Edge of the Couch

You know those moments in session when something inside says, "Something just shifted", "Pause here", or "Hmm..this is not lining up"? In this episode, we dig into what it means to follow our therapist intuition. We talk about how intuition grows over time, how it shows up in the room, and how we tentatively introduce our impressions. What's your relationship with intuition in the therapy room... and how do you know when to trust it?--Check out Leading Edge's upcoming free events, in-person events, and over 150 webinars to choose from at LeadingEdgeSeminars.org, and find the training that actually works for you." Use the code EDGE10 to get 10% off select purchases.Please note: this discount does not apply to the EMDR training.https://leadingedgeseminars.org/?ref=7078Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

In light of the recent mass killing at the Lapu Lapu Day festival in Vancouver, we decided not to publish an episode this week. We're honouring that our bodies need more time to grieve, recalibrate, and rest. We know many of you have also been impacted and we hope you're honouring your needs as well.Donate directly to families impacted.Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

Are therapists who "call out" their clients more effective? This week, we're responding to a Reddit post from a therapist who proudly claims to be a "mean therapist". They describe themselves as solution-focused, direct, and not afraid to hold clients accountable. We unpack what might be behind that identity, what types of therapists and settings tend towards mean-ness, and what might be driving someone drawn to that kind of therapist. We also explore our own uneasiness with the term, and why calling yourself a “mean therapist” might reflect something more complicated, like a defense against criticism or discomfort with softness.Let us know what you think about this episode!--Check out Leading Edge's upcoming free events, in-person events, and over 150 webinars to choose from at LeadingEdgeSeminars.org, and find the training that actually works for you." Use the code EDGE10 to get 10% off select purchases.Please note: this discount does not apply to the EMDR training.https://leadingedgeseminars.org/?ref=7078Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

All therapists miss essential information-- things like self-harm, abuse, and disordered eating. These can have major consequences.In this episode, we discuss what gets missed in the therapy room, why it happens, and what we can do about it. From clients showing up drunk in session to disclosures that slip past us, we explore the kinds of clinical information that can go unnoticed, even by experienced therapists.We also talk about the impact of these misses on clients, the shame therapists can carry, and the learning that's possible when we slow down and stay curious.--Check out Leading Edge's upcoming free events, in-person events  and  over 150 webinars to choose from at LeadingEdgeSeminars.org, and find the training that actually works for you." Use the code EDGE10 to get 10% off select purchases.Please note: this discount does not apply to the EMDR training.https://leadingedgeseminars.org/?ref=7078Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

In this episode, we're talking about a dynamic that (dare we say) all therapists are familiar with: working with clients who over-intellectualize. We explore why some clients show up to therapy in their heads while disconnected to their bodies and emotions, and how intellectualizing is both foundational and a block to good therapeutic work.We talk about the common pitfalls therapists fall into, especially when it feels satisfying or productive to stay in the intellectual space. We also discuss how to recognize when intellectualizing is happening (it's not always obvious!) and how to meet clients where they are, including those who are clear they don't want to feel in their body.Whether you love working with analytical clients or find yourself in the constant push-pull of trying to get them to actually sit with their feelings, this episode offers practical reflections on how to deepen the work with these folks.Join us on April 26, 2025 in North Vancouver for a day of Immersive Group Clinical Consultation. This is a chance for us to get into the details of clinical work and talk about actual therapy with clients. There are only 10 spaces available, so if you are interested, send us an email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com before space runs out!Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

Are we "treating" our clients, as in doing something *to* them, or *with* them? In this episode, we dig into situations where therapy aligns more closely with a medical model, and how we prefer to work using an open-ended approach. We discuss why therapy isn't always/only about alleviating suffering, but changing their relationship with it. You'll notice we get noticeably fired up because we love this topic!Join us on April 26, 2025 in North Vancouver for a day of Immersive Group Clinical Consultation. This is a chance for us to get into the details of clinical work and talk about actual therapy with clients. There are only 10 spaces available, so if you are interested, send us an email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com before space runs out!Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

