Best Dysfunctionalfamily Podcasts (2025)

1
Why did my anxious child's good work in therapy wear off? 11:57

1d ago11:57

11:57

In this episode of the Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast, Dawn Friedman addresses a listener's question about why a child's progress in therapy can seem to wear off over time. Dawn explains that anxiety in children is often reinforced by family patterns, termed 'Parenting Pitfalls', which unknowingly support avoidance behaviors. She discusses the importanc…

1
How can I encourage my child to become more independent in managing their anxiety? 10:21

18d ago10:21

10:21

In this episode of the Child Anxiety FAQ podcast, Dawn Friedman addresses how to encourage children to become more independent in managing their anxiety. Dawn emphasizes the importance of self-education on child anxiety, modeling coping strategies, practicing these strategies with your child, and consistently offering encouragement. She also discus…

1
What do I wish I'd done differently as the parent of an anxious child? 19:47

1M ago19:47

19:47

In this episode, I get personal and share lessons and reflections from my own parenting experiences—specifically, what I wish I’d done differently with my anxious child. Parenting is a wild ride; full of challenges, growth, and yes, some regrets, too. But don’t worry! We don't dwell there. Instead, we use these reflections as stepping stones toward…

1
What do I do if I've pushed my anxious child too far? 11:04

2M ago11:04

11:04

Welcome to the Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast with Dawn Friedman, where listeners' questions about child and teen anxiety are answered by a seasoned child anxiety expert. In this episode, Dawn discusses what to do if you've pushed your anxious child too far, illustrated through a common scenario featuring 'Joan,' a 10-year-old with school refusal. Dawn …

1
Is my anxious child coping or overwhelmed? 11:53

2M ago11:53

11:53

Welcome to "The Child Anxiety FAQ" podcast, where we dive deep into the everyday challenges and questions that parents face when dealing with child and teen anxiety. I'm Dawn Friedman, and with over 30 years of experience working with kids and families, I'm here to offer practical advice and support. In each episode, I aim to tackle the questions y…

1
How do I deal with my child's hurt feelings when I push them to face their anxiety? 16:36

3M ago16:36

16:36

This is an issue that's present for many of the families with whom I've worked so I thought I'd bring it here to the podcast and talk about the underlying concerns for parents when they bring this up. Our empathy and concern can make anxiety intervention difficult and we have to address it as we move forward. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for …

1
Why shouldn't I ask my anxious child why they're anxious? 14:26

3M ago14:26

14:26

A better question might be WHEN shouldn't I ask my anxious child why they're anxious but this episode gives us a good start to the topic. Besides, of COURSE you're going to ask your anxious child why they're anxious but lots of us are anxious for no reason except that we have anxious brains. And getting too stuck in the question can keep our famili…

1
How do I tell if it's my child's anxiety or mine? 12:15

4M ago12:15

12:15

In this episode, we explore the dynamics of family functioning patterns and what the research has to say about how to intervene when families are struggling. If you're not sure if child anxiety is an issue for your family, I recommend you take my Parenting PItfalls Quiz. This will help you identify where you're struggling (and where you should star…

1
What does healthy coping with child anxiety look like? 13:01

4M ago13:01

13:01

In today's episode I'm talking about what healthy coping really looks like—it’s not always pretty, but understanding this helps us prepare to keep going even when it's hard. Realistic expectations and an understanding that (to quote Jessica Baird), "Crying is coping" makes it so much easier to power through as we support our kids in overcoming thei…

1
How do I help my anxious child deal with worries about real life events? 16:01

5M ago16:01

16:01

In this episode we're discussing how to talk about real-life worries, the big worries that maybe are already keeping you up at note, too, like climate crisis, economic uncertainty, or natural disasters. It's hard to be a regular old adult when we're facing these kinds of anxieties let alone being a growing kid or teen who's just trying to get a han…

1
How can I determine if my own anxiety is influencing my parenting of my anxious child? 9:41

5M ago9:41

9:41

(Sorry about the audio quality -- I'm having some issues with my editing software!) Welcome to The Child Anxiety FAQ podcast! Today's episode answers the question: "How can I determine if my own anxiety is influencing my parenting of my anxious child?" We'll talk about the ways in which parental anxiety can impact child anxiety, what the research h…

