Extending Branches
Extending Branches is a mental health podcast inspiring hope, healing, and growth for people who know life is more complex than quick answers. Hosted by Dr. Mike Courtney, the show explores anxiety, depression, burnout, boundaries, relationships, grief, trauma, self-care, and the connection between faith and emotional health. Through honest conversation and lived experience, each episode offers practical wisdom and faith-informed insight that respects professional mental health care. If you are struggling, searching, or supporting someone you love, Extending Branches reminds you that healing begins with honesty and showing up.
Episodes
10 episodes
The Perfect Father - Bill Robison
In this episode of Extending Branches, Dr. Mike Courtney sits down with pastoral counselor and life coach Bill Robison to talk about the father wound: how a father’s presence, absence, words, and example can shape identity, confidence, relation...
The Polyvagal Theory and Jesus - Madison Grissom
In this episode of Extending Branches, Dr. Mike Courtney sits down with counselor Madison Grissom to talk about polyvagal theory: how our nervous systems respond to safety, stress, connection, and overwhelm. In simple, practical language, they ...
Performance Anxiety and the Search for True Identity - Chandler Coley
In this episode of Extending Branches, Dr. Mike Courtney sits down with counselor Chandler Coley to talk about performance anxiety: what happens when pressure crosses the line from helpful focus into fear, panic, and self-doubt. Drawin...
Stop Painting Circles: Goal-Setting That Aligns With God’s Path - Tim Bell
Ever feel busy and productive—yet unsure what you’re actually aiming at? In this episode of Extending Branches, Dr. Mike Courtney sits down with Christian life coach Tim Bell to talk about why goal setting isn’t just another performance checkli...
Teaching Teens to Face Social Anxiety (Without Avoidance) - Kaci Jacobellis
In this episode of Extending Branches, Dr. Mike Courtney talks with counselor Kaci Jacobellis, ALPC, about social anxiety in teens and how parents can help. They explain the difference between normal social nerv...
The Hidden Weight of Trauma - Tracey Robison
In this episode of Extending Branches, Dr. Mike Courtney sits down with Tracey Robison, Clinical Director at Branches, to talk about the hidden weight of trauma and the hope of healing. Together, they explore what trauma really is, how...
The Only Problem with Pain - Bethany Ratcher
The only problem with pain is that it hurts. In this episode of Extending Branches, Dr. Mike Courtney is joined by Bethany Bratcher, a pastoral counselor and Director of Training at Branches, to talk about why pain is part ...
Healthy Boundaries in a Fast-Paced World - Debi Russell
What if the other rats are faster? In this episode of Extending Branches, Dr. Mike Courtney and Debi Russell, a trusted counselor at Branches, break down how burnout happens and how boundaries help you take your life back.&...