frustrating it can be when your little one lashes out physically. Understanding how to stop a child from hitting starts with knowing why it happens in the first place and setting clear, loving boundaries that keep everyone safe. In this episode, I’m breaking down the real reasons behind childhood aggression, why it’s n...2025-05-1323 min
Educated Parent: Evidence-Based Parenting Tips to Solve Everyday Parenting ProblemsHow to Talk to Kids About Death and the Loss of a GrandparentExplaining death to a child and navigating the loss of a grandparent while parenting is one of the hardest emotional tightropes many of us will ever walk. In this episode, I sit down with licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Liz Ross to talk about how to help a child grieve the loss of a grandparent, all while managing your own grief at the same time.Whether you're dealing with an unexpected death or a long illness, this conversation is here to offer you real, compassionate guidance on explaining death to a child. We talk through the...2025-05-0626 min
Educated Parent: Evidence-Based Parenting Tips to Solve Everyday Parenting ProblemsTired of Losing It Before Drop-Off? How to Create a Peaceful Morning Routine with Kids Before SchoolDoes your morning routine with kids end in tears—yours or theirs?If mornings feel more like survival mode than connection time, you’re not alone. That’s why in this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the real emotional chaos behind the morning routine with kids before school. Whether it’s you hiding tears in the carpool line or your child having a meltdown about missing shoes, I’ve been there—and I want to help.As both a professional and a parent, I’ve seen firsthand how hard getting kids ready for school can b...2025-04-2221 min
Educated Parent: Evidence-Based Parenting Tips to Solve Everyday Parenting ProblemsIs Your Child in the Right School? Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a School for Your ChildWondering if your child’s school is still the right fit? You’re not alone—and you’re definitely not overreacting. In this episode, I’m sitting down with two of Houston’s top educational consultants to unpack the real, research-backed factors to consider when choosing a school for your child.Whether you're dealing with daily meltdowns, academic frustrations, or just a gut feeling that something is off, we’ll help you figure out what’s going on—and what to do about it. We’ll walk through the emotional and academic signs to look for, how to ev...2025-04-1524 min
Educated Parent: Evidence-Based Parenting Tips to Solve Everyday Parenting ProblemsIs One Child Getting All the Attention? How to Deal with Sibling Jealousy with Becca WallaceIs one of your kids always in the spotlight? Whether it’s sports, academics, or a lead role in the school play, these moments can create tension at home. In this episode, I’m joined by Becca Wallace, a fellow therapist and experienced mom of five, to unpack how to deal with sibling jealousy—with compassion, clarity, and practical steps that actually work.We talk about what really happens when one child is constantly celebrated, how to support your other kids through it, and why confident parenting isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being intenti...2025-04-1522 min
Educated Parent: Evidence-Based Parenting Tips to Solve Everyday Parenting ProblemsWhat to Say When Your Child Has a Bad Day: How to Listen So Your Child Will TalkWhen your child walks in the door after school and says they had a bad day, do you know what to say next? If you’ve ever felt unsure, anxious, or like you fumbled the moment, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not failing. In this episode of Educated Parent, I’m sharing positive ways to talk to your child that help them feel heard, supported, and connected—even when emotions are running high.I’m Dr. Leah Clionsky, licensed clinical psychologist, parenting expert, and real-life mom of two little kids. In this first full epis...2025-04-1525 min
Educated Parent: Evidence-Based Parenting Tips to Solve Everyday Parenting ProblemsWelcome to the Educated Parent Podcast!If you’ve been overwhelmed by conflicting parenting advice and just want real, expert-backed parenting help, you’re in the right place. I’m Dr. Leah Clionsky—a licensed clinical psychologist, child behavior specialist, and mom of two—and I created Educated Parent to give you the evidence-based parenting support I wish every parent had.Here’s the truth: It’s not fair that I can text a network of child psychologists, pediatricians, and therapists anytime I need parenting tips—and you’re left scrolling Instagram or asking Google. So, I’m bringing that expert...2025-03-2705 min
The Entrepreneurial Therapist PodcastEP 139: 7 Figure Practice Spotlight: An Admin Makes or Breaks a Group Practice with Leah ClionskyIn today’s episode, I sit down with group practice owner, Leah Clionsky to talk about how she built her team of 11 group practice. Leah has experienced a lot of success since she started her practice. She’s been able to experience what it’s like to run a freedom-based business that provides an amazing impact on her community, a good income for her family and true abundance. She takes us behind the scenes on how she did it. In today’s episode, we cover: How the wrong fit for an admin cost Leah $10k ...2024-09-1126 min