Affirming Care, Identity, and LGBTQIA+ Mental Health

Affirming Care, Identity, and LGBTQIA+ Mental Health

In episode 7 of The Feels Club, host Mauricio Laguan sits down with Andrés Larios Brown, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and queer identity expert at Simple Modern Therapy, to discuss LGBTQIA+ mental health through a strengths-based lens. Together, they explore how stigma, discrimination, family dynamics, and other environmental stressors impact mental health, leading to experiences like anxiety, burnout, isolation, and hypervigilance. They also discuss what affirming support looks like, the importance of community and chosen family, and practical ways to build resilience and protect wellbeing. Whether you're part of the LGBTQIA+ community, supporting a loved one, or looking to learn, this episode offers compassionate insight, practical tools, and hope for anyone navigating life's challenges. Crisis Support Resources * Utah Warm Line: 1-833-SPEAKUT (1-833-773-2588) 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988

GLP-1s and Mental Health

In episode 6 of The Feels Club, host Mauricio Laguan sits down with Andrea Swensen, PA-C of Anew Therapy, to explore the growing conversation around GLP-1 medications and their impact on both physical and mental health. Together, they break down what GLP-1s are, how they affect appetite, cravings, and "food noise," and the role they play in the brain-gut system. They also explore their impact on mood, anxiety, reward pathways, body image, and identity, while discussing weight stigma, eating disorders, substance cravings, and the importance of a sustainable, whole-person approach to care. Whether you're considering a GLP-1 medication yourself, currently taking one, or simply curious about the science behind the headlines, this episode offers a balanced, stigma-free look at what clinicians are seeing and what patients should know. Because lasting wellness isn't just about the number on the scale, it's about supporting the whole person. Crisis Support Resources * Utah Warm Line: 1-833-SPEAKUT (1-833-773-2588) 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988

Perimenopause & Mental Health: Navigating Mood Changes, Anxiety, and Depression

In this episode of The Feels Club, host Mauricio Laguan sits down with Dr. Mallorie Cracroft, MD, FACOG of Uplift For Her, to break down how perimenopause impacts mental health. They explore why mood changes, anxiety, and depression can show up during this transition—even without a prior history—and what’s happening in the brain and body. You’ll learn how to recognize the signs, what to track, and the range of support options available, from therapy to hormone-related care. Whether you’re navigating these changes yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode is designed to validate your experience, reduce confusion, and remind you that relief is possible. Crisis Support Resources * Utah Warm Line: 1-833-SPEAKUT (1-833-773-2588) 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988

Trauma Explained: What It Is, What It Does, and What Helps

In episode 4 of The Feels Club, host Mauricio Laguan sits down with Dr. Brady, MD of Anew Therapy, for a clear and compassionate deep dive into trauma—what it is, how it shows up, and how healing actually happens. If you’ve ever wondered, “Do I have trauma?” or “Why do I react this way even when I know I’m safe?” this conversation is for you. Whether you’ve experienced something difficult and aren’t sure if it “counts,” are navigating overwhelming emotions, or want to understand a loved one better, this episode is designed to reduce shame, increase self-awareness, and offer a grounded, hopeful path forward. At Anew Therapy, we believe mental health shouldn’t be a mystery and instead be accessible, validating, and rooted in real understanding. Crisis Support Resources * Utah Warm Line: 1-833-SPEAKUT (1-833-773-2588) 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988

What Happens During Ketamine Therapy? A Real Step-by-Step Walkthrough with Anew | Episode 3

Episode 3 of The Feels Club takes you inside a real ketamine therapy journey, step by step, so you actually know what to expect. Dr. Julie de Azevedo Hanks, PhD, LCSW, joins Anew to walk through everything from your first consult and prep, to what happens in the treatment room, to how integration works afterward. If you are feeling nervous or just curious about the process, this episode gently answers the “what really happens?” questions you have been holding onto. Crisis Support Resources * Utah Warm Line: 1-833-SPEAKUT (1-833-773-2588) 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988