The Aurora Sessions Beyond The Couch

Behind the crown is a woman with a story. 👑✨ In this episode of The Aurora Sessions: Beyond the Couch, we sit down with Belle Nicholas, Miss New Jersey 2025, graduate student in clinical psychology, mental health advocate, and founder of Shout Our Struggle. Together, we talk about the realities behind the title — balancing leadership, advocacy, graduate school, mental health, and the pressure th...

In this episode of The Aurora Sessions: Beyond the Couch, Theresa sits down with Jackie Ramos — performer, high-achieving student, mental health advocate, and former Miss New Jersey Teen Volunteer 2025 — for an honest conversation about identity, pressure, and growing up under high expectations. Jackie opens up about balancing academics, theatre, dance, leadership, and pageantry while navigating t...

Part two of our live conversation with Nor’Easter Nick picks up where things get even more real—diving into identity, relationships, addiction, and what it truly means to weather life’s storms. We explore the complexities of self-discovery through Nick’s experiences with dating, connection, and learning self-worth while still figuring out who he was. There’s humor, honesty, and a raw look at what...

At The Aurora Sessions: Beyond the Couch, we create space for the conversations people don’t always say out loud. With Nor’Easter Nick Pittman, we talked about identity, early life experiences, resilience, and the moments that quietly shape who we become. There were laughs. There were real moments. And there were stories that remind us we’re not alone in any of it. This is just the beginning.

Episode 19 Part 2 with Brandon Duckworth ⚾️ The conversation continues… and this one goes deeper. From Opening Day memories to the mindset it takes to stay in the game — Brandon shares real, unfiltered insight on resilience, pressure, and what it actually means to show up when it matters most. Plus, advice for parents raising athletes, lessons from the highs and lows, and why your identity has to...

In Episode 19 of The Aurora Sessions: Beyond the Couch, we sit down with former MLB pitcher Brandon Duckworth to talk about what happens after the dream. From the highs of playing in the big leagues to the identity shifts that come with stepping away from the game, Brandon opens up about: ⚾ Transitioning out of professional sports ⚾ Finding purpose beyond performance ⚾ Reinventing yourself when...

Raising emotionally strong kids starts earlier than we think In this episode, I sit down with Anne Lada — pediatric oncology nurse, mom of four, and founder of A Lada Love — to talk about why children’s mental health deserves our attention now, not later. We discuss the power of early intervention, how parents can nurture emotional intelligence at home, and the small but meaningful ways we can bui...

Let’s Talk About Codependency (Without the Shame) In this episode, Fern shares her powerful journey from salesperson and buyer to therapist — and the moment in her mid-30s when she finally spoke up for herself after years of over giving without being valued. That shift didn’t just change her career… it changed her relationship with her own voice. We unpack what codependency really is (beyond the b...

Love Without Limits In this episode, I sit down with Kimberly for a powerful conversation about what it really means to create relationships that are affirming, intentional, and expansive. We explore her journey into becoming a therapist, how she found her niche supporting neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ clients, and why this work matters so deeply. We dive into the unique strengths and challenges withi...

In this episode, we’re joined by Alicia Day, LPC, founder of Waves of Change Counseling and Healing, for a powerful conversation about growth, healing, and building a practice rooted in connection. Alicia shares her journey into mental health—from inpatient psychiatry and school-based programs to opening her own private practice—and how those experiences shaped her client-centered, strengths-based...

In this episode, we’re joined by Angela, a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Associate Counselor, for a meaningful conversation about maternal mental health, relationships, and therapy through a multicultural lens. Angela shares her journey into the mental health field, her passion for working with couples and families, and her current training in Gottman Method Couples...

✨ Writing Through the Wilds of Motherhood with Jen Lendvai-Lintner ✨ In this episode, Theresa sits down with award-winning writer and mother of three, Jen Lendvai-Lintner, to talk about returning to writing after her youngest child was diagnosed with Pallister-Killian mosaic syndrome. Together, they explore caregiving, creativity, self-compassion, and finding meaning, humor, and honesty in the h...

