In this episode of The Consumer’s Guide to Mental Health podcast, Dr. Margo Jacquot sits down with Dr. Anne Thatcher, a nurse practitioner specializing in psychiatry, to demystify the world of medication management. Together, they explore how psychiatric care can work hand in hand with therapy to create a balanced, personalized approach to mental health. Listeners will learn what to expect during a medication consultation, how medications are carefully chosen and monitored, and why open communication with your provider is key to finding the right fit. The conversation also tackles common fears and misconceptions about psychiatric medications—offering clarity, compassion, and reassurance for those who may be hesitant to take the next step. Whether you’re considering medication for the first time, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about how psychiatry fits into overall wellness, this episode will help you make informed, confident decisions about your mental health care.

What You'll Learn:

• What medication management is and how it supports overall mental health care
• Common myths and misconceptions about psychiatric medication—and the truths behind them
• How providers determine the right medication and dosage for each individual
• How combining medication with therapy can create a more holistic and sustainable path to healing

Bio:

Dr. Anne Thatcher is a board-certified and doctorally prepared Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, offering psychiatric diagnostic assessments, medication management, and psychotherapy to children, adults, and geriatric patients in Illinois. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and French at the University of Wisconsin—Madison, a Master's in Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes—Jewish College, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice at the University of Missouri—St. Louis. She completed her nurse practitioner residency training at the St. Louis VA Medical Centers and Compass Health Network-a Federally Qualified Health Center. She has an expertise in caring for patients experiencing mood disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, psychotic disorders, trauma and stress-related disorders, ADHD, addictions, chronic pain, dementia, and those with complex psychiatric and medical comorbidities. Dr. Thatcher provides culturally competent, holistic care with a strength-based and person-centered approach, and has vast experience working with patients from diverse racial, ethnic, religious/spiritual, and socio-economic backgrounds. 

Connect with Dr. Anne Thatcher:

https://www.thejunipercenter.com/our-staff/anne-l-thatcher/
[email protected]

Dr. Margo Jacquot is the award-winning founder and Chief Care Officer of The Juniper Center, one of the largest woman-owned counseling and therapy practices in the Chicago area. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in trauma recovery, addiction treatment, and LGBTQ-affirming therapy. Dr. Jacquot is also the host of the "Mental Health Business Mentor" podcast, where she shares insights on running a successful mental health practice.

Connect with Dr. Margo Jacquot:

• Website: thejunipercenter.com
• Instagram: @thejunipercenter
• Facebook: The Juniper Center

In this episode of The Consumer’s Guide to Mental Health, Dr. Margo Jacquot sits down with Launora Jusufi to explore how yoga therapy and meditation can help calm the mind, heal the body, and nurture emotional well-being. Together, they unpack how these practices support mental health, reduce stress, and help individuals reconnect with themselves. Whether you’re new to yoga and mindfulness or looking to deepen your practice, this conversation offers practical insights and gentle encouragement for finding calm within. 

What You'll Learn:

• How yoga therapy and meditation support mental health and emotional regulation
• The science behind how mindful movement and breathwork reduce stress and anxiety
• Common misconceptions about yoga therapy—and what it really looks like in practice
• How integrating the mind and body can promote lasting healing and self-awareness

Bio:

Launora Jusufi is a dedicated yoga practitioner with over 8 years of experience. She helps women restore their sense of self and feel more at home in their bodies through yoga, meditation, and one-on-one yoga therapy. With over eight years of dedicated practice, Launora brings a compassionate and practical approach to wellness, specializing in chair yoga and mindful movement that meets people exactly where they are. Her own daily practice is rooted in the belief that striving to be the best version of myself allows her to better support those she teaches. When she's not guiding clients, you’ll usually find her walking outdoors, spending time with her loved ones, or indulging in something sweet.

Connect with Launora:

https://www.instagram.com/calmbreatheyoga/?hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/calmbreatheyoga/

https://www.facebook.com/Launoraa

Dr. Margo Jacquot is the award-winning founder and Chief Care Officer of The Juniper Center, one of the largest woman-owned counseling and therapy practices in the Chicago area. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in trauma recovery, addiction treatment, and LGBTQ-affirming therapy. Dr. Jacquot is also the host of the "Mental Health Business Mentor" podcast, where she shares insights on running a successful mental health practice.

Connect with Dr. Margo Jacquot:

• Website: thejunipercenter.com
• Instagram: @thejunipercenter
• Facebook: The Juniper Center

Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT) is a powerful but often misunderstood approach to treatment. In this episode of The Consumer’s Guide to Mental Health, Dr. Margo Jacquot sits down with Dr. Abby Brown to break down what RO-DBT really is, who it’s designed to help, and what a typical session looks like. They discuss common misconceptions about RO-DBT, how it differs from standard DBT, and why it can be life-changing for people who struggle with overcontrol, perfectionism, or rigidity. You’ll also hear practical advice on what to do if you’re interested in exploring RO-DBT for yourself or a loved one.

What You'll Learn: 

• What Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT) is and how it works
• The types of people and concerns RO-DBT is designed to help
• How RO-DBT differs from standard DBT and other therapy approaches
• Common misconceptions about RO-DBT—and the truth behind them
• What a typical RO-DBT session looks like for clients
• Practical steps to take if you or a loved one are interested in exploring RO-DBT

Bio:

Dr. Abby Brown is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in perinatal mental health, fertility challenges, eating disorders, and disorders of emotional overcontrol. She is the owner of FlexPath Psychology, an outpatient tele-mental health practice serving clients in Illinois and PsyPact member states. Dr. Brown is intensively trained in Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RODBT) and received a 2019 RO DBT Clinical Scholar Award. She brings extensive experience from diverse clinical settings, including eating disorder treatment programs, large group practice, and university counseling centers. She is a Past President of the Illinois Psychological Association.

Connect with Dr. Abby Brown:

https://flexpathpsychology.com/about

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557782417199

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abby-brown-psy-d-pmh-c-04aa949/

Dr. Margo Jacquot is the award-winning founder and Chief Care Officer of The Juniper Center, one of the largest woman-owned counseling and therapy practices in the Chicago area. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in trauma recovery, addiction treatment, and LGBTQ-affirming therapy. Dr. Jacquot is also the host of the "Mental Health Business Mentor" podcast, where she shares insights on running a successful mental health practice.

Connect with Dr. Margo Jacquot:

• Website: thejunipercenter.com
• Instagram: @thejunipercenter
• Facebook: The Juniper Center

Choosing a therapist can feel overwhelming — with countless directories, treatment approaches, and profiles to sort through, how do you know where to start? In this episode, Dr. Margo Jacquot speaks with Cindy Brom from Simply Bee Counseling and breaks down the research process step by step so you can feel confident in finding the right fit. From knowing what questions to ask to identifying your therapy needs, to balancing logistics with personal connection, this conversation offers practical tips to make the search less stressful and more empowering. Whether you’re looking for your very first therapist or considering making a change, this episode will give you the tools to make an informed choice for your mental health journey.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to:

• Identify your needs before starting the search
• Use directories and resources effectively
• Ask the right questions during consultations
• Balance cost, logistics, and gut instinct when choosing

Bio:

Cindy Brom is a senior business development, strategy, and operations leader specializing in higher levels of care for behavioral health. With direct experience launching and overseeing intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs, Cindy has also served as a senior leader for providers in residential and inpatient levels of care in Illinois, Washington, and Colorado. Bringing 13 years of management experience serving patients with eating, mood, and anxiety disorders specifically, she also provided business development services for a substance abuse recovery provider in Chicago. Before beginning her mental health career as Practice Manager for the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern, Cindy was a consultant to growing ventures in a variety of industries, helping more than 100 companies replicate and grow their businesses throughout the country. Cindy earned her MBA from the JL Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a BSB from the University of Minnesota.

Connect with Cindy Brom:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-brom-a674b12/

https://www.simplybeecounseling.net/

https://www.facebook.com/simplybeecounseling

Dr. Margo Jacquot is the award-winning founder and Chief Care Officer of The Juniper Center, one of the largest woman-owned counseling and therapy practices in the Chicago area. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in trauma recovery, addiction treatment, and LGBTQ-affirming therapy. Dr. Jacquot is also the host of the "Mental Health Business Mentor" podcast, where she shares insights on running a successful mental health practice.

Connect with Dr. Margo Jacquot:

• Website: thejunipercenter.com
• Instagram: @thejunipercenter
• Facebook: The Juniper Center

Starting therapy can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re trying to figure out where to begin. In this episode of The Consumer's Guide to Mental Health, Dr. Margo Jacquot of The Juniper Center is joined by Rahim Thawer to talk about how social media and online platforms can actually help you in your search for the right therapist. From understanding reviews and recommendations to navigating therapist directories and even TikTok and Instagram, you’ll learn how to separate useful information from noise, avoid common pitfalls, and find a provider who’s the right fit for your needs. Whether you’re looking for your very first therapist or helping someone you care about start their journey, this episode will give you practical tips for using media wisely in your search for mental health care.

While listening to this episode, you will learn: 

• Ways TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms can play a role in your search
• How social media and online platforms can help you search for the right therapist
• Tips for understanding reviews and recommendations without getting misled
• How to separate useful information from noise and avoid common pitfalls

Bio:

Rahim Thawer (he/him) is a registered social worker (OCSWSSW) and Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) based in Toronto. He works as an instructor, psychotherapist, consultant, public speaker, podcast host, and writer. He is the founder of Affective Consulting & Psychotherapy Services (est. 2014). His community workshops foster critical dialogue and reflection on mental health, systemic oppression, interpersonal dynamics, and innovation in queer relationships. Rahim teaches at The University of Alabama, where he is also completing a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) with a specialization in organizational leadership. As a queer Muslim, his clinical and scholarly work sits at the intersection of mental health and social justice. His doctoral research explores how anti-racist, queer-affirming psychoanalytic frameworks can support social workers, therapists-in-training, and organizational leaders. He is the co-editor of Any Other Way: How Toronto Got Queer (Coach House Books, 2016), a Toronto Book Awards finalist. He has also self-published four clinical guides on psychotherapy assessment, treatment planning, documentation, and countertransference. His latest book, The Mental Health Guide for Cis and Trans Queer Guys (New Harbinger Publications), was released in June 2025.

Connect with Rahim Thawer:

https://www.affectiveconsult.ca/curriculum-vitae

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahim-thawer/

https://www.instagram.com/the.politicized.practitioner/

Dr. Margo Jacquot is the award-winning founder and Chief Care Officer of The Juniper Center, one of the largest woman-owned counseling and therapy practices in the Chicago area. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in trauma recovery, addiction treatment, and LGBTQ-affirming therapy. Dr. Jacquot is also the host of the "Mental Health Business Mentor" podcast, where she shares insights on running a successful mental health practice.

Connect with Dr. Margo Jacquot:

• Website: thejunipercenter.com
• Instagram: @thejunipercenter
• Facebook: The Juniper Center