Session 51 ft. Jade

Please welcome Jade back to the Couch! This week, Crissle and Jade explore what happens when relationships and family dynamics leave us questioning our choices. One listener wonders if she’s hard to deal with or if her partner’s childhood trauma is affecting their relationship. Another feels let down by a friend who wasn’t there when she needed her. They also discuss a mother who expects her youngest child to take care of everyone and a 45-year-old brother dating a 20-year-old. From navigating family expectations to recognizing unhealthy relationship patterns, Crissle and Jade unpack the challenges of dealing with the people closest to us. Want to talk to Crissle on a future episode? Email [email protected] and include ‘chat live’ in the subject line. Session Notes: 0:00 — Welcome Back to the Couch0:24 — Am I Hard to Deal With, or Is My Partner’s Childhood Trauma Affecting Our Relationship13:50 — My Friend Wasn’t There for Me When I Needed Her26:53 — I’m the Youngest, but My Mom Expects Me to Take Care of Everyone40:58 — My 45-Year-Old Brother Is Dating a 20-Year-Old Stay Connected:Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/crisslescouchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crisslescouch/Have an issue for the Couch? Email: [email protected] Crew: Network: CAKE MEDIA Executive Producers: Crissle · Alexandra Rago · Chris MorrowAudio & Video Editor: Shatek for Beats on FilmProduction Coordinators: Faith Lena & Bria Mosley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Please welcome Jade back to the Couch! This week, Crissle and Jade get into some complicated relationship and family dilemmas. One listener is questioning whether to go through with her wedding after discovering her fiancé has been lying about his finances. Another is concerned about her cousin's ongoing neglect of her dog. They also discuss the challenges of choosing homelessness over living with an abusive family and a breakup that comes after years of supporting a partner through addiction. Crissle and Jade share their takes on when to step in, when to step away, and what happens when the people closest to us put us in difficult positions. Want to talk to Crissle on a future episode? Email [email protected] and include “chat live” in the subject line. Session Notes: 0:00 — Welcome Back to the Couch0:39 —  Am I Making a Mistake Getting Married15:00 —   My Cousin Doesn't Take Care of Her Dog26:41  —  I’d Rather Be Homeless Than Live With My Mother37:02 — My Ex Left Me Because They Couldn't Control Their Addiction Stay Connected:Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/crisslescouchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crisslescouch/Have an issue for the Couch? Email: [email protected] Crew: Network: CAKE MEDIA Executive Producers: Crissle · Alexandra Rago · Chris Morrow Audio & Video Editor: Shatek for Beats on Film Production Coordinators: Faith Lena & Bria Mosley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Please welcome Jade back to the Couch! This week, Crissle and Jade unpack whether a relationship with a parent is worth fixing, navigating a friendship that changes after moving to a new city, and addressing unhealthy parenting patterns that can pass trauma down to the next generation. They also explore the impact of colorism within families and how to address it when children begin comparing themselves to one another based on skin tone and appearance. Crissle and Jade discuss the importance of teaching young girls about self-worth, sisterhood, and the harm that comes from believing one person is better than another because of how they look. Want to talk to Crissle on a future episode? Email [email protected] and include “chat live” in the subject line. Session Notes: 0:00 — Welcome Back to the Couch0:54 — Is My Relationship With My Mom Worth Fixing11:05 — My Best Friend Started Acting Funny After I Moved to Her City22:29 — My Family is Traumatizing Their Kids With Unhealthy Parenting Styles36:25 — My Twin Niece Thinks She’s Better Than Her Sister Because She’s Lighter-Skinned Stay Connected:Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/crisslescouchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crisslescouch/Have an issue for the Couch? Email: [email protected] Crew: Network: CAKE MEDIA Executive Producers: Crissle · Alexandra Rago · Chris MorrowAudio & Video Editor: Shatek for Beats on FilmProduction Coordinators: Faith Lena & Bria Mosley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Please welcome Jade back to the Couch! This week, Crissle and Jade unpack a range of relationship dilemmas, from navigating loneliness and struggling to build community to questioning whether a close friend is making the right decision in her relationship. They share advice for a couple whose therapist believes they’re ready to end couples therapy, but