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Ep. 42 - Healing Birth Trauma and Navigating Motherhood with Jaquesta Michelle, LCSW

The Holistic Counselor

Release Date: 02/05/2025

Ep. 68 - Is It Autism or Trauma? Diagnosing Adults on the Spectrum with Dr. Benson Fox, Psy.D. show art Ep. 68 - Is It Autism or Trauma? Diagnosing Adults on the Spectrum with Dr. Benson Fox, Psy.D.

The Holistic Counselor

What does it really mean to be “on the spectrum”—and why are so many adults just now getting diagnosed? In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, Diana sits down with Dr. Benson Fox, Psy.D., an Orthodox Jewish psychologist, school counselor, professor, and group leader of Adulting on the Spectrum, to explore the truths, myths, and real-life challenges of navigating adult life as a neurodivergent person. They unpack the confusion around late diagnoses, the overlap with trauma, and how stigma shows up—especially in faith-based, immigrant, and culturally...

info_outline Ep. 67 - Psychiatric Deprescribing & Women’s Mental Health: A Holistic Approach with Dr. Amy O’Donnell, M.D. show art Ep. 67 - Psychiatric Deprescribing & Women’s Mental Health: A Holistic Approach with Dr. Amy O’Donnell, M.D.

The Holistic Counselor

Feeling stuck on psychiatric meds and wondering if there's another way? This episode will change the game. Today I’m joined by Dr. Amy O’Donnell, a brilliant integrative psychiatrist who specializes in psychiatric deprescribing and women’s mental health. She’s helping clients move from surviving on scripts to thriving in mind, body, and spirit. Amy and I get real about the limits of traditional psychiatry, the risks of long-term medication use, and how integrative care offers hope and healing—especially for women navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and...

info_outline Ep. 66 - Escaping Spiritual Abuse & Church Trauma: Healing After High-Control Religion w/ Sowania Germain, LMHC-D, PMHC show art Ep. 66 - Escaping Spiritual Abuse & Church Trauma: Healing After High-Control Religion w/ Sowania Germain, LMHC-D, PMHC

The Holistic Counselor

Hello there, fearfully and wonderfully made human—and welcome to another episode of The Holistic Counselor Podcast. I’m your host, Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, CTP, QS—founder of  and . Today’s guest is the powerful and compassionate Sowania Germain, LMHC-D, PMHC—also known as The Mama Therapist. Sowania joins us to share her courageous story of escaping a spiritually abusive, cult-like church and how her healing journey led her to become a trauma-informed therapist and ministry leader. We unpack how faith can be weaponized, the signs...

info_outline Special Episode: When the Unthinkable Happens — Mental Health Support After Tragedy show art Special Episode: When the Unthinkable Happens — Mental Health Support After Tragedy

The Holistic Counselor

Host: Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, Qualified Supervisor Moderator & Founder: Through the Valley Therapy & Transformed Mind Consulting and Coaching Release Date: July 21, 2025 Event: A live webinar hosted by , created in response to the devastating Central Texas flood and sudden loss of a beloved colleague in a hit-and-run.  Episode Experts:  (D.Min., LMHC, QS) — Featured in Episode 10: “Untangling the Threads: Insights on Biblical and Clinical Healing”  (LMHC, QS; Certified Addiction Professional; EMDR Consultant)...

info_outline Ep. 65 - Healing Trauma Through Faith: How to Reclaim Identity and Hope with Rebecca Medina Stewart, Author of Ep. 65 - Healing Trauma Through Faith: How to Reclaim Identity and Hope with Rebecca Medina Stewart, Author of "SEEN"

The Holistic Counselor

Content Warning: This episode includes sensitive discussions around sexual assault, suicidal ideation, religious trauma, and faith deconstruction. Please listen with care and refer to the support resources listed below if needed. In this powerful and heartfelt episode of The Holistic Counselor Podcast, host Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, CTP, QS welcomes Emmy Award-nominated journalist and author Rebecca Medina Stewart, whose devotional book SEEN: Experiencing God’s Tenderness After Trauma offers survivors of sexual assault, grief, depression, and addiction a...

info_outline Ep. 64 - Dr. Corey Keyes on Languishing, Flourishing, and the Mental Health Continuum: Redefining What It Means to Be Mentally Well show art Ep. 64 - Dr. Corey Keyes on Languishing, Flourishing, and the Mental Health Continuum: Redefining What It Means to Be Mentally Well

The Holistic Counselor

In this powerful conversation, host Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, sits down with renowned sociologist and author Dr. Corey Keyes — the pioneer who coined the term languishing. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the fog between burnout and depression but weren’t sure how to name it, this episode is a must-listen. Dr. Keyes unpacks the groundbreaking Mental Health Continuum model and the five daily “vitamins” of flourishing — evidence-based habits that promote resilience, emotional healing, and a renewed sense of purpose. Diana and Dr. Keyes dive into the role...

