Said in Therapy
Mental Health Awareness Podcast that is both educational and entertaining, discussing therapy cases, inspirational life stories, and explaining how hardship can be overcome.
Why You Get Attached to ChatGPT: Attachment Styles in the Age of AI
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It always answers. It never gets tired of you. It never leaves you on read. So why does talking to ChatGPT feel safer than talking to people?
In this episode of Said in Therapy, I look at our relationship with AI through the lens of attachment theory. We talk about:
Why AI can feel like the safest relationship an anxious heart has ever hadHow avoidant attachment finds closeness without vulnerability in a chatbotWhat new research says about attachment, AI and lonelinessWhy reassurance on demand builds dependence, not securityHow attachment wounds...Is AI Your Therapist Now?
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Is AI Your Therapist Now? Chatbots, and the Risk of AI Psychosis
It's 3 a.m. You can't sleep, you don't want to bother anyone, and therapy still feels like 3aib. So you open ChatGPT and start typing.
In this episode of Said in Therapy, I talk honestly about why so many of us turn to AI for emotional support, what it can genuinely help with, and where it goes wrong. We cover:
Why a private chatbot feels safer than therapy in our communitiesWhat AI does well..."It's For Your Own Good": Gaslighting in Our Families, and What Western Psychology Gets Wrong
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“It’s For Your Own Good”: Gaslighting in Our Families
“You’re too sensitive.” “It wasn’t that bad.” “What will people say?”
If you grew up hearing these sentences, you may have learned to doubt your own feelings long before you had a word for it.
In this episode of Said in Therapy, I unpack what gaslighting really is, and why the version you see online doesn’t always fit families like ours. We talk about:
Where the term gaslighting comes from, and what it actually meansWh...Your Attachment Style Is Not Your Personality
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You found the label. You took the quiz. You know you're anxious, or avoidant, or somewhere in between. So why does nothing actually change?
In this episode, Iman Tohami breaks down how attachment theory, one of the most useful frameworks in psychology, became one of the most misused. We get into why calling yourself "anxiously attached" might be the very thing keeping you stuck, what the research actually says about how attachment works, and what it genuinely takes to shift the patterns that keep showing up in your relationships.
Your attachment style is not who you are. It's what you learned. And that changes every
Is Self-Help a Scam?
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You've read the books. You've done the challenges. You've started the morning routine more times than you can count. So why does it feel like you're still in the same place?
In this episode, Iman Tohami goes after one of the most profitable, and most protected, industries in the world: self-help. Not because growth isn't real, but because the industry selling it to you might be financially invested in you never quite getting there.
We get into why productivity culture is often just fear in a better outfit, how real therapeutic work exposes everything self-help gets wrong, and why telling people t...
The Dating and Break up Crisis: Why People Ghost, Detach, and Leave So Fast
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Modern dating has changed and so have breakups. In this episode of Said In Therapy, we unpack the rise of the “emotional disappearance”: situationships, avoidant attachment, the slow fade, ghosting, and why so many people detach the moment things start feeling real.
If you’ve ever been blindsided by someone who seemed all-in… then suddenly “wasn’t ready,” this episode is for you. We break down what’s actually happening beneath the surface psychologically, why finding a serious partner feels harder than ever, and how to protect your heart without becoming emotionally numb.
You’ll learn how to spot emotional unavailability early, the difference between...
Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Healing
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Healing doesn’t stop hurting just because you understand it.
I recorded this episode from a place I don’t talk about often — the beginning of my training, when I lost someone I loved and learned, very quickly, that insight doesn’t protect you from pain.
In this episode, I share how that experience reshaped the way I understand healing, both as a psychologist and as a human. We talk about grief, self-awareness, and why functioning isn’t the same as being healed.
If you’ve ever thought, “I should be further along by now,” this one is for you.
There is no timeline
Birthday Special 2026!
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A birthday special with a big-picture conversation. In this episode of Said in Therapy, I hand the mic to my close friend Amanda, who steps in as guest host to interview me on another year of growth. Together, they dive into what self-care really looks like beyond the buzzwords, how therapy has shapes the personal and professional journey, and the mindset I am carrying into 2026. The conversation also expands outward, exploring thoughtful predictions on how AI may impact society, relationships, and mental health in the years ahead. Reflective and with an attempt to...
Self-Compassion and the Inner Critic
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In this episode of Said in Therapy we dives into the powerful topic of self-compassion and the inner critic, that harsh voice inside us that keeps us stuck in cycles of shame and self-doubt.
Why do we listen to it? How can we start talking to ourselves with kindness instead of criticism? And what actually happens when we shift from self-judgment to self-compassion.
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AI and Therapy: Answering your Questions
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In this follow-up to our AI and therapy discussion, we dive into the most common questions people are asking. Can AI really understand emotions? Is your data safe? Will therapists be replaced? I break down the real risks, the ethical challenges, and how to use AI tools wisely without losing the human touch. If you're curious or cautious about AI in mental health, this one's for you.
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3aib: Shame, Silence, and Mental Health
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We unpack the powerful and deeply rooted word: “3aib", the shame that has silenced generations across the Middle East when it comes to mental health.
We explore how this cultural code of silence has kept pain behind closed doors, and what it means to finally speak the unspeakable.
You'll hear the story of Sara, a young woman who broke the cycle, chose therapy, and opened a path for healing, not just for herself, but for her family.
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AI and Therapy: The Future of Mental Health Support
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In this episode, the we explore the evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and mental health therapy. The discussion covers how AI technologies are being integrated into therapeutic practices and how chatbots provide immediate emotional support.
The episode also delves into ethical considerations, data privacy concerns, and the potential of AI to make mental health support more accessible and personalized.
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Q&A: Answering Common Questions I Receive
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You asked, and I'm answering! In this special episode, I tackle the questions you sent in. From mental health tips to navigating life’s challenges, we’re diving deep into the topics that matter most to you. Tune in for expert advice, practical insights, and thoughtful conversations!
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Third Culture Kids: Not belonging Anywhere, Yet Everywhere
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In this episode, we dive into the unique world of third culture kids- individuals who grew up in cultures different from their parents’ or their passport country. We explore the joys and challenges of belonging everywhere and nowhere at once, the struggles with identity and home, and how these experiences shape relationships, careers, and self-perception. Through personal stories and expert insights, we unravel what it means to navigate life in the in-between.
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The Power of Kindness
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How to Navigate Heartbreak after a Break Up?
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Today I am in conversation with the break-up coach Nora. She is currently located in Dubai and conducts her sessions in English and Arabic, in person and online. Together we explore the topic of breakup and heartbreak.
Heartbreak is a term used to describe the intense emotional pain someone feels after experiencing the end of a relationship. It is characterized by feelings of sadness, loss, grief, and despair. A variety of factors, including betrayal, rejection, and unrequited love, can cause heartbreak. The pain can be physical and emotional.
Nora's...
Birthday Special: Q&A 2023
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As every year here is the Birthday Special but this time with a twist, these are the questions that followers on Instagram have sent in.
Happy New Year Everyone.
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9 Signs of Toxic Friendships
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A toxic friendship is one in which you feel energetically exhausted when interacting with the person. Your friend may be an emotional vampire who seems to suck the life force out of you whenever you speak to them or spend time with them. If you want to find out how to identify a toxic friendship and learn how to deal with it, then this episode is for you.
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How to Stop Overthinking, Stressing & Worrying (3 Ways that WORK!)
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While overthinking itself is not a mental illness, it is associated with conditions including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance use disorders. Rumination can be common in people who have chronic pain and chronic illness as well, taking the form of negative thoughts about that pain and healing from it. Here I introduce simple tools that can help with getting hold on your overthinking behaviors.
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Autism
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Autism is a condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, interacts with others, and experiences their environment. It is a lifelong condition that starts when a person is born and stays with them into old age. Every Autistic person is different from every other. This is why autism is described as a ‘spectrum’. I am in conversation with Dr. Charifa Zemouri with explains her individual experience with being on the spectrum and how she navigates her life. If you want to learn more about Dr. Zemouri, follow her on Twitter or visit her...
How to Address Conflict
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Remember that conflict is natural and happens in every ongoing relationship. Since conflict is unavoidable we must learn to manage it. Conflict is a sign of a need for change and an opportunity for growth, new understanding, and improved communication. Conflict can not be resolved unless it is addressed unless we address it within ourselves.
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How To Deal With The Imposter Syndrome (Patient Interview)
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Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud". To continue with the second part of the Imposter Syndrome series I am interviewing Adrian about his experience with the syndrome.
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Are You An Imposter? Probably Not.
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What is the imposter and is the imposter syndrome an actual diagnosis? What does it do? And how to combat it? And sharing own experience. Why do we always think we are an imposter? Answering these questions and more.
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Boundaries for Beginners: How to Set and Keep Your Boundaries
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Everyone needs healthy boundaries in their lives if they want to have healthy relationships. Setting boundaries is about more than just saying no - and when you learn how to set boundaries in a way that people will listen to and respect you will not only feel free, but you will also start breaking the cycle of people-pleasing and codependence.
