You know that moment when you tell yourself you’ll scroll for just five more minutes… and somehow, an hour disappears?

In this solo episode, I’m digging into the psychology behind why we feel addicted to social media—and what we can do about it. Because this goes way beyond distraction. For many of us, the endless scrolling becomes compulsive. Especially after a breakup or during times of heightened insecurity, our feeds start to feel less like entertainment and more like a source of clues… or control.

But here’s the truth: Social media addiction is real. It may not be in the DSM, but it mirrors other behavioral addictions in all the ways that matter—dopamine hits, compulsive checking, withdrawal symptoms, and the toll it takes on your mental health.

I’ll walk you through the neuroscience behind the urge to scroll, the emotional traps baked into the platforms, and why abstinence isn’t a realistic solution for most of us. And I’ll give you tangible strategies to regain control without having to delete every app off your phone.

Whether you’re caught in a loop of stalking someone’s stories, waking up and reaching for your phone before your feet hit the floor, or just feeling like your attention span has been hijacked—this episode is for you.

You’ll walk away with:

• A deeper understanding of why social media feels addictive—and how it manipulates your brain’s reward system.
• The 3 red flags that signal your relationship with social media may be harming your mental health.
• Science-backed, therapist-tested strategies for breaking the cycle—without quitting cold turkey.

If you’ve ever felt ashamed or confused by your own scrolling habits, you’re not alone. And you’re not broken. Let’s talk about what’s really going on—and how to reclaim your peace.

Xxoo Darcy

REFERENCES/RESOURCES

www.alternativescounseling/com

https://www.askdrdarcy.com/references/

Email Amanda at amandacristiani705@gmail.com for course purchase - Code 5FRIENDS

CREDITS

“We Need To Talk With Dr. Darcy Sterling” is a Sterling Standard Production. Editing and sound engineering by Bart Migal. Our theme music is by Trending Music. Special thanks to Amanda Cristiani and Robyn Jaenchen and Ines Goot.

DISCLAIMER

Instagram:@drdarcysterling

Facebook:Dr.Darcy Sterling

Tik Tok:@doctordarcysterling

X:@DrDarcySterling

YouTube:@DarcySterling

Threads:@drdarcysterling

Watch this episode here on YouTube.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You know those relationship fights that keep coming up again and again? The ones that go in circles—never really getting resolved, just getting recycled?

My guest this week is Julie Mennano—licensed therapist, author of Secure Love, and host of The Secure Relationship Podcast. Julie has a rare gift for helping couples identify the deeper emotional patterns driving their relationship conflict. She doesn’t just teach attachment theory—she translates it into practical tools you can actually use to change how you show up in love.

Together, we explore why some arguments seem to have no end, why traditional communication strategies fall short, and how so much of your relationship conflict is tied to your nervous system and attachment style—not the surface-level issues like chores, tone, or timing.

Whether you're in a romantic relationship, married, or navigating long-term partnership dynamics, this episode will help you understand the real reason your communication breaks down—and what to do about it.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why some relationship conflicts never feel resolved—and why it’s not about the dishwasher.
• How your attachment style and nervous system responses are shaping your conflict cycle.
• Practical tools for moving from conflict and disconnection to repair and reconnection.

If you’ve ever walked away from an argument thinking, “We’ve had this fight a hundred times,” this conversation will show you what’s really going on—and how to finally create meaningful change in your relationship.

Xxoo,

Darcy

REFERENCES/RESOURCES

www.alternativescounseling.com

Secure Love: Create a Relationship That Lasts a Lifetime

CREDITS

“We Need To Talk With Dr. Darcy Sterling” is a Sterling Standard Production. Editing and sound engineering by Bart Migal. Our theme music is by Trending Music. Special thanks to Amanda Cristiani and Robyn Jaenchen.

DISCLAIMER

Instagram:@drdarcysterling

Facebook:Dr.Darcy Sterling

Tik Tok:@doctordarcysterling

X:@DrDarcySterling

YouTube:@DarcySterling

Threads:@drdarcysterling

Watch this episode here on YouTube.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you've ever found yourself walking on eggshells in relationships, struggling to set boundaries, or feeling like your emotional needs are too much, this episode is for you.

I sat down with clinical psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Lindsay Gibson—whose groundbreaking work has helped millions of adult children of emotionally immature parents understand the long-term effects of childhood emotional neglect. We’re talking about the kinds of parents who were emotionally unavailable, unpredictable, or unable to meet your needs—and what that means for your adult relationships today.

This conversation isn’t about blaming or bashing. It’s about clarity. It’s about reclaiming your story. And it’s about learning how to break the cycle of emotional immaturity so you don’t keep reenacting the same painful patterns with partners, friends, or even your own children.

Whether you’ve gone no-contact, low-contact, or you’re still trying to make it work with a difficult parent, this episode will give you insight—and practical tools—to help you move forward.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The relational habits and coping strategies that adult children of emotionally immature parents often carry into their closest relationships.
• Why people who didn’t receive emotional intimacy in childhood often struggle to recognize their own needs—and stay too long in one-sided relationships.
• How to coexist with this kind of parent—without cutting them off.

If this resonates with you, make sure you follow the show—and please share it with someone who might need to hear it.

If you listen to 1 podcast this month, THIS IS IT.

Xxoo Darcy

REFERENCES/RESOURCES

www.alternativescounselng.com

Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents

CREDITS

“We Need To Talk With Dr. Darcy Sterling” is a Sterling Standard Production. Editing and sound engineering by Bart Migal. Our theme music is by Trending Music. Special thanks to Amanda Cristiani and Robyn Jaenchen.

DISCLAIMER

Instagram:@drdarcysterling

Facebook:Dr.Darcy Sterling

Tik Tok:@doctordarcysterling

X:@DrDarcySterling

YouTube:@DarcySterling

Threads:@drdarcysterling

Watch this episode here on YouTube.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.