Your Mental Breakdown

Sometimes feeling misunderstood can lead to self-realization. Ouch, Meredith! Sarah sees herself objectively after hearing Mer’s reaction to her from an earlier session. This leads Sarah to explore her protective …

Doug recaps the lost audio from session #86 with Drew comparing his depressive episode to turbulence on an airplane, and how we can manage our way …

Sarah attends a memorial for her cousin and is triggered at the service by seeing an abuser from her past in the cult. She is able to …

Sarah is feeling overwhelmed with a lot of little things stressing her out and one big thing coming up – her cousin’s memorial. Doug helps Sarah stop and breathe, so she can acknowledge and process some of her grief and …

Sarah links her current feeling of powerlessness with her past experiences of powerlessness in the cult and in her previous marriage. Doug helps …

***Trigger warning*** This episode contains potentially triggering and sensitive topics including suicide.  If you or someone you know needs help, please call 988 in the United States. The 988 Suicide & Crisis …

An incident with her daughter sparks Sarah’s feelings of anger and powerlessness. Doug helps her draw the link to her emotional experience in the …

Doug helps Drew use a metaphoric pie chart to understand where his energy goes and where his stress comes from in his life right now. 

Doug Friedman

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Sarah tells the story of her life as a teenager after escaping the cult she grew up in as a child. Doug helps her see where some patterns started …

From the vantage point of his new job and a regular paycheck, Drew looks back objectively with appreciation at some of the things he was doing for …

Drew got a new job and feels like he’s taking a couple steps back mentally but he’s taking ten steps forward emotionally.  Although he's overqualified for this job, he has the perspective of feeling a sense of mastery …

Drew is allowing himself to slow down and experience all of the emotions coming up right now rather than just “getting through it” or numbing away …

Drew gets emotional as he copes with a hard week in the midst of a depressive episode. Drew expresses that he needed the safety net of parents this week and didn’t get it. He’s now feeling alone in the world, …

Drew is feeling depressed. Things are going good, but he’s not feeling good. During this period of time, Drew feels like something internal is missing – he’s not enjoying anything on his own and pushes back whenever …

As a sign of vulnerability, trust, and the safe space of therapy, Sarah allows herself to cry in session and feel the loss of her cousin. She …

Drew is feeling lukewarm, anhedonia, and meh rather than being in the high highs or the low lows. He’s understanding what it’s like being somewhere in the middle and not being at 0 or at 100. Drew recognizes that he …

Doug and his mom open with a discussion about multiple personality disorder and her previous work in therapy with clients coming out of cults. In the …

Doug helps Drew go deeper to explore the concept of a safety net by processing his all-in, all-out mentality. Drew goes to an emotional place when they talk about feeling abandoned, betrayed, and neglected by the …

For this episode, we check in with Drew, the client from Season 1. Drew wants to be doing more to do less, as he copes with the stress of his recent heart attack. Drew processes his parents not showing up to support him …

Drew explores the idea of his parents as a safety net without dependence or co-dependence in their relationship. Doug and Drew look at the concept of allowing someone to do something supportive for you, rather than …

Drew comes in with a high level of anxiety after going to the emergency room for a heart event. Doug helps Drew process the anxiety in the session. Drew is able to bring his level of anxiety down over the course of the …

Sarah describes taking herself through worst-case scenarios to prepare herself for a situation, so she can avoid the shock and broken heart that might otherwise overwhelm her. That protective mechanism once served her, …

Drew describes what it’s like to go through highs and lows by himself with the support of people around him. Doug and Drew explore what it means to have the validation that comes when we can say "thank you" and "you’re …

Doug helps Drew acknowledge and process feeling down in the dumps, for seemingly no reason. They talk about the difference between feeling depressed or being in a depressive episode. Drew explains what an “episode” …

Doug helps Sarah process grief in real time after she just learned of a family member’s failing health while in the hospital. Sarah is able to acknowledge having different feelings spiraling at the same time right now. …

Drew looks at his new 26-year-old life as an adult feeling his independence and confidence growing. He acknowledges that his parents can still be a …

Doug helps Sarah acknowledge that she is actively creating new neural pathways by doing things differently from her patterned way of being and doing. Sarah gives herself permission to see the changes in her behavior …

Drew is allowing himself to be who he really wants to be in his relationships with family, friends, and work – as well as with his girlfriend while …

We explore Sarah’s conditioning from her upbringing in the Children of God cult. “Trauma is a radioactive spider that bites.” It can lead you to …

We explore the “systems of safety” that Sarah developed as a child growing up in a cult to protect herself because no one else did. We can thank …

Doug and Drew explore the idea that being solo is not just not about being alone or lonely. Drew is finding his confidence and strength in life …

Drew explores what it means to experience life solo rather than go through his separation feeling lonely or alone. He and Doug talk about learning to …

Sarah feels righteous anger about a coworker that was let go. Doug helps her see that it’s a trigger for her own traumatic past when people in power abuse that power and wrong others. When it’s on someone else’s behalf, …

Drew continues the process of individuation. He sees that sharing his life with his mom is now a function of him being proud of himself, not him looking to her for reassurance and self-worth. Drew acknowledges his own …

Sarah felt validated and valued at work this week after a triggering annual review last week. Doug and Sarah explore how what she calls nonsense can …

Drew got emotionally triggered after a recent funeral for a friend from back home. Then he made a surprise visit to his parents for his mom’s birthday. Doug fills us in on what we missed in both Drew’s last session …

Drew learns to trust his gut more. He experiences being the son he wants to be for his parents, rather than the son he thinks they want him to be. He feels whelmed, not overwhelmed, but still needs support from people …

Sarah got triggered by a review at work which leads to an exploration of deeper issues. Doug helps her express anger and frustration about being powerless and misrepresented, especially when someone of authority is in …

Drew feels his self-confidence grow, but acknowledges that his trust issues are still making him want constant reassurance in relationships. As he recovers from Covid, we explore and break down his relationship to …

Doug redefines work-life balance: it’s a balance of work, rest, and play that are all under the umbrella of life. Sarah examines “play” in her life. She connects the hyper-vigilance of being ‘mama bear’ for everyone …

Who doesn't love the smell of bacon? Drew manages Covid confusion and experiences letting go and trusting himself. He is slowing down without slowing down and acknowledges, “As a human being, you can only put up with so …

Doug is on location in New York discovering the quiet, nature side of the city. Sarah and Doug dissect the associations she’s held in her head with being a trauma survivor and with being a victim. Sarah explores some …

Drew continues to work on breaking codependence. He is looking at several relationships in his life, right as we're in the thick of the holiday …

As Sarah talks about a stressful work relationship, Doug slows her down and helps her process being a trauma survivor. They examine how Sarah’s …

Mer is back with Doug on the breakdowns, and might be a little jelly of the guest co-hosts... Drew is embracing being perfectly imperfect and not getting so caught up in the moment of disappointment, knowing it will be …

In an emotional session, Sarah vents about an issue she’s having with a coworker. This leads Doug to look deeper inside for what’s really going on with her. As he helps Sarah slow down in the session, she takes a deep …

Drew is directly affected by Covid hitting his family at Thanksgiving. Doug is joined by his colleague and therapy practice mate, Sasha Brodsky.

Doug …

Drew reflects on his self-worth and thinks about it not coming from what he does for others, but rather truly from himself.

Doug is joined in the …

Drew is unlearning codependency by building confidence in himself. From this strength he is finding community and feeling a sense of belonging that doesn't rely on other people's well being for his own.

"I was ok when …

Doug and Mer talk comets and cults while Doug corrects an earlier comment that the cult leader in Sarah’s case was caught - he wasn’t! He lived in …

Mer acknowledges Doug for his emotional and personal music album coming out in a few weeks; and then she gives him guff for not getting the podcast’s Patreon launched yet!  It’s coming soon with ongoing Drew episodes …

Meredith imparts some knowledge to Doug (and us!) about invalidation trauma after a recent training. We get to know more about Sarah in her session …

Meredith updates us on the intruder in her backyard - who came back again! We continue the new season with Sarah, in spite of a few audio hiccups in the session. Doug and Sarah talk about feeling frustrated, annoyed, …

***Trigger warning*** This episode contains potentially triggering and sensitive topics including child abuse. If you suspect or know that a child is being abused or neglected, call or text 800-4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453). …

We’re baa-ack! In this new season kick-off, Doug and Meredith are “a step up from sweatpants” and ready to dive back into it with us. We hear the first session with Doug and Sarah, the new client we’ll get to know and …

In this Roundtable episode, Doug and Meredith are joined by fellow therapist Ashley McGirt and therapist in training Sahaj Kohli for a conversation …

In this Roundtable episode, Doug and Meredith are joined by fellow therapist José Mata and psychiatrist Dr. Craig Heacock, both of whom work with the intersection of psychedelics and therapy. They look at current …

Mer Mer launches herself into another dimension with Oculus, and this reminds Doug of a time when he was immersed in a virtual reality Star Wars …

Mer Mer keeps her mind fresh and young by doing Sudoku. She and Doug give the update that they still have yet to shut down their computers at the end of each work day. Then, a very packed session with Drew uncovers a …

