Episode 374-Young Children Heal Through Relationships Not Alone with Dr. Brandy Hawk

Send us Fan Mail Your four-year-old isn’t being “difficult” for fun and your teenager isn’t shutting you out just to be rude. We talk with Dr. Brandy Hawk, a clinical child psychologist specializing in childhood trauma, parent child relationships, and neurodiversity, to get practical, grounded guidance for the moments that make parenting feel overwhelming. We start with the early years, where therapy looks less like talking and more like healing in relationship. Brandy breaks down why young children need their caregivers involved, how relational PTSD can create a feedback loop where parent and child keep triggering each other, and why one of the best first steps is often child led play. We also explore early childhood brain development, the massive growth that happens from birth to age five, and why consistent structure and limits can actually help kids feel safer as they build autonomy. Then we widen the lens to older kids and teens. We share simple strategies for connection that reduce power struggles, including asking fewer questions, letting silence do some of the work, and modeling repair through accountability and apologies. We also talk candidly about autism diagnosis fears, parent grief, and how to reframe expectations toward strengths, joy, and realistic supports that fit your child’s path. If you found this helpful, subscribe, share this episode with a parent or provider who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find these tools. Support the show SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST WEBSITES - Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON - The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org - The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com YOUTUBE - The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow - Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou FACEBOOK - Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford - Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc - The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork - The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/ TIKTOK - https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc LINKEDIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/ PODCAST PLATFORMS - Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC - Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291 CONTACT EMAIL - [email protected]