In this must-listen episode, we get into the world of boundaries with Cherlette McCullough LMFT, a relationship therapist, author, and advocate specializing in helping women and couples take care of themselves emotionally and mentally. Cherlette shares her expertise on why setting boundaries is crucial for our well-being and how to navigate the challenges that come with asserting our needs, especially as women. She emphasizes the importance of self-connection, emotional awareness, and the power of saying "no" without guilt or shame.

Join us as we explore the intricacies of boundary-setting, from identifying your core values and personal preferences to effectively communicating your limits in various relationships. Cherlette provides practical tips and real-life examples to help you build the emotional muscle needed to advocate for yourself and maintain healthy, reciprocal connections.

Episode Highlights:
[2:03] - Defining boundaries and their importance in relationships.
[5:42] - The power of saying "no" as an act of self-care.
[9:22] - Recognizing when a boundary needs to be set.
[13:18] - Navigating the fear of risking relationships when setting boundaries.
[18:15] - Cherlette shares her personal struggles with codependency.
[21:19] - The need for flexibility in boundaries.
[25:02] - Cherlette's process for creating and enforcing boundaries.
[29:40] - The discomfort of boundary-setting and acknowledging emotions.
[33:19] - Building the emotional muscle of boundary-setting.
[36:34] - The role of conversation in setting and maintaining boundaries.
[39:47] - Handling boundary violations and determining if a relationship is worth working through.
[42:33] - The connection between having boundaries with yourself and with others.


Resources:
For more on this topic visit our website insightsfromthecouch.org If you have questions please email us at info@insightsfromthecouch.org we would love to hear from you!
If today's discussion resonated with you or sparked curiosity, please rate, follow, and share "Insights from the Couch" with others. Your support helps us reach more people and continue providing valuable insights. Here’s to finding our purposes and living a life full of meaning and joy. Stay tuned for more!

In this insightful episode, we sit down with the brilliant Dr. Brady Bradshaw, a dual board-certified psychiatrist specializing in working with neurodiverse patients, including those with ADHD and autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Bradshaw shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with ADHD in her 30s and how it has shaped her understanding of the unique challenges faced by her patients. She delves into the often-overlooked emotional dysregulation aspect of ADHD and explains how the disorder manifests differently in women, leading to frequent underdiagnosis.

Join us as we explore the complex interplay between hormones and ADHD symptoms, the importance of a collaborative approach between healthcare professionals, and the effectiveness of medication in managing ADHD. Dr. Bradshaw also shares valuable insights on the role of therapy and coaching in addressing the emotional and executive functioning challenges associated with the disorder. Whether you have ADHD, suspect you might have it, or have a loved one with the condition, this episode is a must-listen!

Episode Highlights:
[2:11] - Dr. Bradshaw shares what drew her to specialize in working with neurodiverse patients.
[5:04] - The impact of being diagnosed with ADHD in her 30s and how it changed her life.
[8:31] - Explaining what happens in the brain of someone with ADHD.
[12:04] - The role of dopamine in ADHD and its relationship to reward-seeking behaviors.
[14:52] - Addressing the misconception that ADHD is overdiagnosed, especially in boys.
[17:17] - Recognizing the challenges of identifying ADHD in girls and the importance of a thorough evaluation.
[19:53] - The complex relationship between ADHD and anxiety, particularly in girls and women.
[22:23] - Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) and its impact on individuals with ADHD.
[27:58] - Identifying potential markers of undiagnosed ADHD in women in their 40s and 50s.
[32:17] - The standard treatment approach for ADHD and the importance of collaboration between healthcare professionals.
[35:53] - The often-overlooked emotional dysregulation aspect of ADHD and its significance.
[38:53] - Addressing concerns about the tolerability and safety of stimulant medications for ADHD.
[42:07] - Understanding ADHD as an ego-syntonic disorder and the challenges it poses for self-recognition and treatment-seeking.
[46:50] - Dr. Bradshaw's favorite behavioral hacks for managing ADHD symptoms.

Resources:
For more on this topic visit our website insightsfromthecouch.org If you have questions please email us at info@insightsfromthecouch.org we would love to hear from you!
If today's discussion resonated with you or sparked curiosity, please rate, follow, and share "Insights from the Couch" with others. Your support helps us reach more people and continue providing valuable insights. Here’s to finding our purposes and living a life full of meaning and joy. Stay tuned for more!

Is the spark gone in your relationship? Don't panic - every couple hits a rut at some point after the intoxicating honeymoon phase ends. But that doesn't mean the fire has to die out completely! We're dishing out real-world tips and strategies to revive the intimacy and keep that flame burning bright. We start by introducing our mission to bring accessible therapy insights directly to you. Then we explore that inevitable transition all relationships go through once the infatuation stage winds down.

Episode Highlights:
[3:28] - Exploring the post-honeymoon transition.
[4:28] - The Role of friendship in sustaining spark.
[6:23] - Getting unstuck from resentment.
[12:59] - How to start difficult conversations.
[18:18] - Identifying and expressing vulnerable feelings.
[21:50] - Importance of physical affection.
[26:36] - Creating distraction-free couple time.
[28:54] - Asking curious questions.
[30:20] - Trying new activities together.
[32:39] - Nurturing connection takes small efforts.
[32:43] - Key takeaways to revive your relationship.

Resources:
For more on this topic visit our website at insightsfromthecouch.org.
If you have questions, please email us at info@insightsfromthecouch.org. We would love to hear from you!

If today's discussion resonated with you or sparked curiosity, please rate, follow, and share "Insights from the Couch" with others. Your support helps us reach more people and continue providing valuable insights. Here’s to finding our purposes and living a life full of meaning and joy. Stay tuned for more!

In our first-ever episode, we dive into a topic that's both significant and elusive—purpose. Everyone seems to be searching for it, and today, we're here to unpack why finding purpose feels so vital, yet so daunting, and how it's truly unique to each individual. We discuss the pressures of societal expectations, the joy of finding what genuinely makes you feel alive, and the small, personal victories that can mean the world. So, whether you're planting tomatoes or dreaming of starting your own business, this episode has something for you!

Episode Highlights:
[0:45] - Introducing ourselves and the podcast.
[1:13] - Discussing why purpose is elusive and critical for everyone.
[2:16] - Challenging societal expectations about having a grand purpose.
[3:25] - Embracing parenting as a valid and fulfilling life purpose.
[4:03] - The risk of losing oneself when a sole purpose, like parenting, changes.
[5:27] - How self-focus can lead to self-discovery and better life balance.
[6:05] - Exploring new passions after major life changes, such as kids leaving home.
[8:23] - Encouragement to pursue activities that truly make one feel alive.
[9:07] - Addressing the common fears that prevent starting new ventures.
[11:54] - The benefits of embracing a period of active exploration.
[16:27] - Discussing the cultural pressure that devalues certain life choices.
[18:37] - How experimenting and stepping out of comfort zones can lead to discovery.
[21:57] - The importance of dedication and discipline in pursuing personal projects.
[23:19] - Introducing a practical worksheet to help listeners identify their purpose.
[25:27] - We emphasize the need for continual personal investment, regardless of life's demands.
[28:25] - Discussing the need to drop perfectionism and embrace the messiness of new endeavors.
[30:01] - Feeling unfulfilled initially is part of the journey towards finding what truly matters.

Resources:
For tools and exercises to help guide your journey in finding purpose, visit our website at insightsfromthecouch.org to download a helpful worksheet designed to spark your exploration into what makes you tick.

Thank you for tuning in to our very first episode! If today's discussion resonated with you or sparked curiosity, please rate, follow, and share "Insights from the Couch" with others. Your support helps us reach more people and continue providing valuable insights. Here’s to finding our purposes and living a life full of meaning and joy. Stay tuned for more!

Do you ever wish you had two therapists on call to answer your most pressing questions? Questions like, 'How do I prepare for the empty nest?', 'How do I create my second act?', and 'How do I reconnect with my partner?' We're going to dive into it all.

This is 'Insights from the Couch' with Colette Fehr, licensed couples therapist, and Laura Bowman, licensed individual therapist.

These are the conversations we have all the time as close friends, and that we have every day with women just like you in therapy. We're here to unpack the most pressing, private issues you're grappling with, like 'I can't stand my partner', 'I think I have a drinking problem', or 'I'm afraid something's off with my child' and explore them honestly, out loud with you. As therapists and as women experiencing many of the same challenges, we'll bring you thoughtful conversations, expert interviews, and real women's stories. We'll help you make sense of these issues, demystify them, explore them, and offer you the best of what we know as therapists and the best of what we think as women, so you don't have to navigate these things alone.

Join us for the first season of 'Insights from the Couch', with new episodes airing every Wednesday.

Tune in wherever you listen, and make sure to visit our website at insightsfromthecouch.org for tools and resources. So, come join us and let's go deep.