Because We Went To Therapy

By Emily & Ashley

Because We Went To Therapy is a weekly podcast with best friends, Emily & Ashley. Emily is a licensed mental health therapist and Ashley is a certified fitness instructor. After meeting in college, they both found a passion for mental health awareness and general well-being. They will be tackling topics across the board such as, mental health, body image, career transitions, fitness and nutrition, pop culture, and how to build healthy relationships and a lifestyle you actually enjoy. They discuss taboo topics in a raw and honest way.

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Maternal Health Chat with Kelly Rodriguez, LMFT

Because We Went To TherapyMay 19, 2023

00:00

56:09

Maternal Health Chat with Kelly Rodriguez, LMFT

Not only is May Mental Health Month, but it is also Maternal Mental Health Month, a topic we need to talk so much more about. With that said, this week we are joined by Kelly Rodriguez, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Perinatal Mental Health specialist based in California. Kelly, Emily, and Ashley talk about how your mental health can change from pregnancy to the first few weeks after birth (the perinatal period), and into postpartum and parenthood. Kelly shares her own post birth story and her experience as a therapist helping women navigate this new chapter in their lives. We also talk about risk factors and warning signs that you, your partner, and support system can be aware of during pregnancy and postpartum. We share tips and coping strategies and you can find more resources below and on our Instagram, @BecauseWeWentToTherapy. Please note: there is an issue with the audio sound quality for the first few minutes, but after the intros it is resolved! Where to find Kelly: Kelly Rodriguez, LMFT, PMH-C kellyrodrigueztherapy.com https://www.instagram.com/allthefeels.therapy/ RESOURCES: postpartum.net 1-800-944-4773 Maternal mental health hotline 1-833-943-5746 Podcasts:Mom & Mind, Mom Well

May 19, 202356:09

Decoding Family & Couples Therapy with therapists Leeor Gal and Annalise Maull

Today we are joined by Leeor Gal (LMFT) and Annalise Maull (MFT), to break down couples and family therapy. Entering therapy with another person or persons can be very intimidating - and extremely beneficial. We go over questions like, is it ever "too soon" to attend couple's therapy, how do you navigate a couple or family situation where one person does not want to be there or find value in the therapeutic work, how much of our issues are rooted in the way we communicate, and when is family therapy helpful. We discuss how it can be helpful in navigating relationships with your in-laws, family conflicts, generational trauma.

Leeor's IG: @the_therapy_gal
Other links for Leeor (Tiktok, mental health guides, her podcast, etc.): stan.store/thetherapygal
Annalise's IG: @easygoing_empath

Apr 07, 202357:48

Deep-Diving on Generational Trauma

Emily and Ashley are discussing the book "It Didn't Start With You" by Mark Wolynn. They discuss how trauma can affect multiple generations within a family, both on a behavioral and genetic level. So much suffering starts with trauma and the trauma of our ancestors was and often is seen as too taboo of a subject to be talked about within our families and communities, which only perpetuates the cycles. Generational trauma includes (but is certainly not limited to) sexual abuse, physical abuse, substance abuse, war, genocide, incarceration, discrimination, and racism. We discuss the 'nature vs. nurture’ viewpoint, as well as the science behind trauma genetically changing our DNA. We also touch on someone's decision to have kids and work on breaking the cycles of trauma, and also respecting those whose choice is to be child-free. Whether or not you decide to have children, you are worth doing the work to heal and break generational cycles. ***Content Warning: Sexual Abuse is discussed in this podcast. Book: https://www.amazon.com/Didnt-Start-You-Inherited-Family/dp/1101980389/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=580750324247&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9018838&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15865308277740364540&hvtargid=kwd-181843148894&hydadcr=22597_13493304&keywords=it+didn%27t+start+with+you+mark+wolynn&qid=1679597593&s=books&sr=1-1 IG: BecauseWeWentToTherapy

Mar 24, 202359:50

EMDR Therapy with Dana Carretta-Stein

We are joined by Dana Carretta-Stein, an EMDR therapist based in New York. Not only does Dana practice EMDR with her clients, she is also a consultant to fellow therapists on how to best use EMDR with their own clients! Per Dana's Website, "EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) is a trauma-informed, solution-focused therapy that was founded by Francine Shapiro in 1987 for the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Since then, it has become one of the best ways to overcome anxiety, depression, and a number of other mental health struggles."
Throughout this conversation, the ladies discuss who is a good candidate for EMDR, finding a practitioner, what a session might look like, and how EMDR therapy can help clients through PTSD and complex trauma. This therapy helps us use both hemispheres of our brain to effectively process trauma. Trauma is at the core of so many mental health issues, and it is possible that EMDR may be the right therapy modality for people seeking help. Dana also mentions an EMDR progress journal she authored, which we have linked below.

