The holidays are often portrayed as joyful, but for many, they’re stressful, emotionally charged, and overwhelming.

In the first episode of Licensed 2 Spill, therapists Julie Stark and Kristina Scaglione talk honestly about navigating holiday stress, complicated family dynamics, and the pressure to “hold it together”, even when you’re a therapist.

In this episode, we explore:
• Why the holidays can trigger anxiety and old emotional patterns
• How family dynamics resurface during this time of year
• The importance of setting boundaries for emotional well-being
• Why therapists struggle during the holidays too
• What actually constitutes a mental health crisis
• Practical ways to prepare before the holiday rush

This conversation is for anyone who feels the emotional weight of the holidays, clients, clinicians, and humans alike.

Licensed 2 Spill is a podcast where therapists talk like real people—no fluff, no sugarcoating, just honest conversations about mental health.