Coffee and Counseling Podcast
Coffee and Counseling Podcast
Podcast Description
At Coffee and Counseling, we are two therapists who's vision is to challenge the conventional narratives surrounding mental health and therapy. We believe in creating an open forum where nuanced conversations can thrive—discussing topics and perspectives that many in the therapy world may shy away from. Our goal is to foster honest dialogues that recognize that therapy isn't a one-size-fits-all solution and that mental health should not be used as an excuse. We aim to destigmatize the therapeutic process while also promoting personal responsibility in mental health discussions. Alongside these discussions, we’ll delve into mental health topics such as diagnoses, therapeutic skills and techniques, and practical ways to improve well-being while challenging the conventional schools of thoughts around these topics. By providing a platform for diverse perspectives, we aspire to empower our listeners to navigate their mental health journeys with clarity, confidence, and a sense of community.
Here, we talk all things mental health over a pipin' hot cup of coffee - so grab your coffee and let's get into it!
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast explores various topics related to mental health, focusing on the realities of therapy, misconceptions around healing, and personal growth. Episodes include discussions on themes such as the myth of needing therapy, the complexities of emotional progress, and practical ways to manage mental well-being, exemplified by sessions like 'Maybe... You Don’t Actually Need Therapy' and 'Mental Health: What Are We Really Working Toward Anyway?.'

At Coffee and Counseling, we are two therapists who’s vision is to challenge the conventional narratives surrounding mental health and therapy. We believe in creating an open forum where nuanced conversations can thrive—discussing topics and perspectives that many in the therapy world may shy away from. Our goal is to foster honest dialogues that recognize that therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution and that mental health should not be used as an excuse. We aim to destigmatize the therapeutic process while also promoting personal responsibility in mental health discussions. Alongside these discussions, we’ll delve into mental health topics such as diagnoses, therapeutic skills and techniques, and practical ways to improve well-being while challenging the conventional schools of thoughts around these topics. By providing a platform for diverse perspectives, we aspire to empower our listeners to navigate their mental health journeys with clarity, confidence, and a sense of community.
Here, we talk all things mental health over a pipin’ hot cup of coffee – so grab your coffee and let’s get into it!
☕ Welcome to Coffee and Counseling! ☕
Join Rachel Steinhardt, LMHC and Stephanie Van Schaick, LMHC as we dive into why changing your body isn’t the same as changing your body image — and what actually supports lasting change. In this session, we break down the five often-missed components of body image work and explore why so many people feel stuck despite trying hard. Whether you’re a therapist, someone in therapy, or just curious about mental health, we’re here to challenge conventional perspectives and get real about what healing actually looks like.
In This Session, We Cover:
✅ Why body image is a mental and emotional process — not a physical one
✅ The risks of tying self-worth to a body that naturally changes over time
✅ The five foundational steps that support sustainable body image change
🌿 Continue the Work: Finally Body Confident
If today’s conversation resonated and you’re realizing that changing your body hasn’t actually changed how you feel in it, you’re not alone. Body image struggles aren’t a motivation problem — they’re often the result of never being taught how to change your relationship with your body.
Finally Body Confident is a self-paced course created by Stephanie Van Schaick, LMHC, designed to help you build body confidence in a way that’s intentional, sustainable, and free from dieting or pressure. Instead of focusing on fixing your body, this course guides you through the internal shifts that actually support lasting change.
Inside the Course, You’ll Work Through:
• Awareness — identifying patterns without judgment
• Mindset Preparation — creating the mindset for sustainable change
• Self-Exploration — understanding what your body image has been protecting or controlling
• Taking Inventory — noticing what supports or undermines your relationship with your body
• Action — building aligned, non-punitive changes that last
This course is for you if:
• You feel stuck in cycles of effort, burnout, and self-criticism
• You’ve tried changing your body but still struggle with body image
• You want structure without rigidity
• You’re looking for a more compassionate, grounded approach to confidence
🎧 Podcast Listener Bonus:
A limited January discount is available for listeners who feel ready to explore this work more deeply. You can find all the details and access the course using the link below.
Use code NEWYEARBALANCE for $50 off until January 31st, 2026
👉 Learn more about Finally Body Confident:
https://stateofbalance.thrivecart.com/finally-body-confident/
💬 Listener Question:
The Listener’s Question that we answer in today’s session is “Why do I feel like a failure for not joining a fitness challenge or cutting out food groups like everyone else at this time of year?”
Have a question for us? Send it to [email protected] or on Instagram @CoffeeandCounselingPodcast — we might answer it in a future session! You can also send your topic suggestions that you’d like us to cover over to our email or Instagram.
Interested in working with one of us?
Visit our individual practice websites here for more information or send us an email to set up a phone consultation call:
Rachel Steinhardt: Visit Rachel’s Website at https://www.steinhardtserenity.com/ or email her at [email protected]
Stephanie Van Schaick: Visit Stephanie’s website at https://www.stateofbalancementalhealthcounseling.com/ or email her at [email protected]
Related Sessions:
#6: You’re Not a Project: Rethinking Body Image
#17: Don’t Believe Everything You Think: Recognizing and Rewiring Cognitive Distortions
#32: Resolutions That Actually Stick: Setting Intentions You Won’t Abandon by February
Connect:
📲 Follow us on Instagram @CoffeeandCounselingPodcast
Rachel’s Instagram: @Steinhardt_Serenity
Stephanie’s Instagram: @StateofBalanceForLife
Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not take the place of therapy.

Disclaimer
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