Hosts: Marianne & Angie | Special Guest: Alessa- our intern!

In this episode, we handed the mic to our intern Alessa, who collected real questions from her college friends about mental health, relationships, faith, and pop culture. No prep, no heads-up,  just raw, honest answers from two licensed therapists. From astrology to Love Island, we break down what's really going on beneath the surface.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Why we're so drawn to astrology — What our fascination with horoscopes and personality systems says about our search for identity and purpose, and how faith offers a deeper answer.
• Can sad music actually affect your mental health? — We discuss how lyrics shape our emotions, when listening to sad songs is cathartic vs. harmful, and how to use music intentionally.
• What do dreams actually mean? — Three psychological and spiritual interpretations of dreams, from divine messages to your brain's filing cabinet to reflections of your inner self.
• Healthy coping vs. avoidance — How to tell the difference, why even "good" coping skills can become unhealthy, and the concept of healthy dissociation.
• The #1 overlooked mental health habit — Why breathing and walking are two of the most powerful (and underused) tools for regulating your nervous system.
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) explained — Why seasonal changes hit so hard, especially for students from warm climates, and practical tips to prepare (light lamps, community, movement, and knowing when to come home).
• When your roommate is affecting your mental health — How to set boundaries, when to try working it out vs. when to walk away, and why you're not responsible for fixing your roommate's problems.
• When a friend is struggling but refuses help — The power of "detaching with love," setting loving boundaries, and recognizing what's above your pay grade.
• Heart vs. head: How to make big decisions — Why it's not either/or, the value of seeking counsel, and how to balance emotion with logic.
• Subtle signs someone is using you — The importance of reciprocity, recognizing one-sided relationships, and how to communicate your needs.
• Love Island deep dive — We analyze Melanie & Sincere's relationship through a therapeutic lens, discuss the four horsemen of relationship failure (criticism, contempt, defensiveness), attachment styles, and why self-worth is the real driver of relationship choices.

Tools & Resources Mentioned:

• Book Recommendation: Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend — A faith-based guide to setting healthy limits in relationships.
• Free Resources: Visit our website and check out the Resources tab for free downloadable coping skills, grounding skills, and Hope Cards to help you work toward your goals.
• College Mental Health: If you're struggling on campus, reach out to your university's counseling services, your RA, or campus mental health resources. You're not alone.

Connect With Us:

• Follow Eden's Table on social media
• Like, comment, subscribe, and share — it helps us reach more people!
• Visit our website for free resources and tools

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a licensed therapist or crisis resource in your area.

In this episode of Eden's Table, Leslie, Maryanne, and Angie sit down with Monica Palma and Rebecca Carminate sisters, mental health coaches, and co-founders of Fresh Perspectives  to talk about what healing really looks like when it happens at home, around the table, and within the whole family system.

Monica and Rebecca bring a unique, concierge-style approach to mental health coaching, specializing in eating disorders and meeting clients and their families right where they are. From navigating the "identified patient" to supporting overlooked siblings and overwhelmed parents, this conversation goes deep into the real dynamics that unfold inside families facing mental health challenges.

In this episode, we cover:

• What mental health coaching is and how it works alongside therapy
• Why the whole family system — not just one person — needs support
• The role siblings play (and why the "good one" may be your biggest concern)
• How to support a loved one without taking over their recovery
• Incorporating faith into mental health work — subtly and powerfully
• Tools and book recommendations for families in recovery
• The power of extended family, cultural dynamics, and why it truly takes a village

Books mentioned:

• Sick Enough by Jennifer Gaudiani
• Life Without Ed by Jenni Schaefer

Resources:

Fresh Perspectives: https://www.freshperspectivescollaborative.com/

Fresh Perspectives instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshperspectives/

Connect with Eden Therapy Co:

Find us on Instagram at EdensTablePod

Download free resources on our website EdenTherapyco.com 

"You cannot do it alone. The more people surrounding your loved one in support, education, and accountability, the higher the outcomes of recovery." — Monica Palma

The content of this podcast is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Listening to or interacting with this podcast does not establish a therapist-client, doctor-patient, or any other professional relationship. Always seek the guidance of a qualified mental health professional with any questions you may have regarding a mental or emotional health condition. If you are experiencing a crisis, contact emergency services or the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline immediately.

In this episode of Eden's Table, Leslie, Marian, and Angie tackle a topic that doesn't get nearly enough airtime:  men and mental health. 

As women and as therapists, they bring a unique perspective to understanding why men struggle to seek help, what gets in the way, and how we can all play a role in changing that.

In this episode, the girls discuss:

• Alarming statistics on men and mental health (suicide, sexual trauma, eating disorders)
• How cultural expectations of masculinity keep men from seeking help
• Why stigma, identity, and the "provider" role create barriers to treatment
• The role of anger and withdrawal as emotional armor
• How therapy looks different with male clients — and why directness works
• The importance of male community and friendship as a protective factor
• Social media pressures and body image issues affecting boys and men today
• Practical ways to de-stigmatize mental health for the men in your life
• The 4-Line Check — a simple tool to help men get in touch with their feelings

Resources mentioned:

• Wild at Heart by John Eldredge

Connect with Eden Therapy Co:

Coming to you live from Miami we are healing hearts, shining the light, and bridging the gap in mental health. Find us wherever you listen to podcasts!

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a man in your life who needs to hear it. And as always — freedom is possible. 

Find us on Instagram at EdensTablePod

Download free resources on our website EdenTherapyco.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or psychiatric advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapist-client, doctor-patient, or any other professional relationship between the hosts, guests, or producers and the listener.

Always seek the advice of a qualified mental health professional or healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a mental health condition or treatment. Never disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are in crisis, please call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or contact your local emergency services immediately.

The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the show, its producers, or any affiliated organizations.

Is therapy really just for people who are "broken"? Can your faith and a therapist coexist? Is one session actually enough?  In this episode of Eden's Table, therapists Leslie, Marian, Angie, and Ivanna sit down to bust the biggest myths and misconceptions about therapy — and they don't hold back.

In this episode, we cover:

• What actually happens in your first therapy session (the intake process explained)
• How long therapy really takes — and why there's no one-size-fits-all answer
• Why therapy isn't a "crutch" and what your role is in the healing process
• The truth about faith and therapy: do you have to choose between God and a therapist?
• Why feeling worse after a session might mean it's actually working
• What couples therapy is really for (hint: you don't have to be in crisis)
• The difference between your therapist and your best friend
• How to know when it's time to "shop around" for a new therapist
• Why seasonal therapy makes sense at different stages of life

Whether you've been curious about therapy, nervous to start, or wondering if it's "working," this episode will give you an honest, warm, and faith-grounded perspective on what therapy really is — and isn't.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs it! Follow, subscribe, like, and leave a comment. See you next time at Eden's Table. 

Find us on Instagram at EdensTablePod

Download free resources on our website EdenTherapyco.com 

Like, comment, subscribe, and share with someone who needs to hear this. Freedom is possible — come sit with us. 

Show Notes:

We all handle stress differently — but did you know you actually have a stress personality? In this episode, the girls break down the five stress personality types, connect them to our nervous system responses, and share practical tools to help you slow down, self-regulate, and respond (not react) to the pressures of life.

The 5 Stress Personalities

• The Over-Functioner– Go, go, go. Takes control of everything, often driven by high-functioning anxiety.
• The People Pleaser– Does everything for others to avoid conflict, often rooted in fear.
• The Avoider– Disassociates, numbs out, or scrolls away while things fall apart (the three D's: Disassociate, Deny, Disappear).
• The Perfectionist– Freezes and overthinks; paralyzed by standards ("if it's not 100%, why bother?").
• The Fixer– Takes on everyone else's problems to avoid dealing with their own emotions.

Key Topics Covered

• How stress personalities are formed through childhood patterns, family culture, and environment
• The connection between stress personalities and nervous system responses: Fight, Flight, Freeze & Fawn
• Why your stress personality may be shaping your relationships and who you're attracted to
• The difference between reacting and responding to stress
• How the frontal cortex helps us break stress cycles over time

Tools to Regulate Your Nervous System

• Breathing exercises and grounding techniques (like the 5-4-3-2-1 method — available free on their website!)
• Changing your physical environment
• Movement and walking
• Voicing your stress out loud to someone you trust
• Faith practice: "Be still and know that I am God" releasing control
• Taking things one step at a time instead of the whole mountain at once

Book Mention

📖 The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry — highly recommended by the hosts for slowing down and living with intention.

Closing Thought

You are not bad at handling stress — you just have a pattern. And patterns can change. Start today by asking yourself: Where do I feel pressure in my life? Awareness is the first step.

"Freedom is possible."

Connect & Subscribe:

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs it! Follow, subscribe, like, and leave a comment. See you next time at Eden's Table. 🌿

Find us on Instagram at EdensTablePod

Download free resources on our website EdenTherapyco.com 

In this eye-opening episode, therapists Leslie, Marianne, and Angie sit down with Dr. Gettings, a physician specializing in neuropsychiatric health and brain optimization, to discuss traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and their often-overlooked connection to mental health symptoms. As both a physician and survivor of domestic violence, Dr. Gettings brings unique insight into how mild TBIs are frequently misdiagnosed as anxiety, depression, ADHD, or mood disorders.

