Evan the Counselor is a Licensed Mental Health Professional and Addiction Counselor creating educational and comedic content on social media. This podcast features various topics, and interviews, in the mental health and addiction space, and streamed with a live audience.
Today, Garett Westerwelle, a mental performance coach, joins our discussion on mental and physical performance, especially with athletes. Before being a coach, Garetts was an athlete with a career competing for many sports teams. This experience inspires him to explore scientific research, theories, and applied psychology deeper to provide insightful training plans for his clients. Our conversation opens up various topics from the correlation between anxiety and performance, the stress in recreational and professional sports, negative emotions dealing, to stress treatment. Garett explains these topics from not only his professional knowledge but also his personal experience with clients. His relatable sharing gives me an insight into athlete emotional regulation and tips to apply in my everyday life to boost my performance. Don't miss this captivating episode! ----------- GET IN TOUCH: If you want to learn more about addiction and mental health, please click SUBSCRIBE to Evan's Youtube channel and follow him on other social media:
Join us for a fascinating conversation with Jacob Skidmore, aka. "The Nameless Narcissist," a prominent advocate for raising awareness about Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). As our latest guest speaker, he shares his journey of self-discovery and the complexities of living with NPD. In this episode, we delve into his early development of NPD and how it has shaped his social relationships with friends and family. Through his experiences, he provides a unique perspective on the inner world of a narcissist, challenging the common stereotype of selfishness. The Nameless Narcissist also opens up about his battles with trauma, addiction, and his path to recovery. His story is a testament to resilience and offers valuable insights for anyone interested in mental health, particularly NPD. Don't miss this captivating episode! ----------- GET IN TOUCH: If you want to learn more about addiction and mental health, please click SUBSCRIBE to Evan's Youtube channel and follow him on other social media:
Join us for a fascinating conversation with Jacob Skidmore, aka. "The Nameless Narcissist," a prominent advocate for raising awareness about Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). As our latest guest speaker, he shares his journey of self-discovery and the complexities of living with NPD. In this episode, we delve into his early development of NPD and how it has shaped his social relationships with friends and family. Through his experiences, he provides a unique perspective on the inner world of a narcissist, challenging the common stereotype of selfishness. The Nameless Narcissist also opens up about his battles with trauma, addiction, and his path to recovery. His story is a testament to resilience and offers valuable insights for anyone interested in mental health, particularly NPD. Don't miss this captivating episode! ----------- GET IN TOUCH: If you want to learn more about addiction and mental health, please click SUBSCRIBE to Evan's Youtube channel and follow him on other social media:
In this episode of "Evan the Counselor Live," I have the extraordinary privilege of chatting with a colleague, friend, and a truly inspirational figure – Katie Donovan. Despite my extensive experience in working with families and individuals grappling with addiction, both personally and professionally, it's Katie I turn to when I need deeper insights. Katie isn't just a writer and content creator; she is, most importantly, a mother. Her daughter's battle with severe addiction and mental health challenges has not only shaped her journey but also empowered her to assist thousands of families in crisis. These families, often feeling lost and fearing for their loved ones' lives, have found guidance and hope through Katie's work. What sets Katie apart is her unique, compassionate, and balanced approach to mindfully supporting those precious individuals in our lives who we deeply care for, yet fear for their safety. Her blend of knowledge, experience, and insight is invaluable, making her an indispensable resource in this field. I highly recommend diving into this podcast and immersing yourself in Katie's work. Her wisdom is a beacon for anyone navigating the turbulent waters of addiction and mental health within their family.
Dan Cunningham, also known as The Organizer Man is a Certified Professional Coach and content creator specializing in decluttering your space as well as your life, to help his clients and followers reduce anxiety, and stress, and improve their overall quality of life. In this episode, he shares his 15 incredible life hacks that in various areas that guide our conversation as we learn about him and the incredible work he does. From managing your physical space to nurturing your emotional well-being, Dan's strategic approach offers valuable solutions for those seeking to cultivate discipline in their daily habits. To further enrich the conversation, we delve into my own experiences and areas of expertise, exploring topics such as life organization for individuals with ADHD and creative ways to utilize leftovers in the kitchen for quick and convenient meals. Get ready to transform your life with these game-changing hacks! ----------- GET IN TOUCH: If you want to learn more about addiction and mental health, please click SUBSCRIBE to Evan's Youtube channel and follow him on other social media:
Is Cancel Culture Real? A Balanced View of DEI | With Dr. David Everett In this episode, I had a fascinating conversation on a topic I have been wanting to explore with an expert for quite some time. Our guest was Dr. David Everett, the Vice President of Inclusive Excellence at Hamline University in Saint Paul, MN. Dr. Everett has been actively involved in designing, implementing, and evaluating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training programs since 2015. During our conversation, we delved into Dr. Everett's experiences with promoting DEI and increasing its impact on the campus community. From his administrative perspective, Dr. Everett provided valuable insights into the challenges of implementing DEI programs effectively. Additionally, we explored related topics such as cancel culture, college admission opportunities, and more. Our conversation with Dr. Everett shed light on the importance of DEI and the ongoing efforts required to create a more inclusive and equitable environment. ----------- GET IN TOUCH: If you want to learn more about addiction and mental health, please click SUBSCRIBE to Evan's Youtube channel and follow him on other social media:
In this episode, I welcome Drew Horowitz, an addiction & mental health clinician and interventionist in Minnesota who has performed nearly 1,000 interventions nationwide. As an interventionist, Drew delivers a rare, complex, and essential service that very few people can excel at, addiction intervention. Drew and I discuss one of the most common questions I receive as a therapist: "How do I help a friend or family member struggling with addiction or mental health who may be resistant? There is a fine line between helping and enabling, so we break down who family members can be most influential while avoiding unwittingly contributing to the problem. From his personal addiction recovery, Drew found his purpose to help others in his same shoes and has become one of the most respected interventionists in the US. Drew is also an incredible entrepreneur opening multiple programs in Minnesota, from Detox and IOP to Specialized Sober Living. The conversation with Drew was a fascinating discourse as we shared our related experiences working with MICD clients in various complicated and dire situations. ----------- GET IN TOUCH: If you want to learn more about addiction and mental health, please click SUBSCRIBE to Evan's Youtube channel and follow him on other social media:
In this episode, I invite my friend and colleague, Dr. Carrie Manke, an inspirational woman, to join ETC Live. Surviving a horrific sexual assault and domestic violence, Carrie overcame her obstacles and used her experience to become a medical professional to help others who went through similar experiences. This interview turned into a fascinating two-sided discussion where both Carrie and I share our personal experiences and professional knowledge of trauma therapy, chronic pain, childhood memory, and many under-discussed topics as two roles: the patient and the therapist. I specialize in trauma therapy, while she is the provider for chronic pain that I have struggled with for years. The episode with Dr. Manke is informative and touching as it carries her hope to heal the wounded souls and recover after the sorrow. ----------- GET IN TOUCH: If you want to learn more about addiction and mental health, please click SUBSCRIBE to Evan's Youtube channel and follow him on other social media:
In this episode, ETC Live welcomes our first returning guest, Dr. Ashvin Sood. Also known as The Psych Doc of TikTok, Dr. Sood is a licensed Psychiatrist in Virginia and a social media influencer in mental health. Dr. Sood and I had a captivating conversation on our last dual Livestream. He and I could probably talk for hours about everything related to mental health and addiction. In this conversation, we discussed a lot of great topics and a few controversial ones, such as the addictive potential of Adderall and considerations when giving this often necessary med to patients with ADHD. We both share our experience working with Adderall: such as which patients are most appropriate for it, who are not, and how to calculate the risk benefits when prescribing. Also, in the podcast, we discuss our experience working with adolescents and some of the complexities, as well as the rewards it can bring. There were some complex psychological topics in the discussion, so if you want to know more about any case, leave a comment, and I'll see if I can answer. Or, more likely, I'll just ask Dr. Sood :) ---------GET IN TOUCH: If you want to learn more about addiction and mental health, please click SUBSCRIBE to Evan's Youtube channel and follow him on other social media:
In this episode, I have an engaging discussion with Kohdi Rayne, who is well-known as an international bestselling author, syndicated course designer, content creator, and entrepreneur. Kohdi has a unique view of addiction and recovery that runs counter to the mainstream and I'll admit many of his ideas are compelling. Defines himself as a liver failure survivor who struggled with a 24-year drinking career. After overcoming illness and recovering health, Kohdi becomes a social media influencer shifting the narrative around alcoholism. His content focuses on mental wellness with the motivation to help those in the same situation as he can overcome their substance abuse struggles and save their own lives. In this ETC LIVE podcast, Kohdi and I have an interactive conversation on addiction, recovery, and his powerful sobriety program, Beyond Sober. Follow Kohdi at:
In this episode, Lily the Social Worker, and I have an insightful conversation with Kody Green aka @schizophrenichippie, a motivational speaker and content creator with over 1 million followers on TikTok on his experience with Undifferentiated Schizophrenia and how he overcame drug addiction and serious mental health issues. Kody has shared his story and raised awareness of Schizophrenia and other thought disorders and mental health issues for his followers via social media and motivational speeches. In this ETC LIVE podcast, Lily and I have a chance to know more about his experience in launching his social media accounts, how he understands his disorder and symptoms, and how a therapist can support their client from his perspective. I believe it is important to learn from the insider's perspective and the conversation with Kody inspires us a lot on improving the treatment for clients. Also, I invited Lily to share her own insider experience working as an inpatient psychiatric social worker who works with patients struggling with the hallucinations and delusions that come with thought disorders. Follow Kodi at
Welcome to episode 2 of my ongoing attempt to create my own sex and love advice podcast. Perhaps we should call it "Do as I say not as I do" All kidding aside, I continue to answer your sex, love, and romance questions in this episode. So many great topics were brought up, including a follower who was debating dating her best guy friend after a divorce. This an much more on ep2. And don't forget to stick around for everyone's favorite segment "Bad Advice" where I satirically tell you to do things you probably shouldn't...
I present to you the first episode of TikTok LoveLine, where your pal ETC answers your sex, dating, and romance questions on a Livestream. I have always wanted to start an advice show. And now that I have the platform to do that, why not? This was a ton of fun, and I intend to keep it going. In this premiere episode, we hit on some of the following topics. The ethics of the more manipulative dating practices Dating while struggling with addiction When to disclose a mental health or substance use history while dating Dating in your 50's When to introduce someone you are dating to your kids How to combat anxiety and insecurities around dating The pros and cons of monogamy vs. non-monogamy Is the phrase, "once a cheater, always a cheater" accurate? Everyone's favorite segment, "bad advice," where I tell you how to destroy your life so you can hopefully do the opposite I hope you enjoy, -ETC
I am beyond excited to bring you today's episode with my long-time social media buddy Avisha also known as "Distilled Science" on TikTok. Avisha is a COVID scientist/researcher who has been a reliable source of information to many and hundreds of thousands of others throughout this pandemic. He has an excellent track record of dismantling misinformation in a fun and engaging way. With the fast pace of change this virus presents, he is able to use his platform to provide frequent updates on what we know to be true and false at any given moment using sound scientific rigor. I have been following this pandemic quite closely and have done my best to stay informed, but I still had so many questions that I felt would benefit me and the rest of you all as a layperson. Below are but a few of the topics we covered. Where we are at two years into this pandemic very few thought would last this long Looking back, what have we done right in our response and where have we fallen short How to use critical thinking to decide what messages to trust The state of the scientific community and reasons to trust it and be skeptical at the same time How do we balance free speech and trying to reduce deadly misinformation Dr. Robert Malone on Joe Rogan and the responsibility of large platforms to pull content Thinking errors we are susceptible to The uniqueness of COVID-19 and its ability to wreak havoc The importance of effective scientific communication and why that can be so difficult How Avisha thinks we should move forward in a balanced approach How to weigh the costs and benefits of COVID precautions and understand the damage they may cause How natural immunity stacks up against the vaccine One of Avisha's heroes Bill Nye and how maybe he should have been in a role like Fauci One of my favorite scenes in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia that I felt brilliantly encapsulated the history and psychology of science denial. Link to that clip here. I am confident you will enjoy this as much as I did! -ETC
I'm back baby!!! I finally got the chance to chat with one of my fellow content creators and man-crush, Dr. Ashvin Sood, aka. The Psych Doc of TikTok. Dr. Sood is a child and adolescent psychiatrist working out of New York City. I was most excited to talk with Dr. Sood about an important topic I haven't seen discussed elsewhere: the importance of collaboration between therapists and med providers. Therapy and medications are the two most common tools for treating mental health disorders. Many of my clients are on medications, and I refer clients for med consults. The same goes for med providers referring to therapists. This was a fantastic conversation that lasted way longer than we expected. Still, there was no break in the conversation and plenty to talk about. We went deep on many great discussion topics and had quite a few laughs along the way. Some of what we discussed are as follows. How we got into the field and content creation Criticism of the ideological narratives that form on mental health social media and how to challenge them The rapid onset of rare disorders in teens due to TikTok Working with teens vs. adults Dr. Soods family that's full of psychiatrists and the history of Indians and Indian Americans getting into the field of psychiatry. My experience working with addiction and some of the approaches I take The importance of psychiatry and therapy working together and collaborating. Dr. Sood's unique practice providing psychotherapy along with med management Dr. Sood's training in psychoanalysis and the tradition of psychoanalytic theory in New York City The importance of transparency with clients when it comes to fees Most importantly, Dr. Sood's routine for getting his ridiculously impressive smile. I hope you all enjoy this conversation as much as I did. I think you will learn a lot as well. Please check out my new newsletter through Substack. I am writing articles going deeper into the topics I discuss on TikTok. Some of my favorite journalists like Matt Taibi and Bari Weiss are on Substack so I thought I'd join.
