Your Therapist Is My Best Friend

Brittany Beninga Shante Whalen
  • 5.0 (7)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Have you always wondered what your therapist or your psychology professor REALLY thinks about mental health topics or maybe what their life is like as a mental health professional? Well then join us for a thought-provoking podcast where two passionate mental health therapists come together to explore the intricacies of mental well-being. Each week, therapist and practicing clinician, Brittany, teams up with esteemed professor and therapist, Shante, to dive into a range of mental health topics. From the latest research findings to everyday coping strategies, we share insights, personal anecdotes, and professional opinions that illuminate the challenges and triumphs of mental health. Whether you’re a mental health professional, a student, or simply someone interested in understanding your mind better, this podcast offers a blend of expertise and relatability. Tune in for engaging discussions, expert interviews, and practical advice aimed at fostering resilience, understanding, and growth. Let’s break the stigma, answer questions, dive deep, and have fun with open and honest conversations about mental health.

  1. JAN 6

    Resolutions & New Growth: Planning Goals Without the Pressure

    Hey friend — we just wrapped up our first year of the podcast and dove into everything from holiday therapy needs to why New Years resolutions usually fail. We chat realistic goal-setting, the cycle of change, meaningful words-of-the-year, and why planning for setbacks is actually smart (not pessimistic). If you're tired of vague resolutions and want doable ways to build habits, this episode is for you. We talk support systems, motivation, affirmations that actually work, and how to break big goals into bite-sized wins — plus a few personal updates and profession stuff that makes this all feel human.

    37 min

  2. 12/23/2025

    ADHD Part 2: Unmasked

    Hey friend — we chatted about ADHD’s history, how it shows up (and gets misdiagnosed), and why our overstimulating world might be making things worse — plus practical, down-to-earth tips like body-doubling, task stacking, and simple changes at home that actually help. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s ADHD, anxiety, or just the chaos of modern life — this episode walks you through the confusion with warmth and real examples so you don’t feel so alone.

    45 min

  3. 12/09/2025

    ADHD Part 1: Shante’s World

    Hey friend — this episode feels like a cozy chat about exactly what it’s like to live in a brain that never stops buzzing. Shante shares real moments of her life and her experiences with ADHD: family, masking, grad school, the relief of a diagnosis, and how meds and therapy changed parenting and relationships. If you’ve ever wondered whether you (or someone you love) might be navigating ADHD, this one’s for you — full of empathy, humor, and the reminder that getting help doesn’t make you less lovable. Seriously, you’re not alone.

    35 min

  4. 11/25/2025

    What Is The Best Part Of Therapy: From The Therapist Viewpoint

    Hey! Welcome friends, in this episode we celebrate the surprising, powerful parts of therapy: the unbiased perspective, the relief of being truly heard, and those tiny metaphors (roller coaster vs. carousel!) that quietly change everything.  If you’ve ever been skeptical or felt stuck, come hear stories of resistance turning into trust, long-term support catching crises early, and therapists who teach more than they fix. It’s warm, honest, and full of real talk — the kind that makes you feel seen and a little less alone on your mental health journey.

    32 min

  5. 11/11/2025

    The Hardest Parts of Being a Therapist

    Hey friend — come hang out with Shante and Brittany as they get uncomfortably honest about what makes therapy so dang hard: crisis shifts, insurance headaches, emotional exhaustion, and the weight of mandated reporting. This episode feels like a cozy, no-judgment chat between two people who love this work but are honest about the toll it takes — raw, relatable, and full of empathy.

    43 min

  6. 10/28/2025

    The Rise of AI In Therapy and Mental Health

    Hey friend! This episode dives into how AI is popping up everywhere: sometimes super helpful, sometimes dangerously misleading. We talk about real risks and pros of its use in the realm of mental health. We discuss why human empathy and co-regulation still matter and cover practical use of AI tools like AI note-taker and its use in times of need for coping skills.  Join us for thought provoking conversation on the new age of AI in therapy!

    35 min

  7. 10/14/2025

    Let's Get Ethical: Therapy, Boundaries, and HIPAA

    Hey friend — we’re Shante and Brittany. We are here to chat about the messy, real-life ethics therapists actually wrestle with: HIPAA and privacy, when records get subpoenaed, gifts, hugs, dual relationships, notes, and even the lines we still find blurry. It’s honest, practical, and a little funny — because ethics doesn’t have to be dry. Listen to feel more informed and a little less worried about what gets written down (and why).

    41 min

  8. 09/30/2025

    Mom, Therapy, and Parenting: Special Guest Star Deb Renando

    Come hang out with Shante, Brittany and Brittany's mom as we get real about parenting, anxiety, and how families change over time. Expect laughs, those stomach-drop honest moments, and simple takeaways about regulation, boundaries, and the messy love that keeps us together. Whether you’re parenting, navigating mental health, or just crave a cozy, human conversation, this episode feels like sitting on the couch with a friend — messy, warm, and full of insight.

    1h 5m
See All (31)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Have you always wondered what your therapist or your psychology professor REALLY thinks about mental health topics or maybe what their life is like as a mental health professional? Well then join us for a thought-provoking podcast where two passionate mental health therapists come together to explore the intricacies of mental well-being. Each week, therapist and practicing clinician, Brittany, teams up with esteemed professor and therapist, Shante, to dive into a range of mental health topics. From the latest research findings to everyday coping strategies, we share insights, personal anecdotes, and professional opinions that illuminate the challenges and triumphs of mental health. Whether you’re a mental health professional, a student, or simply someone interested in understanding your mind better, this podcast offers a blend of expertise and relatability. Tune in for engaging discussions, expert interviews, and practical advice aimed at fostering resilience, understanding, and growth. Let’s break the stigma, answer questions, dive deep, and have fun with open and honest conversations about mental health.

Information

  • Creator
    Brittany Beninga Shante Whalen
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Your Therapist Is My Best Friend