Welcome to today’s episode, where we’re adventuring into the wide, wild world of autism- because let’s face it, there’s a lot of misinformation out there. We’ll start with the DSM criteria, which is basically the official list of things that make up autism, and guess what, bestie: it’s not as cut-and-dry as some would like you to believe.

You can email questions in to [email protected] and I'm going to compile them all into a bonus episode with your questions and my answers!

Join us on the O'Neil Counseling app here: ⁠https://www.oneilcounseling.com/app-landing-page

Today we’re diving into the not-so-sexy science of habit-building: how to actually create routines that stick, why motivation is a fickle little gremlin, and what to do when your brain tries to self-sabotage because “change is hard and Netflix is easier.” Spoiler alert: it’s not about willpower—it’s about systems. And tiny wins. And maybe tricking your brain a little.

Email your questions to Michelle at [email protected] to be featured in a bonus episode!

Join us on the O'Neil Counseling app here: ⁠https://www.oneilcounseling.com/app-landing-page

You ever open an old junk drawer and realize there’s a whole world in there you forgot existed? A tangle of chargers for phones you don’t own anymore, three pairs of scissors, and a mysterious key you’re scared to throw away. That’s what unpacking repressed sexuality feels like—except instead of electronics and craft supplies, it’s tangled-up desires, outdated shame, and parts of yourself you didn’t even know you’d shoved in the back.Most of us weren’t exactly raised in environments that said, “Hey, your sexuality is a totally normal, evolving part of who you are—explore away!” Nope. Many of us got a crash course in pretending it didn’t exist, or that it only existed in one “acceptable” shape. So it sat there—silent, dusty, waiting for the day you’d be ready to crack it open.

Today, we’re talking about what happens when you finally do. The awkwardness, the curiosity, the grief, and yes—the joy of reclaiming a part of yourself you might’ve been told to hide.

Join us on the O'Neil Counseling app here: ⁠https://www.oneilcounseling.com/app-landing-page

Let's talk about cycles- the emotional kind, not SoulCycle; though both can leave you breathless, questioning your life choices, and wondering why this feels familiar again. Whether it's dating emotionally unavailable people like it's your full-time job, people-pleasing your way into chronic resentment, or repeating the same dysfunctional family dynamics with the enthusiasm of a cursed heirloom, these patterns don't just happen. They're learned. They're reinforced. And, annoyingly enough, they're comfortable- like an old hoodie that smells like regret and bad boundaries.So, buckle up- we're snipping generational nonsense like it's toxic bangs in a 2007 bathroom mirror. This is Shrink Wrapped, and today, we're breaking cycles before they break you.

Join us on the O'Neil Counseling app here: ⁠https://www.oneilcounseling.com/app-landing-page

Welcome to today’s episode, where we’re tackling anxiety- because who doesn’t love that constant feeling of doom and worry, right? As always, we’ll start with the DSM criteria, which is our favorite official checklist, that defines anxiety. But let’s be real, you know it’s way more than a couple of bullet points on a page, and you know I'm going to break it down in a way that’s less “clinical speak” and more “what’s actually going on inside your head.” Next up, we’ve got the media portrayal of anxiety—which, spoiler alert, isn’t exactly accurate.Anxiety is a real, often chronic, condition that’s more than just occasional stress. So, buckle up, because I'm about to take you through the real, unfiltered truth about anxiety. No sugar-coating, just the good stuff.

Join us on the O'Neil Counseling app here: ⁠https://www.oneilcounseling.com/app-landing-page

“Reflect on a recent challenge or setback. Instead of focusing on the negative, find one aspect to be thankful for. Did it bring a hidden blessing? Teach you resilience? Help you discover an inner strength?”

In other words: we’re doing that annoying-but-actually-helpful thing where we look for the silver lining instead of just screaming into the void. (Don’t worry, screaming still has a place. But today, we reflect.)

Join us on the O'Neil Counseling app here: ⁠https://www.oneilcounseling.com/app-landing-page

So… let’s talk about conflict. That fun little thing where you suddenly morph into a passive-aggressive cryptkeeper, your heart rate spikes over a minor disagreement, and somehow you’re in a full-blown existential crisis because someone looked at you the wrong way in a meeting.

Whether you're a chronic avoider who'd rather fake your own death than have a tough conversation, or you throw down like it's an emotional UFC match every time someone disagrees with you, this episode’s for you.

Join us on the O'Neil Counseling app here: ⁠https://www.oneilcounseling.com/app-landing-page

Today’s episode is all about the absolute chaos gremlin that is your inner dialogue—and how your thoughts and words might be quietly running your life like a shady back-alley puppet master. You ever catch yourself thinking, “Ugh, I’m such an idiot,” just because you tripped over nothing or sent an email with one typo? Yeah, your brain's got jokes—and not the good kind.

But here’s the thing: thoughts aren’t facts, and that sarcastic little narrator in your head? It doesn’t get the final say. The language we use, especially with ourselves, shapes our reality more than we realize. So if your brain's been talking to you like a mean girl with a psychology degree, maybe it’s time to teach it some new lines.

Join us on the O'Neil Counseling app here: ⁠https://www.oneilcounseling.com/app-landing-page

I'm putting a trigger warning at the top of this episode. There are light discussions of child abuse, sexual assault, and mental health trauma. If you can't handle hearing about those themes, I totally don't blame you, just skip this episode- no tea, no shade, no pink lemonade, I'll just catch you next week, babe.

Choosing not to let trauma rule your life doesn’t mean it didn’t wreck you in places you didn’t even know could break. It doesn’t erase the flashbacks, the scars, or the ways it shaped how you move through the world. What it does mean is you’re officially done letting it DJ the soundtrack of your existence. You can say, “Yes, that was awful. Yes, it left a mark,” without also saying, “Here’s my schedule, go ahead and pencil in my emotional meltdowns until 2065.”

Because here’s the thing—you can acknowledge that something gutted you and still choose for the rest of your story to have more than jump scares and bloodstains. The monster might’ve been real, and maybe it even left the walls cracked and the lights flickering, but you’re still here. You’re still breathing.

If you’ve got questions, hot takes, or a story you want me to unpack in a future bonus episode, email me at [email protected]. Put “Bonus Episode Question” in the subject line so I can find you fast, and let me know if you want to be anonymous.

Join us on the O'Neil Counseling app here: ⁠https://www.oneilcounseling.com/app-landing-page

Today we’re asking:

“What are three fears holding you back? And what’s one small action you can take to challenge each fear?”

Yep. We’re not just naming the monsters under the bed—we’re pulling them out into the daylight, giving them a little side-eye, and figuring out how to politely (but firmly) evict them. These fears can be anything from “everyone secretly hates me” to “I can’t ask for what I need because I will spontaneously combust.” Super chill stuff.

Join us on the ONeil Counseling app here: ⁠https://www.oneilcounseling.com/app-landing-page