Therapy Meets Soul

Dr. Dena Galinato

Welcome to Therapy Meets Soul, the podcast where psychology meets deeper healing. Hosted by Dr. Dena, a licensed clinical psychologist. Each week, we'll explore trauma, attachment, nervous system regulation, relationships, boundaries, self worth, and emotional healing through the lens of both clinical psychology and holistic wellness. Whether you're in therapy, curious about healing, or simply ready to understand yourself on a deeper level, you belong here.

  1. 5d ago

    S2 EP 5: The Psychology of Parenting Guilt: Can You Love Your Kids But Hate Parenting?

    You love your children more than anything but some days, you don't actually enjoy being a parent. In this episode of Therapy Meets Soul, clinical psychologist Dr. Dena opens up a conversation that many parents are afraid to have: what happens when you love your children but don't always enjoy parenting? In this episode, we cover Can you love your children deeply but not enjoy being a parent?Why you feel guilty for wanting a break from your childrenThe difference between parental love, parental satisfaction and parental capacityWhy missing your life before children doesn't necessarily mean you regret having themWhen does ordinary parenting exhaustion become parental burnout?The connection between resentment, unmet needs and the invisible mental loadWhy becoming a parent can leave you feeling like you've lost yourselfThe pressure to be a self sacrificing mother and what it might be costing youExploring whether you’re unhappy with parenting, or the conditions you're expected to parent underWhy children should never feel responsible for their parents happinessHow societal expectations might be contributing to parental guilt and overwhelmWhat it looks like to reconnect with your identity outside of motherhood or fatherhoodConnect with Dr. Dena Learn more about Dr. Dena’s therapy and holistic wellness offerings through Liv Empowered Psychological Services and her wellness studio in Temecula. Website: www.liv-empowered.com TikTok: @liv.empowered Instagram: @livempowerdpsychservices Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LivEmpoweredPsychServices Schedule a class at the studio: https://www.wellnessliving.com/schedule/liv_empowered_psychological_services Have you ever struggled with parenting guilt, resentment, burnout or feeling like you've lost yourself since becoming a parent? Email therapymeetssoulpodcast@gmail.com with your question, it might inspire a future episode of Therapy Meets Soul. If this episode resonated with you, share it with another parent who might need to hear this conversation, and follow Therapy Meets Soul for more discussions about mental health, relationships and the expectations that shape our lives. Post production: Kellie Ashton Podcast DisclaimerThe information shared on this podcast is intended for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health, medical, psychological, legal, or other professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.Listening to this podcast, viewing related content, or engaging with any materials associated with this podcast does not establish a therapist-client, physician-patient, or any other professional relationship between you and the host, guests, or affiliated organizations.While topics related to mental health, wellness, personal growth, and healing may be discussed, listeners are encouraged to seek the guidance of a qualified professional regarding their individual circumstances. If you believe you may benefit from therapy, counseling, medical care, or crisis support, please consult an appropriately licensed provider.If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, have thoughts of harming yourself or others, or are facing any emergency situation, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately. In the United States, you can also contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 for immediate support.By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own decisions, actions, and well-being, and that the host, guests, and affiliated organizations are not liable for any outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of information presented on this podcast.

  2. Oct 19

    S2 EP 4:Why You Feel More Comfortable Talking to ChatGPT Than People

    Have you ever told ChatGPT something you haven't even told your best friend? In this episode of Therapy Meets Soul, Dr. Dena explores the psychology behind our growing reliance on artificial intelligence for emotional support, relationship advice and companionship and asking the question whether we are using it to become better at being human or making it easier to avoid the parts of being human that are hard. In this episode, we cover: Why are more people turning to AI for emotional support?What makes talking to ChatGPT feel safer than talking to another person?The difference between feeling understood and being understoodCould AI be validating your feelings without challenging your perspective?Why the advice that feels best isn't always the advice you needWhat psychological research reveals about AI, loneliness and emotional dependenceCan AI make you feel less lonely without helping you build meaningful connections?Are we starting to expect too much from our human relationships?What happens when your partner can't communicate as effortlessly as a chatbot?The difference between immediate emotional relief and long term emotional growthHow can you tell whether AI is supporting your relationships or replacing something you're missing?Connect with Dr. Dena Learn more about Dr. Dena’s therapy and holistic wellness offerings through Liv Empowered Psychological Services and her wellness studio in Temecula. Website: www.liv-empowered.com TikTok: @liv.empowered Instagram: @livempowerdpsychservices Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LivEmpoweredPsychServices Schedule a class at the studio: https://www.wellnessliving.com/schedule/liv_empowered_psychological_services Have you ever turned to AI for emotional support, relationship advice or help processing your feelings? Did this episode leave you questioning how AI might be influencing your relationships? Email therapymeetssoulpodcast@gmail.com with your question, it might inspire a future episode of Therapy Meets Soul. If this episode made you think differently about how you're using AI, follow the show and share it with someone who's ever turned to ChatGPT for a little emotional support. Post production: Kellie Ashton Podcast DisclaimerThe information shared on this podcast is intended for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health, medical, psychological, legal, or other professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.Listening to this podcast, viewing related content, or engaging with any materials associated with this podcast does not establish a therapist-client, physician-patient, or any other professional relationship between you and the host, guests, or affiliated organizations.While topics related to mental health, wellness, personal growth, and healing may be discussed, listeners are encouraged to seek the guidance of a qualified professional regarding their individual circumstances. If you believe you may benefit from therapy, counseling, medical care, or crisis support, please consult an appropriately licensed provider.If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, have thoughts of harming yourself or others, or are facing any emergency situation, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately. In the United States, you can also contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 for immediate support.By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own decisions, actions, and well-being, and that the host, guests, and affiliated organizations are not liable for any outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of information presented on this podcast.

  3. Oct 12

    S2 EP 3: Your Relationship With the Relationship: Is It Love, Loyalty or Conditioning?

    Who taught you what love was supposed to look like? In this episode of Therapy Meets Soul, Dr. Dena asks you to stop focusing on the person you're in a relationship with and instead examine your relationship with the relationship itself. From romantic partners and lifelong friends to parents, siblings and children, Dr. Dena explores how family, culture, religion and social media can quietly shape what we believe love, loyalty, commitment and forgiveness are supposed to require from us. In this episode, we cover: Who actually taught you what love is supposed to look like?When love and sacrifice become self abandonmentWhy loving someone doesn't always mean the relationship is healthyThe difference between loyalty and obligationWhy the length of a relationship doesn't necessarily tell you its qualityAre you attached to the person or the history and potential of the relationship?Why some relationships become part of our identityThe pressure behind “but they're family…”Does forgiveness always have to mean reconciliation?When boundaries feel like rejection, abandonment or selfishnessWhat your body might know about a relationship before your mind doesThe five questions that might completely change how you look at your relationshipsConnect with Dr. Dena Learn more about Dr. Dena’s therapy and holistic wellness offerings through Liv Empowered Psychological Services and her wellness studio in Temecula. Website: www.liv-empowered.com TikTok: @liv.empowered Instagram: @livempowerdpsychservices Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LivEmpoweredPsychServices Schedule a class at the studio: https://www.wellnessliving.com/schedule/liv_empowered_psychological_services Did this episode bring up a question about relationships, family dynamics, boundaries, loyalty, forgiveness or the beliefs you’ve inherited about love? Email therapymeetssoulpodcast@gmail.com with your question, it might inspire a future episode of Therapy Meets Soul. If this episode made you question what you’ve been taught about love, loyalty or relationships, follow the show and share this episode with someone who might need to hear it too. Post production: Kellie Ashton Podcast DisclaimerThe information shared on this podcast is intended for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health, medical, psychological, legal, or other professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.Listening to this podcast, viewing related content, or engaging with any materials associated with this podcast does not establish a therapist-client, physician-patient, or any other professional relationship between you and the host, guests, or affiliated organizations.While topics related to mental health, wellness, personal growth, and healing may be discussed, listeners are encouraged to seek the guidance of a qualified professional regarding their individual circumstances. If you believe you may benefit from therapy, counseling, medical care, or crisis support, please consult an appropriately licensed provider.If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, have thoughts of harming yourself or others, or are facing any emergency situation, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately. In the United States, you can also contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 for immediate support.By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own decisions, actions, and well-being, and that the host, guests, and affiliated organizations are not liable for any outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of information presented on this podcast.

