Tell Me About Your Mother

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Welcome to “Tell Me About Your Mother,” a podcast for psychotherapists by psychotherapists, where we explore issues related to our profession, filtering them through our professional, and sometimes personal and humorous, lens. Each episode, Evan, Eli, a

Evan Miller, Melissa Martin, Eli Branscome

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    • Jun 18, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 59m AVG DURATION
    • 49 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Tell Me About Your Mother

    Episode 49: Social Justice Warrior Bullies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2025 54:49


    In this episode, Evan shares his experience with therapists being bullies in professional Facebook groups. Therapist can be abusive to other therapists when their views are challengedThe importance of therapists' opaqueness in sessionSexuality is not an on/off switch Therapy is not the place for therapists to bring their values, beliefs, and political viewsHow has heterosexuality become demonized?White males need to just shut the fuck up? Reader-bias  Support the showHave any questions or insights about this episode? Reach out to us at contactus@tellmeaboutyourmother.run

    Episode 48: Review Of Adolescence Show

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 27:45


    Evan and Melissa do a brief review of the Netflix show "Adolescence," mostly focusing on the third episode and the intervention strategies of the Forensic Psychologist. Foresensic Psychologist began with rapport building and quickly shifted to a more authoritarian/contrarian relational toneMelissa, wha are poop puppets? Truth seeking is not rapport building or importantForensic Psychologist becomes dysregulated, fails to co-regulate with clientThe emotional experience of women when male clients become "apish"Social media groups and their confirmation biasesMom taking responsibility for regulating her husband and implicitly teaching her daughter of a woman's role in the home  Support the showHave any questions or insights about this episode? Reach out to us at contactus@tellmeaboutyourmother.run

    Episode 47: Social Contagions

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2025 67:20


    The Gloria videos (therapy session videos from the 1960s)Working with the adult selfPsychogenic seizuresWe are NOT neurologists Social contagions Conversion disorder Wim Hoff breathingClients finding stability and discontinuing therapy prior to deep change Co-regulation Podcast mentions: "Hysteria" and "Harvey Speaks." Support the showHave any questions or insights about this episode? Reach out to us at contactus@tellmeaboutyourmother.run

    Episode 46: The Scattered Episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 45:37


    Just because you can ask a pointed question doesn't mean you shouldThe analogy of an attic with boxes representing emotional memories to categorize minimized, avoided, or displaced memoriesThe need to "sell" therapy to clients who are in the precontemplative stage of changeClient dissociation in session  Suppressed rage can exacerbate back pain Your marital conflicts are not ACTUALLY about the dishesPolyvagal Theory basicsPodcast References: Hooked (A person robbed 30 banks to support his opiate addiction) Support the showHave any questions or insights about this episode? Reach out to us at contactus@tellmeaboutyourmother.run

    Episode 45: Unspoken Agreements

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2025 48:42


    Send us a textMelissa and Evan share their past experiences with unspoken agreements in relationships Passing off anxieties to partner to resolve insecurities Finances are a common reason for divorceUnspoken agreements utilized in an attempt to resolve attachment traumaFawning to prevent from abandonment, maladaptive self-preservation Mind reading We need to deal in realities, not “shoulds” Support the showHave any questions or insights about this episode? Reach out to us at contactus@tellmeaboutyourmother.run

    Episode 44: WTF is Christian Counseling

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2024 55:11


    Send us a text"Christian Counseling" directly opposes the ACA Code of EthicsCounselors' political biases creating division with clientsThe new-age drama of "right and wrong think"Therapists should not be truth-seekersThe importance of sitting with clients that have different ideologiesMelissa shares about her love of Ricky MartinWhy is the counseling profession becoming a banner flag for social justice and advocacy?Approaching a client relationship similarly to visiting a foreign countryWe are entering the client's world, not inviting them to ours Support the showHave any questions or insights about this episode? Reach out to us at contactus@tellmeaboutyourmother.run

