Trauma, Tea, and Tangents

Therapist Burnout: How to Build a Sustainable Mental Health Career

In this episode of Trauma, Tea, and Tangents, Hannah Guy sits down with licensed professional counselor Ashley Pettway, LPC, for an honest conversation about therapist burnout, mental health careers, private practice, and the emotional toll of helping professions. Together, they explore why so many therapists, counselors, and social workers experience chronic stress, compassion fatigue, and financial burnout — and what it actually takes to build a sustainable and fulfilling career in mental health.
Ashley and Hannah share insights on the realities of graduate school, the pressure placed on new therapists, the challenges of agency work, and the scarcity mindset often embedded in the mental health field. The conversation also dives into entrepreneurship for therapists, creating healthier work boundaries, building resilience, and redefining success in counseling and social work.
Whether you’re a therapist, counseling student, social worker, mental health professional, or someone navigating burnout in a helping profession, this episode offers practical insight, validation, and encouragement to create a career and life that feels sustainable.
Topics discussed include:• Therapist burnout and compassion fatigue• Mental health career challenges• Burnout in social work and counseling• Private practice realities• Financial stress for therapists• Scarcity vs. abundance mindset• Sustainable careers in mental health• Building boundaries as a therapist• Counseling entrepreneurship• Mental health work culture
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow Trauma, Tea, and Tangents on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave a review, and share this episode with someone in the mental health field who needs this conversation.
CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to Professional Burnout01:07 The Reality of Burnout in Therapy02:55 The Impact of Graduate School on Burnout05:13 Challenges Faced by New Therapists08:29 The Financial Struggles of Mental Health Professionals09:25 Work Culture and Its Effects on Burnout10:22 Devaluation of Helping Professions11:11 Changing the Narrative Around Social Work13:10 Creating a New Path in Counseling14:41 Building a Sustainable Practice16:01 Embracing Abundance Over Scarcity19:03 Transforming Mindsets: From Scarcity to Abundance21:27 Navigating Career Paths in Counseling24:31 The Reality of Private Practice28:32 Building Resilience and Community29:47 Empowerment Through Connection and Innovation
 
✨ Want more of Ashley Pettway?
Find her here:
Instagram & TikTok: @theunseriouscounselor
✨ Want to work with Hannah and the trauma therapy team at Revive Therapy Services?You’ve gotta be a PA resident—check us out at revivetherapyservices.comAnd don’t forget to follow along on TikTok & IG: @revivetherapyservices
 

Overcoming Decision Paralysis

What if the hardest part of decision-making isn’t choosing wrong — but learning to trust yourself enough to choose at all?
In this episode of Trauma, Tea, and Tangents, Hannah Guy sits down with former life coach Sam Pillsbury for an honest conversation about decision paralysis, anxiety around making the “right” choice, and how to build confidence in yourself one small decision at a time.
Together, they explore how nervous system regulation impacts decision-making, why so many people struggle with uncertainty, and how learning to trust your future self can completely change the way you navigate life. Sam also shares practical tools, mindset shifts, and spiritual perspectives that help create more peace, clarity, and confidence when life feels overwhelming.
Whether you constantly overthink, fear making mistakes, struggle with self-trust, or feel stuck in indecision, this episode offers grounded and relatable insight to help you move forward with more confidence.
In this episode, we discuss:
How to overcome decision paralysis
Why anxiety and overthinking keep us stuck
Building self-trust through everyday decisions
Nervous system regulation and emotional safety
Letting go of perfectionism and control
Spiritual perspectives on uncertainty and faith
Practical tools for making empowered decisions
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow, rate, and review the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so more people can find these conversations around mental health, healing, trauma, and personal growth.
CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and the Impact of Coaching02:47 Navigating Decision-Making Challenges11:10 Building Confidence in Decision-Making16:49 Embracing Uncertainty and Trusting the Process22:58 Faith, Perspective, and Life Decisions27:38 Conclusion and New Beginnings
 
