From Both Sides Of The Couch: Conversations About Mindfulness, Mental Health and Self-Care From a Therapist In Therapy

The Hidden Gifts of Our Emotions: Thank You Anger

Discover the true nature of anger and what it means when we face thoughts like "it's not fair" or urges that drive us to retaliate. Examine where you feel anger in your body and how societal norms, gender roles, and personal histories shape our responses to anger. Unearth not only the challenges anger presents but also its potential as a tool for personal empowerment and societal change.
As you listen, learn about the significance of acknowledging anger to solve problems, setting boundaries, and even transforming relationships. Delve into radical acceptance when emotions seem unsolvable and the benefits of talking to a therapist about chronic anger. Join Dr. Bruce for illuminating discussions that inspire personal growth and resilience.
 
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Exploring "Glimmers": Finding Joy in Everyday Moments

In this episode of "From Both Sides of the Couch," Dr. Laurie Bruce delves into the intriguing concepts of "triggers" and "glimmers." While many are familiar with the psychological notion of triggers, glimmers offer a fresh perspective on experiencing moments of positivity and peace. Dr. Bruce, a seasoned clinical psychologist and mindfulness coach, shares her personal experiences and insights from over 25 years in the field.
Listeners are invited to explore how mindfulness can enhance awareness of these glimmers, transforming everyday situations into moments of joy and contentment. Learn how to balance the societal push towards constant achievement with the profound benefits of simply being present.
Whether you're a caregiver, a professional, or someone seeking a more fulfilled life, this episode is filled with practical advice to help you identify triggers, embrace glimmers, and incorporate mindfulness into daily living.
 
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Want to find more ways to reduce stress, anxiety and perfectionism?
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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

The People Pleasing Trap: Why and How to Break Free

In this episode, Dr. Laurie Bruce, a clinical psychologist and mindfulness coach, as delves into the pervasive issue of chronic people-pleasing. Drawing from both her professional and personal experiences, Dr. Bruce explores the origins, challenges, and potential solutions for excessive people-pleasing behaviors.
Throughout the episode, Dr. Bruce illustrates how people-pleasing, although often stemming from a good place, can lead to emotional fatigue and burnout when taken to extremes. She shares strategies to build self-awareness and assertiveness, encouraging listeners to pause before automatically committing to others, and to evaluate their own needs first.
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Want to find more ways to reduce stress, anxiety and perfectionism?
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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Accepting the Unacceptable: Navigating Grief and Embracing Radical Acceptance

In the second episode of "From Both Sides of the Couch," Dr. Laurie Bruce delves into the challenging process of accepting the unacceptable. Drawing from her extensive experience as a therapist and a therapy client, she explores the universal struggle of coming to terms with devastating realities, such as illness or unexpected life changes.
Dr. Bruce guides listeners through the stages of grief, initially identified by Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and experiencing primary emotions fully. She introduces the concept of radical acceptance, a powerful tool for acknowledging reality without resistance, and differentiates between pain and suffering.
Throughout the episode, Dr. Bruce offers insights and strategies to help individuals navigate their grief journey, emphasizing the value of therapy and self-compassion. She invites listeners to share their own experiences and coping mechanisms, fostering a supportive community for those facing difficult times.
 
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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Navigating Self-Care: Insights from Both Sides of the Couch

Welcome to the debut episode of "From Both Sides of the Couch" with Dr. Laurie Bruce, a clinical psychologist and mindfulness coach. In this episode, Dr. Bruce shares her personal journey of taking a medical leave to focus on self-healing, highlighting the importance of self-care for caregivers and therapists alike.
Dr. Bruce explores the challenges many face in prioritizing their own well-being, touching on core beliefs, lack of self-care skills, and environmental factors that hinder self-care practices. She offers insights from her 25 years of experience, both as a therapist and a client, and emphasizes the significance of building resilience, reducing burnout, and practicing self-compassion.
Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own core beliefs and to explore personal self-care routines that bring peace and joy. Dr. Bruce invites her audience to join her in this journey of self-discovery and healing, reminding us all of our inherent worth and capacity for change.
Join Dr. Bruce as she sets the stage for future discussions on mental health, caregiving, and living a fulfilling life. Reach out with your thoughts and questions at https://www.drlauriebruce.com/
 
If you enjoyed this episode, it would mean the world to me if you would rate and write a review. Every review helps me to reach more people.  
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Email: drlaurie@drlauriebruce.com
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Hidden Gifts of Our Emotions: Thank You Fear

In this episode, Dr. Little dives deep into the world of emotions, initiating a four-part series that helps us understand what our emotions can do for us. Dr. Little challenges the way we approach emotions like fear, anger, sadness, and guilt and suggest that although we may wish to get rid of these painful emotions as quickly as possible, we are doing ourselves a disservice by not paying enough attention to them. 
In this initial part of the series, Dr. Little explores fear, its physiological origins, and manifestations. She shares how to appreciate fear for what it truly is - a tool for survival. Through a balanced understanding and appreciation of fear, you can learn how to discriminate when your fear is not helpful and when it actually is providing valuable insights and information. She shares how learning to listen to, validate and honor your fear will help you make the best choices on how to proceed. 
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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Finding The Extraordinary In The Ordinary

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In this episode, Dr. Laurie Little shares insights on how we can discover the extraordinary hidden in the ordinary aspects of life and how this practice intertwines with mindfulness. 
Dr. Little identifies common scenarios like being submerged in future-oriented thoughts filled with anxieties, stressing over to-do lists, or simply being 'in our heads,' which act as barriers to recognizing these extraordinary moments. This episode emphasizes that practicing mindfulness does not imply achieving a state of constant awareness, instead, it suggests increasing the frequency of mindful moments.
She shares three practical strategies to enhance mindfulness. These include acknowledging when our thoughts drift off towards the future, setting outside reminders or alarms, and finding an 'extraordinary buddy,' akin to a mindfulness accountability partner.
 
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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Perfectionism: Surprising Ways It May Be Showing Up In Your Life

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This episode dives deep into perfectionism. Dr. Little shares how perfectionism can unknowingly be hindering your daily life.
Dr. Little discusses how perfectionism could manifest in procrastination habits, compulsive or repetitive behaviors, or living a life that feels confining or small.
Dr. Little shares strategies to overcome or challenge these perfectionistic beliefs. She also shares how redefining "mistakes" and "failure" as truly the very experiences you need to build a meaningful and satisfying life. 
This episode is a must if you've ever felt stuck or caught in an endless cycle of "not good enough."
 
Want to find more ways to reduce stress, anxiety and perfectionism?  Get my free guide: “Five Steps to Finding Calm in the Chaos”
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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Redefining Self-Esteem

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In this episode, Dr. Little takes an in-depth look at the concept of self-esteem. The misconception that self-esteem is primarily about liking oneself or having self-confidence is challenged. Instead, Dr. Little poses a more fundamental view of self-esteem, tied to your personal sense of worthiness.
Dr. Little guides us through the pitfalls of tying our self-worth to achievements and material accomplishments. She reinforces the idea that external success and accolades do not necessarily equate to a healthy sense of self-esteem. Rather, she invites us to recognize that our worth as a human being is inherent, unalterable, and beyond any external recognition.
She suggests practical exercises to remind us of our inherent worthiness - like using mantras and practicing mindful awareness of love in our bodies. Dr. Little also emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, particularly when we face challenges or setbacks, as a critical skill towards enhancing our self-esteem.
Want to find more ways to reduce stress, anxiety and perfectionism?
Want to find more ways to reduce stress, anxiety and perfectionism?  Get my free guide: “Five Steps to Finding Calm in the Chaos”
Connect with me at www.drlauriebruce.com
 
 
Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
 

Stress At Work and Home: How Shifting Your Mindset Can Bring You Peace

In episode 16 of Inner Healing Intelligence, Dr. Laurie Little outlines essential strategies to maintain inner peace, both at work and at home. In this insightful discussion, she delves into our understanding of stress and suggests that much of our stress is self-induced, stemming not from actual situations but rather, our perceptions of them. Dr. Little underscores the importance of understanding and adjusting our mindset to manage stress.
Dr. Little dissects the root causes of stress in our personal and professional lives, using common scenarios as examples. She believes that feelings of stress often arise from situations where we feel considerable responsibility but exercise little power. These scenarios may be found in high-pressure jobs or challenging parenting situations.
However, rather than being stuck in a cycle of anxiety and frustration, Dr. Little offers practical and mindset solutions to make stress more manageable. She emphasizes the importance of saying 'no', delegating tasks, and dispelling notions of perfectionism. Above all, she stresses the importance of understanding ourselves better to uncover the underlying beliefs that contribute to our stress levels.
Want to find more ways to reduce stress, anxiety and perfectionism?  Get my free guide: “Five Steps to Finding Calm in the Chaos”
Connect with me at www.drlauriebruce.com
 
 
Music: https://www.purple-planet.com