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.

On this New Year's Eve episode of The Holistic Counselor Podcast, Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP sits down with Dr. Don Wood, PhD, creator of the TIPP (Inspired Performance Program), to explore how unresolved trauma becomes a "high-definition" memory loop and how a 4–5 hour TIPP session plus 30 days of audio can reboot the brain for calm and performance. We unpack emotional concussions, the role of faith and culture in healing, and practical tools you can apply today—without shame. Perfect for clinicians, church leaders, and anyone seeking trauma-informed, integrative mental health.

Standout Quotes

• "There's nothing wrong with you. Anxiety, depression, addiction—those are symptoms, not your identity." — Dr. Don Wood

• "Trauma is stored in high definition. When we reset the resolution, the nervous system stops calling for action on old information." — Dr. Don Wood

• "We don't paint over rust—we sand it down, prime it, then paint." — Dr. Don Wood

• "God designed us to heal. The question is: what's interfering with the healing?" — Diana S. Rice

Resources Mentioned

• Inspired Performance Institute (IPI) – Home: https://www.inspiredperformanceinstitute.com/

• TIPP Digital (30-day program): https://www.inspiredperformanceinstitute.com/tipp-digital/

• About Dr. Wood / IPI: https://www.inspiredperformanceinstitute.com/about-us/

• In-Person & Zoom Sessions (Orlando): https://www.inspiredperformanceinstitute.com/in-person/

Books by Dr. Don Wood

• Emotional Concussions

• You Must Be Out of Your Mind

• Don't Mess With My DNA — new title (coming soon; watch IPI updates): https://www.inspiredperformanceinstitute.com/

Episodes & Articles Mentioned

• Kwik Brain w/ Dr. Don Wood (the interview that sent Diana down the rabbit hole): https://www.jimkwik.com/podcasts/kwik-brain-transforming-stressful-life-events-into-motivation-with-dr-don-wood/

• Brainz Magazine – Trauma & DNA (Executive Contributor, Dr. Wood): https://www.brainzmagazine.com/post/the-impact-of-trauma-on-dna-understanding-the-transgenerational-effects

• Brainz Magazine – Healing Trauma & Rebooting Biology (2025): https://www.brainzmagazine.com/post/healing-trauma-and-restoring-youth-with-a-therapy-that-reboots-your-biology

Connect with Dr. Don Wood

• Website & Programs: https://www.inspiredperformanceinstitute.com/

• TIPP Digital: https://www.inspiredperformanceinstitute.com/tipp-digital/

• In-Person / Zoom (Orlando): https://www.inspiredperformanceinstitute.com/in-person/

Connect with Diana

Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, CTP, QS — Founder of Through the Valley Therapy & Transformed Mind Consulting & Coaching. Mission: Breaking mental-health stigma in Black/Brown communities and church spaces by bridging evidence-based therapy, holistic wellness, and faith.

Subscribe, rate, and share to help others find trauma-informed, faith-honoring care. Happy New Year!

Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide, mental health crisis, and involuntary commitment. Need Help Now? Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) — available 24/7, free and confidential support. For Florida-specific help, contact 211.org or your local mobile crisis unit.

"We are not here to hurt people—we're here to help them. And sometimes, that means telling the hard truth." – Mark Astor

On this special Christmas Eve episode, Diana sits down with Mark Astor, a behavioral health attorney and former prosecutor, for a deep, transparent conversation about Florida's most misunderstood legal tools:

• The Baker Act

• The Marchman Act

• Guardianship Law

As therapists, clinicians, and families navigate the complexities of crisis care and involuntary intervention, this episode offers a non-judgmental, trauma-informed lens on what these laws really mean, when they should be used, and how they can be misused.

If you work with teens, adults with co-occurring disorders, or simply want to understand how Florida law intersects with mental health, this episode is a must-listen.

