In this episode, we sit down with Brittany Bagy, a St. Louis-based therapist, private practice owner, and mother of three. Brittany shares the real, unfiltered journey of running a thriving mental health practice while navigating the complexities of motherhood, marriage, and personal growth.

With expertise in brainspotting, Brittany helps clients move through anxiety, grief, and life transitions—while also using this powerful technique in her own self-care. She opens up about the struggles of maintaining her identity as a professional and a mother, redefining her vision along the way. From the challenges of building a career without a strong support system to learning how to truly prioritize herself, Brittany’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and unwavering purpose.

Tune in to hear:

• How Brittany balances the many roles of therapist, mom, wife, and daughter
• The impact of brainspotting on her practice and personal well-being
• Her experience navigating loss and redefining support
• The importance of vision and values in staying grounded
• What she’s learned from her own transitions—and how it helps her guide others

If you’ve ever struggled with finding yourself in the midst of life’s demands, this conversation is for you.

🎧 Listen now and join us as we explore what it truly means to create balance while staying true to your vision.

Brittany Bagy leads a private practice in St. Louis, MO supporting clients and clinicians to explore the depths of their inner wisdom, heal with resilience, and grow into their authentic humanity. As a Brainspotting Consultant and a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 15 years of experience, she serves as a therapist, clinical supervisor, and speaker on a mission to empower others to live intentionally. Brittany interweaves self-compassion practices, parts work, and Brainspotting to help others navigate grief, anxiety, and major life transitions. 

Want to know how you can begin your journey to hope and healing? Visit Elevated Life Academy for classes and free resources for personal development and healing. 

Resources:

CherieLindberg.com

ElevatedLifeAcademy.com

Guest Links:

You can explore more of Brittany Bagy's work and insights through the following links:

https://www.facebook.com/share/18Zdoekpr7/?mibextid=JRoKGi

www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-bagy-lpc

Have you ever dreamed of running your own private practice but felt unsure about taking the leap? In this episode, we sit down with Vanessa Brugge, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and Certified Yoga Therapist, to hear how she made the bold move into private practice after decades in a large behavioral health organization.

Vanessa shares how she went from envisioning a career in therapy during her undergraduate years—where media portrayals made it look glamorous—to working in management for 20 years to support her growing family. When the time was right, she transitioned into private practice with the help of a mentor, starting with just a couple of clients per week before building a thriving full-time practice in Florida.

Join us as Vanessa opens up about the challenges, fears, and rewards of making this career shift. Whether you're considering private practice or simply love hearing stories of professional reinvention, this episode is full of insights and inspiration.

🎧 Tune in now to learn:

✔️ What pushed Vanessa to finally make the switch

✔️ How mentorship played a crucial role in her transition

✔️ The gradual steps she took to build a sustainable private practice

✔️ Advice for clinicians considering the move into private practice

Don't miss this inspiring conversation about courage, timing, and following your passion!

Vanessa is an LCSW, BCBA, and certified yoga therapist in private practice with 26 years of experience. She integrates Brainspotting, yoga therapy, and behavioral techniques to help high-achieving clients navigate challenges and reach their full potential. Vanessa’s holistic approach to healing and personal growth empowers clients to thrive both personally and professionally. She is currently a Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) candidate, to deepen expertise and contribute to the evolving field of social work.

Want to know how you can begin your journey to hope and healing? Visit Elevated Life Academy for classes and free resources for personal development and healing. 

Resources:

CherieLindberg.com

ElevatedLifeAcademy.com

Guest Links:

You can explore more of Vanessa Brugge's work and insights through the following links:

www.VanessaBrugge.com

In this episode with Gabby Palamino, a Latina entrepreneur, therapist, and mother who took a bold leap of faith to build her private practice during the uncertainty of COVID. Gabby shares her journey of starting with just one private pay client—only to feel overwhelmed by fear. When she became pregnant, her perspective on work and family shifted, leading her and her spouse to reimagine their lives as co-parents and part-time professionals.

Through Brainspotting, Gabby faced her fears and gained the courage to fully step into entrepreneurship. She opens up about the struggles of balancing business growth, parenting, and the desire to provide bilingual mental health services to her community. Listen in as she shares how she turned her dream into reality, proving that with persistence and intentionality, both family and business can thrive.

🎧 Tune in to hear:

✅ The fears and mindset shifts of launching a private practice

✅ How pregnancy reshaped her career and life priorities

✅ The role of Brainspotting in overcoming self-doubt

✅ The challenges and joys of being a bilingual therapist for her community

✅ How she and her spouse created a work-life balance that prioritizes family

If you’re an entrepreneur, a therapist, or someone considering a major life change, Gabby’s story will inspire you to take your own fearless leap!

Gabriela Palomino McComb is a Latinx bilingual LCSW in private practice specializing in somatic therapy approaches, including EMDR and Brainspotting, to support healing from trauma and emotional challenges. She combines her expertise in these trauma-informed methods with a deep cultural understanding to help clients restore balance, build resilience, and achieve personal growth. Gabriela is dedicated to creating a compassionate and empowering space for clients to explore and heal from within.

🎧 Tune in now to learn:

✔️ What pushed Vanessa to finally make the switch

✔️ How mentorship played a crucial role in her transition

✔️ The gradual steps she took to build a sustainable private practice

✔️ Advice for clinicians considering the move into private practice

Don't miss this inspiring conversation about courage, timing, and following your passion!

Want to know how you can begin your journey to hope and healing? Visit Elevated Life Academy for classes and free resources for personal development and healing. 

Resources:

CherieLindberg.com

ElevatedLifeAcademy.com

Guest Links:

You can explore more of Gabby Palomino's work and insights through the following links:

http://www.thecoloroftherapy.com/

In this episode, we sit down with Michelle Petty, a play therapist and Brainspotting practitioner, to explore her journey from early intervention and attachment work to becoming a successful business owner. Michelle shares how her achievement-driven mindset and task-oriented nature initially made it difficult for her to take big risks—until a deep Brainspotting session revealed a powerful metaphor: a mountain she had to climb on her own.

With the support of her community and a trusted business partner, Michelle took the leap into private practice. She reflects on the challenges of stepping away from agency work, the fear of financial instability (especially as a single mother), and the lessons she’s learned about adaptability, balance, and trusting the process.

Throughout our conversation, Michelle highlights the power of women supporting women in professional spaces, the role her mother played as a role model, and how taking risks has positively impacted not only her career but also her son’s mindset. She embraces being a role model, both for those who lean on her professionally and for her son, who has taken an interest in the mental health field. In fact, he once asked her, “When do I get the keys to the castle?”—a reminder of how deeply her journey has inspired him.

Join us for an inspiring discussion on resilience, self-trust, and the rewards of stepping into the unknown.

🔹 Topics Covered:

• Transitioning from agency work to private practice
• How Brainspotting helped her gain clarity and confidence
• Navigating financial fears and single parenthood while building a business
• The importance of community and mentorship for personal and professional growth
• Finding balance between work and fun after COVID
• How risk-taking influences the next generation
• Embracing being a role model for others

Michelle is a highly skilled mental health professional with over a decade of experience specializing in anxiety, trauma, depression, and personal growth. As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Brainspotting Consultant, she integrates diverse therapeutic approaches, including Brainspotting, Mindfulness, Play Therapy, Attachment, and other experiential techniques. With a strong foundation in child development and family-centered care, Michelle is passionate about advancing the mental health field through professional training and collaboration with community partners. Outside her practice, she enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and nurturing her love for new experiences.

Want to know how you can begin your journey to hope and healing? Visit Elevated Life Academy for classes and free resources for personal development and healing. 

Resources:

CherieLindberg.com

ElevatedLifeAcademy.com

Guest Links:

You can explore more of Michelle Petty's work and insights through the following links:

https://www.altwellnesstherapies.com/

In this episode, we explore the transformative power of art with Ardenna, an inspiring advocate for creative healing. Ardenna shares her deeply personal story of loss and resilience, starting with the death of her mother just before her 17th birthday and her grandfather when she was only 9. Growing up, she found herself surrounded by people who didn’t know how to process grief—and she didn’t understand it either.

During her junior and senior years, Ardenna began creating a portfolio and a grief journal, unknowingly laying the foundation for her healing. It wasn’t until later in life that she realized the profound impact art had on her ability to navigate loss and understand her world.

Ardenna’s passion for art grew into a mission to help others. She has facilitated art groups like Hands of Hope for survivors of domestic violence and worked in diverse settings, including mobile crisis teams, jails, nonprofit organizations, and with police officers. She discusses how art serves as both a medium for self-expression and a tool for understanding emotions, often using it to assess where clients are on their personal journey.

Looking ahead, Ardenna is launching online art groups in 2025 with themes inspired by famous artists and releasing a journal to help others explore art as a pathway to healing and self-discovery. Join us as Ardenna shares how creativity can provide a voice for the soul, inspire transformation, and offer hope in the face of life’s challenges.

