Outside The Therapy Room

Ivonne Hammoud

Ivonne Hammoud is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) and owner of a therapy practice in Waterloo, Ontario. But out of the office, she's a mom, wife, daughter, sister and friend. Join Ivonne as she sits with a special guest to discuss every day things that impact our mental health! Conversations about everything from mental health and relationships, to media and current events, as well as personal experiences and reflections, all in the hopes of normalizing our humanness and helping you see that you’re not alone. This is Outside the Therapy Room!

  1. 6d ago

    Episode 76 - Avengers Assemble... In Therapy? Part 1 with Destinee Hiscock

    In Part 1 of our Marvel mental health deep dive, we're bringing the Avengers into the therapy room to talk about the very human struggles hiding behind the superpowers. I'm joined by a fellow therapist, previous NMC team member and Marvel nerd, as we unpack Tony Stark's need for control, Steve Rogers' values and belonging, Natasha Romanoff's trauma and shame, and Thor's grief, depression, and journey through failure. Why do these characters feel so relatable? What can their coping mechanisms teach us about our own mental health? And are some of our favourite heroes actually just trying to survive everything they've been through? We're getting into the psychology, the character development, the emotional moments that hit a little too hard, and, of course, plenty of Marvel nerding out along the way. As Captain America would say, “I can do this all day.” And honestly, when it comes to talking Marvel and mental health, so can we. Listen in, and let us know: Which Avenger do you relate to the most? Part 2 will continue our Marvel mental health deep dive with more heroes, more emotional baggage, and more reasons to put the MCU on the therapy couch. Follow us on social media: @outisdethetherapyroompod If you're looking for a therapist and live in Ontario, feel free to visit our website here or contact us at hello@newmooncounselling.com to work with one of our team members. If you reside outside of Ontario, a quick Google search will help you find a therapist near you!

  2. Oct 22

    Episode 75 - Little Bodies, Big Emotions: Why Kids Melt Down Over the “Small” Things with Mais Haj-Ayoub

    Why does a missing snack, the wrong-coloured cup, or being told “no” sometimes turn into a full-blown meltdown?  In this episode of Outside The Therapy Room, I am joined by Mais, a child and teen therapist at New Moon Counselling, to talk about why kids can have such BIG emotions over things that seem small to us. We explore what's happening beneath the meltdowns, how things like tiredness, overstimulation, and built-up stress can play a role, and why emotional regulation is a skill children are still learning. We also get into the practical side of parenting through these moments, including what to say when your child is overwhelmed, how to set boundaries while validating their feelings, and how to help kids build emotional regulation skills over time. If this conversation resonates with you and you're looking for additional support, Mais is accepting new clients! She works with children, teens, and parents to help navigate big emotions, build coping skills, and support the whole family through life's challenges. If you'd like to explore whether therapy might be a good fit for your family, we encourage you to book a consultation with Mais! Learn more about Mais Book a consultation with Mais Follow us on social media: @outisdethetherapyroompod If you're looking for a therapist and live in Ontario, feel free to visit our website here or contact us at hello@newmooncounselling.com to work with one of our team members. If you reside outside of Ontario, a quick Google search will help you find a therapist near you!

  3. Oct 15

    Episode 74 - Porn, Shame & the Cycle We Get Stuck In with Josh Dale

    Porn is often talked about as a behaviour — but what if, for some people, it’s actually being used as a way to cope? This week, I sit down with therapist Josh Dale to talk about the connection between porn, emotions, mental health and shame. We explore why someone might turn to porn when they're stressed, lonely, bored, anxious or overwhelmed, why it can provide temporary relief, and how that relief can become part of a cycle that keeps repeating. We also unpack the role of secrecy and shame, how problematic porn use can impact relationships and intimacy, how faith and personal values can add another layer to the conversation, and what breaking the cycle can actually look like. Plus, we talk about what partners can do when porn becomes a source of hurt or conflict, and how parents can begin having honest conversations about porn with their sons without creating shame. This isn't a conversation about judging people or telling everyone what they should believe. It's about understanding the why behind the behaviour — and what can happen when coping, shame and secrecy become a cycle. Josh's Website Follow Josh  Follow us on social media: @outisdethetherapyroompod If you're looking for a therapist and live in Ontario, feel free to visit our website here or contact us at hello@newmooncounselling.com to work with one of our team members. If you reside outside of Ontario, a quick Google search will help you find a therapist near you!

About

Ivonne Hammoud is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) and owner of a therapy practice in Waterloo, Ontario. But out of the office, she's a mom, wife, daughter, sister and friend. Join Ivonne as she sits with a special guest to discuss every day things that impact our mental health! Conversations about everything from mental health and relationships, to media and current events, as well as personal experiences and reflections, all in the hopes of normalizing our humanness and helping you see that you’re not alone. This is Outside the Therapy Room!