The Aurora Sessions Beyond The Couch

Aurora Sun Counseling
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Mental Health

Life is hard. Let's talk about it. Welcome to The Aurora Sessions, Beyond the Couch—where we take the stressors that come up in session and bring them into conversation, beyond the couch. This is the space where real talk meets real life. We dive into the challenges we all face, unpack the weight of everyday stress, and explore what it means to take care of your mental health—no matter what stage of life you're in. Through psychoeducation, raw stories, and interviews with people across different industries and walks of life, we explore how they navigate their own mental wellness. We’ll also weigh in on current events, pop culture, and the ever-evolving dialogue around mental health—with plenty of room for your questions, insights, and lived experiences. This isn't therapy, but it’s definitely therapeutic. Let’s take the hard parts of life—and talk through them, together.

  1. Sep 15

    You Define Beauty : Escaping Perfectionism & Performance Pressure

    Caption: From elite gymnastics and USA Gymnastics experience to pageantry, leadership, and youth advocacy, what happens when your entire identity is forced to pivot after a career-altering injury? In this episode of The Aurora Sessions: Beyond the Couch, Theresa sits down with Angelique Cauterucci—former USA Gymnastics athlete, founder of the non-profit You Define Beauty, NCAA Acrobatics & Tumbling student-athlete, MBA candidate, and Miss South Jersey. Angelique opens up about her personal journey navigating high-stakes performance pressure, unpacking how her upbringing in elite gymnastics impacted her relationship with body image and self-worth. She shares the pivotal moment a severe gymnastics injury forced her to shift her mindset from what her body looks like to what her body can do, and how that transition sparked a mission to empower over 8,500 students to break free from perfectionism and the social media comparison trap. In this episode, we discuss: • Navigating High-Stakes Pressure: Handling stress in gymnastics, pageantry, and academics without letting perfectionism take over. • Overcoming Body Dysmorphia: Unlearning toxic body image standards from elite sports and redefining self-worth beyond external performance. • Pivoting After Injury: How facing a sudden life shift built the resilience needed to lead, advocate, and rebuild identity. • Protecting Youth Mental Health: The biggest struggles facing today's youth and actionable tools for parents and coaches to create safer environments. • Everyday Well-being: Non-negotiable mental health habits for daily balance and grounding. Tune in for a candid conversation about self-acceptance, resilience, and learning to define beauty on your own terms. Connect & Support: • Learn More: Visit aurorasuncounseling.com (https://aurorasuncounseling.com/) • Get in Touch: Email us at info@aurorasuncounseling.com or connect with us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. • Support Angelique: Follow her journey to Miss New Jersey, vote for People's Choice, and learn more about her non-profit initiative, You Define Beauty.

    You Define Beauty : Escaping Perfectionism & Performance Pressure

  2. Sep 8

    The Case Files # 1 - Lindsay Clancy

    The Case Files #1: Lindsay Clancy — Postpartum Crisis, Psychosis, and Systemic Red Flags Episode Description / Show Notes: Welcome to the premier episode of The Case Files on The Aurora Sessions: Beyond the Couch! In this debut episode, Theresa Santucci and Lauryn Keenan, friend of Theresa’s, takes a deep, clinical look into the heartbreaking and highly publicized Lindsay Clancy case. Moving past sensationalized headlines, we analyze the critical intersections of maternal mental health, the psychological realities of postpartum psychosis versus postpartum crisis, and the systemic red flags within healthcare systems. In this episode, we discuss: • The clinical definitions and crucial distinctions between postpartum depression, crisis, and psychosis. • Examining the Lindsay Clancy investigation through a mental health lens. • Identifying systemic gaps and warning signs in perinatal care. DISCLAIMER: The content provided in The Case Files is intended strictly for educational, conversational, and entertainment purposes. Host commentary is based on publicly available information and does not constitute formal expert testimony, legal evaluation, or individualized clinical advice. Participation in or listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship. If you or someone you know is in distress or experiencing a mental health emergency, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or contact a medical professional immediately.

    The Case Files # 1 - Lindsay Clancy

  3. Jun 2

    Episode 22 - The Woman Behind Miss New Jersey

    Behind the crown is a woman with a story. 👑✨ In this episode of The Aurora Sessions: Beyond the Couch, we sit down with Belle Nicholas, Miss New Jersey 2025, graduate student in clinical psychology, mental health advocate, and founder of Shout Our Struggle. Together, we talk about the realities behind the title — balancing leadership, advocacy, graduate school, mental health, and the pressure that often comes with being seen as “put together.” Belle opens up about her journey through anxiety and depression, how she turned struggle into purpose, and what authenticity truly looks like behind the spotlight. This conversation is honest, empowering, emotional, and deeply human. 🤍 🎧 Listen now wherever you stream podcasts. #AuroraSessions #BeyondTheCouch #MentalHealthAwareness #MissNewJersey #BelleNicholas #MentalHealthAdvocate #Podcast #WomenEmpoweringWomen #TherapyConversations #Authenticity #Healing #AuroraSunCounseling

