Convos from the Couch by LifeStance Health

Beyond the Game: Supporting Athlete Mental Health

Athletes often carry an emotional load that isn’t always visible from the sidelines.
Therapist and former athlete Kendrique Coats shares how stigma, performance anxiety, and identity struggles can shape an athlete’s mental health.
The conversation explores practical ways to help athletes feel safe, regulate stress, and understand what their bodies are communicating. Kendrique also highlights the impact of rising demands around competition, injury, and name, image, and likeness on young athletes today.
Learn how intentional care and understanding can help athletes thrive through every chapter of their journey.

Mental Health Stigma in the South Asian Community

In this episode, we speak with therapist Saba Suleman about the deeply rooted mental health stigma within the South Asian community. Saba shares her personal journey from growing up in Pakistan to becoming a therapist in the U.S., shedding light on the cultural expectations, silence, and fear of judgment that often prevent individuals from seeking support.
The conversation explores the reliance on spiritual healing, the lack of acceptance around mental health struggles, and how these barriers impact individuals and families. Saba also discusses signs of progress—including the role of social media in shifting conversations—and why culturally responsive care, such as therapy offered in native languages, is essential to helping people feel seen, understood, and supported.

Understanding OCD in Children

What’s normal childhood behavior—and what could be OCD? In this episode, we sit down with therapist Anthony Mason to unpack how obsessive-compulsive disorder shows up in kids. Together, we explore the early signs parents and caregivers should watch for, how childhood OCD differs from adult OCD, and the emotional toll it can take on a child’s everyday life at home, in school, and with friends.
Anthony also breaks down common myths about OCD and shares what truly helps—including why reassurance can sometimes make symptoms worse, how gradual exposure supports long-term progress, and the critical role families play in treatment. It’s a practical, compassionate conversation designed to help parents better understand, support, and advocate for children navigating OCD.

AI Psychosis: Unseen Risks in the Age of Technology

What happens when technology meant to help starts to blur reality? In this episode, we are joined by LifeStance Regional Clinical Director Mikka McGee to explore the emerging and unsettling phenomenon often referred to as “AI psychosis.” Together, we unpack how interactions with AI chatbots may intensify delusions or psychotic symptoms in vulnerable individuals, why the term—while non-clinical—has gained traction, and how a lack of guardrails in some AI systems can unintentionally reinforce false beliefs or paranoia, creating “shared delusions.”
Through real-world examples, the conversation examines the risks, ethical implications, and potential solutions, including stronger AI safeguards, thoughtful regulation, and the irreplaceable role of human connection in mental health care.

Move Into Self-Care: The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise

LifeStance therapist Victoria Benfer joins us in the new year for a thoughtful conversation on exercise as a powerful form of self-care. Together, we reframe movement beyond weight loss, focusing instead on its impact on mental health and overall well-being.
Victoria shares both personal experiences and clinical insights on how exercise can regulate stress, improve emotional and physical health, and bring greater mental clarity. The episode explores a range of accessible movement options—from yoga and strength training to simple activities like walking—while addressing common barriers to getting started and offering practical, realistic tips to overcome them. The conversation closes with tailored advice for mental health professionals on using exercise to prevent and manage burnout.

Navigating Holiday Stress Through Group Therapy

In this episode, we are joined by therapist Bill Franklin-Cromwell to explore the emotional challenges the holiday season can bring and how group therapy can help. Bill shares his background in trauma therapy and the inspiration behind creating his trauma-focused group, highlighting the powerful sense of connection and shared healing it offers participants.
The conversation touches on holiday stress and isolation, the ways group therapy complements individual therapy, and practical strategies for navigating emotionally charged gatherings—underscoring the importance of finding the right therapeutic fit.

Navigating Holiday Loneliness: Tips and Reflections

The holidays can be a lonely time for many—but you don’t have to navigate it alone. In this episode we chat with Adaobi Innocent, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at LifeStance Health, to unpack why the season can feel especially heavy.
We explore common triggers like loss, pressure to meet expectations, financial strain, and illness, while sharing practical, compassionate strategies to cope—from building connection and practicing self-care to embracing hobbies and self-compassion. The conversation also highlights how to spot signs of loneliness in loved ones and when to offer support or encourage professional help.

Reborn Dolls: Finding Comfort and Connection

In this episode, we sit down with LifeStance therapist Victoria Benfer to explore the growing trend of reborn dolls—remarkably lifelike, artist-crafted baby dolls that have captured increasing public interest. Victoria discusses the many roles these dolls play, from offering comfort to those coping with infant loss or loneliness, to supporting connection and calm for older adults in memory care settings, to serving as a creative outlet for dedicated collectors.
She also addresses the importance of maintaining healthy boundaries, noting potential risks such as emotional overdependence or blurred lines between fantasy and reality. This thoughtful conversation offers an empathetic, balanced look at the rise of reborn dolls and the complex emotional needs they can help meet.