RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions - Details, episodes & analysis

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RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions

Recovery.com

Health & Fitness

Frequency: 1 episode/8d. Total Eps: 50

RECOVERable features conversations with top experts in mental health, addiction recovery, and emotional wellbeing. Each episode answers the internet’s most-asked questions about topics like anxiety, trauma, relapse, and self-growth, breaking them down into clear, relatable insights you can actually use. No jargon. No judgment. Just expert-backed guidance to help you understand and take control of your mental health.

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https://recovery.com/
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https://www.laureltherapy.net/laurel-van-der-toorn
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https://www.seedandsew.org/
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Mental Health While Black: Healing Trauma and Finding the Right Therapist

Thursday, November 5, 2026 • Duration 43:10

Can daily microaggressions physically alter your nervous system? Discover the hidden somatic toll of racial trauma, cultural stress, and systemic discrimination. Host Terry McGuire is joined by trauma therapist, clinical social worker, and author Simone Saunders (MSW, RSW) to explore how cultural identity directly impacts emotional and physical well-being.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

Simone Saunders, MSW, RSW, is a registered trauma therapist, the founder of The Cognitive Corner, and the author of Where Do You Feel That in Your Body?. Known globally for translating complex mental health and somatic concepts into accessible everyday tools, Simone joins RECOVERable to dismantle pervasive myths around Black mental health, intergenerational trauma, and the silent cost of the "Strong Black Woman" schema. She also breaks down why "colorblind" therapy is a major clinical red flag that invalidates lived experiences.

In this candid conversation, Terry and Simone unpack how cumulative racial microaggressions keep the nervous system in chronic hypervigilance—leading to anxiety, depression, and somatic tension. They discuss the cultural pressures placed on Black men around emotional vulnerability and hypermasculinity, how spiritual faith and psychotherapy can powerfully coexist, and how you can break generational cycles when family members refuse to acknowledge past pain. You will also discover practical guidance on therapist green flags, the key distinction between cultural competence and cultural humility, and the healing power of community support.

If this episode resonates with you, please give it a thumbs up, subscribe to the channel, and share it with someone navigating their own healing journey. How do you balance family expectations, faith, and personal wellness? Join the conversation in the comments below!

Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction: What Is Culturally Responsive Care?
02:20 – Myth vs. Fact: Racism, Trauma, and Mental Health
06:06 – Why "Colorblind" Therapy Causes Clinical Harm
09:16 – Somatic Signs of Microaggressions and Stress
13:21 – Why Mental Health Is Taboo in Black Communities
18:08 – Finding Culturally Responsive Support & Community
20:46 – Black Men, Hypermasculinity, and Vulnerability
25:40 – Deconstructing the "Strong Black Woman" Schema
29:02 – Integrating Spiritual Faith with Psychotherapy
35:28 – Healing Intergenerational Trauma Without Family Support

Questions the Video Answers:

What is racial trauma and how does it affect mental health?

How do daily microaggressions affect the body and nervous system?

Why is mental health often considered taboo in Black and brown communities?

What are the physical and somatic symptoms of chronic racial stress?

Why is a "colorblind" approach in therapy harmful to clients?

What is the Strong Black Woman schema and how does it lead to burnout?

What cultural expectations prevent Black men from seeking mental health therapy?

Can you go to therapy and still maintain a strong religious or spiritual faith?

How can spiritual practices and psychological therapy work together?

Do you need a therapist of the same racial background to heal from racial trauma?

How do you heal intergenerational trauma if your parents refuse to go to therapy?

What is the difference between cultural competence and cultural humility in mental healthcare?

What green flags should you look for when choosing a culturally responsive therapist?

What are practical ways to practice rest when you are used to carrying everyone else?

#BlackMentalHealth #RacialTrauma #MentalHealth

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Somatic Therapy: What It Is and How It Releases Trauma From the Body

Thursday, October 29, 2026 • Duration 47:11

Can your body hold on to trauma long after your mind has made sense of it? In this episode of RECOVERable, host Terry McGuire sits down with trauma therapist and author Simone Saunders to separate somatic therapy facts from social media hype.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

Somatic therapy is body-based therapy that bridges the connection between the mind and body. It is far more than deep breathing or relaxation. Simone explains why you can understand your trauma intellectually and still feel stuck: your nervous system may not have caught up. She breaks down what it means that the body holds trauma, from muscle bracing and jaw tension to gastrointestinal issues, and how complex trauma like childhood emotional neglect builds up over time. Using the window of tolerance, she describes how hyperarousal (fight or flight, panic, anger, impulsivity, substance use) and hypoarousal (freeze, numbness, dissociation) can show up in adulthood. She also shares how the sweating she once thought was hyperhidrosis eased as her nervous system became more regulated.

