Your Mental Breakdown

150. Drew #107: Baby Brain and the Oxytocin Honeymoon Nov 14, 2024

Drew is experiencing the oxytocin honeymoon feeling with his partner as they are now brand new parents. He acknowledges the feelings as well as the triggers for how he was parented. Doug challenges Drew to think through his ideas and ideals of what it means to be “the man of the house.” Drew may have baby brain, but he is expressing his emotions well. He is able to sit with them and process them in session with Doug.

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

149. Flashback with Doug & Kenzie - Sarah #02: Therapy Is Not Just For When You Are Crazy Nov 07, 2024

Doug and Kenzie go back in time to Sarah’s 2nd session. The breakdown for this episode happens in real time throughout the session. Sarah begins to tell some of her story about growing up in a cult. Doug acknowledges her strength and resilience in the “survival” of her experiences while paving the way to work towards the “thrival” of her life going forward. We explore Sarah’s parenting style and Doug hints at the parallel of how Sarah can heal through re-parenting herself.

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

148. Sarah #47: Trauma Is the Gift That Keeps On Giving Oct 31, 2024

Sarah is confronted with her past trauma history after learning that a parent at her child’s school knows about Sarah's upbringing in a cult. She navigates a conversation to clear the air because that parent is reluctant to allow her child over to Sarah’s rumored “cult house.” Doug acknowledges that Sarah handled the situation without going into “justice warrior” mode, even though her emotions were triggered. Sarah says that she’s glad to have had that conversation with a year of therapy under her belt. She’s come a long way and is now embracing being a trauma survivor – without feeling like a victim. Because, “How can you victimize somebody for being victimized?”

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

147. Flashback with Doug & Kenzie - Drew #01: Therapy Is Not Just For When You Are Crazy Oct 24, 2024

Doug and Kenzie go back in time to Drew’s first therapy session - and their breakdown happens in real time throughout the session. They have the benefit of listening to him then while knowing where he is now in his therapeutic treatment and progress years later. You can listen along with them to this initial meeting as Drew shares some of his history and Doug lays the groundwork for their future work. We hear the beginnings of some of the analogies that Drew and Doug use throughout his journey in therapy.

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

146. A Part Mental Conversation with Maria Bamford and Georgia Hardstark Oct 17, 2024

Join us for a personal and open conversation with two very special guests: actress and comedian, Maria Bamford, and podcast host extraordinaire, Georgia Hardstark. These amazing women, whose memoirs have each reached the New York Times bestsellers list, chat with Doug and Kenzie in this intimate and vulnerable episode. They discuss their perspectives and experiences as public figures being authentic, transparent, and outspoken about mental health and mental illness.

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

Maria Bamford is an actress, comedian, and the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult. She is the star of four hour-long standup specials and the surreal, semi-autobiographical, Lady Dynamite, about a comedian who suffers a nervous breakdown.

Georgia Hardstark is the co-host of the true crime-comedy podcast, My Favorite Murder, and the co-founder of the Exactly Right Podcast Network. She and her co-host, Karen Kilgariff, wrote a New York Times bestselling joint memoir, Stay Sexy and Don't Get Murdered: The Definitive How-to Guide.

145. Flashback with Doug & Kenzie - Sarah #1: I Don’t Have a Handle On It Oct 10, 2024

Doug and Kenzie go back in time to Sarah’s first therapy session - and their breakdown happens in real time throughout the session. They have the benefit of listening to her then while knowing where she is now in her therapeutic treatment and progress one year later. You can listen along with them to this initial meeting as Sarah shares some of her history and Doug lays the groundwork for their future work. Sarah acknowledges that she’s spent a lifetime compartmentalizing, but doesn’t truly have a handle on everything. We hear the beginnings of some of the analogies that Sarah and Doug use throughout her journey in therapy.

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

144. Drew #106: Feeling Extremely Lukewarm Oct 03, 2024

We’re back from our summer break, and getting right back into it with Drew and his brand new baby. We hear a lot in this session that Drew needs to dump out. He is feeling like he’s not enough - as a dad, a partner, and a person not taking care of his own needs. Drew struggles to find balance and expresses feeling uncomfortable in the extremely lukewarm middle. He says he’s done himself dirty over the last week because he let his fears outweigh his courage. He isn’t loving how he’s been present in moments, which is magnified now with a newborn. Being a new dad also helps Drew draw a link to how he was parented by his mom. Doug helps him reevaluate what being effective means. Drew acknowledges that he isn’t free falling the way he used to, and that he is happy to unload in therapy.

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

143. Sarah #46: I Don’t Feel Unrelaxed Jun 27, 2024

Doug throws a little science and neural linguistic programming at Kenzie to demonstrate how using certain language in session with clients can help in their pursuit of change. Kenzie and Doug highlight Sarah’s progress as it’s becoming more natural and instinctive for her to ask for help when she needs it. Sarah acknowledges the evolution of her relationship to control and boundaries. She continues to explore the idea from her last session about the rigidity of her religion of data. Sarah feels progress, and she still feels stress and anxiety, as she notes, “I don’t feel unrelaxed.” Doug introduces Spoon Theory to help understand our relationship to the energy and bandwidth we have in a given day.

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

Mentioned in this Episode:

Spoon Theory by Christine Miserandino

142. Drew #104-105: Drew Has a Baby and an Existential Crisis Jun 20, 2024

Kenzie is jacked up on caffeine and we’re getting existential in this one. In the session, Drew emotionally retells the story of the birth of his child and the traumatic experience he went through in the hospital. Along with a new baby boy, comes a heaping dose of existential anxiety. Doug bears witness and helps Drew process an emotional release. He already feels a parental responsibility for his child’s life, and with it, he also feels a real fear of death for the first time in his life. Now more than ever, Drew has a deep appreciation for the preciousness of life and a motivation to be truly present for moments as they happen.

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

141. Sarah #45: Are Repressed Memories Real? Jun 13, 2024

Doug and Kenzie discuss the hotly debated topic of whether or not repressed memories are real. In the session, Sarah revisits some traumatic memories of growing up in the cult. As she moves towards her own emotional experience, Doug helps explain her dissociation and offers tools with an intellectual understanding of her trauma response. Sarah can see it objectively by looking at a sibling’s rigidity as a similar but different trauma response, then she applies that same lens to herself. It’s a back door therapeutic technique to help build her compassion for self. They are laying the groundwork for making her feel safe and supported before going too deep into the raw emotion. Doug and Kenzie break down taking this route to process complex childhood trauma rather than the direct emotional route.

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

140. Drew #103: Progress is (Like) a River Flowing Forward Jun 06, 2024

Doug and Kenzie discuss the question of whether or not people can actually change. In Drew’s session, his thoughts meander so Doug throws a few things out to see what sticks. They work through Drew’s thoughts about being prepared for fatherhood and his feelings about protecting his son from the bad experiences he had growing up. Drew expresses feeling like he’s missing out on mile markers of having a baby by not being present enough. This leads him to the root of grief for his own childhood, especially in light of going through transitions into adulthood with an unstable relationship with his parents. Doug and Kenzie break down the arc of a session and seeing the forest for the trees, especially when a client comes in talking about lots of trees. Doug shows how progress in therapy is like a river that flows in a forward direction even when it’s a babbling brook. And Beckett finally joins Kenzie on the couch!

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

139. Sarah #44: The New Badge of Honor May 30, 2024

Doug and Kenzie break down codependence and answer a listener question about having contact with your therapist outside of your regularly scheduled sessions. In Sarah’s session, she processes some family drama involving her ex-husband. She shows progress by not getting drawn into the crisis and by letting her son have his own feelings without going into “fix-it” mode. Doug helps Sarah acknowledge how her current behaviors are more reflective of her own core identity and not the identity that was borne out of the cult. They connect this to last week’s session when Sarah gave a eulogy to her T-shirt with the motto “Keep Calm, Let Sarah Handle It.” She is now embodying a new badge of honor.

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

138. Drew #102: I Don’t Want to Become My Mom May 23, 2024

Drew gives an update on his medical health and it leads to a discussion about parenting. He is worried about turning into his parents while he is preparing to become a parent himself. Doug explains how we can have traits of a personality type like narcissism or borderline without it being a diagnosable personality disorder. Drew is worried about finding a balance between focusing on himself without being too selfish and focusing on his baby without giving up himself. Kenzie and Doug break down the psychological concept of being a “good enough” parent and how we can course correct along the way.

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

137. Sarah #43: Eulogy for My Old Self and T-Shirt May 16, 2024

Doug helps Sarah stay in the moment and allow emotions to come up. She acknowledges being more comfortable in constant motion and hypervigilance mode when she is more focused on “doing” rather than “feeling.” We hear a pivotal moment in her therapy when Sarah reads a poem she wrote as a eulogy for the motto “Keep Calm, Sarah Will Handle It.” It is an emotional goodbye and homage to her old self that embodied the motto she literally wore on a t-shirt that her siblings made for her. Sarah can envision a path ahead as a new version of herself that doesn’t try to handle everything for everyone all the time. As she says, she’ll “Keep calm, then move out of the way.”

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

136. Drew #101: It’s All Life: Balancing Work, Rest, and Play May 09, 2024

Drew digs deeper into his core thought that his self-worth depends on how good of a provider he is to his family. Doug helps Drew explore taking care of himself in a healthy way rather than working so hard to provide that he keeps spinning plates until he gets overloaded and shuts down. Doug reframes the see-saw concept of a work-life balance to it all being under the umbrella of life with a balance of work, rest, and play. Drew draws the link to how the current imbalance is affecting his relationship and intimacy in his life right now. Kenzie breaks down how your individual dreams don’t have to die just because you’re in a relationship.

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

135. Sarah #42: Looking at Yourself with a Fun House Mirror Lens May 02, 2024

Sarah is interacting with the world around her slightly differently. Doug invites her to experiment with what it’s like to be the observer, especially when interacting with her siblings. Sarah is shifting from the person that tries to fix or correct everyone to the person that can just notice something happening without taking it personally. She realizes that sometimes the most powerful thing she can say is nothing. Kenzie and Doug break down the current progress and process of re-wiring Sarah’s brain without making it overtly clinical.

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

134. Drew #100: Taking a Big Rip of Oxygen Apr 25, 2024

Drew sees progression and growth in his relationship with a friend, but doesn’t see it with his parents. Drew has an epiphany about his relationship with them that he names “conditional love,” as he is more aware of how he people-pleases in order to feel love from them. Doug helps Drew slow down and process his thoughts and feelings about the evolving relationship with his parents. Drew acknowledges feeling embarrassed, frustrated, and disappointed in who they are now, especially as it might reflect on how people see him. Doug validates his feelings and reflects it back to him before helping Drew reframe it. By radically accepting his mom as she is, he can see that she might be showing him love the way she is capable, rather than the way his love language usually recognizes it.

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

133. Sarah #41: Miss Independent Has a Robot Vacuum Apr 18, 2024

Doug and Sarah reflect on how growing up in a cult stripped her of agency and individuality in her own life. She is reclaiming her individuality and feeling strength in her sense of self now. Doug and Sarah make the link from this to the issue she has with control. Sarah walks through a specific example when one of her sisters was driving her car. Sarah processes the anxiety and feelings around letting go of control and spoke up for something selfishly – meaning she was taking care of herself. Doug and Kenzie break down how we can process anxiety when it hits for all of us by staying mindful and present focused instead of going back into our past or future tripping. And they actually go over a couple of tools that we can all take with us.

