In this deeply personal reintroduction episode, Stephanie Buckley, AMFT, ADHD Parenting Strategist & Family Systems Coach, reflects on how The Path to Peace Therapy Podcast grew from one microphone and a mission into a global movement spanning 47 U.S. states and 34 +countries across 6 continents.

Based in Hermosa Beach, California, Stephanie sees clients throughout California via telehealth and in person across Hermosa Beach and the South Bay, helping families navigate ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.

After raising her now thriving 23-year-old neurodivergent son, Stephanie shares what she wished she had known years ago and how her personal and professional journey has shaped over 102 episodes and six seasons of empowering, solution-focused parenting.

This episode is a warm invitation for both new and longtime listeners to reconnect with the heart of the show a place where neuroscience, family systems, and practical tools come together to help parents move from chaos to calm, and from reactivity to connection.

• The story behind The Path to Peace Therapy Podcast from one parent's search for answers to a global community of calm and connection.

• How Stephanie's personal experience raising a neurodivergent son shaped her therapeutic approach.

• Why understanding behavior through the lens of regulation, not defiance, changes everything.

• What's next for the podcast: upcoming mini-series, family tools, and new resources.

• A reminder that peace isn't passive it's something we practice.

• The origin story: bridging lived experience and clinical expertise

• ADHD, executive functioning, and the science of self-regulation

• Family Systems Theory and how stress moves through relationships

• The evolution of The Path to Peace brand and its global impact

• New series on Learned Helplessness, Divorce Dynamics, Executive Function, and Independence

• Stephanie's "why" what she wishes she had known when her son was younger

Now heard across: North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and South America 34 countries and counting! Listeners in Canada, the U.K., Spain, Italy, Singapore, Japan, Kenya, South Africa, and more Connecting over 47 states in the U.S.

If you're new here start with the two-minute trailer, "Welcome to The Path to Peace Therapy Podcast" your quick guide to calm, connection, and clarity.

If you've been here since Season 1 thank you for walking this path with me.

Follow and subscribe on:

• ThePathToPeaceTherapy.com

Connect with Stephanie: Website: ThePathToPeaceTherapy.com Email: [email protected] Instagram: @ThePathToPeaceTherapy Hermosa Beach, California

ADHD parenting, family systems therapy, emotional regulation, executive function, parenting podcast, Hermosa Beach therapist, parenting strategist, Stephanie Buckley, The Path to Peace Therapy Podcast, parenting through divorce, raising independent young adults, learned helplessness ADHD, solution-focused parenting, global mental health podcast

In this deeply personal reintroduction episode, Stephanie Buckley, AMFT, ADHD Parenting Strategist & Family Systems Coach, reflects on how The Path to Peace Therapy Podcast grew from one microphone and a mission into a global movement spanning 47 U.S. states and 20 +countries across 6 continents.

Based in Hermosa Beach, California, Stephanie sees clients throughout California via telehealth and in person across Hermosa Beach and the South Bay, helping families navigate ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.

After raising her now thriving 23-year-old neurodivergent son, Stephanie shares what she wished she had known years ago  and how her personal and professional journey has shaped over 102 episodes and six seasons of empowering, solution-focused parenting.

This episode is a warm invitation for both new and longtime listeners to reconnect with the heart of the show  a place where neuroscience, family systems, and practical tools come together to help parents move from chaos to calm, and from reactivity to connection.

• The story behind The Path to Peace Therapy Podcast  from one parent's search for answers to a global community of calm and connection.

• How Stephanie's personal experience raising a neurodivergent son shaped her therapeutic approach.

• Why understanding behavior through the lens of regulation, not defiance, changes everything.

• What's next for the podcast: upcoming mini-series, family tools, and new resources.

• A reminder that peace isn't passive  it's something we practice.

• The origin story: bridging lived experience and clinical expertise

• ADHD, executive functioning, and the science of self-regulation

• Family Systems Theory and how stress moves through relationships

• The evolution of The Path to Peace brand and its global impact

• New series on Learned Helplessness, Divorce Dynamics, Executive Function, and Independence

• Stephanie's "why"  what she wishes she had known when her son was younger

Now heard across: North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, Australia Listeners in Canada, the U.K., Spain, Italy, Singapore, Japan, Kenya, South Africa, and more Connecting over 47 states in the U.S.

If you're new here  start with the two-minute trailer,  "Welcome to The Path to Peace Therapy Podcast"  your quick guide to calm, connection, and clarity.

