Williamsville Wellness Podcast

Williamsville Wellness
  • 5.0 (5)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to the official podcast of Williamsville Wellness, where we explore the complexities of mental health, addiction recovery, and personal growth. Through expert insights, real-life stories, and practical strategies, we aim to break the stigma around mental health and provide valuable tools for healing and resilience. Whether you're seeking guidance, supporting a loved one, or simply interested in learning more, join us as we navigate the journey to wellness, balance, and lasting recovery.

  1. What We've Learned Working in Addiction Recovery

    6D AGO

    What We've Learned Working in Addiction Recovery

    What do you really learn after working with hundreds of people in addiction recovery? In this candid conversation, Emma Land and Steven Smith - both licensed professional counselors at Williamsville Wellness with over three years in the field - share the hard-earned insights that textbooks don't teach you. From the harsh reality that motivation alone isn't enough, to why recovery affects entire family systems, to the life-changing power of being brutally honest with clients about how difficult this journey really is. Emma and Steven discuss the complexity of addiction, the importance of "people, places, and things," and how recovery principles like honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness actually play out in real life. Whether you're in recovery yourself, supporting someone who is, or working in the field, this episode offers an unvarnished look at what recovery truly requires - and why that complexity doesn't make it hopeless, just real. This is the first in a planned series featuring different perspectives from the Williamsville Wellness team, including peer counselors who bring their own lived experience to the conversation.

    27 min
  2. EMDR & Adult Children of Alcoholics: Healing Trauma & Uncovering Memories

    JUL 10

    EMDR & Adult Children of Alcoholics: Healing Trauma & Uncovering Memories

    In this episode, Billy Hoffman and Stephen Smith discuss Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, particularly how it can benefit adult children of alcoholics (ACA) dealing with the "laundry list" traits. Stephen, an EMDR specialist, explains the process from a patient's perspective, discussing how EMDR helps uncover and reprocess distressing memories, even those that are subconscious. Learn about the different types of bilateral stimulation (visual, tactile, auditory) and discover why EMDR can be a powerful tool for healing, especially for those who find traditional talk therapy challenging. If you're an ACA, or simply curious about EMDR, this episode offers helpful insights and resources.

    16 min
  3. Beyond the Laundry List: An ACA Recovery Story

    JUN 19

    Beyond the Laundry List: An ACA Recovery Story

    In this episode of the Williamsville Podcast, Billy Hoffman and Stephen Smith dive into the world of Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA). Billy shares his personal journey discovering ACA traits years into recovery and how this awareness helped him understand and work through childhood pain. They discuss common patterns like walking on eggshells and fear of conflict, as well as the importance of ongoing self-discovery, inner child work, and patience in healing. If you’re curious about ACA or looking for insights on recovery, this episode offers real talk, practical advice, and encouragement to keep going even when the path isn’t clear.

    30 min
  4. Para-Alcoholism & Reactive Living | ACA Traits #13 & 14 Explored

    JUN 6

    Para-Alcoholism & Reactive Living | ACA Traits #13 & 14 Explored

    In this final episode of our ACA Laundry List series, Billy and Stephen explore traits #13 and #14 - para-alcoholism and reactive vs. proactive living. Even without picking up a drink, adult children often inherit the emotional and behavioral patterns of addiction as a family disease. We discuss how growing up with dysfunction teaches us to be "reactors rather than actors" in our own lives.

    25 min
  5. Harsh Self-Judgment & Low Self-Esteem | ACA Traits #11 & 12 Explored

    MAY 29

    Harsh Self-Judgment & Low Self-Esteem | ACA Traits #11 & 12 Explored

    In this powerful episode of the ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunction) podcast, Billy and Steven take a deep dive into Traits 11 & 12 of the ACA Laundry List.

    26 min
  6. Unpacking Shame in Addiction Recovery | Williamsville Wellness Podcast

    MAY 22

    Unpacking Shame in Addiction Recovery | Williamsville Wellness Podcast

    Shame can drive addiction, and addiction can deepen shame. In this podcast, Emma Land, LPC and Stephen Smith, LPC highlight the difference between shame and guilt, the cycle of shame in addiction, how childhood shapes lifelong shame, and much more.

    34 min
  7. Feeling Different & Struggling with Intimacy | ACA Traits #9 & 10 Explored

    MAY 15

    Feeling Different & Struggling with Intimacy | ACA Traits #9 & 10 Explored

    In this episode of our ACA Traits Explored series, Stephen and Billy dive into Trait #9: "We became isolated and afraid of people and authority figures" and Trait #10: "We became addicted to excitement." These traits often develop in households affected by addiction or dysfunction and can shape how we relate to the world - and ourselves.

    28 min
  8. Guilt When Assertive & Addiction to Excitement | ACA Traits #7 & 8 Explored

    MAY 8

    Guilt When Assertive & Addiction to Excitement | ACA Traits #7 & 8 Explored

    In this episode of our ACA Traits Explored series, Stephen and Billy take on two powerful traits that many adult children of addiction know all too well: Trait #7: We get guilt feelings when we stand up for ourselves instead of giving in to others Trait #8: We became addicted to excitement From difficulty setting boundaries to chasing chaos just to feel alive, these traits reveal how deeply childhood environments can shape adult behavior. Stephen and Billy reflect on their own experiences and how recovery helps transform guilt into confidence — and excitement into peace. Catch earlier episodes covering Traits #1–6 and stay tuned for the full series.

    29 min
See All (17)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to the official podcast of Williamsville Wellness, where we explore the complexities of mental health, addiction recovery, and personal growth. Through expert insights, real-life stories, and practical strategies, we aim to break the stigma around mental health and provide valuable tools for healing and resilience. Whether you're seeking guidance, supporting a loved one, or simply interested in learning more, join us as we navigate the journey to wellness, balance, and lasting recovery.

Information