Becoming Anchored

By Becoming Anchored Co.Society & Culture Health & Fitness Mental Health Education Self-Improvement Relationships

Becoming Anchored episodes

July 08, 2025Becoming Anchored S5E3: How Acceptance Facilitates Healing
In this episode of Becoming Anchored, licensed therapist Laura Deneen is joined by fellow licensed therapist Heidi Hensley.
Together we discuss how acceptance can help you move towards healing and growth, and the idea that acceptance does not mean giving up but rather it is a way to surrender and find freedom.
Key Takeaways:
What Acceptance Is and Is Not: Acceptance may feel difficult, especially when it is tied to emotional aspects of our lives, but it is not giving up or resigning yourself. It is not an arrival point but rather a continual journey.
Acceptance May Feel Difficult: Heidi and Laura discuss the difficulty of acceptance. Acceptance does not mean you do not care. Accepting that life is, at times, out of our control or we cannot predict what will happen may create impatience or anxiety.
Acceptance Is Empowering: Together we discuss that acceptance can be freeing and it can break the cycle of worrying. Heidi and Laura discuss that it is a good thing to recognize our limits of control and Heidi encourages us to switch from “what if” to “even if”. This idea that even if bad things happen, we have everything we need to handle it. Heidi discusses that the opposite of uncertainty is not certainty but rather self-trust, which enforces empowering us to remember that you have made it through every bad day. It does not mean it was not painful, but you can move through hard things.
This episode is full of insights on the idea that acceptance is freeing and helpful tools to empower yourself to accept things as they are and break the cycle of anxiety.
Homework: Journal about what you may have been resisting accepting.
Affirmation: “When I accept what is, I make space for growth, and healing, and hope within myself.”
Friend, we are passionate about offering more support beyond the insights and advice in this podcast.

Becoming Anchored Co. is rooted in the belief that hope is fundamental to our human experience. The body image program + resources were created to support you in accessing hope and in shifting your relationship with your body. Our commitment is to authenticity, living in harmony with our values, and embracing the incredible resilience and adaptability that define the human spirit.

⚓ The Safe and Connected Masterclass: This free masterclass is your guide to identifying and cultivating relationships with safe people.
⚓ Self-Confidence Masterclass: This free masterclass teaches you how to release doubt and confidently trust yourself. Self acceptance begins here.
⚓How To Practice Boundary Setting: This compassionate course teaches you necessary skills for self awareness, improved relationships, and fostering confidence. Let’s embark on a rewarding journey that empowers you to live authentically!
⚓Navigating Friendships as an Adult Woman: Gain the tools to enhance communication, trust, and genuine connection in this educational wellness course. This isn’t just theory; it’s the very foundation Laura used to transform her own relationships, bringing more depth and satisfaction in her own life.
⚓Recovering People Pleaser: This evidence-based mini course will teach you how to advocate for yourself, so you can have healthy relationships and connection with others. You will learn how to advocate for yourself and access your innate self-worth.
⚓Pivoting From Perfectionism: This compassionate course will show you that you do not have to be perfect in order to be loved and will give you practical tools to live authentically. This course provides practical insights and tools for tackling perfectionism.
⚓Becoming Anchored In Peace With Your Body Program: This evidence-based body image program is designed to equip you with 100+ practical skills and tools to navigate the challenges of body image, from diet culture to self worth.
⚓Becoming Anchored In Peace With Your Body Card Deck: This 61 card deck will provide you with support to become more at peace with your body. With practical, therapeutic tools you will learn how to become more embodied. It’s like having your therapist in your back pocket!

We have also curated a selection of thoughtfully designed products to help you stay anchored, that you can wear on your path to discovery and growth.

Additionally, for those seeking personalized guidance on their mental health journey, our team located in Brentwood, TN offers professional therapy services tailored to meet your individual needs, fostering a path to healing and growth. If you are not located in the greater Nashville area, we gently encourage you to find a licensed therapist local to you.

We hope you embrace the Becoming Anchored community by subscribing to this podcast. We are so honored to provide you with resources, inspiration, and support on your journey to wellness.
19 min
June 24, 2025Becoming Anchored S5E2: Reducing Resentment In Your Relationships
In this episode of Becoming Anchored, licensed therapist Laura Deneen is joined by fellow licensed therapist Heidi Hensley.
Together we discuss how to identify resentment, cultivate compassion for yourself and others, and make decisions moving forward in relationships that align with your values.
Key Takeaways:
Exploring What Resentment Looks Like: Together we discuss what resentment may look like: negative assumptions about the other person, emotions that build over a long period of time, and feeling as if you have no control over the other person. Heidi encourages listeners to begin looking for patterns of how you may interact in relationships, whether this is stonewalling, withdrawing, or avoiding when you are feeling angry towards the other person.
Cultivating Compassion For Yourself and Loved Ones: It is important to have self-compassion for yourself and others, as lacking self-compassion may lead to more criticism of Self and shame for how we respond. If you struggle with self-compassion, this may lead to struggling to speak up for yourself, not validating your own emotions, and not being able to set boundaries. Self-compassion opens up an opportunity for empathy and understanding for yourself and your relationships.
Moving Forward In Your Relationships: Laura invites you to begin being aware of your internal world, whether this is thoughts or emotions or physical sensations. Together we encourage you to begin to be curious about the “story” you are telling yourself in your relationships. Then, explore how you want to communicate with what is happening internally for you to your partner. Resentment may stem from a lack of understanding and getting your needs met. We encourage you to get curious about your loved one's experience, which allows for you both to get your needs met in healthy and supportive ways.
This episode is full of insights on how to reduce resentment in your relationships overall and helpful tools to engage in self-compassion and to have the type of relationship you desire.
Homework: Spend time in reflection of awareness of yourself. How do you feel when you are with certain people? Are there needs that I am ignoring?
Affirmation: “My needs deserve attunement.”
Friend, we are passionate about offering more support beyond the insights and advice in this podcast.
At Becoming Anchored, we believe that we can all become more anchored in what is truly important to us. Our commitment is to authenticity, living in harmony with our values, and embracing the incredible resilience and adaptability that define the human spirit.
⚓ The Safe and Connected Masterclass: This free masterclass is your guide to creating environments where your grief is sincerely understood and your feelings are valued.
⚓Why Do I Care So Much What People Think About Me? Letting Go of Fear Masterclass: This free masterclass teaches you how to release doubt and confidently trust yourself. Self acceptance begins here.
⚓How To Practice Boundary Setting: This compassionate course teaches you necessary skills for self awareness, improved relationships, and fostering confidence. Let’s embark on a rewarding journey that empowers you to live authentically!
⚓Navigating Friendships as an Adult Woman: Gain the tools to enhance communication, trust, and genuine connection in this educational wellness course. This isn’t just theory; it’s the very foundation Laura used to transform her own relationships, bringing more depth and satisfaction in her own life.
⚓Recovering People Pleaser: This evidence-based mini course will teach you how to advocate for yourself, so you can have healthy relationships and connection with others. You will learn how to advocate for yourself and access your innate self-worth.
⚓Pivoting From Perfectionism: This compassionate course will show you that you do not have to be perfect in order to be loved and will give you practical tools to live authentically. This course provides practical insights and tools for tackling perfectionism.
We have also curated a selection of thoughtfully designed products to help you stay anchored that you can wear on your path to discovery and growth.
Additionally, for those seeking personalized guidance on their mental health journey, our team located in Brentwood, TN offers professional therapy services tailored to meet your individual needs, fostering a path to healing and growth. If you are not located in the greater Nashville area, we gently encourage you to find a licensed therapist local to you.

