Convos from the Couch by LifeStance Health

Unleashing Comfort: The Role of Emotional Support Animals

MK Clarkin, a LifeStance Regional Clinical Director joins us for a detailed and enlightening discussion on Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), Therapy Animals, and Service Animals, discussing their roles, benefits, and distinctions.
Explore the enigmatic world of ESAs, comfort companions that profoundly benefit those struggling with mental wellness issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. 
Discover common and unconventional examples of Emotional Support Animals and learn how these animals can positively impact mental health through unconditional love, distraction from rumination, encouragement in daily living, and providing a grounding activity.
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A Nurse Practitioner's Personal Journey with Bipolar Disorder

LifeStance Health nurse practitioner Margaret Beymer courageously opens up about her personal journey with bipolar disorder, striving to dispel commonly held misconceptions and misinformation about this often misinterpreted mental health condition.
Her experiences exposed her to noteworthy shortcomings within mental health services that made her recovery more challenging. Determined to imbue change, she continues to actively fight the deep-seated stigma associated with mental health, encouraging others to maintain hope in their ability to heal and transform.
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Beyond Baby Blues: Recognizing and Addressing Perinatal Mental Health

Renowned for their work in women's mental health and perinatal psychiatry, Dr. Dalthorp and Dr. Barrett deep dive into the monumental role expert care plays in adequately treating perinatal mental conditions. 
This episode uncovers the myriad conditions and their unique presentations during pregnancy and postpartum, emphasizing that the field extends beyond postpartum depression alone.
The discussion concludes with experts underlining the necessity of early detection, empathetic interactions, and preemptive actions towards tackling these conditions.
Learn more about Perinatal Depression
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Between Dream and Reality: Understanding Sleep Paralysis

Unearth the scary but crucially important world of sleep paralysis with LifeStance Health's Regional Clinical Director, Angel Kramer. Delve into one of life's fascinating and mystifying phenomena of sleep paralysis, known since the late 1700s and widely depicted in art and music.
Angel provides insights into the common triggers of sleep paralysis and shares effective coping strategies including improving sleep hygiene, managing mental health conditions, practicing soothing bedtime routines, and creating safe and comfortable sleeping environments.
Learn more about Sleep Disorders
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Balancing Acts and Breaking Stereotypes in Women's Mental Wellness

As we recognize Women's Mental Health month, we are joined by LifeStance provider Rachel Mertens, who shares her expertise on the importance of maternal mental health and perinatal well-being. We explore the challenges women face, from societal stereotypes to the intricate balancing act of wearing multiple hats—wife, caretaker, homemaker, parent, and employee. Rachel emphasizes the need for early intervention and support, sharing personal experiences that highlight the vital role of seeking help during critical moments.
Learn more about Women's Mental Health
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Polyamory and Mental Health: Breaking Down Stigmas

In today's episode, we unravel the intricacies of polyamory with Angel Kramer. Join us as we explore the roots of plural love, the various forms it takes, and debunk common misconceptions surrounding this age-old practice.
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Meaningful Moments: What is True Intimacy?

Couples Counselor Brian Cass joins us to discuss the intricacies of true intimacy. We explore traditional notions, emphasizing that intimacy is not a one-size-fits-all concept but rather a deeply personal and evolving experience unique to each couple. Brian and Nicholette explore the misconceptions perpetuated by media and societal expectations, shedding light on the importance of transparent communication and self-intimacy.
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Intimate Insights: Exploring Partner Sexual Desire Differences

In this episode, Nicholette talks with clinician Stephanie Franzoni about partner sexual desire differences. Stephanie, who is ASEC certified (American Association for Sex Educators and Counseling Therapists), shares insights on normalizing desire discrepancies in relationships. The conversation explores common reasons for such differences, challenges couples face, and practical tips for navigating them. Stephanie emphasizes the importance of communication, scheduling intimacy, understanding each other's barriers, and keeping the dialogue open to maintain a healthy and satisfying sex life.
We conclude with a discussion on when to consider seeking counseling for relationship challenges.
 
Learn more about Couples Therapy
 
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