In this episode of Chitty Chats with Stacy, Stacy shares the story behind her new book, What Really Happens in Therapy: Behind Closed Doors, A Guided Journey to Healing, releasing June 15, 2026.

After more than 20 years as a clinician, 25 years in the mental health field, years of teaching trauma-informed practices, and a recent deployment working with Soldiers and Veterans, Stacy began asking a deeper question: Why don’t more people come to therapy, and what are they missing when they don’t?

This episode explores the barriers that keep people from seeking therapy, including cost, stigma, mistrust, fear of vulnerability, and past negative experiences with providers. Stacy also explains why the book was written for people who may never cross the threshold of a counseling office, as well as those who have been in therapy but still feel stuck.

Part memoir, part science, and part practical guide, the book walks readers through understanding the brain, unpacking their story, building support, learning real healing skills, and integrating those changes into everyday life and relationships. Stacy shares why healing is hard, why we do not have to carry everything we were handed, and why learning about our nervous system, stress cycles, trauma, and emotional development can help us break generational patterns.

This is an honest, heartfelt episode about therapy, healing, vulnerability, and the belief that we all deserve tools to better understand ourselves.

In this heartfelt episode of Chitty Chats with Stacy, Stacy speaks directly about Pride Month, allyship, trauma-informed care, and suicide prevention. She shares what it means to sit with people who believe the world would be better without them simply because of who they are, who they love, or how they live.

This conversation is a call to choose love over judgment, safety over shame, and humanity over hate. Stacy reminds listeners that being trauma-informed means making space for people to live fully, honestly, and safely. For LGBTQIA+ individuals, especially those carrying fear, rejection, religious trauma, family judgment, or suicidal thoughts, this episode offers a clear message: you matter, you are loved, and there is a chosen family ready to hold you.

Pride Month is more than celebration. It is visibility. It is protection. It is belonging. And for many people, it is suicide prevention.

If you are experiencing a mental-health crisis, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, or any other urgent concern, please contact a qualified mental health professional immediately or call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day. Veterans and active-duty service members can also reach the Veterans Crisis Line at 988, then press 1.

Finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming, especially when you’ve already worked hard just to make the appointment. In this episode of Chitty Chats with Stacy, Stacy talks honestly about what clients should look for when searching for a therapist—and what therapists need to do better when creating safety, trust, and connection from the very first interaction.

Stacy shares practical questions clients can ask, including questions about licensing, training, therapy experience, specialized populations, and treatment modalities. She also reminds listeners that the therapeutic relationship matters deeply. If something feels off, it’s okay to trust your gut and keep looking.

This episode is for clients trying to find a good fit, therapists wanting to create safer spaces, and anyone who believes healing starts with relationship.

In this episode, Stacy explores the often frustrating process of finding the right therapist. She shares that many people have to meet several therapists before finding a good fit, and she challenges clinicians to think more deeply about how they create safety from the very beginning.

Stacy talks about why the first appointment matters, especially for people with PTSD, complex trauma, military experiences, foster/adoption histories, or other specialized needs. She names some of the things that can go wrong, from appointment miscommunication to sensory distractions to therapists jumping into techniques without context or relationship.

She also gives listeners practical guidance for choosing a therapist, including looking at:

licensing and credentials, specialized training, treatment modalities, comfort and connection, therapist self-awareness, whether the therapist has been in therapy, and whether the therapist has experience with your specific needs.

The heart of this episode is simple: the relationship matters. Therapy can change your brain and your life, but only when there is enough safety and trust to do the work. If you leave a session knowing it is not a good fit, Stacy encourages you to listen to that instinct and keep looking.