Shoreside Therapies: Without The Couch

Laurie Groh MS LPC SAS
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Therapy-informed conversations for real life — hosted by Laurie Groh, MS, LPC, SAS, owner of Shoreside Therapies. Without the Couch is a therapy-informed podcast for real life — the messy, human, in-between stuff we're all navigating. Hosted by Laurie Groh, MS, LPC, SAS, owner of Shoreside Therapies, each episode brings warm, honest conversations with therapists and experts on the things that actually shape us: motherhood and matrescence, anxiety and burnout, relationships, neurodiversity, trauma and healing, identity, and change. No jargon, no pretending we have it all figured out — just grounded insight, the occasional reframe that sticks, and tools you can actually use. Whether you're in therapy, thinking about it, or just trying to understand yourself a little better, pull up a seat. You don't need a couch to do this work. New episodes regularly. Learn more at withoutthecouch.com.

  1. 5h ago ·  Video

    The 7 Stages of a Relationship (and Why Yours Probably Isn't Broken)

    When a relationship changes, most of us assume something went wrong. We used to have fun, and now we're arguing about dishes, money, or whose family gets the holidays. Sometimes that points to a real problem. More often, it means the relationship is developing. In this solo episode, Laurie Groh, MS, LPC, SAS, walks through the seven stages long-term relationships move through: passion and infatuation, discovery and disillusionment, commitment and choice, power struggles and boundaries, stability and teamwork, deepening intimacy, and crisis and repair. You'll hear why the fight you keep having is rarely about the topic, the three questions that usually sit underneath it (Do I matter to you? Can I depend on you? Do you respect me?), and what repair actually looks like between two imperfect people. Try this with your partner. Separately, answer four questions, then compare: Which stage do you think we're in? What feels hardest about this stage? What do I need more of from you? What am I willing to offer? Read the full write-up:  7 Stages blog post: https://go.shoresidetherapies.com/wtc7stages Podcast website: https://go.shoresidetherapies.com/wtcpodcast Shoreside website: https://go.shoresidetherapies.com/wtcpod   If you and your partner keep having the same conflict, or feel disconnected and aren't sure how to move forward, the couples therapists at Shoreside Therapies can help — in person in Milwaukee, Glendale, and Whitefish Bay, and online across Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and Colorado. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation at shoresidetherapies.com. Our intake coordinator Caitie will help you find the right fit, even if that's not us. Without the Couch is hosted by Laurie Groh, owner of Shoreside Therapies. This podcast is for education only and is not therapy. Timestamps (raw — re-verify against the final cut): 00:00 Why a changing relationship isn't a failing one 01:45 Stage 1: Passion and infatuation 06:20 Stage 2: Discovery and disillusionment 09:40 Stage 3: Commitment and choice 12:00 Stage 4: Power struggles and boundaries 14:10 The dishes fight: Do I matter? Can I depend on you? Do you respect me? 19:20 Stage 5: Stability and teamwork 21:20 Stage 6: Deepening connection and intimacy 24:20 Stage 7: Crisis and repair 27:00 A quick repair: the dinner-date story 30:25 The stages aren't a ladder 33:00 Exercise: four questions to ask each other 34:00 When couples therapy helps Tags: relationships, couples therapy, marriage, conflict, communication, intimacy, repair, Milwaukee couples therapist.

  2. Sep 2

    EMDR Intensives: Why Busy Women Are Skipping the Weekly Hour

    You know the feeling. You finally get to the thing — the real thing — and you look at the clock and there are four minutes left. So you put a pin in it. And by next week, or two weeks from now, you're not quite back there anymore. This week I'm joined by Kristen Holmes, LPC, who has been part of the Shoreside Therapies team for several years and is one of the people I refer to when a client is genuinely stuck. We talk about EMDR — what it actually is, past the acronym — and about EMDR intensives, a format where instead of an hour a week you do focused, deep work in a single block of hours or across a few days. Kristen explains why stuckness usually isn't stubbornness. It's a moment in your life where you didn't get something you needed, and a part of you is still there, trying to get that need met over and over. She also names something a lot of people need to hear: many of the clients who come to her for EMDR don't arrive with what they'd call trauma. They arrive with anxiety, burnout, and relationships where they feel unseen — and they're often the ones who look like they have it all together. In this episode: What EMDR actually is, and the movie-theater metaphor that makes it click The difference between the internet's version of "triggered" and what a real activator is Why your nervous system reacts before your thinking brain gets a vote What keeps people stuck after years of good therapy What an EMDR intensive looks like — the pre-session, the block, and the follow-up Why intensives fit business owners, career women, moms, teachers, and medical professionals How intensives work alongside your current therapist, not instead of them What Laurie sees in clients when they come back

  3. Aug 18

    Becoming a New Woman: Matrescence & Healing After Birth

    If you've ever felt pressure to "get back to who you were" after having a baby — this one's for you. Laurie sits down with Dr. Katarina Meister, a functional medicine doctor who helps women prepare for pregnancy and postpartum (and a twin mom nine months in), and Shoreside perinatal therapist Katie Fortune, LPC. Together they get honest about matrescence — the identity shift no one warns you about — Katarina's preterm twin birth and NICU stay, the grief that can come even when everyone is "healthy," how to advocate with your care team, and the hormone-and-nutrient cliff that follows birth. You'll leave with language for what you're feeling and permission to heal instead of bounce back. Work with Katie: https://go.shoresidetherapies.com/KF · Dr. Katarina's free lab guide: https://drkatarinameister.com/guide (@dr.katarina.meister) · Newsletter: https://bit.ly/wtcnews This episode is educational, not medical or mental-health advice. If you're struggling, reach out to a licensed provider; in crisis, call or text 988.

  4. Aug 11

    ”Too Much,” ”Too Distracted,” ”Too Sensitive”: What Happens When School Isn’t Built for Your Kid

    If your child has ever been called "too much," "too distracted," or "too sensitive" — if you're the parent who tenses up every time the school's number lights up your phone — this episode is for you. Laurie sits down with Jori Broidy, director of the new Milwaukee campus of Open Wings Learning Community, a school designed around neurodivergent kids, alongside Stacey Glasenapp, MS LPC, a child therapist at Shoreside Therapies. Together they get into what school looks like when it's built to believe in kids instead of manage them: six students to two teachers, learning partners matched by where a child actually is (not their birth year), zones of regulation woven into every morning, twice-daily outdoor time, and a culture where a meltdown is part of learning — not a reason to call home. You'll also leave with tools that work at any school: mirroring the classroom routine at home, the parent–teacher notebook, and the "frustration bag" — a simple, mirrored calm-down kit for the cubby, the house, and the car. Resources & links: Open Wings Learning Community (Milwaukee & Kenosha): openwingslearning.org — tour requests and enrollment questions (tuition and financial questions: contact the school directly) Work with Stacey Glasenapp, MS LPC — child therapy and support for moms of kids with special needs: shoresidetherapies.com St. Francis Children's Center (speech & OT partnership mentioned in-episode) Zones of Regulation (framework mentioned in-episode)

  5. Aug 6

    I Called Myself Stupid for Years. Then I Found Out It Was ADHD.

    For most of her life, Laurie had a private word for herself: stupid. She's a therapist with a master's degree who has spent twenty years teaching other people to speak to themselves more kindly — and she never once caught it in herself. Then, in her forties, the actual answer showed up: ADHD. Late diagnosed, like so many women. This is the relaunch of the show, under a new name and a new focus. Laurie explains why the Wisconsin Wellness Podcast became Without the Couch, what changed, who this show is for — and why she calls it an anti-shame project. This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not therapy, and listening does not create a therapeutic relationship. If you're in Wisconsin, Illinois, or Colorado and want real support, reach out at shoresidetherapies.com. Find Laurie: Shoreside Therapies — therapy in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Colorado: shoresidetherapies.com. The show, plus a place to send questions: withoutthecouch.com

  6. 06/30/2025

    56 | Mind, Body, Balance: Dr. Katarina Meister’s Insights on Managing Stress and Hormone [Re-Release]

    ⁠Join our Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join our WWP Facebook group⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Workshops and Worksheets   Dr. Katharina Meister discusses the connection between hormones and sleep, including the role of melatonin and sleep-related hormones. She emphasizes the importance of sex hormones in maintaining healthy sleep patterns and the impact of sleep deprivation on hormone regulation and overall health. Dr. Meister also highlights the role of exercise in hormonal regulation and sleep quality, as well as the connection between gut health and sleep. She provides advice on when to seek professional help for sleep disturbances and shares ongoing research and emerging trends in naturopathy. Finally, she offers actionable tips for optimizing hormonal balance. In this conversation, Katarina Meister discusses strategies for managing stress and optimizing hormonal health. She emphasizes the importance of incorporating restorative activities into daily routines and recommends a 3-2-1 exercise approach, consisting of three restorative activities, two weightlifting workouts, and one hour of walking or light cardio. Katarina also highlights the significance of nutrition in regulating cortisol levels and suggests including fiber, fat, and protein in meals. She provides tips for reducing sugar cravings and advises gradually reducing caffeine intake. Katarina explains the process of an initial consultation and the potential use of adaptogens and nutritional supplements to support hormonal balance. She also mentions the benefits of genetic testing for personalized medication response. The conversation concludes with a focus on establishing a routine and taking action steps such as walking and switching to green tea.   Takeaways Incorporate restorative activities into your daily routine to manage stress and optimize hormonal health. Follow the 3-2-1 exercise approach: three restorative activities, two weightlifting workouts, and one hour of walking or light cardio. Pay attention to nutrition by including fiber, fat, and protein in meals to regulate cortisol levels. Reduce sugar cravings by ensuring meals are balanced and gradually eliminating added sugars. Consider gradually reducing caffeine intake and switching to green tea for better cortisol regulation. Consult with a healthcare professional for an initial assessment and potential lab testing to identify hormonal imbalances. Explore the use of adaptogens and nutritional supplements to support hormonal balance. Consider genetic testing to understand personalized medication response. Establish a routine and hold yourself accountable to maintain healthy habits. Take action steps such as walking and switching to green tea to improve overall well-being.   Lakeside Natural Medicine https://lakesidenaturalmedicine.com/practitioners/drmeister/  ⁠Hooga: Red Light Therapy⁠⁠ I am excited to partner with Hooga! 🌟 Explore their Red Light Therapy Devices for Pain Relief, Skin Health, Energy Boost, and Recovery. Let's boost wellness together!  ⁠⁠Use code Wisconsin12 for 12% off⁠⁠   Equilife ⁠⁠Get A Free Bottle Of Gluten & Dairy Support On All Orders Over $149!⁠⁠ Receive a FREE bottle of Gluten & Dairy Support Enzyme on all orders over $149! Intolerance and sensitivity to gluten and dairy are some of the most common digestive issues. Many of the highly processed packaged foods we buy at the grocery store contain difficult-to-digest gluten and dairy-based ingredients.  Top 5 Books on Body and Mind Connection ⁠The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma⁠ ⁠Somatic Internal Family Systems Therapy: Awareness, Breath, Resonance, Movement and Touch in Practice⁠ ⁠DAILY VAGUS NERVE EXERCISES: Learn How to Stimulate & Activate the Power of the Longest Nerve in our Body, Prevent Inflammation and Calm Anxiety⁠ ⁠Applied Polyvagal Theory in Yoga: Therapeutic Practices for Emotional Health⁠ ⁠Energy Medicine: Balancing Your Body's Energies for Optimal Health, Joy, and Vitality Updated and Expanded

