This episode and these show notes are for educational purposes only. They do not constitute medical, psychiatric, psychological, or legal advice. This content does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. Always consult your own licensed healthcare professional before making decisions about your mental or physical health. Listening to this episode does not create a therapist–client or patient–provider relationship with Diana or Jackie.

Episode Summary

If you've ever wondered what TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) actually is—beyond the headlines and clinical jargon—this conversation offers a grounded and accessible explanation for anyone curious about mental health, brain science, and integrative care.

Host Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP sits down with Jacqueline "Jackie" Simon, MS, RN, PMHNP-BC, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who integrates evidence-based care, medication management, deprescribing when appropriate, lifestyle approaches, and TMS treatment in her work with clients in Florida and New York.

Together, they break down: • What TMS feels like • How it works on the brain • FDA-approved uses (depression, OCD, smoking cessation, and adolescent depression 15+) • Safety, side effects, and who qualifies • How TMS interacts with medication or micro-tapers • Why neuroplasticity matters for long-term change • Myths, fears, and misunderstandings • What to expect from the evaluation process • How to advocate for yourself inside the mental-health system

This episode welcomes listeners from all backgrounds—faith, non-faith, clinical, and non-clinical—with clarity, compassion, and zero stigma.

Highlighted Quotes (Verbatim)

Jackie Simon, PMHNP-BC:

"TMS is transcranial magnetic stimulation, and it is indeed a magnet. It stimulates electrical activity between neurons so they can communicate, release neurotransmitters, and support the areas of the brain involved in mood and functioning."

Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP:

"If your brain needs support, that does not mean your faith is weak. It means your nervous system has been carrying more than it was ever designed to carry alone."

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• What a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) does • How TMS works in simple, non-technical language • What a first TMS session and evaluation look like • Common myths about TMS vs. ECT • Expected timeline for improvement and remission • Why TMS is noninvasive and often well-tolerated • Why lifestyle, therapy, and relational support still matter • How to talk to your provider if you're curious about TMS • How to spot red flags and green flags in mental-health care • Free, accessible ways to support brain health today

Educational Resources Mentioned

These links are shared strictly for educational purposes and are not endorsements or medical recommendations.

TMS Device Education • MagVenture — https://www.magventure.com • NeuroStar — https://www.neurostar.com • BrainsWay Deep TMS — https://www.brainsway.com

Trusted Medical Overviews • Mayo Clinic: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation • Cleveland Clinic: TMS Therapy Overview • NIH/NIMH: Brain Stimulation Therapies

Professional Organization • IMMH (Integrative Medicine for Mental Health)

Work With Jackie Simon, PMHNP-BC

Rising Tide Psychiatry — Telehealth psychiatric care for clients in Florida and New York, offering: • Medication management • Micro-tapers when appropriate • Holistic, integrative support • Referrals for TMS • TMS services available through her partnership with REKO Behavioral Health (Delray Beach)

Connect With Diana

• Through the Valley Therapy • Transformed Mind Consulting & Coaching • The Holistic Counselor Podcast (YouTube Playlist)

Support This Work

Each episode takes 3–5 hours to prepare, research, record, and produce with care, intentionality, and trauma-informed planning. If this podcast has encouraged you, supported your growth, or offered meaningful insight, one way to help keep it independent and ad-free is by visiting the merch store. Your purchase helps sustain thoughtful, holistic conversations on mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual well-being for listeners around the world.

Explore the collection: https://theholisticcounselorpodcast.printful.me/

If this episode helped you, please take a moment to leave a review or share it with someone who might benefit. Reviews are one of the most impactful ways to help others discover the show.

Secondary Disclaimer

This episode is for general education only and is not a substitute for individualized professional advice. Do not make changes to medications, supplements, or mental-health treatment without consulting your licensed provider.

What if the foods that shaped your childhood could also heal you?

In this powerful episode of The Holistic Counselor Podcast, host Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP sits down with Naihomy Jerez—Bronx-raised Dominicana, Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, and host of Let's Be Healthy Latinas: Holistic Wellness with Sazón y Cultura—to unpack how culture, hormones, and gut health intersect with mental wellness.

Together they explore: Why traditional Latina foods aren't the problem—it's about quality, balance & context. How the gut–brain axis shapes mood, anxiety & focus. The link between hormones, inflammation, and emotional regulation. Ancestral nutrition & faith-based healing habits that actually last. How to drop food shame while honoring your culture and flavor. Practical micro-habits for busy women—no expensive protocols required.

