

Trust & Thrive
Tara Montazeri
Welcome to Trust & Thrive! My name is Tara Montazeri and I'm an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. Through insightful and vulnerable discussions, I hope to inspire my listeners to trust the process of their unique journey and thrive as their most authentic self. I aim to encourage these actions with a conscious, practical, and attainable approach to self-reflection and community care. I often feature individuals from a multitude of professional fields, levels of expertise, and life experiences who generously share their stories and invaluable knowledge to my listeners and me. My guests and I touch on topics related to mental health, relationships, systemic issues, generational wounds, and other topics that influence us in our everyday lives. I hope these conversations encourage us to approach our journey of self-awareness in a thoughtful, mindful and compassionate way. Instagram and TikTok: @trustandthrive; Website: www.tara-mont.com; Email: trustandthrive@gmail.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 22, 2025 • 53min
284: Balancing Cultural Expectations & Personal Growth - with Dr. Yanira Hernandez, Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Consultant
Dr. Yanira Hernandez is a First Generation bilingual, bicultural, trauma-focused Licensed Clinical Social Worker, consultant, speaker, educator, and clinical supervisor. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles and both her Master’s in Social Work and Doctorate in Education from the University of Southern California.For the past fourteen years, Dr. Hernandez has dedicated her work to empowering historically disenfranchised communities through clinical work, education, and community leadership. She is the Founder and Director of Pa’lante Therapy, Inc., where she focuses on supporting BIPOC individuals, with a particular emphasis on Latine communities, through trauma-informed, intersectional, and decolonial approaches. Dr. Hernandez specializes in working with First-Generation professionals, undocumented and immigrant individuals, and Latinx families. Additionally, she provides bilingual clinical supervision to associate clinical social workers in school-based settings, emphasizing the development of culturally and linguistically responsive practices. Dr. Hernandez offers consultation services to nonprofit organizations, K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and community groups. She provides expert guidance on culturally-responsive, anti-oppressive mental health practices, and facilitates mental health trainings, professional development workshops, and support groups across the country. Deeply connected to the populations she serves, Dr. Hernandez is committed to decolonizing mental health by integrating Indigenous knowledge systems, ancestral healing practices, and community-centered approaches into her work.In this episode, we discussed the complexities of navigating cultural identity and family relationships, particularly in first-generation individuals and children of immigrants. We explored the feelings of guilt, gratitude, anger, grief, and more that comes with balancing cultural expectations and personal desires. We also discussed the nuanced feelings around starting therapy, viewing healing as a process and not a destination, working with immigrant communities and incorporating culturally competent care, and more.FOLLOW DR. HERNANDEZ:INSTA: @palantetherapyWEBSITE: https://palantetherapy.com/STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveTHREADS: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

May 15, 2025 • 41min
283: Navigating Rupture & Repair with Your Therapist - with Emilee Crowder, Licensed Professional Counselor
Emilee Crowder is an LPC who lives in Dallas. She works with people-pleasers who have experienced relational & religious trauma. She's also a dog lover, a summer baby, a hobbyist, and a fellow messy human. In this episode, we talk about what happens when things feel off with your therapist, and how moments of tension (aka ruptures) can often lead to deeper healing through repair.We explore the power of relational therapy, how to have uncomfortable but meaningful conversations with your therapist, and why the relationship itself is part of the healing. If you’ve had a bad therapy experience or are still looking for the right fit, this episode can offer hope and validation, reminding you that it's never too late to find healing in relationship.FOLLOW EMILEE:INSTA: @therapy.with.emileeWEBSITE: www.therapywithemilee.com. STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveTHREADS: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

May 8, 2025 • 14min
282: Holding Space for Mother's Day Grief & Mixed Emotions
Mother’s Day can stir up a wide range of emotions—grief, love, resentment, gratitude, longing, numbness, a mix of emotions. In this episode, we're holding space for the complexity of what this day might bring up, especially for those who are grieving, estranged, or feeling pressure to experience it a certain way. There’s no “right” way to feel. In this episode, I hope to normalize mixed emotions, letting go of guilt, and making room for your own needs. Whether this day feels heavy or joyful (or a mix of the both), you deserve care and compassion. STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

May 1, 2025 • 19min
281: Anxiety & the Fear of Feeling Content
In this solo episode, I share my thoughts on trying to stay present and the underlying fear that comes with feeling content. I share more about my experience living with both anxious and intrusive thoughts, and how I'm learning to practice mindfulness with intention...which includes learning to sit with my discomfort, one day at a time.STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK:@trustandthriveCLOTHING SUBSCRIPTION: https://www.trustandthrivestyle.com/EMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Apr 24, 2025 • 42min
280: How Your Inner Child Might Show Up In Your Love Life - with Sarah Rincon, Relational & Trauma-Informed Therapist
Sarah is a queer, first-generation Latina therapist who centers authentic connection, compassion, and vulnerability in her relational, trauma-informed approach. She supports clients through deep healing using modalities like Internal Family Systems (IFS), Brainspotting, and EMDR, with a focus on shadow work, inner child healing, and addressing relational and intergenerational wounds.Her work is rooted in liberation-focused therapy, guiding clients to reconnect with their roots, reclaim their true selves, and honor their culture and resilience. [Name] creates a space where clients feel safe, seen, and empowered to explore their emotions, challenge limiting systems, and rediscover their wholeness.She believes healing is a journey of coming home to oneself—and she is honored to walk alongside her clients every step of the way.In this episode, we dive deep into how our relationships often awaken parts of ourselves we didn’t know still needed healing, especially our inner child. We explore what it might look like to feel triggered in romantic dynamics and the value in recognizing patterns that mirror past wounds. We also discuss how relationships can be powerful mirrors for growth. We talk intellectualizing healing vs. feeling it, how trauma can shape the way we connect with others, and the grief that can come with acceptance.FOLLOW SARAH:INSTA: @healingwithsarahWEBSITE: https://www.rinconcurativo.com/STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveTHREADS: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Apr 17, 2025 • 50min
279: Trying to Think Your Way Out of Feeling - with Stephanie Feldman, Registered Social Worker & Founder of The Healing Hive Therapy Co.
Stephanie Feldman is a Masters level Registered Social Worker, specializing in trauma, anxiety, people-pleasing, emotion regulation, crisis, and relationships. She is also the founder of The Healing Hive Therapy Co.In Stephanie's words: "If you’ve ever been told that you’re 'too self-aware for therapy', I’m your gal! I specialize in trauma and believe that we can't think our way out of a dysregulated nervous system; I focus on body-based/ somatic approaches in the therapy space to help you heal from trauma that is stuck in the body. When we feel safe enough to connect to ourselves, we are better able to connect with others!"In this episode, we dive deep into the journey of connecting with your body as a pathway to healing. We explore how high achievers, perfectionists, and people-pleasers often ignore their physical cues and worry about not doing things "right" or meeting impossible standards. We talk about what can happen when we allow ourselves to slow down. We also discussed the challenges of finding the right therapy fit, navigating the complexities of self-care, and recognizing your body’s needs.FOLLOW STEPHANIE:INSTA: @therapy.stephTIKOK: @therapy.stephWEBSITE: https://www.thehealinghive.ca/STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveTHREADS: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Apr 10, 2025 • 25min
278: The Bittersweet Feelings That Come With Reaching a Milestone
In this solo episode, I share how incredibly thankful I feel to have built a caseload and announce that I'm no longer accepting new clients. As much as it’s felt surreal to be in this position, there’s a mix of emotions that come with it. I share my thoughts on grief that comes with actually reaching a milestone you've worked hard for. I also reflect on how my social media platforms have led to this and that the version of me who started with no one watching would not believe where we are now. Of course, I touch on the usual imposter syndrome and self-doubt. I dive into the confusing and sometimes overwhelming emotions that can come up when you reach your goals, and the importance of embracing all the feelings that come up...including feeling both proud and uncertain at the same time. INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK:@trustandthriveCLOTHING SUBSCRIPTION: https://www.trustandthrivestyle.com/FACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Apr 3, 2025 • 44min
277: Breaking Free from Guilt & Perfectionism as a Child of Immigrants - with Pauline Yeghnazar Peck, Trauma-Informed Psychologist
Dr. Pauline Yeghnazar Peck is a first generation Iranian-Armenian trauma-informed psychologist who specializes in working with the children of immigrants and intercultural couples. She operates a group practice called Noor Therapy and Wellness specializing in providing culturally-informed care, as well as a coaching, speaking, consulting, and community education business called Bridging Gaps, Breaking Cycles. In this episode, we explore the unique challenges of growing up as a child of immigrants, navigating the balance between honoring cultural traditions and forging your own identity. We dive into the pressures of survival, the weight of expectations, and the importance of destigmatizing mental health in immigrant families. We also discuss the struggle of living in an individualistic society while rooted in a communal culture, the journey of breaking generational cycles, and the guilt and perfectionism that comes with trying to meet both family and societal standards. FOLLOW PAULINE:INSTAGRAM & TIKTOK: @paulinethepsychologist; @paulinethepsychologistWEBSITES: www.noortherapyandwellness.com; https://pauline-peck.mykajabi.com/resourcesSTAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveTHREADS: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Mar 27, 2025 • 39min
276: The Healing Power of Sound & Music Therapy - with Christopher Morrison, Licensed Professional Counselor
Christopher Morrison is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania and a Nationally Board-Certified Music Therapist. He has specialized training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), EMDR, the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery & Music, and Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy. As the owner of Mind & Melody Therapy Services, he works as both a psychotherapist and music therapist, helping adults heal from childhood trauma and reconnect with their inner child. His approach fosters self-compassion, emotional healing, and personal growth. In this episode, we dive into the world of music therapy and explore its powerful benefits for emotional, mental, and physical health. We discuss the ways music can reduce stress, improve mood, enhance cognitive function, and support listeners in feeling less alone in their experiences. We also explore the topic of drum circles and how the act of drumming can help release tension, increase mindfulness, and promote emotional expression. *I am currently accepting new clients virtually in California. Feel free to email me at taramontazeritherapy@gmail.com to schedule a 15-min consultation or click here to learn more. FOLLOW CHRISTOPHER: INSTAGRAM: @christophermorrisonlpc WEBSITE: www.mindmelodytherapy.com STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveTHREADS: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Mar 20, 2025 • 37min
275: Insecurities & Overthinking as a Therapist on Social Media
Basically had a therapy session with myself... :') In this solo episode, I talk about the uncomfortable truths of showing up on social media, in general, but especially as a therapist. I open up about my own internal judgment that I'm working on and insecurities that keep me from showing up *more* authentically. I also share the doubts that often creep in, and how my thoughts often get in the way of taking risks. I'm still going to show up...despite those thoughts.Thanks again, as always, for being here! *I am currently accepting new clients virtually in California. Feel free to email me at taramontazeritherapy@gmail.com to schedule a 15-min consultation or click here to learn more. STAY CONNECTED: INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK:@trustandthriveCLOTHING SUBSCRIPTION: https://www.trustandthrivestyle.com/FACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com (collabs); taramontazeritherapy@gmail.com (therapy services)


