The Couch Next Door

In this episode, we’re joined by Bridgett Blood, a certified Connection Codes coach, podcasting from Nashville, TN. Bridgett helps Christian singles process sexual shame and connect with their desires without compromising their core values. She’s here to prove that you can live a life that’s both hot AND holy—and she shares some of the ways she coaches and encourages others in this space.  This ep...

In this episode, I’m joined by therapists-turned-podcasters Jazmin Crookes and Karen Jennett of Therapy Tea podcast , as we dive into the beauty and complexities of friendship. What started as a friendship of convenience for them blossomed into something deep and meaningful—though not without its challenges. We discuss: Friendship Reciprocity  Vulnerability  Friendship Awareness  Follow: @therapyt...

When your partner is a firefighter, or a first responder of any kind, life looks a little different. But one thing that makes it easier? Friendship. In this episode, we’re diving into the incredible bond between fire wives—the sisterhood that forms when you share the unique challenges of fire life.  This episode is not ONLY for those in the first responder lifestyle but is also an encouragement to...

My three best friends from high school join me today to talk about our long standing friendship.  We have had ups and downs in our friendship but one thing we can all agree on is that we can count on each other no matter what!   You’ll hear in this episode what conflict has looked like in our relationship and how low maintenance doesn’t mean low effort.  I will warn you there are tears but most of...

On February 27th, The Couch Next Door is launching a brand-new season, and this time, we’re diving deep into friendships!  I’ll be exploring all the different types of friends that shape our lives. Mark your calendars and get ready for some heartwarming (and maybe eye-opening) conversations. Listen to the trailer TODAY!  I'd love to hear from you! Send a message to the show about the show. Fol...

Points to Ponder as you listen: Who will you interact with this holiday that might fall under this description of an Emotionally Immature Person (EIP)?  What expectations can you reframe to help protect yourself in the relationship? What plans can you make going into this interaction with an EIP based on what you hear in this episode? How can you practice emotional intimacy in other, safe relation...

Points to Ponder as you listen:    What feeling comes up for you when you set boundaries or even when you think about setting boundaries? What are unspoken boundaries you can set? What are spoken ones you can plan for during your holiday gatherings? If boundaries are violated does a decision about a relationship need to be made?  Boundaries , Henry Cloud & John Townsend Follow me: @candicefras...

Points to Ponder as you listen:  What's most importnat to you during the holidays? What causes you stress?  Do you judge how you feel during the holidays? What are your expectations?  Have you communicated these? The Lazy Genius Collective (just peruse her episodes--guarantee you'll find something of interest) Quick Check In: Self Care episode Follow me: @candicefraserlpc I'd love to...

Points to Ponder as you listen : When can you schedule a calendar meeting with your partner? What topics need to be included (budget, division of labor, connection time)? Are there holiday chores you can reframe as events or fun activities in order to intentionally connect with one another?  Fair Play Couple's Therapy episode Follow me: @candicefraserlpc I'd love to hear from you! Send a...

Points to Ponder as you listen: What traditions do you want to establish as you start a family? What is most important to your kids' memories of the holidays? How do you want your kids to remember you around the holidays? How can you let your kids weigh in on holiday traditions? What is your ultimate goal as a parent around the holidays? Follow me @candicefraserlpc I'd love to hear from y...

Points to Ponder as you listen: Has there been a change in the family that would require a shift in traditions? How can flexibility occur to support these changes? How can you communicate with the family well to honor these changes? What is the "why" for your holiday needs? What are the boundaries to respect? Follow me @candicefraserlpc “All I know is that my life is better when I assume...

Points to Ponder as you listen: What are safe topics to talk about? What are your boundaries regarding talking topics? How can you communicate your boundaries preventatively? How can you connect with someone of different views (human to human)? Remember if there is harrassment and verbal abuse or aggression that is unacceptable.  Refer back to the emotiionally immature people episode.  These sugge...

