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What happens when you finally have the language to understand yourself, understand your experiences, and understand you're not alone? You become a badass human. Welcome to Episode 16 of Therapists IRL, where Jen & Steph chat with Jesie Steffes about living life as a Highly Sensitive Person in a larger body. Join us as Jesie shares her own soul journey as an HSP and the intersection of anxiety and body image in her life. Jesie is a badass therapist with a voice as soothing as a hot cup of tea, and a self-proclaimed "brickhouse" who has done the soul work necessary to be able to walk alongside clients on their own journeys of self-acceptance and healing.

Please check out Jesie's Instagram accounts and podcasts!

www.instagram.com/sheswellfed
www.instagram.com/riverbendtherapy

Book Resource:

"Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Anti-Diet Approach," by Evelyn Tribole & Elyse Resch

Therapists IRL would like to invite our listeners to write in with stories about relationships!  Any fun, funny, strange, frightening, crazy stories you have about relationships you've experienced, and/or questions you have for us that you'd like answered on the podcast.  

Please email us at [email protected]

Follow us at www.instagram.com/therapistsirl

No therapists were harmed in the making of this episode,  but vulnerability hangovers are real.

Please note: While our podcast aims to destigmatize and normalize mental health issues, increase awareness, foster understanding, and offer support with love and laughter, we are not a substitute for professional mental health advice or treatment. [Read our full disclaimer here.]

If you're struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a licensed therapist, counselor, or healthcare provider.

If you are in crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a mental health crisis hotline. In the U.S., dial 9-8-8 for immediate services.

Remember, your mental health matters, and seeking professional help is a sign of strength. We're here to share stories, insights, and a bit of humor, but your well-being is our top priority.

With care,

Jen and Steph

Send us a text

Rom-coms have ruined us. We've spent so much time watching the "happily ever after" version of relationships that most of us aren't really ready for the reality...which may look a lot less like "The Notebook" and a lot more like "10 Things I Hate About You." Welcome to Therapists IRL, Episode 15, where Jen and Steph talk red flags (as in RUN!) and green flags (as in "Yes, you too deserve to have your needs met in a healthy, loving relationship"  and "No, Steph's not smoking crack.") 

The truth is, relationships are HARD, and our real life experiences can be exhausting. But knowing what to look for in a healthy relationship (and what to avoid in a toxic one), is key.
 
Resources:
Hotlines for Domestic Violence
United States: National Domestic Violence Hotline
Europe: WAVE (Women Against Violence Europe)  A list of hotlines in 46 European countries.
Canada: Family Violence Resources and Services in Your Area

Articles and Info
Cycle of Abuse 
Power and Control Wheel
The Equality Wheel 

Books

• The Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman
• The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country's Foremost Relationship Expert,  and other great books by John Gottman on Relationships  
• Getting the Love You Want, and other resources by Harville Hendrix
• Hold Me Tight, by Dr. Sue Johnson
• Why Does He Do That? Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men, by Lundy Bancroft
• Will I Ever Be Free of You? How to Navigate a High-Conflict Divorce from a Narcissist, and Heal Your Family, by Dr. Karyl McBride, Ph.D.
• Psychopath Free: Recovering From Emotionally Abusive Relationships with Narcissists, Sociopaths, and Other Toxic People, by Jackson MacKenzie
  
  
  Therapists IRL Contact Info:
  
  [email protected] 
  

No therapists were harmed in the making of this episode,  but vulnerability hangovers are real.

Please note: While our podcast aims to destigmatize and normalize mental health issues, increase awareness, foster understanding, and offer support with love and laughter, we are not a substitute for professional mental health advice or treatment. [Read our full disclaimer here.]

If you're struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a licensed therapist, counselor, or healthcare provider.

If you are in crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a mental health crisis hotline. In the U.S., dial 9-8-8 for immediate services.

Remember, your mental health matters, and seeking professional help is a sign of strength. We're here to share stories, insights, and a bit of humor, but your well-being is our top priority.

With care,

Jen and Steph

Send us a text

You know you're in a bad relationship when... you come home from vacation to find family heirlooms missing because your significant other took a trip to the pawn shop while you were out of town. Welcome to Episode 14 of Therapists IRL, where Steph and Jen talk the talk after walking the walk in bad, toxic, and sometimes abusive relationships.

