In this episode, I’m talking with clinical psychologist and author Alissa Jerud about her new book, Emotion Savvy Parenting. We get into how parents can better understand and manage their own emotions—especially in those intense, in-the-moment situations—so they can show up more effectively for their kids. Alissa shares her ART tools (Accept, Regulate, Tolerate), and we talk about strategies for staying grounded during emotional storms, including the ones that hit in very public places.

About Alissa Jerud, PhD

Alissa Jerud, PhD is a mom of two kids, a licensed clinical psychologist, a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and author of Emotion-Savvy Parenting: A Shame-Free Guide to Navigating Emotional Storms and Deepening Connection. In her private practice, Dr. Jerud specializes in highly effective, exposure-based treatments for anxiety-related disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, specific phobias, and generalized anxiety disorder. Additionally, she specializes in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills training and particularly enjoys helping other parents learn research-backed strategies for accepting, regulating, and tolerating their emotions, as well as their children’s. Dr. Jerud also trains other clinicians in exposure-based treatments and frequently gives workshops on anxiety, stress, mental health, parenting, and social support to companies large and small.

Things you'll learn from this episode

• Why understanding the purpose of emotions matters for helping kids (and ourselves) live more fully and authentically
• How emotion-savvy parenting begins with our own emotional experience, not just managing our child’s behavior
• Why acceptance is a powerful first step toward emotional regulation and meaningful change
• How mindfulness helps us observe emotions without judgment, so they don’t take over our actions
• Why developing the skill to tolerate intense emotions can help us navigate parenting challenges with more calm and clarity
• How the cognitive triangle—linking thoughts, feelings, and behaviors—offers a helpful framework for understanding emotional reactions and building awareness

Resources mentioned

• Dr. Alissa Jerud’s website, The Art & Science of Emotions

• Emotion=Savvy Parenting: A Shame-Free Guide to Navigating Emotional Storms and Deepening Connection by Dr. Alissa Jerud

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy or DBT

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT

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