Unlabeling Kids: Why Feelings Aren’t Disorders (Fight–Flight–Freeze–Acceptance explained) with Richard Tierney

On Divine Decode, host Pragya talks with Richard Tierney about children’s mental health—and why labeling normal developmental emotions as “disorders” can backfire. Richard outlines a practical, family-and-school-ready framework (Fight, Flight, Freeze, Acceptance), how to normalize anxiety (even around public speaking), and why dissociation can be a short-term coping response—not a life sentence. We also cover building real-world resilience at home and in classrooms, moving beyond victimhood, and accessing faith/spiritual grounding without preaching. Direct takeaways you can apply today, without fluff.

About the guest:

Richard Tierney works with children and adults on trauma, identity, and emotional literacy. He advocates practical, permanent skills over pathologizing feelings and is the author of How to Live Stress and Anxiety Free 24 Hours a Day.

Key takeaways:

• Normalize emotions by stage. Children’s feelings shift across home, school, adolescence, and early adulthood—variation is expected, not pathological.

• Use the four responses. Teach Fight, Flight, Freeze, Acceptance as options; model safe “fight” (reporting, boundary-setting), safe “flight” (taking space), healthy “freeze” (short dissociation/mental time-out), and reflective acceptance.

• Practice at home, reinforce at school. Families can map six common feelings (anxiety, depression, anger, fear, loneliness, grief) against the four responses, then try age-appropriate drills (e.g., take space, journal, speak up).

• Own the mic. For public speaking nerves, start by stating your fear, share 3–5 clear points, end clean. Honesty builds audience trust.

• Build option lists. Create a shared notebook of safe strategies (dozens per response) so kids choose what fits in the moment.

• Drop the victim script. Reframe setbacks as needs/fit issues; act on what you can control.

• You’re not alone. Use conversations, mentors, reading, journaling, prayer/meditation—consistent micro-supports compound.

• Faith as grounding (optional). Spiritual practices can offer calm for families who choose them—presented as an option, not a rule.

How to connect with the guest  :

• Email: [e-mail]

• Books: Healing Any Trauma Memory and How to Live Stress and Anxiety-Free 24 Hours a Day (available on major platforms)

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