Episodes

Sari Cooper joins the show to discuss if porn addiction is a disorder and how to communicate better when it comes to all things sex! Sari Cooper LCSW-R, CST is the Director of Center for Love and Sex, a group practice specializing in holistic embodied sex therapy and sex coaching in NYC. She is an AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist and Certified Sex Therapy Supervisor who has been seeing individuals and couples from diverse cultural, religious, and sexual orientation and practices for over 20 years...

Dr. Lea Lis, The Shameless Psychiatrist, stops by to chat about if social media causes depression in teens and adult. She gives a brief overview of her new book! Dr. Lea Lis is the ‘Shameless Psychiatrist.’ She is a double board certified Adult and Child psychiatrist, and Assistant Clinical Professor at New York Medical College. She has a bustling practice in the Hamptons where she sees patients from all family arrangements. Her book “No Shame: Real Talk With Your Kids About Sex, Self-Confiden...

Dorris Walker-Taylor, Senior Ambassador for Thistle Farms, joins the show to discuss how Thistle Farms, a nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to helping women survivors recover and heal from prostitution, trafficking, and addiction changed the direction of her life. Thistle Farms is a residential program that provides housing, case management, healthcare, counseling, education, and employment for two years – free of charge. It was a true joy speaking with Dorris and listening to her story is ...

Gretta Gordy Gardner and Megan Simmons from Ujima: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community, discuss how systemic racism affects black survivors of domestic violence. Gretta Gordy Gardner, Esq., is the Deputy Director and co-founder of Ujima, Inc.: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community, a project of the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Ms. Gardner’s career as a legal advisor for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault w...

Dr. Ameila Kelley and Dr. Stephanie Moulton Sarkis answer your questions about how anxiety affects the body and how to spot gaslighting in our leaders! Dr. Kelley is the owner and supervisor of Kelley Counseling and Wellness. Her practice is offering free sessions to those on the front lines fighting against COVID-19 (nurses, doctors, hospital staff, etc). For more information call (919) 238-9741. Dr. Stephanie Moulton Sarkis is a best-selling author and counselor. She also hosts her own podc...

Dr. Denise Fournier and Dr. Candice Creasman join me to answer your questions that have arisen during the pandemic. You can find more information about Dr. Creasman’s Insight Timer class on Healing Your Inner Critic HERE Check out Dr Fournier’s Instagram meditations HERE

Dr, Denise Fournier visits to discuss how to attract, maintain, and end relationships from a conscious, self-aware space. Dr. Denise Fournier is a Miami-based psychotherapist, coach, university professor, and facilitator. With over 15 years in the mental health field, she’s worked with several hundred people, guiding them on their own unique growth journeys. She facilitates safe and sacred spaces for people to connect inward, work through challenges, define their own unique self-expression, and...

Dr. Ilene Cohen answers my questions about people pleasing. She discusses the difference between being nice and being a people pleaser, the causes of people pleasing, and gives an eight step guide to stopping the compulsion! Dr. Ilene is a psychotherapist, blogger and award-winning author of the popular self-help guides, When It’s Never About You and It’s Within You. Her work regularly appears in top psychology publications. You can buy her books HERE! And you can read her blog HERE!

Dr. Brad Klontz sits down to talk all things money and relationships! We chat about financial infidelity, money disorders, the lies we tell ourselves about money, how to discuss money with your partner and more! Bradley T. Klontz, Psy.D., CFP® is a Founder of the Financial Psychology Institute® and an Associate Professor of Practice in Financial Psychology at Creighton University Heider College of Business. He is a Managing Principal of Your Mental Wealth® Advisors, a Fellow of the American Psy...

Is negative self-talk impacting the way you view yourself? Do you know negative self-talk can be an obstacle in your relationships? Dr. Candice Creasman chats about how to heal your inner critic. Dr. Creasman is s a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor with a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling and Psychology and a doctorate in Counseling and Counselor Education. She has been in practice for 15 years working with survivors of domestic violence and sexual trauma, individuals with addictio...

On this episode of High Heels and Heartache I chat with Dr. Amelia Kelley, owner and supervisor of Kelley Counseling & Wellness, about repeat traumatization. We discuss what happens when a person experiences more than one trauma in their life, how trauma changes the brain, and the role of nature vs. nurture have in repeat trauma. Dr. Kelley also teaches us about synaptic pruning! Dr. Amelia Kelley, PhD, MS, LPC, ATR-P, RYT is an integrative therapist with 15 years of experience. She is trained ...

Signe Whitson chats about passive aggression. We define passive aggression, talk about the different behaviors passive aggressive people employ, discuss the different levels of passive aggression, and explore what causes people to be passive aggressive. Signe Whitson is an author and internationally-recognized speaker with 20 years of experience working with children, teens, and families. She presents customized training workshops for professionals, parents, and students on topics related to bu...

Do you know your boundaries? Do you know how to communicate those boundaries to the people in your life in a healthy manner? Do you worry that setting boundaries will hurt your relationships? I chat with Darlene Lancer about the importance of setting boundaries and the best way to deliver those boundaries to those around you. Darlene explains the different types of boundaries and the steps necessary to set a boundary. We also discuss what to do with your boundary is ignored or disrespected. Da...

Missy Stancil joins me to chat about spiritually integrated psychotherapy. We define spirituality and religion and chat about how trained therapists can use both to help survivors of trauma. Missy discusses how she weaves spirituality into her therapy sessions for those who are interested in including it. We also chat why spiritually integrated therapy can be highly beneficial for survivors of trauma. Missy Stancil is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor. She earne...

Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down to chat about how trauma affects the body and strategies that you can use to reduce that trauma. Dr. Kelley is an expert in using adjunctive therapies along with cognitive therapy to help those who have experienced trauma. Dr. Kelley defines trauma and explains how trauma is stored in the body. She describes how practices like reiki, therapeutic touch, qigong, yoga, therapeutic massage, and meditation (which are all offered at her practice, Kelley Counseling and Welln...

I interview Jessika Sands about the link between trauma and addiction. We discuss brain development, where trauma is stored in the brain, and why survivors of trauma are sometimes more likely to develop an addiction. Jessika Sands, MA, LPC, LAC is a licensed therapist, licensed addiction therapist and EMDR consultant. She provides EMDR, Brainspotting, and substance use therapy at AspenRidge Recovery and in private practice. She recently started a Neurofeedback business. She specializes in compl...

On this episode I speak with William Ackerman, Natalia Aquirre, and Casey Gwinn, from the Alliance for Hope International. We discuss the valuable resources available for survivors and their families through the Family Justice Center Alliance and Camp Hope America. We chat about how Casey was able to establish the first revolutionary Family Justice Center in San Diego and grow to over 130 centers worldwide. Casey and Natalia describe how resources are trauma informed and how a “challenge by choi...

On this episode I chat with Dr. Elinor Greenberg about narcissism. We discuss the difference between healthy narcissism and having the personality adaptation. We answer the burning questions: Does a narcissist love you? And what causes the Narcissistic Personality Adaptation? We also outline the predictable stages of a romantic relationship with a narcissist. Dr. Elinor Greenberg is an internationally renowned Gestalt therapist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of Borderline. Narci...

In this episode I chat with Dr. Stephanie Moulton Sarkis about gaslighting. Dr.Sarkis defines gaslighting, explains its effects, describes why it is such a powerful tool for those looking to manipulate others, and discusses how you can protect yourself against it. Stephanie Moulton Sarkis, Ph.D., NCC, LMHC, DCMHS is a bestselling author and psychotherapist. She has been in private practice for 20 years. She is an American Mental Health Counseling Association Diplomate (one of 100 in the U.S.) a...

In this bonus episode of High Heels and Heartache, I sit down with Crystal Yarborough to discuss how Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, can affect survivors of domestic violence and abuse. We chat about what PTSD is, the symptoms of PTSD, what recovery sometimes entails, and life after PTSD. Crystal Yarborough is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist. She has worked with people who have experienced trauma and addiction in many settings, including in...

In this episode, Gretchen Miller explains why art therapy can be a valuable resource in the recovery of survivors of domestic violence. Gretchen M. Miller, MA, ATR-BC, ACTP is a Registered and Board Certified Art Therapist, Advanced Certified Trauma Practitioner, Adjunct Faculty Member, Speaker, and Author. For almost twenty years, Gretchen has been working as an art therapist primarily serving children and adolescents in Cleveland/Akron, Ohio. Her work in trauma intervention has included prov...

In my first episode of High Heels and Heartache, I sit down with Dr. Candice Creasman to discuss red flags in relationships that might be indicators of toxic, unhealthy, or abusive behaviors. We also have a fantastic chat about boundary setting in relationships. Dr. Creasman is a therapist, author, and meditation teacher with over 10 years of experience treating clients with mood disorders, personality disorders, chronic pain, and addiction. She is in private practice in Raleigh North Carolina ...