421: Grieving your Therapist & Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

421: Grieving your Therapist & Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

Author: Robert Duff, Ph.D. November 15, 2024 Duration: 26:00

In this Q&A episode of the Hardcore Self Help Podcast, I address two insightful listener questions. The first explores coping with the end of a therapeutic relationship, while the second delves into the physical manifestations of depression and strategies to manage them. This episode offers practical advice and empathetic understanding for those navigating these challenges.

Chapters:

00:15Introduction: Returning to Q&A
After a series of interviews, I return to answering your questions. Learn how to submit your own and connect with the podcast.

02:05Coping with the End of Therapy
A listener shares the grief experienced after concluding therapy with a transformative therapist. I discuss why these feelings are normal, the concept of transference, and practical ways to navigate the loss of such a significant relationship.

12:15Understanding the Physical Symptoms of Depression
Addressing a listener's concern about the often-overlooked physical manifestations of depression, including fatigue, dissociation, and the role of self-injury as a coping mechanism. I explore what these symptoms can look like, why they occur, and practical tools to help reconnect with the body and manage the emotional weight.

24:00Final Thoughts and Encouragement
Reflecting on the courage it takes to share these challenges and offering guidance on taking small steps toward healing.

About the Podcast
I'm Dr. Robert Duff, a clinical psychologist and the host of the Hardcore Self Help Podcast. My mission is to break down complex mental health topics into relatable, actionable advice. Each episode combines expert insights, practical tips, and answers to listener questions, all aimed at helping you live a healthier, more fulfilled life.

Connect With Me:

Mentioned in This Episode:

  • Book: Skin Game: A Memoir by Caroline Kettlewell. This memoir provides a vivid account of living with and overcoming self-injury. Available on Amazon:

I hope you find this episode insightful and supportive. If you'd like to send me a question for a future episode, please email me at duffthepsych@gmail.com.


Robert Duff, Ph.D., is a neuropsychologist who finds most self-help advice too sanitized to be useful. On The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast with Duff the Psych, he cuts through the fluff with a direct, science-backed approach. Each episode is built on the premise that real improvement requires honest, sometimes uncomfortable conversations. Duff brings his background in neuroscience and clinical psychology to interviews with a wide range of fascinating guests, dissecting topics from mental health struggles and relationship dynamics to the latest brain research. Listeners consistently note his skill at asking pointed questions that get to the heart of an issue, then translating complex psychological concepts into language anyone can apply. This isn't about quick fixes or vague positivity; it's a practical, evidence-based look at how our minds work and how we can work with them better. The tone is conversational and grounded, like getting actionable advice from a knowledgeable friend who isn't afraid to tell it like it is. Whether exploring anxiety, habits, or the science of motivation, this podcast delivers substance without the jargon, making professional insights accessible for everyday life. You'll find the discussions are both deeply informative and surprisingly relatable, a combination that has built a dedicated audience for Duff's unique perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast with Duff the Psych
Podcast Episodes
414: Does COVID-19 Make ADHD Worse? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:54
Managing ADHD and Long COVID: Strategies for Cognitive Challenges In this episode of the Hardcore Self Help Podcast, Dr. Robert Duff addresses a listener's question about the impact of COVID-19 on ADHD symptoms. The list…
413: Therapy Search is BROKEN w/ Colleen Marshall from Two Chairs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:17
Revolutionizing Therapy: Colleen Marshall on Two Chairs' Matching Process In this episode of the Hardcore Self Help Podcast, Dr. Robert Duff interviews Colleen Marshall, Chief Clinical Officer at Two Chairs, a company de…
412: Abandonment by Husband & Addicted to Checking Phone [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:26
In this episode of the Hardcore Self Help Podcast, I address two intense and relatable listener questions. The first question comes from a listener who feels abandoned by their spouse after a traumatic car accident left…
411: Reparenting and Attachment with Dr. Judy Ho [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:55
Breaking Cycles: How Attachment Shapes Our Lives with Dr. Judy Ho In this episode of the Hardcore Self Help Podcast, host Dr. Duff interviews neuropsychologist Dr. Judy Ho, a tenured professor at Pepperdine University an…
410: Being a Weirdo SAVED Tony Weaver Jr. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:32
In this episode of the Hardcore Self Help Podcast, Dr. Robert Duff chats with Tony Weaver Jr., an award-winning author and educator dedicated to mental health advocacy and better representation in media. Tony shares his…
409: Are You Afraid of Breathing? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:57
In this episode, Dr. Duff shares personal experiences and discusses the concept of being afraid of breathing. He highlights how anxiety and overthinking can lead to the sensation of not breathing properly. Dr. Duff expla…
406: People Are WRONG About OCD w Dr. Patrick McGrath of NOCD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:13
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Patrick McGrath, Chief Clinical Officer at NOCD and a leading expert in OCD treatment. We dive deep into understanding OCD, debunking common misconceptions, and exploring the most eff…