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We share five practical ways to be emotionally available with your kids and your partner, based on what we see repeatedly in work with teens and couples. The goal is less turbulence at home by replacing fixing and defensiveness with listening, steadiness, and repair. 
• listening before offering solutions so kids and partners feel heard 
• making room for feelings while still limiting harmful behaviour 
• giving undivided attention and taking interest in small things 
• building trust early so teens bring bigger problems to us 
• managing our reaction so honesty does not get punished 
• repairing quickly after we snap or get it wrong 
• apologising without adding “but” and cancelling the apology 
• using reminders to follow through on repair conversations 
Let me know what you think. I am on all of the social medias under Doc David. 

Doc David

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Mother-in-law conflict can hijack a marriage faster than almost anything, and it often starts with a misunderstanding about what’s really being threatened. I’m Dr. David from Head Shrink Inc., and I’m unpacking the emotional engine behind those tense comments, the awkward loyalty pulls, and the feeling that nothing you do is ever “good enough.”

We talk through why a mother may react strongly to a new partner, starting with a simple truth: your spouse was hers first. That history shapes how she interprets change, especially when she had hopes and dreams for him and now wonders if his life is going the “right” way. I also explain how fear shows up early and keeps showing up later, fears about losing connection, moving far away, access to grandkids, and competition with the other side of the family.

Then we get practical with three straightforward moves that reduce drama without turning you into a doormat: share less information with in-laws (especially through a sister-in-law pipeline), lead with respect even when it isn’t returned, and build scar tissue on your tongue by refusing to fight over small stuff that doesn’t matter. If you want a calmer home, stronger boundaries, and a healthier mother-in-law relationship, this is a solid place to start. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

Doc David

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Seasonal affective disorder can look like “winter just makes me miserable,” but it is a real, diagnosable pattern with practical treatment options. We break down what SAD feels like, why people miss it for years, and how light therapy and simple tracking can help you get months of life back. 
• common SAD symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, sadness, low focus, anhedonia and low energy 
• why many people tolerate winter mood drops instead of treating them 
• medication and talk therapy pros and limits for seasonal patterns 
• light therapy basics including 10,000 brightness and 20 minutes per day 
• why consistency matters and what improvement can look like in 1 to 2 weeks 
• journaling weather and mood to spot your personal pattern 
• how holidays family stress and social media can compound low mood 
If you want to know where I’m gonna be at, you are more than welcome to follow me on Instagram, Dr. David Simonson. 
If you like this, if you enjoy this podcast, I’d love it if you’d share it with other people. 
If there’s people that you guys think are interesting and that you would want me to interview, I would love to get suggestions from you. You can go to my Instagram and message me. You can go into docdavid.net and message me your thoughts.

Doc David

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We break down what “toxic” looks like in real relationships and why it can feel subtle until you notice the pattern. We lay out the behaviours that keep conflict unresolved and explain how we protect ourselves with clearer boundaries and lower expectations. 
• defining toxicity as patterns that vary by relationship context 
• why toxicity can blend with gaslighting and leave you second guessing 
• threats of cutting off the relationship and the martyr swing 
• ignoring valid issues while spotlighting your mistakes 
• refusing to apologise and deflecting with “well you do this” 
• passive aggressive shutdowns when confronted with facts 
• absolutist language like “you always” and “you never” as a red flag 
• choosing boundaries, limiting information, and managing contact 
If you have any questions, drop me a line at headshrinkinc in c at gmail.com. 

Doc David

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Family court can turn your private life into a public argument, and the people asked to “sort it out” are often working inside messy rules and even messier incentives. We sit down with clinical social worker Erin Hillesso to unpack what custody evaluations and parenting evaluations actually do, how they differ from a guardian ad litem, and why neutrality is a skill you have to build on purpose, not a vibe you claim. If you’ve ever wondered how judges make decisions in high conflict divorce, this conversation gives you a clear map of the process and the pressure points. 

We also go straight at reunification therapy and the explosion of private pay reunification programs, including controversial reunification camps. Aaron explains how rigid “everything is alienation” thinking can erase real abuse, how coercive control and post-separation abuse can hide in plain sight, and why ethical reunification work starts with evaluation and safety screening before anyone pushes contact. Along the way, we talk about why psychometric testing is often overused in family court, how reports get weaponized, and what it’s like to testify when attorneys are trying to discredit you. 

The behind-the-scenes reality matters too: state oversight can range from strict rosters to the wild west, licensing complaints can be used as retaliation, and interstate licensing can complicate cases where parents live across state lines. Aaron also shares perspective on estrangement, culture, and why one-size explanations rarely fit real families. If you care about child welfare, family systems, and the ethics of court-involved therapy, you’ll leave with sharper questions and more practical insight. Subscribe, share this with someone navigating family court, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

Doc David

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Your kid argues about rules, ignores chores, and acts like boundaries are the enemy, but what if the real problem is that the boundaries keep moving? We dig into one of the biggest parenting issues I see across family therapy: inconsistency. When expectations change from day to day, kids get confused, behaviour gets louder, and the parent-child relationship takes a hit even if everyone has good intentions. 

