Outside The Therapy Room
Ivonne Hammoud is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) and owner of a therapy practice in Waterloo, Ontario. But out of the office, she's a mom, wife, daughter, sister and friend. Join Ivonne as she sits with a special guest to discuss every day things that impact our mental health! Conversations about everything from mental health and relationships, to media and current events, as well as personal experiences and reflections, all in the hopes of normalizing our humanness and helping you see that you’re not alone. This is Outside the Therapy Room!
Episodes
71 episodes
Episode 66 - The Human Side of Your Therapist with Ashley Mariani
In this episode, we’re having an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about the realities of this work — beyond what we were taught in grad school. From the pressure to be a “blank slate” to questioning old expectations like no self-disclosur...
Episode 65: Triggers, Glimmers and Our Nervous System with Bethany Hanman
Triggers are something many of us have heard about — moments when our nervous system reacts strongly to something in our environment. But what about the opposite of triggers?In this episode, we’re talking about glimmers — small, often ov...
Episode 64 - The Mental Health Power of Play with Claudia Gracias
Play isn’t just something children do for fun — it’s actually a critical part of emotional development, communication, and mental health.In this episode, child therapist, Claudia joins and together we explore the power of play and why it...
Episode 63 - The Elder Daughter Effect with Aleta Wilson
In many families, the eldest daughter quietly carries an invisible role — helper, mediator, caregiver, and emotional support system. Over time, this responsibility can shape identity, relationships, and mental health.Aleta is back to exp...
Episode 62 - When Desire Doesn’t Match: Sex, Shame, and Relationship Stress with Lindsay Kenna
Sexual desire discrepancies are one of the most common — and least talked about — challenges in relationships. When one partner wants sex more often than the other, it can quickly become about much more than sex. Feelings of rejection, pressure...
Episode 61 - Outgrowing Yourself: How Women Navigate Identity, Change, and Self-Discovery with Lacey Heels
In this episode, I sit down with Lacey, a writer and guide in women’s self-discovery, to explore the powerful process of outgrowing old versions of ourselves. We discuss how to recognize the signs that it’s time for change, the challenges of st...
Episode 60 - Parenting with ADHD: The Reality No One Talks About with Wendy Gage
Motherhood comes with an invisible mental load — planning, regulating emotions, staying organized, and constantly responding to others’ needs. For mothers with ADHD, this load can feel overwhelming, exhausting, and deeply misunderstood.I...
Episode 59 - Infidelity Part 2: Recovery After Infidelity — Do I Stay or Do I Go? With Ashley Mariani
Content note: This episode discusses infidelity and relational trauma. Please listen at your own pace.After infidelity, many people find themselves asking an impossible question: Do I stay, or do I go? In Part 2 of this...
Episode 58 - The Pelvic Floor & Mental Health: What Your Body Might Be Holding With Laura Holland
The pelvic floor plays a critical role in bladder and bowel control, sexual function, stability, and core strength — but it also has a profound connection to our nervous system and emotional health.In this episode, Pelvic Floor Physiothe...
Minisode - Why February Feels So Heavy (And What Your Body Needs)
If you’ve been feeling more tired, unmotivated, or emotionally heavy lately — especially during the winter months — you’re not alone. In this solo episode, we explore why February can feel particularly difficult, especially in colder climates l...
Episode 57: The Emotional Side of Trying to Conceive with Olivia Carvalho
Infertility is often treated as a medical issue — but for those living it, the emotional and mental toll can be just as heavy.In this episode, we’re joined by Olivia, a fertility coach, to explore the emotional side of trying to conceive...
Episode 56: When “I’m Fine” Isn’t Fine - Men’s Mental Health with John Shearer
Men are often taught to push through, stay strong, and keep their emotions to themselves—but that silence comes at a cost.In this episode, we’re joined by John Shearer, owner of Kickstart Men's Therapy, for an honest and compassionate co...
Episode 55: Infidelity Part 1 - Why do people cheat? with Ashley Mariani
Content note: This episode discusses infidelity and relational betrayal. Please listen with care.Infidelity is one of the most painful and misunderstood experiences in relationships. Ashley Mariani joins us in this first part of...
Episode 54 - When Friendships Feel Hard: Navigating Anxiety and Goodbyes with Bethany Hanman
Friendships can bring joy, support, and meaning—but they can also create anxiety, doubt, and emotional stress. In this episode, Bethany joins us and helps us unpack friendship anxiety, why some friendships end, and how to navigate letting go wi...
Episode 53 - More Than a Game: The Power of Sports Fanbases with Christopher Mertz
Sports have a unique power to bring people together — packed arenas, shared chants, lifelong traditions, and the electric feeling of belonging to something bigger than yourself. For many, being part of a sports fanbase creates connection, joy, ...
Episode 52 - Caregiving Through the Holidays: Managing Grief & Burnout with Stephanie Muskat
The holidays are often painted as a time of joy, connection, and celebration—but for caregivers, this season can bring an entirely different emotional landscape. In this episode, we sit down with Stephanie Muskat, a therapist who specializes in...
Episode 51 - Holiday Overwhelm: Surviving Family, Expectations & Parenthood with Christina Page
The holidays promise joy, connection, and magical memories — but for many parents, they also bring a perfect storm of pressure, expectations, and emotional overload. In this episode, we dive into the reality behind the festive photos: the overw...
Episode 50 - Why True Crime Captivates Us... and How It Affects Us with Bethany Hanman
***DISCLAIMER: This episode focuses on True Crime, we mention real murders, trials and other subjects that may be sensitive to some listeners.***Why are we so obsessed with true crime? From podcasts and documenta...
Episode 49 - Tarot as a Mirror: Exploring Self-Reflection with Jenni Evans
In this episode, I sit down with Jenni for a grounded and insightful conversation about tarot—beyond predictions and mystique, and into its power as a tool for self-reflection. We explore how tarot can spark curiosity, deepen personal insight, ...
Episode 48 - New Mom Life: The Real, The Raw, The Unexpected with Destinee Hiscock
Destinee returns to the podcast! Live from maternity leave, she opens up about her experience as a new mom — the expectations, challenges, and surprises that come with stepping into motherhood. From navigating identity shifts to balancing her r...
Episode 47 - Introduction to Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours with Julie Mason
In this episode, we sit down with Julie Mason, a passionate advocate and lived-experience expert, to explore Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours (BFRBs) — including hair pulling and skin picking. Julie opens up about her personal journey, sheddi...
Episode 46 - The Power of Peer Support in Postpartum with Lisette Weber
In this episode, I sits down with postpartum doula Lisette to talk about the power of peer support during the postpartum journey. Together we explore why having a village matters, how shared experiences help new parents feel seen and supported,...
Episode 45 - Unmasking The Layers: Understanding Masking in The Neurodivergent Community with Arsh Reddick
In this episode, we sit down with Arsh to explore the complex and often misunderstood experience of masking within the neurodivergent community. Together, we unpack what masking really means—how individuals consciously or unconsciously hide par...
Episode 44 - Little Minds, Big Calm: How Meditation Supports Children’s Mental Health with Shefali Bhalla
When we think of meditation, we often picture adults sitting in silence — but children can benefit from mindfulness just as deeply, if not more. In this episode, I sit down with Shefali Bhalla our administrative assistant at NMC, and a Developm...
Episode 43 - The Bounce Back Myth: Motherhood, Bodies & Mental Health with Rhonda Chamberlain
In this insightful episode, we’re joined by Rhonda Chamberlain, registered physiotherapist and pelvic health specialist, to unpack the overwhelming pressure many women face to “bounce back” after pregnancy — physically, emotionally, and mentall...