Key Takeaways:

• The role of art in processing grief and finding clarity.
• How art can be used as a tool for assessment and self-awareness.
• Ardenna’s plans for online art groups and her upcoming journal in 2025.
• Inspiring ways to use creativity to connect with your inner world.

Tune in to hear Ardenna’s heartfelt story and learn how art can open new doors to healing and personal growth!

Ardenna is a Professional Counselor licensed in California and Texas and has been a mental health therapist for approximately 15 years. She is an EMDR certified and Brainspotting therapist who has a career that spans from working in one of the largest family justice centers in the world to mobile crisis outreach and victim's services for police. Ardenna's passion is working with groups and has experience in the following settings: jail, hospital, shelters, and outreach centers. She is the author of a 40 day journal for those in their forties entitled "Forty for Forties: Transform and Reflect on your Life's Journey."

Want to know how you can begin your journey to hope and healing? Visit Elevated Life Academy for classes and free resources for personal development and healing. 

Resources:

CherieLindberg.com

ElevatedLifeAcademy.com

Guest Links:

You can explore more of Ardenna Downing's work and insights through the following links:

TikTok: @callerycounseling

Instagram: @callery_counseling

Facebook: callery counseling

website: www.callerycounseling.com

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Michelle Dyett-Welcome, a compassionate guide for men navigating the challenging path of recovery from sexual addiction and for the women who’ve been impacted by betrayal trauma. Michelle shares her unique approach to helping individuals reconnect with their integrity, self-compassion, and wholeness through Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy.

Topics Covered:

• Understanding Sexual Addiction: How childhood trauma and shame contribute to the cycle of addiction, and how IFS therapy helps men connect with and unburden the parts of themselves they’ve judged or that society has labeled as “monstrous.”
• Restoring Integrity: The journey of moving from shame to self-compassion and learning to live in alignment with one’s values.
• Healing Betrayal Trauma: Supporting partners who’ve experienced deep emotional wounds, helping them rediscover their sense of self-worth, beauty, and remarkability.
• Small Steps to Transformation: How Michelle’s programs guide both men and their partners to take incremental steps toward healthier behaviors, self-awareness, and mutual trust.

Key Takeaways:

• Sexual addiction is often rooted in unresolved childhood trauma and serves as a way to self-soothe.
• Recovery involves acknowledging the shame, trauma, and judgment men carry, and holding those parts sacredly to facilitate healing.
• Betrayal trauma can deeply affect a partner’s self-esteem and sense of identity, but with support, they can unburden and reclaim their strength.
• Real change happens through small, consistent actions that rebuild trust and integrity.

Whether you’ve been directly impacted by sexual addiction or are seeking to better understand these complex dynamics, this episode offers hope, tools, and a path forward.

Tune in to hear Michelle’s profound insights and learn how compassion and courage can transform lives and relationships.

Michelle J. Dyett-Welcome is a clever and adept practitioner specializing in trauma, relationships, and personal growth. Level 2 and Group Brainspotting trained, and Level 2 IFS (Internal Family Systems) trained, she is also a Trauma-Sensitive HeartMath® Certified Practitioner and HeartMath® Certified Clinical Coach in Stress, Anxiety, and Self-Regulation. Michelle’s contemporary and state-of-the-art approach supports sex addicts, partners of sex addicts, and individuals who have experienced trauma, empowering them to heal and thrive with surprising insights and transformative care. Based in NYC, she tailors her work to meet her clients' unique needs.

Want to know how you can begin your journey to hope and healing? Visit Elevated Life Academy for classes and free resources for personal development and healing. 

Resources:

CherieLindberg.com

ElevatedLifeAcademy.com

You can connect with Michelle here:

https://campsite.bio/breatheeasycoach

In this episode we dive into the world of mindfulness and movement with Addie DeHilster, a mindfulness meditation teacher and movement specialist. For over 25 years, Addie has relied on these practices to navigate the ever-changing seasons of life. From her early days as a college student in a high-pressure performance environment to her role as a teacher helping others access the benefits of embodied mindfulness, Addie’s journey is a testament to the power of connecting body and mind.

Tune in as Addie shares:

• How yoga became a lifeline during a stressful season in college, introducing her to a deeper connection with her body.
• Why movement is a crucial gateway to unlocking the benefits of meditation, especially for those who struggle to sit still.
• The transformative impact of Feldenkrais, a slow and exploratory movement practice that helps release tension patterns and integrate emotions.
• How past experiences are stored in the body and how mindfulness can help us engage with them in a new way.
• Tips for incorporating simple movement practices into daily life to enhance emotional awareness and well-being.

Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or just curious about the intersection of movement and mindfulness, this episode will inspire you to explore the profound wisdom held within your own body.

