Drop the BS w/ Dr. Kirleen

Breaking up with a best friend can feel just as painful as splitting up with your partner. And while everyone acknowledges the trauma of romantic breakups, people don’t really talk about the fallout of a platonic separation. But the truth is a breakup is a breakup. When you share intimacy, and trust, in a friendship making the decision to dissolve the relationship can be very difficult. So on today show I’ve brought on one of my besties Frank Baly to dish on this topic we’ve both had our ups and downs in friendship and I hope our perspectives helps you navigate the choppy water of breaking up with a bestie.

Similar Episodes:
87: Feeling Unheard and Unseen in Relationships?

Rate, Review, & Follow-on Apple Podcasts:
Please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like to improve their mental health and live a better today story. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast.

Resources/Things Mentioned During The Show
Frank Baly www.frankabaly.com
Neely Counseling www.neelycounseling.com
Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
Drop The BS Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/dropthebspodcast/

Breaking up with a best friend can feel just as painful as splitting up with your partner. And while everyone acknowledges the trauma of romantic breakups, people don’t really talk about the fallout of a platonic separation. But the truth is a breakup is a breakup. When you share intimacy, and trust, in a friendship making the decision to dissolve the relationship can be very difficult. So on today show I’ve brought on one of my besties Frank Baly to dish on this topic we’ve both had our ups and downs in friendship and I hope our perspectives helps you navigate the choppy water of breaking up with a bestie.

Similar Episodes:
87: Feeling Unheard and Unseen in Relationships?

Rate, Review, & Follow-on Apple Podcasts:
Please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like to improve their mental health and live a better today story. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast.

Resources/Things Mentioned During The Show
Frank Baly www.frankabaly.com
Neely Counseling www.neelycounseling.com
Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
Drop The BS Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/dropthebspodcast/

In Episode 99, Pt. 2, we continue to unravel the Love Language Paradox: I dive into the dos and don'ts of how to effectively use love languages. You will leave this episode ready to love and live from a new perspective.

Similar Episodes
79: Should You Consider Couples Counseling? w/Dr. Kimberly VanBuren
57: Heal Relationship Disconnects w/Third Layer Conversations

Rate, Review, & Follow-on Apple Podcasts:
Please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like to improve their mental health and live a better today story. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast.

Resources/Things Mentioned During The Show
Love Language Test: https://5lovelanguages.com/
Neely Counseling www.neelycounseling.com
Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
Drop The BS Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/dropthebspodcast/

Odds are, you've heard of the five love five languages by now, and you may even have proclaimed out loud that your love language is physical touch, quality time, or one of the five. But in my work as a therapist, I find that people are missing the real magic behind what makes love languages a powerful concept and maybe misunderstand the original intent. Three decades ago, Gary Chapman, a 50-year-old Southern Baptist pastor with a doctorate in adult education, introduced the concept to the world with his seminal book, "The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts." In our two-part series, we are going to break down how to effectively utilize the five love languages to give and receive the love you deserve.

Similar Episodes
79: Should You Consider Couples Counseling? w/Dr. Kimberly VanBuren
57: Heal Relationship Disconnects w/Third Layer Conversations

Rate, Review, & Follow-on Apple Podcasts:
Please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like to improve their mental health and live a better today story. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast.

Resources/Things Mentioned During The Show
Love Language Test: https://5lovelanguages.com/
Neely Counseling www.neelycounseling.com
Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
Drop The BS Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/dropthebspodcast/

If you know me, then you know that I am seriously a big fan of therapy. I might be a little biased as a therapist, but the truth is I am a big fan because I have seen firsthand the ability therapy has to transform lives. I have seen marriages saved, depression lifted, and teens get back on track with their life. However, I do understand that there may be a period in time when going to therapy is just not possible. Whether it is because of finances, time, or maybe you simply aren’t ready. So, on today’s show, I am going to share some simple self-help tools you can use in between therapy sessions.

Here's a glance at this episode:
[3:35] Disclaimer
[4:16] Tip #1: Journaling
[7:56] Prompt examples
[17:30] Tip #2: Work on disrupting your thoughts.
[19:10] Put your thoughts on trial.
[25:33] Toolbox Takeaway

Similar Episodes:
Episode 55: Dump the Inner Critic Episode
Episode 51: Are you considering therapy?

Rate, Review, & Follow-on Apple Podcasts:
Please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like to improve their mental health and live a better today story. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast.

Resources/Things Mentioned During The Show
Neely Counseling www.neelycounseling.com
Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
Drop The BS Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/dropthebspodcast/

It's challenging to help a loved one struggling with any type of addiction. Sometimes direct, heart-to-heart conversation can lead to arguments, lies, and denial. Family and friends are often unsure of whether what they are dealing with is really an addiction or just misuse. The bottom line is seeing someone you love spiral into what you think is addiction is scary and can have emotional and psychological ramifications for everyone. In Episode 96, to help me explore this topic I’ve brough in Aaron Ballesteros, Licensed Professional Counselor. He has a passion for substance abuse work and shares some nuggets of wisdom on this episode. Substance abuse and substance misuse are often thought to be the same, but they have different meanings. Someone who delas with substance abuse means that they are intentionally using the drug in an unhealthy and illegal way. Whereas substance misuse is using or taking medicine in a way it was not intended to do so. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS), 21.4% of people who are 12 and over have used illegal drugs or misused prescription drugs within the last year. However, it was also discovered that the drug use among people aged 12 and over is down 0.4% year-over-year.