Social media is one of the most impactful frontiers for therapists right now. So many questions are coming up for therapists at this time-- should I have social media at all? Should I market on social media? How much is too much to share? The internet is forever - what does that mean for me putting parts of my life online?In this episode, we discuss showing up on social media as a therapist, the various ways it can be done (to market, to share information, to allow the public to see behind the mystery), and how we navigate showing up in such public spaces.Join us on April 26, 2025 in North Vancouver for a day of Immersive Group Clinical Consultation. This is a chance for us to get into the details of clinical work and talk about actual therapy with clients. There are only 10 spaces available, so if you are interested, send us an email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com before space runs out!Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

Every therapist has been there. You're in session and suddenly something your client says hits a nerve. Maybe it's a detail in their story that pulls up your own history or something about their client presentation you can't quite put your finger on. In this episode, we dig into what happens when something comes up in session that feels like being poked by a white-hot poker. If you've ever had to lay on the floor and cry after a session, this conversation is for you.Join us on April 26, 2025 in North Vancouver for a day of Immersive Group Clinical Consultation. This is a chance for us to get into the details of clinical work and talk about actual therapy with clients. There are only 10 spaces available, so if you are interested, send us an email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com before space runs out!Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

Supervision and consultation are a core part of being a therapist, whether in practicum, newly graduated, or a decade into practice (and beyond).In this episode, we discuss how to get the most out of supervision, like bringing a list, not fixating on every misstep, and sharing the messy parts of your work, ensuring that any supervision conversations are intentional, useful, and ultimately helpful for you to become a better clinician.And yep, we also talk about how some supervisors are just not very good. Some supervisory experiences include a harmful abuse of power. We explore how to survive supervision and jump through the evaluation hoop even when things aren't going well.We consider supervision a hugely sacred relationship, and we want you to feel safe in supervision and flourish with oversight and help along the way!What helps you get the most out of supervision? What have your supervision experiences been like? Send us and email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com.Join us on April 26, 2025 in North Vancouver for a day of Immersive Group Clinical Consultation. This is a chance for us to get into the details of clinical work and talk about actual therapy with clients. There are only 10 spaces available, so if you are interested, send us an email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com before space runs out!Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

Trends in the therapy world come and go. Girl-bossing, therapists-as-content-creators, and now “the cool therapist”. Maybe you've seen the same “cool therapist” stuff we have - acting like new therapists are scared of everything, making skits or memes about disregarding ethical considerations, and acting like following thoughtful rules is somehow stuffy! If you've listened to the podcast for a while, you know that we think some therapy standards ARE outdated and stuffy. We are very critical of the expectations around professionalism ,but we also have a deep respect for the importance of ethical policies. We're uncomfortable with the idea of prioritizing being “cool” over being reflective about the impact of our actions on clients.We don't think every single interaction has to be analyzed (sometimes accepting a coffee from a client really isn't a big deal ), but there's value in nuance that can be missed in the social media space. We also wonder how much this content is mostly about getting views (rage-bait ) and doesn't show the reality of working with clients.We are responding to what we've noticed and wondering what all of you think! Have you noticed the “cool therapist” content out in the world? What does it bring up for you?Join us on April 26, 2025 in North Vancouver for a day of Immersive Group Clinical Consultation. This is a chance for us to get into the details of clinical work and talk about actual therapy with clients. There are only 10 spaces available, so if you are interested, send us an email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com before space runs out!

This is the most intense political landscape that we've ever experienced as therapists. Many of our clients are also hugely impacted by policies being enacted and fear is a common feeling for both therapists and clients alike. The focus of the episode is how to talk to clients about politics when it comes up in session because we know it can feel scary and precarious. We both share how we navigate political conversations in sessions, why it's important to acknowledge that therapy is political, and what we do when/if clients ask us about our political stances. We additionally share why we think it's important for therapists to be transparent about politicized topics like abortion, land-back policies, and trans rights so that clients can make informed decisions about who they want to work with. Therapy is a relationship - trust and safety are paramount.Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

What happens when a client expects therapy to “fix” them or assumes their therapist will always have the wise, perfect answer? In this episode, we explore how to set realistic expectations around the therapy process, the therapist's role, and how change actually happens. How do we balance validating our clients' hopes while grounding them in what therapy can (and can't) do?Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on InstagramJoin us on February 26, 2025 from 6–8 PM Pacific for a live virtual workshop, Growing Into Your Own As a Therapist. Bonus Q+A at the end. We hope to see you there!Sign up now on Eventbrite!

