The Convenient Counselor

The Convenient Counselor

Hosted by Briana Leach - a wife, mom of three, and licensed professional counselor (LPC), this podcast covers a variety of counseling topics that all have the same foundation...taking serious topics and making them less intimidating and more accessible. Join in and learn more about yourself in this "awkward one-sided counseling session" that is short enough for a quick car ride, yet gets right to the point and challenges you to increase your self-awareness!

Episodes

November 16, 2022 10 mins

Why does mental health matter? Why start a podcast about it? Learn more about the answers to these questions as well as an update on the podcast moving forward.

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Have you ever imagined your life as an object? Visualization is really important in therapy, because it allows us to tap into a side of our brain that can process emotions and situations differently than just with logic. Learn more about this tool and about what your boat might look like in this episode!

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November 2, 2022 4 mins

Need a pep talk today? This quick episode is one you can file away for those days where you just need someone to cheer you on for a second, help you be thankful, and feel your feelings. You've got this!

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October 26, 2022 15 mins

You've named the fear, now what? In this episode, learn the two follow up questions that are needed after naming a fear - they can help you understand where the fear comes from, and steps to potentially take to avoid or cope with it!

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October 19, 2022 11 mins

What are you afraid of? Typically when we hear this question we might only think of a couple responses - in my case, going to the dentist and alligators. But in everyday situations, there can be "fears" that drive or motivate our behaviors. Learn more about how to name your fears in this episode, and come back next week for what to do once you've named that fear!

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It's hard to make new friends. Even harder when you lead a busy life! But in this episode, learn 5 tips for pursuing new friendships in a healthy way!

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Join in on the 6th round of "Questions for a Counselor" in this episode, which covers the following questions:

* Any advice on a child who explodes when he can’t figure out something? Homework, assembling a toy, etc…it’s unpredictable and so hard!

* What do I do when I just feel stuck? Like I have no motivation and don’t know what to do next.

Previous Episode referenced:
"What to do when you feel...

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September 28, 2022 11 mins

In the stress of daily life, do you have "pockets of peace?" These brief moments can help the dust settle and for you to sometimes literally catch your breath! Learn more about this wellness practice in Episode 118.

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September 21, 2022 9 mins

"Fortune Telling" is a therapy term used for one of the most common cognitive distortions (unhealthy way of thinking). Learn more about the definition, what qualifies as fortune telling, and ways to combat it if this is something you struggle with regularly!

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September 14, 2022 9 mins

Are efficiency and effectiveness the same thing? Sometimes we think they are, but unfortunately that's not always the case! In this episode, we dive into these two concepts with real-life examples, so that you can see what will be the best course of action in your life!

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September 7, 2022 8 mins

We all know that rules are meant to keep us safe, and boundaries can be protective...but what about certain "lines" in your life that you may not know their origin? Did someone "draw" in your life and you've never acknowledged it? In this episode, we explore this common question I ask in therapy, and walk through examples that might apply in your situation.

Past episode referenced:
Episode 2 - ...

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August 31, 2022 8 mins

Back from summer break, barely meeting the personal August "deadline" in my mind...better late than never! :)  In this episode, learn about four areas where this common phrase might need some evaluation:
- Apologies
- Course correcting in parenting
- Self-Care
- Pursuing a paused dream

Mentions in the episode:
Episode 10/11: Rethinking Self-Care
Episode 52: Unconventional Self-Care
Epi...

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June 22, 2022 9 mins

In this episode we revisit the concept of applying the "5,5,5 principle" to your daily life!

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When you talk about your own mental health struggles, how do you "label" them? Do you call it "my anxiety" when you talk about dealing with anxiety? Have you mis-labeled other issues as something that's a bit more palatable in your mind? Learn more about how this can be harmful rather than healing in this episode, and what you can do instead!

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We often think that since we can hear/process most of our inner thoughts, we are vulnerable with ourselves, right?? Unfortunately that is not always true. In this episode, learn examples of what practicing self-vulnerability might look like, or confirm if you are already practicing this important mental health skill!

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Join in on round #5 of listener-submitted questions, and hear Briana's response to the following:

"I have a family member that would really benefit from counseling, but I'm not sure how to tell them that without offending them. What should I do?"

"What can I do to make the most of my time in therapy?"

"Is it okay if couples don't fight? Doesn't that mean they a...

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Where is your "happy place?" Is it a location or view you are able to visit often? Are you aware of moments in your life that could qualify as a happy place, AKA a place you feel at ease and fully yourself? Learn more about these questions and the importance of finding a realistic "happy place" in this short and sweet episode!

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"I never thought I would be an angry mom." "Why am I angry ALL the time?" 
In this episode, we re-visit the concept first shared way back in Episode 6 of this podcast...the acronym GIFT to help explain your anger. This time, we learn how the secondary emotion of anger shows up often in motherhood, and how you can better communicate your emotions/needs in the moment.


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What does it mean to be authentic? Is oversharing part of being authentic towards others? These two concepts are often mistaken as synonyms, when in reality they are quite different. Learn more about authenticity vs. oversharing in this episode, and find out how to gauge if you've done this in your own life!

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"Ugh, she has such an attitude."
"He is SO selfish."
When we are in a posture of judgment, it's very hard to be humble. In this short episode, learn a few phrases that can help re-center your heart in moments of judgment towards others.

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