Resilience Development in Action: First Responder Mental Health

Send us Fan Mail The post-COVID era has brought unprecedented changes to community mental health, and our recurring guests, The Mental Men, are here to share their unique insights! Discover how mental health professionals have navigated the shift from in-person to remote practices, transforming the way they interact and support each other. We'll discuss the challenges and creative adaptations...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a child and family specialist immerses themselves in the fast-paced world of first responders? Join us to explore the captivating professional journey that began in 1999, where our host's initial role as a crisis team triage coordinator led to unexpected yet profound career transformations. Through late-night calls and high-stakes emergency situations involv...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a paramedic transitions to a creative copywriter and brand photographer? Meet Sarah Wayte, who shares her incredible 20-year journey through the UK ambulance service and her unexpected leap into a new career in Canada. Sarah opens up about her life-changing late diagnosis of ADHD and how it influenced her path, offering a unique perspective on navigating high-pre...

Send us Fan Mail What if the key to unlocking your potential lies within the untold stories of your past? On today's episode, we sit down with Ann Diment, a best-selling author and an authority on health, safety, and recovery, as she navigates the complex landscape of trauma, mental health, and resilience. Anne brings a wealth of personal experience, sharing her journey through PTSD, an ADD d...

Send us Fan Mail How has the pandemic reshaped the landscape of addiction and mental health? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Adrienne Tichy, a recovery coach, advocate, international bestseller, and public speaker, who shares her compelling personal journey and professional insights from over a decade in addiction recovery. This episode uncovers the crucial challenges in addiction an...

Send us Fan Mail How do you truly heal when life throws its toughest challenges your way? Welcome back to an incredibly heartfelt and insightful conversation with Gina Moffa, a dedicated grief and trauma-informed therapist based in New York City. Gina introduces her upcoming book, "Moving On Doesn't Mean Letting Go," and sheds light on her journey as a therapist, particularly the le...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered why you feel the need to constantly say yes, even when it drains you? On this special episode of "Finding Your Way Through Therapy," we celebrate our third anniversary and 153rd episode by not only reflecting on our incredible journey but also tackling the pervasive issue of people pleasing. Join us as we recount our milestones, from the sheer volume of ori...

Send us Fan Mail What if the key to transforming your mental health journey lies within the wisdom of experienced therapists? In the premiere episode of season nine of "Finding Your Way Through Therapy," we introduce the "Mental Men" – Andrew Kang, Pat Rice, Dr. Robert Cherney, and Dennis Sweeney – who have profoundly influenced my path in the therapy world. These esteemed prof...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an enlightening conversation with Lisa Mustard, an LMFT and coach from South Carolina, as she recounts her journey from starting in therapy in 2006 to pioneering Continuing Education for Therapists through her podcourses. Lisa sheds light on the day that changed everything—a two-day conference that ignited her passion for podcasting. Get a peek into her life working wi...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the transformative power of dance movement therapy in our latest episode featuring Courtney Romanowski, our new co-host, and Audrey Albert-King, a licensed mental health counselor and board-certified dance movement therapist. Audrey brings her extensive knowledge to the table, revealing how reconnecting with our bodies and understanding nonverbal communication can revolut...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a carpet cleaner can become a stand-up comedian? Meet Brad Mastrangelo, who took a leap from carpet cleaning to comedy on a dare at Nick's Comedy Store in Boston. Brad's journey is filled with unexpected turns and lots of laughter, and in this episode, we delve into his roots in Chelsea, Massachusetts, his long marriage to his wife Stephanie, and their...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a routine flight turns into a high-stakes confrontation at 30,000 feet? On this special episode of "Finding Your Way Through Therapy," I recount a terrifying in-flight incident from March 5th, 2023, where my family and I faced a passenger's aggressive outburst. Claiming to be "Baltazar," this individual threatened to take over the plane,...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when the champions of our safety need rescuing? Join us for a profound discussion with Dr. Hayden Duggan, founder of OnSite, as we dissect the mental health challenges faced by first responders. This episode promises to illuminate the critical need for specialized therapy and trauma recovery tailored to those who risk their lives daily. Dr. Duggan shares compelling an...