  4. Oct 5

    S2 EP 2: How Is Social Media Affecting Teenage Girls? A 13 Year Old Tells Us the Truth

    What is it actually like being a teenage girl growing up with social media? In this episode of Therapy Meets Soul, Dr. Dena welcomes her very first guest, her daughter, Olivia for an honest mother daughter conversation about social media and its impact on teenage girls. Olivia shares the struggles teenage girls are experiencing online and Dr. Dena explores how comparison, low self esteem and the pressure to perform can follow us into adulthood and why social media isn't always the whole story. In this episode, we cover: How social media is affecting teenage girls' confidence and self esteemThe pressure to look, dress and act a certain way onlineWhy comparison now extends beyond posts to likes, comments, saves and repostsWhat it feels like to try to figure out who you are while simultaneously trying to fit inThe difference between looking confident and actually feeling confidentHow social media can negatively influence girls while also inspiring individualityWhy popularity doesn't necessarily equal belonging or genuine friendshipWhat makes teenage friendships feel safeWhy you can feel lonely even when you're surrounded by peopleWhat adults misunderstand about teenagers and their phonesWhy blaming everything on social media can sometimes prevent a teenager's real struggles from being heardThe importance of continuing to ask for help, even when you don't feel heardWhy “just be yourself” might be far more complicated and important than it soundsConnect with Dr. Dena Learn more about Dr. Dena’s therapy and holistic wellness offerings through Liv Empowered Psychological Services and her wellness studio in Temecula. Website: www.liv-empowered.com TikTok: @liv.empowered Instagram: @livempowerdpsychservices Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LivEmpoweredPsychServices Schedule a class at the studio: https://www.wellnessliving.com/schedule/liv_empowered_psychological_services Got a question for Dr. Dena? Did this conversation bring up a question about social media, teenagers, parenting, confidence, friendships or mental health? Email therapymeetssoulpodcast@gmail.com with your question, it might inspire a future episode of Therapy Meets Soul. If this episode made you think differently about what it’s like to grow up as a teenage girl today, follow the show and share this episode with a parent, caregiver or teen who needs to hear this conversation. Post production: Kellie Ashton Podcast DisclaimerThe information shared on this podcast is intended for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health, medical, psychological, legal, or other professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.Listening to this podcast, viewing related content, or engaging with any materials associated with this podcast does not establish a therapist-client, physician-patient, or any other professional relationship between you and the host, guests, or affiliated organizations.While topics related to mental health, wellness, personal growth, and healing may be discussed, listeners are encouraged to seek the guidance of a qualified professional regarding their individual circumstances. If you believe you may benefit from therapy, counseling, medical care, or crisis support, please consult an appropriately licensed provider.If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, have thoughts of harming yourself or others, or are facing any emergency situation, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately. In the United States, you can also contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 for immediate support.By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own decisions, actions, and well-being, and that the host, guests, and affiliated organizations are not liable for any outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of information presented on this podcast.

  5. Sep 28

    S2 EP 1: Collective Trauma: Are You Carrying Trauma That Isn’t Yours?

    Welcome to Season 2 of Therapy Meets Soul and this season, Dr. Dena is zooming out. After spending Season 1 exploring individual healing, we're looking beyond “What's wrong with me?” and asking a different question: “What happened around me?” In this episode, Dr Dena explores collective trauma, intergenerational trauma and how the experiences of our families, communities and cultures can shape our beliefs, behaviours, relationships and sense of safety sometimes without us even realising it. In this episode, we cover: What collective trauma actually is and how it differs from individual traumaHow trauma can impact families, communities and entire generationsWhy two people can experience the same traumatic event completely differentlyDr Dena's personal experience of collective traumaWhy trauma doesn't just live in the event, it lives in the afterHow our families and communities can shape our beliefs around safety, money, relationships, trust and vulnerabilityWhat intergenerational trauma is and how behaviours can be passed down without us realisingHow learned survival responses can eventually become patterns that no longer serve usThe idea of a collective nervous systemIndividual regulation vs co regulationWhy humans aren't designed to heal completely in isolationMoving from “What's wrong with me?” to “What happened around me?”How understanding your past can help you decide what you no longer want to carry forwardConnect with Dr Dena Learn more about Dr. Dena’s therapy and holistic wellness offerings through Liv Empowered Psychological Services and her wellness studio in Temecula. Website: ⁠www.liv-empowered.com⁠ TikTok: @liv.empowered IG: @livempowerdpsychservices Facebook:⁠https://www.facebook.com/LivEmpoweredPsychServices⁠ Schedule a class at my studio:⁠https://www.wellnessliving.com/schedule/liv_empowered_psychological_services⁠ Email: ⁠therapymeetssoulpodcast@gmail.com⁠ If this episode resonated with you, like it, follow me or share it with someone. Post production: Kellie Ashton Podcast DisclaimerThe information shared on this podcast is intended for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health, medical, psychological, legal, or other professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.Listening to this podcast, viewing related content, or engaging with any materials associated with this podcast does not establish a therapist-client, physician-patient, or any other professional relationship between you and the host, guests, or affiliated organizations.While topics related to mental health, wellness, personal growth, and healing may be discussed, listeners are encouraged to seek the guidance of a qualified professional regarding their individual circumstances. If you believe you may benefit from therapy, counseling, medical care, or crisis support, please consult an appropriately licensed provider.If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, have thoughts of harming yourself or others, or are facing any emergency situation, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately. In the United States, you can also contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 for immediate support.By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own decisions, actions, and well-being, and that the host, guests, and affiliated organizations are not liable for any outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of information presented on this podcast.