Follow Dana On IG! www.instagram.com/the_emdr_coach/
Dana's Personal Website: www.danacarretta.com
Dana's Practice: www.peacefullivingmentalhealthcounseling.com/
EMDR Progress Journal: www.danacarretta.com/progressjournal

Mar 10, 202349:56

The Mind Body Connection: How Chronic Pain & Fatigue Show Up In Your Life with Grace Mackey

We are joined by Grace Mackey - LPC, Yoga Therapist, Chronic Pain Coach. With her training in pain reprocessing therapy, Grace specializes in working with clients who struggle with chronic pain and fatigue. We discuss how and why chronic pain appears in our lives and how it is connected to our mental health. Chronic pain or fatigue (or for some people, both at the same time) can be a trauma response and how our bodies cope with that stress. Good news, though - there is a way to manage and work through that pain! You might just need a mental health therapist to help you through it!

Grace's IG: @heal.with.grace
Grace's Website: www.elevatetherapywellness.com/grace-mackey

Feb 24, 202350:35

DeInfluencing - A look at overconsumption & our coping mechanisms

Today Emily and Ashley tackle a very trendy and timely topic - "deinfluencing". This term has been all over Tiktok recently, and there is an interesting psychological aspect to examining what we buy and why we buy it. We discuss how we are being constantly marketed to buy the newest thing, how fast fashion is unsustainable, how “dupes” can be a double edged sword, and what you can do to re-evaluate your own spending habits and coping mechanisms. This is a very nuanced topic and Emily and Ashley and not experts in it, but as always their goal is to continue the conversation!
IG: BecauseWeWentToTherapy

Feb 10, 202340:41

Ashley's pregnancy journey, anxiety, being a first time mom, and more

The girls are back to talk about Ashley's pregnancy thus far! As a first-time pregnant person, there's been a huge learning curve and we discuss it all. Pregnancy anxiety and depression, how rough those ten months can be physically and mentally, and figuring out this huge life step in the age of too much information. We go over finding a doctor that coincides with your views and goals, the pressure of social media on parenting and pregnancy, unsolicited advice, and so much more. Thanks for listening & being a part of our journey!

Podcast IG: @BecauseWeWentToTherapy

Jan 27, 202349:57

A Conversation with an Anti-Diet Dietitian ft. Lauren Dorman, RD.

Emily and Ashley are joined by Lauren Dorman, a registered dietitian, to discuss their stance on diet culture (hint: her IG handle is dont_diet_dietitian_). They discuss her work as a RD and how she helps clients break down diet culture, reduce the stigma around food that we learn from a very young age, and evolving our stance in the face of new research. She mentions many registered dietitians actually have had food struggles themselves or histories of disordered eating behaviors. Through this conversation we talk about learning to respect our bodies, its needs, and our hunger cues. The only way to dismantle diet culture is to continue talking about it.

Lauren’s IG: @dont_diet_dietitian_
Podcast IG: @BecauseWeWentToTherapy

Jan 06, 202346:53

Cultural and Religious Trauma with Shikha Patel and Anna Marchese

Ashley and Emily are joined (again!) by Shikha Patel, MSW, LCSW, and Anna Marchese, MSW, MCSW, from Collaborative Insights. At the top of the episode, Shikha discusses cultural trauma at length - what it is as a collective trauma, how you can identify it in your life, and how to navigate how that trauma has affected your life and healing journey. We discuss how cultural trauma varies from other types of trauma, how it is passed down generationally, and how it affects norms, traditions, values, holidays, and more. Shikha discusses how culturagrams are great tools to use as an assessment to identify foundational parts of cultural identity.

We then head into a discussion led by Anna, who grew up as a pastor’s kid and has a particular interest in religious trauma as a licensed therapist, reiki healer, and yoga instructor. Religious trauma is something that many people experience, and often reflect on in adulthood as they may want to continue spiritual practices in their current lives but are hesitant due to religious trauma in their past. Religious Trauma is a clinical term given by Dr. Marlene Winell to the condition experienced by many who leave an authoritarian indoctrination, where symptoms can be cognitive, emotional, social, and cultural.

These are layered topics with a lot of nuance as everyone’s experience is unique and valid.

Website: https://collabintherapy.com/

IG: collabintherapy

Books Mentioned:

Permission To Come Home by Jenny Wang

https://www.jennywangphd.com/new-page

Educated by Tara Westover

https://tarawestover.com/book

Dec 16, 202201:01:19

WE'RE BACK! What's Been Up With Us & Where BWWTT Is Headed

We're back! Em & Ash have a chat to discuss their short hiatus, what has been going on in their worlds, and what's next for the podcast. Some very exciting life updates are included, and the direction for this next season of the pod is discussed. Thanks for hanging in there with us, we're glad to be back!