If you've been here since Season 1  thank you for walking this path with me.

Follow and subscribe on:

• ThePathToPeaceTherapy.com

Connect with Stephanie:  Website: ThePathToPeaceTherapy.com Email: [email protected]  Instagram: @ThePathToPeaceTherapy  Hermosa Beach, California

ADHD parenting, family systems therapy, emotional regulation, executive function, parenting podcast, Hermosa Beach therapist, parenting strategist, Stephanie Buckley, The Path to Peace Therapy Podcast, parenting through divorce, raising independent young adults, learned helplessness ADHD, solution-focused parenting, global mental health podcast

In this calming, neuroscience-based guided episode, AMFT/ADHD Parenting Strategist & Family Systems Coach Stephanie Buckleyteaches listeners how to use EFT Tapping (Emotional Freedom Techniques) to regulate stress, anxiety, and overwhelm especially for teens and young adults with ADHD preparing to leave for college.

Stephanie explains why the ADHD brain can shift from calm to chaos in seconds, how the amygdala hijacks the prefrontal cortex under stress, and why traditional "talking through it" often fails when the nervous system is flooded.

Through a step-by-step, real-time tapping session, you'll learn how to bring the body back to balance, calm the mind, and create an internal sense of safety and control one gentle tap at a time.

Whether you're a parent helping your teen prepare for independence or a college student learning to self-regulate, this episode will help you reset your nervous system and strengthen emotional resilience for the transitions ahead.

What You'll Learn

• The neuroscience behind why ADHD brains become easily overwhelmed during transitions

• How EFT Tapping calms the limbic system and reactivates the prefrontal cortex

• Step-by-step guidance for a full tapping sequence

• How to use tapping before tests, social events, or stressful transitions

• Why self-regulation builds self-efficacy the belief that "I can handle this"

• How this tool helped Stephanie's own son manage stress before college

Key Takeaways

• Emotional regulation must come before executive function; the brain can't plan when it feels unsafe.

• Tapping offers a bottom-up approach calming the body first so the mind can follow.

• ADHD success in college depends less on motivation and more on nervous system mastery.

• Each round of tapping strengthens vagal tone and teaches the body to return to calm faster.

Favorite Quotes

"The ADHD brain doesn't need more motivation it needs more safety."

"Tapping helps the body remember calm, even when the mind forgets it."

"Our kids don't need us to remove their stress; they need us to teach them how to regulate it."

Recommended For

• Parents of ADHD teens and college students

• Young adults preparing for independence

• Therapists and educators supporting neurodivergent learners

• Anyone seeking a quick, evidence-based stress-reduction technique

Resources Mentioned

• EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) research and resources

• "Learned Helplessness & ADHD: When Overwhelm Becomes a Way of Life" — previous episode

• Visit ThePathToPeaceTherapy.com for additional parent resources and tools

If this episode helped you find even a moment of calm, share it with a parent, student, or educator who might need it too. Follow Stephanie on Instagram @ThePathToPeaceTherapy for more emotional regulation tools and ADHD resources. Subscribe to The Path to Peace Therapy Podcast wherever you listen and remember:

Peace is possible, and you don't have to do this alone.

Welcome to The Path to Peace Therapy Podcast, where we explore practical tools for emotional regulation and nervous system health. I'm Stephanie Buckley, AMFT Solution-Focused ADHD Therapist, Parenting Strategist, and Family Systems Coach.

In this episode, we talk about what happens when anxiety hijacks your brain and how to interrupt that process using somatic grounding, breathwork, and simple reframes that bring you back to calm.

You'll learn:

• How the nervous system triggers anxiety responses

• Why your body needs to feel safe before your mind can think clearly

• Quick tools to regulate in real time at work, school, or home

I guide you through a short 5-4-3-2-1 grounding routine designed to calm your body and mind first thing in the morning. Whether you wake up scrolling, overthinking, or already feeling anxious, this five minute reset helps you reconnect with your senses and start your day grounded and steady.

You'll learn:

• How sensory awareness can instantly regulate your nervous system

• A step-by-step way to use sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste for grounding

• How small somatic practices shift your mindset and emotional state over time

Listen anytime you need to slow down, breathe, and come back to yourself.

Balloon Breaths: How to Calm Your Nervous System in 60 Seconds

Next I guide you through one my favorite somatic tools Balloon Breaths a technique I've taught to children and adults alike to help calm the body and regulate emotions in moments of stress. You'll learn how to use your diaphragm to send signals of safety to your brain, helping you shift from anxious to centered in just a few breaths.