We talk through why children actually crave consistency, not “more punishment,” and how reliable follow-through can feel like care. I break down the balancing act between being firm and being flexible, and why emotions like guilt, fear, and anxiety can push parents into doing the wrong thing even when they are trying to protect the bond. This matters in every household, but it shows up sharply in blended families and co-parenting after divorce, where limited time together can make consequences feel risky. 

We also unpack the single-parent side of this problem, where overwhelm and guilt can slowly erase expectations and turn basic responsibilities into constant negotiations. You’ll leave with a clearer sense of how consistent boundaries support kids, reduce conflict, and protect relationships with co-parents and step-parents. 

Follow along on Instagram at Dr. David Simonson, and if you have questions, reach out at headshrinkink at gmail.com. If this helped, subscribe, share it with a parent who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest consistency challenge.

Doc David

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You can be in a relationship that looks stable from the outside and still feel quietly stuck on the inside. That limbo is the focus here: you’ve been together a long time, you’re not particularly happy, but you’re not miserable enough to leave. So what tells you it’s time to fix your relationship, and what tells you it’s time to finish it? I walk through how I think about that question in real life, especially when there’s no abuse and the problem is the slow drift that happens in long-term marriage.

We talk about why unhappy couples stay together, even when they feel lonely in the same house. Financial dependence can trap people who stepped out of the workforce to support a family. Kids can keep parents in place because divorce changes everything for children. And guilt is real too: church upbringing, family pressure, and the fear of being judged can push people to tolerate years of emotional distance. Naming the real reason you’re staying is often the first step toward any honest decision.

Then we get practical. “Fell out of love” usually isn’t sudden, it’s what happens when small acts of care disappear and complacency takes over. I share simple relationship advice you can use immediately: act on the hug, the kiss, the kind thought, the moment of service. From there, I lay out key questions for clarity: is there mutual respect, are you willing to change, is this incompatibility or unresolved conflict, what happens if nothing changes for five years, and are you staying because you love them or because you’re afraid to leave? If fear and avoided emotions are running the show, therapy and honest conversations can help you build a healthier path forward.

Subscribe for more relationship and marriage counseling insights, share this with someone who needs a clear next step, and leave a review with the question you want me to answer next.

Doc David

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People pleasing can sound harmless, even admirable, until you notice the cost: constant pressure to perform, fear of disappointing anyone, and a calendar full of commitments you secretly dread. I’m Doc David from Head Shrink Inc., and I’m unpacking the people pleaser pattern in a blunt, practical way. If you’ve ever called yourself a people pleaser, or you’ve been accused of it, this conversation helps you separate true kindness from approval seeking that leads to burnout. 

We dig into the traits that commonly show up, like chasing new friends because they feel low-stakes, obsessing over what others think, and working overtime to look cool or “together,” especially on social media. I also talk about why confrontation feels so threatening for people pleasers, and how conflict avoidance can trap relationships at a shallow level. When being liked becomes the priority, honesty gets replaced by polished words and inconsistent actions, and that gap creates confusion for everyone involved. 

From a mental health angle, we connect the dots to anxiety, discontentment, and the way these patterns can strain family relationships over time. I close with concrete next steps: start with one brave conversation with someone you trust, name the habits you want to change, and consider therapy if you need steady guidance and accountability. If this resonates, share it with a friend, subscribe for more straight talk on psychology and relationships, and leave a review with the trait you’re working on most.

Doc David

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Fall arrives fast, so we walk through five concrete ways we make the seasonal transition feel calmer and more intentional. We focus on routines, daylight, connection, and the hard but freeing practice of letting one thing end. 
• Resetting routines after summer to create predictability without overdoing it 
• Setting boundaries for weekends so fall events do not cause burnout 
• Using September as a second New Year with realistic, simple commitments 
• Partnering with someone for accountability on health and habit changes 
• Preparing for less daylight by getting outside and staying active 
• Reconnecting intentionally with family and friends through predictable plans 
• Letting something end, especially resentment or unused clutter that weighs you down 

You can leave comments on Spotify, you can leave comments on Buzz Sprout, which is where this podcast is hosted, or you can email me directly at headshrinkinc at gmail.com.

Doc David

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We finish part two of Doc David’s dating tips by naming the warning signs that quietly turn into painful marriage problems later. We focus on safety, honesty, attraction, and long term choices so you can date with clear boundaries and real confidence. 
• recognising possessiveness, extreme jealousy, and control as serious red flags 
• understanding why marriage rarely fixes dating problems 
• challenging unhealthy “love for sex” and “sex for love” dynamics 
• keeping older, competent adults in your life as trusted sounding boards 
• protecting friendships and personal space while dating someone 
• balancing attraction with character, integrity, and compassion 
• refusing to settle out of fear of being alone 
If you want more clarification about, feel free to email me at headshrinkinc at gmail.com. That's head shrink with a K INC at gmail.com, or you can message me on Facebook at docdavid. Or you can look up, look me up online, docdavid.net. 

Doc David