Just One Thing for Parents with Dr Bettina Hohnen

What's at the heart of all good rules and boundaries in the home?
If you've ever found yourself in a stand-off with your child over screens, curfews, or simply getting out the door on time, this episode is for you. 
Boundaries are one of the most common – and most challenging – parts of parenting, especially as children move into the teenage years.
In this episode, I'm joined by Rachel Richards, former BBC journalist and host of the Untangling Teenagers podcast. Rachel brings together science, lived experience, and deep curiosity about family life to help parents rethink how boundaries really work.
Together, we explore a change in how we think about boundaries – from control and towards connection. Rachel explains why unconditional love and respect sit at the heart of effective boundaries and how teenagers interpret our words through a lens of status and respect, so what we intend as guidance can often be heard as judgement. 
We talk about the importance of curiosity over judgement, and why asking "why?" opens up more meaningful conversations than jumping straight to consequences, especially when children push back or make mistakes. We also look at the difference between natural consequences and imposed punishments, and why the latter so often backfire in the heat of the moment.
This is a thoughtful and reassuring conversation for any parent trying to find that balance between being understanding and holding firm boundaries, without losing the relationship along the way.

What does your child really need when their emotions feel overwhelming?
In this episode, I'm joined by Helen Wilde, a systemic psychotherapist and DBT therapist with over 25 years of experience working in CAMHS with children, young people, and families. Together, we explore how ideas from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) can support emotional regulation in everyday parenting.
Helen explains that when children are overwhelmed, they're not able to think things through or respond to solutions. What they need first is validation — a sense that their feelings are understood. This might be as simple as acknowledging their experience: "I can see why you feel upset."
We talk about the difference between being emotionally "above the line" (dysregulated) and "below the line" (calmer). When children are above the line, connection comes before problem-solving. Over time, these small shifts in how we respond can make a meaningful difference.
Helen shares that many families notice change when parents move from trying to fix emotions to first understanding them.
DBT was originally developed to support individuals experiencing intense emotional distress, including self-harm and suicidal thoughts. However, as Helen explains, many of its core principles are deeply relevant for all families. At its heart, DBT helps us understand emotions, respond to distress more effectively, and strengthen relationships.
Link to Inside Out clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT6FdhKriB8

How do parents know when to worry about their child's mental wellbeing?
In this episode, I am joined by developmental psychologist Laura Dimler to explore one of the most common and anxiety-provoking questions parents face.
When your child is struggling, it can feel like an impossible puzzle. You don't want to overreact or pathologise what might be a normal phase. But equally, you don't want to miss something important.
Laura brings a calm, science-informed framework to help parents step back and make sense of what they're seeing. Rather than focusing on one behaviour or one difficult moment, she encourages us to look at patterns over time and within context.
Together, we explore how child development is not a straight line. There are periods of progress, but also regression, big emotions, and moments that can feel overwhelming for both children and parents.
You can find out more about Laura Dimler and her work here: https://lauradimler.substack.com/

What are the short- and long-term effects of infidelity and separation on children, and how can parents protect their child's emotional wellbeing through it?
In this episode, I am joined by Juliet Rosenfeld, psychoanalyst and author, to explore the impact of infidelity and separation on children. Drawing on her clinical work and psychoanalytic perspective, Juliet explains that these experiences can feel like a "seismic rupture" in a child's world. Even when children appear to adapt, they are often making sense of something they do not yet have the language or developmental capacity to fully understand. This can shape how they see themselves, their relationships, and their sense of safety in the world.
We explore how these early experiences can echo into adulthood, sometimes showing up as difficulties with trust, fear of abandonment, or patterns in relationships. Importantly, this is not about blame or guilt. Instead, it is about awareness. Juliet shares that what matters most is not whether separation happens, but how it is handled. When parents can offer a united, age-appropriate narrative, protect children from conflict, and remind them that they were born out of love and remain deeply loved, this can significantly soften the impact and support children to thrive despite change.
You can find out more about Juliet Rosenfeld and her work here: https://julietrosenfeld.co.uk/

How can we talk to teenagers about their brain in a way that actually helps, rather than making them roll their eyes?
In this episode, I am joined by Dr Sarah McKay, a neuroscientist and author specialising in brain health, with a particular focus on women's brain health across the lifespan. Together, we explore what's really going on in the teenage brain, and why the way we talk about it matters more than we might think.
Rather than asking parents to explain neuroscience to their teenagers, Sarah offers a more helpful approach: using what we understand about the brain to shape how we respond. We discuss the risks of common myths, such as teenagers being "ruled by hormones" or "unable to make good decisions", and how these narratives can shape behaviour in unhelpful ways.
Instead, we reframe adolescence as a period of learning, growth and social development, where motivation, belonging and experience play a central role. With relatable parenting examples and clear, evidence-based insights, this conversation will help you better understand teenage behaviour and respond in a way that supports your relationship with your child.
You can find out more about Dr Sarah McKay and her work here: https://drsarahmckay.com/