Mental health is still one of the hardest things for people to talk about, even while more of us are willing to use words like anxiety, depression, and trauma. In this episode, Rich is joined once again by licensed clinical social worker and executive leader Jennifer Redding, founder of Harford Counseling and co-founder of Pebbles Throw Consulting, to dig into what real trauma-informed care looks like in everyday life and at work.
Jennifer breaks down why mental health has long been seen as a “character flaw,” how social media encourages self-diagnosis and labels, and why there is a big difference between a tough season and a clinical condition. She shares the origin story of Harford Counseling, explains how trauma and substance use are intertwined, and talks about the importance of treating people as whole human beings rather than separating “mental health,” “addiction,” and “life problems” into different boxes.
The conversation then shifts into the workplace. Jennifer introduces concierge behavioral health, a new arm of Harford Counseling that reimagines traditional employee assistance. She explains how trauma-informed leadership, psychological safety, and simple, consistent practices can improve retention, reduce conflict, and help people actually want to show up and do their best work.
If you are a leader, a parent, a helping professional, or simply someone who wants to better understand your own mental health, this episode will give you language, perspective, and hope.
Learn more about Jennifer and her team: HarfordCounseling.com
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