There’s a side of depression that doesn’t get talked about enough.

The side where life just… stops.

Where showering feels impossible.
Where the dishes pile up.
Where you stop responding to texts.
Where shame gets louder than anything else.

In this episode, we talk about severe depression through a nervous system lens — what it looks like when you move into a prolonged freeze state, why it can happen even after life circumstances improve, and how shame keeps the cycle going.

Most importantly, we talk about how to gently begin climbing out.

Not with pressure.
Not with perfection.
But with small, steady steps that rebuild dignity and momentum.

If you’ve ever felt ashamed of how far things have gotten — this episode is for you.

If You Need Immediate Support:
If you are in the U.S. and experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also chat via https://988lifeline.org

If you are outside the U.S., please contact your local crisis service or emergency number.

This episode was created by Kristen Callaway, LMFT — a licensed therapist and the voice behind Let’s Sit With This.

If you want more therapy content that feels like a conversation, you can find me here:
Website: www.seekingpeaceok.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/seekingpeacecounseling

If you’re enjoying the podcast, following or subscribing helps more people find the show. And if an episode resonates, sharing it with someone you care about goes a long way.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and supportive purposes only. It is not therapy and does not replace individualized mental health care. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Hey strangers — I’ve missed you.

This episode is a little different. It’s mid-February, life has been full (sickness, weather chaos, school closures, work), and I’m recording this with 18 minutes before my next client. So we’re embracing real life over polished perfection.

Today I’m finally sharing thoughts on January’s Therapist’s Bookshelf pick: Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg. This one pushed me a bit outside my usual comfort zone, and I’m reflecting on what stood out, what felt helpful, and why tiny, sustainable change matters more than dramatic overhauls.

We talk about:

• Why small steps are often the most powerful ones
• The importance of curiosity instead of shame when change doesn’t stick
• Letting go of all-or-nothing thinking
• Giving yourself permission to adjust when something isn’t a fit

This episode is less of a formal book review and more of an honest conversation about growth, habits, and what it looks like to keep showing up — even when you feel behind.

February’s book is How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis, and I’m really looking forward to diving into that one next.

If you feel like you don’t have it all together right now, you’re not alone.

Pull up a chair. Let’s sit with this together.

This episode was created by Kristen Callaway, LMFT — a licensed therapist and the voice behind Let’s Sit With This.

If you want more therapy content that feels like a conversation, you can find me here:
Website: www.seekingpeaceok.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/seekingpeacecounseling

If you’re enjoying the podcast, following or subscribing helps more people find the show. And if an episode resonates, sharing it with someone you care about goes a long way.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and supportive purposes only. It is not therapy and does not replace individualized mental health care. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Have you ever wondered what books mental health professionals actually read to help them in their work with clients?

Not the clinical or theoretical ones — but the books you could actually pick up, read, and find helpful.

Well you're in luck because I'm starting a new monthly series I’ll be doing this year called The Therapist’s Bookshelf.

Each month, I’ll read one book and then come on here to talk about it — what stood out to me, what challenged me, what I loved, what I didn’t love, and how I think about the ideas as both a therapist and a human. Most of these books are new to me, and a couple are ones I’m revisiting because they mattered that much.

Think of it like a laid-back book club — a space to talk honestly about ideas that help us understand ourselves, our relationships, and the hard parts of being human.

The books in this series touch on things like change, emotions, trauma, relationships, boundaries, habits, and meaning. Some are practical. Some are deeper. I’ve intentionally chosen a mix, knowing that different books will resonate with different people.

You’re welcome to read along each month — or not. You can simply listen to the episodes as they come out and take what’s helpful. Physical books, ebooks, and audiobooks are all welcome here.

The Therapist’s Bookshelf — Full Reading List

Here is the complete reading list for the series, in the order we’ll be moving through it:

January: Tiny Habits — BJ Fogg

February: How to Keep House While Drowning — KC Davis

March: Man’s Search for Meaning — Viktor Frankl

April: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone — Lori Gottlieb

May: Set Boundaries, Find Peace — Nedra Glover Tawwab

June: The New Rules of Marriage — Terrence Real

July: Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents — Lindsay C. Gibson

August: Running on Empty — Jonice Webb

September: The Gifts of Imperfection — Brené Brown

October: Atlas of the Heart — Brené Brown

November: Walking the Tiger — Peter Levine

December: No Bad Parts — Richard Schwartz

All of the books are listed here so you can follow along at your own pace — or simply use the episodes to decide which ones might be worth picking up.

If you’re enjoying the show, make sure to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming episodes.

Let's get reading!

This episode was created by Kristen Callaway, LMFT — a licensed therapist and the voice behind Let’s Sit With This.

If you want more therapy content that feels like a conversation, you can find me here:
Website: www.seekingpeaceok.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/seekingpeacecounseling

If you’re enjoying the podcast, following or subscribing helps more people find the show. And if an episode resonates, sharing it with someone you care about goes a long way.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and supportive purposes only. It is not therapy and does not replace individualized mental health care. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.