Happy Halloween! 🎃 Melissa (Halloween superfan) and Susan (hard pass on haunted houses) swap stories about spooky décor, jump scares, and why some of us crave adrenaline while others avoid horror at all costs. Then they get therapist-y about fear: what phobias are, how our brains learn them (sometimes from family or one-off moments), and why finishing the stress cycle matters more than “just breathe” in the moment.

You’ll hear practical ways to discharge that surge (walks, dancing, music, movement), when grounding does help, and how approaches like gradual exposure and EMDR can untangle fears—whether it’s snakes, flying, or scary movies that felt a little too real. They also touch on parenting with anxiety (protecting vs. over-protecting), reframing the parts of Halloween you actually enjoy, and giving yourself permission to skip the rest.

Remember that listening to this podcast is not therapy. It might be therapeutic, but it isn’t a replacement for good mental health treatment. We can help with getting you connected with a good therapist. Check out our website.

Grove: A Healing Collective

Susan and Melissa welcome Grove therapist Desi to celebrate her two-year anniversary on the team. They swap origin stories (and office décor tips), then get real about what actually makes therapy work: the person of the therapist, the culture behind the scenes, and finding the right client–therapist fit—sometimes that means a warm handoff to a different provider. They dig into the unique parts of practicing in a rural/micropolitan community—running into clients at Publix, confidentiality in close-knit towns, and why advocacy and resource-hunting matter here more than ever.

Desi shares how she balances a full caseload while nearing completion of her PhD (hello, “Dr. D” 👋) and previews her dissertation on the experiences of Black counselors working in rural areas—why the research gap exists, what she’s learning, and how it can shape better care. The trio also talk groups, community offerings, and why it’s okay (and healthy) to choose the therapist and space that feel right to you.

Remember that listening to this podcast is not therapy. It might be therapeutic, but it isn’t a replacement for good mental health treatment. We can help with getting you connected with a good therapist. Check out our website.

Grove: A Healing Collective

As the days get shorter, Susan and Melissa unpack Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)—how it differs from “winter blues,” what to watch for (sleep and appetite shifts, low energy, persistent low mood), and why time change and circadian rhythms matter. They talk holiday pressure, grief triggers, and isolation—and share practical ways to buffer the season: light strategies (twinkle lamps to light boxes), cozy routines (hello, crockpots), small social goals, and building regular community touchpoints (coffee shops, gyms, book clubs). They also outline when it’s time to loop in a therapist, primary care, or psychiatrist, and highlight Grove offerings—from yoga and Healing Through Words to upcoming groups.

Listening isn’t therapy, but it can be therapeutic. If seasonal shifts hit hard for you, you’re not alone—and help is close by. Check Grove’s calendar for classes, groups, and counseling options.

We can help with getting you connected with a good therapist. Check out our website.

Grove: A Healing Collective