Grove: Beyond The Couch

Domestic Violence, Power & Control, and Why “Just Leaving” Isn’t Simple

In this episode, Melissa and Susan start with some lighter talk - fresh paint on the Grove building, skeletons in Santa hats, and small ways they’re trying to brighten the darker months - before gently shifting into a heavy but necessary conversation: domestic violence. They walk through the Power and Control Wheel, unpacking how abuse isn’t just physical, but can look like emotional abuse, financial control, isolation, gaslighting, threats, and using children as leverage.
They talk about why it’s never as simple as “why doesn’t she just leave,” how trauma bonding and intermittent kindness keep people stuck, and why safety planning and support are so crucial. Melissa and Susan also offer ideas for what to say (and what not to say) when someone you love may be in an abusive relationship, and share both national and local resources like Avalon and Genesis for those in the Upper Cumberland. The episode closes with an invitation to regulate, move your body, find connection, and remember: you deserve to be treated with dignity and respect - always.
Remember that listening to this podcast is not therapy. It might be therapeutic, but it isn’t a replacement for good mental health treatment. We can help with getting you connected with a good therapist. Check out our website. 
Grove: A Healing Collective

Spooky Season & Scared Brains: Why We Like (or Hate) Being Afraid

Happy Halloween! 🎃 Melissa (Halloween superfan) and Susan (hard pass on haunted houses) swap stories about spooky décor, jump scares, and why some of us crave adrenaline while others avoid horror at all costs. Then they get therapist-y about fear: what phobias are, how our brains learn them (sometimes from family or one-off moments), and why finishing the stress cycle matters more than “just breathe” in the moment.
You’ll hear practical ways to discharge that surge (walks, dancing, music, movement), when grounding does help, and how approaches like gradual exposure and EMDR can untangle fears—whether it’s snakes, flying, or scary movies that felt a little too real. They also touch on parenting with anxiety (protecting vs. over-protecting), reframing the parts of Halloween you actually enjoy, and giving yourself permission to skip the rest.
Remember that listening to this podcast is not therapy. It might be therapeutic, but it isn’t a replacement for good mental health treatment. We can help with getting you connected with a good therapist. Check out our website. 
Grove: A Healing Collective

Dr. D in the Making: Fit, Community, and Counseling in a Small Town

Susan and Melissa welcome Grove therapist Desi to celebrate her two-year anniversary on the team. They swap origin stories (and office décor tips), then get real about what actually makes therapy work: the person of the therapist, the culture behind the scenes, and finding the right client–therapist fit—sometimes that means a warm handoff to a different provider. They dig into the unique parts of practicing in a rural/micropolitan community—running into clients at Publix, confidentiality in close-knit towns, and why advocacy and resource-hunting matter here more than ever.
 
Desi shares how she balances a full caseload while nearing completion of her PhD (hello, “Dr. D” 👋) and previews her dissertation on the experiences of Black counselors working in rural areas—why the research gap exists, what she’s learning, and how it can shape better care. The trio also talk groups, community offerings, and why it’s okay (and healthy) to choose the therapist and space that feel right to you.
Remember that listening to this podcast is not therapy. It might be therapeutic, but it isn’t a replacement for good mental health treatment. We can help with getting you connected with a good therapist. Check out our website. 
Grove: A Healing Collective

When the Seasons Shift: Practical Strategies for SAD

As the days get shorter, Susan and Melissa unpack Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)—how it differs from “winter blues,” what to watch for (sleep and appetite shifts, low energy, persistent low mood), and why time change and circadian rhythms matter. They talk holiday pressure, grief triggers, and isolation—and share practical ways to buffer the season: light strategies (twinkle lamps to light boxes), cozy routines (hello, crockpots), small social goals, and building regular community touchpoints (coffee shops, gyms, book clubs). They also outline when it’s time to loop in a therapist, primary care, or psychiatrist, and highlight Grove offerings—from yoga and Healing Through Words to upcoming groups.
Listening isn’t therapy, but it can be therapeutic. If seasonal shifts hit hard for you, you’re not alone—and help is close by. Check Grove’s calendar for classes, groups, and counseling options.
We can help with getting you connected with a good therapist. Check out our website. 
Grove: A Healing Collective
 

From Self-Doubt to Healing with Abby Nesbitt

In this episode of Beyond The Couch, hosts Susan and Melissa sit down with their colleague, Abigail (Abby) Nesbitt, to explore her personal and professional journey into the world of counseling. Abby opens up about her early path toward medicine, her struggles with anxiety and OCD in graduate school, and the life-changing decision to step away from PA school and pursue counseling instead.
The conversation dives deep into Abby’s experiences with EMDR and ERP, modalities that not only helped her heal but now shape the way she walks with her clients. She shares openly about the challenges of perfectionism, intrusive thoughts, and learning to face fear head-on—and how those struggles became the foundation for her compassionate, relatable approach as a therapist.
Together, Susan, Melissa, and Abby discuss the courage it takes to “be on the couch,” the importance of therapists doing their own work, and the power of embracing our humanity—flaws and all. Whether you’re a therapist, someone curious about counseling, or walking your own journey with anxiety or OCD, this episode offers encouragement, honesty, and hope.
Remember that listening to this podcast is not therapy. It might be therapeutic, but it isn’t a replacement for good mental health treatment. We can help with getting you connected with a good therapist. Check out our website. 
Grove: A Healing Collective

Helping Kids Heal with Regina Beach

In this episode, Susan and Melissa talk with therapist Regina Beach about the deep impact therapy can have on children—and the adults they become.
 
Regina shares what it’s like to work with young clients through play therapy, helping them name emotions, build confidence, and develop healthy coping skills. The conversation explores how early experiences shape our beliefs about ourselves and the world, and why giving kids space to feel seen and heard is so powerful.
Grounded in compassion and honesty, this episode offers a glimpse into how healing starts young—and why that work matters more than ever.
Remember that listening to this podcast is not therapy. It might be therapeutic, but it isn’t a replacement for good mental health treatment. We can help with getting you connected with a good therapist. Check out our website. 
Grove: A Healing Collective

When Life Slows You Down

In this episode, Susan and Melissa talk candidly about what it looks like when life forces you to pause—whether through illness, stress, or simply hitting capacity.
They share stories of burnout and learning to listen to your body instead of pushing through. From letting go of guilt around rest to finding unexpected moments of clarity in stillness, this episode is an honest look at what happens beyond the hustle.
If you’ve ever felt like life hit the brakes just when you were gaining speed, this one’s for you.
Remember that listening to this podcast is not therapy. It might be therapeutic, but it isn’t a replacement for good mental health treatment. We can help with getting you connected with a good therapist. Check out our website. 
Grove: A Healing Collective

Olivia Martin and the power of community.

Melissa and Susan sit down with Olivia Martin, therapist at The Grove, to talk about the power of community, authenticity, and movement as a form of healing. Olivia shares her journey from post-grad burnout to rediscovering joy and connection through queer spaces, dance parties, and the creation of Lavender Club—a weekly arts-and-crafts gathering for queer teens.
They discuss the challenges and beauty of working with neurodivergent clients, the importance of sober community events, and how movement-based healing—like dancing—can be both research-backed and deeply personal. Olivia also opens up about her inspiration, including her late Uncle Joe, and how honoring her identity has shaped her life and her work as a therapist.
Whether you’re looking for new ways to heal, curious about inclusive therapy spaces, or just need a reminder that joy is resistance—this episode is a celebration of all that.
Remember that listening to this podcast is not therapy. It might be therapeutic, but it isn’t a replacement for good mental health treatment. We can help with getting you connected with a good therapist. Check out our website. 
Grove: A Healing Collective

Emma Crabtree and making healthy career pivots

Melissa and Susan welcome special guest Emma Crabtree, founder of Glass Tangerine, for a heartfelt and humorous conversation about her journey from being a licensed therapist to owning a successful flower shop and flower farm. Emma opens up about the burnout she experienced during COVID, the surprising leap she made into entrepreneurship, and how her counseling background still plays a role in her business today.
They discuss the unexpected challenges of retail, the realities of small business finances, and the beauty of building something that blends personal passion with community impact. You’ll also hear stories about squirrel-related office disasters, pet-assisted therapy, and plans for a future “cut-your-own” flower experience on the Grove’s farm.
Whether you’re a fellow small business owner, someone considering a career pivot, or just need a good laugh and some encouragement—this one’s for you.
Remember that listening to this podcast is not therapy. It might be therapeutic, but it isn’t a replacement for good mental health treatment. We can help with getting you connected with a good therapist. Check out our website. 
Grove: A Healing Collective

The Mental Health Behind the Headlines

Susan and Melissa dig into a variety of topics from tele-health, staying present, and responding to world events. Susan introduces a new element to the podcast where they look at some current news stories and discuss their intersection with mental health. whew... buckle in! Special guest: P-Diddy (in thought only).
Remember that listening to this podcast is not therapy. It might be therapeutic, but it isn’t a replacement for good mental health treatment. We can help with getting you connected with a good therapist. Check out our website. 
Grove: A Healing Collective