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7 Questions About My Trauma Journey
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As an extension to my regular social media Q&As, I have dedicated an episode about my trauma journey and how I worked through it and grew from it as a result.
Please keep in mind that these Q&As will never replace actual therapy, and not every journey is the same. Instead, use them as an inspiration, a means to learn more, and eventually, encouragement to start your therapy journey.
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Borderline Personality Disorder
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The Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental health disorder that impacts the way you think and feel about yourself and others, causing problems functioning in everyday life. It includes self-image issues, difficulty managing emotions and behavior, and a pattern of unstable relationships. I am in conversation with my former patient Nora who describes her healing process, her road with therapy, and living with the disorder.Support the show
Disorganized Attachment Style
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The most difficult type of insecure attachment is the disorganized attachment style. It is often seen in people who have been physically, verbally, or sexually abused in their childhood. A disorganized / fearful-avoidant attachment style develops when the child’s caregivers – the only source of safety – become a source of fear.
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Avoidant Attachment Style
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What is avoidant attachment? Avoidant attachment is an attachment style that develops during early childhood. It tends to occur in children who do not experience sensitive responses to their needs or distress. Children with an avoidant attachment style may become very independent, both physically and emotionally.
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Birthday Special - Re-run
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In honor of my birthday I am reuploading the popular birthday Q&A of last year. I hope it answers a few questions you still had in mind about me.
Enjoy!
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Anxious Attachment Style - Deep Dive
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Attachment, or the attachment bond, is the emotional connection you formed as an infant with your primary caregiver, if the parents or caregivers are inconsistent in their parenting they could be causing an anxious attachment. Find out what an anxious attachment style can look like and if reflect with me if these are traits that you recognize in yourself.
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Attachment Styles and How They Dictate Our Lives
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Our style of attachment affects everything from our friendships to our partner selection to how well our relationships progress to, sadly, how they end. That is why recognizing our attachment pattern can help us understand our strengths and vulnerabilities in our relationships and friendships. An attachment pattern is established in early childhood attachments and continues to function as a working model for relationships in adulthood. Discover with me what types of attachment styles exist and possibly what your own attachment style is.Support the show
Self-Sabotaging Habits That Keep You Stuck
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You may be sabotaging yourself, your happiness, your success, and your relationships without even knowing it. We all have subconscious habits, beliefs, and patterns that we're doing that are keeping us stuck, holding us back, and leaving us feeling frustrated and confused. Here I teach you 3 very common self-sabotage habits you may be doing and what to do about them so you can stop sabotaging yourself.
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How to Deal with Family Conflicts
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An episode on how to deal with family conflicts. A question asked many times in therapy and/or when generally reached out for with questions.
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How To Get Over a Break-Up
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Breaking up with someone is hard and can cause real grief and trauma.
After getting asked quite often what to do and how to handle break-up this episode answers and gives tools to manage break-ups!
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How To Deal With Bad News
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At bad news and events are unfolding we all need a few tools to deal with them the right way.
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The Power of Journaling with Anja Saleh
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Anja Saleh, trained as a political and social scientist, is an educator, designer, and poet. In her writing, she re-explores spirituality, trauma, love, and home.
Together, we discuss the power of journaling and how it became a lifeline for her that helps her explore life through a multifaceted lens. She shares her insight & tips on how to approach journaling & writing as a means to calm yourself and improve the way you see the world.
Anja is the author of:
Soon, The Future Of Memory
For m...
Therapist to Therapist: On Forgiveness with Chereen Shurafa
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Another episode in the segment: Therapist to Therapist.
I am in conversation with Chereen, an Arab American mental health and community counselor based in Qatar. She is a certified change coach who also focuses on grief, resilience, and moving forward. She has recently published her first book,
Sensitive: Reflections for the Empathetic Soul.
She runs the platform Dear Chereen, an advice column that also offers inspiration and support through words.
Chereen's Website: dearchereen.com
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Depression & Binge Eating
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Is there a connection between depression and binge eating?
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Therapist to Therapist: Dr. Saliha Afridi
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Dr. Saliha Afridi shares her journey in the mental health field and how she built the Lighthouse Arabia how she and her team are leading the way for mental health & wellness in the Middle East. A specialist team of psychologists & psychiatrists with the community at our core.
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Negative Self-Talk and Missing People
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Discussing my life updates and how I deal with negative self-talk and how to deal with missing someone who is no longer part of your life.
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