    Episode 43: The Devouring Mother

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2024 51:47


    Send us a textFaulty torture tactics in the Iraq warCarl Jung's Devouring Mother ArchtypeBarriers when applying boundaries to parentsParents of children with addiction feel a sense of closeness in crisis Internal conflicts that occur when experiencing incongruence Support the showHave any questions or insights about this episode? Reach out to us at contactus@tellmeaboutyourmother.run

    Episode 42: Control Patterns

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2024 48:30


    Send us a textPlease reach out via email or social media if you'd like to participate in our FREE wellness audit where we take a brief snapshot of your presenting problems and offer insight into establishing possible new strategies of engaging with self and others.Wellness AuditTransference begins even in the initial consultation with a clientOperating from “control pattern"Ineffectiveness of solely practicing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Rogerian TherapyThe importance of conflict in therapyTherapy should go far beyond the clients' presenting problems They “why” isn't as important as the “what” Support the showHave any questions or insights about this episode? Reach out to us at contactus@tellmeaboutyourmother.run

    Episode 41: Therapists Also Grow In Therapy

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2024 65:41


    Send us a textEvan and Melissa explore how clients have been their greatest teachers. Topics also include:Negative attribution styles Evan and Melissa discuss what they view as their greatest accomplish with a client Sexual trauma response of eliciting “testing behaviors” to possible aggressors The power of entertaining the clients presenting problemExploring with the client: What are we contracting to do?Evan talks about this upcoming climbing trip  Support the showHave any questions or insights about this episode? Reach out to us at contactus@tellmeaboutyourmother.run

    Episode 40: Recovering From Codependency

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2024 65:26


    Send us a textEvan and Melissa discuss the nature of recovering from codependency, its benefits, and challenges.Finding recovery from codependency or other mental health struggles CODA a 12-step recovery program for people recovering from CodependencyRecovery is not an arrival Complications of personal growth journeyThe risk of outgrowing relationships Stages of change  Support the Show.Have any questions or insights about this episode? Reach out to us at contactus@tellmeaboutyourmother.run

    Episode 39: The Vagus Nerve

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2024 45:53


    Send us a Text Message.Evan and Melissa discuss the vagus nerve and its implications in emotional regulation and treatment.3 stages of polyvagal theoryTechnology outrunning our limbic systems evolutionAnxiety tension and fear are attempts to intellectualize feeling Feeling avoidance compared to a nicotine cravingNeurolinguistic programming Melissa also is gracious enough to offer her charts to any of our TMAYM supporters! Feel free to reach out to our email contactus@tellmeaboutyourmother.run Support the Show.Have any questions or insights about this episode? Reach out to us at contactus@tellmeaboutyourmother.run

    Episode 38: Pop Psychology Propaganda

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2024 57:15


    Send us a Text Message.Evan and Melissa explore the often deductive and maladaptive conceptualizations pop psychology shares on social media and its negative consequences. We plan to make this a series since there's a lot of material to cover. This episode focuses on social media reels that are giving advice as to what types of texts to send to your partner that has an anxious attachment style. Support the Show.

    Episode 37: Healing Through Song

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later May 17, 2024 87:25


    Send us a Text Message.Evan and Jamie Kay meet and discuss the healing, reflective, and connecting elements of songwriting with the writer and its audiences. Jamie has written over 300 songs in the course of his 50 years of songwriting. He's a gifted storyteller who's sincerity penetrates throughout our conversation. We're happy to share his energy with our listeners! Support the Show.

    Episode 36: Witchcraft Accusation

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2024 32:22


    Send us a Text Message.Evan and Melissa discuss clients' perspectives that therapists have super powers, how being seen in a raw, deep, meaningful way can at times feel like voodoo magic.  Support the Show.

