LOVELINK (LOVELINK)

Annabelle Seife, Ph.D., is the founder of Before the Leap, a course for contemporary commitment. She teaches couples the necessary skills to build a strong foundation for their relationship and helps partners have important conversations. We highly recommend this episode to anyone contemplating commitment or who has already taken steps to build a shared life with their partner. 

We recently launched Modern Mind, a new group practice for individuals and couples in New York City. If you’re experiencing a sense of stuckness in your life or relationship, we’re here to help. Visit our website to learn more about the practice.

LOVELINK is hosted by Brooklyn-based therapists Dr. Signe Simon and Dr. Simone Humphrey. To learn more about our work, visit lovelink.co. If you’d like to contact us directly, send us an email to info@lovelink.co.

Harville Hendrix Ph.D. and Helen LaKelly Hunt Ph.D. are the creators of Imago Relationship Therapy, a popular form of couples therapy centered around helping couples learn to dialogue with each other in ways that build safety and connection. In this interview, Harville and Helen talk about how they developed Imago and share how they were able to use the model to reconnect in their own marriage. They talk about how childhood influences who we chose to partner with, accepting and working with the differences that exist between individuals in a relationship, and how our brains change in secure love. They also explain and role-play the structured dialogue they have developed to help couples navigate difficult moments. After you listen to the interview, be sure to check out their new book, Doing Imago Relationship Therapy – In the Space Between, packed with practical relationship guidance grounded in the science of love.

Dr. Will Siu is a psychiatrist, speaker, and expert on psychedelics. He has been featured on the Netflix show The Goop Lab and has been trained by MAPS in MDMA-assisted Psychotherapy. In this informative, moving, and existential conversation, we talk about how psychedelics are amplifiers of the unconscious, the research behind them, and Will’s personal experience with depression, loneliness, and his journey towards healing and discovering psychedelics. Let’s face it, psychedelics are becoming progressively more mainstream and are already an integral part of our culture’s search for healing and mental health. This interview helps us understand its power, potential, and risk.

Yaron Schwartzman is a therapist who works with couples and individuals and specializes in conscious uncoupling and addiction. We welcome him to the pod as the newest member at Modern Mind, our group practice located in NYC. Yaron discusses how he works with his patients, what contributes to change in a person, and how to determine goodness of fit with a therapist. Yaron's openness, warmth, and candor are all qualities we love about him. He is currently accepting new patients. You can reach out to info@modernmind.co if you are interested in working with Yaron. 

LOVELINK is hosted by Brooklyn-based therapists Dr. Signe Simon and Dr. Simone Humphrey. To learn more about our work, visit lovelink.co. If you’d like to contact us directly, send us an email to info@lovelink.co.

Dr. Rich Simon was a psychologist and editor of the award winning magazine, Psychotherapy Networker, a bi-monthly bible for therapists seeking the latest clinical wisdom. In this interview, Rich spoke with Signe (his daughter) and Simone about his long career watching the field of psychotherapy evolve and what he learned about healing. Rich suffered from bipolar disorder and the treatments he received over the past four years did not provide relief. He chose to end his pain on November 10, 2020, two weeks after this interview was recorded. Rich’s spirit, curiosity, and generosity touched the lives of countless people. He will be profoundly missed.

In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome the newest member to our Modern Mind Team—Chloé Bringmann! We dive into the topic of career changes and transitions, exploring why people decide to leave their old jobs and how to determine what they truly want in their next chapter. We discuss the importance of self-reflection and clarity when considering a career change and the steps to take to move forward with confidence. We also discuss Chloé’s personal journey with her career changes and what she learned along the way. Whether you're contemplating a shift or already in the process, this episode offers insights on how to make a smooth transition, find fulfillment, and align your work with your passions and values. Tune in for practical tips and a refreshing perspective on navigating change!

LOVELINK is hosted by Brooklyn-based therapists Dr. Signe Simon and Dr. Simone Humphrey. If you’d like to contact us directly, send us an email to info@modernmind.co.

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Dr. Gillian O’Shea Brown, a renowned trauma specialist, to explore the intricate world of complex trauma. Dr. Brown explains what complex trauma is, its origins, and how it differs from other types of trauma. She breaks down how early childhood experiences, prolonged stress, and relational dysfunctions can contribute to long-lasting emotional and psychological impacts.

Dr. Brown also provides actionable insights on how individuals can begin the journey of healing, from seeking professional help to self-care strategies and building supportive relationships. The discussion also explores what trauma-informed therapy looks like and what to expect. Whether you're directly affected by complex trauma or simply looking to understand its impact more deeply, this episode offers invaluable knowledge on how to heal, grow, and move forward with resilience. Tune in for an enlightening conversation on trauma, healing, and personal growth.