they are unsure if they’re ready to take that next step. They also explore how to safely leave an abusive relationship and find the support needed to navigate the process. Want to talk to Crissle on a future episode? Email [email protected] and include “chat live” in the subject line. Session Notes: 0:00 — Welcome Back to the Couch0:38 — Our Therapist Thinks We Don’t Need Couples Therapy Anymore9:15 — I’m Deeply Struggling With Loneliness24:52 — I’m the Maid of Honor, but I Don’t Think My Friend Should Get Married44:44 — How Can I Safely Leave My Abusive Relationship56:09 — My Twin Brother Is Dating Someone I Can’t Stand Stay Connected:Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/crisslescouchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crisslescouch/Have an issue for the Couch? Email: [email protected] Crew:Executive Producers: Crissle · Alexandra Rago · Chris MorrowAudio & Video Editor: Shatek for Beats on FilmProduction Coordinators: Faith Lena & Bria Mosley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Please welcome Jade back to the Couch! This week, Crissle and Jade tackle a range of relationship dilemmas. From struggling to move on from someone you never dated to falling out with your best friend, they explore the challenges of navigating relationships and knowing when it’s time to let go. They also discuss rebuilding trust after a partner reconnects with an ex and figuring out how to support a friend struggling with depression. These conversations get into the realities of friendship breakups, romantic insecurity, and showing up for the people we care about. Want to talk to Crissle on a future episode? Email [email protected] and include “chat live” in the subject line. Session Notes: 0:00 — Welcome Back to the Couch0:42 — Getting Over Someone You Were Never With9:36 — I Had to Remove My Best Friend as a Bridesmaid25:02 — I Caught My Partner Talking to Her Ex35:38 — My Friend Is Struggling With Depression Stay Connected:Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/crisslescouchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crisslescouch/Have an issue for the Couch? Email: [email protected] Crew:Executive Producers: Crissle · Alexandra Rago · Chris MorrowAudio & Video Editor: Shatek for Beats on FilmProduction Coordinators: Faith Lena & Bria Mosley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Please welcome Jade back to the Couch! This week, Crissle and Jade dive into complicated family dynamics, abusive relationships, controlling parents, and navigating life after a 20-year relationship. They offer advice on setting boundaries, protecting the people you love, and figuring out what to do when relationships get complicated. Want to talk to Crissle? Email [email protected] and include “chat live” in the subject line. Session Notes: 0:00 — Welcome Back to the Couch1:08 — My Aunt Won’t Leave Her Abusive Ex11:11 — How Can I Protect My Sister From Our Controlling Dad25:12 — My Mom Is Making Bad Health Decisions40:58 — I’m Single Again & Black Men Aren’t Taking Me Seriously Stay Connected:Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/crisslescouchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crisslescouch/Have an issue for the Couch? Email: [email protected] Crew:Executive Producers: Crissle · Alexandra Rago · Chris MorrowAudio & Video Editor: Shatek for Beats on FilmProduction Coordinators: Faith Lena & Bria Mosley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Couch, Crissle gets into the messy realities of friendship, family, and healing. She explores what to do when your friends let you down, how to support someone whose relationship has become controlling, and what it means when a friendship starts to fall apart. She also talks through the unexpected ways EMDR therapy can bring buried emotions, memories, and physical reactions to the surface. Across each conversation, Crissle helps callers sit with the uncomfortable parts, make sense of what’s happening, and figure out what to do when the people and relationships they love aren’t showing up the way they hoped. Want to talk to Crissle? Email [email protected] and include “chat live” in the subject line. Session Notes: 0:00 — Welcome Back to the Couch0:18 — My Friends Ruined My Birthday21:01 — I Didn’t Expect EMDR Therapy to Affect Me Like This29:37 — My Cousin’s Husband Is Controlling42:38 — I Don’t Know How to Fix My Strained Friendship Stay Connected: Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/crisslescouch Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crisslescouch/ Have an issue for the Couch? Email: [email protected] Crew:Executive Producers: Crissle · Alexandra Rago · Chris Morrow Audio & Video Editor: Shatek for Beats on Film Production Coordinators: Faith Lena & Bria Mosley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Couch, Crissle sits down with