That's right. We've been there. The truth is, anyone can find themselves in an abusive relationship. In part one of our Relationship Series, Steph shares her experience of meeting the epically wrong man at a vulnerable time and the hell that followed.


Resources:

Hotlines for Domestic Violence
United States: National Domestic Violence Hotline
Europe: WAVE (Women Against Violence Europe)  A list of hotlines in 46 European countries.
Canada: Family Violence Resources and Services in Your Area

Articles and Info
Psychology Today "Emotional Abuse"
Canada: Fact Sheet- Intimate Partner Violence
Very Well Health "Signs of Emotional Abuse"
Psychology Today "The Narcissistic Cycle of Abuse"

"Are you in a relationship with a narcissist?" - Dr. Karyl McBride, Ph.D.

Books
Why Does He Do That? Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men, by Lundy Bancroft

Will I Ever Be Free of You? How to Navigate a High-Conflict Divorce from a Narcissist, and Heal Your Family, by Dr. Karyl McBride, Ph.D.

Psychopath Free: Recovering From Emotionally Abusive Relationships with Narcissists, Sociopaths, and Other Toxic People, by Jackson MacKenzie

Medium Top 35 Most Impactful Books to Overcome Emotional Abuse by Stacy Brookman, Resilience Leadership Coach


Therapists IRL Contact Info:

[email protected] 
Www.instagram.com/TherapistsIRL

No therapists were harmed in the making of this episode,  but vulnerability hangovers are real.

Please note: While our podcast aims to destigmatize and normalize mental health issues, increase awareness, foster understanding, and offer support with love and laughter, we are not a substitute for professional mental health advice or treatment. [Read our full disclaimer here.]

If you're struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a licensed therapist, counselor, or healthcare provider.

If you are in crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a mental health crisis hotline. In the U.S., dial 9-8-8 for immediate services.

Remember, your mental health matters, and seeking professional help is a sign of strength. We're here to share stories, insights, and a bit of humor, but your well-being is our top priority.

With care,

Jen and Steph

Send us a text

POV: A 16 year girl plants a "purity flag" with her dad under the shadow of The Washington Monument, proclaiming her dedication to chastity alongside hundreds of other teenage girls, under the watchful eye of the Evangelical Christian Nation.  Welcome to Episode 13 of Therapists IRL, where Jen and Steph discuss the impact of religion on mental health. Join us as Steph shares a little more of her story growing up in the 90s US Purity Culture, her brush with involvement in a pseudo-cult in college, and reclamation of her identity apart from internalized shame-based messages and the impact of toxic religion.

Resources:

(This is by no means an exhaustive list. Please reach out if you would like other resources for recovery from religious trauma.)

90s Fundamentalist Christian Church Survivor Comedian: 
Www.instagram.com/kevinjamesthornton

Book: "When Religion Hurts You" by Laura Anderson, PhD

Film: "1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted a Culture." 

"Unraveling the Source of our Sexual Shame: Jay Stringer Deconstructs Purity Culture" Podcast with Jen Hatmaker
https://jenhatmaker.com/podcasts/series-45/unraveling-the-source-of-our-sexual-shame-jay-stringer-deconstructs-purity-culture/

Book:  "Unwanted: How our Sexual brokenness Reveals our Way to Healing" by Jay Stringer

"Pure" - Linda Kay Klein (autobiography)

"The Cross in the Closet" - Timothy Kurek

Therapists IRL Contact info:
Please reach out with comments, questions, feedback, and/or to be featured on the show!
www.instagram.com/therapistsirl

[email protected]

No therapists were harmed in the making of this episode,  but vulnerability hangovers are real.

Please note: While our podcast aims to destigmatize and normalize mental health issues, increase awareness, foster understanding, and offer support with love and laughter, we are not a substitute for professional mental health advice or treatment. [Read our full disclaimer here.]

If you're struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a licensed therapist, counselor, or healthcare provider.

If you are in crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a mental health crisis hotline. In the U.S., dial 9-8-8 for immediate services.

Remember, your mental health matters, and seeking professional help is a sign of strength. We're here to share stories, insights, and a bit of humor, but your well-being is our top priority.

