This week on Insights From the Couch, we sit down with the powerhouse attorney, author, and survivor, Alreen Haeggquist. From her deeply personal story of growing up in an abusive household to becoming a leading legal advocate for survivors of sexual harassment and assault, Alreen’s journey is a testament to the strength of the human spirit—and the power of owning your story.

We explore the long path from trauma to triumph, what it really takes to heal, and how acknowledging the past is the first step toward freedom. Alreen shares how inner child work, therapy, and using her voice not only helped her reclaim her own life but gave her the fuel to fight for others. This conversation is vulnerable, honest, and full of insight for anyone on a healing path—or supporting someone who is.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Welcoming Alreen and an intro to her mission and groundbreaking legal work.
[2:04] - Alreen’s early life: arranged marriage, family dynamics, and migration.
[5:08] - The many forms of survival: escaping abuse through education and independence.
[6:26] - Why bullying at school was more bearable than life at home.
[8:29] - The breaking point: rage, motherhood, and the moment of awakening.
[11:17] - Alreen’s first steps into therapy and realizing healing takes more than four sessions.
[12:45] - A pivotal psychodrama experience: naming the abuse for the first time.
[16:08] - The power of vulnerability and why speaking out matters.
[18:30] - Connecting trauma to physical health and emotional wellbeing.
[21:13] - Learning to feel again: inner child work and the journey back to the heart.
[25:18] - Bringing personal experience into the courtroom to empower survivors.
[26:33] - Breaking down sexual assault civil cases and how justice is pursued.
[28:39] - Advocacy in action: educating teens and holding institutions accountable.
[31:37] - Teaching kids to trust their gut and speak up.
[34:28] - The first step to healing: acknowledge it happened and write it down.
[35:58] - The complex family fallout of telling the truth.
[39:45] - Secrets and silence vs. truth and generational healing.
[42:58] - Why acknowledging abuse isn’t rare—it’s revolutionary.

Resources:

📚 Fired Up: Fueling Triumph From Trauma by Alreen Haeggquist — available on Amazon
🌐 Learn more about Alreen’s work and book at www.alreen.com

Make sure to visit the “Resources” page on our website www.insightsfromthecouch.org to download the worksheet and take ways that accompany each episode. This is hugely important as we are now creating a download that is unique to each episode and working hard to create an email list to support our programming offerings moving forward.

Hey everyone—We’re diving into a topic that gets tossed around a lot but rarely unpacked in a way that actually matters: self-care. If you’ve ever felt confused or overwhelmed by what self-care really is (and isn’t), this is for you. In this episode, we unpack the myths, call out the cultural noise, and get real about what it truly means to care for yourself, especially during midlife.

We talk about the difference between real self-care and the performative kind, and how embodying your values, setting boundaries, and nurturing self-compassion can actually refill your tank. We’re sharing personal practices, therapeutic insights, and a whole lot of laughter as we redefine what it means to be replenished. It’s not spa days and wine nights (though, we won’t judge if you enjoy those too!). Get ready to reframe self-care in a way that truly supports the life you’re trying to build.

Episode Highlights:

[0:02] - Welcome back + intro to real self-care vs. cultural hype.
[1:13] - Why “self-care” can feel like a loaded or empty word.
[2:06] - Breaking down faux self-care and the influence of marketing.
[4:28] - The truth about performing femininity and hustle culture.
[7:45] - Defining escapism vs. true replenishment.
[10:40] - Tuning into your inner needs and building self-awareness.
[12:44] - Real self-care is simple: boundaries, balance, connection.
[14:59] - The power of self-compassion and Kristen Neff’s work.
[18:41] - Our own self-care routines and mindsets.
[24:17] - The role of creativity and play in replenishment.
[29:22] - Why unstructured time is essential.
[30:27] - Struggles with attention and learning to do one thing at a time.
[31:06] - Rediscovering the joy and nourishment of reading.
[32:24] - Final reflections + practical takeaways.

Resources:

Midlife Master Class Waitlist: insightsfromthecouch.org

Kristen Neff’s Self-Compassion Work: self-compassion.org

Make sure to visit the “Resources” page on our website www.insightsfromthecouch.org to download the worksheet and take ways that accompany each episode. This is hugely important as we are now creating a download that is unique to each episode and working hard to create an email list to support our programming offerings moving forward.

In this episode, we're taking a closer look at the science (and soul) of happiness—not that shiny, fake, “good vibes only” stuff, but the real-deal, research-backed version. After attending a powerful talk by Harvard professor and happiness expert Arthur C. Brooks, we came back buzzing with insights, and we couldn’t wait to break it all down for you.

We’re exploring what happiness actually means—spoiler: it’s not just about smiling all the time—and how much of it is actually within our control. From the surprising role of genetics to the transformational power of habits, transcendence, relationships, and creative work, we’re sharing key takeaways and offering practical, therapist-approved strategies to help you create a more meaningful, joyful, and resilient life.

Episode Highlights:

[0:47] - Our field trip to see Arthur C. Brooks live and why he's the happiness guy.
[1:37] - The surprising science: 50% of happiness is genetic—wait, what?!
[4:44] - Redefining happiness: Enjoyment, satisfaction, and meaning.
[6:11] - The real meaning of pleasure (hint: not just wine and cheese nights).
[9:10] - What satisfaction really means and why feeling effective is everything.
[11:12] - Meaning-making as a mental health superpower.
[13:06] - Resilience and post-traumatic growth: Turning lemons into lemonade.
[16:46] - Grappling with life’s big questions: “Why are you here?” and “What would you die for?”
[19:20] - Transcendence: Spirituality beyond religion and finding awe in everyday moments.
[22:27] - Flow state magic: What gets us into it (spoiler: puzzles and cleaning included!).
[27:51] - The #1 predictor of happiness: Relationships and why they matter so much.
[30:17] - The power of community and intentional connection.
[31:25] - Finding purpose in your work—however you define it.
[33:41] - The art of the “active dabble” and why it’s okay to not know what lights you up (yet).
[35:49] - Wrapping with wisdom: Radical responsibility and the risks of autonomy.

Resources:

• Arthur C. Brooks
• Download the “Risks of Autonomy” worksheet and other episode resources at insightsfromthecouch.org

Make sure to visit the “Resources” page on our website www.insightsfromthecouch.org to download the worksheet and take ways that accompany each episode. This is hugely important as we are now creating a download that is unique to each episode and working hard to create an email list to support our programming offerings moving forward.