✨ Want more of  Sam Pillsbury?
Find her here:
Website: https://exhaleoperations.com
IG: @exhaleoperations
Tiktok: @samanthapillsbury  
Youtube: : youtube.com/@samanthapillsbury 
✨ Want to work with Hannah and the trauma therapy team at Revive Therapy Services?You’ve gotta be a PA resident—check us out at revivetherapyservices.comAnd don’t forget to follow along on TikTok & IG: @revivetherapyservices

Emotional Eating Explained by a Dietitian & Therapist: How to Break the Cycle

In this episode of Trauma, Tea, and Tangents, Hannah Guy sits down with non-diet dietitian Rachel Meyer to explore the psychology behind emotional eating, overeating, and the restrict-binge cycle. Together, they unpack how stress, emotional triggers, and deeply wired neural pathways can shape our relationship with food — and what it actually takes to create sustainable change.
Rachel shares practical tools for managing emotional eating, building mindfulness, increasing self-awareness, and developing healthier coping skills without shame or extreme restriction. This conversation dives into habit formation, relapse, self-compassion, intuitive eating, and why healing isn’t about perfection — it’s about consistency and small wins over time.
Whether you struggle with binge eating, stress eating, or feeling out of control around food, this episode offers compassionate, realistic strategies to help you better understand your behaviors and begin breaking the cycle.
Topics Covered:• Emotional eating and overeating• The restrict-binge cycle• Neural pathways and habit formation• Intuitive eating and mindfulness• Stress management and coping skills• Self-compassion in recovery• Sustainable behavior change
CHAPTERS:00:00 – Introduction to Emotional Eating02:41 – Understanding Emotional Triggers05:38 – The Restrict-Binge Cycle08:20 – Change, Relapse & Recovery10:59 – Building Awareness & Mindfulness13:49 – Why Small Wins Matter16:47 – Final Thoughts & Support
If this episode resonated with you, be sure to follow Trauma, Tea, and Tangents on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who may need it.
✨ Want more of Rachel Meyer?
Find her here:
Website: www.prolifestylenutrition.com
IG: @the.nondiet.dietitian
FB Page: Pro Lifestyle Nutrition 
 
✨ Want to work with Hannah and the trauma therapy team at Revive Therapy Services?You’ve gotta be a PA resident—check us out at revivetherapyservices.comAnd don’t forget to follow along on TikTok & IG: @revivetherapyservices

Brain Spotting Explained: How Trauma Is Stored in the Body & Brain

What if healing trauma wasn’t about talking more — but about helping the brain process what words can’t reach?
In this episode of Trauma, Tea, and Tangents, Hannah Guy sits down with licensed therapist Ashley Pettway, LPC, to explore Brain Spotting — an innovative trauma therapy modality often compared to EMDR that helps clients process unresolved trauma, nervous system dysregulation, and deeply stored emotional experiences.
Ashley breaks down how Brain Spotting works, why traditional talk therapy sometimes falls short for trauma healing, and how this brain-body approach can help people process experiences that feel “stuck.” Together, they discuss complex trauma, emotional processing, the role of the therapist during sessions, and why individualized treatment matters in trauma therapy.
Whether you’re curious about Brain Spotting for yourself, are already in trauma therapy, or simply want to better understand how trauma impacts the brain and body, this episode offers an accessible and insightful introduction to one of the fastest-growing trauma modalities.
In this episode, we cover:• What Brain Spotting is and how it works• The difference between Brain Spotting and EMDR• Why trauma is often stored in the body• The limitations of traditional talk therapy• Complex trauma and nervous system healing• Emotional processing and regulation• What a Brain Spotting session actually looks like• Integrating Brain Spotting with other therapy approaches• Accessibility, insurance, and trauma therapy costs
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone interested in trauma healing, EMDR, Brain Spotting, somatic therapy, and mental health.
Watch the full episode on YouTube and follow along for more conversations around trauma recovery, nervous system healing, therapy, and mental wellness.
CHAPTERS00:00 – Introduction to Brain Spotting01:00 – Understanding Brain Spotting02:17 – Why Talk Therapy Sometimes Isn’t Enough05:05 – The Role of Emotions in Healing06:48 – The Iceberg of Therapy09:31 – Insurance & Accessibility in Therapy12:18 – Navigating Trauma Therapy Funding15:16 – Client Engagement During Brain Spotting15:41 – Trauma, Memory & Brain Processing16:45 – Complex Trauma Explained18:35 – The Therapist’s Role in Brain Spotting20:30 – Brain Spotting Techniques & Tools24:15 – Combining Brain Spotting with Other Modalities27:18 – Final Thoughts on Healing & Recovery
#BrainSpotting #TraumaTherapy #EMDR #MentalHealthPodcast #TraumaHealing #SomaticTherapy #NervousSystemHealing #ComplexTrauma #TherapyPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness
✨ Want more of Ashley Pettway?
Find her here:
Instagram & TikTok: @theunseriouscounselor
✨ Want to work with Hannah and the trauma therapy team at Revive Therapy Services?You’ve gotta be a PA resident—check us out at revivetherapyservices.comAnd don’t forget to follow along on TikTok & IG: @revivetherapyservices
If this episode resonated with you, be sure to follow Trauma, Tea, and Tangents and share it with a fellow therapist or someone considering private practice.
 

