Maureen Kritzer-Lange, MSW, LCSW

04/13/2026

💥 ONE COMMENT MADE HER HATE HER BODY.
And it affected her relationship~
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What’s one comment about your body you never forgot?
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If this hits you…
Follow Us here
Because this isn’t about weight.
It’s about understanding:
👉 why one comment can stay with you for years
👉 why your body starts to feel like something to hide
👉 and how to take your power back
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There’s a moment in "Just Like That" that hits hard.
A woman admits she went on a diet…
Not because she wanted to.
Because someone told her:
her stomach hung over her jeans.
And now?
She won’t let Miranda touch her there.

That’s body shame.

Not loud.
Not obvious.
But powerful enough to change how you feel in your own body.
This is exactly what Maureen Kritzer-Lange teaches:
👉 it’s not the mirror that creates insecurity
👉 it’s the moment something gets said… and sticks
And once it sticks…
You don’t just hear it.
You start seeing it.
Every time.

The mirror reflects your body.
But your mind decides what it means.
Don’t Trust the Mirror.

04/11/2026

🔥 I ate the ENTIRE THING!!! - SHE ATE THE WHOLE THING… SO SHE WOULDN’T HAVE TO FEEL ANYTHING

What do you do… when something feels too real to handle?
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If this hits you…
Follow me here!
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Because this isn’t about food.
It’s about understanding:
👉 why you react the way you do
👉 what you were never taught about your emotions
👉 and how to take your power back
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There’s a moment in **S*x and the City** that most people laugh at…But it’s actually one of the most honest moments in the entire show.
Miranda’s boyfriend leaves her a cookie.
It says:
*“I love you.”**
And instead of feeling happy…
She panics.

And she eats the entire thing.
Not because she’s hungry.
But because she says:
> “If it wasn’t there… I wouldn’t have to deal with it.”
That’s the moment.

And this is exactly what psychoanalyst **Maureen Kritzer-Lange** teaches:
👉 **It’s never about the food.**
It’s about what the food is helping you avoid.
Because when something feels too real…
too vulnerable…
too overwhelming…
The mind looks for control.
And eating becomes a way to:

👉 shut the feeling down
👉 avoid the moment
👉 escape the pressure

Not just anxiety.
Even love.
Because wanting love feels safe…
But receiving it?
That requires you to sit with yourself in a way most people were never taught how to do.

So instead…
We cope.
We distract.
We numb.
We avoid.

Not because something is wrong with us.
Because something was never explained to us.
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What do you reach for when you don’t want to feel something?
Food?
Distraction?
Control?
Pulling away?
👇 Drop it below. You’re not the only one.

The mirror reflects your behavior.
But your mind decides what’s driving it.
And sometimes the most powerful thing you can do…
**is Don’t Trust the Mirror.**

04/09/2026

‼️“SHE DIDN’T EAT THE COOKIE… SHE ATE THE FEELING.”‼️
What do you reach for… when your emotions feel too big to hold?
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“If this hit you… this page breaks down the psychology behind moments like this all week.
👉 FOLLOW US so you don’t miss the next one!.”
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There’s a moment in S*x and the City that most people laugh at.

But if you really look at it…
it’s not funny at all.
Miranda’s boyfriend leaves her a cookie.

It says:
“I love you.”

Simple.
Sweet.
Everything most people say they want.
And what does she do?
She eats the entire thing.
Not because she’s hungry.
Not because she wants dessert.

Because if it’s gone…

👉 she doesn’t have to feel it
👉 she doesn’t have to respond
👉 she doesn’t have to sit with what just happened

That’s the moment.
And this is exactly what psychoanalyst Maureen Kritzer-Lange teaches through Don’t Trust the Mirror:
It’s never just about the food.
It’s about the feeling underneath it.

Because when something feels too real…
too vulnerable…
too overwhelming…
The mind looks for control.
And food becomes the fastest escape.
Not from hunger.
From emotion.

👉 Anxiety
👉 Pressure
👉 Vulnerability
👉 Even love

Yes… even love.
Because wanting something feels safe.
But receiving it?
That requires you to sit with yourself.
And if you were never taught how to do that…

You cope.
You distract.
You numb.
You eat.

Not because something is wrong with you.
Because something was never explained to you.
e mirror reflects your behavior.
But your mind decides what’s driving it.
And sometimes the most powerful thing you can do…
is Don’t Trust the Mirror.

