If you've heard the phrase, "Put on your oxygen mask first before helping others," you'll understand why strengthening educators' emotional well-being and resilience is so important. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Dr. Cynthia Kaplan and Ryan Oelrich from the Center for Trauma and Stress Education, share practical strategies for navigating stress, trauma and difficult emotions. Learn to feel and name your emotions and use tools to respond more effectively. Through its ongoing partnership with the center, the UFT Member Assistance Program is introducing new monthly trainings to support members' well-being and resilience throughout the school year.

What does it take to support students' mental health, academic success and personal growth in schools today? In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Reverly Holder and Diane Washington, school counselors and members of the UFT School Counselors Chapter Executive Board, explore the vital role counselors play in helping students navigate life's challenges. Learn how to recognize a child in need and support them effectively by building trust; creating safe, supportive spaces; responding calmly during crises; and collaborating with families, teachers and mental health professionals.

There are as many reasons to seek counseling as there are people. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Loredana Zito, a licensed mental health counselor and school psychologist, joins us to demystify the counseling experience. Together, we explore why people seek therapy, how to find the right fit in a counselor and what to expect in those first few sessions. Stigma sometimes prevents people from seeking mental health care, but asking for support is an act of strength.

Women's health is often discussed as separate symptoms, but the lived experience — hormonal shifts, misunderstood conditions and the emotional weight of postpartum life — deserves deeper attention. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Dr. Pina LoGiudice, naturopathic doctor and owner of InnerSource Wellness, joins us to discuss concerns women bring into care and issues that often go unspoken. Together, we explore hormonal impacts on mental health, misdiagnosis, and how women can become more empowered in seeking support.

Supporting a young person who has thoughts of suicide can feel overwhelming. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Jessica Torres, a licensed master social worker and crisis counselor, and Brennan Spector, a former Trevor Project volunteer and licensed mental health counselor, offer guidance for adults navigating these conversations. They explore the subtle signs a student may be struggling and the power of calm language and presence. Learn how adults can care for themselves while doing this emotionally demanding work.

When trust is broken by someone (or something) you rely on, the impact can be deeply disorienting. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, trauma-informed therapists Suzanne Shanley and Emily Sanchez of Glass Psychotherapy describe what betrayal trauma is and how it impacts the nervous system, self-trust and attachment. They also explore how it can show up in both personal relationships and larger systems, and what healing looks like over time.

Our bodies respond to stress with a fight-or-flight response that may be disproportionate to the situation we're encountering. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Lisa Siclari, a licensed mental health counselor, shares some simple somatic techniques that support emotional regulation, stress relief and overall well-being. Bring your body into the conversation with techniques that can be easily integrated into your daily routines at work and at home.