Similar Episodes: Episode 83: Should You Use Medication to Manage Your Mental Health? w/ Dr. Kim Episode 77: Stress Management 101

Rate, Review, & Follow-on Apple Podcasts: Please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like to improve their mental health and live a better today story. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast.

Resources/Things Mentioned During The Show
Aaron Ballesteros https://www.instagram.com/counseloraaron/?hl=en
Aaron Ballesterso https://www.tiktok.com/@counseloraaron?lang=en
Neely Counseling www.neelycounseling.com
Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
Drop The BS Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/dropthebspodcast/

It is never easy when someone you know personally puts a label on you, like saying, “you’re so controlling.” Initially, you might think this person is just hating on you, but if you hear this from multiple people, you may begin to wonder if there is any truth to what they are saying.
Controlling behaviors can be incredibly detrimental to any relationship and may have deep emotional roots. In many instances, you may not realize that your actions come across as controlling. So, on today’s show, we will explore red flags that you may be a control freak and identify strategies to help you move through life with more ease and less control. Many times, being a control freak can create other issues within yourself, like increased anxiety or even severe self-criticism. It is important to be self-aware and recognize the signs before it is too late and you have damaged your relationship with others.

Here's a glance at this episode:
[2:50] Level Set: Are you controlling?
[5:20] What are the subtle ways you may be a control freak?
[17:28] Understanding why you are controlling
[21:30] What you can do about it?
[35:21] Toolbox Takeaway

Similar Episodes:
Episode 94: Hurt People Hurt People: How to Handle Passive Aggressive Individuals
Episode 91: Healing Childhood Trauma As An Adult w/ Maira Holzmann

Rate, Review, & Follow-on Apple Podcasts: Please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like to improve their mental health and live a better today story. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast.

Resources/Things Mentioned During The Show
Neely Counseling www.neelycounseling.com
Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
Drop The BS Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/dropthebspodcast/

Do you have someone in your life that it's hard to have a simple conversation about what you feel or over a concern you may be having? Every time you try to explain what you feel, they take it the wrong way, won't accept responsibility for their actions, or just plain act out. When this happens, you may find yourself caught in the web of their dysfunctional communication style. Before you know it, you're upset, yelling, screaming, and wondering how in the heck did you get here. In many cases, these individuals are acting out of pain and trauma, and like the old saying goes, “hurt people, hurt people". When someone has experienced trauma or emotional pain, it can affect how they perceive and interact with the world around them and lead them to use defense mechanisms. A defense mechanism is an unconscious strategy that people use to protect themselves from anxious thoughts or feelings. On today's show, we're going to look at several common defense mechanisms that hurt people use. My hope is that getting the inside scoop on these behaviors will help you avoid the web of dysfunction and be able to approach difficult conversations with empathy and understanding.

Here's a glance at this episode:
[4:38 ] What is a defense mechanism?
[6:28 ] Top 3 Defense Mechanisms
[15:55] Toolbox Takeaway

Similar Episodes:Episode
53: Emotional Baggage Drop OffEpisode
80: Using Emotional Intelligence to Resolve Conflict and Keep YourCool w/ Doug Noll

Rate, Review, & Follow-on Apple Podcasts:Please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support morepeople -- just like to improve their mental health and live a better todaystory. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Writea Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about theepisode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast.

Resources/Things Mentioned During The Show:
Neely Counseling www.neelycounseling.com
Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
Drop The BS Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/dropthebspodcast/

It has become commonplace for people to use mental health conditions as
dramatic labels for aspects of everyday life. Expressions like, "OMG, she's
so bipolar" and "I'm so OCD right now" have become a part of everyday
conversations. While most people are just trying to describe what they feel
at any given moment, this language may minimize the seriousness of these
conditions, create confusion, and leave people who truly struggle feeling unseen.
As mental health has taken center stage in recent years, it's time
to truly put some thought into the way we talk about our mental health.

So, on today's show, I've invited board-certified psychiatrist Dr. James
Fuqua to dive into the truth about Bipolar Disorder, its signs, and
treatment options available.


Here's a glance at this episode:
[4:24] What Is Bipolar Disorder?
[12:19] What Are The Causes?
[19:41] Toolbox Takeaway

Similar Episodes:
Episode 28: Do You Have Trouble Focusing? You Could Have Adult ADHD
Episode 31: Winning With the Cards You've Been Dealt

Rate, Review, & Follow-on Apple Podcasts:
Please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more
people -- just like to improve their mental health and live a better today
story. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write
a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the
episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast.

Resources/Things Mentioned During The Show:
Dr. James Fuqua's
www.ventanamentalhealth.com

Drop The BS Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dropthebspodcast/

There are certain seasons in life where it may feel like there is no
solution to your problem. You've used every trick in the book, but the
relationship, situation, or circumstance just isn't changing. Maybe you've
been caring for a sick family member, or you are stuck in a dead relationship. You've cried, talked, prayed about it, and then talked about it again. These situations can leave us feeling overwhelmed, bitter, numb, and even exhausted despite getting a good night's sleep. On today's show, I'd like you to join me as I create space for us to discuss these complicated emotions and look for viable solutions to move throughthem.

Here's a glance at this episode:
[5:20] How Do We Move Through This Feeling?
[11:51] Grow, Keep, and Throw
[21:20] Toolbox Takeaway

Similar Episodes:
Episode 69: What Lesson Is Life Trying To Teach You?
Episode 73: Have You Been Easily Irritated Lately?

Rate, Review, & Follow-on Apple Podcasts:
Please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more
people -- just like to improve their mental health and live a better today
story. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write
a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the
episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast.

Resources/Things Mentioned During The Show:
Neely Counseling Center
Drop The BS Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dropthebspodcast/