Perfectionism Is a Trauma Response

Send us Fan MailWhen most people hear "PTSD," they think of a single terrible event. But for many people, trauma was years of harm they couldn't escape, often from the people who were supposed to keep them safe.In this episode, Charice and Gabrielle explain complex PTSD: how it differs from PTSD, how it shows up in emotions, self-worth and relationships, and why it so often gets missed or mislabeled. Most importantly, we talk about how healing actually happens.Support the showDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or professional mental health care.Want more? Subscribe now and take a seat In Session! https://www.buzzsprout.com/1679131/supportFollow us on Instagram: @insessionthepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/insessionthepodcast/

Send us Fan MailYou got the job, the promotion, the title. So why does it feel like any minute someone will realize you don't belong?In this episode, Gabrielle and Charice unpack imposter syndrome: where the idea came from, why it's so common, and why success alone doesn't make it go away. We walk through how self-doubt shows up at every stage of a career, from your first job to leadership to starting over, and share our own imposter moments along the way.Support the showDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or professional mental health care.Want more? Subscribe now and take a seat In Session! https://www.buzzsprout.com/1679131/supportFollow us on Instagram: @insessionthepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/insessionthepodcast/

Send us Fan MailIt's Halloween, the one time of year we go looking for fear on purpose. So why do we spend the rest of the year running from it?In this Halloween special, Gabrielle and Charice dig into fear, anxiety and the habit that keeps both alive: avoidance. We talk about why dodging the scary thing feels so good in the moment, how it quietly makes fear bigger, and what haunted houses and horror movies can teach us about getting braver.Support the showDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or professional mental health care.Want more? Subscribe now and take a seat In Session! https://www.buzzsprout.com/1679131/supportFollow us on Instagram: @insessionthepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/insessionthepodcast/

Send us Fan MailIf you've ever avoided opening a bill, lost sleep over a bank balance, or felt shame about what's in your account, this episode is for you.Money is the top stressor for many, yet we still treat financial anxiety as a math problem instead of a mental health one. In this episode, we explore why money worries hit the body and brain the way other anxieties do: racing thoughts, avoidance, irritability, and sleepless nights.Whether you're behind on bills or doing fine on paper and still can't stop worrying, you'll leave with language for what you're feeling and a few tools to try this week.Support the showDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or professional mental health care.Want more? Subscribe now and take a seat In Session! https://www.buzzsprout.com/1679131/supportFollow us on Instagram: @insessionthepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/insessionthepodcast/

Send us Fan Mail"I'm so OCD" might be the most misused phrase out there. OCD isn't about color-coded closets. It's a cycle of unwanted thoughts and the rituals people use to quiet them. We break down how that cycle works, the forms of OCD you've probably never heard of, and why it often takes people years to get help. We also cover what treatment looks like and how to support someone who's struggling.Support the showDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or professional mental health care.Want more? Subscribe now and take a seat In Session! https://www.buzzsprout.com/1679131/supportFollow us on Instagram: @insessionthepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/insessionthepodcast/

Send us Fan MailHalf of American adults say they're lonely, and almost none of us like to admit it. This week we get honest about why loneliness hits so hard, how it affects your health, and why it's showing up most among young adults. We also get into what actually helps, starting with steps small enough to try today. Plus, we each commit on air to one reach-out this week, and we're asking you to do the same.Support the showDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or professional mental health care.Want more? Subscribe now and take a seat In Session! https://www.buzzsprout.com/1679131/supportFollow us on Instagram: @insessionthepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/insessionthepodcast/

Send us Fan Mail"I'm good." Most men say it on autopilot, even when they aren't. We talk about where the "tough it out" script comes from and how stress and sadness come out sideways as anger, overwork or checking out. We also get into why so many guys don't ask for help. Then we share small, real ways to break the silence, whether you're struggling yourself or care about someone who is.Support the showDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or professional mental health care.Want more? Subscribe now and take a seat In Session! https://www.buzzsprout.com/1679131/supportFollow us on Instagram: @insessionthepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/insessionthepodcast/

Send us Fan MailWe treat perfectionism like a personality quirk — but for many of us, it started as a survival strategy: being "perfect" felt like the only way to stay safe or loved. This episode unpacks where perfectionism really comes from, how it shows up in adulthood (burnout, procrastination, fear of feedback), and what it takes to loosen its grip.Self-criticism, perfectionism, the inner critic, self-compassion.Support the showDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or professional mental health care.Want more? Subscribe now and take a seat In Session! https://www.buzzsprout.com/1679131/supportFollow us on Instagram: @insessionthepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/insessionthepodcast/

Send us Fan MailADHD doesn't disappear at 18 — it just gets relabeled. Disorganized. Anxious. "Can't get it together." In this episode, we talk about adult ADHD: what it actually looks like beyond the hyperactive-boy stereotype, why it's so often missed or mistaken for anxiety and depression, and why so many adults are only now connecting the dots. We break down the exhaustion of decades of compensating, what a real evaluation involves, and the range of supports — beyond just medication — that actually help.Support the showDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or professional mental health care.Want more? Subscribe now and take a seat In Session! https://www.buzzsprout.com/1679131/supportFollow us on Instagram: @insessionthepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/insessionthepodcast/

Send us Fan MailHigh-functioning depression doesn't look like the movies. It looks like showing up, delivering, keeping it together — while feeling hollowed out the whole time. In this episode, we talk about masking: why it happens, how it gets mistaken for maturity or resilience, and why "fine" can be the hardest place to get help from. We break down what's actually underneath the performance of okay-ness, and what it looks like to name it before burnout or numbness become the norm.Content Warning: High-functioning depression, maskingSupport the showDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or professional mental health care.Want more? Subscribe now and take a seat In Session! https://www.buzzsprout.com/1679131/supportFollow us on Instagram: @insessionthepodcast Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/insessionthepodcast/