Crissle’s Couch

Please welcome Jade back to the Couch! This week, Crissle and Jade dive into complicated family dynamics, abusive relationships, controlling parents, and navigating life after a 20-year relationship.

They offer advice on setting boundaries, protecting the people you love, and figuring out what to do when relationships get complicated.

Want to talk to Crissle? Email advice@crisslescouch.com and include “chat live” in the subject line.

Session Notes:

0:00 — Welcome Back to the Couch1:08 — My Aunt Won’t Leave Her Abusive Ex11:11 — How Can I Protect My Sister From Our Controlling Dad25:12 — My Mom Is Making Bad Health Decisions40:58 — I’m Single Again & Black Men Aren’t Taking Me Seriously

Stay Connected:Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/crisslescouchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crisslescouch/Have an issue for the Couch? Email: advice@crisslescouch.com

Crew:Executive Producers: Crissle · Alexandra Rago · Chris MorrowAudio & Video Editor: Shatek for Beats on FilmProduction Coordinators: Faith Lena & Bria Mosley
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This week on the Couch, Crissle gets into the messy realities of friendship, family, and healing. She explores what to do when your friends let you down, how to support someone whose relationship has become controlling, and what it means when a friendship starts to fall apart.

She also talks through the unexpected ways EMDR therapy can bring buried emotions, memories, and physical reactions to the surface. Across each conversation, Crissle helps callers sit with the uncomfortable parts, make sense of what’s happening, and figure out what to do when the people and relationships they love aren’t showing up the way they hoped.

Want to talk to Crissle? Email advice@crisslescouch.com and include “chat live” in the subject line.

Session Notes:

0:00 — Welcome Back to the Couch0:18 — My Friends Ruined My Birthday21:01 — I Didn’t Expect EMDR Therapy to Affect Me Like This29:37 — My Cousin’s Husband Is Controlling42:38 — I Don’t Know How to Fix My Strained Friendship

Stay Connected:

Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/crisslescouch

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crisslescouch/

Have an issue for the Couch? Email: advice@crisslescouch.com

Crew:Executive Producers: Crissle · Alexandra Rago · Chris Morrow

Audio & Video Editor: Shatek for Beats on Film

Production Coordinators: Faith Lena & Bria Mosley
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Couch, Crissle sits down with Dr. Rheeda Walker to talk about her book; The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health, psychological fortitude, and the importance of understanding the value of who we are. They explore what it means to stay connected to your purpose, navigate life’s stressors, and become more intentional about what you allow to take up space in your mind.

They also discuss the unique pressures that impact the Black community, the importance of building mental resilience, and how we can better support ourselves and others without losing sight of our own well-being. Crissle and Dr. Rheeda Walker unpack what it looks like to protect your energy, strengthen your sense of self, and create healthier ways of moving through life.

Want to talk to Crissle? Email advice@crisslescouch.com and include “chat live” in the subject line.

Session Notes:

0:00 — Welcome Back to the Couch1:41 — The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health by Dr. Rheeda Walker20:45 — Understanding Psychological Fortitude30:01 — Helping Others Without Hurting Yourself38:57 — Where to Start When You Realize You’re Not Okay

Stay Connected:Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/crisslescouchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crisslescouch/Have an issue for the Couch? Email: advice@crisslescouch.com

Follow Dr Rheeda Walker:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.rheedawalker/

Resources: The Unapolgetic Guide to Black Mental Health

Crew:Executive Producers: Crissle · Alexandra Rago · Chris MorrowAudio & Video Editor: Shatek for Beats on FilmProduction Coordinators: Faith Lena & Bria Mosley
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Couch, Crissle sits down with Dr. Raquel Martin to talk about boundaries, conflict, and what it really means to have healthy relationships. They unpack the difference between boundaries and standards, how to communicate your needs effectively, and why sometimes the person most likely to violate your boundaries is yourself.

Crissle and Dr. Raquel Martin unpack the importance of being reasonable in our relationships and how our own behaviors can impact the dynamics we have with others. They discuss what healing looks like while you’re still in the middle of the mess and explore how to navigate difficult conversations while still maintaining healthy boundaries.

Want to talk to Crissle? Email advice@crisslescouch.com and include “chat live” in the subject line.

Session Notes:

0:00 — Welcome Back to the Couch0:30 — Talking Boundaries with Dr. Raquel Martin10:15 — Conflict Management, Boundaries & Standards26:08 — Are You the One Violating Your Own Boundaries42:47 — What Healthy Communication Actually Looks Like57:06 — The Importance of Getting Your Information from Credible Sources1:02:54 — Being Reasonable Is Part of Having Healthy Relationships

Stay Connected:Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/crisslescouchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crisslescouch/Have an issue for the Couch? Email: advice@crisslescouch.com

Follow Dr. Raquel MartinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/raquelmartinphd/?hl=en

Crew:Executive Producers: Crissle · Alexandra Rago · Chris MorrowAudio & Video Editor: Shatek for Beats on FilmProduction Coordinators: Faith Lena & Bria Mosley
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Couch, Crissle sits down with Dr. Taylor Cummings to talk about mental health, identity, and the pressure to become who the world expects us to be. They unpack what it means to navigate anxiety, depression, and belonging while learning to understand and trust yourself.

They also discuss decolonizing our minds, unlearning the ways we’ve been conditioned to adapt to oppressive systems, and why we have to stop treating systemic problems as individual failures. Crissle and Dr. Taylor Cummings explore what it looks like to bring our knowledge, resources, and strengths together to build healthier, more connected communities.

Want to talk to Crissle? Email advice@crisslescouch.com and include “chat live” in the subject line.

Session Notes:

0:00 — Welcome Back to the Couch0:44 — The Miseducation of Dr. Taylor Cummings11:09 — Who Are We Supposed to Be in Order to Belong18:29 — How Can We Better Educate Our Communities26:21 — Decolonizing Your Mind & Relearning Yourself35:10 — Why We Need to Stop Individualizing Systemic Problems

Stay Connected:Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/crisslescouchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crisslescouch/Have an issue for the Couch? Email: advice@crisslescouch.com

Follow Dr. Taylor Cummings:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theselflovedoc/

Crew:Executive Producers: Crissle · Alexandra Rago · Chris MorrowAudio & Video Editor: Shatek for Beats on FilmProduction Coordinators: Faith Lena & Bria Mosley
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices