⚠️ Content Warning: This episode discusses domestic violence and emotional abuse. Please listen with care.

Abuse doesn't always look like what you see on TV. It doesn't always involve yelling, hitting, or obvious violence. A lot of the time, it's happening quietly, in your kitchen, over text, in the small moments that make you wonder, "Is this normal?" If you've ever asked yourself that question, this episode is for you.

Amanda Sarich, Registered Clinical Counselor and trauma specialist, breaks down the Power and Control Wheel, the clinical framework used to identify abusive relationship dynamics. Amanda and Dr. Ciera Fox, ND, walk through what abuse actually looks like in real life, why it's so easy to miss, and why so many women don't realize they're in it until they're deep inside it.

In this episode:

• What the Power and Control Wheel actually means (and why it matters)

• The difference between a bad relationship and an abusive one

• The quieter forms of abuse: intimidation, isolation, emotional abuse, economic control

• The cycle of abuse, and why it becomes addictive

• Why women often don't recognize abuse until it's named for them

• The only three ways out of an abusive cycle

• Safety considerations and crisis resources

If something in this episode sounds familiar, that's not a coincidence. Knowledge is the first step. You're not crazy. You're not too much. And it's not your fault.

Crisis Resources:

• 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Canada & US)

• BC Mental Health & Crisis Line: 310-6789 (no area code needed)

• Outside BC: Search your local domestic violence crisis line

Medical Disclaimer

The content shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or legal advice. Her Body in Mind is hosted by a Registered Clinical Counsellor and a Naturopathic Doctor; however, nothing discussed in this podcast should replace the guidance of your own qualified healthcare provider, mental health professional, or legal counsel. If you are in immediate danger, please contact emergency services (911). If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or domestic violence situation, please reach out to a local crisis line or support service. Please contact your own healthcare providers before making any changes to your health and wellness protocols related to your body and mind.

In this episode, Dr. Ciara Fox and Amanda Sarich ( Clinical Counsellor) break down one of the most common, and most misunderstood, hormonal conditions affecting women today: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Dr. Fox shares why the name itself is misleading, why so many women go undiagnosed for years (or decades), and what the actual diagnostic criteria really looks like, because it's probably not what you've heard.

They cover the full spectrum of how PCOS can present, from the "classic" picture you see on social media to the slim, athletic 18-year-old with high testosterone and irregular periods. They also get into the role of genetics, stress, cortisol, and inflammation in how PCOS develops and progresses, plus why going on the pill to "fix" irregular periods can mask what's actually going on for years.

Dr. Fox walks through both conventional and naturopathic treatment approaches, including diet and lifestyle, supplements like berberine, NAC, and inositol, pharmaceutical options like letrozole for fertility, and where GLP-1 medications like semaglutide fit into the picture. Plus, Amanda brings her counseling lens to the shame and stigma that so often keeps women from pursuing a diagnosis in the first place.

If you've ever been told you couldn't have PCOS because your periods are regular, you're slim, or you've had kids, this one's for you.

DISCLAIMER

The content shared on Her Body and Mind podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Dr. Ciara Fox's and Amanda Sarich's insights are shared in a general context and are not intended to replace the guidance of your own licensed healthcare provider. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health, wellness, or treatment protocols.

Weight loss drugs are having a moment, but the real story goes so much deeper than the headlines.

In this episode, Naturopathic Doctor Ciara Fox and Registered Clinical Counsellor Amanda Sarich break down everything you need to know about GLP-1 and GIP medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro without the judgment.

Dr. Fox explains why she, as a naturopathic doctor, chooses to incorporate these medications into her practice, and what the conversation around weight, metabolic health, and blood sugar is really missing. They cover how these drugs work, who might genuinely benefit from them, what the real risks are (and how to mitigate them), and why the shame surrounding their use needs to stop.

They also dig into the mental health side, because depression, fatigue, and food noise are real barriers that "just eat less and move more" simply doesn't address.

In this episode:

• GLP-1 vs GIP medications, what's the difference?

• Why BMI is outdated and what to measure instead

• The real risks of these drugs, and the risks of not taking them

• Muscle loss, bone density, and why proper monitoring matters

• The shame cycle around weight and medication use

• Cost, coverage, and how to make these drugs more accessible

Whether you're considering these medications, already on them, or just curious this is the honest, shame-free conversation you didn't know you needed.

DISCLAIMER: The content shared in this episode is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Nothing discussed by Dr. Ciara Fox or Amanda Sarich should be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.Always consult your own qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your medications, supplements, diet, or health and wellness protocols.

Are you a perfectionist? You might not think so, but hear us out. In this episode, Dr. Ciera Fox (Naturopathic Doctor) and Amanda Sarich (Clinical Counsellor) have a refreshingly honest conversation about perfectionism: what it actually means, where it comes from, and how it quietly drives burnout, anxiety, and pushing yourself well past your limits.

From panic attacks over grad school papers to showing up to work without a voice, they share real moments from their own lives and break down how perfectionism connects to trauma, control, self-worth, and even ADHD. If you’ve ever felt like you can’t let anything drop, this one’s for you.