What You'll Learn:

• The surprising truth about mild TBIs: 90% don't involve loss of consciousness
• Common causes of brain injuries beyond sports: domestic violence, car accidents, falls, and even forceps delivery
• Why you don't need to hit your head to sustain a concussion
• How brain injuries affect the frontal lobe (focus, motivation) and temporal lobes (emotion, memory)
• The connection between TBIs and increased dementia risk
• Why standard ER scans miss most mild brain injuries
• The difference between structural imaging (CT/MRI) and functional imaging (SPECT scans)
• Practical healing protocols: omega-3 fatty acids, lithium orotate, hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• How therapists can screen clients for undiagnosed brain injuries
• Why helmets prevent skull fractures but not concussions

Key Takeaways:

• Domestic violence is one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries
• Brain injuries can present as depression, anger issues, memory problems, and processing speed difficulties
• Many people with brain injuries don't respond well to standard psychiatric medications
• Anti-inflammatory supplements and oxygen therapy can help heal brain tissue
• A thorough history is essential: ask about car accidents, sports, falls, and domestic violence

Guest Expert:

Dr. Gettings is a physician specializing in neuropsychiatric health and brain optimization.. She advocates for screening individuals for traumatic brain injuries and works to normalize the neuropsychiatric effects of brain injury beyond seizures and paralysis.

To Contact Dr Gettings:

Clarion Nuro:   https://drgettings.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgettings?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Resources Mentioned:

• SPECT brain imaging at Amen Clinics
• Supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA/EPA), Lithium orotate (Life Extension 10,000 micrograms)
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• Curcumin for inflammation
• EMDR therapy for trauma processing

Find us on Instagram at EdensTablePod

Download free resources on our website EdenTherapyco.com 

If you liked this episode please like, comment and subscribe! 

Thank you for sitting with us!

In this Valentine's Day episode, the Eden Therapy Co. team explores the growing phenomenon of AI replacing human connection in relationships. From people "cheating" with ChatGPT to children forming dangerous dependencies, they discuss how technology is reshaping intimacy, loneliness, and authentic connection. The conversation covers the difference between AI as a helpful tool versus a replacement for real relationships, and offers practical advice for maintaining genuine human connection in an increasingly digital world.

0:00 - Introduction (Opening - ~1 min)

• Welcome and Valentine's Day theme

~1:00 - AI Relationships & Emotional Dependency (~9 min)

• ChatGPT "cheating" story
• How AI learns and validates users
• Using AI for relationship advice and love letters
• The bot version of yourself

~10:00 - The Illusion of Connection (~3 min)

• What real intimacy means
• Iron sharpens iron
• AI can't truly see you

~13:00 - The Loneliness Epidemic (~5 min)

• Social isolation and phone dependency
• Generational differences (Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X)
• Loss of face-to-face connection
• Attachment styles and anxiety

~18:00 - AI as a Tool vs Replacement (~1 min)

• Proper use of AI
• Beginning of dangerous consequences discussion

~19:00 - Dangerous Consequences (~2 min)

• Child suicide case linked to AI
• Devastating impact on kids

~21:00 - Healthy Boundaries & Practical Solutions (~4 min)

• Setting tech boundaries in relationships
• Combating loneliness (go outside!)
• Using AI appropriately for regulation

~25:00 - Spiritual Connection & Authenticity (~3 min)

• AI-generated prayers
• Created for relationship with God
• Community accountability

~28:00 - Closing Thoughts (~1 min)

• Valentine's Day encouragement
• Be authentic, not perfect
• Outro

Find us on Instagram at EdensTablePod

Download free resources on our website EdenTherapyco.com 

If you liked this episode please like, comment and subscribe! 

Thank you for sitting with us!

