Holding Space

In this episode I sit down with Dr. Kim Van Dusen, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Play Therapist. Together we explore the power of play as a bridge to connection with our children. We share some of our own stories of how we have used play in our work and as parents and discuss how play shows up as an important ingredient to whole-hearted living and wellness for both children and adults! To find more about Dr. Kim's work as a parenting educator, you can find her here! Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews are the best way to make sure the podcast reaches those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, I sit down with Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Janelle Nelson. Janelle and I explore both the brutal and beautiful experiences of intimate partner relationships. We discuss the need to deconstruct the shame that is often experienced within marital and intimate partner struggles, and offer ideas of how couples can transform through connection. We discuss how it can take courage to stay in a relationship and work on it, and it can also take courage to leave when that is being called for. To find more information on Janelle's work, click here! Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews are the best way to make sure the podcast reaches those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode I sit down with fashion designer Rachel Pally. Rachel shares with us how she built her business by hearing the "no's" and showing up anyway. We discuss how becoming a mother has transformed her, the myth of balance, and how she has reclaimed "self-care" by personalizing it to work for her life now. We also explore the importance of friends that you can share your shame stories with, the double edge sword of social media, and Rachel shares her experiences with therapy. Rachel keeps it real, and the world of curated filtered perfection could FOR SURE use more of that! www.rachelpally.com Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews are the best way to make sure the podcast reaches those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com.   Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivac

In this episode I sit down with Rebecca Ching, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and owner of Potentia (an integrative mental health center in San Diego). Rooted in the research and practice of Brené Brown, Rebecca has completed training to become a  Daring Way™ Facilitator and Consultant. In today's episode we talk about scarcity, abundance, and the power of "enough." Some resources (beyond Brené Brown) mentioned in the episode are: selfleadership.org, You are the One You've Been Waiting For, The Body Keeps the Score, and Dan Siegel's work.  Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews are the best way to make sure the podcast reaches those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode I sit down with Renata Cameron, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and founder of the modernized mommy and me support group Milestones. Renata and I discuss building a support tribe, sorting through the noise of information, introvert motherhood, and getting comfortable in the "gray." Renata shares her own personal struggle with perfectionism, and her relationship with "good enough." For more information on Renata's mommy and me support groups, click here! Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews are the best way to make sure the podcast reaches those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Death has no respect for the differences we have created among us; we will each be touched by it. Those left behind often report feeling disconnected from the events of the world, as if the one who died took a part of them with. For a period of time people check in, give their condolences, share memories. Slowly, but often not slowly enough, people stop asking. There is an expectation that death is something to get over, something to move on from. We are to be sad, of course, but we are expected to say goodbye and let go. In this episode Dr. Cassidy explores how the discourses of "letting go" and "saying goodbye" actually challenges our grief process. Instead of letting go, what if the result of grieving was to restore what has been lost? Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews are the best way to make sure the podcast reaches those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. C

In this episode I sit down with journalist and activist Tamara Taggart. In Tamara's ted talk "The Two Conversations that Changed My Life" she described two pivotal moments in her life, one where she was told her son has down syndrome, and the other when she was told she had cancer. In this episode we discuss the power of hope, where it showed up, how she cultivated it when it wasn't offered, her discovery of resiliency in vulnerability, and her empowering experience of advocacy. A third pivotal moment in Tamara's life was the recent loss of her longheld job as a news anchor. Tamara shares how she is holding space for intention as she moves through this new transition. To follow Tamara's journey, you can find her on social media here. Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews are the best way to make sure the podcast reaches those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr

In this episode I sit down with Robin Kaplan, founder of the San Diego Breastfeeding Center and author of Latch. Robin has her Masters in Education and is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. In this episode Robin debunks some breastfeeding myths, explains why so many women find themselves struggling when it comes to breastfeeding, explores the role of partner support, discusses the relationship between breastfeeding and intimacy, shares useful tips on transitioning back to work while breastfeeding, and answers tough questions like, "in our well-meaning efforts to support lactacting moms, did we take the idea of breast is best too far?" To read more about Robin's services and work, go to www.sdbfc.com, or buy her book Latch here! Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews are the best way to make sure the podcast reaches those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with

In this episode I sit down with Dr. Christine Sterling, OB/GYN. Dr. Sterling discusses her approach to pregnancy care, where she supports women in preparing for life beyond birth. Dr. Sterling shares how each specific trimester offers a unique opportunity to cultivate empowering self-care habits, build a strong tribe, and begin the beautiful connection to your baby. Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews are the best way to make sure the podcast reaches those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, we discuss how to get unstuck from creative blocks by developing a new relationship with painful experiences of Fear, Resistance, Shame, and Perfectionism. We explore how acceptance of difficult emotions can create space for us to regain our creative flow.  Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews are the best way to make sure the podcast reaches those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In today's episode, I sit down with Rachel Rabinor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in honor of National Infertility Awareness Week. Rachel specializes in working with women and families impacted by infertility and pregnancy loss, and in this episode we explore the relationship between pregnancy loss, depression, anxiety, and trauma. We discuss how the diversity of experiences with pregnancy loss can sometimes lead to lost opportunities for connection. We both share our own unique experiences with pregnancy loss, and describe ways in which loved ones can offer support to someone who has experienced this type of loss. For more information on Rachel's work, you can find her at www.rachelrabinor.com. Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews are the best way to make sure the podcast reaches those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, v

In today's episode I sit down with Kelly Mindell of Studio DIY. Kelly shares with us her personal experience with infertility, pregnancy loss, and adoption. We explore the silence and isolation that is often experienced with infertility and pregnancy loss, and how opening up about her story has offered the gift of meaningful connections. Kelly shares with us how she and her husband Jeff decided to pursue adoption and explains the adoption process. Kelly is a beam of light who is willing to honor both the beautiful and brutal parts of story into motherhood. You can follow Kelly, Jeff, and baby Arlo's journey at www.studiodiy.com and on instagram @studiodiy. Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews are the best way to make sure the podcast reaches those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com. Advertising Inq

In today's episode I sat down with writer, photographer, and therapist Chrissy Powers. Chrissy opens up about her own story of trauma and anxiety in motherhood, and shares the tangible ways that she has healed through these experiences. You can follow Chrissy's work and story at www.chrissypowers.com. Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews are the best way to make sure the podcast reaches those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode I sit down with parenting coach, educator, writer, and LGBTQIA+ activist Rachel Rainbolt. Rachel has her Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and through her coaching and writing holds space for parents to say "Yes!" to connection, joy, and freedom in life with their families. Rachel offers simple but profound ways we can design a life with our childen rooted in our values. She also shares how her and her partner hold space in their family for gender creativity and gender expression... "We held the space for our kid to be exactly who they were. My child was born with a given spirit, and that is who they are and my role as a parent can influence so much in terms of the outcome with their happiness and wellbeing and success, but they come into this world with that given spirit piece. You either honor it and then you have this amazing life of connection that’s so rewarding and joyful, or you don’t and then you miss out on that. You miss out on the gift of being in connection

In this episode of the Holding Space podcast, Dr. Cassidy sits down with designer and blogger Joy Cho to explore the relationship between inspiration, creativity, joy and pain. We explore the answers to the questions, "Where does inspiration come from?" "Do we need to be in a place of joy and happiness to access our creativity?" "What is the relationship between trauma, pain, and creativity?" "When can extra support such as therapy be helpful in the creative process?" To find out more about Joy Cho and her work click here! Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews are the best way to make sure the podcast reaches those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode we explore how Brené Brown's foundational research on shame and shame resiliency connects to the unique experience of mothers. If you are a mom or planning to become a mother...my hope is that you walk away from this episode feeling less alone and with tangible tools to develop resiliency when "mom guilt" shows up. For more information on Brené Brown's work click here. Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews are the best way to make sure the podcast reaches those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of the Holding Space podcast, Dr. Cassidy unpacks the definition of values and offers a framework from which you can begin to explore your own personal values. We discuss the relationship between values and our emotions, values and goals, and how values can offer the direction we need for creating meaningful change. Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews are the best way to make sure the podcast reaches those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of the Holding Space podcast, you will be introduced to your host Dr. Cassidy Freitas and get an idea of what you can expect in future episodes. We will explore the mission of the podcast, upcoming episodes, and how to get in touch with and find out more about Dr. Cassidy's practice. Did you connect with that episode? The best way to support Holding Space podcast is to subscribe and leave a review! Podcast reviews are the best way to make sure the podcast reaches those who need it most, and I read each and every one. To connect with Dr. Cassidy or learn more about her private practice, visit www.drcassidymft.com. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy