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Restoring Us is a space to slow down, take a breath, and explore topics related to mental health, therapy, and self-care. In each episode, therapists with Restore Therapy Collective in Grand Rapids, Michigan, explore ways to restore yourself and your relationships. Whether you're navigating a tough chapter, looking to understand how you function in the world, or just need a reminder that you're not alone - you are welcome here.
Please follow us here as well as on our Instagram @restoretherapycollective. You can find out more about our practice at www.restoretherapycollective.com
Episodes
2 days ago
2 days ago
46 min
In this episode of Restoring Us, Melanie and Kevin talk about why working with kids can be so meaningful and how child therapy often helps the whole family system.
Episode Chapters
12:56 - Play as a natural healing process
18:13 - What parents should expect from child-centered play therapy
25:51 - The three main goals of child-centered therapy sessions
31:17 - The phases of play therapy and what families may notice over time
38:40 - How therapists make sense of play and bring meaning back to parents
42:52 - The closing challenge: 30 to 45 minutes of child-led play
Recommended Resources
- You’re on Fire, It’s Fine: Effective Strategies for Parenting Teens with Self-Destructive Behaviors (Katie K. May)
- Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to be (Dr. Becky Kennedy)
- Child Therapy is Family Therapy (Melanie Freeland, LPC)
Note: Books mentioned in this episode contain affiliate links to Bookshop.org. Purchases made through these links support the podcast and independent bookstores!
Learn more about us at www.restoretherapycollective.com
Follow us on Instagram: @restoretherapycollective
Connect with the Hosts
- Melanie Freeland - Website | Psychology Today
- Kevin Dykstra - Website | Psychology Today
Restoring Us is a space to slow down, take a breath, and explore topics related to mental health, therapy, and self-care. In each episode, therapists with Restore Therapy Collective in Grand Rapids, Michigan, explore ways to restore yourself and your relationships. Whether you're navigating a tough chapter, looking to understand how you function in the world, or just need a reminder that you're not alone - you are welcome here.
Please follow us here as well as on our Instagram @restoretherapycollective. You can find out more about our practice at www.restoretherapycollective.com.
Music Attribution: 2.22.2026 - 3 guitars, uplifting buildup by RhysTemple54 -- https://freesound.org/s/846011/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
Sep 22, 2026
Sep 22, 2026
50 min
This episode of Restoring Us is a roundtable conversation led by Mel and Kevin with Jen Hutchings and Krystal LaCoy. The group explores how to tell gut instinct apart from anxiety or trauma responses, why body awareness matters, and how values, patterns, and community input can help people make better decisions.
Episode Chapters
01:20 - First prompt: when did your gut instinct save you?
09:27 - What is gut instinct?
16:48 - How therapists help clients distinguish intuition from trauma responses
26:33 - Values as a key tool for understanding trusted action
32:28 - The relational tension between selfhood and outside influence
39:35 - Raising kids to trust their instincts and bodily autonomy
48:45 - Final takeaway framework
Recommended Resources
- The Gift of Fear (Gavin de Becker)
- No Bad Parts (Richard Schwartz)
- Boundaries for Your Soul: How to Turn Your Overwhelming Thoughts and Feelings into Your Greatest Allies (Alison Cook PhD. & Kimberly Miller MTh LMFT)
Note: Books mentioned in this episode contain affiliate links to Bookshop.org. Purchases made through these links support the podcast and independent bookstores!
Learn more about us at www.restoretherapycollective.com
Follow us on Instagram: @restoretherapycollective
Connect with the Hosts
- Melanie Freeland - Website | Psychology Today
- Kevin Dykstra - Website | Psychology Today
- Jen Hutchings - Website | Psychology Today
- Krystal LaCoy - Website | Psychology Today
Restoring Us is a space to slow down, take a breath, and explore topics related to mental health, therapy, and self-care. In each episode, therapists with Restore Therapy Collective in Grand Rapids, Michigan, explore ways to restore yourself and your relationships. Whether you're navigating a tough chapter, looking to understand how you function in the world, or just need a reminder that you're not alone - you are welcome here.