We're so happy to be back after our holiday hiatus. We're starting the new season with a highly requested topic-- opening a private practice. Since we graduated, the landscape of the counselling field has changed tremendously. More and more clinicians are opening their own practices right after graduating and we know that can be extremely anxiety-provoking.While we don't share specific how-to tips, we hope that by sharing our stories, you can pick up some niblets of helpful information. We both acutely remember the intensity of the transition into private practice. Every decision is now all your own. The scheduling, finances, clinical stuff, it all falls on you and that can feel really big. We also hope that this episode helps you feel even a tiny bit more confident if you are thinking of opening a private practice.Join us on February 26, 2025 from 6–8 PM Pacific for a live virtual workshop, Growing Into Your Own As a Therapist. Bonus Q+A at the end. We hope to see you there!Sign up now on Eventbrite!

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Being a Therapist in 2024 conference at the beautiful Jane Headquarters in North Vancouver. In this special episode, we dive into questions from the audience about niching, overcoming imposter syndrome, and working within organizations. We wrap up with messages to our younger selves, reflecting on what we wish we'd known when we were just starting out. We're so grateful for our listeners and invite you to leave a review, follow us on Patreon to access a catalogue of bonus content, and stay connected as we prepare for our next season. As always, we love to hear from you, so please reach out with your thoughts and questions! See you in the new year!

How can we support clients in navigating the big life decisions, including to stay or leave relationships, choose career paths, or family planning? In this episode, we explore the therapeutic role of discernment. Often, people are grappling with the pros and cons of each choice. Some of these conversations are vital and productive, and other times, it feels like we are spinning our wheels. As the therapist, we can find ourselves frustrated or stuck not knowing where to go next. In the context of therapy, discernment isn't about finding the 'right' answer. Instead, it's about slowing down, exploring the layers of a decision, and really getting to the heart of what feels right for them. It's about creating space for their values, fears, and desires to emerge— without rushing to solve it or decide immediately. How do you approach discernment in your own practice? Do you find yourself giving your opinions, or do you project a sense of 'neutrality'? What do you do when the client feels stuck in not being able to move forward?

Content note: This episode discusses suicide and abuse. Are therapists crisis workers? We believe that the role of the therapist and the role of the crisis worker are distinct, yet, in certain situations, we can still find ourselves pulled into that role. In this episode, we break down the crucial differences between emergencies, crises, and general distress, and explore where our responsibilities begin and end in a private practice setting. We discuss why it's essential to connect clients to appropriate crisis resources, the scope of our work as therapists, and what might be driving the urge to step in during critical moments. Are you clear on your own boundaries when it comes to crisis management, or do you sometimes blur the lines? Remember, we're speaking from the context of private practice in BC, Canada. Make sure to consult your own licensing body and legal requirements in your jurisdiction. This episode is not a substitute for supervision or legal advice, but rather a list of things to consider when navigating these complex situations. 

Did you hear the phrase “follow the client” in graduate school and wonder what it really means in practice? In this episode, we dive into the nuances of this concept, exploring how therapists balance the art of staying present with the client's story while holding the bigger picture in mind. We talk about how goals in therapy can shift over time and how we can support clients by being curious about what's beneath the surface.Join us as we reflect on what it looks like to trust the client's process while still guiding them toward deeper healing. What does "follow the client" look like in your practice?

Have you heard the phrase 'The worst person you know has a therapist encouraging and validating their behaviour'? In this episode, we tackle a tricky line in therapy-- when compassion tips into complicity in a client's harmful, toxic, or otherwise unkind behaviour. We talk about the skill and risk involved in calling clients in when they're not acting in alignment with their own or our shared ethics. We reflect on our own struggles and strategies for working with clients who might be stuck in what some might label as 'arrogance' or 'a victim mentality'— a phrase with terrible, belittling connotations, but it points to something real when clients can't see the whole picture. We explore when a therapist should be more active versus more passive in holding clients accountable and how we help them orient toward change. Do you tend to confront or hold back too much? How can we support clients to break out of black-and-white thinking for their own benefit and the people around them?

In this special episode, we watch and react to our first recording together, before Edge of the Couch, an unpublished episode of a podcast that would never be: 'Reel Therapy Talk' where we would talk about pop culture from the perspective of therapists. On April 6, 2020, we recorded our first and only episode. Love is Blind was having a cultural moment, and it inspired us to talk about the reality show characters, Jessica and Marc. In 2024, our rewatch brings up tender and surprising feelings. We laugh at ourselves, and compare our lives from then to now. Let us know what you think! **Follow us on Patreon to view this episode in video format.** www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch

In this special episode, Bhupie Dulay and Abby Chow come on the podcast to talk about how we can rather than rely on the reductionist approach to working with clients with marginalized identities, radically reimagine what relationality looks like in relationships inside and outside the therapy room. We talk about what it means to practice hope, how our work is essentially about love, and the immense responsibility and power we have as therapists. To learn more about their upcoming summit, Leaning into Liberatory Practice: Bringing Love + Relationality Back Into Therapy, visit www.reflectingonjustice.com/summit.

In this episode, we talk about the roller coaster of emotions that come with getting "dumped" by clients. We discuss the different ways clients can terminate therapy, how each one hits us differently, and the common mistakes we make that might lead to their departure. We talk about mistakes that we make that have lead to clients terminating. We also explore whether or not it is wise to chase down a client after they've left, why the urge to email them can be so strong, and why, more often than not, it's best to let them go. Have you ever been dumped by a client?

Do all therapists engage in dream work, or is it more of a niche practice? We discuss what might hold newer therapists back from exploring their clients' dreams and share how we integrate dream work into our own practices. Plus, we open up about our experiences in an informal projective dream group and how it has shaped our approach as therapists. How do you incorporate dreams into your therapeutic work, or is it something you're curious to try?

Sometimes clients will come right out and tell you what they are feeling frustrated, annoyed, or concerned about. Sometimes clients may have a harder time communicating “negative” things and their frustrations may come out in passive aggressive ways. But what do we do when clients are communicating passive aggressively? Do we let the little remakes pass, do we respond to them directly, or do we actively avoid them out of discomfort?This week's episode is about navigating the complexities of communication styles and how to know when you address a client's passive aggressive remarks. We both share what comes up for us when someone is being passive aggressive and what that can mean for the therapeutic work!

In this episode, we dive into a recent trend of clients secretly or openly recording their therapy sessions. We discuss how it might feel as a therapist to discover you're being recorded and wrestle with the ethical implications surrounding this practice. We discuss the different motivations behind recording—whether it's for memory retention, accountability, or creating content for social media. Does the fear of being recorded reveal deeper concerns about avoiding accountability in our profession? How would YOU feel if you learned you were being recorded?Join us on October 26th for our 1-day conference in beautiful North Vancouver. For more information, visit EventBrite and search Edge of the Couch. Secure your spot before June 30th for an early bird ticket! See you there!

In this episode, we dive into who is responsible for creating a sense of continuity in therapy-- the client or the therapist. We discuss the role of homework, strategic note-taking, and what you might say at the beginning or end of sessions to keep the flow going. How do you ensure each session builds on the last? Share your thoughts with us!Join us on October 26th for our 1-day conference in beautiful North Vancouver. For more information, visit EventBrite and search Edge of the Couch. Secure your spot before June 30th for an early bird ticket! See you there!

