Shrinking Heads

In this episode, we continue navigating the jungle of mental health with Shannon as we explore a common—but often misunderstood—distinction: forgiveness vs. reconciliation.These terms are frequently used interchangeably, but they represent very different parts of the mental health jungle. One is internal, personal, and doesn’t require the other person. The other involves rebuilding trust, safety, and connection. So how do you know where in the jungle you need to head?Together, we explore questions like:What is the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation?Do you need to forgive someone to heal?When is reconciliation healthy—and when is it not?How do boundaries fit into both processes?This conversation sheds light on different crevices of the jungle - emotional, relational, and psychological layers of letting go, holding boundaries, and making intentional choices about connection after harm.Whether you’re working through a difficult relationship or trying to better understand your own healing process, this episode offers clarity and nuance in a space that’s rarely black and white.Tune in for an honest discussion about forgiveness, reconciliation, boundaries, trust, relationship healing, emotional processing, and navigating the mental health jungle of connection and repair.#shrinkingheads #prismaticcounseling #mentalheathpodcast #forgiveness #reconciliation

In this episode, we step further into the jungle of mental health to explore one of the most difficult—and most necessary—paths in relationships: repairing harm through meaningful apologies.Apologies are often seen as simple words, but real repair requires much more than “I’m sorry.” We unpack what makes an apology effective, why some attempts at repair fall short, and how accountability, empathy, and timing all play a role in rebuilding trust.Together, we explore questions like:What separates a genuine apology from an empty one?Why is it so hard to take full accountability?How do you repair trust once it’s been broken?What does healing actually look like for both sides of the relationship?Whether you’re working to repair a relationship, processing an apology you’ve received, or trying to better understand your own patterns, this conversation offers a thoughtful guide through the complexity of connection and repair.Tune in for an honest discussion about apologies, relationship repair, accountability, emotional intelligence, communication in relationships, trust-building, and navigating the mental health jungle of human connection.#shrinkingheads #mentalhealthpodcast #apologies #prismaticcounseling

In this episode, your host Elizabeth continues navigating the jungle of mental health by exploring an emerging and often overlooked path: sports social work.Joined by Cody Smith, LCSW-BACS, join them as they unpack what sports social work actually is and why it matters in today’s athletic landscape. From supporting athletes’ mental health to addressing systemic challenges within sports culture, this conversation sheds light on the critical role social workers can play both on and off the field.Together, we explore questions like:What is sports social work, and how does it differ from sports psychology?What unique challenges do athletes face that call for this kind of support?How can social workers advocate for healthier, more sustainable sports environments?What does holistic care for athletes really look like?Whether you’re an athlete, clinician, coach, or someone curious about the intersection of mental health and sports, this episode offers insight into a field that’s expanding how we think about care, performance, and well-being.Tune in for a grounded conversation about sports social work, athlete mental health, trauma-informed care, sports culture, advocacy in athletics, and navigating the mental health jungle within competitive environments.#shrinkingheads #prismaticcounseling #sportsocialwork

In this episode, your host Elizabeth is joined by Dr. Ryan Hildebrand to continue navigating the jungle of mental health. This week, they explore a growing and complex phenomenon: the rise of self-diagnosing and labeling in the age of social media.From TikTok trends to Instagram infographics, mental health language is more visible—and more accessible—than ever. But what happens when awareness blurs into overidentification? We unpack the psychological impact of adopting labels, the appeal of self-diagnosis, and how online content can both empower and mislead.Together, we explore questions like:When does self-awareness become self-diagnosis?How do labels shape identity—for better or worse?What role should social media play in mental health education?What are some of the nuances of ethical diagnosing?Whether you’re someone exploring your own mental health, a clinician, or simply trying to make sense of what you see online, this conversation brings thoughtful perspective to a nuanced and often misunderstood topic.Tune in for an honest discussion about mental health awareness, self-diagnosis, social media psychology, identity and labels, misinformation, and navigating the mental health jungle in a digital world.#shrinkingheads #mentalhealthpodcast #prismaticcounseling #labels #mentalhealthandsocialmedia

