In this episode of Everyday Therapy, Brett Cushing, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and Dr. Karin Ryan, Licensed Psychologist, explore relationship anxiety—what it is, how it shows up, and when it becomes more concerning.

With compassion and clarity, this conversation reframes anxiety not as a sign that something is “wrong,” but as an invitation to deepen self-awareness, strengthen emotional boundaries, and build healthier attachment.

Tune in to Discover:

• What relationship anxiety is and why it’s so common
• Signs of relationship anxiety, including reassurance-seeking and overanalyzing
• How fear of abandonment and conflict fuels anxiety in relationships
• The push–pull cycle of closeness and distancing
• Over-functioning, people-pleasing, and emotional boundary challenges
• The difference between relationship anxiety and relationship OCD

Resources

• Sagent Behavioral Health Therapy Services
• Sagent Behavioral Health Substance Use Disorder Treatment
• Contact the podcast: Podcast@SagentBH.com

Subscribe & Review

If you found this episode helpful, please consider subscribing to Everyday Therapy and leaving us a review. It helps others discover the podcast and take the next step toward meaningful mental health support.

Do you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at Podcast@SagentBH.com

We'd love to hear from you!

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• Nystrom & Associates

Dry January has become a popular reset after the holiday – but for many people, it raises bigger questions than expected. What role does alcohol play in your life? Is it helping you unwind, or quietly making things harder?

In this episode of Everyday Therapy, Brett Cushing, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and Dr. Karin Ryan, Licensed Psychologist, explore what happens when you take a break from alcohol and start paying attention to how it affects your mental health, relationships, and daily functioning. Rather than focusing on labels or rigid rules, they invite listeners into a curious, compassionate conversation about awareness and choice.

This episode offers insight into how alcohol interacts with anxiety, sleep, stress, and emotional regulation—and how even a short pause can reveal valuable information about your habits and needs.

Tune in to Discover:

• Why Dry January can be a helpful mental and emotional reset
• How alcohol impacts anxiety, depression, and emotional regulation
• The connection between alcohol use, sleep quality, and stress levels
• What cravings, routines, and urges can teach you about your coping strategies
• How to approach alcohol use with curiosity instead of shame
• Ways to navigate social pressure when you’re not drinking
• How taking a break can clarify your relationship with alcohol moving forward
• Why self-awareness—not perfection—is the goal

Do you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at Podcast@SagentBH.com

We'd love to hear from you!

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• Nystrom & Associates

In this episode of Everyday Therapy, hosts Brett Cushing, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and Dr. Karin Ryan, Licensed Psychologist, break down what mindfulness really is—and what it isn’t. They explore how being present, without judgment, can reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and help you better understand what you need in the moment.

From real-life examples to simple, everyday practices, this conversation shows how mindfulness can become a powerful tool for managing anxiety, burnout, and emotional overload—without adding one more thing to your to-do list.

Do you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at Podcast@SagentBH.com

We'd love to hear from you!

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From emotional regulation and rejection sensitivity to practical tools for focus and follow-through, this episode offers a real-life perspective and a reminder that thriving with ADHD starts with acceptance, not shame.

Tune in to Discover:

• How personal experience shapes empathy and insight in ADHD treatment
• Why many adults find relief (not defeat) in finally getting diagnosed
• The role of shame, misunderstanding, and self-blame in ADHD identity
• The connection between ADHD and rejection sensitivity dysphoria—and what it feels like in daily life
• Practical strategies for managing motivation, starting tasks, and sustaining focus
• How to use “dopamine hacks” like small rewards and chunking to build momentum
• Creative resources and experts that normalize, educate, and empower
• Why authenticity, humor, and playfulness can be ADHD superpowers

Resources:

• Sagent Behavioral Health Therapy Services
• Taking Charge of Adult ADHD by Dr. Russell Barkley
• How to ADHD by Jessica McCabe
• Contact the podcast: Podcast@SagentBH.com

Subscribe & Review:

If you found this episode helpful, please consider subscribing to Everyday Therapy and leaving us a review. It helps others discover the podcast and take the next step toward meaningful mental health support.

Do you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at Podcast@SagentBH.com

We'd love to hear from you!

Follow along:

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• Nystrom & Associates

In this episode of Everyday Therapy, hosts Brett Cushing, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and Dr. Karin Ryan, Licensed Psychologist, break down what ADHD really is (and what it isn’t). They also explore how brain differences, neurotransmitters, and executive functioning affect focus, follow-through, and emotions, and they share realistic strategies for living well with ADHD.

Whether you’ve been diagnosed, wonder if you might have ADHD, or love someone who does, this conversation offers insight, validation, and tools you can start using today.