Please follow us here as well as on our Instagram @restoretherapycollective. You can find out more about our practice at www.restoretherapycollective.com.
Music Attribution: 2.22.2026 - 3 guitars, uplifting buildup by RhysTemple54 -- https://freesound.org/s/846011/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
Sep 8, 2026
Sep 8, 2026
46 min
This episode explores how the postpartum period reshapes both the individual and the couple, especially when one partner has given birth and the other has not. Melanie and Kevin are joined by Haley Yatros and Krystal LaCoy to talk about identity shifts, relationship strain, and why postpartum often lasts much longer than people expect. We discuss the emotional and relational realities that can show up after a baby arrives, from sleep deprivation and hormone changes to resentment, attachment shifts, anxiety, and the pressure to “bounce back.” The conversation centers on normalizing how different this stage can look for every couple and why support matters for both partners.
Episode Chapters
08:06 - Rapid fire: “Nobody warned me that postpartum would blank”
10:09 - How parenthood changes both partners in different ways
17:32 - How postpartum changes the identity of the couple itself
27:15 - Mental health concerns can emerge or intensify during pregnancy and postpartum
32:02 - Preparing for mental health struggles during pregnancy
43:14 - Don’t wait if postpartum does not feel right - support and treatment
Recommended Resources
- And Baby Makes Three (John Gottman PhD. & Julie Schwartz Gottman PhD.)
- Gottman Card Deck
Note: Books mentioned in this episode contain affiliate links to Bookshop.org. Purchases made through these links support the podcast and independent bookstores!
Learn more about us at www.restoretherapycollective.com
Follow us on Instagram: @restoretherapycollective
Connect with the Hosts
- Melanie Freeland - Website | Psychology Today
- Kevin Dykstra - Website | Psychology Today
- Hailey Yatros - Website | Psychology Today
- Krystal Lacoy - Website | Psychology Today
Restoring Us is a space to slow down, take a breath, and explore topics related to mental health, therapy, and self-care. In each episode, therapists with Restore Therapy Collective in Grand Rapids, Michigan, explore ways to restore yourself and your relationships. Whether you're navigating a tough chapter, looking to understand how you function in the world, or just need a reminder that you're not alone - you are welcome here.
Please follow us here as well as on our Instagram @restoretherapycollective. You can find out more about our practice at www.restoretherapycollective.com.
Music Attribution: 2.22.2026 - 3 guitars, uplifting buildup by RhysTemple54 -- https://freesound.org/s/846011/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
Sep 1, 2026
Sep 1, 2026
38 min
In this episode Melanie and Kevin discuss what real dialogue looks like in relationships. They unpack why many couples and families think they are communicating when they are actually talking past each other, and they offer practical ways to slow down, listen, and stay regulated. Melanie and Kevin focus on two main ideas: avoiding parallel monologue and practicing an I-thou approach to the other person. They also share concrete tools for hard conversations, including structured pauses, checking timing, and even taking notes when needed.
Episode Chapters
05:25 - Parallel monologue: two speakers, no real listener
08:13 - The role of listening as an active practice
17:19 - Family modeling and how communication patterns are learned
22:18 - Introducing the I-thou and I-it framework
26:30 - Dialogue as a skill for seeing another person’s perspective
34:03 - Suggested tools: pauses, notes, and curiosity
Recommended Resources
- Imago Dialogue
- Getting the Love you want (Harville Hendrix PhD. & Helen LaKelly Hunt PhD.)
- How to talk to anyone about anything: The Practice of Safe Conversations (Harville Hendrix PhD. & Helen LaKelly Hunt PhD.)
- I and Thou (Martin Buber)
Note: Books mentioned in this episode contain affiliate links to Bookshop.org. Purchases made through these links support the podcast and independent bookstores!
Learn more about us at www.restoretherapycollective.com
Follow us on Instagram: @restoretherapycollective
Connect with the Hosts
- Melanie Freeland - Website | Psychology Today
- Kevin Dykstra - Website | Psychology Today
Restoring Us is a space to slow down, take a breath, and explore topics related to mental health, therapy, and self-care. In each episode, therapists with Restore Therapy Collective in Grand Rapids, Michigan, explore ways to restore yourself and your relationships. Whether you're navigating a tough chapter, looking to understand how you function in the world, or just need a reminder that you're not alone - you are welcome here.