We hope you embrace the Becoming Anchored community by subscribing to this podcast. We are so honored to provide you with resources, inspiration, and support on your journey to wellness.
30 min
June 10, 2025Becoming Anchored S5E1: Self-Compassion For Your Inner Critic
In this episode of Becoming Anchored, licensed therapist Laura Deneen is joined by fellow licensed therapist Megan Chase.
Together we discuss how self-compassion can be a helpful tool when we are experiencing our inner critic.
Key Takeaways:
What Is Self-Compassion?: Megan shares her working definition of self-compassion which is treating yourself as you would treat your loved ones. There are three steps to practicing self-compassion: recognizing when you are experiencing pain and suffering, mindfulness of an emotional state, and asking yourself how you can be kind to yourself in the moment.
Recognizing Our Inner Critic: We discuss ways to recognize our inner critic, such as personifying it, ie: acting as if it is a person. What tone of voice does it use? What does it say to you? Laura discusses possible origins of the inner critic; for example, it may have once protected you as a way to prevent failure or disappointment from others, but may no longer be serving you.
Self-Compassion For Our Inner Critic and Perfectionism: Self-compassion is a helpful skill to help us move through difficult moments. You can practice this by first identifying your inner critic and offering yourself an ounce of compassion. This may look like practicing flexibility with your critical thoughts. We validate that self-compassion can feel scary at first, especially since being harsh with yourself is normalized, but we encourage you to practice it and see how it helps you.
This episode is full of insights on ways to practice self-compassion, providing helpful tips to navigate when your inner critic is present.
Homework: Recognize your inner critic by exploring what it sounds like and how it shows up for you. Then, explore how you would treat a loved one going through a difficult time and identify the language you would use and use those same words for yourself.
Affirmation: “I can choose to be kind to myself at this moment.”
Friend, we are passionate about offering more support beyond the insights and advice in this podcast.
At Becoming Anchored, we believe that we can all become more anchored in what is truly important to us. Our commitment is to authenticity, living in harmony with our values, and embracing the incredible resilience and adaptability that define the human spirit.
⚓ The Safe and Connected Masterclass: This free masterclass is your guide to creating environments where your grief is sincerely understood and your feelings are valued.
⚓Why Do I Care So Much What People Think About Me? Letting Go of Fear Masterclass: This free masterclass teaches you how to release doubt and confidently trust yourself. Self acceptance begins here.
⚓How To Practice Boundary Setting: This compassionate course teaches you necessary skills for self awareness, improved relationships, and fostering confidence. Let’s embark on a rewarding journey that empowers you to live authentically!
⚓Navigating Friendships as an Adult Woman: Gain the tools to enhance communication, trust, and genuine connection in this educational wellness course. This isn’t just theory; it’s the very foundation Laura used to transform her own relationships, bringing more depth and satisfaction in her own life.
⚓Recovering People Pleaser: This evidence-based mini course will teach you how to advocate for yourself, so you can have healthy relationships and connection with others. You will learn how to advocate for yourself and access your innate self-worth.
⚓Pivoting From Perfectionism: This compassionate course will show you that you do not have to be perfect in order to be loved and will give you practical tools to live authentically. This course provides practical insights and tools for tackling perfectionism.
We have also curated a selection of thoughtfully designed products to help you stay anchored, that you can wear on your path to discovery and growth.
Additionally, for those seeking personalized guidance on their mental health journey, our team located in Brentwood, TN offers professional therapy services tailored to meet your individual needs, fostering a path to healing and growth. If you are not located in the greater Nashville area, we gently encourage you to find a licensed therapist local to you.

We hope you embrace the Becoming Anchored community by subscribing to this podcast. We are so honored to provide you with resources, inspiration, and support on your journey to wellness.
28 min
May 28, 2025Becoming Anchored S4E12: Neurodivergence In Women
In this episode of Becoming Anchored, licensed therapist Laura Deneen is joined by fellow licensed therapist Jacque Huffaker, owner of her private practice Curated Counseling.
Together we discuss symptoms and signs of neurodivergence, specifically in women as it can be misdiagnosed or missed in the treatment process.
Key Takeaways:
Types of Neurodivergence: Jacque distinguishes the various types of neurodivergence, whether it is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Synesthesia. Neurodivergence begins at the birth and progresses over the course of a lifetime.
Symptoms of ASD and ADHD In Women: For ADHD, women tend to be hyperverbal or experience racing thoughts, and can present with perfectionism or they may have an eating disorder as a way to control themselves. We also discuss that women who have ADHD can experience chronic fatigue or overstimulation. ASD has three levels on the spectrum, and women with ASD tend to need structure, routine, and it can be difficult to make direct eye contact, depending on what level on the spectrum they are at.
Neurodivergence is a Gift: Jacque and Laura discuss that those who are neurodivergent can be invalidated as people have a stereotypical view of the diagnosis. Jacque encourages listeners that being neurodivergent is a gift, as those with it are innovators and can think outside the box. If this resonates with you, we encourage you to get assessed and treated.
This episode is full of insights regarding the variations and symptoms of a neurodivergent diagnosis. It has helpful tips to navigate the diagnosis positively. Join as we celebrate the gift of being neurodivergent!

Homework: Visit Dr. Tony Atwood’s website and take some screening tests. Then find a provider who specializes in ASD/ADHD

Affirmation: “This is my brain and body, and I accept myself for who I am.”
You can find Jacque at Curated Counseling!
Friend, we are passionate about offering more support beyond the insights and advice in this podcast.

At Becoming Anchored, we believe that we can all become more anchored in what is truly important to us. Our commitment is to authenticity, living in harmony with our values, and embracing the incredible resilience and adaptability that define the human spirit.
⚓ The Safe and Connected Masterclass: This free masterclass is your guide to creating environments where your grief is sincerely understood and your feelings are valued.
⚓Why Do I Care So Much What People Think About Me? Letting Go of Fear Masterclass: This free masterclass teaches you how to release doubt and confidently trust yourself. Self acceptance begins here.
⚓How To Practice Boundary Setting: This compassionate course teaches you necessary skills for self awareness, improved relationships, and fostering confidence. Let’s embark on a rewarding journey that empowers you to live authentically!
⚓Navigating Friendships as an Adult Woman: Gain the tools to enhance communication, trust, and genuine connection in this educational wellness course. This isn’t just theory; it’s the very foundation Laura used to transform her own relationships, bringing more depth and satisfaction in her own life.
⚓Recovering People Pleaser: This evidence-based mini course will teach you how to advocate for yourself, so you can have healthy relationships and connection with others. You will learn how to advocate for yourself and access your innate self-worth.
⚓Pivoting From Perfectionism: This compassionate course will show you that you do not have to be perfect in order to be loved and will give you practical tools to live authentically. This course provides practical insights and tools for tackling perfectionism.
We have also curated a selection of thoughtfully designed products to help you stay anchored, that you can wear on your path to discovery and growth.
Additionally, for those seeking personalized guidance on their mental health journey, our team located in Brentwood, TN offers professional therapy services tailored to meet your individual needs, fostering a path to healing and growth. If you are not located in the greater Nashville area, we gently encourage you to find a licensed therapist local to you.