Points to Ponder as you listen: How can you be gentle with yourself during this season? How can you honor your loved one during this season? How can you create new memories or traditions to help cope with a loss of a season? How can you be less judgmental with your ideas of grief? Support Groups: GriefShare Christi Center The Austin Center for Grief & Loss Follow me @candicefraserlpc I'd l...

My husband, Jason Fraser, is back to give a not so recap recap of the Expert Series.  We talk less about the episodes and more about what it means to be an expert in your own mental health.  How can your own self awareness and support system help in that, and how might this change over the years?  Jason always brings a new perspective to the mental health conversation and this one is no different....

Josh Kellar is a LMFT-Supervisor and LPC.  He has been working with families for nearly 20 years. He describes this work as  a privilege to help people develop a better understanding of who they are and how their life is affected when they do not live out of their true self. Overall if you are someone that is looking for support in your relationships Josh is your expert.  We mention in the episode...

Alexis Edwards is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Supervisor (LCSW-S) and Certified Doula in Austin, TX. She is passionate about improving outcomes for birthing people and normalizing the highs and lows that come with new parenthood. Reminding parents that they too (not just baby) deserve to be nurtured along the way.  Alexis shares her knowledge on how to advocate for your own needs and offer s...

Kristen Miele has been a sexual health educator for 15 years in all types of settings. She is the owner and founder of Sex Ed Reclaimed which provides families with a full video library of age-appropriate sexual health education made just for kids ages 3 to 18. In this episode, Kristen tells it like it is, which is exactly what you want and need in a sex educator.  She encourages us to also be dir...

Jaimie Gordon is joining us today to talk about her work in the digital health world. Jamie is a social worker and a mom of 3 that is also in the trenches of navigating the tech world with and for her family.  Jamie does work with Screen Sanity, a non profit that was founded in 2018 by a trio of moms to help families and communities pursue digital health in order to reduce loneliness, depression,...

Layton and Chelsea Boeve are co-hosts of the podcast, Liberator. Liberator is a discussion of pornography’s hard truths. The show was created to remove the barriers of shame and embarrassment that stifle conversations and community around the effects of pornography.  Chelsea and Layton hit us with some truth bombs and remind us that this is a brain issue, not a moral issue.  Be sure to subscribe t...

Bobbie is a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Texas.  She specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder. She's been in private practice since 2020, and worked at an eating disorder hospital for several years before starting her own practice.  As we mention in this episode, treating eating disorders is a specialty you do not want to comprom...

I am so honored to share a new podcast friend with you all, Chassie Anders.  Chassie is a creative entrepreneur that recently found out she has experienced complex trauma. She hosts the podcast Between Beauty and Heartache where she invites you along as she journeys toward recovery by making more sense of her own story. Let this conversation be your starting point toward healing and be sure to fol...

  Shayla Wilson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Supervisor and owner of Liberate Counseling. With a focus on communities of color, Shayla specializes in culturally sensitive and comprehensive mental health services for individuals, children and families.  In this episode, Shayla shares what it means to be culturally cross-trained in the trauma focused therapy modality, EMDR,  which has equipp...

Leigh Cambre is a friend of the show and has returned to talk about his role as a Business and Life Coach.  Leigh helps us to really understand the differences between therapy, life coaching, and consulting.  Knowing your why is guided by a therapist and knowing your how is guided by a life coach.  Leigh does a beautiful job of walking us through how we can all better understand the role of a life...

Dr. Asha Kovelamudi joins us today to help us better understand and appreciate the incorporation of medication into our mental health treatment.  Sometimes this process can take some time and always takes courage.  We talk about misconceptions, how our support system plays a big role in this process, and what the first steps are if we’re ready to explore this option. Dr. K’s Psychiatry Practice: H...

The Couch Next Door podcast is returning for Season 4 on September 19.  This season is entitled: The EXPERTS.  I'll be having conversations with individuals I consider to be experts in a specific area that impacts our mental health.  It’s not just therapists that will be on the show.  I’ll be having conversations with a variety of individuals that have their own specialty in the work they are...