Therapedia the Podcast

As the holidays get ever nearer, it becomes more and more important to support and protect ourselves in triggering family situations.  As therapists, Jenn and Audriannah find that this challenge is front and center during the holiday season for a variety of reasons, and we may need guidance to stay grounded and authentic.  The ladies discuss different ways that this shows up in the therapy room, and how we can use the DBT skill of Radical Acceptance to stay focused on ourselves and the choices we have.   Lastly, Audriannah and Jenn walk through a roleplay scenario of navigating family conflict.  

NOTE: All episodes contain guided meditation and grounding.  Please skip these exercises if you're driving.  
RECORDED: 12/8/21

In this very special episode of Therapedia, Jenn and Audriannah record together in person for the very first time since the podcast launched.   Recording the day before Thanksgiving, the ladies discuss the comfort - and pressure - that family traditions can bring, particularly around the holidays.   Audriannah and Jenn discuss favorite family traditions and their meanings, as well as what traditions teach us about our cultural or family values.  During the holiday season when high expectations can cause us to become rigid, the ladies discuss how to invite in new traditions of flexibility and gentleness to "the most wonderful time of the year."
 
RECORDED: 11/24/21

This week, Jenn and Audriannah let their hair down and discuss a variety of topics, while playing Therapy The Board Game (published in 1986).   The conversation twists and turns through some light topics - like the politics of high school lockers, sweaty stress dreams, and Polly Pocket - as well as some heavier topics - like the multiverse, scarcity vs. abundance, and shadow work.  Also, the ladies discuss what it is like to be a therapist meeting someone new and to be asked the question that we therapists dread: "What do you do?"

NOTE: In the true spirit of letting our hair down, we skip the grounding and meditation today and dive right into the tea.

RECORDED: 11/10/21

In their 40th podcast episode, Jenn and Audriannah tackle a hot-button topic in therapy: psychotropic medications.  The ladies discuss a therapist's perspective about when to consider including medications as part of your mental health care, as well as the concerns and fears that often arise for clients when this topic is raised.  Jenn and Audriannah address the commonly-expressed reservations that clients share in therapy, including beliefs or stigmas about being "weak," "crazy," or "lazy," becoming reliant or addicted to medications, side effects, and medical trauma.   Jenn also shares about her personal experience being a medication-taker, while Audriannah shares her experience of considering taking medication in the past.

Visit our merch store at https://my-store-11501863.creator-spring.com/!

NOTE: All episodes contain guided meditation and grounding.  Please skip these exercises if you're driving.  
RECORDED: 10/28/21

Are you someone who feels deeply impacted by your environment and the shifting moods of the people in your life?  If so, this episode is for you!  Today, Audriannah and Jenn discuss the 15-20% of the population who may be considered "Highly Sensitive People" (HSP).   The ladies define this fairly new term, discuss how it is viewed from a clinician's perspective, and identify why some people consider it a 'superpower' despite the challenges of being an HSP.  Audriannah and Jenn talk through a self-assessment for HSP traits from a personal and clinical perspective, and identify some areas for further consideration as more folks begin to tap into their HSP 'superpowers!'

Visit our merch store at https://my-store-11501863.creator-spring.com/!

NOTE: All episodes contain guided meditation and grounding.  Please skip these exercises if you're driving.  
RECORDED: 10/15/21

How often have you heard the phrase "doing the work?"  This colloquialism is used in a variety of ways these days, from self-help books to social media to the social justice arena.  In this episode, Audriannah and Jenn take a moment to define - as therapists - what "doing the work" means in a therapeutic context.  How do you know if you're getting the most bang out of your buck in therapy, and what might be some signs that you're avoiding change?  As therapists, we see people who are eagerly "diving in," as well as people who are "circling the swimming pool."  The ladies explore their experience of "doing the work" from both sides of the therapy couch, including the role of self-soothing and having adequate support as we "dive in" to this process.  We invite listeners to join in on this conversation about what "doing the work" means to you!

Visit our new merch store at https://my-store-11501863.creator-spring.com/!