What No One Tells Therapists About Starting a Practice

In this episode of Trauma, Tea, and Tangents, we sit down with therapist and business owner Kamber Peerboom, LICSW, to break down what it actually takes to start and grow a private practice.
From the lack of business training in graduate programs to the fear of financial instability, we’re having an honest conversation about the barriers therapists face—and how to move through them with confidence.
Whether you’re a new therapist or thinking about going out on your own, this episode gives you practical insights to help you build a sustainable, aligned practice without burning out.
You can watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on any podcast platform.
In this episode, we cover:
Why therapists aren’t taught the business side of private practice
Common fears about starting your own therapy business
Financial considerations and how to prepare
The truth about “gatekeeping” in the therapy industry
How to diversify your income as a therapist
Building a sustainable and profitable private practice
Key Takeaways:
Business skills are essential for long-term success in private practice
Fear and uncertainty are common—but they don’t have to hold you back
Diversifying your income can increase stability and prevent burnout
You don’t need decades of experience to start your own practice
About Our Guest:
Kamber Peerboom is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (L.I.C.S.W.) and founder of Loud Thoughts Therapy. With a background in business (MBA) and a passion for helping therapists grow, she supports clinicians in building successful and sustainable practices.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Business Side of Therapy 04:32 Why Therapists Aren’t Taught Business Skills 08:15 Common Fears About Starting a Private Practice 12:40 Financial Planning & What to Expect 17:05 Breaking Through Industry Gatekeeping 21:30 Diversifying Income as a Therapist 25:10 Building a Sustainable Practice 28:45 Final Thoughts & Advice
✨ Want more of Kamber Peerboom?
Find her here:
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapistkamber?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnOd3oa7iVk-1EK0-iZRnurOLAuoaZgt_7cgrHsEKl5QYJePxA8cXmtfm8LSg_aem_FeadHYgbRm0mgVEvM3haYAInstagram: @meanoldersistertherapist
✨ Want to work with Hannah and the trauma therapy team at Revive Therapy Services?You’ve gotta be a PA resident—check us out at revivetherapyservices.comAnd don’t forget to follow along on TikTok & IG: @revivetherapyservices
If this episode resonated with you, be sure to follow Trauma, Tea, and Tangents and share it with a fellow therapist or someone considering private practice.
 

