Outside The Therapy Room

In this episode, we sit down with Julie Mason, a passionate advocate and lived-experience expert, to explore Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours (BFRBs) — including hair pulling and skin picking. Julie opens up about her personal journey, shedding light on the emotional and neurological components of BFRBs and why they are so often misunderstood.

Together, we discuss what BFRBs are, how they can show up, the he shame many individuals face, and the importance of compassionate support. Whether you’re a clinician, someone experiencing BFRBs yourself, or supporting a loved one, this episode offers insight, hope, and tools to help break the silence and reduce stigma.

Work with Julie

Julie's Free Peer-Support

BFRB Blog by Julie

International OCD Foundation

TLC Foundation for BFRBs

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@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!

In this episode, I sits down with postpartum doula Lisette to talk about the power of peer support during the postpartum journey. Together we explore why having a village matters, how shared experiences help new parents feel seen and supported, and simple ways to build connection during one of life’s biggest transitions.

Whether you’re a new parent, a support person, or a professional in perinatal care, this conversation highlights why no one should have to navigate postpartum alone. 

Follow Lisette on Instagram

Lisette's Website

Free Peer-Support: Willow River

Free Peer-Support: Balancing Birth Baby

Free Peer-Support: Shore Centre

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!

In this episode, we sit down with Arsh to explore the complex and often misunderstood experience of masking within the neurodivergent community. Together, we unpack what masking really means—how individuals consciously or unconsciously hide parts of their authentic selves to fit into neurotypical expectations.

We’ll discuss the emotional toll masking can take, its connection to burnout, identity, and belonging, and how unmasking can be both a liberating and vulnerable process. Whether you’re neurodivergent yourself, a loved one, or a professional supporting this community, this conversation sheds light on the importance of creating spaces where people can show up as their true selves—without fear or judgment.

 More About Arsh

Lindsey Mackereth Social

Diagram (discussed by Arsh) by Lindsey Mackereth

"Am I Autistic" Workbook by Lindsey Mackereth

Unmasking Autism: Discover The New Faces of Neurodiversity by Devon Price PhD

Arsh Arsh about Neurodivergence!

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!

When we think of meditation, we often picture adults sitting in silence — but children can benefit from mindfulness just as deeply, if not more. In this episode, I sit down with Shefali Bhalla our administrative assistant at NMC, and a Developmental Psychology Research student, to explore how meditation can nurture emotional regulation, focus, and calm in children.

Together, we discuss how to make meditation accessible and playful, what it looks like in real life (hint: not only silent sitting!), and how parents, caregivers, and educators can bring simple mindfulness practices into everyday routines.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or therapist, this conversation is a gentle reminder that calm isn’t just for adults — our little ones need it too.

Check out Shefali's Blog Post

Contact Shefali

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!

In this insightful episode, we’re joined by Rhonda Chamberlain, registered physiotherapist and pelvic health specialist, to unpack the overwhelming pressure many women face to “bounce back” after pregnancy — physically, emotionally, and mentally.

Rhonda and I share our experience of the pressure of "bouncing back" after our pregnancies, and the realities of postpartum recovery, shedding light on how our bodies change, what true healing looks like, and why rushing the process can do more harm than good. We explore how unrealistic societal expectations and “bounce-back culture” impact not just body image, but also a new mom’s mental health and sense of identity.

Together, we discuss practical ways partners and family members can support new moms — from fostering patience and understanding to encouraging rest and self-compassion.

✨ This episode is a heartfelt reminder that recovery isn’t a race — it’s a journey that deserves care, respect, and time.

Learn More About Rhonda

Follow Rhonda

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!

What if moving your eyes back and forth could help heal old wounds? In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Moore, a certified EMDR therapist, to break down Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in a way that’s relatable, hopeful, and myth-busting.

Sarah shares how EMDR works, who it helps, and why it’s more than just a therapy for trauma survivors. Whether you’re curious about starting EMDR, looking for new ways to support your mental health, or just love learning about cutting-edge therapy, this episode will leave you feeling informed and inspired.

Tune in and discover:

• What actually happens in an EMDR session
• How EMDR differs from traditional talk therapy
• Why it can be so effective for trauma, anxiety, and more
• Tips from Sarah for anyone considering EMDR

Press play and find out why EMDR is changing lives — and how it might help you or someone you love.

Register for Sarah's FREE Workshop: Why Am I Like This? Oct 16th @ 6:30pm

Book with Sarah

Follow Sarah

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!

Why are so many of us drawn to “spicy” romance novels with powerful, dominant male leads—and what does that do to our expectations of our partners? In this episode we dig into the surge of steamy books, the psychology behind alpha-male characters, and the thin line between passionate fantasy and problematic behavior.

Our guest Ashley Mariani joins us to unpack:

• Why dominant characters are so appealing in romance fiction
• Ways these stories shape our views of intimacy, passion, and “fixing” partners
• The warning signs of coercion and control versus healthy, consensual dominance
• Practical tips for enjoying the fantasy without letting it set unrealistic standards

Whether you’re a lifelong romance reader or just curious about the hype, this episode offers a balanced, thought-provoking look at how books can both inspire and mislead our ideas of love, sex, and relationships.

Follow Ashley (The Rogue Therapist)

Ashley's Website

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!

What’s the difference between gender identity and sexual identity — and how do we figure it all out? In this episode, Dakota joins us for an open, honest, and uplifting conversation about how teens explore who they are, why adolescence is such a powerful time for identity, and how today’s adults are also re-examining gender and sexuality with more openness than before.

We’ll talk about personal stories, cultural shifts, and practical ways to support young people (and ourselves!) as we navigate identity. 

Follow Dakota

Dakota's Website

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!

This week we’re diving into a topic that so many experience but few openly talk about—PMS, mental health, and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). I’m joined by Olivia Carvalho, the Menstral Coach,  for a real and honest conversation about what the menstal cycles are and how our cycles can impact mood, emotions, and daily life in ways that often go unseen or misunderstood.

Together, we unpack what PMS really is, how it connects to our mental health, and what makes PMDD different—and much more serious—than the “typical” premenstrual changes many people are told to just “deal with.” Olivia shares insights, stories, and knowledge to help break the stigma, raise awareness, and remind anyone struggling that they’re not alone.

If you’ve ever wondered why your cycle feels overwhelming at times, or want to learn more about how hormones and mental health intersect, this episode is for you!

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!

In this inspiring episode, I fangirl over the one and only Lacey Heels, author, poet and wonderful human, to talk about her brand-new book, The Rebirth Rituals. Lacey shares how writing and poetry became powerful tools in her own journey of processing emotions, navigating family dynamics, people-pleasing and creating space for growth and healing.

Together, we explore the ways writing can help us give voice to our inner experiences, make sense of difficult moments, and allow us to distance ourselves from our emotions so we can understand them better. From sharing her process of writing and choosing passages for her book, getting comfortable with vulnerability of sharing her words, and tips and tricks to start writing, Lacey offers insights into how creative expression can be both grounding and liberating.

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just curious about putting pen to paper, this conversation will leave you feeling inspired to embrace the healing power of writing and maybe even start your own writing routine!

Follow Lacey on Social Media

Buy The Rebirth Rituals on Amazon

Contact Lacey to buy her book and see Events she will be at!

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!