We hope you embrace the Becoming Anchored community by subscribing to this podcast. We are so honored to provide you with resources, inspiration, and support on your journey to wellness.
40 min
May 14, 2025Becoming Anchored S4E11: Raising Children To Be Intuitive Eaters
In this episode of Becoming Anchored, licensed therapist Laura Deneen is joined by Nicole Cruz. Nicole is a Registered Dietitian who owns her own private practice, based in Southern California.
Together we discuss helpful tools to help parents raise children to be intuitive eaters.
Key Takeaways:
Use Neutral Language With Food: Nicole encourages parents to explore what type of language they are using around food. Using language such as: fun foods, healthy, or unhealthy foods can create shame or guilt in children. We encourage labeling foods in concrete terms, such as calling a fruit a fruit.
Children Know How To Regulate: Laura and Nicole discuss the idea that children have internal cues around food. If parents decide what children should or should not eat, it can take away from their ability to notice internal cues. Nicole notes that when children feel safe around food and with their caregivers, they experience permission to stop when they are full or eat more of that food when they are hungry. Children can self-regulate if their parents teach them to listen to their body cues and have a variety of foods available.
Explore Your Beliefs Around Food: Parents often have their own beliefs about food, whether it comes from messages from their own family of origin, society, or social media. We encourage parents to do their own work around their beliefs and remind them that there is no pressure to be perfect with teaching your children about food. The goal here is to help you trust yourself with food and create a safe environment for your children and their food.

This episode is full of insights around learning to trust your children’s body cues as well as creating safe environments around food for your children. It has helpful tips on exploring your own relationship with food and messages you received around food. Join us as we explore how to raise your children to be intuitive eaters.

Affirmation: “Trust that you are never doing it wrong and wherever you are at is where you are supposed to be.”

Homework: Explore how you are parenting around food and make changes that align with what you want for your child.

Friend, we are passionate about offering more support beyond the insights and advice in this podcast.

At Becoming Anchored, we believe that we can all become more anchored in what is truly important to us. Our commitment is to authenticity, living in harmony with our values, and embracing the incredible resilience and adaptability that define the human spirit.
⚓ The Safe and Connected Masterclass: This free masterclass is your guide to creating environments where your grief is sincerely understood and your feelings are valued.
⚓Why Do I Care So Much What People Think About Me? Letting Go of Fear Masterclass: This free masterclass teaches you how to release doubt and confidently trust yourself. Self acceptance begins here.
⚓How To Practice Boundary Setting: This compassionate course teaches you necessary skills for self awareness, improved relationships, and fostering confidence. Let’s embark on a rewarding journey that empowers you to live authentically!
⚓Navigating Friendships as an Adult Woman: Gain the tools to enhance communication, trust, and genuine connection in this educational wellness course. This isn’t just theory; it’s the very foundation Laura used to transform her own relationships, bringing more depth and satisfaction in her own life.
⚓Recovering People Pleaser: This evidence-based mini course will teach you how to advocate for yourself, so you can have healthy relationships and connection with others. You will learn how to advocate for yourself and access your innate self-worth.
⚓Pivoting From Perfectionism: This compassionate course will show you that you do not have to be perfect in order to be loved and will give you practical tools to live authentically. This course provides practical insights and tools for tackling perfectionism.
We have also curated a selection of thoughtfully designed products to help you stay anchored, that you can wear on your path to discovery and growth.
Additionally, for those seeking personalized guidance on their mental health journey, our team located in Brentwood, TN offers professional therapy services tailored to meet your individual needs, fostering a path to healing and growth. If you are not located in the greater Nashville area, we gently encourage you to find a licensed therapist local to you.