LOVELINK is hosted by Brooklyn-based therapists Dr. Signe Simon and Dr. Simone Humphrey. If you’d like to contact us directly, send us an email to info@modernmind.co.

We welcome back Dr. Ian Kerner, renowned sex therapist and best selling author of “She Comes First.” As one of the most well known voices in the field of sex therapy, Ian integrates both a biological and psychodynamic understanding of sexuality, making his work both deep in understanding as well as incredibly practical. In our interview, Ian discusses his most recent book, “So Tell Me About The Last Time You Had Sex.” As the first question in his sessions to couples in sexual distress, Ian walks us through the ways he helps couples get unstuck in the bedroom. Through examining the sequences of events, Ian talks about how couples can analyze their “sex script” and help expand these scripts to give couples more flexibility and erotic identities with themselves and to one another. He also shares with us some very practical tools and techniques to address sex ruts. Take a listen!

Dr. Tara Brach is a psychologist and meditation teacher who beautifully integrates western psychology with eastern practices into her teachings. Speaking with Dr. Brach is like a meditation unto itself. She calms the spirit and offers hope in a time that feels overwhelming and unpredictable. She talked to us about social activism through self-compassion work and walked us through her powerful tool for mindfulness and self love. A must listen to, now more than ever!

In this interview, Caroline Welch, CEO and co-founder of the Mindsight Institute in Santa Monica, CA, talks to us about the importance of presence in helping women stay grounded in their lives. Caroline teaches us how mindful awareness can inform the three Ps, Purpose (finding what matters to us), Pivoting (making changes), and Pacing (the speed of life), to help women live with more awareness and authenticity. Caroline also opens up about her own journey toward cultivating presence through her many life transitions and roles. For more information about Caroline’s teachings, check out her new book The Gift of Presence: A Mindfulness Guide for Women

Women in straight relationships are increasingly making more than their male counterparts. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 29% of women earned more than their male partners in 2016, up from 18% in the 1980’s (https://nyti.ms/2O6SLXi ). This sounds like good news, yet our culture spins a narrative that breadwinning women spells disaster for couples (https://on.mktw.net/2Xz3exQ). In this interview, Dr. Lina Perl walks us through her research on breadwinner women that debunks current myths and provides a nuanced view of the challenges and strengths of breadwinner women families. But this interview is also about much more including the politics of parental leave, negotiating career and motherhood, and critically – how the success of women in the workplace is an opportunity for men to deepen their relationship with others.

Men in our culture are socialized out of vulnerability, making it difficult to connect intimately with others and connect with emotions. In this interview (with two vulnerable men), psychologist Dr. David Gordon and Evryman co-founder and CEO Lucas Krump, address male competition, male friendship, how men protect themselves from emotional pain and its cost, and the power of opening up. This is recommended listening for any man who’s interested in therapy or curious about how to get in touch with his feelings.

In our first pod featuring LOVELINK, Dr. Simon and Dr. Humphrey have a casual conversation on the coronavirus. We talk about the social implications, how to emotionally connect while practicing social distancing, and ways to manage anxiety during a time of uncertainty. We also share our own experiences of living with a partner in extremely close quarters and what it's like to collaborate virtually. During this challenging and turbulent moment, we remember that we are all in this together and connection to others is more important now than ever.

Michael Sloyer is a leadership and organizational coach at Upbuild. He helps people understand how their ego influences their actions, discover their true selves, and make choices from a more authentic place. As a former Managing Director at Goldman Sachs, Michael knows the pressures and ego-driven challenges often found in the workplace. In this interview, he explains what coaching is and how his spiritual background shapes the way he supports individuals and organizations. With his warm and thoughtful approach, Michael truly embodies the principles he shares with others.

LOVELINK is hosted by Brooklyn-based therapists Dr. Signe Simon and Dr. Simone Humphrey. If you’d like to contact us directly, send us an email to info@modernmind.co. 

Dr. Ian Kerner, psychologist, sex therapist, and author of New York Times bestseller “She Comes First,” speaks with us about the challenges couples face regarding desire and preserving sexual satisfaction in long term relationships. Dr. Kerner discusses why it’s so difficult for couples to talk about sex, what contributes to a lower libido, and the importance of erotic fantasies.

Columbia researcher, teacher, and therapist Aaron Breslow explains the many ways to have an open relationship, why we want them, and how heteronormative couples are starting to learn from the gay community. Aaron brings humor to the episode and his own personal experience of entering a monogamous relationship for the first time. Whether you’re already in an open relationship, are curious, or just like the fantasy of one, Aaron provides us with some thoughtful insights into making the decision to opening up a dyad.