info_outline Ep. 63 - Why You Crave Junk Food When You're Stressed: The Gut-Brain Link Behind Anxiety & Emotional Eating with Sarah Weiss, RD, LDN, IFNCP show art Ep. 63 - Why You Crave Junk Food When You're Stressed: The Gut-Brain Link Behind Anxiety & Emotional Eating with Sarah Weiss, RD, LDN, IFNCP

The Holistic Counselor

Welcome back, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made friend! In this powerful episode, I sit down with functional dietitian Sarah Weiss, founder of Weiss Choices, to explore the often-overlooked connection between food, mood, and emotional well-being. Sarah shares her personal journey of emotional eating, healing her gut, and leaving behind a high-stress career as a stockbroker to help others reclaim their health through functional nutrition. We break down the gut-brain axis, emotional eating cycles, blood sugar crashes, and the inflammation-anxiety link—plus share real-life...

info_outline Ep. 62 - Breaking the Silence: Healing Porn Addiction, Shame, and Identity Loss in High-Functioning Men with Daniel Rubin, LMHC show art Ep. 62 - Breaking the Silence: Healing Porn Addiction, Shame, and Identity Loss in High-Functioning Men with Daniel Rubin, LMHC

The Holistic Counselor

In this powerful episode of The Holistic Counselor Podcast, host Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, sits down with Daniel Rubin, LMHC, LPC, founder of Transcend Wellness IOP, for an unfiltered and deeply healing conversation about men’s mental health, emotional isolation, porn addiction recovery, and the impact of unresolved trauma. We explore the hidden struggles of high-performing men who silently carry shame, spiritual confusion, and emotional neglect. This episode is a call to wholeness, vulnerability, and kingdom-centered healing.  Key Topics We Cover: The...

info_outline Ep. 61 - Overcoming Fear of Success, Burnout, and Money Mindset Blocks as a Faith-Based Therapist or Coach with Laura Long, LMFT, MBA show art Ep. 61 - Overcoming Fear of Success, Burnout, and Money Mindset Blocks as a Faith-Based Therapist or Coach with Laura Long, LMFT, MBA

The Holistic Counselor

In today's soul-stirring episode of The Holistic Counselor Podcast, host Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, CTP, QS, sits down with her business coach, the dynamic Laura Long, LMFT, MBA. Together, they dive deep into topics that most entrepreneurs quietly wrestle with: the fear of success, financial mindset struggles (especially for faith-filled women), burnout recovery, and what it really takes to sustain a practice without losing your mind—or your mission. You'll hear raw truths, lots of laughter (and maybe a tear or two), and real-life tools you can start using today. Whether...

info_outline Ep. 60 - Healing Trauma at the Root: EMDR, Addiction, and Shame with Brian Gong, LMHC show art Ep. 60 - Healing Trauma at the Root: EMDR, Addiction, and Shame with Brian Gong, LMHC

The Holistic Counselor

In this deeply personal and powerful episode, Diana welcomes Brian Gong, LMHC, EMDRIA-Approved Consultant and co-owner of Mangrove Therapy Group, to explore how trauma, shame, and addiction are intricately linked—and how EMDR therapy offers a pathway to healing for even the deepest wounds. Diana first heard Brian speak at the NSU/MSD Strong event in 2020—two years after the tragic Parkland shooting—and was so impacted by what he shared that she began her own EMDR journey. In this conversation, they dive into: The science and soul of EMDR therapy ...

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In this heartfelt episode of The Holistic Counselor Podcast, Diana speaks with Jaquesta Michelle, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and certified trauma professional based in South Florida. Jaquesta shares her inspiring journey as a therapist and mother, with a focus on supporting women navigating challenges such as birth trauma, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and motherhood transitions.

Key topics discussed include:

  • Jaquesta's path to becoming a trauma-focused therapist.
  • Her personal experience with a high-risk pregnancy and NICU journey.
  • The concept of matrescence—the transformative process of becoming a mother.
  • Recognizing signs of postpartum depression and anxiety.
  • Practical tips for mothers and their support systems to navigate postpartum challenges.

Resources Mentioned:

  1. Postpartum Support International

  2. Book Recommendation:

    • Grieving the Child I Never Knew by Kathe Wunnenberg
    • Amazon link

  3. Jaquesta Michelle’s Contact Information:

Takeaways for Listeners:

  • Motherhood is a multifaceted journey; it’s normal to experience challenges.
  • Building a supportive community and advocating for yourself are key to healing.
  • Faith and grace play a vital role in navigating life’s valleys.

Stay Connected with Diana:

Final Note:
Remember, transformation begins with accountability. Give yourself grace, lean into your support system, and take one step at a time toward healing. As Diana always says: “Trust in the Lord, guard your heart, and renew your mind.”

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast wherever you’re listening!