You'll learn:

• The difference between chest breathing and diaphragmatic breathing

• How to visualize and practice Balloon Breaths anywhere, anytime

• Why this simple tool can reset your entire nervous systeme

This episode will help you notice anxiety sooner, respond with compassion, and regain control before overwhelm sets in.

Find more resources and guided practices at ThePathToPeaceTherapy.com and follow @ThePathToPeaceTherapy for daily calm and connection.

When Life Feels Like Chaos: Finding Calm and Clarity in Your 20s

Host: Stephanie Buckley, AMFT (#147538) Parenting Strategist & Family Systems Coach Length: ~25 minutes

Graduation was supposed to feel freeing… so why does adulthood feel heavier than you expected? In this episode, Stephanie Buckley explores why the transition from dependence to independence can feel overwhelming especially for neurodivergent young adults navigating ADHD, anxiety, or depression.

Drawing from Bowen Family Systems Theory and Attachment Theory, Stephanie explains how family patterns, early relationships, and nervous-system sensitivity shape the way we relate, regulate, and build independence.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• How family systems influence your emotional blueprint and decision-making

• What "differentiation" really means and how to grow up without cutting off

• How attachment styles (anxious, avoidant, disorganized) impact independence

• Why ADHD amplifies emotional reactivity and rejection sensitivity (RSD)

• Practical strategies to create structure, boundaries, and calm confidence

• Reflection prompts to help you understand your patterns and build self-trust

Key Takeaway:

You don't have to choose between belonging and being yourself. Real peace comes from learning to stay connected without staying stuck balancing autonomy, attachment, and authenticity.

Resources Mentioned:

• Bowen Family Systems Theory

• Attachment Theory and Adult Relationships

• Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD)

• The Path to Peace Therapy Podcast archive

Connect with Stephanie:

Website: www.ThePathToPeaceTherapy.com Instagram: @ThePathToPeaceTherapy Virtual therapy available throughout California

Disclaimer

This episode is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental-health evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment.

Welcome back to The Path to Peace Therapy Podcast.

Ever wonder why kids with ADHD crave sugar, hyper-focus on video games, or struggle to sit still? It's not bad behavior it's brain chemistry! In this episode of The Path to Peace Podcast, we dive into why ADHD brains crave dopamine and how to use that knowledge to support focus, motivation, and self-regulation.

You'll learn: Why dopamine levels impact attention, energy, and impulse control How to use movement, gamification, and rewards to make tasks easier Simple food hacks to keep ADHD brains fueled for success Creative, real-life strategies to work with your child's brain not against it

If you're tired of the daily homework battles and frustration, this episode will give you actionable tools to make life smoother for both you and your child. Tune in now and start using dopamine hacks that actually work!

Listen now!

Where to find me:

Let's Stay Connected

If today's episode resonated with you, I'd love to support you further. You can book a therapy session, explore over 65 helpful blog posts, or dive deeper into my resources by visiting Visit

To Book An Appointment The Path To Peace Therapy Website

https://www.thepathtopeacetherapy.com/book-online

The Path to Peace Therpy Blog over 65 posts

https://www.thepathtopeacetherapy.com/blog

Good Therapy

https://www.goodtherapy.org/therapists/profile/stephanie-buckley--20250310

Whether you're in the South Bay-Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Palos Verdes, El Segundo or if you are anywhere in California, I offer both in-person and telehealth sessions to help you or your family find the calm, clarity, and connection you deserve.

And remember, peace begins with small, intentional steps. I'm here when you're ready.

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/thepathtopeacetherapy?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Visit The Path to Peace Therapy Blog

https://www.thepathtopeacetherapy.com/blog

Read The Path to Peace Weekly Newsletter (March)

https://thepathtopeacetherapy.com/so/1ePLywVzO?languageTag=en

Listen to The Path to Peace Weekly Podcast (Tues & Thurs)

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-path-to-peace-therapy-podcast/id1800952648

Episode Overview

In this episode, Stephanie Buckley introduces The VBR Method a three-step framework that helps parents of ADHD children shift from constant conflict to calm connection. Instead of relying on logic, lectures, or threats, this approach meets the ADHD brain where it is: dysregulated, flooded, and craving safety and structure.

Stephanie shares how this method transformed her own household, raising a now-thriving 23-year-old neurodivergent son and navigating marriage in an ADHD family system. You'll learn how Validation, Boundaries, and Redirection work together to regulate the nervous system, reestablish safety, and restart motivation without power struggles or shame.