Shout-Outs/Resources in this Episode:
“How to Do the Work” by Nicole Le Pera (book)
“Do the Work” by Steven Pressfield (book)
"What Does it Mean When We Say Doing 'The Work'" by Nina Berman (blog post)

NOTE: All episodes contain guided meditation and grounding.  Please skip these exercises if you're driving.  
RECORDED: 9/22/21

This week's episode tackles a topic that seems to be universal and that we therapists discuss almost constantly in sessions: people-pleasing.  As folks are reconnecting with people in their lives, many people are discovering internal and external pressure to contort themselves to adapt to others' perceptions and expectations of them.  Jenn and Audriannah provide information about how people-pleasing behaviors develop from and relate to codependency, the fawn trauma response, and family dynamics.  The ladies discuss ways to begin to move away from people-pleasing by focusing on getting our needs met and showing up authentically in all relationships - including those with family, friends, employers, and more.  It's hard, but worth it - "this is the work, baby!"

NOTE: All episodes contain guided meditation and grounding.  Please skip these exercises if you're driving.  
RECORDED: 9/8/21

Therapedia the Podcast is excited to welcome Chelsea Anderson - writer, social media content creator, and podcaster - to this week's episode.  Jenn and Audriannah interview Chelsea about her battles with anxiety and depression as well as her recovery from a substance abuse disorder.  Chelsea speaks openly about how the shame of not living authentically as a queer person colored this experience, and how finding community helped her develop the tools and resources needed to recover.

About Chelsea Anderson:

Chelsea Anderson is a mental health advocate, writer, social media creator and podcaster from southwest Indiana - and let’s not forget the dog mom stereotype.  Her Boston Terrier, Kit, is her little bestie. 

Chelsea came out as gay at the age of 28. Having been raised in a mostly conservative environment, she struggled to reconcile her identity with the belief systems she was taught. Unlearning and relearning has been a challenging but worthwhile journey. Though no longer strictly religious, Chelsea embraces many life-giving practices like meditation, prayer, yoga & tarot. She embraces every gift the Universe has for her, including her queer identity. 

Chelsea struggled with anxiety and depression from her early teen years to adulthood. She’s a huge believer in therapy, medication and a solid group of friends, all of which benefit her to this day. Chelsea is also an active part of the 12 Step recovery community. As a recovered alcoholic and addict, she wants those struggling with addiction and mental illness to know there’s hope and their lives are worth living. 

Chelsea’s mission is to help save lives by bringing awareness to mental health issues, especially in marginalized communities. Lately, this is being done mainly through social media content, writing and her podcast, Recovered Life. Recovered Life Podcast focuses on mental health, authenticity & recovery, and  features conversations with individuals, advocates & professionals. Chelsea believes personal stories and education are some of the best ways to create empathy and awareness, which will bring about the cultural change we desperately need regarding mental health.

Shout-Outs/Resources in this Episode:
- Recovered Life Podcast

NOTE: All episodes contain guided meditation and grounding.  Please skip these exercises if you're driving.  
RECORDED: 8/27/21

In this unique episode, Audriannah and Jenn explore a concept often discussed in therapeutic settings: meaning-making.  Coming from the core frameworks of narrative therapy and existentialism as well as spiritual influences, therapists often help people uncover the meaning in their suffering to support mental health recovery.  This episode is a fluid, open discussion of how practicing meaning-making has shifted the quality of life for Jenn and Audriannah, as well as many of their clients.  Currently, we see this playing out on a global as well as individual scale, as people are suffering and experiencing waves of trauma, and struggling to understand the "why" of this.  As always, the ladies offer a meditation and coping skills to begin the search for meaning and to soothe ourselves on a deeply personal level during difficult times. 

Shout-Outs/Resources in this Episode:
Buddhist Bootcamp by Timber Hawkeye (book)
Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl (book)
Adult Children of Emotionally-Immature Parents by Lindsay Gibson (book)

NOTE: All episodes contain guided meditation and grounding.  Please skip these exercises if you're driving.  
RECORDED: 8/11/21

In this episode of the "Normalize Recovery" series, Jenn and Audriannah discuss the colloquial (maybe even overused?) concept of "dysfunctional" with regards to relationships and provide a working definition to help listeners more clearly understand what relationship dysfunction means to them.  The ladies discuss how being misaligned on the spectrum of distance and enmeshment can be related to childhood attachment wounding and lead to long-term dissatisfaction, resentment, irritability, conflict, and apathy in relationships.  Finally, Audriannah and Jenn discuss mindfulness techniques and coping skills to manage and prevent relationship dysfunction, and close with a meditation aimed towards kindness to self and others.

NOTE: All episodes contain guided meditation and grounding.  Please skip these exercises if you're driving.  
RECORDED: 7/28/21