Podcasts about lmft

Childhood anxiety is on the rise. Parents are often unsure how to respond, and in their well-intentioned efforts to reassure their kids, can sometimes reinforce the anxious patterns. In this interview Kristen McNeely, LMFT, explains how parents can start to help their kids build resilience by taking small, manageable steps toward the things that might scare them. We also discuss school refusal—why it's more complicated than simply not wanting to go to school; the warning signs parents should watch for; and why collaboration between parents, schools, and mental health professionals is essential. Kristen explains why school refusal often begins with school avoidance, how transition years like kindergarten and middle school increase risk, and why pulling kids out of school is rarely an effective long-term solution. Amy, Margaret, and Kristen also discuss: Why parental accommodations can unintentionally fuel anxiety The difference between validating feelings and reinforcing fear Why gradual exposure works better than avoidance The four common drivers of school refusal How ADHD, autism, and separation anxiety can increase risk Why helping kids feel connected to their school community matters How parent-focused treatments like SPACE can improve childhood anxiety—even without the child in therapy sessions Here's where you can find Kristen: https://kristenmcneely.com/ @childhood.empowered on IG https://schoolcapable.kristenmcneely.com/ What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: ⁠⁠https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Many people living with chronic pain share common traits like perfectionism, people-pleasing, and conscientiousness—qualities that can be both strengths and sources of stress. In this episode, Danielle Szasz, LMFT, explores how biotemperament—the way our nervous systems are naturally wired to perceive and respond to the world—can shape these patterns, and shares practical tools to help you shift from threat toward safety.

"We should not be listening to things outside of us. Your body is telling you what you need." In this episode, Heather and Corey Colwell explore what happens when life forces you to stop long enough to hear the messages your body has been trying to communicate all along. Through a remarkable story that begins with a coyote bite at two years old and winds through years of health challenges, motherhood, overachievement, and a profound near-death experience, this conversation invites you into the space where intuition, healing, and purpose converge. At its heart, this episode is about learning to listen, not to the endless noise outside of us, but to the wisdom already living within our bodies, our souls, and the quiet nudges that keep trying to guide us back toward alignment, vitality, and a life that feels deeply alive. What to listen for:  ☑️ How getting bitten by a coyote at two years old shaped her passion in later life ☑️ Busyness and constantly moving forward keep you from listening to my body ☑️ The near-death experience that helped Corey choose to be in this life   "When people say fighting for your life, you have to recruit everything to get alive again. And so I fought my way back from that moment." ☑️ The importance of listening to that intuitive primal knowing when it comes up ☑️ What it feels like when your soul fully aligns with your body and human experience ☑️ Why it wasn't enough to just be alive and in bed, and what helped turn things around   "I was alive, and everyone's like, 'Great, just stay in bed.' And what happened is I started to experience an intellectual and passion death because my entire why is to solve problems and innovate." ☑️ How to start answering the question of what your body actually needs to thrive ☑️ Why we try to control the outcomes in our children's lives rather than surrendering ☑️ We shouldn't be listening to things outside of us; we should be leaning in   *** About Corey Colwell: Corey Colwell doesn't study problems. She solves them.  She is the person you call when you're stuck — not because she'll tell you why you got there, but because she'll already see three ways out. A licensed psychotherapist (LMFT), published author, and innovation strategist, Corey has spent nearly three decades finding patterns across health, sustainability, media, education, and beyond — and building the bridges to turn those patterns into real, lasting change. Her ideas have reached millions through outlets like Good Morning America, NPR, and CNN, and her collaborators have included Whole Foods, HGTV, and the Non-GMO Project. As founding COO of SNiP Nutrigenomics (snipnutrition.com), she's now helping reshape the future of health through genetic intelligence and hyper-personalized nutrition.  Corey is a recent empty-nest mom and lives in Seattle with her soulmate husband and infinitely amusing rescue dogs. Connect with Corey: www.snipnutrition.com  www.linkedin.com/in/coreycolwell/  *** For those of you who are ready to stop feeling drained, overextended, and out of alignment… join me inside the Energetic Time Management Accelerator, a focused experience designed to help high-achieving women uncover what's draining them, clarify what truly matters, and create a simple plan that fits their life. We'll pinpoint your biggest time + energy leaks, identify the top areas to focus on for quick momentum, and map out exactly what to let go of so you can reclaim your energy, your time, and your joy. Ready to make your time work for you without adding more to your plate? Join the Energetic Time Management Accelerator: www.heatherchauvin.com/time Explore the top episodes listeners come back to when they're stuck, burned out, or standing at the edge of a big shift: www.heatherchauvin.com/10 Follow Heather on Instagram: www.instagram.com/heatherchauvin_

Sara Lichstein, LMFT, is a trauma therapist based in California who integrates Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, and IFS. She works with people-pleasers, those healing from emotionally immature caregivers, and individuals navigating breakups and additional relational traumas. Her approach is rooted in helping clients reconnect with their bodies and build self-trust. Her background includes equine-assisted therapy, work in treatment and school settings, and serving as adjunct faculty at Pepperdine University teaching clinical graduate students.About SaraServicesContactSara on IGBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.---Thank you for listening!If you want to support the show, I've got three options and every bit helps.$5.00 PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/NPKS32G8KVSN2$10.00 PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/495AMDFXQFC3L$15.00 PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/M7V5RREUKVD8JThank you to our Sponsors: Jane App - use code GUY1MO at https://janesoftware.partnerlinks.io/ngvcwcxqt2jx-4afv8i (https://jane.app/book_a_demo)Rebound - https://hellorebound.com/ttBeducated - Complete the quiz for one month free https://beduc.at/pd2629-traumatherapist

Dr. Wendy Ashley explores how clinicians can move beyond the myth of neutrality by recognizing how identity, power, privilege, and lived experience shape clinical work. She offers practical guidance for practicing with greater cultural humility, reflexivity, authenticity, and responsiveness in the therapeutic relationship. Interview with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT.Earn CE credit for listening to this episode by joining our low-cost membership for unlimited podcast CE credits for an entire year, with some of the strongest CE approvals in the country (APA, NBCC, ASWB, and more). Learn, grow, and shine with Clearly Clinical Continuing Ed by visiting https://ClearlyClinical.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Money is rarely just about numbers inside a relationship. In this episode, Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ and Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT unpack why financial conflict in marriages and partnerships is often rooted in deeper emotional needs like trust, security, control, communication, and vulnerability. Drawing from years of counseling couples and advising families, they discuss financial infidelity, power imbalances, differing money philosophies, and the emotional meaning attached to spending and saving. Rather than focusing solely on budgets and spreadsheets, the conversation centers on how couples can create healthier conversations around money — with more compassion, curiosity, and honesty. This episode helps listeners understand that strong financial partnerships are built less on perfect math and more on trust, communication, and shared purpose. Episode Highlights: Erik recounts the phone call years ago that sparked his ongoing collaboration with Dr. Dr. Matt Morris. (02:14) Financial infidelity surfaces in couples counseling as a serious, though less frequent, presenting issue. (03:23) Money problems in couples counseling are rarely about the money itself, but a disguise for deeper relationship issues. (07:34) Dr. Matt explains how people protect themselves financially in relationships with earning discrepancies, from squirreling away money to becoming controlling or people-pleasing. (08:59) Erik shares that even as a financial planner married almost 25 years, money has still been a point of pain in his own marriage. (10:44) Dr. Matt explains that financial planners should first determine whether a couple's conflict is a technical money issue or an emotional relational one. (12:14) Money conversations go further when approached with care, curiosity, and compassion instead of criticism. (14:56) Key Quotes: “We're going to have to learn to talk about money in new and different ways.” - Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT “Money is like this persistent stream that kind of runs in the background that impacts everything.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ “As a financial planner, I think when a couple comes to you, you need to be thinking about is this a problem that relates to the technicalities of money management.” - Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT Resources Mentioned: Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT Dr. Matt Morris & Associates Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors

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The Myth of Slow Healing Why Rapid Recovery Is Possible Featuring Dr. David Burns and Kevin Cornelius, LMFT Many people believe emotional healing takes months—or even years. Therapists are often trained to expect gradual progress, and patients may assume lasting change requires prolonged struggle. But what if that assumption is wrong? In this episode, Dr. David Burns challenges one of the most deeply entrenched beliefs in mental health: the idea that meaningful psychological recovery must happen slowly. Drawing from his recent Psychology Today article, The Myth of Slow Healing, Dr. Burns explains why rapid emotional change is not only possible—it may actually reflect how the human brain naturally works. Through powerful clinical stories, personal reflections, and decades of research, Dr. Burns describes how depression, anxiety, panic, shame, and hopelessness can sometimes disappear in a matter of minutes when people discover and challenge the distorted thoughts driving their suffering. What Inspired This Article? Dr. Burns begins by sharing a formative experience from his psychiatric residency in Philadelphia. As a young psychiatrist, he noticed something troubling: psychotherapy often seemed to continue indefinitely, yet measurable recovery was rarely discussed. Therapists relied heavily on intuition, but almost no one was systematically measuring whether patients were actually improving. A walk through Fairmount Park sparked an insight that would transform his career. Thinking about professional basketball players improving through constant feedback—seeing whether the ball goes through the hoop—he wondered: How can therapists improve if they never measure whether their sessions are helping? This question led him to become one of the earliest advocates for routine outcome measurement in psychotherapy, eventually helping shape the development of TEAM-CBT's session-by-session assessment system. The Importance of Measurement Dr. Burns discusses his early use of the Beck Depression Inventory and the surprising lessons it taught him. Again and again, he discovered that his assumptions about how patients felt were often wrong: Some patients appeared severely depressed but reported relatively mild symptoms. Others seemed cheerful and functional while scoring in the severe range. These experiences reinforced an important lesson: Therapists need data, not guesses. By measuring depression, anxiety, empathy, and therapeutic effectiveness during every session, therapists can receive the feedback necessary to improve their work and help patients more effectively. The Caveman Effect: Why the Brain Can Change Instantly One of the episode's most memorable concepts is what Dr. Burns calls the "Caveman Effect." Borrowing an illustration from neuroscientist Mark Noble, he describes a prehistoric human hearing a twig snap behind him at dusk. The caveman immediately thinks: "A tiger is behind me!" Instantly, fear surges. Then he turns around and discovers the sound came from his wife stepping on a branch. In that moment, his fear vanishes. Not gradually. Not over six months. Instantly. Dr. Burns argues that this illustrates a fundamental principle: Thoughts create emotions. When a frightening thought is believed, anxiety emerges. When that thought is no longer believed, anxiety disappears. This process can happen in seconds. Three Levels of "Shortness" Dr. Burns describes three different ways emotional healing can occur rapidly. 1. Therapy Can Be Brief Many patients experience dramatic improvements within a single two-hour session. Rather than expecting treatment to continue indefinitely, Dr. Burns often approaches therapy with the goal of achieving complete symptom remission as quickly as possible. 2. Breakthroughs Often Happen in Minutes Even within a session, the most important change frequently occurs during a short window—sometimes only a few minutes long. Once therapists identify the specific distorted thoughts maintaining the problem and apply an effective intervention, major shifts can happen quickly. 3. The Moment of Enlightenment The most dramatic change often occurs in a matter of seconds. This is the moment when someone suddenly sees: Their negative belief isn't true. They've been deceiving themselves. A different perspective is possible. When this realization occurs, emotions can shift almost instantly. Dr. Burns compares this experience to the caveman discovering there was never a tiger at all. Why People Resist the Idea of Rapid Recovery If rapid healing is possible, why do so many people reject the concept? Dr. Burns identifies several reasons: For Patients Many people have spent years struggling with depression or anxiety. The idea that change could happen quickly may sound unrealistic or even fraudulent. After repeated disappointments, hope itself can feel dangerous. For Therapists Rapid recovery also challenges many traditional assumptions about psychotherapy. It raises uncomfortable questions: Why aren't outcomes being measured? Why do some treatments continue for years without substantial change? What happens to a therapist's business model when patients recover quickly? Dr. Burns and Kevin discuss how financial incentives can sometimes unintentionally reinforce longer treatments, even when faster recovery may be possible. The Story of Terry: Ten Years of Panic Gone in One Session One of the episode's most powerful moments is Dr. Burns' retelling of Terry's story. Terry suffered from: Severe depression Crippling