How to Stay Sane When Work Isn’t: Dr. Elisabeth Morray on Navigating Dysfunction, Stress, and Difficult People

Welcome back to The Grey Areas Podcast! This week, we’re joined by Dr. Elisabeth Morray, a licensed psychologist and the VP of Clinical at Alma, a platform supporting nearly 24,000 private practice clinicians nationwide. With expertise in evidence-based therapies like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dr. Morray is dedicated to bridging mental health expertise with real-world application.

In this episode, we explore what it takes to thrive in high-stress workplaces, strengthen emotional intelligence, and manage anxiety effectively. Dr. Morray shares practical strategies for building resilience, setting boundaries, and navigating toxic work cultures with compassion and clarity.

Highlights Include:

• 02:53 – How to recognize the physical signs of burnout and listen to your body before it demands your attention.
• 12:00 – Understanding psychological flexibility: Why it’s the key to managing anxiety and responding effectively in high-pressure situations.
• 18:39 – How toxic work cultures that praise burnout impact your sense of self, and what to do about it.
• 23:19 – The anxiety spiral: Why mornings can feel overwhelming and how to set the tone for a calmer, more focused day.
• 40:29 – The power of the pause: How learning to pause before reacting can transform your work relationships and emotional resilience.
• 48:33 – Cubicle Confession: Dr. Morray’s advice to a mid-level employee navigating toxic team dynamics and workplace gaslighting.

Tune in to learn how you can not only manage workplace stress but build the emotional strength to thrive in it.

Dr. Elisabeth Morray’s Links:
Alma Website
LinkedIn