Have you ever been in the middle of a therapy session and found yourself silently (or loudly 😂) begging for advice from your therapist? You lay it all out — the overthinking, the relationship questions, the confusion… and they smile gently and say, “Hmm... what do you think you should do?” 😵‍💫

This is an all too common occurrence that can result in confusing, frustrating, and disappointing experiences with therapy. So on this episode of the Love, Happiness & Success podcast, we’re going to talk about why your therapist won’t give you advice, what therapists can help you with, and what kind of support will give you the guidance you’re looking for.

Traditional therapy isn’t designed to tell you what to do or how to do it, and if you’re someone who wants clarity, structure, and movement forward… it might be time for a different kind of support. If you’re in therapy and wondering why you still feel stuck, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Timestamps
00:00 – Why therapists don’t give advice (and why that’s intentional)
05:21 – Understanding different types of therapy
15:19 – What coaches do differently (and why it works)
21:52 – How to know what kind of support you need
24:05 – When therapy helps… and when it doesn’t
25:49 – Coaching vs. therapy: what’s right for your goals?
29:44 – Watch out: unqualified “coaches” are everywhere
33:34 – The honest truth about what will actually help you
34:21 – Finding clarity, confidence, and direction
36:38 – Questions to ask before hiring a therapist or coach
45:02 – Feeling stuck in therapy? Say this to your therapist
48:05 – It’s not you, you just need the right support

If you’ve been nodding along while listening to this and thinking, "YES. I need a plan. I need movement. I need someone who gets it", I created Clarity and Confidence Coaching just for you. To meet you where you are right now, help you find clarity for your path forward, and to guide you step-by-step through transformation.

Right now, you can work with a brilliant therapist trained in coaching psychology for a fraction of what coaching usually costs. You’ll get expert support and a solid framework to actually create meaningful change in your life. And these spots go fast.

👉 Come visit growingself.com/clarity and snag your spot before the cohort fills up.

And hey, if this conversation resonated with you? Come hang out with me on Instagram or YouTube. I share interviews with experts, evidence-based tools that actually work, and lots of free resources to help you create love, happiness and success in your life.

Xoxo
Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

P.S. Know someone who’s been stuck in therapy wondering where the heck to go from here? Share this episode with them and support them on their journey.

You might look like you’ve got it all together. You show up. You work hard. You smile, you joke, you say you’re “fine.” But inside? You might be carrying more than anyone knows.

This is especially true for men. You’d never guess it by looking at them, but so many—maybe even someone you love—are silently carrying a weight that feels too heavy to bear. They’re suffering in silence, quietly fighting battles they don’t feel safe talking about. Not because they’re weak—but because the world taught them that real strength means not showing emotion, not needing help, not breaking down.

In this episode of Love, Happiness and Success, I’m joined by Steve Kramer—host of the Certified Mama’s Boy Podcast and the Kramer & Jess Morning Show—for a very important conversation about the epidemic of men suffering in silence. Steve opens up about the private pain he hid behind a public smile, how disconnection and emotional isolation nearly overwhelmed him, and what helped him begin to heal.

We’re shedding light on the emotional experiences so many men keep hidden—because they’ve never been taught how to talk about them, or even how to recognize what they’re feeling. We’ll talk about the real risks of going it alone, the quiet ways people often show they’re not okay even when they say they are, and how men can get the support they need.

If you or someone you care about has ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or like you’re barely holding it together behind the scenes, this conversation is for you.

Timestamps:
00:00 – When Life Feels Too Heavy: Steve’s Breaking Point
01:46 – Why Are So Many Men Suffering in Silence?
03:34 – Public Smiles, Private Struggles: The Pressure to Perform
04:21 – When It’s All Too Much
08:17 – The Call That Changed Everything
15:39 – Check On Your “Happy” Friends
23:35 – How to Tell When It’s More Serious Than They’re Saying
35:39 – Loneliness vs. Depression: Understanding the Difference
37:23 – Making Friends as an Adult Is Hard—But Necessary
38:53 – Why Men Struggle With Emotional Intimacy
48:06 – What Emotional Intelligence Really Means (and How to Build It)
55:58 – The Personal Work That Keeps Steve Grounded Today
01:00:35 – How to Support a Loved One Who’s Struggling
01:05:50 – Steve’s New Definition of Happiness

If this hit close to home, it’s time to take a breath and check in—with yourself, or maybe with a man you care about. Struggles that stay hidden don't just go away—they weigh you down over time, and it can start to take a toll on your health, your relationships, your life.

You don’t have to figure it out all on your own. There is space for you to be honest. To get support. To be human. There is help that meets you where you are.

If you’re ready to find your way again, come check out my Clarity and Confidence Coaching. You’ll learn how to reconnect with yourself, get unstuck, and create real momentum in your life. Plus, you’ll pay just a fraction of the cost of other coaches. It’s truly such an amazing value.

👉 Get on the list to join. Together, we’ll help you build a life that feels more connected, meaningful, and joyful. I hope you check it out!

Also, I’d love to stay connected! Follow me on Instagram and YouTube for more insight, encouragement, and authentic conversations that support your growth. I’d love to connect with you there. 💛

Xoxo

Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby
www.growingself.com

P.S. If you know a man in your life that could use some support, send this podcast over to them. It could be exactly what they need to take the first step to get support.

What if the “therapist” you’re pouring your heart out to… isn’t a therapist at all?

In this jaw-dropping episode of the Love, Happiness and Success Podcast, I’m joined by investigative journalists Rebecca Ruiz and Lauren Krause to expose the shocking truth behind Seven Cups Therapy and the dark world of therapy fraud—including unlicensed “helpers,” fake reviews, and predatory chatrooms masquerading as support.

This isn’t just about bad advice or unqualified "virtual counselors." It’s about real people being misled, emotionally exploited, and sometimes even preyed upon while they’re at their most vulnerable. We dive into how this happens, how to protect yourself (or someone you care about), and how to tell the difference between a real therapist and a clever imposter.

If you've ever Googled "online therapy" late at night and clicked on what looked like a trustworthy, affordable platform, you NEED to hear this.

Timestamps:

01:43 - What’s Really Going On with Online Therapy Platforms
03:44 - Seven Cups Therapy: Behind the Curtain
05:21 - Why You Shouldn't Trust Those Awards and Reviews
07:52 - "Virtual Counselors" vs. Actual Therapists
10:45 - How to Spot Therapy Fraud in the Wild
12:50 - Ethical Gray Zones in the Coaching Industry
14:56 - Red Flags of Fake Support Services
18:48 - The Danger of Marketing Funnels Masquerading as Help
21:22 - How Fake Therapy Can Harm Real People
23:02 - The Truth About Licensing, Credentials & Oversight
25:48 - Behind the Scenes at Seven Cups: A Reporter’s Story
28:32 - Inappropriate Chatroom Behavior and No Accountability
37:16 - Free Resources to Help You Make Empowered Choices

If you're looking for actual therapy or coaching from trained, licensed professionals—not a chatbot or a mystery stranger in Timbuktu—you can always find help here at Growing Self. We offer real free consultations so you can find a great fit and know exactly what you're signing up for. No pressure, no weird bait-and-switch. Just ethical, expert support that actually works.

👉 Click here to schedule! We’d love to hear from you!

And if this episode struck a nerve, or opened your eyes, or made you yell “WAIT, WHAT?!”—come join me on Instagram or YouTube. I break down big topics like this every week. You’ll get expert insights, practical tools, and compassionate advice to help you create love, happiness and success in your life.

Xoxo

Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

www.growingself.com

P.S. If you know someone who needs to hear this episode, share it with them today. Let’s look out for one another. 💛