What You'll Learn:

• The key differences between the Baker Act vs. Marchman Act

• How the Guardianship statute is being used in younger populations

• Why clinicians must understand their legal power—and its consequences

• How to protect client rights without abandoning ethical care

• The risks of profit-driven crisis facilities and what sovereign immunity really means

• Real stories of misused legal action, trauma, and redemption

• What to do if a loved one has been detained, misdiagnosed, or neglected in the system

Resources Mentioned:

• Mark's Website: MentalHealthAddictionLawFirm.com

• BakerActAttorneys.com

• Office Phone: 561-419-6095

• Follow Mark on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, IG, and TikTok

Notable Quotes:

"The Marchman Act is not a punishment. It's a last-resort tool for families whose loved one's brain has been hijacked by addiction." – Mark Astor

"You're not alone. I promise you—there are people who want to help, but you have to pick up the phone." – Mark Astor

"I've seen teens Baker Acted who come out with more trauma than they went in with. This isn't a dig at the law—it's a cry for wisdom in how we apply it." – Diana Rice

"Recovery is like the stock market—up and down, but trending up if we support it right." – Mark Astor

"Faith without action in these systems doesn't protect our clients. We must be both wise and willing to learn." – Diana Rice

A Holiday Reflection from Diana:

"Christmas can stir up both joy and pain. If you're listening to this today, remember—healing doesn't stop for the holidays. Sometimes the most loving gift we can give is the courage to take action, even when it's hard."

Listen & Share:

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere you stream.

Subscribe to The Holistic Counselor Podcast Follow on Instagram: @theholisticcounselorpodcast

In this episode of The Holistic Counselor Podcast, host Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, CTP, QS sits down with Lidiana Cartolano, LMHC, M.Ed.—a bilingual Portuguese/English therapist and founder of VIVA Psychotherapy in Boca Raton, Florida.

Together, they discuss the unique mental health challenges faced by Brazilians and Portuguese-speaking immigrants, including immigration stress, family role pressures, cultural stigma, OCD, and faith-based misunderstandings. Lidiana also shares practical tools such as TF-CBT, play therapy, sandtray, and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR).

This conversation also highlights the Brazilian Mental Health Professionals Collective (BMHP)—the first organized network of its kind in the U.S., designed to increase access to culturally sensitive mental health providers who serve the Brazilian community.

As the year comes to a close, this episode invites you to reflect on the importance of community, culture, and connection in your own mental health journey.

Featured Quotes

"If God gives us doctors to heal our bodies, He also gives us therapists to heal our minds." — Lidiana Cartolano, LMHC

"A regulated parent can help regulate a child—but when the parent is dysregulated, that's often an unhealed part of themselves showing up." — Diana S. Rice, LMHC

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Brazilian Mental Health Professionals Collective (BMHP): www.bmhp.org

• VIVA Psychotherapy (Lidiana's practice): www.vivapsychotherapy.com

• Conexão Presente (Portuguese MBSR / Mindfulness playlist): YouTube Playlist

• The Holistic Counselor Podcast (Diana's podcast website): www.throughthevalleytherapy.com

• Book Mentioned: When Narcissism Comes to Church by Chuck DeGroat

Episode Chapters

0:00 — Intro, year-end reflection, review/share CTA 2:30 — Lidiana's journey: Psychologist in Brazil → LMHC in the U.S. 10:00 — Immigration stress: breadwinner pressure, family role shifts, burnout 13:30 — Second-generation struggles: bullying, perfectionism, OCD 21:30 — Family systems in therapy: play therapy & sandtray 31:00 — Cultural fit: language, spirituality, warmth in the therapy room 36:00 — Tools & modalities: TF-CBT, MBSR, play therapy, sandtray 54:00 — Brazilian Mental Health Professionals Collective (BMHP) 1:05:00 — Portuguese closing message & resources 1:07:00 — Outro

Call to Action

If this episode encouraged you, please take a moment to rate & review the show and share it with a friend. Your support helps others—especially in Brazilian and Portuguese-speaking communities—find culturally aligned care and resources.

Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, QS Licensed Mental Health Counselor (FL #MH18034) Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional Qualified Supervisor for Registered Interns

Therapy Website: www.throughthevalleytherapy.com Consulting & Coaching: www.transformedmindcc.com Podcast: The Holistic Counselor Podcast Blog: Liberation Lunes

Instagram: @throughthevalleytherapy @theholisticcounselorpodcast

Summary Feeling numb, burned out, or stuck in your head? In this episode, Cathy Williams, a Movement & Expressive Arts Therapist and founder of Intuitive Self in Melbourne, Australia, shares how somatic therapy, intuitive movement, and expressive arts can help you reconnect with your body, regulate emotions, and release stored trauma. We explore body mapping, breathwork, music-supported healing, vicarious trauma, and embodied social justice—all through a faith-friendly, evidence-informed lens.

About Our Guest Cathy Williams is a Movement & Expressive Arts Therapist, facilitator, trainer, and award-winning author. She founded Intuitive Self and works with adults worldwide through workshops and 1:1 sessions. Her book, Body Wisdom: A Guide to Connecting with Your Intuitive Self, blends story, poetry, and practical guidance for reconnecting with body and heart.

• Website: https://www.intuitiveself.com.au/

• About Cathy: https://www.intuitiveself.com.au/about-cathy

• Book (paperback/e-book): https://www.intuitiveself.com.au/product-page/book-body-wisdom

• Audiobook (Google Play): https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/BODY_WISDOM_A_guide_to_connecting_with_your_Intuit?hl=en_US&id=AQAAAEDSLStt6M

• Audiobook (Libro.fm): https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9798882345166-body-wisdom

• Audiobook (Barnes & Noble): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/body-wisdom-cathy-williams/1144490979

Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 — Show intro and mission 02:45 — Cathy's "why": from community development to somatic & arts-based work 11:20 — What somatic movement therapy is (and isn't) 20:30 — For numb/disconnected clients: breath as anchor; gentle body scan 24:50 — Body mapping: turning sensations into color/shape 33:10 — Music as a container for safe exploration 46:10 — The Five Rhythms arc: Flow → Staccato → Chaos → Lyrical → Stillness 55:30 — Embodied social justice: how systems live in the body 1:03:36 — Cathy's book Body Wisdom and how to work with her online 1:11:52 — Closing encouragement: "Trust in the Lord, guard your heart, renew your mind."

Try-It-Today Tools

• 60-Second Breath Check — Notice your breath without changing it.

• Micro Body Scan — Crown → jaw → shoulders → chest → belly → hips → knees → feet.

• Body Map Card — Draw a simple outline and mark sensations with colors/lines.

• Song-Length Intuitive Move — Let one body part lead to instrumental music.

• Anger Circuit — 30s stomping + 30s shaking + 6 deep breaths + journaling.

Resources Mentioned

• Tamalpa Institute (Anna & Daria Halprin): https://www.tamalpa.org/

• 5Rhythms (Gabrielle Roth): https://www.5rhythms.com/gabrielle-roths-5rhythms/

• Amber Elizabeth Gray: https://ambergray.com/

• Documentary Born Into Brothels: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0388789/

Work With Cathy Global 1:1 sessions and practitioner trainings: https://www.intuitiveself.com.au/

Work With Diana / Media

• Therapy (Florida only) — Through the Valley Therapy

• Consulting, Coaching & Events — Transform Mind Consulting & Coaching

• Podcast guest pitches — mission-aligned only (faith + science + holistic healing).

Contact Diana: [email protected]

Sponsors — Partner With Us Our audience: clinicians, coaches, faith-informed wellness seekers, community leaders. Perfect fit: CEU platforms, mental health tech, somatic/breathwork trainings, ethical supplements, counseling resources, journaling tools, clean wellness brands. Media kit & inquiries: [email protected] (Subject: "Sponsor — Holistic Counselor Podcast")

Welcome, fearfully and wonderfully made human!

This episode is more than just educational—it's deeply personal. Host Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, CTP, QS, shares how a YouTube rabbit hole back in 2020 (after someone she loves was diagnosed with OCPD) unexpectedly led her to Darryl Rossignol's videos. Fast-forward five years later—she realized the man behind that life-changing content is now sitting across from her, mic-to-mic.