After receiving 4 (FOUR!!!!) emails asking about an erotic transference episode, we finally had a chance to discuss the topic. Erotic transference happens in a lot of therapeutic relationships and some theoretical orientations lean in to its exploration (think psychoanalysis), but many of us were not given any guidance about what to do when it comes up. How should we respond when a client has a crush on us, wants to keep seeing us because of their erotic feelings towards us, or wishes to have sex with us?Join us on October 26th for our 1-day conference in beautiful North Vancouver. For more information, visit EventBrite and search Edge of the Couch. Secure your spot before June 30th for an early bird ticket! See you there!

In this episode, we tackle the misuse of therapy speak and its impact. We delve into popular buzzwords, how these terms are being used (and misused), and discuss the important role therapists can play in educating clients on their proper use and definitions. Join us on October 26th for our 1-day conference in beautiful North Vancouver. For more information, visit EventBrite and search Edge of the Couch. Secure your spot before June 30th for an early bird ticket! See you there!

In this episode, we explore what might be happening with clients when there is silence. Sometimes it's an awkward silence, sometimes they are contemplating what to say next or they are dissociated, and sometimes they are waiting for us to take the reigns. We share our perspectives on sitting in the silence versus breaking it, and talk about the different types of silences that show up in therapy. What happens if there are no silences? Join us as we uncover the significance behind these quiet moments.Join us on October 26th for our 1-day conference in beautiful North Vancouver. For more information, visit EventBrite and search Edge of the Couch. Secure your spot before June 30th for an early bird ticket! See you there!

Unconditional positive regard, a concept introduced by Carl Rogers, emphasizes accepting and supporting clients without judgment regardless of what the client says or does. We have thoughts!Join us on October 26th for our 1-day conference in beautiful North Vancouver. For more information, visit EventBrite and search Edge of the Couch. Secure your spot before June 30th for an early bird ticket! See you there!

What do you do when a client describes a traumatic experience, but then proceeds to shrug it off? In this episode, we explore what might be going on when clients dismiss what we gather are traumatic experiences. We discuss possible reasons behind this phenomenon, including denial, dissociation, or simply seeing it as common and therefore, normal and not worth discussing. We use examples like Alec Baldwin's 2007 voicemail to his daughter and an anecdote about Gabor Mate. This conversation mostly focuses on developmental or relational trauma, and so, there are a few points where we have trouble finding the words to talk about it! These experiences can be so beyond language. Join us as we wade into the complexities of working with trauma when the client isn't quite naming it as trauma.Join us on October 26th for our 1-day conference in beautiful North Vancouver. For more information, visit EventBrite and search Edge of the Couch. Secure your spot before June 30th for an early bird ticket! See you there!

Now, we don't believe that clients can be “too emotional” but many clients come to therapy with narratives around emotion that may make them feel that they are being too much when they are emotional in session - crying is a weakness, anger is a bad emotion, I'm a cry baby, stoicism is best etc. As clinicians we have to sit with the full spectrum of emotionality from clients, but we can sometimes be shocked by our own reactions to client emotional expressions (and many programs don't specifically train clinicians for sitting with big feelings).We also have to be aware of our own beliefs about feelings. Do we think that there is such a thing as too much crying? How do we feel when we are sitting with someone who is extremely angry? Is anger a bad thing or a good thing, in our opinion? How can we feel regulated and balanced when clients may be swinging more wildly?Join us on October 26th for our 1-day conference in beautiful North Vancouver. For more information, visit EventBrite and search Edge of the Couch. Secure your spot before June 30th for an early bird ticket! See you there!

This week, we talk about therapist enmeshment - what it is, how it happens, and what therapists can do to ensure they have appropriate boundaries with clients. For this conversation, we're placing the context at the feet of the therapists and exploring how some therapy practices and some therapists encourage emotional enmeshment with clients.We talk about how over-identification with a client (we've experienced the same things so we must feel the same way), lack of energetic and relational boundaries, and making clients feel that we are dependent on them getting well all muddy the waters of therapy. We also talk about what happens when clients feel that they owe their therapists something (I have to seem okay or my therapist will feel bad about themselves) or when they feel that have to edit the content of their sessions out of worry of burdening the client.Even when we share identities with a client, they have had their own experience or life that is fully separate from us and it's vital that we have a clear sense of where we end and clients begin. We have to be able to be present with clients without inserting ourselves energetically in their personal psychic space.This is a doozy of a topic but super energizing to discuss. What are your thoughts about therapist enmeshment? Be sure to check out this season 7 opener and let us know what you think!Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on InstagramJoin us on October 26th for our 1-day conference in beautiful North Vancouver. For more information, visit EventBrite and search Edge of the Couch. Secure your spot before June 30th for an early bird ticket! See you there!

