This Way In

Collected Sounds Media
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Biweekly

This Way In is a therapist-guided, layperson-led journey into mental health, healing, and self-discovery. Brittney (the therapist) and Amy (the curious one) explore trauma, emotions, and the parts that make us who we are—with compassion and clarity.

  1. 2d ago

    14: Why Am I Panicking? (Symptoms & Diagnoses: Anxiety)

    What does a panic attack actually feel like? How is it different from everyday stress or generalized anxiety? And why can anxiety make you feel like you're having a heart attack when you're perfectly safe? In this episode of This Way In, Amy shares her firsthand experience with panic attacks while Brittney explains what's happening in the brain and body during both panic attacks and generalized anxiety disorder. Together, they explore common symptoms, why anxiety can seem to come out of nowhere, how panic disorder differs from generalized anxiety, and practical grounding techniques that can help calm the nervous system. Whether you've experienced anxiety yourself or want to better understand someone who has, this episode offers compassionate, practical insight into one of the most common mental health conditions. This episode was recorded on March 23, 2026 and released on July 30, 2026. If you prefer to consume your podcasts visually, we also offer video versions on YouTube @thiswayinpodcast or at our website at https://www.thiswayinpodcast.com Chapter Markers 00:25 Intro 01:00 Amy's Past Experiences with Panic Attacks 06:58 Tips for Calming a Panic Attack 15:33 Panic Disorder 29:01 Anxiety Disorder 40:01 Next Time 40:32 Disclaimer  Leave us a voicemail at: https://www.podpage.com/this-way-in/voicemail/   Disclaimer This Way In is a conversation about mental health and wellbeing, not a replacement for therapy. Listening does not create a therapist–client relationship. Please never delay, disregard, or change professional recommendations because of something you hear here.   Credits Co-Produced and Hosted by: Brittney Baxter Dameron and Amy Lotsberg Production, Artwork, and Editing: Amy Lotsberg at Collected Sounds Media, LLC. Theme song. “The Journey” by Melissa West and Mixed/Mastered by Pink Flamingo Home Studio   Thank you for listening, take care of yourselves. We’ll see you next time!

    14: Why Am I Panicking? (Symptoms & Diagnoses: Anxiety)

  2. Jul 15

    13: The Many Faces of ADHD (Symptoms and Diagnoses Series)

    Have you ever wondered if you have ADHD... or if something else might be causing similar symptoms? In this first episode of our new Symptoms & Diagnoses series, licensed therapist Brittney joins Amy to unpack The Many Faces of ADHD. Together they explore the differences between inattentive, hyperactive, and combined presentations of ADHD, why self-diagnosis can be misleading, and how conditions like anxiety, PTSD, and depression can sometimes look remarkably similar. They also discuss what ADHD symptoms actually feel like, why they develop differently from person to person, and how understanding your brain can be a powerful first step toward self-compassion. Whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD, suspect you might have it, or simply want to better understand yourself or someone you love, this episode offers practical insights without judgment. Brittney shares real-world strategies for managing both inattentive and hyperactive symptoms, explains why getting the right diagnosis matters, and reminds us that behind every diagnosis is a unique person, not just a checklist. This episode was released on July 8, 2026. If you prefer to consume your podcasts visually, we also offer video versions on YouTube @thiswayinpodcast or at our website at https://www.thiswayinpodcast.com Chapter Markers 00:23 Intro 11:25 Inattention Symptoms 19:34 Hyperactivity and Impulsivity Symptoms 24:11 Overlap to other Diagnoses 28:14 Being Diagnosed with ADHD 33:50 Ways to Deal with Hyperactivity Symptoms 34:40 Ways to Deal with Inattentive Symptoms 38:53 How We Learn 41:50 Music is Magic 46:03 Managing Symptoms of ADHD 01:02:24 Disclaimer/Outro   Disclaimer This Way In is a conversation about mental health and wellbeing, not a replacement for therapy. Listening does not create a therapist–client relationship. Please never delay, disregard, or change professional recommendations because of something you hear here.   Credits: Co-Produced and Hosted by: Brittney Baxter Dameron and Amy Lotsberg Production, Artwork, and Editing: Amy Lotsberg at Collected Sounds Media, LLC. Theme song. “The Journey” by Melissa West and Mixed/Mastered by Pink Flamingo Home Studio Thank you for listening, take care of yourselves. We’ll see you next time!

