Unplugged Therapy: Nurturing Your Soul

Real change rarely comes from big promises, sudden motivation, or total life overhauls. More often, it’s built quietly, through small, consistent habits practiced with compassion, patience, and grace. In this episode of Unplugged Therapy, therapist Stephanie Evans explores why so many well-intentioned habits fail and what research actually shows about creating change that lasts. Drawing from evide...

New year. New goals. Same tired nervous system. Every January, we’re told that this is the year we finally become more disciplined, more motivated, more productive, more healed. But what if the problem isn’t your willpower, what if it’s the pressure? In this episode of Unplugged Therapy, therapist Stephanie Evans gently dismantles New Year goal culture and offers a radically different approach to...

Getting your LPC-A license can feel overwhelming, confusing timelines, endless acronyms, and paperwork that no one explains clearly. In this episode, I walk you through exactly how to get your LPC-A, step by step, based on what I was told and what I personally did. We talk about when you can take the NCE (yes, during your last semester if you’ve completed 75% of your program), how to set up your N...

This episode discusses grief and loss. Listener discretion is advised. Episode: Grief During the Holidays, Holding Joy and Loss at the Same Time The holidays can bring comfort, connection, and celebration, but for many people, they can also intensify grief. Family gatherings, old traditions, familiar music, and seasonal memories often stir emotions that feel heavier this time of year. In this epis...

Healing isn’t a straight line—and slow progress doesn’t mean you’re stuck. In this episode of  Unplugged Therapy , Stephanie Evans explores the “in-between” moments of healing: when old triggers resurface, grace feels distant, and growth seems invisible. She shares personal stories, practical tools, and gentle reminders that even quiet, small steps count. Want to go deeper? Sign up for Stephanie’s...

Take a deep breath and settle in for this bonus guided reflection, a companion to the  Foundations of Trauma  series. In this 10-minute episode, Stephanie invites you to reflect on what you’ve learned, remember your resilience, and reclaim the parts of yourself that are ready to heal. Through mindful prompts, affirmations, and a moment of faith-centered encouragement, you’ll be guided to slow down...

Episode 5 of the  Foundations of Trauma  series brings the journey full circle — from understanding trauma’s impact on the body and relationships to rediscovering who you are beyond the pain. Stephanie explores how trauma can fracture identity, creating feelings of disconnection, shame, and loss of self. Citing research from  Frontiers in Psychology  and the  Journal of Traumatic Stress , she expl...

Episode 3 of the  Foundations of Trauma  series dives into one of the most misunderstood parts of trauma: that it doesn’t always come from catastrophic events. Stephanie explains the difference between “Big T” and “little t” trauma — from life-altering crises to the slow erosion of self-worth that can happen through criticism, neglect, or rejection. With insights from the American Psychological As...

This episode continues our  Foundations of Trauma  series with a deep dive into how trauma lives in the body. Stephanie explains how the nervous system learns to protect us, sometimes by staying in constant alert or by shutting down entirely, and how those responses are not weakness, but evidence of survival. You’ll learn about the brain’s key players in trauma, the amygdala, hippocampus, and pref...

Taking the NCE can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to! In this episode, I walk you through my personal experience preparing for and taking the National Counselor Exam. I spent three months preparing with books, practice questions, and careful review of counseling concepts. I also share a tip that made test day less stressful: visiting the testing location a few weeks early to find it among...

Foundations of Trauma  is a podcast about understanding what trauma really is, and how healing happens from the inside out. Hosted by Stephanie Evans, a therapist-in-training and survivor of high-control religion, this show explores the emotional, physical, and spiritual layers of trauma in a grounded, compassionate way. Each episode blends clinical insight with real-life reflection and gentle fai...

In this deeply personal episode, I share my heart as I walk through what it’s been like to deconstruct the fear-based teachings of the IBLP and step into the true, freeing love of God. With vulnerability and Scripture, I invite listeners to begin healing from the lies of legalism and reconnect with the heart of the One True God.

Raised under IBLP? You're not alone. In this episode, Stephanie exposes 9 core lies taught by Bill Gothard—and replaces them with the freeing truth of Scripture. It’s time to break the silence, reclaim your voice, and rediscover a God who doesn’t control through fear, but heals through love.

Many of us were handed a version of God wrapped in fear, control, and shame—taught that obedience equals love and questioning equals rebellion. In this episode, we’re peeling back the layers of religious legalism to rediscover who God really is—apart from man-made rules and spiritual manipulation. We’ll talk about what legalism looks like, how it distorts faith, and why reclaiming God is an act of...

Starting therapy can feel intimidating—especially if you don’t know what to expect. In this episode of  Unplugged Therapy , we pull back the curtain on the first therapy session. From the moment you walk in (or log on) to the questions your therapist might ask, we talk through it all—honestly and without the jargon. Whether you’ve never been to therapy or you’re returning after a break, this conve...

What happens when obedience is valued more than honesty — and authority is never questioned? In this episode, I’m sharing my personal journey of growing up in the teachings of the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), and how that environment slowly caused me to lose my voice. This isn’t about blaming anyone — it’s about shedding light on a system that framed silence as faithfulness and submi...

Anxiety is loud—but you can turn the volume down. In this honest, practical episode, we’re diving into the messy, everyday reality of anxiety. From harmless worry to full-on catastrophizing, this episode is your guide to understanding what’s happening in your brain—and how to respond with grace, not panic. What you’ll learn: Why anxiety is actually  normal —and when it becomes too much The differe...

In Part Two of my journey out of IBLP, I dive into the emotional and spiritual toll of growing up in a system where fear and performance were mistaken for faith. I explore how the inner child is silenced in environments where feelings are labeled as sin, and how I’ve begun the tender work of reconnecting with that little girl inside—the one who was never allowed to just be. If you’ve struggled wit...

In this special episode, we open up about what it means to struggle with mental health and how to hold on when life feels heavy. Whether you’re facing depression, anxiety, emotional exhaustion, or simply need encouragement, this is a safe space for your heart to breathe. We’ll talk through: How to recognize emotional distress and signs of struggle Simple but powerful ways to care for your mind, bo...

In this deeply personal episode, I begin to unpack my story growing up in the IBLP (Institute in Basic Life Principles), founded by Bill Gothard. This isn’t just about a high-control religious group—it’s about how fear-based faith shaped every part of my life: from how I dressed, to how I thought, to how I viewed God. I share the silent pressures, the rigid rules, and how leaving the system didn’t...

Emotions can come on like waves—sometimes crashing, sometimes rolling in quietly. This  Emotion Surfing Mindfulness Meditation  helps you meet those emotional waves with gentleness, awareness, and steadiness. Rather than pushing feelings away or being overwhelmed by them, this guided practice teaches you to “surf” emotions by staying present and grounded. It’s a powerful tool for managing anxiety,...

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10 In this faith-based meditation, you’ll be guided through a calming, scripture-centered reflection designed to help you let go of striving and find peace in God’s presence. Through deep breathing, silence, and gentle prompts, you are invited to release your burdens, surrender control, and trust in God’s sovereignty and love. In this episode, you’ll:...

Feeling scattered, anxious, or overwhelmed? This  Grounding Mindfulness Guided Meditation  is here to help you return to your center. In this 10–15 minute session, you'll be gently led through breathing, body awareness, and sensory grounding techniques—all designed to bring you back into the here and now. Whether you're starting your day, resetting during stress, or winding down in the eve...

Welcome to this special guided visualization—a calming space to imagine the life you're growing toward. In today’s episode, you’ll be gently led through a future-focused visualization designed to help you connect with your purpose, reduce anxiety, and see your path with greater clarity. Whether you’re at a crossroads, working toward a goal, or simply needing encouragement, this practice helps...

In this episode of "Mental Health: Understanding Trauma," host (me) Stephanie delves into the profound topic of trauma. Trauma can deeply impact an individual's mental, emotional, and physical well-being, and understanding its complexities is crucial for effective healing and support. Join me as I explore the different types of trauma, the ways it manifests in our lives, and the latest...