Welcome back to The Path to Peace Therapy Podcast. I'm Stephanie Buckley: an AMFT Solution-Focused Therapist specializing in ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and narcissism. I'm also a mother to a now-thriving 22-year-old neurodivergent son, and I've been married for over three decades. I bring both clinical knowledge and lived experience to this conversation because I've walked this road.

In our last deep dive, we dissected the intricate psychological patterns of Jax Taylor: his self-acknowledged narcissism, the grandiose pronouncements, the infamous gaslighting, and those explosive emotional outbursts that, for years, served as both undeniable entertainment and blaring alarm bells. But today, we're zooming out, expanding our clinical lens to encompass a far more deceptive, and frankly, more dangerous, psychological landscape. We're turning our attention to another cast member on The Valley who has ignited a very different kind of public conversation: Jesse Lally. Unlike Jax, Jesse hasn't relied on yelling or table-flipping. His alleged tactics are quieter, more calculated, and in many ways, far more unsettling. He's been publicly accused of manipulation, control, and emotional harm in ways that leave many viewers scratching their heads. So, the critical question becomes: Are these two just different manifestations of the same core narcissistic personality structure? Or are they psychological opposites who, despite their divergent strategies, ultimately arrive at the same destructive destination leaving behind a trail of confusion, pain, and relational wreckage? Let's explore that together. And as always, a crucial disclaimer: this is not a diagnosis. We are clinically analyzing observable public behavior as depicted on television, filtering it through a therapeutic lens to help us better understand the human condition, even when amplified by the unique pressures of reality TV."

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

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

Theravive

https://www.theravive.com/therapists/stephanie-buckley.aspx

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 Stephanie Buckley—an AMFT Solution-Focused Therapist specializing in ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. As a mother to a now-thriving 22-year-old neurodivergent son and having been married for over three decades, my clinical work is deeply informed by a lifetime of navigating complex human dynamics.

Today, we are undertaking a significant psychological deep dive into a figure who has been a fixture of unscripted television for over a decade: Jax Taylor. From his tumultuous tenure as the self-proclaimed "number one guy in the group" on Vanderpump Rules to his recent navigation of marital strife on The Valley, Taylor has consistently presented a public persona characterized by serial infidelity, volatile interpersonal conflicts, and a profound resistance to accountability. More recently, he has publicly engaged with discussions of narcissism, bipolar disorder, PTSD and substance abuse.

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

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

Theravive

https://www.theravive.com/therapists/stephanie-buckley.aspx

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 an AMFT Solution-Focused Therapist specializing in ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. I'm also a mom who's been in the trenches raising a neurodivergent son into a thriving young man. My work bridges lived experience with clinical insight to support parents in raising confident, capable, emotionally intelligent kids.

Today, we're talking about something every parent needs to hear: nurturing true cooperation in children. Not just for short-term compliance, but for emotional regulation, executive functioning, healthy relationships, and long-term success. This is the toolkit that helps kids grow into capable individuals who know how to handle life from a flat tire to a financial crisis to an emotional conversation.

This isn't about being "old-fashioned." This is about developmental neuroscience, social competence, and identity formation. Let's jump in.

All right, so today we're tackling a topic that many parents grapple with daily: the common "if you do this, then you get that" approach to motivating our children. While it seems harmless, even effective in the moment, we're going to dive into why this can actually undermine long-term cooperation and how to shift towards a more peaceful, lasting way of fostering responsibility in our kids.

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

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

Theravive

https://www.theravive.com/therapists/stephanie-buckley.aspx

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 Stephanie Buckley-an AMFT Solution-Focused Therapist specializing in ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. I'm also a mother to a now-thriving 22-year-old neurodivergent son and have been married for over three decades. Today's episode speaks directly to divorcing or separated parents who are navigating one of the most emotionally charged transitions in family life. We are going to explore what happens when children become emotional bystanders or worse, emotional referees in adult conflict. If you're in the middle of a divorce, or even years out but still navigating residual co-parenting tension, this episode is for you. Because your child is not the divorce. They are not the go-between. And they should never be collateral damage. We're not here to shame. We're here to equip with research, real-life application, and a compassionate path forward.

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

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

Theravive

https://www.theravive.com/therapists/stephanie-buckley.aspx

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 Stephanie Buckley—an AMFT Solution-Focused Therapist and Parenting Strategist who specializes in ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. I'm also a mom to a now-thriving 22-year-old neurodivergent son, and I've been married for over three decades.

This is the place where personal experience meets clinical expertise—because families don't heal in isolation. They heal together.

If you're parenting a daughter with ADHD, you might be surprised to learn just how often her symptoms are overlooked, misread, or misunderstood. Girls with ADHD are often people-pleasers, chronic perfectionists, and emotional shapeshifters. They're expert maskers, which means they work hard to hide the chaos they feel inside.

They don't always disrupt the classroom. Instead, they stare out the window. They don't usually get labeled as "bad"—they're labeled as "sensitive," "anxious," or "moody." Because their behavior doesn't look like typical hyperactivity, they're often misdiagnosed—or missed altogether.

Girls with inattentive-type ADHD often internalize their symptoms. They may mask in public but unravel at home. They are more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety or depression—when ADHD is the root issue.

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

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

Theravive

https://www.theravive.com/therapists/stephanie-buckley.aspx

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 Stephanie Buckley—an AMFT Solution-Focused Therapist who specializes in ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. I'm also a mom to a now-thriving 22-year-old neurodivergent son, and I've been married for over three decades. This podcast is where we turn therapeutic insight into parenting strategy—and help you build a home where peace isn't just possible, it's the default. Let's dive in.

By Using Sales Psychology and Family Neuroscience to Time Your Parenting for Maximum Impact you will be able to Pitch to the CEO, Not the Receptionist: Here are some Sales Strategies for successful Emotional Parenting.

If your child isn't listening, isn't following through, or seems to "shut down" every time you try to correct them… you might be pitching to the wrong person.

In sales, if you pitch your product to the front desk receptionist, it doesn't matter how perfect your offer is—the deal won't close. You need to get to the decision-maker. The CEO. The one with authority, logic, and access to long-term planning.

In parenting, that CEO is your child's prefrontal cortex the part of the brain responsible for decision-making, impulse control, working memory, and emotional regulation. But here's the problem: when your child is upset, stressed, tired, or overstimulated? The CEO clocks out. And the amygdala—aka the brain's emotional receptionist—takes over.

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

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

Theravive

https://www.theravive.com/therapists/stephanie-buckley.aspx

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

The Path to Peace Therapy Podcast. I'm Stephanie Buckley—an AMFT Solution-Focused Therapist who specializes in ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. I'm also a mom to a now-thriving 22-year-old neurodivergent son, and I've been married for over three decades.

This podcast is where lived experience meets clinical expertise.

Let's get into today's episode!!

"Why is everything so dramatic?""Why can't he just do what I asked the first time?""Is this defiance or dysregulation?"Why is he sweet one second and melting down the next?"

And beneath all of that, the real question: Am I doing enough? Or am I somehow failing him?

This episode is for you. We're going to unpack:Their neurological wiring

Why their behavior often looks like they are constantly disrespectful but isn't.The parental fatigue of managing reminders, meltdowns, and messes The link between dopamine, movement, and behaviorWhat to expect in school, friendships, and at home Scripts, structure, and support strategies for everyday parenting.

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

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

Theravive

https://www.theravive.com/therapists/stephanie-buckley.aspx

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 Stephanie Buckley—an AMFT Solution-Focused Therapist who specializes in ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. I'm also a mom to a now-thriving 22-year-old neurodivergent son, and today, we're talking about five foundational life skills every father must teach his son—not just to help him function, but to help him thrive.

Before we dive in, let's pause to answer a foundational question:What is a Father—Psychologically Speaking? A father isn't just a provider or protector. Psychologically, a father is a primary attachment figure who plays a central role in helping a child form their identity, internalize discipline, and navigate the world with autonomy. In developmental psychology, the father's role is often described as scaffolding—offering support and structure as a child climbs toward independence. When done right, this scaffolding supports the development of secure attachment, executive fun

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.

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

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

Theravive

https://www.theravive.com/therapists/stephanie-buckley.aspx

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 Stephanie Buckley—an AMFT Solution-Focused Therapist specializing in ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. I'm also a mom to a now-thriving 22-year-old neurodivergent son, and I've been married for over three decades. So what you hear today isn't just clinical—it's lived experience, it's layered, and it's honest.

You probably haven't thought of it this way before…

But I started wondering—what if parents began using the word "No" not as a shutdown, but as a tool for growth?

I kept thinking: How can I help parents see that saying "No" with intention isn't mean… it's actually life-changing?

Then it hit me, maybe the message just needs the right frame.

Something that makes them stop, reflect, and say, "Wait… what if that's true?"

So I created this.

A new way to look at incorporating the word No."A new way to lead.

I think it might shift something for you, too.

Think of your child's brain as the CEO— which is still learning how to lead. And you? You're the COO. The steady hand behind the scenes. The one who keeps the company running while the executive team matures.

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.

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

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

Theravive

https://www.theravive.com/therapists/stephanie-buckley.aspx

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 Stephanie Buckley—an AMFT Solution-Focused Therapist specializing in ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. I'm also a mom to a now-thriving 22-year-old neurodivergent son, and I've been married for over three decades. So what you hear today isn't just clinical—it's lived experience, it's layered, and it's honest.

"What do I do when my child completely melts down over something like brushing their teeth or going to school?"

To bring today's topic to life, I'm sharing a real-world conversation with a parent who's generously volunteered to walk through some of the daily challenges she faces raising her son, Caleb.

She's not a client of mine—but she's here to offer a glimpse into her world, so you, the listener, can better understand how these struggles really show up at home.

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.

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

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

Theravive

https://www.theravive.com/therapists/stephanie-buckley.aspx

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