Not Your Average Counsellor

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Welcome to ”Not Your Average Counsellor,” hosted by Vee Vinci, a Mental Health Wellness Expert and Registered Relationship and Family Therapist. Here, Vee takes you on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, delving deep into the challenges of personal and relationship dynamics, helping you understand the reasons behind your thoughts and actions, and empowering you to create a more fulfilling life. Vee’s approach is refreshingly straightforward and effective. Tune in to her candid, deep, yet humorous conversations covering various important topics, including Navigating Well-Meaning Meddlers, Preventing Burnout, Breaking Free from Negative Thought Patterns, Coping with Trust Issues, Mastering Communication, Fostering Intimacy, and much more. If you’re looking for valuable insights, practical advice, and a new perspective to improve your relationship with yourself and others, ”Not Your Average Counsellor” is the podcast for you. Join Vee on this transformative journey, one episode at a time.

  1. 3D AGO

    💭 Should You Stay with Someone Who Refuses to Work on Their Mental Health?

    Here’s the truth: you can love someone deeply and still be exhausted by the weight of their unaddressed struggles. When a partner refuses to seek support, it doesn’t just impact them—it impacts you, the relationship, and your sense of safety and stability. So how do you know when staying is supportive… and when it’s slowly eroding your own wellbeing? This episode dives into the emotional tug-of-war between loyalty, love, limits, and self-preservation.----more---- Inside This Episode: 💔 When love meets reality. The painful tension of watching someone you love struggle—and watching them avoid the help they need. 😔 Why people resist getting support. Shame, fear, stigma, denial, overwhelm… most avoidance isn’t laziness, it’s self-protection. ⚖️ Can’t vs. won’t. The difference between genuine barriers to getting help and choosing not to engage out of minimisation or stubbornness. 🧍‍♀️🧍 The emotional toll on you. Frustration, resentment, burnout, and slipping into the role of carer instead of partner. 🏚️ How it affects the relationship. Communication, intimacy, conflict, future planning—even parenting—can all suffer when one person refuses to grow. 🪞 What you’re actually responsible for. The line between compassion and self-sacrifice… and the moment helping turns into carrying. 💡 When loving them starts hurting you. Noticing the signs of your own emotional fatigue: anxiety, irritability, withdrawal, losing yourself. 🔧 Boundaries vs. ultimatums. How to set limits that protect you without trying to control their mental health journey. 🚪 Making the hardest decision. If nothing changes, should you stay? Exploring values, limits, hopes, and the real impact on your life. 🛋️ Getting support for yourself. Why therapy or external support can help you find clarity, steadiness, and your own voice again.----more---- 💬 Let’s Keep This Conversation Going! Have you ever loved someone who refused to face their mental health struggles? Or found yourself carrying more than your fair share in the relationship? Your experience matters—and you’re not alone. Send me a message, share your story, or pass this episode on to someone who might need these words today. Until next time—remember, caring for yourself is not abandonment. It’s essential. 💛

    22 min
  2. 12/22/2025

    🧠 Can Relationship Problems Be Caused by Mental Health Issues?

    Let’s be real—love doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Our mental health impacts how we connect, communicate, and cope in relationships. So, what happens when one (or both) partners are struggling? Can anxiety, depression or past trauma actually create relationship issues? And more importantly—what can we do about it? ----more---- Inside This Episode: 💔 When mental health shows up in love. From emotional withdrawal to overthinking every message—how personal struggles can quietly shape relationship dynamics. 😔 Depression, anxiety, trauma & more. We’re breaking down how common mental health challenges impact connection, trust, and emotional availability. ⚠️ Red flags to watch for: Misunderstandings. Emotional distance. Constant conflict. If your relationship feels heavier than usual—this could be why. 🧍‍♀️🧍 Support vs. self-sacrifice. You can be compassionate without being consumed. Let’s talk about healthy support without enabling toxic patterns. 🗣️ Communicating through it. How to express your needs, support your partner, and have honest convos about mental health—without blame or shame. 🚪When they won’t acknowledge the problem. How to set boundaries, care for yourself, and know when it’s time to step back or seek professional help. 🛋️ Therapy is your friend. Why counselling (individually or together) can be a game-changer—and how to nudge a partner toward support without pressure. 🧘 Self-care matters—yours too. Supporting someone else’s mental health doesn’t mean forgetting your own. 💡 When love isn’t enough. If their struggles are draining you, it’s okay to ask: is this relationship helping or hurting us both? ----more---- 💬 Let’s Keep This Conversation Going! Have you been in a relationship affected by mental health challenges—yours or your partner’s? I’d love to hear your perspective. Slide into my DMs, drop a comment, or shoot me an email. And if this episode helped shed some light on what you (or someone you love) might be navigating—send it their way. Until next time, be kind to yourself and those around you. 💛

    19 min
  3. 12/15/2025

    💬 When Does a Relationship Become Exclusive?

    You’re spending most of your time together, texting good morning and goodnight, and maybe even leaving a toothbrush at their place—but are you exclusive? In today’s dating world, exclusivity isn't always a given—so let’s talk about how to know where you stand, and why it’s better to talk than assume. Inside This Episode: 📅 Old-school vs. now. Back in the day, exclusivity was expected. Now? It’s a whole conversation. 🚩 Why assuming can backfire. Just because it feels serious doesn’t mean you’re both on the same page. 🗣️ Having the talk. When and how to ask, “Are we exclusive?” without sounding needy or awkward. 🆚 Unspoken vibes vs. spoken clarity. Why you might need more than “It just feels like we are.” 📱 Social media confusion. Does a post = commitment? Or is that just for show? ⏳ Waiting for clarity. How long is too long to wonder where you stand? 🔐 Exclusive ≠ official. What’s the difference between being exclusive and being in a committed relationship? 💭 Bottom line: every relationship is different—but guessing isn’t the same as knowing. ----more---- ❤️ Let’s Keep This Conversation Going! Have you had the exclusivity talk—or been caught off guard when you realised you weren’t exclusive after all? I want to hear your story. DM me, email me, or drop your thoughts on socials. If this episode gave you a little clarity (or a nudge to have that conversation), share it with someone who's wondering the same thing. Until next time—trust your gut, ask the questions, and never be afraid to seek clarity.

    17 min
  4. 12/08/2025

    🎭 What Are the Signs That a Partner Is Manipulative?

    💭 Ever walked away from a conversation feeling confused, guilty, or like you’re the problem—even when you know you're not? In this episode, we’re naming what’s often hard to see: manipulation. Whether it’s subtle or straight-up toxic, let’s unpack the signs—and what to do if it’s showing up in your relationship. ----more---- Inside This Episode: 🚩 Spotting the early red flags—love-bombing, fast attachment, or emotional withdrawal that feels... off. 💬 Classic manipulation tactics: Guilt-tripping for setting boundaries. Gaslighting your reality. Silent treatment as punishment. Playing the victim when called out. Twisting conversations to make you the villain. Giving love conditionally—only when you behave a certain way. 🧠 Where it comes from. Is it intentional control—or learned behaviour from insecurity, trauma or childhood dynamics? 😓 The emotional toll. How manipulation chips away at your confidence, sense of self, and emotional safety. 🛑 How to respond. Trust your gut. Name what’s happening. Set boundaries—and hold them. 🧱 Can they change? Only if they’re willing to do the work. And not everyone is. 🚪 When it’s time to leave. Repeated manipulation is not a phase—it’s a pattern. And you deserve better. ----more---- 💬 Let’s Keep This Conversation Going! Have you experienced manipulation in a relationship—or only realised it in hindsight? I want to hear from you. Share your story with me on socials, via email, or in a DM. If this episode hit home, send it to someone who might be questioning the same things. Until next time—stay strong, trust yourself, and never shrink to keep someone comfortable. 💛

    19 min
  5. 11/24/2025

    🔐 How Do You Deal with a Partner Who Has Trust Issues?

    💭 When your partner doubts your loyalty—no matter how solid you’ve been—it can leave you walking on eggshells. In this episode, we’re unpacking how to love someone who struggles with trust, without losing yourself in the process. ----more---- Inside This Episode: 🧠 What trust issues really look like—jealousy, anxiety, overthinking, and needing constant reassurance. 📦 Where it all stems from. Past betrayal, childhood wounds, or insecurity—trust issues usually start long before you. 💔 The impact on your relationship. From emotional distance to full-blown control—how mistrust shows up day to day. 🎯 Reassurance vs. enabling. When being supportive crosses into feeding their fears—and how to avoid that trap. 🗣️ How to talk about it. Real, honest conversations that help build safety without defensiveness or shame. ⚖️ Boundaries matter. Their fears shouldn’t cost you your freedom, independence, or peace of mind. 🪜 Building trust—even if you didn’t break it. Small, consistent actions can make a big difference—if they’re ready to receive it. 🚩 When it becomes toxic. If “trust issues” are masking control, manipulation or emotional burnout, it’s time to pay attention. 🧑‍⚕️ The role of therapy. When support isn’t enough, how professional help can make space for real healing. 🚪 Knowing when to walk away. Because no relationship should make you feel like you’re constantly being tested. ----more---- 💬 Let’s Keep This Conversation Going! Have you been the “reassurer” in your relationship—or the one struggling to trust? I’d love to hear your perspective. Message me, email me, or share your experience on socials. And if this episode resonated, send it to someone who needs to hear it. Until next time—remember: trust should grow love, not suffocate it. 💛

    14 min
  6. 11/10/2025

    🧱 How Do You Deal with an Emotionally Unavailable Partner?

    💭 When you're giving your all—and they’re holding back—it can leave you feeling confused, hurt, and alone. In this episode, we’re unpacking emotional unavailability: why it happens, how to spot it, and what the hell to do when you're falling for someone who can’t (or won’t) let you in. ----more---- Inside This Episode: 🚫 What emotional unavailability actually is. From subtle detachment to outright avoidance—how to tell if it’s a wall or a fortress. 💔 The signs to look for. If deep chats feel like pulling teeth, vulnerability is off-limits, or they vanish when things get real—this one’s for you. 🧠 Where it comes from. Attachment styles, past heartbreak, emotional overload—why some people build walls instead of bridges. 🥀 The impact on you. Loneliness, low self-worth, feeling like you’re chasing love with no finish line in sight. 🛠️ Can they change? Supporting growth is one thing—trying to fix someone who’s not emotionally available? That’s a whole other story. ⚠️ Boundaries, not burnout. How to protect your energy, set expectations, and stop blaming yourself for their distance. 🗣️ How to talk about it. Expressing your needs without pushing them away—or losing your voice in the process. ⏳ Stay or go? What to do if they want to grow but aren’t ready—vs. when it’s clear they’re not capable of giving what you need. 🧑‍⚕️ Therapy and healing. How professional support can help them open up—and help you reconnect with your own needs and worth. ----more---- 💬 Let’s Keep This Conversation Going! Have you loved someone who just couldn’t meet you emotionally? Are you there now? I want to hear your story. Let’s talk—DM me, email me, or join the convo on socials. And if this episode gave you clarity or comfort, pass it on to someone who needs to hear it. Until next time—protect your heart, honour your needs, and never settle for one-sided love. 💛

    17 min
  7. 10/27/2025

    ❤️‍🔥 Is It Possible to Be in Love with Two People at the Same Time?

    💭 Torn between two hearts—or just confused? In this episode, we dive into the raw, real question: Can you genuinely love two people at once? We’re talking passion, emotional bonds, and the complexities that don’t fit neatly into fairytales or checkboxes.   Inside This Episode: 💘 What does “being in love” even mean? Emotional depth, attachment, chemistry—are they all the same thing? 🧠 Love & the brain. Oxytocin, dopamine, and how your brain can bond with more than one person at a time. 💋 Emotional vs. physical connection. Can you be deeply bonded with one, but physically drawn to another? 🔁 Monogamy or polyamory? Exploring how different relationship structures view multiple loves—and whether society has it all backwards. 😵‍💫 The chaos of feeling torn. When your heart’s in two places at once, confusion, guilt, and overwhelm aren’t far behind. 😰 Fear of loss. Can new love dilute the old—or can your heart actually expand? 🧳 Past vs. present. Are you still in love with someone, or just the memory of who they were to you? ⚖️ Is it ethical? Navigating fairness, transparency, and emotional honesty when more than one person is involved. ❓ If you had to choose… What matters most? Timing, compatibility, growth—or the sheer depth of feeling? 🛠️ Can you come back from this? What happens when you fall for someone else while in a committed monogamous relationship?   💬 Let’s Keep This Conversation Going! Ever been in love with two people at once? Or wrestled with what that even means? I want to hear from you—send me your stories, slide into the DMs, or share your thoughts on socials. If this episode made you feel seen, or you know someone facing this dilemma—pass it on. Until next time, remember: love isn’t always black and white, but honesty will always light the way. ❤️‍🔥

    19 min
  8. 10/13/2025

    🔥 Should You Disclose Your Sexual History to Your Partner?

    💭 Is full honesty always the best policy—or are some things better left unsaid? In this episode, we’re diving into the tricky terrain of past partners, present insecurities, and how much is too much when it comes to sharing.   Inside This Episode: 🧠 Why people ask. Is it genuine curiosity, insecurity, or a desire for deeper understanding? 💬 The case for honesty. Transparency can build trust, support sexual health conversations, and deepen emotional connection. 🙊 The case for privacy. Does the past need to be revisited? Not every detail is helpful—and some can do more harm than good. 🌏 Culture, religion & upbringing. How our background shapes what we think is “normal” to ask—or share. 💉 The essentials. Why discussing STIs and relationship history is important—without it turning into a quiz on your past. 😬 The comparison trap. Knowing your partner’s past can stir up jealousy and unhelpful comparisons. 📉 The “body count” myth. Challenging the idea that the number of past partners defines your worth or relationship potential. 🚧 Boundaries are key. How to respond if your partner asks—and where to draw the line between curiosity and intrusion. 🚩 When it’s a red flag. Recognising when someone uses your sexual history to shame, control, or manipulate. 🗣️ If you choose to share… How to navigate the convo with honesty, clarity, and care—for yourself and your partner.   💬 Let’s Keep This Conversation Going! Have you ever felt pressure to share—or wished you hadn’t? Do you think transparency builds trust, or do some things belong in the past? I’d love to hear your thoughts—DM me, email me, or jump into the conversation on socials. If this episode made you rethink your own boundaries or sparked a discussion with someone close to you, share it along. Until next time—lead with honesty, honour your boundaries, and stay true to what feels right for you.

    16 min

About

Welcome to ”Not Your Average Counsellor,” hosted by Vee Vinci, a Mental Health Wellness Expert and Registered Relationship and Family Therapist. Here, Vee takes you on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, delving deep into the challenges of personal and relationship dynamics, helping you understand the reasons behind your thoughts and actions, and empowering you to create a more fulfilling life. Vee’s approach is refreshingly straightforward and effective. Tune in to her candid, deep, yet humorous conversations covering various important topics, including Navigating Well-Meaning Meddlers, Preventing Burnout, Breaking Free from Negative Thought Patterns, Coping with Trust Issues, Mastering Communication, Fostering Intimacy, and much more. If you’re looking for valuable insights, practical advice, and a new perspective to improve your relationship with yourself and others, ”Not Your Average Counsellor” is the podcast for you. Join Vee on this transformative journey, one episode at a time.