Two Trauma Therapists on How Childhood Trauma Shows Up in Relationships

What if the patterns showing up in your relationships didn’t start in adulthood—but in childhood?
In this episode of Trauma, Tea, and Tangents, host Hannah Guy sits down with trauma therapist Leslie Santana to unpack how childhood trauma and generational trauma shape the way we connect, attach, and respond in relationships.
Together, they explore how early experiences influence attachment styles, emotional regulation, and relational patterns—and why healing isn’t about “fixing” yourself, but creating safety in your body and environment.
You’ll also learn how neuroplasticity makes healing possible, no matter your past, and why slowing down is one of the most powerful tools in trauma recovery.
Whether you’re navigating relationship struggles, working through unresolved trauma, or simply trying to understand yourself on a deeper level, this episode offers both insight and practical tools you can begin using today.
In this episode, we cover:
How childhood trauma impacts adult relationships
Generational trauma and inherited patterns
Attachment styles and emotional responses
The role of safety in healing trauma
Neuroplasticity and the brain’s ability to change
Why healing is non-linear (and what that actually means)
Tools for emotional regulation and somatic healing
How to build a foundation for healing outside of therapy
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Trauma and Relationships 05:50 Understanding Childhood and Generational Trauma 10:45 The Role of Safety in Healing 15:02 The Importance of Slowing Down in Healing 20:13 Therapy: A Vehicle for Healing 24:20 Building Foundations for Healing Outside Therapy 28:55 The Healing Power of Social Media 30:26 Outro
✨ Want more of  Leslie Santana?
Find her here:
Instagram:
@leslieinsession
✨ Want to work with Hannah and the trauma therapy team at Revive Therapy Services?You’ve gotta be a PA resident—check us out at revivetherapyservices.comAnd don’t forget to follow along on TikTok & IG: @revivetherapyservices

It Was Never About Food: The Relationship Patterns Behind Eating Disorders

What if eating disorders aren’t just about food—but about relationships?
In this episode of Trauma Tea & Tangents, host Hannah Guy sits down with PsyD and eating disorder specialist Katelyn Campbell to explore the powerful connection between eating disorders, family dynamics, and the nervous system.
Together, they unpack how early relationships shape our connection to food, why eating disorders often develop as a form of protection, and how dissociation, control, and fear of abandonment play a role in maintaining these patterns.
This conversation goes beyond surface-level understanding and dives into the relational healing required for recovery—highlighting the importance of safe relationships, trust-building, vulnerability, and boundaries.
If you’ve ever struggled with body image, disordered eating, or feeling unsafe in relationships, this episode offers a compassionate and eye-opening perspective on what healing actually looks like.
In this episode, we cover:
How family dynamics influence eating disorders
The link between control, dissociation, and food behaviors
Why eating disorders can become a “voice” for unmet needs
The role of safe, supportive relationships in recovery
Fear of vulnerability and abandonment
How to build trust (slowly and safely)
Why boundaries are essential for healing
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Eating Disorders and Relationships02:39 The Family Dynamics of Eating Disorders05:24 Dissociation and Control in Eating Disorders08:14 The Role of Relationships in Healing10:50 Fear of Abandonment and Vulnerability13:38 Building Trust and Safe Relationships16:33 Gradual Healing and Taking Up Space19:20 The Importance of Setting Boundaries21:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
 
✨ Want more of Katelyn Campbell?
Find her here:
Website: katelyncampbellpsyd.com
TikTok: @growing.a.therapist
Instagram: dr.katelyncampbell
 
✨ Want to work with Hannah and the trauma therapy team at Revive Therapy Services?You’ve gotta be a PA resident—check us out at revivetherapyservices.comAnd don’t forget to follow along on TikTok & IG: @revivetherapyservices

The Truth About Diet Culture & Emotional Eating With A Dietician

Struggling with emotional eating, food guilt, or feeling stuck in the cycle of dieting? In this episode, we sit down with non-diet dietitian Rachel Meyer to unpack what it really means to build a healthy relationship with food—without restriction, shame, or rules.
We explore how diet culture impacts mental health, why labeling foods as “good” or “bad” can backfire, and how to reconnect with your body’s natural hunger and fullness cues. Rachel shares practical, realistic strategies to help you move toward food freedom, body trust, and a more sustainable way of eating.
Whether you're navigating disordered eating patterns, burnout from dieting, or simply want a more balanced approach to nutrition, this episode offers a refreshing, evidence-based perspective.
✨ In this episode, we cover:• The hidden mental health costs of dieting• How food morality fuels guilt and shame• What a non-diet approach actually looks like• How to trust your body’s hunger and fullness signals• Practical steps toward intuitive and sustainable eating
If you’re ready to heal your relationship with food and step away from diet culture, this conversation is for you.
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 Building a Healthy Relationship with Food09:31 The Impact of Diet Culture on Mental Health18:31 Navigating Food Choices and Body Image24:34 Embracing Imperfection in Eating Habits
 
