Outside The Therapy Room

Outside The Therapy Room

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Outside The Therapy Room episodes

  • Episode 57: The Emotional Side of Trying to Conceive with Olivia Carvalho

    Infertility is often treated as a medical issue — but for those living it, the emotional and mental toll can be just as heavy.

    In this episode, we’re joined by Olivia, a fertility coach, to explore the emotional side of trying to conceive. Together, we talk about the stress, grief, self-blame, and isolation that can come with infertility, as well as how mindset, self-compassion, and supportive tools can help people feel more grounded through the journey.

    Olivia shares insight from her work supporting individuals and couples navigating fertility challenges, including how to cope with setbacks, manage triggers like pregnancy announcements and family gatherings, and stay connected to your body without falling into pressure or perfectionism.

    Whether you’re actively trying to conceive, supporting someone who is, or simply want a more honest conversation about fertility and mental health, this episode offers validation, practical tools, and gentle reminders that you’re not alone.

    Listener note: This episode discusses infertility and emotional challenges related to trying to conceive. Please take care while listening.

    Follow Olivia - The Menstral Coach

    Learn more about Olivia & her services

    Follow us on social media:
    @outisdethetherapyroompod

    If you're looking for a therapist and live in Ontario, feel free to visit our website here or contact us at [email protected] to work with one of our team members. If you reside outside of Ontario, a quick Google search will help you find a therapist near you!

    Follow us on social media:
    @outisdethetherapyroompod

    If you're looking for a therapist and live in Ontario, feel free to visit our website here or contact us at [email protected] to work with one of our team members. If you reside outside of Ontario, a quick Google search will help you find a therapist near you!

    1 hr 5 min
  • Episode 56: When “I’m Fine” Isn’t Fine - Men’s Mental Health with John Shearer

    Men are often taught to push through, stay strong, and keep their emotions to themselves—but that silence comes at a cost.

    In this episode, we’re joined by John Shearer, owner of Kickstart Men's Therapy, for an honest and compassionate conversation about men’s mental health. We explore why so many men struggle in silence, how stigma and traditional masculinity shape emotional expression, and how this impacts not only them but those around them.

    Together we talk about relationships, fatherhood, identity, and what actually helps when men decide to seek support.

    Whether you’re a man navigating your own mental health, love someone who is, or want to better understand the barriers men face when it comes to emotional well-being, this episode offers validation, perspective, and hope.

    Follow John

    Kickstart Men's Therapy - John's Practice

    Follow us on social media:
    @outisdethetherapyroompod

    If you're looking for a therapist and live in Ontario, feel free to visit our website here or contact us at [email protected] to work with one of our team members. If you reside outside of Ontario, a quick Google search will help you find a therapist near you!

    Follow us on social media:
    @outisdethetherapyroompod

    If you're looking for a therapist and live in Ontario, feel free to visit our website here or contact us at [email protected] to work with one of our team members. If you reside outside of Ontario, a quick Google search will help you find a therapist near you!

    1 hr 4 min
  • Episode 55: Infidelity Part 1 - Why do people cheat? with Ashley Mariani

    Content note: This episode discusses infidelity and relational betrayal. Please listen with care.

    Infidelity is one of the most painful and misunderstood experiences in relationships. Ashley Mariani joins us in this first part of our two-part series; we explore why people cheat — moving beyond blame, shame, and oversimplified narratives.

    Together, Ashley and I unpack what infidelity really means, the many forms it can take, and the deeper emotional, relational, and psychological factors that often sit underneath betrayal. We discuss attachment styles, unmet needs, secrecy, trauma, and why cheating can happen even in relationships that look “good” from the outside.

    This episode is not about justifying harm — it’s about understanding complexity, reducing stigma, and making sense of something that leaves many people feeling confused, hurt, and questioning everything.

    If you have any questions about infidelity that we can answer in our second part, please send them here.

    Follow Ashley (The Rogue Therapist)

    Ashley's Website

    Single Moms Group Therapy

    Follow us on social media:
    @outisdethetherapyroompod

    If you're looking for a therapist and live in Ontario, feel free to visit our website here or contact us at [email protected] to work with one of our team members. If you reside outside of Ontario, a quick Google search will help you find a therapist near you!

    Follow us on social media:
    @outisdethetherapyroompod

    If you're looking for a therapist and live in Ontario, feel free to visit our website here or contact us at [email protected] to work with one of our team members. If you reside outside of Ontario, a quick Google search will help you find a therapist near you!

    1 hr 6 min
  • Episode 54 - When Friendships Feel Hard: Navigating Anxiety and Goodbyes with Bethany Hanman

    Friendships can bring joy, support, and meaning—but they can also create anxiety, doubt, and emotional stress. In this episode, Bethany joins us and helps us unpack friendship anxiety, why some friendships end, and how to navigate letting go with compassion and confidence. 

