Trust and Thrive

Tara Montazeri, LMFT
  • 5.0 (97)
  • Mental Health
  • Weekly

Welcome to the Trust and Thrive podcast! I'm Tara Montazeri, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and host of the podcast. Through honest conversations, solo episodes, and interviews with guests, we explore topics related to mental health, relationships, OCD, anxiety, self-compassion, and the messy, nuanced parts of being human. I hope these conversations can help you feel curious, connected, understood, and less alone. Thank you for being here!Instagram and TikTok: @trustandthrive; Email: trustandthrive@gmail.com Cover photo taken by @jedzantphotography

  1. 1h ago

    353: Slowing Down and Checking In As the Seasons Change

    Hi all! In this solo episode, I share some thoughts around this time of year, the time change, and the end of the year approaching.  I reflect on slowing down, checking in with ourselves, and noticing what we need as the seasons change. I explore what it can look like to notice moments of rumination and how we can practice self-care and kindness toward ourselves in these moments.  I also share reflections on making space for glimpses of joy, such as decorating for the holidays, and noticing any internal rules we set for ourselves.   As we approach the end of the year and what can feel like a hectic holiday season, I hope this episode can remind you to check in with what you're needing and to give yourself permission to meet those needs however you can.  STAY CONNECTED: INSTA: @trustandthrive TIKOK: @trustandthrive EMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

  2. Nov 5

    352: When Hope and Joy Bring Up Anxiety

    In this solo episode, I reflect on the recent election and the complicated emotions that can come with allowing ourselves to feel hopeful. I explore how anxiety and OCD can show up during moments of joy, and how our thoughts can grasp onto the fear of uncertainty. These thoughts might try to anticipate what might go wrong and prepare for disappointment. I talk about the importance of self-compassion in these moments and share ways doing so may have served as a way of protecting ourselves at one point. I also share some examples of my own internal thoughts and experiences, along with ways I've practiced acknowledging the thoughts, disengaging with them, and allowing them to exist while still holding space for hope and joy. This episode hopefully can be a reminder that anxiety and hope can coexist. We do not have to have answers to the future or feel completely safe or certain to allow ourselves to experience good moments. STAY CONNECTED: INSTA: @trustandthrive TIKOK: @trustandthrive EMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

  3. Oct 29

    351: Understanding Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors - with Dr. Sofia Wenzler, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Director at Helping Minds

    Dr. Sofia Wenzler is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Director at Helping Minds, an augmented intelligence platform for specialized mental healthcare. She leads the therapist team, oversees research initiatives, and helps develop digital interventions for OCD and related disorders. She earned her Master’s degree and PhD in Clinical Psychology from Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany. Her background includes clinical work with adolescents at University Hospital Frankfurt and research on emotion processing. She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and holds an Advanced Level Certification in Schema Therapy. In her private practice, Dr. Wenzler works with children, adolescents, and adults across a range of mental health concerns, with a particular focus on OCD and body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs). She is passionate about making evidence-based mental healthcare effective, approachable, and human. In this episode, we explore what body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) are and go over common misconceptions. We discuss specific examples, such as skin picking, hair pulling, nail biting, and other repetitive self-grooming behaviors.  We dive deep into the different ways BFRBs can show up, how they may differ from everyday habits, and similarities and distinctions between BFRBs and OCD. We also explore the emotional impact of living with BFRBs, the feelings of shame and isolation, and the importance of community as a part of recovery. In addition, we highlight evidence-based treatment approaches, including Habit Reversal Training (HRT), stimulus controls strategies, and practical tools for building awareness and responding differently to urges.  Whether you experience BFRBs yourself, support someone who does, or simply want to better understand these behaviors, we hope this conversation can offer education, validation, and hope. LEARN MORE: @skinpick_com @trichstop_com @stopocd_com STAY CONNECTED: INSTA: @trustandthrive TIKOK: @trustandthrive THREADS: @trustandthrive FACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramont EMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

  4. Oct 22

    350: Optimization OCD and the Fear of Living Life "Wrong"

    Do you feel like you need to make the best decision and maximize every single experience? Maybe you've felt like you're living life "wrong" and need to "get the most" out of everything...  In this solo episode, I talk about Optimization OCD, which as a reminder, is not a formal clinical term or separate diagnosis. It's simply a term used to describe how OCD can latch onto a desire or need to optimize multiple aspects of our lives. From everyday decisions and routines to relationships, career choices, and major life milestones, OCD can create a sense of urgency and make it feel like we need the "best" answer before moving forward. These thoughts may also latch onto therapy, "healing," and self-development, leading to even more guilt, anxiety, and distress.  I share some examples of what this may look like, including an example of a thought train related to these thoughts and associated compulsions.  As always, this episode is not a replacement for therapy and is for educational purposes only. This episode does not reflect everyone's experience with OCD. STAY CONNECTED: INSTA: @trustandthrive TIKOK: @trustandthrive EMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

  5. Oct 15

    349: Finding Strength and Resilience While Living with OCD - with Tom Smalley, Certified Mental Performance Consultant and Founder of Struggle Into Strength Performance

    Tom Smalley is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC), Employee Success Manager for North America at NinjaOne, and founder of Struggle Into Strength Performance. His work focuses on performance psychology, leadership development, and helping individuals and teams build confidence, resilience, and mental skills.  Diagnosed with OCD at age 16, Tom became passionate about raising awareness and breaking down mental health stigma. He received the 2019 IOCDF Hero Award and became a Lead Advocate for the International OCD Foundation in 2021, where he co-founded the Anxiety in Athletes initiative. He regularly speaks about OCD and mental health advocacy and is also a three-time USA Weightlifting Adaptive Division Gold Medalist and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitor.  In this episode, Tom shares about his personal experience living with OCD and his journey with OCD advocacy. We discuss the importance of OCD treatment, building resilience, navigating family dynamics, and understanding how OCD can impact both individuals and their loved ones. Tom also shares how his own experiences have helped influence his passion for breaking down stigma and openly speaking about OCD.  We explore the power of community, the importance of meaningful support, and what it can look like to embrace authenticity while navigating the challenges of OCD. We hope this episode can help you feel less alone.  *This episode is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not replace professional support.*  IOCDF Therapist Directory FOLLOW TOM: INSTA: @s2s_smalls WEBSITE: www.struggleintostrength.com Struggle Into Strength x IOCDF Scholarship Fund STAY CONNECTED: INSTA: @trustandthrive TIKOK: @trustandthrive THREADS: @trustandthrive FACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramont EMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

  6. Oct 8

    348: When OCD Attaches to Faith, Religion, and Morality - with Rev. Dr. Katie O'Dunne, Ordained Minister and Founder of Stick with the Ick

    Rev. Dr. Katie O’Dunne (she/her) is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and founder of Stick with the Ick, a virtual inclusive interfaith community app for those navigating faith and OCD, offering resources across traditions. She spent seven years as Academy Chaplain and Chair of Religious Studies at Woodward Academy in Atlanta while consulting on interfaith programming nationwide.  Katie now educates clinicians and clergy on culturally responsive treatment across religious/spiritual contexts, leads the IOCDF Faith & OCD Leadership Circle, and consults with OCDI Texas on Religion & OCD. She received Vanderbilt’s Doctor of Ministry Award for Distinction in Integrative Care Practices. In this week's episode, we discuss how OCD attaches to faith, values, religion, and morality. Katie shares her experience with OCD as an ordained minister and chaplain, her involvement with the Internal OCD Foundation (IOCDF), and her journey navigating OCD alongside her faith. We discuss how moral and religious OCD can contribute to guilt, shame, and distress, how certain behaviors may be reinforced or praised from a young age, and the grief that can accompany OCD. We also explore religious trauma, ERP related to moral OCD, integrating faith into OCD recovery, and support resources. We hope this conversation can be a reminder that faith and OCD treatment can coexist, and that navigating OCD does not have to mean abandoning your personal beliefs or values. FOLLOW REV. DR. KATIE O'DUNNE: INSTA: @stickwiththeick WEBSITE: www.stickwiththeick.com FAITH AND OCD CONFERENCE STAY CONNECTED: INSTA: @trustandthrive TIKOK: @trustandthrive THREADS: @trustandthrive FACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramont EMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

  7. Oct 1

    347: How OCD Showed Up in My Childhood

    We're kicking off OCD Awareness Month with a solo episode. I open up about some of my childhood experiences with OCD, before I even had the language or understanding of what it was. In this episode, I reflect on some of the thoughts, fears, behaviors, and patterns I experienced growing up, while normalizing how confusing and isolating OCD can feel. As always, this episode is not a replacement for professional support. This episode reflects my own personal experience and is just the tip of the iceberg of my own OCD story.  I hope this episode can simply remind you that you're not alone and create a space for honest conversations about the many ways OCD can show up. On the show, we'll be continuing the conversation throughout OCD Awareness Month with more episodes about OCD, including conversations with some wonderful guests. Coming soon! STAY CONNECTED: INSTA: @trustandthrive TIKOK: @trustandthrive EMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

  8. Sep 24

    346: How ADHD Shows Up In High-Achieving Adults - with Dr. Gilly Kahn, Clinical Psychologist and Writer

    Gilly Kahn, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, writer, and mother with ADHD. She practices in Atlanta and specializes in neurodiversity. She is the author of Allow Me to Interrupt: A Psychologist Reveals the Emotional Truth Behind Women’s ADHD. You can learn more about Gilly and her work by visiting her website at https://www.drgillykahn.com In this episode, we explore ADHD beyond the common stereotypes, including how it can show up in high-achieving adults and the ways neurodivergence can shape our experiences, relationships, and ability to pursue goals.  We also discuss emotional dysregulation related to ADHD, common misconceptions, ADHD and autism, navigating barriers to diagnosis and support, and the grief that can come with recognizing how ADHD has impacted different areas of your life. We also explore rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD), along with overlaps and important differences between ADHD and OCD. We hope this conversation can offer a nuanced look at living with ADHD in adulthood. FOLLOW DR. KAHN: INSTA: @drgillykahn WEBSITE: www.drgillykahn.com BOOK: Allow Me to Interrupt  STAY CONNECTED: INSTA: @trustandthrive TIKOK: @trustandthrive THREADS: @trustandthrive FACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramont EMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

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5
out of 5
97 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Trust and Thrive podcast! I'm Tara Montazeri, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and host of the podcast. Through honest conversations, solo episodes, and interviews with guests, we explore topics related to mental health, relationships, OCD, anxiety, self-compassion, and the messy, nuanced parts of being human. I hope these conversations can help you feel curious, connected, understood, and less alone. Thank you for being here!Instagram and TikTok: @trustandthrive; Email: trustandthrive@gmail.com Cover photo taken by @jedzantphotography

Information

  • Creator
    Tara Montazeri, LMFT
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    354
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Trust and Thrive
  • Show Website
    Trust and Thrive

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