We're in between seasons right now, but we feel it is long overdue to talk about Palestine and what therapists are wrestling with when it comes to speaking up about genocide in session and in public. We are taught "do no harm" but at what point is our silence more harmful than speaking out? As always, we ask for openness and curiosity as we engage with the nuance about this "controversial" topic. How do we talk about genocide? How do we bring our feelings and stance into sessions? How do we centre the client in front of us and their experiences? These are questions therapists are confronted with at this historical moment. 

In this special episode, we look back at the history of our podcast, our favourite episodes, and the vulnerable things about doing the podcast. We read some recent DMs from Instagram, a one-star review, and we listen to some voice notes sent in by listeners. We recorded this one late at night (for us at least!) so we get a little loopy at the end saying thank you thank you thank you, but truly, thanks for listening and being a part of our Edge of The Couch community. This marks both our 100th episode as well as the finale of Season 6. If you want more, and can't wait until Season 7, join us on patreon, where we are posting weekly episodes breaking our typical format. Maybe we will see you there!

Our penultimate episode this season explores what can happen when the content of the session tugs at all of our own shit! Maybe we're experiencing something similar to our clients in our own lives or the client says something that reminds us of ourselves. Maybe the client experience is pulling forward memories of something we've said or done before. This episode is all about what to do in the moment when we are flooded with our own stuff AND we still need to be present for the client.We share examples of topics that tend to poke at our personal stuff, times when we were more susceptible to being activated, and how we have managed these moments with as little disruption to the client as possible. We spend a great deal of time weighing the pros and cons of sharing with a client when our own shit is coming up and we land on our personal opinions about whether therapists should share that or not!Because we believe in being fully present and allowing energy to flow bi-directionally, it is inevitable that work with clients will sometimes stir up our own big feelings. It's not about ensuring it never happens but instead it's about how to manage and respond effectively when it does.How do you respond/act/manage when your shit comes up? Any particular topics that you know poke at your personal stuff? What, if anything, do you share with clients about that?

In this episode, we dive into a common struggle suggested by one of our awesome listeners: the nagging feeling of not "doing enough" in therapy. Join us as we unpack this topic and ask ourselves the question: Do trainings really make you a better therapist? We share our experiences and some controversial opinions. Whether you're a seasoned therapist or just starting out on your journey, this episode is your invitation to explore what's happening behind feeling the need to prove yourself in the therapy room. We do offer ideas about which trainings are worthwhile, and when it's time for you to do some inner work to be a more confident therapist.Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

This is a highly requested topic that comes with so much charge and tenderness. This week, we're talking about being rejected by a client. We explore the myriad of rejections that can happen in the relationship - both micro and macro moments.We tenderly share what can come up for therapists when a client stops scheduling sessions or tells us they want to stop seeing us. This is an especially vulnerable moment for new therapists and we remember well how crushing it felt in the beginning.Throughout the episode, we discuss the many reasons that clients reject therapists and we dive into the pieces that the therapist has to own and all of the pieces that have nothing to do with the therapist. We strongly believe that moments of rejection can be learning opportunities for therapists but that shame and “I'm a bad therapist” thoughts are rarely helpful.This episode is about recognizing that rejection is a normal part of this work but also honouring how painful it can be. We share what has helped us to build our capacities for rejection and what we have learned from being “dumped” by clients.How are you when a client stops booking sessions? How do you feel if a client tells you they don't want to keep working together? What have you learned in the process or a client pulling away from the relationship?

This week we are taking it back to the basics-- how to open and close sessions! We share our favourite opening questions/remarks, talk about why it can be valuable to avoid “how are you” as the opening question, and what to do when clients look to you, the therapist, to lead.On the flip side, we wrap up the session by talking about the benefits of an intentional closing with clients, why it's so important to be able to structure sessions, and how to build our interrupting skills.As clinicians, we often want to explore all the deep, big stuff of therapy, which we absolutely love! AND we know it's valuable to keep our foundational skills well-polished, doing regular check-ins without ourselves and our clients to see if there is anything we need to tweak or adjust.

This week, we're sharing how we respond when clients answer with “I don't know”s. We talk about why “I don't know” can feel so discombobulating, how to respond effectively and without panicking, what these responses might mean from clients, and why they can help deepen the therapy work. We explore both when clients who often have robust answers suddenly give us an “I don't know” and when clients often answer with “I don't know”s, situations that have to be handled differently.When we were new therapists, “I don't know” felt scary and unmanageable so we're hoping this episode helps you feel more confident in knowing what to do next!Join us for our workshop on February 22. You can purchase your ticket on Eventbrite.

No-show and cancellation conversations are some of the most charged and controversial among therapists. There are constant debates about whether to charge for cancellations or not, how much notice is reasonable to therapists, and how strict or flexible to be with these policies.This week we deep dive into the huge importance of having clear policies that have been communicated to clients, building flexibility into policy to centre the therapeutic relationship, and why it's valuable to charge what you are worth, adhere to your policies, and stand firm in your decisions.Join us for our workshop on February 22. You can purchase your ticket on Eventbrite.

Many clients come to therapy with a history of charged relationship dynamics. Maybe they've been people-pleasing, maybe they shut others out, maybe they have difficulty being vulnerable with friends, maybe they crave closeness but don't know how to get it, maybe they dance between investing too little in relationships to putting everything into them, maybe they never rock the boat for fear of abandonment…the list is endless. How, as therapists, do we help clients to move from one of these dynamics into a different way of showing up?This episode explores how we help clients to take relational risks: deepen relationships, practice vulnerability, say “no”, name their internal experience to someone else, tell us when we've done something that they did not like…another long list!These risks can happen in the therapy space when we talk about rupture with clients, do active check-ins about how they feel therapy is going, and prioritize intentional open communication. These risks can also happen outside of therapy. In these moments, we can help clients prepare for tricky conversations, discuss how they might feel following a relational risk, and fortify for any big reactions that could happen.Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

If you're on any therapy forums, part of a therapist group, or even currently becoming a therapist, you've undoubtedly seen people talking about therapists leaving the field. One of the most common questions we get from new therapists is how to know if the field is right for them given how much of a hard time they are having. This week we discuss our theories about why so many new and seasoned therapists alike are leaving the field. We talk about the disillusionment that happens when we transition from student to therapist, how much the field requires of us personally, financially, and emotionally, and the trend of established practices mistreating new therapists to the point of burnout.We also discuss the impact of our current unstable economy, the demands of capitalism, how little some therapists are being paid and what it means to be a therapist trained through an individual lens but realizing how big the systems are that impact our clients.Being a therapist is not easy and we're not surprised that the systems in place are forcing people to choose professions outside of therapy. But we feel a sense of sadness that so many incredibly gifted clinicians are needing to look elsewhere because of low pay, unrealistic work expectations from employers, and ever-increasing demands on the field as a whole.Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed the landscape of therapy. Where before 2020 online therapy was met with a great deal of skepticism and judgment, once in-person sessions were no longer possible, clinicians across the world had to pivot into virtual work. At first, it seemed that the changes may only be temporary (“just until it's safe to be in-person again”) but here we are almost four years later, and virtual work has become an undeniable part of our field.In this episode, we dive into the pros and cons, and the debates around virtual versus in-person therapy. We talk about what is unique in each—how clients might get distracted, what interruptions look like, the control we have over the therapy space, how comfortable everyone feels, and the nuances of interacting with our clients. Plus, we discuss all the ways the essential parts of therapy remain the same, regardless of the setting.Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

