This week on Outside of Session, Julie is diving into her Top 10 Tips for managing anxiety. Whether you're facing daily stress or moments of overwhelming worry, these practical tools can help you take control. From grounding techniques to breathing exercises, you'll learn how to build your own anxiety toolkit to use whenever you need it. Join Julie as she shares effective strategies for finding calm, improving mental clarity, and navigating anxious moments with confidence.

This week on Outside of Session, we’re tackling an incredibly important topic: the intersection of psychiatry and mental health.

Joining me is Dr Ata, a board-certified psychiatrist, as we explore how psychiatry fits into the bigger picture of healing, break down common misconceptions, and discuss how medication and therapy can work hand-in-hand.

 In this episode, we’ll break down what holistic psychiatry is, how it differs from conventional approaches, and why more people are turning to this integrative method. What happens when we look beyond traditional prescriptions and start considering the whole person—their lifestyle, diet, sleep, and even spiritual well-being? Holistic psychiatry seeks to connect those dots, aiming to treat the mind, body, and soul together.

About today's guest:

Dr. Ata is a psychiatrist currently based in Georgia whose goal is to provide a holistic approach to treating mental health. After completing his residency training in General Psychiatry in Texas through  Texas Institute for Graduate Medical Education and Research (TIGMER), he has moved to Georgia and  currently holds an adjunct faculty appointment with the Augusta University/UGA Medical Partnership and also is an attending psychiatrist providing education and training to current residents.

Dr. Ata has extensive training in treating all mental health paying specific attention to holistic/integra psychiatry. Holistic psychiatry is a mental health treatment approach that focuses on the patient as a whole, not just their symptoms. Holistic psychiatrists consider a patient’s physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. He has a special interest in mood and anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, ADHD, OCD, integrative medicine.

Connect with Dr. Ata:

https://www.instagram.com/altumpsychiatry/#

https://altumpsychiatry.com/

In this episode, we dive into what it truly takes to build and maintain a successful relationship, with a special focus on how couples counseling can play a pivotal role. With couples expert, Allison Caffyn, we explore essential components like effective communication, emotional vulnerability, trust-building, and conflict resolution. Our discussion highlights the tools and strategies that therapists use to help couples understand each other’s needs and navigate life’s challenges together. Whether you're seeking ways to strengthen your relationship or simply curious about the dynamics of long-lasting partnerships, this episode offers valuable insights into creating a resilient and fulfilling relationship.

About Allison:

Allison Caffyn is a senior psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience. She specializes in body-centered psychotherapy and couples therapy. She has extensive couples training in the Gottman method, Terry Reals' real-life therapy, and Sue Johnson’s emotionally focused therapy. For Allison, couples work is a highly personal passion stemming from her struggles with intimacy and difficulties she experienced in her 36-year partnership with her husband, Wayne. Her passion is helping couples discover the joy of deep intimacy, safe connection, and relational equity in long-term partnerships. 

Connect:
https://www.thecouplescollege.com/allie-caffyn/

[email protected]

In this week's episode, Julie sits down with Liz Mall, host of the podcast Deconstructing the Myth, to discuss how religious trauma, church hurt, and deconstructing evangelicalism impacts mental health. We explore how deeply ingrained teachings can shape identity, self-worth, and emotional well-being, and discuss the challenges and breakthroughs people experience as they begin to question and redefine their faith.

Liz also shares strategies for protecting your peace, healing, and finding hope along the way. 

About today's guest:
Liz is the host of Deconstructing the Myth, and holds a M.A. in Christian Apologetics.

Connect with Liz:
Instagram: @deconstructingthemyth

Support DTM's work!
Patreon- Patreon.com/deconstructingthemythPatreon-Patreon.com/deconstructingthemyth

On this week's episode, Julie shares 10 Things she thinks you should do in 2025! Don't worry- we're not shoving resolutions down your throat (and even better- none of them have to do with losing weight!)

Things that will help create a more balanced life with less comparison and more intentionality. 

Connect with me!
Instagram: @empower_counseling

In this episode, I sit down with men's mental health specialist, Brad Brizendine, to explore the unique challenges men face when it comes to mental health. We discuss societal expectations, the stigma around vulnerability, and how men can start building emotional resilience. Join us as we explore ways to break down barriers and promote healthier conversations around men’s mental well-being.

About Brad: 

I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia. I provide counseling services in Georgia and coaching services nationwide to men ages 14+.  I currently own and operate my own private practice after previously working in a high school setting and at a hospital.  Prior to taking a leap of faith to pursue counseling, I practiced law for 5 years.  I also played college basketball at the University of Georgia and recently completed my first 70.3 Ironman Triathlon. I bring a broad range of professional and personal experiences to my work and love helping to change the world one client at a time.  I'm a voracious reader with a variety of interests but I most enjoy helping others in their time of need.  I'd love the opportunity to share my insights with your audience and further educate the public on the benefits of counseling.

https://www.brizendinecounseling.com/

This week’s guest, Sheila Gregoire, dives into the findings from her research on how many evangelical teachings around sex have negatively impacted women's mental health. We explore the harmful effects these messages have had on beliefs, behaviors, and self-worth and discuss the long term damage they can cause to relationships, self-perception, and overall mental health. 

