The Sacred Weight

Melissa Trickey, LPC
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  • Mental Health
  • Updated weekly

The Sacred Weight is a podcast about faith, grief, mental health, and the burdens we carry. Hosted by licensed therapist Melissa Trickey, LPC, each episode offers honest conversations, practical encouragement, and hope for those navigating loss, healing, depression, anxiety, and life's unexpected challenges. Together we'll explore how faith and emotional health can coexist—even when life feels heavy.

Episodes

  1. 7 hr ago

    The Weight of Grief

    Grief does not simply end because time has passed—and healing does not mean forgetting, moving on, or becoming okay with what happened. In this deeply personal episode, Melissa explores what it means to carry grief through the years, how sadness and joy can exist together, and why grieving people need presence more than explanations. If you have ever felt pressured to “get over” a loss or wondered why the pain still matters, this episode is for you. Your grief is real. Your love still matters. And no matter how long it has been, you should not have to carry it alone. References and Resources: Wolfelt, Alan D., Ph.D. “The Mourner’s Bill of Rights.” Center for Loss & Life Transition.https://www.centerforloss.com/2023/12/mourners-bill-rights/ Kübler-Ross, Elisabeth, and David Kessler. On Grief and Grieving: Finding the Meaning of Grief Through the Five Stages of Loss. Scribner, 2005.https://grief.com/the-five-stages-of-grief/ The five stages—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—are not a required or linear path. A grieving person may experience them in a different order, revisit them, experience several at once, or not experience every stage. Scripture for additional support: Psalm 56:8 — God sees our sorrow and keeps track of every tear. Psalm 34:18 — “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

  2. 6 days ago

    The Weight of Not Being Ready

    Sometimes the people who love us can see what is hurting us long before we are ready to see it for ourselves. And sometimes, deep down, we already know—but acknowledging it means we may have to change. In this episode of The Sacred Weight, I talk about what it means to live in that space between not knowing, knowing, and finally becoming ready. Through my own experience with finances and financial anxiety, I explore shame, avoidance, responsibility, and why change cannot be forced—even when the people around us desperately want something better for us. We’ll also talk about the other side of the story: loving someone who isn’t ready yet, learning when helping becomes carrying, and trusting them to take their own next step. Because sometimes growth begins when we stop humiliating ourselves for what we didn’t know—or weren’t ready to face—and start believing we can handle what comes next. You are not late. You are right on time.

  3. 23 Aug

    The Weight of "What I Think I Know"

    Have you ever believed something was absolutely true—only to discover later that you didn't have the whole story? In this episode of The Sacred Weight, we're talking about assumptions: where they come from, why they feel so convincing, and the emotional weight we can carry when we treat what we think we know as fact. We'll look at how our past experiences and memories influence the stories our minds create, how missing information can leave room for cognitive distortions, and why uncertainty can be so uncomfortable that we'd sometimes rather create an explanation than admit, “I don't know.” We'll also explore assumptions through the lens of faith. What happens when we assign meaning to God's silence? How do we distinguish wisdom and discernment from simply trusting our own conclusions? And what might change if we learned to tolerate “I don't know yet” while continuing to seek truth? What am I assuming right now, and what do I actually know to be true? What information am I filling in for myself because I don't have the whole story? Is there a way for me to get more of the truth from a reliable source? If an answer isn't available, can I allow myself to say, “I don't know yet” without creating a story to fill the space? Proverbs 18:2 (NIV) — A reminder to seek understanding rather than becoming satisfied with our own opinions. Isaiah 55:8–9 (NIV) — God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours; what seems obvious from our perspective isn't necessarily the whole picture. Proverbs 3:5–7 (NIV) — Trust God rather than relying entirely on our own understanding or becoming wise in our own eyes. For information about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and evidence-based behavioral and cognitive therapies, visit the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT). For information and resources about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), visit the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS). For information about Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and certified DBT clinicians and programs, visit the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification. If you're looking for a therapist, consider searching a professional directory and verifying that the therapist is licensed in your state and has appropriate training in the approach you're seeking. www.psychologytoday.com

  4. 9 Aug

    The Weight of Shame: Part 2 - Breaking Free

    What happens when you know you’re forgiven—but your mind keeps dragging you back to what happened? In this episode of The Sacred Weight, we’re talking about what it actually looks like to begin breaking free from shame. We explore radical acceptance, the stories our minds tell us, cognitive distortions, and practical ideas from CBT, DBT, and ACT that can help us notice our thoughts without automatically believing everything they say. And we come back to an even bigger question: Who gets to tell me who I am? Your past?Your mistakes?Your shame?Other people? Or the One who calls you loved, forgiven, and wanted? Radical AcceptanceRadical acceptance is a DBT skill that means acknowledging reality as it is—even when we deeply wish it were different. Acceptance does not mean approval, agreement, excusing what happened, or saying something was okay. It means choosing to stop fighting the fact that it happened so we can decide how we want to move forward. CBT — Cognitive Behavioral TherapyCBT helps us examine the connection between our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. One important CBT skill is learning to recognize cognitive distortions—patterns such as all-or-nothing thinking, catastrophizing, mind reading, overgeneralizing, and labeling—and learning to question whether our thoughts are accurate or helpful. DBT — Dialectical Behavior TherapyDBT teaches practical skills for handling painful emotions and difficult situations. Its core skill areas include mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Radical acceptance is one of the distress-tolerance skills commonly associated with DBT. ACT — Acceptance and Commitment TherapyACT teaches us that we don't have to eliminate every painful thought before we can live according to what matters to us. Through skills such as cognitive defusion, we can learn to notice a thought as a thought—“I'm having the thought that…”—rather than automatically treating it as a fact. For additional educational resources, visit Therapist Aid for information and exercises related to CBT, DBT, cognitive distortions, radical acceptance, and other mental-health skills. A simple prayer for this week:Jesus, please help me to see myself the way You see me—loved, forgiven, and wanted. Shalom, friends. Take care. ❤️ The Sacred Weight is for educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for individual mental-health treatment, diagnosis, or medical care. Want to learn more?🌿 Visit The Sacred Weight on EtsyLooking for gentle, faith-centered resources for reflection, prayer, and personal growth? Visit the BRAND NEW "The Sacred Weight" Etsy shop for printable journals and thoughtfully designed digital resources. ~ More to come. https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheSacredWeight?ref=shop_profile&listing_id=4552726174

  5. 3 Aug

    The Weight of Shame: The Lies We Believe

    Have you ever made a mistake you couldn't seem to forgive yourself for? Have you ever found yourself wondering, "What's wrong with me?" In this episode of The Sacred Weight, we'll explore the difference between guilt and shame through the lens of both psychology and faith. Together, we'll uncover how shame develops, the lies it teaches us to believe, and practical CBT and ACT tools for challenging those beliefs and embracing the truth of who God says we are. Resources:• Find a licensed therapist near you: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists• Free CBT & ACT worksheets: https://www.therapistaid.com If this episode encouraged you, I'd be honored if you'd follow The Sacred Weight and share it with someone who may need the reminder that shame doesn't get the final word.

  6. 27 Jul

    The weight of Anxiety

    🌿 Episode Recap Anxiety is a normal human response to stress, uncertainty, or perceived danger, but when it becomes overwhelming, it can interfere with daily life. In this episode, we explored what anxiety is, how it affects the mind and body, and practical ways to respond with both psychological tools and faith. Remember: anxiety is something you experience—it is not who you are. 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Exercise When anxiety begins to take over, gently bring yourself back to the present by noticing: 5 things you can see4 things you can touch3 things you can hear2 things you can smell1 thing you can tasteThis simple exercise helps shift your focus from anxious thoughts to your current surroundings. 🧠 This Week's Coping Skill📖 Bible Verse"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."— Philippians 4:6–7 (NIV)

  7. 20 Jul

    The Weight of Empathy

    Have you ever been told you're too sensitive or that you care too much? Empathy is a beautiful gift from God, but even good gifts require wisdom to carry well. In this episode, we explore the difference between empathy and sympathy, the importance of healthy boundaries, and why Jesus never asked us to carry burdens that belong to someone else. If you've ever felt emotionally exhausted from caring for others, this episode is for you. Scripture: Matthew 11:28–30

  8. 13 Jul

    The Weight of False Humility: When Shrinking Yourself Isn't Holiness

    Have you ever mistaken making yourself smaller for biblical humility? In this episode of The Sacred Weight, we explore the difference between true humility and the subtle trap of false humility. While God calls us to humility, He never asks us to minimize the work His grace has accomplished in our lives. Using 1 Corinthians 15:10, we'll discover how the apostle Paul acknowledged both God's grace and the transformation it produced. Biblical humility isn't pretending we haven't grown or refusing encouragement—it's recognizing that every good thing in us is evidence of God's faithfulness. We'll also discuss: The difference between humility and self-minimizationWhy false humility often grows from shame or insecurityHow to receive encouragement without taking glory from GodWhy your testimony is meant to reflect God's faithfulness, not hide itIf you've ever struggled to accept compliments, share your story, or acknowledge how God has changed your life, this conversation is for you. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:10 Follow The Sacred Weight for weekly conversations where faith, grief, mental health, and biblical truth meet with honesty, compassion, and hope. "Some weights we are called to carry. Others God gently teaches us to lay down. Wherever you are on that journey, may you always find His grace is enough—and never in vain."

  9. 6 Jul

    Laying down what is not yours

    Some burdens were never yours to carry. In this episode of The Sacred Weight, we explore the difference between the weight God asks us to carry and the weight Jesus already carried to the cross. If you're feeling overwhelmed by fear, shame, perfectionism, or tomorrow's worries, this conversation is for you. Scripture: John 16:33 Follow The Sacred Weight for new weekly episodes. 🌸 Instagram: @thesacredweight🐝 Etsy shop with journals and companion resources coming soon.

  10. 26 Jun

    The weight of a season

    In this episode, I share about previous seasons of my life and the lessons they taught me. If you are carrying weight of a difficult season, you are not alone. Find me on Instagram @thesacredweight for hope, healing and encouragement.

  11. 24 Jun

    Welcome to The Sacred Weight

    In this episode, we talk about the different weights we carry and how the most difficult ones produce the most fruit. If only we had the patience... Follow me on Instragram @thesacredweight for hope, healing and encouragement.

  12. 16 Jun

    Welcome to The Sacred Weight

    Welcome to the very first episode of The Sacred Weight. In this episode, I share the heart behind this podcast, the burdens we carry throughout life, and why faith, grief, mental health, and healing deserve a place in the same conversation. My hope is that this becomes a space where honesty, hope, and healing can coexist—even when life feels heavy.

  • 12 Episodes

About

The Sacred Weight is a podcast about faith, grief, mental health, and the burdens we carry. Hosted by licensed therapist Melissa Trickey, LPC, each episode offers honest conversations, practical encouragement, and hope for those navigating loss, healing, depression, anxiety, and life's unexpected challenges. Together we'll explore how faith and emotional health can coexist—even when life feels heavy.

Information

  • Creator
    Melissa Trickey, LPC
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Melissa Trickey, LPC
  • Show Website
    The Sacred Weight