In this special crossover episode, we venture deeper into the jungle of mental health to explore a challenge many athletes quietly face: what happens when you step back from a sport you love.Joined by the host of The Martial Maze, Israel Lopez Sensei, we discuss the psychological terrain that comes with taking a break—or even walking away—from a discipline that has shaped identity, routine, and community. From grief and loss to growth and rediscovery, we unpack the complex emotional impact of shifting away from something that once defined you.Together, we explore questions like:Who are you outside the sport that shaped you?How do you cope with the loss of structure, competition, and belonging?How do you return to a sense of purpose?Whether you’re a martial artist, athlete, coach, or someone navigating a major life transition, this conversation shines a light on the courage it takes to pause, reflect, and redefine your path through the mental health jungle.Tune in for an honest conversation about mental health in sports, athlete identity, life after sports, martial arts mindset, burnout in athletics, sports psychology, personal growth, and navigating major life transitions.#shrinkingheads #martialmaze #sportsandmentalhealth #lifeaftersports

In this episode, we explore a sensitive and often misunderstood part of the mental health jungle: self-harm. With compassion and clarity, we talk about what self-harm is—and what it isn’t—focusing on the emotional pain that often drives it rather than the behavior itself.We discuss why self-harm can become a coping strategy, how stigma and silence can deepen suffering, and what supportive, nonjudgmental responses can look like from loved ones and clinicians. This conversation avoids graphic detail and centers understanding, connection, and hope.Content warning: This episode includes discussion of self-harm and may be difficult for some listeners. Please take care of yourself while listening.You are not alone in this jungle, and support is possible.Resources: Self-Harm Crisis Text Line (741741)To Write Love On Her Arms Resource GuideCornell University Self-Injury Recovery Resources (SIRR)

In this episode of Shrinking Heads, we’re diving headfirst into the mental health jungle of the hospitality industry with Olivia McCoy from WeHelpNOLA. From long hours and emotional labor to burnout being worn like a badge of honor, hospitality workers are expected to show up smiling—no matter what’s happening behind the scenes.We explore what makes this industry uniquely tough on mental health, why exhaustion has been normalized, and how resilience often comes at a real cost. Olivia also shares how WeHelpNOLA is working to bridge the gap between hospitality workers and accessible, affirming mental health care—breaking down barriers, reducing stigma, and meeting people where they are.This conversation is about more than naming the problem; it’s about highlighting solutions, community-driven support, and what it looks like to make mental health care actually attainable in an industry that rarely slows down.If you’ve ever powered through a shift on empty, struggled to set boundaries, or wondered if there’s a better way to survive—and even thrive—in hospitality, this episode is for you.Grab your headphones. This one hits home.If this episode made you think, “Okay… I need this,” you’re not wrong.Connect with WeHelpNOLA to learn more Website:  www.wehelpnola.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wehelpnola/ (@wehelpNOLA)Email: [email protected]: https://linktr.ee/wehelpnola?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=93fefc17-3f0a-43da-95d3-27e6b4f4141d

In this episode, we machete our way through one of the densest thickets of all: psychiatric medication. Why does taking meds still feel like stepping into quicksand socially? Who decided that needing a prescription is a character flaw? And lurking in the undergrowth—how much influence does Big Pharma really have over what ends up on the prescription pad?We explore the stigma that keeps people hiding, the pressure to choose between “natural” remedies and pharmaceuticals, and the tangled ecosystem of marketing, medicine, and mental health care. No fear-mongering, no corporate cheerleading—just a clear-eyed expedition through a system that’s anything but simple.Whether you’re a clinician, a patient, or just trying to survive the mental health wilderness with your sanity intact, this episode of Shrinking Heads offers a compass, a sense of humor, and permission to ask better questions. Watch your step—self-awareness grows fast out here.

Season 2 kicks off with machetes sharpened and resolutions already wobbling. In Episode One of Shrinking Heads, we trek back into the jungle of mental health to ask a timeless January question: do New Year’s resolutions actually help, or are they just motivational vines we trip over by February? Join us as we wander through the mental health jungle to examine whether resolutions are tools for meaningful change or just shiny goals that lose their leaves by February. No shame, no guilt—just honest reflection and a few psychological survival tips.#shrinkingheads #prismaticcounseling #newyearnewyou #resolutions

This week on Shrinking Heads, we emerge from the dense jungle of mental health we’ve been trekking through all season—mud-splattered, wiser, and still shaking leaves out of our hair. As we set up camp at the edge of the wild, we’re reflecting on the creatures we’ve encountered along the way: the sneaky stress snakes, the rumbling anxiety beasts, and those rare moments of clarity that shimmered like sunlight through the canopy.But don’t pack up your gear just yet. Before we close the season, we’re dropping a few clues about next year’s expedition—new terrains, unexpected guides, deeper dives, and maybe even a trek into parts of the mind we’ve only glimpsed from afar. Think of it as your teaser map to the next great adventure in emotional exploration.Grab a coconut canteen and join us for one last trek before Season Two begins. The jungle may be quiet for now… but trust us, it’s far from done.

