Podcast
Pint-Sized Therapy
Hosted by Dr. Aletha Clark · EN
Pint-Sized Therapy, hosted by Dr. Aletha Clark, explores all things related to mental health healing, personal growth and development, emotional wellness, and the human experience in pint-sized bites.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Season One Wrap-Up – Reflect, Reset, and Return
Nov 3000:06:20Tap to summarizeIn this special season finale of Pint-Sized Therapy, host Aletha Clark takes a heartfelt look back at the journey of Season One — from Choosing Joy to Living with Purpose and What to Expect from Therapy. She shares behind-the-mic reflections, listener gratitude, and a guided affirmation to help you pause, reflect, and prepare for your own next season of growth.Take this moment to reset, breathe, and celebrate how far you’ve come — and stay tuned for Season Two of Pint-Sized Therapy.
Transcribe →Holiday Stress: Finding Calm in the Chaos
Nov 2000:10:55Tap to summarizeThe holidays are supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year,” but for many, they can bring a whirlwind of emotions — excitement mixed with exhaustion, joy tangled with grief, and connection shadowed by conflict. In this episode, psychotherapist Dr. Aletha Clark unpacks the reality of holiday stress — why we feel it, what triggers it, and how to navigate it with grace and self-awareness.We’ll explore:The incongruent feelings of joy and sadness during the holidaysCommon causes of holiday stress — from finances to family dynamicsPractical ways to cope with holiday pressure and expectationsHow to set boundaries that protect your peaceSelf-care strategies that help you stay grounded and intentionalTune in and learn how to create a holiday season that feels balanced, authentic, and aligned with your emotional well-being.
Transcribe →Healing From Codependence & Moving Toward Healthy Love
Nov 1300:11:32Tap to summarizeIn our codependence series finale, we bring it all together: healing, self-compassion, rebuilding identity, and defining what healthy love really looks like. We explore balance, respect, and reciprocity in romantic relationships, review recovery patterns, and reflect on the 12 Promises of CoDA as a vision of what healing can feel like. Featuring Good Will Hunting, this episode reminds us that our patterns are not our fault — but recovery and healthy love are possible.
Transcribe →Breaking the Cycle of Codependence
Nov 600:19:21Tap to summarizeBreaking codependence isn’t about cutting people off — it’s about reclaiming your sense of self. In this episode, we walk step-by-step through boundaries, healthy detachment, building self-worth outside of relationships, and the recovery patterns from CoDA. With Eat Pray Love as our pop culture example, we explore what it looks like to set new boundaries, rediscover joy, and live independently. Includes practical reflection exercises to help you begin the process of change.
Transcribe →The Cost of Codependence
Oct 3000:17:58Tap to summarizeWhat does codependence cost us emotionally, physically, and spiritually? In this episode, we explore the burnout, resentment, and identity loss that come with codependent patterns. We look at Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to understand how love and belonging can override safety, esteem, and growth — and introduce the concept of the high-functioning codependent. Featuring Runaway Bride as our pop culture example, we reflect on the iconic “eggs” scene as a metaphor for losing yourself in relationships.
Transcribe →Traits & Red Flags of Codependence
Oct 2300:12:34Tap to summarizeWhat are the warning signs of codependence? In this episode, we explore traits like people-pleasing, caretaking, blurred boundaries, and the fear of abandonment. We also unpack love bombing and trauma bonding, as well as the dynamic between the rescuer and the one who needs to be rescued. Featuring Twilight as our pop culture example, we reflect on how intense highs and lows of “epic love” can actually mask unhealthy patterns.
Transcribe →Understanding Codependence
Oct 1600:12:39Tap to summarizeIn this first episode of our series, we define codependence, explore how it develops through family dynamics, trauma, and attachment styles, and examine the role of enabling behaviors. Using the film When a Man Loves a Woman as a pop culture example, we uncover how codependence shows up in relationships and why it can be so difficult to see in ourselves. Includes a reflection prompt: “What was the emotional climate of your household growing up?”
Transcribe →Supporting a Loved One in Addiction & Recovery
Oct 900:12:04Tap to summarizeLoving someone who struggles with a substance use disorder can feel like riding an emotional rollercoaster. Fear, anger, grief, exhaustion, and disappointment often show up alongside love and hope. In this heartfelt episode, I speak directly to partners, parents, siblings, and friends — those who carry invisible weight while supporting someone through addiction.We’ll explore the reality of relapse, the importance of boundaries, and the concept of detachment with love. You’ll learn about Al-Anon’s powerful “Three C’s,” discover coping strategies for your own healing, and hear reminders of why protecting yourself does not mean you’ve stopped caring.Above all, this episode offers validation, compassion, and hope. Because recovery is not only possible for the individual — it’s possible for families too.
Transcribe →Trauma, Addiction, and Dual Diagnosis: Healing the Whole Person
Oct 200:12:37Tap to summarizeTrauma changes the brain. Addiction can begin as a survival strategy. And when mental health struggles and substance use disorders collide, recovery becomes more complicated — but no less possible.In this episode, I explore the reality of co-occurring disorders, why they are so common, and how our treatment systems often leave people without the integrated care they deserve. You’ll hear how trauma reshapes the brain, why substances can feel like relief at first, and how dual diagnosis creates a cycle that is difficult — but not impossible — to break.I’ll share research, a fictional story to bring these ideas to life, and practical tools for grounding, coping, and moving forward. Above all, you’ll be reminded that struggling with co-occurring disorders is not a personal failure — it’s a reflection of systemic challenges — and recovery is about healing the whole person.Because Recovery is REAL — Restoring Every Aspect of Life.
Transcribe →The Science of Addiction & Recovery: Why Healing Is Possible
Sep 2500:15:07Tap to summarizeIn honor of National Recovery Month, this episode explores the science of addiction and why recovery is not only possible — it’s real. We’ll break down how addiction rewires the brain, why people may begin using substances, and the genetic, social, and emotional risk factors that play a role. Through plain language, metaphors, and a relatable story, we’ll connect the science of addiction to the hope of recovery.You’ll hear how the brain’s incredible ability to heal, supported by therapy, medication, and community, makes recovery a journey of restoration — mind, body, relationships, and purpose.This year’s Recovery Month theme is Recovery is REAL — Restoring Every Aspect of Life. Join me as we explore how both science and lived experience remind us that change, healing, and restoration are possible.
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