This episode is a Q&A show covering topics like play therapy, insurance, and therapists’ POV of clients.  We cover a lot of ground here. My Mom is here to co-host with me as I answer questions I received from Instagram.  I mention in the episode, therapy is hard and tricky at times, but most of all it takes courage to step into therapy work and therapists are honored to be invited into our clients' lives.   If you have any other questions for me, feel free to send me a message on Instagram and I'd be happy to do my best to find answers for you.  

Follow me on Instagram:

@candicefraserlpc

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:

Sometimes Therapy is Awkward by Nicole Artz

Letters to a Young Therapist by Mary Pipher

The Gift of Therapy by Dr. Irvin Yalom

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

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

Amy Saenz is on this episode talking all about self compassion.  Practicing self compassion takes work.  Acknowledging our feelings first, helps us then to know how we can extend compassion to ourselves.  Amy has so many encouraging things to share with us today about what she learned to do for herself and also what she wants others to be able to do for themselves.  Follow me on instagram (@candicefraserlpc) and share how you practice self compassion. 

Check out all of these awesome resources Amy wants to share with the world! 

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:

Self Compassion by Kristen Neff

The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook

Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown

How to do the Work by Dr. Nicole LePera

You are the One You’ve Been Waiting For by Dr. Richard Schwartz

No Bad Parts by Dr. Richard Schwartz

Attached by Amir Levine

 

The Feelings Wheel

How We Feel app 

 

Amy’s favorite rant: Vanessa’s Episode 

 

Follow us on Instagram:

Candice: @candicefraserlpc

Amy: @Booked.on.Wellness

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

This episode with my friend Steve Johnson focuses on toxic masculinity in the military.  For clarification, Steve isn’t speaking on behalf of the US military or as a representative of the Texas Military Department, he is only sharing his experience and observations to help others feel encouraged and less alone when it comes to the negative effects of toxic masculinity.  Toxic masculinity can be found anywhere, so pay attention to your fellow humans and be inspired by what Steve says about speaking up on behalf of others and also being a safe place for others to unpack feelings. 

 

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM:

@candicefraserlpc

 

RECOMMENDED READING:

On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society by Dave Grossman

What Happened to You?  by Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce Perry

How To Human by Carlos Whittaker

 

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

How often do intrusive or negative thoughts take charge of your feelings, your perspective, and your life?  My friend Grace is joining me today and we’re talking all about how to fight against those pesky intrusive thoughts.   I just love her spirit and enthusiasm.  It’s contagious!  She has so much to share about how to take control of our thoughts that you might need a pen and paper to jot down some things to remember for yourself.  Grace speaks to the choice we have in believing intrusive thoughts and also how basic self care plays a significant part in being successful when practicing the strategy that she’s found has helped her in the awareness and control over these intrusive thoughts.  I hope that this episode gives you some practical strategies to help your thought life be shaped in a transformative way. 

 

RECOMMENDED READING/RESOURCES:

 

DBT: Dialectical Behavior Therapy

 

DBT: Wise Mind

 

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

 

Follow me on Instagram:

@candicefraserlpc

 

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

This episode is all about the self discovery journey with my friend Brittany Holmstrom.  Whether you have barriers to attending therapy or just want to get to know yourself a little better, my friend Brittany walks us through what she has discovered about herself and how she has used this information to grow and improve herself in her world.  I’ve included additional resources to give you a starting off point in your own journey.  As always, therapy can be a way to dig deeper into what you find out about yourself in your self discovery  journey, so please reach out if I can help you get connected to a mental health professional in your area.  

 

For reference, Brittany is an Enneagram 2 wing 1, INFP (Introvert, Intuition, Feeling, Perceiving), True Colors-Blue, Libra Sun, Leo Moon, Libra Rising.

 

Candice is an Enneagram 2 wing 3, INFJ (Introvert, Intuition, Feeling, Judging), Cancer

 

Follow us on Instagram! 

@stockholmstrom

@candicefraserlpc

 

RECOMMENDED READING:

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

 The Road Back to You

 

Other Resources to check out:

Your Enneagram Coach-Free Assessment

MBTI Official Website

True Colors Personality Typing System

 Co-star Astrology

  Now, Discover Your Strengths 

 Marco Polo App

 

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

On this episode I’m talking to my friend Leilani Anderson.  We are talking all about mental health in an elementary school setting.  Leilani is a first grade teacher and she has a variety of perspectives to share as a mother of 4 and a full time teacher.  You’re not going to want to miss what Leilani says helps her to stay in the profession and I believe it will be an encouragement for parents and teachers to hear what she has to say on the subject.

Leilani and I briefly discuss school shootings so if this is a difficult topic for you to sit with, please take extra care of yourself if you listen to this episode.  

LINKS TO SHARE:

Marco Polo App

 Resources:

Now Maps Jr. by Dan Siegel

Additional books by Dr. Dan Siegel 

Find me on Instagram: @candicefraserlpc

 

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

My friend Erin is joining me today!  One thing I love about Erin is her sense of humor.  Don’t sleep on the beginning stories she shares about being a Municipal Court Prosecutor and her rant about PTA fundraising.  

 

Erin graciously volunteered to share her trauma story related to the birth of her first child.  Erin talks through her experience with childbirth and the aftermath of caring for a newborn after the trauma.  I mention in the episode that women often feel shameful talking negatively about birth and motherhood, but so much of the healing process comes when we are able to talk openly and honestly about all aspects of our experiences.  For those of you that have been through a traumatic birth, please take extra care of yourself if you listen to this episode.  

LINKS TO SHARE:

Marco Polo App

 

Follow me on Instagram:

@candicefraserlpc

 

RECOMMENDED READING

  What Happened to You

The Body Keeps the Score

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

On today’s episode I am talking to my friend, Vanessa Queen.  Vanessa has a family member that lives with mental health struggles.  Vanessa has worked hard on finding ways to navigate this relationship in a way that works well for her and I believe her experience will be an encouragement for those also walking through loving someone with mental health struggles.  

One of my favorite things about Vanessa is she is a great story teller!  She went on a couple of rants at the start of the show that some of you might say are hot takes.  Let me know where you stand on the great cookie cake debate.  

Vanessa talks about how her faith is something that has helped her to find healing from hurt she experienced in her past within her relationship with her family member.  Although she and I both have a faith that is important to us, we both also understand that this may not be something that resonates with everyone.  But the healing she talks about from her personal faith is something I want everyone to discover.  Therapy can be a place to explore finding your path toward healing.  Please reach out if you need help connecting with a therapist.  I’d be happy to guide you to find a provider.  

Social media handles:  

@homegirl.designstudio

@candicefraserlpc

Enneagram Resources:

Vanessa talks a lot about the Enneagram on this show.  For those of you not familiar, the Enneagram is a personality typing system that focuses on a person’s motivation behind their behaviors rather than just the behaviors themselves.  It can be a very helpful tool for introspection and self-discovery.  To dive in check out these beginner resources:

The Road Back to You

Your Enneagram Coach-Free Assessment

Other Resources:

National Alliance on Mental Health Family Support Group

Vanessa’s rant: The Oxford Comma

RECOMMENDED READING:

A Family Guilde to Mental Health Recovery: What You Need to Know From Day One

 

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

On this episode I’m talking to my unbiological sister, Laura Hatfield.  Laura and I have known each other since we were 2 years old (so 38 years to be exact).  We talk about friendship–what it’s like to have a lifelong friendship, a long distance friendship, and she shares how her friends have helped her through some hardships in her life.  Laura also shares what was not helpful as she went through unexpected life events.  

We discuss the compromise between sitting in your feelings and also taking care of your day to day responsibilities to help us feel less overwhelmed when we are going through difficult times.  This girl is one of the best friends anyone could have so lean in and listen so you can really show up well for your friends!  

In full transparency, we definitely had some recording mishaps on my first rodeo here.  I thought we would have had all of the unnecessary noise issues solved when my sweet husband volunteered to take our kids to the comic book store, but alas, we had some unexpected, unavoidable noise from the pups in the background.  Also, you might notice the recording sounds a little different in some spots because of unforeseen equipment issues.  Still working out the kinks people but I’m getting there.  Thank you for your patience with me and my love/hate relationship with technology and thanks so much for staying with it and listening!  

RECOMMENDED READING: 

The Life Council by Laura Tremaine

Follow Laura: @lmhstyling

Find me on Instagram: @candicefraserlpc

 

 

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

The Couch Next Door is a podcast where a happy hour meets a therapy session.  Each episode is hosted by Candice Fraser, a licensed professional counselor, and she will invite friends to come discuss an area of mental health that is impacting their world.  Just like a happy hour, there will be a lot of laughter and talk about normal, everyday life things, but deeper questions on mental health topics will be discussed in a way that feels relatable.  Let this be a place where we can learn to care for ourselves and those around us well.  Come hang out! 

 

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