Rachel and host Jessica Hurwitz talk about her go-to phrase with clients, control the controllables, and why life is about collecting perspective. She opens up about the gaps that show up in every marriage, the book she started called The Mistakes I’ve Made as a Wife, and what happened when people she loves started struggling with their mental health. Her voice note for new therapists: take your ego out of the room.

Chapters
00:00 Welcome, and meeting Rachel Webster, MA, LPC
01:21 From the savior child to journalism and hospitality
05:14 Why becoming a therapist was always the plan
08:36 Control the controllables
11:40 Creating safe spaces for women of color
14:43 Speaking, consulting, and a book in progress
17:55 Men, women, and the gaps in every marriage
21:25 A word from ReachLink
22:41 Two very different people, one marriage
25:52 When your own family needs a therapist
29:11 One step at a time, and fumbling forward
33:46 Voice notes: take your ego out of the room
38:01 Still a person on her own journey

Guest Bio
Rachel Webster, MA, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor in Michigan and the owner of Safe Therapy Space. Practicing since 2018, she works with adults facing depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship struggles, and spiritual growth, and is especially passionate about helping women build self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence. She also speaks to workplace groups about burnout and wellness.

Links
Follow Rachel Webster:
Website → https://safetherapyspace.com

Additional Resources:
Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus by John Gray → https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men_Are_from_Mars,_Women_Are_from_Venus

Connect with ReachLink
Website → https://reachlink.com/
LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink
Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

Chapters

00:00 Welcome, and meeting Nikkia Jiles, LCSW, LVN
00:47 Falling in love with psychology in nursing school
04:13 Choosing social work over the RN path
07:14 Discharge planning is not for the faint of heart
10:35 Twenty years of nursing, still in her toolbox
13:52 Co-owning a practice with her mom and son
15:30 A word from ReachLink
16:47 A family launch party and big dreams
21:13 Why she started a caregiver burnout group
24:56 Humor, flight crews, and firefighters as caregivers
28:15 Voice notes: why discharge planning will carry you far
31:33 Voice notes: the road less traveled

Guest Bio

Nikkia Jiles, LCSW, LVN, is a licensed clinical social worker and licensed vocational nurse, and the co-owner of Minds-N-Renewal Counseling Link. After more than two decades in nursing, she moved into social work through hospital discharge planning, where she learned to walk with patients beyond the time she had with them. Her practice is mainly virtual, and she leads in-person groups for caregivers facing burnout.

Links

Follow Nikkia Jiles:
Psychology Today → psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/minds-n-renewal-counseling-link-pllc-tyler-tx/1707542
Additional Resources:
The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost → poetryfoundation.org/poems/44272/the-road-not-taken
Romans 8:28 → biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans 8:28
Connect with ReachLink
Website → https://reachlink.com/
LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink
Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

Eli and host Jessica Hurwitz talk about what that winding road gave him as a clinician. They cover meeting people where they are, why arguing with a client's delusion goes nowhere, how to confront clients in a way they can actually hear, and why so many young men are doing "therapy" with ChatGPT. Eli also shares the voice notes he would leave his younger self and every new therapist: believe in yourself sooner, don't take it personally, and it's OK to not know all the answers.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome, and meeting Eli Westfall, LMFT

01:33 Signed up for the Marines, then a detour to Bible college

04:22 Church ministry, foster care casework, and a seven-year master's

07:39 Therapy as a student, and losing the LMHC path

11:44 Why he said yes, and the gift of compartmentalizing

16:09 Growing up in a group home and meeting people where they are

19:24 A word from ReachLink

20:41 How a wide background shaped his clinical style

23:41 Don't argue with the delusion: lessons from a psych hospital

27:27 Young men, couples, and therapy by ChatGPT

31:50 Confronting clients in a way they can actually hear

38:20 Why the letters after your name matter less than you think

42:01 The professor who said he was an introvert

45:42 Voice notes: believe in yourself sooner, and don't take it personally

48:43 It's OK to not know all the answers

Guest Bio

Eli Westfall, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Central Florida and the owner of Eli Westfall, LMFT LLC. His background spans church ministry, child welfare, a psychiatric hospital, and private practice, including years as a foster care case manager and child protective investigator. He works mostly with young men, fathers, and married couples, and believes therapists do their best work when they stay authentic and meet clients where they are.

Links

Follow Eli Westfall:

• Website → https://eliwestfall.com
• Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/eliwestfall/
• Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/eliwestfalltherapy
• LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/eli-westfall-lmft-3b374aa6/

Additional Resources:

• On Becoming a Person by Carl Rogers → https://www.harpercollins.com/products/on-becoming-a-person-carl-rogers
• Unconditional positive regard explained → https://www.simplypsychology.org/unconditional-positive-regard.html

Connect with ReachLink

• Website → https://reachlink.com/
• LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink
• Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

Anna and host Jessica Hurwitz walk through the framework Anna now uses with her own clients: the Wheel of Traumatic Invalidation, a DBT tool that maps nine categories of childhood harm to the specific flavor of shame each one leaves behind, paired with Internal Family Systems to identify and re-parent the wounded parts that carry it. Anna also opens up about her sister Sarah, who died of anorexia at 33, and the grief work involved in healing from a disorder most people, including many therapists, still do not fully understand.

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Welcome, and meeting Anna Lacey, LCSW

• 00:37 - Writing her book while living with complex PTSD herself

• 01:56 - Hospitalized for anorexia at age 10, back in 1990

• 02:27 - Carrying complex PTSD into adulthood: shame, addiction, broken trust

• 03:20 - Learning the term at UC Berkeley, a decade before it became official

• 06:12 - The Wheel of Traumatic Invalidation and its nine categories of harm

• 09:00 - The different flavors of shame it leaves behind

• 10:36 - Internal Family Systems and identifying your own parts

• 18:05 - A word from ReachLink

• 19:22 - Why complex PTSD is about identity and shame, not just bad events

• 23:20 - Finding ACA, a 12-step community for complex PTSD

• 29:39 - Re-parenting herself in the middle of the night

• 32:24 - Grieving what complex PTSD costs, and honoring her sister Sarah

• 38:40 - Closing thoughts and where to find Anna

Guest Bio:

Anna Lacey, LCSW, is a therapist based in California and the founder of Let the Light In Therapy, where she specializes in treating complex PTSD. A survivor of severe complex PTSD herself, she also runs complexptsd.com, a resource hub for people navigating the diagnosis, and is finishing a book on her own healing journey.

Links:

• Website - letthelightintherapy.com

• Resources - complexptsd.com

• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/anna-lacey-4816b23b2/

• Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving by Pete Walker - pete-walker.com/complex_ptsd_book.html

• No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz - ifs-institute.com/nobadparts

• Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families (ACA) - adultchildren.org

Connect with ReachLink:

• Website - https://reachlink.com/

• LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

• Learn more about therapist opportunities - https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

Chris and host Jessica Hurwitz talk through what yoga actually looks like inside a therapy session. It is rarely a full pose, sometimes just a shoulder roll or a slow inhale, and it always stays invitational, paced to the client's window of tolerance, and grounded in counseling theory rather than a standard yoga class. Chris also shares how she now trains and supervises other therapists who want to bring these practices into their own work safely and ethically.

They cover how trauma gets stored in the body, why hip and heart openers can surface unexpected emotion, and Chris's advice for any therapist wondering if they can step outside a traditional approach: yes, as long as you build the training to back it up.

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Welcome, and how 16 years as a school counselor led Chris into yoga

• 03:47 - The teacher training that introduced her to mindfulness and breathwork

• 07:00 - Building a private practice and helping other therapists do this too

• 10:33 - What yoga in therapy looks like versus a traditional yoga class

• 14:52 - A word from ReachLink

• 16:08 - Chair yoga, shoulder tension, and nervous system regulation

• 19:13 - Staying invitational and paced, especially with anxious people pleasers in midlife

• 22:36 - Pacing trauma work so it never overwhelms the client

• 25:45 - Why trauma-specific training matters, and Jessica's own story of sobbing through a pose

• 29:13 - Shoulder rolls, chest openers, and where trauma hides in the body

• 32:14 - Advice for therapists exploring holistic work, and where to find Chris's community

Guest Bio:

Chris McDonald, LCMHCS and RYT, owns Path to Hope Counseling in Raleigh, North Carolina, offering holistic, trauma-informed therapy that integrates yoga, brainspotting, and nervous system regulation into traditional talk therapy. She is a clinical supervisor, hosts the podcast Yoga in the Therapy Room, and trains other therapists to safely and ethically bring yoga into their own practices.

Links:

• Website - pathtohopecounseling.com

• Podcast - yogainthetherapyroom.com

• Facebook - facebook.com/cmcdonaldlpc

• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/chris-mcdonald-bb831823

• Bringing Yoga in the Therapy Room (Chris's private Facebook group for therapists) - facebook.com/groups/227234677747980

Connect with ReachLink:

• Website - https://reachlink.com/

• LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

• Learn more about therapist opportunities - https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

Luis and host Jessica Hurwitz talk about leaving that hospital system behind (he was escorted out by security carrying a box of his own decorations), building a private practice centered on queer and BIPOC mental health, and why he calls himself a unicorn in a field where providers like him are so scarce that people reach out from states where he isn't even licensed. They also cover his first generation college journey, the phone call that changed his life, and his advice to his younger self: trust yourself.

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Welcome, the unicorn quote, and meeting Luis Cornejo, LMFT and CST

• 03:17 - Premed dreams and his immigrant parents' expectations

• 08:38 - The campus open house that changed his major

• 13:44 - Discovering therapy and applying to grad school

• 17:38 - A word from ReachLink

• 19:25 - The phone call that changed his life

• 22:32 - Six figures, his own office, and still burned out

• 25:38 - His mom hospitalized, his manager said no

• 31:52 - Walked out by security with a box

• 34:40 - Why he calls himself a unicorn in the field

• 37:12 - Choosing the LMFT title and finding his specialty

• 42:33 - Advice to his younger self: trust yourself

• 46:08 - Closing thoughts and where to find Luis

Guest Bio:

Luis Cornejo, LMFT and CST, owns PsychoSocial Therapy, a private practice specializing in queer and BIPOC individuals and couples. Licensed in California and Florida and based in Mexico City, he has spent over ten years in the field, working across education, community mental health, and hospital systems before starting his own practice five years ago. Luis is also a creative, working in fashion and content alongside his clinical work.

Links:

• Website - psychosocialtherapy.com | luis-cornejo.com

• Instagram - @luis_thee_lmft

• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/luis-cornejo-m-s-lmft-90a84161

• Latinx Therapy, founded by Adriana Alejandre - latinxtherapy.com

Connect with ReachLink:

• Website - https://reachlink.com/

• LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

• Learn more about therapist opportunities - https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

They dig into why patients get labeled non-compliant when the real issue is a missed ride or an unpaid bill, why hospitals resist changing systems that clearly aren't working, and why showing up with lived experience matters more than showing up with a title. Mariah also shares what she'd tell herself before starting her doctorate.

Chapters:

00:00 - Episode Introduction

00:59 - A Decade in Social Work, Then a Shift

02:58 - The Dissertation Topic She Didn't Want

04:06 - What Her Patient Autonomy Research Revealed

07:31 - Turning Research Into Conference Talks

09:22 - The Part of This Work She Doesn't Look Forward To

11:55 - From Dissertation to a Framework for Change

16:53 - ReachLink Ad Break

18:09 - Why the Big Problems Get Ignored

20:53 - Coordination of Care and System Breakdowns

24:05 - What She'd Tell a Therapist Stuck in the System

26:42 - Confronting Burnout Without Fear

28:32 - Voice Notes: Advice to Her Younger Self

About Dr. Mariah Maurice:

Dr. Mariah Maurice has spent more than a decade working across the mental health field, including substance abuse treatment, hospital social work, private practice, and community mental health. After years of feeling limited by the systems she worked within, she pursued a doctorate to move into research, advocacy, and policy level change. Her dissertation examined patient autonomy at the end of life among hospice social workers, revealing how family dynamics, healthcare system gaps, and provider burnout consistently get in the way of honoring what patients actually want. She now speaks at conferences on applying that research to real-world practice, from healthcare to education, and is developing a framework to help organizations put it into action.

Connect with ReachLink:

Website - https://reachlink.com/

LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

Therapist opportunities - https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

Dr. Mariah Maurice:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmariahmaurice/

Email - Hello@innergco.com

Resources mentioned:

Maurice, M. (2025). Social workers' perceptions of facilitating autonomous decision-making in hospice care (doctoral dissertation, California Baptist University). Key takeaway: autonomy is shaped by relationships, systems, and access to information, not practiced in isolation.

NASW Code of Ethics

Deci and Ryan's Self-Determination Theory

Beauchamp and Childress Principlism Approach

Relational Autonomy

LABA Ethical Decision-Making Loop (Listen, Assess, Balance, Act), Dr. Maurice's own framework for navigating ethical complexity in practice

They also cover the self-talk and mindfulness tools she leans on most right now, the toll the current political climate is taking on her clients, and the hard lesson every new therapist has to learn: your job is to hand clients tools, not fix them.

Chapters

00:00 – Episode Introduction
00:33 – Candida's Path Through Community Mental Health and School Counseling
01:48 – Does Virtual Therapy Work As Well As In-Person?
03:30 – How ReachLink Lightens the Non-Clinical Workload
05:33 – The Political Climate and Client Stress in Washington
06:57 – Self-Talk, Mindfulness, and Building Client Trust
10:00 – Practicing What She Teaches to Avoid Burnout
12:16 – The Biggest Lesson From Working the Streets of Seattle
12:56 – Why Her Job Isn't to Fix Her Clients
14:22 – When Clients Push Back on the Process
17:35 – The Most Common Issues Clients Bring to Session
20:32 – Isolation Before and After Joining ReachLink

Guest Bio

Candida Crane, LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor in Washington state with a psychotherapy career spanning more than two decades. She began in community mental health in Seattle before earning a master's in school counseling, spending over 16 years supporting students, including group work with kids on the autism spectrum. When the pandemic accelerated the shift to virtual care, she moved into telehealth and now practices full time as a provider with ReachLink. Her approach blends cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and relational therapy, with a focus on helping clients build healthier self-talk and a stronger sense of safety in session.

Links

Candida practices exclusively through ReachLink and doesn't maintain a separate practice website or social accounts.
Professional Profile → https://www.zocdoc.com/professional/candida-crane-lmhc-554225

Connect with ReachLink
Website → https://reachlink.com/
LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink
Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

They also cover OCD, undiagnosed autism, repeating family patterns, running affordable group therapy, and balancing private practice with new parenthood.

Chapters

• 00:00 - Episode Introduction
• 01:27 - Michael's ADHD Diagnosis
• 02:56 - DSM-Silent ADHD Symptoms
• 04:46 - The Pattern Behind Heir of Narcissism
• 06:29 - The Narcissistic Inner Voice
• 09:35 - OCD & Neurodivergence
• 13:05 - The Autism Diagnosis Question
• 13:45 - COVID & Rising Narcissism
• 14:42 - His Own Trauma Story
• 16:47 - ReachLink Ad Break
• 18:04 - Family Patterns in Relationships & Careers
• 20:01 - Making Group Therapy Accessible
• 22:14 - Building the Practice
• 23:49 - Practice, Parenthood & Waitlists
• 26:02 - Next Book & Genuineness

Guest Bio

Michael Drag, LPC, founded Space Between the Words, a group practice in Pennsylvania, and has practiced since 2014. His background spans community mental health and drug and alcohol rehab settings before moving into private practice, with a specialty in trauma, addiction, and neurodivergence. Diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, he now works to raise awareness of this often-overlooked area of care. He is the author of Heir of Narcissism: Exploring ADHD in the Context of Complex Trauma.

Links

Follow Michael Drag:

• Website - https://spacebetweenthewords.com/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/spacebetweenthewords/
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SpaceBetweentheWords

Resources mentioned:

• Heir of Narcissism (book) - https://spacebetweenthewords.com/our-book/
• Three Approaches to Psychotherapy ("Gloria Films") - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7919988/

Connect with ReachLink:

• Website - https://reachlink.com/
• LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink
• Therapist opportunities - https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

Lara shares her unexpected path into therapy, from switching majors on a whim to finding her calling after navigating divorce and a fibromyalgia diagnosis that led her to her own healing. She opens up about the cultural stigma around therapy in Arab communities, why she chose to become a bridge for that population, and how her own life experiences shaped the specialties she works with today.

We explore how she approaches couples who arrive at very different stages of readiness, how trauma stored in the body can quietly shape relationships and partner choices, and why tools like EMDR and genograms are central to her work with clients who feel something but cannot quite name it.

Chapters

00:00 – Episode Introduction

00:55 – How Lara Found Her Way to Therapy

02:27 – Serving Arabic-Speaking Clients and Breaking Stigma

04:02 – When Your Own Family Does Not Accept Your Career

05:39 – When Clients Blame the Therapist for Their Partner's Growth

07:35 – How Lara Starts With Couples

09:49 – Reteaching Communication From the Ground Up

11:43 – Individual Therapy During Couples Work

13:45 – Cancer Survivors, Caregivers, and Sliding Scale Support

16:16 – Support Groups for Caregivers

18:22 – Specialties Rooted in Personal Experience

21:40 – How Trauma Shows Up Without a Label

29:07 – Trauma Is Stored in the Body

31:26 – EMDR and Healing Stored Trauma

34:17 – Genograms: A Family Tree for Therapy

Guest Bio

Lara Asous, MA, MFT, CCTP, is a registered intern marriage and family therapist based in Tampa, Florida, and founder of Mindful Growth Therapy. With over six years of experience, she works with couples, families, and individuals navigating trauma, narcissistic abuse, PTSD, divorce, and major life transitions. Lara integrates trauma-informed care, EMDR, and mindfulness-based approaches within a culturally sensitive framework, offering sessions in both English and Arabic. She also provides school-based counseling for elementary students and facilitates support groups for caregivers of cancer patients.

Links

Follow Lara Asous and Mindful Growth Therapy

Website: https://www.mindful-growth-therapy.org/

Resources mentioned in this episode:

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk: https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/resources/the-body-keeps-the-score

Genograms (Murray Bowen): a therapeutic mapping tool that traces relational and behavioral patterns across generations

Connect with ReachLink

Website: https://reachlink.com/

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

Learn more about therapist opportunities: https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

Kristen breaks down why suppressing a thought only invites it back in, and walks through the tools she actually uses with clients: logging thoughts to spot patterns, labeling cognitive distortions like catastrophizing and fortune telling, and using mindfulness and breathwork to calm the body before trying to challenge the thought itself.

We also talk about where intrusive thoughts tend to show up most, including major life transitions like motherhood and caregiving, why shame keeps so many people from getting help, and how medication and therapy can work together rather than one replacing the other.

Chapters

00:00 – Episode Introduction

00:40 – Kristen's Path Into Therapy

01:57 – What Intrusive Thoughts Really Are

03:48 – Where Intrusive Thoughts Come From

05:03 – Shame as a Barrier to Getting Help

06:24 – How Treatment Begins

09:16 – Logging Thoughts and Retraining the Brain

10:58 – Labeling Cognitive Distortions

14:03 – Intrusive Thoughts vs. OCD

16:08 – ReachLink Ad Break

17:24 – How Intrusive Thoughts Impact Daily Life

19:55 – Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques in Session

22:34 – Medication, Therapy, and Working Together

25:06 – Anxiety During Life Transitions

Guest Bio

Kristen McLoud, LCSW, is the owner and psychotherapist at Mental Wholeness Psychotherapy, licensed in New York, Florida, and South Carolina. Her specialty is anxiety, with a focus on intrusive thoughts and helping clients rewire automatic thinking patterns and build effective tools for emotional regulation. Kristen works extensively with clients navigating sensitive life transitions such as motherhood and caregiving, as well as those experiencing burnout and disconnection from their sense of purpose. She primarily offers telehealth sessions.

Links and Resources

Follow Kristen McLoud and Mental Wholeness Psychotherapy:

Website -> https://www.mentalwholeness.com

LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristendmcloud/

Therapist Aid (cognitive distortion worksheets) -> https://www.therapistaid.com

Dr. Aaron Beck, founder of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Dr. Barry Panzer, Kristen's CBT mentor

Connect with ReachLink

Website -> https://reachlink.com/

LinkedIn -> https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

Learn more about therapist opportunities -> https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

Jenn walks us through Accelerated Resolution Therapy, or ART, an offshoot of EMDR that uses rapid eye movements to rewire how the brain stores traumatic memory. Unlike EMDR, which often leaves clients feeling raw and exposed after a session, ART is designed to end on a positive note. It works in as few as one to five sessions and does not require the client to say a single word about what happened.

She explains how ART targets trauma differently from most approaches by going after the foundational memory at the root of the problem rather than the surface-level symptoms. Using a house of cards analogy, she describes what happens when you pull the right card at the base: everything else falls with it.

We also explore Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, originally designed for borderline personality disorder and now used far more broadly. Jenn introduces the concept of Wise Mind, the meeting point between emotional experience and rational thinking, and explains why DBT is a structured, skills-based program that takes a full year to complete.

This is a clear, jargon-free breakdown of two clinical tools that are changing how therapists and clients approach trauma, emotional regulation, and lasting change.

Chapters

00:00 – Episode Introduction
00:48 – Jenn Mejia: Holistic Healing in St. Augustine
03:51 – What Is Accelerated Resolution Therapy?
09:29 – How ART Pulls the Foundation Card on Trauma
16:32 – ReachLink Ad Break
17:48 – Who ART Is (and Is Not) For
21:41 – Healing Trauma Without Saying a Word
26:51 – DBT and the Wise Mind Framework

Guest Bio

Jenn Mejia, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and clinician at Phases of Healing Counseling and Therapy in St. Augustine, Florida. She works with adults, couples, parents, and families, including members of the LGBTQIA+ community and those from diverse cultural backgrounds. Her areas of focus include anxiety, emotion regulation, relationship conflict, trauma, ADHD, and life transitions. Jenn takes a holistic approach that considers not only her clients' psychology but also the influence of environment, culture, and lived experience. She is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, CBT, IFS, EFT, the Gottman Method, and Cognitive Processing Therapy, tailoring each treatment plan to the individual.

Links

Follow Jenn Mejia:
Website → https://www.phasesofhealingcounselingandtherapy.com/jenn-mejia-lcsw.html
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/phasesofhealingtherapy
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/PhasesofHealing

Connect with ReachLink
Website → https://reachlink.com/
LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink
Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

Naomi shares her journey from East Oakland to graduate school, how caring for her younger brother at 28 nudged her back into education, and why she knew from the start that spirituality would be woven into everything she does. She walks us through the inner child and EMDR work she does with women, including a powerful case study about a client whose unresolved cultural wound had quietly shaped every relationship in her adult life.

This is a deeply personal and clinically rich conversation about healing, purpose, and the courage it takes to sit with what is happening for you and finally acknowledge it.

Chapters

00:00 – Episode Introduction

00:52 – Naomi's Journey: From East Oakland to Encouraging Hope

06:31 – Inner Child Work: Healing Wounds Women Carry

10:28 – Recover or Repeat: Breaking Generational Patterns

16:54 – ReachLink Ad Break

18:10 – Restoring the Soul: Bridging Faith and Mental Health

23:13 – Finding Your Identity After Losing Yourself

27:25 – Meeting Clients Where They Are

Guest Bio

Naomi Burks, LMFT, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and founder of Encouraging Hope Counseling, a private telehealth practice based in San Leandro, California. Her work sits at the intersection of spiritual care, mental wellness, and trauma-informed support, with a focused commitment to helping women navigate the evolving seasons of their lives. She specializes in supporting women through unresolved trauma, life transitions, and the emotional weight of balancing roles as mothers, partners, professionals, and caretakers, guiding them from survival mode into intentional, empowered living. Certified in Trauma-Focused EMDR, Naomi integrates evidence-based practices with faith-based and spiritually integrative perspectives, drawing on clients' beliefs as a source of strength and healing. She is currently expanding into clinical supervision, mentoring pre-licensed therapists, and her debut book, "Restoring the Soul: A Biblical Guide to Mental Health and Wholeness," bridges faith and mental health for those navigating both.