What You'll Learn

1. The Core of the VBR Method

• Validate: Calms the limbic system the emotional center of the brain by restoring a sense of safety and understanding.

• Boundary: Provides external executive function a predictable framework the ADHD brain can lean on when internal regulation isn't available.

• Redirect: Reengages the dopamine system through novelty, movement, or small wins to restart motivation and problem-solving.

2. Why Traditional Discipline Backfires You'll discover why logic and consequences often fail in ADHD households and how shame and dysregulation keep kids stuck in emotional overload.

3. Real-Life Example from Stephanie's Home When her son threw his pencil and shouted, "This is stupid! I can't do this!", Stephanie's instinct to correct only made things worse. But when she shifted to VBR validating his frustration, holding the boundary, and then redirecting with movement the energy in the room changed completely.

Key Takeaway

VBR doesn't remove the challenge it regulates the pathway through it. Validation opens the door. Boundaries hold the structure. Redirection gets the brain moving again. It's how we turn chaos into calm and connection into lasting growth.

Connect with Stephanie

Visit: ThePathToPeaceTherapy.com Follow: @ThePathToPeaceTherapy Listen to more episodes of The Path to Peace Therapy Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Disclaimer

This episode is for educational and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional evaluation or treatment. If you or your family need support, please reach out for help peace is possible, and you don't have to do this alone.

Welcome back to The Path to Peace Therapy Podcast. I'm Stephanie Buckley—an AMFT Solution-Focused Therapist who specializes in ADHD, anxiety, depression. I'm also a mom to a now-thriving 22-year-old neurodivergent son and have been married for over three decades. Here, we talk about the messy, real-life intersections of mental health and relationships—with clarity, compassion, and practical tools you can use today.

Today's episode is for the partner who's quietly wondering: Is this still ADHD... or something more?" "Why does it feel like I'm managing everything including their use?" "Am I watching the person I love disappear behind distraction, disconnection, or dependency?"

Let's Stay Connected!

If today's episode resonated with you, I'd love to support you further. You can book a therapy session, explore over 65 helpful blog posts, or dive deeper into my resources by visiting:

To Book An Appointment The Path To Peace Therapy Website

https://www.thepathtopeacetherapy.com/book-online

The Path to Peace Therpy Blog over 65 posts

https://www.thepathtopeacetherapy.com/blog

Good Therapy

https://www.goodtherapy.org/therapists/profile/stephanie-buckley--20250310

Whether you're in the South Bay-Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Palos Verdes, El Segundo or if you are anywhere in California, I offer both in-person and telehealth sessions to help you or your family find the calm, clarity, and connection you deserve.

And remember, peace begins with small, intentional steps. I'm here when you're ready.

Visit The Path To Peace Therapy Website

https://www.thepathtopeacetherapy.com

The Path to Peace Therapy Blog

https://www.thepathtopeacetherapy.com/blog

The Path to Peace Weekly Newsletter (March)

https://thepathtopeacetherapy.com/so/1ePLywVzO?languageTag=en

The Path to Peace Weekly Podcast (Tues & Thurs)

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-path-to-peace-therapy-podcast/id1800952648

This episode is for educational purposes and to provide support. They're not a substitute for professional mental health evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment."

The more we learn to recognize the signs behind the behaviors, the more compassion and support we can offer to our kids, our partners, and ourselves.

Thank you for spending this time with me. If this episode was helpful, I'd love it if you shared it with a fellow parent, caregiver, or educator who might need it too. You can also subscribe to stay up to date on future episodes and check out additional tools and resources at The Path To PeaceTherapy.com. Follow me on Instagram @The Path to Peace Therapy

And as always take a deep breath, give yourself some grace, and remember: peace is possible, and you don't have to do this alone.

Welcome back to the Path To Peace Therapy Podcast…I.'m your host, Stephanie Buckley an AMFT Solution Focused Marriage and Family Therapist, Parenting Strategist and Bowen Family Systems Coach who specializes in ADHD, Anxiety, Depression. I'm also a mom to a now thriving 22 year neurodivergent son. I'm here to guide you with insight, compassion, and real-life strategies that work. With over three decades of marriage, I blend my professional expertise in Solution-Focused Therapy with personal stories and practical insights to help families navigate life's challenges. I am also a firm believer in the power of small things being done consistently.

Today, we're diving into a different kind of emotional wellness: financial responsibility where I help families navigate life with emotional clarity, structure, and compassion. in today's episode, we're diving into a different kind of emotional wellness: financial responsibility.

So grab a cup of coffee, take a deep breath, and let's talk about love the kind that brings out the best in all of us.

Where to find me:

Follow me on Instagram @ThePathToPeaceTherapy.

Let's Stay Connected!

If today's episode resonated with you, I'd love to support you further. You can book a therapy session, explore over 65 helpful blog posts, or dive deeper into my resources by visiting Visit

To Book An Appointment The Path To Peace Therapy Website

https://www.thepathtopeacetherapy.com/book-online

The Path to Peace Therapy Blog over 65 posts

https://www.thepathtopeacetherapy.com/blog

Good Therapy

https://www.goodtherapy.org/therapists/profile/stephanie-buckley--20250310

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/thepathtopeacetherapy/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Whether you're in the South Bay-Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Palos Verdes, El Segundo or if you are anywhere in California, I offer both in-person and telehealth sessions to help you or your family find the calm, clarity, and connection you deserve.

And remember, peace begins with small, intentional steps. I'm here when you're ready.

Visit The Path To Peace Therapy Website https://www.thepathtopeacetherapy.com

Visit The Path to Peace Therapy Blog

https://www.thepathtopeacetherapy.com/blog

Read The Path to Peace Weekly Newsletter (March)

https://thepathtopeacetherapy.com/so/1ePLywVzO?languageTag=en

Listen to The Path to Peace Weekly Podcast (Tues & Thurs)

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-path-to-peace-therapy-podcast/id1800952648

If you found this episode helpful, share it with a friend, parent, or educator who might benefit. Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Have a question or topic suggestion? Reach out—we'd love to hear from you!

Welcome back to The Path to Peace Therapy Podcast. I'm Stephanie Buckley an AMFT Solution-Focused Therapist who specializes in ADHD,, anxiety, depression, a. I'm also a mom to a now-thriving 22-year-old neurodivergent son and have been married for over three decades. Here, we talk about the messy, real-life intersections of mental health and relationships with clarity, compassion, and practical tools you can use today.

Let me ask you something:

Have you ever asked your partner to do something—something totally reasonable, like take out the trash or help with dinner—and they suddenly act like you've just asked them to run a marathon barefoot?

Your partner's struggle with "simple" tasks isn't laziness or selfishness. It's executive dysfunction. And dopamine is the driver.

Let's break that down.

Executive dysfunction refers to the difficulties people with ADHD have when it comes to starting tasks, planning ahead, switching gears, staying organized, or remembering to follow through. It's like the brain's CEO is off-duty or stuck in traffic. Even if they want to help or get things done, their brain struggles to coordinate the steps required.

Let's Stay Connected!

If today's episode resonated with you, I'd love to support you further. You can book a therapy session, explore over 65 helpful blog posts, or dive deeper into my resources by visiting:

To Book An Appointment The Path To Peace Therapy Website

https://www.thepathtopeacetherapy.com/book-online

The Path to Peace Therpy Blog over 65 posts

https://www.thepathtopeacetherapy.com/blog

Good Therapy

https://www.goodtherapy.org/therapists/profile/stephanie-buckley--20250310

Whether you're in the South Bay-Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Palos Verdes, El Segundo or if you are anywhere in California, I offer both in-person and telehealth sessions to help you or your family find the calm, clarity, and connection you deserve.

And remember, peace begins with small, intentional steps. I'm here when you're ready.

Visit The Path To Peace Therapy Website

https://www.thepathtopeacetherapy.com

The Path to Peace Therapy Blog

https://www.thepathtopeacetherapy.com/blog

The Path to Peace Weekly Newsletter (March)

https://thepathtopeacetherapy.com/so/1ePLywVzO?languageTag=en

The Path to Peace Weekly Podcast (Tues & Thurs)

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-path-to-peace-therapy-podcast/id1800952648

This episode is for educational purposes and to provide support. They're not a substitute for professional mental health evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment."

The more we learn to recognize the signs behind the behaviors, the more compassion and support we can offer to our kids, our partners, and ourselves.

Thank you for spending this time with me. If this episode was helpful, I'd love it if you shared it with a fellow parent, caregiver, or educator who might need it too. You can also subscribe to stay up to date on future episodes and check out additional tools and resources at The Path To PeaceTherapy.com. Follow me on Instagram @The Path to Peace Therapy

And as always take a deep breath, give yourself some grace, and remember: peace is possible, and you don't have to do this alone.