Emily Nagoski, PhD, is the author of New York Times best-seller “Come As You Are: The Suprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life.” Emily’s message is powerful to women exploring and understanding their sexuality: you are NORMAL, just as you are! As a professor at Smith College and sex educator around the country with a popular TedTalk, her mission is to help women feel confident and joy inside their bodies and with their sexuality. In our interview, Emily demystifies our sexual biology, explains the accelerators and brakes of sexual desire, what fetishes are all about, and how to come into your “authentic sexual wellbeing.

Helen Fisher, PhD, is a biological anthropologist and the chief scientific advisor to Match.com. In this illuminating interview, Dr. Fisher explains to us what happens to our brain on love or after rejection, the biological underpinnings of how we pick our partners, and takes an anthropological perspective on the ways in which online dating has formed our way of experiencing relationships. Dr. Fisher got us thinking, "Maybe love isn't such a mystery after all."

Carina Ho is a survivor of a tragic car accident that killed her mother, caused her stepfather to suffer from a traumatic brain injury, and left her paralyzed from the chest down. Three years later, and wheelchair bound, our guest is a full time modern dancer at Axis Dance Company, has released her EP album Onikho, and is the most recent recipient of the Fullbright Scholarship. Several months before the accident, our guest began dating a young man whom she had met at work. Through the transition from pre accident to post accident, able bodied to disabled, our guest and her boyfriend have remained together. In our interview, Carina speaks candidly about her experience of love and sex after becoming paralyzed and how she is rediscovering her mojo.

Dr. Alexandra Solomon is a clinical psychologist at The Family Institute and professor at Northwestern university where she teaches the famous undergraduate course “Building Loving and Lasting Relationships: Marriage 101.” She is the author of the book Loving Bravely: Twenty Lessons of Self-Discovery to Help You Get the Love You Want. As the title suggests, Dr. Solomon explained to us in this illuminating interview how to expand your relational self-awareness so you can make healthy and conscious choices around love. She delves into the key aspects of romantic relationships including attraction, long term relational success, conflict, sex, and how to balance the choices between yourself and your partner. While this interview is particularly helpful for young adults, anyone can learn from her pearls of wisdom!

Nell is a 34-year-old designer who has extensive experience exploring online dating. Through her dating adventures, experience of numerous dating apps, and understanding texting rapport, she has guided many friends through navigating the often daunting cyber world of love. In this interview, Nell candidly opens up about the realities of online dating. Nell shares what she has learned about tolerating anxieties that get stirred up and offers practical advice for women seeking love online.

We went into the mind and psychotherapy session of Dr. Jacob Ham, a clinical psychologist who specializes in the treatment of trauma. He is the director of the Center for Child Trauma and Resilience and assistant clinical professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. In our interview, he described how pain from the past affects our current relationships and ways that he helps hurt people heal interpersonal wounds and build trust and love again. To help us understand, he shared with us a recording from a real couples session that is a moving demonstration of his work and the power of couples therapy to build back healthy connection. Follow the couple's therapeutic journey and learn more about loving through hurt on Dr. Ham's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdpMZfwdxyqpvoC74eaF-2A

Terry Real, psychotherapist and founder of Relational Life Therapy, specializes in working with men, particularly narcissistic, or what he calls “grandiose” men. In this deeply informative and timely interview, Terry talks to us about the different forms of narcissism, how narcissism develops, and the ways it emerges in relationships. In an era with Donald Trump as our leader, male narcissism rears its toxic head societally as well as within relationships, resulting in painful psychic and emotional consequences. We find out how narcissism expresses itself emotionally and sexually and ways that we can begin to deconstruct patriarchy by helping men to be more relational.

Dr. Bill Doherty, professor and director of the Minnesota Couples on the Brink Project at the University of Minnesota, gives us some solid Midwestern relationship advice. He’s worked with thousands of couples and been married 40 + years, so he knows a thing or two about what it takes to sustain long-term commitment. In this interview, he shares how he helps couples working through the often wrenching decision about whether to end a relationship. Dr. Doherty also walks us through his list of red flags to look for when dating and what people should probably stop stressing about. If you’re single or thinking about taking your relationship to the next level of commitment, this is a must listen episode!

Simone's cousin Rachel and her girlfriend Ada visit LOVELINK to talk about how their relationship evolved following Ada’s gender transition. With great humor and wisdom, Rachel and Ada open up about what they’ve learned about themselves and each other through Ada’s transition, including changes in the way they connect emotionally and sexually. Regardless of how you identify, there’s a lot to be learned about love and the healing power of personal liberation from this inspiring couple.

