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Farrah Walker is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and the founder of Enriched Living Counseling, where she provides care to high-conflict couples, interracial and interfaith partnerships, and African-American women. She is dually licensed in Illinois and Michigan and serves as the President-Elect of the Illinois Affiliation of Marriage and Family Therapists. With a background in criminal justice and social services, Farrah brings a grounded, pragmatic, and compassionate presence to both her clinical and supervisory work. She is also a clinical manager for The Restorative Project and a passionate advocate for mentoring future therapists.

In the first episode of our new season, we sit down with Farrah to explore how her previous career in criminal justice unexpectedly prepared her for a specialty in working with high-conflict couples. Farrah shares how she came into the field as a career changer, what expertise means to her, and why patience, flexibility, and boundary-setting are central to her approach. We talk about the emotional toll of therapy, the behind-the-scenes work therapists do to show up fully, and the importance of staying grounded in emotionally charged sessions. Farrah reflects on her supervisory and leadership roles, her passion for supporting students and early-career clinicians, and the personal rituals she practices to sustain herself in this demanding yet rewarding field.

For more about Farrah, visit Enriched Living Counseling.

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Co-Hosted by Corina Teofilo Mattson and Mariana Reyes Daza. Show art by Jae Avilez. Music by Brandon Acosta.

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We are back with a new season of Lessons from the Couch! Tune in to hear co-hosts, Corina and Mariana, chat to various therapists about their areas of knowledge and expertise, and their journeys to finding these.

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In this special episode, co-hosts Corina and Mariana step away from guest interviews and sit down for an open conversation with each other. They reflect on the lessons learned throughout the season—from navigating leadership roles to healing from perfectionism—and share how hosting the podcast has changed them both personally and professionally. Together, they explore the power of slowing down, staying grounded in connection, and growing alongside community. This rare co-host chat offers an intimate behind-the-scenes look at the evolution happening off the mic and closes out the season with honesty, laughter, and care.

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Co-Hosted by Corina Teofilo Mattson and Mariana Reyes Daza. Show art by Jae Avilez. Music by Brandon Acosta.

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Chaazé P. Roberts, LMFT, is a licensed therapist with over 16 years of experience at The Family Institute at Northwestern University, where he continues to serve as a clinical lecturer and supervisor. He recently launched his private practice, CPR Counseling, Ltd., and works with individuals, couples, families, adolescents, and groups. Chaazé is especially passionate about adolescent and men’s issues, life transitions, and culturally responsive therapy. His global travels and experience with cross-cultural and international clients deeply inform his work, with a particular commitment to serving the African American community.

In this episode, Chaaze takes us through his journey from corporate America to a life of service and healing, sharing how global travel became a spiritual sanctuary and a path to self-discovery. He opens up about receiving his West African name, Kofi Mensa, and how that moment marked a shift in his understanding of himself and his purpose. We talk about what it means to do culturally responsive therapy beyond the buzzwords, the importance of reclaiming personal agency, and how his therapeutic framework—Conscious Power Reclamation—guides both his clients and his own life. This conversation is rich with stories, wisdom, and moments of reflection on how we come to know ourselves, how we heal, and how we show up for others while staying grounded in our own truth.

For more about Chaaze, visit CPR Counseling, Ltd. | SimplePractice

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Co-Hosted by Corina Teofilo Mattson and Mariana Reyes Daza. Show art by Jae Avilez. Music by Brandon Acosta.

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Jordan Dunmead (she/they) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at Live Oak Chicago, where they provide therapy, supervision, and training for other clinicians. Their work centers on supporting gender-, sexually-, and relationally diverse clients, particularly those navigating sexual trauma and family-of-origin challenges. Jordan is dedicated to creating affirming, trauma-informed spaces that honor identity, lived experience, and healing through an intersectional, anti-oppressive lens.