With care,

Jen and Steph

Send us a text

It's the Goldilocks of emotions, with the sweet spot being not too much, not too little, but juuuussssst the right amount.  Welcome to Therapists IRL, Episode 12, where Steph and Jen share their personal and professional experiences with the often  misunderstood emotion of anger. 

It gets a bad rap, but anger is actually a pretty important emotion, and it's one that women, in particular, often struggle with. Whether you find yourself wanting to throat-punch people on the regular, or you're more of the sweet, silent, never-get-angry type, this episode is for you.  We definitely have some fun in this episode. Join us to discover why Steph gets spicy at four-way stops. 

No therapists were harmed in the making of this episode,  but vulnerability hangovers are real.

Please note: While our podcast aims to destigmatize and normalize mental health issues, increase awareness, foster understanding, and offer support with love and laughter, we are not a substitute for professional mental health advice or treatment. [Read our full disclaimer here.]

If you're struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a licensed therapist, counselor, or healthcare provider.

If you are in crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a mental health crisis hotline. In the U.S., dial 9-8-8 for immediate services.

Remember, your mental health matters, and seeking professional help is a sign of strength. We're here to share stories, insights, and a bit of humor, but your well-being is our top priority.

With care,

Jen and Steph

Send us a text

Imagine sitting on the potty as a toddler, congratulating yourself on mastering the anal developmental phase. Yeah, I know, right? Welcome to Therapists IRL, Episode 11, where our special guest, Inga Larson--psychotherapist, life coach, and licensed massage therapist--shares her experiences being raised by her "shrink," aka psychiatrist father, who also happened to be a narcissist. 

With humor and grace, Inga opens up about all the complexities of living in a world where her dad seemed unable to take off his doctor's cap.  Never mind that he was a well-loved and respected professional...sometimes a girl just wants her dad to be a dad. 

With over 25 years of experience in the field (in addition to her exposure to mental health from day one through her father), Inga has a wealth of knowledge and experience. For more information on Inga's business, LifeCrafting, please check out her beautiful website here:  https://www.ingalarson.com/ 

Book resource to check out: "Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents" by Lindsey C. Gibson

Therapists IRL Links:
(Please feel free to message/email us with questions, stories, and/or to be considered for a guest spot in our Wounded Healers Episodes!)

www.Instagram.com/TherapistsIRL
Email: [email protected]

No therapists were harmed in the making of this episode,  but vulnerability hangovers are real.

Please note: While our podcast aims to destigmatize and normalize mental health issues, increase awareness, foster understanding, and offer support with love and laughter, we are not a substitute for professional mental health advice or treatment. [Read our full disclaimer here.]

If you're struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a licensed therapist, counselor, or healthcare provider.

If you are in crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a mental health crisis hotline. In the U.S., dial 9-8-8 for immediate services.

Remember, your mental health matters, and seeking professional help is a sign of strength. We're here to share stories, insights, and a bit of humor, but your well-being is our top priority.

With care,

Jen and Steph

Send us a text

People go to therapy for all sorts of reasons, but mainly to figure out if their childhood trauma is the reason  they can't stand the sound of someone chewing popcorn. Welcome to Therapists IRL Episode 10, where Jen & Steph explore their own reasons for going to therapy, and talk about some of the most common reasons people do, too. And no, the sound of popcorn is not usually the main issue...

*Disclaimer: We are aware of the sound quality issues and apologize for some of the weird sound moments.*


Resources:

What Happened to You?  by Bruce D. Perry, M.D. PhD, with Oprah Winfrey

The Dance of Anger, by Harriet Lerner

Dr. Arielle Schwartz, PhD  
https://drarielleschwartz.com/therapeutic-yoga-classes-in-boulder/

Follow us!
Www.instagram.com/TherapistsIRL
Email: [email protected] 

No therapists were harmed in the making of this episode,  but vulnerability hangovers are real.

Please note: While our podcast aims to destigmatize and normalize mental health issues, increase awareness, foster understanding, and offer support with love and laughter, we are not a substitute for professional mental health advice or treatment. [Read our full disclaimer here.]

If you're struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a licensed therapist, counselor, or healthcare provider.

