Mental Health Without Borders: The Global Wellness Podcast with Dr. Lindsay Frey

In this Early Career Spotlight, Dr. Lindsay Frey sits down with Mrs. Alexus “Lexi” Samuel-Lopez to talk about her journey into the mental health field, what inspired her to become a therapist, and the heart behind the work she does today.

Known to many of her younger clients as “Mrs. Lexi,” Lexi works with children and families at Finding Hope Wellness Center. She uses play-based, developmentally appropriate approaches to help children strengthen emotional regulation, coping skills, confidence, social skills, and relationships. Lexi especially enjoys creating a warm, supportive space where children can feel comfortable being themselves while learning new skills and growing along the way.

In this episode, you’ll get to know Lexi beyond her bio, hear more about how she got started in the field, and learn what she loves about working with children and families.

Want to learn more about Mrs. Lexi?
Visit her page: Meet Mrs. Lexi Samuel-Lopez

Interested in scheduling with Mrs. Lexi?
Email us at [email protected] to get started.

Support the show

➡️ Subscribe, rate, and share this episode!  Help us grow by leaving a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Your feedback means the world to Dr. Frey. 🌍

If you are interested in following Dr. Frey's journey, you can do so here: 

• Website: www.findinghopewellnesscenter.com/podcast
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlindsayfrey
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlindsayfrey
• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-frey-psyd  

💛 Interested in services from Finding Hope Wellness Center?
Visit our website here: www.findinghopewellnesscenter.com

🌿 Affiliate Partners & Special Offers

These are tools and resources I personally recommend for wellness and practice growth. By using these links, you’ll receive special offers, and I may receive a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

• Healthie – Streamline your wellness practice and save!
  👉 Get exclusive Healthie discounts here
• Zonka Feedback – Collect client feedback effortlessly and start improving your practice!
  👉 Start with Zonka Feedback today

Dr. Michael Smith, PhD
Partner & Co-Founder, Family Psychology Associates

In this powerful interview, Dr. Lindsay Frey sits down with the distinguished Dr. Michael Smith, a seasoned clinical and family psychologist whose career spans nearly five decades. Dr. Smith has shaped the field of child and family mental health in Florida and beyond—through clinical work, community leadership, advocacy, and innovative education initiatives.

Dr. Smith shares the extraordinary arc of his professional journey, beginning as a VISTA volunteer and evolving into a respected clinician, evaluator, leader, and educator. His work has touched children, emerging adults, families, couples, executives, and large-scale community programs. He has also been widely recognized by the Florida Psychological Association for his contributions to mental health, public interest, and legislative advocacy.

Together, we explore themes of resilience, emotional intelligence, special education, family systems, and the changing landscape of mental health services for children and young adults.

This conversation is filled with wisdom, perspective, and heart—and offers a thoughtful reflection on what it means to serve, to teach, and to help families grow through every season of life.

Website: Michael T. Smith, Ph.D. - Family Psychology Associates

Support the show

➡️ Subscribe, rate, and share this episode!  Help us grow by leaving a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Your feedback means the world to Dr. Frey. 🌍

If you are interested in following Dr. Frey's journey, you can do so here: 

• Website: www.findinghopewellnesscenter.com/podcast
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlindsayfrey
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlindsayfrey
• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-frey-psyd  

💛 Interested in services from Finding Hope Wellness Center?
Visit our website here: www.findinghopewellnesscenter.com

🌿 Affiliate Partners & Special Offers

These are tools and resources I personally recommend for wellness and practice growth. By using these links, you’ll receive special offers, and I may receive a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

• Healthie – Streamline your wellness practice and save!
  👉 Get exclusive Healthie discounts here
• Zonka Feedback – Collect client feedback effortlessly and start improving your practice!
  👉 Start with Zonka Feedback today

Episode Overview:

In this episode, Dr. Frey sits down with the internationally based clinical psychologist Dr. Véronique Elefant-Yanni, whose work spans continents and cultures. Originally from France and now based in Switzerland, Véronique has lived and studied in Canada, South Korea, Singapore, and Switzerland—and brings this global perspective to her therapeutic work.

