112: Bridging Connection: Counseling for Aging Families with Marissa Wells
A Simple Therapy Podcast: Honest Conversations on Therapy, Mental Health, Healing and Self-Growth
Release Date: 07/25/2025
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...
info_outlineA 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...
info_outlineA 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...
info_outlineA 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...
info_outlineA 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...
info_outlineA 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...
info_outlineA 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...
info_outlineA 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...
info_outlineA 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...
info_outlineA 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_outlineBridging Connection: Counseling for Aging Families with Marissa Wells
In this episode of A Simple Therapy podcast, host Sindee Gozansky welcomes Marissa Wells, a licensed professional counselor and aging family educator from Arkansas. Marissa talks about her journey to specializing in counseling for aging families, rooted in her personal experiences with her own family. She highlights the importance of supporting caregivers and addresses the dynamics and challenges faced by families dealing with aging loved ones, including the emotional and practical aspects of role reversals and caregiving.
The episode explores communication within families and proactive planning for aging to ensure values-based decision-making. Additionally, Marissa talks about her efforts to extend support beyond her local area through a free Facebook group called 'The Aging Family,' where she provides resources and fostering connections. Sindee and Marissa also discuss the emotional weight carried by caregivers and the importance of seeking help. This episode is a treasure trove of insights and practical advice for anyone navigating the complexities of aging within families.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:35 Marissa's Journey into Aging Family Counseling
05:42 Challenges and Solutions in Aging Family Counseling
08:51 Role Reversals and Family Dynamics
17:25 The Impact of COVID-19 on Aging Families
19:18 Support for Caregivers and Final Thoughts
31:33 Resources and Conclusion
Check out Berries:
https://heyberries.com/heart-centered
Use Discount Code: Sindee50 for $50 off your first month
Connect with Marissa:
Counseling
https://www.facebook.com/mwellslpcs/
https://www.instagram.com/mwells_lpcs
Coaching
https://www.facebook.com/groups/theagingfamily
https://www.facebook.com/marissawellscoaching/
https://www.instagram.com/marissawellscoaching
Join her FREE Aging Family Group: http://bit.ly/4hk0X14
Connect with Sindee:
Visit my website: https://asimpletherapypodcast.com/
Join the Heart-Centered Therapist Community FB group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/478651669638167
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/heartcenteredtherapist/
Shop Mental Health Threads:
https://mentalhealththreads.etsy.com
Want to be a guest on the podcast?
Email Sindee: info@asimpletherapy.com
For more information on the Couples Therapy Mentorship Group, email me at info@asimpletherapy.com