Key Quotes

Diana S. Rice: "Once we realize that we are biology, psychology, and theology all rolled into one, we finally see that mental health, gut health, and spiritual health are inseparable."

Naihomy Jerez: "I stopped trying to shrink myself and started nourishing myself — making the foods I love work for me instead of against me."

Resources & Mentions

Books Referenced

• Eat to Beat Disease: The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself — Dr. William W. Li MD

• Calm Your Mind with Food — Dr. Uma Naidoo

• Outlive — Dr. Peter Attia

• Roar & Next Level — Dr. Stacy Sims

• The New Menopause — Dr. Mary Claire Haver

Podcasts Mentioned

• Let's Be Healthy Latinas — Naihomy Jerez

• The Model Health Show — Shawn Stevenson

• Diary of a CEO — Steven Bartlett

• The School of Greatness — Lewis Howes

Clean Seasoning & Food Brands

• Badia Organic Adobo 12.75 oz

• Healthy Rican — Use code naihomy10 for 10% off

• Loisa Organic Spices & Sazón — Use code naihomyjerez10 for 10% off

About the Guest

Naihomy Jerez Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach | Hormone & Gut Health Specialist | Podcast Host www.naihomyjerez.com Instagram → @naihomyjerez

About the Host

Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP Licensed Mental Health Counselor | Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional Founder of Through the Valley Therapy & Transformed Mind Consulting and Coaching The Holistic Counselor Podcast — where faith, science & whole-person healing meet.

Listener Invitation

If this conversation spoke to you, please rate and review The Holistic Counselor Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps this free, faith-informed resource reach more people who need hope, tools & truth.

In this powerful episode, Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP sits down with Dr. Tzvi Furer, MD, FAPA, DFAACAP, a dual-board-certified Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist and founder of Palm Tree Psychiatry. Together, they break down myths about psychiatry, explore the importance of deprescribing and informed consent, and discuss how cultural competence and compassion must guide mental-health care.

Dr. Furer shares his journey from training at NYU Langone Health / Bellevue Hospital to building a concierge practice that goes beyond the 15-minute "med check." His approach combines psychotherapy, medication management, medical root-cause testing, and narrative medicine—helping patients feel truly seen, not labeled.

Diana and Dr. Furer dive into:

• The difference between psychiatry, psychology, and therapy

• What "go low and go slow" prescribing really means

• Why faith, biology, and psychology belong in the same conversation

• How to advocate for yourself in a rushed or insurance-limited system

• The role of storytelling and narrative medicine in healing

• Root-cause assessment, labs, and integrative collaboration with therapists

• Practical advice for those who can't afford concierge care but still need hope

If you've ever felt disillusioned by medication-only psychiatry or you're craving a faith-informed, science-based approach to mental health, this episode will challenge your perspective and leave you encouraged.

Referenced Resources & Links

Connect with Dr. Tzvi Furer & Palm Tree Psychiatry: Website: palmtreepsychiatry.com Alternate: palmtreepsych.com Facebook: facebook.com/palmtreepsychiatry Instagram: @palmtreepsychiatry X: x.com/palmtreepsych Threads: threads.com/@palmtreepsychiatry LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/palmtreepsychiatry

Books & Mentions:

• The Body Keeps the Score – Dr. Bessel van der Kolk

• Cognitive Therapy: Basics and Beyond – Judith S. Beck, PhD

• Love's Executioner – Irvin Yalom, MD

• The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat – Oliver Sacks

• The 5 Second Rule – Mel Robbins

Related Episodes on The Holistic Counselor Podcast:

• Ep. 11 – Unveiling Cultural Competence with Dorothy Chatelier-Orelus, APRN

• Ep. 18 – Radical Truths in Mental Health with Dr. Roger McFillin

• Ep. 20 – From Pills to Purpose with Dr. Nina Joy Mena

• Ep. 67 – Psychiatric Deprescribing & Women's Mental Health with Dr. Amy O'Donnell

Episode Highlights Time Topic 03:00 Dr. Furer's journey from NYU Langone to Palm Tree Psychiatry 08:00 Cultural competence and working with diverse communities 13:00 Psychiatry vs. psychology vs. therapy explained 18:00 "Go low and go slow" – rethinking medication management 19:00 Root-cause care and medical workups in mental health 24:00 What concierge psychiatry really means 27:00 Narrative medicine and the power of story 32:00 Deprescribing and self-advocacy in the system 39:00 Practical books and tools for hope and healing 44:00 Final encouragement: take your mental health seriously About the Host

Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP is the founder of Through the Valley Therapy and Transformed Mind Consulting & Coaching. As host of The Holistic Counselor Podcast, Diana bridges faith, neuroscience, and whole-person healing through authentic, stigma-breaking conversations with experts and advocates.

Join the Movement

If this episode encouraged you, please rate, review, and share it with a friend or colleague. Your support helps others find faith-integrated, evidence-based mental-health content that brings hope and healing.

Follow Diana on: Instagram | @theholisticcounselorpodcast

In this powerful conversation, host Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP—founder of Through the Valley Therapy and Transformed Mind Consulting & Coaching—sits down with Kelsey Blahnik, LCSW-S, clinician, author, and advocate for reconciliation in divided times. Together, they explore the intersection of politics, mental health, and spiritual healing—without taking sides.

Kelsey is the author of The And Way: Assertive Peacemaking in a Divided World (now available for preorder) and co-hosts Love Anyway Gatherings through Search for Common Ground—spaces where people of all backgrounds learn to "talk and listen without losing themselves."

From family rifts to online echo chambers, Diana and Kelsey unpack how we can stay human in the middle of the mess and rediscover hope in a polarized world.

Key Topics

• How internal family systems (IFS) and "parts work" help us understand political and relational conflict

• The And Way™ model: combining dialectics, compassion, and boundaries

• Why fear is false evidence appearing real—and how to calm your nervous system when triggered

• How to practice assertive peacemaking in everyday conversations

• Recognizing when your "protector parts" are overactivated and learning to respond from Self-energy

• Reframing conflict as connection: "You don't have to pick the relationship or being right forever—you choose one in each moment."

• Healing through holistic practices: movement, rhythm, journaling, and nature

• How media algorithms fuel anxiety—and how to curate your digital diet for mental peace

Featured Quotes

"My favorite phrase is, 'It makes sense.' Because it starts with being able to acknowledge my fear makes sense—and their fear makes sense. That's why the AND is so critical." — Kelsey Blahnik, LCSW-S

"We need to remember: United we stand, divided we fall. We can have all the therapy and medication in the world, but until we learn to respond in wisdom instead of reactivity, we'll stay stuck." — Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP

Resources Mentioned

• The And Way Press: https://theandwaypress.com

• Search for Common Ground / Love Anyway Gatherings: https://www.sfcg.org

• Braver Angels (Mental Health Workshops): https://braverangels.org

• All Sides News: https://www.allsides.com

• Tangle News: https://www.readtangle.com

• Ground News: https://ground.news

• What Happened to You by Dr. Bruce Perry & Oprah Winfrey

• The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

Closing Reflection

This episode reminds us that healing division starts inside us. Whether you lean red, blue, or "elephonkey purple," the call is the same: humanize before you analyze. As Kelsey says, self-healing leads to world-healing.

Connect

Follow Kelsey Blahnik, LCSW-S: https://theandwaypress.com Learn more about her practice: The And Way Therapy (serving Texas & Florida)

Follow Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP:

• Through the Valley Therapy

• Transformed Mind Consulting & Coaching

• The Holistic Counselor Podcast on YouTube

Episode Summary

Hello there, fearfully and wonderfully made human. I'm your host, Diana S. Rice, licensed mental health counselor and founder of Through the Valley Therapy and Transformed Mind Consulting & Coaching. Welcome back to The Holistic Counselor Podcast—the space where faith, science, and holistic healing come together for grounded, real conversations about mental health, purpose, and personal growth.

As we enter this Valentine's season, remember: love isn't only something we give—it's something we intentionally cultivate within. The way we nurture our minds, bodies, and spirits shapes how we show up for others—and how we heal.

In today's episode, I sit down with Sara Brenker, LCSW, a South Florida-based therapist and co-founder of Modern Care Collective, a practice known for its warm, direct, and collaborative approach to healing. Sara has spent years working as an individual therapist, clinical director, and crisis-stabilization specialist. She integrates CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), strengths-based approaches, and motivational interviewing to help clients rebuild self-worth, address shame, and navigate recovery from addiction and identity loss.

This conversation moves through the grey space between faith, trauma, and transformation—and asks us to re-imagine healing as both clinical and spiritual.

Key Themes

• The connection between addiction, shame, and identity loss

• How addiction can show up as behavior, people-pleasing, or performance—not just substances

• Living in the "grey zone" instead of the extremes of shame or denial

• How faith communities can hold love and disappointment at the same time

• Why outpatient harm-reduction models save lives

• How authenticity and selective self-disclosure build trust in therapy

• Learning to sit still with discomfort and letting healing unfold

Resources Mentioned

• Modern Care Collective – therapist-run practice based in East Boca Raton, offering outpatient and telehealth care for clients in Florida https://www.moderncarecollective.com/

• CBT & DBT explained:

  • CBT helps identify distorted thoughts and create healthier behaviors.

  • DBT teaches distress tolerance, mindfulness, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

• The Trevor Project – 24/7 support for LGBTQIA+ youth → thetrevorproject.org

• SunServe Wilton Manors – South Florida resource for LGBTQ+ affirming mental-health support → sunserve.org

• Faith-Integrated Therapy – find trauma-informed, holistic Christian-based therapists via openpathcollective.org or psychologytoday.com filters

Takeaways

1. Healing begins with safety. When stories are met with compassion, shame loses power.

2. Faith and therapy coexist. Grace and groundedness are both essential.

3. Addiction hides behind perfection. Even "high-functioning" lives can mask deep pain.

4. Therapist fit matters. Don't give up on therapy—try a different provider or approach.

5. Love is cultivation. The inner work you do becomes the love you offer outwardly.

Connect & Share

Follow and tag on socials: #throughthevalleytherapy #theholisticcounselorpodcast #transformedmindcc #holistictherapy #faithbasedcounseling #mentalhealthpodcast #addictionrecovery #shamefree #therapyworks #dbt #cbt #selfhealing #faithandscience

Final Word

"To every listener: you're not alone. You're loved. Trust in the Lord, guard your heart, and renew your mind." — Diana S. Rice

Listen now on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Playlist → The Holistic Counselor Podcast

Marijuana today is not the same as it was decades ago. In this critical episode, Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, CTP, QS, sits down with John Puls, LCSW, MCAP—addiction expert, professor, and co‑founder of Full Life Comprehensive Care—to unpack the rising crisis of THC‑induced psychosis in teens and young adults.

Drawing from both professional and personal experience, Diana shares her journey from teenage marijuana use in Broward County to her later trial with medical marijuana—and how it affected her mental health. Together, they break down the difference between traditional cannabis and today's lab‑altered THC concentrates, including Delta‑8, dabs, vapes, and edibles.

Whether you're a parent, clinician, teacher, or someone navigating your own recovery, this episode offers essential education, compassion, and real‑world tools to protect the next generation.

Listen Now

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-holistic-counselor/id1732149496

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssTwH8qi9uw

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6TesqwMwiVYTeS0Ns9nMLo?si=a2588b2f57ef4b0e

About the Guest – John Puls, LCSW, MCAP

John Puls is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Master's Certified Addiction Professional. He is the Co‑Founder and COO of Full Life Comprehensive Care in South Florida, an adjunct professor at Florida Atlantic University, and an expert witness for legal cases involving substance use, addiction facilities, and mental health.

Specialties include:

• Substance use disorders & co‑occurring mental health disorders

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Motivational Interviewing

• Family Systems Therapy & Trauma‑Informed Care

• Forensic reviews & expert witness consulting

Learn more at https://full-life-comprehensive-care.com/

What We Discuss

• Diana's personal story: from early marijuana use to medical THC and recovery

• The difference between old‑school cannabis and today's high‑potency THC products

• What cannabis‑induced psychosis looks like and why it's often misdiagnosed as schizophrenia

• How vaping and concentrates drastically raise risk for teens

• The neurological impact of THC on the developing brain

• How clinicians can respond even if they don't specialize in substance use

• Educating parents, teachers, and communities without shame or fear

• Preventing clinician burnout while working with complex cases

• The role of early prevention and informed consent in schools and homes

• Practical tools and resources for healing, regulation, and resilience

Mentioned Resources & References

• Full Life Comprehensive Care – https://full-life-comprehensive-care.com/

• Every Brain Matters – https://everybrainmatters.org/

• Johnny's Ambassadors – https://johnnysambassadors.org/

• SAMHSA (Marijuana & Mental Health) – https://www.samhsa.gov/marijuana

• CDC Marijuana Health Advisory – https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/health-effects/index.html

