What if the “therapist” you’re pouring your heart out to… isn’t a therapist at all?

In this jaw-dropping episode of the Love, Happiness and Success Podcast, I’m joined by investigative journalists Rebecca Ruiz and Lauren Krause to expose the shocking truth behind Seven Cups Therapy and the dark world of therapy fraud—including unlicensed “helpers,” fake reviews, and predatory chatrooms masquerading as support.

This isn’t just about bad advice or unqualified "virtual counselors." It’s about real people being misled, emotionally exploited, and sometimes even preyed upon while they’re at their most vulnerable. We dive into how this happens, how to protect yourself (or someone you care about), and how to tell the difference between a real therapist and a clever imposter.

If you've ever Googled "online therapy" late at night and clicked on what looked like a trustworthy, affordable platform, you NEED to hear this.

Timestamps:

01:43 - What’s Really Going On with Online Therapy Platforms
03:44 - Seven Cups Therapy: Behind the Curtain
05:21 - Why You Shouldn't Trust Those Awards and Reviews
07:52 - "Virtual Counselors" vs. Actual Therapists
10:45 - How to Spot Therapy Fraud in the Wild
12:50 - Ethical Gray Zones in the Coaching Industry
14:56 - Red Flags of Fake Support Services
18:48 - The Danger of Marketing Funnels Masquerading as Help
21:22 - How Fake Therapy Can Harm Real People
23:02 - The Truth About Licensing, Credentials & Oversight
25:48 - Behind the Scenes at Seven Cups: A Reporter’s Story
28:32 - Inappropriate Chatroom Behavior and No Accountability
37:16 - Free Resources to Help You Make Empowered Choices

If you're looking for actual therapy or coaching from trained, licensed professionals—not a chatbot or a mystery stranger in Timbuktu—you can always find help here at Growing Self. We offer real free consultations so you can find a great fit and know exactly what you're signing up for. No pressure, no weird bait-and-switch. Just ethical, expert support that actually works.

👉 Click here to schedule! We’d love to hear from you!

And if this episode struck a nerve, or opened your eyes, or made you yell “WAIT, WHAT?!”—come join me on Instagram or YouTube. I break down big topics like this every week. You’ll get expert insights, practical tools, and compassionate advice to help you create love, happiness and success in your life.

Xoxo

Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

www.growingself.com

P.S. If you know someone who needs to hear this episode, share it with them today. Let’s look out for one another. 💛

Ever feel like no matter how hard you try, you’re still not good enough? Like you're outrunning a wolf that lives inside you, always whispering, “You’ve got more to prove”. But what if fear isn’t your enemy? What if it's actually pointing you toward your purpose?

In this deeply transformative conversation with bestselling author Mary Marantz, we explore how the experiences that once made us feel underestimated—and the relentless drive to overachieve—can keep us stuck in cycles of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and fear-fueled productivity.

Mary and I unpack the myths of not-enoughness, talk about the parts of ourselves that try to protect us from failure, and offer a new path forward: one where your gifts and your story become your superpowers. Get ready to look at fear differently, reclaim your confidence, and learn to move forward—not from a place of proving, but from a place of purpose.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Why You're Still Not Enough (Even After All the Achievements)
02:01 – Mary’s Story: From Single-Wide Trailer to Yale Law
03:55 – Why Fear Isn’t the Villain You Think It Is
06:14 – The Power of Owning Your Hard Story
14:15 – When Fear Shows Up, You're Closer Than You Think
18:06 – Creativity, Fear, and the Impostor Trap
24:27 – What To Do With Fear When It Gets Loud
29:23 – Catching Fear in the Act
30:35 – A Totally Different Kind of Coaching
36:01 – Your Inner Critic Isn’t Evil—It's Trying to Protect You
39:24 – Procrastination, Perfectionism, and Productivity Traps
45:55 – Underestimated: When They Miss Your Magic (and You Do, Too)
55:58 – Make Art Anyway: Excellence Without Validation
57:02 – Finding Clarity and Confidence

If you feel like you’re hustling for your worth—trying to prove something to someone, maybe even to yourself—it might be time for a new approach. I created Clarity and Confidence Coaching for exactly this purpose—to support brilliant, driven people just like you in shedding their limiting beliefs, getting clear on their direction, and moving forward into their dream life with confidence.

Clarity and Confidence Coaching is an incredible 8-week journey led by my team of trained therapist-coaches. It’s evidence-based, transformational, and wildly affordable — just $49/session right now as part of our practicum program.

You’ll be guided with depth and care and use life changing coaching strategies to rewrite your inner script and start taking action — from your strengths, not your fear.

👉 Book a free consultation to learn more and reserve your spot: Schedule Here

And hey — let’s stay connected. Follow me on Instagram or subscribe on YouTube for more empowering content to help you grow.

Xoxo

Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

www.growingself.com

P.S. Know someone who feels like they’re not enough, even though they’re secretly incredible? Share this with them. You might be the reason they finally see what’s been true all along. 💛

What if the secret to living your best life... is remembering that it won’t last forever?

In this episode of Love, Happiness, and Success, I’m joined by author and mindset coach Karen Salmansohn to explore how the ancient principle of memento mori—remembering that you will die—can radically transform the way you live right now.

Together, we unpack how mortality awareness isn’t morbid at all—it’s deeply motivational. When you get clear on what truly matters, you can stop spinning your wheels and start living for meaning with clarity, courage, and joy.

We’ll explore identity-based habits, reverse-engineering your values, and how writing your own eulogy (yep, really!) can actually help you build a life you’re proud to live. This isn’t about bucket lists or productivity hacks—it’s about being intentional and making sure your time, energy, and love are going exactly where you want them to.

Timestamps:
0:00 – The Problem With To-Do Lists
3:12 – Facing the Funeral Test: What Will They Say About You?
6:38 – Memento Mori: Mortality as a Motivator
15:05 – Identity-Based Habits and Core Values
20:44 – Who Do You Need to Become?
24:18 – A Ripple Effect That Lasts Generations
27:35 – Aristotle’s Happiness Formula
32:10 – The Near-Life Experience We Must Escape
36:42 – Your “To-Die” List vs Your To-Do List
40:55 – Creating Daily Habits That Reflect Who You Want to Be
44:00 – What Happens When You Align With Your Core Values
47:26 – The Marble Ritual: Measuring Time With Intention
53:18 – Monthly Reflections and Making This Summer Count
58:01 – Why Fun and Gratitude Are Core Values Too
1:02:20 – It’s Not About Death—It’s About Life
1:07:08 – How to Start Living for Meaning Now

Don’t wait for a crisis to wake you up. Choose to wake up now. Live for meaning. Be intentional. Remember that life is short, and that’s what makes it beautiful.

And if you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed by where to begin, I’d love to help. My Clarity and Confidence Coaching was made for moments just like this one. In this powerful work, you’ll reconnect with your deepest values, rediscover your purpose, and learn how to make intentional choices that move you toward the life you truly want.

Whether you’re navigating a big life transition or simply ready to stop running on autopilot, coaching gives you tools, insight, and support to create lasting, meaningful change.

Curious if it’s right for you? You can schedule a free consultation with our team. We’ll talk about where you are, where you want to go, and how clarity and confidence coaching can help you bridge the gap.

Also, come hang out with me on Instagram or YouTube — I’m always sharing tips, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes real talk to help you stay connected to what really matters.

Xoxo

Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

www.growingself.com

P.S. If this message resonated with you, think of someone in your life who might need to hear it too. Forward this article to them. Let’s keep the ripple going. That’s living for meaning, too.