The Love Doc Podcast

By: Dr. Sarah Hensley
  • Summary

  • Hosted by Dr. Sarah Hensley, Specialized Social Psychologist, Attachment Theory Expert, and Founder & CEO of The Dating Decoder with Co-host Raina Butcher, Owner/CEO of Joyful Consulting Welcome to "The Love Doc Podcast" where Host Dr. Sarah Hensley and her co-host Raina Butcher dive deep into the intricacies of love, attraction, attachment, relationships, and self-awareness. Dr. Hensley brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to help listeners navigate the complexities of modern romance. In each episode, Dr. Hensley tackles burning questions about love, relationships, and the mind’s complexities, drawing from her psychological research, real-life experiences, and her own individual expertise, to provide insightful perspectives and practical advice.
    2024
    Show more Show less
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2
Episodes
  • Episode 22 | Our Walks with God
    Oct 15 2024
    Hosted by Dr. Sarah Hensley, Specialized Social Psychologist, Attachment Theory Expert, and Founder & CEO of The Dating Decoder with Co-host Raina Butcher, Owner/CEO of Joyful Consulting Welcome to "The Love Doc Podcast" where Host Dr. Sarah Hensley and her co-host Raina Butcher dive deep into the intricacies of love, attraction, attachment, relationships, and self-awareness. Dr. Hensley brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to help listeners navigate the complexities of modern romance. In each episode, Dr. Hensley tackles burning questions about love, relationships, and the mind’s complexities, drawing from her psychological research, real-life experiences, and her own individual expertise, to provide insightful perspectives and practical advice. Episode 22 – “Our Walks with God” In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Hensley and Raina take a deep dive into their personal faith journeys and how they became the strong Christian women they are today. They start by addressing the backlash they’ve received for speaking openly about their faith in previous episodes and dedicate this entire episode to explaining why their faith is so important. Right from the beginning, they provide a disclaimer, encouraging listeners who may not be interested in the topic to skip this episode without judgment. However, they also invite anyone who is curious about how people, including them, develop such strong faith to stay and listen. Dr. Hensley draws powerful connections between psychology and spirituality, highlighting how many psychological principles have roots in the Bible. She shares her belief that God speaks to us through our thoughts and that while He doesn’t interfere with free will, He gives us the chance every day to align with Him or with opposing forces. The episode then shifts to their personal stories, with both women reflecting on their upbringings. They also openly admit that their faith hasn’t always been easy. They discuss their past struggles, often questioning God’s existence, and wondering why bad things happen to good people. Dr. Hensley offers a candid, human perspective on these questions. Midway through, Dr. Hensley shares a transformative experience from a “Be in Health” retreat where she underwent deliverance. Initially skeptical and fearful, she describes how deliverance healed her from pain and debilitating vestibular migraines, leaving her feeling like a new person. This experience also deepened her understanding of the connection between spirituality, physiology, and psychology. To wrap up, Dr. Hensley delves into how her healing experience led her to explore the psychology of healing, uncovering profound parallels between the two disciplines. She emphasizes her practice’s inclusivity, where clients are welcome to choose between Christian or secular approaches to coaching, stressing the importance of acceptance and respect for all faiths. This episode is a vulnerable and insightful look into the personal walks of faith that have shaped these two women’s lives and their work. Tune in to "The Love Doc Podcast" every Tuesday morning for candid conversations, expert guidance, and a deeper understanding of love and relationships in the modern world. To see all of Dr. Hensley’s services please visit the links below and follow her on social media. Dr. Hensley’s Hybrid Group Coaching: https://www.thedatingdecoder.com/group-coaching/ Book one on one with Dr. Hensley or one of her certified coaches: https://www.thedatingdecoder.com/book-appointment/ Purchase Dr. Hensley’s online course: https://dating-decoder.mykajabi.com/offers/PpEPKnsM/checkout Tik-Tok: the_dating_decoder Instagram: @the_dating_decoder Facebook: The Dating Decoder Youtube: @Dr.SarahHensley What is covered: · How each host experienced religion and spirtuality growing up. · Emphasized acceptance if you prefer to not listen to this episode. · The parallels between spirtuality and psychology. · Each host personal story of how and when their fiath shifted. . Deliverance and how Dr. Hensley personally experienced it through "Be In Health" a personal retreat that she attended that healed her pain and changed her life. . The importance of acceptance and how Dr. Hensley practices both a secular and spirtual coaching strategy for her clients. She allows the client to choose which they prefer. Consider/Ask Yourself: · Are you allowing your personal upbrining around faith to interfere with your relationship with God. · Even if you aren't a Christian, is this episode worth listening to in order to explore a deeper understanding around faith? · How can I start seeing the similarites in psychology and spirtuality, and how can I combine the two to make my relationships stronger? ....
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Episode 21 | Pop Psychology is Not Psychology
    Oct 8 2024
    Hosted by Dr. Sarah Hensley, Specialized Social Psychologist, Attachment Theory Expert, and Founder & CEO of The Dating Decoder with Co-host Raina Butcher, Owner/CEO of Joyful Consulting Welcome to "The Love Doc Podcast" where Host Dr. Sarah Hensley and her co-host Raina Butcher dive deep into the intricacies of love, attraction, attachment, relationships, and self-awareness. Dr. Hensley brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to help listeners navigate the complexities of modern romance. In each episode, Dr. Hensley tackles burning questions about love, relationships, and the mind’s complexities, drawing from her psychological research, real-life experiences, and her own individual expertise, to provide insightful perspectives and practical advice. Episode 21: "Pop Psychology is Not Psychology." In this episode, Dr. Hensley and co-host Raina Butcher break down several misconceptions and misuses of psychological concepts that are often spread through social media and pop culture. “Not everyone you dislike is a narcissist.” Dr. Hensley explains how narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is difficult to diagnose and measure, primarily because individuals with NPD are often manipulative and lack self-awareness. NPD exists on a spectrum, and while some people may show narcissistic traits, it doesn’t necessarily mean they have NPD. She encourages listeners to revisit episode 10, “Are They a Narcissist?” to learn the differences between narcissistic traits and attachment insecurities.“Not every unpleasant experience is trauma.” Trauma is highly nuanced and specific to each individual’s perception and experience. Labeling every unpleasant event as trauma can actually undermine one’s nervous system and create a victim mentality. Dr. Hensley and Raina discuss how their generation has raised children with an aversion to all discomfort, resulting in a generation with poor coping skills. Dr. Hensley advocates for attachment-based parenting and shares tools she used with her own children, emphasizing the importance of teaching regulation as a foundation for resilience.“Having needs does not make you co-dependent.” Dr. Hensley breaks down the difference between expressing needs and being co-dependent. Raina shares a personal story about her son and his young relationship, illustrating that stating your needs doesn’t make you a bad partner—sacrificing them to keep the peace, however, may indicate co-dependency. “Disagreeing does not mean someone is gaslighting you.” Disagreements are a normal part of communication, and differing perspectives don’t necessarily equate to gaslighting. Dr. Hensley explains that people view reality through their own lenses, shaped by experiences and upbringing. Just because someone has a different opinion doesn’t mean they are trying to manipulate you; they may simply be trying to convey their reality. “Not all conflict is abuse.” The hosts tackle the misconception that any form of conflict is abusive. Dr. Hensley highlights that voice inflation is a normal part of heated discussions and does not equate to abuse. She shares her own boundaries around conflict in her marriage, such as not tolerating yelling, cursing, physical aggression, or threatening divorce. Through her personal experiences, Dr. Hensley gives listeners a clearer picture of what abuse actually looks like. “Taking offense is not being triggered.” Being unoffendable is a key skill for regulating attachment insecurities. Dr. Hensley explains that being offended by someone’s words on social media doesn’t mean you’re being triggered. Understanding what a true trigger is—something that activates deep-seated trauma or unresolved issues—is crucial for emotional regulation. “Everything does not need to be normalized.” “Normal as in common does not always mean normal as in healthy,” Dr. Hensley states. The hosts discuss the societal push to “normalize” things that may not be healthy, sometimes confusing social acceptance with psychological wellness. Dr. Hensley emphasizes that some behaviors we try to normalize might be indicative of mental illness. “Speaking like an HR memo is not self-awareness.” Dr. Hensley shares a personal anecdote about falling into “teacher mode” in her own marriage and how her husband has to call her on it. She then realizes that it creates distance rather than connection. Speaking in an authoritative or clinical tone, even with good intentions, can come across as detached and lack vulnerability. Dr. Hensley wraps up by advising listeners to seek professionals who are well-versed in real psychological principles. She warns against the proliferation of self-proclaimed experts on the internet and encourages her audience to research credentials and ensure they’re working with someone who has the proper education and expertise. Tune in to this episode...