    Episode 35: Why Don't I Cry In Therapy?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2024 70:45


    Evan and Melissa answer an audience question regarding intellectual defenses in session. "How do I get my therapist to become aware that I am using my intellect to deflect from emotional vulnerability in our sessions?" We are hoping to incorporate this type of interaction with followers more often. If you have any questions about therapy, please don't hesitate to reach out! Support the show

    Episode 34: Intellectual Avoidance

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2024 39:17


    Evan and Melissa explore how intellectualizing stories serves as a protective distancing from emotional exploration, expression, and healing.Implicit memory healingBilateral stimulation CBT often ineffective for treating Bottom up approach to client care versus top down approach Emotional-relational realm being the healing quality of therapy  Support the show

    Episode 33: Dissociative Attunement

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2024 53:23


    Evan and Melissa explore the ways in which clients use intellectualism as a means to conceptualize emotional memories to maintain safety. Topics also include: Emotional attainmentMaintaining an observer role when someone is dysregulatedMaladaptive ways of creating self-protectionTherapy is not advice-givingExplore emotional memories is delicate and is a process Support the show

    Episode 32: Emotional Attunement

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2024 51:10


    Evan, Melissa, and Eli share their experiences with client attunement and the ways in which such connection can promote a deep sense of understanding and meaning.Emotional attunement with clients informing unconventional approaches Eli sifts through his  transcription grad school notes from 1913Emotional attunement compared to flocks of birds and musiciansIntuition informing therapeutic path Support the show

    Episode 31: Police Profiling

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2024 56:45


    Evan, Melissa, and Eli process Evan's recent experience being harassed by the police. Topics also include:ProfilingCrime and punishment ideologyLife-long record keeping Escalation before de-escalationCop incompetence Support the show

    Episode 30: Pray The Gay Away?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2023 47:53


    Evan and Eli meet in video form for the first time-- available on Youtube! They use this hour to explore themes of:Conversion TherapyEmotional Residue from clientsCounter-transferrence  Support the show

    Episode 29: Dating Dopamine

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Dec 4, 2023 66:12


    Parentified child impact in romantic relationships Cultural differences fueling assumptions in friendship DOS OS How the dating sphere has changed with technology You watched too many Disney movies Culture of immediacy impeded on natural romantic development The romantic spark is bullshitDopamine dating Are we marketing authenticity?Compatibility is found through mutual authentic marketing Caretaking others reflects fear of rejection as opposed to caring for others Evan's soapbox grow up stop attaching previous  relationship experiences Dating isn't easy for men eitherNew generation perceived pursuit as predatory Evan shares his hinge profile with Eli and Melissa Support the show

    Episode 28: Playboy-AI-Sex Dolls

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Nov 3, 2023 32:39


    Evan and Eli join for another episode to explore how therapists can unintentionally assume understanding of clients' stories based on personal bias. They then explore the evolution of porn and its possible future implications on sexuality, dating, and identity.Only fans AI becoming a sexual sphere Sex dollsSpecifically identifying the core When we feel stuck Men being “too nice” ripple of toxic masculinity 

    Episode 27: When to Parentectomy

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Oct 11, 2023 62:51


    Evan, Meliisa, and Eli explore the a case that Melissa is processing. A great resource from Dr. Nicole LePera helps us get startedParentified child case study How are crises adaptive systemically?Reenactment between parent, peers, and therapistCaretaking to avoid self careEmphasizing choice with client archetypes that exhibit signs of learned helplessness"Mom anchors"-- a client's unintentional confession

    Episode 26: What Are We Doing?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2023 16:58


    Evan, Melissa, and Eli discuss the intention of the podcast and ways to become more intentional in our discussions. Melissa is our podcast mommyIncorporating the interpersonal supervision model into our conversationsChasing trends creates pop psychology and misinformation The power of Free Association

    Episode 25: Firecracker Puppies

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2023 71:51


    Evan and Eli practice behaving without Melissa being present for this episode. What's worth investigating with a client?Salem witch trials Eli wants to try Ayahuasca  Being attracted to clients Therapeutic flow state is healing Ego blockading energy connections with nature and people Spirituality in nature Eli shares his "firecracker puppy" metaphor

    Episode 24: Take Off The Therapist Hat

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2023 64:49


    Politically correct culture influencing dialogue in therapyQuestions can evoke shameMoving with clients' awarenessWhen self-disclosure is therapeutic Where are his balls?Treating infidelityStory revisionsFear memories have more salient reinforcementsHaving therapeutic relationships that span years 