Send us Fan Mail What if your traumas could become the catalyst for your greatest strengths? Join us on an heartfelt exploration with Dr. Hayden Duggan, a remarkable psychologist and founder of Onsite Academy, as he shares his compelling journey from being a firefighter, paramedic, and EMT to becoming a beacon of hope for public safety personnel. Dr. Duggan’s experiences with the Boston Police Str...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered how therapists take care of their own mental health while supporting others through theirs? Today, I share my personal journey through the landscape of self-care, especially during the pandemic. I'll reveal the challenges I've faced in balancing professional responsibilities with personal well-being and how scheduling vacations in advance, a strate...

Send us Fan Mail Guest host Courtney Romanowski unlocks the power of creativity and emotional healing with our special guest, Bed Hermin, a licensed mental health counselor and registered expressive arts therapist. Discover how Bed's educational journey at Lesley University and the rich history of the expressive arts therapy program shape their approach to therapy. Bed guides us through the i...

Send us Fan Mail How can understanding the mind-body connection transform your health? Join us as we chat with Erin Todd, a health and performance coach with a background in psychology and functional health medicine. Erin shares her journey from working in hospitals with both children and adults to empowering women through perimenopause and beyond. We cover everything from emotional eating to fost...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine dedicating 21 years of your life to saving others, only to find yourself grappling with your own inner battles. This episode features an incredibly candid conversation with Keith Hanks, a retired firefighter and EMT, who opens up about his complex PTSD diagnosis and the rocky journey from active duty to retirement. We unwrap Keith's transition, the trauma that led to...

Send us Fan Mail Ever find yourself saying "sorry" just to keep the peace, even when you've done nothing wrong? That's just one telltale sign of the people-pleaser's dance – a rhythm I know all too well, and one we're stepping out of in our latest podcast episode. We'll navigate the complex journey of setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care, sharing stories...

Send us Fan Mail Raising a glass to three transformative years, I'm inviting you all to join in celebrating the milestones we've shared on this podcasting journey.  Together, we've crafted a space brimming with enlightening conversations, reaching a staggering 153 episodes and a community that's downloaded our labor of love over 153,000 times.  I'm pouring out thanks to ea...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Chris Gordon's openness about his personal struggles with anxiety and depression  amidst his professional journey adds an irreplaceable depth to our latest podcast episode. As we laugh and learn with the Mental Men, Dennis Sweeney, Andy Kang, Robert Cherney, and Patrick Rice,  we pay tribute to Dr. Gordon's contributions both as a guiding presence and as an advocate...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt a song resonate so deeply that it seemed to echo the very chambers of your soul? Imagine a therapeutic space where such profound connections are not just possible but are the cornerstone of healing. Today, we're joined by the remarkable Maya  Benattar, who guides us on an exploratory journey through the world of music therapy. With Maya's expertise, we...

Send us Fan Mail Celebrating a momentous 150 episodes, we share the microphone with the astute Lien Doubleday, whose 20 years in mental health have sculpted her into a beacon of wisdom. This special episode unfurls the complex tapestry of cultural influence on mental wellness, as Lien navigates the nuanced stories from the heart of Central Massachusetts, adding soul to the science of therapy. Her...

Send us Fan Mail When silence is no longer an option, the voice of change rings out. Join us as we sit down with Austin Ives and Justin Jacobs of Mindstrong Guardians, who channel their own battles with mental health into a force for good within the military and first responder communities. They're not guests; they're beacons of hope, guiding veterans like Justin, who after decades in th...

Send us Fan Mail Ever feel like the solo act in a world of ensemble casts? That's the thread we tug at in our latest heart-to-heart, as Courtney Romanowski and I welcome the vibrant Jen (Jay) Nakhai, and new dad, Brody Clemmer, to the mix. We peel back the layers of what it means to grow up as an only child, touching on the bittersweet longing for siblings and the imaginative solutions we con...