Ever wonder why your child melts down over the tiniest thing—or how to actually help them navigate big emotions? Today, we’re diving into the world of Child-Centered Play Therapy, an evidence-based approach that helps kids build confidence, self-regulation, and emotional resilience… all through PLAY.

I’m joined by the amazing Dr. Brenna Hicks, a specialist in helping parents use these techniques at home to create a happier, calmer family environment. Whether you have a preschooler, a strong-willed school-age kid, or a moody teen, this conversation will give you powerful tools to understand your child’s emotional world—and strengthen your bond in the process.

We’re covering:

• What makes Child-Centered Play Therapy different from other approaches

• How play can help kids process emotions (even when words fail!)

• What really causes tantrums and dysregulation

• Simple therapist-approved parenting strategies you can start using today

• How to know if your child might need therapy—and how to find the right therapist

Timestamps:
03:29 - What is Child-Centered Play Therapy (and why does it work?)
09:27 - The parent’s role in play therapy (and why it’s a game-changer!)
16:03 - Why kids “act out” and what’s really going on
23:09 - The surprising science behind play as therapy
34:41 - How therapy transforms kids from anxious to confident
36:27 - What to do if your child is struggling emotionally
43:20 - How to tell if a therapist is actually qualified to help your child
47:58 - Parenting tips: What to say (and what not to say) to your kid
53:11 - When to seek professional help & what to look for in a therapist
01:02:49 - Resources, next steps & final thoughts

I know how much you love your child and want the absolute best for them. Parenting is one of the most rewarding—and challenging—jobs in the world, and sometimes, we all need a little extra guidance and encouragement. That’s why I created the Happy Families Collection—a curated set of expert tips, strategies, and insights designed to help you build a stronger, more connected, and emotionally healthy family. ✨

👉 Access the Happy Families Collection here!

And if you loved this episode, let’s stay connected! Find me on Instagram for daily inspiration and expert-backed advice, and don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube for even more deep-dive conversations so you can create love, happiness, and success in your life.

You’re doing an amazing job, and I’m so honored to be on this journey with you!

Xoxo
Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby
www.growingself.com

P.S. If you know a parent who could benefit from this episode, share it with them! I know personally that us parents really appreciate the love and support.

Ever felt like you completely lost yourself in a relationship?

Like one day you woke up and thought, Wait… who even am I anymore? If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and, spoiler alert, it’s not just in your head. There’s real science behind why we fuse our identities with our partners and why breakups can feel like more than just heartbreak—they can feel like an identity crisis.

In this eye-opening conversation, I sit down with relationship scientist Dr. Morgan Cope to break down the psychology behind losing yourself in a relationship, why it happens, and most importantly—how to rebuild your identity after love. Whether you're freshly single, in a relationship that feels too enmeshed, or just curious about how relationships shape our sense of self, this episode is packed with insights, humor, and practical strategies to help you come back to YOU.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Is Losing Yourself in a Relationship a Real Thing?

00:35 - Meet Dr. Morgan Cope & Her Research on Relationships & Identity

01:00 Understanding Identity in Relationships

03:07 - Attachment Styles and Identity

07:30 - Impact of Breakups on Identity

24:42 - Mental and Physical Effects of Breakups

30:27 - Fear of Being Single

32:02 - Changing the Environment vs Changing Yourself

36:56 - Rebounding and Self-Expansion

39:14 - Identity and Values Assessment

44:11 - Cult Psychology and Group Identity

51:21 - Personal Growth Through Relationship Challenges

Feeling lost after a breakup? I know how hard it can be to find yourself again, so I created something to help you out on your healing journey. Check out my FREE Breakup Recovery Quiz to get personalized insights on where you are in your healing journey & how to move forward so you can begin to feel like yourself again.

And if you’d like to keep this conversation going, I’d love to hear from you! You can find me on YouTube or Instagram. Every week, I drop a new podcast episode dedicated to your personal growth and healing so you can create love, happiness, and success in your life. I hope to see you there!

Xoxo

Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

www.growingself.com

P.S. Know someone who might need to hear this? Share this video with a friend who’s struggling in their relationship or going through a tough breakup. 💕

Ever feel like therapy is supposed to help you move on after a breakup… but instead, you’re just rehashing your pain over and over again? The truth is that most therapists are not actually trained in breakup recovery—which means traditional therapy for breakups might be keeping you stuck instead of helping you move forward.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on why therapy for breakups doesn’t always work, and what actually does. If you’re tired of feeling like you’re trapped in an endless loop of overthinking, heartbreak, and emotional pain—definitely give this a listen. I break down:

• The missing pieces in traditional therapy for breakups

• The 8 essential stages of breakup recovery (skip one and you stay stuck!)

• Why your brain reacts to breakups like a drug withdrawal (and how to cut the cords)

• The biggest myths about healing after a breakup that keep you spinning in circles

Timestamps:

00:00 - The Problem With Therapy For Breakups (Nobody Talks About This!)

00:51 - Why Therapists Aren’t Trained in Heartbreak Recovery

02:47 - My Journey: From Therapist to Breakup Specialist

15:49 - How Your Biological Attachment System Keeps You Stuck

24:10 - The Real Path to Moving On (hint: it’s NOT what you think!)

26:25 - The Eight Stages of Heartbreak Recovery (Which one are you stuck in?)

34:23 - For You: Heartbreak Recovery Resources

I know how hard this is. If you’ve been feeling stuck, like no matter what you do, you just can’t seem to move on—please know that it’s not your fault. Healing from heartbreak is a process, and if you don’t have the right map, it’s so easy to stay lost in the pain.

That’s exactly why I created the Breakup Recovery Quiz—to help you get clarity on where you are in your healing journey and what might be holding you back from truly letting go. It’s completely free, and I made it just for you, so you can finally start moving forward.

And if today’s conversation resonated with you, I really encourage you to check out my other podcast episodes and follow me on Instagram and Youtube. Every week, I share my years of expertise and interviews with experts so you can achieve the love, happiness, and success you deserve!

Here’s to your healing and growth. 🌱

Xoxo

Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

www.growingself.com

P.S. If you know someone who could use a little bit of support today as they navigate their breakup, share this episode with them. It could be exactly what they needed to hear today. ❤️