NEWS RELEASE
April 17, 2026
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
[email protected]

Dr. Tina Payne Bryson shared her expertise on supporting children’s emotional growth at Center for Child Counseling’s 2026 Lead the Fight kickoff luncheon.

World-renowned parenting expert and clinician Dr. Tina Payne Bryson emphasized the “no-drama” way of disciplining children at Center for Child Counseling 2026 kick-off Lead the Fight luncheon on April 9, 2026, at The Breakers. 140 statewide leaders and community members left with practical, tangible knowledge of how to rethink discipline and support children’s emotional and relational development.

Dr. Bryson, a New York Times bestselling author, shared her expertise on responding to others with curiosity and looking at behavior as communication. 

“When we invoke curiosity in our own brains, or in someone else’s brain–whether that’s a teacher, or a parent, or a kid–it activates the pre-frontal cortex and helps us be better problem-solvers, more empathetic, and more integrated in our brains, so we are less likely to be reactive,” explained Dr. Bryson.  

She helped the audience understand that discipline does not have to be punitive, but it should teach and build skills. 

“When we say ‘yes’ to a child, we can still say ‘no’ to a behavior…the reason we address childhood behaviors is because we are trying to build skills so that they become self-disciplined and they are good people who do the right thing, even when no one is looking.”

Dr. Bryson equated behavior to communication: “If we think about how behavior is communication, about what skills they don’t yet have, then it’s easy to figure out what to do in the name of discipline…we have to think about the struggles themselves as the opportunities.” 

She gave the example of a child who blurts out in class every time before having to choose a group. While the teacher thought this child was being disrespectful and oppositional, the behavior stemmed from not having the appropriate skills to join peers. When taught how to ask “Can I join you,” the behavior stopped. 

Since most of what is done in the name of discipline does not make a lot of sense, “we want to rethink what we are doing and why we’re doing it.”

Questions to consider when rethinking a discipline strategy, include: Does it build the relationship? Is the response counter-productive? Is it the right time? Is it building regulation and/or skills? Is the way I’m handling this moving the child closer to or further away from doing better next time? 

She advised, “Pause before you respond to the behavior. Then ask, ‘Is the way I’m about to respond going to make it more likely they can do better the next time or not?’”

Dr. Bryson shared that the biggest predictor for how well kids turn out is that they have “secure attachment” to at least one person who gives them repeated experiences of feeling safe, seen, soothed, and secure.

She concluded, “When children are at their worst, that’s when they most need connection…it’s about relationship and safety first. Their relationship with you. What you do matters. And when you take that and combine it in rethinking challenging behaviors as opportunities to build skills and teach, we’re going to be building brains, building relationships, and generationally changing the world in ways it needs to be changed.”

Dr. Bryson’s transformative work aligns with Center for Child Counseling’s HOPE framework–healthy outcomes from positive experiences–which marks the foundation of everything CFCC does. The Center is not just responding to crisis, it is walking alongside children, families, schools, organizations, and congregations building hope throughout Palm Beach County: it serves as a nationally-recognized model for fighting ACEs (adverse childhood experiences). 

At the luncheon, the Center formally announced the availability of its updated “A Way of Being with Children” manual–an early childhood curriculum grounded in trauma-informed and HOPE-informed care. The manuel is a practical, research-based resource for every adult who works or cares for children.

“A Way of Being with Children centers relationship and regulation, what matters most, and reminds us that how we are with children matters as much as what we do. Rooted in science, and rich with practical tools, it offers a shared and essential framework for parents and professionals supporting children ages 0–5,” endorsed Dr. Bryson. 

CFCC’s Chief Executive Officer Renée Layman thanked Dr. Bryson for bringing her brilliance to Palm Beach County, “What you have given us is…a lens we now carry into every interaction we have with a child from this moment forward…We do not have to wait for a child to fall apart to start helping them. Prevention is cheaper than correction. HOPE is more powerful than despair…Thank you for being here. Thank you for leading the fight.” 

Attendees left better equipped to foster connection, understanding, well-being, and HOPE in children, families, and communities.

The event was chaired by Kathy Leone and emceed by WPTV 5’s Ashley Glass. Donors and corporate sponsors that made this important conversation possible include: The Breakers Palm Beach, Searcy Law, Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County, Keating Moore Construction, Sage View, WPTV 5, Stephens & Stevens Marital & Family Law, Valley Bank, Kathy Leone, Jodie & Jeff Petrone, and a visionary family foundation. 

CFCC’s Fighting ACEs initiative to build trauma-informed communities is made possible with the generous support of Quantum Foundation, Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, and private donors.

For more information on CFCC and how it is bringing science, compassion, and community together to prevent adversity, strengthen resilience, and build a safer, healthier future for children and families, visit: centerforchildcounseling.org/leadthefight.  

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