She specializes in working with expats, cross-cultural couples, and globally mobile clients, particularly those navigating life and love across borders. Whether her clients are based in Singapore, the UK, Bali, Australia, or Korea, Dr. Véronique offers grounded, culturally sensitive support to help them feel seen, understood, and empowered.

What We Explore

• What it means to provide therapy across cultures and time zones
• Common challenges for clients living outside their home country
• How to support couples navigating different cultural backgrounds
• The importance of identity, adaptability, and belonging
• How Véronique’s own international journey shaped her professional path
• Why flea markets are her favorite form of self-care and joy

Connect with Dr. Véronique Elefant-Yanni

• Website: https://psychologyexperts.online/
• Free guide: www.psychologyexperts.online/3D
• Facebook: facebook.com/psychologyexperts
• Instagram: @psychologyexperts
• LinkedIn: Véronique Elefant-Yanni

Support the show

➡️ Subscribe, rate, and share this episode!  Help us grow by leaving a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Your feedback means the world to Dr. Frey. 🌍

If you are interested in following Dr. Frey's journey, you can do so here: 

• Website: www.findinghopewellnesscenter.com/podcast
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlindsayfrey
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlindsayfrey
• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-frey-psyd  

💛 Interested in services from Finding Hope Wellness Center?
Visit our website here: www.findinghopewellnesscenter.com

🌿 Affiliate Partners & Special Offers

These are tools and resources I personally recommend for wellness and practice growth. By using these links, you’ll receive special offers, and I may receive a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

• Healthie – Streamline your wellness practice and save!
  👉 Get exclusive Healthie discounts here
• Zonka Feedback – Collect client feedback effortlessly and start improving your practice!
  👉 Start with Zonka Feedback today

Episode Summary

In this episode of Mental Health Without Borders, Dr. Lindsay Frey speaks with Lacey Redding, a US licensed therapist living in Sweden. They discuss Lacey's journey to becoming a therapist, her specialization in ADHD and complex trauma, and the cultural differences in mental health approaches between Sweden and the US. Lacey shares her insights on the importance of understanding ADHD and trauma, the wellness practices in Swedish culture, and the significance of music in her healing journey. The conversation highlights the need for compassion and understanding in mental health, as well as the importance of work-life balance and self-care.

Takeaways

• Lacey Redding became a therapist later in life, which she believes has made her a better one.
• ADHD and complex trauma often coexist, requiring a nuanced approach in therapy.
• Cultural differences significantly impact how mental health issues are perceived and treated.
• In Sweden, ADHD diagnoses are conservative, often requiring more visible dysfunction for treatment.
• The concept of 'Fredagsmys' promotes family bonding through weekly cozy nights.
• Swedes prioritize work-life balance, with long summer breaks and flexible work hours.
• Music serves as a vital outlet for emotional expression and healing.
• Therapists can provide validation and clarity for clients navigating ADHD and trauma.
• The importance of community and connection in wellness practices is emphasized in Swedish culture.
• Self-care practices like 'fika' encourage regular breaks and social interaction.

Connect with Lacey: www.soundmindeurope.com

Support the show

➡️ Subscribe, rate, and share this episode!  Help us grow by leaving a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Your feedback means the world to Dr. Frey. 🌍

If you are interested in following Dr. Frey's journey, you can do so here: 

• Website: www.findinghopewellnesscenter.com/podcast
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlindsayfrey
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlindsayfrey
• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-frey-psyd  

💛 Interested in services from Finding Hope Wellness Center?
Visit our website here: www.findinghopewellnesscenter.com

🌿 Affiliate Partners & Special Offers

These are tools and resources I personally recommend for wellness and practice growth. By using these links, you’ll receive special offers, and I may receive a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

• Healthie – Streamline your wellness practice and save!
  👉 Get exclusive Healthie discounts here
• Zonka Feedback – Collect client feedback effortlessly and start improving your practice!
  👉 Start with Zonka Feedback today

✨ Welcome to a special bonus episode of Mental Health Without Borders.
In this deeply moving conversation, we welcome back Hannah-Valeria Grishko, a psychotherapist and humanitarian whose story bridges two worlds—Ukraine and Israel—and embodies the strength and resilience of the human spirit.

