Welcome to Permission: Meet the Sisters Starting a Mental Health Revolution
What happens when a licensed psychologist and an intuitive artist decide the world needs a different kind of mental health conversation? You get the Permission podcast – a groundbreaking show that bridges psychology, spirituality, and everyday wisdom in ways that feel like talking with trusted friends rather than sitting in a clinical setting.
Meet Your Hosts: Dr. T Reyes and Silvana
Dr. T (Teresa) - The Psychologist Who Thinks Outside the Box
Dr. T Reyes is a licensed psychologist practicing in New York City, but don't expect the typical therapeutic approach. As she puts it, "I really, really don't like when people say 'tools in your toolkit.'" Her frustration with reductionist mental health language sparked something bigger – a desire to have conversations about healing that honor both professional expertise and human complexity.
Dr. T's Background:
Licensed psychologist in New York City
Professional writer exploring psychological concepts
CrossFitter (though admittedly "not so serious" about it)
Consumer of diverse information from podcasts to psychological theory
Her professional journey led her to seek ways of integrating vast amounts of psychological knowledge with real-world application, particularly through the lens of therapeutic practice.
Silvana - The Intuitive Artist Embracing Her Gifts
Silvana brings a different but equally valuable perspective as an artist, salsa dancer, and "very serious" hot yoga practitioner. But her most significant qualification might be her journey with intuitive gifts.
Silvana's Unique Journey:
Intuitive abilities present since childhood
Experience with visualization and sensing future events
Initially shut down her gifts due to feeling responsible for outcomes
Reawakened her abilities after becoming a mother
Validation through her son calling her by a past-life name she already knew
"I've had several gifts," Silvana explains, "and growing up, I thought these things were happening because I was thinking about them happening. So I tried to shut that down." Her journey from fear to acceptance makes her the perfect co-host for conversations about permission and personal power.
How Permission Came Together: A Story of Intuition and Red Flags
The Permission podcast wasn't the original plan. Dr. T initially conceived a different show called "Psyche's Joyride" with someone she met at a meditation retreat. But as Silvana puts it, "The voice told me no, that's not the right person for you to do this podcast with."
The turning point came during a road trip to Cape Cod:
The sisters were listening to Bashar discussing "permission slips"
The concept resonated deeply with both their approaches to life
They realized they were already using this framework in their daily practices
The name "Permission" felt authentic to their shared experience
When red flags emerged with the original co-host idea, Silvana stepped in with characteristic directness: "I'm your girl." It wasn't even a request – it was intuitive knowing.
Why These Sisters? The Perfect Mental Health Partnership
Complementary Strengths
Dr. T brings: Professional psychological training, analytical thinking, research-based knowledge, and therapeutic experience.
Silvana brings: Intuitive wisdom, artistic perspective, spiritual practices, and grounded life experience.
Shared Values
Both sisters understand that healing isn't about fixing broken parts – it's about giving yourself permission to access your inherent wholeness.
Real-Life Testing Ground
As members of a large family (2 of 6 siblings with 13 nieces and nephews), they've observed generational patterns and healing approaches across diverse life stages.
Why Now? The Perfect Storm for Permission-Based Mental Health
The Awakening Generation
Dr. T and Silvana notice something remarkable: "I think we're in a time where a lot of people are waking up or searching." They observe this particularly in younger generations who possess incredible awareness but sometimes struggle with practical life navigation.
The Communication Gap
Today's young adults can analyze complex concepts but feel overwhelmed making phone calls to doctors. As Dr. T notes, one niece described phone calls as "extremely aggressive." This disconnect between spiritual awareness and practical skills creates a unique need for integrated approaches.
The Integration Imperative
Mental health conversations are expanding beyond traditional clinical settings. People want approaches that honor both psychological science and spiritual wisdom without having to choose between them.
What Makes Permission Different from Other Mental Health Podcasts
Beyond the "Toolkit" Mentality
Instead of collecting coping strategies, Permission explores how you give yourself permission to be happy, present, and fulfilled using whatever resonates with you personally.
Normal People, Existential Conversations
"We're just normal people having existential conversations," explains Dr. T. The show makes profound topics accessible without academic jargon or spiritual bypassing.
Sister Dynamic
The authentic relationship between hosts creates space for real-time processing, disagreement, and discovery that listeners can relate to.
Practical Spirituality
Every episode demonstrates how spiritual concepts apply to daily life – from career decisions to family relationships to personal growth.
Who Should Pull Up a Chair?
Dr. T and Silvana have different perspectives on their audience size, but they agree on the essential qualities:
You're ready for Permission if you:
Are curious about integrating different approaches to wellness
Want to take responsibility for your own healing journey
Are "waking up" or searching for something deeper
Prefer authentic conversation over clinical advice
Are willing to be an adult who makes conscious choices
As Dr. T puts it, "In order for them to get to the table, pull up a chair, sit down and talk... they would have to be adults. They would have to know that it is their choice to come to the table."
Your Invitation to the Conversation
Permission isn't just another mental health podcast – it's an invitation to join a conversation about what it means to live consciously in both spiritual and practical ways. Whether you're struggling with traditional therapeutic approaches, seeking integration of different healing modalities, or simply curious about how two sisters navigate life with awareness and humor, there's a seat waiting for you.
Ready to give yourself permission? Listen to Permission on Spotify and join Dr. T Reyes and Silvana for weekly conversations that make profound topics feel like everyday wisdom shared between friends.