Health Hope Harmony: A Mental Health Podcast Redefining Health Restoring Hope Reaching Harmony

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In this episode, I share my professional reaction to Bad Therapy by Abigail Shrier and unpack the growing cultural conversation around therapy, trauma, and parenting.

As a licensed therapist specializing in eating disorders, body image, mood disorders, and trauma, I explore where I agree — and where I strongly disagree — with Shrier’s critique of modern mental health culture.

Topics covered include:

• Overdiagnosis and overmedication in children and teens
• Therapy dependence and ethical practice
• Trauma theory and whether trauma impacts the brain
• Social-emotional learning in schools
• Gentle parenting vs. authoritative parenting
• Rumination vs. healthy emotional reflection

If you’re searching for insight on Bad Therapy, trauma-informed therapy, parenting trends, or concerns about over-therapy culture, this episode offers a balanced, clinically grounded perspective.

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In this episode of Health Hope Harmony, we’re breaking down what you can expect during your first counseling session. Whether it’s your first time in therapy or you’re just curious about the process, we’re here to guide you through it. From completing paperwork and assessments to setting goals and establishing trust, we’ll cover it all to help you feel confident and prepared. Join me, Sabrina, as we demystify the intake process and discuss how your first session lays the foundation for a supportive, healing journey.

If you’ve been wondering what to expect in therapy or feel nervous about starting, this episode is for you!

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Today’s episode is an important one and expands on the last two episodes: How to Know If Your Counselor Is a Good Fit.  Whether you have just started working with a counselor or have working with someone for years. This episode will help you determine if the counselor is the right fit for you. 

Counseling is a deeply personal experience, and finding the right counselor is key to feeling safe, supported, and empowered in your healing journey. But how do you know if your counselor is the right match for you? What signs should you look for, and what should you do if something doesn’t feel right?

We’ll break it all down today by exploring red flags, green flags, and practical steps to take when assessing fit.

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Finding the right counselor can feel overwhelming. With so many different approaches, specialties, and terms, it’s hard to know where to start. But don’t worry—by the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear understanding of what to look for in a provider who’s right for you.

We’ll talk about key terms like trauma-informed care, HAES-aligned counseling, and modality-specific specialties. Plus, I’ll share practical tips to help you feel confident in your search

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Welcome back to Health Hope Harmony! In this episode, Sabrina helps you navigate the often-overwhelming process of finding a counselor. Whether you’re unsure where to start or feel lost in the sea of choices, Sabrina breaks it all down, from understanding what to look for in a provider to making the first call or email. If you’ve been thinking about therapy but don’t know where to begin, this episode offers a clear roadmap to guide you through the process.

Sabrina covers:

• How to define your needs and find the right specialist
• The pros and cons of using insurance versus paying privately
• How to effectively reach out to potential therapists
• Tips for preparing for your consultation and evaluating whether a therapist is the right fit

No matter where you are in your therapy journey, this episode is your first step toward prioritizing your well-being.

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 In this episode of Health Hope Harmony, Sabrina dives into one of the most common questions people have when considering therapy: How do I know if I should talk to someone? If you've been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure if counseling is right for you, this episode is for you. Sabrina covers key signs that it might be time to seek therapy or return after a break, busts common myths about therapy, and offers practical steps on how to take that first step toward finding support. Whether you're new to therapy or have been thinking about returning, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence you need. Tune in for insights on navigating your mental health journey. 

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We’ve reached a huge milestone—100 episodes of Health Hope Harmony/The Emotional Eating Therapist Show! In this special episode, I’m reflecting on the incredible journey we’ve shared together and what’s to come for the podcast.

From the very first episode to today, this podcast has grown beyond my wildest expectations. It started as a passion project to help those struggling with food, body image, and mental health, and it has become a community where healing and connection thrive.

In this celebratory episode, I’ll share some key highlights from our journey, including your favorite episodes and the powerful insights from our guests. Plus, I’ll reveal the top 5 lessons I’ve learned from 100 episodes of podcasting and how they’ve shaped my own journey in healing.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to share how The Emotional Eating Therapist Show is evolving! We’ll continue to explore food and body image topics, but we’re expanding to cover mood disorders, trauma, and the many ways mental health intersects with our lives.

As a thank you for your support, I’ve created a special gift just for you—5 Grounding Techniques for When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed. Plus, there’s a fun giveaway you won’t want to miss!