World renowned love guru and couples psychotherapist, Esther Perel, poignantly describes the realities of romance, including infidelity and complacency in relationships. Why do we cheat even when we're in happy relationships? Can relationships be repaired after an affair? How do we maintain romantic excitement in the face of familiarity? Esther shares with us thoughtful and seductive solutions to tackle these eternal dilemmas.

Mark Epstein, M.D., is a psychiatrist, speaker, and author of numerous books integrating concepts from Buddhism and psychotherapy, including Thoughts Without A Thinker, Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart, and his most recent book Advice Not Given: A Guide to Getting Over Yourself.  In this insightful interview, Mark describes the ego, the ways we need it, how it gets in our way, and it’s role in romantic relationships. The goal is to change our relationship to our egos, rather than get rid of it. He discusses ways to accomplish this by applying Buddhist and psychoanalytic methods with his patients and in his personal life. We live in an era with so many distractions that fuel our anxieties, and Mark’s interview grounds us by reminding us to tap into that part of ourselves that has always been there; from birth until death.

Dr. Sue Johnson is a clinical psychologist, researcher, and the developer of  Emotionally Focused Couples and Family Therapy (EFT), a powerful model that helps couples tune into their emotions to reconnect. She is the author of the bestselling book Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love, an evidenced based program to help couples build safety. Among her many accomplishments, Sue has been appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada and was named Psychologist of the Year by APA 2016. In this engaging interview on Sue's 30th wedding anniversary, she takes us on an educational journey through the science of attachment and emotion, the foundation for our romantic relationship needs.

This episode is part one of a series on women, sex, and tech. We interviewed founders, Gina Gutierrez and Faye Keegan, founders of their company Dipsea, a tech company that offers audio stories for a new platform to foster sexual wellbeing. The stories range in genre, perspective, and mood, and are designed to turn their listeners on and help them to feel sexy. We picked their brains on female sexuality and how the mind is such a crucial and often neglected form of foreplay, the excitement and challenges of starting a company, and their vision of the future of sexual wellness. This episode is not a paid sponsorship.

Dr. Jacob Ham is a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with couples and trauma. He is the director of the Center for Child Trauma and Resilience and assistant clinical professor and supervisor at Mount Sinai in New York City. This episode is a sequel to our first interview with Dr. Ham (Ep 8 - Haunted By History: Love After Trauma), where we are introduced to a couple struggling with connection in the face of jealousy. This time, we listen to segments of a subsequent therapy session and hear how their relationship unfolds, while shedding light on the ways attachment styles evolve from childhood to adult romance as well as the destructive and constructive power of anger in relationships.

The majority of people will become parents, a role of enormous importance and influence, yet few people have any training (other than their own childhoods) to set them up for success. After the birth of a first child, it’s common to feel overwhelmed and in information overload. Toddlers, with their big and increasingly complex emotions, don’t make life any easier! Thankfully, clinicians like Alice Kaltman are here to help. With her solution focused, no nonsense approach, Alice helps parents become better equipped to handle the emotional and practical challenges they face. In this interview we explore boundaries, parental self-control, managing temper tantrums, cultivating presence, and much more. We highly recommend this podcast to any expecting or new parent.

Dr. Amelia Kaplan Romanowsky is a psychologist, professor, and author. She has co-authored the book Treating Affect Phobia, teaches at Montclair University, and has a private practice in Maplewood, NJ where she specializes in couples therapy. Developing healthy boundaries is a pillar of Dr. Romanowky's clinical work and she teaches this to her clients in both individual and couples therapy. To hold healthy boundaries helps contribute to a positive self regard as well as cultivating open and respectful relationships. In this incredibly informative interview, Dr. Romanowsky describes what it means to be over-boundaried, under-boundaried, and walks us through practical ways of developing healthy psychological boundaries. A must listen!

Most of us have engaged in or been on the receiving end of playing hard to get, a strategy people have used throughout history to appear more desirable to a potential mate. In this down to earth and informative interview, clinical psychologist and dating researcher, Dr. Kirby Goldin, gives us some straight talk grounded in research about the function of playing hard to get, who plays hard to get, and its consequences. Kirby also shares personal stories and offers up some valuable advice on dating and cultivating authenticity. We could have spent hours talking to Kirby about relationships and highly recommend taking a listen.

Dr. Marisa Cohen is a relationship scientist and dating coach who knows a lot about online dating from her personal and professional experience. In this interview Dr. Cohen talks about how online dating has changed the way people meet and connect and provides helpful, scientifically grounded advice about how to optimize your dating profile and dating experiences. We explored a lot of interesting and surprising facts! Among the many topics covered, we learned why Las Vegas is a great place for women to find love and why, for better or worse, your dating pool might be smaller than you think.

