#27 - Dr. Mike Strand on psychology, relationship insecurities, IFS

Today's guest is Dr. Mike Strand, an established psychologist with a private practice here in Austin. We're excited about this one. Find out more about Mike: connectedcounselingwellness.com In this episode, we discuss a trending Instagram reel, answer a question from Reddit, and explore the topic of trust in relationships. We then go deep with Mike, who shares insights on dating, relationships, and internal family systems. The conversation covers topics such as gender differences in attraction, the importance of trust in relationships, and the four horsemen of the relationship apocalypse. Mike also discusses his private practice and upcoming workshops on relationship building. We discuss Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and its application in personal growth and relationships. We explore the concept of parts within ourselves, including protectors, managers, firefighters, and exiles. We emphasize the importance of developing a relationship with these parts and cultivating self-energy. We also discuss the legacy burdens we carry from our parents and the potential for healing and transformation through IFS. Mike shares an exercise for exploring and understanding our parts, and we discuss the benefits of working with a trained practitioner.