Join me for this milestone celebration, and let’s look forward to 100 more episodes of growth, healing, and connection.

Don’t forget to rate, review, and share this episode to spread the healing to others who need it.

Links Mentioned:

• Download the free resource: www.healthhopeharmony.com/resources
• Enter the signed Mirror Mirror journal giveaway: Share this episode on social media and tag us @healthhopeharmonyllc
  • on December 6th I'll randomly draw 2 names of those that have shared

Until next time, be gentle with yourself. 

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We're back!  After a hiatus the podcast has returned with a new name and look. 

That's right! We are no longer "The Emotional Eating Therapist Show." Instead, we have rebranded ourselves to better reflect the broad and vital topics we'll be discussing. Our new name is "Health Hope Harmony."

 You might be wondering why we decided to make this change. Well, the answer is simple. Over time, we've evolved and grown, just as our audience has. We've come to realize that our conversations about non-diet approaches, body acceptance, Health at Every Size, body image, eating disorders, mood disorders, and trauma deserve a name that truly encompasses the richness of these subjects.

"Health Hope Harmony" speaks to the heart of what we're all about. It reflects our commitment to promoting wellness (and helping you decide what that means for you), fostering hope, and finding harmony in your life, regardless of the challenges you face.

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Have you ever wondered about the hidden biases in healthcare that affect those of higher weights? Prepare to have your eyes opened by Ragan Chastain, a dynamic keynote speaker who joins us to unpack the prevalence of weight stigma and its deep-seated roots in racism and anti-blackness. Our conversation is a primer for Ragan's much-anticipated keynote at the upcoming Eating Disorder Conference, where she'll dive deeper into cultivating a healthcare environment free from bias and discrimination. We discuss the urgent need for education in the healthcare sector and provide a list of essential readings to arm yourself with knowledge on this critical issue.

The weight loss industry's influence on our perceptions of health comes under the microscope as we chat with Ragan. We scrutinize the troubling ethics of profit-driven research and the promotion of drug dependency for weight management, drawing parallels with Big Pharma's notorious past. Our investigation doesn't stop there; we also dissect how the industry's narratives and marketing tactics have shaped public opinion, often placing undue blame on individuals for weight regain, and the physiological responses that complicate weight loss efforts. This episode will leave you questioning the status quo and considering the ethical ramifications of a profit-over-people approach.

Wrapping up our enlightening dialogue, we reflect upon the complex relationship between weight, health, and societal attitudes. We share haunting stories like that of Ellen Maud Bennett, illustrating the fatal consequences of medical neglect due to weight stigma. The mental health ramifications of new medical interventions are also in the spotlight, as we emphasize the importance of comprehensive education for healthcare professionals.

Join us for this deep dive into weight stigma and our collective journey toward fat liberation and equitable healthcare.


Mentioned on the show:

Eating Disorder Awareness Week Provider Conference and Community Workshop.   March 1st & 2nd.  More info here

Sabrina Strings "Fearing the Black Body"
Deshawn  Harrison "The Belly of the Beast"

Where to find Ragen Chastain

Website Dances With Fat
Instagram

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Embark on a transformative journey with Sabrina and Michelle Russell, a dietitian and nutrition therapist, as we challenge the conventional wisdom of meal planning. Shattering the myths of diet culture, we delve into a holistic approach that marries the concept of intuitive eating with the practicalities of organizing meals. Through Michelle's own narrative of overcoming an eating disorder to become a certified specialist, we uncover the compassionate path towards a peaceful relationship with food, and we emerge with a roadmap for meal planning that celebrates food freedom amidst our hectic lives.

In our latest episode, we tackle the misconception that intuitive eating and structured meal planning are at odds. Instead, we outline strategies to craft flexible meal plans that honor our body's hunger cues while providing a framework to alleviate stress and reduce waste. We share practical tips and resources, such as the Work Week Lunch program and Budget Bytes, that align with eating competence principles. Our conversation illuminates how a list of ingredients on hand can revive forgotten meals like a simple tuna salad and keep culinary creativity alive without the overwhelm.

As we wrap up, we address the modern conundrum of juggling home-cooked meals with the allure of dining out and the convenience of food delivery services. Our guest, Michelle, offers her expertise on how to navigate these choices in a way that suits our fast-paced world.


Mentioned on the show:
Ellen Satter's Eating Competence
All Recipes
Budget Bytes

Connect with Michelle:
Instagram
Facebook
Website

Register for her meal planning workshops

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