panic attacks Nearly ten years of unsuccessful treatment Her symptoms were extreme, with depression and anxiety scores among the highest Dr. Burns had ever seen. The key breakthrough came when he identified the specific thought driving her panic: "I'm about to have a heart attack." Using an experimental technique, Dr. Burns intentionally helped Terry induce panic symptoms in session. Then he challenged her catastrophic belief through direct experience. If she were truly having a heart attack: Could she jog in place? Could she exercise vigorously? Could she do jumping jacks? As Terry performed increasingly strenuous activity, she suddenly realized the absurdity of her belief. Then came the breakthrough moment. She laughed. The fear disappeared. And a decade of panic ended. The episode emphasizes that it was not the jumping jacks themselves that created recovery. It was the moment she stopped believing the distorted thought. Why Thoughts Matter Dr. Burns revisits three core principles of cognitive therapy: Principle 1 Your emotions result from your thoughts—not directly from events. Principle 2 The thoughts creating depression and anxiety are typically distorted. Common distortions include: All-or-nothing thinking Fortune telling Emotional reasoning Mind reading Self-blame Principle 3 The moment you stop believing a distorted thought, your emotions will change. This principle remains central to TEAM-CBT and forms the foundation for many rapid recoveries. Beyond Cognition: The Role of Motivation Later in the discussion, Dr. Burns explains that distorted thoughts are only part of the story. Another critical factor is motivation. People often have powerful reasons for holding onto painful feelings. Depression, anxiety, anger, guilt, and shame frequently reflect important personal values. For example: Perfectionism may reflect high standards. Guilt may reflect a strong conscience. Anxiety may reflect caring deeply about others. Rather than arguing patients out of their symptoms, TEAM-CBT often begins by exploring what those symptoms reveal about the person's strengths and values. Benny's Story: The Power of Acceptance To illustrate this paradoxical approach, Dr. Burns shares the story of Benny. Benny was: Suicidal Violent Deeply depressed Involved in gangs, drugs, and crime Rather than confronting Benny's hopelessness, Dr. Burns did something unexpected. He explored all the advantages of believing: "I'm a hopeless case." Together they listed the benefits: Status Power Money Protection Identity For the first time, Benny felt understood rather than judged. Then his defenses collapsed. He revealed a lifetime of hidden pain, including witnessing his grandfather's suicide and struggling with illiteracy. The story illustrates a central paradox of TEAM-CBT: People often change only after they feel completely accepted exactly as they are. What Dr. Burns Has Learned About Human Nature After decades of witnessing rapid recovery, Dr. Burns says one conclusion feels increasingly clear: Thoughts create emotions. Yet he also emphasizes a deeper question: Why do some people generate so many painful thoughts in the first place? His answer increasingly involves: Core values Motivation Human meaning Personal strengths that become exaggerated Understanding both cognition and motivation has become essential to creating lasting change. Key Takeaways Emotional healing does not require months or years. The brain is capable of extraordinarily rapid change. Thoughts—not events themselves—create emotions. Distorted thoughts fuel depression and anxiety. When distorted thoughts lose their credibility, emotions often change immediately. Measurement and feedback are critical to effective therapy. Motivation and personal values play a major role in emotional suffering. Acceptance often creates more change than persuasion. Recovery can happen much faster than most people realize. Resources Mentioned Feeling Good by David D. Burns Intensive Therapy at Feeling Good Institute The Psychology Today article: The Myth of Slow Healing The video demonstration of Terry's panic attack treatment Coming Next Episode Dr. Burns and Kevin continue the conversation with a fascinating discussion of: "Grandma's Snake Phobia: The Real Cause of Her Anxiety" You'll learn about the Hidden Emotion Model and discover why the apparent cause of anxiety is sometimes very different from the true cause. We'd Love Your Feedback Your feedback helps shape future episodes. Please take a moment to complete the brief listener survey linked here. It takes less than two minutes and provides invaluable guidance for improving the podcast and helping more people learn these powerful tools for recovery. Contact Information Kevin Cornelius, LMFT is a Level 5 Certified Master TEAM-CBT Therapist and Trainer and the Clinical Director of Feeling Good Institute--Silicon Valley. He specializes in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship problems and insomnia. You can reach Kevin at kevin@feelinggoodinstitute.com and visit his website at www.tools4change.me. You can reach Dr. Burns at david@feelinggood.com. Feeling down in these turbulent times? Take a ride on our Feeling Great app. Feeling Great feels wonderful! You owe it to yourself to feel GREAT! Give the Greatest Gifts of ALL--Love and Happiness!

Being with the Body in Depth Psychology: Development, Trauma, and Transformation in the Unspoken Realm (Routledge, 2024), featuring a foreword by Donald Kalsched, examines the integration of the subjectively experienced body in the practice of depth psychology. Barbara Holifield draws from philosophical perspectives, neuroscientific and infant research, developmental theory, and trauma studies to offer a comprehensive overview of embodiment within a relationally based psychoanalytic approach. Clinical vignettes demonstrate the critical value of working with the bodily-felt dimension of implicit relational memory and emphasize how bodily-felt sense facilitates access to feelings. The primacy of bodily-based knowing revealed through infant research illuminates an interior world of sensorial apprehension that conceptually based knowing and psychoanalytic thought often overlook. Furthermore, it establishes the body as intrinsic to relational life. Freud's 1923 statement that “The ego is first and foremost a bodily ego,” is as cogent today as it was then (1961, p. 26). It has only been confirmed by infant research and affective neuroscience. Psychic life is born in the body and is sustained by the body. It is in and through the body that relationship begins. Disruptions in one's earliest relationship with the primary caregiver are synonymous with disruption of the integral unity of psyche and body. Further, the book highlights the organizing role that felt sensation, sensory perception, and affective experience have on facilitating the re-establishment of psyche indwelling the soma. Because disruptions of the felt sense of psyche integral to soma occur in infancy, work of this nature falls out of the purview of traditional psychoanalysis. “It requires instead a working-through focused on the present, on the heart of the analytic relationship, and on the activation of an awareness of one's own inner mode of functioning” (Lombardi, 2017, p. 23). Focus on direct sensorial and relational experience in the body is foundational in working with the analysand's unformulated experience. As this occurs, affects are able to be borne, reflected on, and lived as feelings-in-the-body while simultaneously making way for the establishment of new relational organizations. Throughout the book, clinical examples show how the mythopoetic imagination and soma entwine––at times, attention to the somatic dimension stirs the creative unconscious in the form of dreams, active imagination, artworks, and movement. Reciprocally, the imaginal world informs and stimulates somatic experience. In this way, the mythopoetic reality revealed in a depth analysis weaves somatic experience into a tapestry of personal meaning, facilitating deep psychophysical transformation. Here the body serves as a portal to the numinous––healing that goes far beyond the relief of symptoms to a renewed sense of aliveness. This book offers guiding principles for psychotherapists and clinicians of all levels to engage the bodily basis of experience in their clinical practice. It will appeal to general readers interested in integrating mind and body, including those in the healing arts, fine arts, dance, athletics, meditation, yoga, and martial arts. Barbara Holifield, MSW, LMFT, SEP is a Training and Supervising Analyst at the C.G. Jung Institute of San Francisco. With over forty years of clinical practice in depth psychotherapy and somatic healing — and her certification as a Jungian Analyst since 2006 — her work lives at the intersection of Jung and the body, bringing together somatic experiencing, affective neuroscience, relational psychoanalysis, and the wisdom of the bodily-felt sense to offer a path of healing for those who have suffered developmental trauma and its long aftermath. A certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) trained directly by Dr. Peter Levine, Barbara taught Somatic Psychology for approximately twenty years at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) — one of the foremost graduate programs in somatic and depth psychology in the United States. She is also an internationally recognized teacher of Authentic Movement, a contemplative body practice rooted in Jungian active imagination that she has taught across the United States and abroad for approximately forty years. Her clinical writing explores the relationship of body, trauma, self, and our participation in the dream of the earth. Her articles have been published in Jung Journal: Culture & Psyche, Psychological Perspectives, and the Journal of Analytic Psychology. She has also contributed a chapter to The Body in Psychotherapy (North Atlantic Press) and a chapter to the anthology Authentic Movement: Moving the Body, Moving the Self, Being Moved (Jessica Kingsley Publishers). She maintains memberships in the International Association of Analytical Psychology (IAAP), the United States Association for Body Psychotherapy (USABP), the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy (IARPP), and the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT). Helena Vissing, PsyD, SEP, PMH-C is a Licensed Psychologist practicing in California and Associate Professor at California Institute of Integral Studies. She can be reached at contact@helenavissing.com. She is the author of Somatic Maternal Healing: Psychodynamic and Somatic Treatment of Trauma in the Perinatal Period (Routledge, 2023). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Hoy en este segmento, conversé con Jennifer León Salinas sobre los impactos emocionales y físicos que las políticas hostiles y el discurso público tienen en la salud mental de las personas indocumentadas. Exploramos de cerca el bienestar de vivir sin un estatus migratorio dentro de los sistemas sociales actuales de Estados Unidos. También hablamos sobre cómo Jennifer acompaña a las personas a enfrentar las realidades de la aplicación de las leyes migratorias y el impacto de la hostilidad social hacia las comunidades inmigrantes. Jennifer compartió la historia migratoria de su familia y su experiencia creciendo como una niña indocumentada, brindándonos un contexto de cómo el clima político puede afectar profundamente la salud mental de las personas indocumentadas a largo plazo. Sobre nuestra invitada de hoy: Jennifer es terapeuta matrimonial y familiar licenciada (LMFT), bilingüe y radicada en Los Ángeles. También es profesora adjunta de posgrado y una inmigrante indocumentada con DACA, de primera generación, originaria de Michoacán, México. Su trabajo aborda el trauma desde una perspectiva de liberación y justicia social. Además, es la fundadora de MujeresxPsych, una plataforma reconocida a nivel nacional dedicada a aumentar la representación y el acceso en el campo de la psicología. Acepta clientes en el estado de California. Sigue a Jennifer: https://www.instagram.com/mujeresxpsych/ http://instagram.com/undocu.traumatherapist Recurso mencionados en el episodio: https://www.inmigranteinformado.com/   

Trish Yonker, LCPC, explores how foster care, family separation, instability, and disrupted relationships can affect children and the people who care for them. She offers practical guidance for pacing trauma treatment, building emotional and physiological safety, supporting overwhelmed caregivers, responding to behavioral and developmental needs, and creating flexible, relationship-centered care for foster and adoptive families. Interview with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT.Earn CE credit for listening to this episode by joining our low-cost membership for unlimited podcast CE credits for an entire year, with some of the strongest CE approvals in the country (APA, NBCC, ASWB, and more). Learn, grow, and shine with Clearly Clinical Continuing Ed by visiting https://ClearlyClinical.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I went back through some of my favorite conversations to bring you the best dating and relationship advice, all in one episode. From heartbreak and attachment styles to boundaries, self-worth, communication, and building healthier relationships, these are the lessons everyone needs to hear. I wish this episode had existed when I was in my early 20s...it could've saved me years of therapy, lol.Listen to each full episode:Amy Chan — bestselling author of Breakup Bootcamp and UnsingleSabrina Zohar — relationship coach and host of The Sabrina Zohar ShowKati Morton, LMFT — licensed marriage and family therapist, author of Are u ok? and Why Do I Keep Doing This?, and host of Ask Kati AnythingJaci Marie Smith — co-host of the What We Said podcastJessica Baum, LMHC — psychotherapist and author of Anxiously Attached and SAFEFollow the pod on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Chloe on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠

Shame Attacking: A Surprising Cure for Social Anxiety Hosts: Kevin Cornelius, LMFT Dr. David Burns Episode Summary Many people believe social anxiety is caused by low self-esteem, poor social skills, or awkwardness. But what if the real culprit is shame? In this episode, Dr. David Burns and Kevin Cornelius explore one of the most powerful—and unconventional—tools for overcoming social anxiety: Shame Attacking Exercises. Drawing from Dr. Burns' recent Psychology Today article, Shame Attacking: Overcoming a Lifetime of Social Anxiety, they tell the remarkable story of Martin, a handsome young man whose intense shame about excessive sweating had left him isolated and unable to connect with others. Through a series of courageous shame-attacking exercises, Martin discovered something life-changing: the world was far kinder and less judgmental than he imagined. Along the way, David shares how he first learned shame-attacking exercises from followers of psychologist Albert Ellis and describes his own unforgettable experience of asking strangers in a crowded New York restaurant if he could sample their food. The episode highlights how bringing our perceived flaws into the open often causes shame to evaporate—much like a vampire exposed to sunlight. In This Episode The Origins of Shame Attacking Exercises David's introduction to Albert Ellis's famous technique Why therapists should never ask patients to do something they wouldn't do themselves The surprising results of David's first shame-attacking exercise in a crowded Chinese restaurant Martin's Story A young man whose fear of sweating kept him trapped in loneliness How shame—not sweating—was the real problem A therapy session unlike any other: jogging through Philadelphia, getting intentionally soaked, and publicly announcing his "flaw" What Happened When Martin Stopped Hiding Why strangers responded with warmth instead of ridicule How exposing his greatest fear challenged years of distorted beliefs The unexpected encounter that changed his social life forever Shame Is Like a Vampire David introduces a memorable metaphor: Shame survives in darkness and secrecy. When exposed to the light, it shrivels up and dies. The discussion