We hope you embrace the Becoming Anchored community by subscribing to this podcast. We are so honored to provide you with resources, inspiration, and support on your journey to wellness.
26 min
April 29, 2025Becoming Anchored S4E10: The Journey of Becoming a Therapist
In this episode of Becoming Anchored, licensed therapist and host Laura Deneen is joined by master’s level intern, Devin Kappie. Together we explore the process of becoming a therapist, and the nuances of the challenges we face and how to give ourselves compassion in the process.
Key Takeaways From This Episode:
It Is a Vulnerable Process: Laura and Devin discuss the fact that a counseling graduate program is a lengthy and vulnerable process. It can evoke many emotions as we hold our clients’ mental health and help them live healthier lives. As an intern, Devin shares that there are many aspects in the therapy room to consider, such as being professional, authentic while also giving clients practical and helpful tools to take with them.
Growing From Mistakes: We encourage therapists to have compassion for themselves as they are growing and learning. We can lean in, grow from our mistakes, and ask ourselves differently what we can do. Laura and Devin remind us that there is a lot of pressure in the internship phase to have it all together. Devin shares about the pressure to be perfect and ways to move through this.
Balancing Professionalism and Authenticity: Together, they discuss the delicate balance of being a human being in the therapeutic space and being professional. Laura shares about having appropriate boundaries and when to use self-disclosure. They emphasize the importance of having a safe space, such as a supervisor, to have open and honest communication and to receive helpful feedback.

This episode is full of insightful tips to help not only counseling students but also it can apply to anyone in a professional career.

Join us as we explore topics that we face in graduate school and how to navigate the process with grace and humility.

Compassionate Affirmation: “Progress does not have to equal perfection.”

Homework: Remind yourself of all the progress you have achieved and we do not have to be perfect to have meaningful careers.

Friend, we are passionate about offering more support beyond the insights and advice in this podcast.

At Becoming Anchored, we believe that we can all become more anchored in what is truly important to us. Our commitment is to authenticity, living in harmony with our values, and embracing the incredible resilience and adaptability that define the human spirit.
⚓ The Safe and Connected Masterclass: This free masterclass is your guide to creating environments where your grief is sincerely understood and your feelings are valued.
⚓Why Do I Care So Much What People Think About Me? Letting Go of Fear Masterclass: This free masterclass teaches you how to release doubt and confidently trust yourself. Self acceptance begins here.
⚓How To Practice Boundary Setting: This compassionate course teaches you necessary skills for self awareness, improved relationships, and fostering confidence. Let’s embark on a rewarding journey that empowers you to live authentically!
⚓Navigating Friendships as an Adult Woman: Gain the tools to enhance communication, trust, and genuine connection in this educational wellness course. This isn’t just theory; it’s the very foundation Laura used to transform her own relationships, bringing more depth and satisfaction in her own life.
⚓Recovering People Pleaser: This evidence-based mini course will teach you how to advocate for yourself, so you can have healthy relationships and connection with others. You will learn how to advocate for yourself and access your innate self-worth.
⚓Pivoting From Perfectionism: This compassionate course will show you that you do not have to be perfect in order to be loved and will give you practical tools to live authentically. This course provides practical insights and tools for tackling perfectionism.
27 min
April 15, 2025Becoming Anchored S4E9: Regain Peace: How To Stop Ruminating
In this episode of Becoming Anchored, licensed therapist and host Laura Deneen is joined by Master’s level intern with Anchored Counseling Company, Hannah Wise.

Together we explore the idea of what is rumination and how we have the power and agency to disengage from our cycle of rumination.
Key Takeaways From This Episode:
Rumination Is Common: Hannah gives a working definition of rumination; essentially, rumination occurs when thoughts enter our brain we feel this need to analyze, unpack it, and figure out what it means. It can be very common to ruminate and it originates from fear of historical or future experiences. Hannah and Laura explore common ruminative patterns and how it can interfere with our lives.
Disengaging From Rumination: We discuss the importance of first becoming aware of the purpose that rumination is serving in your life and how it is impairing your life. One helpful skill Hannah teaches in awareness, attention, and engagement which allows our thoughts to exist without getting caught in the cycle of ruminating. There is hope and we want to empower you that you can have agency in your life to shift this behavior.
Responding Differently To Our Thoughts: Laura reminds us when practicing disengagement strategies, we are not avoiding or thought-stopping; it is how we respond to our thoughts when they are present. Hannah highlights that rumination involves tightly gripping or holding onto a thought and disengagement is opening your hand and letting the thought go. It is important to remind ourselves what is in our control versus what is not in our control.
This episode is full of insightful tips to begin to explore the role that rumination plays in our lives, how it can negatively interfere with our quality of life, and ways we can move forward in hope to disengage from our ruminating thoughts.

Join us as we explore how to find empowerment as we learn how to manage rumination in our everyday lives.

Homework: Pausing, noticing, and reflecting where rumination may be present in your life.

Compassionate Affirmation: “ It is never too late to start your healing journey. You have a lot of life to live.”
Friend, we are passionate about offering more support beyond the insights and advice in this podcast.
At Becoming Anchored, we believe that we can all become more anchored in what is truly important to us. Our commitment is to authenticity, living in harmony with our values, and embracing the incredible resilience and adaptability that define the human spirit.
At Becoming Anchored, we believe that we can all become more anchored in what is truly important to us. Our commitment is to authenticity, living in harmony with our values, and embracing the incredible resilience and adaptability that define the human spirit.
⚓ The Safe and Connected Masterclass: This free masterclass is your guide to creating environments where your grief is sincerely understood and your feelings are valued.
⚓Why Do I Care So Much What People Think About Me? Letting Go of Fear Masterclass: This free masterclass teaches you how to release doubt and confidently trust yourself. Self acceptance begins here.
⚓How To Practice Boundary Setting: This compassionate course teaches you necessary skills for self awareness, improved relationships, and fostering confidence. Let’s embark on a rewarding journey that empowers you to live authentically!
⚓Navigating Friendships as an Adult Woman: Gain the tools to enhance communication, trust, and genuine connection in this educational wellness course. This isn’t just theory; it’s the very foundation Laura used to transform her own relationships, bringing more depth and satisfaction in her own life.
⚓Recovering People Pleaser: This evidence-based mini course will teach you how to advocate for yourself, so you can have healthy relationships and connection with others. You will learn how to advocate for yourself and access your innate self-worth.
⚓Pivoting From Perfectionism: This compassionate course will show you that you do not have to be perfect in order to be loved and will give you practical tools to live authentically. This course provides practical insights and tools for tackling perfectionism.

We have also curated a selection of thoughtfully designed products to help you stay anchored, that you can wear on your path to discovery and growth. Additionally, for those seeking personalized guidance on their mental health journey, our team located in Brentwood, TN offers professional therapy services tailored to meet your individual needs, fostering a path to healing and growth. If you are not located in the greater Nashville area, we gently encourage you to find a licensed therapist local to you.

We hope you embrace the Becoming Anchored community by subscribing to this podcast. We are so honored to provide you with resources, inspiration, and support on your journey to wellness.
35 min
April 02, 2025Becoming Anchored S4E8: How Attachment Style Affects Dating
In this episode of Becoming Anchored, licensed therapist and host Laura Deneen is joined by fellow licensed therapist with Red Therapy Group, Kayla Smith.
Together we explore different attachment styles and how it can show up in dating relationships.
Key Takeaways From This Episode:
The Main Attachment Styles: Kayla gives helpful information regarding the main attachment styles of styles, including anxious, avoidant, and anxious avoidant. In anxious attachment, people will find relief in closeness in relationships and may commit quickly. In avoidant attachment, people may have fear around losing themselves in the relationship or have fear around not being enough. In anxious avoidant attachment, people desire connection but when it comes, it can feel overbearing.
Where Attachment Originates From: Laura and Kayla discuss that our attachment comes from small, mundane moments we had with our earliest caregivers. It can also originate from how our caregivers reacted to our emotional experiences, whether they embraced our emotions or perhaps we received a message that we need to detach from our emotions which can sometimes lead to avoidant attachment.
How To Experience Healthy Dating Relationships: We discuss being curious about how we may react in our dating relationships. Laura and Kayla ask the questions, “Do I press the gas or pull away?” and explore what these behaviors may tell us. They encourage us to be compassionate with ourselves as we are exploring our attachment style and normalize that dating is fun and is also vulnerable. Kayla gives the recommendations of “Hold Me Tight” by Sue Johnson and the Instagram account The Secure Relationship.
This episode is full of insightful tips to understand your attachment style and gives compassionate tools to move forward in a healthy way in dating regardless of your attachment style.
Join us as we explore how to find safety and connection with others through our own attachment!

Compassionate Affirmation: “ I don't need to hustle and get big to sort of prove myself, but also I don't need to hide, I can just stand my sacred ground and see how this person receives it.”

Friend, we are passionate about offering more support beyond the insights and advice in this podcast.
At Becoming Anchored, we believe that we can all become more anchored in what is truly important to us. Our commitment is to authenticity, living in harmony with our values, and embracing the incredible resilience and adaptability that define the human spirit.
⚓ The Safe and Connected Masterclass: This free masterclass is your guide to creating environments where your grief is sincerely understood and your feelings are valued.
⚓Why Do I Care So Much What People Think About Me? Letting Go of Fear Masterclass: This free masterclass teaches you how to release doubt and confidently trust yourself. Self acceptance begins here.
⚓How To Practice Boundary Setting: This compassionate course teaches you necessary skills for self awareness, improved relationships, and fostering confidence. Let’s embark on a rewarding journey that empowers you to live authentically!
⚓Navigating Friendships as an Adult Woman: Gain the tools to enhance communication, trust, and genuine connection in this educational wellness course. This isn’t just theory; it’s the very foundation Laura used to transform her own relationships, bringing more depth and satisfaction in her own life.
⚓Recovering People Pleaser: This evidence-based mini course will teach you how to advocate for yourself, so you can have healthy relationships and connection with others. You will learn how to advocate for yourself and access your innate self-worth.
⚓Pivoting From Perfectionism: This compassionate course will show you that you do not have to be perfect in order to be loved and will give you practical tools to live authentically. This course provides practical insights and tools for tackling perfectionism.

We have also curated a selection of thoughtfully designed products to help you stay anchored, that you can wear on your path to discovery and growth. Additionally, for those seeking personalized guidance on their mental health journey, our team located in Brentwood, TN offers professional therapy services tailored to meet your individual needs, fostering a path to healing and growth. If you are not located in the greater Nashville area, we gently encourage you to find a licensed therapist local to you.

We hope you embrace the Becoming Anchored community by subscribing to this podcast. We are so honored to provide you with resources, inspiration, and support on your journey to wellness.
38 min
March 18, 2025Becoming Anchored S4E7: How Our Bodies Protect Us: Through a Polyvagal Lens
In this episode of Becoming Anchored, licensed therapist and host Laura Deneen is joined by fellow licensed therapist and Polyvagal Theory specialist with New Moon Rising Wellness, Rachel Sellers. Together we explore how our nervous systems protect us and keep us safe while also exploring how trauma affects our bodies.
Key Takeaways From This Episode:
How Our Nervous System Keeps Us Safe: We discuss how our nervous systems and bodies are constantly assessing for safety. Our bodies can shift into three states: our vagal state, our state when we are regulated and calm, our sympathetic state, our fight or flight response, or dorsal vagal, our collapse and freeze response.These states are present when we are experiencing stress, emotions, and trauma.
Trauma Affects Our Bodies: Our bodies choose what isbest for us to keep us safe and keep us alive. Rachel and Laura discuss that trauma can get stuck in our bodies, meaning the past feels as if it is happening in the present. Our rational brains may know the threat has passed, but my body does not. People with chronic stress, anxiety, and trauma may experience a disconnect.
Moving Into Health: We encourage you to befriend your nervous system; get curious about the various ways you may experience these different states. Here are questions to ask yourself as you are exploring: what activates my nervous system? What are ways we feel safety with ourselves and safety and connection with others? We discuss that it is important to have compassion with yourself when you are exploring your different states.
This episode is full of insightful tips to understand your nervous system better in order to heal from trauma. Join us as we explore how to find safety and connection through using our nervous system!
Homework: Get curious. What triggers you into a sympathetic storm, fight or flight, and what triggers you into a dorsal state, shutdown. Rachel encourages you to google a polyvagal ladder.
Compassionate Affirmation: “I am safe right now.”
Friend, we are passionate about offering more support beyond the insights and advice in this podcast. At Becoming Anchored, we believe that we can all become more anchored in what is truly important to us. Our commitment is to authenticity, living in harmony with our values, and embracing the incredible resilience and adaptability that define the human spirit.
⚓ The Safe and Connected Masterclass: This free masterclass is your guide to creating environments where your grief is sincerely understood and your feelings are valued.
⚓Why Do I Care So Much What People Think About Me? Letting Go of Fear Masterclass: This free masterclass teaches you how to release doubt and confidently trust yourself. Self acceptance begins here.
⚓How To Practice Boundary Setting: This compassionate course teaches you necessary skills for self awareness, improved relationships, and fostering confidence. Let’s embark on a rewarding journey that empowers you to live authentically!
⚓Navigating Friendships as an Adult Woman: Gain the tools to enhance communication, trust, and genuine connection in this educational wellness course. This isn’t just theory; it’s the very foundation Laura used to transform her own relationships, bringing more depth and satisfaction in her own life.
⚓Recovering People Pleaser: This evidence-based mini course will teach you how to advocate for yourself, so you can have healthy relationships and connection with others. You will learn how to advocate for yourself and access your innate self-worth.
⚓Pivoting From Perfectionism: This compassionate course will show you that you do not have to be perfect in order to be loved and will give you practical tools to live authentically. This course provides practical insights and tools for tackling perfectionism.

We have also curated a selection of thoughtfully designed products to help you stay anchored, that you can wear on your path to discovery and growth. Additionally, for those seeking personalized guidance on their mental health journey, our team located in Brentwood, TN offers professional therapy services tailored to meet your individual needs, fostering a path to healing and growth. If you are not located in the greater Nashville area, we gently encourage you to find a licensed therapist local to you.

We hope you embrace the Becoming Anchored community by subscribing to this podcast. We are so honored to provide you with resources, inspiration, and support on your journey to wellness.
35 min
March 05, 2025Becoming Anchored S4E6: Being Embodied In Treatment
In this episode of Becoming Anchored, licensed therapist Laura Deneen is joined by Ellie Hodges. Ellie is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist with Fowler Nutrition, based in Nashville, TN.
Together we explore how we can use our body as a resource in treatment.
Key Takeaways:
Our Brain and Body Are Inter-connected: We discuss that our bodies hold information and it is important to be curious about what messages they are sharing with us. When we can take a step towards paying attention to our bodies, we can notice what is happening and give our bodies what they may need, whether we need to let go of the tension, practice mindful movement, have a snack, or take a break.
Messages About Disconnecting From Our Bodies: Ellie and Laura discuss the many factors that may lead to disconnection from our bodies, whether it is a history of an eating disorder, trauma, OCD, etc. Messages rooted in diet culture may also lead to us undernourishing our bodies and can originate from colleagues, family, or culture (i.e.: our co-workers skip lunch can normalize this idea).
Emotions Are a Part of Being Embodied: Laura discusses how emotions are present in our bodies before we are cognitively aware of them. When we are in tune with our body and emotions, we are better able to meet our needs. If we push down our needs, it can come out sideways such as eating disorder behaviors.
Have Compassion For Yourself: We often can neglect our bodily needs and this episode emphasizes how critical it is to take the time to pause and reflect on what your body may need. This can be a compassionate way to be more in tune with your body. Our bodies may have been working overtime to protect us when we experience behaviors such as eating disorders.
This episode is full of insights around re-connection with your body and highlights ways to access your innate wisdom. It has helpful tips to be embodied in order to step into a meaningful life. Join us as we explore how connecting to our bodies can be a beautiful experience and allows us to continue on our journey towards healing.
Friend, we are passionate about offering you support beyond the insights and advice on this podcast:At Becoming Anchored, we believe that we can all become more anchored in what is truly important to us. Our commitment is to authenticity, living in harmony with our values, and embracing the incredible resilience and adaptability that define the human spirit.
⚓ The Safe and Connected Masterclass: This free masterclass is your guide to creating environments where your grief is sincerely understood and your feelings are valued.
⚓Why Do I Care So Much What People Think About Me? Letting Go of Fear Masterclass: This free masterclass teaches you how to release doubt and confidently trust yourself. Self acceptance begins here.
⚓How To Practice Boundary Setting: This compassionate course teaches you necessary skills for self awareness, improved relationships, and fostering confidence. Let’s embark on a rewarding journey that empowers you to live authentically!
⚓Navigating Friendships as an Adult Woman: Gain the tools to enhance communication, trust, and genuine connection in this educational wellness course. This isn’t just theory; it’s the very foundation Laura used to transform her own relationships, bringing more depth and satisfaction in her own life.
⚓Recovering People Pleaser: This evidence-based mini course will teach you how to advocate for yourself, so you can have healthy relationships and connection with others. You will learn how to advocate for yourself and access your innate self-worth.
⚓Pivoting From Perfectionism: This compassionate course will show you that you do not have to be perfect in order to be loved and will give you practical tools to live authentically. This course provides practical insights and tools for tackling perfectionism.

We have also curated a selection of thoughtfully designed products to help you stay anchored, that you can wear on your path to discovery and growth. Additionally, for those seeking personalized guidance on their mental health journey, our team located in Brentwood, TN offers professional therapy services tailored to meet your individual needs, fostering a path to healing and growth. If you are not located in the greater Nashville area, we gently encourage you to find a licensed therapist local to you.

We hope you embrace the Becoming Anchored community by subscribing to this podcast. We are so honored to provide you with resources, inspiration, and support on your journey to wellness.

Affirmation: “My body has always been worthy of paying attention to.”

Homework: Be gentle with your body. This can look like beginning to pay attention to your body.

Check out Fowler Nutrition here!
36 min

About Becoming Anchored

From the publisher's feed

Laura Deneen and Lauren Jackson are thrilled to be hosting the Becoming Anchored Podcast together. Lauren had the idea of starting a podcast, and Laura jumped on board. We are two humans here to ride the waves of life together, sharing in your grief and pain and celebrating with you in your joy. We also have the unique perspective of being therapists and are excited to share about our therapeutic experiences on this platform. Lauren and Laura believe that we are always becoming, in the sense that we are always learning and growing. We hope this podcast uplifts you, validates you, and provides hope to you. We honor your unique story and thank you for listening!

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