My guest on Episode 74 of The Quiet Warrior Podcast is Dr. Ardeshir Mehran: psychologist, trauma therapist, and author of the bestselling book You Are Not Depressed, You Are Un-Finished.

Dr. Mehran is disrupting the mental health field by offering a new perspective on emotional wellness, healing depression, and easing emotional suffering.

During our conversation, Dr. Mehran shared his groundbreaking research on the 7 Emotional Needs, which he believes are at the core of depression, anxiety, and other mental health struggles. These needs, when unfulfilled, create a sense of disconnection from ourselves and others, leading to emotional distress.

Key Takeaways:

• The Power of the 7 Emotional Needs: Dr. Mehran explains how unmet emotional needs are the root cause of depression and anxiety, and how identifying and fulfilling these needs can lead to emotional healing.
  
• Reframing Depression: Depression is not an illness, but a signal that something is missing in our lives. By addressing the core emotional needs, we can overcome this feeling of emptiness and live more vibrantly.
  
• Introverts and Quiet Achievers: Dr. Mehran discusses how introverts and quiet achievers can unlock their true potential by addressing emotional needs like connection, self-expression, and belonging—without having to “fit in” or silence their voice.
  
• Practical Steps for Healing: Learn how small, consistent actions—referred to as “micro actions”—can create lasting change and help us reconnect with our true selves.
  
• The Importance of Reparenting: Dr. Mehran emphasizes the need for reparenting ourselves by healing past wounds and creating a nurturing environment for our inner child.

Whether you’ve struggled with depression or simply want to feel more connected to your authentic self, this episode offers empowering insights and practical advice for anyone looking to heal and grow.

When the world is offering lifelong medications and labels as the way to respond to depression and anxiety, I find Dr. Mehran’s perspective much more holistic and empowering, as it reminds us that we already have within us the keys to our own healing.

Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Always cheering for you,
Serena