Please follow us here as well as on our Instagram @restoretherapycollective. You can find out more about our practice at www.restoretherapycollective.com.
Music Attribution: 2.22.2026 - 3 guitars, uplifting buildup by RhysTemple54 -- https://freesound.org/s/846011/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
Aug 25, 2026
Aug 25, 2026
46 min
Melanie and Kevin are joined by first-time guest, Restore therapist, Hailey Yatros, for a practical conversation about what actually makes relationships healthy. Hailey breaks down four pillars that show up again and again in couples work: communication, conflict resolution, relationship patterns, and intimacy; plus a useful framework for understanding repair, safety, and vulnerability.
Episode Chapters
11:38 - Naming the four pillars: communication, conflict resolution, patterns, and intimacy
19:55 - Why healthy conflict matters and why “we never fight” is not always a good sign
23:16 - Repair as a skill: what it is and why it matters for families too
30:58 - Relationship patterns as recurring cycles, not isolated arguments
44:21 - A simple self-check for each pillar: what is strong, and what needs attention?
Recommended Resources
- Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence (Esther Perel)
- Blog-The 4 Pillars of a Healthy Relationship (Hailey Yatros)
Note: Books mentioned in this episode contain affiliate links to Bookshop.org. Purchases made through these links support the podcast and independent bookstores!
Learn more about us at www.restoretherapycollective.com
Follow us on Instagram: @restoretherapycollective
Connect with the Hosts
- Melanie Freeland - Website | Psychology Today
- Kevin Dykstra - Website | Psychology Today
- Hailey Yatros - Website | Psychology Today
Restoring Us is a space to slow down, take a breath, and explore topics related to mental health, therapy, and self-care. In each episode, therapists with Restore Therapy Collective in Grand Rapids, Michigan, explore ways to restore yourself and your relationships. Whether you're navigating a tough chapter, looking to understand how you function in the world, or just need a reminder that you're not alone - you are welcome here.
Please follow us here as well as on our Instagram @restoretherapycollective. You can find out more about our practice at www.restoretherapycollective.com.
Music Attribution: 2.22.2026 - 3 guitars, uplifting buildup by RhysTemple54 -- https://freesound.org/s/846011/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
Aug 10, 2026
Aug 10, 2026
40 min
In this episode of Restoring Us, hosts Melanie Freeland and Kevin Dykstra delve into the complexities of work-life balance. They discuss the importance of self-awareness, the need for routines, and the various forms of rest, emphasizing that balance is not a one-size-fits-all concept. The conversation encourages listeners to redefine their understanding of work and life, and to find meaning in their activities, whether they are restful or energizing.
Episode Chapters
03:06 - Exploring work-life balance
06:47 - Different perspectives on balance
11:40 - Redefining work and life
18:38 - Understanding rest and activity
26:45 - Practical strategies for balance
37:11 - Resources and key takeaways
Recommended Resources
- The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World (John Mark Comer)
- Rest Easy: Discover Calm and Abundance through the Radical Power of Rest (Ximena Vengoechea)
- Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto (Tricia Hersey)
Note: Books mentioned in this episode contain affiliate links to Bookshop.org. Purchases made through these links support the podcast and independent bookstores!
Learn more about us at www.restoretherapycollective.com
Follow us on Instagram: @restoretherapycollective
Connect with the Hosts
- Melanie Freeland - Website | Psychology Today
- Kevin Dykstra - Website | Psychology Today
Restoring Us is a space to slow down, take a breath, and explore topics related to mental health, therapy, and self-care. In each episode, therapists with Restore Therapy Collective in Grand Rapids, Michigan, explore ways to restore yourself and your relationships. Whether you're navigating a tough chapter, looking to understand how you function in the world, or just need a reminder that you're not alone - you are welcome here.
Please follow us here as well as on our Instagram @restoretherapycollective. You can find out more about our practice at www.restoretherapycollective.com.
Music Attribution: 2.22.2026 - 3 guitars, uplifting buildup by RhysTemple54 -- https://freesound.org/s/846011/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
Aug 10, 2026
Aug 10, 2026
35 min
In this episode of Restoring Us, hosts Melanie Freeland and Kevin Dykstra delve into the experience known as the Sunday Scaries, exploring its psychological implications, strategies for managing anxiety, and the importance of recognizing when these feelings may require professional help. The episode emphasizes the significance of self-care and the need for community support in navigating mental health challenges.
Episode Chapters
02:08 - Understanding the Sunday Scaries
09:59 - Exploring Sunday Neurosis
15:47 - The role of privilege in Sunday Scaries
20:13 - Completing the stress cycle
27:16 - Identifying when it's more than Sunday Scaries
Recommended Resources
- The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World (John Mark Comer)
- Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle (Emily Nagoski)
- TikTok - Stress Decoder Strategies (@dr.alexis.recharge)
Note: Books mentioned in this episode contain affiliate links to Bookshop.org. Purchases made through these links support the podcast and independent bookstores!
Learn more about us at www.restoretherapycollective.com
Follow us on Instagram: @restoretherapycollective
Connect with the Hosts
- Melanie Freeland - Website | Psychology Today
- Kevin Dykstra - Website | Psychology Today
Restoring Us is a space to slow down, take a breath, and explore topics related to mental health, therapy, and self-care. In each episode, therapists with Restore Therapy Collective in Grand Rapids, Michigan, explore ways to restore yourself and your relationships. Whether you're navigating a tough chapter, looking to understand how you function in the world, or just need a reminder that you're not alone - you are welcome here.
Please follow us here as well as on our Instagram @restoretherapycollective. You can find out more about our practice at www.restoretherapycollective.com.
Music Attribution: 2.22.2026 - 3 guitars, uplifting buildup by RhysTemple54 -- https://freesound.org/s/846011/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
Aug 10, 2026
Aug 10, 2026
51 min
Join Melanie Freeland, Kevin Dykstra, and the founders of Restore Therapy Collective: Jen Hutchings and Lindsey Afton, as they explore the journey of creating a heartfelt mental health practice. Discover how their shared values shape a supportive, trauma-informed environment that aims to reduce stigma and increase accessibility to therapy.
Episode Chapters
01:33 - The origins of Restore Therapy Collective
18:03 - Challenges and surprises in growing the practice from the ground up - from office aesthetics to snacks
25:07 - Evolution of services at Restore and the systemic approach to therapy
33:00 - The intention behind the podcast and its role in reducing mental health stigma
45:12 - Recommended books on relationships, grief, and trauma
49:00 - Closing remarks and the founders' gratitude for the team
Recommended Resources
- The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country’s Foremost Relationship Expert (John Gottman & Nan Silver)
- It’s OK That You’re Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture that Doesn’t Understand (Megan Devine)
- Man’s Search for Meaning (Victor Frankl)
- Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving (Pete Walker)
Note: Books mentioned in this episode contain affiliate links to Bookshop.org. Purchases made through these links support the podcast and independent bookstores!
Learn more about us at www.restoretherapycollective.com
Follow us on Instagram: @restoretherapycollective
Connect with the Hosts
- Melanie Freeland - Website | Psychology Today
- Kevin Dykstra - Website | Psychology Today
- Jen Hutchings - Website | Psychology Today
- Lindsey Afton - Website | Psychology Today
Restoring Us is a space to slow down, take a breath, and explore topics related to mental health, therapy, and self-care. In each episode, therapists with Restore Therapy Collective in Grand Rapids, Michigan, explore ways to restore yourself and your relationships. Whether you're navigating a tough chapter, looking to understand how you function in the world, or just need a reminder that you're not alone - you are welcome here.
Please follow us here as well as on our Instagram @restoretherapycollective. You can find out more about our practice at www.restoretherapycollective.com.
Music Attribution: 2.22.2026 - 3 guitars, uplifting buildup by RhysTemple54 -- https://freesound.org/s/846011/ -- License: Creative Commons 0