Finding Your Balance

In this episode of Finding Your Balance, Tiffani Fritzsche and Kirk Fasshauer welcome Jes Shapiro from Peace River Center’s Victim Services to explore healthy boundaries, dating violence, and the challenges of navigating relationships. Together, they discuss how to recognize warning signs of abuse, love bombing, controlling behaviors, and the influence of social media on our expectations of love a...

In Part 2 of our conversation on mental health and athletics, Tiffani Fritzsche and Kirk Fasshauer welcome back licensed clinical social worker, athlete, and founder of Willow’s Path Counseling, Jessica Dobbertin-Brusso. Together, they explore what happens when the season ends, an athlete experiences an injury, or their identity becomes too closely tied to performance. Jessica shares practical way...

What happens when your sense of identity and self-worth becomes tied to athletic performance? In this episode of Finding Your Balance , Tiffani Fritzsche and Kirk Fasshauer talk with licensed clinical social worker, competitive athlete, and founder of Willow’s Path Counseling, Jessica Dobbertin-Borruso, LCSW, about mental health, athletics, and the importance of a holistic approach. Jessica shares...

In this episode of Finding Your Balance , Tiffani Fritzsche and Kirk Fasshauer are joined by Kelsey Thomas, LCSW, Director of Counseling and Wellness at Southeastern University, to explore the challenges students face as they transition into college life. From managing newfound independence and responsibilities to navigating relationships, academics, mental health, and finding support, this conver...

Our brains process trauma in a way that impacts not only our mental and physical health, but it can even cause our cells to mutate, impacting generations to come. To help you understand the impact trauma has and what we can do to repair the damage, Kirk and Tiffani welcome special guest Donna Riniger, LMHC, MCAP, an expert in trauma-informed therapy and the Director of Specialty Services with Peac...

In this episode of Finding Your Balance, hosts Tiffani Fritzsche and Kirk Fasshauer welcome special guest Rita Langford, DSW, LCSW, RD, LD, CDCES, on the podcast. Rita is the founder of Hope Restored Counseling of Florida and has piloted a new path of mental health treatment as a social work dietitian. Rita shares how our bodies process food and how it impacts our mental health. Tune in to learn n...

In this episode of Finding Your Balance: A Mental Health Podcast, hosts Tiffani Fritzsche and Kirk Fasshauer discuss how to tell the difference between having a bad day and a mental health crisis. Often, some of our bad days can be disguised as a mental health crisis. But meeting some basic needs and providing self-care can help you determine if you are dealing with something more serious, and hel...

In this episode of Finding Your Balance , Tiffani Fritzsche and Kirk Fasshauer break down common misconceptions surrounding the Baker Act and provide clarity on what this mental health law really means. From understanding when the Baker Act is used and who can initiate it to addressing common fears, stigma, and misinformation, this conversation offers an honest look at one of the most misunderstoo...

In this episode of Finding Your Balance , Tiffani Fritzsche and Kirk Fasshauer pull back the curtain on the journey to becoming a therapist. From choosing a degree path and gaining hands-on experience to navigating internships, supervision, licensure, and lifelong learning, they share their personal stories and professional insights about building a career in mental health. Whether you're a studen...

In this episode of Finding Your Balance, Tiffani Fritzsche and Kirk Fasshauer continue the conversation about getting started with therapy by exploring what happens after the first sessions. From finding the right therapist and building trust to understanding why therapy can feel uncomfortable before it feels healing, this episode offers a realistic and encouraging look at the therapeutic process....

In this episode of Finding Your Balance, Tiffani Fritzsche and Kirk Fasshauer explore what therapy really is—and what it isn’t. From understanding the first appointment and finding the right therapist to breaking down common myths and fears, this conversation offers a compassionate look at the therapy process. Together, they discuss how therapy creates a safe, judgment-free space for healing, grow...

In this episode of Finding Your Balance , Tiffani Fritzsche and Kirk Fasshauer shift the conversation from risk factors to protective factors—the strengths, habits, and supports that help build resilience and improve mental well-being. From strong social connections and a sense of purpose to physical wellness and creating supportive environments, this episode explores both the factors we may alrea...

Sensitive topic: listener discretion advised. In this next episode of Finding Your Balance, Tiffany Fritzsche and Kirk Fasshauer continue their discussion on suicide awareness, mental health, and depression, breaking down key warning signs, myths about suicide, and how to help someone in crisis. They explore the difference between a bad day and clinical depression, the impact of emotional pain, is...

In this first episode of a two-part series on Finding Your Balance , hosts Tiffani Fritzsche and Kirk Fasshauer begin a compassionate and honest conversation about suicide awareness and prevention. They explore the growing impact of suicide in communities, break down common myths that keep people from speaking up, and emphasize the importance of using thoughtful, nonjudgmental language. The episod...

In this episode of Finding Your Balance , hosts Tiffani Fritzsche and Kirk Fasshauer discuss how to start a supportive conversation with someone who may be struggling with their mental health. They explore why it can feel intimidating to speak up, practical ways to approach a friend or loved one with care, and simple communication tools like using “I” statements, open-ended questions, and active l...

The college experience may look differently for someone living on campus vs. someone living off-campus and commuting to classes. But, the main thing to remember is you aren’t alone. Both types of students can find their sense of belonging and navigate the complexities of becoming more of an adult by following the advice offered by Kirk Fasshauer and Tiffani Fritzsche. In Episode 9, Part 2 of 2 of...

Whether you are a student living on campus or a student commuter, the stressors and lessons you learn contribute towards shaping the adult you will become. Both experiences have merit in allowing you to broaden your expectations of who you are, what you are capable of, and what activities and groups you want to bring into your life. In Episode 9, Part 1 of 2 of Finding Your Balance: A Mental Healt...

Reframing stressful situations can help reduce the anxious feelings in our bodies. By recognizing without judgment what we are struggling with mentally, we can process the experience in healthier ways.  In Episode 8, Part 2 of 2 of Finding Your Balance: A Mental Health Podcast presented by Peace River Center and Southeastern University, Kirk and Tiffani share their experiences with handling a...

Do you know the difference between stress and anxiety? Listening to and understanding your body may be a helpful indicator of whether you are experiencing stress or anxiety. Those clues will help you determine your next steps toward helping yourself through this challenging time. Tune into Episode 8, Part 1 of 2 of Finding Your Balance: A Mental Health Podcast presented by Peace River Center and S...

Sometimes anxiety stems from a learned behavior or even from a lack of knowledge. In Episode 7, Part 2 of 2 of Finding Your Balance: A Mental Health Podcast, Kirk and Tiffani share how anxieties and phobias are conditions we can overcome with the proper tools, resources, and education.  24/7 Local Crisis Phone Line: 863.519.3744 24/7 Local Crisis Text Line: Text “TALK” to 863.204.3443 24/7 Na...

In Episode 7, Part 1 of 2, Kirk and Tiffani explore a more in-depth look at anxiety from Episode 6 by discussing what our minds and bodies experience when we undergo stressful situations. From having brain fog to feeling aches and pains, anxiety shows up symptomatically sometimes before we realize we are experiencing a general anxiety disorder. 24/7 Local Crisis Phone Line: 863.519.3744 24/7 Local...

Having anxiety is a very normal response that can help you stay focused and prepared for what is to come. But when anxiety starts to hinder our ability to thrive, how can we help ourselves? In Episode 6 of Finding Your Balance: A Mental Health Podcast presented by Peace River Center and Southeastern University, Kirk and Tiffani share tips on how to break the negative spiral of anxiety and instead...

Maintaining mental health is easier when you have an actionable plan and a toolbox of resources. In Episode 5, Part 2 of 2 of Finding Your Balance: A Mental Health Podcast presented by Peace River Center and Southeastern University, Kirk and Tiffani share helpful tips to guide you through minding the basics for optimal mental wellness.  24/7 Local Crisis Phone Line: 863.519.3744 24/7 Local Cr...

Our mental well-being starts with the basics such as proper nutrition, sleep, stress management, etc. But if you are new to being on your own, the basics may require developing new habits, learning how to set yourself up for success, and admitting that you might not know everything. In Episode 5, Part 1 of 2 of Finding Your Balance: A Mental Health Podcast presented by Peace River Center and South...

In Episode 4, Part 3 of 3 of Finding Your Balance: A Mental Health Podcast presented by Peace River Center and Southeastern University, Kirk and Tiffani share tools and resources to build resilience when facing trauma. Tune in to learn more! 24/7 Local Crisis Phone Line: 863.519.3744 24/7 Local Crisis Text Line: Text “TALK” to 863.204.3443 24/7 National Crisis Line: 988 If you are in immediate dan...