Justine Carino, LMHC

Justine Carino, LMHC I’m a psychotherapist and anxiety treatment specialist providing therapy for teens, adults, families.

12/23/2025

We all have different internal “parts” of ourselves like the perfectionist that keeps things running, or the avoider part that shuts down when emotions feel too big.

In the Internal Family Systems (IFS) modality, these aren’t just habits or personality quirks, they’re “protectors.” And they’re working hard to keep us safe, often in ways we don’t even realize.

Episode 100 of Thoughts from the Couch podcast dives into what IFS therapy teaches us about our internal world, how parts like “managers” and “firefighters” operate, what “Self” actually means, and how the younger parts of us, called “Exiles” carry old pain we’ve tried to bury.

breaks it down in a way that’s deeply compassionate, clear, and so relevant for anyone trying to understand why they react the way they do and how to start healing from the inside out.

Comment “pod” and I’ll send you the link to listen.

12/16/2025

When you count tasks in a relationship, you lose sight of the bigger picture.

You can’t quantify quality because tasks don’t drain everyone equally. What looks small to you might be heavy for someone else.

Episode 99 of Thoughts from the Couch looks at how scorekeeping in your marriage harms connection and how shifting toward understanding creates a healthier partnership dynamic.

Comment “pod” for the link to the episode.

12/09/2025

Ever feel like you’re doing everything at home not because you want to, but because you “do it better”?

That’s the parenting pushout: a quiet dynamic where one parent becomes the default, and the other slowly steps back.

On this episode of Thoughts from the Couch, we are breaking down why the pushout happens, how it creates learned helplessness, and what couples can do to rebuild balance and teamwork at home.

Comment “pod” for the link to Episode 99.

12/02/2025

Saying “I want to stay” but refusing to do the work? Make that make sense.

In this episode of Thoughts from the Couch, I talk with about what it means when one partner avoids couples therapy and why that avoidance might actually be fear, not failure.

Comment “pod” and I’ll send the link to Episode 98.

11/25/2025

Tired of having the same fight over and over in your relationship?

This might not be about the dishes, the tone, or the late texts, it might be about what those moments are trying to communicate. The real issue is disconnection. And when we don’t respond to our partner’s bids for connection, even something as small as leaving a glass in the sink can slowly erode love and trust over time.

In Episode 98 of Thoughts from the Couch, I’m joined by couples therapist to talk about “the loop”, the repetitive fight pattern that slowly breaks down intimacy, and how to start shifting it before you hit the breaking point.

Comment “pod” and I’ll send you the link to listen.

Your nervous system learned early on that love and safety came through achievement. So it coded: "Achievement equals sur...
11/20/2025

Your nervous system learned early on that love and safety came through achievement. So it coded: "Achievement equals survival."

Which means even when you're successful—even when you have everything you wanted—your nervous system is still scanning for threats. Still believing that if you slow down, something bad will happen.

This is why you can close a huge deal ay work and still lie awake worrying about the next one.

And here's what I need you to understand: This pattern doesn't just affect your work life. It shows up everywhere.

You become the person everyone comes to with their problems. You say yes when you really mean no. You over-deliver on everything because "good enough" feels scary. You check emails during family time because unplugging feels irresponsible.
You hire team members, but then you do their work anyway because delegating feels risky.

You talk about wanting balance, but you can't actually unplug. You want to take care of yourself, but you skip the gym or cancel your doctors appointment if a client needs something.

You're not lazy if you want to rest. You're not selfish if you have needs. You're not weak if you want support.

You're human. And your nervous system is just trying to keep you safe using strategies that worked when you were young but don't serve who you are now.

Here's the good news: You can change this.

You can rewire your nervous system, break these patterns, and create something completely different.

And I need to be crystal clear:
This isn't about becoming less ambitious. This is about becoming more effective. More present. More joyful.

Because when you stop running on inherited anxiety, you don't achieve less. You achieve more, with way less stress.

DM me if you want to hear about the process behind changing this.

11/19/2025

For many people, trying to “eat clean” or follow a strict diet feels like the right move when life feels out of control.

But diet culture doesn’t just stress you out emotionally. It can chemically stress your brain and body, too.

All that restriction? The perfect portions, cutting out gluten, dairy, or sugar to “stay on track”? It might give you a dopamine hit in the moment but it can actually raise your anxiety, disrupt your gut, and fuel burnout.

In Episode 97 of Thoughts from the Couch, we get into how the combination of caffeine and high-glycemic carbs (like sugar or white flour) can spike neuroinflammation, trigger ADHD-like symptoms, and mess with your ability to focus.

Comment “pod” and I’ll send you the link to listen.

11/11/2025

Struggling to focus, calm your anxiety, or fall asleep even when you're exhausted?
This could be a symptom of a “busy brain”, where your nervous system is overwhelmed and your brain waves are stuck in overdrive.

On this episode of Thoughts from the Couch, I’m joined by neurologist and burnout recovery expert to talk about what’s really happening in your brain and body when you’re burned out and why “just taking a break” often isn’t enough to feel better.

Comment “pod” and I’ll send you the link to Episode 97.

11/03/2025

We often think of stress as just “part of life.” But when you’re constantly reacting, constantly stretched, and feel like even a vacation drains you, it’s time to check in with the one person you’ve probably been ignoring: you.

Learning to listen to your body isn’t soft. It’s smart. It helps you respond instead of spiraling. Adapt instead of collapse.

Comment “pod” and I’ll send you the link to listen to Episode 96.

10/27/2025

If you’ve been wondering whether your work still aligns with who you are, Episode 96 of Thoughts from the Couch podcast dives into the power of authenticity and why it’s not optional.

Authenticity isn’t a buzzword. It’s the foundation of true leadership. But too often, women in leadership roles feel pressured to lead a certain way, quiet, polished, “professional” at the cost of their true voice.

You don’t have to chase titles that don’t match your values. You don’t need to hide your strengths because they feel “too emotional” or “too different.”

Comment “pod” and I’ll send you the link to listen to Episode 96.

10/20/2025

For many people, the decision to try medication for anxiety feels heavy with stigma.

You’ve probably heard the myths: “Medication means you’re weak.” “Once you start, you’re on it forever.” “It will change who you are.”

Taking care of your mental health is one of the strongest steps you can take. Medication isn’t about weakness, it’s about support. And when it’s the right fit, it doesn’t change your personality. It helps you feel more like yourself again.

Episode 95 of Thoughts from the Couch dives into the real stories and the real science behind anxiety medication, clearing up the misconceptions and bringing compassion back into the conversation.

Comment “pod” and I’ll send you the link to listen.

Address

White Plains, NY
10604

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 12:30pm - 8:30pm
Thursday 9:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+19143613542

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Justine Carino, LMHC posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Justine Carino, LMHC:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category