    Show more Show less
    55 mins
  • Episode 20 | Taking Back Your Personal Power
    Oct 1 2024
    Hosted by Dr. Sarah Hensley, Specialized Social Psychologist, Attachment Theory Expert, and Founder & CEO of The Dating Decoder with Co-host Raina Butcher, Owner/CEO of Joyful Consulting, LLC. Welcome to "The Love Doc Podcast" where Host Dr. Sarah Hensley and her co-host Raina Butcher dive deep into the intricacies of love, attraction, attachment, relationships, and self-awareness. Dr. Hensley brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to help listeners navigate the complexities of modern romance. In each episode, Dr. Hensley tackles burning questions about love, relationships, and the mind’s complexities, drawing from her psychological research, real-life experiences, and her own individual expertise, to provide insightful perspectives and practical advice. Episode 20: "Taking Back Your Personal Power." In this compelling episode, Dr. Hensley dives deep into the concept of personal power, highlighting that no one can truly "take" our power; instead, we often surrender it, many times without realizing we’re doing so. Dr. Hensley explains that certain relationship dynamics, especially those involving a narcissist or a dismissive avoidant, are more prone to creating a sense of lost power for one partner. Dr. Hensley gives an example used by a fellow influencer, called "The Namless Narcissit" Narcissists, how he explains that narcissiste don’t try to control to achieve specific outcomes but rather as a way to prove to themselves that they can. This creates a dictatorial dynamic where the partner being dictated to often feels powerless and trapped. Dr. Hensley shares a vulnerable moment from her own life, discussing a recent experience where she found herself feeling desperate to regain her own sense of power. Admitting to returning to therapy, she explores the ruminating thoughts and the reasons behind her perceived loss of power. She emphasizes the importance of finding a good therapist—one who doesn’t reinforce victimhood but instead helps clients understand that surrendering power is ultimately a choice. Therapists should challenge clients to take ownership of their decisions and help them reclaim their autonomy. Dr. Hensley then explores how different attachment styles manifest in relation to personal power. She notes that dismissive avoidants are typically the ones dictating the tone of the relationship and rarely visibly surrender their power. In contrast, anxious attachment styles, such as anxious preoccupied and fearful avoidant who lean anxious, are more likely to give up their personal power, leading to increased anxiety and emotional turmoil. As the episode progresses, Dr. Hensley discusses what a healthy balance of power looks like in relationships. She outlines three key components of balanced power: (1) both partners taking personal accountability for their behaviors, (2) avoiding blame-shifting, and (3) not getting trapped in rumination or self-pity. Furthermore, maintaining a balance of power includes equitable distribution of daily responsibilities and the ability to pick up slack without building resentment. When both partners can approach these behaviors with mutual respect, grace, and humility, the power dynamics within the relationship remain balanced, fostering a healthy and thriving partnership. To wrap up, both Dr. Hensley and co-host Raina Butcher share personal anecdotes about reclaiming their power and using failed relationships as opportunities for growth. They emphasize that taking back one’s power means being secure in who you are and setting boundaries that limit access to oneself to only those who are willing to reciprocate honor, love, and respect. Ultimately, reclaiming personal power is about stepping into your authentic self and reinforcing your self-worth in every relationship dynamic. Tune in to "The Love Doc Podcast" every Tuesday morning for candid conversations, expert guidance, and a deeper understanding of love and relationships in the modern world. To see all of Dr. Hensley’s services please visit the links below and follow her on social media. Dr. Hensley’s Hybrid Group Coaching: https://www.thedatingdecoder.com/group-coaching/ Book one on one with Dr. Hensley or one of her certified coaches: https://www.thedatingdecoder.com/book-appointment/ Purchase Dr. Hensley’s online course: https://dating-decoder.mykajabi.com/offers/PpEPKnsM/checkout Tik-Tok: the_dating_decoder Instagram: @the_dating_decoder Facebook: The Dating Decoder Youtube: @Dr.SarahHensley What is covered: · The difference in someone taking your personal power and surrendering it. · The most prevelant relationship dynamic where one partner feels a loss of personal power. · The importance of therapy, specifically good therapy, where the therapist does not reinforce victimhood, but instead helps you understand that surrendering personal power is a choice. . How the different attachment styles surrender thier personal power. ....
    Show more Show less
    45 mins

What listeners say about The Love Doc Podcast

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.