Mental Health Dumpster Fire
by Courtney Lauver, LCSW and Jess Miller, LPATA
Two therapists ditch the psychobabble and get real about how mental health shows up in our daily lives. Using current events and trending online stories, your hosts break down the psychology behind daily drama, communication problems, parenting frustrations and relationship complaints. Get expert takes through an unfiltered lens, and commiserate with us about how we're all screwed.
Episodes
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Episode 34: Mental Health Emergencies w/ Taylor Ryan, LCSW
Recorded November 10, 2025 CW: substance use, pregnancy, severe mental illness This week Taylor Ryan, LCSW joins us to talk about her work in emergency psychiatric services, her experience working with individuals with severe mental illness, and her research on mental health for first-time…
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Episode 33: This Therapy Connects People with Passed Loved Ones w/ Jenny Townsend, LCSW
Recorded November 3, 2025 This week Jenny Townsend, LCSW explains some of the services she offers in her practice, including Induced After Death Communication, Reiki, and Walk-and-Talk Sessions. Check out Jenny’s info below! https://www.jennytownsendlcsw.com...
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Episode 32: “Therapy Speak” Terms Defined By Actual Therapists
Recorded October 20, 2025Before you use the words “gaslighting,” “triggered,” or “OCD” in casual conversation, learn what they actually mean with Jess and Courtney, two actual therapists. What pop psychology “therapy speak” words should we define next? References:@igototherapy on InstagramFollow…
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Episode 31: Where Do You Get Your Mental Health Answers? w/ Calli Weis, LCSW
Our first guest of the season! Thanks so much to Calli Weis, LCSW for joining us to talk about self-diagnosis and TikTok therapy advice. Let us know what you thought of this episode!Follow us on Instagram (@mental.health.dumpster.fire) and TikTok (@mentalhealthdumpsterfire)Follow Jess on…
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Episode 30: How to Find a Therapist
This week we look at random therapists' online biographies and break down the language used to help you find the right therapist for you. Let us know about your experiences with finding a new therapist! Follow us on Instagram (@mental.health.dumpster.fire) and TikTok (@mentalhealthdumpsterfire)...
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Episode 29: What is Art Therapy?
This week, Jess teaches us about the history and process of art therapy! If you have any questions about art therapy, let us know in the comments so Jess can continue to share her knowledge. Follow us on Instagram (@mental.health.dumpster.fire) and TikTok (@mentalhealthdumpsterfire)Follow Jess on...
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Episode 28: AI is Telling People it's Their Therapist
This week we talk about the dangers of using AI as a substitute for therapy.Follow us on Instagram (@mental.health.dumpster.fire) and TikTok (@mentalhealthdumpsterfire)Follow Jess on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook (@TheArtsyBrain)Follow Courtney on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook...
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Episode 26: The Manosphere Goes to Therapy
CW: SA, narcissism, human traffickingIn part 2 of our deep dive on toxic masculinity, Courtney reviews Andrew Tate's trip to "therapy." Here is Dr. Kirk Honda's first video covering this topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nA1DsHKkIy4Follow us on Instagram (@mental.health.dumpster.fire) and...
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Episode 25: Therapists Nerd Out About Dungeons & Dragons
This week Jess teaches Courtney about Dungeons & Dragons and how to create a character to represent your strengths and personality. More D&D content in 2 weeks!Follow us on Instagram (@mental.health.dumpster.fire) and TikTok (@mentalhealthdumpsterfire)Follow Jess on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook...
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Episode 24: Therapists Unpack Toxic Masculinity
Content Warning: This episode discusses misogyny, incels, racism, and transphobiaWe're back for season 2!!! We kick off our new season with a new format. Courtney talks about the psychology of toxic masculinity and incel culture. Then Jess reads reddit stories for today's theme.Let us know what…
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Episode 23: I Only Exist in This Room
Recorded November 18, 2024 This week we check out the Ask a Therapist subreddit and give our professional take. Then we dive into a discussion about hot people and how they are ruining our mental health (kidding, kind of). Tara Mooknee’s Video: https://youtu.be/-Vs3R-FhPUg?si=huwIfN5glD6DJD7E…
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Episode 22: Skibidi Toilet Therapy
Recorded November 11, 2024 It's been a minute but we're still here! Today we wanted to prioritize laughter. We talked about funny things that have happened in therapy, our favorite memes, and answered some random hypothetical questions. Follow us on Instagram (@mental.health.dumpster.fire) and...
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Episode 21: Therapists Talk Politics and Jerk Boyfriends
Episode recorded November 4, 2024Today we discuss how to talk about politics with family members (and complain about the state of politics today). Then we read some Reddit stories about terrible boyfriends and step-moms. Article Jess Referenced:...
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Episode 20: Insurance, Parenting, and Getting Involved, with Rachel Buehner, Ph.D, M.Ed
We're back for 2025!Thank you so much to Dr. Rachel Buehner for joining us to talk about her role as a psychologist, how insurance can affect accessibility to therapy, Autism services, and some parenting advice. Check out Dr. Buehner on TikTok and YouTube! @bringlightpsychology1923 FEAT of...
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Episode 19: Life Saving Gossip
Content Warning: PoliticsToday, your therapists discuss studies from r/Science: The psychology of the election & politics, senses of direction, gossip, and whether superhero movies make us better peopleThen we read AITA stories about being rude to service workers, HR getting involved in game…
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Episode 18: Take the Purple Bucket if You Want to be Scared
This week, Jess and Courtney commiserate about our daily ADHD struggles. Then we talk about Halloween etiquette: How old is too old to trick or treat? Should we out disabled children? Is Coraline too scary for toddlers? Episode was recorded October 14, 2024 Check out our recommendations this…
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Episode 15: How to Set Boundaries the RIGHT Way
This week, the therapists talk about the right and wrong ways to set and maintain boundaries. Our recommendations this week are: How to Not Be a Doormat: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheGirlSurvivalGuide/comments/y94zui/how_to_not_be_a_doormat_a_guide_to_defining_your/ Values Sort:...