    Episode 23: Pound Town

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2023 49:15


    Melissa rejoins Evan and Eli. They quickly realize that Melissa is the mother of the group and helps "police" the episode content. This realization prompted Evan and Eli to explore the origins of foreskin shots.What are foreskin shots?Clients exposed to clinical media and come to therapy with inaccurate self-diagnoses Incels on dating apps Men, stop taking people to pound town all the time Being sexualized on dating appsIs the first time with a partner a good litmus test?Performance anxiety Porn addictionPurity cultureCults

    Episode 22: Alcoholic Garden Gnome

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2023 83:02


    Evan and Eli are one-on-one for this episode. Within minutes they realize that Melissa represents a shadow mother figure in the podcast dynamic and that her absence allows for more dick jokes. Discussing the phallic qualities of their mic stands provides a bridge to a slightly more serious conversation: “Sounding gay”Southern sayings Family therapy Intervening in a family system Garden gnome drunkLove pats instead of spankings Fast routes to treating core elements of clientsSaying unconventional things to clients to diffuse and restructure conversationsOld men becoming softerI'd be a bad father if I was warm and loving Our questions are often a projection of ourselves Revictimization of trauma experiences in institutions that are needing data to funding and reimbursementsEvan tells a kid to punch a hole in the wall

    Episode 21: Emotional Literacy

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later May 2, 2023 57:36


    subtle minimization in childhoodUsing Lysol to kill monstersSomatic experience informsPhysicians are not mental health professionalsBypassing intellectual blocking by processing clients' somatic experiencesDangers of pop psychology using incorrect language that impacts clients' self perceptionsStop using manic episode incorrectly Making past-present connections Sometimes effective therapy is just showing up Dragon themed dildos Ndrea.org free EMDR resource If interested in therapy, contact us at our link! https://linktr.ee/tellmeaboutyourmother

    Episode 20: Your Body is Communicating

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Feb 16, 2023 61:38


    Evan and Eli support Melissa in her process her gut reaction to clients' stories, exploring her own counter-transference. This episode also includes topics of:Using cuss words when you pray Affairs don't happen in a vacuum Counter transference informing therapeutic process Negative core belief of defective shame Blowing away bullshit to find authentic selfTrauma responses- filing into longterm storage via the Amygdala to hippocampus Victimization soup When women cheat

    Episode 19: Emotional Portaling

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2022 53:06


    Reenactment affecting client retentionYawning in trauma-focused therapyInfantilizing do alleviate parents' anxiety Don't be a dickViewing identity as a developmental sprectrumExtreme political views reenacting childhood trauma What's going on with trucks with flags?Ideology being substituted for identity Emotional portals to visit attachment rupturesAIP Emotional touchstone creating memory network Resource Recommendations: Robin Shapiro Ego State Training

    Mental Gymnastics

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2022 77:13


    Eli, Evan, and Melissa take a forensic look at reaction formation, emblem leakage, and cognitive dissonance within Bill Cosby's career and criminal case and the cost of “winners and losers” within the legal and two-party payer healthcare systems.  What do we need to be more honest with ourselves and others?  What would it take to be more open to criticism and self-reflection and make peace with perfectionism?

    Episode 17: Smother Mothers

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Sep 15, 2022 54:56


    In this episode, Evan shares his experience with a virtual family client. Evan, Eli, and Melissa reflect upon how the family system creates unwanted feelings and responses from all involved and that common lack of emotional trust in families. Please join us as we navigate interpersonal communication by also contemplating:Inviting families to go beyond the "presenting problem"Families passing the anxiety “hot potato”Parents enabling adult children vs. parentingRandom tear bombs!You don't have to understand it to treat itScapegoatingCountertransference can be used tactfully Mother's anxiety suggesting hidden rage Smother mothersMembers of family being responsibly irresponsible to maintain relationship cohesion