1
How do I set limits for my anxious child without feeling guilty? 11:06

6M ago11:06

11:06

In today's episode, we're diving into the topic of setting limits for your anxious child without succumbing to guilt. We talk about the complexities parents face, particularly those who are working to heal their own childhood wounds while supporting their children. We'll address why feelings of guilt are a natural part of parenting and how understa…

1
What are some practical steps I can take to encourage my child to tolerate their anxiety? 11:39

6M ago11:39

11:39

In today's episode of The Child Anxiety FAQ, host Dawn Friedman MSEd addresses a crucial question from our listeners: What are some practical steps I can take to encourage my child to tolerate their anxiety? With over 30 years of experience working with children and families, I offer general strategies that can be adapted to different age groups an…

1
How do I deal with my anger towards my anxious child? 12:25

7M ago12:25

12:25

Welcome back to another episode of The Child Anxiety FAQ, where your questions about child and teen anxiety are answered. I'm your host, Dawn Friedman, and today we're diving into a challenging but common issue many parents face: dealing with anger towards their anxious children. With over three decades of experience working with families, I'm here…

1
How can I support my anxious child while also addressing their behavior? 12:03

7M ago12:03

12:03

In today's episode, we tackle a common but complex question: "How can I support my anxious child while also addressing their inappropriate behavior?" Using a real-life example of a parent dealing with their 10-year-old's morning meltdowns before school, I explore some of the root causes of school refusal, the importance of ensuring a supportive env…

1
Should I let my anxious child have a phone? 16:08

8M ago16:08

16:08

Hey, everyone. Welcome to the Child Anxiety FAQ podcast, where we tackle your pressing questions about child and teen anxiety. I'm Dawn Friedman, your host, with over 30 years of experience working with kids and families. In this week's episode, we'll confront a dilemma many parents face: should you let your anxious child have a phone? This questio…

1
What are some practical ways to address the academic pressures and expectations that contribute to my child's anxiety? 12:42

8M ago12:42

12:42

Welcome back to The Child Anxiety FAQ podcast, where we tackle listener questions about child and teen anxiety. I'm your host, Dawn Friedman, and with over three decades of experience working with kids and families, I aim to bring you practical advice and insights. As the school year kicks off, many parents are concerned about the academic pressure…

1
Do already anxious children struggle more with anxiety as they enter adolesence? 14:50

8M ago14:50

14:50

In this episode of The Child Anxiety FAQ podcast, we’re talking about whether already anxious kids struggle more with anxiety as they enter their teenage years. I’ll be sharing my experience working with kids and families for over 30 years and diving into the effects of hormone changes on anxiety. Join me for a casual, informative chat about child …

1
How can I create a bedtime routine that helps my anxious child feel more secure and comfortable? 9:46

8M ago9:46

9:46

Welcome back to The Child Anxiety FAQ podcast! In this week's episode, we're diving into the world of bedtime routines for anxious children. I share insight to help parents create a bedtime routine that fosters a sense of security and comfort for their anxious children. From the essential steps of a bedtime routine to addressing potential pushback …

1
What are some tangible signs that my child's anxiety is impacting their sleep? 8:23

8M ago8:23

8:23

In this episode of The Child Anxiety FAQ, we talk about the tangible signs that a child's anxiety is impacting their sleep. Drawing from my extensive experience working with children and families, I explain how to recognize when anxiety is affecting a child's ability to sleep well. I also highlight the importance of addressing sleep issues alongsid…

1
How can I prioritize both my child's sleep needs and my own well-being as a parent without feeling guilty or overwhelmed? 11:11

9M ago11:11

11:11

This month, we're focusing on sleep, to coincide with the launch of my 6-week coaching program, Bedtime Navigator. Today's question addresses the challenge of prioritizing your child's sleep needs and your own well-being as a parent without feeling guilty or overwhelmed. We'll explore how guilt and overwhelm affect sleep, why consistency is crucial…

1
How do I know if my anxious child is having typical sleep struggles or something more serious? 9:34

9M ago9:34

9:34

In this episode of The Child Anxiety Back podcast, we dive into the topic of sleep and child anxiety. We address a common concern: how to distinguish between typical sleep struggles and something more serious. I emphasize the importance of recognizing the validity of a child's sleep struggles and discusses the strong link between child anxiety and …

