The Collective Couch

In this episode of The Collective Couch, Allie and Emily speak with Tanya Younce about emotional intelligence and her book, Mastering Emotional Intelligence in Relationships. We explain why emotional intelligence is essential for resolving conflict and for keeping long-term relationships healthy. We describe clear skills such as naming emotions, noticing triggers, listening with empathy, and regulating strong feelings. We outline practical communication tools like "I-statements" and a three-part apology to repair ruptures. We invite listeners to use the "How We Feel" app, read Tanya’s book, and practice these tools with their partners to build connection and reduce resentment.

In this episode of The Collective Couch, we identify toxic positivity and social comparison as the principal forces eroding emotional authenticity and well-being, particularly as they intensify during the holiday season.

Social media highlight reels impose unrealistic standards and can conjure a sense of inadequacy, while we sugarcoat difficult feelings under the guise of gratitude. We advocate for deliberate interventions: curating our social feeds, practicing compassionate self-talk, setting protective boundaries, and permitting the full spectrum of affective experience without problem-solving. We also offer relational strategies for addressing toxic positivity in others, and curating our "circle," and embracing the "messy middle."

Spooky season is supposed to be fun, but it can also crank up your fear response fast. When your body flips into fight, flight, or freeze, it can feel like you’re “too much” or out of control, even when nothing is technically wrong. We dig into what dysregulation actually looks like in real life and how to come back to center without shaming yourself for having normal human emotions.

We start with awareness: a simple body scan to spot tension, shakiness, clenched jaw, or stress showing up in your gut. From there, we talk about the nervous system’s “memory board” and why a smell, a place, or a familiar cue can trigger a reaction before you’ve even named it. That context matters, especially during busy seasons when your system is already running hot and you’re more likely to snap, shut down, or spiral.

Then we bring it home to parenting and relationships. We prefer regulated parenting over chasing “gentle” as a personality trait. Anger isn’t the enemy, but what we do with it can create ruptures, and repair starts with ownership and a real apology. We also share practical tools you can practice before you’re on fire: progressive muscle relaxation, 5-4-3-2-1 grounding, sour candy as a quick sensory reset, and box breathing with belly breathing (plus an easy way to teach it to kids). We wrap with ideas for daily check-ins, end-of-day exhale plans, and small rituals that help your body shift into safety.

If this helped, subscribe, share it with a friend who feels stretched thin, and leave a review so more people can find these nervous system regulation tools.

This episode of The Collective Couch is all about boundaries, and learning the power of "no." Boundaries are your "best friend" – they protect your peace and well‑being. We define a boundary as an action you will take when someone crosses a line, since you control your response, not their behavior. We emphasize using clear "I" statements, stating your feelings, and specifying what you would like to change, then following through with consistent consequences.

We acknowledge that setting boundaries can feel uncomfortable or provoke feelings of guilt at first, but that doesn't indicate any wrongdoing. We advise preparing boundaries in advance of any challenging situations, as well as practicing the language, resisting unnecessary apologies, and reflecting on relationships that drain you.

As always, we encourage seeking support from professionals when needed and practicing boundaries regularly so they become easier to use.

In this episode of The Collective Couch, Allie and Emily talk about "matrescence" and the ups and downs (and in-betweens) of becoming a mother.

Seeking support is essential. We normalize the unglamorous and "messy middle" of motherhood and encourage people to honor their feelings, including grief. We note that screening tools after birth only scratch the surface, and if you feel overwhelmed, reaching out for help is worthwhile.

We recommend building a village and utilizing resources like Cincy Postpartum and Cincinnati Renewed Wellness to connect with community and therapists. We also stress the importance of setting boundaries, taking care of yourself, and advocating for your needs. Motherhood can be an exciting opportunity for growth and flourishing when proper support is in place. We invite you to contact us if you need help, and we will assist you in finding the right support.

In this episode of The Collective Couch, we focus on the "inner critic." One thing to keep in mind is that awareness of your thoughts and feelings is the catalyst to change. We describe practical steps like doing a body scan, labeling and locating feelings, and asking what you need. We also explain shifting language from "I am anxious" to "I am feeling anxious" to create distance from negative identity. Another tip is writing down your thoughts by hand – to slow down and see them clearly. We suggest setting daily intentions, doing midday check-ins, and tending to yourself so the critic grows quieter.

In this episode of The Collective Couch, we present concrete tools for supporting children (and parents/caregiviers!) during change. We emphasize scaffolding and simple language like "first–then" to prepare children and to reduce anxiety.

We outline the HALT heuristic—hungry, angry, lonely, tired—as an immediate triage for post-school moments, and we recommend calming activities such as a snack, rest, or a bilateral activity like a walk to enable regulation before conversation.

We also explain how walking or car rides can reduce intensity, allow space for kids to give reflective answers, and permit parents to inquire about peers, feelings of belonging, and daily peaks and pits. At the end of the day, consistency and compassion are key elements for long term adaptation!

Join Allie McLaughlin and Emily Lyon from Renewed Wellness Collective for welcoming conversation about mental health and well‑being. As clinicians, moms and members of the community, seek to demystify therapeutic care, and to foster connection beyond the confines of the clinic.

Allie describes her focus in trauma work and how therapy can intersperse serious processing with moments of relief and triumph; while Emily discusses perinatal concerns, noting how mothers frequently lack time and permission to tend to their emotional lives.

We emphasize that anyone seeking support, clarity, or a plan is legitimately entitled to care – whether it's through the Renewed Wellness Collective or a referral to another provider. The Collective Couch aims to encourage everyone to take the first step toward sustained well‑being and self-care.