TED talks we love
​

As psychologists working with new parents, we often recommend talks for our clients to watch. Here, we share some of our favourites.
​

SEEING THE BABY: THE WEALTH IN EARLY RELATIONSHIPS
In this talk, Sharon Oughton (Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist) talks about the concept of infant mental health and how the physical and emotional well-being of the baby in the context of his/her earliest relationships lays down the foundations for emotional development, mental health and well-being through the child's life.

THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT PARENTING STRATEGY: REPAIR

When parenting young children, all parents get irritable, over-reactive, and impatient. This can be the case especially when we are tired, stressed, overwhelmed, or just down right 'over it'. Although these responses are understandable, they are not helpful for our children, and can result in children blaming themselves, or fearing their parents. So, what can we do about it? We certainly can't be perfect. No one can stay perfectly calm in every situation. No one! Parenting therapist, Dr Becky Kennedy talks about how to repair these moments with our children.

ANGER, COMPASSION AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE STRONG
​As parents we can experience anger, even rage, in ways we may not have felt before. This is an excellent Ted Talk from a psychologist dad who recognises the impact of his anger on his family. Find out what he does about it, and about his work in prisons with some of the angriest of people. This is a good watch for all parents, not just dads.

IN PRAISE OF SLOWNESS
​Carl Honoré wrote In Praise of Slow, which examines our compulsion to hurry and chronicles a global trend toward putting on the brakes. His second book, Under Pressure, explores the good, the bad and the ugly of modern childrearing. This talk is about his realisation that as a parent, he was wishing away time, and hurtling through life with a speed that saw him attracted to a one-minute bedtime story. When he realised that he was experiencing bedtime stories with his son as a chore, something to get through quickly so he could get back to other things, he had an epiphany. His TED talk is a wonderful reminder about the value of slowing down.

THE POWER OF VULNERABILITY
​One of our all-time favourites! Brené Brown, social researcher and well-known speaker, is funny and heartwarmingly honest. She talks about the strength in vulnerability. Brown talks about the underlying shame and fear that we all carry, that prevents us from being vulnerable and real. What makes people feel worthy of love and connection? What gives people the courage to be imperfect? Letting go of who you think you should be, and being who you are. How to let our children know they are worthy of love and belonging. These are some of the themes in Brené Brown's talk.

THE SPACE BETWEEN SELF-ESTEEM AND SELF COMPASSION
Kristen Neff is a researcher who has discovered the benefits of self-compassion on mental health. Kristen talks about self-esteem is about needing to be better than others to feel good about ourselves. She talks about self-esteem being contingent on success and on how we look. Self-compassion is a way of accepting ourselves as we are, and treating ourselves with kindness versus harsh self-judgement. Accepting that we are all perfectly imperfect. ALL of us.

THE POWER OF INTROVERTS
Susan Cain, author of the book Quiet: The power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking, discusses the difference between introverts and extraverts. School and work environments are typically designed for extraverted people. With a third to half of the population being introverts, she makes a case for the creativity and transformative leadership of introverts. Needing solitude is not an affliction. If you or your child is an introvert, Susan Cain's talk could help you to understand and value this temperament.

GOOD RELATIONSHIPS ARE THE KEY TO HEALING TRAUMA
Karen Treisman is a Clinical Psychologist who works with traumatised young people. She reflects on what children need in their early relationships to feel safe and secure in the world. Karen talks about the ways in which young brains are formed and how older brains are repaired. She talks about the fundamental role of supportive relationships in helping young people thrive.

LOVE NO MATTER WHAT
​For parents whose children have been born with, or who later develop disabilities, atypical neurodevelopment, or other differences, Andrew Solomon talks about love and acceptance.
Author of "Far From the Tree", Andrew Solomon shares some of what he's learnt from talking to dozens of parents who have raised children who are different to themselves in some fundamental way (e.g. children who are deaf, who have Down Syndrome, who have physical differences, who are gay, who are on the Autism Spectrum). Solomon explores the line between unconditional love and unconditional acceptance.

HOW MINDFULNESS CHANGES THE EMOTIONAL LIFE OF OUR BRAINS
Why is it that some people are more vulnerable to struggling in life and others are more resilient? Professor Richard Davidson researches how mindfulness changes the emotional life of our brains looking at the brains of individuals showing more resilience than others. Professor Richard Davidson discusses how mindfulness can improve well-being. He outlines the four pillars of a healthy mind: Awareness, connection, insight, and purpose. Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and founder and director of the Center for Healthy Minds, Davidson's research is focused on the neural bases of emotion and emotional style and methods to promote human flourishing, including meditation and related contemplative practices.