You Need a Counselor Podcast

This week Julie and Chrissa are joined by return guest Liessa Callaghan to explore the growing role of neurodiversity-affirming care in counseling. Drawing from their work in private practice, Liessa shares how psychodynamic therapy can be especially impactful for neurodivergent clients by helping them better understand their inner world, past development, and behavioral patterns. The discussion unpacks what neurodivergence really means—highlighting conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. Together, we examine the often invisible challenges neurodivergent individuals face, including burnout, emotional dysregulation, and the exhausting process of “masking” to fit societal expectations.

To start behavioral or mental health services in Iowa call Heart and Solutions at (800) 531-4236. 

Listen to Liessa’s last episode on You Need a Counselor: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ZG3dHF03VEbc3ziyljdFa?si=IGPwDI76Tzat85Q643fwnQ

Connect with Liessa online: 

Web: www.perspectivescounsellingservice.co.uk

Connect with Heart and Solutions online at:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2dWKD6TenIMIC76ctq21YN

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPmrcmi5HUINpWEjHfHzTnQ/featured

Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouNeedaCounselor

Heart and Solutions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Heartandsolutions

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/you_need_a_counselor/

Web: http://www.heartandsolutions.net

This week Julie and Chrissa are joined by Naomi Kreske, life coach and founder of Keep Finding You, who shares her work helping women move from survival mode into a life of clarity and purpose. Naomi offers insight into what life coaching looks like in practice—action-oriented, goal-driven sessions that help clients identify what they truly want and build a plan to get there - while also reflecting on her own journey through what she calls the “hot mess express,” a season marked by overwhelm, disconnection, and the sense that something more was possible.

Together, the group dives into the differences and overlap between counseling and coaching, highlighting how healing the past and building the future can work hand-in-hand. Naomi shares practical tools like the “wheel of life,” journaling, and mindfulness practices, alongside deeper themes of self-awareness, authenticity, and worthiness. The conversation also touches on manifestation, mindset shifts, and the courage it takes to make meaningful change. Whether you’re considering counseling, curious about coaching, or simply feeling stuck, this episode offers an honest and empowering look at what it means to reconnect with yourself and take the next step forward.

To start behavioral or mental health services in Iowa call Heart and Solutions at (800) 531-4236. 

Connect with Naomi:

Website: www.keepfindingyou.com

Instagram: @keepfindingu

Contact: [email protected]

Connect with Heart and Solutions online at:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2dWKD6TenIMIC76ctq21YN

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPmrcmi5HUINpWEjHfHzTnQ/featured

Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouNeedaCounselor

Heart and Solutions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Heartandsolutions

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/you_need_a_counselor/
Web: http://www.heartandsolutions.net

This week Julie and Chrissa are joined by Cheri Timko, a couples therapist and relationship coach. Cheri helps couples avoid roommate syndrome and help them to connect deeply, meet life goals, and find peace and passion together.

To start behavioral or mental health services in Iowa call Heart and Solutions at (800) 531-4236. 

Connect with Cheri

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/cheritimko?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=fa4ab8dd-f1bc-4f44-9065-585214205d2d

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheri.timko

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marrieddatingcoach/

Website: https://cheritimko.com/

Connect with Heart and Solutions online at:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2dWKD6TenIMIC76ctq21YN

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPmrcmi5HUINpWEjHfHzTnQ/featured

Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouNeedaCounselor

Heart and Solutions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Heartandsolutions

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/you_need_a_counselor/

Web: http://www.heartandsolutions.net

This week Julie and Chrissa are joined by Telana Simpson, a courage coach and author. Telana helps talented individuals have no regrets by finding their authentic voice and taking courageous action. With a background in psychology, retail, and e-commerce, she specializes in overcoming self-consciousness, fear of failure, and conflict—while helping clients set clear, meaningful goals aligned with who they truly are. Telana is known for translating “soft skills” into practical tools and is a sought-after speaker on radio, TV, podcasts, and stages. Her mission is simple: to help people be seen, heard, celebrated, and compensated for showing up bravely.

To start behavioral or mental health services in Iowa call Heart and Solutions at (800) 531-4236. 

Connect with Telana

Free Gift: https://www.innercoaching.co.za/review/

Website: https://www.innercoaching.co.za/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InnerCoaching

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inner-coaching/

Connect with Heart and Solutions online at:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2dWKD6TenIMIC76ctq21YN

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPmrcmi5HUINpWEjHfHzTnQ/featured

Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouNeedaCounselor

Heart and Solutions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Heartandsolutions

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/you_need_a_counselor/

Web: http://www.heartandsolutions.net

This week Julie and Chrissa are joined by Faust Ruggiero. Faust is the award winning author of the Fix Yourself Empowerment Series and the new and coming handbook “The Fix Your Internal Language Handbook"

Faust Ruggiero is a psychologist who has been in private practice for over thirty-five years. Before entering private practice, he worked in clinics for deaf children, prisons, nursing homes, substance abuse centers, inpatient facilities, and is a consultant for major national and international corporations. He is a published research author and a professional clinical trainer.

In the summer of 2016, he began to develop The Fix Yourself Empowerment Series based on the Process Life Program to help readers address difficult situations in their lives. The series currently includes The Fix Yourself Handbook, The Fix Your Anxiety Handbook, The Fix Your Depression Handbook, and The Fix Your Anger Handbook.

The Fix Your Internal Language Handbook is the fourth handbook of the series and it is available now!

Faust Ruggiero's "The Fix Your Internal Language Handbook" suggests that language is a powerful internal influencer that shapes our thoughts and actions. He advocates for using positive internal language to rewire the brain and improve coping with life's challenges, particularly negative emotions like anger and fear. Ruggiero's approach involves consciously replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, retrain the brain to think in ways that are not angry, and ultimately, live in a more peaceful and centered way.

To start behavioral or mental health services in Iowa call Heart and Solutions at (800) 531-4236. 

Connect with Faust

Website: https://www.faustruggiero.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FaustInspire/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faustinspire/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCAGHkwno52fug1bNnAxfDQ

Connect with Heart and Solutions online at:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2dWKD6TenIMIC76ctq21YN

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPmrcmi5HUINpWEjHfHzTnQ/featured

Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouNeedaCounselor

Heart and Solutions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Heartandsolutions

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/you_need_a_counselor/

Web: http://www.heartandsolutions.net

This week Julie and Chriss are joined by Holly Bot. Currently an IT Solution Architect at Bot Consulting LLC, Holly found her life tragically detoured in 2010 with a long prison sentence. In this episode we catch up on Holly’s life and her recent experience being wrongfully arrested and held for two months.

Holly is an award winning writer, podcaster, biblical counselor, and published author. She desires to encourage and inspire listeners and readers.

Listen to Holly’s previous episodes with You Need a Counselor

[part 1] Wrongful Arrest: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6alKGsedgn8nH8w0wyiGIt?si=FLt3DlbbQDSIFqX_7YqGQg

Mental Health and Incarceration: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/dKWnkafjd1b

Parenting from Prison: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/P5BPY9ejd1b

To start behavioral or mental health services in Iowa call Heart and Solutions at (800) 531-4236. 

Connect with Holly

Website: https://hollybot.me/

Podcast: https://hollybot.me/podcasts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holly.aho.14

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt2R_12DoxQaKrXo7c7IVLw

Going back to school - parenting from prison

Connect with Heart and Solutions online at:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2dWKD6TenIMIC76ctq21YN

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPmrcmi5HUINpWEjHfHzTnQ/featured

Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouNeedaCounselor

Heart and Solutions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Heartandsolutions

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/you_need_a_counselor/

Web: http://www.heartandsolutions.net

This week Julie and Chriss are joined by Holly Bot. Currently an IT Solution Architect at Bot Consulting LLC, Holly found her life tragically detoured in 2010 with a long prison sentence. In this episode we catch up on Holly’s life and her recent experience being wrongfully arrested and held for two months.

Holly is an award winning writer, podcaster, biblical counselor, and published author. She desires to encourage and inspire listeners and readers.

Listen to Holly’s previous episodes with You Need a Counselor

Mental Health and Incarceration: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/dKWnkafjd1b

Parenting from Prison: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/P5BPY9ejd1b

To start behavioral or mental health services in Iowa call Heart and Solutions at (800) 531-4236. 

Connect with Holly

Website: https://hollybot.me/

Podcast: https://hollybot.me/podcasts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holly.aho.14

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt2R_12DoxQaKrXo7c7IVLw

Going back to school - parenting from prison

Connect with Heart and Solutions online at:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2dWKD6TenIMIC76ctq21YN

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPmrcmi5HUINpWEjHfHzTnQ/featured

Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouNeedaCounselor

Heart and Solutions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Heartandsolutions

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/you_need_a_counselor/

Web: http://www.heartandsolutions.net

This week Julie is joined by Ashley Casey, a drug and alcohol counselor and Heart and Solutions board member. Ashley is a mother of 5, Licensed alcohol and drug counselor and a current Graduate student in mental health at Texas A & M. Little of Ashely’s life has been ordinary, from losing her mom to a drunk driver when she was 2 years old to walking through life with loved ones in active addiction, having a child who has experienced psychosis and many hospitalizations and trying almost every avenue in the mental health world for solutions. Today, Ashley is extremely proud of where life is for her family because of counseling.

To start behavioral or mental health services in Iowa call Heart and Solutions at (800) 531-4236. 

Connect with Heart and Solutions online at:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2dWKD6TenIMIC76ctq21YN

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPmrcmi5HUINpWEjHfHzTnQ/featured

Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouNeedaCounselor

Heart and Solutions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Heartandsolutions

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/you_need_a_counselor/

Web: http://www.heartandsolutions.net

This week Julie and guest co-host Tenesah are joined by Dr. Randall Alifano. Randall has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and is an Ordained Minister with over 40 years of experience integrating psychology and spirituality in his private practice. He has worked with thousands of people at various stages of their lives, listening to their dreams and aspirations, traumas and confusions, and their desire to live life more attuned to their inner wisdom. And he has loved doing it his entire career. Over the decades, he has studied numerous theories and methodologies—both psychological and spiritual—and they have all filtered down to inform who he is and how he works. His book, Listening in the Raw, teaches how to listen from our unadulterated curiosity and beyond the commonly taught listening techniques, which ironically can inhibit deeper listening. Our sole intention and desire is to understand the speaker at an intimate level where our intentions do not get in the way of hearing so that the separation between self and other momentarily disappears. This not only serves the speaker but expands the listener's perspective beyond the confines of their filtered presumptions. This penetrates the shell of our collective isolation, eases the whirlpool of our emotional turmoil, and has a profound impact on any relationship.

To start behavioral or mental health services in Iowa, call Heart and Solutions at (800) 531-4236. 

Connect with Randall online:

Book: https://randallalifanophd.com/book/

Website: https://randallalifanophd.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrandallalifanophd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randallalifano/

To start behavioral or mental health services in Iowa call Heart and Solutions at (800) 531-4236. 

Connect with Heart and Solutions online at:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2dWKD6TenIMIC76ctq21YN

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPmrcmi5HUINpWEjHfHzTnQ/featured

Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouNeedaCounselor

Heart and Solutions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Heartandsolutions

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/you_need_a_counselor/

Web: http://www.heartandsolutions.net

This week Julie and guest co-host Maggie are joined by two return guests, Geleen Antonio and Teresa Carnegie! 

Geleen empowers women to transform their lives through solo travel.  A former neuroscience and healthcare professional, she left the corporate world to explore the globe.  Her decade of experience as a digital nomad led to self-discovery, connection, and a deep love for travel.

Teresa is a writer and self-publishing coach who first started writing during her own season of pursuing healing. Having developed a passion for mental wellness, Teresa has since published a mental wellness workbook and journal that takes a holistic approach to daily life.

To start behavioral or mental health services in Iowa, call Heart and Solutions at (800) 531-4236. 

Connect with Geleen online at: 

Podcast: https://www.travelnottoescape.com/podcasts/travel-not-to-escape

Play Personality Quiz: https://www.travelnottoescape.com/play 

Passport to Connection:https://www.travelnottoescape.com/friends

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelnottoescape/

Website: https://travelnottoescape.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geleenonthego/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geleenantonio

Connect with Teresa online at: 

Workbook: https://amzn.to/3XyVe0o

Website: https://dapsile.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teresa.carnegie

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/coachesselfpublishing

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teresa_carnegie_author/

To start behavioral or mental health services in Iowa call Heart and Solutions at (800) 531-4236. 

Connect with Heart and Solutions online at:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2dWKD6TenIMIC76ctq21YN

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPmrcmi5HUINpWEjHfHzTnQ/featured

Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouNeedaCounselor

Heart and Solutions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Heartandsolutions

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/you_need_a_counselor/

Web: http://www.heartandsolutions.net