Therapy Unzipped

Brett Hall and Tom Metzinger

Therapy Unzipped is where professional therapy meets honest, real-life conversation. Hosted by experienced social workers and longtime friends Brett Hall and Tom Metzinger, Therapy Unzipped explores anxiety, trauma, relationships, emotional health, personal growth, and the often-absurd experience of being human—without burying you in clinical language. Tom is a licensed clinical social worker, certified clinical hypnotherapist, EMDR-certified trauma therapist, and Marine Corps veteran with more than 20 years of mental-health experience. Brett holds both an MSW and an MBA and brings extensive experience in social-work leadership, education, macro practice, and inpatient psychiatric care, including serving as a hospital director and teacher. Together, Brett and Tom combine two distinct perspectives: Tom’s experience treating people and Brett’s experience teaching, leading, and understanding the larger systems that affect them. Each week, they unpack a real mental-health or relationship challenge, explain the psychology behind it, and offer practical ideas you can use in everyday life. You’ll get professional insight, personal stories, candid opinions, and enough humor to make difficult conversations a little easier. It’s the therapy version—and then the unzipped version: more honest, more relatable, occasionally irreverent, but always intended to help. Send your question to [questions@therapyunzipped.com](mailto:questions@therapyunzipped.com) for a chance to have it unzipped on the show. New episodes weekly. Follow Therapy Unzipped and join the conversation.

  1. 1d ago

    Blasted Anxiety Again

    The conversation covers the topic of anxiety and its management through mindfulness and relaxation techniques. It emphasizes the importance of being present in the moment and practicing these techniques to combat anxiety and panic attacks. The conversation covers techniques for managing anxiety and panic attacks, visualization, and the role of therapy in addressing relationship issues. It also delves into the importance of self-trust and the use of therapeutic techniques to cope with anxiety. The hosts share personal experiences and insights related to therapy and counseling. Takeaways Anxiety and panic attacks can be managed through mindfulness and relaxation techniques.Practicing mindfulness and being present in the moment is essential for combating anxiety. Visualization and self-dialogue can be utilized as skills to manage anxiety.Therapeutic techniques can help individuals cope with anxiety and panic attacks. Chapters 00:00 Anxiety and Its Forms03:40 The Physical Manifestation of Anxiety05:14 Interrupting the Negative Feedback Loop08:52 Living in the Present Moment13:28 Guided Imagery and Mindfulness Techniques20:01 The Importance of Practice21:40 Visualization and Coping Techniques22:44 Connecting with Ancestral Wisdom24:05 Self-Concept and Trust25:39 Managing Anxiety and Panic Attacks27:32 Grounding and Relaxation Techniques30:58 Conditioned Responses and Coping Strategies35:50 Therapeutic Approaches and Moving Forward40:24 Couples Counseling and Relationship Dynamics

  2. Aug 7

    Your Partner Is Not Your Project

    This week: Your Partner Is Not Your Project On this episode, Tom and Brett discuss what happens when your partner starts feeling more like your child. Today we unpack overfunctioning, resentment, boundaries, and how to stop carrying the relationship—first with our therapist hats on, then we unzip it and tell you what we really think. Actionable steps: Be Kind and Be Respectful to one another. Send questions for us to answer at: questions@therapyunzipped.com Links mentioned in this episode: http://suggestiblemind.com http://therapyunzipped.com Check out these resources as well: *Suggestible Mind Podcast Books *The Impact of Social Media and Technology on Mental Health: A Comprehensive Guide https://www.amazon.com/Impact-Social-Technology-Mental-Health/dp/B0C642FV9D/ref=sr_1_3?crid=NL15N5NQ3ORS&keywords=brett+hall+Thomas+metzinger&qid=1694211527&sprefix=brett+hall+thomas+metzinger%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-3 *Full Catastrophe Living https://www.amazon.com/Full-Catastrophe-Living-Revised-Illness/dp/0345536932/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1MQZLFF75PPHE&keywords=full+catastrophe+living&qid=1696026095&sprefix=full+cata%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1 *The Four Agreements https://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HXWIYGMB3D5X&keywords=four+agreements&qid=1696026157&sprefix=four+agree%2Caps%2C215&sr=8-1 *The Body Keeps the Score https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3EEWE75YZT400&keywords=the+body+keeps+the+score+book&qid=1700171387&sprefix=the+body%2Caps%2C112&sr=8-1 Movie Snippet: Blazing Saddles Track Title: Match Point Artist Name(s): Salon Dijon This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

    Your Partner Is Not Your Project

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Therapy Unzipped is where professional therapy meets honest, real-life conversation. Hosted by experienced social workers and longtime friends Brett Hall and Tom Metzinger, Therapy Unzipped explores anxiety, trauma, relationships, emotional health, personal growth, and the often-absurd experience of being human—without burying you in clinical language. Tom is a licensed clinical social worker, certified clinical hypnotherapist, EMDR-certified trauma therapist, and Marine Corps veteran with more than 20 years of mental-health experience. Brett holds both an MSW and an MBA and brings extensive experience in social-work leadership, education, macro practice, and inpatient psychiatric care, including serving as a hospital director and teacher. Together, Brett and Tom combine two distinct perspectives: Tom’s experience treating people and Brett’s experience teaching, leading, and understanding the larger systems that affect them. Each week, they unpack a real mental-health or relationship challenge, explain the psychology behind it, and offer practical ideas you can use in everyday life. You’ll get professional insight, personal stories, candid opinions, and enough humor to make difficult conversations a little easier. It’s the therapy version—and then the unzipped version: more honest, more relatable, occasionally irreverent, but always intended to help. Send your question to [questions@therapyunzipped.com](mailto:questions@therapyunzipped.com) for a chance to have it unzipped on the show. New episodes weekly. Follow Therapy Unzipped and join the conversation.