Pint-Sized Therapy

In this special season finale of Pint-Sized Therapy , host Aletha Clark takes a heartfelt look back at the journey of Season One — from Choosing Joy to Living with Purpose and What to Expect from Therapy . She shares behind-the-mic reflections, listener gratitude, and a guided affirmation to help you pause, reflect, and prepare for your own next season of growth. Take this moment to reset, breathe...

The holidays are supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year,” but for many, they can bring a whirlwind of emotions — excitement mixed with exhaustion, joy tangled with grief, and connection shadowed by conflict. In this episode, psychotherapist Dr. Aletha Clark unpacks the reality of holiday stress — why we feel it, what triggers it, and how to navigate it with grace and self-awareness. W...

In our codependence series finale, we bring it all together: healing, self-compassion, rebuilding identity, and defining what healthy love really looks like. We explore balance, respect, and reciprocity in romantic relationships, review recovery patterns, and reflect on the 12 Promises of CoDA as a vision of what healing can feel like. Featuring Good Will Hunting , this episode reminds us that our...

 Breaking codependence isn’t about cutting people off — it’s about reclaiming your sense of self. In this episode, we walk step-by-step through boundaries, healthy detachment, building self-worth outside of relationships, and the recovery patterns from CoDA. With Eat Pray Love as our pop culture example, we explore what it looks like to set new boundaries, rediscover joy, and live independently. I...

What does codependence cost us emotionally, physically, and spiritually? In this episode, we explore the burnout, resentment, and identity loss that come with codependent patterns. We look at Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to understand how love and belonging can override safety, esteem, and growth — and introduce the concept of the high-functioning codependent. Featuring Runaway Bride as our pop cul...

What are the warning signs of codependence? In this episode, we explore traits like people-pleasing, caretaking, blurred boundaries, and the fear of abandonment. We also unpack love bombing and trauma bonding, as well as the dynamic between the rescuer and the one who needs to be rescued. Featuring Twilight as our pop culture example, we reflect on how intense highs and lows of “epic love” can act...

In this first episode of our series, we define codependence, explore how it develops through family dynamics, trauma, and attachment styles, and examine the role of enabling behaviors. Using the film When a Man Loves a Woman as a pop culture example, we uncover how codependence shows up in relationships and why it can be so difficult to see in ourselves. Includes a reflection prompt: “What was the...

Loving someone who struggles with a substance use disorder can feel like riding an emotional rollercoaster. Fear, anger, grief, exhaustion, and disappointment often show up alongside love and hope. In this heartfelt episode, I speak directly to partners, parents, siblings, and friends — those who carry invisible weight while supporting someone through addiction. We’ll explore the reality of relaps...

 Trauma changes the brain. Addiction can begin as a survival strategy. And when mental health struggles and substance use disorders collide, recovery becomes more complicated — but no less possible. In this episode, I explore the reality of co-occurring disorders, why they are so common, and how our treatment systems often leave people without the integrated care they deserve. You’ll hear how trau...

In honor of National Recovery Month, this episode explores the science of addiction and why recovery is not only possible — it’s real. We’ll break down how addiction rewires the brain, why people may begin using substances, and the genetic, social, and emotional risk factors that play a role. Through plain language, metaphors, and a relatable story, we’ll connect the science of addiction to the ho...

September is National Recovery Month, and this year’s theme is Recovery is REAL—Restoring Every Aspect of Life. In this episode, we explore what recovery truly means beyond abstinence — it’s about healing the whole person, reconnecting with who we are, and restoring the parts of life that addiction may have dimmed. Together, we’ll talk about self-compassion as an antidote to stigma and shame, refl...

In this episode, we explore what it means to consciously choose joy — and just as importantly, how to opt out of what doesn’t bring us joy. Inspired by a conversation with my best friend, we’ll talk about the difference between thriving and surviving, the science of Positive Psychology, and how joy isn’t a luxury but a necessity for our well-being. You’ll learn about the psychological and physical...

