Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk

Hookup culture is everywhere — from dating apps to everyday conversations — but what does it really mean for our mental health and relationships? In this episode, we dive into the rise of hookup culture, how social norms have shifted, and why casual sex can feel both liberating and complicated. We unpack: The hidden benefits people don’t talk about — empowerment, freedom, and reclaiming sexuality...

(The Psychology of Family, Gratitude, and the Holiday Meltdown) Why does Thanksgiving — the holiday that’s supposed to be about gratitude — so often turn into chaos? From family tension and perfectionism to grief, guilt, and emotional flashbacks, Courtnie and Melisa unpack why this holiday can feel like a group therapy session you didn’t sign up for. In this episode, we explore the psychology of T...

Therapy is powerful — but not everything you see on Instagram therapy accounts tells the full story. In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain with some of our unpopular opinions as therapists: ✨ Why the wrong people often show up to therapy (and why the ones causing harm usually don’t) ✨ How over-analyzing every behavior as “trauma” can actually steal nuance from real life ✨ Why therapis...

Why are Millennials always exhausted? It’s not just late nights and too much coffee. From hustle culture to student debt to constantly shifting financial pressures, Millennials were set up to believe rest is lazy and productivity is the only measure of worth. In this episode of Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, Courtnie and Melisa unpack the mental health toll of “always grinding”—chronic burno...

Ever get that gut feeling in a session like… something’s off? Yeah, us too. In this episode of Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, we’re diving into the red flags we see in clients—and the ones we’ve had to own in ourselves. From boundary pushers and therapist-hopping to over-identification and burnout, we’re calling ourselves (and our profession) in—with humor, honesty, and just the right amount...

“You’ll feel better with time.” It’s one of the most common — and most misleading — things we tell people who are grieving. In this episode of  Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk,  Courtnie and Melisa sit down with Coraliz Myrtil, LMHC, a grief and trauma specialist, to unpack why  time alone doesn’t heal all wounds  — and what actually helps people move through grief. Together, they explore: Why...

Why do we  pay  to be terrified? From haunted houses and horror movies to our fascination with true crime, fear is one of the strangest thrills of being human. In this Halloween special, Courtnie and Melisa explore the psychology of fear — what happens in your brain when you get scared, why some of us crave the rush, and how fear can actually be  healing. Join us as we unpack the neuroscience behi...

Why does being skinny still get treated like the ultimate achievement? In this episode, we unpack the cultural obsession with thinness and the mental health costs that come with it. From compliment culture (“Wow, you’ve lost weight!”) to weight stigma in healthcare, workplaces, and even dating, we explore how body size shapes self-worth, relationships, and the way we’re treated. We’ll talk about h...

Can a relationship survive cheating—or is betrayal the end of the road? In this episode of  Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk , Courtnie and Melisa unpack the complicated reality of infidelity, emotional cheating, and everything in between. Whether you’ve been cheated on, cheated yourself, or are still unsure what even  counts  as cheating—this conversation is for you. We explore: What cheating...

What was supposed to be a polished, Pinterest-perfect photoshoot to celebrate  two years of Strong Mind Mental Health  quickly spiraled into one of the most chaotic (and hilarious) days we’ve had as business owners. From makeup meltdowns, location changes, kids crying in the background, and shooting in the rain — to realizing we hadn’t eaten all day — this “simple” photoshoot turned into pure chao...

What happens when you’re in a committed relationship… but your sexual preferences just don’t line up? In this episode of  Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk , we’re diving deep into the awkward, unspoken truth that  loving someone doesn’t automatically mean you like the same kind of sex . We talk kinks, fantasies, mismatched desires, and the emotional landmines that come with trying to bring it a...

Two years ago , we started Strong Mind Mental Health with zero clients, zero income, and nothing but our own drive, vision, and a belief that we could build something different. Today, we’re celebrating two years of growth, grit, and gratitude—with a team of incredible therapists, a community we love, and a mission that keeps evolving. 🎉 In this special anniversary episode, we’re reflecting on: H...

Do you equate self-care with face masks and wine nights? In this episode, we break down the real meaning of self-care—and spoiler alert—it’s not always cute or Instagram-worthy. From setting boundaries and saying "no" without guilt, to recognizing rest as productive, we're diving into the deeper, sustainable habits that actually support your mental health. We explore why glamorized s...

Ever felt like a fraud—even with the degrees, experience, and glowing reviews to back you up? In this episode, we unpack  impostor syndrome —what it is, how it shows up (especially in helping professions), and what it  really  takes to move through it. We’re getting real about: Therapist panic moments (aka: “I have no idea what I’m doing”) The pressure to be  everything  in therapy culture Why soc...

When you’re raising kids, it’s easy to forget you’re also growing a marriage. Between school drop-offs, late-night tantrums, and laundry mountains, quality time as a couple can feel like a luxury — but it’s actually a necessity. In this episode, we unpack how parenthood changes your relationship dynamic, why micro-moments of connection matter, and how to keep your partnership strong without adding...

"Daddy Issues, We All Got 'Em" You’ve heard the phrase. You’ve laughed at the memes. But today, we’re going deeper — way deeper. In this episode of  Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk , we’re unpacking “daddy issues” through a clinical lens. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about dating older men or absentee fathers. We’re talking about emotional wounds, attachment patterns, and how ear...

"Why Healthy Habits Are So Hard: Diet Culture, Mental Health, and Sustainable Wellness" Binge cycles, burnout, and the truth about 'lifestyle changes' that don’t work for everyone Do you struggle to stick to a “healthy lifestyle”? Ever start a new diet, workout plan, or morning routine… and feel like a failure when it doesn’t last? You’re not lazy or undisciplined — you’re probab...

🎙️ Welcome back to  Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk  — where we embrace the chaos of being mental health professionals and keep it as real as your last 8 a.m. client. In this episode, we're diving into the  awkward gap between what grad school  told  us therapy would be like vs. what it's actually like in the room.  Spoiler alert: textbooks didn’t prepare us for clients ghosting, cryin...

🎙️ This Mother’s Day, I Just Want to Be Left Alone Mother’s Day isn’t always brunches, flower deliveries, and heartfelt Instagram captions. Sometimes, it’s wanting nothing more than to not be touched, talked to, or needed for 24 hours—and that’s what we’re talking about in this honest, validating episode. In this episode, your co-hosts Melisa DeMahy, LMHC and Courtnie Vargas-Rodriguez, LMFT, both...

🎙️ Unpacking the Motherload: Mommy Issues, Reparenting, and Mental Health Mother’s Day isn’t just flowers and brunch—it can be messy, complicated, beautiful, and painful, all at once. In this raw and relatable episode of Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk , your co-hosts Courtnie and Melisa hold space for the truth behind the Hallmark holiday: the complexity of mother relationships, the unspoken...

Join therapists Melisa and Courtnie for real, unfiltered conversations about mental health, healing, and the beautifully chaotic mess of everyday life. This is where honesty meets humor, and no topic is off-limits. From professional insights to personal anecdotes, they’ll remind you that you’re not alone—because healing gets a little easier when we do it together. — 🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE: We talk abo...