Therapists Unplugged

In this episode of Therapists Unplugged, hosts and therapists Katie Gerwel and Emily McCarty explore attachment and how it shapes the way we show up in our relationships. They discuss the different attachment styles and how our experiences with connection, comfort, and support can influence the way we respond to conflict, vulnerability, and uncertainty. Katie and Emily explore common misconceptions about attachment, why our patterns are not permanent labels, and how the fear of losing connection or depending on others can impact our relationships. Throughout the episode, they discuss practical ways to recognize our patterns, communicate our needs, and build healthier connections while balancing emotional closeness and independence.

The content of the Therapists Unplugged podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for mental health therapy or treatment.

Episode mentions and links:

Healthy Roots Counseling Website

Healthy Roots Counseling Instagram

In this episode of Therapists Unplugged, hosts and therapists Katie Gerwel and Emily McCarty explore why some of us shut down during conflict and what may be happening beneath the surface. They discuss what shutting down can look and feel like. Katie and Emily explore how conflict can activate the nervous system's threat response and how emotional flooding, freezing, dissociation, attachment patterns, and past experiences can make it difficult to access communication and problem-solving skills in the moment. Throughout the episode, they explore the difference between a protective pause and unhealthy withdrawal, how to recognize the early signs of becoming overwhelmed, and practical ways to regulate during a break so that we can return to difficult conversations with greater capacity.

The content of the Therapists Unplugged podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for mental health therapy or treatment.

Episode mentions and links: Healthy Roots Counseling Website Healthy Roots Counseling Instagram

In this episode of Therapists Unplugged, hosts and therapists Katie Gerwel and Emily McCarty explore the often-confusing difference between intuition and anxiety. They discuss how both can feel like an internal warning, physical sensation, or strong sense that something is wrong, and why it can be especially difficult to tell the difference when anxiety, past experiences, trauma, attachment wounds, or difficult relationships are involved. Katie and Emily explore how our nervous systems learn from past experiences and how we can sometimes interpret familiarity as present-day danger. They also discuss emotional reasoning, the difference between feelings and facts, and why thoughts, images, and urges do not automatically represent reality, intentions, or actions. Throughout the episode, they offer practical ways to slow down, regulate, separate feelings from thoughts and facts, and consider what response aligns with the information available.

The content of the Therapists Unplugged podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for mental health therapy or treatment.

Episode mentions and links:

Healthy Roots Counseling Website

Healthy Roots Counseling Instagram

In this episode of Therapists Unplugged, hosts and therapists Katie Gerwel and Emily McCarty catch up after a break in episodes as they continue their series on social media and mental health. They shift the conversation toward practical strategies listeners can use to develop a healthier relationship with social media. Katie and Emily encourage listeners to become more aware of how social media affects their emotions, self-worth, attention, and relationships, emphasizing that social media is not inherently good or bad, but rather a powerful tool that can be used more intentionally. They close by inviting listeners to reflect on their own digital habits and share their experiences and coping strategies.

The content of the Therapists Unplugged podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for mental health therapy or treatment.

Episode mentions and links:

Healthy Roots Counseling Website

Healthy Roots Counseling Instagram

In this episode of Therapists Unplugged, hosts and therapists Katie Gerwel and Emily McCarty continue their series on social media and mental health by exploring the more nuanced side of the conversation. They discuss research highlighting both the benefits and risks of social media, including how online communities can foster connection, support, identity exploration, and mental health awareness, while also examining why the research on social media's impact is more complex than it often appears. Katie and Emily discuss factors that influence mental health beyond social media alone and examine how platform algorithms are designed to maximize attention and engagement by amplifying emotionally charged content. They conclude by reminding listeners that while digital connection can be valuable, it cannot replace meaningful human relationships, and that understanding how these platforms work can help us use them more intentionally.

The content of the Therapists Unplugged podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for mental health therapy or treatment.

Episode mentions and links:

Healthy Roots Counseling Website

Healthy Roots Counseling Instagram

In this episode of Therapists Unplugged, hosts and therapists Katie Gerwel and Emily McCarty discuss the complex relationship between social media and mental health. They explore current research on how social media use can contribute to anxiety, depression, loneliness, body image concerns, and emotional distress. Katie and Emily also examine why social media platforms are so difficult to put down and how comparison culture and constant connectivity can impact emotional well-being. They conclude by encouraging listeners to become more intentional with their social media use and to prioritize meaningful, in-person connection as they begin a multi-part conversation on building a healthier relationship with technology.

The content of the Therapists Unplugged podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for mental health therapy or treatment.

Episode mentions and links:

Healthy Roots Counseling Website

Healthy Roots Counseling Instagram

In this episode of Therapists Unplugged, hosts and therapists Katie Gerwel and Emily McCarty discuss self-compassion and why it can be so difficult to extend kindness and understanding to ourselves. They explore the core components of self-compassion while addressing common misconceptions. Katie and Emily discuss the barriers that often keep people stuck in self-criticism. They also examine the impact of a harsh inner critic on anxiety, depression, burnout, parenting stress, and relationships, while sharing practical strategies listeners can use to develop a more compassionate relationship with themselves during both successes and setbacks.

The content of the Therapists Unplugged podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for mental health therapy or treatment.

Episode mentions and links:

Dr. Kristin Neff

Healthy Roots Counseling Website

Healthy Roots Counseling Instagram

In this episode of Therapists Unplugged, hosts and therapists Katie Gerwel and Emily McCarty discuss compassion fatigue and the emotional exhaustion that can come from caring deeply for others. They explore how compassion fatigue differs from burnout, the signs and symptoms people may experience, and how it can impact emotional well-being, relationships, and daily life. Katie and Emily also share realistic strategies for setting boundaries, practicing self-compassion, and replenishing emotional capacity while reminding listeners that needing support does not mean they are failing.

The content of the Therapists Unplugged podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for mental health therapy or treatment.

Episode mentions and links:

Healthy Roots Counseling Website

Healthy Roots Counseling Instagram

It's a birthday celebration on Therapists Unplugged! In this special episode, Emily McCarty interviews and celebrates co-host and fellow therapist Katie Gerwel for her birthday.

With a mix of playful questions and thoughtful moments, Katie shares stories, perspectives, and pieces of her journey that listeners don't always get to hear. The conversation weaves between lighthearted fun and deeper reflections, touching on personal growth, the realities of doing inner work, and the everyday practices that help her stay grounded.

This episode brings a little bit of laughter, honesty, and a touch of birthday warmth, while reminding us that therapists are people too, navigating life right alongside everyone else.

Episode mentions and links:

Healthy Roots Counseling Website

Healthy Roots Counseling Instagram

The content of the Therapists Unplugged podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for mental health therapy or treatment.

In this episode of Therapists Unplugged, hosts and therapists Katie Gerwel and Emily McCarty simplify the often confusing world of therapy modalities, breaking down what acronyms like CBT, EMDR, and IFS actually mean. They explain what a modality is and emphasize that there's no one-size-fits-all method.

The content of the Therapists Unplugged podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for mental health therapy or treatment.

Episode links and mentions;

Healthy Roots Counseling Website

Healthy Roots Counseling Instagram