52. The Pros & Cons of Self Diagnosis

From "feminine energy" dating tips to refusing to tie your own shoes - we're unpacking how Princess Treatment content is actually political messaging in a pretty package.In conversation, we tackle:* The TikTok video that sent us over the edge: a woman who won't speak to waitstaff or check in for reservations* How "feminine energy" morphed from dating advice into political messaging* Why Princess Treatment might actually be a suppressed kink masquerading as lifestyle content* The pipeline from "light a candle and relax" to "I don't tie my own shoes"* How this content strategically targets single women and makes them feel "not woman enough"* The real cost of romanticizing a time when women couldn't have credit cardsWE ARE NOW ON SUBSTACK with bonus episodes, pep talks, episodes guides, and so much more! Join us at nuanceneeded.substack.comTo learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area.Want to join the conversation? EMAIL- [email protected] or LEAVE US A MESSAGE at 813-444-8683. We’d love to hear what you think!

When did "no is a complete sentence" become the ultimate boundary flex? In this episode, we're unpacking why this oversimplified advice might actually be hurting your relationships.In conversation, we tackle:* Why "no is a complete sentence" works for sexual boundaries but not for declining dinner plans* The uncomfortable truth that closer relationships require more explanation (and that's actually healthy)* How rigid boundaries are creating lonelier people who wonder why they feel disconnected* Why flexibility in boundaries is a strength, not a betrayal of yourself* How to tell when someone deserves an explanation vs. when they've lost that privilege* What to do when family members bulldoze your boundaries (spoiler: it's not just saying "no" harder)This episode is for anyone who's tried to implement TikTok boundary advice and ended up feeling more isolated than empowered. Because sometimes the most revolutionary act isn't cutting people off—it's learning how to stay connected while still protecting yourself.WE ARE NOW ON SUBSTACK with bonus episodes, pep talks, episodes guides, and so much more! Join us at nuanceneeded.substack.comTo learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area.Want to join the conversation? EMAIL- [email protected] or LEAVE US A MESSAGE at 813-444-8683. We’d love to hear what you think!

Today we chat with misinformation researcher Matthew Facciani, PhD to explore the psychological factors behind how we process information in our increasingly polarized world. From social media algorithms to the comfort of echo chambers, we dive into why challenging our beliefs feels so threatening and what we can do about it.In conversation, we discuss—* The evolution of "misinformation" from a psychology research term to a polarizing concept in today's media landscape* The concept of "social identity complexity" and why having separate, independent identities makes us more resilient to misinformation* Signs you might need to fact-check a piece of content* The "pre-bunking" approach to misinformation resistance and why it works better than debunking* Why some people are soooo into conspiracy theories* Practical ways to strengthen your resistance to misinformation while maintaining your core valuesMatthew Facciani, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Notre Dame. His research focuses on media literacy, misinformation, social networks, political polarization, identities, and artificial intelligence. Order his book— Misguided: Where Misinformation Starts, How It Spreads, and What to Do About It !WE ARE NOW ON SUBSTACK with bonus episodes, pep talks, episodes guides, and so much more! Join us at nuanceneeded.substack.comTo learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area.Want to join the conversation? EMAIL- [email protected] or LEAVE US A MESSAGE at 813-444-8683. We’d love to hear what you think!

In this follow-up episode, we dive into your most pressing questions about navigating the complicated world of mental health labels. When is a diagnosis helpful? When might it be limiting? And what should you do when you're convinced you (or someone else) has a specific condition?In conversation, we tackle:* Why your therapist might hesitate to confirm your self-diagnosis (even after working together for years)* The delicate balance between validating someone's experience and responsibly diagnosing conditions like CPTSD* How to approach a loved one who's in a relationship with someone showing narcissistic traits (spoiler: don't lead with "they're a narcissist")* Whether pursuing an ADHD diagnosis is worthwhile when you've already built a successful life and career* The important questions to ask yourself when considering whether to pursue a formal diagnosis* Why some diagnoses feel like relief while others feel devastating* How to decide what's right for you when it comes to labeling your experiencesWE ARE NOW ON SUBSTACK with bonus episodes, pep talks, episodes guides, and so much more! Join us at nuanceneeded.substack.comTo learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area.Want to join the conversation? EMAIL- [email protected] or LEAVE US A MESSAGE at 813-444-8683. We’d love to hear what you think!

In this very NUANCED episode, we're diving into the the pros and cons of self-diagnosis and why that moment of clarity might be both helpful and misleading.In conversation, we tackle:- The fine line between empowering self-awareness and misdiagnosis in the age of mental health social media- Why mental health symptoms are like horoscopes – specific enough to feel personal, but general enough that everyone relates- The uncomfortable reality that many symptoms overlap across different diagnoses- What "differential diagnosis" really means and why professionals start at the top of a funnel with many possible explanation- How practicing curiosity rather than certainty can lead to better mental health outcomes- Why self diagnosis is also a response to every real issues about lack of access to mental health care and people not being listened toWE ARE NOW ON SUBSTACK with bonus episodes, pep talks, episodes guides, and so much more! Join us at nuanceneeded.substack.comTo learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area.Want to join the conversation? EMAIL- [email protected] or LEAVE US A MESSAGE at 813-444-8683. We’d love to hear what you think!

In this episode, we discuss our thoughts on a recent NYT article claiming a link between therapy culture and childlessness.In conversation, we explore:* Why the article misses the mark by focusing on "therapy culture" rather than addressing the real accountability crisis* The problematic suggestion that having children would fix estranged relationships with parents* How simple acknowledgment—not even apologies—is often all adult children are asking for* The critical communication skills many parents are missing that could prevent estrangement* The difference between explaining your perspective and invalidating someone's experience* What we really owe each other: listening, compassion, and willingness to take accountabilityWE ARE NOW ON SUBSTACK with bonus episodes, pep talks, episodes guides, and so much more! Join us at nuanceneeded.substack.comTo learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area.Want to join the conversation? EMAIL- [email protected] or LEAVE US A MESSAGE at 813-444-8683. We’d love to hear what you think!

In this rant-y episode, we dive into the intersection of wellness culture, toxic positivity, and women's reproductive health after a viral clip from Lauryn Bosstic claiming her positive mindset was the reason she got pregnant on her first try.In conversation, we tackle:* The harmful impact of telling women their fertility struggles are due to not being "positive enough"* How wellness influencers oversimplify complex medical issues and profit from women's desperation* The "wellness to MAHA pipeline" and how legitimate health concerns are being co-opted by conservative movements* The historical context of women's healthcare and how medicine has systematically dismissed women's concerns* The alarming connection between manifesting culture and blaming women for their health struggles* The evolutionary perspective on childbirth and why it's never been a "natural" or "health-neutral" eventWE ARE NOW ON SUBSTACK with bonus episodes, pep talks, episodes guides, and so much more! Join us at nuanceneeded.substack.comTo learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area.Want to join the conversation? EMAIL- [email protected] or LEAVE US A MESSAGE at 813-444-8683. We’d love to hear what you think!

Feeling exhausted despite your nightly "relaxation" routine? In this episode, Sam challenges our collective delusion about what true rest actually looks like in a world of constant stimulation.In conversation, we explore:Why your "cool girl summer" aesthetic might be missing the most important element: actual restThe uncomfortable truth about how scrolling TikTok is stimulation, not recoveryHow we've mistaken digital consumption for downtime and why it's depleting usThe critical difference between brain stimulation and genuine nervous system recoveryWhy even "self-care" can become another performance when it's aestheticized for social mediaPractical strategies for creating technology boundaries that actually workHow to identify activities that provide true restoration versus those that just look restfulSam's personal approach to balancing comfort shows with genuine disconnectionWhy reading a physical book might be the revolutionary act your brain is cravingThis episode invites you to consider a "soft girl self-care, non-technology based aesthetic" for summer—focusing on what nurtures you rather than what looks good online.WE ARE NOW ON SUBSTACK with bonus episodes, pep talks, episodes guides, and so much more! Join us at nuanceneeded.substack.comTo learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area.Want to join the conversation? EMAIL- [email protected] or LEAVE US A MESSAGE at 813-444-8683. We’d love to hear what you think!

What’s really happening behind the dreamy farmhouse aesthetic of tradwife content? In this episode with journalist Jo Piazza, we're exploring the complex reality behind the perfectly curated images of traditional womanhood.In conversation, we tackle:* Why tradwives are a "political branding machine designed to make women participate in their own oppression"* How many of these women are renting houses, staging content, and creating fake versions of their lives* Why conservative groups have been funding and boosting tradwife content for nearly a decade* The hypocrisy of tradwife influencers benefiting from feminist progress while trying to deny it to others* How Mormon women became some of the earliest and most successful mom influencers* What we can all do to combat these dangerous narratives while still respecting women's actual choicesJo Piazza is a journalist and author. Her new book, EVERYONE IS LYING TO YOU, is about Trad Wives and is out next month!WE ARE NOW ON SUBSTACK with bonus episodes, pep talks, episodes guides, and so much more! Join us at nuanceneeded.substack.comTo learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area.Want to join the conversation? EMAIL- [email protected] or LEAVE US A MESSAGE at 813-444-8683. We’d love to hear what you think!

Today we examine the explosion of "shadow work" content on social media and why psychological tools in untrained hands may do more harm than good.* The commercialization of shadow work through viral journals, courses, and TikTok content* How spiritual coaches adopt psychological concepts without proper training or oversight* The origins of shadow work in Jungian psychology and its connection to modern therapy* Why "opening wounds" without proper guidance for integration can leave people worse off* The powerful scalpel metaphor: "Just because you have a surgical tool doesn't mean you know how to use it"* How to approach self-help tools with appropriate caution while seeking proper supportWE ARE NOW ON SUBSTACK with bonus episodes, pep talks, episodes guides, and so much more! Join us at nuanceneeded.substack.comTo learn more about therapy reach out to Therapy for Women Center, therapyforwomencenter.com. We have therapists licensed in 42 states across the country and have offices if you are local to the Philadelphia area.Want to join the conversation? EMAIL- [email protected] or LEAVE US A MESSAGE at 813-444-8683. We’d love to hear what you think!