Major major MAJOR caveat: what clients bring to sessions is important regardless of the ‘size' of it. We used the terminology “small things” as it felt that it explained the situation in the most precise way but we know that nothing is ever really “small” when we consider context, our clients' lives, and the power of little things in our day-to-day existence.With that clarified, this week's episode is about what comes up for us as therapists when clients explore minor/small/seemingly insignificant (ugh, it's hard to find the most accurate language to use) stories or challenges. As therapists, we may become frustrated that we aren't getting to the BIG stuff or we may have a hard time understanding how small things seem to feel really huge for clients.We know that many clients worry that their situations aren't worthy of therapy - not traumatic enough to meet an invisible threshold. We must know how to talk to clients about the validity of their experiences, that they are all valid for exploration and support. And we need to know how to manage ourselves and the sessions when clients seem to stay in the shallow end of the pool.Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

Join us in a candid conversation about policies and power in therapy. We delve into the topic of therapist boundaries, drawing parallels with dynamics with supervisors and bosses. We get real about the challenges of asserting boundaries within complicated power dynamics, whether you're the therapist with your own clients or you're navigating dynamics with your supervisor or boss. We hope you are better able to recognize red flags and take away practical strategies for making the work more sustainable for you long-term. Number 1: Re-assess your policies!Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

Let's imagine that in the course of a session, a client casually mentions something that feels big but the conversation moves beyond it quickly. As the therapist, we may have a sense that we need to go back to that big thing (such as a history of abuse or an upcoming grief anniversary or that they lost their job) but we may not know how or when to do so!Or let's imagine that a client hasn't paid for their last four sessions. It's become such a big anxiety that it feels impossibly hard to mention but there is a sense that it has to be brought up eventually. It feels both scary and critical!This episode is all about how to know when to circle back to the elephant that is now in the room. We share how to talk about both the content-related bombs that have been dropped in sessions and the process-related pieces that are impacting the relationship, such as those outlined above.Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

Shame is often talked about in pop psych, but what does it mean? In this episode all about this tender emotion, we describe how the different theoretical frameworks understand how shame operates and how to work with it to move the therapy forward. From childhood trauma and abuse to marginalized identities and privilege, we unpack how shame might show up for people and the various ways we can help clients address it. It's a messy dive into this universal emotion, and we're well aware we've just scratched the surface. Share your thoughts, strategies, and maybe some suggestions for a possible Part 2—we'd love to hear from you!Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

In our therapeutic work, we think of ourselves as ‘fellow travellers' who journey alongside our clients in the evolving, changing, learning etc. But recently we were asked by a listener, “what does being a fellow traveller actually mean?” We realized then that we've never taken the time to dive into what we really mean when we use this metaphor.This episode is all about how we conceptualize the role of therapist, how we use ‘fellow traveller' as a specific way to describe the relational nature of our work, and what we do to embody this practice with clients.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on InstagramWe have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.

We're back and excited for Season 6!! We're opening the season with a juicy question that we get a lot - what are practicum supervisors looking for? We can't speak for all supervisors but we had a great time recording this episode explaining what we both look for in student applications.Applying to a practicum site or a new therapist job is a pretty vulnerable process. Students are often anxious and desperate to find a site and there is a lot riding on whether they secure a practicum or not! In this episode, we share the concrete specifics of what we look for in practicum students.We discuss how to strengthen your application, how to feel confident even if you don't have a ton of experience, and how to highlight your specific strengths in a way that makes it clear why you'd be a good fit for the practice/supervisor.This was a listener-requested topic which happens to be our favourite type of episode to record. If you have an episode idea in mind, be sure to let us know!Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on InstagramWe have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.

From celebrating clients' milestones and triumphs to helping them navigate the darkest seasons of life, in our final episode of Season 5, we'll share what makes being a therapist especially meaningful. We also discuss what happens when clients have news and we have very different feelings about it than our clients. If you have enjoyed listening along this season, please give us a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Stay tuned for Season 6 coming in the Fall!For bonus episodes, you can join us on patreon at patreon.com/edgeofthecouchAlison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on InstagramWe have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.