Therapy in the Open

What if therapy wasn’t so private? Let’s talk about what happens inside the room. Therapy in the Open invites you in with raw, real, and (HIPAA-compliant) conversations about people’s problems—and the imperfect humans helping them through it. Hosted by therapy insider Holly Little Van Straaten—a therapist, a client, and your big-hearted guide through the messy, unpredictable, and beautiful world of healing. So whether you’re a fellow therapist, a curious client, or just someone trying to figure out life, Therapy in the Open is here to educate, entertain, and, most importantly, connect. Because at the end of the day, it's is all about the relationship—so let’s build one.

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Latest episodes

10 May 2025

Parenting IRL: A Mother's Day Special

In this Mother’s Day episode of Therapy in the Open, Holly shares (with permission) an unfiltered conversation with her 13-year-old daughter. What was supposed to be a mother-daughter meditation quickly derails into something far more honest: a chaotic, humorous, and painfully real glimpse into everyday parenting.

A hyper teenager battling allergies, school drama, heated opinions, and a mother navigating the urge to correct, guide, and connect. Real names have been bleeped out, but the imperfection, love, and heavy sighing are all intact.

This is motherhood: messy, meaningful, and not at all what you had planned.

Enjoy.

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30 April 2025

Feelings and Finances with John: Stress in the Accounting World

In this episode of Therapy in the Open, Holly sits down with CPA John Taylor to explore the hidden emotional labor behind one of the world’s most misunderstood professions: accounting.

In a deeply human conversation, Holly and John uncover the untold stories behind the spreadsheets—how accountants often serve as unseen mediators between collapsing dreams and community survival. From the legacy of mental illness that shaped the profession to the quiet burnout consuming it today, this episode shines a light on the emotional cost of being "the reliable ones.”

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19 April 2025

Nothing Is Wrong With You: Guided Support for Deep Emotional Pain

Part of the Therapy in the Open visualization series

In this episode, Holly invites you to join her in a gentle guided visualization created for moments that feel unbearably heavy. If you’re struggling with depression, emotional pain, or thoughts about not wanting to be here anymore, this meditation offers a quiet place to land.

You don’t need to fix anything. You’re invited simply to pause, breathe, and come back to your body—just as you are.

Throughout this visualization, you’ll be reminded:

There is nothing wrong with you. You are hurting. And you want to keep going.

This is a space to reconnect with even the smallest thread of your strength.

Please return to this episode when you’re in a safe, quiet space.

If you're in crisis, reaching out for help is a courageous and human thing to do.

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23 March 2025

On the Floor with Deb: The Power of Play Therapy

In this episode of Therapy in the Open, Holly sits down with Deb Madera, LMHC, to explore one of the most important (but often overlooked) aspects of child therapy: working with parents. They dive into the power of Play Therapy, the impact of screens, and why self-regulation starts with the parent-child relationship.

Deb also shares how she incorporates canines into therapy and the surprising ways animals can help us understand ourselves. Plus, Holly shares the important revelation she had about herself—thanks to a dog.

From playful connection to the lessons we learn when we truly listen, this episode highlights the importance of connecting with kids - on their level.

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16 March 2025

What's Neurofeedback?: Figuring It Out with Harrison

Episode 1: Figuring It Out

In this very first episode of Therapy in the Open, Holly reconnects with her longtime friend and former colleague, Harrison Schoenfarber. Together, they fumble their way through the podcast equipment, share memories from their early days working involuntary substance use treatment, and dive into Harrison’s work as a Neurofeedback Practitioner. It’s a conversation full of laughs, reflection, and insights—proof that sometimes, the best way to start something new is to just jump in.

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