Do you ever feel like life would finally calm down if you could just keep everything under control? In this episode, we dive deep into our human drive for control—why we crave it, what happens when we can’t have it, and how it often leaves us feeling stressed, drained, and stuck. We’ll explore the difference between what’s truly within our power and what isn’t, and why learning to let go is one of...

Change is one of the few certainties in life—and yet, it can feel overwhelming, exhausting, and even destabilizing. In this episode, we explore the Cycle of Renewal and how it helps us understand the transitions we face both personally and collectively. Together, we’ll talk about: What life transitions really are, with everyday examples. The symptoms of burnout that often follow change overload. T...

Are you carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders? In this episode, we’re diving deep into Superwoman Syndrome —a term coined in the 1980s by Dr. Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz to describe the pressure women feel to “do it all” and “be it all.” Together, we’ll explore: What Superwoman Syndrome really is (and how it shows up in everyday life) The root causes, including cultural pressures, family...

Have you ever found yourself constantly rearranging your life to meet everyone else’s needs—while ignoring your own? In this episode, of Pint-Sized Therapy, we explore a term I’ve coined: Radical Accommodation . It goes beyond people pleasing—into a deeper, more compulsive pattern of self-neglect driven by fear of rejection, abandonment, and the need to belong. We’ll look at how Radical Accommodat...

In this deeply personal episode of Pint-Sized Therapy , I open up about the recent loss of my stepfather, who was married to my mother for nearly 40 years and played an integral role in my life. As I sat with my mother in the days following his passing, she quietly asked, "Am I grieving the right way?" —a question that reminded me how often we silently struggle with whether our grief is...

In this warm and grounding episode, we take a gentle but honest look at what happens when life overwhelms us—emotionally, mentally, and physically. Whether you’re feeling anxious, burned out, emotionally flooded, or simply disconnected from yourself, this conversation offers a pause in the chaos. We explore what emotional burnout really looks like, why emotional flooding is more than just a bad da...

In this powerful and timely episode, Dr. Aletha Clark, examines the deep psychological wounds caused by mass deportation raids—not only on those targeted, but also on their families, communities, and those who witness these traumatic events. From the trauma of sudden separation and the neurobiological impact of fear, to the long-term consequences of generational trauma, learned helplessness, and c...

In Part 2 of our series, Dr. Aletha Clark goes even deeper into the psychology of turning red flags pink—common red flags and focusing specifically on family and friendships. Why do we give loved ones endless chances? Why do we silence ourselves to keep the peace? And how can we break the pattern? We also uncover: 🚩 Common red flags to look out for in every area of your life  🛑 What you can do t...

Have you ever had that gut feeling that something wasn’t right—but talked yourself out of it? In this powerful first part of our two-part series, Dr. Aletha Clark explores what it really means to turn red flags pink —those moments when we downplay, rationalize, or ignore warning signs in relationships. From romantic partners to friendships, family, and even our own behavior, we dive into the subtl...

In this powerful episode, psychotherapist Dr. Aletha Clark dives deep into the complex and often painful world of toxic relationships. You’ll learn how to recognize the subtle signs of toxicity—especially in romantic relationships—how love bombing and manipulation create emotional confusion, and why so many of us unconsciously fall into these harmful patterns. We’ll explore the emotional and physi...

In this deeply reflective episode, we explore the psychological and emotional realities of being in an abusive relationship—especially when power, wealth, and influence create barriers to escape and silence both victims and bystanders. Using the recent trials involving Sean "Diddy" Combs as a backdrop, we examine how abuse often begins subtly through manipulation and control, escalating...

In this episode, we explore how to set meaningful goals and live with daily intention—whether you're focused on personal growth, professional change, or simply finding more clarity in your life. We’ll break down what it means to align your goals with your core values, how to overcome common barriers like fear, perfectionism, or being overwhelmed, and how to create a vision that actually moves...

Starting therapy can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, psychotherapist Dr. Aletha Clark walks you through what to expect from your first therapy session, different types of therapy approaches, the importance of the therapist-client relationship, and how to find the right therapeutic fit. You’ll also learn how to prepare for your sessions, what kinds of things are typica...