All The Hard Things

In this episode, you'll learn about...

- what's problematic about doing too much exposure and response prevention work 

- four topics to address if you suspect that someone is doing too much ERP or perfecting their ERP

- strategies for therapists, clients, and people struggling with OCD and anxiety for how to manage perfectionistic or compulsive tendencies with their exposure assignments

This podcast should not be substituted, nor is meant to act as a substitute, for legitimate mental health treatment/a legitimate mental health treatment provider.  This podcast and any information in it is solely the reflection of general knowledge and cannot be taken as a personal therapeutic recommendation.  To find a therapist near you to work more directly with these issues, head over to psychologytoday.com or nami.org.

This episode features Cierra, also known on Instagram as @notmothergoose, who talks to us about her experience with prenatal and postpartum depression.  She also talks to us about..

- the difficulties of prenatal depression, including sleep disturbances, and how these symptoms can be easily confused or discounted for pregnancy related issues (eg hormones)

- the additional difficulties of postpartum depression and how it can be exacerbated by issues with breastfeeding, having no support, and comparisons to other moms or how things "should" be 

- the importance of medication and treatment when struggling, plus her own advocacy work and how to advocate for yourself in the mental health field 

This podcast should not be substituted for legitimate mental health treatment. If you or a mom you know is struggling with mental health difficulties during pregnancy, postpartum, or beyond, contact Postpartum Support International at 800-944-4773 or visit www.postpartum.net.  If you are worried about your safety or the safety of a loved one, please call for help immediately at 911 or by reaching out to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

Welcome to my Anonymom series.  Real moms talking about their deepest and darkest moments - anonymously.  Anonymom episodes may consist of difficult topics including miscarriage, infertility, separation, anxiety, depression, trauma, and other potentially triggering issues.  Names have been changed to protect the identity of the mom.

This episode features Noelle, who talks to us about her experience with postpartum depression with her first child.  She also talks to us about.. 

- the difficulties of breastfeeding and how it "ruined" much of motherhood for her

- the resentment, isolation, loneliness, and feelings of guilt that come along with motherhood

- practical suggestions and ways to make the transition into subsequent children easier on everyone's mental health

This podcast should not be substituted for legitimate mental health treatment. If you or a mom you know is struggling with mental health difficulties during pregnancy, postpartum, or beyond, contact Postpartum Support International at 800-944-4773 or visit www.postpartum.net.  If you are worried about your safety or the safety of a loved one, please call for help immediately at 911 or by reaching out to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

In this episode, you'll learn about...

- for clients: strategies you can use to open up more in therapy

- for therapists: tools and resources to give your clients to help them open up more

- why it's important to talk about difficult/anxiety provoking topics in therapy

- recap of some reasons why a client might have a hard time being vulnerable in session

This podcast should not be substituted, nor is meant to act as a substitute, for legitimate mental health treatment/a legitimate mental health treatment provider.  This podcast and any information in it is solely the reflection of general knowledge and cannot be taken as a personal therapeutic recommendation.  To find a therapist near you to work more directly with these issues, head over to psychologytoday.com or nami.org.

In this episode, you'll learn about...

- challenges faced by preferred/default parents who have COVID-19

- the mental, physical, and emotional toll of COVID-19 on the parent

- recommendations for managing your stress and well-being despite being positive for COVID-19

This podcast should not be substituted, nor is meant to act as a substitute, for legitimate mental health treatment/a legitimate mental health treatment provider.  This podcast and any information in it is solely the reflection of general knowledge and cannot be taken as a personal therapeutic recommendation.  To find a therapist near you to work more directly with these issues, head over to psychologytoday.com or nami.org.

This episode features Tracy Gilmour-Nimoy, a licensed marriage and family therapist and also a certified perinatal mental health professional.  She talks to us about...

- her experience of having to terminate her pregnancy at 32 weeks due to complications

- her traumatic pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum experience

- the maternal mental health system, how it fails women, and how you can still advocate for yourself 

- how she works with women and families who experience difficulty conceiving, high risk pregnancy, traumatic delivery, and more

To find out more about Tracy, check out her website at www.tgntherapy.com or find her on Instagram @tracygeee.

This podcast should not be substituted, nor is meant to act as a substitute, for legitimate mental health treatment/a legitimate mental health treatment provider.  This podcast and any information in it is solely the reflection of general knowledge and cannot be taken as a personal therapeutic recommendation.  To find a therapist near you to work more directly with these issues, head over to psychologytoday.com or nami.org.

In this episode, you'll learn about...

- reasons why clients find it hard to open up in therapy

- my thoughts as a therapist to some of these fears/concerns

- therapist recommendations to help clients recover, feel comfortable, and open up more

- the importance of opening up and being honest in therapy 

This podcast should not be substituted, nor is meant to act as a substitute, for legitimate mental health treatment/a legitimate mental health treatment provider.  This podcast and any information in it is solely the reflection of general knowledge and cannot be taken as a personal therapeutic recommendation.  To find a therapist near you to work more directly with these issues, head over to psychologytoday.com or nami.org.

In this episode, you'll learn about...

- risk factors for postpartum mental health issues

- protective factors for postpartum mental health issues

- practical tips for dealing with uncertainty of whether you'll develop a postpartum mental health issue

- ways to set yourself up for good mental health care prior to having children

This podcast should not be substituted, nor is meant to act as a substitute, for legitimate mental health treatment/a legitimate mental health treatment provider.  This podcast and any information in it is solely the reflection of general knowledge and cannot be taken as a personal therapeutic recommendation.  To find a therapist near you to work more directly with these issues, head over to psychologytoday.com or nami.org.

In this episode, you'll learn about...

- triggers and trigger warnings

- the reasons for and against trigger warnings

- functional vs dysfunctional ways of dealing with triggers

- what triggers actually mean about you and how to overcome them

This podcast should not be substituted, nor is meant to act as a substitute, for legitimate mental health treatment/a legitimate mental health treatment provider.  This podcast and any information in it is solely the reflection of general knowledge and cannot be taken as a personal therapeutic recommendation.  To find a therapist near you to work more directly with these issues, head over to psychologytoday.com or nami.org.