What happens when "toxic" isn't just a trendy buzzword, but your daily reality? Behind closed doors, toxic relationships rarely announce themselves with obvious red flags. Instead, they slowly erode your sense of self through quiet patterns that make you question your reality and shrink your existence.

This deep dive explores what actually makes a relationship toxic—from the subtle gaslighting that makes you doubt your sanity to the trauma bonds that keep you chemically addicted to harmful cycles. Using insights from attachment theory, polyvagal theory, and the Gottman Method, we unpack why intelligent, capable people stay in relationships that hurt them, and why leaving feels like withdrawal rather than relief.

The numbers are staggering: 84% of women and 75% of men report experiencing toxic friendships, while globally, one in three women faces intimate partner violence. These aren't just statistics—they represent millions of everyday people who've normalized relationship pain as the cost of connection.

Whether you're questioning your current relationship, healing from a past one, or supporting someone caught in toxic patterns, this episode offers clarity without judgment. You'll learn the psychological mechanisms behind toxic love, practical boundary scripts that protect your peace, and how to distinguish between relationships worth repairing and those that require the courage to walk away.

Most importantly, you'll discover that your worth was never dependent on someone else choosing you—it's in how you choose yourself. If communication has become warfare, if your needs are consistently dismissed, or if you no longer recognize who you are in the relationship, this is your permission slip to trust your gut and reclaim the self you've been taught to silence.

You deserve more than survival in love. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear they're not crazy—they're just healing.

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Sex. Just reading that word might make your palms sweat or trigger your inner middle schooler to blush. But why? In a world saturated with sexualized images, why do so many women still feel profound shame about their desires, bodies, and pleasure?

This episode tears down the walls of sexual shame, exposing the systems that taught us to silence our needs, question our worth, and disconnect from our bodies. We unpack how inadequate sex education, religious purity culture, and the Madonna-Whore Complex work together to create a perfect storm of confusion and guilt around female sexuality. These aren't just abstract concepts—they're the root causes behind why 60% of women under 35 feel embarrassed about their sexual desires.

We dive deep into the pleasure gap (men orgasm 95% of the time in heterosexual encounters while women reach climax only 65% of the time), the myth of "low libido" women (who often just experience desire differently), and how trauma, childbirth, and relationship dynamics affect our relationship with sex. Through therapeutic frameworks and practical advice, we explore how to close these gaps, communicate needs, and reclaim pleasure without performance pressure.

Whether you're struggling with disconnection from your body, confusion about your desires, or shame about your sexual history, this episode offers something revolutionary: permission. Permission to want, to not want, to explore, to heal, and to come home to your body at your own pace. Because you weren't born feeling shame about sex—you were taught it. And what's learned can be unlearned.

Ready to shake off the shame and reclaim your sexuality on your own terms? Listen now, and remember: your body isn't broken. The system is.

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© 2025 Licensed and Unfiltered. All rights reserved.
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health treatment.

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🎙️ Episode Title: Are you being lied to about having a successful relationship with someone with an addiction?

📝 Episode Description:

This episode of Licensed and Unfiltered dives into the raw and rarely spoken realities of addiction — from the pain and confusion it brings to the people we love, to the internal battles we often hide.

Lina shares personal and clinical reflections on addiction, healing, and what it means to hold space for others while honoring your own mental health. Whether you're a clinician, a loved one, or someone in the thick of recovery, this conversation is for you.

Want to share your story live on the show?
Submit your story or therapy question here:
https://share.hsforms.com/1mooej1eBTlSit-tcWqNT-Qdhorz

💙 Resources for Addiction Support

Veteran-Specific Resources:

• Veterans Crisis Line (24/7): Dial 988, then press 1
  Website: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
• VA Substance Use Treatment Programs: https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/substance-use-problems/
• Vet Center Programs (free counseling for combat veterans & families): https://www.vetcenter.va.gov/

Civilian Addiction & Recovery Resources:

• SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
  Website: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
• Al-Anon Family Groups (support for loved ones of those with addiction): https://al-anon.org/
• SMART Recovery (science-based addiction support): https://www.smartrecovery.org/
• Recovery.org (rehab locator and resources): https://www.recovery.org/

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Special thanks to our sponsor, Therapedia, for making this podcast possible.

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© 2025 Licensed and Unfiltered. All rights reserved.
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health treatment.

Sponsored by Northern Arizona Digital Marketing and Therapedia

We unpack the top five reasons people get divorced and examine the demographic patterns behind relationship breakdowns. Delving into common causes from infidelity and communication breakdown to financial stress, constant conflict, and growing apart, we discover why "happily ever after" requires actual work.

• Infidelity tops divorce reason lists with 35% of women citing their husband's affairs as the final straw
• Communication breakdown often starts with avoiding conflict and ends with complete disconnection
• Financial stress and power struggles over money rank third in causing relationship dissolution
• Constant conflict transforms couples from fighting for each other to fighting at each other
• "Gray divorce" rates have doubled for ages 55-64 and tripled for those 65+ as people outgrow relationships
• Women initiate 70% of divorces, primarily citing emotional neglect and unequal relationship burdens
• The myth that "real love shouldn't take work" creates unrealistic expectations and encourages abandoning relationships prematurely
• Love is a verb that requires active participation: "You don't find a great relationship. You build one"

Subscribe, leave a review, and text this episode to your constantly-complaining friend - you know who you are.

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© 2025 Licensed and Unfiltered. All rights reserved.
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health treatment.

Sponsored by Northern Arizona Digital Marketing and Therapedia

Ketamine therapy stands at the forefront of mental health innovation, representing the most disruptive advancement since Prozac revolutionized depression treatment decades ago. This powerful approach doesn't just patch over symptoms—it potentially rewires the traumatized brain, offering hope where traditional treatments have failed.

The science behind ketamine therapy reveals why it's so effective. Working as an NMDA receptor antagonist, ketamine increases glutamate levels in the brain, enhancing neuroplasticity and creating new neural pathways. Unlike conventional antidepressants that might take weeks to show effects, ketamine can deliver noticeable relief within hours or days. During sessions, patients often experience a dissociative state that allows them to process emotions and memories differently, gaining insights that wouldn't be accessible in their normal consciousness. This isn't about numbing feelings—it's about reconnecting with them in healthier ways.

Misconceptions about ketamine therapy abound. Medical ketamine isn't the same as street ketamine, and this treatment isn't exclusively for suicidal patients. It now helps those with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD who haven't responded adequately to conventional approaches. The treatment must be administered by qualified healthcare providers and works best when integrated with traditional psychotherapy. Think of ketamine as a powerful tool—not a miracle cure or dangerous substance—that, when used properly, can help bridge the gap between merely surviving and genuinely thriving. For those feeling stuck after multiple failed medication attempts, ketamine therapy might offer the emotional traction you've been chasing for years.

Ready to explore whether ketamine therapy might be right for you or someone you care about? Subscribe to our podcast for more insights on breakthrough mental health treatments and approaches that go beyond conventional thinking. Your journey toward better mental health might look different than you expected—and that could be exactly what you need.

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© 2025 Licensed and Unfiltered. All rights reserved.
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health treatment.

Sponsored by Northern Arizona Digital Marketing and Therapedia

Have you ever noticed that nagging voice in your head telling you you're not good enough? That critical inner dialogue isn't just causing personal distress – it's actively shaping your relationships in ways you might not realize. This revealing exploration uncovers how our self-doubt becomes the invisible scriptwriter for our love stories.

Drawing from attachment theory, we dive into how childhood experiences form the foundation of our adult relationship patterns. Those conditional love messages from caregivers or early experiences of rejection don't just fade away – they transform into attachment styles that determine how we connect with partners. Whether you're anxiously seeking reassurance or avoidantly maintaining emotional distance, that "not good enough" feeling manifests in predictable relationship behaviors.

What makes this journey so powerful is recognizing the difference between the harsh generalizations of your inner critic and the reality of your relationship. Are you over-functioning as a people-pleaser or under-functioning as a withdrawer? Are you sabotaging connections because rejection feels safer when you control it? Most importantly, are you mistaking patterns of fear for expressions of love?

The pathway to healing isn't about silencing every insecure thought, but rather about stopping them from driving your relationship choices. Through practical strategies like naming your inner critic, creating relationship check-ins, and building rituals of safety, you can begin rewriting your worth narrative. Remember that a healthy partner can hold space for your journey without being responsible for fixing your worth.

Your worth doesn't need proof. You aren't loved because you've earned it through being "enough" – you're loved because you're human. The goal isn't relationship perfection but genuine connection. What patterns are you calling love that are really fear in disguise? Share your experiences in the comments and join us next time as we continue exploring the intersection of self-worth and relationships.

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© 2025 Licensed and Unfiltered. All rights reserved.
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health treatment.

Sponsored by Northern Arizona Digital Marketing and Therapedia

Love in politically divided times requires new approaches to communication and boundary-setting. Politics has become a central identity marker, with many seeing opposing views as moral incompatibilities rather than simple differences of opinion.

• One in two adults is estranged from a relative, with one in five citing political differences
• 22% of millennials have ended romantic relationships due to political disagreements
• 86% of Americans believe dating someone from the opposing political party has become more difficult
• Political filters on dating apps offer both benefits (value alignment, conflict reduction) and drawbacks (echo chambers, oversimplification)
• First date conversations benefit from curiosity rather than judgment
• Successful politically-mixed couples focus on shared values instead of party lines
• Key relationship strategies include setting specific boundaries, using "I" statements, and creating emotional safety
• Empathy and genuine curiosity build bridges across political differences
• Political diversity can strengthen relationships by developing tolerance and adaptability

Remember, the future isn't about everyone agreeing—it's about learning how to love through disagreement.

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© 2025 Licensed and Unfiltered. All rights reserved.
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health treatment.

Sponsored by Northern Arizona Digital Marketing and Therapedia

Ever noticed how the relationship advice we're bombarded with often feels suspiciously shallow? From the well-meaning but misguided "happy wife, happy life" to the downright toxic "if they're jealous, they must really love you," we're swimming in a sea of relationship clichés that deserve a serious reality check.

As a marriage and family therapist, I've witnessed firsthand the damage these seemingly innocent phrases can cause. In this no-holds-barred episode, I'm dismantling ten pieces of relationship advice so bad they should come with warning labels. We'll explore why "men are from Mars, women are from Venus" creates unnecessary barriers to understanding, how "just have a baby" might be the worst possible fix for relationship problems, and why the classic "love means never having to say you're sorry" couldn't be more wrong.

Beyond just identifying these toxic myths, I dig into the psychology behind why they persist and offer healthier alternatives. We'll discuss how authentic relationships require accountability instead of ego, trust instead of jealousy, and realistic expectations instead of holding out for mythical perfection. Whether you've been advised to "never go to bed angry" or told that "once a cheater, always a cheater," this episode challenges the one-size-fits-all approach that ignores human complexity.

The truth is, real relationships aren't built on catchy phrases or oversimplified rules – they thrive on mutual respect, open communication, and the courage to embrace imperfection. Subscribe now and share this episode with someone who needs to hear that their relationships deserve more than recycled rom-com wisdom. Together, let's replace these tired clichés with something more honest, nuanced, and genuinely supportive.

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📩 Have a question or topic you’d love to hear covered?
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© 2025 Licensed and Unfiltered. All rights reserved.
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health treatment.

Sponsored by Northern Arizona Digital Marketing and Therapedia