However, Sheila believes that can change, and she offers hope for healing through Changing the Evangelical Conversation on Sex. 

About Sheila Gregoire: 

Sheila Wray Gregoire is an author, podcaster, and researcher into evangelicalism and sex. The founder of BareMarriage.com, together with her team she has surveyed over 32,000 people for her books The Great Sex Rescue and She Deserves Better. Her goal is to change the evangelical conversation about sex to be healthy, evidence-based, and rooted in Christ. A graduate of Queen's University, she's married to her husband Keith, a pediatrician, who writes and often speaks with her.

https://baremarriage.com

https://instagram.com/sheilagregoire

https://facebook.com/sheila.gregoire.books

https://twitter.com/sheilagregoire

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdO1v4LdyqZV-m_VMlH5VGg

https://greatsexrescue.com/

In Part 2 of our conversation with Megan, we take a deeper look at how the different phases of the menstrual cycle uniquely impact women with ASD and ADHD. We explore the challenges that can arise during each phase and share valuable strategies for managing symptoms and practicing self-care throughout the month. This episode offers insight into how understanding your cycle can empower you to better support your mental and physical health.

About Megan: 

Megan Heller-Foley is a licensed clinical social worker at Awaken and Counseling in Marietta Georgia. Megan has a bachelors of science in psychology and a masters of science in social work. Megan has been a licensed social worker since 2012 and a therapist in private practice for seven years. Megan’s lived experience as a Neurodiverse person has led her to focus on helping others navigate their lives with adhd and autism. Megan’s special interests include reading psychological thrillers and roman-tasy books, almost all fandom’s (currently engulfed in the hobbit), board games, 90 day fiancé (and all of its spin offs), and the never ending pursuit of knowledge and acceptance of living as a Neurodiverse person.

This week, Megan Heller-Foley returns to share more insights from her experience helping neurodiverse women navigate life. In this fascinating conversation, we dive into strategies for thriving in dating and relationships while living with ASD or ADHD.

Megan Heller-Foley is a licensed clinical social worker at Awaken Counseling in Marietta, Georgia. Megan has a bachelors of science in psychology and a masters of science in social work. Megan has been a licensed social worker since 2012 and a therapist in private practice for seven years. Megan’s lived experience as a Neurodiverse person has led her to focus on helping others navigate their lives with adhd and autism. Megan’s special interests include reading psychological thrillers and roman-tasy books, almost all fandom’s (currently engulfed in the hobbit), board games, 90 day fiancé (and all of its spin offs), and the never ending pursuit of knowledge and acceptance of living as a Neurodiverse person.

Get in touch with Megan:

www.meganthetherapist.com

www.awakencounseling.com

Relationships between mothers and their daughters aren't always picture perfect. In fact, they can be one of the most complicated relationships we ever have in our lives!

This week, Monique Evans brings her expertise in working with Mother-Daughter wounds in therapy, helping us understand the root of the issue and offering hope for what healing can look like.

About today's guest: 

Monique Evans, LCSW (she/her/hers) is a licensed clinical social worker (licensed in NY and CT) who works as a full-time clinician as an employee assistance program counselor for a major hospital and sole-owner of her private practice (IG: @therapywithmo). Ms. Evans spent the first five years of her career conducting individual, family and couples’ therapy treatment. Ms. Evans holds unique knowledge of the child welfare and family court systems based on her prior experience working in family prevention programs and for a non-profit clinic program. In that capacity, Ms. Evans provided wraparound services which included family psychotherapy, care coordination, and other community-based services. Additionally, Ms. Evans is a graduate of Ackerman Institute for the Family’s postgraduate externship program where she received extensive training in couples and family therapy.

Ms. Evans obtained her B.A. in Sociology from Hunter College of the City University of New York. Afterwards, she continued her graduate studies at New York University- Silver School of Social Work to obtain her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree in 2016. In her training and development as a social worker, Ms. Evans has applied evidence-based treatment modalities to treat clients' presenting symptoms ranging from anxiety, mood disorders, school issues, childhood trauma and adult mental illness. She is a strong advocate for the needs of those in her clinical care. Ms. Evans is committed to serving her clients with grace, care and compassion through some of the most difficult challenges they may encounter. Ms. Evans’ identity as an African-American woman is important to her on issues of race, social justice, and consciousness inside and outside of the clinical context. She is passionate about these issues and how to continue these important conversations.

Connect with Monique!

Instagram : @therapywithmo

Website :  moniqueevanstherapynyc.com

Resources from today's episode:

https://youtu.be/JRQed1l86Uw?si=e0JDFZes7rB98bE9

https://www.moniqueevanstherapynyc.com/undoing-toxic-blog