Shrinking Heads

Shrinking Heads
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Mental Health

Welcome to "Shrinking Heads," the podcast where we take our mental health seriously, but not ourselves! Join your hosts—certified therapists by day, self-proclaimed comedians by night—as we dive into the wild jungle of emotions, therapy tales, and the occasional existential crisis. We will be shrinking down big ideas, tackling the tough stuff with a side of humor, and showing you how to turn your mental jungle into a walk in the park! Tune in for expert advice, laugh-out-loud moments, and the secret ingredient for a well-balanced brain: a good dose of ridiculousness.

  1. May 17

    Shrinking Heads - Season 2 - Episode 10 - License to Heal, Not to Feel

    In this episode, Shannon joins us once again as we navigate a difficult and often unspoken part of the jungle of mental health: the double standards faced by mental health professionals when it comes to seeking care for themselves. As therapists, social workers, counselors, and other providers spend their careers supporting others through trauma, burnout, and emotional struggle, many quietly face a painful reality of their own—the fear that seeking help could impact how they are perceived professionally, or even threaten their license and career. Together, we explore questions like: Why is there still stigma around mental health treatment for mental health providers?How does fear of professional consequences become a barrier to care?What messages do clinicians internalize about vulnerability and competence?How can the field move toward a healthier, more sustainable culture for providers themselves?This conversation examines the emotional toll of carrying others while feeling pressure to appear endlessly stable, capable, and unaffected. We also discuss the importance of creating systems where clinicians can access support without shame, fear, or professional risk. Whether you’re a mental health professional, student, or someone curious about the realities behind the therapy room, this episode offers an honest look at the humanity of the people tasked with caring for others. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion about therapist mental health, burnout in helping professions, stigma in mental healthcare, clinician self-care, licensing fears, professional identity, and navigating the mental health jungle from both sides of the couch. #shrinkingheads #prismaticcounseling #mentalhealthpodcast #mentalhealthstigma #burnout

    47 min

  2. May 3

    Shrinking Heads - Season 2 - Episode 9 - Forgiveness for Me, Reconciliation For You.

    In this episode, we continue navigating the jungle of mental health with Shannon as we explore a common—but often misunderstood—distinction: forgiveness vs. reconciliation. These terms are frequently used interchangeably, but they represent very different parts of the mental health jungle. One is internal, personal, and doesn’t require the other person. The other involves rebuilding trust, safety, and connection. So how do you know where in the jungle you need to head? Together, we explore questions like: What is the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation? Do you need to forgive someone to heal? When is reconciliation healthy—and when is it not? How do boundaries fit into both processes? This conversation sheds light on different crevices of the jungle - emotional, relational, and psychological layers of letting go, holding boundaries, and making intentional choices about connection after harm. Whether you’re working through a difficult relationship or trying to better understand your own healing process, this episode offers clarity and nuance in a space that’s rarely black and white. Tune in for an honest discussion about forgiveness, reconciliation, boundaries, trust, relationship healing, emotional processing, and navigating the mental health jungle of connection and repair. #shrinkingheads #prismaticcounseling #mentalheathpodcast #forgiveness #reconciliation

    43 min

  3. Apr 19

    Shrinking Heads - Season 2 - Episode 8 - Relationship Repair & Apologies: Finding Your Way Through the Jungle of Conflict

    In this episode, we step further into the jungle of mental health to explore one of the most difficult—and most necessary—paths in relationships: repairing harm through meaningful apologies. Apologies are often seen as simple words, but real repair requires much more than “I’m sorry.” We unpack what makes an apology effective, why some attempts at repair fall short, and how accountability, empathy, and timing all play a role in rebuilding trust. Together, we explore questions like: What separates a genuine apology from an empty one? Why is it so hard to take full accountability? How do you repair trust once it’s been broken? What does healing actually look like for both sides of the relationship? Whether you’re working to repair a relationship, processing an apology you’ve received, or trying to better understand your own patterns, this conversation offers a thoughtful guide through the complexity of connection and repair. Tune in for an honest discussion about apologies, relationship repair, accountability, emotional intelligence, communication in relationships, trust-building, and navigating the mental health jungle of human connection. #shrinkingheads #mentalhealthpodcast #apologies #prismaticcounseling

    47 min

  4. Apr 5

    Shrinking Heads - Season 2 - Episode 7 - Through the Jungle of Sports Social Work with Cody Smith, LCSW-BACS

    In this episode, your host Elizabeth continues navigating the jungle of mental health by exploring an emerging and often overlooked path: sports social work. Joined by Cody Smith, LCSW-BACS, join them as they unpack what sports social work actually is and why it matters in today’s athletic landscape. From supporting athletes’ mental health to addressing systemic challenges within sports culture, this conversation sheds light on the critical role social workers can play both on and off the field. Together, we explore questions like: What is sports social work, and how does it differ from sports psychology?What unique challenges do athletes face that call for this kind of support?How can social workers advocate for healthier, more sustainable sports environments?What does holistic care for athletes really look like?Whether you’re an athlete, clinician, coach, or someone curious about the intersection of mental health and sports, this episode offers insight into a field that’s expanding how we think about care, performance, and well-being. Tune in for a grounded conversation about sports social work, athlete mental health, trauma-informed care, sports culture, advocacy in athletics, and navigating the mental health jungle within competitive environments. #shrinkingheads #prismaticcounseling #sportsocialwork

    57 min

  5. Mar 22

    Shrinking Heads - Season 2 - Episode 6 - Through the Jungle Online: Mental Health Labels and Social Media Influence with Doc Ryan

    In this episode, your host Elizabeth is joined by Dr. Ryan Hildebrand to continue navigating the jungle of mental health. This week, they explore a growing and complex phenomenon: the rise of self-diagnosing and labeling in the age of social media. From TikTok trends to Instagram infographics, mental health language is more visible—and more accessible—than ever. But what happens when awareness blurs into overidentification? We unpack the psychological impact of adopting labels, the appeal of self-diagnosis, and how online content can both empower and mislead. Together, we explore questions like: When does self-awareness become self-diagnosis? How do labels shape identity—for better or worse? What role should social media play in mental health education? What are some of the nuances of ethical diagnosing? Whether you’re someone exploring your own mental health, a clinician, or simply trying to make sense of what you see online, this conversation brings thoughtful perspective to a nuanced and often misunderstood topic. Tune in for an honest discussion about mental health awareness, self-diagnosis, social media psychology, identity and labels, misinformation, and navigating the mental health jungle in a digital world.#shrinkingheads #mentalhealthpodcast #prismaticcounseling #labels #mentalhealthandsocialmedia

    58 min

  6. Mar 8

    Shrinking Heads - Season 2 - Episode 5 - Lost in the Jungle: Finding Yourself After Stepping Back from the Sport You Love

    In this special crossover episode, we venture deeper into the jungle of mental health to explore a challenge many athletes quietly face: what happens when you step back from a sport you love. Joined by the host of The Martial Maze, Israel Lopez Sensei, we discuss the psychological terrain that comes with taking a break—or even walking away—from a discipline that has shaped identity, routine, and community. From grief and loss to growth and rediscovery, we unpack the complex emotional impact of shifting away from something that once defined you. Together, we explore questions like: Who are you outside the sport that shaped you? How do you cope with the loss of structure, competition, and belonging? How do you return to a sense of purpose? Whether you’re a martial artist, athlete, coach, or someone navigating a major life transition, this conversation shines a light on the courage it takes to pause, reflect, and redefine your path through the mental health jungle. Tune in for an honest conversation about mental health in sports, athlete identity, life after sports, martial arts mindset, burnout in athletics, sports psychology, personal growth, and navigating major life transitions. #shrinkingheads #martialmaze #sportsandmentalhealth #lifeaftersports

    1 hr

  7. Feb 22

    Shrinking Heads - Season 2 - Episode 4 - Thorns in the Jungle: A Conversation About Self-Harm

    In this episode, we explore a sensitive and often misunderstood part of the mental health jungle: self-harm. With compassion and clarity, we talk about what self-harm is—and what it isn’t—focusing on the emotional pain that often drives it rather than the behavior itself. We discuss why self-harm can become a coping strategy, how stigma and silence can deepen suffering, and what supportive, nonjudgmental responses can look like from loved ones and clinicians. This conversation avoids graphic detail and centers understanding, connection, and hope. Content warning: This episode includes discussion of self-harm and may be difficult for some listeners. Please take care of yourself while listening. You are not alone in this jungle, and support is possible. Resources: Self-Harm Crisis Text Line (741741)To Write Love On Her Arms Resource GuideCornell University Self-Injury Recovery Resources (SIRR)

    35 min

  8. Feb 8

    Shrinking Heads - Season 2 - Episode 3 - Machetes Optional: WeHelpNOLA Navigates the Hospitality Mental Health Jungle

    In this episode of Shrinking Heads, we’re diving headfirst into the mental health jungle of the hospitality industry with Olivia McCoy from WeHelpNOLA. From long hours and emotional labor to burnout being worn like a badge of honor, hospitality workers are expected to show up smiling—no matter what’s happening behind the scenes. We explore what makes this industry uniquely tough on mental health, why exhaustion has been normalized, and how resilience often comes at a real cost. Olivia also shares how WeHelpNOLA is working to bridge the gap between hospitality workers and accessible, affirming mental health care—breaking down barriers, reducing stigma, and meeting people where they are. This conversation is about more than naming the problem; it’s about highlighting solutions, community-driven support, and what it looks like to make mental health care actually attainable in an industry that rarely slows down. If you’ve ever powered through a shift on empty, struggled to set boundaries, or wondered if there’s a better way to survive—and even thrive—in hospitality, this episode is for you. Grab your headphones. This one hits home. If this episode made you think, “Okay… I need this,” you’re not wrong. Connect with WeHelpNOLA to learn more  Website:  www.wehelpnola.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wehelpnola/ (@wehelpNOLA) Email: olivia@wehelpnola.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/wehelpnola?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=93fefc17-3f0a-43da-95d3-27e6b4f4141d

    50 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to "Shrinking Heads," the podcast where we take our mental health seriously, but not ourselves! Join your hosts—certified therapists by day, self-proclaimed comedians by night—as we dive into the wild jungle of emotions, therapy tales, and the occasional existential crisis. We will be shrinking down big ideas, tackling the tough stuff with a side of humor, and showing you how to turn your mental jungle into a walk in the park! Tune in for expert advice, laugh-out-loud moments, and the secret ingredient for a well-balanced brain: a good dose of ridiculousness.

Information

  • Creator
    Shrinking Heads
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Shrinking Heads
  • Show Website
    Shrinking Heads