I’m a psychotherapist turned “accidental” author

I began my career as a psychotherapist intending to help others build mental strength, unaware how much I’d need it myself.

At 23, my mom passed away. Then, at 26, my husband died. Losing the two most important people in my life drove me to learn how to stay mentally strong.

In 2013, during a low point, I wrote a letter to myself titled 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do. It listed habits that could rob me of strength if I allowed them.

I shared it online, expecting a few readers—but it went viral, with over 50 million views! Days later, a literary agent contacted me, suggesting I write a book.

Nine years and six books later, including 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do, my work has sold over 1 million copies worldwide. My life hasn’t been the same since.

Angie Peacock, MSW, CPC is a psychiatric drug withdrawal consultant, healing coach, and advocate for informed consent in mental health. A U.S. Army combat veteran, Angie survived trauma, was diagnosed with PTSD, and endured 13 years on over 40 medications before reclaiming her health and rebuilding her life.

Her story is featured in the documentary Medicating Normal (2020), where she shared her experiences from the harms of polypharmacy and the challenges of psychiatric drug withdrawal. Following the film’s release, she led global outreach efforts, engaging over 180 audiences in discussions on mental health, informed consent, and harm reduction.

Now living full-time on the road in her campervan, Angie speaks, writes, and builds community around healing, trauma recovery, and rethinking mental health care. 

I am a retired level one trauma nurse and the former owner of ECT Justice. This is an ECT survivors website now owned by attorneys law firm since 2019.

Dr. Teralyn Sell, with over 20 years in mental health, is a game-changer in brain health and cognitive wellness. As the bestselling, award-winning author of Your Best Brain, she's become a go-to voice in the field, known for her bold, no-nonsense approach.

A national expert featured in top-tier media, Dr. Teralyn has earned a reputation for smashing conventional methods. She specializes in helping people safely taper off medications while boosting brain function, offering practical strategies to reclaim mental clarity and emotional balance—without relying on prescriptions.

Her expertise has been spotlighted in leading publications, TV shows, and podcasts, cementing her status as an expert who’s transforming the conversation on mental health.

Dr. Teralyn shares the mic with Jenn Schmitz on the Gaslit Truth Podcast

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Coloring with the Catholics:
My Story of Criminal Mental Abuse and Higher Ed Gaslighting in Larry Nassar’s Michigan

I am a survivor of suicide swatting (false reports of suicide), whose former life was ended by criminal mental health care, meaning violations of the state mental health code.

I have been telling government, social media, and the world, anyone who will listen, that I never met and was never evaluated by dominant white male, Dr. Andrew Muzychka, who did not supervise then first year intern, Nicole Shattuck, at St Mary Merciless.  Not being heard and my criminal attackers protected instead of me?  That’s mental torture.

 Meet Heather Gray, a Functional Diagnostic Nutritionist and Bioenergetic Practitioner specializing in supporting clients with chronic and complex illnesses such as Lyme disease, Mold Toxicity and Autoimmune diseases. With over 32 years of personal experience, she understands the struggles of living with these conditions and is dedicated to helping others find relief.
Her personalized approach as a practitioner, podcast host, author, and Stand-Up Comedian as helped countless clients reduce inflammation in the body and brain, improve gut health, and achieve optimal wellness.
She helps her clients get to  the root cause of their symptoms and helps them take control of their health journey. Heather's approach is not only effective but also empowering.
Don't let chronic illness control your life. You can achieve the health and vitality you deserve

Jason Smith is a coach, speaker, and the founder of The Antares Society, a high-impact coaching program designed to help men and women break free from self-sabotage, navigate major life transitions, and build unshakable confidence in their relationships and personal growth. With a background in law enforcement and a Master’s degree in Threat and Response Management from The University of Chicago, Jason brings a no-nonsense, results-driven approach to personal development.

Through The Blueprint Podcast and his widely-followed content on social media, Jason challenges the traditional narratives around growth and transformation, helping people cut through the noise, identify their patterns, and take back control of their lives. His coaching is designed for those at a crossroads—whether in relationships, career, or personal evolution—providing the structure, strategy, and accountability needed to create real, lasting change. 

 Meet Jenn Schmitz, a woman redefining the field of psychology with a unique blend of expertise and lived experience. Holding a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology and having spent over a decade as a traditional therapist, Jenn took a bold step beyond the conventional boundaries of Western medicine. Her personal struggle, marked by the dark process of tapering off psychiatric medication, revealed insights that reshaped her approach to mental health. Today, as a Nationally Certified Neuro-Health Coach specializing in Mental Health and Addiction Nutrition, she empowers others as a Holistic Deprescribing Consultant. By integrating physical wellness, nutrition, and mindfulness, Jenn guides clients safely through the intricate process of medication tapering. Driven by a mission to expose the hidden harm of psychiatric treatments and spark curiosity, she hosts the nationally acclaimed The Gaslit Truth Podcast, where she leads thought-provoking conversations. 

Kevin Gunderson is fighting back for his life after spending 20 years on ssri, snri medication.  He is  fearless warrior in withdrawal

 Nicole Lamberson is a Physician Assistant from Virginia who experienced severe, prolonged withdrawal from psychiatric polypharmacy. Now in recovery, she serves as Medical Director for the nonprofit Benzodiazepine Information Coalition. Nicole co-founded The Withdrawal Project and contributes to outreach for the documentary Medicating Normal. She also contributed to The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines, a key resource on safely reducing antidepressants, benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids, and Z-drugs. 

Wife, Mom, HR Professional, Entrepreneur, & Therapist who refers to herself as the Capacity Expert on her social media platforms and she is a disruptor in the mental health space and calling out how the industry keeps people stuck in cycles of managing symptoms and coping rather than thriving.

 Rian Overcash is a certified nutrigenomic counselor and owner of Habit Method Health.  Rian has spent 15 years assisting clients with improving their health.

Rian’s personal connection to nutrigenomics began after a decade-long struggle with autoimmune symptoms, multiple diagnoses and failed outcomes. Nutrigenomics provided her with a total-body approach to personalized wellness and the path to remission.

Rian aims to introduce her clients to testing options, practitioners, and nutritional support to aid their journey to optimal health. Rian believes in providing her clients with education on root causes of frustrating health concerns through nutrigenomic testing and advocacy.

Robert Whitaker is an American journalist and author who has won numerous awards as a journalist covering medicine and science, including the George Polk Award for Medical Writing and a National Association for Science Writers’ Award for best magazine article. In 1998, he co-wrote a series on psychiatric research for the Boston Globe that was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. His first book, Mad in America, was named by Discover magazine as one of the best science books of 2002. Anatomy of an Epidemic won the 2010 Investigative Reporters and Editors book award for best investigative journalism. He is the publisher of madinamerica.com. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor (Adjunct) in the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science.

My name is Sarah Trueb. Once upon a time, I was a successful alternative healthcare professional in a career I loved—helping others heal through "Medical & Manual Massage Therapy" and I was enjoying life. However in August 2023, my world altered when I had a stroke and my dominant side was affected by paralysis. brough on by a healthcare system's unetical practices of gaslighting, abuse, neglect and corruption. I was later diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a rare and complex form of PTSD. FND disrupts how the brain AND body communicate, affecting the nervous system's ability to send and receive signals.  There is no cure, and my future is uncertain. Despite these challenges, I remain determined to share my story, raise awareness, debunk misconceptions, & advocate for others with FND. Together, we can bring hope and understanding to those affected.

Zelda Menard is a mental health counselor who comes to the profession via her own journey as a survivor of the psychiatric treatment system. Before becoming a therapist, Zelda worked as an educator with elementary, middle and high school students. She became a therapist to gain standing in the mental health field and subvert the mental health paradigm after being diagnosed and treated for bipolar disorder in 2005.  As a therapist, teacher, parent and human, she aims to bring dignity and humanity to every interaction she has with others.