In this week’s Deciphering Growth, Tiffany and Eric unpack what happens when ACA subsidies change, healthinsurance costs rise, and therapy starts to feel like a luxury instead of a basic need. We talk about the real mental health impact, why so many of us are scared about coverage, and some practical options and coping strategies if you’re worried about losing access to care.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app — and get early access + extra soapbox episodes by joining our Patreon!

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#DecipheringGrowth #MentalHealth #ACA#HealthInsurance #TherapyAccess

In this week’s Soapbox, we’re digging into toxic productivity, hustle culture, and how the “what do you produce?” mindset has seeped into mental health care. From community mental health and private practice to neurodivergence, KPIs, and burnout—we’re unpacking all of it.

🎧 This episode is available publicly on all major platforms.

🌿 If you love our Soapbox episodes, we have more bonus Soapbox conversations available exclusively on Patreon—plus early releases, behind-the-scenes content, and extra discussions we don’t publish anywhere else.

Come grow with us. 👉 Join our Patreon community for deeper dives + extra Soapboxes.

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The holidays aren’t easy for everyone — and grief doesn’t care what the calendar says.

In this week’s episode of Deciphering Growth, we sit down with Bethany Valenti to talk about what grief really looks like during the holidays, why the “stages” don’t tell the full story, and how to navigate traditions, boundaries, and emotional waves with compassion.

We’re therapists—and humans. In this episode of Deciphering Growth, we drop the polished scripts and share the exact self-care we use when life (and clinical work) gets heavy. From odd little joys (automation video games, planted shrimp tanks) to parasympathetic resets (Epsom-salt baths, stretching, visual grounding, the Serenity Prayer), we show how we downshift our nervous systems without perfection or guilt.

You’ll hear:

• Micro-habits that stick on busy days (no 2-hour routines).

• A “skill points” self-care reframe—level up one point at a time.
• Introvert-friendly strategies for crowds, schedule changes, and “I’m running late” spikes.
• Why therapists need permission to be human—and how we protect against burnout.

We’re diving into how teen trauma reshapes the developing brain—and why that can look like “bad choices,” emotional whiplash, or substance use. Tiffany breaks down the neurobiology (amygdala, prefrontal cortex, reward systems, HPA axis) while Eric explores real-world patterns in youth vaping, drinking, and self-medication.Key takeaways:• Trauma ≠ destiny—adolescent neuroplasticity means we can rewire toward regulation and resilience.• Dysregulation can mimic ADHD/ODD/depression; zoom out before labeling.• Substance use often signals unmet regulation needs, not moral failure.If this topic hits close to home, pace yourself and come back when ready. #DecipheringGrowth #TeenMentalHealth #TraumaInformed #Neuroscience #ACEs #YouthSubstanceUse #ParentingTeens #Resilience #TherapyPodcast

Trauma doesn’t just live in the past—it shows up in our communication, our tone, and our bodies. In this week’s Deciphering Growth, we unpack trauma-informed couples therapy and how to build safer connection.

We cover: why domestic violence screening must be done individually, how triggers hijack conversations, what polyvagal cues (voice, face, posture) do to our nervous systems, and practical tools—grounding, co-regulation, “Gottman” time-outs, and repair rituals—you can start using today.

Whether you’re curious about EFT/Gottman, want better communication during conflict, or need ways to de-escalate fast, this one’s for you.

Healthy relationships after trauma are possible—and they’re science-backed. In this episode of Deciphering Growth, Tiffany Graves, LPCC-S, and Eric Stone break down how trauma reshapes the nervous system (amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex), why polyvagal theory matters (fight/flight/freeze/fawn), and how attachment patterns, boundaries, and co-regulation rebuild safety and trust. We share practical scripts, day-to-day strategies, and why consistency—not grand gestures—drives neuroplastic change. Whether you’re a survivor, a partner, a friend, or family, you’ll learn trauma-informed ways to support connection without falling into codependency. Trigger warning for discussion of symptoms and lived experiences.

We’re doing something different—an honest check-in about balance. What’s working, what’s not, and the tiny habits that move us from a 3 to a 6 on our “balance scale.”

Inside: how a quick mini shower can flip your brain out of work mode, why 15-minute buffers are magic, and how to stop the comparison loop on social media.