Many listeners will remember Hannah-Valeria from her first appearance on the podcast, where she shared her insights on mental health and displacement. In this follow-up episode, she returns to offer an even more personal reflection on what it means to live through not one, but two wars—first in Ukraine and now in Israel.

Together, we explore the profound intersection of personal survival, professional purpose, and emotional resilience. Hannah-Valeria opens her heart and her clinical wisdom to illuminate the lived experience of war, the cost of vicarious trauma for therapists, and the grounding practices that allow her to keep caring for others amid chaos and grief.

❤️ About Our Guest

Hannah-Valeria Grishko is a licensed psychotherapist and trauma specialist originally from Ukraine, now based in Israel. Her work focuses on trauma recovery, displacement, and emotional resilience in the context of conflict. Drawing on her own lived experience and years of clinical practice, Hannah-Valeria offers a rare and compassionate perspective on healing in the midst of uncertainty.

🎧 Tune In If You’re a...

• Therapist or healer supporting clients affected by war, trauma, or displacement.
• Survivor seeking validation, strength, and hope.
• Listener who believes in the power of empathy, resilience, and global solidarity.

Support the show

➡️ Subscribe, rate, and share this episode!  Help us grow by leaving a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Your feedback means the world to Dr. Frey. 🌍

If you are interested in following Dr. Frey's journey, you can do so here: 

• Website: www.findinghopewellnesscenter.com/podcast
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlindsayfrey
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlindsayfrey
• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-frey-psyd  

💛 Interested in services from Finding Hope Wellness Center?
Visit our website here: www.findinghopewellnesscenter.com

🌿 Affiliate Partners & Special Offers

These are tools and resources I personally recommend for wellness and practice growth. By using these links, you’ll receive special offers, and I may receive a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

• Healthie – Streamline your wellness practice and save!
  👉 Get exclusive Healthie discounts here
• Zonka Feedback – Collect client feedback effortlessly and start improving your practice!
  👉 Start with Zonka Feedback today

✨ Episode Overview:
In this episode, Dr. Lindsay Frey welcomes Dr. Nouf Al-Rashid, a clinical psychologist and proud Third Culture Kid (TCK) who was born in the United States to Arab parents and now practices in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Fluent in three languages and an avid reader, Dr. Nouf brings a unique cross-cultural perspective to mental health, blending Western and Eastern approaches.

We dive deep into her personal experience growing up between cultures, how that informs her work with clients, and the nuances of practicing psychology in a region where mental health is evolving rapidly.

This conversation explores identity, cultural challenges, language, and the universal human quest for healing and belonging. 💖

🌱 What We Explore:
· Dr. Nouf’s journey as a Third Culture Kid and how it shaped her view of mental health 
· The unique strengths and meaningful experiences gained from navigating multiple cultural identities 
· How language influences the way we understand and express emotions 
· Evolving perspectives on mental health in the Middle East 
· The role of clinical psychology in culturally diverse settings 
· Practical tips for embracing a multicultural identity with grace and resilience 

Support the show

➡️ Subscribe, rate, and share this episode!  Help us grow by leaving a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Your feedback means the world to Dr. Frey. 🌍

If you are interested in following Dr. Frey's journey, you can do so here: 

• Website: www.findinghopewellnesscenter.com/podcast
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlindsayfrey
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlindsayfrey
• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-frey-psyd  

💛 Interested in services from Finding Hope Wellness Center?
Visit our website here: www.findinghopewellnesscenter.com

🌿 Affiliate Partners & Special Offers

These are tools and resources I personally recommend for wellness and practice growth. By using these links, you’ll receive special offers, and I may receive a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

• Healthie – Streamline your wellness practice and save!
  👉 Get exclusive Healthie discounts here
• Zonka Feedback – Collect client feedback effortlessly and start improving your practice!
  👉 Start with Zonka Feedback today

✨ Episode Overview:

In this episode, Dr. Lindsay Frey welcomes Martin Pytela, founder of Life Enthusiast, a passionate voice in the world of alternative health, detox, and healing through metabolic balance. Born in Czechoslovakia and now based in Canada, Martin brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to the conversation—having walked his own healing journey and now guiding others toward restoring vitality and balance at the cellular level.