Dec 02, 202227:43

Creating, Building, and Maintaining Healthy Habits

Ash & Em chat about how to align your habits and goals with your values so that they make sense for you. They discuss how to and why it is important to stay consistent with your habits. They discuss how to start slow and build upon habits, how to pick back up after being sick or traveling, how important it is to rest and take breaks, and does it really take 10,000 hours to become an expert at any subject?

Aug 26, 202252:08

How to know if you’re in an unhealthy or toxic relationship & what to do

In a very vulnerable episode, Emily and Ashley discuss how to know if you’re in an unhealthy relationship or engaging in toxic relationship patterns. Emily shares about her long-term college relationship that consisted of toxic behaviors, unhealthy communication, and poor conflict management. They discuss how hard it can be to know if you’re in an unhealthy relationship, as well as how hard it can be to reflect and realize you were part of the problem. They discuss how healing going to therapy and being in a healthy relationship can be and encourage anyone in similar situations to seek out support.

Aug 12, 202253:44

How To Start Your Therapy Journey: How to find a therapist, types of therapy, & getting the most out of the experience

Em & Ash are taking it back to basics: how do you get started with therapy? Whether you are returning to therapy after years off or starting new for the first time, they have you covered. They talk about how to find a therapist in your area, finding out if they take your insurance, how to fill out intake forms, and what the heck are the different types of therapy?!

Jul 29, 202244:43

Cohabitating & Building a Life Together

Cohabitating… what some may call a taboo topic, it is one that should not be and one that should definitely be discussed more. Em & Ash explore living with a significant other and how it can be stressful and really hard at times - which is totally normal! They each share personal tips (many years of trial and error) on how to discuss finances, improve communication, and set boundaries with chores, alone time, and more. They center their discussion on making a space that feels like home for both partners, one where a healthy relationship can thrive.

Jul 22, 202258:28

Mental Health Advocacy and Vulnerability with Angelica Galluzzo of the Revolutionized Mind

Ash & Em are joined by Angelica Galluzzo of The Revolutionized Mind podcast. Angelica, based near Toronto, details her mental health journey and what inspired her to be a loud mental health advocate. We discuss the differences and similarities between mental healthcare in Canada and the US, the effect that policy changes and human rights issues in the US have on other nations, celebrities and athletes advocating for mental health, and how to be an ally for other women. Also, how do we know when to censor certain words to avoid triggering people? Is there a point where we censor too much and hinder important mental health conversations?

Mental Health Resources and How To Help Someone In Crisis - Jack.org (Canadian Charity)

Angelica's Podcast - The Revolutionized Mind (available everywhere)

Angelica's IG - @therevolutionizedmind

Call/Text Suicide and Crisis Lifeline # 988

Please note that difficult topics such as suicide, self-harm, and other topics are discussed throughout this episode.

Jul 15, 202259:56

Sigh These last few weeks have been tough

Ashley and Emily sit down for a different kind of episode then their usual content- they process the events of the last few weeks, including the overturning of Roe v Wade, mass shootings, and police brutality. They discuss why therapy is inherently political, and how this all impacts the mental health field specifically. They share how the constant access to traumatic events affects the nervous system, all while having to continue to work and live as normal. Ashley shares a personal story regarding gun violence. It is a vulnerable episode, forsure. They discuss why it is essential to continue to take care of your own well-being even with during all these horrific events.

Jul 08, 202201:01:15

Seasonal Body Image Issues & Learning To Make Peace With Your Body

They are back! Emily and Ashley sit down for a solo episode on how your body image can be impacted by the time of the year, where you live, and what the weather is like. The girls discuss what to do when the clothes from last summer don't button anymore. They discuss what to do if you don’t feel comfortable wearing a bikini. Is it okay to wear a cover-up and what do you do if you still feel self- conscious? Em & Ash share advice on how they navigate the ups and downs of making peace with their bodies as the years go by & the seasons change.

Jun 24, 202253:42

Ecotherapy, the stigma around men's mental health, and trauma with Shikha Patel

Ash & Em are joined by North Carolina-based therapist Shikha Patel. Shikha offers great insight on her experience with ecotherapy - a way for clients to connect with nature and the outdoors during a therapy session. There are so many benefits to ecotherapy (in addition to being a way to connect with the earth while using evidence-based practices), and the women discuss them all. They also spend time talking about trauma, trauma-focused therapy, and the stigma around men seeking help for their mental health.

