What Your Therapist Thinks

Shelly Qualter, an expert counselor, joins Kristie and Felicia to talk everything on performance anxiety. Drawing from Shelly’s experience as an expert counselor, they break down performance anxiety as a fear-based emotion arising from uncertainty, feeling threatened, or being out of control.

Some takeaways:

• The difference between helpful "nervous energy" and debilitating panic
• How externalizing anxiety (like giving it a name) fosters control and self-compassion
• Distinguishing between fact-based worry and baseless "what if" worries

Jon Lee LMFT, joins Kristie and Felicia to talk everything on trauma and recovery. Drawing from Jon’s specialized niche in dissociative disorders, they break down trauma as a lasting adaptation of the nervous system.

Some takeaways:

• The difference between a traumatic event and the physiological trauma response
• How healing is achieved through incremental progress and relational therapy
• Balancing traditional Western practices with community and ancient wisdom

Certified sex therapist Amalia Miralrio joins Felicia and Kristie to talk everything cheating. Drawing from her psychoanalytic expertise, Amalia breaks down infidelity as an unconscious drive. She explains where it can originate from and why this inner conflict leads to a struggle for autonomy.

Some takeaways:

• How unconscious drives work as a motivation for cheating
• The connection between infidelity and early developmental issues
• How this inner conflict often leads to a repetition compulsion
• Balancing the human needs for intimacy versus freedom

Somatic trauma therapist Chloe Bean joins Felicia and Kristie to talk everything people-pleasing. Drawing from her expertise in high-functioning anxiety, Chloe breaks down people-pleasing as a learned trauma response. She explains how it can originate from a childhood need for safety and why prioritizing others leads to resentment and losing yourself.

Some takeaways:

• How people-pleasing works as a survival habit
• The connection between people-pleasing and losing yourself
• How prioritizing others' needs often leads to exhaustion and resentment
• Shifting from fear to setting authentic boundaries

Licensed clinical social worker Kenny Levine joins Kristie and Felicia to explore the destructive power of contempt in relationships. Drawing from the Gottman method, Kenny breaks down the "Four Horsemen" of conflict, explaining how to identify warning signs like contempt and why addressing this early is a must for maintaining a healthy partnership.

Some takeaways:

• How contempt is a red flag for a relationship's health
• The difference between resentment and contempt
• Maintaining a five-to-one ratio of positive to negative interactions
• Why addressing issues early on is key to preventing the buildup of hopelessness