From Both Sides Of The Couch with Dr. Laurie Bruce

Are you a therapist, coach, or teacher? This episode is for you. Today, we’re talking about regulating our own emotions, noticing our level of burnout, and staying steady and compassionate as we support emotionally intense or dysregulated clients.

Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, your clinical psychologist and mindfulness coach, as we explore why tending to our own emotional needs matters, what drives emotional intensity and behavior...

What are the ways you’re tending to your attachment wounds? Today, we continue our series on attachment styles by exploring how healing is possible and how we can move toward a more secure attachment.

Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, as we walk through five strategies you can begin practicing daily: attunement, nervous system soothing, imagery, co-regulation, and validation. Small, repeated steps that gently rewire us toward safety.

Be...

Hey beloved! In today’s episode of From Both Sides Of The Couch, we’re starting a new series by unpacking a topic that’s been everywhere on social media lately: attachment styles — with a focus on anxious attachment.

Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, clinical psychologist and mindfulness coach, as we look at the early research on attachment and explore real client stories about anxious attachment. We’ll dive into why this pattern deve...

Hi there, friends! Have you ever wondered if some of the struggles in your life might be rooted in your own patterns? In this episode of From Both Sides Of The Couch, we’re talking about self-sabotage—what it truly means and the strategies that can help prevent it from quietly shaping your life.

Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, your friendly clinical psychologist and mindfulness coach, as we explore the definition of self-sabotage,...

Hey friends! Do you ever lash out when you’re anxious or angry, only to regret it afterward? You might be needing healthier coping skills. In this episode of From Both Sides Of The Couch, we’ll unpack dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with the goal of helping you understand how to use DBT skills effectively.

Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, as we talk through the four DBT modules, how long the process usually takes, and how to know ...

Hey friends! Have you ever noticed how certain words can make you feel small—losing your power even before the conversation begins? In this episode of From Both Sides Of The Couch, we’ll explore why one of the most powerful tools for emotional intelligence lies in the words we use every day.

Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, your clinical psychologist and mindfulness coach, as we talk about how mindful communication can move you fro...

Are you always striving to be better, stronger, faster—just more of everything?

Hey friends! In this episode of From Both Sides Of The Couch, we’ll talk about why so many of us still don’t feel “enough” despite the hustle and hard work, and why trying harder isn’t the real solution.

Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, as we explore why striving and overachieving rarely bring the peace, joy, and fulfillment we’re seeking. We’ll also uncover ...

Hey friends! Do you ever find yourself weighed down by guilt or regret for things in the past? In today’s episode of From Both Sides Of The Couch, we’ll explore the difference between guilt and shame and learn practical ways to move through both with compassion.

Join me as we unpack why these emotions, though uncomfortable, are necessary parts of being human. We’ll also talk about how to recognize when guilt or shame is appropria...

Hey friends! Do you have something deeply important you wish you could tell someone, but can’t seem to find the right words? In today’s episode, we’re exploring a powerful therapeutic tool called “The Letter You’re Never Going to Send.”

Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, as we dive into experiential therapy—why expressing your feelings can be deeply healing, and why sometimes it’s safer not to hear the other person’s response.

The trut...

Hey everyone! In this episode, I’m joined by Russ Jones, the ADHD Big Brother, for an insightful conversation about what life with ADHD really looks like, especially for those diagnosed later in life, in their 40s. Russ also shares his personal journey of finding purpose through podcasting and building a supportive community.

Together, we’ll explore why it’s so important to recognize the signs of ADHD in childhood, the powerful r...

Who’s really driving your life? Are you in control or just along for the ride?

In this empowering episode of From Both Sides of the Couch, Dr. Laurie Bruce—clinical psychologist and mindfulness coach—guides you through a powerful car metaphor to explore self-responsibility, resilience, and personal growth. Each seat in the car represents a level of responsibility, from feeling stuck in the backseat to fully taking the wheel of your...

Did you know that 70% of people want to ask their doctors about sex… but don’t?

Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, your clinical psychologist and mindfulness coach, along with Dr. Diane Mueller, a board-certified sexologist, for an open and insightful conversation about sex after 40 and the truth behind what’s often labeled as “low libido.” Is it really a problem or simply a natural change? 

In this episode, we’ll unpack the feeling of s...

Have you ever been in the middle of a heated argument where you’re feeling angry, but you're working very hard to keep calm… and the next thing you know, you’re crying?

Join me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, your clinical psychologist and mindfulness coach, as we unpack why tears sometimes show up not when we’re sad but when we’re angry. Crying when angry is actually common; it’s our body’s release valve. But when it becomes a vicious cycle ...

We’ve been the caregivers, the fixers, and the doers, but have you ever paused to ask yourself—Who am I? 

In this episode, we’ll explore how to rediscover your purpose after years of putting everyone else’s needs ahead of your own.

Join me as we talk about why women often lose track of themselves while caring for others. I’ll also share practical steps you can take to reconnect with who you are—starting simply by asking yourself, “...

What exactly does mindfulness mean? In this episode, we’ll explore the buzzword mindfulness and why it’s such a powerful tool for improving our wellbeing and mental health. And let’s be clear—it’s more than just sitting cross-legged in silence or meditating on a mountain top.

We’ll look at who benefits most from mindfulness, how it can ease chronic pain, and share 3 simple and practical ways you can bring mindfulness into your da...

Have you ever felt like you’ve been in therapy forever, yet it doesn’t seem to be helping anymore? You’re not alone. In today’s episode, we’ll explore why therapy doesn’t always work, the key factors that make therapy more effective, and what you can do if you’re not finding the support you need.

Hi friends, Dr. Laurie Bruce here, your clinical psychologist and mindfulness coach. Together, we’ll talk about the moments when ther...

Do your emotions ever feel overwhelming, unpredictable, or simply “too much”? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’ll explore how to understand and manage your emotions using a simple but powerful tool—the “emotions thermometer.”

Hey friends! I’m Dr. Laurie Bruce, your friendly clinical psychologist and mindfulness coach. Together, we’ll learn how to notice your emotional intensity, from calm to highly activated, and choose the ...

Have you ever felt like your body is trying to send you a message, but you just can’t quite understand what it’s saying?

In this episode of From Both Sides of the Couch, Dr. Laurie Bruce explores three simple yet powerful mindfulness strategies you can start practicing today to slow down, tune in, and truly hear what your body is saying.

Dr. Bruce guides listeners in understanding the “love language” of the body—the subtle signals ...

Hi, everyone! Welcome back to "From Both Sides of the Couch" with me, Dr. Laurie Bruce, your friendly but direct, clinical psychologist and mindfulness coach. Today, we're diving into a topic that's crucial for every busy, badass woman I know - assertiveness. It's more than just a buzzword; it's the ability to say what's on your mind respectfully, balancing your needs with those of others. We’ll explore why being assertive is so fr...