Look for the Helpers, a podcast by Engage Therapy

Engage Therapy I Engage Treatment
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Look for the Helpers is a podcast by Engage Therapy, a clinician-owned, clinician-led mental health practice serving youth and families in the Conejo Valley. In each episode, Engage clinicians talk with local helpers — therapists, educators, medical providers, coaches, and other community professionals — about what families and young people actually need. This podcast offers calm, honest conversations about mental health, development, and support in our local community. https://engagetherapy.com

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Why Women's Mental Health Is Different — Dr. Brittany Booth, Reproductive Psychiatrist in Westlake Village

    Title: Why Women's Mental Health Is Different — with Dr. Brittany Booth, Reproductive Psychiatrist Summary: Dr. Brittany Booth is a reproductive psychiatrist in Westlake Village who works at the intersection of hormones and mental health — PMDD, pregnancy and postpartum, menopause — and at UCLA's Maternal Mental Health Program. With Adelina Brisbois, LMFT, she makes a quietly radical case: so much of what gets women labeled "too much" or "just hormonal" is a normal human response to carrying too much with too little support. They name postpartum rage, grieve the lost "village," and bust the well-meaning myths about psychiatric medication in pregnancy — why stopping a medication that's working can carry more risk than staying on it. Key topics: • Reproductive psychiatry & women's mental health • Postpartum rage and de-pathologizing women's emotions • PMDD, perinatal & menopause hormone transitions • Postpartum isolation & rebuilding the village • Social media & new motherhood • Attachment, anxiety & infant sleep • Psychiatric medication in pregnancy/breastfeeding — myths vs. evidence Guest: Dr. Brittany Booth, MD — reproductive psychiatrist, Westlake Village; UCLA Maternal Mental Health Program website · @brittanyboothmd Resources mentioned: UCLA Maternal Mental Health Program (perinatal IOP, Westwood) · PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) · neonatal adaptation syndrome · TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) · SSRIs · Engage Therapy's Mindful Beginnings class for new & expecting parents. Support: If you're struggling, you're not alone. Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) · National Maternal Mental Health Hotline 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262), 24/7 · Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773. Note: This episode is education and support, not medical advice. Decisions about medication should be made with a qualified clinician. Links: engagetherapy.com · @engagetherapy · (805) 497-0605

    1h 13m

  2. Jun 8

    Breaking the Silence on Mental Health — with Harsha Dodani, Chief Heart Officer of EmpathifyU

    Title: Empathy Is a Human Skill — Breaking the Silence on Mental Health, with Harsha Dodani Summary: Harsha Dodani has spent years teaching empathy — first in schools, now in boardrooms as the Chief Heart Officer of EmpathifyU. In one of the first times she's shared her family's story out loud, she and her friend Adelina Brisbois, LMFT get honest about the cultural silence around mental health, deciding “the stigma stops with me,” and why “you have to be selfish to be selfless.” They dig into empathy as a human skill, neurodiversity and belonging, breaking generational patterns, and why a rising tide raises all ships. Key topics: • Empathy as a human skill (not a soft skill) • Breaking cultural & generational mental-health stigma • Therapy, shame, and “you don't know what you don't know” • Self-care and boundaries (“selfish to be selfless”) • Neurodiversity, belonging & workplace culture • Raising kids who can speak up; rupture & repair • Community — a rising tide raises all ships Guest: Harsha Dodani — Chief Heart Officer & co-founder, EmpathifyU Resources mentioned: EmpathifyU · My Name, My Story / Changemaker Day · Childhood Matters · Violet Oaklander (child-therapy training) · Gary Vee's “Chief Heart Officer” · If you or someone you love is struggling, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), 24/7. Links: engagetherapy.com · @engagetherapy · (805) 497-0605

    1h 15m

  3. Jun 3

    A Trauma Therapist Took Our Parenting Class — Here's What Surprised Her | Janet Bayramyan, LCSW (Encino)

    Janet Bayramyan, LCSW — a trauma therapist and owner of Road2Wellness Counseling in Encino — joined our new Mindful Beginnings program as a parent, alongside her one-year-old son. Mindful Beginnings is for parents and their little ones (walking age through 5), built on the Reflective Parenting curriculum and grounded in attachment theory. It's not a typical parenting class. Instead of only teaching skills to use on your child, it asks how you were parented — and how that shapes the parent you're becoming. Janet talks with Dr. Peggy Matson, LMFT (our Director of Parent Services) and Adelina Brisbois, LMFT about what shifted for her: making room for free play, validating a child's frustration instead of fixing it, the "little-t" traumas that surface when you have a baby, and the quiet power of staying regulated when your child falls apart. They also get into why it's never too late to repair a relationship, and the work Janet does with adults, EMDR, and IFS at Road2Wellness. Chapters 00:00 A therapist on the other side of the room 00:41 Welcome to Look for the Helpers 01:03 Part 1 — With Dr. Peggy Matson: "I thought I knew this" 04:36 Her son, slow-to-warm — and the curriculum 06:25 Taking it home: free play & validating frustration 09:55 Boundaries — with your child, and with your own parents 12:13 Part 2 — With Adelina: two moms, reflecting 14:50 What "mommy & me" misses: the mom's experience 18:00 Little-t trauma and learning to slow down 22:35 Prevention: support parents now, help kids later 24:35 "It felt like magic" — triggers, anger & repair 28:25 Empathy over judgment — and why it's never too late 31:55 New at Engage: grandparent & dad/partner support 34:11 How to explain Mindful Beginnings (hint: it's about you) 37:35 Real moments: the car seat & the bedtime narration 43:30 The oxygen-mask reframe — care for the parent first 47:15 Janet's work: trauma, EMDR, IFS at Road2Wellness 54:29 Why Conejo Valley clinicians lift each other up About Engage Therapy Engage Therapy is a clinician-owned, clinician-led practice supporting youth and families across the Conejo Valley — Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Calabasas, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley and nearby. Learn more about Mindful Beginnings and our programs at engagetherapy.com · (805) 497-0605 · @engagetherapy. Guest: Janet Bayramyan, LCSW — Road2Wellness Counseling, Encino · road2wellness.co · IG @therapy_with_janetb

    56 min

  4. Feb 3

    When a Child Changes Overnight: A Pediatrician Explains PANS, PANDAS & Inflammation | Conejo Valley

    Episode Summary What if your child changed overnight—emotionally, behaviorally, or cognitively? In this episode, pediatrician Dr. Tanya Altmann explains how infections and inflammation can trigger sudden neuropsychiatric symptoms in children, and why early recognition matters. This conversation offers parents and clinicians a grounded, compassionate lens for understanding complex cases where mental health and physical health overlap. Topics Covered PANS & PANDAS explained in plain language Signs that behavior changes may be medically driven Why parents are often the first to notice something is wrong The role of sleep, nutrition, and nervous system regulation When to involve pediatricians, therapists, and specialists About the Guest Dr. Tanya Altmann is a pediatrician with Calabasas Pediatric Wellness Center, specializing in integrative and relationship-based pediatric care for families in the Conejo Valley. You an find her practice at https://calabasaspeds.com/ and her website for at https://www.drtanya.com/ Engage Therapy and Engage Treatment is a practice located in Westlake Village and Agoura Hills and provides IOP level of care for youth. Our website can be found at https://www.engagetherapy.com Chapters00:00 Why sudden behavior changes matter03:30 When symptoms don’t fit one explanation07:00 PANS & PANDAS explained14:00 Infections, inflammation, and the brain23:00 Why pediatricians and therapists must collaborate35:00 Supporting the whole child and family42:30 Where parents can start

    45 min

  5. Jan 27

    Psychiatry, Medication, and Trust: An Integrative Approach with a Calabasas Psychiatrist

    In this episode of Look for the Helpers, we welcome Dr. Rob Feeley, psychiatrist and Medical Director at Engage Therapy, for a wide-ranging conversation about medication, trauma, and trust in mental health care. Dr. Feeley discusses why psychiatry is about far more than prescriptions, how misconceptions about medication take root, and how he works collaboratively with clients and families who may feel hesitant or afraid. He also shares his personal journey into neuroscience, meditation, and Buddhist philosophy—and how those practices inform his clinical work today. This episode offers a grounded, compassionate look at psychiatric care for families navigating anxiety, trauma, and complex mental health decisions. You can learn more about Engage Therapy at https://www.engagetherapy.com and reach Dr. Feeley's practice at https://robfeeleymd.com/ 0:00 – Why medication conversations feel so scary 3:10 – Dr. Fey’s path into psychiatry 7:45 – Buddhism, neuroscience, and mental health 12:30 – Medication myths and misconceptions 18:40 – Trauma, psychiatry, and safety 26:15 – Working with families and adolescents 33:50 – COVID, young adults, and self-worth 42:10 – Integrating mindfulness into daily life 55:00 – What it really means to “look for the helpers”

    57 min

  6. Jan 20

    Empathy as a Leadership Strategy | Ajit Dodani on Belonging, Burnout, and Self-Awareness

    🎧 Podcast Show Notes Episode SummaryIn this episode, Engage Therapy host Dr. Blake Brisbois welcome Ajit Dodani for a grounded conversation about empathy—not as a soft skill, but as a learned leadership strategy. Ajit reflects on immigration, trauma, and corporate leadership, sharing how self-awareness and emotional regulation shape healthy families, workplaces, and communities. Key Themes Empathy as a skill that can be practiced The cost of emotional dysregulation in families and organizations Burnout, boundaries, and sustainable leadership Supporting neurodiverse individuals at work and at home Creating cultures where people feel safe to belong About the GuestAjit Dodani is an empathy strategist and former CFO based in West Hills, California who advises organizations on leadership, trust, and human-centered systems. His work bridges business performance with emotional intelligence and belonging. You can find him and his company, Empathify-U, at www.empathifyu.com About the PodcastLook for the Helpers is a YouTube-first podcast by Engage Therapy, highlighting local helpers and conversations that support families in the Conejo Valley and surrounding communities. You can find Engage Therapy and Engage Treatment at www.engagetherapy.com ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Ajit’s early experiences with empathy and emotional suppression05:00 – From CFO to empathy strategist12:00 – Trauma, PTSD, and post-traumatic growth20:00 – Emotional regulation in families and workplaces30:00 – Burnout, boundaries, and self-awareness40:00 – Neurodiversity, inclusion, and leadership systems52:00 – Why empathy matters for future generations

    59 min

  7. Jan 13

    Threat Assessment & School Safety in the Conejo Valley | Robert Scholz, LMFT (Westlake Village)

    In this episode of Look for the Helpers, a podcast by Engage Therapy, Adelina Brisbois, LMFT and Dr. Blake Brisbois sit down with Robert Scholz, LMFT—founder of The Change Place in Westlake Village—to talk about threat assessment, school safety, and how helpers make careful decisions when fear and urgency are in the room. Robert is a speaker, author, national trainer, and former Clinical Director at Engage Therapy (now a consultant). He shares howstrong “systems” support better judgment, why protective factors deserve as much attention as risk factors, and how schools and communities can respond in ways that reduce harm and increase real support.   Content note: This episode includes discussion related toviolence risk, suicidal/homicidal concerns, and school safety.   Key topics: Why teams need a clear system for assessing riskRisk factors vs. protective factors (and why both matter)The harm of labeling kids—and the role of curiositySupporting parents who feel anxious about safetyTalking with kids in developmentally appropriate waysWhen to call in emergency support  Guest: Robert Scholz, LMFT (The Change Place, Westlake Village) Website: www.roberttherapy.com   Engage Therapy: www.engagetherapy.com Serving families in Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Calabasas, Malibu, Simi Valley, Moorpark, and Camarillo.   Disclaimer: This podcast is for education and is not a substitute for therapy or crisis care. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 for immediate mental health support.

    1h 2m
  8. Understanding OCD in Kids and Adults | Andrew Cohen, LMFT of Cohen OCD Therapy (Conejo Valley)

    Jan 7

    Understanding OCD in Kids and Adults | Andrew Cohen, LMFT of Cohen OCD Therapy (Conejo Valley)

    In this episode of Look for the Helpers, Adelina Brisbois, LMFT speaks with Andrew Cohen, LMFT, a Westlake Village–based therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders. Andrew is the co-founder of Cohen OCD Therapy, which he runs with his wife, Danielle Cohen, LMFT. Their practice serves children, teens, adults, and families throughout the Conejo Valley using evidence-based approaches, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Andrew shares both personal and professional insight into: What OCD actually looks like beyond stereotypes Why reassurance can unintentionally strengthen anxiety How families can reduce accommodation while staying supportive What helps kids build resilience when facing uncertainty ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Andrew’s journey into OCD work 05:10 – What OCD really is (and what it isn’t) 11:30 – Obsessions, compulsions, and the anxiety cycle 22:45 – Reassurance, accommodation, and family dynamics 36:00 – ERP and learning to tolerate uncertainty 54:30 – PANS/PANDAS and sudden-onset OCD 01:03:00 – Why early recognition matters 01:08:00 – Community impact and closing reflections This episode offers grounded education and hope for families navigating OCD and anxiety. Learn more at www.cohenocdtherapy.com.

    1h 12m
  • 8 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Look for the Helpers is a podcast by Engage Therapy, a clinician-owned, clinician-led mental health practice serving youth and families in the Conejo Valley. In each episode, Engage clinicians talk with local helpers — therapists, educators, medical providers, coaches, and other community professionals — about what families and young people actually need. This podcast offers calm, honest conversations about mental health, development, and support in our local community. https://engagetherapy.com

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