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

Jennifer Lawrence on Hot Ones – What do you mean?

Relax, Nothing’s Under Control – T-Shirt

132. Drew #99: I’m WebMDing Myself Apr 11, 2024

Drew has a birthday coming up and a few doctors’ appointments on the horizon. He is able to organize his thoughts and come up with a plan both for addressing his medical health and for celebrating his birthday. Doug helps Drew acknowledge that he is not responsible for his parents’ response to him and his boundaries. Drew is adulting! Doug and Kenzie are feeling it – literally – as an earthquake hits during recording. Doug’s Group Therapy Practice YMB Webpage Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

131. Sarah #40: Doing Your Personal Best Apr 04, 2024

Sarah acknowledges being in a constant battle with herself because of how she wants to hear feedback from others for things she has done. She has a hard time accepting praise; and, she doesn’t mind constructive criticism if it helps her grow. Doug helps her make sense of getting comfortable without having feedback be the validation. Doug and Kenzie break down external versus internal validation and the drive to be perfect versus doing your personal best. They discuss what it is to be good enough and how “meets expectations” isn’t a negative thing. Striving for perfection is about doing your best, which can be “good enough” if we allow it to be. However, many of us feel that we’re not doing enough unless something is done perfectly, especially when there’s a historical experience of criticism and an internal voice in our head constantly criticizing us. What does doing your personal best mean to you? Can that be good enough or does it need to be perfect? Doug’s Group Therapy Practice YMB Webpage Join us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

Mentioned in the Episode: Link to Rapper’s Delight from “Happy Feet” Link to “Spinal Tap” These Go to 11

130. Drew #98: What Would Be Supportive to You Right Now? Mar 28, 2024

Drew is feeling independence and individuation from parents, especially when he signs a lease on a new place without using them as the guarantor. He had a breakaway moment after mom didn’t show up the way he wanted her to on a phone call. He felt solitude and the “solid-tude” of relying on himself not on his parents and the anxious-attachment style that often lets him down. Drew is experiencing what it’s like to choose himself and put his needs first ahead of everyone else, instead of his old pattern of putting his needs last. Doug helps him understand what it means to show up for someone the way they want, rather than the way he wants them to show up for him. It’s not about mind reading - it’s about communicating what would be supportive to you and asking someone what feels supportive to them.

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

129. Sarah #39: It Had to Start with Me (Healing the Inner Child) Mar 21, 2024

Sarah is going through all the emotions with her teenager and the situation he got into at school this week. While she continues to practice using natural consequences to parent her kids, she is also allowing herself to have her own emotional experience. Sarah is re-parenting herself by letting her kids to come to her and giving them the space to feel their feelings and sit with it (something she didn’t have growing up). She acknowledges the challenges of not acting on her instant reaction in these parenting situations, especially when interacting with her ex-husband. Sarah is able to stop and process before just going to her default protective mode to either fix the triggering event right away or bear the brunt of the consequences herself to shield her children (like she did for her siblings growing up in a cult). Sarah is healing her inner child!

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

128. Drew #97: The Fire in Your Own Belly Mar 14, 2024

Doug helps Drew focus on himself, not just the baby on the way. Drew admits that he isn’t feeling joy in things the way he’s used to feeling it and that it’s taking him out of the present. Drew realizes that he’s looking for the joy instead of being in the moment and letting the joy find him. This leads Drew to acknowledge the existential anxiety that he’s also been feeling. Doug and Kenzie discuss anhedonia and sitting with clients when they are experiencing this feeling. They also talk about what happens when we may have missed something in a session as a therapist or feeling like our therapist missed something as a client. Have we missed something else, let us know… or if you’ve missed something, check out the podcast archives and listen to Drew and Sarah from day one of their journey in therapy!

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

127. Sarah #38: Giving Yourself Permission to Feel Mar 07, 2024

Doug helps Sarah move forward along a path toward her emotions. They discuss her learned pattern of being dismissive of herself and her feelings. The pursuit of data and facts that turns Sarah into the “justice warrior” is a defense mechanism to not feel the feelings. Doug uses an analogy with Spock and Kirk to highlight a spectrum of being logically driven versus being emotionally driven. Sarah connects this to how she can sound like a robot sometimes while suppressing and invalidating her own feelings. Doug invites Sarah to give herself permission to bring out her inner Captain Kirk so she can practice allowing her emotions to come up and out.

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice YMB Webpage Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

126. Drew #96: Much Love Because Here Comes the Challenge Feb 29, 2024

Drew is feeling like an adult and living in the world. He acknowledges feeling strength where he used to feel weakness in asking for help. He’s getting support in his life by virtue of actually asking for help from others rather than doing everything on his own. Doug and Drew talk about the subtle differences between being an individual and being independent. Doug and Kenzie discuss the therapeutic relationship as a secure attachment. With this secure base to jump off from, Doug is able to challenge Drew, and Drew is able to explore his independence.

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice YMB Webpage Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

125. Sarah #37: I Feel Like I'm Going to Think About It a Lot Feb 22, 2024

Sarah is experiencing the difference between being of value at work and being the singular essential piece that also carries with it all the responsibility and pressure. She notices how she’s starting to relax a bit and soften her edges when she isn’t in complete control. Doug helps Sarah acknowledge how the control issue arose to protect herself as a child growing up in a cult, but it isn’t serving her well now in her adult life. Doug invites her to come out of the protective shell to feel her own emotional experience rather than stay “safe” inside and keep her feelings internalized. Kenzie presses Doug to break down the abundant use of analogy and personal stories in session rather than stay in Sarah’s own personal experiences and emotions. They find that the analogies, especially the airplane one, really do land for Sarah… do they land for you too?

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

124. Drew #95: Digging Up That Old Polaroid Feb 15, 2024

Doug and Kenzie talk about connecting to your inner child. Then in the session, Drew is adulting and creating distance from his parents while preparing to be a father himself. Doug digs deeper with Drew in the session to get to the emotions underneath all the progress we see and hear on the outside. Doug explains an analogy of photographs to show how we often perceive (and misperceive) people. There are polaroid snapshots from one instance in time and there are “Harry Potter” pictures that constantly move and change - but neither is a true moving picture of our actual life now. The images someone has in mind of us don’t necessarily line up with how we really are now. We want people to see us and know us for who we are, but we are constantly changing. This gets murky when we put up walls and present false pictures to people, especially family members.

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

123. Sarah #36: The Scooby-Doo Effect: Catching Up With Yourself Feb 08, 2024

Sarah keeps learning and exploring in therapy – and her family is noticing the change in her and the progress she’s made as a result. Doug explains how and why he uses stories and analogies so often in sessions. It’s an effective way to make a concept less clinical and more relatable and memorable for clients. He names a sensation for Sarah, “The Scooby-Doo Effect,” when the cartoon bodies get scared out of their skins then later join back together. This helps highlight the concept of how Sarah is now catching up with herself after being in a heightened cortisol state of fight or flight to get through an event or experience. From this place, Sarah can take stock of what she just went through and process it.

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

122. Drew #94: Big Ol’ Heaping Helping of Avoidance Feb 02, 2024

Drew’s adulting! He is practicing parenting himself, in preparation for his baby on the way. Drew acknowledges feeling anxious about how his parents will react to the pregnancy news he has yet to share with them. Doug challenges Drew to stay focused on himself and bring his emotions out to alleviate the anticipatory anxiety. Doug and Kenzie look at what it means to “Double down, don't shut down." We can hear Drew name and feel the feelings in the session and release some of the judgement he’s been holding inside. As he says, “Being able to say it out loud helps me not avoid it.”

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

121. Sarah #35: Therapy is the Rehearsal for Life Jan 25, 2024

Sarah follows up on last session’s “wow moment” about using the concept of natural consequences rather than being judge and jury when giving a punishment. Sarah is re-parenting herself while effectively parenting her kids. People around Sarah are starting to notice a difference in her as a result of her processing in therapy and making previously unconscious habits and patterns more conscious. Doug helps Sarah uncover a moment in her past when her emotional expression was literally shut down by being told that “No one cares.” We’ll see if Sarah can give herself permission to go back to a time in her life when it was safe to express herself before she learned to shut it down.

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

120. Drew #93: Quarter-life Crisis: I Wanna Laugh, Cry, and Punch a Wall Jan 18, 2024

It’s the return of Drew to the podcast! We check in with his health, and the stress he’s feeling as a 26 year old adult with a baby on the way. Doug challenges Drew with tough love to see his pattern of trying to avoid present issues. Drew says he keeps everything up in the air where he doesn’t have to catch it and face it. He is able to take his head out of the sand and look between the immediate financial pressures and the larger picture of existential anxiety. Drew sees, and feels, what he’s really avoiding - his emotional experience in the here and now. He is able to go there in session with Doug, and express feeling like he wants to cry, laugh, and punch a wall.

Doug’s Group Therapy Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

119. Sarah #34: The Sarah Whisperer: (Re)Parenting With Natural Consequences Jan 11, 2024

Doug introduces the concept of natural consequences to Sarah as opposed to being judge and jury as a parent, even if the punishment fits the crime. Sarah acknowledges that she is not failing as a parent; rather, she is growing as a parent. She points out that her growth is carrying over to other aspects of her life. Sarah calls Doug “the Sarah whisperer,” and Doug turns this around and reminds her that she is the one whispering to herself and growing. She is, in effect, actively re-parenting herself – and we hear it happening in this session. In the breakdown, Doug and Kenzie talk about how to know which direction to take a client during a session, especially when there are moments with multiple possibilities to process. Therapy is like a ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ book – if only real life let us peek ahead at the options before choosing!

Doug’s Group Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

Mentioned in this Episode:

Choose Your Own Adventure books: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choose_Your_Own_Adventure https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/09/19/the-enduring-allure-of-choose-your-own-adventure-books

118. Sarah #33: Courage is Fear Walking Jan 04, 2024

We’re back! Doug is joined by Kenzie on the breakdown and they pick up right where Sarah left off in her therapy sessions. Sarah has been listening to podcasts featuring other people’s experiences in cults, which gets her intellectualizing how growing up in a cult still affects issues of power and control in her life now. Doug helps Sarah get into the emotion by putting the focus on “her” own personal story and subjective relationship with “her” parents in the cult, rather than looking objectively at “one's” experience and “one’s” parents. Doug tells Sarah a story about working with a teenager to highlight how someone can access their deeper feelings by allowing anger to come out first rather than suppressing it with restraint or punishment. Sarah is motivated to let anger come up and come out to get to the real feelings that she’s compartmentalized.

