Mental Health Dumpster Fire

Recorded November 10, 2025 CW: substance use, pregnancy, severe mental illness This week Taylor Ryan, LCSW joins us to talk about her work in emergency psychiatric services, her experience working with individuals with severe mental illness, and her research on mental health for first-time parents. We go into systems that need to change and the process for getting help for a loved one experiencing...

Recorded November 3, 2025 This week Jenny Townsend, LCSW explains some of the services she offers in her practice, including Induced After Death Communication, Reiki, and Walk-and-Talk Sessions. Check out Jenny’s info below! https://www.jennytownsendlcsw.com https://www.instagram.com/jenny_townsend_lcsw?igsh=MTE2ajFyM3V0ejBpaA== https://www.facebook.com/share/1Fpyx8nJvg/?mibextid=wwXIfr Follow us...

Recorded October 20, 2025Before you use the words “gaslighting,” “triggered,” or “OCD” in casual conversation, learn what they actually mean with Jess and Courtney, two actual therapists. What pop psychology “therapy speak” words should we define next? References:@igototherapy on InstagramFollow us on Instagram (@mental.health.dumpster.fire) and TikTok (@mentalhealthdumpsterfire)Follow Jess on Ins...

Our first guest of the season! Thanks so much to Calli Weis, LCSW for joining us to talk about self-diagnosis and TikTok therapy advice. Let us know what you thought of this episode! Follow us on Instagram (@mental.health.dumpster.fire) and TikTok (@mentalhealthdumpsterfire)Follow Jess on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook (@TheArtsyBrain)Follow Courtney on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook (@LauverListe...

This week we look at random therapists' online biographies and break down the language used to help you find the right therapist for you. Let us know about your experiences with finding a new therapist! Follow us on Instagram (@mental.health.dumpster.fire) and TikTok (@mentalhealthdumpsterfire) Follow Jess on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook (@TheArtsyBrain) Follow Courtney on Instagram, TikTok...

This week, Jess teaches us about the history and process of art therapy! If you have any questions about art therapy, let us know in the comments so Jess can continue to share her knowledge. Follow us on Instagram (@mental.health.dumpster.fire) and TikTok (@mentalhealthdumpsterfire)Follow Jess on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook (@TheArtsyBrain)Follow Courtney on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook (@Lau...

This week we talk about the dangers of using AI as a substitute for therapy. Follow us on Instagram (@mental.health.dumpster.fire) and TikTok (@mentalhealthdumpsterfire)Follow Jess on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook (@TheArtsyBrain)Follow Courtney on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook (@LauverListens)https://www.courtneylauvercounseling.com/ This podcast is not a substitution for therapy and we cannot...

CW: SA, narcissism, human traffickingIn part 2 of our deep dive on toxic masculinity, Courtney reviews Andrew Tate's trip to "therapy." Here is Dr. Kirk Honda's first video covering this topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nA1DsHKkIy4Follow us on Instagram (@mental.health.dumpster.fire) and TikTok (@mentalhealthdumpsterfire)Follow Jess on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook (@TheAr...

This week Jess teaches Courtney about Dungeons & Dragons and how to create a character to represent your strengths and personality. More D&D content in 2 weeks! Follow us on Instagram (@mental.health.dumpster.fire) and TikTok (@mentalhealthdumpsterfire)Follow Jess on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook (@TheArtsyBrain)Follow Courtney on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook (@LauverListens)https://www...

Content Warning: This episode discusses misogyny, incels, racism, and transphobiaWe're back for season 2!!! We kick off our new season with a new format. Courtney talks about the psychology of toxic masculinity and incel culture. Then Jess reads reddit stories for today's theme. Let us know what you think of the new format and what we should cover this season! Follow us on Instagram (@mental.healt...

Recorded November 18, 2024 This week we check out the Ask a Therapist subreddit and give our professional take. Then we dive into a discussion about hot people and how they are ruining our mental health (kidding, kind of). Tara Mooknee’s Video: https://youtu.be/-Vs3R-FhPUg?si=huwIfN5glD6DJD7E Dazed Article: https://www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/article/65066/1/too-much-exposure-to-hot-people-is-warp...

Recorded November 11, 2024 It's been a minute but we're still here! Today we wanted to prioritize laughter. We talked about funny things that have happened in therapy, our favorite memes, and answered some random hypothetical questions. Follow us on Instagram (@mental.health.dumpster.fire) and TikTok (@mentalhealthdumpsterfire)Follow Jess on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook (@TheArtsyBrain)F...

Episode recorded November 4, 2024Today we discuss how to talk about politics with family members (and complain about the state of politics today). Then we read some Reddit stories about terrible boyfriends and step-moms. Article Jess Referenced: https://time.com/6958086/thanksgiving-election-2024-family-conflict/ Follow us on Instagram (@mental.health.dumpster.fire) and TikTok (@mentalhealthdumpst...

