Trust & Thrive

In this solo episode, I acknowledge how oppression and the systems we live in inherently impact mental health and one's sense of safety (if not directly), from what's happening in the US to the experiences of those living under oppression. I hold space for all the emotions that come from witnessing harm caused by systems of power, including ICE and the US government, to those fighting for freedom in Iran, for those trying to simply survive in Gaza, and more.I get into what it can look like to experience OCD thoughts around morality, and the black-and-white thinking that can keep us stuck in our thoughts, rather than taking action and showing up with community.Throughout the episode, I identify moral OCD-related thoughts that show up in real time, and what it looks like to simply notice and name them without proving, engaging, or trying to analyze them. OCD thrives on extremes and our thoughts can convince us we're not doing "enough." I share how showing up, in incremental ways, can make a difference rather than feeling stuck in the thoughts and loneliness. I also share how my recent birthday and celebrating brought us similar feelings, including guilt, confusion, and all-or-nothing.While I share my personal process in this episode, this episode is hopefully a reminder that you are allowed to feel guilt, confusion, anxiety, joy, all the feelings without shame or judgment. We can continue to show up, lean into this work, take action AND check in with our nervous system and honor what our bodies need. *As always, relating to this episode does not necessarily mean you live with OCD. I'm simply sharing how OCD shows up in this experience for me.STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com 

Alex Thomson (APC) is a therapist in Atlanta, Georgia. He specializes in OCD and anxiety. In his free time, he enjoys birding, cooking, and contributing to the @talktherapywithalex Instagram page, where he enjoys blending levity and humor with educational content. In this episode, we both share our personal experiences toward becoming therapists, and normalize that there's no one path when it comes to entering the field or showing up online. We discuss the pressures of showing up as a therapist in "one" way - confident, "healed," put-together, etc. We also explore what it can look like to show up authentically (and how that looks different for everyone), how showing up imperfectly can create deeper connection, and the complexity of holding space for vulnerability while being ethical and thoughtful of the client's experience.FOLLOW ALEX:INSTA: @talktherapywithalexWEBSITE: www.talktherapywithalex.comSTAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveTHREADS: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Kaylee Bullen is a licensed therapist specialized in treating high anxiety and OCD, including postpartum OCD. Her practice services clients virtually across California, Michigan, and Louisiana. In addition to therapy, she also creates educational and relatable therapy content on social media to help normalize the mental health experience.In this episode, we dive deep into postpartum OCD. We explore what it actually is, common misconceptions, and why so many parents may isolate and experience shame around these thoughts.We go over examples of what intrusive thoughts may sound like related to the postpartum period, guilt and shame that may follow, and how the fear of being judged or misunderstood keeps many people from reaching out for help.Whether or not you resonate with this specific theme, we hope you know you are not alone in your thoughts. Your thoughts do not reflect who you are and what you value. FOLLOW KAYLEE:INSTA: @kayleebullentherapyTIKOK: @kayleebullenWEBSITE: www.thehumancollectivetherapy.comSTAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveTHREADS: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

And we're back! The new year can definitely bring up a lot of pressure and expectations, including feeling the need to set resolutions and figure everything out right away. In this episode, I share how I've been working on slowing down instead. Taking things day by day. Not living by my internal sense of urgency.I also reflect on what it's been like to notice louder thoughts and anxiety during the holiday break, the importance of checking in with yourself, and practicing self-compassion in these moments. As always, I hope this episode can remind you you're not alone and give you the permission you were looking for you to take things day to day, to listen to your body, and remind yourself that there's no need to rush into anything.STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com 

For those feeling mixed feelings around this time of year, for those feeling heavy and overwhelmed going into the new year, for those feeling the pressure to "do more"...this episode is for you. You made it through this year. Whether it was a wonderful year or a really difficult one where you felt like you were simply surviving, I'm so glad you're here.In this solo episode, I talk about how anxious and/or intrusive thoughts may intensify around this time of year, as we face constant messages going into the new year to "hustle," change, and be "put together." I share my personal thoughts and experiences with my own mental health, and hope to remind you all that you're not alone...to lean into self-compassion even when your default may be self-criticism.Whatever your holiday season looks like, I hope you take care of you.As a reminder, we'll be taking a break from the podcast for the rest of the year/holiday season and will return the first full week of January. See you all next year :)STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com 

In this solo episode, I share my personal journey of becoming a therapist and a bit of background on what inspired me to go to grad school. I also share what the experience has been like while living with OCD and my own mental health struggles. I also share how I was originally diagnosed with generalized anxiety before understanding my OCD, and what it was like navigating grad school, practicum, and post-grad life with my own anxious and intrusive thoughts.I normalize being human in the space with clients and share how, while OCD has been incredibly challenging and does not define me, it also makes me the therapist I am in many ways. I reflect on the importance of showing up with tools AND humanity, not underestimating your ability to show up for clients as another human navigating the complexity of life. I also share some advice on what I've learned (even as an intern and associate these last few years) and hopes for when I'm licensed.If you’re a therapist, trainee, or someone considering entering the field while managing your own mental health, I hope this episode reminds you that you're not alone and to not let them stop you from showing up. Self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and anxiety are all normal parts of becoming a therapist, and are not signs that you shouldn't be doing this work.STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com 

How is it December already? Time for a mental health check-in. Many of us are feeling overwhelmed right now, and I want to validate that now more than ever. In this solo episode, I share my recent experience with OCD, and how my thoughts have been showing up related to the social media space. I validate how difficult and frustrating it can feel to live with these thoughts, while holding space for what life CAN be, despite the thoughts. Some days, I want to isolate and feel stuck in the thoughts. Other days, I show up despite the thoughts. Other days, I forget the thoughts are even there. We all have human moments and part of living with OCD is holding space for the good and bad days. I see you and am so glad you're here!STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com 

Dr. Sumi Raghavan is a cross-cultural clinical psychologist and former psychology professor who works with adults dealing with everything from trauma to burnout and chronic stress.  She believes everybody has a culture and strives to be affirming and curious in her work.  Beyond psychotherapy, she offers workshops and training to organizations looking to support the mental health and well-being of their staff.  She combines her academic experience with her clinical skills to help people build resilience and learn true self-care.  She can be found at www.drsumiphd.com, and on Instagram at @DrSumiPHD.  When she's not working, she's a proud rebel perfectionist with many hobbies that she does badly, a reader of beach books year round, and a parent of two wonderful humans who keep her own her toes.In this episode, we discuss misconceptions around burnout, including how it's more than long hours or being “tired.” We explore how burnout can include emotional, physical, and cultural aspects, and how it can shaped by the systems we live in, the identities we hold, and the messages we’ve taken on about productivity and worth.Overall, we explore burnout through a culturally competent lens. We discuss how COVID-19 reshaped our capacity and expectations, visible and invisible symptoms of burnout (fatigue, cynicism, decreased effectiveness, emotional numbness), and how capitalism reinforces overworking, self-sacrifice, and guilt around rest. We also touch on the role of identity, family expectations, and cultural narratives. Dr. Sumi also shares how workplace dynamics can make burnout harder to name.We also unpack what burnout feels like day-to-day, not just what textbooks and social media posts say. FOLLOW DR. SUMI RAGHAVAN:INSTA: @drsumiphdWEBSITE: www.drsumiphd.comSTAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveTHREADS: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

In this solo episode, I open up about my personal experience with OCD and the fear of being “found out." I talk about the constant worry many with OCD have that they're not as good, moral, or put-together as others might think. I share how this fear has shown up in both my personal and professional life, and how it connects to themes like moral OCD (or moral scrupulosity) and relationship OCD.I share what it may feel like when those thoughts try to convince you that you’re living a lie, that you’ve done something wrong, or that you need to always prove you’re a good person....and how exhausting it can be to live that way.This episode is a reminder that you’re not alone and that this fear is common with OCD, and not a reflection of your worth.I’m so thankful that you're here and hope you know you are not alone.STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com 

Dr. Audra Horney is a licensed psychologist and founder of a thriving private practice devoted to men’s mental health. Known online as “the therapist for men,” she helps men untangle the emotional, relational, and cultural pressures that keep them disconnected from their true selves. Her work blends clinical depth with cultural commentary, destigmatizing therapy for men and reframing vulnerability as strength.Beyond her 1:1 therapy practice, Dr. Horney offers therapy intensives and men's retreats, including the upcoming “Drop the Mask: From Protector to True Self” retreat in Moab, Utah scheduled for April 2026. Through her viral social-media presence and weekly newsletter "You’ve Got Male," she’s redefining how men and those who love them think about emotional health, authenticity, and modern masculinity.In this episode, we share a conversation on vulnerability in the therapeutic space and what it looks like to normalize men's mental health in our everyday lives, not just in the therapeutic space.We talk about some ways men may show up differently in the therapy room, the role social media (especially TikTok) plays in normalizing men’s emotions, and how anonymity online can actually create space for deeper honesty.We also discuss what it means to balance authenticity and boundaries as a therapist, and how clinicians can advocate for men’s emotional wellbeing, while holding space for nuance and understanding.FOLLOW DR. AUDRA HORNEY:INSTA: @dr.audra.horneyTIKOK: @dr.audra.horneyFIND A THERAPIST: https://stan.store/draudrahorneySTAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveTHREADS: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com