    13: The Many Faces of ADHD (Symptoms and Diagnoses Series)

  3. Jun 24

    12: Plaques & Tangles: This Way Into Your Sleep

    Sleep. We all need it. Most of us aren’t getting enough of it. And somehow we still treat it like an optional side quest instead of basic human maintenance. In this episode of This Way In, Amy and Brittney tumble headfirst into the strange, fascinating world of sleep. From circadian rhythms and sleep hygiene to stress dreams, lucid dreaming, REM cycles, and the very real effects poor sleep can have on your brain and body, this conversation wanders through both the science and the deeply human side of what happens when we close our eyes. Amy's Note: At the time we were recording we were having some technicians here installing our furnace. So I had to stop a few times to talk to them, and also the little dog barked incessantly. I tried to cut her out, but it was only possible when I was not talking  They talk about: ·        Why sleep affects far more than just energy levels ·        The connection between sleep and long-term brain health ·        Sleep routines that actually work in real life ·        Why some people are night owls and others aren’t ·        Dream symbolism, lucid dreaming, and those “wait… was that real?” dreams ·        Emotional dreams that stick with you all day ·        Why alarms are basically tiny panic attacks ·        The myth of “catching up” on sleep ·        Dogs who believe breakfast should happen at 5:42 AM sharp   There’s science. There’s woo. There’s laughter. There’s existential dread about dementia. Basically: classic This Way In.   And yes... there is also a very vocal tiny dog making her opinions known throughout portions of the recording. At the time, Amy was also dealing with furnace technicians in the house, so despite editing efforts, some background chaos survived the final cut. Honestly? It feels on-brand for a conversation about disrupted sleep.   So fluff your pillow, silence your notifications (or don’t, we discuss that too), and join us as we wander This Way In… to your sleep. This episode was recorded on February 23, 2026 and released on June 24, 2026.   If you prefer to consume your podcasts visually, we also offer video versions on YouTube @thiswayinpodcast or at our website at https://www.thiswayinpodcast.com   Chapter Markers 00:00:20 Intro 00:01:19 How Important is Sleep 00:12:16 Chronic Lack of Sleep 00:14:18 Sleep Hygiene & Circadian Rhythms 00:19:23 Why Teenagers Need More Sleep 00:21:52 Sleep Cycles, Alarms & Waking Up Groggy 00:29:03 Dreams, Lucid Dreaming & Emotional Processing 00:43:57 Sleep & Brain Health 00:53:01 Getting Your Circadian Rhythm Back on Track 00:56:02 Tools for Falling Asleep 01:04:31 Sleep Paralysis 01:08:49 Dreams vs. Visitations 01:13:33 Wrapping Up   Disclaimer This Way In is a conversation about mental health and wellbeing, not a replacement for therapy. Listening does not create a therapist–client relationship. Please never delay, disregard, or change professional recommendations because of something you hear here.   Credits: Co-Produced and Hosted by: Brittney Baxter Dameron and Amy Lotsberg Production, Artwork, and Editing: Amy Lotsberg at Collected Sounds Media, LLC. Theme song. “The Journey” by Melissa West and Mixed/Mastered by Pink Flamingo Home Studio   Thank you for listening, take care of yourselves. We’ll see you next time!

