It Makes Sense That You Feel This Way

Episode 11: Parenting Landmine #1 - We Don't Want Our Kids Feeling "Bad"

In this episode, host Kerrie Toole, LICSW, delves into the challenges parents face when trying to protect their kids from emotional pain and the importance of allowing kids to experience and process their emotions.
Kerrie shares insights on validating emotions, avoiding toxic positivity, and finding the balance between protection and resilience-building. Whether you're a parent or a highly sensitive person yourself, this episode offers valuable perspectives on understanding and nurturing emotional sensitivity. 

Episode 10: Parents: What To Say and What NOT To Say

Today's episode is all about empowering parents who find their attempts to support their kids often backfire. We'll discuss what not to say and what to say in challenging moments. Discover common phrases that unintentionally invalidate your child's feelings and learn effective alternatives to foster better communication and understanding. 

Episode 9: Top 5 Ways To Support Teens Who Self Harm

In this episode, host Kerrie Toole, LICSW, dives into essential strategies for supporting high sensitivity teens and family members who may be engaging in self-harming behaviors. Kerrie shares insights from her upcoming 12-session DBT for Parents group starting in September, designed to equip parents of high sensitivity kids with crucial skills and strategies.

Episode 8: The #1 Key to Unlock Change

In today's episode, host Kerrie Toole, LICSW, delves into the essential key to unlocking change for high sensitivity individuals: validation.
Discover the fascinating story of how Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was developed by Marsha Linehan and how mindfulness, initially considered a strange addition, became a core practice in DBT, and learn why traditional change-focused therapies often fail for those with high emotional sensitivity and discover how acceptance and mindfulness can transform lives.

Episode 7: Why We Must Make Friends With Painful Emotions

In this episode, we discuss the importance of reframing painful emotions as data from our brain, rather than judging them as negative or bad. Host Kerrie Toole, LICSW, explains how suppressing emotions can actually make them worse, and how acknowledging them can help us understand what they are trying to tell us.

Episode 6: The House Metaphor

In this episode, Kerrie explores why change is so hard, especially for those with high emotional sensitivity. Using the DBT House metaphor, she explains how emotionally sensitive people cope with big emotions and the journey from distress to a life worth living.  

Episode 5: Neurology and Problematic Behaviors

In this episode, we're diving into "target behaviors" in DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy). We explore how these behaviors, developed by highly sensitive individuals in response to invalidating environments, serve as coping mechanisms.
From childhood, many of us learn to suppress emotions to maintain connection and security. These behaviors, while initially protective, can lead to challenges with emotional regulation and self-expression.
Join us as we discuss the neurological development of these patterns and explore compassionate approaches in DBT to rewire our responses to emotions.

Episode 4: Invalidations

This episode explores why kids with big emotions explode despite parents' best efforts. We uncover how accidental invalidations cause these reactions and why support sometimes feels ineffective.
Discover how the internalized voice of invalidation affects sensitive individuals, leading to self-doubt and emotional suppression. We also discuss the three main ways environments unintentionally invalidate emotions and offer practical tips for compassionate support.

Episode 3: Sensitivity Superpower

 In this episode, we learn about the genetic basis of high sensitivity, the role of the amygdala, and how societal pressures impact us. Kerrie Toole, LICSW, shares tips for navigating a world full of stimuli and turning sensitivity into a superpower. Whether you're highly sensitive or know someone who is, discover strategies to thrive and transform sensitivity into a valued skill.

Episode 2: High Sensitivity

In this episode, we explore what it means to be highly sensitive and how it affects our daily lives. Discover the genetic basis of this trait, its benefits, and the challenges it brings. Learn how to embrace your emotional intensity as a superpower and navigate societal misunderstandings.