You will learn what actually happens in a somatic therapy session, why consent and pacing matter, and why touch is optional. Simone explains why people who over-intellectualize often seek this work, how procedural learning drives automatic reactions, and why the real goal is choice. She compares top-down approaches like CBT, DBT and ACT with bottom-up approaches like somatic therapy and EMDR, talks about how long somatic therapy takes, whether online therapy works, and why viral techniques like ice-water face dunks are not quick fixes. She also suggests free starting points, such as noticing your hunger, thirst and sleep cues, and recommends resources from Janina Fisher, Pat Ogden and The Embody Lab.

Whether you have tried talk therapy and still feel stuck, or you are curious about healing trauma through the body, this conversation offers a clear and practical guide, plus a reminder that you are not a project to be fixed.

Subscribe to RECOVERable for more expert insights on mental health recovery, leave your questions in the comments below, and share this video with someone who is ready to reconnect with their body.

ERP: How Exposure and Response Prevention Treats OCD

Thursday, October 22, 2026 • Duration 01:02:25

Can you beat OCD by choosing not to act on your fear? In this episode of RECOVERable, host Terry McGuire sits down with OCD specialist Jenna Overbaugh to break down exposure and response prevention (ERP), the gold-standard therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

OCD is a two-part problem, obsessions and compulsions, and ERP is the two-part solution. Jenna, who brings both professional and lived experience of OCD, explains why the response prevention piece matters as much as the exposure, how safety behaviours and avoidance quietly keep the anxiety cycle going, and why traditional talk therapy can turn into verbal rumination and reassurance seeking that make OCD worse. You'll learn the difference between a thought and thinking, how to resist invisible mental compulsions by catching the question and not answering it, what an extinction burst is, and why the inhibitory learning model focuses on learning something new instead of waiting for anxiety to drop.

Jenna walks through how a therapist builds an exposure hierarchy using a 0-10 SUDS scale, why exposures should be collaborative and start at challenging but manageable, and how to postpone or reduce a compulsion when anxiety spikes. She covers how ERP compares with CBT, DBT and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), what research says about ERP alongside SSRI medication, whether there is a cure for OCD, the most common mistakes people make with self-directed ERP at home, and the red and green flags to look for in an ERP therapist. She also shares her own experience with false memory OCD as a new parent and describes lesser-known subtypes such as real event OCD and relationship OCD.

Whether you live with intrusive thoughts, love someone who does, or are wondering if ERP is right for you, this conversation shows how to make your life bigger so OCD gets smaller.

Subscribe to RECOVERable for more expert insights on mental health recovery, leave your questions in the comments below, and share this video to help someone with OCD know they are not alone.

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro: Why ERP Is the Gold Standard for OCD

OCD: Why Intrusive Thoughts Happen and How to Break the Cycle

Thursday, October 15, 2026 • Duration 01:02:22

Do your intrusive thoughts mean you have OCD, or does everyone have them? In this episode of RECOVERable, host Terry McGuire sits down with OCD therapist Jenna Overbaugh to explain what obsessive-compulsive disorder really is, beyond neatness and hand-washing.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

Host Terry McGuire sits down with Jenna Overbaugh, a therapist who spent nearly ten years treating the most severe OCD and anxiety cases at Rogers Memorial Hospital's residential program. She also has her own lived experience of OCD, which began after her son was born. Jenna explains that OCD is a two-part problem. Obsessions are unwanted intrusive thoughts, images, impulses or feelings that are ego-dystonic, meaning they go against your values. Compulsions are the physical or mental rituals you use to ease the anxiety those thoughts cause. She covers common types of OCD, including harm OCD, contamination OCD, hit-and-run OCD, 'just right' OCD, scrupulosity and sexual intrusive thoughts. She also explains Pure O and hidden mental compulsions such as rumination and self-reassurance. Finally, she covers how OCD differs from anxiety, why it's called 'the doubt disorder', and how genetics and stress combine to cause it.

Jenna describes exposure and response prevention (ERP), the gold-standard treatment for OCD. She explains why you should treat OCD like an allergy, not a diet, and how the simple phrase 'I'm having the thought that...' helps you step back from a frightening thought. She also points to the International OCD Foundation as a place to start. For families, she explains how reassurance and family accommodation feed the OCD cycle, and how to set caring, collaborative boundaries instead.

Whether you are wondering if your own thoughts point to OCD or you are supporting someone you love, this conversation offers clarity, practical tools and real hope: OCD is one of the most treatable mental health conditions.

Subscribe to RECOVERable for more expert insights on mental health recovery. Leave your questions in the comments below, and share this video to help someone who thinks they're the only one with these thoughts.

Chapters:

Perfectionism: Is It a Mental Illness? A Therapist Explains

Thursday, October 8, 2026 • Duration 56:04

Is your drive to be flawless really high standards, or anxiety in disguise? On RECOVERable, host Terry McGuire and licensed therapist Marc Azoulay answer your top questions about perfectionism, burnout, and the all-or-nothing trap.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

Host Terry McGuire sits down with licensed psychotherapist Marc Azoulay, who runs Men's Therapy Online and studied Buddhist psychology at Naropa. Marc explains perfectionism as a coping strategy driven by anxiety and fear that ties your worth to your performance, and how it differs from healthy high standards. In a myth-or-fact round and beyond, they cover procrastination as the other side of the perfectionism coin and how chronic stress affects the body. They also look at how parenting, Western culture, and social media feed perfectionism, how it relates to anxiety and OCD, and why it can lead to depression that feels like emptiness rather than sadness.

Instead of telling you to just chill out, Marc explains how to overcome perfectionism by fixing the "hole in the bucket," which means facing the core insecurity underneath. He compares CBT, which helps you cope and quiet the inner critic, with deeper psychodynamic therapy. He also explains why you need a support system and why you don't have to wait for rock bottom to start therapy.

Whether you are a high achiever who felt nothing after a big promotion or a procrastinator waiting for the perfect moment, this conversation offers a way to keep your ambition without burning out.

Subscribe to RECOVERable for more expert insights on mental health recovery, leave your questions in the comments below, and share this video with someone who is exhausted from trying to be perfect.

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro

01:40 – Perfectionism Myths vs. Facts

11:40 – What Is Perfectionism?

14:20 – What Causes Perfectionism? Parenting, Culture & Social Media

18:40 – Is Perfectionism a Mental Illness? Anxiety & OCD

Men's Mental Health: Why Men Struggle to Say I'm Not Okay with Marc Azoulay

Thursday, October 1, 2026 • Duration 01:04:03

Why do men struggle to say "I'm not okay"? In this episode of RECOVERable, host Terry McGuire sits down with psychotherapist Mark Azoulay, LAC, LPC, CGP, founder of Men's Therapy Online, to unpack the unique challenges facing men's mental health today.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

From covert anger and workaholism to silent isolation and low testosterone, male depression often looks drastically different than traditional warning signs. Mark breaks down how traditional talk therapy can fail men, why action-oriented and experiential group therapy builds real emotional resilience, and how side-by-side connections help break down isolation. Whether you are a man looking to build sustainable mental strength, a parent raising adolescent boys, or a partner wanting to offer grounded support without enabling, this conversation provides direct, practical strategies to navigate male burnout, stress, and emotional literacy.

Subscribe to the channel for more actionable mental health conversations!

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro

01:00 – Why focus on men's mental health separately?

02:00 – Myth or Fact: Men's mental health lightning round

11:55 – Why is it so hard for men to say "I'm not okay"?

22:25 – How do loneliness and social isolation impact men?

35:45 – How can loved ones encourage a man to seek therapy?

41:15 – When does self-reliance start hurting someone?

42:30 – What can parents do to raise emotionally resilient boys?

54:45 – Is it normal work stress or high-functioning anxiety?

56:30 – How can partners support a struggling man without pushing him away?