    12: Plaques & Tangles: This Way Into Your Sleep

  4. Jun 10

    11: To Your Nervous System

    What does it actually mean to “reset your nervous system”? Is that even a real thing… or just another TikTok buzz phrase floating through the algorithm swamp? In this episode, Amy and therapist Brittney Baxter Dameron dig into what the nervous system actually does, why our bodies react the way they do to stress, and why “calming down” is a lot more complicated than somebody yelling “just relax!” from across the room like an emotionally constipated camp counselor. They explore the difference between real threats and perceived threats, how cortisol and adrenaline affect the body, and why chronic stress can leave us feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, anxious, emotionally fried, and stuck in survival mode. The conversation also covers the vagus nerve, fight/flight/freeze responses, and practical ways to give your nervous system a much-needed reprieve during difficult times. Amy shares some of the tools that genuinely help her sleep and regulate stress, including guided sleep meditations, binaural beats, color-noise soundscapes, sleep stories, and even a surprisingly soothing color-by-number app that apparently relaxes her enough to convince her smartwatch she’s unconscious. Which honestly feels like a glowing review. Brittney also explains: ·        Why meditation doesn’t have to look like sitting cross-legged chanting “ohm” ·        How creativity and sensory comfort can help regulate stress ·        Why sleep is one of the most powerful nervous system reprieves we have ·        The difference between healthy coping mechanisms and stress-relief behaviors that create even bigger problems later ·        How to recognize when your body is trying to tell you something important This episode also contains a very honest conversation about living through stressful and uncertain times, navigating fear and helplessness, and finding sustainable ways to care for yourself without shutting down completely. So grab your coziest blanket, your comfort beverage, and maybe a pair of headphones for those binaural beats… and join us as we find our way into the strange, complicated world of stress, survival, and nervous system reprieves.   This episode was recorded on January 26, 2026 and released on June 10, 2026.   If you prefer to consume your podcasts visually, we also offer video versions on YouTube @thiswayinpodcast or at our website at https://www.thiswayinpodcast.com Chapter Markers 00:00:21 Intro 00:00:54 What IS the Nervous System? 00:02:58 “Resetting” Your Nervous System 00:04:38 Controlling our Autonomic Nervous System 00:06:39 Breathing Exercise 00:07:35 “Calm Down” Rarely Works 00:09:56 Tips for Regulating Your Nervous System 00:11:02 Meditation 00:15:38 Binaural Sounds 00:18:47 Other Forms of Meditation 00:21:41 Other Nervous System Reprieves 00:23:03 Stress Responses in Everyday Life 00:25:18 A Cozy Environment 00:26:38 Sleep Hygiene 00:27:39 Cortisol Explained 00:31:57 Healthy Reprieves 00:32:18 Unhealthy Ways to Relieve Stress 00:36:06 Real and Perceived Threats 00:45:57 Credits   Episode links: Leave us a voicemail at: https://www.podpage.com/this-way-in/voicemail/  Please see our blog post for the list of all the podcasts Amy recommends.   Disclaimer This Way In is a conversation about mental health and wellbeing, not a replacement for therapy. Listening does not create a therapist–client relationship. Please never delay, disregard, or change professional recommendations because of something you hear here.   Credits: Co-Produced and Hosted by: Brittney Baxter Dameron and Amy Lotsberg Production, Artwork, and Editing: Amy Lotsberg at Collected Sounds Media, LLC. Theme song. “The Journey” by Melissa West and Mixed/Mastered by Pink Flamingo Home Studio   Thank you for listening, take care of yourselves. We’ll see you next time!

    11: To Your Nervous System

  5. May 27

    10: To Choosing the Right Therapist For You

    WE'RE BACK!!! After a "short" hiatus we are back! Choosing a therapist can feel overwhelming. What do all those letters after their name mean? What’s the difference between therapy and counseling? And how do you know if the person sitting across from you is actually the right fit? In this episode of This Way In, we unpack what therapy really is (and what it definitely isn’t), how to clarify what you want from the process, and how to tell if a therapist is helping you move forward—or if it’s time to try someone new. We also talk about telehealth, online therapy platforms, insurance realities, and the red flags to watch for. If you’ve ever wondered where to start—or whether you’re even “doing therapy right”—this conversation will help you feel more confident taking that next step. This episode was recorded on January 12, 2026 and released on May 27, 2026. If you prefer to consume your podcasts visually, we also offer video versions on YouTube @thiswayinpodcast or at our website at https://www.thiswayinpodcast.com   Chapter Markers 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:53 Therapy vs. Counseling 00:02:15 Credentials and What They Mean 00:06:29What Do You Want Out of Therapy 00:07:59 Reasons for Seeking Therapy 00:10:29 Dialectical behavior Therapy 00:17:16 Looking for Growth? 00:18:27 Looking for Trauma Healing? 00:19:56 Is This a Good Fit? 00:21:13 Reflective Listening 00:23:13 Treatment Plan 00:24:14 Things to Avoid 00:27:31 When it is NOT Therapy 00:30:08 When it’s the Parent’s Responsibility 00:33: 13 Your Responsibility in Therapy 00:36:07 When To Try a New Therapist 00:46:43 Popular Online Therapy Companies 00:51:13 Walking through the Search Process 00:52:57 Insurance or No 00:55:20 End Credits    Episode links:  “How to Behave So Your kids Will Too” by Dr. Sal Severe: https://amzn.to/4cchCEM EMDR International Association: https://www.emdria.org/ Marsha M. Linehan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsha_M._Linehan Leave us a voicemail at: https://www.podpage.com/this-way-in/voicemail/ Amazon links could generate a small commission to the show, at no additional cost to you.   Disclaimer This Way In is a conversation about mental health and wellbeing, not a replacement for therapy. Listening does not create a therapist–client relationship. Please never delay, disregard, or change professional recommendations because of something you hear here.   Credits: Co-Produced and Hosted by: Brittney Baxter Dameron and Amy Lotsberg Production, Artwork, and Editing: Amy Lotsberg at Collected Sounds Media, LLC. Theme song. “The Journey” by Melissa West and Mixed/Mastered by Pink Flamingo Home Studio   Thank you for listening, take care of yourselves. We’ll see you next time!