Dr. Rheeda Walker to talk about her book; The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health, psychological fortitude, and the importance of understanding the value of who we are. They explore what it means to stay connected to your purpose, navigate life’s stressors, and become more intentional about what you allow to take up space in your mind. They also discuss the unique pressures that impact the Black community, the importance of building mental resilience, and how we can better support ourselves and others without losing sight of our own well-being. Crissle and Dr. Rheeda Walker unpack what it looks like to protect your energy, strengthen your sense of self, and create healthier ways of moving through life. Want to talk to Crissle? Email [email protected] and include “chat live” in the subject line.  Session Notes:  0:00 — Welcome Back to the Couch1:41 — The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health by Dr. Rheeda Walker20:45 — Understanding Psychological Fortitude30:01 — Helping Others Without Hurting Yourself38:57 — Where to Start When You Realize You’re Not Okay Stay Connected:Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/crisslescouchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crisslescouch/Have an issue for the Couch? Email: [email protected] Follow Dr Rheeda Walker:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.rheedawalker/ Resources: The Unapolgetic Guide to Black Mental Health  Crew:Executive Producers: Crissle · Alexandra Rago · Chris MorrowAudio & Video Editor: Shatek for Beats on FilmProduction Coordinators: Faith Lena & Bria Mosley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Couch, Crissle sits down with Dr. Raquel Martin to talk about boundaries, conflict, and what it really means to have healthy relationships. They unpack the difference between boundaries and standards, how to communicate your needs effectively, and why sometimes the person most likely to violate your boundaries is yourself. Crissle and Dr. Raquel Martin unpack the importance of being reasonable in our relationships and how our own behaviors can impact the dynamics we have with others. They discuss what healing looks like while you’re still in the middle of the mess and explore how to navigate difficult conversations while still maintaining healthy boundaries. Want to talk to Crissle? Email [email protected] and include “chat live” in the subject line. Session Notes: 0:00 — Welcome Back to the Couch0:30 — Talking Boundaries with Dr. Raquel Martin10:15 — Conflict Management, Boundaries & Standards26:08 — Are You the One Violating Your Own Boundaries42:47 — What Healthy Communication Actually Looks Like57:06 —   The Importance of Getting Your Information from Credible Sources1:02:54 — Being Reasonable Is Part of Having Healthy Relationships Stay Connected:Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/crisslescouchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crisslescouch/Have an issue for the Couch? Email: [email protected] Follow Dr. Raquel MartinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/raquelmartinphd/?hl=en Crew:Executive Producers: Crissle · Alexandra Rago · Chris MorrowAudio & Video Editor: Shatek for Beats on FilmProduction Coordinators: Faith Lena & Bria Mosley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Couch, Crissle sits down with Dr. Taylor Cummings to talk about mental health, identity, and the pressure to become who the world expects us to be. They unpack what it means to navigate anxiety, depression, and belonging while learning to understand and trust yourself. They also discuss decolonizing our minds, unlearning the ways we’ve been conditioned to adapt to oppressive systems, and why we have to stop treating systemic problems as individual failures. Crissle and Dr. Taylor Cummings explore what it looks like to bring our knowledge, resources, and strengths together to build healthier, more connected communities. Want to talk to Crissle? Email [email protected] and include “chat live” in the subject line. Session Notes: 0:00 — Welcome Back to the Couch0:44 — The Miseducation of Dr. Taylor Cummings11:09 — Who Are We Supposed to Be in Order to Belong18:29 — How Can We Better Educate Our Communities26:21 — Decolonizing Your Mind & Relearning Yourself35:10 — Why We Need to Stop Individualizing Systemic Problems Stay Connected:Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/crisslescouchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crisslescouch/Have an issue for the Couch? Email: [email protected] Follow Dr. Taylor Cummings:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theselflovedoc/ Crew:Executive Producers: Crissle · Alexandra Rago · Chris MorrowAudio & Video Editor: Shatek for Beats on FilmProduction Coordinators: Faith Lena & Bria Mosley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices