
Episode #15
EMDR, Ballet, and Rear Naked Choke-Holds with Lisa Smith
This week on Tongue First, Siren is joined by two guests: Valisara — Siren's right hand and the person behind the scenes making this whole thing run — stepping into the co-host chair while Wendy recovers from being sick, and Lisa Smith, a licensed therapist who specializes in EMDR and works closely with queer and neurodivergent clients. This episode gets real fast. Val opens up about experiencing molestation at age five and the barriers she faced getting access to mental health care as a kid of two moms during the DOMA era — a heads up that this conversation includes discussion of child sexual abuse. From there, Lisa breaks down what EMDR actually is, the accidental discovery that led to it, and why bilateral stimulation works the way it does. They get into what makes a therapist safe for queer clients, the red and green flags to watch for, and why therapy myths from movies like Good Will Hunting don't hold up. Lisa also opens up about her own surprising journey — from jiu jitsu and Muay Thai to becoming an adult beginner ballerina now dancing on pointe. Also: rear naked chokes demonstrated live, a 911 call via Apple Watch, redheads, and the kind of ice cream order that says a lot about a person. If you've ever wondered what actually makes therapy work, needed a nudge to try the hard unfamiliar thing, or just wanted an hour with two genuinely thoughtful people — this one is for you. Support the chaos and get access to bonus content, behind the scenes moments, and the Tongue First After Hours community over on Patreon. The link is in the show notes. Follow the chaos on TikTok: @Sirenegade_440 @Wendy6181981 New episodes every Monday. Until next time — stay curious, stay queer, and don't forget to lick responsibly.