    10: To Choosing the Right Therapist For You

  6. Jan 14

    9: Parts of Self Series: Logical Part and Series Wrap Up

    In this final episode of our Parts of Self series, we take a deep dive into the Logical Part. We explore what it does best, how it works with other parts, and what happens when it gets pushed out of the driver’s seat.   Logical is not emotionless or cold. When it is unburdened, it helps us problem-solve, reflect without spiraling, and navigate stress in a grounded and realistic way. When it becomes overwhelmed or co-opted by other parts, especially Critical or Protector, it can shut down or begin justifying behaviors that do not actually align with our values.   We also zoom out to look at how all parts work together, why balance matters more than control, and how logical thinking intersects with intuition, spirituality, and lived experience.   As part of the series wrap-up, Brittney walks through a practical overview of Parts of Self work, including how to create a mental meeting space, how to work with parts even if you cannot visualize, why physical sensations are often the clearest signal that parts work is active, and when doing this work on your own is appropriate versus when it is time to bring in a therapist.   We talk honestly about trauma containment, why parts exist in the first place, and how to approach this work safely and compassionately.   This episode brings together everything we have covered in the series and sets the stage for what comes next. This is not the end of the conversation, but a solid place to pause and integrate.   This episode was recorded on January 5, 2026 and released on January 14, 2026.   If you prefer to consume your podcasts visually, we also offer video versions on YouTube @thiswayinpodcast or at our website at https://www.thiswayinpodcast.com     Chapter Markers 00:00:23 Welcome to Your Logical Part 00:00:55 The Logical Part’s Job 00:06:53 Burdened Logical Parts 00:09:49 Logical Parts vs. Intuition 00:16:04 Parts of Self Dream Team 00:20:10 Mental Meeting Spaces 00:25:29 When Sh*t Gets Real 00:28:51 Self-Control 00:29:16 Good vs. poor Mental Health 00:30:53 Aphantasia: Can You Visualize? 00: 39:48 Brittney’s Thank Yous 00:43:52 Disclaimer/Outro 00:44:32 Outro   Episode links: Julie Dubovoy Aguggia: https://juliedubovoy.com/ Fraser's Dissociative Table: https://newhopecounselling.com/psychology/frasers-dissociative-table-technique/ You Are the One You’ve Been Waiting For by Richard Schwartz: https://amzn.to/4gy3NAE Easy Ego State Interventions by Robin Shapiro (accessible and clinician-friendly) https://amzn.to/3IaKkcx EMDR Toolbox by Jim Knipe https://amzn.to/42H3AVP Works by Sandra Paulsen on preverbal trauma The Dynamic Needs Meeting Strategy (DNMS) by Shirley Jean Schmidt MA LPC https://amzn.to/4mugMV3   Leave us a voicemail at: https://www.podpage.com/this-way-in/voicemail/ Amazon links could generate a small commission to the show, at no additional cost to you.   Disclaimer This Way In is a conversation about mental health and wellbeing, not a replacement for therapy. Listening does not create a therapist–client relationship. Please never delay, disregard, or change professional recommendations because of something you hear here.   Credits: Co-Produced and Hosted by: Brittney Baxter Dameron and Amy Lotsberg Production, Artwork, and Editing: Amy Lotsberg at Collected Sounds Media, LLC. Theme song. “The Journey” by Melissa West and Mixed/Mastered by Pink Flamingo Home Studio   Thank you for listening, take care of yourselves. We’ll see you next time!