With expertise in Metabolic Typing, Clinical Hypnotherapy, and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Martin's approach bridges the mind-body connection in deeply practical ways. This episode explores how we can use tools beyond conventional medicine to restore health, rewire habits, and reclaim our well-being.

🧠 What We Explore:

• Martin’s personal journey from Czechoslovakia to Canada—and what sparked his passion for healing
• What Metabolic Typing is and how it personalizes nutrition and health care
• How hypnotherapy and NLP help reprogram beliefs and support emotional healing
• The body’s incredible ability to detox, reset, and regenerate
• What Martin sees most often in women over 40 struggling with fatigue, inflammation, or mood changes
• How cultural background and mindset influence our healing capacity
• His thoughts on aging well, resilience, and the role of alternative medicine in modern life

🌿 Connect with Martin Pytela:

• Website + Healing Tools: Life Enthusiast
• Telegram: t.me/lifentco
• Facebook: facebook.com/LifeEnthusiastContact
• YouTube: youtube.com/lifentco

Support the show

➡️ Subscribe, rate, and share this episode!  Help us grow by leaving a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Your feedback means the world to Dr. Frey. 🌍

If you are interested in following Dr. Frey's journey, you can do so here: 

• Website: www.findinghopewellnesscenter.com/podcast
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlindsayfrey
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlindsayfrey
• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-frey-psyd  

💛 Interested in services from Finding Hope Wellness Center?
Visit our website here: www.findinghopewellnesscenter.com

🌿 Affiliate Partners & Special Offers

These are tools and resources I personally recommend for wellness and practice growth. By using these links, you’ll receive special offers, and I may receive a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

• Healthie – Streamline your wellness practice and save!
  👉 Get exclusive Healthie discounts here
• Zonka Feedback – Collect client feedback effortlessly and start improving your practice!
  👉 Start with Zonka Feedback today

In this episode, we sit down with Monica Doyle, a psychodynamic therapist whose deep specialization in trauma, thanatology (the study of death and loss), and relational therapy brings a grounded yet expansive approach to healing. Monica works primarily with adults in Australia through her online therapy practice, which also allows her to stay globally connected while traveling between Brazil and Australia.

 What we explore:

• How Monica blends psychodynamic techniques with trauma-informed care
• Working through grief, existential anxiety, and the complexity of loss
• How living between two cultures (Brazil and Australia) shapes her worldview
• Her very unusual but fascinating love for tarantulas—and what they’ve taught her about holding space for fear and fascination

 Monica’s presence is as grounded as it is curious. She opens up about why therapy isn’t just about fixing pain, but about understanding it, exploring it, and even learning to live peacefully alongside it.

 Learn more about Monica and her work: monicadooyle-onlinetherapy.com

Support the show

➡️ Subscribe, rate, and share this episode!  Help us grow by leaving a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Your feedback means the world to Dr. Frey. 🌍

If you are interested in following Dr. Frey's journey, you can do so here: 

• Website: www.findinghopewellnesscenter.com/podcast
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlindsayfrey
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlindsayfrey
• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-frey-psyd  

💛 Interested in services from Finding Hope Wellness Center?
Visit our website here: www.findinghopewellnesscenter.com

🌿 Affiliate Partners & Special Offers

These are tools and resources I personally recommend for wellness and practice growth. By using these links, you’ll receive special offers, and I may receive a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

• Healthie – Streamline your wellness practice and save!
  👉 Get exclusive Healthie discounts here
• Zonka Feedback – Collect client feedback effortlessly and start improving your practice!
  👉 Start with Zonka Feedback today

✨ Episode Overview:

In this episode, I’m joined by Richard Krebs, a clinician with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling who brings a unique blend of humor, insight, and cross-cultural experience to his work. Originally from Alabama but living in South Korea, Richard works with adolescents and adults, integrating wellness, strength, and creative expression into the therapy space.

Together, we talk about the power of presence with teens, building rapport through creativity, and the importance of physical and emotional wellness. You’ll also get a glimpse of Richard’s fun side—from his outdoor adventures to his hidden talent for voice impersonations!

Fun Fact: Richard has a hidden talent for voice impersonations—and he just might share one with us!

In This Episode:

• Richard's path into the mental health field and his experience working cross-culturally
• Creative ways to connect with teens in therapy
• How physical activity supports emotional wellness
• Balancing strength and vulnerability in healing
• The role of humor, voice work, and personality in the therapeutic space

Connect with Richard: TikTok @richkrebs19

Support the show

➡️ Subscribe, rate, and share this episode!  Help us grow by leaving a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Your feedback means the world to Dr. Frey. 🌍

If you are interested in following Dr. Frey's journey, you can do so here: 

• Website: www.findinghopewellnesscenter.com/podcast
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlindsayfrey
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlindsayfrey
• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-frey-psyd  

💛 Interested in services from Finding Hope Wellness Center?
Visit our website here: www.findinghopewellnesscenter.com

🌿 Affiliate Partners & Special Offers

These are tools and resources I personally recommend for wellness and practice growth. By using these links, you’ll receive special offers, and I may receive a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

• Healthie – Streamline your wellness practice and save!
  👉 Get exclusive Healthie discounts here
• Zonka Feedback – Collect client feedback effortlessly and start improving your practice!
  👉 Start with Zonka Feedback today

What if the path to emotional resilience isn't about avoiding difficult feelings, but actually learning to embrace them? 

Matthew Lowe, LCPC, is a licensed clinical professional counselor from Maryland and author of "Seeing the Forest and the Trees: Mapping Your Inner World for Greater Clarity and Satisfaction in Life." 

In this special BONUS episode, Matthew brings his background in Jewish philosophy and theology to his work as an existential therapist, helping clients navigate life's complexities with both big-picture wisdom and practical tools. We discuss his unique approach to therapy that honors the full spectrum of human emotions, from grief and anger to relief and love. Matthew shares his journey from religious educator to therapist, explaining how existential themes like freedom, death, meaning, and connection appear in every client's story. We explore the concept of "toxic positivity" and why acknowledging our darker emotions can be transformative. Matthew also opens up about his wellness practices, from hula hooping to multi-column journaling, and how he maintains balance while doing emotionally heavy work.

Whether you're a mental health professional, someone considering therapy, or simply trying to navigate life's ups and downs with more presence and honesty, this conversation offers valuable insights into the complexity of being human.

Topics Discussed:

• What existential therapy is and how it applies across cultures
• The emotional value of embracing despair, failure, and doubt
• How to hold multiple emotions at once without judgment
• The role of language and metaphor in emotional healing
• Nature-informed therapy and the importance of balancing cerebral work with embodied joy
• Matthew’s personal wellness practices and how they help him stay grounded

Resources Mentioned:

• LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-lowe-83129b14/
• Book |        Seeing the Forest and the Trees: Mapping Your Inner World for Greater Clarity and Satisfaction in Life by Matthew Lowe

Support the show

➡️ Subscribe, rate, and share this episode!  Help us grow by leaving a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Your feedback means the world to Dr. Frey. 🌍

If you are interested in following Dr. Frey's journey, you can do so here: 

• Website: www.findinghopewellnesscenter.com/podcast
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlindsayfrey
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlindsayfrey
• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-frey-psyd  

💛 Interested in services from Finding Hope Wellness Center?
Visit our website here: www.findinghopewellnesscenter.com

🌿 Affiliate Partners & Special Offers

These are tools and resources I personally recommend for wellness and practice growth. By using these links, you’ll receive special offers, and I may receive a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

• Healthie – Streamline your wellness practice and save!
  👉 Get exclusive Healthie discounts here
• Zonka Feedback – Collect client feedback effortlessly and start improving your practice!
  👉 Start with Zonka Feedback today