Because We Went To Therapy

Not only is May Mental Health Month, but it is also Maternal Mental Health Month, a topic we need to talk so much more about. With that said, this week we are joined by Kelly Rodriguez, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Perinatal Mental Health specialist based in California. Kelly, Emily, and Ashley talk about how your mental health can change from pregnancy to the first few weeks after birth (the perinatal period), and into postpartum and parenthood. Kelly shares her own post birth story and her experience as a therapist helping women navigate this new chapter in their lives. We also talk about risk factors and warning signs that you, your partner, and support system can be aware of during pregnancy and postpartum. We share tips and coping strategies and you can find more resources below and on our Instagram, @BecauseWeWentToTherapy. Please note: there is an issue with the audio sound quality for the first few minutes, but after the intros it is resolved! Where to find Kelly: Kelly Rodriguez, LMFT, PMH-C  kellyrodrigueztherapy.com https://www.instagram.com/allthefeels.therapy/ RESOURCES: postpartum.net 1-800-944-4773 Maternal mental health hotline  1-833-943-5746 Podcasts:Mom & Mind, Mom Well

Today we are joined by Leeor Gal (LMFT) and Annalise Maull (MFT), to break down couples and family therapy. Entering therapy with another person or persons can be very intimidating - and extremely beneficial. We go over questions like, is it ever "too soon" to attend couple's therapy, how do you navigate a couple or family situation where one person does not want to be there or find value in the therapeutic work, how much of our issues are rooted in the way we communicate, and when is family therapy helpful. We discuss how it can be helpful in navigating relationships with your in-laws, family conflicts, generational trauma. Leeor's IG: @the_therapy_gal Other links for Leeor (Tiktok, mental health guides, her podcast, etc.): https://stan.store/thetherapygal Annalise's IG: @easygoing_empath

Emily and Ashley are discussing the book "It Didn't Start With You" by Mark Wolynn. They discuss how trauma can affect multiple generations within a family, both on a behavioral and genetic level. So much suffering starts with trauma and the trauma of our ancestors was and often is seen as too taboo of a subject to be talked about within our families and communities, which only perpetuates the cycles. Generational trauma includes (but is certainly not limited to) sexual abuse, physical abuse, substance abuse, war, genocide, incarceration, discrimination, and racism. We discuss the 'nature vs. nurture’ viewpoint, as well as the science behind trauma genetically changing our DNA. We also touch on someone's decision to have kids and work on breaking the cycles of trauma, and also respecting those whose choice is to be child-free. Whether or not you decide to have children, you are worth doing the work to heal and break generational cycles. ***Content Warning: Sexual Abuse is discussed in this podcast. Book: https://www.amazon.com/Didnt-Start-You-Inherited-Family/dp/1101980389/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=580750324247&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9018838&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15865308277740364540&hvtargid=kwd-181843148894&hydadcr=22597_13493304&keywords=it+didn%27t+start+with+you+mark+wolynn&qid=1679597593&s=books&sr=1-1 IG: BecauseWeWentToTherapy

We are joined by Dana Carretta-Stein, an EMDR therapist based in New York. Not only does Dana practice EMDR with her clients, she is also a consultant to fellow therapists on how to best use EMDR with their own clients! Per Dana's Website, "EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) is a trauma-informed, solution-focused therapy that was founded by Francine Shapiro in 1987 for the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Since then, it has become one of the best ways to overcome anxiety, depression, and a number of other mental health struggles."  Throughout this conversation, the ladies discuss who is a good candidate for EMDR, finding a practitioner, what a session might look like, and how EMDR therapy can help clients through PTSD and complex trauma. This therapy helps us use both hemispheres of our brain to effectively process trauma. Trauma is at the core of so many mental health issues, and it is possible that EMDR may be the right therapy modality for people seeking help. Dana also mentions an EMDR progress journal she authored, which we have linked below.  Follow Dana On IG! https://www.instagram.com/the_emdr_coach/ Dana's Personal Website: https://www.danacarretta.com Dana's Practice: https://www.peacefullivingmentalhealthcounseling.com/ EMDR Progress Journal: https://www.danacarretta.com/progressjournal

We are joined by Grace Mackey - LPC, Yoga Therapist, Chronic Pain Coach. With her training in pain reprocessing therapy, Grace specializes in working with clients who struggle with chronic pain and fatigue. We discuss how and why chronic pain appears in our lives and how it is connected to our mental health. Chronic pain or fatigue (or for some people, both at the same time) can be a trauma response and how our bodies cope with that stress. Good news, though - there is a way to manage and work through that pain! You might just need a mental health therapist to help you through it! Grace's IG: @heal.with.grace Grace's Website: https://www.elevatetherapywellness.com/grace-mackey

Today Emily and Ashley tackle a very trendy and timely topic - "deinfluencing". This term has been all over Tiktok recently, and there is an interesting psychological aspect to examining what we buy and why we buy it. We discuss how we are being constantly marketed to buy the newest thing, how fast fashion is unsustainable, how “dupes” can be a double edged sword, and what you can do to re-evaluate your own spending habits and coping mechanisms. This is a very nuanced topic and Emily and Ashley and not experts in it, but as always their goal is to continue the conversation! IG: BecauseWeWentToTherapy

The girls are back to talk about Ashley's pregnancy thus far! As a first-time pregnant person, there's been a huge learning curve and we discuss it all. Pregnancy anxiety and depression, how rough those ten months can be physically and mentally, and figuring out this huge life step in the age of too much information. We go over finding a doctor that coincides with your views and goals, the pressure of social media on parenting and pregnancy, unsolicited advice, and so much more. Thanks for listening & being a part of our journey! Podcast IG: @BecauseWeWentToTherapy

Emily and Ashley are joined by Lauren Dorman, a registered dietitian, to discuss their stance on diet culture (hint: her IG handle is dont_diet_dietitian_). They discuss her work as a RD and how she helps clients break down diet culture, reduce the stigma around food that we learn from a very young age, and evolving our stance in the face of new research. She mentions many registered dietitians actually have had food struggles themselves or histories of disordered eating behaviors. Through this conversation we talk about learning to respect our bodies, its needs, and our hunger cues. The only way to dismantle diet culture is to continue talking about it. Lauren’s IG: @dont_diet_dietitian_ Podcast IG: @BecauseWeWentToTherapy

Ashley and Emily are joined (again!) by Shikha Patel, MSW, LCSW, and Anna Marchese, MSW, MCSW, from Collaborative Insights. At the top of the episode, Shikha discusses cultural trauma at length - what it is as a collective trauma, how you can identify it in your life, and how to navigate how that trauma has affected your life and healing journey. We discuss how cultural trauma varies from other types of trauma, how it is passed down generationally, and how it affects norms, traditions, values, holidays, and more. Shikha discusses how culturagrams are great tools to use as an assessment to identify foundational parts of cultural identity. We then head into a discussion led by Anna, who grew up as a pastor’s kid and has a particular interest in religious trauma as a licensed therapist, reiki healer, and yoga instructor. Religious trauma is something that many people experience, and often reflect on in adulthood as they may want to continue spiritual practices in their current lives but are hesitant due to religious trauma in their past. Religious Trauma is a clinical term given by Dr. Marlene Winell to the condition experienced by many who leave an authoritarian indoctrination, where symptoms can be cognitive, emotional, social, and cultural. These are layered topics with a lot of nuance as everyone’s experience is unique and valid. Website: https://collabintherapy.com/ IG: collabintherapy Books Mentioned: Permission To Come Home by Jenny Wang https://www.jennywangphd.com/new-page Educated by Tara Westover https://tarawestover.com/book

We're back! Em & Ash have a chat to discuss their short hiatus, what has been going on in their worlds, and what's next for the podcast. Some very exciting life updates are included, and the direction for this next season of the pod is discussed. Thanks for hanging in there with us, we're glad to be back!