Therapist Unplugged

Conflict and Repair in Relationships with Connie Cornwell

Conflict is inevitable in relationships. The real question is what happens next. In this episode of Therapist Unplugged, Laurie Poole reconnects with longtime mentor and respected couples therapist Connie Cornwell to explore one of the most important skills couples often lack: the ability to repair after conflict. Laurie and Connie discuss why couples often get stuck in painful conflict cycles, how family-of-origin patterns shape the way we show up in relationships, and why flexibility has become increasingly important in modern partnerships. They also explore the emotional skills that make repair possible—from learning to understand multiple perspectives to developing the ability to pause and observe our own reactions in the middle of conflict. If you want better communication, deeper emotional intimacy, and a relationship that can grow instead of get stuck, this conversation is a great place to start. Connie Cornwell, MA, LMFT-S, LPC-S, brings more than 30 years of experience as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Approved Supervisor. She is a Clinical Fellow and Approved Supervisor with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and a member of the American Family Therapy Academy. Connie serves as Senior Supervisor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Family Studies Center in the Department of Psychiatry, where she trains and supervises interns, psychiatry residents, and medical students. Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1835166/open_sms] 🎙️ Therapist Unplugged is produced by The Montfort Group [https://www.themontfortgroup.com/], a boutique therapy practice based in Plano, Texas, helping individuals, couples, and families build emotionally intelligent, connected lives. Subscribe for real conversations with real therapists, because healing doesn’t happen in perfect soundbites. To learn more about our team or schedule a session, visit: www.themontfortgroup.com [https://www.themontfortgroup.com/] Follow us on Instagram: @themontfortgroup [https://www.instagram.com/themontfortgroup]

What Women Need to Know About Midlife Weight Gain, Hormones, and Metabolism

What if midlife weight gain isn’t simply about willpower? In this episode of Therapist Unplugged, Laurie Poole sits down with Dr. Richa Mittal of Radiant Health Weight Loss and Wellness to talk about the complex relationship between hormones, metabolism, and weight during midlife. Together, they explore what many women experience during perimenopause and menopause—changes in sleep, mood, energy, and body composition that can feel confusing and frustrating. Dr. Mittal explains why the common advice to simply “eat less and move more” often misses the bigger picture. From hormonal shifts and visceral fat to the role of nutrition, sleep, and muscle mass, this conversation reframes midlife weight gain through the lens of metabolic health rather than blame. You’ll hear: * Why hormonal changes can affect weight, mood, and energy * The difference between visceral fat and other types of body fat * How nutrition, sleep, and gut health influence mental and physical wellbeing * The role of GLP-1 medications and when they may be helpful * Why self-compassion matters more than diet culture during midlife If you’ve ever felt like your body suddenly started playing by different rules, this episode offers clarity, science, and a more compassionate way to think about midlife health. Learn more about Dr. Mittal’s practice, Radiant Health Weight Loss and Wellness, at myradianthealth.com [https://myradianthealth.com/] She also writes about midlife wellness, nutrition, and metabolic health on her blog Life, Fully Nourished, which you can find at richamittalmd.com [https://richamittalmd.com/blog] Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1835166/open_sms] 🎙️ Therapist Unplugged is produced by The Montfort Group [https://www.themontfortgroup.com/], a boutique therapy practice based in Plano, Texas, helping individuals, couples, and families build emotionally intelligent, connected lives. Subscribe for real conversations with real therapists, because healing doesn’t happen in perfect soundbites. To learn more about our team or schedule a session, visit: www.themontfortgroup.com [https://www.themontfortgroup.com/] Follow us on Instagram: @themontfortgroup [https://www.instagram.com/themontfortgroup]

Valentine’s Day, Your Way

What if Valentine’s Day didn’t have to feel like a performance? In this episode of Therapist Unplugged, Laurie Poole is joined by therapist and colleague Heather Caballero to rethink a holiday that often brings more pressure than connection. Together, they explore how early memories, social comparison, and cultural expectations can quietly shape how we experience February 14th. Instead of defaulting to crowded restaurants or obligatory gestures, Laurie and Heather talk about designing a day that actually fits your life. From honoring your love language to widening the circle beyond romantic partners, this conversation offers permission to celebrate connection in ways that feel steady, personal, and real. Whether you’re partnered, single, somewhere in between, or simply tired of the Hallmark script, this episode invites you to make Valentine’s Day your way. Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1835166/open_sms] 🎙️ Therapist Unplugged is produced by The Montfort Group [https://www.themontfortgroup.com/], a boutique therapy practice based in Plano, Texas, helping individuals, couples, and families build emotionally intelligent, connected lives. Subscribe for real conversations with real therapists, because healing doesn’t happen in perfect soundbites. To learn more about our team or schedule a session, visit: www.themontfortgroup.com [https://www.themontfortgroup.com/] Follow us on Instagram: @themontfortgroup [https://www.instagram.com/themontfortgroup]

Integrative Psychiatry: A More Thoughtful Approach to Mental Health Care

What if mental health care didn’t have to feel rushed, reactive, or one-size-fits-all? In this episode of Therapist Unplugged, Laurie Poole is joined by psychiatrist Dr. Christian Monsalve for a grounded conversation about integrative psychiatry and what thoughtful care looks like in practice. Together, they explore why many high-functioning people continue to feel unsettled despite doing everything “right,” and how slowing down can support long-term stability without swinging to extremes. If you’ve ever felt unsure about your mental health care, questioned whether medication adjustments were the whole answer, or wanted a steadier way to understand what’s happening beneath the surface, this conversation offers a more intentional perspective. For more information about working with Dr. Monsalve, visit Verigrate Health at www.verigrate.com [http://www.verigrate.com] Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1835166/open_sms] 🎙️ Therapist Unplugged is produced by The Montfort Group [https://www.themontfortgroup.com/], a boutique therapy practice based in Plano, Texas, helping individuals, couples, and families build emotionally intelligent, connected lives. Subscribe for real conversations with real therapists, because healing doesn’t happen in perfect soundbites. To learn more about our team or schedule a session, visit: www.themontfortgroup.com [https://www.themontfortgroup.com/] Follow us on Instagram: @themontfortgroup [https://www.instagram.com/themontfortgroup]

Processing Grief: What Loss Teaches Us About Time, Choice, and Healing

Grief doesn’t follow a script. It surges in kitchens after laughter and settles into quiet corners of the day, especially when loss compounds across months.  In this episode of Therapist Unplugged, Laurie Poole and Courtney Strull from The Montfort Group have an honest conversation about processing grief after the loss of loved ones. Courtney shares her experience of losing multiple family members in a short period of time, including her father, and how grief reshaped her sense of time, identity, and the way she chooses to live. Whether you’re navigating your own grief, supporting someone you love, or simply trying to understand loss more deeply, this conversation offers space, language, and permission to be exactly where you are. Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1835166/open_sms] 🎙️ Therapist Unplugged is produced by The Montfort Group [https://www.themontfortgroup.com/], a boutique therapy practice based in Plano, Texas, helping individuals, couples, and families build emotionally intelligent, connected lives. Subscribe for real conversations with real therapists, because healing doesn’t happen in perfect soundbites. To learn more about our team or schedule a session, visit: www.themontfortgroup.com [https://www.themontfortgroup.com/] Follow us on Instagram: @themontfortgroup [https://www.instagram.com/themontfortgroup]