A Little Help For Our Friends

Text Dr. Kibby and Jacqueline!

Anyone who has been stuck in a pattern of endless conflict with a partner can understand how the quality of our romantic relationships can make or break our mental health. Even though it may seem like a last resort, couples therapy can have benefits at any stage of a relationship. In this episode, we discuss the process of couples therapy, including what to expect from treatment and how it works. Jacqueline and Kibby share their insights from both personal as well as professional experiences with couples therapy.

Support the show

• If you have a loved one with mental or emotional problems, join KulaMind, our community and support platform. KulaMind teaches you how to cope with difficult relationships through one-on-one expert coaching, exclusive group support, and personalized digital resources. *We only take a select few clients at a time, so apply here if you're interested. Listeners of the podcast get a special discount!
• Follow @kulamind on Instagram for science-backed tips and resources for mental health and relationships.
• For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com
• Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends

Text Dr. Kibby and Jacqueline!

When faced with the heart-wrenching decision to set boundaries with a loved one battling mental health issues, the choice is never easy. Many of us choose to estrange ourselves and cut off contact with difficult parents for our own wellbeing, but we also risk losing them forever. In this special episode, psychotherapist Dr. Caitlin Fang returns to share her deeply personal experiences with her mother, who struggled with depression, substance abuse, and schizoaffective disorder. She takes us through the emotional labyrinth of setting boundaries to protect herself and her child, while navigating the turbulent waters of unresolved grief after her mother's passing.
Dr. Fang's story sheds light on the complex dynamics of mental health within families. As she reflects on her upbringing, Caitlin shares insights into how her mother's mental health challenges shaped her resilience and empathy as a therapist. We explore the difficult balance between anger and forgiveness, the emotional tug-of-war of supporting a parent in crisis, and the profound realization of not being able to save a loved one from their struggles.
***Thinking of setting boundaries with a difficult family member or a loved one with mental illness? Book a free call with Dr. Kibby to get the support you need

Support the show

• If you have a loved one with mental or emotional problems, join KulaMind, our community and support platform. KulaMind teaches you how to cope with difficult relationships through one-on-one expert coaching, exclusive group support, and personalized digital resources. *We only take a select few clients at a time, so apply here if you're interested. Listeners of the podcast get a special discount!
• Follow @kulamind on Instagram for science-backed tips and resources for mental health and relationships.
• For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com
• Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends

Text Dr. Kibby and Jacqueline!

Tis the season to be overwhelmed by family dysfunction! The holidays often unravel unresolved family dynamics and we often have to balance time with loved ones and our own sanity. In this episode, we delve into the emotional triggers that resurface during festive gatherings, like feeling like a child again around older relatives. We highlight the contrast between the idealized holiday narrative and the complex reality, especially when trying to set boundaries or deal with family conflicts. We share practical strategies for handling the post-New Year's blues and creating new traditions that embrace diversity and change.
Resources:

• If you need support dealing with family dysfunction, book a free consultation call with cohost Dr. Kibby: https://kulamind.com/onboarding
• Schneider, E., Liwinski, T., Imfeld, L., Lang, U. E., & Brühl, A. B. (2023). Who is afraid of Christmas? The effect of Christmas and Easter holidays on psychiatric hospitalizations and emergencies—Systematic review and single center experience from 2012 to 2021. Frontiers in psychiatry, 13, 1049935.

Support the show

• If you have a loved one with mental or emotional problems, join KulaMind, our community and support platform. KulaMind teaches you how to cope with difficult relationships through one-on-one expert coaching, exclusive group support, and personalized digital resources. *We only take a select few clients at a time, so apply here if you're interested. Listeners of the podcast get a special discount!
• Follow @kulamind on Instagram for science-backed tips and resources for mental health and relationships.
• For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com
• Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends

Text Dr. Kibby and Jacqueline!

Ever wonder what makes people attracted to each other? Or why you may be attracted to the "wrong person"? Or why you feel feel that spark of sexual chemistry with some people and not others? In this episode, Jacqueline and Kibby discuss the principles of attraction from a scientific perspective. As a bonus, Jacqueline describes her recent engagement and how ABC's The Bachelor used principles of attraction to sow the seeds of love season after season.

Support the show

• If you have a loved one with mental or emotional problems, join KulaMind, our community and support platform. KulaMind teaches you how to cope with difficult relationships through one-on-one expert coaching, exclusive group support, and personalized digital resources. *We only take a select few clients at a time, so apply here if you're interested. Listeners of the podcast get a special discount!
• Follow @kulamind on Instagram for science-backed tips and resources for mental health and relationships.
• For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com
• Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends

Text Dr. Kibby and Jacqueline!

When you grow up in a household where love feels conditional, and your sense of self-worth hinges on meeting impossibly high standards. In this episode, we discuss the challenges faced by those who have navigated life with narcissistic parents. We explore the emotional scars left by such upbringing, including struggles with low self-esteem and attachment issues. We also discuss how our personal and clinical experiences fueled our inspiration to build KulaMind, a community platform dedicated to helping people foster healthier relationships and developing a sense of self-worth coming from a family affected by mental illness.
We discuss what narcissistic tendencies can look like in our parents, where societal pressures and a parent's unmet emotional needs often overshadow genuine concern. highlight the universal healing fantasy—a deep-seated longing for unconditional love and understanding from emotionally unavailable parents. This narrative is interwoven with stories of past traumas passed down through generations, emphasizing the need to address these patterns to heal and move forward. With insights drawn from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) principles, we offer practical advice for balancing power and connection in relationships, stressing the importance of vulnerability and empathy.
Tune in to discover tools for healing from narcissistic abuse and reclaiming your self-worth. If you are struggling with this yourself, join KulaMind, a supportive community dedicated to guiding you on this transformative journey.
*Book a free call with Dr. Kibby to learn more.
Resources:

• Take this quiz to learn more about how narcissistic your parents were to you: Parent Narcissism Quiz
• Faraji, H., Bilğiş, C., & Darçın, Z. (2024). The Mediator Role of Rejection Sensitivity Between Perceived Maternal Narcissism and Self-disclosure in Romantic Relationship. Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Journal, 14(72), 37-47.

Support the show

• If you have a loved one with mental or emotional problems, join KulaMind, our community and support platform. KulaMind teaches you how to cope with difficult relationships through one-on-one expert coaching, exclusive group support, and personalized digital resources. *We only take a select few clients at a time, so apply here if you're interested. Listeners of the podcast get a special discount!
• Follow @kulamind on Instagram for science-backed tips and resources for mental health and relationships.
• For more info about this podcast, check out: www.alittlehelpforourfriends.com
• Follow us on Instagram: @ALittleHelpForOurFriends