Mental Illness Happy Hour

LMFT therapist Katie Vernoy and Paul respond to listener questions around the topics of 1) How childhood sexual abuse affects the survivors when they become adults and 2) How can people avoid job or helping burnout. They talk about the specifics of self-care and coping tips, acceptance vs approval, forgiveness, anger, misguided generosity, overprotective parents, people who can't say no and is it possible for a younger child to sexually abuse an older child? Katie's website: www.evolvetothriveconsulting.com    Katie's Facebook group for helpers to combat Sacrificial Helping, called The Helping Collaborative: https://www.facebook.com/groups/helpingcollaborative/    Katie's Facebook: Evolve to Thrive by Katie Vernoy    Katie's Twitter: Katie Vernoy     This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp online therapy, to experience a free week go to www.BetterHelp.com/mental   This episode is sponsored by Bombas socks.  For 20% off your 1st purchase go to www.Bombas.com/mental   This episode is sponsored by BlueApron.  T

The Australian professional trombonist shares about the mental, emotional and logistical rigors of making a living as a classical musician and some insights into what drove him (and his peers) to such obsessive lengths. We get a peek behind the curtain into the dysfunction and sickness that can fester in such a high-pressure workplace and the poor coping mechanisms used by people who were raised to stuff emotions and just achieve to receive love. We touch on depression, anxiety, therapy, people pleasing, perfectionism, numbness and difficulty with intimacy. Turns out Mozart in the Jungle and Whiplash are not that far off. Check out Ben's podcast Double Depresso https://omny.fm/shows/double-depresso-podcast Ben's Twitter handle is @DepressoPodcast This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp online counseling. To experience a free week go to www.BetterHelp.com/mental and fill out a questionnaire. Must be 18 This episode is sponsored by the Scott Alan Turner podcast. For a free audiobook and to hear the strategies h

Rhonda says "It took me 20 years to get thru that day" as she opens up about the event that changed her life forever when she was 14 years old.   She talks about how it changed her view of God, herself and the world around her, sending her on a path or self-destruction she barely survived until finally dealing with the pain and anger, eventually healing and finding her life's purpose. Follow Rhonda on twitter @RhondaBritten Check out her websites for the course she mentioned www.fearlessliving.org/risk www.LifeCoachCertificationProgram.com and her books https://fearlessliving.org/books/ This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp online counseling.  To get a free week go to www.BetterHelp.com/mental This episode is sponsored by Audible and their new audio program Where Should We Begin?  To check it out go to www.Audible.com/esther (Audible & Amazon Prime members listen for free) This episode is sponsored by ZipRecruiter.  To post jobs for free go to www.ZipRecruiter.com/first To become a recurring monthly don

Dr. Feinblatt shares her experience as a therapist in working with co-dependent clients; how is co-dependency defined, what are some characteristics and how can it be treated or managed? She also shares about the importance of codependents learning about setting, enforcing and respecting boundaries. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp online counseling. To experience a free week go to www.BetterHelp.com/mental In addition to her private practice Dr. Feinblatt also works at Westside Treatment, an intensive outpatient program for addiction & mental illness. Dr Feinblatt (who is also a BetterHelp therapist) can be reached at: www.drnataliefeinblatt.comhttps://www.instagram.com/drnatalief/https://twitter.com/DrNatalieFhttps://www.facebook.com/drnataliefhttps://www.betterhelp.com/natalie-feinblatt/ Consider helping out the show by making a donation. Either one-time, recurring monthly (you get freebies from Paul) or by donating frequent flyer miles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See

Rarely do we talk about the spouse of someone battling a serious mental illness. Mark and Giulia had never heard of Bipolar I with psychosis until she broke from reality well into their marriage. Taped in front of an audience in Oakland, they bare their souls about the pain and confusion of her treatment and Mark realizing how much help spouses also need. Check out Mark's new book My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward Visit his website www.MarkLukach.com This episode is sponsored by Blue Apron. To get your first 3 meals free with free delivery go to www.BlueApron.com/mental This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp online counseling. To experience a free week go to www.BetterHelp.com/mental Consider donating to the podcast with either a one-time donation, a recurring monthly donation (with free rewards) or donating frequent flyer miles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Paul's support group friend has led an astoundingly painful life especially in regard to his mother (schizophrenia, depression), father (workaholic, hoarder), and sister (drug addict). He describes his descent into drugs (crack), emotionally damaged women and violence before finding the key to understanding his behavior. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. To see if online counseling is right for you go to www.BetterHelp.com/mental and experience a free week. Must be 18. This episode is sponsored by ZipRecruiter. To post jobs for free to go www.ZipRecruiter.com/first This episode is sponsored by Audible. To start a free trial or just see their catalog of audiobooks go to www.Audible.com/mental Support the podcast by becoming a one-time donor, a monthly donor or use when shopping at Amazon, enter using our Amazon link so they give us some money (at no cost to you).  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https

The comedian/storyteller (The Moth) shares about her whirlwind 86 day romance that led to a Vegas wedding to a man who soon turned into a man she didn't recognize, leaving her in fear for her life.  Jenna talks about her experience escaping from domestic violence and stalking, especially how family and friends reacted in terms of supporting her (or not).  She also shares about having to cut her mercurial, often emotionally abusive mother out of her life and the freedom she feels in learning how to stick up for herself even if it means disappointing someone.   Links for Jenna:  instagram: jennatullsbrister twitter: @jennabrister website: www.jennabrister.com   This episodes is sponsored by BetterHelp online counseling.  To see if it's right for you and to experience a week free, go to www.BetterHelp.com/mental   This episode is sponsored by Adam and Eve.  To get 50% off an item, free shipping plus some free gifts go to www.AdamandEve.com and use offer code MENTAL   This episode is sponsored by StampsDotCom.  

The comedic writer/performer and mental health advocate who started www.projecturok.org shares about the tremendous support she received from her family when depression anxiety and OCD had her close to suicide by age 10, and even more despondent from 15-17. Her story is a great example of parental support, the power of coping skills, and proof that even people from safe supportive homes with no trauma in their lives can suffer from mental illness because the issue is often one of chemical imbalance. Follow Jenny on Twitter @JennyJaffe and @JennyJaffe on Instagram Check out her Facebook page www.facebook.com/jennyjaffe Visit her website www.theJennyJaffe.com And of course check out www.ProjectUROK.org This ep is sponsored by BetterHelp online therapy.  To try it and get a week for free go to www.BetterHelp.com/mental To support the podcast consider becoming a one-time or recurring monthly donor or donating frequent flyer miles. It can be done at www.mentalpod.com/donate Monthly donors using Patreon can begin f

For most of his life Mike has been wracked with shame and self-hatred, convinced he was the worst person ever and fantasizing about suicide when he was hospitalized at 15. He and Paul talk about where his self-hate may come from as well as his ADHD, emotionally sterile and achievement-focused childhood, body dysmorphia, cross-dressing, kink as a submissive male, and how he finally summoned the courage and self-love to end an abusive friendship. Mike is a great example of someone learning to embrace his uniqueness instead of hating and shaming himself for it. Follow Mike on Twitter/Instagram: @bizmichael Check out his books: At Least You're Not These Monsters and All The Feelings This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp To try a week of counseling for free go to www.BetterHelp.com/mental and fill out a questionnaire so you can be paired with a licensed counselor. This episode is sponsored by ZipRecruiter. To post your jobs for free go to www.ZipRecruiter.com/first To support the podcast consider becoming a mont

It wasn't until she began to literally pull chunks of her hair out she knew she might be battling something out of her control; postpartum depression. She talks about her battles with cyclical depression starting at an early age, being an only child with depressed, anxious and angry parents, not feeling seen or heard and being a high-bottom alcoholic who finally sobered up instead of self-medicating. She also touches on her body issues and how it was exacerbated during her few years as a model. Thanks to Accurate Secretarial & @WebCaptioning 4 donating their transcribing services. They're so dependable! This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. To see if online counseling is right for you, and to get your first week free, go to www.BetterHelp.com/mental and fill out a questionnaire. Must be 18 or older. This episode is sponsored by BlueApron. To get your first 3 meals free with free shipping go to www.BlueApron.com/mental Support the podcast and get free, donor-only stuff from Paul by becoming a monthly do

How does a family deal with its secrets? The PhD opens up about the inter-generational rage brewing beneath the surface of her extended family and the difficulty in trying to cope when favorites are played, a mother feels jealous of her daughter, trauma isn't discussed, emotions are stuffed and through depression a smile is mustered for the unsuspecting outside world. Patricia can be reached at her website www.PatriciaMcKee.com and on Twitter @Patricia_McKee This episode is sponsored by Stamps.com For a free 4 week trial including postage and a digital scale, go to www.Stamps.com, click on the Radio Microphone at the top of the homepage and type in offer code MENTAL This episode is sponsored by Young Health's probiotic Probimune. For your 1st bottle free go to www.Probimune.com and use offer code MENTAL This episode is sponsored by Audible audiobooks. For a free trial go to www.Audible.com/mental This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp online counseling. To get your first week free go to www.BetterHelp.com/me

The 29 year-old trans woman dispels myths about what it means to be trans, including those she used to believe. She shares about hormone therapy, gender reassignment surgery, the prejudice and stigma of "passing", feeling dysphoric growing up, coming out in her Indiana hometown and her upbringing by an overprotective mother, an absent father, an alcoholic and emotionally abusive stepfather. Follow Olivia on Twitter @hitherehaidar Follow her on Instagram @ohaidarling Follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ohaidarling This episode is sponsored by Young Health's probiotic Probimune. To get your first bottle free (plus $6.75 shipping) go to www.probimune.com and use offer code MENTAL This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp online counseling. To get your first week free, go to www.BetterHelp.com/mental  Must be 18 or older. This episode is sponsored by ZipRecruiter. To post jobs for free go to www.ZipRecruiter.com/first Support the podcast by becoming a monthly donor for as little as $1 a month. Get free rewar

Laura J. shares about contracting herpes by being date-raped and how she has navigated managing it logistically, sexually and emotionally with partners, including her husband. She was raised in an emotionally cold home by a psychiatrist father and image-obsessed mother. Her mother's response when Laura would say "I love you" has only ever been "thank you". Laura shares about having Bipolar 2, codependency, fear of intimacy, occasional paranoia, an eating disorder (compulsive eating), multiple stays in psych hospitals, an abortion and always being in the shadow of her high-maintenance and unstable sister. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp online counseling. To get your first week free go to www.BetterHelp.com/mental  Must be 18 or over. This episode is sponsored by Young Health's probiotic Probimune. To get your first bottle free (plus $6.75 shipping) go to www.probimune.com and use offer code MENTAL This episode is sponsored by ZipRecruiter. To post jobs for free go to www.ZipRecruiter.com/first See omn

Paul's fellow support group friend shares about the huge role fantasy has played in her struggle to accept life; especially her love addiction. She talks about being unable to watch lesbian films in moderation (she is a lesbian) and how the CPTSD from her physical (and emotional) trauma at birth and being raised in an emotionally stifled home (where success was the only thing that mattered) have made intimacy and trust difficult especially with her struggles with low self-esteem. Inspired to help others as she has healed Maia now facilitates workshops and speaks publicly to help others who are also struggling. Check out Maia's website http://www.maiaakiva.com/ Maia's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/maiaakiva/ Maia's Facebook https://www.facebook.com/maiaakiva2 Maia's Twitter https://twitter.com/maiaakiva This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. To get your 1st week of online counseling free go to www.BetterHelp.com/mental  Must 18 or over. This episode is sponsored by Blue Apron. To see this week's menu o

The co-host of YouTube's Pauly & Monks show shares about feeling unlovable, not being a good enough partner, trying to always "fix" other people, having to be an adult in his family at nine, learning to equate money with love and being rejected by relatives for being gay. Oh and his Bruce Willis-admiring grandfather shooting his grandmother. Follow Pauly on Twitter @PaulyDavid and Instagram @PaulyDavid1 Check out the Pauly & Monks show on YouTube and on Twitter @PaulyandMonks Visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PaulyandMonks/ Check out Pauly's personal YouTube page  http://YouTube.com/user/VapidDual This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.com to try a week of online counseling for free go to www.BetterHelp.com/mental  You must be over 18. This episode is sponsored by Young Health's Probimune.  To get your first bottle free (plus $6.75 shipping) go to www.probimune.com and use offer code MENTAL This episode is sponsored by Stamps.com  For a special 4 week trial go to www.stamps.com be su

The Moth Grand Slam winner, standup and podcaster (Hopefully We Don't Break Up) shares about being raised by Italian immigrant parents who worried a lot and her "high school brain" that still worries about being left out or gossiped about. Follow Giulia on Twitter @GiuliaRozzi Visit her website www.GiuliaRozzi.com  Check out her podcast www.HopefullyWeDontBreakup.com  Follow her on Instagram www.instagram.com/grozzi This episode is sponsored by Young Health's Probimune. Sign up for automated delivery and get your first bottle free (plus $6.75 shipping). Go to www.Probimune.com and use offer code MENTAL This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. For a free week of online counseling go to www.BetterHelp.com/mental This episode is sponsored by MadisonReed. For 10% off your first color kit plus free shipping, go to www.Madison-Reed.com and use offer code HAPPY This episode is sponsored by ZipRecruiter. To post your job ads free go to www.ZipRecruiter.com/first This episode is sponsored by Zola wedding registry. Re

35 year-old barista (and listener) Charlynn Schmiedt shares about having misophonia which is a "fight or flight" physical response to certain everyday sounds, such as gum chewing, throat clearing etc. and the complications and misunderstanding that arise out of having to interact with people who don't think it is a "real thing".  Charlynn also shares about having an eating disorder in her 20s as well as depression and anxiety.  Her husband Patrick sits in to also share what it is like to live with someone with misophonia. Follow Charlynn on Twitter at @OhTheProfanity For tix or info on Paul's Feb 22 & 23 appearances in Oakland go to www.eastbayexpress.com/mental This ep is sponsored by the online counseling provider BetterHelp.  To try a week free go to www.BetterHelp.com/mental and fill out a questionnaire to be matched with a counselor. This ep is sponsored by MadisonReed.  For 10% off your first hair color kit and free shipping go to www.Madison-Reed.com and use offer code HAPPY This ep is sponsored by

The podcaster (RISK!) and sketch actor (The State) talks about learning to "own his weirdness".  From being a gay kid in a conservative town to being the black sheep in The State he has battled the paralysis and fear of not being perfect or even good enough.  He shares about his attempt at being a prostitute, the 12 year gap between The State ending and him starting Risk! and how he learned to find his authentic voice when he was at his lowest and how he still struggles to act and feel like a grown-up. Follow Kevin on Twitter @TheKevinAllison Check out RISK! at www.risk-show.com or follow on Twitter @RISKshow Check out his classes www.thestorystudio.org For info on Paul's upcoming live podcasts in Oakland Feb 22-23 go to www.eastbayexpress.com/mental To become a monthly supporter of The Mental Illness Happy Hour go to www.patreon.com/mentalpod This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp online counseling.  To try a free week go to www.BetterHelp.com/mental  (you must be at least 18) This episode is sponsored by M

The anxious only child of a drunk/rager mom and a passive dad shares about her family's combination of material wealth and emotional ignorance/poverty. She talks about her fear of "just being" instead of always "doing", including triathlons & rock climbing, her ongoing battles with disordered eating -especially binging- , her all-or-nothing thinking and struggles with intimacy while being married and having a family. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp online therapy.  To learn more (and get your first week free) go to www.betterhelp.com/mental This episode is sponsored by MadisonReed.  For 10% your first hair color kit plus free shipping go to www.Madison-Reed.com and use offer code HAPPY This episode is sponsored by Movement Watches.  Get 15% off today (with free shipping and free returns) by going to www.MVMTWatches.com/mental This episode is sponsored by ZipRecruiter.  To post jobs for free go to www.ZipRecruiter.com/first Support the podcast by becoming a monthly donor (for as little as $1/month

The 40 year-old public administrator talks about "losing her humanity" being assigned to work on a criminal defense unit on behalf of sexually violent predators and the anxiety, panic and breakdowns that followed.   She also talks about her chaotic and abusive upbringing which included her father molesting her brother, domestic violence and her coping by becoming a rescuer. This episode is sponsored by the online therapy provider BetterHelp.com  To try out a week of counseling for free go to www.BetterHelp.com/mental, fill out the questionnaire and get matched with a counselor, to see if it's right for you. This episode is sponsored by the one-stop wedding registry Zola.  Receive $50 when you register and use Zola.  Go to www.Zola.com/mental for details. This episode is sponsored by MadisonReed.  For 10% off your first hair color kit (plus free shipping) go to www.Madison-Reed.com and use offer code HAPPY Consider becoming a recurring monthly donor to the podcast (and receive free rewards from Paul) go to www