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Mer Mer launches herself into another dimension with Oculus, and this reminds Doug of a time when he was immersed in a virtual reality Star Wars experience. The session begins with Drew feeling a little down that he hasn’t lived up to the financial or material standard set by his father. He and Doug examine the anxiety he feels about his mother and his lack of trust from feeling that he has been betrayed by everyone in his family. Drew shares a story when he recognized that a “feather” wasn’t his stress to take on. Doug reminds him that not everything needs to be perfect to start expressing and processing these emotions.    Mentioned in this episode:  Oculus Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group  Meredith Levy Doug Friedman

Mer Mer keeps her mind fresh and young by doing Sudoku. She and Doug give the update that they still have yet to shut down their computers at the end of each work day. Then, a very packed session with Drew uncovers a few big reasons why he has trust issues. Drew eases his burden by sharing some stories he’s never told before. As Drew becomes more financially independent from his parents, more anxiety is kicked up about attachment and connection. They explore the conflict about cutting the cord to parents, which Drew then likens to cutting the red ribbon at a grand opening. Drew gets homework from Doug to look for the weight of stress he takes on that belongs to other people vs. his own.    Mentioned in this episode:  Attached - the New Science of Adult Attachment Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group  Meredith Levy Doug Friedman

At the top of the show this week, Doug busts himself and Meredith for not following through AGAIN on shutting down their computers at night! They swap teenage closet stories (including Doug’s roaches!). The session begins with Drew sharing that he is moving back to a place in LA that he has lived before. He feels grateful for the comfort and familiarity of it,  rather than feeling like he is taking a step backward. Although he is making strides in becoming financially independent and showing up authentically in his relationships, Drew is still struggling with the anxiety of completely cutting the cord with his parents paying the bills. Doug ties in some pretty sweet sports analogies to help Drew see that it’s okay to let others know you are uncomfortable. Drew can see that there are a rainbow of possibilities out there rather than see everything as black or white.   Mentioned in this episode:  The X-Files Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group  Meredith Levy Doug Friedman

Joining Doug and Meredith to break down the 5 Love Languages and Apology is clinical psychologist Dr. Jen Thomas. She is a motivational speaker specializing in the five love languages and communication. She is the co-author with Gary Chapman of When Sorry Isn’t Enough and The Five Languages of Apology. We talk about understanding and applying the 5 Love Languages to yourself and your relationships. We also dive into the language of apology. What’s your main Love Language? How do you say, and hear, I’m Sorry? IG: @your.mental.breakdown, FB: @your.mental.breakdown.podcast Mentioned in this episode:Meredith LevyDoug FriedmanYMB on Social Media:  The Facebook Group     Instagram Take the 5 Love Language quiz here When Sorry Isn’t Enough Find Dr. Jen Thomas here

This week, Drew is realizing that sooner than later, his parents will no longer be financially supporting him. Not only is he nervous about being able to pay for everything, but he’s also worried that once his parents no longer have an obligation to support him, they won’t choose to be as connected to him. This leads Drew and Doug to have a discussion regarding being necessary and choosing love and connection rather than feeling obligated.  They talk about why Drew kicks into caretaker mode when he wants to feel attachment, and helps Drew see that he’s been a pillar standing alone, trying to hold up everything for everyone.   Mentioned in this episode:  Depressed? Go Play In the Dirt  Article Nobody Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group  Meredith Levy Doug Friedman

*** Warning - this episode contains potentially triggering and sensitive topics, including sexual assault. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1800-646-4673 or go to RAINN.org.  Drew shares his thoughts and feelings about an extremely disturbing and traumatic event.  The details are not 100% clear,  however his initial description was that his girlfriend was “raped and essentially kidnapped.”  Doug and Drew discuss what this situation brings up for him, and how it furthered his belief that he has to put on his Superman cape and save everyone. Drew grapples with the Vader voice in his head, and processes some pretty big emotions.  They discuss how Drew is showing up, keeping his boundaries set, and if this is really the right relationship for him.  Instead of the usual  Meredith and Doug chit chat, they decide to spend more time discussing the session and the topics involved.  They feel that the seriousness of the situation lended more to focusing less on them, and more on Drew and the seriousness of sexual assault.   Mentioned in this episode:  Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group  Meredith Levy Doug Friedman National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-646-4673  Rainn.org

While we all start to come out of the pandemic lockdown, Drew and his girlfriend are starting to come out of the honeymoon phase. In their relationship reality, running out of toilet paper becomes a symbol for so much more. Drew and Doug talk about setting boundaries vs. giving rules. Drew is ready to have the tough conversations with his girlfriend, even if it means he ends up being alone. Doug and Meredith differ over their definition of love, but still have love for each other at the end of the episode, so it’s all going to be okay!   Mentioned in this episode:  Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group  Meredith Levy Doug Friedman The Road Less Traveled As Good As It Gets Scene

Doug and Meredith finally saw each other in person again! They break down what an “episode” means to Drew and what it can mean when a therapist hears that word. In the session, Drew is feeling down and out because of some issues with his girlfriend that leave him feeling misunderstood and underappreciated. He tells Doug about a trip to Malibu that didn’t go as planned - and how her “passing out” triggered him. The argument that followed the next day brought up issues around getting his needs met and being more authentic and vulnerable,  without having to share everything with a partner.    Mentioned in this episode:  Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group  Meredith Levy Doug Friedman

Doug and Meredith are joined by Rebecca to break down the Myers Briggs Type Indicator. We get some history of this Carl Jung inspired psychological test for how people experience the world. Rebecca uses Mer and Doug’s test results to show how you can understand and apply it to your own life. Take the recommended test yourself in the links below. What’s your type? Let us know! IG: @your.mental.breakdown, FB: @your.mental.breakdown.podcast Mentioned in this episode:Meredith LevyDoug FriedmanYMB on Social Media:  The Facebook Group     Instagram Take the recommended Myers Briggs Type Indicator quiz here or here Find Rebecca here:  Instagram

Meredith swims a mile then she and Doug talk about Justice League. And the superhero talk continues with Drew taking to a Superman analogy - balancing the daily grind of a day job with using his own time to focus on his passions. Drew shows vulnerability with his girlfriend. He and Doug explore ways to relieve stress and be mindful other than his go to of smoking weed. Meredith and Doug talk about shutting down your laptop computer to unconsciously send a message to our minds to shut down and stop running in high stress mode.   Mentioned in this episode:  Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group  Meredith Levy Doug Friedman Pig-Pen Simpsons - 5 O’Clock Shadow  Brene Brown on Empathy

Meredith loves daylight saving time! Restaurants and movie theatres are opening up in LA now, but Doug is still trying to hide out like a mountain man. In Drew’s therapy session he talks about feeling burnt out and tired from his job. He is also using this time to define his boundaries and let people know when things aren’t right or fair. He and Doug talk about two examples of Drew standing up for himself - one work-related, and a personal one that triggered a familiar feeling of distrust and disappointment that he’s historically felt with his Mom. Drew is working on radically accepting his mother for who she is, while dealing with her tendency to not be present or emotionally available.    Mentioned in this episode:  Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group  Meredith Levy Doug Friedman The Head and The Heart  The Vow  Grey’s Anatomy  Bridgerton

Meredith and Doug discuss their take on working with clients that have different political views and ideologies than their own. It’s a great jumping-off point for this week’s session. Drew is trying to be the bridge for people in his life dealing with racial injustice and prejudice. Drew talks about compartmentalizing when feeling overwhelmed and anxious. He and Doug use a house analogy to visualize how to store the different compartments of issues in his life. Doug plays the “High, Low, and Oddity” game with both Drew and Meredith to verbalize the range of our experiences in day-to-day life instead of just highlighting one aspect.    Mentioned in this episode:  Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group  Meredith Levy Doug Friedman Coming To America 2 YMB On Tik Tok  David Bowie  

Doug is back in LA and missing the mountains. Meredith realizes it may be time for all of us to get a car wash (especially Doug!). In the session, Drew and Doug get into a heavy conversation as Drew details how a party with his new girlfriend went way wrong. Drew shows major growth by choosing when to have and not have a “tough conversation” with people. Drew acknowledged that the fight at the party triggered past trauma and feelings of being unsafe. Drew is able to have some real talks with his girlfriend about boundaries while the caution flags are already starting to fly.    Mentioned in this episode:  Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group  Meredith Levy Doug Friedman

