Breaking Down

Jeff Guenther, LPC & Dr. Lindsey Lerner
  • 0,0 (0)
  • Salute mentale
  • Serie settimanale

Curious about what actually happens behind closed therapy doors? Join Jeff Guenther, LPC and Dr. Lindsey Lerner as they explore different therapy modalities with expert guests, featuring live demonstration sessions and honest clinical breakdowns.

Stagione 1

  1. Puntata 1

    Psychoanalysis: On the Couch with TherapyJeff and Family Ghosts

    What drives us to compulsively search for criticism, obsess over hate comments, and reopen old wounds? In our premiere episode of Breaking Down, hosts Jeff Guenther, LPC and Dr. Lindsey Lerner sit down with psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Dr. Cynthia Ellis Gray to demystify what modern psychoanalysis actually looks like (and why it is way more than just Sigmund Freud and an antique couch). First, Cynthia breaks down the core ideas behind psychoanalysis in plain English: why people still lie on couches 4 days a week, how our unconscious habits run the show, and how we constantly project our childhood relationships onto friends, coworkers, and internet strangers. Then, Jeff jumps into the client chair for a very raw, real-time session. Coming off a viral video with 20 million views and a flood of terrifying death threats, Jeff unpacks his complicated relationship with online fame, his self-doubt, and the painful realization that his online battles are just a stand-in for his estranged family. Finally, the group breaks down the whole session, exploring why Jeff felt the urge to be a "good client," how therapists manage their own emotional reactions, and why we repeat the patterns that hurt us the most.

  2. Puntata 2

    Psychedelic Integration: Grounding Ego Death and Life After the Trip

    What happens when you touch pure universal love, dissolve your ego, and experience something completely life-changing, but then have to go home the next morning and do your laundry? In this episode of Breaking Down, hosts Jeff Guenther, LPC and Dr. Lindsey Lerner welcome naturopathic physician, ketamine provider, and psilocybin facilitator Dr. Ali Bigelow, ND to explore the world of psychedelic-assisted therapy and the essential process of integration. First, Ali breaks down how psychedelics quiet our brain's default mode network (the part of our brain running our automatic stories and mental ruts), why one big trip alone will not fix your life, and how to avoid the trap of spiritual bypassing. Next, Ali guides Lindsey through a live, deeply personal integration session following a recent ketamine journey. Lindsey shares what it felt like to let go of her everyday identity, feel surrounded by ancestral motherly love, and work through past birthday grief, while Ali helps her turn those wild, expansive memories into everyday grounding habits. Finally, Jeff, Lindsey, and Ali debrief the session, discussing how facilitators use colors and imagery to anchor memories, why safe support matters so much, and how to stay grounded when talking about the 12th dimension. Learn more about Dr. Bigelow Learn more about Synaptic Institute Learn more about Dr. Lindsey Lerner Follow Jeff on Tiktok and Instagram

  3. Puntata 3

    Exposure Therapy (ERP): Taming the "Nasty Neighbor" and Panic

    What if the very things you do to calm your anxiety are the exact habits keeping you trapped in fear? In this episode of Breaking Down, hosts Jeff Guenther, LPC and Dr. Lindsey Lerner sit down with clinical psychologist and OCD specialist Dr. Elyse Conterno to unpack the gold standard treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). First, Elyse explains why OCD is not just about clean hands or organized desks. She dives into mental rituals, relationship anxiety, reassurance seeking, and why thoughts are just thoughts, even when they come with intense dread. She also shares how she pairs ERP with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help people live by their values instead of their fears. Next, Elyse leads Lindsey through a live, in-room exposure session targeting food contamination and the fear of accidentally losing control. Lindsey eats a snack that feels contaminated, while Elyse helps her resist all her usual safety habits (like throat-checking, body scanning, and drinking water), allowing Lindsey's nervous system to calm down naturally in under five minutes. Finally, the group breaks down how the exposure worked, why white-knuckling through fear backfires, and how anyone can learn to let anxiety ride in the back seat without letting it drive the car. Learn more about Dr. Elyse Conterno Learn more about Dr. Lindsey Lerner Follow Jeff on Tiktok and Instagram

