The Modern Therapy Podcast

Trauma doesn’t always look the way we expect it to. Kristen joins us to talk about how trauma affects the brain, nervous system, relationships, and the ways we cope. We discuss chronic stress, attachment, trauma responses, couples, and why healing doesn’t always mean reliving everything that happened.

Hollywood loves to make therapy dramatic, emotional, and sometimes wildly unrealistic. In this episode, we react to iconic therapy scenes from Ozark, Shrinking, Good Will Hunting, The Sopranos, and Ted Lasso to break down what Hollywood gets right, what it gets wrong, and what therapy actually looks like. We cover boundaries, confrontation, rapport, emotional breakthroughs, and some of the biggest...

When most people hear the words domestic violence , they picture physical abuse. But abuse often begins long before anyone is ever physically harmed.   In this episode, licensed professional counselor Theresa shares her expertise working with survivors of domestic violence and intimate partner violence. Together, we unpack the subtle warning signs people often miss, including manipulation, isolati...

Children’s behavior is often a form of communication. Occupational therapist Dina Ackley joins us to discuss sensory needs, emotional regulation, and how parents and teachers can better understand and support children.

In this episode of the Modern Therapy Podcast, we welcome Katie Germaine, an occupational therapist, author of the Honeybee Books, and maternal wellness advocate. Katie shares how storytelling can help children understand emotions, build resilience, and develop healthy coping skills. We discuss the importance of validating kids’ feelings, modeling emotional regulation, navigating parental burnout,...

In this episode, we sit down with Tasha, Executive Director of LearningRx Jersey Shore North, to explore the powerful connection between cognitive performance and mental health. We break down the difference between tutoring and cognitive training, discuss how the brain can be strengthened through targeted exercises, and explore how challenges with attention, memory, processing, and learning can im...

In this episode, we sit down with Lisa, founder of Luxe Virtual Services, to explore the connection between delegation, entrepreneurship, and mental health. From building a business from the ground up to helping overwhelmed business owners reclaim their time, Lisa shares why asking for help isn't a weakness; it's often the key to growth, balance, and long-term success. We also discuss bo...

In this episode, we sit down with Adam, a licensed professional counselor and music therapist at Modern Therapy, to explore how music can support mental health in powerful and deeply personal ways. From emotional regulation and grief processing to songwriting, memory recall, and nervous system regulation, we discuss how music therapy goes far beyond simply listening to music—and why creative expre...

In this episode, we sit down with Katie and James Peters, founders of Shore Senior Placement, to talk about the emotional and practical realities families face when caring for aging loved ones. Drawing from both professional and personal experience, they share insight on assisted living, memory care, caregiver burnout, dementia, and how families can prepare before reaching a crisis point. Together...

In this episode, we sit down with Annie, a therapist who incorporates art therapy into her work, to explore how creativity becomes a powerful tool for emotional processing, self-awareness, and healing. From perfectionism and creative blocks to the pressure of always being “productive,” we break down why so many people disconnect from art—and how reconnecting with it can unlock insight, regulation,...

In this episode, we sit down to break down the psychological reality of Survivor—and why it functions as a real-world social experiment under extreme conditions. From starvation and sleep deprivation to paranoia, identity shifts, and emotional breakdowns, we explore how the human mind reacts when basic needs are removed and social pressure is amplified.

In this episode, we sit down with estate planning attorney Anna Catherine Pelligra, Esq. to talk about what actually happens when someone passes away without a will—and why having clear documents in place can make an enormous difference for the people you leave behind.    

In this episode, we talk about something everyone experiences but few people know how to handle well: bad days. From stressful work moments to relationship conflict, it’s easy for one difficult experience to spiral into an entire week of feeling off. We break down why our brains tend to ruminate on negative events and how that can keep stress hormones elevated long after the moment has passed. But...

In this episode, Brandon and Cassie sit down with Kerris to explore what it truly means to build authentic community within the church. From navigating difficult conversations and opposing beliefs to creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued, this conversation dives into the role of vulnerability, active listening, and faith in forming meaningful relationships. Kerris shares powerf...

When it comes to taxes, fear spreads faster than facts. In this episode, Cassie and Brandon sit down with CPA and host of The Fun CPA Pod, Yuri Kapalovich, to break down the biggest misconceptions people have about owing the IRS, and what actually happens when you can’t pay. From tax extensions to self-employment pitfalls, Yuri reframes tax season from something panic-inducing to something managea...

In this episode of the Modern Therapy Podcast, Cassie and Brandon welcome Elizabeth Barry—transformational coach, speaker, author, and founder of The Kind Communicator . With over 20 years of experience and a background in conscious communication and emotional intelligence, Elizabeth reframes body language and non-verbal communication not as tools for control or mind-reading, but as pathways to em...

In this episode, Cassie and Brandon reframe negotiation as a mental health skill—explaining why it’s not about winning or “getting one over” on someone, but about emotional regulation, clear communication, and building relationships that feel sustainable.

In this episode, Cassie and Brandon reframe time management as a mental health habit—explaining why it’s not really about doing more, but about reducing emotional overwhelm, protecting your energy, and prioritizing what matters most.  

In this episode, Cassie and Brandon break down why most New Year’s resolutions fail—and how to set goals in a way that actually supports long-term change, consistency, and mental health.

In this episode, Cassie and Brandon dive deep into the topic of boundaries—why so many people struggle with them, why they’re misunderstood, and how learning to set them can dramatically improve your relationships, energy, and overall mental health.

In this episode, Cassie and Brandon sit down to unpack why driving can trigger such intense anger, how road rage reveals what’s going on in our nervous system, and the small, everyday habits that help you stay in control—behind the wheel and in the rest of your life.  

In this episode, Cassie and Brandon sit down with Patti Read, certified family sleep coach and founder of Goldilocks Sleep Solutions, to explore how sleep shapes our mood, mental health, and daily functioning—from toddler nap strikes to chronic adult insomnia.

In this episode, Cassie and Brandon take on TikTok’s most viral self-care trends — from hot girl walks and chlorophyll water to snail facials and cold plunges — giving their therapist-approved takes on what truly supports mental health and what might just be marketing.

In this episode, Cassie and Brandon sit down together to reflect on their podcast journey, share the story behind Modern Therapy , and announce what’s next for the show. 🔍 What You’ll Hear in This Episode Reaching a Milestone: Cassie and Brandon celebrate surpassing the “fall-off” point where most podcasts stop, reflecting on their progress and growth. Introducing Seasons: They announce the move...

In this episode, the hosts sit down with Karlee Smart—a Monmouth County realtor, educator, and former Mrs. New Jersey—to unpack the emotional rollercoaster of buying or selling a home. From first-time buyers’ nerves to divorce listings and burnout prevention, Karlee shares how empathy, education, and strong boundaries can turn real estate into a healing process instead of a stressful one.