  7. 06/23/2025

    55 | Weighted Blankets, Nervous-Systems & Finding Safety in a Busy World

    In this episode of the Wisconsin Wellness Podcast, Laurie Groh talks with Elizabeth Grojean, founder of Baloo Living, about the science and story behind her ethical weighted blanket brand. Elizabeth shares how a leap of faith to Bali turned into a thriving business—and how slowing down can lead to deep transformation. You'll also hear: Why deep pressure touch helps regulate your nervous system How weighted blankets improve sleep quality, reduce anxiety, and even help during trauma work The importance of listening to your body over your inner critic How stress isn't always bad—it can fuel purpose Why sleep equity matters for kids and how Baloo supports mental health nonprofits 🔗 Get 10% off at BalooLiving.com with code wisconsinwellness 🎧 Listen now on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2pGeHlpsWqdg4sTCpAGm3G?si=e5b4bc9098da4bc0 📚 Learn about The Pajama Program and SeaTrees ✅ One Action You Can Take Today: Try a 5-minute grounding break with a weighted blanket — even midday. Give your body a moment of stillness and see how your nervous system responds. And if you don’t have one, maybe this is your nudge to check out Baloo (10% off with code wisconsinwellness at balooliving.com).

  8. 06/15/2025

    54 | Dad Mode Activated: Mental Health Tools for Fatherhood

    Guest: Bradley Brown, MS, LPC-IT – Therapist at Shoreside Therapies Host: Laurie Groh, MS, LPC – Shoreside Therapies Description: In this special Father’s Day episode, Laurie sits down with Shoreside Therapies’ Bradley Brown to talk about the evolving mental health needs of dads. From identity shifts to emotional modeling and burnout, this conversation is packed with honest insights and practical tools. Whether you're a dad, partner, or someone supporting one, you'll leave with ideas for reflection, connection, and real growth. What We Cover: The invisible load of fatherhood Why “dad guilt” is real—and what to do about it How to model emotional literacy for kids Breaking generational patterns in parenting Navigating loneliness and building male friendship Identity loss and postpartum mental health in men Quick, doable strategies for better mental health today Resources & Links: 🌊 Shoreside Therapies – Therapy for Men 👨‍⚕️ Meet Bradley Brown 📝 Free Reflective Worksheet for Dads (optional—let me know if you want this!) 🎧 Listen to more episodes: wisconsinwellnesspodcast.com

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Therapy-informed conversations for real life — hosted by Laurie Groh, MS, LPC, SAS, owner of Shoreside Therapies. Without the Couch is a therapy-informed podcast for real life — the messy, human, in-between stuff we're all navigating. Hosted by Laurie Groh, MS, LPC, SAS, owner of Shoreside Therapies, each episode brings warm, honest conversations with therapists and experts on the things that actually shape us: motherhood and matrescence, anxiety and burnout, relationships, neurodiversity, trauma and healing, identity, and change. No jargon, no pretending we have it all figured out — just grounded insight, the occasional reframe that sticks, and tools you can actually use. Whether you're in therapy, thinking about it, or just trying to understand yourself a little better, pull up a seat. You don't need a couch to do this work. New episodes regularly. Learn more at withoutthecouch.com.

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