  4. Puntata 4

    Somatic Experiencing (SE): Getting Out of Your Head and Into Your Body

    Why does our body stay locked in stress, tension, and fight-or-flight long after a difficult situation is completely over? In this episode of Breaking Down, hosts Jeff Guenther, LPC and Dr. Lindsey Lerner welcome somatic coach and certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner Woodrós Wolford to explore the body-based approach developed by Peter Levine. First, Woodrós breaks down how modern living turns us into "zoo animals" who cannot run, shake, or yell to release survival stress. They explain the core concepts of Somatic Experiencing in simple terms: titration (taking tiny, manageable sips of distress), pendulation (swinging between uncomfortable tension and safe comfort), and why you do not have to retell your trauma story to heal your nervous system. Then, Woodrós guides Jeff through a live, grounding somatic session. Starting with an orienting exercise focused on a beloved Nada Surf concert poster, Jeff traces the physical difference between a painful breakup memory and the empowering sensation of buying the poster for himself, learning to let his chest tension and musical energy coexist. Finally, the group breaks down the physical signs that a nervous system is settling (like deep sighs and digestive releases), the relief of doing therapy without a rigid agenda, and how body awareness brings your vitality back. Learn more about Woodrós Wolford Learn more about Dr. Lindsey Lerner Follow Jeff on Tiktok and Instagram

  5. Puntata 5

    Polyamory & Non-Monogamy: Jealousy, Dating Apps, and Opening Up

    What happens when your brain is excited to explore non-monogamy, but your nervous system goes into a full panic the second your partner opens a dating app? In this episode of Breaking Down, hosts Jeff Guenther, LPC and Dr. Lindsey Lerner sit down with licensed clinical social worker, polyamory therapist, and relationship coach Heidi Savell to talk about consensual non-monogamy, jealousy, and modern relationships. First, Heidi explains how stepping away from traditional relationship scripts requires a total mindset shift, why feeling jealous does not mean you are bad at polyamory, and how couples can get clear on their deeper "why" before opening up. Next, Jeff and Lindsey step into a playful mock couples session as a newly opened pair running into early friction. Jeff struggles with dating app mismatches, fear of being replaced, and bedtime phone scrolling, while Lindsey feels policed and wants to share her excitement. Heidi steps in to help them turn controlling rules (like "no falling in love") into healthy, vulnerable agreements that protect their bond without trapping their partner. Finally, Heidi, Jeff, and Lindsey debrief the session, breaking down the difference between quality intentional time and just sitting in the same room, why non-monogamy acts like a giant spotlight on existing relationship cracks, and how to talk through uncomfortable feelings without demanding quick fixes. Follow Heidi on Instagram and learn more about here services. Learn more about Dr. Lindsey Lerner Follow Jeff on Tiktok and Instagram

  6. Puntata 5

    Internal Family Systems (IFS): Meeting Your Inner Child and Wounded Parts

    What if the critical, anxious, or defensive thoughts inside your head are not flaws you need to destroy, but protective parts trying their hardest to keep you safe? In this episode of Breaking Down, hosts Jeff Guenther, LPC and Dr. Lindsey Lerner welcome certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist Beth Magee to demystify one of the most popular and powerful therapy models in the world today. First, Beth breaks down the fundamentals of IFS: the idea that our mind is naturally made of many parts, the difference between protective managers and wounded inner children (exiles), and the calm, compassionate core inside all of us known as Self. She shares how getting curious about our parts, rather than judging them, creates real emotional freedom. Next, Beth guides Lindsey through a live, deeply moving parts work session. Lindsey tunes into physical shaking and jaw tension, gently asks an adult "fix-it" protector to step aside, and connects directly with a scared 8-to-10-year-old part of herself trapped in her childhood bedroom carrying family conflict and perfectionism. In an incredible visualization, Lindsey rescues her younger self and moves her into a place of permanent warmth and safety at her grandparents' house. Finally, the group breaks down how IFS functions as a collaborative exploration rather than a rigid guided meditation, why silence in a session is so healing, and how reparenting yourself shifts long-standing trauma. Learn more about Beth Magee Learn more about Dr. Lindsey Lerner Follow Jeff on Tiktok and Instagram

  7. Puntata 7

    Gestalt Therapy: The Power of "Being With What Is" and Moving Past Anger

    Why is it that the harder we try to force ourselves to change, the more stuck, frustrated, and disconnected we feel? In this episode of Breaking Down, hosts Jeff Guenther, LPC and Dr. Lindsey Lerner sit down with veteran Gestalt psychologist, author, and trainer Dr. Eva Gold to explore the relational power of Gestalt therapy. First, Eva breaks down Gestalt as a philosophy of health rather than brokenness. She explains how we adapt to childhood neglect by shutting off our natural balance, how authentic present-moment relationships heal us, and the famous Paradoxical Theory of Change: the idea that real growth only happens when we stop fighting our current feelings and fully accept what is true right now. Next, Eva guides Jeff through an emotionally charged, vulnerable live demonstration. Touching on a recent rupture with his mother, Jeff starts by hiding behind witty jokes, storytelling, and familiar anger. Eva gently pauses his intellect, helping Jeff drop into physical chest tightness and face the deep childhood sadness of feeling lost, overlooked, and longing for a mother who lacked the capacity to love him. Finally, Jeff, Lindsey, and Eva unpack the session, exploring how intellectualizing acts as a shield against vulnerability, why genuine therapist tears build trust, and how acknowledging your past without sugarcoating it sets you free. Learn about Dr. Eva Gold's book: Buddhist Psychology and Gestalt Therapy Integrated Learn more about Dr. Lindsey Lerner Follow Jeff on Tiktok and Instagram

  8. Puntata 8

    Existential Therapy: Breaking Through Apathy and Grieving the Past

    What does it mean to take true ownership of your life when you are carrying unexpressed grief, old regrets, and the pain of relationships that did not work out? In our Season 1 finale of Breaking Down, hosts Jeff Guenther, LPC and Dr. Lindsey Lerner welcome psychotherapist and author Bob Edelstein, LMFT to explore the grounding framework of Existential-Humanistic (E-H) psychotherapy. First, Bob unpacks the heart of existential-humanistic theory: Carl Rogers' core conditions of empathy and positive regard, the four universal realities we all face (life and death, freedom and responsibility, meaning and meaninglessness, relationship and isolation), and why human beings naturally grow toward wholeness when their defensive walls are gently softened. Next, Bob leads Lindsey through a poignant, deeply vulnerable demonstration session. Lindsey looks behind her habitual defenses of humor, sarcasm, and emotional apathy to explore unresolved sadness around her ex-husband, their shared parenting history, and the grief of not having the post-divorce friendship she had hoped for. Bob holds a safe, quiet space as Lindsey moves through heartbreak into profound self-compassion and forgiveness. Finally, the trio wraps up the season by debriefing the session, examining how defense mechanisms protect us until we are ready to heal, how to sit with sadness without rushing to fix it, and how verbal therapy creates a deep physical release. Learn more about Dr. Lindsey Lerner Follow Jeff on Tiktok and Instagram

  • 8 puntate

Descrizione

Curious about what actually happens behind closed therapy doors? Join Jeff Guenther, LPC and Dr. Lindsey Lerner as they explore different therapy modalities with expert guests, featuring live demonstration sessions and honest clinical breakdowns.

Informazioni

  • Creatore
    Jeff Guenther, LPC & Dr. Lindsey Lerner
  • Puntate
    8
  • Stagioni
    1
  • Classificazione
    Contenuti espliciti
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Breaking Down
  • Sito web del podcast
    Breaking Down

Potrebbero piacerti anche…