Kristen's childhood was marked by significant trauma, including her mother attempting and completing suicide. As she grew older, she struggled with mental illness and substance use disorder as a way to cope with her pain. At one point, she even believed she wouldn't live past 18. However, through numerous treatment efforts, Kristen was able to attend long-term treatment, go to a recovery high school, and eventually become a Penn State graduate, where she earned her BA in Corporate Communications. She was honored to be the commencement speaker at her own graduation. Kristen's childhood was marked by significant trauma, including her mother attempting and completing suicide. As she grew older, she struggled with mental illness and substance use disorder as a way to cope with her pain. At one point, she even believed she wouldn't live past 18. Throughout this process, she has replaced harmful coping mechanisms with positive ones. She has been sharing her story all over the country since 2016 alongside Minding Your Mind, talking about the importance of therapy, a support structure, and how to ask for help.
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You can now watch this podcast in video on YouTube! Like, subscribe, and share to spread the word!
https://www.youtube.com/@Ariza_Inspire/podcasts
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Visit my free Therapy Resource Guide online for information and links mentioned in this episode as well as support docs and resources to aide you on your mental health journey.
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If you love these conversations, you’ll find even deeper support on the Ariza Inspire Co website. From the Resilience Workshop, a hands-on training to help you rebuild strength and adaptability after life’s challenges, to Emotional First Aid for Crisis Moments, a trauma-informed video lesson that teaches real-time tools for calming overwhelm. You’ll also find workbooks, guides, and self-paced resources designed to help you understand your emotions, regulate your nervous system, and grow through what you go through.
Resilience Workshop: https://www.arizainspire.com/resilience-workshop
Emotional First Aid Course: https://www.arizainspire.com/emotional-first-aid
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Thanks for downloading this episode of The Ariza Inspire Podcast, the podcast that breaks down barriers to mental health care with clear, compassionate guidance. Whether you're brand new to therapy or returning after time away, this season walks you through the entire process step-by-step. Hosted by Samantha, a mental health professional, each episode combines expert insights with real-world tips to help you take the first step toward emotional wellness.
Subscribe now and start your journey with confidence. Because taking care of your mental health should be accessible, empowering, and stigma-free.
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Let's stay connected! Make sure you follow me online for more mental health content, support, idea, and information.
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Email me: [email protected]
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Hosted by: Samantha Ariza (https://arizainspire.com)
Produced by: William Hartz (http://instagram.com/hartzcreative)
Music by: "Small Joys" by Aventure. Licensed from Bensound.com, #2241572
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Disclaimer:
The Ariza Inspire Podcast is not a replacement for traditional therapy. Therapy is the best tool for self-discovery and gives you the best bet at overcoming challenges in your life. This podcast can be used as a supplement to traditional therapy and as another tool in your journey which means it is just for educational purposes only.
This podcast and its content cannot be used to diagnose and/or treat mental health conditions and are not meant to be a replacement for medical, clinical, professional advice, diagnosis, or medical intervention. Downloading, subscribing, and/or listening to this podcast and using the educational materials through Ariza Inspire Co. does not create a therapist-client relationship between you and Ariza Counseling LLC or Samantha Ariza, LPC.
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©2026 Samantha Ariza