The decision to go on psychiatric medication is not an easy one.  Worries about being overly dependent, experiencing negative side effects, and the stigma of medication prevent many people from considering an option that could be extremely beneficial. On the flip side, medical communities too often default to a quick fix and neglect other factors in a person's life that may be contributing to their depression and anxiety. Our interview with Dr. Sue Varma, psychiatrist and professor at NYU Langone Medical Center, helps to clarify some of these questions around psychiatric medication and provide a better understanding in order to make more informed decisions.

Dr. Dan Siegel is an expert on parenting and the brain. He has written six books on parenting, including NYT bestsellers Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain, The Whole Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind, and No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind. He is a professor at the UCLA School of Medicine, the co-founder of Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA, and has a psychotherapy practice where he treats children, adults, and families. Dr. Siegel is a wealth of information. He has an ability to integrate neuroscience, mindfulness, and practical life skills. In our interview he explains what present parenting looks like, the powerful effects of attunement with children, and the latest research on adolescence and what adults can learn from them. Not an episode to miss!

ADHD is a condition that makes it difficult for a person to pay attention and control impulsive behaviors. While often diagnosed in children, many adults struggle with ADHD without ever realizing they have a disorder. In this interview, Dr. Tuckman draws from his research of over 3000 adults in a couple in which one partner has ADHD, and shares with us the ways ADHD impacts a couple's relationship and sex life. He reveals some surprising outcomes, including that couples with ADHD have more sex! The interview offers some practical strategies to help individuals with ADHD as well as their non-ADHD partner. We also talk about how all couples struggle with inattention, why working ADHD patients are so fun, and how effort no matter the outcome is crucial for a successful relationship.

Yaron Schwartzman is a Modern Mind therapist specializing in addiction, parenting, and couples therapy. Yaron has a particular expertise in helping couples to end well and navigate co-parenting. In this episode, we talk to Yaron about divorce and how he helps couples make meaning of the end of their relationship and part in a respectful way. If you are interested in seeing Yaron for individual or couples therapy, please reach out to info@modernmind.co or visit the modern mind website at modernmind.co to learn more about Yaron and his practice.

LOVELINK is hosted by Brooklyn-based therapists Dr. Signe Simon and Dr. Simone Humphrey. To learn more about our work, visit modernmind.co. If you’d like to contact us directly, send us an email to info@modernmind.co.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a popular approach to psychotherapy created by our guest Dr. Richard Schwartz. He developed the model when treating eating disorders and realized that his clients would describe various parts within themselves that respond to one another in harmful ways. He discovered that when these different parts accept one another in order to work together harmoniously, a person can live a life with greater curiosity, connectedness, compassion, and calmness. This pod explores ways to develop more insight into how we relate to ourselves and a great intro to IFS for therapists!

Tess Hochberger, LMSW, is a therapist who works with couples and individuals and specializes in couples and sex therapy, gender identity, and neurological divergence. In this episode, Tess discusses how she works with her patients, the importance of the therapeutic relationship, and how change happens. Tess is warm, creative, and deeply attuned and committed to her patients. If you are interested in working with Tess, please reach out to info@modernmind.co. 

LOVELINK is hosted by Brooklyn-based therapists Dr. Signe Simon and Dr. Simone Humphrey. To learn more about our work, visit modernmind.co. If you’d like to contact us directly, send us an email to info@modernmind.co

Lydia Duquette, LMSW, is a Modern Mind therapist specializing in grief and loss. In this episode, Lydia unpacks the concept of grief and how we can better understand this complex emotion. She discusses the non-linear nature of the grieving process and emphasizes the importance of making space for all the emotions that emerge. We explore how grief manifests in different contexts, such as death and breakups. Strategies for navigating grief are shared, along with the significance of facing our grief, recognizing that loss is an inevitable part of life.

LOVELINK is hosted by Brooklyn-based therapists Dr. Signe Simon and Dr. Simone Humphrey. If you’d like to contact us directly, send us an email to info@modernmind.co.

Dr. Suzanne Iasenza is like a cool aunt you can talk to about sex without worrying she’ll tell your parents. She’s warm, funny, and non-judgmental. In this highly informative interview, Dr. Iasenza talks to us about the fluidity of sexual preferences and what we can learn about our partner and ourselves when we stop judging and start getting curious. Iasenza provides concrete strategies for helping people get comfortable talking about sex and playful ideas for increasing intimacy. If you’re seeking some inspiration to enhance your sex life or some help talking about sex with your partner, this is a must listen. It’s also a helpful episode for clinicians that are curious about sex therapy.

We welcome back one of our favorite guests, Dr. Alexandra Solomon to give us the sex education we wished we had in high school. Her newest book “Taking Sexy Back” is all about reclaiming sexuality and cultivating sexual self-awareness by being curious about your pleasures and desires. Sex is more than just what your partner finds sexy or what society tells us we should do. It’s about creating space for yourself to discover and empower your sexual identity. We also discuss our optimism and concern around the future directions of sexuality in mainstream culture and how meta processing is key to sexual communication.

Terry Real returns to the podcast to discuss his new book, Us: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship. Terry is the creator of Relational Life Therapy (RLT), a methodology that helps individuals become conscious of negative behaviors and guides them through trauma and inner-child work in the presence of their partners in order to build stronger one-on-one relationships. Terry’s new book expands on the foundations of RLT, helping couples move beyond toxic individualism and into more harmonious, “fully relational” lives.

We’re happy to announce the launch of our new group practice for individuals and couples in New York City, Modern Mind. If you’re experiencing a sense of stuckness in your life or relationship, we’re here to help. Reach out to us at info@lovelink.co and we’ll connect you with a therapist who’s the right fit for you.

LOVELINK is hosted by Brooklyn-based therapists Dr. Signe Simon and Dr. Simone Humphrey. To learn more about our work, visit lovelink.co. If you’d like to contact us directly, send us an email to info@lovelink.co.

In this episode, Dr. Simone Humphrey sits down with the expert team of therapists from Modern Mind to discuss the unique challenges and excitement of dating in New York City. The conversation explores how dating culture in the city has been shaped by the rise of dating apps and the impact they’ve had on how people connect. The therapists offer valuable insights on how to navigate the fast-paced dating scene, manage burnout, and protect your emotional well-being. They also discuss the different challenges faced by men and women in New York's dating world, providing practical tips for managing relationships successfully while thriving in this dynamic environment. Whether you're new to the city or a seasoned dater, this episode offers advice and strategies to help make your dating experience in NYC more fulfilling and less overwhelming.

LOVELINK is hosted by Brooklyn-based therapists Dr. Signe Simon and Dr. Simone Humphrey. If you’d like to contact us directly, send us an email to info@modernmind.co.

In this episode, we talk with career coach Pippi Kessler and financial coach Hadassah Damien about navigating career and financial shifts to create a more fulfilling life. We explore expanding your sense of possibility, embracing change, and breaking the myth that work only counts if it’s a grind. If you’re feeling stuck and ready for a change, Pippi and Hadassah offer insightful, practical advice delivered with warmth and humor. For more on redesigning your work and financial life, check out their podcast series, Have a Nice Life.

LOVELINK is hosted by Brooklyn-based therapists Dr. Signe Simon and Dr. Simone Humphrey. If you’d like to contact us directly, send us an email to info@modernmind.co. 

Josh Millrod is a therapist, musician, and father. After his own experience grappling with postpartum depression following the birth of his son, Josh has been committed to supporting fathers through the turbulent waters of parenthood. In this episode, we discuss why postpartum depression and anxiety in fathers are rarely discussed and how little help exists for them, normalizing the typical challenges of becoming a father, and how to manage this transition more effectively. 

Website: https://www.therapyfordadsny.com/

Instagram: @therapyfordads

LOVELINK is hosted by Brooklyn-based therapists Dr. Signe Simon and Dr. Simone Humphrey. If you’d like to contact us directly, send us an email to info@modernmind.co.

This is the second time we welcome Dr. Bill Doherty on LOVELINK. Dr. Doherty is a family therapist and professor in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota. He is the co-founder of The Doherty Relationship Institute, helping couples on the brink and using his model of discernment counseling, to work through ambivalence around breaking up or staying together. In our last interview, we discussed dating, breakups, and how to choose a partner. Today, we are thrilled to interview him about his latest project Braver Angels, an initiative to bring conservatives and liberals together to combat political polarization. Using all his skills from couples therapy, Dr. Doherty has successfully helped individuals and groups with different political backgrounds come together and respect one another.

Lydia Duquette, LMSW, is a therapist who works with individuals, couples, and groups, focusing on grief and loss, romantic relationships, and family conflict. In this episode, she shares her approach to helping patients connect more authentically with themselves and others. Lydia emphasizes the importance of being mindful of the language people use to describe their experiences and how emotions are felt in the body. With her curiosity, attunement, and clinical expertise, we are thrilled to have Lydia join the Modern Mind team. If you’re interested in working with Lydia, please reach out to info@modernmind.co. 

LOVELINK is hosted by Brooklyn-based therapists Dr. Signe Simon and Dr. Simone Humphrey. If you’d like to contact us directly, send us an email to info@modernmind.co. 

Finding a therapist can seem like an impossible task. Questions like, is therapy right for me? Where do I begin? Or how long will treatment last may be swarming around your head. In this discussion with each other, Signe and Simone break down what therapy is all about, the different treatment models, whether it's right for you, and how to find a therapist that's a good fit and to avoid the red flags! It's not an easy world to navigate and we're hoping that this episode makes finding a therapist a little bit smoother and more accessible. We could only cover so much in one episode, so feel free to reach out to us with any questions or comments!

In this engaging interview, polyamory expert and coach, Effy Blue, talks to us about what makes for successful poly relationships and how to decide whether a polyamorous lifestyle is right for you. Effy shares her personal journey from monogamy to polyamory and offers up lots of practical advice about everything from talking to your monogamous partner about polyamory, how to think about scheduling poly relationships, and effective communication skills. Even if you're monogamous, you might be surprised by how much there is to be learned from poly relationships.

In this interview, psychologist Michael Clemmens provides an overview of Gestalt therapy, a form of psychotherapy focused on helping people develop their present moment awareness. Dr. Clemmens describes how our ability to feel ourselves increases our choices and allows for a more meaningful lived experience. With his clear and engaging way of being, Dr. Clemmens embodies present moment awareness, inspiring us to do the same. We would recommend this podcast to anyone interested in the benefits of increased awareness and the clinical applications of Gestalt.

Sarah Bren, PhD, is a clinical psychologist with a passion for helping parents navigate the ups and downs of raising kids. In her practice, Dr. Bren guides parents through emotional challenges, helping them build trust and confidently support their child’s growth. She also hosts Securely Attached, a go-to podcast for all things parenting, with over 250 episodes and fresh insights twice a week. In this episode, Dr. Bren discusses how important it really is—or isn’t—to get on the same page with your parenting partner, whether you're together or co-parenting after divorce, and offers tips for handling situations when your partner (or ex) won’t change their approach or collaborate with you on parenting.

Click here to learn more about Dr. Bren’s group practice, Upshur Bren, or follow her on social. 

LOVELINK is hosted by Brooklyn-based therapists Dr. Signe Simon and Dr. Simone Humphrey. If you’d like to contact us directly, send us an email to info@modernmind.co. 

We interviewed Kathryn Rheem, Ed.D., LMFT, a therapist and trainer in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) with couples, using ketamine as a tool to help couples feel unstuck and deepen their work in couples therapy. Kathryn is a therapist in private practice treating couples, individuals, and families, co-director of the Washington Baltimore Center for Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and co-founder of the EFT Cafe, which offers online classes for couples therapists. She is also the co-author of An Emotionally Focused Workbook for Relationship Loss: Healing Heartbreak Session by Session. In our podcast, we explore Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, a new frontier in mental health treatment. We discuss the effects of ketamine, what it treats, why it can be so helpful in therapy, and how it’s used to improve couples’ relationships.

LOVELINK is hosted by Brooklyn-based therapists Dr. Signe Simon and Dr. Simone Humphrey. To learn more about our work, visit modernmind.co. If you’d like to contact us directly, send us an email to info@modernmind.co.

This is the second episode in our series on women, sex, and tech. We are strong supporters of female entrepreneurs, as ones ourselves, and it’s been so exciting to pick the brains of like minded women who are dedicated to spreading sex education and promoting sexual wellness. Our guest today is the cofounder of Allbodies (formerly Cycles and Sex), an education platform to teach people about their bodies. With an emphasis on the reproductive cycle and sexual wellness, Allbodies is a company whose mission is provide accessible information that is often taboo or shaming. It is a sex positive, body affirming platform that covers topics from pregnancy, birth control, hormones, sex-ed, and menstruation. All the questions that many of us have and we’re not often told. https://www.allbodies.com

We are thrilled to interview Pooja Amy Shah, MD, doctor in integrative medicine and family medicine. In her integrative medicine practice, she combines eastern practices along with Western medicine to treat the mind and body holistically. In a society where we typically receive care in piecemeal, Dr. Pooja Amy Shah believes in catering treatment to the individual and all aspects of being human. Dr. Pooja is an assistant professor at Columbia University, licensed in Medical Acupuncture, Yoga teacher certified, and teaches at O-p-e-n.com, The Path, and Nalanda Institute. We discuss her philosophy around health and wellness, how to address chronic stress and her advice on a healthy diet and go-to supplements. 

We recently launched Modern Mind, a new group practice for individuals and couples in New York City. If you’re experiencing a sense of stuckness in your life or relationship, we’re here to help. Visit our website to learn more about the practice.

LOVELINK is hosted by Brooklyn-based therapists Dr. Signe Simon and Dr. Simone Humphrey. To learn more about our work, visit lovelink.co. If you’d like to contact us directly, send us an email to info@lovelink.co.

Adam Cohen is a licensed psychotherapist with a practice devoted to LGBTQ+ adolescents and adults. He developed Second Adolescence as a conceptual framework for healing and liberating from the trauma of growing up queer in an anti-queer world. Cohen is the host of the podcast Second Adolescence and author of the upcoming book Second Adolescence. In this fun and engaging interview, Adam explains the concept of second adolescence, his own experience of second adolescence, and ways that he works with queer folks in his practice to heal shame and trauma. 

We recently launched Modern Mind, a new group practice for individuals and couples in New York City. If you’re experiencing a sense of stuckness in your life or relationship, we’re here to help. Visit our website to learn more about the practice.

LOVELINK is hosted by Brooklyn-based therapists Dr. Signe Simon and Dr. Simone Humphrey. To learn more about our work, visit lovelink.co. If you’d like to contact us directly, send us an email to info@lovelink.co.

This week’s episode is a little different. Instead of an interview, four couples therapists from our group practice came together to answer YOUR questions on romantic relationships. We discussed the biggest mistakes you can make in a relationship, red flags to watch for at each developmental stage, and how to head into a new romantic relationship without losing yourself. The discussion was so much fun and there was so much to talk about, we’ve decided to start a series on dating. Stay tuned! 

LOVELINK is hosted by Brooklyn-based therapists Dr. Signe Simon and Dr. Simone Humphrey. If you’d like to contact us directly, send us an email to info@modernmind.co.

Dirty Lola is a sex educator, storyteller, and creator of Sex Ed A Go-GO, a live sex Q&A talk show performed regularly in NYC and taken around the country. She teaches sex education at conferences, universities, and you can find her behind the counter at Shag, a sex shop in Brooklyn. In this fun and at times provocative interview, Lola teaches us all about kink and BDSM, what it means to experience pleasure through pain, and the potential for empowerment and healing in submission to a partner. She shares with us her personal journey of discovering her sexuality, sex ed growing up in the south, how she cultivated her own body and sex positivity, and her introduction into to kink and polyamory.

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of overthinking—how it manifests in men, the negative impact it can have on mental health, relationships, and productivity, and most importantly, strategies to break free from its grip. Dr. Jett Stone, a clinical psychologist who specializes in the psychology of men, discusses his new book “Quiet Your Mind: A Men’s Guide.” We explore the psychological roots of overthinking, from societal pressures to internal self-doubt, and discuss how men can recognize when they’re trapped in cycles of rumination. Plus, we share practical tools—like mindfulness, reframing thoughts, and embracing action over perfection—to help men regain control and cultivate a healthier, more productive mindset. Whether you're struggling with overthinking or just looking to better understand it, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice for overcoming mental roadblocks and finding clarity.

LOVELINK is hosted by Brooklyn-based therapists Dr. Signe Simon and Dr. Simone Humphrey. If you’d like to contact us directly, send us an email to info@modernmind.co. 

Tess Hochberger, LMSW, is a Modern Mind therapist specializing in couples and sex therapy, gender identity, and neurodivergence. In this episode, we discuss Tess's focus on loneliness, inspired by her research on the elderly. We explore how depression and anxiety can be a sign of loneliness and why men might be more at risk. Tess emphasizes the positive impact of therapy in overcoming loneliness and provides practical advice for building connections and feeling less alone. If you are interested in seeing Tess for individual or couples therapy, please reach out to info@modernmind.co or visit the Modern Mind website at modernmind.co to learn more about Tess and her practice.

LOVELINK is hosted by Brooklyn-based therapists Dr. Signe Simon and Dr. Simone Humphrey. To learn more about our work, visit modernmind.co. If you’d like to contact us directly, send us an email to info@modernmind.co.

Jette Simon is a Danish clinical psychologist with over 30 years of experience working with couples from around the world. She is an Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy trainer and Director of the Washington DC Training Institute for Couples Therapy and EFT Institute in Copenhagen. She’s also Signe’s mom! In this personal interview with us from 2017, she shares insights from her past romantic relationships and her clinical work with couples. We talk about what makes for a good relationship, the function of affairs, cultural norms, and starter marriages. Jette also offers up some motherly words of wisdom that can help anyone maintain hope after a break up or improve their current relationship.

Mike Moran is a couples and sex therapist and educator specializing in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy. He’s also our clinical supervisor and has helped us navigate many challenging cases, so we have firsthand knowledge of how clinically gifted and wise he is! In this interview, Mike talks to us about the unique experiences gay couples bring to therapy and what straight couples can learn from them. We talk about the impact of growing up in a homophobic culture, embracing sexual fluidity, and helping couples navigate the pain of infidelity. It’s an episode about gay couples, but it’s really a must-listen for straight people!