Doug’s Group Practice

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

117. Sarah #32: Camping In Your Mind Jun 01, 2023

We discuss the issue of “control” after it came up in our small talk about parties, drugs, and past behavior. Sarah sees clearly how the abuse she suffered in the cult as a child triggers her so profoundly in her current life. She is starting to make a connection of how setting personal boundaries can keep her safe, especially when anxiety comes. Sarah is now personalizing her experiences, as evidenced by her saying “I” at several points in the session rather than referring to the general “one” or “you.” Doug tells a story about camping with his dog that helps Sarah express her own feelings about freedom and safety. It’s a great benchmark moment in their therapy for Sarah to have identified a frame of reference for those feelings.

Doug’s Group Practice

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

116. Sarah #31: I’m Gonna Breathe, You Talk May 25, 2023

Sarah was super busy at work, had drama with her ex, and then got Covid! In session, she expresses that it’s hard for her to say no to anyone, especially her children. Doug helps her stay with the emotion and process “disappointment." Sarah recognizes that she had been running on adrenaline and that she needs to take care of herself. Doug highlights this as her having a personal boundary even in the face of disappointing her son. Is this the beginning of a new neural pathway in her brain that allows her to take care of herself and not constantly put others’ needs ahead of her own?

Doug’s Group Practice

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

115. Drew #92: Living For Myself May 11, 2023

Drew is feeling “confident alone” rather than “scared alone.” He describes it like being the driver of the car of his own life and holding the steering wheel himself. He is less co-dependent and not feeling so impacted by triggers and the old wound of abandonment by mom. From this place, Drew is living for himself - although he drops big news at the end of the session indicating that he definitely won’t be living just for himself anymore in about nine months!

Doug’s Group Practice

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

114. Sarah #30: Re-Personalizing Your Experiences May 04, 2023

Sarah has sense memories in the present that trigger some traumatic experiences from her upbringing in a cult. She depersonalized her trauma in the cult as a defense mechanism, but she is now able to go through it in therapy. From this more secure and stable place, Sarah is starting to connect emotionally to her own life with understanding and compassion.

Doug’s Group Practice

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

113. Drew #91: The Challenge, Not the Fluff Mar 30, 2023

Drew went back home to his parent’s house to re-ground himself. He’s been able to practice how to be present with his parents and not take on the full responsibility for their well-being. Although Drew feels more adult, Doug takes a tack of challenging him in session rather than the “fluff” of praising him and just using unconditional positive regard. Drew loves the challenge approach and is able to explore how he is starting to feel like an adult, but still acting like a child. In Drew’s own words, he said, “I think I’m still learning how to be an adult in the process of learning how to be a parent, in the process of figuring out my childhood.”

Doug’s Group Practice

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

112. Sarah #29: It’s Actually Not Crazy Mar 16, 2023

Sarah is learning not to take ownership of someone else’s feelings. She is still owning her part in triggering someone, but she is starting to allow others to be not ok without having to fix it. Sarah is no longer accepting her old default that there’s something’s wrong with her, or that she needs to fix every uncomfortable situation. Doug points out that she is embodying the Carl Rogers quote, “When I accept myself as I am, then I can change.” Sarah has accepted herself as a trauma survivor and is “lit tur uh lee” reshaping her brain.

Doug’s Group Practice

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

111. Drew #90: Being the Green Beret Mar 09, 2023

Doug provides the space to let Drew complain about his job and his boss – something many of us can relate to feeling! Outside of work, Drew is feeling like a grown-up as he individuates from his parents. He is relating to his dad as a fellow adult rather than as a child that needs his father’s approval. He’s redefining the emotional ties he has to his family while he lives his own life for himself.

Doug’s Group Practice

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

110. Sarah #28: Tears and Hugs Are Not Enough Mar 02, 2023

Sarah shares memories and scenes that are coming up now from her past as a child growing up in the Children of God cult. Since being in therapy, she is putting pieces of her past together with new perspective and understanding of how it has impacted her life. Sarah is able to verbalize her thoughts and process her feelings with Doug about some of the abuse she endured as a child.

***Trigger warning*** This episode contains potentially triggering and sensitive topics including child abuse. If you suspect or know that a child is being abused or neglected, call or text 800-4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453). Professional crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 170 languages. All calls are confidential.

Scene from A Time to Kill

Doug’s Group Practice

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

109. Drew #89: Trusting the Process Feb 23, 2023

Drew is not forcing a change externally to feel better internally, having recently come out of a depressive episode. Doug reflects that he might be feeling better in part because he’s allowing himself to be present in the journey not because he reached an end destination. Drew applies this to moving his home right now, and says that he’s able to “trust the process” with both the move and the unknown in general in his life. Drew then drops a “banger” on Doug at the tail end of the session related to his thoughts on not wanting to see a doctor about his heart condition.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

108. Sarah #27: Willful Blindness Feb 16, 2023

Sarah explores how impactful it was to not have someone that at least tried to protect her as a child growing up in a cult. Doug reinforces the concept that she’s now re-parenting herself when she uncovers old wounds and tends to them. Sarah also protects herself by gathering data, like with her upcoming eye surgery. As a protective measure, data collection helps Sarah feel more in control. It’s neither good nor bad; it’s just giving herself familiarity with something unknown to reduce feeling anxious, powerless, and not in control.

Doug's Group Practice

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

107. Drew #88: Milemarkers, I Love ‘Em! Feb 09, 2023

Drew is finding his groove again after a three month depressive episode. We highlight “inter-dependence” in his relationships right now in contrast to the people pleasing and co-dependence that marked most of his previous relationships. Drew is setting his boundaries and not feeling guilty about moving away from the people that have “done me dirty,” while leaning into the people that have “done me right.”

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

106. Sarah #26: Curiosity vs. Correction Feb 02, 2023

Sometimes feeling misunderstood can lead to self-realization. Ouch, Meredith! Sarah sees herself objectively after hearing Mer’s reaction to her from an earlier session. This leads Sarah to explore her protective mechanism of correction and hyper vigilance when there is a problem in her life. Doug encourages Sarah to sit with the emotion for a moment and validate the experience before taking an action to fix an issue. He introduces the idea of looking at things with a sense of curiosity versus correction.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

105. Drew #86-87: Through Turbulence and Safe in the Unknown Nov 23, 2022

Doug recaps the lost audio from session #86 with Drew comparing his depressive episode to turbulence on an airplane, and how we can manage our way through it. In the current session #87, Drew reflects on being able to stay present in the day-to-day experience of his life rather than getting caught up with what the next six months, year, or two years will look like – especially in his relationship with his girlfriend.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

104. Sarah #25: How Does This Hand Turkey Represent You? Nov 17, 2022

Sarah attends a memorial for her cousin and is triggered at the service by seeing an abuser from her past in the cult. She is able to compartmentalize in the moment, let it out later with her family, and then process it with Doug in therapy. Sarah could be present in her own experience as it was happening and then acknowledge and process the emotions that came up in a safe space.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

103. Sarah #24: Stop and Breathe Nov 03, 2022

Sarah is feeling overwhelmed with a lot of little things stressing her out and one big thing coming up – her cousin’s memorial. Doug helps Sarah stop and breathe, so she can acknowledge and process some of her grief and feelings of guilt. Sarah gains different perspective on the loss of her cousin and her relationship with him. Doug and Meredith break down parts of the grief process that came up during the session.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

102. Sarah #23: Emotional Data Oct 13, 2022

Sarah links her current feeling of powerlessness with her past experiences of powerlessness in the cult and in her previous marriage. Doug helps Sarah go to an emotional place and process from there, rather than go to an intellectualized place, or get anxious and shut down. Sarah uses therapy to help carve new neural pathways in her brain and shape new patterns of behavior by consciously shifting what she does and how she does it.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

101. Drew #85: Don’t Suffer in Silence Sep 29, 2022

***Trigger warning*** This episode contains potentially triggering and sensitive topics including suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, please call 988 in the United States. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in English and Spanish in the United States. You can also access resources online at https://988lifeline.org.

In the safe space of a therapy session, Drew is able to verbalize and explore his suicidal thoughts and the feelings of guilt, shame, and embarrassment. They talk about the stress and pressure from the expectations that Drew puts on himself. In the breakdown, Meredith and Doug continue to process what came up in the session and some of what they do professionally and personally when clients have suicidal thoughts.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

100. Sarah #22: I Could Punch a B*tch Sep 22, 2022

An incident with her daughter sparks Sarah’s feelings of anger and powerlessness. Doug helps her draw the link to her emotional experience in the cult. Sarah is able to stay with her emotions rather than intellectualize them or try to fix the situation. They begin processing the feelings in session that she’s been holding onto most of her life.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

99. Drew #84: Peace of Pie Sep 15, 2022

Doug helps Drew use a metaphoric pie chart to understand where his energy goes and where his stress comes from in his life right now.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

98. Sarah #21: Forrest Gumping Your Way Through It Sep 08, 2022

Sarah tells the story of her life as a teenager after escaping the cult she grew up in as a child. Doug helps her see where some patterns started with her only focusing right in front of her, staying hyper vigilant, and never dropping the ball or giving up control. Doug and Mer highlight Sarah feeling free and independent as a teenager for this first time in her life – and how maybe she can tap into that way of being now as an adult.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

97. Drew #83: I'm Doing Great and I'm an Absolute Mess Jul 11, 2022

From the vantage point of his new job and a regular paycheck, Drew looks back objectively with appreciation at some of the things he was doing for work the past 18 months. He gets support from his girlfriend/not-girlfriend as he finds his new speed.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

96. Drew #82: I Have a Talking Problem May 12, 2022

Drew got a new job and feels like he’s taking a couple steps back mentally but he’s taking ten steps forward emotionally. Although he's overqualified for this job, he has the perspective of feeling a sense of mastery in what he's doing. We look at concepts of success, balance, and confidence building.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

95. Drew #81: Evergreen, Baby! May 05, 2022

Drew is allowing himself to slow down and experience all of the emotions coming up right now rather than just “getting through it” or numbing away from it. He acknowledges that his roots at the bottom feel solid while at the top, he can be a reed blowing with the wind and not fighting it. He feels like an Evergreen, baby!

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

94. Drew #80: Down in a Ditch Apr 14, 2022

Drew gets emotional as he copes with a hard week in the midst of a depressive episode. Drew expresses that he needed the safety net of parents this week and didn’t get it. He’s now feeling alone in the world, questioning his purpose, and not feeling much hope. Doug helps Drew acknowledge that much of this is a function of being more independent and not relying on others to feel better. It’s also a function of Drew doubling down not shutting down, and processing these emotions rather than running from them. Doug holds the space for Drew to feel the feelings.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

93. Drew #79: This is the Grey Mar 31, 2022

Drew is feeling depressed. Things are going good, but he’s not feeling good. During this period of time, Drew feels like something internal is missing – he’s not enjoying anything on his own and pushes back whenever Doug looks at his connection to others. Drew gets emotional and they are able to sit with the feelings of just being “in the grey.”

Pineapple Juice is my safe word:

https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=mjpipdrNVQE

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

92. Sarah #20: Feeling the Feelings of Grief and Loss Mar 24, 2022

As a sign of vulnerability, trust, and the safe space of therapy, Sarah allows herself to cry in session and feel the loss of her cousin. She connects this with the loss of her dad nearly a decade ago. Doug helps her stay with the feelings and express what is coming up for her in these initial stages of grief.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

91. Drew #78: Going Fishing at Disneyland Mar 17, 2022

Drew is feeling lukewarm, anhedonia, and meh rather than being in the high highs or the low lows. He’s understanding what it’s like being somewhere in the middle and not being at 0 or at 100. Drew recognizes that he used to need a partner or his parents to validate his experience. Now he's experiencing being alone and not lonely. He’s embracing having an experience on his own then sharing that with others - as long as he's not misunderstood...

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

90. Sarah #19: That’s My Neuroses and My Awesomeness Mar 10, 2022

Doug and his mom open with a discussion about multiple personality disorder and her previous work in therapy with clients coming out of cults. In the session, Sarah acknowledges never allowing herself to fully feel the anger she’s held onto from her own upbringing in a cult. She is able to drop her protective armor in this session and show trust in herself, her therapist, and the process. Sarah is learning what it means to metaphorically put the oxygen mask on herself first.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

89. Drew #77: What is a Safety Net? Mar 07, 2022

Doug helps Drew go deeper to explore the concept of a safety net by processing his all-in, all-out mentality. Drew goes to an emotional place when they talk about feeling abandoned, betrayed, and neglected by the inconsistency of his parents not being there for him.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

88. Drew #76: Mommy and Me Feb 24, 2022

For this episode, we check in with Drew, the client from Season 1. Drew wants to be doing more to do less, as he copes with the stress of his recent heart attack. Drew processes his parents not showing up to support him the way he needs and wants them. Speaking of which, Doug is supported on the breakdown by a special guest therapist – his mom!

Doug Friedman

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

87. Drew #75: Is She Your Girlfriend? Yes But No. Feb 21, 2022

Drew explores the idea of his parents as a safety net without dependence or co-dependence in their relationship. Doug and Drew look at the concept of allowing someone to do something supportive for you, rather than depending entirely on somebody that could let you down. Mer digs into whether Drew's girlfriend is really his girlfriend or not.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

86. Drew #74: Processing Anxiety in Real Time Feb 14, 2022

Drew comes in with a high level of anxiety after going to the emergency room for a heart event. Doug helps Drew process the anxiety in the session. Drew is able to bring his level of anxiety down over the course of the session. Doug and Drew explore getting support from his “family of choice” while processing the disappointment he feels from his family of origin.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

85. Sarah #18: The Mother of All Triggers Feb 10, 2022

Sarah describes taking herself through worst-case scenarios to prepare herself for a situation, so she can avoid the shock and broken heart that might otherwise overwhelm her. That protective mechanism once served her, but now creates a disconnect from her actual emotional experience of life. Doug helps Sarah reconnect to her emotional self after seeing her cousin in the hospital and being triggered by her mom’s reactions. Doug explains how she can use her favorite tv shows and books to experiment with expressing the emotions that come up, rather than locking them down because it’s not safe to show her feelings.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

84. Drew #73: Thank You Period. You're Welcome Period. Feb 07, 2022

Drew describes what it’s like to go through highs and lows by himself with the support of people around him. Doug and Drew explore what it means to have the validation that comes when we can say "thank you" and "you’re welcome" without qualifying it, dismissing it, or deflecting it. Practice saying, "Thank you." Period.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

83. Drew #72: Down in the Dumps Jan 31, 2022

Doug helps Drew acknowledge and process feeling down in the dumps, for seemingly no reason. They talk about the difference between feeling depressed or being in a depressive episode. Drew explains what an “episode” means to him after Doug reads him a portion of a transcript from their session a year ago when he felt something similar.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

82. Sarah #17: Processing Grief in Real Time Jan 27, 2022

Doug helps Sarah process grief in real time after she just learned of a family member’s failing health while in the hospital. Sarah is able to acknowledge having different feelings spiraling at the same time right now. Doug walks with her through some of the stages of grief that are actively coming up in the session - shock, denial, guilt, bargaining, and anger.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

81. Drew #71: The Myth of Meaning Jan 20, 2022

Drew looks at his new 26-year-old life as an adult feeling his independence and confidence growing. He acknowledges that his parents can still be a safety net. While separated from his current girlfriend, he tests himself by having lunch with his ex-girlfriend. Drew is actively building ego strength – he’s applying what he’s been learning in therapy by seeing things externally and making changes internally.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

80. Sarah #16: It’s Not Just a Fluke Jan 20, 2022

Doug helps Sarah acknowledge that she is actively creating new neural pathways by doing things differently from her patterned way of being and doing. Sarah gives herself permission to see the changes in her behavior this past week as growth and progress in her therapeutic journey – it’s not just a fluke! She is seeing in real time how defense mechanisms that were necessary for her survival are no longer necessary in her everyday life at every moment. We’re starting to walk the path of thriving, not just surviving!

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

79. Drew #70: The Middle Way Jan 13, 2022

Drew is allowing himself to be who he really wants to be in his relationships with family, friends, and work – as well as with his girlfriend while they’re separated. He is actively letting go of old ideas and discovering what it’s like to not go "over and above" or "put on the cape" to rescue everyone, everywhere, all the time. It’s the middle way! Doug is joined by his colleague and practice mate, Sasha Brodsky, for the clinical breakdown. They discuss issues of trust, judgement, awareness, and the internal preparedness and sense of safety that Drew is developing.

Doug Friedman

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

78. Sarah #15: Trauma is a Radioactive Spider That Bites Jan 13, 2022

We explore Sarah’s conditioning from her upbringing in the Children of God cult. “Trauma is a radioactive spider that bites.” It can lead you to develop powers of protection and systems of safety for your survival. Then we’ve got to learn what to do with that power because we might not need those defenses and protections in our life anymore at every moment. We also explore the idea of value – especially as it impacts self-worth.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

77. Sarah #14: Systems of Safety Jan 06, 2022

We explore the “systems of safety” that Sarah developed as a child growing up in a cult to protect herself because no one else did. We can thank those defense mechanisms for doing such a good job of protecting us when a threat was real. We needed them to survive and now we need to say goodbye to them in order to thrive. Doug helps Sarah look deeper into those systems to see two sides of her - one that can be easy going and one that can be “mama bear,” rigid, and take up a righteous quest for justice. The goal is not to keep the two sides separate, but rather to integrate them as pieces of the whole person she is and wants to become. Sarah is bringing awareness, understanding, and compassion to how she sees herself. Bonnie Rae joins Doug in the breakdown and they discuss OCPD (Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder) and how Sarah is processing her history of being wronged and abused by people in power (cult leader, boss, ex-husband).

The guest co-host:

Bonnie Rae psychotherapy

Doug Friedman

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

76. Drew #69: Being in the Solo Dolo Dec 27, 2021

Doug and Drew explore the idea that being solo is not just not about being alone or lonely. Drew is finding his confidence and strength in life outside of a relationship instead of making that one person in his life into the everything of his life. Drew is calibrating “the middle” rather than going all-in or all-out in situations, both in his personal life and his work life.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

75. Drew #68: Smoke & Mirrors Dec 16, 2021

Drew explores what it means to experience life solo rather than go through his separation feeling lonely or alone. He and Doug talk about learning to balance the fairy tale, fantasy world version of love with the reality of what feels healthy and supportive. Doug helps Drew connect the anxiety about not knowing everything that’s going on for someone with people lying or concealing things – historically like his mom using substances. Doug and Meredith discuss balancing highs and lows, and not just staying flat in the middle.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

74. Sarah #13: A Quest For Justice Dec 16, 2021

Sarah feels righteous anger about a coworker that was let go. Doug helps her see that it’s a trigger for her own traumatic past when people in power abuse that power and wrong others. When it’s on someone else’s behalf, Sarah has insulation, protection, and deflection from her own wounds, making it easier to take up a quest for justice. She is able to draw the link to her own history of being wronged and abused by people in power in the cult and her previous marriage and jobs.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

73. Drew #67: I Never Heard of a Chocolate Milkshake Being So Deep Dec 09, 2021

Drew continues the process of individuation. He sees that sharing his life with his mom is now a function of him being proud of himself, not him looking to her for reassurance and self-worth. Drew acknowledges his own physical body and the sensations that come along with his emotional experiences. Doug helps him understand how regulating his physical body can help him regulate his thoughts and feelings. Drew explores feeling spread thin and starts thinking about where he chooses to put energy now – not just doing everything everywhere for everyone and burning out.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

72. Sarah #12: When You Realize You’re Not 30 Anymore Dec 09, 2021

Sarah felt validated and valued at work this week after a triggering annual review last week. Doug and Sarah explore how what she calls nonsense can make perfect sense to others. They break down issues of control and accountability. Sarah unpacks how her vigilance that others follow the rules is conditioning from her childhood in the cult.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

71. Drew #65-66: One Foot Out the Door Dec 02, 2021

Drew got emotionally triggered after a recent funeral for a friend from back home. Then he made a surprise visit to his parents for his mom’s birthday. Doug fills us in on what we missed in both Drew’s last session (#65) that didn’t get recorded, and a phone call that Drew and Doug had to process some relationship trouble. In the session Drew is able to go into the emotion underneath the recent triggers.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

70. Drew #64: Channel Your Inner Millennial and Slow Your Roll Nov 18, 2021

Drew learns to trust his gut more. He experiences being the son he wants to be for his parents, rather than the son he thinks they want him to be. He feels whelmed, not overwhelmed, but still needs support from people around him. Drew explores asking for forgiveness rather than asking for permission, and saying “thank you” instead of “I’m sorry.”

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

69. Sarah #11: Effed Up and Out of My Control Nov 18, 2021

Sarah got triggered by a review at work which leads to an exploration of deeper issues. Doug helps her express anger and frustration about being powerless and misrepresented, especially when someone of authority is in control. Sarah starts to make the link to repressed emotion from the childhood heartbreak she experienced in the cult. She is able to stay with the emotion in the session and just not intellectualize it.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

68. Drew #63: Little Island of Misfit Toys Nov 11, 2021

Drew feels his self-confidence grow, but acknowledges that his trust issues are still making him want constant reassurance in relationships. As he recovers from Covid, we explore and break down his relationship to smoking weed. Drew celebrates his baby steps and progress in the meta sense – from pronouncing the word “compartmentalize” to breaking codependence.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

67. Sarah #10: I Would Rather Fill in the Blank Nov 11, 2021

Doug redefines work-life balance: it’s a balance of work, rest, and play that are all under the umbrella of life. Sarah examines “play” in her life. She connects the hyper-vigilance of being ‘mama bear’ for everyone around her to the trauma response that protects her from slowing down or stopping to feel the feelings. Doug uses a folding paper example to show the neural pathways that get embedded in our brains. See the link in these notes to a video clip of him demonstrating it.

Mentioned in this episode:

Folding Paper Neural Pathways Video Example

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

66. Drew #62: Gangster Granny Nov 04, 2021

Who doesn't love the smell of bacon? Drew manages Covid confusion and experiences letting go and trusting himself. He is slowing down without slowing down and acknowledges, “As a human being, you can only put up with so much.” He draws inspiration from his grandma - and shares a story about her that Mer loves!

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

65. Sarah #9: The Unravelling Nov 04, 2021

Doug is on location in New York discovering the quiet, nature side of the city. Sarah and Doug dissect the associations she’s held in her head with being a trauma survivor and with being a victim. Sarah explores some recent triggers and exercises having compassion for the younger version of herself that was traumatized. Doug helps Sarah trace some of her discomfort back to a feeling of powerlessness and a fear of the unknown. Mer breaks down the victim mentality and the fear of unravelling in a session both for a client and for a therapist.

Mentioned in this episode:

Doug’s New Album on Spotify

Tootsie Pop Commercial

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

64. Drew #61: Shoebox of Memories Oct 28, 2021

Drew continues to work on breaking codependence. He is looking at several relationships in his life, right as we're in the thick of the holiday season. He realizes that "not talking to somebody for a month, doesn't mean they don't love you." It's ok if you don't have someone showing you love right in front of you at all times, it's still there... and he's beginning to feel that that's true.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

63. Sarah #8: Don’t Go to Bed Angry Oct 28, 2021

As Sarah talks about a stressful work relationship, Doug slows her down and helps her process being a trauma survivor. They examine how Sarah’s system learned to protect her from complex trauma in the past and how it still affects her current relationships. Doug walks Sarah through examples of interactions to help create new neural pathways and new ways of thinking and interacting.

Mentioned in this episode:

Doug’s New Album on Spotify

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

62. Drew #60: Compartmentalize - Nailed It! Oct 21, 2021

Mer is back with Doug on the breakdowns, and might be a little jelly of the guest co-hosts... Drew is embracing being perfectly imperfect and not getting so caught up in the moment of disappointment, knowing it will be ok. And he will be ok. He calls Doug his mental muscle trainer, and he's flexing his muscles!

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

61. Sarah #7: Are You a Wildfire or Controlled Burn? Oct 21, 2021

In an emotional session, Sarah vents about an issue she’s having with a coworker. This leads Doug to look deeper inside for what’s really going on with her. As he helps Sarah slow down in the session, she takes a deep breath and feels the emotional weight of stress she’s been holding and keeping inside. Sarah tries to stay controlled and worries that if she lets it out, it will all be tears. Doug and Mer break down the shift from intellectual to emotional realizations that Sarah has in the session.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

60. Drew #59: Covid For the Holidays Oct 19, 2021

Drew is directly affected by Covid hitting his family at Thanksgiving. Doug is joined by his colleague and therapy practice mate, Sasha Brodsky.

Doug Friedman

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

59. Drew #58: Bake My Sh*t With Love Oct 18, 2021

Drew reflects on his self-worth and thinks about it not coming from what he does for others, but rather truly from himself.

Doug is joined in the breakdown this week by his colleague and friend, Bonnie Rae (who was on our first Roundtable in Season One!). Bonnie and Doug explore unmet attachment needs and breaking codependency.

Doug Friedman

Bonnie Rae

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

58. Drew #54-57: Trial and Erroring Oct 17, 2021

Drew is unlearning codependency by building confidence in himself. From this strength he is finding community and feeling a sense of belonging that doesn't rely on other people's well being for his own.

"I was ok when they weren’t disappointed but I was never really happy." -Drew

Doug's colleague, Jen Parkford joins the Breakdown and offers her perspective.

Doug Friedman

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

57. Sarah #6: Recompense Oct 14, 2021

Doug and Mer talk comets and cults while Doug corrects an earlier comment that the cult leader in Sarah’s case was caught - he wasn’t! He lived in hiding for over twenty years until he died. Sarah talks about school and education growing up in the cult. She explains the massive confusion and the ensuing tragedies experienced by many around her in the aftermath of leaving the cult. Doug helps Sarah slow down and relate the innate feeling of protection she described as a new mom holding her baby for the first time to her own experience as a child not being protected. Sarah and Doug explore the conflict that comes from wanting to forgive someone making amends for causing harm in the past when you’re still feeling the impact, heartbreak, and anger about the trauma.

Mentioned in this episode:

Doug Jaymes Friedman music on Spotify

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

56. Sarah #5: Just One Junk Drawer Oct 07, 2021

Mer acknowledges Doug for his emotional and personal music album coming out in a few weeks; and then she gives him guff for not getting the podcast’s Patreon launched yet! It’s coming soon with ongoing Drew episodes and other exclusives for subscribers. In this session with Sarah, Doug helps her look at the inner critic that fuels perfectionism. This is often a trauma response from her growing up in an abusive cult with neglectful parenting. Doug and Sarah acknowledge “Little Sarah,” the wounded child inside of her that didn’t get nurtured and protected by a loving parent. Doug and Mer highlight how reparative it can be for Sarah to be a compassionate parental presence for her own children, especially if she can apply some of that parenting to “Little Sarah.”

Mentioned in this episode:

Doug Jaymes Friedman music on Spotify

Avett Brothers - No Hard Feelings

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

55. Sarah #4: Baby Steps Sep 30, 2021

Meredith imparts some knowledge to Doug (and us!) about invalidation trauma after a recent training. We get to know more about Sarah in her session as she talks about her work, her upbringing in the cult, and her anxiety that she carries around with her still. Doug helps Sarah understand the connection of making herself indispensable to a historic fear of abandonment. Doug and Mer highlight the baby steps that Sarah is taking with the awareness of the connections and patterns from her past that are coming up in sessions.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

54. Sarah #3: A Little Bit Robocop Sep 23, 2021

Meredith updates us on the intruder in her backyard - who came back again! We continue the new season with Sarah, in spite of a few audio hiccups in the session. Doug and Sarah talk about feeling frustrated, annoyed, and overwhelmed when others don’t get to a solution as quickly and easily as you do, especially when that means you take it on and do it all yourself. This has been a part of Sarah for so long as a survival mechanism growing up in, and running away from, a cult. Doug and Mer highlight the process of helping clients like Sarah recognize and begin to change their patterns, rather than stay focused on the details and the content of their current narrative.

Mentioned in this episode:

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

General Sherman Aluminum Blanket Wrap

Wimpy from Popeye

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

53. Sarah #2: Growing Up in a Cult Sep 15, 2021

***Trigger warning*** This episode contains potentially triggering and sensitive topics including child abuse. If you suspect or know that a child is being abused or neglected, call or text 800-4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453). Professional crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 170 languages. All calls are confidential.

The new season continues with the second therapy session for Sarah, the new client in treatment with Doug. As they explore Sarah’s parenting style, she begins to tell some of her own story about growing up in a cult. Doug acknowledges her strength and resilience in the survival of her experiences while paving the way for them to work towards the “thrival” of her life going forward. Doug and Mer break down some of her background story while highlighting the early stages of therapy with a new client.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

52. Sarah #1: I Don’t Have a Handle On It Sep 08, 2021

We’re baa-ack! In this new season kick-off, Doug and Meredith are “a step up from sweatpants” and ready to dive back into it with us. We hear the first session with Doug and Sarah, the new client we’ll get to know and join for the journey in therapy. Sarah shares some of her history and acknowledges that she’s spent a lifetime compartmentalizing, but doesn’t truly have a handle on everything. We hear a few tips of the icebergs that have developed over time for her coming from a traumatic background. The groundwork for therapy is being set and we all get to follow along from the start. Doug and Mer tease that there will soon be a Patreon site to follow ongoing sessions with Drew, the client we followed in previous episodes. And they’re coming out with a store on the website with merch very soon - so MerMer will have some new clothes to wear-wear!

Mentioned in this episode:

Bruce Almighty - file cabinet scene

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

Roundtable #4: Cultural Awareness in Mental Health with Ashley McGirt and Sahaj Kohli Jul 12, 2021

In this Roundtable episode, Doug and Meredith are joined by fellow therapist Ashley McGirt and therapist in training Sahaj Kohli for a conversation about cultural issues in mental health and the world around us. Ashley is a racial trauma specialist, speaker, and author. Sahaj is the founder of Brown Girl Therapy, a mental health community for children of immigrants. The conversation explores stigma, discomforts, comforts, and experiences of issues around culture in their lives and work in mental health.

Mentioned in this episode:

Meredith Levy

Doug Friedman

Ashley McGirt - on Instagram @therapywithash

Sahaj Kohli - on Instagram @browngirltherapy

Dr. Joy Degruy

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman

Roundtable #3: Psychedelics and Therapy with Dr. Craig Heacock and José Mata Jun 17, 2021

In this Roundtable episode, Doug and Meredith are joined by fellow therapist José Mata and psychiatrist Dr. Craig Heacock, both of whom work with the intersection of psychedelics and therapy. They look at current trends, research, and experiences of healing with the assistance of certain substances like MDMA, Ketamine, Ayahuasca, and Psilocybin. Join Doug and Mer for a unique conversation with these colleagues in the growing world of psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Mentioned in this episode:

Meredith Levy

Doug Friedman

Dr. Craig Heacock - check out “Back From The Abyss” podcast

José Mata

MAPS - Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies

51. Drew #53: Goodbye Little Red Van May 13, 2021

Mer Mer launches herself into another dimension with Oculus, and this reminds Doug of a time when he was immersed in a virtual reality Star Wars experience. The session begins with Drew feeling a little down that he hasn’t lived up to the financial or material standard set by his father. He and Doug examine the anxiety he feels about his mother and his lack of trust from feeling that he has been betrayed by everyone in his family. Drew shares a story when he recognized that a “feather” wasn’t his stress to take on. Doug reminds him that not everything needs to be perfect to start expressing and processing these emotions.

Mentioned in this episode:

Oculus

Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group

Meredith Levy

Doug Friedman

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

50. Drew #52: I Love Homework May 06, 2021

Mer Mer keeps her mind fresh and young by doing Sudoku. She and Doug give the update that they still have yet to shut down their computers at the end of each work day. Then, a very packed session with Drew uncovers a few big reasons why he has trust issues. Drew eases his burden by sharing some stories he’s never told before. As Drew becomes more financially independent from his parents, more anxiety is kicked up about attachment and connection. They explore the conflict about cutting the cord to parents, which Drew then likens to cutting the red ribbon at a grand opening. Drew gets homework from Doug to look for the weight of stress he takes on that belongs to other people vs. his own.

Mentioned in this episode:

Attached - the New Science of Adult Attachment

Meredith Levy

Doug Friedman

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

49. Drew #51: Rock Star Attire Apr 29, 2021

At the top of the show this week, Doug busts himself and Meredith for not following through AGAIN on shutting down their computers at night! They swap teenage closet stories (including Doug’s roaches!). The session begins with Drew sharing that he is moving back to a place in LA that he has lived before. He feels grateful for the comfort and familiarity of it, rather than feeling like he is taking a step backward. Although he is making strides in becoming financially independent and showing up authentically in his relationships, Drew is still struggling with the anxiety of completely cutting the cord with his parents paying the bills. Doug ties in some pretty sweet sports analogies to help Drew see that it’s okay to let others know you are uncomfortable. Drew can see that there are a rainbow of possibilities out there rather than see everything as black or white.

Mentioned in this episode:

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

48. Drew #50: Even Pillars Feel the Weight Apr 22, 2021

This week, Drew is realizing that sooner than later, his parents will no longer be financially supporting him. Not only is he nervous about being able to pay for everything, but he’s also worried that once his parents no longer have an obligation to support him, they won’t choose to be as connected to him. This leads Drew and Doug to have a discussion regarding being necessary and choosing love and connection rather than feeling obligated. They talk about why Drew kicks into caretaker mode when he wants to feel attachment, and helps Drew see that he’s been a pillar standing alone, trying to hold up everything for everyone.

Mentioned in this episode:

Depressed? Go Play In the Dirt Article

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

47. Drew #49: A Serious Situation Apr 15, 2021

*** Warning - this episode contains potentially triggering and sensitive topics, including sexual assault. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-646-4673 or go to RAINN.org.

Drew shares his thoughts and feelings about an extremely disturbing and traumatic event. The details are not 100% clear, however his initial description was that his girlfriend was “raped and essentially kidnapped.” Doug and Drew discuss what this situation brings up for him, and how it furthered his belief that he has to put on his Superman cape and save everyone. Drew grapples with the Vader voice in his head, and processes some pretty big emotions. They discuss how Drew is showing up, keeping his boundaries set, and if this is really the right relationship for him.

Instead of the usual Meredith and Doug chit chat, they decide to spend more time discussing the session and the topics involved. They feel that the seriousness of the situation lended more to focusing less on them, and more on Drew and the seriousness of sexual assault.

Mentioned in this episode:

National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-646-4673

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

46. Drew #47-48: Can I Just Get Some Damn Toilet Paper Apr 08, 2021

While we all start to come out of the pandemic lockdown, Drew and his girlfriend are starting to come out of the honeymoon phase. In their relationship reality, running out of toilet paper becomes a symbol for so much more. Drew and Doug talk about setting boundaries vs. giving rules. Drew is ready to have the tough conversations with his girlfriend, even if it means he ends up being alone. Doug and Meredith differ over their definition of love, but still have love for each other at the end of the episode, so it’s all going to be okay!

Mentioned in this episode:

The Road Less Traveled

As Good As It Gets Scene

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

45. Drew #46: I Had to Take a Nap Apr 01, 2021

Doug and Meredith finally saw each other in person again! They break down what an “episode” means to Drew and what it can mean when a therapist hears that word. In the session, Drew is feeling down and out because of some issues with his girlfriend that leave him feeling misunderstood and underappreciated. He tells Doug about a trip to Malibu that didn’t go as planned - and how her “passing out” triggered him. The argument that followed the next day brought up issues around getting his needs met and being more authentic and vulnerable, without having to share everything with a partner.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

44. Drew #45: Even Superman Has a Crappy Day Job Mar 25, 2021

Meredith swims a mile then she and Doug talk about Justice League. And the superhero talk continues with Drew taking to a Superman analogy - balancing the daily grind of a day job with using his own time to focus on his passions. Drew shows vulnerability with his girlfriend. He and Doug explore ways to relieve stress and be mindful other than his go to of smoking weed. Meredith and Doug talk about shutting down your laptop computer to unconsciously send a message to our minds to shut down and stop running in high stress mode.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pig-Pen

Simpsons - 5 O’Clock Shadow

Brene Brown on Empathy

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

43. Drew #44: I'll Put Your Sh*tty Drawings on My Fridge Mar 18, 2021

Meredith loves daylight saving time! Restaurants and movie theatres are opening up in LA now, but Doug is still trying to hide out like a mountain man. In Drew’s therapy session he talks about feeling burnt out and tired from his job. He is also using this time to define his boundaries and let people know when things aren’t right or fair. He and Doug talk about two examples of Drew standing up for himself - one work-related, and a personal one that triggered a familiar feeling of distrust and disappointment that he’s historically felt with his Mom. Drew is working on radically accepting his mother for who she is, while dealing with her tendency to not be present or emotionally available.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Head and The Heart

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

42. Drew #43: The Ghetto Birds Were Flying Mar 11, 2021

Meredith and Doug discuss their take on working with clients that have different political views and ideologies than their own. It’s a great jumping-off point for this week’s session. Drew is trying to be the bridge for people in his life dealing with racial injustice and prejudice. Drew talks about compartmentalizing when feeling overwhelmed and anxious. He and Doug use a house analogy to visualize how to store the different compartments of issues in his life. Doug plays the “High, Low, and Oddity” game with both Drew and Meredith to verbalize the range of our experiences in day-to-day life instead of just highlighting one aspect.

Mentioned in this episode:

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

41. Drew #42: It’s All About the Sprite & Pomegranate Mar 04, 2021

Doug is back in LA and missing the mountains. Meredith realizes it may be time for all of us to get a car wash (especially Doug!). In the session, Drew and Doug get into a heavy conversation as Drew details how a party with his new girlfriend went way wrong. Drew shows major growth by choosing when to have and not have a “tough conversation” with people. Drew acknowledged that the fight at the party triggered past trauma and feelings of being unsafe. Drew is able to have some real talks with his girlfriend about boundaries while the caution flags are already starting to fly.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

40. Drew #40-41: I Couldn’t Make it Without a TV Feb 25, 2021

The podcast hits the one-year mark this week… and it’s a twofer! Two sessions in one episode as life in the podcast timeline is starting to go virtual in the very beginning of the pandemic. Doug and Drew pack a lot into these two shorter sessions. In Session 1, Drew gets home from the funeral and is feeling sick and alone yet enjoying more independence and finding purpose in helping to produce millions of masks. In Session 2, we hear the big news about Drew’s dating life. Doug highlights that this can be a healing relationship for him in terms of getting the experience and positive reinforcement for being himself authentically.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

The Vow HBO

America’s Most Wanted (it’s coming back!)

39. Drew #39: The Grief Ball in the Box Feb 18, 2021

Before Drew’s session this week, Meredith and Doug give a wrap-up of their Valentine's Day experiences, Drew talks about going home for his friend’s funeral; and he walks through both the horror movie version and Disney version of how the weekend could go. Doug helps Drew identify how he can show up authentically rather than trying to match his online persona or a more people-pleasing version of himself. Drew works on going through his emotions rather than just going through the motions, and setting boundaries for seeing both his mother and ex-girlfriend.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

Tupac

Grief - The Ball and the Box repost

38. Drew #38: The Boy With the Bubble Feb 11, 2021

Doug took Meredith’s pillow washing challenge and he took her movie recommendation! They figure out why we call a podcast a podcast. The session begins with Drew dealing with emotions that are stirred up as he prepares to go home for a friend’s funeral. He works with Doug on sticking with his personal boundaries, dealing with the feeling of betrayal from his mother, and learning how to disappoint people without feeling extreme guilt or shame. Drew explores his patterns in relationships as he preps to see his old girlfriend back home. He also comes to terms with the possibility that his brother acted the way he did growing up because he was trying to protect Drew, rather than control him.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

Coco

37. Drew #37: Can I Get a Witness? Feb 04, 2021

It’s a busy and eventful show this week, kicking off with Doug’s second mountain lion sighting - this time it’s a baby! Meredith gives her thoughts on outdoor dining reopening in Los Angeles. The session begins with Drew telling Doug about the three main motivating factors in life that he heard about in church. They explore how this can lead us to find our purpose in life. Doug and Drew also talk about compassion fatigue and accepting being perfectly imperfect. Drew is balancing being by himself while still enjoying the company of others.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

8 Mile | Final Rap Battle

36. Drew #36: Don’t Pet a Mountain Lion Jan 28, 2021

Doug and Meredith roar into this week with a recount of Doug’s mountain lion visitor while Mer has been washing her dishes and feeling soooo good and accomplished. Drew’s session comes at the one year anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s death, which stirs up emotions for Drew about loss. Drew gives an update on seeing his longtime ex-girlfriend. Doug helps Drew explore having tough conversations with people you love. Doug gives a Matrix reference about knowing your path vs. walking your path. At the end of the session, Drew uncovers a big “aha moment” about why he really tries to save others.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

The Matrix - knowing the path and walking the path

35. Drew #35: I’m a Gangster Chick Jan 21, 2021

Drew picks up where he left off last week, back from the holidays and feeling somewhat unmotivated and withdrawn. In the session, Drew and Doug discuss the difference between feeling depressed and a depressive episode. They talk about Drew’s need to withdraw and how it might be exactly what he needs at this moment, as he works on being okay with himself, instead of trying to please others. Doug uses his gear analogy to help Drew see that he can bring out different aspects of his personality with different people in his life, rather than find it all in one. Meredith proclaims that to really love her is to appreciate her long term love of hip hop.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

Flaming Lips Bubble Concert

34. Drew #34: Just Make Your Bed Jan 14, 2021

Living in LA during a pandemic almost feels like a zombie movie. Doug and Mer touch on how lack of good sleep can affect us. In the session, Drew talks about the loss of his friend and questions how he can better cope with grief. Drew acknowledges feeling detached and afraid of confronting his own emotions. Doug helps Drew focus on the small wins in life rather than focusing on what’s lacking.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

Make Your Bed Speech - William McRaven, US Navy Admiral

33. Drew #33: I’m Annoyed That I’m Annoyed Jan 07, 2021

Broken toes, wind chimes, and a discussion about maintaining confidentiality even when a client shares a crime they committed. Drew is back from his brother’s wedding and preparing to head home for a visit. Drew is noticing some major changes in himself, such as being scared as well as excited for the unknown. He talks with Doug about the positive impact a new puppy has had on his life. He shares how he was able to set boundaries with a house guest and how surprised he was at the outcome. Drew also opens up about feeling very overwhelmed and cluttered at work, and wonders if fashion is even the right industry for him anymore.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

32. Drew #32: The Wedding Episode Dec 17, 2020

This week was already going to be special with the wedding, but the fact that it’s Meredith’s birthday makes it even more fun! Meredith talks running and putt-putt golf while Doug reveals that he went to the Junior Olympics! In the session, Drew is back from his brother’s wedding. He shares some awkward family moments that weren’t so awkward to him now. Aaaannnnd he tells us the most important information - what he wore! Drew talks about caring for his new puppy and how helpful it is to have that as his relationship focus. In the breakdown, Doug and Meredith highlight Drew’s growing confidence in being authentic, in part evidenced by his ability to “chop it up” in conversation with other guests.

Mentioned in this episode:

Xzibit talks about Pimp My Ride

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

31. Drew #31: You Can’t Spell Smother Without Mother Dec 10, 2020

Cute cows, amaaaaazing smelling wreaths, and giant Christmas trees! The session begins with Drew’s literal worst fear coming true - his mother relapsing. He and Doug talk about how he is coping and making big strides in taking care of himself first by practicing compassionate detachment. Doug tells a fantastic prom story, Drew drops a second exciting bomb about getting a new puppy, and they discuss Drew’s openness when it comes to talking about his career at his brother’s wedding.

Mentioned in this episode:

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

30. Drew #30: Dogs In Boots Dec 03, 2020

Mer loves dogs wearing boots and Doug has been keeping busy with audiobooks on the Colorado trails. Drew focuses on getting ready for his brother’s upcoming wedding. He talks about his new possible love interest and some of the patterns that he notices coming up. He and Doug explore if it’s really the thought that counts when it comes to gift-giving, highlighted by a cool pair of sneakers. Sit back, relax, and put on your bone conduction headphones for this one!

Mentioned in this episode:

Dogs In Boots video

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Origin by Dan Brown

Love’s Executioner by Irvin Yalom

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

29. Drew #29: Wild Turkeys and Rats Nov 26, 2020

This Thanksgiving episode has a new spin on gratitude - Doug and Mer name some things they are both Grateful and Hateful for right now. One thing Doug is certainly grateful for is how self-aware Drew is in this episode. Drew’s learning to just be present for all of life’s adventures, even the boring ones. Doug and Drew discuss his brother’s upcoming wedding and his new role as an usher. Drew examines why he doesn’t add his brother’s name in his phone and why he feels guarded about letting people get close. They explore the difference between being interdependent and independent.

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

28. Drew #28: Hot Toddy in the Lodge Nov 19, 2020

This week, Doug shares an update on his Colorado trip and names his top three pet peeves about snowy weather. Meredith gears up for a ski trip and wonders how rushed her hot toddy time will be. In the session, Doug and Drew talk about the Adventure vs. Challenge mentality, and how Drew can benefit by softening up and enjoying the experience of his brother’s wedding without any expectations. In the breakdown, Meredith and Doug discuss the ways that things can be less about “good” or “bad” and more about “effective” or “ineffective.” They notice that Drew is starting to rely less on certain coping mechanisms while learning to accept what comes in the present moment.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Devil’s Playground film

Doug Friedman

Meredith Levy

YMB Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

27. Drew #27: Bolo Ties and Boots Nov 12, 2020

This week, Doug and Meredith are back at it to kick off Season 2 with Andrew. Doug talks about his road trip into the mountains of Colorado while Meredith talks about the trials and tribulations of her vegetable garden. In the session, Drew recognizes some familiar patterns of behavior with his mom while his brother’s wedding is fast approaching. Drew and Doug talk about feeling even-keeled and they explore the meaning behind the phrase “It’s ok to be alone but not ok to be lonely.” In the breakdown, Meredith and Doug examine some of Drew’s patterns that are playing out with his mom and how it’s influenced some behaviors in his own interpersonal relationships.

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

Meredith Levy

Doug Friedman

This is Us: Our Hosts Get Personal Oct 15, 2020

In this special bonus episode, Doug and Meredith share their personal stories with grief over the past two years. It’s been almost two years to the date since the sudden death of Doug’s wife and the death of Meredith’s mom. They share their stories with vulnerability and resilience. They reveal how the podcast started, and how working on it has helped them with their ongoing healing process and with their grief.

Mentioned in this episode:

Your Mental Breakdown The Facebook Group

Meredith Levy

Doug Friedman

Nora McInerny the Ted Talk

Terrible Thanks For Asking the Podcast

Wyatt's Story: Everything Else Goes On Pause Sep 24, 2020

Wyatt is a previous client of Doug’s that has experienced severe trauma. He had a sudden brain aneurysm and cancer. This is his story of endurance, awareness, and healing.

Mentioned in this episode:

Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group

Meredith Levy

Doug Friedman

Roundtable #2: Trauma Talk: The Soft Pillow and Warm Tea with Jessica Kramer and Mona Valeriano Sep 10, 2020

In this bonus Roundtable episode, Meredith and Doug are joined by fellow therapists Mona Valeriano and Jessica Kramer. They look at different ways of approaching trauma and therapy from their training and experience. Mona comes from a psychoanalytic background and is trained in EMDR (and she explains what that means!). Jessica is a Somatic Experiencing practitioner and marriage and family therapist associate who specializes in new mothers and infants 0-3 years old. Join Doug and Meredith for a unique conversation among colleagues about different ways of doing their work, with a focus on healing and processing trauma.

Mentioned in this episode:

Your Mental Breakdown The Facebook Group

EMDR – great video explaining it:

https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/

What is SE?

https://traumahealing.org/about-us/

26. Drew #26: Quiet the Noise - The First Six Months Jul 30, 2020

This week, Doug and Meredith reflect on the first six months of the podcast as we reach the end of season one with Drew. In the session, you’ll hear clips from a few recent sessions with Doug and Drew hitting the six-month mark of their work. Drew shares his thoughts about the podcast coming out and his perspectives after hearing the first episode. In the breakdown, Doug and Mer wrap it up and look forward to the next season of Drew picking up right where we left off - and the wedding only a month away!

Links for this episode:

Doug Friedman

@Adamrunsnyc Instagram Post

Friday Night Lights

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

25. Drew #25: Past and Future Tripping Jul 23, 2020

Talking about the sensationalism of Bambi and how seeing traumatic events can be very impactful. In the session, Drew says he’s been future tripping and past tripping - and not being present in the here and now. In the breakdown, Doug and Meredith explore concepts of motivation, confidence, and self-worth, as they came up for Drew in the session.

Episode Webpage

Doug Friedman

The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

24. Drew #24: What? You’re in Therapy? Jul 16, 2020

Fireworks, dad jokes, and great movies from our days as younguns. Drew acknowledges his growth in treatment, and with a little self-reflection, he admits he is not very motivated right now. In the breakdown, Meredith talks about a focus of her work with clients on narrowing down our broad goals to the one small step you can take right now. (Look for an upcoming Insight Out focused on how to do this concretely!).

YMB Webpage

Doug Friedman

D.W. Winnicott - prominent psychoanalyst that Doug quoted.

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

23. Drew #23: F.I.N.E.* F#cked up, Insecure, Neurotic, and Emotional Jul 09, 2020

This week, Doug showered with his dog and Meredith shared her excitement about tennis lessons, her bird feeder, and getting ready to watch The Matrix. In the session, Drew feels excitement about the unknown in front of him as well as some unsettled feelings. He’s been rediscovering himself and spending quality time with his friends. In the breakdown, Doug and Meredith talk about grading ourselves in terms of Pass-Fail, not a letter grade, how being selfish isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and how there’s confidence in being authentic in our awkwardness.

Episode Webpage

Doug Friedman

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

22. Drew #22: Your Mom’s a Firetruck Jul 02, 2020

This week, Doug and Meredith talk about the highs and lows of watching their dogs on webcams, as well as the joys of home repair, toilet hygiene, and tushie cushies. In the session, Drew connects a long-standing fear of losing mom with how he tries to keep people in his life, even if it compromises or sacrifices his integrity and boundaries. In the breakdown, Doug and Meredith dive deeper into the trauma of Drew’s mother overdosing. They look at how Drew coped with it then and how those defenses are still very present for him now.

Episode Webpage

Doug Friedman

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

21. Drew #21: It’s Been a Crazy Week Jun 25, 2020

This week, Doug and Meredith talk about how our relationship with time can create pressure and affect our level of stress. They also talk about hiking, napping, and glamping to get away from it all! In the session, Drew continues to process his recent breakup and he feels a definite shift in perspective. He shows more strength in carving his own path and making his own choices. In the breakdown, Meredith and Doug dive deeper into anger - how it isn’t necessarily easier for everyone to express, and how there are almost always other emotions behind the anger.

Episode Webpage

Doug Friedman

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

20. Drew#20: Mr. Wilson Eats Apples?! Jun 18, 2020

This week, Meredith retreats to Lake Tahoe and Doug is entertaining his dog at home. In the session, Drew moves around different stages of grief and loss after his breakup. He acknowledges there’s baggage he’s been carrying with him that pre-dates his ex-girlfriend. He is feeling fragile and raw, and starting to look at the freedom that this stage is offering him. In the breakdown, Doug and Mer talk about the dual role of a therapist in the office and a person walking around in the world. They explain concepts of emotional dysregulation, a disproportionate response, and incongruent reactions.

Episode Webpage

Doug Friedman

Peter Levine - Somatic Experiencing

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

19. Drew #19: Waking Up Alone Jun 11, 2020

This week, Doug and Meredith ‘monkee’ around a bit and reference a handful of classic movies from their youth - showing how old and adorbs they are! In the session, Doug and Drew continue to process the breakup and move through different stages of grief and loss. Drew starts to reconnect with his friends for support. In the breakdown, Doug and Meredith remind us that we’re human, and need to have compassion for ourselves. They look at perspective shifts that we often go through in relationships when some parts feel good and some parts don’t.

Episode Webpage

Doug Friedman

The Monkees - Hey Hey We’re the Monkees

All of Me - Back in Bowl

Golden Child - I Want the Knife

Coming to America - Yes, yes! F*ck You Too!

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

18. Drew #18: Rolling With the Butterfly Jun 04, 2020

This week, Doug and Meredith discuss the routine and comfort of going to a therapist’s office as a physical space, not just a virtual room. Meredith updates us on her US geography skills. In the session, Drew’s issues of trust in the relationship are pushed to the edge, leading to a breakup. Doug and Meredith break down the break up. They talk about healing from and dealing with, breakups using some of their own experiences. We all have our own ways of coping with grief and loss; and that can look so different or so similar, but comes from the same place.

Episode Webpage

Doug Friedman

The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

17. Drew #17: Be My Cherry on Top, Not My Ice Cream May 28, 2020

This week, Mer and Doug are coping with quarantine and testing their geography skills with a US map quiz. In the session, Drew’s last day at work is coming up and he has nothing going on, which makes him feel anxious. Drew and Doug explore trust issues that have come up in work relationships and his personal relationships. They look at ways to have a conversation with people rather than leaving something important unsaid. Doug and Meredith talk about individuating - the process of separating from family and becoming your own person.

Episode Webpage

Links for this episode:

Doug Friedman

US State Map Quiz

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

16. Drew #16: Fixing You to Fix Me May 21, 2020

This week, Mer and Doug are doing ‘fair’ and ‘corona good’ in spite of a burnt tongue and a kitschy therapist pillow. In the session, Drew feels good having put in his two-week notice. He can feel himself slowing down and letting go of a lot - and he hasn’t had a night terror in weeks! Drew notices triggers on date night with his girlfriend and doesn’t spring into action or reaction to fix things. As we allow the people in our lives to be their own selves, it’s less work for us and we can focus on being our own individual person.

Episode Webpage

Doug Friedman

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

15. Drew #15: You Can’t Control Vegas May 14, 2020

This week, Meredith goes down the rabbit hole of tequila and zoom filters. She joins Doug for a walk down the memory lane of their worst old hairstyles. In the client session, Andrew goes on a work trip to Vegas where issues come up with his girlfriend - in part because the relationship is not out in the open. Doug and Andrew look at issues of validation and control. They also help name emotions and look at differences between being alone and feeling lonely.

Episode Webpage

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

14. Drew #14: A Leap of Faith and Trust May 07, 2020

This week, Doug and Meredith remind us about getting out of our comfort zone and experiencing the cool things there are to do - regardless of quarantine (like glow in the dark seaweed!). In the session, Drew looks at what’s next after getting the support of his parents and putting in his two weeks notice at work. Doug and Drew look at how issues from his past relationships have shaped how he approaches his current one. Drew is starting to recognize triggers and see the path to breaking old patterns.

Episode Webpage

Mentioned in this episode:

Meredith Levy

Doug Friedman

The Great Realisation - Hindsight’s 2020 (Bedtime Story)

George Harrison and Paul Simon performing acoustically in 1976

Sting at The Secret Policeman’s Other Ball

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

13. Drew #13: What’s Black and White, and Red All Over Apr 30, 2020

This week, Doug and Meredith talk about adjustments they’ve been making during this pandemic time. The client, Andrew, feels the benefits of putting in the hard work and letting raw emotions come up and out. He is beginning to see with a new perspective and way of thinking as he gets ready for a big weekend with his family and girlfriend. Doug brings up the idea that it’s okay for someone to be disappointed - and that doesn’t mean that you’re a disappointment. Andrew realizes he doesn’t need to exhaust himself trying to make others happy.

Episode Webpage

Mentioned in this episode:

Meredith Levy

Doug Friedman

The Giver

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

12. Drew #12: That Tito’s Bottle of Vodka Apr 23, 2020

Doug and Meredith acknowledge passing the month mark of quarantine and note some good things that have come out of this experience. In the client session, we see how important it is to have trust between a therapist and client. Andrew gets raw and emotional while talking about his girlfriend, and Doug helps him stay with the emotions instead of run away from them. They process the triggers and connect them to old wounds from his relationship with his mom. Andrew embraces the idea that he can be the one to give himself reassurance in times of uncertainty. Doug and Meredith break it down with some pretty sweet baseball and Charlie Brown analogies.

Episode Webpage

Mentioned In this episode:

Charlie Brown Kicking the Ball

“I Don’t Like Mondays” by Boomtown Rats

Meredith Levy

Doug Friedman

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

11. Drew #11: My Dad is a Combo of Rambo and Adam Sandler Apr 16, 2020

This week, Doug and Meredith talk about how the “thing” itself is usually not that bad, it’s the lead up to it that creates fear and anxiety. They highlight this with a story of Doug trying not to get wet on a hike then slipping on a log and splashing into a stream; and Meredith going to the dentist. Andrew has some issues of abandonment triggered by his current relationship, creating uncertainty and anxiety for him. Andrew explores what it means to have a sense of self-worth inside a relationship. Doug and Meredith dive deeper using The Missing Piece as a relationship guide and explaining differences between setting rules for others and having boundaries for yourself.

Episode Webpage

Mentioned in this Episode:

Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group

Meredith Levy

Doug Friedman

Rambo

Adam Sandler Billy Madison

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

Insight Out #6: The ABCs of CBT and DBT Apr 13, 2020

In this Insight Out bonus minisode, Doug and Meredith give us a brief look at the basics of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). They break down some key aspects of these types of treatment and how they borrow from these approaches in their work as therapists.

Episode Webpage

Mentioned in this episode:

Your Mental Breakdown The Facebook Group

Meredith Levy

Doug Friedman

CBT Triangle/Loop

10. Drew #10: You Can’t Take a Bullet for Anybody Without Getting Shot Apr 09, 2020

In this episode, Doug and Meredith talk about finding self-confidence, compassion for self, and having a support system - while also being okay with being alone. Doug and his client, Andrew, explore Andrew’s challenges with anxiety about his relationship, and the interdependence he needs in order to feel safe and loveable. Andrew discusses key examples within his relationship that have been causing doubt lately, and Doug gives some great analogies to help process it.

Episode Webpage

Mentioned in this Episode:

Meredith Levy

Doug Friedman

Protection by Massive Attack with Tracey Thorn

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

09. Drew #9: The Burning Cockles of Your Heart Apr 02, 2020

In this pre-Corona virus episode, Doug and Meredith talk about fires, mountains, Coachella and bubble gum. Doug’s client Andrew checks in about the guilt he is feeling towards not having a conversation yet with his estranged brother, as his brother’s bachelor party weekend approaches. He and Doug talk about what that conversation would authentically look like for him, and what’s getting in the way of him talking to him or even sending out a letter with his thoughts written out. Andrew has been taking a lot of what he’s learned in past sessions and applying it to himself, with the occasional awesome Yoda and Green Beret reference, which warms the cockles of our hearts.

Episode Webpage

Mentioned in this episode:

Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group

Meredith Levy

Doug Friedman

Finding Forrester - The first draft is from the heart

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

08. Drew #8: Ski Trails in Your Head Mar 26, 2020

This week, we talk about the connection between knowing it and feeling it and the difference between a human being and a human doing. Doug and Andrew dive deeper into his decision about going to his brother’s bachelor party. We explore what can happen when we try out new ways of thinking and create different neural pathways. In the breakdown, this leads to an amazing exchange between Doug and Meredith about whether or not it’s okay to ski off the trail out of bounds and into an avalanche! They even manage to bring Plato into the discussion!

Episode Webpage

Contact Us:

Meredith Levy Douglas Friedman Your Mental Breakdown

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

07. Drew #7: Star Wars and Male Strippers Mar 19, 2020

This week, Doug and Meredith talk about what came up in Andrew’s recent sessions — Star Wars, jealousy, and male strippers, of course. Andrew shares a bad nightmare that caused a lot of anxiety. Doug and Andrew work on balancing out the “what if” thoughts and discuss how to move forward in life, while also being present and able to appreciate each moment for what it really is. Doug and Meredith break down the session and discuss how symbolism in dreams could be a key for themes in our waking lives.

Episode Webpage

Contact Us:

Meredith Levy Douglas Friedman Your Mental Breakdown

Mentioned in this episode:

Stuart Smaley (Daily Affirmations from SNL)

Brene Brown (the Ted Talk)

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

06. Drew #6: Less Vader, More Yoda Mar 12, 2020

This week, Doug and Meredith tell us about when therapy in their past has sometimes gone wrong (or ineffective). Andrew and Doug dig more into the upcoming wedding of Andrew’s brother, and whether it’s his choice or obligation to go. Andrew opens up about some relationship anxiety he has been experiencing, and Doug helps him understand steps to take when he feels insecure and triggered. Meredith gives Doug accolades for using some sweet Star Wars analogies, and we all learn ways to turn down that critical voice inside ourselves and add a kinder, more realistic voice.

Episode Webpage

Contact Us:

Meredith Levy Douglas Friedman Your Mental Breakdown

Mentioned in this episode:

Star Wars

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

Insight Out #1 - 10 Unhelpful Ways of Thinking Mar 09, 2020

For a bonus mini-sode this week in a series we’re calling Insight Out, Doug and Meredith introduce us to some of the more common Cognitive Distortions. These are classic ways of thinking from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that often lead to our “negative” feelings and emotions (like Meredith says, there are no negative emotions!!). Doug and Meredith help us bring these unconscious, automatic ways of thinking to our awareness so we can check the facts and challenge them, instead of going down a slippery slope of thinking ineffectively and feeling bad. Print out the pretty handout and put it on your fridge!!

Episode Webpage (where you'll find the handout)

Mentioned in this episode:

Meredith Levy

Douglas Friedman

05. Drew #5: You Mean I Have a Choice? Mar 05, 2020

This week, Doug and Meredith dig deeper into Doug’s use of sweet analogies (hello car gears and Harry Potter!) and discuss reframing the difference between choice and obligation. Andrew’s session reveals where he is currently with the idea of attending his estranged brother’s bachelor party, and he and Doug work on expressing vulnerability and reframing the narrative to work better for him.

Episode Webpage

Contact Us:

Meredith Levy Douglas Friedman Your Mental Breakdown

Mentioned in this episode:

The Goonies – Chunk spills his guts scene

The Way of the Peaceful Warrior

Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

Roundtable #1 with Bonnie Rae and John Sovec Mar 02, 2020

For a special bonus episode this week, Doug and Meredith are joined by their friends and colleagues; John Sovec and Bonnie Rae, both Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. They have an open and honest conversation about topics such as disclosing sexual orientation with clients, handling the nerves of the first visit, how to stay supported and connected, and the LGBTQ elements of John and Bonnie’s work. The group also talks about if they have ever Googled a client before a first session, how to know when a client/patient relationship isn’t a fit, and how they set tighter boundaries to go even deeper in their sessions.

Mentioned in this episode:

Antioch University

The West Wing President seeing a therapist scene

John Sovec

Bonnie Rae

04: Drew #4: You Have Issues, I Have Issues Feb 27, 2020

The very adorkable Doug and Meredith return back this week to share how they typically begin their therapy sessions and give a recap of the trust and vulnerability issues that the client Andrew dealt with in his recent three sessions. Andrew and Doug work on organizing fractured thoughts into a clearer picture of reality, dig deeper into Andrew’s relationship with his mom and brother and talk about ways Andrew can be more of his own person while still having the support of his parents.

Episode Webpage

Contact Us:

Meredith Levy Douglas Friedman Your Mental Breakdown

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

03. Drew #3: The Good, The Bad, and The Plaid Feb 20, 2020

This week, Doug and MerMer remind us to not “should” all over ourselves and then recap the first two sessions with Andrew (the Client has been given a name for the podcast). Session three includes Andrew opening up about traumatic incidents that contributed to the strained relationships with both his brother and mother. Doug introduces some tools to practice changing our perspective, and in turn, our experience using both real-life examples and analogies.

Episode Webpage

Contact Us:

Meredith Levy Douglas Friedman Your Mental Breakdown

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

02. Drew #2: Please Don't Should All Over Yourself Feb 20, 2020

This week, Doug and Meredith reminisce about Doug’s parachute pants and MerDog’s love of Megadeth. They talk about how to know when a session is over, taking notes, and how they prevent burnout. Doug shares his Buddhism dropout story, and then we dive into the client’s second therapy session. During the session, Doug and the Client focus on the themes of vulnerability, balance, and how better to control our negative thoughts.

Episode Webpage

Contact Us:

Meredith Levy Douglas Friedman Your Mental Breakdown

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

01. Drew #1: Therapy is Not Just For When You Are Crazy Feb 20, 2020

Welcome to Your Mental Breakdown, hosted by Doug Friedman and Meredith Levy. YMB is a psychotherapy entertainment podcast featuring two licensed therapists. They are real people outside the office, and real therapists in sessions inside the office, who follow a client along the process of personal growth and healing in therapy. Doug and Meredith kick off the show by introducing who they are, how they met, why they are doing this, and what you can expect in the episodes to come. They talk about ways in which this show will demystify and destigmatize therapy, and what to know when seeking out a therapist. They explain why one may want to consider therapy and introduce us to the client we will hear in upcoming sessions. This episode features the client’s first session followed by Doug and Meredith breaking it down afterward.

Episode Webpage

Contact Us:

Meredith Levy Douglas Friedman Your Mental Breakdown

Mentioned in this episode:

Psychology Today – find a therapist: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists

Join Us on Social Media:

YMB The Facebook Group

YMB on Instagram

YMB on TikTok

Welcome to Your Mental Breakdown Feb 18, 2020

Welcome to Your Mental Breakdown. Introducing Doug Friedman and Meredith Levy, both licensed psychotherapists, longtime friends, and the co-hosts of this podcast. These episodes will feature one of their client’s actual therapy session, so you can follow along with their progress as it’s happening, in real time. In each episode, Doug and Meredith will break down the session afterwards. You will hear their insights and be able to apply some of it to your own life. This podcast is for everyone. It doesn’t matter if you are in therapy or not, considering it, or just navigating through life’s challenges. We are glad you're here to listen and invite you to keep the extremely important conversation about mental health going.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected