109: Girl Groomed: Healing from Trauma and Reclaiming Joy with Therapist and Author Carol Odell
A Simple Therapy Podcast: Honest Conversations on Therapy, Mental Health, Healing and Self-Growth
Release Date: 05/27/2025
124: Sustaining the Therapist Self: Values-Based Self-Care and Why Your Netflix Binge Isn't Working with Lorain Moorehead
A Simple Therapy Podcast: Honest Conversations on Therapy, Mental Health, Healing and Self-Growth
In this episode of A Simple Therapy Podcast, Sindee Gozansky welcomes Lorain Moorehead, LCSW—psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, EMDR consultant, and host of the Self Careapist Therapist Podcast—for a conversation about burnout, perfectionism, and why most therapists are doing self-care all wrong. Lorain shares how she reverse-engineered her own self-care after realizing her TV binges left her feeling worse, not better. Together, Sindee and Lorain explore how childhood wounds of “be the role model” drive our over-functioning, why competitive athletes can’t just “work out” and...
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123: The Therapist as a Tool: Emotional Awareness, Boundaries, and Self-Care with Alyssa Scarano
A Simple Therapy Podcast: Honest Conversations on Therapy, Mental Health, Healing and Self-Growth
In this deeply reflective episode of A Simple Therapy Podcast, Sindee Gozansky sits down with Alyssa Scarano to talk about what it really means to care for ourselves while doing emotionally demanding work. While Alyssa’s background in family therapy shaped her clinical lens, this conversation goes far beyond technique. Together, Sindee and Alyssa explore how a therapist’s internal emotional experience — the frustration, ache, exhaustion, or even invisibility felt after a session — can become valuable information rather than something to push away. Alyssa shares a pivotal supervision...
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122: Becoming Him: Freedom, Burnout, and the Gator Life with Dr. Jason Branch
A Simple Therapy Podcast: Honest Conversations on Therapy, Mental Health, Healing and Self-Growth
In this episode of A Simple Therapy Podcast, Sindee Gozansky welcomes Dr. Jason Branch—therapist, educator, podcaster, and self-proclaimed Gator—for a conversation about burnout, authenticity, and becoming the best version of yourself. Dr. Branch shares his raw journey through severe burnout as a new clinician and how an unexpected detour into bartending school helped him evolve into “Him.” In this fun episode, Sindee and Jason laugh, get real, and go deep as they explore the beliefs that keep us stuck, the power of doing something different, uncomfortable, and new (DUN), and why most...
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121: Holding the Holidays: Boundaries, Burnout, and Being Human as a Therapist
A Simple Therapy Podcast: Honest Conversations on Therapy, Mental Health, Healing and Self-Growth
In this gentle, heart-centered holiday episode, Sindee offers simple, grounding guidance for therapists moving through a season that can feel both beautiful and overwhelming. She explores how to set clear, ethical boundaries, how to approach crisis concerns with steadiness, and how to notice the early signs of burnout before the new year hits hard. Sindee also shares practical ways to support clients through family dynamics without diving into heavy trauma work right before a break—focusing instead on preparation, coping tools, and loving limits. Throughout the episode, she reminds us...
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120: The Phoenix Within: Radical Healing and the Power of Community with José Rosario
A Simple Therapy Podcast: Honest Conversations on Therapy, Mental Health, Healing and Self-Growth
In this episode of A Simple Therapy Podcast, Sindee Gozansky sits down with José Rosario—therapist, human rights speaker, and founder of The Phoenix Empowered—for a powerful and heartfelt conversation about radical healing, identity, and the systems that shape our mental health. Born to young Puerto Rican parents and living with cerebral palsy, José’s story is one of defiance, resilience, and community. From being told as a child that he would “never accomplish anything” to becoming a leading voice in intersectional mental health, José shares his deeply personal journey of finding...
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119: Finding Peace of Mind: Courage, Connection, and Healing with Jonathan Kemp
A Simple Therapy Podcast: Honest Conversations on Therapy, Mental Health, Healing and Self-Growth
In this episode of A Simple Therapy Podcast, Sindee Gozansky sits down with Jonathan Kemp—mental health advocate, entrepreneur, and author of Finding Peace of Mind—for an honest conversation about living with undiagnosed bipolar disorder, addiction, and dyslexia, and what it means to find healing later in life. Jonathan shares the many twists and turns of his journey—from working in the Australian outback and serving in law enforcement in the UK to completing a master’s degree in international finance—all while navigating systems and self-doubt that told him he couldn’t do...
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118: Your Pain Has a Name: Identity, Healing, and Compassion with Monica DiCristina
A Simple Therapy Podcast: Honest Conversations on Therapy, Mental Health, Healing and Self-Growth
In this episode of A Simple Therapy Podcast, Sindee Gozansky sits down with Monica DiCristina, LPC, therapist, writer, and podcaster, to explore the healing power of naming our pain. Monica shares her personal journey of living with undiagnosed OCD and intrusive thoughts, and how finding a name for her struggle became the first step toward freedom. Together, Sindee and Monica talk about separating identity from wounding, why coping behaviors don’t define us, and the importance of listening to the “trauma whispers” in our daily lives. They also discuss the cultural pull toward quick...
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117: Healing the Helpers: Emotional Labor, Boundaries, and Community with Kara Cruz
A Simple Therapy Podcast: Honest Conversations on Therapy, Mental Health, Healing and Self-Growth
In this episode of A Simple Therapy Podcast, Sindee Gozansky talks with Kara Cruz, LMFT, PMH-C, a therapist, supervisor, and community builder dedicated to “healing the helpers.” Kara has created spaces like the Supervisor Circle and Therapist Group Bootcamp to support clinicians in their professional and personal growth. They dive into the emotional labor of caregiving professionals, how fear and self-abandonment keep therapists from setting boundaries, and why building supportive communities is essential to prevent burnout. Kara also shares her passion for group work, offering practical...
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116: The Human Puzzle: Trauma, Healing, and Psychedelic Therapy with Keith Kurlander
A Simple Therapy Podcast: Honest Conversations on Therapy, Mental Health, Healing and Self-Growth
In this episode of A Simple Therapy Podcast, Sindee Gozansky talks with Keith Kurlander, MA, LPC, co-founder of the Integrative Psychiatry Institute and a pioneer in psychedelic therapy education. Keith shares his own mental health journey, beginning with a near-suicide at 19, and how decades of healing led him to build innovative training programs that are reshaping the field. They dive into the growing role of psychedelic-assisted therapy, what integration really means after a transformative session, and why trauma is often the common thread in mental health struggles. Keith also explains...
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115: Betrayal and Forgiveness: Rebuilding Trust After Deep Hurt with Dr. Bruce Chalmer
A Simple Therapy Podcast: Honest Conversations on Therapy, Mental Health, Healing and Self-Growth
In this episode of A Simple Therapy Podcast, Sindee Gozansky sits down with Dr. Bruce Chalmer, a couples therapist, author, and podcaster who has spent more than 30 years helping people navigate intimacy, betrayal, and forgiveness. They explore why communication skills alone won’t save a struggling relationship, how true healing begins with the courage to face intimacy, and what Dr. Chalmer calls the “oh, shit moment” that can change everything for a couple. He also shares insights from his latest book, Betrayal and Forgiveness: How to Navigate the Turmoil and Learn to Trust Again,...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Heart-Centered Therapist podcast, host Sindee Gozansky chats with Carol Odell, a seasoned psychotherapist and author. Carol shares her journey from a traumatic childhood experience in the equestrian world to writing her memoir 'Girl Groomed,' which was a therapeutic process in itself.
She opens up about the long-lasting impacts of trauma, how it impacted her marriage, and how rediscovering her love for horses played a crucial role in her healing. Carol also discusses the importance of movement, community, and ongoing self-care for both therapists and clients. Their conversation is rich with insights on navigating personal trauma while helping others, making it a must-listen for anyone in the mental health field. Don't miss this heartfelt discussion on reclaiming joy and finding empowerment through vulnerability and connection.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:29 Carol Odell's Background and Passions
01:20 Discussing the Memoir 'Girl Groomed'
05:34 Cultural and Historical Context of Grooming
11:29 Impact of Trauma on Relationships
18:40 Writing Process and Self-Care
20:23 Healing Through Movement and Community
21:42 Book Launch and Post-Traumatic Growth
23:51 Healing Through Community and Couples Work
26:43 The Journey of Writing a Memoir
30:55 The Power of Personal Narratives in Healing
34:21 Reconnecting with Horses and Healing
37:48 Advice for Therapists Navigating Their Own Trauma
39:49 The Importance of Self-Care and Community for Therapists
40:55 Creative Outlets for Healing
42:34 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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IG: mosaicofthoughts_
FB: cfodellmsw LinkedIn: carolodell
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Visit my website: https://heartcenteredtherapistpodcast.com/
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Interested in realigning your own practice to be more heart-centered? Join Sindee on her podcast by signing up for a Therapist Alignment Session. This brief, 15-30-minute conversation is a unique opportunity to re-align with your heart-centered approach, both in your client interactions and in the development of your practice.
Whether you're at the beginning of your career or an experienced therapist, these sessions are designed to help you gain clarity on specific issues you're facing. Sign up for your Therapist Alignment Session here:
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Want to be a guest on the podcast?
Email Sindee: hello@hctpodcast.com
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