Send us a text Join Juniper and Laurel in a conversation with fertility coach Shelby Van Cleeve on the Conscious Mental Health Podcast. We explore the delicate intersection of reproductive health, fertility struggles, and mental well-being. With her experience as an acupuncturist, Shelby shares insights on holistic approaches to fertility that honor both Western medical interventions and alternative therapies. This episode dives into the emotional complexities of the fertility jou...

Send us a text Who’s really behind Therapy First and Gender Exploratory Therapy? In this episode, licensed clinicians Juniper & Laurel discuss the key figures leading the charge against gender-affirming care, diving deep into their backgrounds, affiliations, and influence on trans healthcare policy. From Stella O’Malley to Sasha Ayad, Lisa Marciano, and the Killarney Group, we investigate how these leaders shape the gender-critical therapy movement, their ties to anti-trans rhetoric, and ...

Send us a text In the second installment of our deep dive into Therapy First and Gender Exploratory Therapy, hosts Juniper and Laurel, both licensed clinicians, expose the growing network of anti-trans organizations operating under the guise of “evidence-based” care. We break down the interconnected web of groups like GenSpec, the Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM), and Our Duty, uncovering their ties to conversion therapy, pseudoscience, and policy-driven misinformation. From ...

Send us a textJoin hosts Laurel and Juniper as they share candid and semi-unhinged predictions about the mental health landscape (and beyond) in 2025. From rejecting toxic wellness and healing narratives to embracing intersectional feminist rage, dIY Zine culture and public grieving, we share our what we say goodbye to our outs and welcome our ins. Plus, we even get into some tips for reclaiming rest and identity in hustle culture, share childhood memories of being disagreeable, Jun...

Send us a textSend us a textHey friends! In this quick update episode, Laurel drops in to share where she and Juniper are in the process of producing the gender exploratory therapy series (spoiler alert…it’s a lot more of an in-depth and lengthy process than we anticipated!), and lets everyone know about CMH’s winter break.Don’t forget that our fundraiser for Advocates for Trans Equality is ongoing! See the links below to direct you straight to where you can purchase these merch items.We hope...

Send us a text‼️Content warning for sensitive discussions regarding the LGBTQ community. ⚠️What is Gender Exploratory Therapy, and why is it raising concern amongst therapists and LGBTQ+ advocates? In part 1 of our series, Juniper and Laurel, delve into Therapy First, the organization behind this controversial model. We examine its claims about "exploratory care", and gender-critical approaches, and discuss its implications for trans and gender-diverse communities. 🎙️ Introduction to Gender E...

Send us a textGratitude is great—until it isn’t. 🦃In this episode, we explore our complicated relationship with gratitude. From the pressure to “stay positive” during the holidays to the rise of forced gratitude culture, we unpack why it’s okay to feel everything all at once.Random topics explored: BlamesgivingNational Day of Mourning Critique of manufactured and forced gratitudeGratitude in the mental health fieldFeaturing a rant about the downfall of dystopian fashion in a rhinest...

Send us a textFrom ‘dopamine fasting’ to ‘serotonin diets,’ the internet is full of neurotransmitter misinformation. Is the gut really your "second brain"? Can getting 5 minutes of sunlight "boost" your mood?Biohacking promises a shortcut to wellness, but what’s the real deal? We bust common myths about neurotransmitters and brain health, shedding light on the science behind these claims. Tune in for a fun, fact-filled conversation with Juniper and Laurel, traveling into the brain and getting...

Send us a textHey everyone! It’s Juniper and Laurel bringing you another episode of After Billable Hours. In this episode, we dive into our memes of the week, share stories from our high school extracurriculars, and play a super fun (and delightfully nerdy) game of assigning famous psychology legends their perfect dishes for the ultimate ‘psychology family dinner.’ Get ready for unserious fun with a side of critical insights and a dash of Psych 101 vibes!🎙️ Introduction and Context (00:01 - 0...

Send us a textEver read a therapist’s bio and thought, “What does ‘psychodynamic’ even mean?” Welcome to our first CMH Short, where we (allegedly) try to keep things brief. Juniper and Laurel, your friendly mental health educators, are here to give you the lowdown on therapy lingo. We tackle everything from ‘CBT’ to ‘parts work,’ and even the mysteriously vague ‘somatic’ approaches. We break down what these terms really mean and how they show up in therapy. Whether you’re a clini...

Send us a textWhat do horror films and mental health have in common? In this Halloween episode of After Billable Hours, Juniper and Laurel dive into how the spooky tropes we love (or hate) actually mirror the mental health struggles we face in real life. From intense grief (The Babadook) to that creeping sense of burnout (Scream), they talk about how watching scary movies can sometimes help us confront our own fears (or the horrors of every day life). Even if you’re not a horror fan like Laur...

Send us a textPolitics and therapy: two things that seem separate but really aren’t. In this episode, we talk about why therapy is never neutral, how therapists’ political views affect their work, and why advocating for change is just part of the gig.Therapy isn’t a bubble, and politics can’t be left outside the door. Join us as we unpack the role of politics in mental health work, the ethics of self-disclosure, and the pressures therapists face in politically charged times. From fees to syst...

Send us a textLet’s be real. Politics and elections are exhausting, and the stats back it up: In the US, 65% of people feel drained, and 55% are downright angry. In this episode, we discuss why everyone feels so burned out and what you can do about it. We’re talking about everything from social media outrage to election day stress and offering real strategies to keep your mental health intact. Whether you’re doomscrolling or trying to tune it all out, we have your back. We di...

Send us a textIn this week’s After Billable Hours, Juniper and Laurel share their memes of the week, highlighting the art of being disagreeable. Then, they tackle the recent Chappell Roan controversy, including the weight of parasocial relationships and the mental health effects of this ongoing social media experiment we’re all living in. This episode highlights the complexities of fame, the nuance of responsibilities, and the necessity for self-care strategies in an uncertain world. Bonus: S...

Send us a textIn this “After Billable Hours” episode, Juniper and Laurel banter about anxiety, guilt, and productivity, exploring how societal expectations (a.k.a. the Protestant work ethic and more) can turn even the smallest bit of relaxation or pleasure into a source of stress.Juniper shares a story about their most recent spirals, while Laurel drinks Grandma Chai tea and discovers her personal brand, “tired.” Together, they embrace their "not-so guilty" pleasures and create “dopamine menu...

Send us a textCW: a few f-bombs, discussion of trauma, mentions of SA and other abusive tacticsWhat happens when two neurodivergent therapists get deep into a conversation about therapy vs coaching? It all started with a tweet, and suddenly, Laurel and Juniper found themselves down a rabbit hole, asking: Is there really a rift between therapists and coaches? If so, why? In this first deep dive, we attempt to stay on track (but let’s be honest, side quests abound) as we untangle misinformation...

Send us a textIn this very first episode of After Billable Hours, Juniper and Laurel dive into a whole new format (because we like to keep things fresh, right?). Brace yourself for some laughs, cringey childhood memories, and more ADHD talk than you can spin a fidget at.“Quote-unquote” alert: Juniper says it… a lot. Like, more than 5 times (they counted), while Laurel manages to keep it at a totally normal level. Be clear, we both say "quote-unquote", is that a therapist thing? •Meme Pic...

Send us a textIn this episode, Laurel sits down with Cory Lockhart, a teacher, artist, writer, public speaker, and Nonviolent Communication facilitator. Cory shares about her experiences learning and living out the principles of Nonviolent Communication, the ways in which her intuitive, heart-led practices have shaped her own work and life, and the ways in which these practices can intersect in our relationships, both with clients and beyond.Cory Lockhart is a teacher, artist, writer, public ...

Send us a textLaurel drops in to give an update on CMH’s summer break, and all of the awesome Academy of Integrative Mental Health resources you can check out until we’re back in the fall with Season 3! Make sure to give us a like, subscribe, and review while you’re here, so we can keep bringing you awesome, topical, and compassionate resources all year round.Check out the Academy: https://academyimh.com/Our online learning library: https://learn.academyimh.com/We have a YouTube channel! ...

Send us a textIn this episode of the Common Client Conundrum series on The Conscious Mental Health Podcast, host Juniper, the director of the Academy of Integrative Mental Health, delves into the complex world of ambivalence.Key topics include:Neurobiology of Mixed Emotions: Understanding what happens in the brain and body when experiencing fluctuating emotions.Nature of Ambivalence: Exploring the factors that contribute to ambivalence and how to recognize it.Techniques and Strategies:For Cli...