Tune in to Discover:

• What ADHD really means beyond the stereotypes
• The neurological science behind attention, motivation, and impulse control
• How ADHD presents differently in men, women, and children
• Why professional testing and diagnosis matter (and how they work)
• The connection between ADHD, anxiety, and trauma—and why they’re often mistaken for one another
• How medication, routines, and practical coping skills can make a difference
• Tips for managing focus, time, and distractions (plus: the “body doubling” technique)
• Why compassion and self-acceptance are essential parts of treatment

Do you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at Podcast@SagentBH.com

We'd love to hear from you!

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• Nystrom & Associates

Adolescence can be a whirlwind for teens and their parents. Between shifting moods, social pressures, and the rise of anxiety and depression among young people, many parents are left wondering: “What’s normal, and when should I be concerned?”

In this episode of Everyday Therapy, hosts Brett Cushing, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and Dr. Karin Ryan, Licensed Psychologist, unpack the emotional challenges facing today’s teens. From brain development and social media to the pressures of fitting in and the rise in mental health struggles, they break down what parents need to know (and how to help).

You’ll gain a clearer understanding of what’s happening inside your teen’s mind and heart, how to recognize when they may need extra support, and ways to build trust through even the toughest conversations.

Tune in to Discover:

• How adolescent brain development impacts decision-making and emotions
• Why loneliness peaks during the teen years and how to help your teen build real connections
• The link between social media, screen time, and rising rates of anxiety and depression
• Practical tips for starting open, shame-free conversations about pornography, peer pressure, and mental health
• Signs your teen might benefit from therapy—and what to expect from the process
• What confidentiality looks like in teen therapy (and how parents stay in the loop)
• Ways to model calm, supportive parenting when your teen resists help

Resources

• Sagent Behavioral Health Therapy Services
• Contact the podcast: Podcast@SagentBH.com

Subscribe & Review
If you found this episode helpful, please consider subscribing to Everyday Therapy and leaving us a review. It helps others discover the podcast and take the next step toward meaningful mental health support.

Do you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at Podcast@SagentBH.com

We'd love to hear from you!

Follow along:

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• Nystrom & Associates

In this episode of Everyday Therapy, hosts Brett Cushing, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and Dr. Karin Ryan, Licensed Psychologist, explore the delicate balance between guiding your teen and giving them space to grow. They share practical insights on modeling healthy behaviors, repairing relationships, teaching responsibility, and navigating tough conversations about everything from social media to substance use.

The discussion highlights both the “big picture” goals of parenting—like preparing teens for adulthood—and the everyday choices that make a lasting difference. You’ll walk away with tangible strategies that are easy to understand (though not always easy to implement!) and reassurance that progress, not perfection, is what matters most.

Tune in to Discover:

• The #1 goal of parenting teens that sets them up for success in adulthood
• Why modeling healthy behaviors—and owning your mistakes—matters more than perfection
• How to repair with your teen when things go wrong
• The balance between protecting your child and giving them independence
• Practical strategies for conversations about substances, social media, and peer pressure
• Why building family identity reduces the power of peer pressure
• How small, daily moments of connection build resilience for your teen

Resources

• Nystrom & Associates Services
• Contact the podcast: Podcast@NystromCounseling.com

Subscribe & Review
If you found this episode helpful, subscribe to Everyday Therapy and leave us a review. It helps others discover the podcast and take the next step toward meaningful mental health support.

Do you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at Podcast@SagentBH.com

We'd love to hear from you!

Follow along:

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere these days—even in the therapy room. But what does that mean for therapists, clients, and the future of mental health care? Is AI here to replace humans, or could it become a valuable partner in the healing process?

In this episode of Everyday Therapy, hosts Brett Cushing, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and Dr. Karin Ryan, Licensed Psychologist, unpack the fascinating and sometimes unsettling rise of AI in therapeutic settings. From chatbots that deliver therapy to mood-tracking tools that give instant feedback, they explore how AI can reinforce therapy, when it might fall short, and what ethical concerns we all need to keep in mind.

They share real-world examples of AI helping clients in between sessions, the potential benefits for accessibility and consistency, and the very human skills, like reading body language and building deep trust, that machines just can’t replicate.

Tune in to Discover:

• What AI therapy looks like and how it works in real life
• How AI can reinforce skills learned in therapy sessions
• The benefits of 24/7 availability and instant feedback
• Limitations of AI in understanding context, tone, and nonverbal cues
• Concerns about over-reliance, social isolation, and cognitive decline
• The ethical questions around privacy, crisis care, and human oversight
• Why a balanced approach is key

Resources

• Nystrom & Associates Counseling & Therapy
• Nystrom & Associates Services
• Contact the podcast: Podcast@NystromCounseling.com

Subscribe & Review
If you found this episode helpful, subscribe to Everyday Therapy and leave us a review. It helps others discover the podcast and take the next step toward meaningful mental health support.

Do you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at Podcast@SagentBH.com

We'd love to hear from you!

Follow along:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Nystrom & Associates