1
What are some ways to set limits and consequences for my anxious child's behavior without causing shame or distress? 2 14:17

9M ago14:17

14:17

In this week's episode of The Child Anxiety FAQ, we continue to explore the delicate balance of setting limits and consequences for anxious children without causing shame or distress. Addressing feedback from previous episodes, I delve into the challenge of protecting both the anxious child and their family members from the natural consequences of …

1
What are some ways to set limits for my anxious child's behavior without causing shame or distress? 18:39

9M ago18:39

18:39

In this episode of The Child Anxiety FAQ, we challenge the notion of avoiding distress and emphasizes the importance of helping children learn to cope with discomfort, a fundamental tool in managing anxiety. We explore the difference between punishment and consequences, emphasizing the effectiveness of logical consequences in guiding children's dec…

1
I am super busy, how can I prioritize working on my child's anxiety? 14:12

10M ago14:12

14:12

This week's question is a common one: "I am super busy. How can I prioritize working on my child's anxiety?" In this episode, we'll explore the importance of addressing anxiety, finding the time to do so, and a unique program designed to work with busy parents. So, if you've been wondering how to make anxiety a priority in your family's busy schedu…

1
How can I help my anxious child understand their feelings of resentment and blame toward me as a parent? 12:33

10M ago12:33

12:33

In this week's episode we talk about helping anxious children understand their feelings of resentment and blame toward their parents. As children navigate the tumultuous teen years and battle with anxiety, it's natural for them to push back against their parents. We discuss the complexities of this issue, providing understanding and guidance for pa…

1
How can I manage the guilt and emotional struggles that come with parenting an anxious child? 12:30

10M ago12:30

12:30

In this episode, we talk about how guilt can hinder decision-making and the importance of moving forward despite feeling guilty. I emphasize the significance of setting boundaries, managing anger, and maintaining loving connections with our anxious children. Tune in to gain practical advice on navigating the complexities of parenting an anxious chi…

1
What are some effective strategies to help my child when they engage in negative self-talk? 15:07

10M ago15:07

15:07

In this episode, we're getting into some solid strategies to help out kids dealing with negative self-talk. We tackle the challenges of the tween and early teen years, discuss the impact of social anxiety, and give parents some practical tips to support their anxious children. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount! …

1
What are some practical strategies for reorienting myself to a less anxious mindset so I can better support my child? 11:20

11M ago11:20

11:20

This week we talk about the importance of acknowledging and working through personal anxieties, and I share specific techniques to help parents manage their own worries while supporting their child's journey to coping with anxiety. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount! My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is ava…

1
How can I identify specific areas to work on with my anxious child without overwhelming them? 13:23

11M ago13:23

13:23

This week I share insights on disrupting anxiety patterns, identifying manageable starting points, and honoring both parental and child capacities. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount! My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness …

1
What do I do when I'm not enjoying my anxious child? 9:26

11M ago9:26

9:26

This is such a painful place to be! But pain can also be the motivation we need to revisit what we're doing and start doing something different! Mostly I want to reassure you that loving your kids doesn't mean you'll always love parenting those kids and that's ok. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount! My signature …

1
How do I help my anxious child process their feelings? 12:20

11M ago12:20

12:20

You know what's hard about this one? Well, first not all anxious kids WANT to process their feelings and second sometimes processing their feelings gets them stuck. Learn more on this week's episode of The Child Anxiety FAQ Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount! My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available a…

1
What did I do to cause my child's anxiety? 10:21

12M ago10:21

10:21

Spoiler alert -- you're not the cause but yes, you are the solution. Both things can be true! I talk about the fallacy that a child's diagnosis ALWAYS goes back to what the parents are doing. Nonsense! Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount! My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for …

1
Is my anxiety causing my child's anxiety? 9:26

12M ago9:26

9:26

This question is less important than the asker thought it was and I use this episode to explain why. I also talk a little bit about why it's ok if two households are handling the anxiety diffrently (mostly because there's not necessarily anything we can do about it)! Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount! My signatu…