    9: Parts of Self Series: Logical Part and Series Wrap Up

  7. 12/31/2025

    8: Parts of Self Series: Nurturing Part

    This one is a tearjerker. This week on This Way In, we continue our “Parts of Self” series by diving into the Nurturing Part. We explore how our inner nurturer shows up, how it gets shaped (and sometimes burdened) by gender roles and life experience, and what it really means to love and be loved. Amy shares a vulnerable and timely story about navigating care for her mom, while Brittney offers deep insights into what happens when our nurturing part is overworked, unauthentic, or misunderstood.   We also touch on topics like: The dynamic between nurturing and protector partsWhat happens when nurturing goes too far (hello, savior complex)Gender norms around who gets to be “the nurturer”Medical aid in dying, caregiver fatigue, and difficult end-of-life decisions  Plus, we talk about how to nurture ourselves in small and meaningful ways—from meditation and support groups to the underrated power of just showing up for one another.   Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of pet loss, elder care, assisted living/memory care transitions, and medically assisted death.   This episode was recorded on December 8, 2025 and released on December 31, 2025.   If you prefer to consume your podcasts visually, we also offer video versions on YouTube @thiswayinpodcast or at our website at https://www.thiswayinpodcast.com     Chapter Markers 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:49 Recap of Protector Part 00:04:29 Gender Roles: Protector and Nurturer 00:10:15 Nurturing Part 00:12:48 Short and Long-Term Nurturing 00:18:19 When Nurturing Parts Can’t Do Their Jobs 00:22:26 Burdened Nurturing Parts 00:32:50 Nurturing Too Much 00:41:59 What We Can Do to Nurture Yourself 00:47:38 Staying Nurturing in Relationships 00:50:55 Disclaimer/Outro 00:51:34 Credits   Episode links: Women Who Love Too Much by Robin Norwood, (1990)  https://amzn.to/47YAmnm Fight Right: How Successful Couples Turn Conflict Into Connection by Julie Schwartz Gottman PhD & John Gottman PhD https://amzn.to/3KYsaMr Other John Gottman books: https://amzn.to/4q41itT Leave us a voicemail at: https://www.podpage.com/this-way-in/voicemail/ Amazon links could generate a small commission to the show, at no additional cost to you.   Disclaimer This Way In is a conversation about mental health and wellbeing, not a replacement for therapy. Listening does not create a therapist–client relationship. Please never delay, disregard, or change professional recommendations because of something you hear here.   Credits: Co-Produced and Hosted by: Brittney Baxter Dameron and Amy Lotsberg Production, Artwork, and Editing: Amy Lotsberg at Collected Sounds Media, LLC. Theme song. “The Journey” by Melissa West and Mixed/Mastered by Pink Flamingo Home Studio   Thank you for listening, take care of yourselves. We’ll see you next time!

    8: Parts of Self Series: Nurturing Part

  8. 12/17/2025

    7: Parts of Self Series: Protector Part

    In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most misunderstood — and most powerful — parts of the internal system: the Protector Part. The Protector is the part of us that steps between us and anything that feels threatening… which, as Brittney explains, can mean real threats OR the ones our brain just perceives as dangerous. Sometimes that looks heroic and loving. Sometimes it looks self-sabotaging. And sometimes, when paired with the Critical Part, it can go to some dark places. It’s heavier material, but it’s important material. And as always, we keep it real, grounded, and practical.   Content Warnings This episode includes discussion of: ·        Suicide and suicidal ideation ·        Domestic violence and abuse ·        Power, control, and harmful ideologies ·        Real-world violence and systemic oppression Please listen gently and skip sections as needed.   This episode was recorded on November 17, 2025 and released on December 17, 2025.   If you prefer to consume your podcasts visually, we also offer video versions on YouTube @thiswayinpodcast or at our website at https://www.thiswayinpodcast.com Chapter Markers 00:00:15 Welcome 00:03:20 Real vs. Perceived Threats 00:16:17 When Protector Parts are Challenged 00:31:05 When Protector Interacts with Other Parts 00:45:00 Protector Parts and Suicide 00:50:08 Medically Assisted Suicide 00:53:00 When Protection Mode is Always On 00:54:40 What Can We Do? 01:01:03 Disclaimer and Outro   Episode links: Women Who Love Too Much by Robin Norwood, (1990)  https://amzn.to/47YAmnm Leave us a voicemail at:  https://www.podpage.com/this-way-in/voicemail/ Amazon links could generate a small commission to the show, at no additional cost to you.   Disclaimer This Way In is a conversation about mental health and wellbeing, not a replacement for therapy. Listening does not create a therapist–client relationship. Please never delay, disregard, or change professional recommendations because of something you hear here.   Credits: Co-Produced and Hosted by: Brittney Baxter Dameron and Amy Lotsberg Production, Artwork, and Editing: Amy Lotsberg at Collected Sounds Media, LLC. Theme song. “The Journey” by Melissa West and Mixed/Mastered by Pink Flamingo Home Studio   Thank you for listening, take care of yourselves. We’ll see you next time!

    7: Parts of Self Series: Protector Part
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About

This Way In is a therapist-guided, layperson-led journey into mental health, healing, and self-discovery. Brittney (the therapist) and Amy (the curious one) explore trauma, emotions, and the parts that make us who we are—with compassion and clarity.

Information

  • Creator
    Collected Sounds Media
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    This Way In