    Episode 16: Identified Patient Paradigms

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Aug 10, 2022 82:18


    When therapists meet themselves in sessionCounter transference implications Can defiance be a form of play?Conceptualizing child behavior as a mode of communication Eli compares school expulsion as a railroad car on prison pipelineWhat is a "Fawning" trauma response? How do secure attachments grieve romantic losses?Evan's grippy sock vacation 

    Episode 15: Accountability or Trauma Activation?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2022 111:05


    In this episode Evan Miller welcomes guests! Daniel Rhodes has a wide range of professional experience ranging from Counselor, Clinical Director, and now a Utilization Review Specialist. Evan and Daniel have been in long-term recovery together for over a decade and in this episode they explore their experiences and relational perspectives. Cocaine vs. SurfingThe magic bullet of fun in recoveryEvan's house arrest experience When emphasis on accountability becomes trauma reenactment

    Episode 14: Intellectual Scaffolding

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2022 72:47


    Intellectual Scaffolding …prepare for processing emotion“in-the-now” or “numb”…is client re-experiencing & processing events or casually reciting their story?What is client trying to do for me; convince me, win my validation?Client story as “photo negative” . . . needs hidden in darkness and highlighting others' wishes & wantsIntellectual & emotional hoarding . . . hoarded worthless (possibly harmful) beliefs, ‘values,' relationships“Emotional hostage” . . . people pleasing is attempt to controlGrowing up in alcoholic homes can produce emotional tofu (absorbing emotions of others)Client over-estimates responsibility for feelings of others, inflated self-worthMental masturbation & MUSTurbation (it ‘must' be)Clients can be the most well, most mature, most emotionally intellegent cast member in their storyBook: “Why People Die by Suicide”, By Thomas JoynerInternet Resource: SuicideForum.com

    Episode 13: What Are We Ass-uming?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2022 50:54


    Evan, Melissa, and Eli explore how assuming a clients' needs may negatively impact their growth within therapy. Topics also explored regard: Mental health professionals are underpaid How private practice marketing draws clients that a culturally similar Community-based planning compared to counseling agendas Presenting problem, adaptations, and what skill is needed to combatGetting caught in trauma dramas When might reflection of sadness be maladaptive Tracking language in session Even Hitler threw great parties Open chair photo and mirror technique how to mitigate client performance energy Shame recyclingWhat the hell is sycophantic?How the adaptive becomes maladaptive Framing client scripts as code and OSInternal vs external locus of controlEffective strategies to invite client to gain sense of internal locus of control

    Episode 12- When Interns Mutiny

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2022 66:40


    Using their usual style of humorous narrative, Melissa, Evan, and Eli extemporaneously delve into their professional experience with parallel process as clinical supervisors.  What is parallel process?  Briefly, parallel process is rooted in the psychoanalytic concepts of transference and countertransference where supervisees inadvertently recreate the issues, thoughts, and feelings they experience with clients within the supervisor-supervisee relationship (transference).  Further, parallel process exists when supervisors respond to the supervisee in the same way the supervisee responds to the client (countertransference).  In this manner, the supervisory relationship reenacts, or is parallel with, the client-counselor relationship.  Evan, Eli, and Melissa explore how to recognize and address parallel process, especially within community mental health agencies.  Further, we discuss:Recognizing how counselors' personal and professional development informs the supervisory process;The benefits of practicing in community mental health before working in private practice;Relationship between re-enactment and parallel process;Screening for phenomenology;Professional identity formation and the benefit of confrontation as professional development;How self-awareness of one's feelings, personal issues, and the events that trigger them is essential in identifying transference and countertransference;Benefits of starting one's career in community mental health;Relationship between self-reflection and effective leadership;Adult versus child selves in positions of leadership;

    Episode 11- Kinky Christians

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Mar 15, 2022 51:13


    In this episode, Eli shares his experience with speaking to a Christian congregation about sexuality.  Evan, Eli, and Melissa reflect upon how psychotherapists can encourage couples to communicate their sexual desires by first accepting their own sexuality.  Please join us as we navigate interpersonal communication by also contemplating:How can we help others to understand their sexuality if we can't communicate about our own?Privilege of heterosexuality;Trauma of non-acceptance;Society's problems with sexuality and expressing desire;Relationship between emotional intimacy and communicating about sex;What is the “Waffle House Stare?”How emotional intimacy relates to the ability to communicate about other domains of our lives – parenting, finances, and priorities; andFun Fact:  The Equal Credit Opportunity Act was passed in 1974 making it illegal to discriminate against someone based upon gender, race, religion, or national origin when granting credit cards and loans.

