Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk

Melisa DeMahy and Courtnie Vargas-Rodriguez
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Join therapists Melisa and Courtnie for real, unfiltered conversations about mental health, healing, and the beautifully chaotic mess of everyday life. This is where honesty meets humor, and no topic is off-limits. From professional insights to personal anecdotes, they’ll remind you that you’re not alone—because healing gets a little easier when we do it together.

  1. 2d ago

    50. When Your Identity Changes Faster Than You're Ready For

    Who are you when the life you built no longer looks the same? Big life changes don't just change our circumstances. They change our identity. Whether it's becoming a parent, getting married, moving to a new city, changing careers, losing weight, healing from trauma, getting divorced, or becoming an empty nester, many people quietly struggle with one question: "Who am I now?" In this episode of Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, therapists Courtnie and Melissa explore the psychology of identity transitions, why they can feel so disorienting, and how to reconnect with yourself after life changes. We discuss the grief of letting go of old versions of yourself, why many people feel lost after reaching long-awaited goals, and how to build an identity that's rooted in your values instead of your roles. If you've ever looked in the mirror and felt like you've become someone you don't quite recognize, this episode is for you. 🎙️ Hosted by therapists from Strong Mind Mental Health. — 📱 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/strongmindmh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — 🌐 VISIT OUR WEBSITE:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongmindmh.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — 🎵 INTRO MUSIC: “Good Night” by FASSounds — DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this podcast, Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as therapy or a substitute for advice from a qualified professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and the hosts or Strong Mind Mental Health, LLC. If you want to read more, check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Media Disclaimer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

  2. Aug 1

    49. Why Do I Care So Much What People Think? (Part 2): Learning to Trust Yourself

    Last week, we explored why we care so much about what other people think. This week, we're taking the next step: How do we stop letting those opinions control us? In Part 2, therapists Courtnie and Melissa discuss why "just stop caring what people think" is unrealistic advice and what actually helps. We explore self-trust, the inner critic, boundaries, values, and how to become less dependent on external validation without becoming emotionally disconnected from others. If you've ever struggled to speak up, set boundaries, or trust your own judgment, this episode will give you practical ways to strengthen your relationship with yourself. In this episode, we discuss: Why self-trust is the real goalThe difference between confidence and approvalHow to quiet your inner criticWhose voice you're actually hearingPractical ways to build internal validationHow to tolerate being misunderstood 🎙️ Hosted by therapists from Strong Mind Mental Health. — 📱 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/strongmindmh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — 🌐 VISIT OUR WEBSITE:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongmindmh.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — 🎵 INTRO MUSIC: “Good Night” by FASSounds — DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this podcast, Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as therapy or a substitute for advice from a qualified professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and the hosts or Strong Mind Mental Health, LLC. If you want to read more, check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Media Disclaimer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

  3. Jul 25

    48. Why Do I Care So Much What People Think? (Part 1)

    Have you ever replayed a conversation in your head, wondering if you said the wrong thing? Or found yourself worrying about what someone thinks of you, even when you barely know them? If so, you're not alone. In Part 1 of this conversation, therapists Courtnie and Melissa explore why humans are wired to care about other people's opinions. We discuss the evolutionary need for belonging, how childhood experiences and attachment styles shape our sensitivity to criticism, why rejection can feel so painful, and how social media has amplified our need for validation. Understanding why we care is the first step toward changing our relationship with other people's opinions. In this episode, we discuss: Why humans are wired to seek acceptanceHow childhood experiences shape self-worthAttachment styles and fear of rejectionWhy criticism sticks more than complimentsHow social media fuels comparison and validation seekingWhen caring what people think becomes unhealthy Next week, we'll explore how to build self-trust, quiet your inner critic, and stop letting other people's opinions define your life. 🎙️ Hosted by therapists from Strong Mind Mental Health. — 📱 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/strongmindmh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — 🌐 VISIT OUR WEBSITE:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongmindmh.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — 🎵 INTRO MUSIC: “Good Night” by FASSounds — DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this podcast, Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as therapy or a substitute for advice from a qualified professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and the hosts or Strong Mind Mental Health, LLC. If you want to read more, check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Media Disclaimer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

  4. Jul 11

    47. What Reality TV Gets Right About Relationships

    What shows like Love Island reveal about dating, attachment, conflict, and why we're all so invested. Whether you've watched Love Island, Love Is Blind, or Married at First Sight, there's a reason these relationships spark so many debates. It's not just about the drama. It's because we see ourselves in them. In this episode of Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, we explore what reality dating shows actually get right about relationships. We discuss why people ignore red flags, why chemistry can cloud judgment, how transparency builds trust, and why the internet can watch the same couple and come to completely different conclusions. Using popular reality TV dynamics as a starting point, we break down attachment styles, communication, accountability, emotional safety, and the psychology behind the relationships everyone loves to debate. Whether you're watching for entertainment or secretly analyzing every interaction, this episode will have you looking at reality TV and your own relationships in a completely different way. 🎙️ Hosted by therapists from Strong Mind Mental Health. — 📱 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/strongmindmh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — 🌐 VISIT OUR WEBSITE:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongmindmh.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — 🎵 INTRO MUSIC: “Good Night” by FASSounds — DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this podcast, Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as therapy or a substitute for advice from a qualified professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and the hosts or Strong Mind Mental Health, LLC. If you want to read more, check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Media Disclaimer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

