J & Courtney's In It Together: Mental Health & Healing Trauma

In this episode, J and I unpack what rescue parenting really is, how to recognize when you’re doing it, and how to start shifting from rescuing to regulating — so your child learns strength through connection, not dependency. It’s often rooted in our own nervous system ... that deep, protective part of us that remembers what it felt like to be alone, scared, or unsupported. So we overcompensate. W...

In this episode, Courtney and J open up an honest and compassionate conversation about one of the most painful yet unspoken experiences families face today: parental estrangement . Together, we’ll explore why this is happening more frequently, what’s really going on beneath the surface, and how both parents and adult children can begin to understand — and possibly heal — the rupture. You’ll learn:...

  The Power of Pause: Why Slowing Down Speeds You Up In our always-on, hyper-connected world, the simple act of pausing has become almost revolutionary. This episode explores the transformative benefits of intentionally creating space in your day, your conversations, and your decision-making. Discover how strategic pauses can sharpen your focus, reduce stress, and unlock deeper creativity. We'll d...

We talk a lot about nostalgia as something sweet—warm memories, the “good old days.” But for many people, looking back isn’t comforting, it’s activating . Traumatic nostalgia is what happens when revisiting your past doesn’t just bring memories, it pulls you back into the pain, the fear, or the helplessness of what you lived through. In this episode, I break down: What traumatic nostalgia really i...

  Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed, craving space, but instead of saying no —you overcommit, explode, or unconsciously push people away? This is the hidden face of subconscious sabotage . In this episode, we’ll explore: Why saying “no” can feel threatening—even when it’s what you desperately need. How old conditioning, trauma responses, and fear of rejection lead us to sabotage instead of...

Do you ever feel drained from caring so much? In this episode, I dive into the hidden cost of empathy—when our natural ability to tune into others’ feelings leaves us exhausted, resentful, or even numb. This isn’t about a lack of compassion; it’s about what happens when we carry the weight of everyone else’s emotions without knowing how to set boundaries or refill our own cup. Right now, in light...

  In this episode, I dive into Netflix’s documentary Unknown: High School Catfish and unpack the shocking story of Kendra Licari—the mother at the center of a case that blurred the lines between parent, predator, and manipulator. Together, we explore the psychology behind her actions, the ripple effects on her family and community, and what this story reveals about control, secrecy, and unresolved...

We’re back! After two years of deep personal work—learning how to lead our own healing—we’re here again to share the journey with you. If you’ve missed us, know that we’ve missed you, too. In this episode, we dive into what it really means to lead yourself down your own healing path. From breaking cycles of trauma to managing anxiety and navigating mental health struggles, we explore how self-lead...

In this very special episode, J and Courtney discuss shame from a different perspective. They talk about leaning into shame as the teacher and how shame can become your friend and not your keeper. If you are on your healing journey, then this is an episode you won't want to miss! Healing can be lonely and the last thing we want to feel is bad for exisiting. Shame isn't a useless or unhelpful emoti...

One of the hardest journeys is that of healing - especially when you don't have anyone to support you through the process. What we begin to recognize is that everything is a choice. We are far more capable than we give ourselves credit for and when we can look within and pull from that power nothing is unachievable. If you are struggling to believe in yourself and you feel that you just can't, the...

Do you hold on to relationships out of guilt? Do you feel a sense of responsibility for family members even if they have hurt you ? If these sound familiar, you won't want to miss this episode because you are NOT alone. In this deeply raw episode, Courtney opens up deeper to share some of her most vulnerable emotions surrounding this exact topic. Together, J gently leads Courtney down the path of...

In this very special episode, J and Courtney sit down to have a deep conversation with Duygu Balan, LPCC, LMHC, and Dr. Yener Balan. Duygu is a psychotherapist and certified trauma professional, and for over a decade has cared for individuals and couples dealing with childhood trauma, attachment injuries, and grief. Yener Balan, MD, DFAPA is a board-certified psychiatrist and is currently the Vice...

Are you struggling with parenting? Are you having a  very hard time watching your children make decisions that could "hurt them"? Are you always worried that you have to step in, solve, and fix their problems? Do you have this underlying fear that something bad is going to happen so you're always on edge? If so, you may find this episode very helpful. J and Courtney discuss Rescue Parenting - Some...

In this very special episode, J and Courtney discuss the inner child but from a completely different perspective - a perspective not many talk about.  If you're on your healing journey, finding yourself triggered...ALOT, and just feel stuck then THIS is the episode for you! Healing is messy and won't be easy. As a matter of fact, it may be the hardest thing that you'll ever do. That's why we have...

Are you on your healing journey and just feel  completely exhausted? You just don't have the energy or desire to do much of anything. When we are healing, we can get to this very poignant part of healing that Courtney calls, "Restful Healing" and it can be the most challenging place to be when you don't understand it. As a trained trauma counselor, Courtney has seen this in all of her clients and...

When we have trauma, we may find that we become highly reactive . This is why you just JUMP to the first emotion and ACT on it without having time to stop and think and DECIDE what your decision will be. In this episode, J and Courtney discuss reactivity on a very personal level . If you have trauma and are on your healing journey, this is going to be an upside that you'll want to save and listen...

In this episode, J and Courtney recap the 4 agreements. This is the PERFECT episode if you're just looking to get a brief synopsis without all the fuss! Stay tuned because the next episode is on REACTIVITY! You won't want to MISS it!   TO JOIN THE HEALING COMMUNITY: https://www.patreon.com/InIttogetherHealingCommunity?fan_landing=true&view_as=public

In this episode, J and Courtney discuss what it means to "do your best" based on the book, "The Four Agreements". Together, they pull apart the agreement and discuss it at a deeper level. Our best will always shift depending on how we are feeling. Your best today may be different tomorrow. If you're on your healing journey, then this episode will resonate and give you permission to have more compa...

In this episode, J and Courtney continue their quest to explore concepts from the book, "The Four Agreements". Together, they share their thoughts and experiences surrounding the concept of not assuming and how assuming will keep you stuck on your healing journey. When we assume, we base what we perceive as fact instead of information to process.  TO JOIN THE HEALING COMMUNITY: https://www.patreon...

In this episode, J and Courtney discuss the importance of not taking things personally. Courtney, in the  hot-seat , again...discusses how this has been one of the most challenging things to overcome. At times, she still struggles with it and is very candid about her journey with learning to let things go and be as they are.    Do you struggle with feeling as if everything is a personal attack? Do...

J and Courtney are back! It's been a while and they share what they have been up to and what to expect! They get into a conversation about the way in which we speak to ourselves and others - The Words We Use - and how IMPACTFUL our words are. If you're on your healing journey, or just looking to listen to a real, raw, and relatable podcast - this is for you! When we are on our journey, we are ofte...

In this very special episode, J and Courtney dig deeper into shame. This is a great spin-off episode if you've listened to the one on Shame Vs Guilt AND if you're part of the healing community it went GREAT with the workshop and Newsletter. Shame is a universal emotion that we all have and feel but it can infiltrate our lives and truly prevent us from healing and walking in our authentic footsteps...

In this episode, J and Courtney discuss the meaning behind dreams and how you can pull a lot of insight from them. Courtney further discusses how dreams aren't always factual but actually metaphorically represent different parts of your waking life. This is an episode you won't want t sleep on!   LINK TO JOIN THE HEALING COMMUNITY: https://www.patreon.com/InIttogetherPodcast?fan_landing=true&v...

In this very interesting episode, Courtney breaks down the deep differences between Shame and Guilt - as they aren't the same. Together, J and Courtney have a discussion that brings to light moments in their own healing journey where shame presented itself. If you're on your healing journey, it's more likely than not that you are harboring deep shame - and that can truly affect your self-worth and...

In this very special episode, J and Courtney discuss the cost of healing. They sit down and together discuss what really happens when you heal. They talk about the things that most people don't realize and explore healing from a whole new perspective.  TO join the healing community and get all the goodies from the Newsletter, Zoom calls, Feelings Wheel, Book Club, Workshops, and more CLICK this li...