In this episode, Jordan joins Corina and Mariana for a conversation about the evolving nature of therapy and the ways identity shapes both therapeutic practice and healing. They explore the mind-body connection, dissociation, and the process of rebuilding trust—both in ourselves and in relationships. The discussion also touches on the impact of the political climate on mental health, the necessity of self-care, and the reality that trust must be earned, not assumed, in therapeutic relationships. Together, they unpack the absurdity of functioning in crisis and emphasize the importance of reciprocity, presence, and listening to the body as key elements of healing. Ultimately, they highlight the power of community and the ongoing journey of learning to feel at home in our bodies.

For more about Jordan, visit Jordan Dunmead • Live Oak Chicago

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Co-Hosted by Corina Teofilo Mattson and Mariana Reyes Daza. Show art by Jae Avilez. Music by Brandon Acosta.

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Humza Malik is a psychotherapist and Founders’ Fellow at Live Oak Chicago. He holds an MA in Social Work from the University of Chicago and specializes in working with LGBTQ+ clients, those exploring cultural upbringing, and identity development. As a queer, transmasculine, neurodivergent and South Asian therapist, Humza integrates holistic practices like tarot and astrology to create a compassionate space for self-discovery.

In this episode, Humza joins Corina and Mariana for an honest conversation about the realities of being a mental health professional. He discusses navigating identity and authenticity in therapy, and the importance of showing up as a real person with clients. Humza also shares how his own healing journey shapes his approach to therapy. With humor and insight, he explores what it means to build genuine connections, trust your intuition, and create space for marginalized identities in mental health care. Tune in for a thoughtful and unfiltered discussion on breaking the mold in therapy.

For more about Humza, visit Humza Malik • Live Oak Chicago.

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Co-Hosted by Corina Teofilo Mattson and Mariana Reyes Daza. Show art by Jae Avilez. Music by Brandon Acosta.

Click here to view the episode transcript.
Alissa Catiis, LCSW, RYT, PMH-C, is a Chicago-based therapist specializing in trauma, perinatal mental health, and the intersection of mental well-being and social justice. With a background in yoga and somatic healing, she integrates body-centered approaches to therapy. Passionate about working with BIPOC and immigrant communities, Alissa brings warmth, cultural humility, and deep expertise to her work. She is a therapist at Live Oak Chicago and a dedicated advocate for mental health accessibility.

In this episode, Mariana and Corina chat with Alissa Catiis about her journey in mental health, her approach to trauma and relationship therapy, and the cultural influences that shape her work. Alissa shares how her Filipina-American background and trauma-sensitive yoga training inform her practice, emphasizing body awareness and consent in healing. She reflects on the role of relationships in her career, the complexities of love and cultural identity, and lessons learned from clients about connection, accountability, and growth. The conversation highlights the power of community in therapy and life, closing with Alissa’s advice to her younger self: never let a relationship hold you back from pursuing your dreams.

For more about Alissa, visit Alissa Catiis • Live Oak Chicago

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Co-Hosted by Corina Teofilo Mattson and Mariana Reyes Daza. Show art by Jae Avilez. Music by Brandon Acosta.

Click here to view the episode transcript.
Jeff Levy, LCSW, is a seasoned Chicago-based psychotherapist with over 40 years of experience, beginning as a recreation therapist for youth in foster care and later working with runaway and homeless adolescents. He was the founder of The Wingspan Project, supporting front line staff working in historically underserved and marginalized communities, and co-founder of Live Oak, Inc., which provides psychotherapy and professional training. A former adjunct faculty member at the University of Chicago and University of Illinois at Chicago, Jeff also enjoys blogging, poetry, painting, and photography.

In this episode, Jeff and Corina reflect on their evolving therapy practices, discussing changes in intimacy and boundaries, the influence of political events, and the importance of self-care for therapists. They highlight the value of feedback, understanding power dynamics, and embracing discomfort as a path to growth.

For more about Jeff and his practice, visit Jeff Levy, LCSW

Follow Lessons from the Couch on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you get your podcasts to listen to new episodes.

Co-Hosted by Corina Teofilo Mattson and Mariana Reyes Daza. Show art by Jae Avilez. Music by Brandon Acosta.