Convos from the Couch by LifeStance Health

Harmony in High Stress: Mindfulness for Essential Workers

Quan Bernardine, a licensed clinical social worker at LifeStance Health discusses the critical importance of mindfulness for essential workers. Quan shares her passion for integrating psychotherapy with mindfulness to combat chronic burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma. She emphasizes the benefits of mindfulness, supported by stats from the American Psychological Association, and introduces simple, practical techniques like the 5x5 breathing exercise.
The discussion also covers the unique mental health challenges essential workers face, barriers to maintaining mindfulness practices, and the importance of self-prioritization for overall well-being.
Learn more about Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
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Healing and Hope: Navigating Pregnancy After Loss

Dr. Kristen MacGregor joins us to discuss navigating pregnancy after a miscarriage or loss. Dr. MacGregor, a clinical health psychologist specializing in women's health, explores the significant anxiety that often accompanies subsequent pregnancies after a loss, the importance of integrating behavioral health into medical care, and strategies to help women enjoy their pregnancies despite their fears.
We cover the role of loved ones and clinicians in providing support, emphasizing the importance of compassion and understanding. 
 
Learn more about Women's Mental Health
 
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Healing Through Fantasy: D&D as Therapy

In this episode of 'Convos from the Couch' by LifeStance Health, we talk with therapist William Acton about using the role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) as a therapeutic tool. Acton shares his background and how his love for storytelling led him to integrate D&D into his practice. He explains the basics of D&D and how he adapts the game for therapy sessions, helping clients address issues like social anxiety, anger, grief, and more.
Acton discusses the therapeutic benefits, such as improved communication and acceptance of failure, and the flexibility of D&D to meet various therapeutic goals. He also describes his training through Geek Therapeutics and mentions the broad applicability of tabletop RPGs in therapy.
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Unlocking Potential: How Brainspotting Transforms Lives

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Amy Huang about the therapeutic technique known as brainspotting. Dr. Huang shares her extensive background in social work, psychology, and mountaineering before delving into her journey with brainspotting.
She compares it to EMDR, describing how it involves guiding a client's gaze to access and release trauma stored in the brain, often more quickly and effectively than traditional talk therapy. Dr. Huang also discusses the technique's flexibility in treating various conditions, including trauma, anxiety, depression, and even enhancing positive qualities like creativity.
The conversation highlights how brainspotting can be a groundbreaking tool for emotional and psychological healing.
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New Year, New You: Motivation and Goal-Setting

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Dr. Joseph Fondriest to explore the art and science of staying motivated as we embrace the New Year. We unpack the challenges of maintaining momentum during the holiday season, the ebb and flow of motivation, and practical ways to manage anxiety about the future.
Dr. Fondriest offers expert insights into the balance between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, the role of dopamine in goal-setting, and how to create realistic, achievable objectives.
Whether you're looking to kick off 2025 with purpose or seeking clarity amidst uncertainty, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you make the most of the year ahead.
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Highlights from 2024: A Curated Collection of our Favorite Episodes

Discover the highlights of 2024 with a thoughtfully curated collection of episodes featuring LifeStance Health mental health professionals. Dive into insightful discussions on topics including ADHD, trauma, eating disorders, narcissistic relationships, and burnout. Gain a deeper understanding of living with ADHD and harnessing its unique strengths, uncover the connection between trauma, eating habits, and body image, recognize the patterns of narcissistic abuse, and discover actionable strategies to overcome burnout.
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Holiday Harmony: Self-Care Strategies for the Holiday Season

In this holiday-themed episode, we chat with Regional Clinical Director Sabrena Ness about essential self-care tips for the festive season. Sabrena shares her advice on maintaining emotional balance and setting boundaries while navigating the stresses of holiday celebrations. Listen in to discover how to transform holiday obligations into joyous choices and prioritize self-awareness to fully enjoy the season's magic.

Embracing the Holidays: Mindfulness and Gratitude Practices

In our special Thanksgiving episode, we talk with Dr. Natalie Grandy about the importance of gratitude and mindfulness during the holiday season. Dr. Grandy shares her insights on how mindfulness, defined as the awareness that arises from paying attention to the present moment non-judgmentally, can enhance emotional well-being. She delves into the benefits of mindfulness in managing reactions, reducing rumination, and increasing life satisfaction. The episode also touches on managing family stress during holiday gatherings using mindfulness and values-alignment strategies.