🎙️ The Aurora Session: Veterans Day Special — “From Service to Healing” This Veterans Day, we’re honored to feature Rose Fedechko, LAC , a U.S. Army Veteran, trauma-informed therapist, and passionate advocate for sensory-integrative care. 🌿 In this heartfelt conversation, Rose shares her journey from serving as a Captain in Operation Iraqi Freedom to becoming a Licensed Associate Counselor specia...

The Aurora Session: Beyond The Couch is back — and we’re kicking things off with our first-ever Therapist Roundtable. Join Theresa, Ariyon, Kim, and Fern for a real, unfiltered conversation on trending mental health topics, therapy myths, and yes… a few therapist pet peeves. 👀 #TheAuroraSession #BeyondTheCouch #TherapistsRoundtable #MentalHealthTalk #AuroraSunCounseling

More Than Physical: The Mental Health Side of Fibroids In this episode, Ariyon Fountaine, MSW, LSW, a licensed therapist at AuroraSun Counseling, sits down with Theresa Santucci to share her personal fibroid journey — how it has affected her mental health and how women’s health issues can impact mental well-being. Together they explore the connection between physical and mental health, touching on...

In this week’s Aurora Sessions: Beyond the Couch, Theresa sits down with Danielle Delmonaco—nurse, personal trainer, wellness coach-in-training, nonprofit leader, and mom—to explore what it really means to live a balanced, healthy life. Danielle shares her inspiring journey from the NICU to motherhood through adoption, her passion for empowering others as a wellness coach, and the role of movement...

“How do you keep going after rejection in the arts? 🎭 Seth Bisen-Hersh shares his secret to staying motivated and chasing your dreams.” 🎭 NEW EPISODE 🎶 This week I’m joined by the incredibly talented Seth Bisen-Hersh—award-winning composer, lyricist, and performer. From Off-Broadway hits like Love Quirks (now making its London debut!) to his latest film Malka (now eligible for an Oscar nominati...

This week on The Aurora Sessions: Beyond the Couch, I sit down with Todd Kinder—a leader whose journey spans over two decades in the pageant world. From judge to Executive Director, and now President of Miss New Jersey Volunteer, Todd shares how his passion for leadership, service, and inclusion has shaped not only the stage but the lives of countless contestants and volunteers. We dive into: 👑 T...

🎙️ Part 2: Friendship, Community & the Changing Face of Mental Health – Theresa Interviews Moulakshi In this follow-up episode, Theresa takes the host chair to ask Moulakshi thoughtful, real-world questions about mental health in today’s world. Together, they explore what employers are recognizing now that they didn’t a decade ago, how to harness social media for positive impact, and the power...

🎙️ Part 1: A Soul Sisterhood Story – Moulakshi Interviews Theresa This episode flips the script—Moulakshi Roychowdhury takes the host seat to interview Theresa in a heartfelt conversation spanning nearly four decades of friendship. From meeting at age 10 when a simple knock on the door began a lifelong bond, to navigating bullying, body image, being children of immigrants, and the universal need t...

Living with a chronic illness changes everything — your body, your routines, your relationships, and even your sense of self. In this episode, mental health therapist Karen Helmes, founder of Anam Cara Counseling and Supervision, shares how her personal journey with a neuromuscular disease shapes the way she helps others navigate the realities of ongoing illness. We talk about the grief that comes...

Maria Ramos shares a powerful story of resilience, sacrifice, and love—starting with her parents’ immigration to the U.S., her experience growing up with a dedicated ER doctor father and a mother who took on multiple jobs to show up for every moment of Maria’s childhood. Now, as she navigates the challenges of caring for both her elderly parents—Mom with vascular dementia—and raising her daughter...

✨ New Episode: “Healing Your Relationship With Food” What if your body was never the problem—and food was never the enemy? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Amy Ray, registered dietitian, certified eating disorder specialist, and founder of Ray of Hope Nutrition, to talk about healing our relationship with food, body image, and the messages diet culture has fed us for far too long. We ex...

In this heartfelt episode, Michele Fecht, LPC, opens up about her deeply personal journey growing up alongside her “Irish Twin” brother, who faced multiple co-occurring challenges including Apraxia, Autism, PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Anxiety. Michele shares how his experiences navigating school systems, addiction, and recovery profoundly influenced her path as a mental health professiona...

An introduction to The Aurora Sessions Beyond the Couch podcast.