  6. Sep 14

    S1 EP 10: How to Find Yourself Again: You Don’t Need to Reinvent Yourself, You Need to Come Back to Yourself

    What if you were never actually lost? What if you've just spent so long becoming who everyone else needed you to be that you've forgotten what it feels like to simply be you? In the Season 1 finale of Therapy Meets Soul, Dr. Dena brings everything back home. From people pleasing and perfectionism to overthinking, hyper independence and emotional suppression, Dr. Dena explores how the behaviours you criticise yourself for today may have once been the very things that helped you survive. But what once protected you can eventually keep you disconnected from who you really are. This episode isn't about reinventing yourself. It's about getting curious about who you were before the expectations, roles and performances took over and slowly finding your way back to you. In this episode, we cover: The difference between healthy growth and self rejectionWhy you don't need to “fix” yourself before you're worthy of love, rest or peaceHow people pleasing, perfectionism, hyper independence, overthinking and emotional suppression can become protective adaptationsWhy you shouldn't shame the version of yourself that helped you surviveHow outdated coping strategies can keep you disconnected from yourselfThe cost of becoming who everyone else needs you to beWhy you sometimes need to set boundaries with yourselfHow social media can encourage us to perform our identity rather than live itHow to reconnect with the parts of yourself you've lost along the wayDr. Dena's return list of journal prompts to help you come back to yourselfHow small acts of authenticity can rebuild your relationship with yourselfHow to use your mind, body and soul to recognise what true alignment feels likeWhy finding yourself isn't about becoming someone new it's about coming home to who you've always been.Connect with Dr. Dena Learn more about Dr. Dena’s therapy and holistic wellness offerings through Liv Empowered Psychological Services and her wellness studio in Temecula. Website: ⁠www.liv-empowered.com⁠ TikTok: @liv.empowered IG: @livempowerdpsychservices Facebook:⁠https://www.facebook.com/LivEmpoweredPsychServices⁠ Schedule a class at my studio:⁠https://www.wellnessliving.com/schedule/liv_empowered_psychological_services⁠ Email: ⁠therapymeetssoulpodcast@gmail.com⁠ If this episode resonated with you, like it, follow me or share it with someone who's always described as "the strong one." Post production: Kellie Ashton Podcast Disclaimer The information shared on this podcast is intended for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health, medical, psychological, legal, or other professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening to this podcast, viewing related content, or engaging with any materials associated with this podcast does not establish a therapist-client, physician-patient, or any other professional relationship between you and the host, guests, or affiliated organizations. While topics related to mental health, wellness, personal growth, and healing may be discussed, listeners are encouraged to seek the guidance of a qualified professional regarding their individual circumstances. If you believe you may benefit from therapy, counseling, medical care, or crisis support, please consult an appropriately licensed provider. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, have thoughts of harming yourself or others, or are facing any emergency situation, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately. In the United States, you can also contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 for immediate support. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own decisions, actions, and well-being, and that the host, guests, and affiliated organizations are not liable for any outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of information presented on this podcast.

  7. Aug 31

    S1 EP 9: Why You Overthink Everything And How to Break the Cycle

    What if overthinking isn’t actually the problem? In this episode of Therapy Meets Soul, Dr. Dena challenges the label so many of us casually give ourselves: “I’m just an overthinker” She explores what may actually be happening underneath the endless analysing and breaks down why overthinking can feel productive while actually keeping you stuck. And most importantly, she explores how to stop trying to predict every possible outcome and start trusting yourself to handle whatever happens next. In this episode, we cover: Why being an “overthinker” might not be your personality at allThe relationship between overthinking, anxiety and intolerance of uncertaintyRumination vs productive thinking and how to recognise which one you’re doingWhy your brain can create an entire story from information it simply doesn't haveHow overthinking becomes an unhealthy coping mechanism for anxietyWhy overthinking gives you the feeling of control without actually giving you controlHow reassurance seeking can become “emotional Tylenol”Why compulsive reassurance can actually keep anxiety aliveWhy not every change in someone's behaviour is automatically a red flagThe difference between intuition and anxiety and why anxiety is bloody good at masquerading as intuitionHow to separate facts from the stories you're creating around themConnect with Dr Dena Learn more about Dr. Dena’s therapy and holistic wellness offerings through Liv Empowered Psychological Services and her wellness studio in Temecula. Website: ⁠www.liv-empowered.com⁠ TikTok: @liv.empowered IG: @livempowerdpsychservices Facebook:⁠https://www.facebook.com/LivEmpoweredPsychServices⁠ Schedule a class at my studio:⁠https://www.wellnessliving.com/schedule/liv_empowered_psychological_services⁠ Email: ⁠therapymeetssoulpodcast@gmail.com⁠ If this episode resonated with you, like it, follow me or share it with someone who's always described as "the strong one." Post production: Kellie Ashton Podcast Disclaimer The information shared on this podcast is intended for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health, medical, psychological, legal, or other professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening to this podcast, viewing related content, or engaging with any materials associated with this podcast does not establish a therapist-client, physician-patient, or any other professional relationship between you and the host, guests, or affiliated organizations. While topics related to mental health, wellness, personal growth, and healing may be discussed, listeners are encouraged to seek the guidance of a qualified professional regarding their individual circumstances. If you believe you may benefit from therapy, counseling, medical care, or crisis support, please consult an appropriately licensed provider. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, have thoughts of harming yourself or others, or are facing any emergency situation, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately. In the United States, you can also contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 for immediate support. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own decisions, actions, and well-being, and that the host, guests, and affiliated organizations are not liable for any outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of information presented on this podcast.

  8. Aug 17

    S1 EP 8: Are You Addicted to Validation? Why External Approval Is Destroying Your Self Trust

    What if you’re not addicted to your phone but you’re addicted to the possibility of being validated by what’s on it? In this episode of Therapy Meets Soul, Dr. Dena explores our growing dependence on external validation from social media likes and reassurance in relationships to needing other people to confirm that our feelings, choices and opinions are “right." In this episode, we cover: Why validation is a normal human need and when it becomes unhealthyThe difference between healthy validation and validation addictionWhy you might not be addicted to social media, but addicted to approvalHow likes, comments and notifications create a dopamine driven validation loopWhy reassurance temporarily reduces anxiety but can increase self doubt over timeHow validation seeking shows up in romantic relationshipsWhy your partner cannot be responsible for regulating your self worthHow therapy language like trauma, gaslighting, narcissist, boundaries and triggers can become weapons when accountability disappearsWhy being validated doesn’t automatically mean you're rightThe danger of assembling a “jury” of friends and family every time you argue with your partnerThe difference between confidence and self trustHow to stop outsourcing your decisions and start developing your own internal compassPractical mind, body and soul exercises for breaking the validation cycle and learning to tolerate uncertaintyConnect with Dr Dena Learn more about Dr. Dena’s therapy and holistic wellness offerings through Liv Empowered Psychological Services and her wellness studio in Temecula. Website: ⁠www.liv-empowered.com⁠ TikTok: @liv.empowered IG: @livempowerdpsychservices Facebook:⁠https://www.facebook.com/LivEmpoweredPsychServices⁠ Schedule a class at my studio:⁠https://www.wellnessliving.com/schedule/liv_empowered_psychological_services⁠ Email: ⁠therapymeetssoulpodcast@gmail.com⁠ If this episode resonated with you, like it, follow me or share it with someone who's always described as "the strong one." Post production: Kellie Ashton Podcast Disclaimer The information shared on this podcast is intended for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health, medical, psychological, legal, or other professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening to this podcast, viewing related content, or engaging with any materials associated with this podcast does not establish a therapist-client, physician-patient, or any other professional relationship between you and the host, guests, or affiliated organizations. While topics related to mental health, wellness, personal growth, and healing may be discussed, listeners are encouraged to seek the guidance of a qualified professional regarding their individual circumstances. If you believe you may benefit from therapy, counseling, medical care, or crisis support, please consult an appropriately licensed provider. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, have thoughts of harming yourself or others, or are facing any emergency situation, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately. In the United States, you can also contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 for immediate support. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own decisions, actions, and well-being, and that the host, guests, and affiliated organizations are not liable for any outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of information presented on this podcast.

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About

Welcome to Therapy Meets Soul, the podcast where psychology meets deeper healing. Hosted by Dr. Dena, a licensed clinical psychologist. Each week, we'll explore trauma, attachment, nervous system regulation, relationships, boundaries, self worth, and emotional healing through the lens of both clinical psychology and holistic wellness. Whether you're in therapy, curious about healing, or simply ready to understand yourself on a deeper level, you belong here.