In this full-circle, faith-filled conversation, Diana and Darryl explore the lesser-known but incredibly impactful world of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD). Together, they unpack the core traits, how it differs from OCD and narcissism, the stigma around getting help, and how healing is possible.

About Today's Guest: Darryl Rossignol

After struggling with OCPD traits since childhood, Darryl spent over a decade deconstructing his personality disorder and putting the pieces back together. In 2015, he launched a YouTube channel to document his healing journey. The videos reached tens of thousands—offering language, clarity, and hope to those suffering in silence.

In 2022, Darryl founded The OCPD Foundation with the support of leading mental health professionals. The foundation is now a central hub for education, resources, and support for individuals living with OCPD and those who love them.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• What is OCPD? How does it differ from OCD?

• Why is it so often misdiagnosed, dismissed, or misunderstood?

• Why is it hard for those with OCPD to seek therapy?

• How can OCPD affect relationships and faith communities?

• OCPD vs. narcissistic traits: what's the real difference?

• How can partners, clinicians, and family members support someone with OCPD?

• The role of self-awareness and spiritual growth in recovery

• Darryl's full-circle story of transformation and advocacy

Quotes to Remember: Darryl Rossignol (Founder, The OCPD Foundation)

"It's not that I had OCD—I had OCPD. And the distinction between the two changed everything about how I understood myself."

"Healing from OCPD isn't about becoming someone else. It's about learning how to manage your wiring, so you can stop hurting yourself and the people you love." Diana S. Rice, LMHC "I was watching your YouTube videos five years ago, not realizing that God would bring this full circle—and now I get to talk to the person who helped me make sense of it all."

"As therapists, we often overlook OCPD because it doesn't look like what we're trained to spot. But for the client, it's a constant internal war of 'not enough."

Resources & Mentions:

• The OCPD Foundation — articles, videos, screening tools, therapist directory

• Darryl's YouTube Channel

• POPS Self-Assessment

• The Healthy Compulsive by Dr. Gary Trosclair

• DSM-5-TR Diagnostic Criteria for OCPD (APA)

• OCD vs OCPD

Feeling Seen? Here's What to Do Next:

• Subscribe to the podcast & leave a review!

• Share this episode with a friend, spouse, or therapist

• Visit ocpd.org to take the self-assessment or explore support tools

• Connect with Darryl via YouTube or email: [email protected]

• Need therapy in Florida? Learn more at ThroughTheValleyTherapy.com

Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, QS Licensed Mental Health Counselor (FL #MH18034) Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional Qualified Supervisor for Registered Interns

Therapy Website: www.throughthevalleytherapy.com Consulting & Coaching: www.transformedmindcc.com Podcast: The Holistic Counselor Podcast Blog: Liberation Lunes

Instagram: @throughthevalleytherapy @theholisticcounselorpodcast

Hello there, fearfully and wonderfully made human. I'm Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, CTP, QS, and the host of The Holistic Counselor Podcast—where faith, science, and holistic healing intersect.

Today's episode is especially for first responders—and the loved ones who support them. Whether you serve as police, firefighter, EMS, paramedic, military, nurse, therapist, or teacher—you know the toll trauma takes. Even those of us who aren't running into burning buildings feel the weight of vicarious trauma in our daily callings to serve.

That's why I'm honored to welcome Steve Campana, Hanley Foundation's First Responder Liaison and retired EMS Captain from Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. Alongside his therapy dog, Mac, Steve now helps first responders and veterans struggling with addiction, PTSD, and substance use disorders find healing and hope.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Steve's journey: From a 12-year-old police cadet to serving 30+ years in Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.

• The hidden toll of trauma: Pediatric codes, car wrecks, shootings, and vicarious trauma that first responders carry.

• Addiction in the firehouse culture: Why "suck it up, buttercup" led to self-medicating and how recovery changed Steve's life.

• The Big Book of AA: Why recovery is a spiritual program rooted in humility, not just abstinence.

• Hanley Center's approach: Trauma-informed, 12-step immersive care that includes CBT, DBT, EMDR, and somatic therapy.

