In this episode of Her Time to Talk, we explore a deceptively simple yet revolutionary tool for women's mental health: reading fiction for pleasure.

Meagan shares why fantasy romance books, often dismissed as “just smut,” can actually serve as profound vehicles for healing, resilience building, empathy, and self-discovery. Drawing from her background as both a therapist and former English teacher, Meagan breaks down the modern feminine hero’s journey and what makes these stories so impactful—from practicing empathy to reclaiming women’s pleasure and autonomy.

You’ll hear reflections on personal favorites like A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass, and Fourth Wing, including key quotes, character arcs, and moments that illustrate how these stories mirror real-life healing journeys.

For those skeptical about "romantacy" novels, or those looking for permission to enjoy them unapologetically, this episode offers thoughtful context grounded in both research and lived experience.

MENTIONED BOOKS & SERIES

• A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas
• A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
• Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas
• Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
• From Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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• Follow us @HerTimeToTalk
• Visit our website to connect with a therapist or learn more
• Become a patron and support the podcast

If this episode moved you, empowered you, or taught you something new—be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who needs to hear it.

This is your time. Your story matters. Your voice is powerful. And your mental health is worth prioritizing.

Divorce isn’t always a failure. Sometimes, it’s the most loving thing we can do for ourselves.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Her Time Therapy clinician Kimberly joins Meagan to share her journey through a marriage that looked perfect on paper—but left her feeling lost, silenced, and disconnected from her true self.

Together, they unpack how divorce became Kimberly’s turning point—not just an end, but a beginning. She opens up about the moment she realized she had never actually known herself, the red flags she once brushed aside, and the slow, often painful process of rebuilding a relationship with her own voice, values, and identity.

Whether you’ve questioned your worth in a relationship, struggled to define your needs, or felt the pressure to stay in something that doesn’t feel right, this episode is for you.

Topics we cover:

• Why self-trust is essential in relationships
• Recognizing subtle forms of control and verbal abuse
• The impact of religion, shame, and mixed messages
• Rebuilding after divorce and choosing authenticity over approval
• How Kimberly’s story shapes her work as a therapist today

“Even standing still was progress. Because at least I wasn’t moving backward.”

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Stay Connected + Support the Show

• Follow us @HerTimeToTalk
• Visit our website to connect with a therapist or learn more
• Become a patron and support the podcast

If this episode moved you, empowered you, or taught you something new—be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who needs to hear it.

This is your time. Your story matters. Your voice is powerful. And your mental health is worth prioritizing.

What does it mean to live a life that’s truly your own? In this unforgettable Pride Month episode, we’re joined by Angelique Piwinski, a trans elder, educator, and sharp-witted New Yorker whose story stretches from the Stonewall Uprising to corporate boardrooms and beyond.

With warmth, humor, and a lifetime of perspective, Angie reflects on what it took to step into her truth—after decades of hiding it. From transitioning while serving as a senior executive in New York’s fast-paced advertising world, to helping shape inclusive policy at every level, Angie’s life is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and radical self-acceptance.

But this isn’t just a history lesson. It’s a soul-stirring reminder that authenticity is activism—and that sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is simply be ourselves.

Whether you're navigating your own identity, supporting someone who is, or learning how to show up better as an ally, this conversation invites you to rethink what it means to live boldly.

Because it’s never too late to be the real you.

Support the show

Stay Connected + Support the Show

• Follow us @HerTimeToTalk
• Visit our website to connect with a therapist or learn more
• Become a patron and support the podcast

If this episode moved you, empowered you, or taught you something new—be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who needs to hear it.

This is your time. Your story matters. Your voice is powerful. And your mental health is worth prioritizing.

Today’s episode is a call to awareness, a call to action—and above all, a call to compassion.

At Her Time Therapy, we practice from a feminist counseling lens, which means we don’t view mental health in a vacuum. Systems, policies, and power structures deeply shape our emotional lives, and right now, those structures are failing women—especially those who are most marginalized.

In this episode, we explore how political rhetoric and policy decisions—especially those under the Trump administration—have actively harmed women’s mental and physical health. From Medicaid cuts and mental health stigma to abortion bans and scientific censorship, we trace the throughline between harmful leadership and the rising emotional toll on women across the country.

