Holiday Stress: Finding Calm in the Chaos

Season One Wrap-Up – Reflect, Reset, and Return

In this special season finale of Pint-Sized Therapy, host Aletha Clark takes a heartfelt look back at the journey of Season One — from Choosing Joy to Living with Purpose and What to Expect from Therapy. She shares behind-the-mic reflections, listener gratitude, and a guided affirmation to help you pause, reflect, and prepare for your own next season of growth. Take this moment to reset, breathe, and celebrate how far you’ve come — and stay tuned for Season Two of Pint-Sized Therapy.

Holiday Stress: Finding Calm in the Chaos

The holidays are supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year,” but for many, they can bring a whirlwind of emotions — excitement mixed with exhaustion, joy tangled with grief, and connection shadowed by conflict. In this episode, psychotherapist Dr. Aletha Clark unpacks the reality of holiday stress — why we feel it, what triggers it, and how to navigate it with grace and self-awareness. We’ll explore: * The incongruent feelings of joy and sadness during the holidays * Common causes of holiday stress — from finances to family dynamics * Practical ways to cope with holiday pressure and expectations * How to set boundaries that protect your peace * Self-care strategies that help you stay grounded and intentional Tune in and learn how to create a holiday season that feels balanced, authentic, and aligned with your emotional well-being.

Healing From Codependence & Moving Toward Healthy Love

In our codependence series finale, we bring it all together: healing, self-compassion, rebuilding identity, and defining what healthy love really looks like. We explore balance, respect, and reciprocity in romantic relationships, review recovery patterns, and reflect on the 12 Promises of CoDA as a vision of what healing can feel like. Featuring Good Will Hunting, this episode reminds us that our patterns are not our fault — but recovery and healthy love are possible.

Breaking the Cycle of Codependence

Breaking codependence isn’t about cutting people off — it’s about reclaiming your sense of self. In this episode, we walk step-by-step through boundaries, healthy detachment, building self-worth outside of relationships, and the recovery patterns from CoDA. With Eat Pray Love as our pop culture example, we explore what it looks like to set new boundaries, rediscover joy, and live independently. Includes practical reflection exercises to help you begin the process of change.

The Cost of Codependence

What does codependence cost us emotionally, physically, and spiritually? In this episode, we explore the burnout, resentment, and identity loss that come with codependent patterns. We look at Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to understand how love and belonging can override safety, esteem, and growth — and introduce the concept of the high-functioning codependent. Featuring Runaway Bride as our pop culture example, we reflect on the iconic “eggs” scene as a metaphor for losing yourself in relationships.