At the top of the show this week, Doug busts himself and Meredith for not following through AGAIN on shutting down their computers at night! They …

This week, Drew is realizing that sooner than later, his parents will no longer be financially supporting him. Not only is he nervous about being able to pay for everything, but he’s also worried that once his parents …

*** Warning - this episode contains potentially triggering and sensitive topics, including sexual assault. If you or someone you know needs help, …

While we all start to come out of the pandemic lockdown, Drew and his girlfriend are starting to come out of the honeymoon phase. In their …

Doug and Meredith finally saw each other in person again! They break down what an “episode” means to Drew and what it can mean when a therapist hears that word. In the session, Drew is feeling down and out because of …

Meredith swims a mile then she and Doug talk about Justice League. And the superhero talk continues with Drew taking to a Superman analogy - balancing the daily grind of a day job with using his own time to focus on his …

Meredith loves daylight saving time! Restaurants and movie theatres are opening up in LA now, but Doug is still trying to hide out like a mountain man. In Drew’s therapy session he talks about feeling burnt out and …

Meredith and Doug discuss their take on working with clients that have different political views and ideologies than their own. It’s a great …

Doug is back in LA and missing the mountains. Meredith realizes it may be time for all of us to get a car wash (especially Doug!). In the session, Drew and Doug get into a heavy conversation as Drew details how a party …

The podcast hits the one-year mark this week… and it’s a twofer! Two sessions in one episode as life in the podcast timeline is starting to go virtual in the very beginning of the pandemic. Doug and Drew pack a lot into …

Before Drew’s session this week, Meredith and Doug give a wrap-up of their Valentine's Day experiences, Drew talks about going home for his friend’s funeral; and he walks through both the horror movie version and Disney …

Doug took Meredith’s pillow washing challenge and he took her movie recommendation! They figure out why we call a podcast a podcast. The session begins with Drew dealing with emotions that are stirred up as he prepares …

It’s a busy and eventful show this week, kicking off with Doug’s second mountain lion sighting - this time it’s a baby! Meredith gives her thoughts …

Doug and Meredith roar into this week with a recount of Doug’s mountain lion visitor while Mer has been washing her dishes and feeling soooo good and accomplished. Drew’s session comes at the one year anniversary of …

Drew picks up where he left off last week, back from the holidays and feeling somewhat unmotivated and withdrawn. In the session, Drew and Doug …

Living in LA during a pandemic almost feels like a zombie movie. Doug and Mer touch on how lack of good sleep can affect us. In the session, Drew talks about the loss of his friend and questions how he can better cope …

Broken toes, wind chimes, and a discussion about maintaining confidentiality even when a client shares a crime they committed. Drew is back from his brother’s wedding and preparing to head home for a visit. Drew is …

This week was already going to be special with the wedding, but the fact that it’s Meredith’s birthday makes it even more fun! Meredith talks running …

Cute cows, amaaaaazing smelling wreaths, and giant Christmas trees! The session begins with Drew’s literal worst fear coming true - his mother relapsing. He and Doug talk about how he is coping and making big strides in …

Mer loves dogs wearing boots and Doug has been keeping busy with audiobooks on the Colorado trails. Drew focuses on getting ready for his brother’s …

This Thanksgiving episode has a new spin on gratitude - Doug and Mer name some things they are both Grateful and Hateful for right now. One thing …

This week, Doug shares an update on his Colorado trip and names his top three pet peeves about snowy weather. Meredith gears up for a ski trip and …

This week, Doug and Meredith are back at it to kick off Season 2 with Andrew. Doug talks about his road trip into the mountains of Colorado while …

In this special bonus episode, Doug and Meredith share their personal stories with grief over the past two years. It’s been almost two years to the date since the sudden death of Doug’s wife and the death of Meredith’s …

Wyatt is a previous client of Doug’s that has experienced severe trauma. He had a sudden brain aneurysm and cancer. This is his story of endurance, awareness, and healing.  

Mentioned in this episode: 

Your Mental …

In this bonus Roundtable episode, Meredith and Doug are joined by fellow therapists Mona Valeriano and Jessica Kramer. They look at different ways of approaching trauma and therapy from their training and experience. …

This week, Doug and Meredith reflect on the first six months of the podcast as we reach the end of season one with Drew.  In the session, you’ll hear clips from a few recent sessions with Doug and Drew hitting the …

Talking about the sensationalism of Bambi and how seeing traumatic events can be very impactful. In the session, Drew says he’s been future tripping …

Fireworks, dad jokes, and great movies from our days as younguns. Drew acknowledges his growth in treatment, and with a little self-reflection, he admits he is not very motivated right now. In the breakdown, Meredith …