• The Patriots Initiative: Specialized peer groups for first responders, veterans, and ER professionals.

• Therapy dogs in recovery: How Mac the therapy dog provides comfort, connection, and hope on campus and in children's hospitals.

• Tools for leaders: How firehouses, EMS teams, and police departments can create cultures where "I'm not okay" is safe to say.

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Hanley Foundation & Hanley Center

  • Website: Hanley Foundation

  • Programs: Hanley Center Treatment Services

  • Alumni Services & Patriots Initiative information available through Hanley

• Recovery & Trauma Resources

  • Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book: Read Online

  • EMDR Therapy: EMDR International Association

  • DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy): Learn More Here

  • CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy): Patient Pamphlets

• Therapy Dogs & Certification

  • American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen

  • Alliance of Therapy Dogs

  • Paws & Stripes

• Emergency Support & Peer Groups

  • Alcoholics Anonymous – Find a Meeting

  • Al-Anon Family Groups

  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

• Contact Steve Campana (Hanley Center First Responder Liaison)

  • Phone: 561-841-1171

About Today's Guest: Steve Campana

Steve is a retired EMS Captain with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and now serves as the First Responder Liaison at Hanley Foundation. With over 30 years of frontline experience, he understands the culture, struggles, and resilience of first responders. Having overcome his own battles with addiction, Steve now walks alongside first responders and veterans in recovery—offering practical resources, peer support, and hope. Together with his therapy dog, Mac, he brings comfort to those carrying invisible wounds.

About Your Host: Diana S. Rice

I'm a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional (CIMHP), and Qualified Supervisor (QS). Through The Holistic Counselor Podcast, I explore the intersection of faith, science, and holistic healing. My mission is to break the stigma around mental health—especially in faith communities and BIPOC cultures—and empower people to heal with evidence-based tools and Christ-centered hope.

• Website: Through the Valley Therapy

• YouTube: The Holistic Counselor Podcast Playlist

• Email: [email protected]

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.

"Cancer has been on my radar for decades," shares host Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, CTP, QS, who has lost her father, sister, mother, and even a childhood friend to the disease. In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Diana sits down with Paul Leendertse, author and founder of the Root Cause Institute, and his wife and co-facilitator Aria Konrad, to explore the 15-Step Real-Self Healing Process — a psycho-emotional approach to cancer that challenges conventional thinking while honoring every individual's journey.

Paul, who has spent over 17 years mapping the link between unresolved emotional stress and cancer, reveals patterns he's observed after working with late-stage cancer clients in immersive settings: "Yes, cancer can disappear when you resolve the root cause." Aria adds, "It's not always about quitting everything and moving across the country — sometimes healing starts with a conversation that restores peace in your relationships or routines."

In this conversation, you'll learn:

• How unresolved trauma, chronic stress, and repressed emotions like shame, grief, or anger can impact physical health.

• Why mind-body-soul alignment is essential for both healing and prevention.

• What each of the 15 steps addresses, and why forgiveness isn't until Step 11.

• How this process can complement (not replace) conventional cancer treatments.

• The surprising emotional patterns linked to specific cancers, including colon, breast, and lung cancer.

Diana also shares insights from Chris Wark's Chris Beat Cancer, Bruce Lipton's Biology of Belief, and Bessel van der Kolk's The Body Keeps the Score, connecting the dots between neuroscience, neuroplasticity, and holistic faith-based counseling.

Exact quotes from this episode:

• "You're fearfully and wonderfully made, and you're image-bearers of God. We all have our own unique biology, psychology, and theology." – Diana S. Rice

• "We have to acknowledge what's not good for us before we can truly heal." – Aria Konrad

• "Neither the conventional nor the alternative physical approaches get to the root cause — because the root cause isn't physical." – Paul Leendertse

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Root Cause Institute – Online courses, Root Cause Assessment, and the 15-Step Real-Self Healing Process

• The Root Cause of Cancer by Paul Leendertse (2010) – Available here

• Chris Beat Cancer by Chris Wark

• Biology of Belief by Dr. Bruce Lipton

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

• Free Webinars & Interviews – Root Cause Institute Free Resources

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.

Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, QS Licensed Mental Health Counselor (FL #MH18034) Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional Qualified Supervisor for Registered Interns

Therapy Website: www.throughthevalleytherapy.com Consulting & Coaching: www.transformedmindcc.com Podcast: The Holistic Counselor Podcast Blog: Liberation Lunes

Instagram: @throughthevalleytherapy @theholisticcounselorpodcast

Welcome to The Holistic Counselor Podcast, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Human. I'm your host, Diana S. Rice, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional, and curious soul who's always asking why. This podcast merges faith, psychology, and whole-person healing—helping you feel loved, understood, and equipped to walk out your God-given purpose.

If you're new here, I encourage you to go back and listen to past episodes—including Episode 77, Reclaiming Biblical Sexuality After Trauma & Purity Culture with Dr. Carol Tanksley. Every conversation is a doorway to deeper understanding, and your reviews help others just like you find this content. If you feel led, please leave a quick rating and review on your favorite podcast platform.

About Today's Guest

Today I'm joined by Kristen Miele, founder and owner of Sex Ed Reclaimed—a faith-based, age-appropriate sexual health curriculum for Christian families with kids ages 3–18. With over 115 biblically grounded video lessons, Kristen equips parents to have ongoing, grace-filled, and practical conversations about sexual health, consent, body safety, relationships, and more.

Kristen holds degrees in Public Health, taught human sexuality at a large secular university, and has served internationally as an educator. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband, their two daughters, and two cats.

What We Talk About in This Episode

• Why sex education is not a one-time talk, but a lifelong conversation starting at a young age.

• How purity culture, silence, and shame have impacted generations—and how to break the cycle.

• The importance of parents doing their own inner work before teaching their children.

• Talking about body parts without shame and using correct terminology.

• Addressing pornography, masturbation, and consent from a biblical yet non-legalistic perspective.

• How to approach topics like abortion, gender identity, sexting, and sexual safety with truth and compassion.

• Using real-life teachable moments from media, music, and daily life to start conversations.

• Equipping kids to make informed, faith-aligned choices in a hyper-sexualized culture.

Direct Quotes from the Episode

From Diana S. Rice:

"This conversation is not a one-time thing. It's something you start at a very young age, age-appropriate, and you keep building on it."

"Many adults haven't dealt with their own experiences of how they learned about sex—and that gets passed on to the next generation."

"Fear is false evidence appearing real. We want to help people face everything and rise."

"It's not about what you believe or what I believe—it's about the listener having critical thinking, getting the information, and finding the help they need to be a healthy member of society."

From Kristen Miele:

"I was in a place of grief, and the Lord brought beauty from ashes—which is what He does."

"You have to look into yourself first before you can do this really well. That means prayer, journaling, conversations, maybe counseling—especially if trauma is part of your story."

"My curriculum does not do do's and don'ts. I'm very anti-legalistic sex ed. I teach in a way that gives the option of free will—because that's how God works with us."

"If you don't explain why you're turning something off, your kids will go find the answer elsewhere."

"We're literally here because of sex. If anything from this podcast resonates, don't leave it here—go do something about it."

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Sex Ed Reclaimed Curriculum – Faith-based, age-appropriate video library for ages 3–18: www.sexedreclaimed.com

• STOP Acronym for Kids – Shut your eyes, Tell an adult, Open your mind to something new, Play something else (for when encountering inappropriate images)

• Episode 77: Reclaiming Biblical Sexuality After Trauma & Purity Culture with Dr. Carol Tanksley

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Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, QS Licensed Mental Health Counselor (FL #MH18034) Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional Qualified Supervisor for Registered Interns

Therapy Website: www.throughthevalleytherapy.com Consulting & Coaching: www.transformedmindcc.com Podcast: The Holistic Counselor Podcast Blog: Liberation Lunes

Instagram: @throughthevalleytherapy @theholisticcounselorpodcast