Dating in the modern world comes with its challenges, from missed red flags to navigating toxic traits that can surface in relationships. In this episode, Laurie Poole and Monica Miller discuss the subtle signs of imbalance in dating and how they can erode self-esteem and trust. From bleaching red flags to suppressing intuition, Monica shares intimate anecdotes of self-doubt and boundary violations, offering insights into why recognizing these behaviors early is so important. Tune in for a th...
Is there anything more painful than heartbreak? The end of a relationship can plummet us to the depths of grief and sadness in a way that few other experiences ever will. It’s an unavoidable part of life that leaves us feeling truly untethered when it does! Unlike physical pain, the roadmap to recovery isn’t always clear nor is it one size fits all. In this episode of Therapist Unplugged, hosts Laurie Poole and Cory Montfort explore sadness and loss after a break up, share stories abou...
Between the fear of fake dating profiles, commitment, and the sheer time and expense it takes to find a match, it’s no wonder that dating today is hard. Not to mention adding an ongoing pandemic to the mix. With ghosting becoming the new normal, it’s not out of the ordinary for a romantic interest to disappear with no reply for what feels like no reason at all. Dating apps and sites make it difficult to navigate the world of dating. Listen in for expert insight on the biggest issues with mode...
People have a lot of ideas and thoughts about what adoption looks like today. They might have seen things on television or in movies or heard stories about what the adoption process entails. Unfortunately, there are some common misconceptions about adoption. On this episode, Laurie Poole welcomes Laura Summers, LMFT to unpack what some of these are and discuss the truth about the family-building option that is today’s modern adoption. Send us a text 🎙️ Therapist Unplugged is produced by The ...
Do you have a roadmap for defining a good relationship with your partner? At its core, we all want and long for secure adult attachment. That’s when partners have total trust in each other, which creates a safe haven knowing that your partner will always stand by you no matter what. This episode of Therapist Unplugged has it all! Hear more on how infidelity, the birth of a first child, and chronic illness can create attachment wounds that couples struggle to address. You will le...
Often times people suffocate the growth of a relationship by defining a destination for a date. Have you thought of dating without a destination? On this episode, Laurie sits down with Cory Montfort for a quick chat about how to date your partner by focusing on the feeling instead of the destination. Send us a text 🎙️ Therapist Unplugged is produced by The Montfort Group, a boutique therapy practice based in Plano, Texas, helping individuals, couples, and families build emotionally intellig...
While being pregnant or having a baby is a happy occasion, it can also be a time of overwhelming stress for many women. Joining me for straight talk on postpartum wellness and mental health is holistic psychiatrist and neurologist Dr. Aparna Iyer. Dr. Iyer completed her residency training in psychiatry at Albany Medical Center in New York, where she was selected as a chief resident and continued on to work as an Assistant Professor and faculty member. Dr. Iyer also served as an assistant prof...
Relationships do change when kids become a part of the picture—there's no way around that. Typically, the joy and excitement that come with being a new parent outweigh the frustration or disappointment. However, the relationship tension that often comes up under this added stress cannot be ignored. Similarly, the focus on the new child is critically important, but it isn't selfish to tend to your own needs, too. Good parents aren't necessarily the ones who sacrifice themselves entirely for th...
For those of you who have been cheated on, you know what we're talking about. The constant, gnawing, gut-wrenching awareness that you’re not special anymore, that you’ve been abandoned for someone prettier, smarter, sexier than you. It sends the betrayed into a spiral of self-doubt, wondering about their worth, unable to completely trust well until healed. And it sends the betrayer into a similar whirlwind in their struggle to come to grips with how they’ve hurt another (usually accidentally)...
Our host, Laurie Poole, LPC discusses common myths and misconceptions about going to therapy and being a therapist with co-host, Cory Montfort, LPC-S on this inaugural episode of Therapist Unplugged. Each episode will feature the unplugged views of guests and fellow therapists as we navigate hot topics, therapy trends and the world around us. We’ve got a big lineup of hot topics and all kinds of things for future episodes, but this will be a fun opportunity for listeners to get to know...