  5. Jun 27

    46. The Pressure to Heal Perfectly: Why You're Still Getting Triggered (And That's Okay)

    Have we turned healing into another impossible standard? In this episode of Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, we explore the growing pressure to "heal the right way" and why so many people feel like they're failing at therapy when they still experience anxiety, triggers, setbacks, or emotional reactions. We discuss how social media has unintentionally turned healing into something to perfect, why progress isn't measured by never struggling again, and how true emotional growth often looks very different than people expect. If you've ever thought, "I should be over this by now," or felt guilty for getting triggered after years of personal growth, this episode is for you. In this episode, we discuss: The pressure to heal perfectlyWhy triggers don't mean you're failingTherapy, setbacks, and realistic expectationsHealing vs. performing wellnessHow to measure real emotional growthGiving yourself permission to be human 🎙️ Hosted by therapists from Strong Mind Mental Health. — 📱 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/strongmindmh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — 🌐 VISIT OUR WEBSITE:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongmindmh.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — 🎵 INTRO MUSIC: “Good Night” by FASSounds — DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this podcast, Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as therapy or a substitute for advice from a qualified professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and the hosts or Strong Mind Mental Health, LLC. If you want to read more, check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Media Disclaimer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

  6. Jun 20

    45. The Red Flags We Ignore (And Why We Ignore Them)

    Are you missing red flags in dating, or are you explaining them away? In this episode of Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, we explore the dating red flags people often ignore, rationalize, or mistake for chemistry. We discuss the difference between a true red flag and a normal human flaw, why attraction can cloud judgment, and the warning signs therapists believe deserve more attention. We also dive into accountability, inconsistency, love bombing, boundary pushing, emotional maturity, and the green flags that often get overlooked because they don't create the same intensity. If you've ever looked back on a relationship and thought, "The signs were there all along," this episode is for you. In this episode, we discuss: Dating red flags that actually matterWhy people ignore warning signsLove bombing and inconsistencyChemistry vs compatibilityGreen flags people overlookRed flags to watch for in yourself while dating 🎙️ Hosted by therapists from Strong Mind Mental Health. — 📱 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/strongmindmh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — 🌐 VISIT OUR WEBSITE:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongmindmh.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — 🎵 INTRO MUSIC: “Good Night” by FASSounds — DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this podcast, Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as therapy or a substitute for advice from a qualified professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and the hosts or Strong Mind Mental Health, LLC. If you want to read more, check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Media Disclaimer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

  7. Jun 14

    44. The Traits That Make You an Incredible Partner... and Sometimes Put You at Risk

    What if the very qualities that make you an incredible partner are also the ones putting you at risk? In this episode of Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, we explore how some of the most admired relationship traits, including empathy, loyalty, forgiveness, commitment, and resilience, can sometimes become vulnerabilities when they aren't balanced with healthy boundaries. We discuss why good people often give too many chances, stay in relationships longer than they should, and find themselves carrying emotional responsibilities that were never theirs to begin with. We unpack the difference between supporting someone and rescuing them, compassion and self-abandonment, loyalty and self-sacrifice, and why some of the strongest people struggle the most with walking away. If you've ever found yourself over-explaining someone else's behavior, believing that if you just tried harder things would get better, or feeling guilty for putting yourself first, this episode is for you. Because the goal isn't to become less loving, less trusting, or less compassionate. The goal is to learn how to protect those gifts without losing yourself in the process. Because being a good partner should never require sacrificing yourself to keep a relationship alive. ❤️ 🎙️ Hosted by therapists from Strong Mind Mental Health. — 📱 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/strongmindmh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — 🌐 VISIT OUR WEBSITE:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongmindmh.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — 🎵 INTRO MUSIC: “Good Night” by FASSounds — DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this podcast, Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as therapy or a substitute for advice from a qualified professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and the hosts or Strong Mind Mental Health, LLC. If you want to read more, check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Media Disclaimer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

  8. Jun 6

    43. A Little Unhinged: Health Goals, Anxiety, Parenting & The Hundred Tabs Open In Our Minds

    In this episode of Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, we're ditching the outline and having a real conversation about what's been living rent-free in our minds lately. From health and fitness goals to parenting struggles, chronic anxiety, self-care, work responsibilities, and the challenge of finding balance in everyday life, we're talking about the things many people think about but don't always say out loud. Think of this episode as a glimpse into the very real conversations therapists have when we're not actively being therapists. Because sometimes life feels like a hundred tabs open in your brain at the same time, and honestly... that's pretty relatable. If you've ever wondered how to balance your own needs while managing work, family, relationships, and everything else life throws at you, pull up a chair and join the conversation. 🎙️ Hosted by therapists from Strong Mind Mental Health. — 📱 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/strongmindmh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — 🌐 VISIT OUR WEBSITE:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongmindmh.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — 🎵 INTRO MUSIC: “Good Night” by FASSounds — DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this podcast, Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as therapy or a substitute for advice from a qualified professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and the hosts or Strong Mind Mental Health, LLC. If you want to read more, check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Media Disclaimer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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About

Join therapists Melisa and Courtnie for real, unfiltered conversations about mental health, healing, and the beautifully chaotic mess of everyday life. This is where honesty meets humor, and no topic is off-limits. From professional insights to personal anecdotes, they’ll remind you that you’re not alone—because healing gets a little easier when we do it together.

Information

  • Creator
    Melisa DeMahy and Courtnie Vargas-Rodriguez
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Melisa DeMahy and Courtnie Vargas-Rodriguez
  • Show Website
    Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk