Life Is Hard Podcast

Do you struggle with feeling like you need to be productive 24/7? Do you feel like any time you take a break you are wasting time? In this episode, Dr. Nicole & Dr. Jackie dive into the topic of productivity vs. taking breaks. They discuss why it might be hard for us to take breaks and what we can do to work through the urge to constantly be productive to lead us to actually enjoy taking break...

Curious about how grad school for psychology works? Thinking about possibly starting a career in the mental health field? Need help getting into grad school? Don't even know where to begin? This episode is for you!! Guest Dr. Jenn Gittleman joins Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jackie to discuss all things graduate school in the field of psychology. Dr. Jenn runs Psychology Doctoral Consultants, a company...

We are excited to bring on our first guest- Maya Topitzer- to the podcast for this informative conversation about the most important business elements to think about when starting a private practice! Maya is the founder of Breksey, a company that helps therapists manage the business and administrative side of running a practice. Tune in to hear insights from Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jackie, who both run...

Parenting is the hardest job in the world, and we're here to help! Tune in to this episode to learn some parenting tips, tricks, and scripts from two licensed psychologists who specialize in working with children & parents.  *DISCLAIMER* THIS PODCAST IS INTENDED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

Do you ever feel the pressure to "be happy" during the holiday season when you are actually really struggling? You're not alone!! The holidays can be very stressful, overwhelming, and distressing-- something that is felt universally but not talked about enough. On this episode of LIH, Dr. Nicole & Dr. Jackie break down many different reasons why the holidays can be hard and some...

Do you struggle with perfectionism or perfectionistic traits? Do you find making mistakes very distressing? If so, this episode is for you! Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jackie break down all things perfectionism-- what it is, where it comes from, how it can show up, and how to treat it. They also do a mini-role play at the end of the episode where they demonstrate an evidenced- based technique your therapis...

Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jackie received a question from a viewer asking to explain the different types of approaches to therapy. There are many different types of therapeutic modalities, but Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jackie focused on the 6 most popular approaches that they are the most knowledgeable about. Part 2 of this episode explains three widely used, dynamic techniques-- Psychodynamic, relational, and...

Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jackie received a question from a viewer asking to explain the different types of approaches to therapy. There are many different types of therapeutic modalities, but Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jackie focused on the 6 most popular approaches that they are the most knowledgeable about. Part 1 of this episode explains three widely used, evidenced based techniques-- CBT, DBT, and ACT.  *DI...

Why is change so difficult? Why can't we just automatically adjust to changes or transitions in our lives? What can help me adjust to change more smoothly? All of these very common questions and more are covered by Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jackie in this episode!  *DISCLAIMER* THIS PODCAST IS INTENDED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HE...

Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jackie have heard a lot of misconceptions, biases, stigmas, and misinformation about therapy throughout their time in the mental health field, and they want to set the record straight! This episode explores some very common misconceptions about therapy, how they may have came to be, and explains why they are untrue.  *DISCLAIMER* THIS PODCAST IS INTENDED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND ENTE...

Wondering if you should start therapy? This episode is for you! Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jackie explore some of the many reasons people might want to go to therapy and why it might be beneficial for you to begin your therapy journey.  *DISCLAIMER* THIS PODCAST IS INTENDED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

This week Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jackie discuss all things burnout! They cover contributing factors to what can cause burnout, strategies to use to combat and prevent burnout, and how burnout can look and show up differently for people-- as it relates to work/ their jobs.  *DISCLAIMER* THIS PODCAST IS INTENDED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEN...

Welcome to another bonus role-play episode! This episode portrays a role-play of a therapist improperly/ineffectively using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with a distressed patient. In this role-play, Dr. Nicole attempts to portray a therapist who is NOT effectively using DBT to treat her patient (Dr. Jackie). After the role-play, Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jackie debrief some of the ineffective techn...

Welcome to our first role-play episode! This episode portrays a role-play of a therapist using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with a distressed patient. In this role-play, Dr. Nicole attempts to effectively use DBT to treat her patient (Dr. Jackie). Before and after the role-play, Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jackie discuss what DBT treatment is typically used for and debrief some of the effective techn...

In this week's episode, Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jackie break down what it actually means to struggle with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They bust myths and stigmas surrounding OCD, define each component of OCD, and discuss treatment options for OCD.  *DISCLAIMER* THIS PODCAST IS INTENDED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH S...

Welcome back to our ADHD two-part series! In today's episode, Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jackie discuss some skills and strategies you can try if you are struggling with symptoms of ADHD. They also give their thoughts on a controversial topic when it comes to ADHD-- medication.  *DISCLAIMER* THIS PODCAST IS INTENDED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIO...

Welcome to our two-part ADHD series! In part 1, Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jackie discuss misconceptions and stigmas surrounding ADHD, what ADHD ACTUALLY is (an executive functioning dysfunction) and how it works in the brain, and what the evaluation process for getting a diagnosis of ADHD looks like. This episode will help you gain a greater understanding of ADHD and how ADHD manifests in children and ad...

This week's episode is like an anxiety boot camp! Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jackie explore the whole spectrum of anxiety- from low levels to full blown panic- as well as where anxiety comes from, why we all have it, and what to do to decrease anxiety at every level of the spectrum. They explore multiple different skills and strategies to try the next time you are anxious, and they discuss exactly wh...

In this episode, Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jackie talk all things CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). They discuss what CBT is, different ways of applying CBT to treatment, specific techniques a CBT therapist would use, and they even do a live role-play of what a therapy session with a CBT therapist might look like. *DISCLAIMER* THIS PODCAST IS INTENDED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. IT...

Have you ever struggled to "get motivated" or "stay happy"? So have we- because both of those things, as we know them, are not real! In this episode, Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jackie dive into the Motivation Myth and the Happiness Trap- two perspective shifts that can radically change the way you view your life and show up for yourself.  *DISCLAIMER* THIS PODCAST IS INTENDED FOR EDUCA...

In this episode, Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jackie dive into what a first session with a client or patient might look like as their therapist. They discuss general principles that should be part of all first sessions, and what to focus on in the first session regardless of the type of patient you are seeing for therapy.  *DISCLAIMER* THIS PODCAST IS INTENDED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY...

Do you have a hard time setting boundaries in your relationships? With family, friends, coworkers, or romantic partners? If so, this episode is for you. Setting boundaries is hard, and Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jackie explore some possible reasons why this might be difficult for you. They also discuss some specific skills and strategies you can use to practice setting boundaries in your life.  *DISCLAIME...

Having a hard time finding the right person for you? You are not alone! Dating is hard, and we're here to help. In this episode, Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jackie discuss why you might be having trouble obtaining or maintaining healthy, stable, secure relationships, and what to do to change that. From attachment styles to societal pressure to specific strategies you can practice, we cover it all! *DI...

Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jackie give an overview of the path to becoming a clinical psychologist. From undergrad to post-graduate school and everything in between, they explain the steps you need to take if you are thinking about becoming a psychotherapist.  *DISCLAIMER* THIS PODCAST IS INTENDED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVIC...

Have you ever found yourself unable to stop thinking about something, no matter how hard you try to get rid of the thoughts? Ruminating and overthinking about a situation, and getting upset because of it? If so, this episode is for you! Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jackie dive in to a step by step explanation of one of the most helpful techniques for letting go of unwanted thoughts.  *DISCLAIMER* THIS PODCA...