“Just pray about it” is often offered with good intentions — but when it’s used to bypass fear, emotions, or support, it can actually make anxiety worse.

In this episode, we explore the difference between faith that supports healing and faith that unintentionally silences emotional experience. We talk about why anxiety and intrusive thoughts are nervous system responses — not spiritual failures — and how prayer can be integrated in a way that honors both faith and emotional honesty.

Download my FREE guide to understanding anxiety and intrusive thoughts in early motherhood ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want more support on your journey? Check out more offerings and apply to work with me 1:1 at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠susannahlongcoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Got a question about early motherhood, anxiety, or anything we discussed today? I'd love to hear from you! Send your questions to susannah@susannahlongcoaching.com and I might feature your question (anonymously) in a future episode.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast represents the opinions of Susannah Long, LMFT. The content of this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a replacement for medical or mental health care from a licensed mental health professional. In no way does listening, emailing, or interacting on social media platforms with content establish a therapist - client relationship or coach - client relationship.

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Being told to “stop overthinking” can feel frustrating — especially when your mind won’t stop analyzing, evaluating, replaying, and scanning for danger. But what if overthinking isn’t the real problem? What if it’s a signal pointing to something deeper?

In this episode, Susannah explains why the mind gets stuck in mental loops during early motherhood, why logical solutions don’t calm emotional discomfort, and how “overthinking” is often a sign of unprocessed feelings rather than too many thoughts. You’ll learn how to recognize rumination for what it is — a safety behavior — and how to shift into choices that support genuine emotional freedom.

What We Explore in This Episode

• Why early motherhood creates the perfect storm for overthinking

• How emotional suppression fills your “internal tank” and triggers anxious thoughts

• Why the content of your worries often has nothing to do with the feelings underneath

• Rumination as a mental safety behavior — and why it keeps you stuck

• How to interrupt the rumination cycle using three simple, repeatable steps

• Why moving against fear is one of the most powerful parts of healing

What You'll Take Away

Overthinking isn’t a character flaw or a sign that something is wrong with you — it’s a coping strategy your mind learned to use when emotions felt overwhelming or unsafe. True healing comes from reconnecting with your body, fully allowing and feeling your emotions, and choosing actions that reflect your values rather than your mind's fear.

Download my FREE guide to understanding anxiety and intrusive thoughts in early motherhood ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want more support on your journey? Check out more offerings and apply to work with me 1:1 at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠susannahlongcoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Got a question about early motherhood, anxiety, or anything we discussed today? I'd love to hear from you! Send your questions to susannah@susannahlongcoaching.com and I might feature your question (anonymously) in a future episode.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast represents the opinions of Susannah Long, LMFT. The content of this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a replacement for medical or mental health care from a licensed mental health professional. In no way does listening, emailing, or interacting on social media platforms with content establish a therapist - client relationship or coach - client relationship.

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What You’ll Learn:

We’ve all heard it: “Just don’t think about it.”
It’s the kind of advice people give when they don’t know what else to say — but for moms struggling with anxiety or intrusive thoughts, it’s not helpful. It can actually make things worse.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why “just don’t think about it” doesn’t work, what’s really happening in your brain when you try to push thoughts away, and what you can do instead.

• Why trying not to think about something makes it come back stronger

• How the postpartum brain amplifies worry and fear

• What intrusive thoughts actually mean (and what they don’t)

• What’s really happening when you can’t stop thinking about something

• What to do instead of fighting your thoughts

  
  

Key Takeaway

Trying to control your mind only keeps you stuck.
Freedom comes from learning to respond differently — not from thinking less, but from no longer fearing thoughts.

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