Topics covered:

● What perfectionism actually is (it’s not what you think)

● How perfectionism links to trauma and self-worth

● How society reinforces perfectionism in women

● Practical ways to start noticing and challenging your own patterns

⚠️ Disclaimer: Dr. Ciera Fox and Amanda Sarich are a Naturopathic Doctor and Clinical Counsellor respectively, but they are not YOUR Naturopathic Doctor or Clinical Counsellor. Nothing shared here constitutes medical or therapeutic advice. Please contact your own healthcare providers before making any changes related to your health and wellness.

Do you ever catch yourself in the mirror and feel that quiet, crushing negativity toward your own body? Do you push yourself to achieve more, look better, do more, and still feel like it's never enough?You're not broken. You were conditioned.In this episode, clinical counsellor Amanda Sarich and Naturopathic Doctor Dr. Ciera Fox dig into one of the most universal experiences among women: low self-worth, and why it hides so well, even in the most confident, high-achieving people.They cover:• Why self-worth and self-esteem are not the same thing (and why you can have one without the other)• How childhood, genetics, societal pressure, and body image all quietly chip away at how we feel about ourselves• Why women carry this weight more, and why that's not their fault• The difference between self-worth wounds that can be addressed with awareness vs. ones that need deeper therapeutic work• Practical starting points, including why "just love yourself" advice can actually backfireBoth Amanda and Dr. Ciera Fox get real about their own journeys with self-worth, because this work never fully stops. It just gets more honest.If you've ever thought "I know I should love myself, so why can't I?", this episode is for you.

DISCLAIMER

The content shared in this episode is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Amanda Sarich and Dr. Ciera Fox speak from their own clinical experience and personal perspectives. Always consult with your own qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your mental health, physical health, or wellness protocols. If you are in crisis or need immediate support, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional or contact a crisis helpline in your area.

Tired all the time, but told your labs are normal? You're not alone, and you're not imagining it.

In Episode 17, Dr. Ciera Fox and registered clinical counsellor Amanda Sarich dig into why exhausted moms so often leave the doctor's office without answers, and what blood tests you should actually be asking for.

Dr. Ciera Fox covers the exact labs to request for the top five causes of fatigue she sees in women: iron stores (ferritin + CRP, not just a CBC), B12 and methylation, thyroid hormones beyond TSH, vitamin D, and hormonal sleep disruption in perimenopause. She also shares how to prep for each test, including washout periods for supplements and why timing your thyroid test matters more than you'd think.

Plus: how to walk into any appointment and advocate for yourself, even if you've already been dismissed.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Nothing in this podcast constitutes medical or therapeutic advice. Dr. Ciera Fox and Amanda Sarich are not your doctor or counsellor. Always consult your own qualified healthcare practitioners before making changes to your health

Being tired as a mom is expected, but what happens when exhaustion becomes your normal?

In this episode of Her Body and Mind, Dr. Fox and clinical counsellor Amanda Sarich explore why so many mothers feel chronically exhausted, overwhelmed, and disconnected from themselves, and why women are often told it’s “just part of motherhood.” From the invisible mental load and societal expectations placed on women to the ways moms learn to push through their own needs, this conversation unpacks why so many women stop questioning how they feel.

They also explore some of the deeper factors that can contribute to exhaustion, including nutrient deficiencies, thyroid concerns, hormonal shifts, and perimenopause, and discuss when it may be worth looking beyond “just being a busy mom.” Because while motherhood is demanding, feeling chronically depleted shouldn’t always be dismissed as normal.

Together, Dr. Fox and Amanda unpack the complicated reality of maternal fatigue: how women normalize feeling exhausted, how caregiving and lived experiences can disconnect us from our own bodies, and why many moms don’t realize just how depleted they are until things begin to improve.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this normal, or am I more exhausted than I should be?” this episode is for you.

In this episode:

• Why “mom tired” has become normalized

• Why women often dismiss or minimize their own symptoms
• How iron deficiency, B12 deficiency, thyroid issues, and vitamin D deficiency can play a role
• When exhaustion may be more than stress or busy motherhood

• How to start checking in with yourself again

Next episode: Dr. Fox breaks down how to actually investigate fatigue, including what testing to ask for, what’s commonly missed, and how to better understand what your body may be trying to tell you.

Disclaimer
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, clinical, or counselling advice. Nothing discussed in this episode should be considered individualized medical or mental health advice. If you have questions about your health, symptoms, or are considering making changes to any protocols related to your body or mind, please consult your physician, nurse practitioner, naturopathic doctor, therapist, or other qualified healthcare practitioner before making any changes.

Now that we’ve explored what Internal Family Systems is, this episode focuses on how to begin working with your parts in a safe and grounded way.

IFS is not about eliminating parts or “fixing” yourself. It’s about building relationships within your internal system, learning how to approach protectors with respect, unblend from reactive states, and access Self-energy as a steady internal leader.

In this practical guide, we explore:

• How to recognize when a part is activated

• The difference between blending and unblending

• How to access curiosity and compassion toward your parts

• Questions to ask when working with protectors

• Why safety and pacing matter in parts work

• When to seek professional support

This episode offers a thoughtful introduction to applying IFS principles in everyday life — during moments of anxiety, self-criticism, conflict, or overwhelm — so that you can respond from Self rather than react from survival patterns.

Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional therapy or medical advice. Please consult a licensed mental health provider or your Doctor if you feel overwhelmed, unsafe, or in need of clinical support.