Questions the Video Answers:

How to Quit Drinking With the 12 Step Program Explained

Thursday, September 24, 2026 • Duration 48:49

What do the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous actually require? We break down the entire step-by-step process of addiction recovery and how it works.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

Welcome back to part two of our deep dive into the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Host Terry McGuire is joined by recovery advocate Cliff McDonald, who has actively worked the AA program for nearly a decade. Together, they demystify each of the 12 steps, explaining how this decades-old blueprint operates in real life to help those in addiction recovery.

Cliff walks us through the sequential journey, from admitting powerlessness in step one, to understanding the concept of a "higher power" in step two if you do not believe in a traditional God. He explains how to create a fearless moral inventory, confront resentments, and navigate the challenging process of making direct amends to those you have harmed. We also explore the critical difference between basic sobriety and true recovery, highlighting the daily maintenance steps required to live a happy, joyous, and free life. Whether you are seeking help for yourself or trying to understand the AA 12 steps for a loved one, this comprehensive guide lays out exactly what to expect.

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro: Demystifying the 12 Steps
01:45 – Step 1: Admitting Powerlessness
07:49 – Step 2: Restoring Sanity & Higher Power
10:50 – Step 3: Turning Your Will Over
17:18 – Steps 4 & 5: The Moral Inventory
23:59 – Steps 6 & 7: Removing Character Defects
29:45 – Steps 8 & 9: Making Direct Amends
35:24 – Step 10: Daily Accountability
38:33 – Steps 11 & 12: Spiritual Awakening
46:48 – Sobriety vs. Recovery Explained

Questions the Video Answers:

What does step one of Alcoholics Anonymous require?
Do you have to believe in God to complete step two?
What does turning your will over mean in step three?
How do you make a fearless moral inventory for step four?
Who should you share your exact wrongs with in step five?
How do you prepare to have your character defects removed in step six?
What does step seven of the AA program entail? Who goes on your step eight amends list? When should you avoid making a step nine direct amend to someone? How do you practice step ten on a daily basis? How do prayer and meditation work in step eleven? What does having a spiritual awakening mean in step twelve? #12Steps #AlcoholicsAnonymous #AddictionRecovery

Alcoholics Anonymous: What Actually Happens At A Meeting

Thursday, September 17, 2026 • Duration 52:38

Are you wondering what actually happens at your first AA meeting or if Alcoholics Anonymous is right for you? In this episode of RECOVERable, host Terry McGuire sits down with recovery advocate Cliff McDonald to uncover the truth about AA.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

With over a decade of researching and working the program, and seven years sober, Cliff brings invaluable firsthand experience to the table. Whether you are sober curious, exploring addiction recovery, or just want to understand how AA works, this conversation breaks down the 12 steps, what to expect when you walk into the rooms, and how the fellowship supports lasting sobriety.

Terry and Cliff don't shy away from the hard questions. They dive deep into the most searched criticisms: Is AA a cult? Is the program too religious? Does admitting powerlessness create learned helplessness? Cliff also debunks common myths surrounding Alcoholics Anonymous, explaining that it is a free, peer-led program that focuses on spirituality rather than strict religious dogma. He explores the concept of the "dry drunk," the difference between closed and open meetings, and why community is the ultimate antidote to the isolation of alcoholism.

If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol use, this guide offers calm, practical reassurance and a clear look at what the 12 steps actually ask you to do. Hit play to demystify the AA experience, and be sure to subscribe to RECOVERable for more insights into mental health and addiction recovery!

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro & Lightning Round Myths

08:43 – What is Alcoholics Anonymous actually?

18:11 – How to know when your drinking is a problem

22:04 – What actually happens at your first AA meeting?

29:22 – What do the 12 Steps actually ask you to do?

37:28 – AA criticisms: Abstinence and rigidity

39:48 – Is Alcoholics Anonymous too religious?

DID: How Is Dissociative Identity Disorder Diagnosed & Treated?

Thursday, September 10, 2026 • Duration 34:25

How is Dissociative Identity Disorder actually diagnosed and treated? Psychiatrist Dr. Colin Ross, M.D., reveals the truth about living with and healing from DID.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

In Part 2 of this deep dive, host Terry McGuire sits down with world-renowned psychiatrist, trauma expert, and author Dr. Colin Ross, M.D., founder of The Ross Institute. Together, they clear up pervasive myths surrounding Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), exploring how clinicians properly screen for dissociation, missing time, and internal voices. Dr. Ross breaks down the critical differences between DID vs schizophrenia, explaining why internal voices in trauma survivors differ from psychotic hallucinations.

The conversation explores the three stages of trauma-informed treatment, clarifying why full fusion or merging of alters isn't always the ultimate goal. Instead, effective therapy focuses on building internal cooperation, safety, and functional collaboration among alternate identity states. Dr. Ross shares practical guidelines for loved ones supporting someone with DID, warning against common relationship mistakes and caregiver burnout. He also highlights how to find specialized care through organizations like the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), as well as modalities like Internal Family Systems (IFS) and EMDR.

Whether you are navigating recovery yourself, supporting a partner, or seeking to understand complex trauma, this episode provides grounded, compassionate guidance on moving from internal civil war toward long-term healing and success.

Subscribe to RECOVERable for more expert insights on mental health recovery, leave your questions in the comments below, and share this video to help destigmatize complex trauma!

Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 00:01:14 – What Is Dissociative Identity Disorder? 00:02:12 – DID Diagnosis & Treatment Myths 00:07:04 – How Psychiatrists Screen for DID 00:10:58 – Understanding Internal Voices and Alters 00:15:19 – How to Find a DID Specialist 00:18:49 – DID vs. Schizophrenia: Key Differences 00:23:19 – Is Fusion Always the Goal of DID Therapy? 00:27:49 – How to Support a Loved One with DID 00:31:14 – Living a Successful Life with DID

DID Trauma Response: Why Dissociative Identity Disorder Is a Survival Skill

Thursday, September 3, 2026 • Duration 52:58

Is dissociative identity disorder wildly misunderstood? Discover how childhood trauma splits the mind into distinct alters as leading psychiatrist Dr. Colin Ross joins host Terry McGuire to separate medical facts from pop culture myths on RECOVERable.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

In Part 1 of this deep dive, world-renowned psychiatrist, author, and DID specialist Dr. Colin Ross—who served on the DSM-IV task force committee—unpacks the reality of Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder). From explaining how severe, inescapable childhood abuse triggers the brain's natural survival mechanisms to distinguishing genuine DID symptoms from viral social media trends, Dr. Ross delivers essential insights for trauma survivors, families, and clinicians.

Together, host Terry McGuire and Dr. Ross explore how alter personalities function, what switching feels like internally, and why dissociation is a brilliant coping mechanism rather than a defect. You will discover how DID differs from schizophrenia and complex PTSD (C-PTSD), why alters can have unique ages or mannerisms, and how Internal Family Systems (IFS) overlaps with dissociative identity disorder therapy.

Whether you are questioning a diagnosis or seeking to support someone with DID, this conversation offers clarity, empathy, and hope.

Subscribe to RECOVERable, turn on notifications so you don't miss Part 2 on treatment and integration, and share your thoughts in the comments below!

Chapters:
00:00 – Intro
02:08 – Myth or Fact: Quick Answers on DID
07:38 – What Is Dissociative Identity Disorder?
12:18 – Childhood Trauma as a Survival Skill
15:38 – Multiple Personality Misconceptions
21:21 – Real DID vs. Social Media Trends
23:50 – What Switching Alters Feels Like
29:22 – DID vs. Internal Family Systems (IFS)
31:54 – Misdiagnosis: DID vs. Schizophrenia
44:44 – The Path to Healing & Therapy

Questions the Video Answers:

What is the difference between DID and Multiple Personality Disorder?

How does childhood trauma cause Dissociative Identity Disorder?Is Dissociative Identity Disorder the same thing as Schizophrenia?How common is Dissociative Identity Disorder in the general population?Can adults suddenly develop DID without childhood trauma?Are people with Dissociative Identity Disorder violent or dangerous?Is there a prescription medication that can cure DID?What does switching between alters feel like?Can alters have different ages, genders, or mannerisms?How can you distinguish real DID from someone faking it on social media?How does DID differ from Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy?What is the difference between complex PTSD and Dissociative Identity Disorder?Must all alters integrate into one personality for a person with DID to heal?Why do siblings exposed to the same traumatic environment develop different responses?#DissociativeIdentityDisorder #DID #TraumaRecovery

RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions - Details, episodes & analysis

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RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions - Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

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