Links

Follow Naomi Burks:

Website → https://www.encouraging-hope-counseling.com/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/nbmental_health

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-burks-ma-lmft-16b45a75/

Additional Resources:

Restoring the Soul: A Biblical Guide to Mental Health and Wholeness → https://www.encouraging-hope-counseling.com/

Connect with ReachLink

Website → https://reachlink.com/

LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

Fatema opens up about the fragmented, chaotic infrastructure that therapists face globally, from confusing credentialing systems to the financial strain of building a practice. She shares why she started a free, intimate peer support circle where therapists can drop the mask of “professional excellence” and bring their real, messy, human moments. We discuss the hidden costs of becoming a therapist, the guilt around charging for care, and her dream of building a “therapist-first sanctuary” that removes the burden of finding clients.

Chapters

00:00 – Episode Introduction

00:25 – Meet Fatema Kapadia & Unchaos Living

02:42 – Why the Mental Health Infrastructure Is Fragmented

05:56 – Moving from Berlin to Dublin: Credentialing Chaos

10:20 – The Pilot Group: A Therapist Who Fainted in Session

16:39 – The Financial Trap of CPD, Supervision, and Licensing

21:00 – A “Therapist First” Platform: Removing the Burden of Finding Clients

26:21 – Small, Intimate Groups vs. Dormant Communities

32:05 – Why Location Doesn’t Matter: Therapists Share the Same Global Problems

Guest Bio

Fatema Kapadia, MA Psychology (Clinical Focus), is an integrative psychotherapist and the founder of Unchaos Living. She uses multiple modalities to create tailored treatment for her clients while working to fix the infrastructure layer of the mental health landscape. Through Unchaos Living, she offers intimate peer circles where 4-5 therapists meet bi-weekly for 60-90 minutes to share cases, struggles, and the realities of the profession. These are not formal supervision groups but spaces for deep connection. Fatema successfully piloted her first circle on March 28th and has since organized two more groups with a steadily growing community.

Links

Follow Fatema Kapadia & Unchaos Living:

Website → https://www.unchaosliving.com/

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kapadiafatema

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/unchaosliving/

Connect with ReachLink

Website → https://reachlink.com/

LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

Meriam shares her personal journey into the mental health field, including how her own experience feeling misunderstood in therapy shaped her commitment to creating spaces where clients feel seen, safe, and culturally understood. We explore the importance of accessibility in mental health care and why therapists must move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches to truly support diverse lived experiences.

Throughout the episode, Meriam emphasizes the value of curiosity, emotional safety, and helping clients reconnect with parts of themselves they may have lost or hidden in survival mode. Her compassionate, deeply human approach shines through in every part of the conversation.

Chapters

00:00 – Episode Introduction

00:20 – Meet Meriam Njah & Wholehearted Healing

00:56 – Supporting Marginalized Communities in Therapy

07:18 – What Is the Developmental Model for Couples Therapy?

11:47 – “But They…”: The Common Couples Therapy Pattern

15:56 – Helping Couples Stay Curious Instead of Defensive

17:57 – ReachLink Ad Break

20:43 – Trauma Resolution in Couples & Individual Therapy

21:57 – Gottman vs. Developmental Couples Therapy

24:07 – Introduction to Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)

26:36 – Using NET With Domestic Violence Survivors

31:28 – NET vs. EMDR for Trauma Treatment

32:06 – Supporting Marginalized & Biracial Couples

33:10 – Final Reflections & Closing

Guest Bio

Meriam Njah, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Minneapolis and practicing with Wholehearted Healing, LLC. Meriam integrates multiple therapeutic modalities, including the Gottman Method, the Developmental Model for Couples Therapy, and Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET), to help clients navigate relational challenges, developmental trauma, and emotional healing. Her work is grounded in curiosity, compassion, and creating safe spaces for clients from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.

Links

Follow Meriam Njah:

Website → https://www.meriamnjah.com

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/meriam_njah/

Learn More About the Modalities Discussed:

The Gottman Method → https://www.gottman.com/

The Couples Developmental Model → https://www.couplesinstitute.com/

Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) Overview → https://www.vivo.org/en/narrative-exposure-therapy/

Connect with ReachLink

Website → https://reachlink.com/

LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers

Amanda shares how her highly individualized approach allows her to treat complex clinical presentations without fragmenting care across multiple providers. We explore the foundations of EMDR, how past experiences shape present-day emotional and physiological responses, and why reprocessing those experiences can lead to profound shifts in regulation, behavior, and self-perception.

We also dive into her unique work in peak performance—particularly with athletes and performers—where she applies EMDR not only to heal trauma but to enhance focus, confidence, and flow states. Amanda explains how fear-based patterns can disrupt performance and how reconnecting clients to their “best moments” can restore optimal functioning.

Chapters

00:00 – Episode Introduction

00:25 – Meet Amanda Martin & Her Specialties

03:32 – EMDR 101: How It Works

07:09 – Do Clients Know Their Root Trauma?

08:55 – The Power of Connecting the Dots

09:49 – Vulnerability in the Therapy Process

11:03 – Single-Incident vs. Complex Trauma

13:38 – EMDR for Peak Performance

14:05 – Working with Athletes & Performers

15:21 – Fear vs. Flow States

18:33 – ReachLink Ad Break

19:50 – Who Seeks Peak Performance Work?

21:02 – Working with Youth & Early Intervention

23:05 – Parenting Opportunities for Emotional Support

23:42 – Teaching Emotional Awareness Early

26:24 – Can Systems Change? Schools & Beyond

26:45 – A School Model That Worked

29:10 – Seeing Beyond Behavior

30:33 – How Quickly EMDR Can Work

31:35 – Flexibility in Working with Athletes

32:27 – Accessibility of Care & Meeting Clients Where They Are

Guest Bio

Amanda Martin, PhD, LMFT-S, LPC, BCN-L, is a licensed therapist and trauma specialist with extensive training in EMDR, neurofeedback, and family therapy. She is board certified in neurofeedback and an EMDRIA Certified Therapist, Consultant, and Trainer. Amanda specializes in treating complex trauma through an integrative, individualized approach and is known for her work in EMDR-informed peak performance and equine-assisted therapy. She works with individuals, families, athletes, and performers to help them achieve regulation, healing, and optimal functioning.

Links

Follow Amanda Martin:

Website → https://amandamartincounseling.com/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/amandamartincounselingpllc/

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-martin-99739b78

Additional Resources:

Symbolic Experiential Family Therapy (2011)

Is Intuition an Influential Factor in Marital Partner Selection? (Dissertation)

Connect with ReachLink

Website → https://reachlink.com/

LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

Madeline shares her journey from an early passion for helping others to pivoting from engineering into social work, and how her early experiences in community mental health—particularly during times of crisis—shaped her clinical identity. We explore the “bootcamp” nature of community clinics, the importance of supervision and diagnostic confidence, and why many therapists underestimate the demands of running a practice.

Finally, we discuss her vision behind the Minnette ecosystem, expanding mental health beyond therapy rooms into community impact, and creating a pipeline of confident, well-trained clinicians ready to meet growing demand.

Chapters

00:00 – Episode Introduction

00:25 – Meet Madeline Maldonado & Her Roles

02:42 – Pivot from Engineering to Social Work

05:56 – Starting as a Therapist Pre-9/11

06:38 – Baptism by Fire: Working Through Crisis

10:20 – Challenges of Community Mental Health

16:39 – Transitioning Toward Private Practice

20:00 – Learning Business Responsibilities Early

25:21 – Financial Reality of Private Practice

31:05 – Reducing Stigma in Mental Health Settings

34:12 – Launching a Practice During COVID-19

38:30 – Financial Struggles in Early Practice Years

41:48 – ReachLink Ad Break

43:05 – Therapists as Multi-Skilled Professionals

44:18 – Mentorship & Training New Clinicians

48:05 – The Minnet Ecosystem Explained

50:00 – Training Future Therapists

52:36 – Making the Field More Accessible

53:51 – Full Circle: Giving Back to Community

57:21 – Final Reflections & Closing

Guest Bio

Madeline Maldonado, LCSW-R, is a licensed clinical social worker with over 25 years of experience in mental health. She is the President and Founder of Mannette Psychotherapy Services and Executive Director of the Minnette Foundation. Madeline specializes in clinical training, supervision, and building accessible, culturally competent mental health services. She is passionate about mentoring therapists and expanding care for underserved communities.

Links

Follow Madeline Maldonado & Minnette:

Website → https://www.minettepsychotherapy.com/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/madelinemaldonado_lcsw/

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmaldonado-lcswr/

Latinx in Social Work → https://www.amazon.com/Latinx-Social-Work-Stories-communities/dp/1952779766

Connect with ReachLink

Website → https://reachlink.com/

LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

Jodi shares how she discovered play therapy after struggling with traditional, structured approaches—and how shifting to a child-led model transformed her work. We explore how play functions as a child’s primary language, the importance of boundaries and limit-setting, and how therapists can build real trust and safety with young clients.

We also discuss common misconceptions about play therapy, adapting sessions for telehealth, and the critical gap between learning child development and actually practicing child therapy.

Chapters

00:00 – Episode Introduction

00:25 – Meet Jodi Mullen & Her Credentials

01:09 – Journey into Working with Children

02:24 – Struggles with Early Clinical Work

02:49 – Discovering Play Therapy

03:26 – Gaps in Training for Child Therapy

05:33 – Working with Systems (Family & Schools)

06:07 – Jodi’s Role as Counselor Educator

08:22 – Clinical Work Across Settings

08:51 – Adapting Play Therapy to Telehealth

10:17 – Creativity in Virtual Sessions

11:13 – Building Connection with Children Online

12:00 – What is Child-Centered Play Therapy?

13:18 – Misconceptions & System Pressures

14:17 – Letting the Child Lead (With Limits)

15:05 – Creating True Safety in Therapy

16:04 – Addressing Criticism of Play Therapy

16:51 – Limit-Setting as a Core Skill

19:04 – Play as Communication

20:47 – Thinking on Your Feet in Sessions

23:14 – Why Therapists Avoid Questions

22:45 – ReachLink Ad Break

24:00 – Final Reflections & Closing

Guest Bio

Jodi Mullen, PhD, LMHC, RPT-S, is a counselor educator, licensed mental health counselor, and registered play therapist supervisor with over 30 years of experience. She specializes in child-centered play therapy and trains clinicians worldwide to work effectively with children using developmentally appropriate, play-based approaches.

Links

Follow Jodi Mullen:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/drjodimully/

YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-wIAbDLKThMNSDBvZRsmHw

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodi-mullen-phd-lmhc-d-rpt-s-748ba521/

Connect with ReachLink

Website → https://reachlink.com/

LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

A unique highlight of this conversation is MeKenzie’s integration of therapy animals into her practice. She shares how her French bulldog, June Lane, became an unexpected but powerful therapeutic presence, offering grounding, comfort, and even emotional regulation during sessions.

We also dive into MeKenzie’s work with Heartlight Center, where she facilitates grief support groups that emphasize accessibility, community, and shared experience. She discusses the power of peer support, the universality of grief, and how group settings can help individuals feel less alone in their most difficult moments.

Above all, this episode highlights the complexity of grief—the coexistence of love, anger, guilt, and longing—and the importance of spaces where all emotions are valid, welcomed, and understood.

Chapters

00:00 – Episode Introduction

00:25 – Meet MeKenzie & Her Therapy Dog, June

01:52 – Journey into Grief Work

03:00 – Understanding Grief Literacy

03:54 – Trauma and Loss Connection

05:12 – EMDR in Grief Therapy

06:55 – The Role of Therapy Animals

08:30 – Heartlight Center & Community Grief Support

13:03 – Building a Group Practice

16:50 – Navigating Complex Emotions in Grief

17:40 – “Both Can Be True” – DBT Perspective

22:30 – Is It Ever “Too Soon” for Grief Support?

24:58 – Types of Grief Groups Offered

26:00 – Preventing Therapist Burnout

29:00 – Seasonal Triggers & Grief

31:00 – The Healing Path Experience

34:00 – Final Thoughts & Closing

Guest Bio

MeKenzie Russell Lane, LPC/MHSP, is a licensed professional counselor and Owner of Bloom Well Counseling. She specializes in grief, trauma, and EMDR, and is passionate about creating accessible, community-centered mental health support.

She also serves as a community liaison with Heartlight Center, where she facilitates grief support groups and helps expand resources for individuals navigating loss.

Links

Follow MeKenzie Russell Lane:

Website → https://www.bloom-well-counseling.com

Heartlight Center → https://www.bloom-well-counseling.com/heartlight-center

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/bloomwellcounselingtn/

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/bloomwellcounselingtn

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekenzie-russell-lane-m-ed-lpc-mhsp-47567763/

Connect with ReachLink

Website → https://reachlink.com/

LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

Meghan reflects on her personal journey—from a pre-med path and corporate career to becoming a therapist driven by a mission to destigmatize mental health in the South Asian community. She opens up about the impact of her sister’s diagnosis and loss, and how that experience shaped her commitment to providing compassionate, culturally responsive care.

We explore topics like EMDR and trauma treatment accessibility, the importance of therapists accepting insurance, and how representation in mental health care can transform the client experience. Meghan also shares insights on building a private practice, mentoring clinicians of color, and developing group therapy programs that meet diverse community needs.

Above all, this episode highlights the importance of feeling seen, understood, and supported in therapy—and the powerful role culturally competent care plays in healing.

Chapters

00:00 – Episode Introduction

00:25 – Cultural Competence and Decolonizing Therapy

01:52 – Meghan’s Journey into Mental Health

03:00 – Mental Health Stigma in South Asian Communities

03:54 – Personal Loss and Purpose-Driven Work

05:12 – Trauma-Informed Care and EMDR

06:55 – Building a Private Practice

08:30 – Business Challenges and Growth

08:34 – Group Therapy Offerings (Breakups, DBT, Immigrant Support)

11:37 – Referrals and Client Relationships

12:12 – In-Person vs. Virtual Therapy

13:03 – Educating on Cultural Competence

14:57 – Finding the Right Therapist

16:50 – Couples Work and Family Dynamics

17:40 – How to Connect with Meghan

Guest Bio

Meghan Sunayna Mehta, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in New York and the founder of Little Brown Therapy, a practice focused on culturally competent, trauma-informed care.

She specializes in EMDR and works primarily with individuals from diverse and underserved communities, with a strong focus on supporting people of color. Meghan is passionate about increasing accessibility in mental health care by accepting insurance and mentoring clinicians to provide inclusive, high-quality care.

Links

Follow Meghan Sunayna Mehta, LCSW:

Website → https://littlebrowntherapy.com/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/littlebrowntherapy/

Connect with ReachLink

Website → https://reachlink.com/

LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

Dr. Fagan reflects on her upbringing as a Jamaican immigrant, the impact of unspoken trauma, and the cultural expectations around strength that often discourage vulnerability. She discusses how these experiences influenced her path into mental health and her commitment to helping individuals find their voice and healing.

Above all, this episode is a powerful reminder that healing is a continuous journey—and that support, connection, and transformation are always possible.

Chapters

00:00 – Episode Introduction

00:56 – Expanding Across States & Access to Care

02:07 – Dr. Fagan’s Background and Early Trauma

05:06 – Cultural Expectations and Vulnerability

07:04 – Concierge Therapy and “Having It Your Way”

07:35 – COVID-19 and Flexible Therapy Models

10:12 – Balancing Practice, Purpose, and Self-Care

12:21 – Training and Mentorship in Therapy

13:34 – Telehealth and Creating Presence

14:27 – Authentic, Non-Formulaic Therapy

15:13 – Working with Adolescents and Autonomy

16:00 – Family Systems and Building a Support Network

17:22 – Parenting, Community, and Raising Resilient Children

19:30 – Healing While Living 20:34 – Faith and Mental Health

21:02 – Personal Crisis and Custody Battle

24:00 – Depression, Suicidal Ideation, and Turning Points

25:36 – Faith as a Tool for Healing

27:06 – Meeting Clients Where They Are

29:22 – Rebuilding Faith and Identity

31:29 – Healing vs. Wholeness

Guest Bio

Dr. Suzette Fagan, LCSW, DSW, is the CEO and Founder of Door-to-Door Therapy, a multi-state mental health practice dedicated to providing accessible, flexible, and client-centered care. With over 20 years of experience in trauma-informed therapy, Dr. Fagan specializes in helping individuals and families navigate complex emotional challenges, including trauma, depression, and life transitions.

Links

Follow Dr. Suzette Fagan, LCSW, DSW:

Website → https://door2doortherapy.com/ 

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/door2doortherapy/ 

Raising Davids → https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Davids-Suzette-Fagan/dp/B0F3XZ3R5N

When ‘Till Death do us Part’ Ends → https://www.amazon.com/When-Till-Death-Part-Ends/dp/B0DSW2QHSN

Connect with ReachLink:

Website → https://reachlink.com/

LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

We explore topics like identity, boundaries, workplace stress, and the emotional weight of being “the strong one.” Eva discusses how many of her clients struggle with burnout and disconnection after years of prioritizing others, and how therapy can help them rebuild self-awareness and restore balance.

Eva also highlights her holistic, client-centered approach, which considers mental, physical, and environmental factors, as well as her use of expressive writing as a tool for deeper reflection and healing. Beyond individual therapy, she discusses her work in community spaces, including workshops and faith-based initiatives that aim to make mental health education more accessible.

Chapters

00:00 – Episode Introduction

01:05 – Eva’s Journey into Social Work and Therapy

03:20 – Supporting Black Professional Women

05:40 – Virtual Therapy and Accessibility

09:00 – Building Connection in Telehealth

12:10 – Maintaining Quality of Care

13:20 – Boutique Practice and Workshops

16:00 – Mental Health Education in Communities

18:20 – Holistic and Client-Centered Care

21:00 – Faith, Service, and Community Work

22:00 – Substance Use and Harm Reduction

26:00 – Therapeutic Alliance and “Life Guide” Concept

28:00 – Writing as a Healing Tool

33:00 – What’s Next for Eva

Guest Bio

Eva M. Gordon, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker based in New York and the founder of Life Guide, a private practice focused on supporting mental health and wellness within the Black community.

Her work primarily focuses on Black professional women navigating stress, burnout, relationship challenges, and identity development. Eva takes a holistic and client-centered approach, integrating emotional, physical, environmental, and spiritual aspects of care.

In addition to her clinical work, Eva provides community workshops, supports faith-based initiatives, and incorporates expressive writing as a therapeutic tool to help clients deepen self-awareness and healing.

Linka

Follow Eva M. Gordon:

Website → https://abetterlifewitheva.com

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lifeguidelcsw/

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581410473232

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@EvaGordonabetterlife

Connect with ReachLink:

Website → https://reachlink.com

LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

Learn more about therapist opportunities:

https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

Jasmine shares the personal experiences that led her into trauma-informed work. After going through a major life transition following a divorce, she began researching trauma and its effects on the body and nervous system. That journey helped her recognize how survival patterns formed through difficult experiences can shape identity and behavior over time.

Originally working in marketing and sales for more than 15 years, Jasmine later transitioned into the mental health field while working in a trauma-focused behavioral transition school. Seeing how trauma affected children, educators, and families inspired her to create ONE80 Health and Wellness to provide more accessible trauma-informed education and support.

Through workshops, training programs, and individual coaching, Jasmine helps individuals and organizations better understand trauma responses and emotional regulation. Her work focuses on helping people reconnect with their authentic sense of self beyond the survival patterns created by past experiences.

Whether you're a therapist, educator, workplace leader, or someone interested in understanding trauma and identity, this episode explores how awareness and trauma-informed approaches can support healing and personal growth.

Chapters

00:00 – Episode Introduction

01:05 – Meet Jasmine Young

03:20 – From Marketing to Trauma Work

06:00 – Understanding Trauma and Survival Mode

09:30 – Working with Children in Trauma-Informed Schools

14:40 – Identity Reconstruction and Self-Concept

20:10 – Trauma in the Workplace

25:30 – Workshops and Mother–Daughter Programs

29:45 – Coaching, Assessments, and Personal Readiness

33:40 – Expanding ONE80 Health and Wellness

37:30 – Final Thoughts + ReachLink Mission

Guest Bio

Jasmine Young is the founder of ONE80 Health and Wellness, a nonprofit organization focused on trauma healing through education, coaching, and trauma-informed training.

Her work helps individuals and organizations understand how trauma shapes identity, behavior, and emotional regulation. Jasmine works with schools, communities, and workplaces to provide practical strategies for recognizing trauma responses and supporting healthier communication and relationships.

She is currently developing a framework centered on identity reconstruction and trauma awareness to help expand trauma-informed education across communities.

Links

Follow Jasmine Young:

Website → https://one80healthandwellness.org

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmcgaha/

Connect with ReachLink:

Website → https://reachlink.com

LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

Learn more about therapist opportunities:

https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

Jacob discusses how his work integrates psychological and spiritual perspectives, including how therapists can approach clients’ spiritual experiences with curiosity rather than immediately pathologizing them. He explains how the mental health field has become more open to practices like mindfulness and how research into consciousness and near-death experiences is expanding conversations within psychology.

The conversation also explores regression therapy, including past life and between-lives regression, and how these approaches can help clients explore deeper questions about identity, purpose, and healing.

Whether you're a therapist, counseling student, or simply interested in the intersection of psychology and spirituality, this episode offers a thoughtful discussion on how therapists can support clients exploring life’s biggest existential questions.

Chapters

00:00 – Episode Introduction

01:00 – Meet Jacob L. Cooper

04:20 – A Childhood Near-Death Experience

09:00 – How Spiritual Experiences Shape Therapy

14:30 – Psychology, Mindfulness, and Evolving Mental Health Practices

20:15 – Research on Consciousness and Near-Death Experiences

26:40 – Understanding Regression Therapy

32:10 – Helping Clients Explore Meaning and Purpose

36:30 – Final Thoughts + ReachLink Mission

Guest Bio

Jacob L. Cooper is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, psychotherapist, speaker, and bestselling author of Life After Breath and The Wisdom of Jacob’s Ladder. His work focuses on the intersection of psychology, spirituality, and personal transformation.

Inspired by a near-death experience in early childhood, Jacob integrates therapeutic practice with broader existential and spiritual perspectives. He works with clients to explore emotional healing, life purpose, and deeper questions about human consciousness and meaning.

In addition to his clinical work, Jacob teaches and provides educational programs for mental health professionals interested in understanding spiritual experiences within therapeutic settings.

Jacob will be presenting at The Omega Institute on October 9, 2026.

Links

Follow Jacob Cooper:

Website → https://www.jacoblcooper.com

Instagram →  https://www.instagram.com/jacobcooperlcsw/

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@jacobcooperlcsw

YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC28gZ-EhU3DKtP38WDYUoyg

Connect with ReachLink:

Website → https://reachlink.com

LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

Learn more about therapist opportunities:

https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

Dr. Tina explains how her organization connects people through social media, podcasts, grief resources, and in-person events designed to help individuals process grief while rediscovering purpose and connection.

Chapters

00:00 – Episode Introduction

00:30 – Meet Dr. Tina Fornwald

09:00 – Why Grief Looks Different for Everyone

11:00 – Meeting People Where They Are in the Grieving Process

13:30 – Connecting Widows and Widowers With Community

16:00 – Personal Loss and the Origin of Dr. Tina’s Mission

19:00 – Why “I Know How You Feel” Can Be Harmful

21:00 – When Grief Becomes Stuck: The Five Survival Patterns

29:00 – The Power of Community and Widowhood Retreats

32:00 – Helping Others Find Hope After Loss

Resources

Website → https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org

Podcast → https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/podcast/

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-tina-fornwald-57ab8041/

I Wasn't Ready to Say Goodbye – Dr. Pamela Blair → https://www.amazon.com/Wasnt-Ready-Say-Goodbye-Surviving/dp/1402212216

Dr. Tina’s Upcoming Book:

The Five Widows Club – Launching May 16, 2026

Community & Events Mentioned

• Weekly TikTok Live (Mondays at 7 PM) → https://www.tiktok.com/@drtinagriefsupport
• #NextYou Experience – December 3-6 (Widow's Retreat) → https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/real-widowhood-weekend-2026/
• Children of Widowhood Secret Santa Program → https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/children-of-widowhood/
• Hope Grows Here Gala – May 16 → https://widowhood-realtalkwithtina.org/hope-grows-here/

Others

Widows With Wings → https://www.wingsforwidows.org

Where Grief Gets Stuck Quiz → https://bit.ly/GriefStuck

Connect with ReachLink

Website → https://reachlink.com

LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

We explore topics like compassion fatigue vs burnout, secondary traumatic stress, nervous system regulation, and the importance of clinician sustainability. Natasha D'Arcangelo explains how mental health professionals, nurses, educators, and other caregivers can identify early symptoms of compassion fatigue and develop strategies to maintain emotional resilience while continuing to care for others.