Shikha's IG: @CollabInTherpay

Jun 10, 202257:09

Living with Type 1 Diabetes with @KruegersPlusT1D

We're joined by Ashley's great friends Maddie, Bellé, and Ana (& Sophia!) - the sisters behind @KruegersPlusT1D. 6 out of their 8 siblings have Type 1 Diabetes. With any chronic health conditions comes a certain set of mental health challenges, and the girls talk about everything from being asked weird and often times inappropriate questions about their pumps and diabetes in general, thinking Nick Jonas was going to die in 2011, and the stress that accompanies their diabetes. IG & Tiktok: @KruegersPlusT1D

Jun 03, 202243:55

OCD - Intrusive Thoughts, Compulsions, & Treatment with Jenna Overbaugh (OCD & Anxiety Therapist)

Emily and Ashley are joined by Jenna Overbaugh, a therapist with over 10 years of experience working with clients with OCD, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. We wanted to know all about OCD - when and why it develops, the types of OCD that exist, how to treat it, how common it is - and Jenna delivered! We discuss how much more is known about OCD, how similar OCD and anxiety truly are, how everyone experiences intrusive thoughts, and Jenna shares about her own journey developing OCD postpartum.

Jenna's IG: Jenna.Overbaugh
Jenna's Podcast: All The Hard Things

Our IG: Becausewewenttotherapy

May 27, 202257:02

Attachment Styles & How They Impact Your Relationships with Ayushi Acharya, LCSW, MPH

We are joined by Ayushi Acharya, a Texas-based therapist to talk about attachment theory and styles and how they can affect your relationships - romantic, with friends, and with family. Ayushi has experience in multiple health settings, from the traditional therapist office to the NICU and in-patient psychiatric care. She has a special interest in attachment theory and dives deep into the 4 styles and how your own personal style forms in infancy. Do you wonder why you keep choosing the same type of romantic partners when you just know it will never work out? Maybe you are curious as to why conflict feels familiar in your relationships and you are wondering why you feel or react this way? Your attachment style may have something to do with it.
The girls also talk about Ayushi's experience as a South Asian therapist and navigating cultural and generational differences within family structures. It's important to realize that representation in the mental health field matters, and having a therapist that looks like you and can help you navigate specific issues within your cultural lens.

Ayushi's IG: @LoveYourBehavior
Ayushi's Website: southasiantherapists.org/therapist/ayushi-acharya/
Our IG: @BecauseWeWentToTherapy

May 20, 202257:23

How Perfectionism Shows Up In Your Life ft. Dr. Menije Boduryan-Turner

Ash & Em are joined by Dr. Menije Boduryan-Turner, AKA The Perfectionism Warrior (IG: Dr.Menije) to talk about perfectionism and how it can manifest in your everyday life. They discuss the signs of perfectionism (it's not just Type A people!), why it develops, and how it can impact our thoughts, emotions, and actions. Perfectionism affects people of all walks of life - parents, students, and immigrants are just some of the populations they discuss. Dr. Menije also provides tips on how to embrace your humanism and move away from the need to be perfect all the time.

May 13, 202259:34

Body Positivity or Body Neutrality?

Em and Ash discuss body image, including the differences between body positivity and body neutrality. Which one is the best? Should we take tips from each one? We also discuss:

• Where body image struggles stem from & how they are passed down

• How dieting negatively impacts your body

• How language matters when talking about our bodies

• Moving your body in ways that feel good for you

• How to take the focus off of your body & show up for yourself

Disclaimer: Ashley and I acknowledge we exist in straight sized bodies so our experiences will differ from those in larger bodies.

IG: becausewewenttotherapy

May 06, 202201:02:18

Sometimes a Bride, Sometimes a Bridesmaid

There are how many weddings in 2022?! 2.6 million according to The Knot and one of them is Emilys! Emily shares her engagement story and how wedding planning has been going thus far, including how to manage other people’s expectations and judgments. Ashley and Emily discuss finances of being a bride and a bridesmaid. They discuss how to navigate the pressure that can come with each of those roles, including the pressure around body image. Whether you’re planning a wedding yourself, are part of a wedding party, or attending a wedding- this episode has something for everyone!

Apr 29, 202201:00:58

Pop Culture Psychological Buzzwords That You May Be Misusing

Ash and Em dive into a discussion on narcissism, sociopaths, trauma, triggers, and more to debunk what they actually are and if they are being overused in society (spoiler: they are). How common are they, how can you realize if you're being gaslit, and can you determine if someone has a personality disorder without working with a professional? This is a great discussion to break down and educate each other on how to properly use this terminology in everyday life.

IG: BecauseWeWentToTherapy

Apr 22, 202201:00:09