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Episode 14: Asking Toddlers to do Algebra with Molly Fitz King, LPCC-S, LPAT
This week we welcome Molly Fitz King to chat about neurodivergence, addiction, and advocating for our clients and ourselves. Check out Molly's website here: https://www.fitzkingtherapy.com/ Get information about People Advocating Recovery: https://peopleadvocatingrecovery.org/ Follow us on...
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Episode 6: Therapists Review Inside Out 2
This week we gush about our new favorite movie, Inside Out 2! We tell you all about how accurate the movie is to real psychology and what we can learn about our own mental health through the film. Let us know what you thought of the movie and send us your creative creations! Follow us on…
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Episode 17: Parenting One-Liners
This week, Jess and Courtney talk about people pleasing, parenting one-liners, and celebrating birthdays as a child of divorce. Check out our recommendations for this week! https://coffeeandcarpool.com/ https://www.screenzen.co/ https://www.mrsspeechiep.com/ Follow us on Instagram...
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Episode 13: Random Reddit Stories and More Chappell Roan Love
This week, Jess and Courtney read wild Reddit stories about violated boundaries and stay-at-home parents. Then they discuss Chappell Roan and how she deserves everything she ever wants. Our recommendation this week is: Your Child's Point of View by Kelsey Olds: https://a.co/d/8XulCxW Follow us on...
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Episode 12: Unconditional Acceptance with Courtney Morgan, LPCC
It's our first guest episode! Thank you so much to Courtney Morgan, LPCC for joining us this week to talk about her method for helping clients with anxiety and self-worth. Check out Courtney's practice and social media, Counseling Unconditionally! www.counselingunconditionally.com...
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Episode 11: You Said WHAT To Your Boss?
This week, Jess shares about a new program for young adults interested in a mental health career. Then, your hosts dish about misogyny and why we don't offer individual therapy to adult men. Check out the Youth Mental Health Corps here: https://www.youthmentalhealthcorps.org/ Our recommendations...
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Episode 10: Gentle Parenting is for Gentle Parents
Double digits, baby!!! On this episode, Jess and Courtney discuss *real* gentle parenting, not the made up gentle parenting you see on TikTok. They also pet a cute dog. Our recommendations this week are the Child Mind Institute: https://childmind.org/ and @theconsideratemomma on TikTok Follow us…
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Episode 9: Therapists Talk Education (Part 2)
Jess and Courtney are back to finish discussing teachers' opinions on parenting. Check out the article we read here: https://www.buzzfeed.com/alanavalko/modern-parenting-trends-teachers-opinions Our recommendations this week are Bark (although take with a grain of salt because we learned about it...
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Episode 8: Therapist Talk Education (Part 1)
Jess and Courtney discuss parenting trends that frustrate educators and provide their own education on how parents can step it up. Our recommendations this week are: @samacdonald on TikTok A Slob Comes Clean Podcast: https://www.aslobcomesclean.com/podcasts/ Check out the article we read here:...
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Episode 7: Teen Helps Create Law to Stop Child Exploitation
CW: Child Exploitation This week, Courtney and Jess discuss new legislation to help prevent child exploitation on social media. They also talk about helping teens make friends and how technology makes it harder to socialize IRL. Our recommendations include @birchwoodarttherapy on Instagram! Check...
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Episode 5: My Therapist Told Me To Neglect My Child!
Content warnings for this episode: brief mentions of conversion therapy, child neglect, weight loss, sexual assault, religious trauma On this episode of MHDF, Jess and Courtney discuss the worst and best things people have heard from their therapists. This week's recommendations: Dr. Chelsey…
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Episode 4: Gender Identity, Chappell Roan, Playing with Your Kids, Oh My!
How are we doin?! Welcome to episode 4 of Mental Health Dumpster Fire! Today we talk about gender identity for school-aged kids, queer community spaces, how to play with kids when you yourself are an adult, and our love for Chappell Roan. Our recommendations for this week are @maistorybooklibrary...
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Episode 3: Your Child is Not a Narcissist
Jess and Courtney discuss quitting therapy, getting an accurate mental health diagnosis, using therapy language in casual conversation, what to put in a depression care package, and finding a balance between letting kids be kids and giving them responsibility. Our recommendations today are Dr.…
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Episode 2: AITA Parenting Topics & First Time in Therapy FAQs
CW: brief mentions of depression, suicide/suicidal ideation, homicide, abuse, and neglect. Hey there, it's Episode 2 of Mental Health Dumpster Fire! Today we chat about teens who won't get out of bed in the morning, maintaining a united front for parents with toddlers, and we answer some FAQs…
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Episode 1: Get to Know Your Therapists
CW: Brief mention of child abuse and suicidal ideationWelcome to the first episode of Mental Health Dumpster Fire! Today we introduce ourselves and give you an idea of what to expect from future episodes. If you have any suggestions for topics for future episodes, message us on Instagram.Social...
About this show
Two therapists ditch the psychobabble and get real about how mental health shows up in our daily lives. Using current events and trending online stories, your hosts break down the psychology behind daily drama, communication problems, parenting frustrations and relationship complaints. Get expert takes through an unfiltered lens, and commiserate with us about how we're all screwed.
Hosted by
Courtney Lauver, LCSW and Jess Miller, LPATA