We're back for 2025!Thank you so much to Dr. Rachel Buehner for joining us to talk about her role as a psychologist, how insurance can affect accessibility to therapy, Autism services, and some parenting advice. Check out Dr. Buehner on TikTok and YouTube!  @bringlightpsychology1923  FEAT of Louisville: https://www.facebook.com/FEATofLouisville/Follow us on Instagram (@mental.health.dumpster.f...

Content Warning: PoliticsToday, your therapists discuss studies from r/Science: The psychology of the election & politics, senses of direction, gossip, and whether superhero movies make us better peopleThen we read AITA stories about being rude to service workers, HR getting involved in game night, and inviting an ex to your weddingRecommendations: The Art of Thriving Online by Amelia Knott -...

This week, Jess and Courtney commiserate about our daily ADHD struggles. Then we talk about Halloween etiquette: How old is too old to trick or treat? Should we out disabled children? Is Coraline too scary for toddlers? Episode was recorded October 14, 2024 Check out our recommendations this week! Life is Good: https://www.lifeisgood.com/ Happyish Brand: https://www.happyishbrand.com/ Follow us on...

This week, the therapists talk about the right and wrong ways to set and maintain boundaries. Our recommendations this week are: How to Not Be a Doormat: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheGirlSurvivalGuide/comments/y94zui/how_to_not_be_a_doormat_a_guide_to_defining_your/ Values Sort: https://www.think2perform.com/values/ Dustin Poynter: https://www.instagram.com/dustinpoynter/?hl=en Follow us on Instagr...

This week we welcome Molly Fitz King to chat about neurodivergence, addiction, and advocating for our clients and ourselves. Check out Molly's website here: https://www.fitzkingtherapy.com/ Get information about People Advocating Recovery: https://peopleadvocatingrecovery.org/ Follow us on Instagram (@mental.health.dumpster.fire) and TikTok (@mentalhealthdumpsterfire) Follow Jess on Instagram, Tik...

This week we gush about our new favorite movie, Inside Out 2! We tell you all about how accurate the movie is to real psychology and what we can learn about our own mental health through the film. Let us know what you thought of the movie and send us your creative creations! Follow us on Instagram (@mental.health.dumpster.fire) and TikTok (@mentalhealthdumpsterfire) Follow Jess on Instagram and Fa...

This week, Jess and Courtney talk about people pleasing, parenting one-liners, and celebrating birthdays as a child of divorce. Check out our recommendations for this week! https://coffeeandcarpool.com/ https://www.screenzen.co/ https://www.mrsspeechiep.com/ Follow us on Instagram (@mental.health.dumpster.fire) and TikTok (@mentalhealthdumpsterfire) Follow Jess on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook (@...

This week, Jess and Courtney read wild Reddit stories about violated boundaries and stay-at-home parents. Then they discuss Chappell Roan and how she deserves everything she ever wants. Our recommendation this week is: Your Child's Point of View by Kelsey Olds: https://a.co/d/8XulCxW Follow us on Instagram (@mental.health.dumpster.fire) and TikTok (@mentalhealthdumpsterfire) Follow Jess on Instagr...

It's our first guest episode! Thank you so much to Courtney Morgan, LPCC for joining us this week to talk about her method for helping clients with anxiety and self-worth. Check out Courtney's practice and social media, Counseling Unconditionally! www.counselingunconditionally.com https://www.instagram.com/counselingunconditionally/?g=5 Follow us on Instagram (@mental.health.dumpster.fire) and Tik...

This week, Jess shares about a new program for young adults interested in a mental health career. Then, your hosts dish about misogyny and why we don't offer individual therapy to adult men. Check out the Youth Mental Health Corps here: https://www.youthmentalhealthcorps.org/ Our recommendations are How to ADHD on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HowtoADHD And @art_therapy_irl on Instagram Follow...

Double digits, baby!!! On this episode, Jess and Courtney discuss *real* gentle parenting, not the made up gentle parenting you see on TikTok. They also pet a cute dog. Our recommendations this week are the Child Mind Institute: https://childmind.org/ and @theconsideratemomma on TikTok Follow us on Instagram (@mental.health.dumpster.fire) and TikTok (@mentalhealthdumpsterfire) Follow Jess on Insta...

Jess and Courtney are back to finish discussing teachers' opinions on parenting. Check out the article we read here: https://www.buzzfeed.com/alanavalko/modern-parenting-trends-teachers-opinions Our recommendations this week are Bark (although take with a grain of salt because we learned about it as we were recording) https://www.bark.us/ & Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty https://crazyaarons.com/...