    Episode 10- Wounded Bambies

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2022 57:05


    Evan, Melissa, and Eli explore the way in which attachment styles impact peoples' messages, perceived messages, and counselors' countertransference. This conversation also generated discussions related to:Counselor's response to a client with anxious/avoidant attachment styleImportance of a counselor's self-awarenessWhen is “avoidant” a healthy, optimal response within a relationship?Wounded Bambies . . . how might family and/or partners sabotage a person's recovery journey; a sick system doesn't want to lose its scapegoatIs a conversation with another clinician a “consultation” or an incidence of “triangulation”See clients as elastic, ever changing lava

    Episode 9- Attachment Messages

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2022 48:35


    Evan, Melissa, and Eli explore the way in which attachment styles impact peoples' messages, perceived messages, and counselors' countertransference. This conversation also generated discussions related to:Career Counseling: benefits of personifying a job (helps identify abuse)Clinical Directors: being the log in a wood splitterCommunication: how do people express needs & wishes, how effective are their messagesAttachment Styles . . . what am I seeing, is client anxious/avoidant or adhering to cultural norms & core values regarding conflictImagine seeing & comparing a client through the lenses of individual, couple, and family therapy; what are consistencies and variations in a person's presentationAttend to client . . . not other players in a client's storySubstance Use/Abuse as a “shiny object” … what are we missing if we focus exclusively on substance use

    Episode 8- Emotional Adulting

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2021 68:42


    Evan, Melissa, and Eli explore the ingrained familial contracts, the power of renegotiation, and seeking internal wellness. Evan explores the ways in which his dysfunctional family system has impacted his toxicity tolerance and his newly formed  self-gatekeeping. Speaking about the holiday season also generated discussions related to:Self-help language perceived as condescension in argumentsBodybuilding/body dysmorphiaIs your roommate/spouse actually upset about the dishes?Who the hell standardized perfection?Skill-based therapy serving as groundwork for exploring a deeper therapeutic processEvan decides to read an apologetic email from his mother Emotional adult mind vs. child mindFamily of origin relational dynamics serving as the CPU for romantic and platonic relationshipsInternal wellness contrasted with familial dysfunction Renegotiating familial contracts Defining/Orienting Point A and Point BPlease join us weekly as Tell Me About Your Mother discusses topics relevant to pursuing excellence in psychotherapy.  Melissa Martin, Eli Branscombe, and Evan Miller are three licensed psychotherapists who have come together for peer supervision and in doing so, created Tell Me About Your Mother so that we may share our passion for psychotherapy with our fellow healers.Melissa is excited to announce a partnership with Maude, a sexual health, modern intimacy company solely focused on sexual wellness for all people.  Check out getmaude.com and receive a discount at checkout with the promo code MELISSA5.Tell Me About Your Mother is seeking sponsorship!  If you'd like to connect with us, please send an email to contactus@tellmeaboutyourmother.run.

    Episode 7 - Vibrators for All

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2021 80:43


    WARNING -- Discussion of sex practices ahead!  Tell Me About Your Mother ventures into the world of sex education and sexual health in this unscripted expression of how psychotherapists broach the subject of sexuality with our clients, ourselves, as well as with colleagues.  Speaking about sexuality also generated discussions related to:What is anxiety really about?How do we help our clients dissect their experiences with anxiety?Romantic infatuation as evidence of attachment trauma;What does it mean to like and know someone?Paradox of wanting interpersonal connection while fearing emotional intimacy;Interactions with others through the lens of the Four Agreements;Madonna-Whore complex;Partnering with physicians to treat mental health.Please join us weekly as Tell Me About Your Mother discusses topics relevant to pursuing excellence in psychotherapy.  Melissa Martin, Eli Branscombe, and Evan Miller are three licensed psychotherapists who have come together for peer supervision and in doing so, created Tell Me About Your Mother so that we may share our passion for psychotherapy with our fellow healers.Melissa is excited to announce a partnership with maude, a sexual health, modern intimacy company solely focused on sexual wellness for all people.  Check out getmaude.com and receive a discount at checkout with the promo code MELISSA5.Tell Me About Your Mother is seeking sponsorship!  If you'd like to connect with us, please send an email to contactus@tellmeaboutyourmother.run.

    Episode 6- You're Just Not That Important

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2021 73:51


    Tell Me About Your Mother offers an unscripted look at the genius and controversy of Dave Chappelle's latest comedy special now streaming on Netflix.  Our reactions to and perception of Dave Chapelle's message lead us to contemplate whether we can help others change and grow, particularly people within our personal lives, as well as:How social media influences our thoughts;Going Gault within the counseling profession;Consequences of the decisions made by an elite population;Vicarious trauma's effect on our relationships and in parenting;Anger and criticism as a reflection of internalized, unresolved attachment wounds;Therapeutic confrontation;Setting boundaries with others as reaction formation to traumatic experiences; andAvoidance of emotional experiences in order not to recreate parental dynamics.Please join us weekly as Tell Me About Your Mother discusses topics relevant to pursuing excellence in psychotherapy.  Melissa Martin, Eli Branscombe, and Evan Miller are three licensed psychotherapists who have come together for peer supervision and in doing so, created Tell Me About Your Mother so that we may share our passion for psychotherapy with our fellow healers.Melissa is excited to announce a partnership with maude, a sexual health, modern intimacy company solely focused on sexual wellness for all people.  Check out getmaude.com and receive a discount at checkout with the promo code MELISSA5.Tell Me About Your Mother is seeking sponsorship!  If you'd like to connect with us, please send an email to contactus@tellmeaboutyourmother.run.

    Episode 4- Queerly Cultural

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2021 68:11


    Securely fasten your headphones, dear listeners, as we drop a few F bombs while contemplating our own cultural indoctrination and the meaning behind clients' “testing behaviors.”  In this episode, Eli, Evan, and Melissa explore many topics related to racial and cultural identity development including:What is “queer”?Assignment: Watch the newest Dave Chapelle comedy special on NetflixFear of speaking one's mind Multicultural development while recognizing one's privilegeRelationship between shame and racial identity developmentManaging biases while maintaining presenceDeveloping awareness of our own cultural indoctrinationImperative of self-reflection in racial identity developmentCultural differences in perception of politenessClients' testing boundaries to determine whether the counselor is “safe”Reframing clients' “testing behaviors” as a trust-building process -- even if it's about you, it's notWhen clients direct rage at clinicianRage and shame as avoidanceManners/politeness as avoidance of truthHoarding familial beliefsPlease join us weekly as Tell Me About Your Mother discusses topics relevant to pursuing excellence in psychotherapy.  Melissa Martin, Eli Branscombe, and Evan Miller are three licensed psychotherapists who have come together for peer supervision and in doing so, created Tell Me About Your Mother so that we can share our passion for psychotherapy with our fellow healers.Tell Me About Your Mother is seeking sponsorship!  If you'd like to connect with us, please send an email to contactus@tellmeaboutyourmother.run.