This week, Doug showered with his dog and Meredith shared her excitement about tennis lessons, her bird feeder, and getting ready to watch The Matrix. In the session, Drew feels excitement about the unknown in front of …

This week, Doug and Meredith talk about the highs and lows of watching their dogs on webcams, as well as the joys of home repair, toilet hygiene, and tushie cushies. In the session, Drew connects a long-standing fear of …

This week, Doug and Meredith talk about how our relationship with time can create pressure and affect our level of stress. They also talk about hiking, napping, and glamping to get away from it all! In the session, Drew …

This week, Meredith retreats to Lake Tahoe and Doug is entertaining his dog at home. In the session, Drew moves around different stages of grief and loss after his breakup. He acknowledges there’s baggage he’s been …

This week, Doug and Meredith ‘monkee’ around a bit and reference a handful of classic movies from their youth - showing how old and adorbs they are! …

This week, Doug and Meredith discuss the routine and comfort of going to a therapist’s office as a physical space, not just a virtual room. Meredith updates us on her US geography skills. In the session, Drew’s issues …

This week, Mer and Doug are coping with quarantine and testing their geography skills with a US map quiz. In the session, Drew’s last day at work is coming up and he has nothing going on, which makes him feel anxious. …

This week, Mer and Doug are doing ‘fair’ and ‘corona good’ in spite of a burnt tongue and a kitschy therapist pillow. In the session, Drew feels good having put in his two-week notice. He can feel himself slowing down …

This week, Meredith goes down the rabbit hole of tequila and zoom filters. She joins Doug for a walk down the memory lane of their worst old …

This week, Doug and Meredith remind us about getting out of our comfort zone and experiencing the cool things there are to do - regardless of …

This week, Doug and Meredith talk about adjustments they’ve been making during this pandemic time. The client, Andrew, feels the benefits of putting in the hard work and letting raw emotions come up and out. He is …

Doug and Meredith acknowledge passing the month mark of quarantine and note some good things that have come out of this experience. In the client session, we see how important it is to have trust between a therapist and …

This week, Doug and Meredith talk about how the “thing” itself is usually not that bad, it’s the lead up to it that creates fear and anxiety. They highlight this with a story of Doug trying not to get wet on a hike then …

In this Insight Out bonus minisode, Doug and Meredith give us a brief look at the basics of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). They break down some key aspects of these types of …

In this episode, Doug and Meredith talk about finding self-confidence, compassion for self, and having a support system - while also being okay with being alone. Doug and his client, Andrew, explore Andrew’s challenges …

In this pre-Corona virus episode, Doug and Meredith talk about fires, mountains, Coachella and bubble gum. Doug’s client Andrew checks in about the guilt he is feeling towards not having a conversation yet with his …

This week, we talk about the connection between knowing it and feeling it and the difference between a human being and a human doing. Doug and Andrew dive deeper into his decision about going to his brother’s bachelor …

This week, Doug and Meredith talk about what came up in Andrew’s recent sessions — Star Wars, jealousy, and male strippers, of course. Andrew shares a bad nightmare that caused a lot of anxiety. Doug and Andrew work on …

This week, Doug and Meredith tell us about when therapy in their past has sometimes gone wrong (or ineffective). Andrew and Doug dig more into the upcoming wedding of Andrew’s brother, and whether it’s his choice or …

For a bonus mini-sode this week in a series we’re calling Insight Out, Doug and Meredith introduce us to some of the more common Cognitive Distortions. These are classic ways of thinking from Cognitive Behavioral …

This week, Doug and Meredith dig deeper into Doug’s use of sweet analogies (hello car gears and Harry Potter!) and discuss reframing the difference between choice and obligation. Andrew’s session reveals where he is …

For a special bonus episode this week, Doug and Meredith are joined by their friends and colleagues; John Sovec and Bonnie Rae, both Licensed …

The very adorkable Doug and Meredith return back this week to share how they typically begin their therapy sessions and give a recap of the trust and …

This week, Doug and MerMer remind us to not “should” all over ourselves and then recap the first two sessions with Andrew (the Client has been given …

This week, Doug and Meredith reminisce about Doug’s parachute pants and MerDog’s love of Megadeth. They talk about how to know when a session is over, taking notes, and how they prevent burnout. Doug shares his Buddhism …

Welcome to Your Mental Breakdown, hosted by Doug Friedman and Meredith Levy. YMB is a psychotherapy entertainment podcast featuring two licensed therapists. They are real people outside the office, and real therapists …

Welcome to Your Mental Breakdown. Introducing Doug Friedman and Meredith Levy, both licensed psychotherapists, longtime friends, and the co-hosts of this podcast. These episodes will feature one of their client’s actual …