    Episode 22 - The Woman Behind Miss New Jersey

  4. May 26

    Episode 21 - Beyond Achievement

    In this episode of The Aurora Sessions: Beyond the Couch, Theresa sits down with Jackie Ramos — performer, high-achieving student, mental health advocate, and former Miss New Jersey Teen Volunteer 2025 — for an honest conversation about identity, pressure, and growing up under high expectations. Jackie opens up about balancing academics, theatre, dance, leadership, and pageantry while navigating the emotional weight that often exists behind achievement. Together, they explore the “tiger cub” mentality, the connection between performance and self-worth, and what it means to redefine success on your own terms. The conversation moves beyond titles and accomplishments into the realities many young people quietly carry: anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, and the pressure to always appear okay. Jackie shares how she’s learning to give herself compassion, find balance, and embrace authenticity both on and off the stage. With warmth, humor, and vulnerability, this episode reminds listeners that even the most accomplished people are still learning who they are beyond the applause. 🎧 Topics include: • High achievement & mental health • Identity beyond performance • Theatre, dance & pageantry life • Family expectations & self-worth • Anxiety, stress & perfectionism • Self-compassion & authenticity • Growing up in today’s emotional climate Whether you’re a parent, performer, student, or someone trying to untangle your worth from your productivity, this conversation offers honesty, insight, and connection.

    Episode 21 - Beyond Achievement

  5. May 5

    Episode 20 Part 2 - A Night with Nor'Easter Nick

    Part two of our live conversation with Nor’Easter Nick picks up where things get even more real—diving into identity, relationships, addiction, and what it truly means to weather life’s storms. We explore the complexities of self-discovery through Nick’s experiences with dating, connection, and learning self-worth while still figuring out who he was. There’s humor, honesty, and a raw look at what it means to want love while still learning yourself. The conversation then shifts into deeper waters—supporting a loved one through addiction, navigating guilt, and understanding the difference between responsibility and control. Nick shares what it looks like to set boundaries without losing compassion, and how to sit with the “what ifs” that don’t always have answers. We also connect his career in meteorology to emotional regulation—what it’s like to stay grounded in high-pressure moments, both on air and in life. From weather anxiety to parenting through fear, this episode offers tangible insight into managing uncertainty and finding steadiness when things feel out of control. Closing out the night, we talk about self-care, sobriety, and what it looks like to move forward with clarity and intention. If part one was about understanding the storm, part two is about learning how to live through it.

    Episode 20 Part 2 - A Night with Nor'Easter Nick

  6. Apr 28

    Episode 20 Part 1 - A Night with Nor'Easter Nick

    At The Aurora Sessions: Beyond the Couch, we create space for the conversations people don’t always say out loud. With Nor’Easter Nick Pittman, we talked about identity, early life experiences, resilience, and the moments that quietly shape who we become. There were laughs. There were real moments. And there were stories that remind us we’re not alone in any of it. This is just the beginning.

    Episode 20 Part 1 - A Night with Nor'Easter Nick

  7. Apr 7

    Episode 19 - Part 2 Life After The Big Leagues

    Episode 19 Part 2 with Brandon Duckworth ⚾️ The conversation continues… and this one goes deeper. From Opening Day memories to the mindset it takes to stay in the game — Brandon shares real, unfiltered insight on resilience, pressure, and what it actually means to show up when it matters most. Plus, advice for parents raising athletes, lessons from the highs and lows, and why your identity has to be bigger than the spotlight. 🔥 This episode also features a special Q&A with rising athletes — real questions from youth in the game, answered with honesty, perspective, and advice they can carry both on and off the field. If you caught Part 1, you already know… Part 2 is where it all connects. 🎧 Link below or get it wherever you stream. #AuroraSessions #BeyondTheCouch #MentalHealthMatters #AthleteMindset #OpeningDay #ParentingAthletes #NextGeneration

    Episode 19 - Part 2 Life After The Big Leagues

  8. Mar 24

    Episode 19 - Life After The Big Leagues

    In Episode 19 of The Aurora Sessions: Beyond the Couch, we sit down with former MLB pitcher Brandon Duckworth to talk about what happens after the dream. From the highs of playing in the big leagues to the identity shifts that come with stepping away from the game, Brandon opens up about: ⚾ Transitioning out of professional sports ⚾ Finding purpose beyond performance ⚾ Reinventing yourself when your role changes ⚾ The mental side of success, pressure, and starting over ⚾ Valuable advice for parents supporting their children through sports and life transitions This conversation goes far beyond baseball — it’s about resilience, growth, and navigating change. If you’ve ever faced a life pivot, or you’re a parent guiding your child through theirs, this one is for you. 🎧 Now streaming on all platforms #TheAuroraSessions #BeyondTheCouch #MentalHealthMatters #LifeTransitions #AthleteMindset #Resilience #BrandonDuckworth #ParentingSupport

    Episode 19 - Life After The Big Leagues
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Life is hard. Let's talk about it. Welcome to The Aurora Sessions, Beyond the Couch—where we take the stressors that come up in session and bring them into conversation, beyond the couch. This is the space where real talk meets real life. We dive into the challenges we all face, unpack the weight of everyday stress, and explore what it means to take care of your mental health—no matter what stage of life you're in. Through psychoeducation, raw stories, and interviews with people across different industries and walks of life, we explore how they navigate their own mental wellness. We’ll also weigh in on current events, pop culture, and the ever-evolving dialogue around mental health—with plenty of room for your questions, insights, and lived experiences. This isn't therapy, but it’s definitely therapeutic. Let’s take the hard parts of life—and talk through them, together.

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