Trust & Thrive

Emily Nader is a Lebanese-American Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), licensed in Texas and Arizona. Through her online private practice, she works with adults in their 20s–40s who’ve spent years people-pleasing, feeling overwhelmed by anxious thoughts, and losing touch with their authenticity in life and relationships. She’s also a dog mom to two chocolate labs, a travel lover, and deeply proud to be a daughter of immigrants.With years of experience supporting clients through anxiety, low self-worth, relationship challenges, and cultural nuance, Emily brings a warm, honest, and deeply validating presence to her work. She’s passionate about helping adults stop shrinking just to keep the peace, and start showing up fully in their lives and relationships.In this episode, we unpack the deeper roots of people-pleasing, often shaped by early experiences in unsafe or unpredictable environments. We explore how survival strategies like staying quiet, over-accommodating, or shutting down during conflict can follow us into adulthood, even when they no longer serve us.We reframe guilt that shows up when we start honoring our needs, and talk about how to offer compassion to the parts of us that learned to keep the peace. For anyone who has learned to abandon themselves, we hope this episode can remind you you're not alone and lean into self-trust. FOLLOW EMILY:INSTA: @empathywithemTIKOK: @empathywithemWEBSITE: http://www.empathywithem.comSTAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveTHREADS: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

In this episode, I talk about what it really means to ride the wave of intrusive thoughts and uncomfortable emotions. I share my experience of sitting with the discomfort of riding the wave, without numbing, avoiding, or rushing to fix them...which is so hard. I share how I’ve been learning to sit with my own feelings of uncertainty and overwhelm, while also holding space for others. In this episode, I lean into what I've been practicing in my every day life...which is embracing the messy parts of myself that make me human. I hope this episode can remind you that you’re not alone, and that you don’t have to have it all figured out to show up.STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com 

Shannon Amabile is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Los Angeles and the founder of The Happy Byrd, a private practice specializing in the mental health and creative support of entertainment professionals. She is also the co-founder of Starlight Support, a mobile therapy service that brings clinical care and mental health resources directly to set for child actors and their families. With complex experience and a passion for fostering safe and collaborative environments, she is dedicated to helping creative people overcome challenges, harness their talents, and achieve their goals with lasting success.Carly Gilmore is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (#144088) who grew up in Burbank, CA, surrounded by the entertainment industry. Growing up in Burbank, it was as normal to be attending acting classes after school as it was to be attending sports after school. She has used her knowledge and experience from being a part of that world to begin creating space for services that would have benefitted her during that time. She received her BA in Psychology and Human Development from Eckerd College and MA in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine. Carlypractices at The Happy Byrd under the Supervision of Shannon Amabile and is currently taking new clients. In this episode, we dive into the unique mental health challenges faced by child actors and young professionals in the entertainment industry. Our guests share clinical insights on working with child actors, the emotional toll of early fame, identity development under constant judgment and scrutiny, and the high expectations placed on young performers.We explore how early exposure to performance and public life can lead to anxiety, perfectionism, and identity confusion, and why both advocacy and specialized mental health support are critical in this space. From working with clients in the industry to systemic change, we discuss the evolving role of mental health professionals on set and what it truly means to prioritize the wellbeing of child stars.Whether or not you're in the mental health field or entertainment business, this episode is a reminder that mental health shows up in every field and deserves to be supported.FOLLOW CARLY & SHANNON:INSTA: @gilmore.girl.guidance; @the_reframe_queen; @thehappybyrdWEBSITE: hhttps://thehappybyrd.com/STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveTHREADS: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Marisa is a Black and Latina Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT 136357) and the founder of Illuminated Life Therapy, based in San Diego, California. She specializes in working with adults in their 20s and 30s who are navigating anxiety, low self-esteem, and trauma related to relationships.This season of life often brings intense relational and identity shifts, decision uncertainty, and pressure around timelines, comparison, and boundaries—and Marisa creates a grounded, supportive space to explore it all. She integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS), helping clients move toward emotional security, clarity, and self-trust.With nearly a decade of experience across mental health settings, Marisa brings a warm, authentic, and empowering presence to her work. She values the importance of showing up as your full self in relationships and supports clients in reconnecting with their voice, needs, and boundaries.Marisa is deeply committed to creating an inclusive, affirming space for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals. In this episode, we explore the pressures and complexities of navigating life in yours 20s and 30s (and all decades). We discuss life transitions and societal timelines that leave many feeling "behind," especially in a Westernized, individualistic culture that often overlooks cultural values, family dynamics, and collective expectations. As therapists, we also explore our experiences showing up on social media and what it looks like to show up authentically. The conversation also touches on the grief that can come with change, the evolving nature of relationships, especially in one's 20s and 30s, and what it means to trust your path. Wherever you are on your journey, we hope this episode can remind you that you're not alone or "behind."FOLLOW MARISA:INSTA: @illuminatedlife.therapyWEBSITE: https://www.illuminatedlifetherapy.comSTAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveTHREADS: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

In this solo episode, I open up about my personal experience with Relationship OCD (ROCD), including how it's shown up in my current relationship and how I navigated these thoughts before I even knew I lived with OCD. I share both about my personal relationship, while incorporating what I've learned as a therapist and in my work.I also answer your questions from Instagram and TikTok, including how to tell the difference between real concerns and OCD, exploring one's relationship to guilt, and how to talk to your partner about OCD.While OCD can feel incredibly isolating and there can be a great deal of shame and guilt that comes with ROCD specifically, I hope this episode can remind you that you're not alone and that you just as deserving of love as anyone else.As always: this episode is for education and entertainment purposes — it is not a replacement for therapy or professional mental health services.STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com 

In this solo episode, I share more on feelings of self-doubt and imposter syndrome that can come up in my work as a therapist at different periods of time. I share what it's like to be struggling with my own mental health and have periods of feeling too hard on myself. I also discuss the privilege of this work, leaning into my humanness, and how deeply I care about the work and people I meet with. Whether you're in grad school, currently a therapist or social worker, or dealing with these feelings in other areas of your life, you're not alone.STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com 

Liz Rhea, MSW, LMSW is an associate licensed social worker and private practice owner in Atlanta, Georgia. Liz is a queer-identified therapist and specializes in supporting queer and trans folks, as well as folks navigating complex trauma, including religious trauma and purity culture recovery. Liz believes deeply in the utilization of reclaiming and healing within community in the therapeutic space. In addition to her work as therapist, Liz is a Founding Organizer for Let's Talk About It, a queer and trans-centered mental health training organization, and she creates content about being a chill therapist for both therapists and therapy-goers on instagram and tiktok! In this episode, we explore the intersection of religion, politics and therapy, and what it means to hold space for clients navigating all three. We discuss the nuances of religious trauma, especially as experienced by queer individuals. We also unpack ways to navigate the politics of religion in the therapy space, balancing personal and professional beliefs, why therapy is inherently political, and showing up online as a therapist. FOLLOW LIZ: INSTA: @lizrheatherapyTIKOK: @lizrheatherapyWEBSITE: https://www.lizrheatherapy.com/STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveTHREADS: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Hi all! Please keep in mind that this episode was recorded a few months ago, and the intro was recorded early last week. I want to hold space for anyone affected by issues occurring globally - especially for the immigrants that make this country what it is and for fellow Iranians waiting to hear from loved ones as they flee their home.To introduce this week's guest: Dr. Trevino is a Texas-based Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist whose private practice specializes in men’s mental well-being and relational therapy. He is also the Director of Clinical Training at Antioch University Seattle's Couple and Family Therapy Program, where he is dedicated to shaping the next generation of mental health professionals. Passionate about breaking down stigma, Dr. Trevino leverages his social media platforms to normalize mental health discussions, encouraging honest and open dialogue that empowers individuals to prioritize their wellness.In this episode, we dive deep into the topic of men's mental health, diverse representation within the mental health field, and cultural stigma around vulnerability and seeking therapy. We explore what it can look like to find the right therapist fit, one that either can resonate with your lived experience or approaches it with genuine curiosity. We also discuss the importance of culturally competent care and the responsibility of therapists to address larger societal issues that impact their clients, rather than avoiding them.FOLLOW DR. TREVINO:INSTA: @dr.zachtrevinoWEBSITE: https://www.ztrevinotherapy.comSTAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveTHREADS: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Happy Pride month to all! Sending love to those who haven't had the safe space, resources, or support to show up authentically. I see you and am so glad you exist. This episode contains clips from past episodes, discussing LGBTQ+ mental health, queer self-expression, transgender health, body libation, non-binary representation, intersecting identifies, and more. I've included the original episodes below, along with links to the guests' social media accounts.81: A Conversation on Black LGBTQ+ Mental Health - with Josh Odam, Founder of Healing While Black - (@josh.odam)127: Gender Identity & Non-Binary Representation - with Chris Sheridan, Psychotherapist & Founder of The Queer Therapist - (@theqtherapist)128: Trans Health & Body Liberation - with Dr. Sand Chang, Licensed Psychologist & Gender Specialist (@heydrsand)220: LGBTQ+ Mental Health & Self-Expression - with Luis Cornejo, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and Certified Sex Therapist (@luis_thee_lmft)STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com 

Hi all! In this solo episode, I open up about my intrusive and anxious thoughts, along with the loud voice that is my inner critic. I share my thoughts on showing up scared and taking risks, despite what my mind wants me to do (which is to stay small). If you feel overwhelmed by your thoughts and feel like there's one "right" way to show up, this episode is for you.STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com