If you are in crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a mental health crisis hotline. In the U.S., dial 9-8-8 for immediate services.

Remember, your mental health matters, and seeking professional help is a sign of strength. We're here to share stories, insights, and a bit of humor, but your well-being is our top priority.

With care,

Jen and Steph

Send us a text

Who else has been through their fair share of pain in this life?  Welcome to Therapists IRL, Episode 9, where Steph shares a little about her journey out of trauma and grief around the loss of relationship, infertility, abusive relationships, and more. Don't worry,  there was a light at the end of the tunnel!  And it wasn't an oncoming train. 

Resources:

Man's Search for Meaning, a book by Viktor Frankl

www.instagram.com/TherapistsIRL
Email: [email protected]

No therapists were harmed in the making of this episode,  but vulnerability hangovers are real.

Please note: While our podcast aims to destigmatize and normalize mental health issues, increase awareness, foster understanding, and offer support with love and laughter, we are not a substitute for professional mental health advice or treatment. [Read our full disclaimer here.]

If you're struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a licensed therapist, counselor, or healthcare provider.

If you are in crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a mental health crisis hotline. In the U.S., dial 9-8-8 for immediate services.

Remember, your mental health matters, and seeking professional help is a sign of strength. We're here to share stories, insights, and a bit of humor, but your well-being is our top priority.

With care,

Jen and Steph

Send us a text

Welcome to Therapists IRL, Episode 8, where Jen opens up the family vault of generational trauma and addiction. 

There aren’t many families who haven’t been touched by addiction in one way or another… It’s a devastating disease for the addicted individual and for the friends and family around them. 

Jen lovingly shares her experiences growing up in a family with addiction, and shares the haunting story of the loved one most afflicted.

Trigger warning for sexual violence and sexual assault.

Recommended resources:

Alcoholics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous
Alanon (for loved ones of addicts and alcoholics)

Adult  Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families
https://adultchildren.org/

Smart Recovery 
https://smartrecovery.org/
(Alternative recovery program to 12-step programs)

The Phoenix 
https://thephoenix.org/movement
(Sober community with both physical locations and virtual sober activity options  focusing on connection.)

Www.instagram.com/TherapistsIRL

No therapists were harmed in the making of this episode,  but vulnerability hangovers are real.

Please note: While our podcast aims to destigmatize and normalize mental health issues, increase awareness, foster understanding, and offer support with love and laughter, we are not a substitute for professional mental health advice or treatment. [Read our full disclaimer here.]

If you're struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a licensed therapist, counselor, or healthcare provider.

If you are in crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a mental health crisis hotline. In the U.S., dial 9-8-8 for immediate services.

Remember, your mental health matters, and seeking professional help is a sign of strength. We're here to share stories, insights, and a bit of humor, but your well-being is our top priority.

With care,

Jen and Steph

Send us a text

Welcome to Therapists IRL, Episode 7, where Jen and Steph get personal about personality! Why are we the way we are? What parts of our personality are hard-wired? And why does it matter?

Today we’re tackling two popular personality tests, the Myers-Briggs and the  Enneagram. Do these tests really tell us anything? How accurate are they? Join us to find out!

And, oh yeah, we also kind of blew it by not explaining the Enneagram more clearly in the episode, so A.I. Audrey makes an appearance to direct you here (our show notes).  Sorry about that!

Resources:

The Enneagram Institute: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/

The Myers-Briggs/MBTI: https://www.myersbriggs.org/

Dr. Kristin Neff (self-compassion expert):
https://self-compassion.org/

No therapists were harmed in the making of this episode,  but vulnerability hangovers are real.

Please note: While our podcast aims to destigmatize and normalize mental health issues, increase awareness, foster understanding, and offer support with love and laughter, we are not a substitute for professional mental health advice or treatment. [Read our full disclaimer here.]

If you're struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a licensed therapist, counselor, or healthcare provider.

If you are in crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a mental health crisis hotline. In the U.S., dial 9-8-8 for immediate services.

Remember, your mental health matters, and seeking professional help is a sign of strength. We're here to share stories, insights, and a bit of humor, but your well-being is our top priority.

With care,

Jen and Steph