    This episode is for anyone looking to understand their friendships better and approach them with self-awareness and care. 

    Follow us on social media:
    @outisdethetherapyroompod

    If you're looking for a therapist and live in Ontario, feel free to visit our website here or contact us, to work with one of our team members. If you reside outside of Ontario, a quick Google search will help you find a therapist near you!

    Follow us on social media:
    @outisdethetherapyroompod

    If you're looking for a therapist and live in Ontario, feel free to visit our website here or contact us at [email protected] to work with one of our team members. If you reside outside of Ontario, a quick Google search will help you find a therapist near you!

    52 min
  • Episode 53 - More Than a Game: The Power of Sports Fanbases with Christopher Mertz

    Sports have a unique power to bring people together — packed arenas, shared chants, lifelong traditions, and the electric feeling of belonging to something bigger than yourself. For many, being part of a sports fanbase creates connection, joy, and a sense of community that extends far beyond the game itself.

    But fandom also has a darker side. Rivalries can turn hostile, emotions can escalate, and what starts as passion can sometimes spill into aggression, property destruction, and conflict between fans, families, and communities.

    In this episode, I'm joined by a big sports fan Christopher Mertz, and together we explore the psychology of sports fanbases — why being a fan feels so good, what makes stadium atmospheres so powerful, and how group identity can strengthen connection. We also unpack when fandom becomes unhealthy, including mob mentality, aggressive behaviour, and the impact intense sports loyalty can have on relationships and mental health.

    This is also our last episode of 2025! Thanks to all our listeners, we look forward to sharing new episodes with you in the new year! We will be back mid January! Happy holidays!

    Follow us on social media:
    @outisdethetherapyroompod

    If you're looking for a therapist and live in Ontario, feel free to visit our website here or contact us, to work with one of our team members. If you reside outside of Ontario, a quick Google search will help you find a therapist near you!

    Follow us on social media:
    @outisdethetherapyroompod

    If you're looking for a therapist and live in Ontario, feel free to visit our website here or contact us at [email protected] to work with one of our team members. If you reside outside of Ontario, a quick Google search will help you find a therapist near you!

    46 min
  • Episode 52 - Caregiving Through the Holidays: Managing Grief & Burnout with Stephanie Muskat

    The holidays are often painted as a time of joy, connection, and celebration—but for caregivers, this season can bring an entirely different emotional landscape. In this episode, we sit down with Stephanie Muskat, a therapist who specializes in caregiver mental health, to unpack the complex layers of supporting a loved one with dementia,  Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), or other health challenges during the holiday season.

    Together, we explore the emotional weight of caregiving, the pressure to create a “perfect” holiday, the resurfacing of grief, and the exhaustion that comes from trying to hold everything together. 

    You’ll hear insights on navigating anticipatory grief, setting boundaries, managing burnout, and finding small, meaningful moments even when traditions change. Most importantly, this episode offers validation, compassion, and practical support for anyone feeling stretched thin or unseen during the holidays.

    Follow Stephanie

    Compassion in Caregiving

    Listen to Caregiver Compass on Spotify

    Follow us on social media:
    @outisdethetherapyroompod

    If you're looking for a therapist and live in Ontario, feel free to visit our website here or contact us, to work with one of our team members. If you reside outside of Ontario, a quick Google search will help you find a therapist near you!

    Follow us on social media:
    @outisdethetherapyroompod

    If you're looking for a therapist and live in Ontario, feel free to visit our website here or contact us at [email protected] to work with one of our team members. If you reside outside of Ontario, a quick Google search will help you find a therapist near you!

    43 min
  • Episode 51 - Holiday Overwhelm: Surviving Family, Expectations & Parenthood with Christina Page

    The holidays promise joy, connection, and magical memories — but for many parents, they also bring a perfect storm of pressure, expectations, and emotional overload. In this episode, we dive into the reality behind the festive photos: the overwhelm of trying to create the “perfect” holiday, navigating complicated family dynamics, managing judgment around parenting choices, and the added pressure when there’s a new baby in the mix.

    Joined by Christina Page, we explore how holiday stress impacts parents’ mental health, why the season amplifies comparison and guilt, and how to set boundaries that protect your peace.

    Whether you're juggling packed schedules, dealing with unsolicited advice from relatives, or simply trying to stay grounded, this episode offers compassionate insight and practical strategies to help you move through the holidays with more intention, calm, and authenticity.

    Follow Christina

    Whole Family Psychotherapy 

    ADHD Mom Collective Group

    Infertility Support Group - Next Group in January!


