Ask A Therapist

Limerence (Ep.23)

What’s the difference between being open to love… and getting swept up in something that isn’t grounded in reality? This week, we unpack a listener letter about a friend who falls hard and fast—every time. She calls herself a hopeless romantic, but her pattern raises a deeper question: when does optimism cross into limerence, and how is that connected to anxious attachment? In this episode, Kenzie & Carli explore why intense early feelings can feel so real, how the brain fills in emotional gaps, and how “seeing the best in people” can sometimes mask a deeper need for reassurance. We also get into the tricky part: what do you do when you see this pattern in someone you care about? How do you bring it up without sounding judgmental—or pushing them away? Tune in for a nuanced conversation about love, attachment, and the fine line between hope and overwhelm. Have a question? Email us at info@askatherapistpod.com, use the link below, or DM us on IG or TikTok at @askatherapist_pod Submit Your Question Here! [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdKJUY5M6pgr7Y6TkUK9InxKqfVo4ExGNkTEeGQPXsinjCWwA/viewform] Find Kenzie at therapy-with-kenzie.com [https://www.therapy-with-kenzie.com/] or @therapywithkenzie Find Carli at Psychology Today Profile [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/carli-c-king-pittsburgh-pa/394138] or @carlikinglmft

Finding a Job After College (Ep. 22)

In this episode, we respond to a listener who’s graduating college—and feeling completely unprepared for what comes next. With pressure from family, fear about debt, and a job market that feels uncertain, they’re stuck in a question so many people in their 20's face: What am I supposed to do with my life? Add in mixed messages about “following your passion” and the illusion that everyone else has it figured out, and it’s easy to feel behind before you’ve even started. We unpack the myth of having one clear passion, and discuss why your first job is better viewed as a stepping stone—not a lifelong commitment. This episode offers practical strategies for making decisions without perfect clarity, and building a career that supports your life—not the other way around. If you’re feeling lost, behind, or overwhelmed about your future, this conversation will help you take the pressure off—and focus on your next step instead of your entire life plan. Have a question? Email us at info@askatherapistpod.com, use the link below, or DM us on IG or TikTok at @askatherapist_pod Submit Your Question Here! [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdKJUY5M6pgr7Y6TkUK9InxKqfVo4ExGNkTEeGQPXsinjCWwA/viewform] Find Kenzie at therapy-with-kenzie.com [https://www.therapy-with-kenzie.com/] or @therapywithkenzie Find Carli at Psychology Today Profile [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/carli-c-king-pittsburgh-pa/394138] or @carlikinglmft

Estranged on Mother's Day (Ep. 21)

Kicking off season 3, we respond to a listener letter about estrangement from a parent—just in time for Mother’s Day. Our listener shares the painful decision to cut off contact with her mom after years of repeated boundary violations. Now, as Mother’s Day approaches, she’s facing pressure from loved ones who don’t understand her choice—leaving her questioning whether her boundary is valid or if she’s just avoiding. We talk about what it really means to set a boundary after patterns of harm, how to tell the difference between avoidance and self-protection, and why other people’s opinions—especially those who haven’t lived your experience—can create so much doubt. We also explore the emotional complexity of estrangement, including grief, guilt, love, and relief coexisting at the same time. If you’ve ever felt torn between family expectations and your own well-being, this conversation is for you. Have a question? Email us at info@askatherapistpod.com, use the link below, or DM us on IG or TikTok at @askatherapist_pod Submit Your Question Here! [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdKJUY5M6pgr7Y6TkUK9InxKqfVo4ExGNkTEeGQPXsinjCWwA/viewform] Find Kenzie at therapy-with-kenzie.com [https://www.therapy-with-kenzie.com/] or @therapywithkenzie Find Carli at Psychology Today Profile [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/carli-c-king-pittsburgh-pa/394138] or @carlikinglmft

Infertility & Baby Showers (Ep. 20)

In this episode, we respond to a heartfelt listener question about how to balance self-care with showing up for others while living with your own grief. Our listener shares her struggle with deciding whether to attend baby showers while still trying to conceive—wanting to support her friends, but fearing that the emotional weight of these events may be more than she can carry. Together, we talk through how to make these decisions with honesty and self-compassion, without guilt or obligation. We discuss how support doesn’t have to look one way, how to assess emotional capacity in real time, and why opting out—or leaving early—can be an act of wisdom, not failure. Have a question? Email us at info@askatherapistpod.com, use the link below, or DM us on IG or TikTok at @askatherapist_pod Submit Your Question Here! [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdKJUY5M6pgr7Y6TkUK9InxKqfVo4ExGNkTEeGQPXsinjCWwA/viewform] Find Kenzie at therapy-with-kenzie.com [https://www.therapy-with-kenzie.com/] or @therapywithkenzie Find Carli at Psychology Today Profile [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/carli-c-king-pittsburgh-pa/394138] or @carlikinglmft

How to Apologize (Ep. 19)

In this episode, we help a listener learn the dos and don'ts of apologizing. We unpack why so many apologies fall flat—and what it really takes to repair trust after an offense. Whether it’s in your relationships, at work, or in everyday conflicts, knowing how to offer a proper apology is one of the most powerful communication skills you can develop. We explore the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways people get it wrong—think “I’m sorry you feel that way,” over-explaining, defensiveness, or rushing to be forgiven. Then we break down the key components of a meaningful apology that actually rebuilds connection. Have a question? Email us at info@askatherapistpod.com, use the link below, or DM us on IG or TikTok at @askatherapist_pod Submit Your Question Here! [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdKJUY5M6pgr7Y6TkUK9InxKqfVo4ExGNkTEeGQPXsinjCWwA/viewform] Find Kenzie at therapy-with-kenzie.com [https://www.therapy-with-kenzie.com/] or @therapywithkenzie Find Carli at Psychology Today Profile [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/carli-c-king-pittsburgh-pa/394138] or @carlikinglmft