• Florida Department of Health – Medical Marijuana Program – https://www.flhealthsource.gov/mqa/medical-marijuana/https://knowthefactsmmj.com/

• National Institute on Drug Abuse – Cannabis Research – https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/what-are-marijuanas-effects-on-general-physical-healthhttps://nida.nih.gov/search/cannabis%20?sort=_score&language=en

• Episode 88 with Mark Astor

Key Quotes

"Some of these kids get Baker Acted and come out with a schizophrenia diagnosis—but what they're really experiencing is a substance‑induced psychotic episode." — John Puls

"I tried medical marijuana thinking I was doing something holistic—and instead, I became more anxious, detached, and dysregulated." — Diana S. Rice, LMHC

"Parents don't realize—Delta‑8 isn't your backyard weed. These are ultra‑processed, ultra‑potent THC chemicals. One hit can alter a developing brain." — John Puls

Connect with John Puls

• Website: https://full-life-comprehensive-care.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-puls-800261123/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/full_life_cc/

Related Episodes

• Ep 88: Baker Act, Marchman Act & Guardianship in Florida with Mark Astor

Subscribe & Share

If you found this episode helpful:

• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

• Share it with a parent, educator, or fellow clinician

• Follow and tag: #throughthevalleytherapy #theholisticcounselorpodcast #transformedmindcc

Podcast Mission

The Holistic Counselor Podcast bridges faith, science, and holistic healing—challenging stigma, equipping listeners with tools for growth, and encouraging trauma‑informed conversations across diverse communities.

Host: Diana S. Rice — Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Florida), Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional Guest: Sindy Love — Present Mama Coach, founder of Live Loved Mom, host of the top-10% Live Loved Mom podcast

Why listen: New year, fresh grace. If you're a Christian mom battling mom guilt, hurry, hustle, and comparison, this episode blends faith + brain-based tools to help you renew your mind, abide in Christ, and build real-life rhythms that actually work.

Episode at a Glance (What You'll Learn)

• The 3-step faith framework for mom guilt: Renew (Romans 12:2), Abide (John 15), Connect (biblical community).

• How cPTSD/trauma & culture can shape mom guilt—and what healing looks like with Scripture, therapy/coaching, and community.

• Presence practices for busy moms: micro-Sabbaths, breathwork, weekly/monthly "refuel" rhythms, and Scripture-anchored reframes.

• Coaching vs. counseling: clear scope, red flags that mean "therapy first," and how both can work together ethically.

• The mindset shift from performance-based to surrender-based motherhood (Galatians 1:10).

Quality Quotes (Diana S. Rice)

1. "Think of me as your psycho-educational trainer."

2. "If you don't make the time for your wellness, you're going to be forced to make time for your illness."

(Sindy Love)

1. "I call myself a recovering people pleaser."

2. "You are perfectly loved, you are free, Mama, walk in freedom."

Resources & Links Mentioned (Everything in One Place)

Sindy Love

• Present Mama Coaching & free 3-day devotional: https://livelovedmom.com

• Live Loved Mom Podcast (start with Ep. 75 featuring Diana): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/75-motherhood-mental-health-faith-based-healing-and/id1744966331?i=1000728394824

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livelovedmom/

Diana S. Rice

• Through the Valley Therapy (clinical): https://www.throughthevalleytherapy.com

• Transformed Mind Consulting & Coaching: https://transformedmindcc.com

• The Holistic Counselor Podcast playlist (YouTube): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQFWkIv_9U7NrmG0k-EE1FOSCiMDlIXPo&si=h_A6eN556qSotNfe

Tools & Education

• ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Questionnaire (overview + questionnaire): https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html

• "Brain health" framing (Daniel Amen): https://www.amenclinics.com

• "Emotional concussions" (Dr. Don Wood / Inspired Performance): https://www.inspiredperformanceinstitute.com/

Community

• MomCo (formerly MOPS) — local mom groups: https://www.momco.org

Books (mentioned in this episode)

• Women of the Word — Jen Wilkin (how to read Scripture in context) https://www.crossway.org/books/women-of-the-word-tpb/
• Uninvited — Lysa TerKeurst (rejection, people-pleasing, identity) https://www.zondervan.com/p/uninvited/
• The Gift of Being Yourself — David G. Benner (true self in Christ, spiritual formation) https://www.ivpress.com/the-gift-of-being-yourself

Scriptures Referenced

• Romans 12:2 (renewing the mind)

• John 15 (abide in the vine)

• John 10:10 (life to the full)

• Romans 8:1 (no condemnation)

• Luke 5:16 (Jesus withdrew to pray)

• Galatians 1:10 (audience of One)

• Psalm 46:10 (be still)

Networks/Origin Story

• Women's Leadership Network (GLN): https://globalleadership.org

Key Topics & Timestamps

• 00:02:37 — Sindy's early mom-guilt story: anxiety from pregnancy through daycare/school decisions; roots in childhood trauma.