What if the hardest chapters of your life became the experience that makes you a steadier presence for others? Angela Johnson joins Laurie for her first conversation as The Montfort Group’s inaugural practicum fellow — a role shaped by a long, honest road back to herself. Her path into counseling took the scenic route: a career in education, a complicated pregnancy, divorce, blended family challenges, and the quiet shock of the empty nest. The result is a therapist-in-training with an uncommo...
What happens when education is completely reimagined around the individual student? Alexandria Armstrong, Director of Admissions at Fusion Academy in Plano, reveals the transformative power of their one-to-one teaching model where every class consists of just one teacher and one student. Alexandria draws from her decade of experience in education and her personal journey as a homeschooled student with ADHD to explain why this revolutionary approach works for students who struggle in traditio...
Laurie interviews clinical herbalist Nicole Haglund about how Chinese medicine can help women restore balance to their hormones and nervous systems for better mental health. Nicole explains her journey from disordered eating to becoming an expert in women's health after successfully helping her husband overcome Crohn's disease through natural methods. • Women today are experiencing burnout trying to balance careers, family responsibilities, and personal wellness • Chinese medicine identifies...
Can one relationship meet all your needs? In this eye-opening episode of Therapist Unplugged, married couple Leland and McKenzie share how their connection evolved from a casual Tinder hookup to a deeply committed polyamorous marriage. With raw honesty and humor, they explore what it takes to build trust, communicate openly, and challenge traditional relationship norms. From navigating jealousy to redefining intimacy, their story is full of insights for anyone curious about ethical non-monoga...
When was the last time you had an honest conversation about sex after 60? In this episode of Therapist Unplugged, host Laurie Poole is joined by sex therapist Edita Ruzgyte for a candid look at aging, desire, and intimacy in later life. They challenge the idea that good sex requires a perfect body and explore how deeper emotional connection can lead to more fulfilling sexual experiences as we grow older. You’ll hear: How to talk about sex and boundaries—at any ageWhat changing bodies mean for...
Ready to reset your nervous system? In this calming episode, therapist Laurie Poole leads you through a guided Progressive Relaxation practice designed to release physical tension, quiet your mind, and bring your body back to a state of balance. Progressive Relaxation is a simple yet powerful technique that helps reduce stress, improve sleep, and build long-term emotional resilience. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or just need a moment to breathe—this session is your invitatio...
Feeling overwhelmed? Press play and pause the chaos. In this brief but powerful guided meditation, therapist Laurie Poole walks you through a calming mental reset—designed to help you relax your body, quiet your thoughts, and reconnect with the present moment. Whether you're new to meditation or just need a quick reset, this practice offers a gentle invitation to slow down, breathe deeply, and return to yourself. Meditation can help: Reduce stress and anxietyIncrease emotional awarenessImprov...
What happens when two therapists get real about men in therapy? This candid conversation delivers profound insights about why men struggle with emotions and how therapy can create transformative spaces for authentic expression. Therapists Laurie Poole and Rhett Smith explore how boys receive messages as early as age five that emotions aren't safe to express, creating lifelong patterns that emerge in relationships and personal identity. They candidly discuss the challenges men face developing...
What if the key to mental well-being starts in your gut? In this episode, holistic nutrition consultant Morgan Lewis shares her journey from debilitating stomach pain to discovering the powerful link between digestion and mental health. We explore how 90% of serotonin—the "happy hormone"—is produced in the gut, why the vagus nerve plays a crucial role in stress resilience, and how small changes in diet and lifestyle can transform your energy and mood in just days. Morgan also sheds light on ...
How do early experiences shape the way we connect as adults? In this episode, Licensed Professional Counselor Courtney Strull from The Montfort Group unravels the mysteries of attachment styles and their profound impact on mental health, from anxiety to relationship struggles. Through Courtney's insights, we explore how attachment influences issues like depression, anxiety, intergenerational trauma, and how family dynamics influence who we choose as partners. Learn more about the five attachm...