The Couch Next Door

It’s a recap full of warmth, wit, and real talk—the perfect blend of heartfelt reflection and light-hearted banter. Grab your headphones and join Jason and I as we toast to an unforgettable season and gear up for whatever comes next.

We unpacked mental health journeys, home reno chaos, creative ownership in the age of AI, AND highlights of this season!  BUT kept it fun, light, and delightfully all over the place.

Huge love to our guests, our listeners, and every intentional conversation that made Season Six what it was. 

I'd love to hear from you! Send a message to the show about the show.

Follow me on Instagram: @candicefraserlpc

Find me on Substack: candice512.substack.com

Christi Garner-Bragg an advocate for justice in various spaces including Louder than Silence & Sacred Wilderness to discuss the complexities of religious trauma and spiritual abuse. We discuss the challenges individuals face when their faith is intertwined with harmful experiences, the importance of community support, and the need for curiosity in the healing journey. 

Find Christi:

@christi.lmsw.emdr

@mindwell.therapy

@louderthansilenceorg 

@bbtbpod

SPARC

Book Recs (There were too many, I created a Google Doc so not to leave any off the list!)

Other Podcasts/Resources:

Bodies Behind the Bus

The Rise & Fall of Mars Hill

The Roys Report

Religion on the Mind

Faith Adjacent

The Couch Next Door: Untangling Faith

Cult Expert, Steven Hassan

I'd love to hear from you! Send a message to the show about the show.

Follow me on Instagram: @candicefraserlpc

Find me on Substack: candice512.substack.com

In this deeply compassionate conversation, Candice Fraser sits down with Beth Bigler, a pet loss grief counselor, to explore the often overlooked and misunderstood world of pet loss and anticipatory grief. Beth opens up about her personal journey into this work and the profound, unique bond humans share with their animals—one that often rivals or surpasses our human relationships.

Together, we unpack the emotional terrain of anticipatory grief, the distress that accompanies knowing a beloved pet’s time is limited, and the complicated feelings—especially guilt—that frequently arise both before and after loss.

Connect with Beth:

Honoring Our Animals

@honoringouranimals

Beth's Book: Honoring Our Animals

Other recommended books: 

The Grieving Brain

The Grieving Body

Self Compassion

Signs

I'd love to hear from you! Send a message to the show about the show.

Follow me on Instagram: @candicefraserlpc

Find me on Substack: candice512.substack.com

In this inspiring and insightful conversation, my friend in real life joins me! Life and business coach Tona Restine is here! We explore the power of purpose, mindfulness, and intentionality in work life.  Tona introduces us to the concept of “Glam to the Grind,” discussing how we can elevate our daily routines, create a special work environment, and establish healthy boundaries between work and home life. Overall it's a super fun episode!

Life Imagined (Tona's Website) 

@tonarestine

Recommended Reading

 Related Episodes to further your listening:

Quick Check- In: Values episode

Worth Ethos: Rethinking Burnout, Passion, & Team Dynamics

Integrating Life Coaching & Therapy 

I'd love to hear from you! Send a message to the show about the show.

Follow me on Instagram: @candicefraserlpc

Find me on Substack: candice512.substack.com

In this insightful conversation, I chat with Joanna and Matthew Raabsmith, relationship coaches dedicated to helping couples deepen intimacy and strengthen connection. Together, they explore the foundations of lasting relationships—honesty, safety, shared adventure, and mutual growth.

The Raabsmiths introduce their Intimacy Pyramid, a framework that maps out the essential steps toward achieving true intimacy. They emphasize that intimacy extends far beyond the physical—it’s built through emotional honesty, trust, and consistent effort.

Listeners will learn about the transformative power of daily check-ins, how individual growth plays a part in your relationship, and why play, shared goals, and small daily choices are crucial to keeping love alive.

True intimacy is not accidental—it’s a daily practice rooted in honesty, safety, and shared commitment. Joanna and Matthew are authentic speakers on the topic of relationships and intimacy and some of the memories they share I hope will remind you to notice the ways silly moments in our relationships can create connection for years to come. 

Follow: @theraabsmithteam 

The Raabsmith Team website

HONEST check in: https://raabsmithteam.com/free

Get their book: 

Building True Intimacy: Creating a Connection That Stands the Test of Time by Matthew & Joanna Raabsmith and Dan Drake

Other recommended reading:

Intimate Deception: Healing the Wounds of Sexual Betrayal by Dr. Sheri Keffer

Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction: Discover the Practical and Spiritual Steps to Lasting Recovery by Dr. Mark Laaser 

Additional Resources on the topic:

Dr. Sue Johnson

Attachment theory

The Gottmans

The Couch Next Door episodes:

Couple’s Therapy 

Betrayal Trauma

I'd love to hear from you! Send a message to the show about the show.

Follow me on Instagram: @candicefraserlpc

Find me on Substack: candice512.substack.com

 In this episode I sit down with Nancy Treaster and Sue Ryan of The Caregiver’s Journey for a heartfelt and insightful conversation about the realities of caregiving—especially for those supporting loved ones with dementia. Throughout the discussion, Nancy & Sue share personal experiences, practical insights, and words of encouragement for anyone walking the caregiving path. Whether you’re currently caring for a loved one or supporting someone who is, this episode offers wisdom, empathy, and a reminder that you are not alone.  If you or someone you know is on this journey of caregiving, please check out the incredible resources Sue & Nancy have to offer in this space.  Their website and podcast is a one stop shop for all things related to caregiving.  

Check out ALL the resources Nancy & Sue offer:

https://thecaregiversjourney.org/

Road Map

Follow The Caregiver’s Journey:

Instagram

Facebook

I'd love to hear from you! Send a message to the show about the show.

Follow me on Instagram: @candicefraserlpc

Find me on Substack: candice512.substack.com

In this episode, I’m joined by  Amy Thompson, LPC and we dive deep into the world of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy — a powerful approach designed to help the brain heal from trauma. Together, we explore how trauma manifests uniquely in each person,  the innerworkings of EMDR, and how this therapy can promote long-term emotional recovery.

Amy sheds light on what clients can expect in sessions and how self-awareness and self-care play vital roles in the healing journey. She also tackles common misconceptions, clarifying that EMDR is not a quick fix but a gradual, deeply transformative process that unfolds over intentional time targeting traumatic experiences.  

The conversation underscores the importance of finding the right therapist and how integrating EMDR with traditional talk therapy can lead to a more holistic and sustainable approach to mental wellness.

Recommended Books:

The Body Keeps The Score

I'd love to hear from you! Send a message to the show about the show.

Follow me on Instagram: @candicefraserlpc

Find me on Substack: candice512.substack.com

In this conversation, I introduce my new friend, Ally Hoffman Scott, LPC.  We delve into complex PTSD (CPTSD), discuss the differences between big T and little t traumas, the importance of relationships in healing, and the impact of childhood experiences on adult emotional responses.  

Safe Space Healing Collective 
instagram: @safespacehealingcollective // Tiktok: @safespacehealingco // facebook: facebook.com/safespacehealingcollective
Split
What My Bones Know
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents 
Atlas of the Heart
Braiding Sweetgrass
The Myth of Normal

I'd love to hear from you! Send a message to the show about the show.

Follow me on Instagram: @candicefraserlpc

Find me on Substack: candice512.substack.com

In this engaging conversation our dear friend Marty Munger and NEW friend Kasey Brennan of WORK ETHOS discuss the intersection of work life, mental health, and team dynamics. They explore the importance of understanding individual strengths and weaknesses within a team, the role of passion in career satisfaction, and the impact of workplace stress on mental health. The discussion also highlights the upcoming launch of their podcast, Work Intelligently, which aims to delve deeper into these topics and provide valuable insights for listeners. Leveraging differences among team members can lead to greater success and the Coaches at Work Ethos can help you with this!  As a therapist I’m constantly hearing about work burnout so Marty and Kasey address how identifying personal work values and strengths can help prevent burnout. We also cover self care in the workplace and a strategy you don’t want to miss!  And because we LOVE the Enneagram at The Couch Next Door and Marty and Kasey are both Enneagram Coaches, you know we had to sprinkle some into our conversation!

Work Ethos website (Sign up for their newsletter and take their assessments!)

Work Ethos on Instagram: @theworkethos

Marty on Tik Tok: @coachmarty_workethos

SNAP (self care strategy): Stop, Notice, Assess, Pivot

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer

Soundtracks:  The Surprising Solution to Overthinking by Jon Acuff

Marty's Episodes on The Couch Next Door:

The Enneagram Explained

Ennea-Season: Q & A

Mermaid Run 

Disney Princess Run

I'd love to hear from you! Send a message to the show about the show.

Follow me on Instagram: @candicefraserlpc

Find me on Substack: candice512.substack.com

In this conversation, Dr. Jennifer Dall shares her extensive experience in education and her personal journey with ADHD. She emphasizes the importance of understanding ADHD from a holistic perspective, particularly in women who may be diagnosed later in life. The discussion covers practical tools like the ADHD SOS card deck, the significance of emotional regulation, and the need for self-acceptance and kindness. Dr. Dall advocates for recognizing the impact of hormonal changes on ADHD symptoms and encourages individuals to explore their coping strategies and seek help when needed. In this conversation, we discuss practical strategies for coping with ADHD, including the concept of 'ADHD plus one,' which highlights the need to consider other mental health challenges alongside ADHD. 

Connect with Dr. Jennifer:

ADHD Holistically website

30 Quick and Easy Hacks for ADHD

SOS ADHD Card Deck

Instagram

Linkedin

Recommendations from Dr. Jennifer:

Climbing the Walls: a fantastic recent podcast about a woman’s journey to learn more about women and ADHD
Women With Attention Deficit Disorder by Sari Solden
-Journeys Through Addulthood
A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD

Relevant episodes by The Couch Next Door

School Advocacy Episode

Neurodiversity & Friendship

I'd love to hear from you! Send a message to the show about the show.

Follow me on Instagram: @candicefraserlpc

Find me on Substack: candice512.substack.com