    Episode 5- Against Familial Grains

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2021 61:41


    What do you get when you cross maladaptive family dynamics with a resilient spirit and an intellectually curious mind? Evan and Eli share how their family dynamics have shaped their pursuit of excellence in psychotherapy as well as contributed to their own personal growth.  Sit a spell and laugh with us as we contemplate:Familial social contractsFears which arise in us while listening to clients' narrativesImportance of pursuing one's passionDifference between purpose and meaningEnmeshment to the point of self-sacrificeHow becoming healthier challenges family dynamicsAssignment: Watch “Pray Away” Evoking shame to control/correct family membersParadox of being both emotionally obtuse and emotionally attunedPlease join us weekly as Tell Me About Your Mother discusses topics relevant to pursuing excellence in psychotherapy.  Melissa Martin, Eli Branscombe, and Evan Miller are three licensed psychotherapists who have come together for peer supervision and in doing so, created Tell Me About Your Mother so that we can share our passion for psychotherapy with our fellow healers.Tell Me About Your Mother is seeking sponsorship!  If you'd like to connect with us, please send an email to contactus@tellmeaboutyourmother.run.

    Episode 2- Fear Factor: Equine Ejaculate or Emotional Intimacy?

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Nov 19, 2021 86:05


    How do our client's cultural beliefs and experiences inform our sessions?  Are we able to hold space for beliefs which do not reflect our own? In this episode, Eli, Melissa, and Evan explore what we love about psychotherapy.  In answering this question, we contemplate the role our clients' stories and dare we say it, delusions, play in their lives and within the counseling process.  Additionally, Evan shares his experiences with emotional vulnerability in group therapy.Topics explored in this episode include:Beauty of clients' being the authors of their livesWorking with delusion as an affect-regulating resourceAnalyzing delusions within the psychodynamic processWas Melissa kidnapped by aliens?Trusting client's authenticityPicking up on client's cues while staying present during the counseling processSuggestions for allowing group process to occurDreams as a reflection of ourselvesHousing within clinically-directed treatmentMushing sled dogs as a metaphor for group therapyWould you consume equine ejaculate rather than express emotional vulnerability in group therapy?Racial bias in assessing physical pain and prescribing opiatesHow a lack of counselor self-awareness damages clientsPlease join us weekly as Tell Me About Your Mother discusses topics relevant to pursuing excellence in psychotherapy.  Melissa Martin, Eli Branscombe, and Evan Miller are three licensed psychotherapists who have come together for peer supervision and in doing so, created Tell Me About Your Mother so that we can share our passion for psychotherapy with our fellow healers.Tell Me About Your Mother is seeking sponsorship!  If you'd like to connect with us, please send an email to contactus@tellmeaboutyourmother.run.

    Episode 3 -Dirty Laundry of Substance Use Treatment

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2021 70:10


    Join us as Tell Me About Your Mother explores issues impacting the quality of substance use treatment.  Evan, Eli, and Melissa share their insights into how they experienced working as clinicians in substance use treatment and offer solutions for improving the industry.Topics explored in this episode include:Observations of group therapy vs. group facilitationValue of therapeutic relationshipsEthical counseling in substance use treatmentWhat is the product substance use treatment sells?Effective clinical leadership in substance use treatmentQualities of effective supervision in community mental health and substance use treatmentValue of constant personal growth for counselorsWho makes up the cast of Tell Me About Your Mother?  Melissa Martin, Eli Branscombe, and Evan Miller are three licensed psychotherapists who have come together for peer supervision and in doing so, created Tell Me About Your Mother so that we can share our passion for excellence in psychotherapy with our fellow healers.

    Episode 1: Titanic Family Dynamics -- An Introduction

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2021 48:03


    Evan, Eli, and Melissa welcome you to their inaugural podcast of Tell Me About Your Mother.  In this episode, we explore how our quest for excellence in psychotherapy led us to create this podcast.  Evan shares how his childhood fascination with the movie Titanic relates to his family dynamics and thus influenced his career in addiction and mental health treatment.  Please join us each week as we delve into issues related to practicing excellence in psychotherapy in an authentic, humorous manner.  Who are Evan Miller, Eli Branscombe, and Melissa Martin?  We are three licensed psychotherapists who have come together for peer supervision and in doing so, created Tell Me About Your Mother so that we can share our passion for excellence in psychotherapy with our fellow healers.Tell Me About Your Mother is seeking sponsorship!  If you'd like to connect with us, please send an email to contactus@tellmeaboutyourmother.run.

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