    Follow us on social media:
    @outisdethetherapyroompod

    If you're looking for a therapist and live in Ontario, feel free to visit our website here or contact us, to work with one of our team members. If you reside outside of Ontario, a quick Google search will help you find a therapist near you!

    Follow us on social media:
    @outisdethetherapyroompod

    If you're looking for a therapist and live in Ontario, feel free to visit our website here or contact us at [email protected] to work with one of our team members. If you reside outside of Ontario, a quick Google search will help you find a therapist near you!

    1 hr 3 min
  • Episode 50 - Why True Crime Captivates Us... and How It Affects Us with Bethany Hanman

    ***DISCLAIMER: This episode focuses on True Crime, we mention real murders, trials and other subjects that may be sensitive to some listeners.***

    Why are we so obsessed with true crime? From podcasts and documentaries to TikTok deep dives, true crime content has exploded in popularity—but what is it about these stories that pulls us in? In this episode, I sit down with Bethany to break down the psychology behind our true crime fascination, how the genre can impact our mental health, and why so many of us—especially women—feel drawn to stories about danger and survival.

    We explore the emotional and biological factors behind true crime’s appeal, the potential benefits and risks of consuming this content, and the fine line between awareness and anxiety. Whether you’re a casual viewer or a devoted binge-watcher, this conversation will help you better understand your relationship with true crime and how to engage with it in a balanced, healthy way.

    Follow us on social media:
    @outisdethetherapyroompod

    If you're looking for a therapist and live in Ontario, feel free to visit our website here or contact us, to work with one of our team members. If you reside outside of Ontario, a quick Google search will help you find a therapist near you!

    Follow us on social media:
    @outisdethetherapyroompod

    If you're looking for a therapist and live in Ontario, feel free to visit our website here or contact us at [email protected] to work with one of our team members. If you reside outside of Ontario, a quick Google search will help you find a therapist near you!

    53 min
  • Episode 49 - Tarot as a Mirror: Exploring Self-Reflection with Jenni Evans

    In this episode, I sit down with Jenni for a grounded and insightful conversation about tarot—beyond predictions and mystique, and into its power as a tool for self-reflection. We explore how tarot can spark curiosity, deepen personal insight, and help us connect with our emotions and inner wisdom in a way that truly supports mental health and personal growth.

    Jenni shares how she approaches tarot in her own practice, what the cards can reveal about patterns, coping, and intuition, and why so many people find the imagery and symbolism so validating. We talk about using tarot as a gentle check-in with yourself, a prompt for reflection, or simply an invitation to slow down and tune in.

    And to wrap up the episode, Jenni gives me a mini reading—offering a real-time look at how tarot can open the door to clarity and meaningful conversation.

    Here are some Deck recommendations from Jenni if you are wanting to explore Tarot Cards further:

    Deck for Anyone (Beginngers or Otherwise)

    Deck that is gorgeous for its art and Jenni has used before

    Deck that embodies justice that Jenni LOVES

    Book that Jenni Referenced: Tarot Therapy

    Follow us on social media:
    @outisdethetherapyroompod

    If you're looking for a therapist and live in Ontario, feel free to visit our website here or contact us, to work with one of our team members. If you reside outside of Ontario, a quick Google search will help you find a therapist near you!

    Follow us on social media:
    @outisdethetherapyroompod

    If you're looking for a therapist and live in Ontario, feel free to visit our website here or contact us at [email protected] to work with one of our team members. If you reside outside of Ontario, a quick Google search will help you find a therapist near you!

    1 hr 2 min
  • Episode 48 - New Mom Life: The Real, The Raw, The Unexpected with Destinee Hiscock

    Destinee returns to the podcast! Live from maternity leave, she opens up about her experience as a new mom — the expectations, challenges, and surprises that come with stepping into motherhood. From navigating identity shifts to balancing her role as both a parent and her own self, Destinee shares honest reflections on what’s helped her stay grounded, what’s caught her off guard, and how she’s learning to give herself grace through it all. A heartfelt and real conversation for any parent trying to find their footing in the beautiful chaos of early motherhood. 

    Follow us on social media:
    @outisdethetherapyroompod

    If you're looking for a therapist and live in Ontario, feel free to visit our website here or contact us, to work with one of our team members. If you reside outside of Ontario, a quick Google search will help you find a therapist near you!

    Follow us on social media:
    @outisdethetherapyroompod

    If you're looking for a therapist and live in Ontario, feel free to visit our website here or contact us at [email protected] to work with one of our team members. If you reside outside of Ontario, a quick Google search will help you find a therapist near you!

    1 hr 1 min

About Outside The Therapy Room

From the publisher's feed

Ivonne Hammoud is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) and owner of a therapy practice in Waterloo, Ontario. But out of the office, she's a mom, wife, daughter, sister and friend. Join Ivonne as she…