04/07/2026

💥 “HE DIDN’T CHANGE HER BODY… HE CHANGED HOW SHE SAW IT.”- “NOW YOU SEE THE FLAWS.”

👇 Has anyone ever pointed something out about your body… that you never noticed before… and now you see it every time you look in the mirror?

There’s a moment in S*x and the City that starts off playful… and turns into something much darker.
Samantha walks into a plastic surgeon’s office.
At first, it feels exciting.
Curious.
Almost like shopping.
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“What else can you do?”
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And just like that… it begins.
A line here.
A lift there.
A fix.
A tweak.
A future problem to solve.
Five years.
Ten years.
More. More. More.

Until suddenly…
She’s not looking at her body.
She’s looking at a list of things that need to be fixed.
And when the doctor leaves the room…
She turns to the mirror.
And sees all the markings.
All the “problems.”
All the things she didn’t see before.
That’s the moment.
Because before this…

👉 she was just a woman in her body
After this…
👉 she’s a collection of flaws
This is exactly what Maureen Kritzer-Lange teaches through Don’t Trust the Mirror.

The mirror doesn’t create insecurity.
👉 It reflects what you’ve been taught to look for.
And the most dangerous part?
It rarely starts with hate.
It starts with:
👉 “We can just fix a little here…”
👉 “Maybe improve this…”
👉 “Think about this in the future…”

And suddenly…
You can’t unsee it.

The mirror reflects your body.
But your mind decides what to look for.
And sometimes the most powerful thing you can do…
is Don’t Trust the Mirror.

04/04/2026

⚡ “ARE YOU IN COMPETITION?.” - “Were You Ever enough?"

👇 Be honest:
Have you ever compared yourself to another woman and suddenly felt like you didn’t measure up… even without knowing the full story?

There’s a moment in "And Just Like That"... that cuts deeper than people realize.
Carrie is about to meet Natasha.
And listen to what she says:
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“I really hope when I’m sitting across from her… I feel insane for doing this.”
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Because right now?
It doesn’t feel insane.
It feels necessary.

Why?
Because the real fear isn’t Natasha.
It’s this:
“What if he regretted choosing me over her?”
That’s the thought.
That’s the one that lives under everything.
And once that thought is there…
Everything changes.
Now it’s not about the past.

👉 It’s about comparison
👉 It’s about worth
👉 It’s about “Was I ever really enough?”

And watch how fast it happens.
Natasha walks in…
And Carrie immediately looks at her and says:
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“She’s wearing flats.”
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A tiny comment.
A quick jab.
But psychologically?
It’s everything.
Because when we feel not enough…
We don’t just question ourselves.

👉 We start measuring the other woman
👉 We start looking for flaws
👉 We start trying to level the field

Not because we’re shallow.
Because we’re trying to feel safe again.

This is exactly what Maureen Kritzer-Lange teaches through Don’t Trust the Mirror.
The mirror doesn’t just reflect your face.
It reflects the comparison running in your mind.
And once you’re in comparison…
You will always find a way to feel less than.
Carrie wasn’t crazy.
She was human.
Because the moment we believe someone else might have been “better”…
We stop seeing ourselves clearly.

Or worse…

Have you ever tried to find something “wrong” with her just to feel okay again?
👇 Say it. You’re not the only one.

The mirror reflects your face.
But your mind decides what it means.
And sometimes the most powerful thing you can do…
is Don’t Trust the Mirror.

04/03/2026

Do You have a "VOICE" in your HEAD?

EP116. RE-BROADCAST - Relentless Critical Voice | Maureen Kritzer-Lange MSW, LCSW
LISTEN TO FULL EPISODE HERE:
https://shorturl.at/HG6vQ

Did you ever think about how you talk to yourself? Are you kind and compassionate or critical and mean? Do you say the kinds of things to yourself that you would say to a friend or a loved one? Are you aware of the negative ways you talk to yourself thinking that it will help or motivate you to do a better job? Do you believe you deserve to be talked to in such a harsh unkind way? Do you believe that the harder you are on yourself the better it will make you? That is exactly what I thought......

- Maureen Kritzer-Lange MSW, LCSW - The Queen Of Self Esteem

Please join the "Dont Trust The Mirror MOVEMENT at http://www.donttrustthemirror.com
Maureen’s life mission is to help women be all that they can be – by improving self esteem,help them find their voice and find freedom from shame, guilt and negativity.
“I change women’s lives by empowering them to trust THEMSELVES not the mirror.”
This podcast represents the opinions of Maureen Kritzer-Lange and her guests to the show and website. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.

Views and opinions expressed in the podcast are our own and do not represent that of our places of work. While we make every effort to ensure that the information we are sharing is accurate, we welcome any comments, suggestions, or correction of errors.
Privacy is of utmost importance to us. All people, places, and scenarios mentioned in the podcast have been changed to protect patient confidentiality.
This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.
In no way does listening, reading, emailing or interacting on social media with our content establish a psychoanalyst-patient relationship.

If you find any errors in any of the content of this podcast , please send a message through the “contact” page on www.donttrustthemirror.com
This podcast is owned by "Don't Trust the Mirror.”

04/01/2026

😤“He Looked at Her Face… AND DECIDED What Was Wrong With It.”
There’s a moment in "And Just Like That.".. that takes it even further.

It starts subtly.
A consultation.
A conversation.
A “professional opinion.”
And then it happens.
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“There are two types of faces… hollowers and saggers.”
“You’re a hollower.”
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Just like that…
She’s no longer a person.
She’s a category.
A problem to solve.
A face to fix.
A version of herself that needs to be improved.
And then comes the real hook:
“With the right work… the last 15 years are gone.”

Gone.

Let that word sit for a second.
Because this is where it shifts from suggestion…
to psychological impact.
Now it’s not:

👉 “Do I want this?”

It becomes:
👉 “Should I still look like this?”
👉 “Am I behind?”
👉 “Did I miss something?”

This is exactly what Maureen Kritzer-Lange teaches through Don’t Trust the Mirror.
The mirror doesn’t create insecurity.
👉 It gets activated the moment someone tells you what to look for.
Before that moment… you were just you.
After that moment…
You’re scanning.

Comparing.
Questioning.
Re-evaluating your own face.
And that’s how it starts.
Not with hate.
With a suggestion.
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👇 Be honest (this is where it gets real):
Was there a moment someone pointed something out about your appearance… and you’ve never seen yourself the same since?
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A comment.
A “suggestion.”
A comparison.

👇 Say it. You’re not the only one.

The mirror reflects your face.
But your mind decides what to look for.
And sometimes the most powerful thing you can do…
is Don’t Trust the Mirror.

03/30/2026

🤔Do you feel you are AGING OUT?
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(This is where it gets real):
What was the moment you first started questioning how you look? Was it something someone said?
Something you saw? Or something you compared yourself to?
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There’s a moment in **And Just Like That...** that most people miss.
Carrie sits in a plastic surgeon’s office.

She wasn’t desperate.
She wasn’t broken.
She wasn’t even thinking about changing her face.

And then one sentence shifts everything:
“You felt great about the way you look… and now you’re questioning that.”

Read that again.
Because this is how it actually happens.
Most women don’t wake up hating how they look.

They feel okay…
until something makes them question it.

A comment.
A comparison.
A suggestion.
A “little refresh.”

And suddenly…

👉 you see flaws you didn’t see before
👉 you feel older than you did yesterday
👉 you start wondering if something is wrong

That’s not confidence disappearing.
That’s insecurity being introduced.

This is exactly what **Maureen Kritzer-Lange** teaches through *Don’t Trust the Mirror*:
The mirror doesn’t create the doubt.
👉 The moment that planted it does.

And once that seed is planted…
The mirror just keeps confirming it.
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The mirror reflects your face.
But your mind decides what it means.
And sometimes the most powerful thing you can do…
is Don’t Trust the Mirror.
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03/27/2026

🤔 Are Mother Nature and Instagram Harder on Women?
Is aging a FLAW?

There’s a moment in And Just Like That... that says everything about how women are taught to see themselves.
Carrie sits in a plastic surgeon’s office.

She’s grieving.
She hasn’t slept.
Her husband just died.
And the first thing she says is:

“This isn’t how I usually look.”

Let that sink in.
Even in grief…
Even in exhaustion…
Even in real life…
She feels the need to explain her face.
To apologize for it.
To justify it.
And what does the doctor say?

“Maybe you’d be interested in a little refresh.”

A refresh.
Not healing.
Not rest.
Not compassion.
A refresh.

Because somewhere along the way, women were taught:
👉 tired is unacceptable
👉 aging is a problem
👉 your face should never tell the truth about your life

This is exactly what Maureen Kritzer-Lange challenges through Don’t Trust the Mirror.
Because the mirror doesn’t just reflect your face.
It reflects the pressure you’ve been conditioned to believe.
The pressure to look:

younger
smoother
more “acceptable”
Even when your life has given you every reason not to.