• 00:06:15 — Social media + comparison: pressure cooker for modern moms; the need to process cPTSD with faith and skills.

• 00:21:54 — The 3-Step Process: Renew thoughts with God's Word → Abide in Jesus → Connect in community.

• 00:31:59 — Martha mode vs. Mary posture: moving from performance to surrender; asking "am I pleasing people or God?"

• 00:45:28 — Coaching vs. Therapy: Sindy's scope as a coach, referral to counseling when trauma/postpartum flags are present.

• 00:53:17 — Stillness & Sabbath: breathwork, Scripture in context, micro-rest to actually hear the Lord.

• 00:58:25 — Closing encouragement: freedom from guilt and shame in Christ; Romans 8:1.

Practical Takeaways (Save These)

• Daily 3-Minute Reset: 30s breath (inhale 4, exhale 6) → 60s Scripture reframe (Rom. 12:2 / John 15) → 60s gratitude prayer → 30s next right step.

• Weekly/Monthly Refuel: schedule one weekly joy practice (beach walk, call a friend) and one monthly extended reset (half-day retreat or extended prayer walk). Put it on the calendar.

• Reframe Prompt: When shame hits: "Are these thoughts true? Do they agree with God's Word?" Then replace with Scripture.

• Connection Rule: Don't do motherhood alone—find a MomCo group or a local church small group.

• Scope Check: If you notice persistent depression, postpartum concerns, trauma flashbacks, or safety issues—start with therapy; add coaching later for goals/habits.

About Our Guest

Sindy Love is a Christian Life Coach, wife, boy mom, and founder of Live Loved Mom. Her Present Mama Coaching helps Christian moms release guilt, embrace purpose, and cultivate presence in Christ. She hosts the Live Loved Mom podcast (top 10% globally).

About Your Host

Diana S. Rice is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Florida), Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional, and host of The Holistic Counselor Podcast. Her mission: glorify God, break mental-health stigma in churches and BIPOC communities, and offer evidence-informed tools for whole-person healing.

Work with Sindy / Freebies

• Sindy's free 3-day devotional + coaching info: https://livelovedmom.com

In this conversation, Anna Marie Lopes—abuse-recovery & post-traumatic growth coach, founder of Brave & Free, and Engagement Director at the Healing & CPTSD Community Hub—shares her journey from witnessing domestic violence and surviving an abusive marriage to building a global community that helps survivors reclaim voice, identity, and freedom. We talk CPTSD vs. PTSD, spiritual abuse, self-advocacy in healthcare, and practical nervous-system regulation tools that supported her healing, all through a faith-informed lens.

Mission fit: The Holistic Counselor Podcast exists to break stigma in churches and BIPOC communities by bridging faith, science, and holistic wellness—and Anna's story models that integration in real life.

What you'll learn

• What CPTSD can look/feel like day-to-day—and why many survivors only get "anxiety/depression" labels

• How spiritual abuse hides in plain sight, and how to disentangle faith from manipulation

• Practical tools Anna used to move through flashbacks, hypervigilance, and body memories

• How community care (support circles, survivor-led spaces) accelerates healing

• When coaching helps, when licensed therapy is essential, and how they work together

• A faith-anchored reframe: separating God's character from people who misuse scripture

Notable quotes (Anna)

• "Be your own brave. The next courageous step is yours—and it may look different than anyone else's."

• "For me, the first thing was to differentiate God from men… just because someone uses the Bible doesn't mean God is a reflection of that person."

• "It was as if I was in a constant state of danger—hypervigilant… then the flashbacks and nightmares started."

• "I've been in therapy and on medication for over 10 years—healing is a long journey."

• "Self-advocacy matters. Trust your gut. If a diagnosis doesn't fit, keep asking questions."

Notable quotes (Diana)

• "Hey there, fearfully and wonderfully made humans."

• "We're never going to receive 100% healing on this side of Earth… If we did, I would not need Jesus Christ as my Savior."

• "Sometimes we chase the healing… and that becomes an idol."

• "Every human is raised by a village—and if the village has unhealthy dynamics, it's going to affect you."

• "You gotta get into the Word. Yourself. Not just what someone else says."

• "I have a hundred tools. I don't know which will work for you—I'm here as a guide."

• "Turn off that rectangle that's wrecking people. Be still and know… journal what comes up."

• "Be a curious observer of yourself—without shame."

• "Please trust in the Lord, guard your heart, and renew your mind."

Links & resources mentioned Connect with Anna

• Instagram — @iambraveandfree: https://www.instagram.com/iambraveandfree

• Coaching w/ Anna (abuse-recovery & post-traumatic growth): https://braveandfree.co/trauma-coaching

• Rediscovering Yourself After Abuse (e-workbook): https://braveandfree.co/rediscoveringyourself

CPTSD education & community

• Healing & CPTSD Community Hub: https://www.healingandcptsd.com/

• Free CPTSD Awareness Kit (The Healing & CPTSD Foundation): https://www.healingandcptsd.com/free-guides

DV identification & safety

• Power & Control Wheel (Duluth Model): https://www.theduluthmodel.org/wheels/understanding-power-control-wheel/ PDF: https://www.theduluthmodel.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/PowerandControl.pdf

• The Hotline (U.S., 24/7): https://www.thehotline.org/ | Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) | Text START to 88788

• UAE help & reporting (includes helplines like DFWAC 800-111): https://gulfnews.com/living-in-uae/safety-security/how-to-report-domestic-violence-in-the-uae-and-get-help-1.500207174 Official UAE emergency guidance: https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/justice-safety-and-the-law/handling-emergencies

• Dubai Foundation for Women & Children (DFWAC): https://findahelpline.com/countries/ae/du/topics/abuse-domestic-violence

• Maitri (culturally-specific support for South Asian survivors, U.S.): https://maitri.org/

Books we referenced

• The Body Keeps the Score — Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/313183/the-body-keeps-the-score-by-bessel-van-der-kolk-md/

• Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving — Pete Walker (incl. 13 Steps for Managing Flashbacks): https://pete-walker.com/complex_ptsd_book.html | https://www.pete-walker.com/13StepsManageFlashbacks.htm

• Twisted Scriptures: Breaking Free from Churches That Abuse — Mary Alice Chrnalogar: https://www.amazon.com/Twisted-Scriptures-Mary-Alice-Chrnalogar/dp/0310234085

Related episodes on this theme

• Ep 10 — Overcoming Domestic Violence: Biblical, Christian & Secular Counseling (Dr. Johnson)

• Ep 58 — Exposing Abuse in the Church (Rebecca Davis)

• Ep 66 — Escaping Spiritual Abuse & Church Trauma (Sowania Germain)

• Ep 90 — Christian Spiritual Abuse & Recovery (Naghmeh Abedini Panahi)

Safety note

If you're in immediate danger, call local emergency services. In the U.S., contact The Hotline 24/7: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) | thehotline.org | text START to 88788. In the UAE, DFWAC 800-111 and the official channels above can help. You are not alone.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) aren't just "therapist jargon"—they're evidence-based tools you can use today to renew your mind, challenge unhelpful thoughts, and live with more clarity and confidence.

In this episode of The Holistic Counselor Podcast, host Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, CTP, QS talks with Dr. Lisa Napolitano—licensed psychologist, mindfulness teacher, and President of the Florida CBT Association—about reframing stigma in therapy, tackling perfectionism and imposter syndrome, and practicing self-validation.

This conversation offers practical tools you can use right now to reshape your thoughts, regulate your emotions, and create a life worth living.

Quotes from the Episode

• Diana: "Because when we challenge our thoughts, we transform our behaviors, and in turn, our lives."

• Diana: "Do not forget to trust in the Lord, guard your heart. And renew your mind."

• Dr. Napolitano: "The most powerful way… to change your behavior is positive reinforcement, not beating yourself up, not chastising yourself."

• Dr. Napolitano: "To effectively treat suicidality, we've got to get people invested in life. Help them build what she calls the life worth living, a life that reflects your values."

Key Topics Covered

• The Two-Column Technique for overcoming imposter syndrome and confirmation bias

• Common cognitive distortions like mind-reading, "should" statements, and personalization

• How perfectionism feeds analysis paralysis—and the Continuum Technique to break free

• DBT skills: mindfulness, self-validation, and building a life aligned with your values

• Why exercise and mindfulness are first-line supports for anxiety and depression

Resources Mentioned

• Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by David D. Burns, MD → Amazon link

• Never Good Enough: How to Use Perfectionism to Your Advantage Without Letting It Ruin Your Life by Monica Ramirez Basco → Amazon link

• The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook by Matthew McKay, Jeffrey Wood, Jeffrey Brantley → Amazon link

• Free CBT Thought Record Worksheet (Beck Institute) → Download PDF

• List of Cognitive Distortions (Therapist Aid) → View Here

• Meditation App — Insight Timer (free)

• Fitness/Mood Tracking — Strava

Connect with Dr. Lisa Napolitano

• Website: drlisanapolitano.com

• Instagram: @drlisasays

• CBT/DBT Associates: cbtdbtassociates.com

• Florida CBT Association: floridacbt.org

Connect with Diana

• Therapy (Florida residents): Through the Valley Therapy

• Consulting & Events: Transformed Mind Consulting & Coaching

• Podcast Playlist (YouTube): The Holistic Counselor Podcast

If this episode encouraged you, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts so others can find faith-aligned, evidence-based support. And don't forget to share this episode with a friend who needs encouragement today.

In this deeply vulnerable episode, Christian therapist Diana S. Rice, LMHC interviews Naghmeh Abedini Panahi about the untold story behind the Save Saeed movement. She reveals how her role as a public advocate concealed the trauma she was enduring, and how she slowly recognized spiritual, emotional, and physical abuse. We discuss how purity culture can mute God-given alarms, why "submit at all costs" is destructive, and what faith-rooted healing really looks like.

If you've ever felt unseen in your trauma or silenced by church structures, this is for you. This episode includes sensitive discussion of domestic violence and spiritual abuse.

What You'll Hear / Learn

• The hidden abuse behind public ministry and advocacy

• How purity culture suppresses internal warning systems

• Distinguishing biblical submission from enabling sin

• The ways churches often protect appearances at the expense of people

• Practical steps toward safety, boundaries, and healing after abuse

• Recommended books, ministries, and frameworks for recovery

Quotes

Naghmeh Abedini Panahi

"You're not supposed to submit to abuse and corruption." "Follow your Savior, do what He does, and God will fight your battles."

Diana S. Rice, LMHC

"It's become a high-controlling religion, and not the pure relationship of Jesus Christ, who does set us free." "It's like your check engine light is on… until your body finally shuts down."

Resources & Links Mentioned Helplines & Safety

• National Domestic Violence Hotline — call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788. thehotline.org

• Women in Distress (Broward County, FL) — local 24/7 support, advocacy & shelter: widbroward.org

Faith-Based / Christian Support

• Called to Peace Ministries — spiritual abuse resources, church training, survivor support calledtopeace.org

• Tahrir Alnisa Foundation (TAF) — ministry by Naghmeh supporting women and children impacted by abuse tahriralnisa.org

Books & Frameworks for Recovery

• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

• Why Does He Do That? by Lundy Bancroft

• The Emotionally Destructive Marriage by Leslie Vernick

• Is It Abuse? by Darby Strickland

• Power & Control Wheel (Duluth Model PDF) — helps map abusive dynamics [PDF link]

Related Episodes from The Holistic Counselor

• Ep. 10: Untangling the Threads: Biblical, Christian, and Secular Counseling — Overcoming Domestic Violence (Dr. Kate Johnson)

• Ep. 58: Exposing Abuse in the Church (Rebecca Davis)

• Ep. 65: Healing Trauma Through Faith: How to Reclaim Identity & Hope (Rebecca Medina)

• Ep. 70: Leaving an Abusive Christian Marriage (Leesha Newkirk, JD)

• Ep. 77: Reclaiming Biblical Sexuality After Trauma & Purity Culture (Dr. Carol Tanskey)

Call to Action

If you were moved by this conversation:

1. Share this episode with someone who may need to hear the hope you're hearing.

2. Bookmark the resources above — especially hotlines and Christian support ministries.

3. Subscribe + review The Holistic Counselor on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your app of choice. Your ratings and shares help others find this content in search.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call your local emergency number or reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline—don't walk this path alone.