Parenting is often described as the most important job in the world — but it may also be the most emotionally demanding.

In this episode of Thoughts on Record, we sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Alissa Jerud to explore her new book, Emotion-Savvy Parenting: A Shame-Free Guide to Navigating Emotional Storms and Deepening Connection. Drawing from CBT, DBT, and decades of research on emotion regulation, Dr. Jerud introduces the ART framework — Accept, Regulate, Tolerate — a practical and deeply compassionate roadmap for transforming family life.

What makes this conversation so powerful is the central shift Dr. Jerud invites: the key to more harmonious parenting isn’t changing our children’s behavior — it’s learning to manage our own emotions first.

We discuss:

Why parenting is uniquely emotionally activating
The difference between emotion regulation and emotional suppression
How distress tolerance skills apply in everyday family conflict
Recognizing and grounding our own “emotional storms”
Setting firm boundaries without abandoning emotional acceptance
The role of repair, imperfection, and self-compassion in healthy families
How this framework can prevent burnout — for both parents and clinicians

This is not a perfection-based approach to parenting. It’s a psychologically sophisticated, shame-free model that meets parents where they are — and offers tools for building resilience, flexibility, and genuine connection.

Whether you’re a parent, a clinician, or someone reflecting on your own upbringing, this episode offers a grounded, research-informed lens on what it means to raise — and regulate — human beings.

About Dr. Alissa Jerud
Dr. Alissa Jerud is a licensed clinical psychologist and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. She specializes in evidence-based treatments for anxiety, trauma, and emotion-regulation difficulties. Her book, Emotion-Savvy Parenting, introduces the ART model — Accept, Regulate, Tolerate — to help parents navigate emotional storms and deepen connection with their children.

Instagram: @emotionsavvydoc
Website: www.alissajerud.com