The Off-Label Podcast - Mental Health, Therapy, and Psychiatry Explained

In Part 2 of our anxiety series, we’re going deeper, breaking down what anxiety actually is, what’s happening in your brain and body, and how medications fit into the picture. If you’ve ever wondered why anxiety feels so physical (racing heart, nausea, chest tightness, dizziness), this episode explains the physiology behind it in a way that actually makes sense. We walk through the anxiety respons...

Welcome to Part 1 of our anxiety series where we’re making anxiety a little less scary and a lot more relatable. In this episode, we introduce the Catastrophe Scale , a funny but insightful way to understand how anxiety turns small moments into full-blown spirals. From unread texts to awkward social interactions, we rate everyday situations from mild concern to complete mental chaos. Along the way...

Hosted by Amanda Smith, MA, MSW, LCSW and Amanda Mitchell, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC with special guest Amber Herpfer, BA, MSWi We’re wrapping up our Mental Health Spring Cleaning series with the step that actually creates change. In Spring Cleaning Pt. 4, we break down the final piece of CBT: changing your thoughts . Using our simple framework, check it, challenge it, change it, we show you how to refr...

Hosted by Amanda Smith, MA, MSW, LCSW and Amanda Mitchell, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC Your thoughts feel true—but what if they’re not? In Spring Cleaning Pt. 3 of our Mental Health series, we’re breaking down cognitive distortions - the automatic thinking patterns that can fuel anxiety, overthinking, and self-doubt. As mental health providers, we see these patterns all the time and, chances are, you’re e...

In this episode of The Off-Label Podcast, we’re continuing our Mental Health Spring Cleaning series by diving deeper into Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and the first step to changing your thoughts: awareness. If you’ve ever struggled with overthinking, anxiety, or negative thought spirals, this episode is for you. Most of the thoughts that drive stress and self-doubt happen automatically, and...

Hosted by Amanda Smith, MA, MSW, LCSW and Amanda Mitchell, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC In this bonus episode, we’re coming to you hot off the heels of the Psychotherapy Networker Symposium in Washington, DC! We’re breaking down our biggest takeaways, favorite moments, and the sessions that left a lasting impact on how we think about therapy, trauma, and real-world mental health work. We dive into powerful...

Hosted by Amanda Smith, MA, MSW, LCSW and Amanda Mitchell, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC Spring cleaning isn’t just for your house — sometimes your brain needs it too. In this episode of the Off-Label Podcast, we’re talking about mental health spring cleaning and the thoughts we keep holding onto that might need to go. You know the ones: “I should be further along by now,” “Everyone is judging me,” “If I re...

Hosted by Amanda Smith, MA, MSW, LCSW and Amanda Mitchell, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC We played a game called “Horrible Therapist”… and it sparked a deeper conversation about something a lot of people quietly wonder: How do you know if your therapist is actually good? In this episode of The Off-Label Podcast, we break down:• Red flags in therapy• Green flags in therapy• What good therapy should feel like...

Hosted by Amanda Smith, MA, MSW, LCSW and Amanda Mitchell, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC In this episode of The Off-Label Podcast , we talk about how to cope when the news feels overwhelming and the world feels heavy. From constant headlines and social media updates to global crises and political tension, many people are experiencing increased anxiety, stress, and emotional exhaustion. We break down why our...

Hosted by Amanda Smith, MA, MSW, LCSW and Amanda Mitchell, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC with special guest Amber Herpfer, BA, MSWi In this Ask the Amandas episode, two mental health professionals answer some of the most common questions people have about therapy, mental health, and emotional wellbeing. Licensed clinicians Amanda and Amanda discuss what therapy actually looks like, how to support someone wh...

Hosted by Amanda Smith, MA, MSW, LCSW and Amanda Mitchell, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC In this episode of The Off Label Podcast, licensed mental health professionals explore burnout, motivation, and the all-or-nothing thinking that keeps so many people stuck. If you’ve ever told yourself, “I’ll start when I feel more motivated,” this conversation gently challenges that idea. We break down what motivation...

Hosted by Amanda Smith, MA, MSW, LCSW and Amanda Mitchell, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-B with special guest Travis Mitchell Snowed in and feeling… a lot? ❄️ In this cozy, slightly chaotic episode, we’re joined by Chef BoyarTravis to talk about the emotional wintry mix that shows up when life slows down. From restlessness and low mood to comfort, connection, and unexpected moments of warmth, we explore what i...

What if therapy didn’t always have to feel heavy, intense, or serious? In this episode, we lean into play. We’re talking about why fun, humor, and games aren’t just allowed in therapy—they’re often used on purpose. From silly “getting to know you” questions to creative ways therapists help people feel more comfortable, we explore how play lowers pressure, builds connection, and helps people open u...

Hosted by Amanda Smith, MA, MSW, LCSW and Amanda Mitchell, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC Starting psychiatric medication can bring up a lot of questions, hope, and uncertainty. In this episode, we talk through what medication is designed to help with, how prescribers think about treatment, and how medication fits into the bigger picture of mental health care. We explore common fears around psych meds — incl...

Hosted by Amanda Smith, MA, MSW, LCSW and Amanda Mitchell, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC Thinking about therapy but feeling nervous to start? You don’t have to share everything all at once. If you’re therapy curious but hesitant, anxious, or unsure what to expect, this episode is a gentle, pressure-free place to begin. In this episode, we break down what starting therapy is really like, why anxiety before y...

Hosts: Amanda Smith, MA, MSW, LCSW Amanda Mitchell, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC The Off-Label Podcast is a mental health podcast about therapy, psychiatry, and what it really means to take care of your mental health in real life. Too often, conversations about mental health happen in silos. You hear therapy advice in one place, medication information somewhere else, and real life struggles somewhere entir...