Therapist Unplugged

What happens to a marriage when becoming parents stops feeling simple? IVF can look like a clean plan on paper: appointments, medication, an embryo transfer, a baby at the end. Then real life shows up with unknowns, failed cycles, and the kind of grief that doesn’t fit neatly into a timeline.  In this deeply honest episode of Therapist Unplugged, Laurie Poole sits down with a couple willing to sha...

What if the reactions you can’t explain… aren’t coming from your present at all? In this episode of Therapist Unplugged , Laurie Poole sits down with guest Julia Satterlee to explore a question that quietly shapes so many of our lives: who’s really driving the car? Together, they unpack the impact of inner child work and how early emotional experiences continue to influence the way we think, react...

Conflict is inevitable in relationships. The real question is what happens next. In this episode of Therapist Unplugged , Laurie Poole reconnects with longtime mentor and respected couples therapist Connie Cornwell to explore one of the most important skills couples often lack: the ability to repair after conflict. Laurie and Connie discuss why couples often get stuck in painful conflict cycles, h...

What if midlife weight gain isn’t simply about willpower? In this episode of Therapist Unplugged , Laurie Poole sits down with Dr. Richa Mittal of Radiant Health Weight Loss and Wellness to talk about the complex relationship between hormones, metabolism, and weight during midlife. Together, they explore what many women experience during perimenopause and menopause—changes in sleep, mood, energy,...

What if Valentine’s Day didn’t have to feel like a performance? In this episode of Therapist Unplugged , Laurie Poole is joined by therapist and colleague Heather Caballero to rethink a holiday that often brings more pressure than connection. Together, they explore how early memories, social comparison, and cultural expectations can quietly shape how we experience February 14th. Instead of default...

What if mental health care didn’t have to feel rushed, reactive, or one-size-fits-all? In this episode of Therapist Unplugged , Laurie Poole is joined by psychiatrist Dr. Christian Monsalve for a grounded conversation about integrative psychiatry and what thoughtful care looks like in practice. Together, they explore why many high-functioning people continue to feel unsettled despite doing everyth...

Grief doesn’t follow a script. It surges in kitchens after laughter and settles into quiet corners of the day, especially when loss compounds across months.  In this episode of Therapist Unplugged , Laurie Poole and Courtney Strull from The Montfort Group have an honest conversation about processing grief after the loss of loved ones. Courtney shares her experience of losing multiple family member...

What if the hardest chapters of your life became the experience that makes you a steadier presence for others? Angela Johnson joins Laurie for her first conversation as The Montfort Group’s inaugural practicum fellow — a role shaped by a long, honest road back to herself. Her path into counseling took the scenic route: a career in education, a complicated pregnancy, divorce, blended family challen...

Laurie interviews clinical herbalist Nicole Haglund about how Chinese medicine can help women restore balance to their hormones and nervous systems for better mental health. Nicole explains her journey from disordered eating to becoming an expert in women's health after successfully helping her husband overcome Crohn's disease through natural methods. • Women today are experiencing burno...

What happens when education is completely reimagined around the individual student? Alexandria Armstrong, Director of Admissions at Fusion Academy in Plano, reveals the transformative power of their one-to-one teaching model where every class consists of just one teacher and one student. Alexandria draws from her decade of experience in education and her personal journey as a homeschooled student...

Can one relationship meet all your needs? In this eye-opening episode of Therapist Unplugged , married couple Leland and McKenzie share how their connection evolved from a casual Tinder hookup to a deeply committed polyamorous marriage. With raw honesty and humor, they explore what it takes to build trust, communicate openly, and challenge traditional relationship norms. From navigating jealousy t...

Feeling overwhelmed? Press play and pause the chaos. In this brief but powerful guided meditation, therapist Laurie Poole walks you through a calming mental reset—designed to help you relax your body, quiet your thoughts, and reconnect with the present moment. Whether you're new to meditation or just need a quick reset, this practice offers a gentle invitation to slow down, breathe deeply, an...

Ready to reset your nervous system? In this calming episode, therapist Laurie Poole leads you through a guided Progressive Relaxation practice designed to release physical tension, quiet your mind, and bring your body back to a state of balance. Progressive Relaxation is a simple yet powerful technique that helps reduce stress, improve sleep, and build long-term emotional resilience. Whether you&a...

When was the last time you had an honest conversation about sex after 60? In this episode of Therapist Unplugged , host Laurie Poole is joined by sex therapist Edita Ruzgyte for a candid look at aging, desire, and intimacy in later life. They challenge the idea that good sex requires a perfect body and explore how deeper emotional connection can lead to more fulfilling sexual experiences as we gro...

What happens when two therapists get real about men in therapy? This candid conversation delivers profound insights about why men struggle with emotions and how therapy can create transformative spaces for authentic expression. Therapists Laurie Poole and Rhett Smith explore how boys receive messages as early as age five that emotions aren't safe to express, creating lifelong patterns that em...

What if the key to mental well-being starts in your gut? In this episode, holistic nutrition consultant Morgan Lewis shares her journey from debilitating stomach pain to discovering the powerful link between digestion and mental health. We explore how 90% of serotonin—the "happy hormone"—is produced in the gut, why the vagus nerve plays a crucial role in stress resilience, and how small...

How do early experiences shape the way we connect as adults? In this episode, Licensed Professional Counselor Courtney Strull from The Montfort Group unravels the mysteries of attachment styles and their profound impact on mental health, from anxiety to relationship struggles. Through Courtney's insights, we explore how attachment influences issues like depression, anxiety, intergenerational...

Adolescence is a time of transition, where peer influence begins to shape identity and self-worth. In this episode, therapist Heather Caballero explores the power of group therapy in providing teenage girls with a safe space to express themselves, navigate societal pressures, and build confidence. Listen to Heather discuss the pressing issues faced by teenagers, including body image, academic pres...

Have you ever wondered how past experiences shape your present relationships, especially when it comes to something as deeply personal as sexual trauma? In this follow-up to our previous episode, Heather Caballero returns to delve deeper into the intricate ways past experiences shape our present relationships, particularly in the wake of sexual trauma. Drawing inspiration from Gabor Maté’s transfo...

What holds couples back from true connection? In this episode, sex therapy expert Heather Caballero dives deep into the challenges of intimacy and sexual trauma, offering tools to foster deeper, more fulfilling relationships. From tackling sexual disconnect to empowering therapists with essential skills, Heather sheds light on the often-overlooked dynamics of sexual communication. Discover the dua...

What if you could navigate the toughest moments of your life without reliving the pain? Join us for an enlightening episode as we welcome Gergana, a seasoned expert in EMDR therapy, who unravels the transformative power of this groundbreaking approach. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) has emerged as a beacon of hope for those grappling with trauma, PTSD, and phobias. Through Ge...

Dating in the modern world comes with its challenges, from missed red flags to navigating toxic traits that can surface in relationships. In this episode, Laurie Poole and Monica Miller discuss the subtle signs of imbalance in dating and how they can erode self-esteem and trust. From bleaching red flags to suppressing intuition, Monica shares intimate anecdotes of self-doubt and boundary violation...

Is there anything more painful than heartbreak? The end of a relationship can plummet us to the depths of grief and sadness in a way that few other experiences ever will. It’s an unavoidable part of life that leaves us feeling truly untethered when it does! Unlike physical pain, the roadmap to recovery isn’t always clear nor is it one size fits all.   In this episode of Therapist Unplugged, hosts...

Between the fear of fake dating profiles, commitment, and the sheer time and expense it takes to find a match, it’s no wonder that dating today is hard. Not to mention adding an ongoing pandemic to the mix. With ghosting becoming the new normal, it’s not out of the ordinary for a romantic interest to disappear with no reply for what feels like no reason at all. Dating apps and sites make it diffic...

The words "I'm sorry" play a big part in our daily lives. You might apologize while squeezing through a crowd or spilling something at dinner. We tend to easily say the words in these circumstances, but genuine apologies are a different story. Even if you feel guilty for hurting someone, you might have trouble finding the right way to express your regret. How do you give a meaningfu...