Chapters

00:00 – Episode Introduction

00:20 – Meet Natasha D'Arcangelo, QS, LMHC, NCC, CCTP, CCFP

01:00 – Therapy Dogs and Emotional Support in Clinical Work

02:30 – How the Pandemic Led to Compassion Fatigue Education

05:00 – Understanding Compassion Fatigue vs Burnout

08:00 – Secondary Trauma in Helping Professions

11:00 – Why Caregivers Are Especially Vulnerable

13:30 – Why Self-Care Alone Isn’t Enough

16:00 – The Impact of Trauma on the Nervous System

19:00 – Recognizing Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue

22:00 – Measuring Compassion Fatigue with the ProQOL Scale

25:00 – Learning to Regulate Your Nervous System

28:00 – Compassion Fatigue and Parenting

31:00 – Repairing Relationships After Emotional Reactions

34:00 – The Importance of Peer Support for Therapists

37:00 – Reconnecting With Your Purpose as a Therapist

40:00 – Final Thoughts + Resources for Clinicians

Guest Bio

Natasha D'Arcangelo, QS, LMHC, NCC, CCTP, CCFP is a licensed mental health counselor, trauma-informed therapist, and compassion fatigue educator. Natasha D'Arcangelo specializes in helping clinicians, healthcare professionals, and caregivers understand the emotional impact of their work and develop sustainable practices for maintaining resilience.

Links

Follow Natasha D'Arcangelo, QS, LMHC, NCC, CCTP, CCFP:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-darcangelo/

Website → https://www.natashalmhc.com

Resources Mentioned:

Dr. Gentry's YouTube Channel → https://www.youtube.com/@jericgentryphd7702

Forward-Facing® Professional Resilience → https://a.co/d/04FZW54o

ProQOL 5 (Professional Quality of Life) → https://proqol.org/

Connect with ReachLink:

Website → https://reachlink.com

LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

We explore topics like workplace mental health, leadership communication, grief support, parenting challenges, and the role of education in helping employees navigate real-life situations. Wendy Wollner discusses how training programs, corporate education, and open conversations can help managers support their teams through difficult moments and build healthier workplace cultures.

Whether you're a therapist, HR professional, manager, or someone interested in workplace wellbeing, this episode offers valuable insights into leadership, emotional intelligence, and how organizations can better support employees navigating both personal and professional challenges.

Chapters

00:00 – Episode Introduction

00:20 – Meet Wendy Wollner

01:30 – The Story Behind Balancing Life’s Issues

04:00 – Early Work in the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Field

06:00 – Why Work-Life Balance Became Her Focus

08:00 – Personal Experiences That Shaped Her Career

10:30 – The Role of Workplace Education in Mental Health

13:00 – Helping Managers Support Employees Through Difficult Life Events

16:00 – Navigating Sensitive Workplace Conversations

19:00 – Authentic Leadership and Emotional Honesty

22:00 – The Importance of Continuous Learning for Professionals

25:00 – Leadership, Mentorship, and Personal Growth

28:00 – Balancing Professional Success With Personal Life

31:00 – Workplace Culture and Supporting Employee Wellbeing

34:00 – Lessons From Building a Company Around Life’s Challenges

37:00 – Final Thoughts + ReachLink Mission

Guest Bio

Wendy Wollner is the Founder and CEO of Balancing Life’s Issues (BLI), an organization specializing in corporate training, work-life balance, and employee assistance programs. With more than 25 years of experience in the EAP field, Wendy Wollner has dedicated her career to helping organizations support employees through life’s personal and professional challenges.

Links

Follow Wendy Wollner:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendywollner/

Company Page → https://www.linkedin.com/company/balancing-life's-issues/](https://www.linkedin.com/company/balancing-life's-issues/?originalSubdomain=au)

Website → https://balancinglifesissues.com

Connect with ReachLink:

Website → https://reachlink.com

LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

We explore topics like compassion fatigue, moral injury, stigma around help-seeking among therapists, and how organizations can better support the wellbeing of mental health providers. Dr. Joel Bennett, PhD discusses the importance of connection, group support, and somatic practices that help therapists regulate stress and maintain resilience in demanding clinical roles.

Whether you're a licensed therapist, counseling student, or someone interested in provider wellbeing and workplace mental health, this episode offers practical insights into managing emotional stress, building resilience, and supporting the mental health professionals who support everyone else.

Chapters

00:00 – Episode Introduction

00:20 – Meet Dr. Joel Bennett, PhD

01:00 – Research on Vicarious Trauma and Compassion Fatigue

03:00 – Why Therapists Struggle to Seek Help

05:00 – The Mental Health Impact of COVID on Providers

07:00 – Creating Support Systems for Behavioral Health Professionals

09:00 – The “You Matter” Program for Therapist Wellbeing

11:00 – Why Listening Spaces Are Essential for Providers

13:00 – Breaking the Stigma Around Therapist Vulnerability

15:00 – Tech Stress and the Impact of AI on Mental Health Work

18:00 – Balancing Technology With Human Connection

21:00 – Why Social Support Matters for Therapist Resilience

24:00 – Somatic Practices for Emotional Regulation

26:00 – A Guided Mindfulness and Breathing Exercise

29:00 – Finding Rhythm and Presence in Daily Work

31:00 – Final Thoughts + ReachLink Mission

Guest Bio

Dr. Joel Bennett, PhD is the founder and CEO of Organizational Wellness and Learning Systems (OWLS), an organization dedicated to improving workplace wellbeing and behavioral health support. Dr. Joel Bennett, PhD is a researcher and consultant specializing in occupational health psychology, stress management, and resilience among behavioral health professionals.

Through his research and programs, Dr. Joel Bennett, PhD focuses on helping organizations support the mental health of their workforce while empowering providers to manage stress, prevent burnout, and build sustainable careers in behavioral health.

Links

Follow Dr. Joel Bennett, PhD:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbennettowls/

Website → https://organizationalwellness.com

Connect with ReachLink:

Website → https://reachlink.com

LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

We explore topics like substance use in safety-sensitive industries, Department of Transportation (DOT) violations, addiction education, and how interactive learning helps people understand the real impact of substance use.

Jeff Mangrum explains how his programs use storytelling, discussion, and real-world examples to help individuals take ownership of their decisions and build a path forward.

Whether you're a therapist, counselor, HR professional, or someone interested in addiction recovery and workplace mental health, this episode offers a powerful perspective on accountability, education, and hope for people navigating difficult professional and personal setbacks.

Chapters

00:00 – Episode Introduction

00:40 – Meet Jeff Mangrum

01:10 – The Story Behind SST Learning and Development

03:00 – Using Theater to Educate About Addiction

05:00 – Early Work with Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

08:00 – The Impact of the 2008 Economic Crisis

10:00 – Transitioning into Addiction Education and Recovery Work

12:00 – DOT Violations and Safety-Sensitive Careers

15:00 – Why Education Is Better Than “Click-Through” Training

18:00 – Helping People Take Ownership of Their Violations

20:00 – Real Stories from Truck Drivers and Safety Workers

23:00 – The Importance of Hope in Recovery

25:00 – Understanding THC, Drug Testing, and Safety Regulations

28:00 – Supporting Workers After Career Setbacks

31:00 – Connecting People Across Different Professions

34:00 – Why Addiction Education Requires Engagement

36:00 – Private Education Sessions vs Group Learning

39:00 – Final Thoughts + Encouraging People to Move Forward

Guest Bio

Jeff Mangrum is the CEO of SST Learning and Development, an organization focused on addiction education and workplace safety training. Jeff Mangrum founded SST in the late 1980s, originally using theater-based programs to educate employees about addiction and substance use in the workplace.

After decades working with Employee Assistance Programs, treatment providers, and safety-sensitive industries, Jeff Mangrum now specializes in providing live educational programs for individuals navigating Department of Transportation (DOT) violations and substance-related workplace issues. His work focuses on accountability, education, and helping individuals rebuild their careers and lives after setbacks.

Links

Follow Jeff Mangrum:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-mangrum-886a4610/

Website → https://sstrisked.com/about-us

Connect with ReachLink:

Website → https://reachlink.com

LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

We explore topics like family systems in addiction recovery, enabling behaviors, motivation for change, and how therapists can work effectively with both individuals and their loved ones. Timothy Logsdon, LMHC also discusses how telehealth allows families to participate in therapy together—even when they live in different places—creating new opportunities for support and healing.

Whether you're a licensed therapist, counseling student, or someone interested in addiction recovery and family therapy, this episode offers practical insights into how addiction affects relationships and how therapists can help families find hope, healing, and long-term recovery.

Chapters

00:00 – Episode Introduction

00:25 – Meet Timothy Logsdon, LMHC

01:00 – How Timothy Logsdon, LMHC Entered the Addiction Counseling Field

02:00 – The Connection Between Mental Health and Addiction

03:20 – Digital Life and the Rise of Behavioral Addictions

05:00 – Using Telehealth to Bring Families Together in Therapy

07:00 – Online Recovery Meetings and Accessibility

09:30 – Interventions vs Family-Based Counseling Approaches

11:30 – Motivation and Stages of Change in Addiction Recovery

13:30 – Understanding Enabling in Family Systems

16:00 – Helping Families Recognize Unintentional Reinforcement

18:00 – Why Addiction Work Is Complex but Rewarding

19:00 – Addiction Treatment Within EAP Programs

21:00 – Long-Term Recovery and Lifestyle Change

23:00 – Recovery Options Beyond Traditional AA

24:00 – The Role of Hope in Addiction Recovery

26:00 – Process Addictions: Gambling, Internet, and Food

29:00 – When Support Groups Don’t Fit Everyone

31:00 – Final Thoughts + ReachLink Mission

Guest Bio

Timothy Logsdon is a licensed mental health counselor in New York with more than four decades of experience in social services, mental health, and addiction counseling. Timothy has worked across inpatient, outpatient, and private practice settings helping individuals and families navigate substance use disorders and behavioral addictions.

Throughout his career, he has focused on supporting families affected by addiction and helping them understand how communication, boundaries, and hope can create meaningful change. In this episode, he shares insights on addiction recovery, family dynamics, and the importance of maintaining hope even when situations feel overwhelming.

Links

Follow Timothy Logsdon, LMHC:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-logsdon-819a8010/

Connect with ReachLink:

Website → https://reachlink.com

LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

We explore topics like video counseling, therapist authenticity, therapeutic alliance, and how technology is transforming access to mental health care. Lee discusses how therapists can create meaningful connections with clients, even through a screen. And why being genuine, flexible, and person-centered remains the foundation of effective therapy.

Whether you're a licensed therapist, counseling student, or someone passionate about mental health, this episode offers valuable insights into modern therapy practices, the transition to online counseling, and how therapists can maintain authentic relationships with clients in a digital environment.

Chapters

00:00 – Episode Introduction

01:05 – Meet Lee Lucian Shadeck, LPC

03:30 – An Unexpected Path Into the Helping Profession

05:00 – Early Work with People with Disabilities

07:00 – From Crisis Worker to Higher Education Counselor

09:00 – Transitioning to Online Therapy Full-Time

11:00 – How Current Events Affect Clients in Therapy

12:30 – The Rise of Video Counseling

15:00 – Building Strong Connections Through Online Therapy

18:00 – Lessons from Irvin Yalom and the “Here and Now” Approach

21:30 – Authenticity and the Therapeutic Alliance

24:00 – Counseling Clients with Disabilities

28:30 – Advice for Therapists Considering Online Therapy Platforms

31:00 – Technology, AI Notes, and Therapist Workflow

33:30 – Preparing for the Transition to Online Therapy

35:30 – Why Real-Life Experience Makes Better Therapists

37:00 – Final Thoughts + ReachLink Mission

Guest Bio

Lee Lucian Shadeck, is a licensed professional counselor in Pennsylvania with more than 30 years of experience in the helping professions. His career began working with individuals with disabilities before expanding into crisis counseling, case management, and higher education counseling.

He later worked as a counselor and adjunct professor at institutions including Penn State and Mercyhurst University before transitioning into full-time online therapy. Known for his authentic and eclectic counseling style, Lee Shadeck focuses on building strong therapeutic alliances and helping clients navigate life’s challenges with honesty, empathy, and practical guidance.

Links

Follow Lee Lucian Shadeck, LPC:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-shadeck-m-a-lpc-ncc-183255103/

Connect with ReachLink:

Website → https://reachlink.com

LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

We explore topics like addiction recovery, cognitive behavioral therapy, and how trauma affects mental health, along with Charity’s holistic approach to counseling. She discusses the importance of helping clients understand their thought patterns, develop coping strategies, and recognize the connection between mental health and substance abuse.

Whether you're a licensed therapist, counseling student, or someone interested in mental health and addiction recovery, this episode offers an inspiring perspective on how personal transformation and professional training can come together to support others on their healing journey.

Chapters

00:00 – Episode Introduction

01:30 – Meet Charity Anderson

03:20 – From Addiction to Counseling

06:20 – The Role of Lived Experience in Therapy

08:30 – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Thought Patterns

13:00 – Misconceptions About Therapy

17:30 – The Rise of Therapy After the Pandemic

21:00 – Video Counseling vs. In-Person Therapy

26:00 – Therapist Self-Care and Avoiding Burnout

29:00 – Final Thoughts and Advice for Therapists

Guest Bio

Charity Anderson is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas who specializes in helping individuals navigate trauma, addiction recovery, and mental health challenges. Drawing from both professional training and lived experience, Charity uses approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy and holistic counseling to help clients understand their thoughts, develop healthier coping skills, and move toward lasting emotional wellbeing. In this episode, she shares how personal transformation led her to a career dedicated to helping others heal.

Links

Follow Charity Anderson:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/charity-anderson-lpc-lcdc-certified-life-coach-750a8456/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/cherrieti/

Website / Practice → https://andersoncharity8.wixsite.com/offensivereboundsllc

Connect with ReachLink:

Website → https://reachlink.com

LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink

Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/

Throughout the conversation, we explore important topics such as therapist emotional resilience, managing silence during therapy sessions, and supporting clients through grief, anxiety, and other complex emotional challenges. Leslie also talks about the emotional awareness therapists must cultivate in order to stay present without becoming overwhelmed by the intensity of a client’s experience.

This episode also highlights the balance therapists must strike between empathy and professional boundaries. Leslie shares practical insights for mental health professionals on how to avoid the urge to “fix” everything, how to tolerate uncertainty in the therapeutic process, and how to create an environment where clients feel safe enough to explore difficult emotions.

For therapists early in their careers, learning how to navigate discomfort can feel intimidating. Leslie offers thoughtful advice for clinicians, counseling students, and mental health professionals who are still developing their therapeutic style. She explains how embracing discomfort can ultimately strengthen a therapist’s ability to support clients and facilitate meaningful personal growth.

Chapters

00:00 – Episode Introduction
01:05 – Meet Leslie Moya
04:00 – Why Discomfort Shows Up in Therapy
08:20 – Learning to Sit With Discomfort
13:40 – Supporting Clients Through Difficult Emotions
18:50 – Emotional Skills Therapists Must Develop
23:40 – Advice for Therapists and Mental Health Professionals
27:00 – Final Thoughts + ReachLink Mission

Guest Bio

Leslie Moya is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works with clients across multiple states in the United States. With experience supporting individuals through a wide range of emotional challenges, Leslie focuses on helping clients navigate difficult feelings while building trust and emotional safety in the therapeutic relationship.

Her approach emphasizes presence, empathy, and the ability to sit with discomfort during challenging moments in therapy. Leslie believes that allowing space for complex emotions can create powerful opportunities for healing, self-awareness, and personal growth.

Links

Follow Leslie Moya:
LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-moya-074468392/

Connect with ReachLink:
Website → https://reachlink.com
LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink
Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/