Alexandra and Christian discuss the inevitability and complexity of the grief process. Most people (and animals!) go through an extensive process of grieving after a loved one has died. This process can be overwhelming, confusing, and even debilitating. So, how can it be overcome or at least effectively managed? One suggestion is to make grief your best friend. Cozy on up to grief, pour it a cup of coffee, and get acquainted. It’s likely to stay awhile…

Music by Billie Holiday; Good Morning Heartache

Life is hard and life is finite. Our awareness of its finiteness can sometimes make it harder. Throw in a little t trauma and/or a big T trauma and it can become even more challenging. How about experiencing little t trauma on an ongoing basis for years at a time and we call it CPTSD? How does one cope with all this drama? A little whiskey, porn and ice cream, perhaps?

Music by Sinead O’Connor; Troy

Alexandra and Christian discuss anxiety and explore the role that it plays in our lives. Is anxiety a friend or a foe? Normal or abnormal? Does it have value? How can it be managed effectively?

Music by Pat Benatar; Anxiety

Alexandra and Christian continue to discuss the costs, benefits, and functions of mental health diagnoses (well into the wee hours of the night).

Music by Freakwater; My Old Drunk Friend

Alexandra and Christian discuss the costs, benefits and functions of mental health diagnoses. As Christian and Alexandra are prone to do, their (perhaps) whiskey-influenced rambling exceeds the timeframe given to them and therefore the episode has been divided into two episodes.

Music by Freakwater; My Old Drunk Friend

An addendum to the last episode in which Alexandra and Christian further explore the healing process and it’s importance for one’s mental health and emotional well-being. They also address the role of privilege in the field of mental health and discuss their own motivations for working in this field.

Music by Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band; Duality

Alexandra and Christian begin to explore what it means to heal from mental injuries and go a bit “rogue” in their exploration. Why do we develop mental injuries and what what can we do to heal from them?

Music by Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band; Duality

The co-owners of Compass Rose Counseling & Consultation, Alexandra Fox, LPC and Christian Tamasco, LCSW, attempt to define ‘mental health.’ What exactly is mental health and how can we better conceptualize (and normalize) the idea of mental health in a world that tends to downplay, and even ignore, it’s importance.

Music by Esquivel; Granada