Ep. 59 - Unlocking Self-Healing with Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy: A Deep Dive with Dr. Tori Olds
Release Date: 06/04/2025
Ep. 68 - Is It Autism or Trauma? Diagnosing Adults on the Spectrum with Dr. Benson Fox, Psy.D.
The Holistic Counselor
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Ep. 67 - Psychiatric Deprescribing & Women’s Mental Health: A Holistic Approach with Dr. Amy O’Donnell, M.D.
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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...
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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...
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Special Episode: When the Unthinkable Happens — Mental Health Support After Tragedy
The Holistic Counselor
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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...
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Ep. 64 - Dr. Corey Keyes on Languishing, Flourishing, and the Mental Health Continuum: Redefining What It Means to Be Mentally Well
The Holistic Counselor
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The Holistic Counselor
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The Holistic Counselor
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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
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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 ...
info_outlineIn this heartfelt and informative episode of The Holistic Counselor Podcast, your host Diana S. Rice, LMHC, dives into Internal Family Systems (IFS) with the brilliant Dr. Tori Olds—psychologist, educator, singer-songwriter, and co-founder of Deep Eddy Psychotherapy.
Diana shares how a single YouTube video titled What is IFS? changed the game for her personal healing and client work. That video? Created by today’s guest, Dr. Tori Olds.
Together, they explore the neuroscience behind IFS, how to work with wounded parts (exiles), and why self-compassion—not shame—is the key to healing.
Whether you're a therapist, a faith-based practitioner, or someone simply curious about why you procrastinate, rage, people-please, or spiral into perfectionism, this episode is for you.
In This Episode, We Explore:
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What Internal Family Systems therapy actually is (Hint: It's not “multiple personalities”)
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The difference between protectors (like managers and firefighters) and exiles
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What the “Self” is in IFS—and how to connect to it
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The science of memory reconsolidation and how real change is possible
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How IFS complements faith-based healing (even for those deconstructing rigid religious upbringings)
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Why your coping behaviors aren’t bad—they’re just trying to help you survive
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A healing path that integrates body, mind, and soul—without shame
Powerful Quotes:
“It’s not about fixing yourself—it’s about getting to know yourself with compassion.” — Dr. Tori Olds
“The more you ignore a part, the more it screams at you. It’s not trying to sabotage you—it’s trying to get your attention.” — Diana S. Rice
“Firefighters are there to save your life... but sometimes they break a few windows in the process.” — Dr. Tori Olds
“Even with trauma, your true Self is never broken—it’s just buried under protective parts.” — Dr. Tori Olds
“Change comes through acceptance, not punishment.” — Dr. Tori Olds
Resources Mentioned:
Dr. Tori Olds’ YouTube Channel (watch What Is IFS? and other playlists):
https://www.youtube.com/@
Playlist: Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Go to Tori’s channel > Click “Playlists” > Look for the IFS series
Self-Therapy by Jay Earley (IFS-based workbook for individuals)
https://amzn.to/3qW5hdb
IFS Institute (Find a certified therapist or trainings)
https://ifs-institute.com
IFS Workbook by Dr. Richard Schwartz
https://amzn.to/3r0r7Al
IFS & Neuroscience: Watch Dr. Schwartz on the Huberman Lab Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Bible Verses Referenced:
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Psalm 46:10 – “Be still and know that I am God.”
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Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control...”
Connect with Our Guest:
Dr. Tori Olds
Website: https://www.toriolds.com
YouTube: @DrToriOlds
Trainings: https://www.mindingtheheart.
Connect with Diana S. Rice:
Website: https://www.
Podcast: The Holistic Counselor Podcast
Instagram: @throughthevalleytherapy
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