Resources:

CherieLindberg.com

ElevatedLifeAcademy.com

You can connect with Addie and access through the following platforms:

Website: https://movedtomeditate.yoga/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/addie.dehilster/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/addie_movedtomeditate/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/addie-dehilster-9866437/

Insight Timer: https://insighttimer.com/addie_dehilster

In this inspiring episode we sit down with Chris McDonald, a yogi and therapist on a mission to revolutionize how mental health professionals approach healing. Chris brings her unique perspective as a former school counselor of 16 years, where she first discovered the limitations of traditional therapy with anxious students. Her journey of self-discovery and reinvention has led her to embrace holistic principles, integrating breathwork, meditation, and yoga into her therapeutic practice.

Chris shares:

• Her early struggles as a shy child and how they shaped her empathetic approach to therapy.
• The transformative moment when teaching breathwork to anxious students revealed the power of body-mind connection.
• How meditation and yoga became essential to her personal and professional life, evolving from occasional practices to daily rituals that ground and sustain her.
• The importance of somatic work in therapy and how gentle movements like chair yoga can help clients melt away stress and anxiety.
• Her insights into building sustainable daily practices that nourish both therapists and their clients.

If you’ve ever felt the gap between traditional therapy and what truly helps clients heal, or you’re curious about incorporating yoga and somatic principles into your work, this episode is packed with wisdom and actionable takeaways.

Want to know how you can begin your journey to hope and healing? Visit Elevated Life Academy for classes and free resources for personal development and healing. 

Resources:

CherieLindberg.com

ElevatedLifeAcademy.com

You can connect with Chris and access podcast episodes through the following platforms:

• Facebook: Yoga in the Therapy Room Podcast
• Instagram: @holisticcounselingpodcast
• LinkedIn: Chris McDonald
• YouTube: Yoga in the Therapy Room Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Lauren Auer, a dedicated healer whose journey began in the criminal justice field, working with juvenile offenders and their families. Her work extended to counseling survivors of sexual abuse and assault at a rape crisis center, where she gained firsthand experience with vicarious trauma. Lauren’s insights reveal the profound layers of trauma and the need for providers to prioritize self-care and nervous system regulation.

Now in private practice, Lauren specializes in EMDR, Brainspotting, and Ketamine-Assisted Therapy, helping clients navigate their healing journeys. Join us as we explore her crash course in trauma, the lessons she’s learned about resilience, and how she’s reshaping the conversation around self-care for providers.

Topics Covered:

• Lauren’s transition from criminal justice to counseling.
• Insights into trauma at different stages and instances.
• The impact of vicarious trauma on providers.
• Finding your self-care with the goal of balancing the central nervous system.
• Services she offers include: EMDR, Brainspotting, and Ketamine-Assisted Therapy in trauma recovery.

A must-listen for healers, therapists, and anyone interested in understanding trauma and self-care on a deeper level.

Want to know how you can begin your journey to hope and healing? Visit Elevated Life Academy for classes and free resources for personal development and healing. 

Resources:

CherieLindberg.com

ElevatedLifeAcademy.com

Guest Links:

You can explore more of Lauren Auer's work and insights through the following links:

www.steadfastcounseling.com

www.instagram.com/yourtraumatherapist_/

www.tiktok.com/@yourtraumatherapist

https://mytherapist.substack.com/

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Diane Poole Heller, a leading voice in trauma resolution and attachment theory. In this episode, Diane shares how our connections can be disrupted and gives powerful insights on how we can repair and restore our connections. She highlights the transformative power of attachment work, showing how experiential healing can guide us back to secure and meaningful relationships.

Diane explains that while trauma can shake our attachment system and push us off-center, it is possible to heal and repair. With the right approaches, resilience can be rebuilt, and our relationships can thrive once more. This episode provides hope and practical tools for navigating the complexities of attachment and fostering lasting emotional health.

Beyond the psychological framework, Diane invites listeners to explore the spiritual dimensions of healing and the human journey. She weaves together attachment work with spiritual growth, illustrating how true healing encompasses both inner resilience and a deep connection to the self and the greater world around us.

Want to know how you can begin your journey to hope and healing? Visit Elevated Life Academy for classes and free resources for personal development and healing. 

Resources:

CherieLindberg.com

ElevatedLifeAcademy.com

Guest Links:

You can explore more of Diane Poole Heller's work and insights through the following links:

• YouTube: Diane Poole Heller Channel
• LinkedIn: Diane Poole Heller LinkedIn
• Instagram: @hlthyattachment
• Website: Diane Poole Heller