Carrie didn’t need a procedure.
She needed space to be human.
But in a culture that profits off insecurity…
Even grief gets turned into something to fix.

👇 Be honest:

Have you ever looked in the mirror and felt like you needed to “fix” something… instead of understanding what you were going through?

The mirror reflects your face.
But your mind decides what it means.
And sometimes the most powerful thing you can do…
is Don’t Trust the Mirror.

03/27/2026

I’m so grateful to Debbie Brenner Shepardson for her thoughtful interest in my work and for the opportunity to be interviewed for The Invisible Chronicle. Debbie has a way of asking questions that go beneath the surface—into the places where language, emotion, and identity quietly shape how we see ourselves.

One line from our conversation that feels especially important:
“The work becomes teaching them to tolerate disappointing others so they can finally stop disappointing themselves.”

This idea sits at the heart of so much of the work I do—helping women move from self-erasure into self-recognition, from “I am” to “I feel,” and from performing to truly being.

I’m honored to share Debbie’s post featuring our full conversation. If this resonates with you, I invite you to read more here:
debbieshepardson.com/post/maureen-kritzer-lange

Thank you again, Debbie, for creating space for meaningful dialogue and for the work you’re doing to bring these conversations forward.

Psychoanalyst Maureen Kritzer-Lange discusses the split between words and emotion, the shift from “I am” to “I feel,” and the patterns beneath eating disorders and self-image. She examines how these forces shape how women experience themselves.

03/25/2026

😤 Is your LIFE WORTH CELEBRATING?”

“I Spent $2,300 Celebrating Everyone Else… I got Shamed for Choosing Myself.”
The quiet way women are taught their life only matters if it follows the ‘right’ script.

There’s a moment in S*x and the City that hits deeper than people realize.
Carrie does the math.
Over the years, she’s spent over $2,300 celebrating her friend’s life:

Engagement.
Wedding.
Baby.
Another baby.
And when she spends $485 on herself…
She gets judged.
Shamed.
Questioned.

Let that sink in.
Because this isn’t about money.
This is about something much deeper:
Which lives society decides are worth celebrating.

Marriage? Celebrate it.
Children? Celebrate it.

But a woman choosing herself?
Building her own life?
Standing in her independence?
Suddenly that’s seen as indulgent.
Selfish.
Not valid.
And here’s where Don’t Trust the Mirror comes in.
Because the mirror doesn’t just reflect your body.
It reflects the roles you’ve been taught define your worth.

Wife.
Mother.
Partner.

And if you don’t fit into one of those…
You start to feel like something is missing.
Like you’re behind.
Like you’re less than.
But Maureen Kritzer-Lange—the Queen of Self-Esteem—would tell you:
That feeling isn’t truth. It’s conditioning.
Carrie wasn’t wrong.
She was just waking up.
Because the real issue isn’t that single women aren’t celebrated.
It’s that they’ve been taught:

They don’t deserve to be.
👇 Be honest:
Have you ever felt like your life didn’t “count” as much because it didn’t follow the traditional path?

The mirror reflects your life.
But your mind decides what it means.
And sometimes the most powerful thing you can do…
is Don’t Trust the Mirror.

03/20/2026

‼️ “What’s one thing about your body you’ve judged… that no one else ever said?”

There’s a scene in S*x and the City that most people laugh at.
But listen closely.
Every woman in that conversation is doing the same thing:

Comparing.
Criticizing.
Quietly tearing herself apart.
“I hate my thighs.”
“I’ll take your thighs and raise you a chin.”
“I can’t even open a magazine without thinking thighs, thighs, thighs.”

No one attacked them.
No one said they weren’t beautiful.
But it didn’t matter.
Because the judgment didn’t come from the outside.
It came from inside.

This is how body image issues actually work.
Not through cruelty.
Through repetition.
Through culture.
Through years of seeing images that quietly teach you:

👉 you’re not enough
👉 you need to fix something
👉 someone else looks better

So even in a room full of beautiful, intelligent women…
No one feels good in their own body.
That’s not an accident.
That’s conditioning.

Because the mirror doesn’t create the problem.
It reflects the story you’ve been taught to believe.
And when that story is built on comparison…
you will always lose.
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👇 Be honest:
What’s one thing about your body you’ve judged yourself for… that no one else ever actually said?
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The mirror reflects your body.
But your mind decides what it means.

And sometimes the healthiest thing you can do…
is Don’t Trust the Mirror.