Join the therapists of Eden Therapy Co. as they tackle the cultural pressure of "New Year, New Me" and explore why real change takes more than a calendar flip. In this episode, Leslie, Marianne, and Angie—along with team member Ivanna —discuss navigating grief during the holidays, sustaining hope through disappointment, and creating lasting transformation from the inside out. Whether you're dealing with loss, waiting for answered prayers, or feeling stuck in the same patterns, this episode offers practical wisdom on setting realistic goals, finding joy in the process, and giving yourself grace when life disrupts your plans.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] Introduction & New Year Expectations

• Meet Ivanna, the newest addition to Eden Therapy Co.
• The cultural pressure of "New Year, New Me"
• Why January 1st doesn't magically reset your life

[02:30] Grief and the New Year

• Leslie shares her first New Year after experiencing loss
• How holidays feel different when loved ones are missing
• Managing hope when circumstances don't change

[06:15] Sustaining Hope Through Disappointment

• Ivanna and Alex's journey through infertility and pregnancy
• The danger of fixating on timelines and external results
• Why internal change matters more than visible outcomes

[12:45] The Problem with Quick Fixes

• Why most New Year's resolutions fail by April
• The illusion of control vs. the reality of influence
• How life disrupts even our best-laid plans

[18:20] Change Takes Time

• The 1% principle from "Atomic Habits" by James Clear
• Why healing isn't always visible (especially at first)
• Breaking free from the need to document everything

[24:00] Vision Boards & Dream Boards

• The difference between manifesting and dreaming with God
• Why recurring themes matter more than one-year timelines
• Stewarding what you have while waiting for more

[30:15] Therapy, Community & Accountability

• Why therapy isn't a 3-session fix
• The power of processing roots to create lasting change
• The role of community in sustaining transformation

[36:45] Internal vs. External Goals

• How character development opens doors to your goals
• Cultivating joy in the waiting seasons

[42:30] Breaking Stuck Patterns

• Rewiring thought patterns that keep you stuck
• The danger of comparison in the age of social media

[48:00] Practical Tips for Lasting Change

• SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable
• Pick 1-2 goals instead of 17,000
• Focus on long-term growth over short-term wins
• The power of 1% daily improvement

Resources Mentioned:

• "Atomic Habits" by James Clear

Key Takeaways:

• Change is not linear—growth happens internally before it's visible externally
• Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but joy can be found in the process
• You can't rewrite a story that hasn't been processed yet
• Nothing that kills contentment more than comparison
• Real transformation requires time, community, and compassion for yourself

Join us next time at Eden’s Table—where you can always sit with us.
Find us on Instagram at EdensTablePod
Download free resources on our website EdenTherapyco.com


If you liked this episode please like, comment and subscribe!
Thank you for sitting with us!

In this episode of Eden Therapy Co, Leslie, Marianne, and Angie invite you to take a seat at Eden’s Table for a raw, real, and relatable conversation about our relationship with food. From cultural traditions and family influences to body image, emotional eating, and the impact of faith, we unpack the stories and beliefs that shape how we eat—and how we feel about it.

🎙️ Highlights:

• How culture and family shape our food habits
• The hidden power of food rules and “good vs. bad” thinking
• Emotional eating vs. disordered eating: what’s the difference?
• The role of faith and fasting in our food journey
• Social media myths, body image, and breaking free from comparison
• Practical tips for intuitive eating, mindful meals, and self-compassion
• Real stories of healing, grief, and finding peace with food

Whether you’re struggling with food guilt, looking to heal your relationship with eating, or just want to feel more at home in your body, this episode is for you. Plus, we share resources, book recommendations, and encouragement for your journey.

🔗 Resources mentioned:

• “When Food Is Love” by Janine Roth
• Eden Therapy Co’s meal support placemats (find them in our resource tab!)

Find us on Instagram at EdensTablePod

Download free resources on our website EdenTherapyco.com 

If you liked this episode please like, comment and subscribe! 

Thank you for sitting with us!

In this heartfelt episode of Eden’s Table, Leslie, Marianne, and Angie—therapists at Eden Therapy Co.—invite you to join a candid conversation about the vital role of friendships in our mental health and faith journeys. Broadcasting from Miami, the trio explores how relationships shape our well-being, the challenges of outgrowing friendships, and the importance of setting healthy boundaries.

Key topics include:

• Why friendships are essential for mental health and spiritual growth
• Navigating the loss or transition of close friends
• The myth of one friend meeting all your needs
• How faith and community intersect in building meaningful relationships
• Setting boundaries and communicating through differences
• Tools for evaluating the quality and purpose of your friendships
• The “levels of access” model for understanding your social circles

With personal stories, practical advice, and a touch of humor (including a SpongeBob singalong!), this episode encourages listeners to reflect on their own friendships, invest in their support systems, and remember that freedom and connection are always possible.

Don’t forget to check up on your besties, and join us next time at Eden’s Table—where you can always sit with us.

Find us on Instagram at EdensTablePod

Download free resources on our website EdenTherapyco.com 

If you liked this episode please like, comment and subscribe! 

Thank you for sitting with us!