High Heels and Heartache Podcast

Dr. La Keita Carter stops by to discuss her Psychology Today Article “What Type Of Apologizer Are You?”. She discusses six types of apologies and how they are linked to emotional intelligence. Dr. La Keita D. Carter, a licensed psychologist in Maryland, specializes in trauma, sexual wellness and relationships, addictions, women’s issues, and cultural barriers to treatment. A native Bal...

Amber Trueblood joins the show to discuss her article “True Emotional Resilience Requires True Self-Care”. Amber highlights the differences between true self care and surface self care.  She also discusses the five different types of anxiety styles and suggests specific true self care ideas for each of the styles. Amber Trueblood, MBA, is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT)...

On this episode, Katherine Cullen, LMSW, stops by to discuss her article “Seven Secrets To Liking Yourself More.” She breaks down the consequences of self dislike and how everyone can benefit from improving the way they feel about themselves. Katherine (Schreiber) Cullen, LMSW, is a psychotherapist and co-author of The Truth About Exercise Addiction: Understanding The Dark Side of Thin...

Jourdan Travers defines the term “trauma bond” and discusses what relationships typically have them and why they are a powerful dynamic in relationships. Jourdan Travers is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in the treatment of anxiety, mood, substance abuse/dependence, and personality disorders. She received her MSW from The University of Maryland and her B.A. in psycho...

Best friend to the show, Dr. Candice Creasman, discusses the “fawn” trauma response and how it is different from the other trauma responses of fight, flight, and freeze. Candice Creasman Mowrey, PhD is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor with a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling and Psychology and a Doctorate in Counseling and Counselor Education. She has been in p...

Robyn Brickel, M.A., LMFT  discusses Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  She defines CPTSD, outlines best practices for recovery, and examines how it is both similar and different to PSTD. Robyn is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 25+ years of experience providing psychotherapy, as well as the founder and clinical director of a private practice, Brickel and Associates, LLC in Old...

Michelle P. Maidenberg, Ph. D., MPH, LCSW-R, CGP stops by to discuss 10 mindful lessons you can use to strengthen all of the relationships in your life. Michelle P. Maidenberg, Ph. D., MPH, LCSW-R, CGP  maintains a private practice in Harrison, NY. She is an adjunct graduate professor of Mindfulness Practice at New York University. She is the president and clinical director of the  Thru My Eyes Fo...

On this episode psychotherapist, Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS, chats about her article 6 Steps Toward Recovery From a Toxic Relationship.   She describes the six steps, discusses how survivors can move between the steps, Kaytee is a psychotherapist, author, and consultant with a passion for working with survivors of relationship and family trauma. Her first book, Invisible Bruises: How a Better Unders...

Dr. Zoe Ross-Nash stops by to discuss the link between trauma and eating disorders/disordered eating. She defines different eating disorders and discusses which type of trauma is associated with each eating disorder.  Dr. Ross-Nash explores the importance of not having preconceived notions of what eating disorders “look like”.  She also discusses resources available to those struggling...

On this episode, Dr. Isabelle Morley discusses the toxic and abusive relationship behaviors she saw on the latest season of “Love Is Blind”. We chat about what responsibility Netflix has to contestants and viewers, and how Netflix can protect both groups. Isabelle Morley, Psy. D., is a licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and co-founder of The Relationship Coaches. She specializes i...

Julie Sweet stops by to speak about the phenomen known as the “perfect victim” and how it affects survivors of abuse and violence. Julie is an experienced Clinical Psychotherapist of 10 years with a demonstrated history of working in the mental health and human services industry. Skilled in Drug and Alcohol counselling, counselling adult survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA), Trauma In...

On this episode, Dr. Aimee Daramus stops by to offer advice on how to date after an abusive relationship. Aimee Daramus, Psy. D., is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in chronic mental illness. She works in private practice at Urban Balance in Chicago, and is an adjunct professor at Harold Washington College. She wrote a book, Understanding Bipolar Disorder: The Essential Family Guide,...

In this episode GiShawn Mance, PhD discusses imposter syndrome.  She defines what it is, the feelings associated with it, whether it is truly a “syndrome”, how to conquer any feelings of insecurity, and why women tend to experience it more. Dr. GiShawn Mance is a clinical psychologist licensed in the state of Maryland.  She is dedicated to providing quality, comprehensive mental health...

On this episode, coauthor of Kendall Ann’s book “What I Wish I Knew: Surviving and Thriving After An Abusive Relationship”, Dr. Amelia Kelley, stops by to answer reader and listener questions with Kendall Ann.  They discuss how the book came to fruition, suggest other books survivors can read to help them thrive, chat about the difference between an abusive partner and a “j...

Darlene Lancer stops by to chat about what to do if you are in a relationship with a narcissist.  Darlene is an internationally sought after relationship expert and media spokesperson on narcissism and codependency, a psychotherapist and author of 9 books, including Dating, Loving, and Leaving a Narcissist, Conquering Shame and Codependency: 8 Steps to Freeing the True You and Codependency for Dum...

Chelli Pumphrey, MA, LPC stops by to discuss what to do if someone in your life is in an unhealthy, toxic, or abusive relationship. Chelli is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Relationship Coach, Reiki Master, and author with almost 30 years of clinical experience. She specializes in working with trauma, adult attachment, narcissistic abuse and pathological love relationships. Chelli founded Tril...

Why do we dream? In this episode, John Cline, Ph. D. stops by to help us navigate the science of sleep and the theories on why humans dream. John Cline, Ph. D., D,ABSM, FAASM, is a licensed clinical psychologist and is board certified in clinical sleep disorders. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Sleep. He is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the New Yor...

Trauma psychotherapist, Amanda Ann Gregory, discusses why forgiveness isn’t necessary in trauma recovery.  She walks us through possible messages we are internalizing about forgiveness and five reasons why forgiveness should not be imposed in the process of healing from trauma. Click here to check out her Psychology Today article “Why Forgiveness Isn’t Required in Trauma Recovery...

Sharon Martin stops by to discuss unsolicited advice.  She defines unsolicited advice, tells us how to stop giving and what we should do when we receive it! Sharon Martin, MSW, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist who has been practicing in San Jose, CA for over 20 years. She specializes in helping individuals struggling with perfectionism, codependency, and people-pleasing. Her own struggle to feel...

On this episode, Dr. Chloe Carmichael stops by to teach us how we can use the principles for mindfulness to drink alcohol moderately. Dr. Chloe Carmichael, Ph. D, is a licensed clinical psychologist, known as Dr. Chloe. She holds a master’s degree and Ph. D. in clinical psychology from Long Island University and graduated Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude, with a bachelor’s degree and departmental h...

On this episode of the podcast, Dr. Tiffany Millacci discusses how toxic positivity can be affecting your health and interpersonal relationships! Dr. Millacci gives examples of toxic positivity and suggestions on how to eliminate it in our daily lives and relationships. Tiffany Millacci, Ph. D. has over 14 years of experience in the education field and is an educator for both elementary special ed...

Melody Stanford Martin joins the show to discuss her article “Five Practices of Resilient Relationships” and teach us how to enhance our conflict resolution skills. Melody Stanford Martin is a social ethicist, communications expert, and author of  Brave Talk: Building Resilient Relationships in the Face of Conflict  (Broadleaf Books, 2020). She is the Founder of educational platform Br...

In this episode I chat with Valerie Pena and Mary Lous Randour about Safe Havens for Pets, an organizing helping survivors of domestic violence and their pets find safety.  We discuss how to find a safe haven in your area, why it is critical that safe havens exist, how Safe Havens for Pets is connecting safe havens to each other and survivors, and what you can do to help. Don’t forget to fol...

On this episode I chat with Beverly Engel about how to overcome the shame that many survivors of emotional abuse experience. Beverly Engel  has been a practicing psychotherapist for thirty-five years. She is the author of 22 books, including the bestsellers  The Emotionally Abusive Relationship ,  The Right to Innocence ,   and  Healing Your Emotional Self . Her latest book is entitled,  It Wasn&#...

Sari Cooper joins the show to discuss if porn addiction is a disorder and how to communicate better when it comes to all things sex! Sari Cooper  LCSW-R, CST is the Director of Center for Love and Sex, a group practice specializing in holistic embodied sex therapy and sex coaching in NYC. She is an AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist and Certified Sex Therapy Supervisor who has been seeing individuals...