From Both Sides Of The Couch with Dr. Laurie Bruce

Have you ever been in a situation where you try to calm down, but your thoughts just won’t slow down? In this episode of From Both Sides Of The Couch, we’re talking about why ADHD and anxiety often show up together, even though they can seem contradictory.

Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, as we unpack how the brain regulates, why so many people experience both ADHD and anxiety, and how understanding their connection can reduce shame,...

Have you ever trusted someone deeply, only to have them become the person who hurt you the most?

In this episode of From Both Sides Of The Couch, we’re diving into betrayal trauma — the kind that makes you question your self-worth, your memory, and even your own judgment. We unpack what betrayal trauma really is, why it cuts so deeply, and what healing actually looks like.

Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, clinical psychologist and mind...

Hey friends! Are you a nice person, or are you kind? In today’s episode of From Both Sides Of The Couch, we explore the important difference between the two and how learning to set boundaries can turn people-pleasing into personal power.

Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, as we talk honestly about why boundaries aren’t selfish or mean. They help regulate our nervous system and create a sense of safety, both for us and for others. When ...

Are you a parent whose child has shared that they are gay, lesbian, or trans? In today’s episode of From Both Sides Of The Couch, we talk about what it can feel like when a child comes out as LGBTQ and the things that can help or harm your relationship during this moment.

Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, as I share both clinical insight and my own personal experience as a mom to a trans son. We’ll walk through what LGBTQ means, explor...

Why does reassurance never seem to last when you have an anxious attachment style?

Hey friends! Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, your psychologist and mindfulness coach. In today’s episode, we explore what happens in the brain when attachment wounds get triggered and why reassurance can feel helpful in the moment but fade so quickly.

Anxious attachment is not a character flaw. It’s the brain’s attempt to stay safe and connected. We’ll un...

Hey friends! What evidence-based skills can help us change how we relate to ourselves when we’re hurting, struggling, or not at our best? In this episode, we’re diving into self-compassion, what the research actually says about it, and why it’s such a powerful foundation for mental health.

Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, as we walk through the 4 A’s you can start practicing today to strengthen your self-compassion muscle. We’ll also...

What is — and isn’t — burnout according to research?

In today’s episode, we explore the clinical definition of burnout, why healthcare professionals are especially vulnerable to it, and the three dimensions of burnout as defined by Dr. Maslach.

Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, as we break down how to differentiate burnout from clinical depression, why chronic workplace stress slowly erodes well-being, and the key factors that increase th...

Hey friends! In this episode, we’re diving into the emotion of fear and why it shows up as a response to danger.

Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, as we explore why emotions are essential to the human experience, how we should put up boundaries as clinicians, and what happens in the body physiologically when fear is activated. We’ll also talk about the truth about panic attacks, why they happen, and how they can become agoraphobic whe...

Are you a therapist, coach, or teacher? This episode is for you. Today, we’re talking about regulating our own emotions, noticing our level of burnout, and staying steady and compassionate as we support emotionally intense or dysregulated clients.

Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, your clinical psychologist and mindfulness coach, as we explore why tending to our own emotional needs matters, what drives emotional intensity and behavior...

What are the ways you’re tending to your attachment wounds? Today, we continue our series on attachment styles by exploring how healing is possible and how we can move toward a more secure attachment.

Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, as we walk through five strategies you can begin practicing daily: attunement, nervous system soothing, imagery, co-regulation, and validation. Small, repeated steps that gently rewire us toward safety.

Be...

Hey beloved! In today’s episode of From Both Sides Of The Couch, we’re starting a new series by unpacking a topic that’s been everywhere on social media lately: attachment styles — with a focus on anxious attachment.

Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, clinical psychologist and mindfulness coach, as we look at the early research on attachment and explore real client stories about anxious attachment. We’ll dive into why this pattern deve...

Hi there, friends! Have you ever wondered if some of the struggles in your life might be rooted in your own patterns? In this episode of From Both Sides Of The Couch, we’re talking about self-sabotage—what it truly means and the strategies that can help prevent it from quietly shaping your life.

Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, your friendly clinical psychologist and mindfulness coach, as we explore the definition of self-sabotage,...

Hey friends! Do you ever lash out when you’re anxious or angry, only to regret it afterward? You might be needing healthier coping skills. In this episode of From Both Sides Of The Couch, we’ll unpack dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with the goal of helping you understand how to use DBT skills effectively.

Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, as we talk through the four DBT modules, how long the process usually takes, and how to know ...

Hey friends! Have you ever noticed how certain words can make you feel small—losing your power even before the conversation begins? In this episode of From Both Sides Of The Couch, we’ll explore why one of the most powerful tools for emotional intelligence lies in the words we use every day.

Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, your clinical psychologist and mindfulness coach, as we talk about how mindful communication can move you fro...

Are you always striving to be better, stronger, faster—just more of everything?

Hey friends! In this episode of From Both Sides Of The Couch, we’ll talk about why so many of us still don’t feel “enough” despite the hustle and hard work, and why trying harder isn’t the real solution.

Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, as we explore why striving and overachieving rarely bring the peace, joy, and fulfillment we’re seeking. We’ll also uncover ...

Hey friends! Do you ever find yourself weighed down by guilt or regret for things in the past? In today’s episode of From Both Sides Of The Couch, we’ll explore the difference between guilt and shame and learn practical ways to move through both with compassion.

Join me as we unpack why these emotions, though uncomfortable, are necessary parts of being human. We’ll also talk about how to recognize when guilt or shame is appropria...

Hey friends! Do you have something deeply important you wish you could tell someone, but can’t seem to find the right words? In today’s episode, we’re exploring a powerful therapeutic tool called “The Letter You’re Never Going to Send.”

Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, as we dive into experiential therapy—why expressing your feelings can be deeply healing, and why sometimes it’s safer not to hear the other person’s response.

The trut...

Hey everyone! In this episode, I’m joined by Russ Jones, the ADHD Big Brother, for an insightful conversation about what life with ADHD really looks like, especially for those diagnosed later in life, in their 40s. Russ also shares his personal journey of finding purpose through podcasting and building a supportive community.

Together, we’ll explore why it’s so important to recognize the signs of ADHD in childhood, the powerful r...

Who’s really driving your life? Are you in control or just along for the ride?

In this empowering episode of From Both Sides of the Couch, Dr. Laurie Bruce—clinical psychologist and mindfulness coach—guides you through a powerful car metaphor to explore self-responsibility, resilience, and personal growth. Each seat in the car represents a level of responsibility, from feeling stuck in the backseat to fully taking the wheel of your...