✨ Want more of Rachel Meyer?
Find her here:
Website: www.prolifestylenutrition.com
IG: @the.nondiet.dietitian
FB Page: Pro Lifestyle Nutrition 
 
✨ Want to work with Hannah and the trauma therapy team at Revive Therapy Services?You’ve gotta be a PA resident—check us out at revivetherapyservices.comAnd don’t forget to follow along on TikTok & IG: @revivetherapyservices

EMDR for Trauma: How It Actually Works

In this episode of Trauma, Tea, and Tangents, Hannah Guy interviews licensed mental health counselor Kristina Spurlock about EMDR therapy, trauma processing, and evidence-based approaches to trauma healing.
They explain how EMDR works, including its eight phases, bilateral stimulation, and how traumatic memories are stored and reprocessed in the brain. The conversation also explores adapting EMDR for complex trauma, neurodivergent clients, and high-stress populations like first responders.
Additional topics include somatic therapy integration, parts work, therapeutic relationship dynamics, and creative EMDR techniques such as somatic interweaves.
This episode is ideal for therapists, clinicians, and anyone interested in EMDR therapy, trauma recovery, and modern mental health approaches.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to EMDR and Therapist Dynamics02:50 Understanding EMDR: Basics and Protocols05:47 How Trauma Gets Stored in the Brain08:28 The Flexibility and Adaptability of EMDR11:12 What Clients Can Expect from EMDR13:47 Integrating Other Modalities with EMDR16:19 Empowering Clients in the Healing Process19:50 EMDR Protocols and Clinical Adaptations23:08 Creative Approaches in EMDR Therapy26:48 The Evolution of EMDR Techniques30:42 Why EMDR Works: The Science Behind It35:29 Somatic Approaches and Interweaves39:04 Advice for New EMDR Therapists
 
✨ Want more of Kristina Spurlock?
Find her here:
Website: https://www.healthinsightcounseling.com/
Instagram: @healthinsightcounseling
 
✨ Want to work with Hannah and the trauma therapy team at Revive Therapy Services?You’ve gotta be a PA resident—check us out at revivetherapyservices.comAnd don’t forget to follow along on TikTok & IG: @revivetherapyservices

From Body Hate to Body Neutral: Healing After an Eating Disorder

What does healing your relationship with your body actually look like after an eating disorder?
In this episode of Trauma, Tea, and Tangents, we sit down with Hannah Guy and Katelyn Campbell, Psy.D., who specializes in working with eating disorders, to explore the complex and non-linear journey of body image healing and recovery. From deep-rooted body hatred to developing body neutrality, this conversation breaks down what it really takes to move toward acceptance—without toxic positivity.
We talk about the societal pressures that shape negative body image, the role of cognitive rigidity in keeping people stuck, and how developing cognitive flexibility can support long-term healing. This episode is a powerful reminder that recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all—and that “fully recovered” can look different for everyone.
Whether you’re navigating your own healing journey or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers insight, validation, and a more compassionate perspective on body image and eating disorder recovery.
In this episode, we cover:
Body image struggles after eating disorder recovery
The roots of body hatred and internalized beliefs
Moving from body hatred to body neutrality
Cognitive rigidity vs. cognitive flexibility in treatment
Redefining recovery and what “healed” really means
Finding identity and purpose beyond your body
Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Body Image and Eating Disorders05:43 Understanding the Roots of Body Hatred11:30 Moving Towards Body Neutrality16:41 Cognitive Rigidity and Flexibility in Treatment22:59 Finding Purpose Beyond Body Image
 
✨ Want more of Katelyn Campbell?
Find her here:
Website: katelyncampbellpsyd.com
TikTok: @growing.a.therapist
Instagram: dr.katelyncampbell
 
✨ Want to work with Hannah and the trauma therapy team at Revive Therapy Services?You’ve gotta be a PA resident—check us out at revivetherapyservices.comAnd don’t forget to follow along on TikTok & IG: @revivetherapyservices