When I first saw Haley's content on TikTok, @your.psych.pharmacist, I was blown away. I had never heard of a Pharmacist who specializes in psychiatric medications. Haley works full-time as a Pharmacist at a psych hospital and is able to communicate and break down how these medications work like I have heard no one else do. Naturally, I needed to have her on the show and luckily she agreed. Haley also happens to be a hilarious and delightfully quirky person as you will see from the microphone dangling from her glasses. She made me laugh harder than any guest especially with all the technical difficulties that became comedically ridiculous. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! -ETC
In this discussion series, we talk about why celebrities, who seem to have it all, suffer at addiction rates far above the average population. We go through a list of the different stars who have been open about their addictions and recovery and what we can learn from each story. We discuss how money and power, in general, affect our behavior. We even leave a little time in the end for some follower Q&A on any topic. In the end, we randomly did a deep dive into the behavior of black bears because why not? I wasn't sure how this episode would go, but it far surpassed my expectations, and we had a great discussion. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. -ETC
In today's episode, I have the honor of interviewing Dr. Patrick Kennedy MD. Dr. Kennedye is a specialist in ADHD practicing out of Oklahoma City. I have never met anyone as knowledgeable about this topic and we dive DEEP into the neurochemistry and behavioral symptomatology of ADHD. ADHD is one of the most popular topics on mental health social media. We discuss why that is and the latest research into the disorder., and much more. I'd like to think I know a thing or two, but I learned more in this hour and a half than I have anywhere else on the topic. If you are a nerd like me or have an interest in ADHD you will love this episode!
There is no relationship between two humans similar to that of the therapist/client dynamic. There is a unique set of rules and norms that protect its therapeutic nature. I believe this is one of the most important topics in mental health that is not discussed enough with individuals on the client-side. In this video, I will break down the therapeutic relationship and answer questions such as, "what if I am attracted to my therapist?" I even talk about the taboo question of what if a therapist is attracted to their client?!
On today's episode, I am beyond excited to have Jesse Lyon a fellow TikTok colleague. He is a true unicorn, as he is the only one I know who specializes in hypnosis and dream interpretation. How freaking cool right? We discuss everything from what our dreams mean, the research behind dream interpretation, and the merits of Freudian psychoanalysis. You gotta check this convo out and I am sure you will enjoy it as much as I did. -ETC Check out some of Jesse's social and website... https://lyonmentalhealth.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@lyonmentalhealth?lang=en
On our second episode of the ETC LIVE discussion series I breakdown harm reduction and how it's applied to addiction. We are live streaming on TikTok and answering follower questions as we dive in.
On today's episode, I had the opportunity to interview one of my favorite TikTok colleagues, Mattew Phifer. Matt has become a well-known specialist on the topic of narcissism and toxic relationships. Matt has a strong following on social media where he coaches and educates the public on this fascinating topic. So many people have found themselves caught in toxic relationships and struggled to find healing. Matt has inspired countless people to recognize toxic people, get out of their unhealthy relationships, and heal.
This is a LIVE discussion on Borderline Personality Disorder. This is the first of its kind where I present a topic and answer questions live from my TikTok stream. We had an awesome time and a ton of engagement, as this topic is super popular among those who follow mental health content on social media. I hope you enjoy!
This podcast recording features a fascinating interview with Paula Epstein an End of Life Doula. She highlights how she helps guide families in hospice care through the death and dying process. This was a really enlightening interview that you will not want to miss!
In this episode, Alysia and I discuss all things anxiety. Alysia is a licensed mental health and addiction professional in Minnesota and creates hilarious mental health content on social media. Check out Alysia's TikTik and Instagram @that.anxious.therapist
Today we discuss how we diagnose mental health disorders with special guest Dr. Brent Haagensen. Dr. Brent maintains a practice where he sees clients for therapy and specializes in psychological testing with batteries such as the MMPI. We talk about everything related to diagnosing including pop psychology and personality tests like the Meyers-Briggs.
In the first-ever episode of Evan the Counselor Live we break down the relationship between COVID and mental health and how this global event has had an impact on our mental health. and overall wellbeing. Later in the episode, Evan speaks with one of his besties Lily P, Psychiatric Social Worker extraordinaire to hear from the front lines on what she is seeing in acute psychiatric emergency settings and her experiences over the past year. Conversation with Lily: 40:16