The podcast hits the one-year mark this week… and it’s a twofer! Two sessions in one episode as life in the podcast timeline is starting to go virtual in the very beginning of the pandemic. Doug and Drew pack a lot into these two shorter sessions. In Session 1, Drew gets home from the funeral and is feeling sick and alone yet enjoying more independence and finding purpose in helping to produce millions of masks. In Session 2, we hear the big news about Drew’s dating life. Doug highlights that this can be a healing relationship for him in terms of getting the experience and positive reinforcement for being himself authentically.   Mentioned in this episode:  Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group  Meredith Levy Doug Friedman The Vow HBO  America’s Most Wanted (it’s coming back!)

Spiritual practitioner Crystal Duan joins Doug and Meredith to break down Astrology. We talk about understanding the language of it as well as both the pseudoscience and its real-life applications. Crystal uses Astrological charts for Mer and Doug to show how you can apply them to your life and relationships. What’s your sign? And your moon, and your rising sign? IG: @your.mental.breakdown, FB: @your.mental.breakdown.podcast   Mentioned in this episode:   Meredith Levy Doug Friedman   YMB on Social Media:  The Facebook Group Instagram    Generate your own Astrological Chart here   Find Crystal Duan here:   Website Instagram Twitter 

Before Drew’s session this week, Meredith and Doug give a wrap-up of their Valentine's Day experiences, Drew talks about going home for his friend’s funeral; and he walks through both the horror movie version and Disney version of how the weekend could go. Doug helps Drew identify how he can show up authentically rather than trying to match his online persona or a more people-pleasing version of himself. Drew works on going through his emotions rather than just going through the motions, and setting boundaries for seeing both his mother and ex-girlfriend.    Mentioned in this episode:  Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group  Meredith Levy Doug Friedman Tupac Grief - The Ball and the Box repost

Doug took Meredith’s pillow washing challenge and he took her movie recommendation! They figure out why we call a podcast a podcast. The session begins with Drew dealing with emotions that are stirred up as he prepares to go home for a friend’s funeral. He works with Doug on sticking with his personal boundaries, dealing with the feeling of betrayal from his mother, and learning how to disappoint people without feeling extreme guilt or shame. Drew explores his patterns in relationships as he preps to see his old girlfriend back home. He also comes to terms with the possibility that his brother acted the way he did growing up because he was trying to protect Drew, rather than control him.    Mentioned in this episode:  Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group  Meredith Levy Doug Friedman Coco

It’s a busy and eventful show this week, kicking off with Doug’s second mountain lion sighting - this time it’s a baby! Meredith gives her thoughts on outdoor dining reopening in Los Angeles. The session begins with Drew telling Doug about the three main motivating factors in life that he heard about in church. They explore how this can lead us to find our purpose in life. Doug and Drew also talk about compassion fatigue and accepting being perfectly imperfect. Drew is balancing being by himself while still enjoying the company of others.    Mentioned in this episode:  Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group  Meredith Levy Doug Friedman 8 Mile | Final Rap Battle

Certified Enneagram coach Abbey Howe joins Doug and Meredith to break down the Enneagram. We walk through some of its history and ways to understand and apply it to yourself. Abbey takes us through an interpretation of Mer and Doug’s results from the Enneagram type quiz. Take the quiz yourself and let us know what Enneagram number you are - and how you’ll use the info! IG: @your.mental.breakdown, FB: @your.mental.breakdown.podcast   Mentioned in this episode: Meredith Levy Doug Friedman Your Mental Breakdown The Facebook Group An Enneagram Quiz  Follow Abbey Howe here:   Instagram    YouTube

Doug and Meredith roar into this week with a recount of Doug’s mountain lion visitor while Mer has been washing her dishes and feeling soooo good and accomplished. Drew’s session comes at the one year anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s death, which stirs up emotions for Drew about loss. Drew gives an update on seeing his longtime ex-girlfriend. Doug helps Drew explore having tough conversations with people you love. Doug gives a Matrix reference about knowing your path vs. walking your path. At the end of the session, Drew uncovers a big “aha moment” about why he really tries to save others. Mentioned in this episode:  Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group  Meredith Levy Doug Friedman The Matrix - knowing the path and walking the path