Therapist’s Book Review: Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy – A Game-Changer for Modern Parenting
Hi all parents and caregivers out there! If you’ve ever ended a parenting day feeling like a failure, Googling “How to raise a decent human without losing your mind,” or hiding in the bathroom just to breathe—you’re not alone. And Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be by Dr. Becky Kennedy might be the warm, wise, and research-informed hug your parenting heart needs.
Affectionately dubbed “the millennial parenting whisperer,” Dr. Becky has made a name for herself as a clinical psychologist who brings together attachment science, emotional development, and clear, compassionate communication. With her trademark phrase, “You are good inside,” she’s built a parenting approach that resonates deeply with modern parents—and therapists alike.
What’s the Big Idea?
At the core of Good Inside is a deceptively simple but radical belief: kids are good inside…even when their behavior is bad. And so are parents.
Rather than relying on traditional discipline methods like time-outs, rewards, or shame-based consequences, Dr. Becky invites us to understand behavior as a window into a child’s internal world. In her words, “All misbehavior is a communication.” Her approach blends developmental psychology, nervous system regulation, and practical scripts to help parents respond with firmness and empathy.
The goal isn’t to raise perfect kids (because those don’t exist), but rather to raise emotionally resilient, connected humans and to stay connected to ourselves in the process.
Why We Love This Book
For therapists, Good Inside offers a goldmine of therapeutic alignment. Here’s why it’s become a bookshelf staple in many clinical offices:
Attachment-Based Approach: Dr. Becky’s work draws heavily from attachment theory and the importance of co-regulation. Her methods prioritize safety, connection, and emotional attunement—key tenets in both child development and mental health practice.
Trauma-Informed Language: Rather than labeling children as “manipulative” or “defiant,” Good Inside focuses on understanding what’s beneath the behavior. This mirrors the trauma-informed shift we see in modern therapy: behavior is adaptive, not pathological.
Validation for Parents: The book normalizes the complex emotions of parenting. Things like rage, resentment, guilt, fear are all explored without shame. Therapists appreciate how Dr. Becky models self-compassion and gives permission for parents to be both struggling and doing their best.
Practical, Scripted Tools: Therapists often recommend this book because it doesn’t just talk about the why, it gives the how. With real-life scripts for meltdowns, boundary-setting, and sibling rivalry, parents leave sessions with something they can use today.
What Makes This Book So Helpful for Parents
Good Inside is not just theory, it’s a deeply practical guide. Dr. Becky covers topics like:
How to stay regulated during a child’s tantrum
What to do when your child “talks back”
How to repair after yelling (because it happens)
How to set boundaries without threats or bribes
How to handle picky eating, hitting, lying, and more
And she does all of this through a lens that reminds parents: You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to stay connected.
This perspective is especially powerful in a culture that bombards parents with judgment and pressure to get it right all the time. Dr. Becky gives permission to pause, repair, and grow alongside your child.
One of the most empowering messages in the book is that you can’t always control your child’s behavior, but you can always choose how you respond.
Our Favorite Quotes from Good Inside
“Your child isn’t giving you a hard time, they’re having a hard time.”
“Discipline isn’t about punishment. It’s about teaching.”
“Repair is more powerful than perfection.”
“When in doubt, connect.”
Each chapter is sprinkled with moments that give parents validating and actionable tools and insights. Many therapists find themselves quoting Dr. Becky in sessions because her language is not only clinically sound but emotionally intuitive.
Is It Just for Parents?
While Good Inside is framed for caregivers of young children, its messages apply across relationships: how to regulate during conflict, how to model emotional awareness, how to repair when we mess up. It’s just as valuable for couples, teachers, and even our own parent coaches at Sage House who want effective and compassionate resources for the parents they are supporting.
Final Thoughts
Good Inside is more than a parenting book. it’s a compassionate invitation to reparent ourselves while raising the next generation. It helps us unlearn harmful narratives about obedience and control, and instead build relationships rooted in safety, respect, and connection.
We, at Sage House Therapy, love this parenting resource because that aligns with evidence-based practice and speaks to the emotional lives of both parents and children, Good Inside hits the mark. For parents feeling overwhelmed or unsure, it offers a clear and loving path forward.
In a world that often tells parents they’re doing it wrong, Dr. Becky Kennedy gently reminds us: you’re not broken. You’re just human. And you’re already good inside.
Need support? We got you.
Our team of expert Parent Coaches are here to support you through the ups and downs of parenthood.
In the meantime, we also recommend checking out the following resources:
Visit Dr. Becky’s website at www.goodinside.com for workshops, parenting resources, and her popular podcast.
Follow her on Instagram @drbeckyatgoodinside for daily tips and encouragement.
Parents can access continuing education and community through her Good Inside membership platform.