39. Unpopular Therapy Opinions: Rage, Small Talk, AI & What Therapy Doesn’t Tell You

41. Stop Defending, Start Repairing: Phrases That Actually Work in Conflict

Trying to “get out of trouble” with your partner? You might be making things worse. In this episode of Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, we unpack why most people say the wrong things during conflict—and how those responses actually escalate arguments instead of resolving them. We talk about the difference between defending yourself and repairing the relationship, and share specific phrases that can help you de-escalate tension, build emotional safety, and reconnect with your partner. If you tend to explain, justify, or shut down during arguments, this episode will challenge how you communicate—and give you tools that actually work. 🎙️ Hosted by therapists from Strong Mind Mental Health. — 📱 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/strongmindmh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [linktr.ee/strongmindmh] — 🌐 VISIT OUR WEBSITE:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongmindmh.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [strongmindmh.com⁠⁠] — 🎵 INTRO MUSIC: “Good Night” by FASSounds — DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this podcast, Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as therapy or a substitute for advice from a qualified professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and the hosts or Strong Mind Mental Health, LLC. If you want to read more, check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Media Disclaimer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64e1733c3759ac224cbbe5ea/685a0f75978bdd197972435d_SMMH-Disclaimer%20Podcast%20Blog%20Social%20Media%20Content.pdf].

40. Why Making Friends as an Adult Feels So Hard (And Why It’s Not Just You)

Making friends as an adult shouldn’t feel this hard… but for a lot of people, it does. In this episode of Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, we break down why building and maintaining friendships gets more complicated as we get older—and why so many people feel lonely even when they want connection. We explore friendship anxiety, social discomfort, and the pressure of intentional connection, as well as the growing lack of “third spaces” where people can naturally meet and form relationships outside of work or school. We also discuss how social media, online friendships, and the impact of COVID have changed the way people connect, especially for younger generations. If you’ve ever felt awkward trying to make new friends, struggled to maintain friendships as life gets busier, or wondered why connection feels harder than it used to, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on. In this episode, we cover: * Why making friends as an adult feels more difficult * Friendship anxiety and social pressure * The loss of “third spaces” and casual connection * Online friendships vs in-person connection * How COVID impacted social skills and connection * Why loneliness is increasing—and what it actually means 🎙️ Hosted by therapists from Strong Mind Mental Health. — 📱 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/strongmindmh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [linktr.ee/strongmindmh] — 🌐 VISIT OUR WEBSITE:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongmindmh.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [strongmindmh.com⁠⁠] — 🎵 INTRO MUSIC: “Good Night” by FASSounds — DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this podcast, Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as therapy or a substitute for advice from a qualified professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and the hosts or Strong Mind Mental Health, LLC. If you want to read more, check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Media Disclaimer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64e1733c3759ac224cbbe5ea/685a0f75978bdd197972435d_SMMH-Disclaimer%20Podcast%20Blog%20Social%20Media%20Content.pdf].

39. Unpopular Therapy Opinions: Rage, Small Talk, AI & What Therapy Doesn’t Tell You

Therapy isn’t always calm. Healing isn’t always peaceful. And your therapist? Definitely not always neutral. In this episode of Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, licensed therapists Courtnie and Melissa share unpopular therapy opinions that challenge what people think therapy should look like. From small talk in sessions to crying with clients, from the pressure to always be “regulated” to the growing use of AI in mental health — we’re unpacking the realities of therapy that don’t always make it to social media. We talk about: * Why small talk in therapy actually matters more than you think * The truth about emotional regulation (and why rage and grief still belong in healing) * Why therapy isn’t always the priority — and what needs to come first * Whether therapists crying is unprofessional… or deeply human * The rise of AI in therapy and why it can’t replace real human connection * What therapy can and can’t do for your mental health This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like they’re “doing therapy wrong,” wondered if healing is supposed to feel easier, or questioned whether therapy is even helping. Because the truth is: You don’t need to be perfectly calm to be healing. You don’t need to rush your growth to be “doing it right.” And therapy isn’t about becoming a better version of yourself overnight — it’s about becoming more honest about what you actually need. Share this episode with someone who’s navigating therapy, questioning their healing process, or trying to make sense of what mental health actually looks like in real life. 🎙️ Hosted by therapists from Strong Mind Mental Health. — 📱 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/strongmindmh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [linktr.ee/strongmindmh] — 🌐 VISIT OUR WEBSITE:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongmindmh.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [strongmindmh.com⁠⁠] — 🎵 INTRO MUSIC: “Good Night” by FASSounds — DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this podcast, Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as therapy or a substitute for advice from a qualified professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and the hosts or Strong Mind Mental Health, LLC. If you want to read more, check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Media Disclaimer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64e1733c3759ac224cbbe5ea/685a0f75978bdd197972435d_SMMH-Disclaimer%20Podcast%20Blog%20Social%20Media%20Content.pdf].

38. We Don’t All Have the Same 24 Hours: The Lie That’s Fueling Burnout

“We all have the same 24 hours.” Sounds motivating… but for a lot of people, it feels exhausting, invalidating, and honestly untrue. In this episode of Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, we break down why the idea that everyone has the same 24 hours is not only inaccurate, but harmful to mental health. We explore how trauma, anxiety, depression, nervous system regulation, privilege, and life circumstances all impact energy, capacity, and productivity. We also unpack why some people feel constantly behind, why burnout is so common, and how comparing your output to others can disconnect you from your actual needs. If you’ve ever felt like you’re “not doing enough,” struggling to keep up, or wondering why things feel harder for you than others, this episode will help you understand why — and what actually matters. In this episode, we cover: * The myth of equal time and productivity * Burnout, nervous system capacity, and energy differences * How trauma impacts motivation and focus * Why comparison fuels shame and exhaustion * How to redefine productivity in a healthier way 🎙️ Hosted by therapists from Strong Mind Mental Health. — 📱 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/strongmindmh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [linktr.ee/strongmindmh] — 🌐 VISIT OUR WEBSITE:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongmindmh.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [strongmindmh.com⁠⁠] — 🎵 INTRO MUSIC: “Good Night” by FASSounds — DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this podcast, Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as therapy or a substitute for advice from a qualified professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and the hosts or Strong Mind Mental Health, LLC. If you want to read more, check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Media Disclaimer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64e1733c3759ac224cbbe5ea/685a0f75978bdd197972435d_SMMH-Disclaimer%20Podcast%20Blog%20Social%20Media%20Content.pdf].

37. Co-Parenting vs Parallel Parenting: When Cooperation Isn’t Possible

What happens when co-parenting peacefully just isn’t possible? In this episode of Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, we break down the real-life challenges of co-parenting after a breakup — especially when communication is difficult, conflict is high, or trust is low. We explore the difference between co-parenting and parallel parenting, when each approach is appropriate, and why forcing cooperation can sometimes create more harm than good. We also talk about one of the hardest realities for parents: you cannot control what happens in the other household — and why emotional stability matters more than perfect consistency. Plus, we dive into blended families, step-parent roles, boundary-setting, and how to support children navigating multiple homes without putting them in the middle. If you’re navigating co-parenting stress, struggling with different parenting styles, or adjusting to a blended family dynamic, this episode will help you understand what actually supports your child — even when things aren’t ideal. In this episode, we cover: * Co-parenting vs. parallel parenting * High-conflict co-parenting dynamics * Different rules in different households * Blended families and step-parent roles * How to protect children from adult conflict 🎙️ Hosted by therapists from Strong Mind Mental Health. — 📱 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/strongmindmh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [linktr.ee/strongmindmh] — 🌐 VISIT OUR WEBSITE:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongmindmh.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [strongmindmh.com⁠⁠] — 🎵 INTRO MUSIC: “Good Night” by FASSounds — DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this podcast, Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as therapy or a substitute for advice from a qualified professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and the hosts or Strong Mind Mental Health, LLC. If you want to read more, check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Media Disclaimer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64e1733c3759ac224cbbe5ea/685a0f75978bdd197972435d_SMMH-Disclaimer%20Podcast%20Blog%20Social%20Media%20Content.pdf].