Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk

Melisa DeMahy and Courtnie Vargas-Rodriguez
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Self-Improvement

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. 5d ago

    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.

    33 min

  2. May 30

    42. Why Does Even Basic Self-Care Feel Exhausting Sometimes?

    In this episode of Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, we explore why so many people feel overwhelmed trying to keep up with everyday life — especially when even taking care of yourself starts to feel like another task on an endless to-do list. We break down the mental load of modern life, including work responsibilities, parenting, relationships, kids’ activities, schedules, meals, health goals, movement, hygiene, emotional regulation, and the constant pressure to “optimize” yourself. We also discuss how burnout, nervous system overload, invisible labor, and productivity culture can make basic self-care feel emotionally draining instead of supportive. If you’ve ever felt like your brain never fully shuts off, struggled to keep up with everything you’re “supposed” to do, or wondered why rest doesn’t even feel restful anymore, this episode is for you. In this episode, we cover: Mental load and invisible laborWhy self-care can start feeling like another choreBurnout and nervous system overwhelmParenting exhaustion and schedule overloadProductivity culture and self-optimizationWhy people feel constantly behind and emotionally exhausted 🎙️ 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.

    36 min

  3. May 23

    41. Stop Defending, Start Repairing: Phrases That Actually Work in Conflict

    Trying to “get out of trouble” with your partner? You might be making things worse. In this episode of Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, we unpack why most people say the wrong things during conflict—and how those responses actually escalate arguments instead of resolving them. We talk about the difference between defending yourself and repairing the relationship, and share specific phrases that can help you de-escalate tension, build emotional safety, and reconnect with your partner. If you tend to explain, justify, or shut down during arguments, this episode will challenge how you communicate—and give you tools that actually work. 🎙️ 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.

    34 min

  4. May 16

    40. Why Making Friends as an Adult Feels So Hard (And Why It’s Not Just You)

    Making friends as an adult shouldn’t feel this hard… but for a lot of people, it does. In this episode of Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, we break down why building and maintaining friendships gets more complicated as we get older—and why so many people feel lonely even when they want connection. We explore friendship anxiety, social discomfort, and the pressure of intentional connection, as well as the growing lack of “third spaces” where people can naturally meet and form relationships outside of work or school. We also discuss how social media, online friendships, and the impact of COVID have changed the way people connect, especially for younger generations. If you’ve ever felt awkward trying to make new friends, struggled to maintain friendships as life gets busier, or wondered why connection feels harder than it used to, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on. In this episode, we cover: Why making friends as an adult feels more difficultFriendship anxiety and social pressureThe loss of “third spaces” and casual connectionOnline friendships vs in-person connectionHow COVID impacted social skills and connectionWhy loneliness is increasing—and what it actually means 🎙️ 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.

    32 min

  5. May 9

    39. Unpopular Therapy Opinions: Rage, Small Talk, AI & What Therapy Doesn’t Tell You

    Therapy isn’t always calm. Healing isn’t always peaceful. And your therapist? Definitely not always neutral. In this episode of Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, licensed therapists Courtnie and Melissa share unpopular therapy opinions that challenge what people think therapy should look like. From small talk in sessions to crying with clients, from the pressure to always be “regulated” to the growing use of AI in mental health — we’re unpacking the realities of therapy that don’t always make it to social media. We talk about: Why small talk in therapy actually matters more than you thinkThe truth about emotional regulation (and why rage and grief still belong in healing)Why therapy isn’t always the priority — and what needs to come firstWhether therapists crying is unprofessional… or deeply humanThe rise of AI in therapy and why it can’t replace real human connectionWhat therapy can and can’t do for your mental health This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like they’re “doing therapy wrong,” wondered if healing is supposed to feel easier, or questioned whether therapy is even helping. Because the truth is: You don’t need to be perfectly calm to be healing. You don’t need to rush your growth to be “doing it right.” And therapy isn’t about becoming a better version of yourself overnight — it’s about becoming more honest about what you actually need. Share this episode with someone who’s navigating therapy, questioning their healing process, or trying to make sense of what mental health actually looks like in real 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.

    40 min

  6. Apr 25

    38. We Don’t All Have the Same 24 Hours: The Lie That’s Fueling Burnout

    “We all have the same 24 hours.” Sounds motivating… but for a lot of people, it feels exhausting, invalidating, and honestly untrue. In this episode of Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, we break down why the idea that everyone has the same 24 hours is not only inaccurate, but harmful to mental health. We explore how trauma, anxiety, depression, nervous system regulation, privilege, and life circumstances all impact energy, capacity, and productivity. We also unpack why some people feel constantly behind, why burnout is so common, and how comparing your output to others can disconnect you from your actual needs. If you’ve ever felt like you’re “not doing enough,” struggling to keep up, or wondering why things feel harder for you than others, this episode will help you understand why — and what actually matters. In this episode, we cover: The myth of equal time and productivityBurnout, nervous system capacity, and energy differencesHow trauma impacts motivation and focusWhy comparison fuels shame and exhaustionHow to redefine productivity in a healthier 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.

    29 min

  7. Apr 19

    37. Co-Parenting vs Parallel Parenting: When Cooperation Isn’t Possible

    What happens when co-parenting peacefully just isn’t possible? In this episode of Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, we break down the real-life challenges of co-parenting after a breakup — especially when communication is difficult, conflict is high, or trust is low. We explore the difference between co-parenting and parallel parenting, when each approach is appropriate, and why forcing cooperation can sometimes create more harm than good. We also talk about one of the hardest realities for parents: you cannot control what happens in the other household — and why emotional stability matters more than perfect consistency. Plus, we dive into blended families, step-parent roles, boundary-setting, and how to support children navigating multiple homes without putting them in the middle. If you’re navigating co-parenting stress, struggling with different parenting styles, or adjusting to a blended family dynamic, this episode will help you understand what actually supports your child — even when things aren’t ideal. In this episode, we cover: Co-parenting vs. parallel parentingHigh-conflict co-parenting dynamicsDifferent rules in different householdsBlended families and step-parent rolesHow to protect children from adult conflict 🎙️ 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.

    28 min

  8. Apr 4

    36. You Broke Up, But You Still Have to Parent Together: The Emotional Reality of Co-Parenting

    Co-parenting after a breakup can be emotionally complicated, especially when unresolved relationship wounds are still present. In this episode of Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, we explore the emotional reality of co-parenting, why communication with an ex can trigger old relationship conflicts, and how parental tension impacts children. We discuss common co-parenting challenges, emotional boundaries, and the mindset shift that helps parents move from relationship conflict to child-focused collaboration. 🎙️ 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.

    26 min
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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
    43
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Melisa DeMahy and Courtnie Vargas-Rodriguez
  • Show Website
    Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk