The Convenient Counselor
Hosted by Briana Leach - a wife, mom of three, and licensed professional counselor (LPC), this podcast covers a variety of counseling topics that all have the same foundation...taking serious topics and making them less intimidating and more accessible. Join in and learn more about yourself in this "awkward one-sided counseling session" that is short enough for a quick car ride, yet gets right to the point and challenges you to increase your self-awareness!
Episodes
136 episodes
Episode 135 - Struggle Shame: When You Feel Guilty for Having a Hard Time
Have you ever minimized your own struggle because it didn't feel "bad enough" to deserve support? Or found yourself silently suffering through something you prayed for — because how could you complain about a blessing?That's "struggle s...
Episode 134 - You Deserve Delight: The Case for More Whimsy
Whimsy isn't an aesthetic — it's a practice. And if you've ever thought "I'm just not that kind of person," this episode is for you. We're talking about why choosing delight is harder than it sounds, what the research actually says about play a...
Episode 133 - Revisiting "Spiritual Dismissal"
YES THIS IS THE CORRECT PODCAST! Don't be confused - this podcast was first named "Grace in Progress," so that's what you will hear in this throwback episode!! I am traveling this week, so I thought I would share the MOST downloaded epis...
Episode 132 - The Difference Between Venting and Processing
You've told the story. Multiple times, to multiple people. And yet...you still feel the same. Sound familiar?In this episode, Briana explores why you might be stuck in an emotional loop, and explains the difference between venting and pr...
Episode 131 - Build Your Own "Dopamine Menu"
Ever feel sad and have absolutely no idea what you actually want? Same. That's exactly why this episode exists.Today we're building a dopamine menu — a personalized, pre-made list of activities designed to give your brain a healthy boos...
Episode 130 - How to Know if Your Relationship is Healthy
Most of us were never taught what a healthy relationship actually looks like — we just learned from the ones we were in. In this episode, Briana breaks down the top 5 indicators of an emotionally healthy relationship, as well as what research a...
Episode 129 - Left Out: Why Feeling Excluded Doesn't Have to Define You
Cute group pic! Only missing one person...ME. Ugh. Feeling left out of something is an awful feeling. But staying left out? That's a choice. Listen in to hear how Briana describes the difference, and offers three questions to ask yourself in th...
Episode 128 - Why We Resist Change
You know you need to change (big or small), yet we resist it...why? In this episode, learn three of the main reasons we tend to "hit the brakes" when we know something needs to change.
Episode 127 - Getting to Know You
How well do you know yourself? Self-awareness is essential to reaching your full potential, and in this episode you will learn:- the two types of self-awareness- self-awareness research from social psychology- 3 practices t...
Episode 126 - The "Power of Pause" and Joy of Returning!
It's been a minute...or maybe three years! ;) In this "return to the podcast" episode, Briana explains why now was time to re-engage with new episodes, as well as the important lessons learned during an extended hiatus. Also learn how the "powe...
Episode 125 - 3 Reasons Mental Health Matters
Why does mental health matter? Why start a podcast about it? Learn more about the answers to these questions as well as an update on the podcast moving forward.
Episode 124 - Your Life as a Boat
Have you ever imagined your life as an object? Visualization is really important in therapy, because it allows us to tap into a side of our brain that can process emotions and situations differently than just with logic. Learn more about this t...
Episode 123 - When You Need a Pep Talk
Need a pep talk today? This quick episode is one you can file away for those days where you just need someone to cheer you on for a second, help you be thankful, and feel your feelings. You've got this!
Episode 122 - Name That Fear, Part 2
You've named the fear, now what? In this episode, learn the two follow up questions that are needed after naming a fear - they can help you understand where the fear comes from, and steps to potentially take to avoid or cope with it!
Episode 121 - Name That Fear
What are you afraid of? Typically when we hear this question we might only think of a couple responses - in my case, going to the dentist and alligators. But in everyday situations, there can be "fears" that drive or motivate our behaviors. Lea...
Episode 120 - 5 Tips for Pursuing New Friendships
It's hard to make new friends. Even harder when you lead a busy life! But in this episode, learn 5 tips for pursuing new friendships in a healthy way!
Episode 119 - Questions for a Counselor #6
Join in on the 6th round of "Questions for a Counselor" in this episode, which covers the following questions:* Any advice on a child who explodes when he can’t figure out something? Homework, assembling a toy, etc…it’s unpredictable an...
Episode 118 - Pockets of Peace
In the stress of daily life, do you have "pockets of peace?" These brief moments can help the dust settle and for you to sometimes literally catch your breath! Learn more about this wellness practice in Episode 118.
Episode 117 - Fortune Telling
"Fortune Telling" is a therapy term used for one of the most common cognitive distortions (unhealthy way of thinking). Learn more about the definition, what qualifies as fortune telling, and ways to combat it if this is something you struggle w...
Episode 116 - Efficiency vs. Effectiveness
Are efficiency and effectiveness the same thing? Sometimes we think they are, but unfortunately that's not always the case! In this episode, we dive into these two concepts with real-life examples, so that you can see what will be the best cour...
Episode 115 - Who Drew That Line?
We all know that rules are meant to keep us safe, and boundaries can be protective...but what about certain "lines" in your life that you may not know their origin? Did someone "draw" in your life and you've never acknowledged it? In this episo...
Episode 114 - Better Late Than Never
Back from summer break, barely meeting the personal August "deadline" in my mind...better late than never! :) In this episode, learn about four areas where this common phrase might need some evaluation:- Apologies- Course correcti...
Episode 113 - Revisiting 5,5,5
In this episode we revisit the concept of applying the "5,5,5 principle" to your daily life!
Episode 112 - Use Caution When Labeling
When you talk about your own mental health struggles, how do you "label" them? Do you call it "my anxiety" when you talk about dealing with anxiety? Have you mis-labeled other issues as something that's a bit more palatable in your mind? Learn ...
Episode 111 - Practicing Vulnerability with Yourself
We often think that since we can hear/process most of our inner thoughts, we are vulnerable with ourselves, right?? Unfortunately that is not always true. In this episode, learn examples of what practicing self-vulnerability might look like, or...