In this episode of Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka  speaks with Dr. Lori Eddy, a counselling psychologist in private practice, as part of Womanity’s commemoration of World Mental Health Day. Our discussion journeys into the heart of what it means to be human, to hurt, to heal, and to grow; offering an illuminating perspective on how the mind recovers, rebuilds, and reclaims balance.

Dr. Eddy unpacks the role of counselling psychology from its clinical counterpart. While clinical psychology often focuses on acute or severe mental disorders treated in hospital settings, counselling psychology embraces a holistic, wellness-oriented approach aimed at helping individuals move from crisis to growth, from surviving to thriving. It is about working with the full spectrum of human experience: navigating anxiety, burnout, grief, and trauma, but also encouraging self-discovery, resilience, and transformation. Dr. Eddy helps people become their best selves and live their best life.

Motivated by empathy and a lifelong curiosity about human emotion and behavior, Dr. Eddy describes how psychology offered her both a framework for understanding others and a path to facilitate positive change. She views her therapeutic relationships as sacred, safe spaces built on trust, compassion, and non-judgment — spaces where clients can confront vulnerability and reemerge stronger.

Part of the conversation explores the therapeutic modalities Dr. Eddy uses in her practice. She introduces  Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). A groundbreaking, evidence-based therapy that helps individuals heal from trauma by reprocessing distressing memories. Dr. Eddy explains how EMDR mimics the brain’s natural memory integration processes that occur during REM sleep, allowing traumatic memories to be safely revisited, reframed, and neutralized.

She illustrates the power of EMDR through a remarkable real-life case. A 17-year-old girl, wheelchair-bound due to unexplained leg paralysis (conversion disorder), had exhausted every medical option before being referred to Dr. Eddy. Using EMDR, the young woman gradually unearthed long-suppressed memories of childhood sexual abuse. Through the therapy, she reprocessed her trauma, released her self-blame, and ultimately recovered full mobility. Today, she is thriving — a university graduate with a career in education and a positive outlook on life.

Dr. Eddy also shares a second case that resonates deeply with many women. It tells of a high-performing executive — a woman who appeared to have everything under control but was internally unraveling. Plagued by exhaustion, anxiety, and self-doubt, she dismissed her mental health struggles as weakness. Through therapy, she learned that mental health deserves the same legitimacy as physical health, and that strength also lies in acknowledging when you’re not okay. This journey, Dr. Eddy notes, reflects a pattern she sees often among women who shoulder unrealistic expectations, both societal and self-imposed, to “do it all.” Her message is clear: you cannot pour from an empty cup.

Reflecting on her personal journey, Dr. Eddy credits three women who shaped her strength and perseverance — her mother, grandmother, and academic supervisor. Her grandmother, who raised a disabled child in an era when disability carried heavy stigma, modeled unconditional love and resilience. Her mother, who has navigated loss and caretaking with grace, continues to embody compassion and grit. “As the conversation draws to a close, Dr. Eddy shares a message of empowerment and compassion for women everywhere:

“Self-care is not selfish. Give yourself permission to put yourself in your own equation. When you invest in your mental health, everyone around you benefits. Mental health really does matter — and there’s nothing weak about reaching out for help.”

Through her stories, insights, and gentle wisdom, Dr. Lori Eddy reminds us that healing begins with awareness, courage, and compassion — for ourselves and for others. This episode stands as a heartfelt call to destigmatize mental illness, embrace vulnerability, and honor the strength it takes to heal.

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