Speaking Events
Helping parents reduce stress and raise healthier, more resilient children — by doing less.
My Speaking Topics
keynote: Parent Smarter, Not Harder: Autonomy-Supportive Parenting
OTHER TALKS:
Raising Motivated, Self-Sufficient Learners: A Science-Based Approach for Schools & Families
Parenting in the Age of Anxiety, Tech, and Overwhelm: A More Sustainable Path Forward
Parenting Without Burnout: Supporting Working Parents Through Science and Sustainability
A LITTLE ABOUT ME
Science-backed guidance for calmer homes, confident kids, and empowered families.
Dr. Emily Edlynn is a clinical psychologist, award-winning author, and international speaker who helps parents reduce stress and raise healthier, more resilient children — by doing less. She brings a refreshing blend of science, clarity, and common sense to today’s overwhelming parenting landscape.
Emily is the author of Autonomy-Supportive Parenting: Reduce Parental Burnout and Raise Competent, Confident Children, winner of the 2023 Foreword Indies Book of the Year Award and the 2024 Praiseworthy Award. Her expertise has been featured in the Washington Post, Good Housekeeping, Motherly, Psychology Today, Scary Mommy, and more. She has appeared on NPR and NBC News Daily and is a regular guest on podcasts exploring modern parenting and child development.
She served as a long-time parenting advice columnist and member of the medical review board for Parents.com and currently co-hosts the popular Psychologists Off the Clock podcast. Through her speaking and writing — including her Substack — Emily challenges today’s unhealthy, unscientific parenting pressures and offers a grounded, research-backed path toward calmer homes, empowered parents, and resilient children.
“Most parenting experts teach parents how to do more. I teach parents how to do less — and get better outcomes. That’s why my approach reduces burnout, improves family wellbeing, and strengthens children’s resilience.”
Testimonials
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“I’ve been attending this [Glenbard Parent] Series for 30 years and this talk was the best of the best.”
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"As a parent and also a teacher, Emily’s presentation helped me reflect on the kind of structure and guidance that best helps children to grow. I appreciated her specific examples, especially as it related to rewards and consequences. I literally was able to successfully implement a strategy the minute I returned home and it worked!"
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"We invited Dr. Edlynn to present to parents at our church and we are so glad we did. I was incredibly impressed with her presentation style and loved that it was applicable to all ages of children. Dr. Edlynn had tons of real life examples of how to tackle parenting smarter that are easy for any parent to implement. It seems that sometimes it's all in how we say things. I give her presentation a 10/10 and would strongly recommend all parents to attend a talk in the future."
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"Parenting is difficult and it’s hard to find the right balance between being supportive, allowing autonomy, and keeping kids safe in a scary world. Tonight was some guidance on how to navigate a middle ground, and release some pressure on parents at the same time."
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"Dr. Edlynn is an excellent resource and her parent education talk was very well received at our school. She made research backed parenting approaches easy to understand and everyone left with strategies to start using right away. Highly recommend her talks for parents of both elementary and high school students."
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"Dr. Edlynn offered a thoughtful and relevant presentation to our PK-8th grade parents. She has the unique ability to speak as both expert with solid research backing her advice and mom-next-door who has "been there." She is a speaker parents will want to hear! "
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“I learned so much from Emily’s talk on autonomous parenting—the lecture was clear, concise, engaging, and truly delightful. A key takeaway from the parenting pendulum is the importance of recognizing how our style differs from our parents’, and leaning toward the middle so our kids can build confidence in their independence while still feeling deeply supported emotionally.”
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"Engaging speaker , combines relatable experiences, academic justification and humor to provide a compelling narrative."
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"Dr. Edlynn provided very insightful information and you leave with useful tools and examples. She also makes you feel empowered and not expecting you to be perfect."
PLACES I’VE SPOKEN BEFORE
Trusted by schools, professional organizations, foundations, and academic medical centers nationwide.
Dr. Emily Edlynn has spoken to diverse audiences—from parent communities and independent schools to major advocacy organizations and academic medical centers. She was invited to participate in the Institute of Art and Ideas’ high-profile panel The Great Rewiring of Childhood, where she debated The Anxious Generation author Jonathan Haidt on the future of childhood and adolescent well-being.
Emily also speaks regularly to professional organizations and philanthropic foundations about the critical role of autonomy in promoting mental health, resilience, and healthy development. Her evidence-based, empowering message resonates with educators, clinicians, parent groups, and leadership teams seeking to support healthier families and more resilient children.
Ready to support the parents in your community or organization?