1
What are some specific tips you have for parents of anxious teens? 10:41

12M ago10:41

10:41

Specifically? Help your teen get more sleep! It's my number one wish for ALL anxious kids and other humans! Learn more this week on The Child Anxiety FAQ Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount! My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awar…

1
What can I do about my anxious child's low self esteem? 11:16

1y ago11:16

11:16

Poor self esteem is super common in child anxiety and no wonder -- anxiety upends our ability to do the things they want to do or that are expected of them. Let's talk about what we can do as loving, supportive parents. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount! My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a …

1
Do you have any tips for an overwhelmed parent dealing with my child's anxiety? the child anxiety FAQ episode 96 9:40

1y ago9:40

9:40

I have several tips, mostly about finding new ways to consider what parenting an anxious child is supposed to be, which might help you feel less pressured to "fix" things. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount! My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of …

1
How do I know if my anxious child is just being manipulative? 13:33

1y ago13:33

13:33

We interrogate this whole idea of manipulation, look at child development, and talk about better ways to consider the situation. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount! My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my s…

1
How can a parent deal with acting out behaviors in their anxious child? 13:50

1y ago13:50

13:50

A parent contacted me about an 8-year old whose separation anxiety means their child meltsdown every time she tries to leave the house. We talk about what we need to know and give a brief overview on how what we're doing might unintentionally be encouraging meltdowns (and what to do instead). Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for Resiliency Sprint…

1
Homeschool made my child's social anxiety worse. Now what? 9:41

1y ago9:41

9:41

Because there was so little detail offered in this question it gave me the chance to explain what we need to know and why we need to know it to hopefully offer some ideas about next steps for listeners. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount! My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for…

1
Is social anxiety disorder caused by trauma and bullying? 13:00

1y ago13:00

13:00

A brief summary of this episode Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount! My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anx…

1
Can someone grow out of having an anxiety disorder? 9:22

1y ago9:22

9:22

A brief summary of this episode Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount! My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anx…

1
How can I get my anxious child to use their coping tools? 10:30

1y ago10:30

10:30

This week we discuss "coping" and how sometimes parents misunderstand what that means. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount! My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program…

1
How can I tell if my child's anxiety is general or situational? 7:52

1y ago7:52

7:52

The person who asked this question is trying to figure out if the anxiety she's seeing in her child is just due to a specific situation or a sign that her child is more generally anxious. I share some thoughts about how to figure that out. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount! My signature course, Resiliency Sprint…

1
How do I make my anxious child change? 10:08

1y ago10:08

10:08

Parents reach out for help because they need their anxious child to learn to not be anxious or to handle their anxiety more effectively. But we can't make our anxious child or even want to change. What we can do is focus on our own change. In this week's episode, we dig into this uncomfortable truth. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for Resilienc…

1
What do you do when a child is still as anxious if not more anxious of something after exposing them to it? 9:51

1y ago9:51

9:51

This question from a listener gives us the opportunity to talk about some of the details we need to know to appropriate address our individual child's anxiety, especially around things like school refusal. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount! My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST …

1
Is it my anxiety? Or my child's? 9:22

1y ago9:22

9:22

This week I explain why it almost doesn't matter whose anxiety started the anxious patterns in the family because the intervention is the same -- at least to start. Also if you'd like to sign up for the free webinar "Tell Me It Will Be OK: How to Talk About Your Child's Anxiety (without making things worse)" just head here: ChildAnxietySupport.com/…

1
When should I be concerned about my anxious child? 9:17

1+ y ago9:17

9:17

This week we explore parental concern in regards to child anxiety and what it means if the child is anxious and what if it means if they aren't (or at least if they aren't clinically anxious). Remember to reach out to me if you have further questions! Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount! My signature course, Resil…

1
How do I help my anxious child feel heard and understood? 10:04

1+ y ago10:04

10:04

This week we talk about how we can support our anxious child and help them feel validated without joining them in their anxiety. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount! My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my s…

1
Can children have panic attacks? 11:52

1+ y ago11:52

11:52

We talk about what panic attacks are; discuss panic disorder; and get into some of the controversy and complications around the issue. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount! My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head t…

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Dysfunctionalfamily Podcasts

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