This week on Shrinking Heads, we grab our machetes and head straight into the dense emotional jungle created by the government shutdown. With vines of uncertainty, quicksand pits of stress, the distant calls of budgetary chaos echoing through the canopy, and host Shannon still on sabbatical, join Elizabeth as she explores how all this political turbulence takes a real toll on mental health. Luckily, guest host Scott swings in to help us navigate the underbrush—part guide, part fellow explorer, and fully aware that even the steadiest minds can trip over unexpected roots. Join us as we chart a path through shutdown-induced anxiety, highlight the survival tools we all need, and remind you that no one—therapists included—gets through the jungle without a few bumps and bruises.Yes, we know we accidentally uploaded the wrong episode so some of you now know how the season ends. We apologize, even we aren't perfect ALL the time 😂

What happens when one of our hosts gets left to fend for themselves in the jungle? Chaos? Adventure? A few too many bug bites? All of the above. In this wild episode of Shrinking Heads, we swing from the trees of survival to the branches of therapy as our stranded host shares her favorite lessons, tips, and insights from the therapy room. Expect laughter, reflection, and practical mental health wisdom—delivered straight from the jungle. It’s therapy, unplugged…and slightly untamed.

Sometimes, what looks like delusion in one culture is divine connection in another — and if we’re not careful, our diagnostic machete can hack away at someone’s sacred roots. In this episode, we venture deep into the undergrowth of spirituality, culture, and clinical judgment.We’ll talk about how to tell when a “calling” isn’t a crisis, why burning sage isn’t always a red flag, and how to avoid confusing ancestral guidance with auditory hallucinations. Grab your compass (and maybe a little cultural humility), because this one’s about learning to listen before labeling.

This week, we’re venturing into the therapy jungle to take a hard look at ourselves—not our clients. Even the most experienced therapists carry assumptions and stereotypes about the people who come throughout doors: the “one with the pumpkin spice latte”, the “resistant” client, the "perfectly self-aware” client. In this episode, we’ll explore where these mental shortcuts come from, how they can shape our work, and why challenging them is essential for authentic, effective therapy. Along the way, we’ll share insights, stories, and maybe even a few laughs at the traps we’ve all fallen into in the therapy jungle.

What’s it really like when your family tree grows therapists? In this episode of Shrinking Heads, we trek deeper into the jungle of mental health by flipping the mic toward home. Elizabeth’s mom and Shannon’s husband join us for an honest (and hilarious) look at what life is like when your dinner table doubles as a therapy couch. From unsolicited “reflective listening” to decoding every sigh, we explore the perks, pitfalls, and punchlines of living with therapists in the family.

In this week's episode, join your Shrinking Heads hosts Shannon and Elizabeth as they take you deep into the tangled jungle of mental health, where every vine looks like a hashtag and every branch carries a label waiting to stick. In this episode, they hack through the overgrowth of social media’s illusions and the traps of being defined by labels. Are these tools helping us navigate the terrain, or are they quicksand in disguise? Grab your machete of curiosity—we’re cutting through the noise to find a clearer path.

Grab your gear—this week on Shrinking Heads, Shannon and Elizabeth hack through the jungle of mental health to uncover the wild world of emotional activation. Ever wonder why your body sounds the alarm at the smallest rustle in the leaves? We’ll map out the hidden trails emotional activation, explore the signs of activation, and pack your survival kit with evidence-based coping tools. By the end, you’ll be swinging through emotional vines with a lot more confidence—and fewer mosquito bites.

Therapists may help you hack through the tangled vines of your own mind, but don’t be fooled—they’ve got their own wild undergrowth to navigate too. In this episode of Shrinking Heads, tag along as Elizabeth and Shannon trek into the jungle of mental health to explore the fact that therapists are people just like us: sometimes lost without a map, sometimes swatting at emotional mosquitoes, and occasionally stopping to admire the rare bloom of self-awareness. Strap on your boots—it’s not just your head that needs shrinking.

Welcome back to "Shrinking Heads," the mental health podcast where this week your hosts machete through the thick jungle of dual relationships—those tricky situations where therapists wear more than one hat (and none of them come with a map). Join Elizabeth and Shannon as they untangle ethical vines, dodge boundary blunders, and shine a flashlight on the gray areas therapists don’t talk about at brunch. It’s part exploration, part therapy—and just the right amount of wild.

Join your hosts Elizabeth and the freshly retuned Shannon as they explore the jungle of what it means to be a social worker AND a human. Being a social worker means you are part advocate, part therapist, part paperwork warrior. But guess what? Social workers are also human. In this episode, we unpack the beautiful chaos of caring for others while remembering to care for yourself. Expect honesty, humor, and maybe a few therapeutic deep sighs.

Konnichiwa! In this episode, Elizabeth joins forces with Israel Lopez Sensei of the Martial Maze podcast to explore how organized violence may be detrimental on a martial arts overall mental health. This episode is a definite must listen. We hope you enjoy exploring this jungle with us!And, as a bonus, you can watch Elizabeth and Israel's episode on The Martial Maze YouTube channel here!

When the jungle is on fire (metaphorically… mostly), should therapists bring politics into the room—or keep the focus strictly clinical? Join your host Elizabeth and special guest MK as they slash through a jungle of opinions. Should providers discuss politics with therapy clients?We unpack the ethical tightrope, explore the role of therapist self-disclosure, and ask the big question: is neutrality healing—or harmful? 🛋️🗳️Perfect for anyone who’s ever paused before answering, “And how does that make you feel… about the midterms?”

Ever found yourself lost in the alphabet soup of initials after your provider's name? Join us as we decode the jungle of letters—MSW, LMSW, LCSW, P-LPC, LPC, and every other credential that’s more confusing than a game of Scrabble. In each episode, we’ll break down the meanings, the significance, and the occasional mystery behind those letters, all while laughing at the absurdity of it all. Grab your compass and join us on this hilarious quest to make sense of the professional title wilderness!"

In this episode, we trek deep into the untamed wilderness of social work—where the paperwork vines are endless, the emotional terrain is unpredictable, and burnout predators lurk in the shadows. Shannon, our fearless social worker, shares her origin story: what led her to brave this wild profession, the skills she's picked up along the way, and the rewarding moments that make it all worthwhile. So grab your metaphorical machete (or just some headphones) and join us as we explore the raw, real, and sometimes downright wild journey of helping others.

Join your hosts as Shannon puts Elizabeth in the hot seat, exploring the "how's" and "whys" of Elizabeth's social work journey and her motivations for becoming a therapist.

Ever wondered why therapists love their questionnaires? Join Elizabeth, Shannon and special guest Scott, as the trio dive into the world of mental health assessments—what they are, why they matter, and whether they’re just fancy buzzwords for “answer these 50 questions.” From uncovering hidden stressors to guiding effective treatment, we break down how these tools help paint a clearer picture of your mental well-being. Tune in for a mix of insight, humor, and tools to help you navigate the mental health jungle!

In this episode your hosts dig into the labels, layers, and lunacy of mental health diagnoses. Are they a lifeline, a label, or just a little too much? Join us for deep dives, sharp wit, and honest conversations about what we use diagnoses for, and WHY we have to.

Did you know there is more than one type of therapy? Have you ever wondered about the different flavors of therapy? In this episode, your hosts explore some of the more common types of therapy. Individual, play, group etc., are all covered, in attempt to help you navigate the jungle of mental health. Questions? Comments? Concerns? Drop us a line at [email protected]

In this episode, we dive into the not-so-simple art of finding a therapist—it's like dating, but instead of swiping right for romance, you're swiping right for emotional healing! Join us as we share the ins and outs of finding your perfect mental health match, and offer tips on what to look for (and what to avoid) when scrolling through that seemingly endless list of options. Hang with us as we navigate this essential (yet often amusing) journey toward mental wellness. Your therapist is out there—let’s make sure you don’t end up with a quack!