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Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk

Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk

Written by: Melisa DeMahy and Courtnie Vargas-Rodriguez
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About this listen

Join therapists Melisa and Courtnie for real, unfiltered conversations about mental health, healing, and the beautifully chaotic mess of everyday life. This is where honesty meets humor, and no topic is off-limits. From professional insights to personal anecdotes, they’ll remind you that you’re not alone—because healing gets a little easier when we do it together.Melisa DeMahy and Courtnie Vargas-Rodriguez Self-Help Success
Episodes
  • 26. ChatGPT Is Not Your Therapist (But Why Are We Using It Like One?)
    Jan 10 2026

    More people are turning to ChatGPT and other AI tools for relationship advice, emotional validation, and mental health guidance—but can artificial intelligence actually replace therapy?


    In this episode of Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, licensed therapists Courtnie and Melisa explore the growing trend of using AI like a therapist and unpack why it feels so appealing. From accessibility and anonymity to the desire for instant answers, we break down what’s driving people to seek emotional support from technology instead of humans.


    We discuss what AI can be helpful for, where it falls short clinically, and the risks of relying on AI for mental health advice, trauma processing, and relationship decisions. The conversation dives into attachment wounds, emotional avoidance, reassurance-seeking, and the difference between information and true healing.


    Whether you’ve asked ChatGPT for dating advice, mental health insight, or late-night reassurance, this episode offers a grounded, compassionate perspective on how to use AI as a tool—without replacing real human connection or therapy.


    Topics include:

    • Using ChatGPT for mental health and relationship advice

    • Why AI feels safer than talking to people

    • The difference between therapy and emotional advice

    • Attachment, anxiety, and reassurance-seeking behaviors

    • Healthy ways to use AI without avoiding healing


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    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongmindmh.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    🎵 INTRO MUSIC:

    “Good Night” by FASSounds

    DISCLAIMER:

    The information provided on this podcast, Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as therapy or a substitute for advice from a qualified professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and the hosts or Strong Mind Mental Health, LLC. If you want to read more, check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Media Disclaimer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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    35 mins
  • 25. Unfiltered Therapy Talk: Boundaries, Burnout, and Showing Up for Each Other
    Jan 3 2026

    In this completely unscripted episode of Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, Courtnie and Melisa say everything therapists usually vent about off the clock.


    We’re talking late-cancelation fees (and why clients get pissed), whether people actually consider how canceling impacts their therapist, and if there’s any shock value left in therapy now that everyone’s sharing their deepest secrets on TikTok.


    We dive into:

    • Why boundaries in therapy matter more than ever
    • The unseen emotional labor therapists carry
    • How to show up for people struggling with their mental health
    • Why therapy isn’t “advice-giving”—and what clients should expect instead
    • Whether society has normalized therapy so much that people forget it’s still hard work


    From sexual fantasies to relationship issues to chaotic family dynamics—nothing surprises us anymore, and honestly, that’s the beauty of this job.


    💬 If you’ve ever wondered what therapists really think behind the scenes… this is the episode.

    📱 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/strongmindmh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    🌐 VISIT OUR WEBSITE:⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongmindmh.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    🎵 INTRO MUSIC:

    “Good Night” by FASSounds

    DISCLAIMER:

    The information provided on this podcast, Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as therapy or a substitute for advice from a qualified professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and the hosts or Strong Mind Mental Health, LLC. If you want to read more, check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Media Disclaimer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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    38 mins
  • 24. Silent Night? Absolutely Not. Navigating Holiday Overstimulation & Taking Your Joy Back.
    Dec 24 2025

    Silent Night? Not even close.

    The holidays are overstimulating AF — packed with sensory overload, emotional pressure, family expectations, and a nervous system that's already exhausted. In this episode, Courtnie and Melisa break down why the holidays feel like so much, why expectations make it worse, and how to take your joy back.


    We talk about:

    • Holiday overstimulation & emotional triggers
    • Why expectations steal joy
    • Being a little selfish and choosing what YOU want
    • Letting go of perfection & chasing experiences instead of things
    • Practical coping tools for overstimulation
    • How to actually enjoy the season on your own terms


    ❄️ If the holidays leave you drained, overwhelmed, or performing instead of enjoying — this one's for you.

    📱 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/strongmindmh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    🌐 VISIT OUR WEBSITE:⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongmindmh.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    🎵 INTRO MUSIC:

    “Good Night” by FASSounds

    DISCLAIMER:

    The information provided on this podcast, Collectively Unhinged: Therapy Talk, is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as therapy or a substitute for advice from a qualified professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and the hosts or Strong Mind Mental Health, LLC. If you want to read more, check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Media Disclaimer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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    23 mins
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