In this episode, I sit down with Kasia Makuch-Cole, a psychotherapist and founder of Balance Psychotherapy Clinic, to explore a refreshing, body-focused approach to mental health. Kasia challenges traditional therapy models that prioritize storytelling and diagnoses, advocating instead for working with body sensations and emotions to process trauma and find balance. We discuss how sensations in the body can reveal deeper emotions, the role of self-compassion, and why mental health isn’t just about the mind—it’s about the entire nervous system. If you’ve ever felt frustrated with conventional mental health approaches, this conversation will open your eyes to a whole new way of healing.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Mental Health is More Than the Mind: Healing involves the body, emotions, and nervous system.
• Trauma Lives in the Body: You don’t have to retell your story to heal from it.
• Self-Compassion is Key: A nurturing approach to emotions leads to deeper healing.
• Body Awareness Matters: Understanding sensations can help process emotions.
• Joy Over Happiness: Instead of chasing happiness, focus on cultivating lasting joy.

🔗 Links/Resources

• Check out Liz's app, Basic Psych: https://balancepsychotherapy.passion.io/. The app aims to help individuals live a life filled with meaning, purpose, and joy.

📖 Chapters

00:00 Introduction: A New Approach to Mental Health

02:12 Meet Kasia Makuch-Cole: Psychotherapist & Founder of Balance Psychotherapy Clinic

03:36 The Problem with Traditional Therapy Approaches

06:08 Trauma Lives in the Body—Not Just the Mind

09:26 The Role of Affect: Understanding Body Sensations

12:42 Why Naming Emotions Can Limit Healing

15:10 A Live Demonstration: Connecting with the Body’s Signals

21:14 How to Cultivate Self-Compassion and Emotional Safety

25:42 The Impact of Stress and the Nervous System

30:14 Healing Isn’t Just Psychological—It’s Biological Too

35:28 The Role of Diet and Physical Health in Mental Wellbeing

40:12 The Difference Between Joy and Happiness

45:26 How to Align with Your Values for a Simpler, More Meaningful Life

50:03 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways



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