We talk candidly about:

• How cuts to Medicaid and the ACA disproportionately impact women (KFF, 2020)
• The gutting of mental health programs and mocking of depression and anxiety
• Trump’s anti-science policies, including the CDC’s banned language list (Washington Post, 2017)
• The dismantling of abortion access and its consequences for maternal health (The Lancet, 2021; ACOG, 2023)
• The erasure of gendered and LGBTQ+ language in federally funded research
• Why seeking support is not just personal—it’s political

If you’ve ever felt ashamed for needing help, or enraged by the growing barriers to care, you are not alone. We see you. And we believe that caring for your mental health is an act of resistance.

Take Action:

• Share this episode with someone affected by healthcare rollbacks
• Visit Her Time Therapy to find a feminist-oriented therapist
• Register to vote and stay informed about your state’s policies
• Use the Five Calls App to contact your representatives
• Support this podcast for $3/month on Buzzsprout or join us on Patreon for bonus content and community

Referenced Sources:

• ACOG: Abortion Policy
• Brené Brown (2018). Braving the Wilderness. Random House.
• Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
• Kaiser Family Foundation – Medicaid & Mental Health
• NIH Women’s Health Research – Janine Clayton
• The Lancet (2021) – Maternal Mortality Review
• CDC Language Guidance Coverage – Washington Post & NYT
• Politico – Healthcare Reporting
• Rush Holt Statement – AAAS
• The Cardiology Advisor – Coverage Dispa

Support the show

Stay Connected + Support the Show

• Follow us @HerTimeToTalk
• Visit our website to connect with a therapist or learn more
• Become a patron and support the podcast

If this episode moved you, empowered you, or taught you something new—be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who needs to hear it.

This is your time. Your story matters. Your voice is powerful. And your mental health is worth prioritizing.

Therapy can be life-changing—but figuring out how to pay for it shouldn’t be a full-time job. In this episode of Her Time to Talk, we break down Insurance 101 for mental health care: what terms like deductibles, copays, F codes, and out-of-network really mean, and how they impact your care, cost, and confidentiality.

We also explore the real pros and cons of using insurance for therapy versus paying out of pocket—and how to know which option is right for you. Whether you're overwhelmed by your benefits, unsure what to ask your provider, or looking for reimbursement help, this episode is your guide to making therapy more accessible without sacrificing peace of mind.

Because your mental health matters—and you’re worth the care it takes to heal.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• What insurance really covers for mental health
• The difference between PPO, HMO, EPO, and other plan types
• Understanding deductibles, copays, and coinsurance
• Why your therapist needs to assign a diagnosis—and what that means
• What F codes and Z codes are (and why insurance only covers one of them)
• The difference between in-network and out-of-network therapists
• What a superbill is, and how out-of-network reimbursement works
• Confidentiality, diagnosis, and your permanent medical record
• Why many therapists don’t take insurance
• How to decide what’s right for your care, values, and budget

Resources Mentioned:

• Her Time Therapy – Book a Free Consultation
• Mentaya – Out-of-Network Reimbursement Help

Connect with Us:

• Follow us on Instagram: @HerTimeToTalk
• Support the show on Patreon
• Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen
• Share this episode with someone who’s ready to start therapy but unsure where to begin

Support the show

Stay Connected + Support the Show

• Follow us @HerTimeToTalk
• Visit our website to connect with a therapist or learn more
• Become a patron and support the podcast

If this episode moved you, empowered you, or taught you something new—be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who needs to hear it.

This is your time. Your story matters. Your voice is powerful. And your mental health is worth prioritizing.

This week on Her Time To Talk, we're joined by therapist, mother, and assistant practice manager at Her Time Therapy—Lauren Veazey—for an intimate and powerful conversation about the emotional reality of new motherhood.

Lauren shares her personal story of miscarriage, postpartum anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and identity loss alongside her clinical insight into the difference between the baby blues and postpartum depression. We talk openly about the cultural silence that keeps so many mothers suffering alone—and why healing starts with being witnessed, validated, and supported.

Whether you’re a new parent, someone navigating fertility, or simply trying to understand what support during the perinatal period should look like, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we explore:

• What distinguishes baby blues from clinical postpartum depression
• How intrusive thoughts show up—and why they’re more common than you think
• The grief and identity shift that can come with becoming a parent
• What therapy can offer for women in the perinatal and postpartum periods
• Why naming your experience and sharing your story can be a radical act of healing

RESOURCES & LINKS:

• Learn more about Lauren Veazey
• More from Lauren on PMADS
• More from Lauren on What Motherhood Awakens
• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA
• Postpartum Support International or 1-800-944-4773 (4PPD)
• The Birth Squad: Colorado Perinatal Mental Health Project
• Healthy Expectations Perinatal Intensive Outpatient Program
• Colorado Crisis Services: Call 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text "TALK" to 38255 for 24/7 support.
• National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988 for immediate assistance.

Connect with us:
🌐 www.hertimetherapy.com
🎙️ Patreon

If this episode resonated with you, consider supporting the podcast by subscribing to Her Time To Talk so you never miss a conversation that matters.

Support the show

Stay Connected + Support the Show

• Follow us @HerTimeToTalk
• Visit our website to connect with a therapist or learn more
• Become a patron and support the podcast

If this episode moved you, empowered you, or taught you something new—be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who needs to hear it.

This is your time. Your story matters. Your voice is powerful. And your mental health is worth prioritizing.

In this powerful episode, we’re joined by Adriana Martin De La Torre, a bilingual, bicultural therapist at Her Time Therapy who also works with refugees and immigrants through a local nonprofit. Adriana shares her wisdom on culturally inclusive counseling—why it matters, how language and identity shape the therapeutic process, and how clients can navigate the complex journey of finding a therapist who truly sees them.

Together, we explore:

• The difference between cultural competence and cultural humility
• Why Western therapeutic models don't always fit clients from collectivist cultures
• The role of intergenerational trauma and assimilation in mental health
• How language can unlock deeper emotional expression
• Red flags to watch for when looking for a culturally affirming therapist
• The healing power of validation, curiosity, and connection

Whether you're a therapist working to deepen your practice or someone seeking a counselor who understands your lived experience, Adriana offers invaluable insight, compassion, and practical tools for navigating the therapeutic space with cultural awareness and integrity.

🧡 “Validation and curiosity go further than assumptions. Your culture is not a barrier—it’s a strength.”

Learn more about our practice: www.hertimetherapy.com
Support the podcast: Patreon – Her Time to Talk

Support the show

Stay Connected + Support the Show

• Follow us @HerTimeToTalk
• Visit our website to connect with a therapist or learn more
• Become a patron and support the podcast

If this episode moved you, empowered you, or taught you something new—be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who needs to hear it.

This is your time. Your story matters. Your voice is powerful. And your mental health is worth prioritizing.

In this powerful episode of Her Time To Talk, Meagan Clark sits down with licensed professional counselor Julie, who practices in Missouri and Colorado, to explore the complexities of trauma healing. Julie shares her insights on trauma treatment and the various therapeutic modalities available to support healing.

The conversation delves into the nuanced experiences of religious trauma, particularly within evangelical settings, and how deeply intertwined politics and religion can create lasting emotional harm. Julie courageously reflects on her personal journey of leaving evangelicalism and how it informed her passion for helping others navigate their own healing.

Listeners will gain valuable knowledge on:

• The most effective trauma treatment modalities, including EMDR and Somatic Experiencing
• How trauma is stored in the body and why traditional talk therapy may not be enough
• Recognizing the signs of trauma in clients who may feel “all talked out” from previous therapy
• Religious trauma as a form of intimate psychological harm
• The challenges of navigating family relationships and differing political beliefs
• How empathy can foster connection, even in the face of ideological divides

Julie also emphasizes the importance of building trust and safety with a therapist before beginning trauma work. Her compassionate approach encourages listeners to explore therapy in a way that honors their agency and healing journey.

If you or someone you know is struggling with trauma, religious trauma, or navigating difficult family dynamics, this episode provides valuable guidance and hope.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Jesus and John Wayne by Kristen CoEB Dume: Buy here
• The MEND Project (for recognizing and healing from emotional abuse): Learn more
• Power and Control Wheel (for understanding abusive dynamics): View here
• NPR Episode on Conspiracy Theories and Family Relationships: Listen here
• BITE Model of Cult Mind Control (to recognize manipulative religious or political influence): Download here

Stay Connected:

• Website: www.hertimetherapy.com
• Patreon: Support the Podcast

Join us in this heartfelt conversation as we explore the power of healing, self-discovery, and reclaiming autonomy in the face of trauma. Tune in and be inspired by Julie’s story and expertise.

Support the show

Stay Connected + Support the Show

• Follow us @HerTimeToTalk
• Visit our website to connect with a therapist or learn more
• Become a patron and support the podcast

If this episode moved you, empowered you, or taught you something new—be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who needs to hear it.

This is your time. Your story matters. Your voice is powerful. And your mental health is worth prioritizing.