explores how openly acknowledging our imperfections can dramatically reduce anxiety and self-consciousness. The Hidden Cost of Taking Ourselves Too Seriously David and Kevin discuss: Why humor can be a powerful antidote to social anxiety The value of becoming more playful and less self-focused How social anxiety often convinces us that everyone is watching and judging us when they're usually not Guidelines for Shame Attacking Exercises David emphasizes that shame-attacking exercises are powerful but should be used thoughtfully. Some important principles include: Be Respectful Exercises should never disrupt places where people deserve peace and privacy, such as hospitals, churches, or synagogues. Be Playful, Not Aggressive The goal is to laugh at yourself, not make others uncomfortable or upset. Don't Wait Until You're Ready The breakthrough often comes when you act despite feeling anxious. Therapists Must Lead by Example If therapists want patients to challenge shame, they should be willing to challenge their own shame as well. Memorable Takeaways The problem is rarely the flaw itself—it's the hiding. Most people are far less judgmental than we imagine. Courage grows through action, not waiting for fear to disappear. Humor and playfulness can dissolve shame. Vulnerability often creates connection rather than rejection. The world may be much friendlier than your anxiety predicts. Featured Article This episode is based on Dr. David Burns' Psychology Today article: "Shame Attacking: Overcoming a Lifetime of Social Anxiety" The article explores Martin's story in greater detail and illustrates how shame-attacking exercises can transform social anxiety by challenging both self-criticism and fears of rejection. We'd Love Your Feedback As with TEAM-CBT therapy, feedback helps us improve. Please take a few minutes to complete the episode feedback survey linked here. Your responses help us create better episodes and continue exploring the topics that matter most to you. Until next time, remember: the things you're most afraid to reveal about yourself may be the very things that set you free. Contact Information Kevin Cornelius, LMFT is a Level 5 Certified Master TEAM-CBT Therapist and Trainer and the Clinical Director of Feeling Good Institute--Silicon Valley. He specializes in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship problems and insomnia. You can reach Kevin at kevin@feelinggoodinstitute.com and visit his website at www.tools4change.me. You can reach Dr. Burns at david@feelinggood.com. Feeling down in these turbulent times? Take a ride on our Feeling Great app. Feeling Great feels wonderful! You owe it to yourself to feel GREAT! Give the Greatest Gifts of ALL--Love and Happiness!

When Clients Bring AI to Therapy: Working with ChatGPT, Sycophancy, and the New Third Wheel in the Room Clients are bringing AI into therapy, from ChatGPT chat logs handed over as homework to AI companions that never disagree, and therapists need a clinical response. Curt Widhalm, LMFT, and Katie Vernoy, LMFT dig into what happens when clients bring their own AI into the therapy room. The profession built ethics guidance for when therapists send clients toward AI, but it largely sidestepped the reality already showing up in sessions: clients processing the same issues with ChatGPT between appointments, using chatbots to interpret and respond to relationships, and increasingly offloading their social and dating lives onto AI companions. Drawing on emerging research about chatbot use, loneliness, emotional dependence, and sycophancy, Curt and Katie make the case that concern is more useful than alarm. Clients are already using these tools, so the clinical task is to assess how and why they are using them, provide psychoeducation on sycophancy, confidentiality, and safety, and separate the healthy, adaptive uses from the problematic ones. They also share concrete in-session moves: entering the opposite position to expose how a chatbot validates any side, reframing how clients use AI for medical and diagnostic questions, and recognizing when AI has become a client's primary support system, along with how to begin weaning a client back toward real-world connection. In this episode, we discuss: - The three main ways clients are bringing AI into the therapy room - Why a client's AI use can be a clinical opportunity, not only a risk - How to assess the function and pattern of a client's AI use - What the research suggests about chatbot use, loneliness, and sycophancy - How to teach critical thinking and protect client confidentiality - What to do when a client has become dependent on AI Timestamps: 00:15 - AI as the new "third wheel" in the therapy room 04:15 - Three ways AI is showing up in clients' lives 05:55 - What the research suggests: loneliness, dependence, and sycophancy 10:24 - Why client AI use can be a clinical opportunity 13:24 - Assessing use and treating chatbots as public spaces 18:17 - Explaining AI's mechanics: it is not an objective third party 20:14 - A critical-thinking exercise: enter the opposite position 24:47 - Using AI for medical and diagnostic questions 30:53 - When a client is already dependent on AI Full show notes and resources: mtsgpodcast.com Join the Modern Therapist Community Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/mtsgpodcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/therapyreimagined Modern Therapist's Survival Guide Creative Credits Voice Over by DW McCann: https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/ Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano: https://groomsymusic.com/

What if the biggest thing holding your private practice back isn't your marketing strategy but your mindset? In this episode, I'm joined by Tyana Tavakol to talk about the beliefs that shape the way we build our practices. We explore scarcity versus abundance, the value of finding your niche, and why trying to appeal to everyone often keeps you from connecting with the clients who need you most. We also dive into building an online practice, creating meaningful professional relationships, and learning to trust your own expertise instead of comparing yourself to everyone else. If you've ever questioned whether you're doing enough or wondered why private practice feels harder than it should, I think you'll find this conversation both encouraging and practical. Resources Mentioned In This Episode  Subscribe to YouTube Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free Consulting with Gordon The PsychCraft Network Follow us on Instagram Meet Tyana Tavakol (she/her), LMFT Tyana Tavakol is an LMFT licensed in CA & FL specializing in anxiety, trauma, and late-diagnosed autistic adults. She is passionate about helping people move beyond self-criticism, unmask, and better understand themselves through a neurodiversity-affirming lens. Her work focuses on helping clients reconnect with who they are beneath years of people-pleasing, perfectionism, and the belief that something is "wrong" with them. Through therapy, education, and online content, Tyana is committed to making conversations about autism, mental health, and healing more accessible, compassionate, and empowering. Website Instagram

Throwback Thursday to Episode 117 — featuring Rob Cox, LMFT, an ex-Mormon therapist whose perspective brought a deeper, more human layer to this conversation than expected.In this episode, we explored how church decisions don't just stay abstract or institutional — they affect real people in real communities. From proposed LDS temple developments and how they can fracture local communities, to questions surrounding Ensign Peak and the Church's financial transparency, Rob brings a grounded clinical lens to topics that are often discussed only at a surface level.The full conversation runs about 90 minutes, but this video highlights the most impactful moments so you can get straight to the core ideas without the full watch.If you haven't seen Episode 117 before, this is a great entry point into one of the more thoughtful and layered discussions on the channel.Enjoy the throwback.Please consider making a donation by joining our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MormonNewsRoundup Email: kolob@mormonnewsroundup.org Website: https://mormonnewsroundup.org/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonnewsroundup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormon_news_roundup/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093511869924 X: https://twitter.com/NewsMormon New episodes LIVE every Sunday and Monday nights at 9:30PM ESTPlease like and subscribe and hit the notifications bell. Remember remember, no unhallowed hand can stop this podcast from progressing!The Mormon News Roundup is NOT affilated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Today in this segment, I talked with Jennifer León Salinas, about the emotional and physical impacts hostile policies and public discourse have on undocumented mental health, where we look closely at the well-being of living undocumented within our current American societal systems. We explored how Jennifer helps individuals navigate the realities of immigrant enforcement stemming from societal hostility. Jennifer shared her family's migration story and surviving as an undocumented child, giving us context how deeply our political climate impacts long-term undocumented mental health.   About today's guest: Jennifer is a bilingual LMFT based in Los Angeles, adjunct graduate professor, and a first generation, undocumented/DACAmented immigrant from Michoacan Mexico who approaches trauma through a liberation and social justice lens. She is also the founder of MujeresxPsych, a nationally recognized platform dedicated to increasing representation and access in the field of psychology. Jennifer is accepting clients in the state of California!  Follow Jennifer:  https://msha.ke/mujeresxpsych/  https://www.instagram.com/mujeresxpsych/  http://instagram.com/undocu.traumatherapist  Resources:  https://www.informedimmigrant.com/  https://immigrantsrising.org/what-we-do-mental-health/ 

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Joy Berkheimer, Phd, LMFT, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Dating Coach, author, speaker, and Chief Sexologist at The Sexual Wellness Awards. We get into the nitty gritty of relationships, intimacy, sensuality, sex, and the mental load and emotional labour so many women carry in their relationships. I truly loved this juicy conversation, enjoy queens! What we cover: What sensual yoga entails and looks like in practiceWhy women specifically are so often disconnected from their sensualityHow a woman eases into connectionWhat "goddess status" isThe impacts of the mental load and emotional labour women carry in relationshipsAdvice for people who stay too long or who have the same relationship patternWhat intimacy is and what healthy intimacy really looks and feels likeWhy women struggle to enjoy sex even with someone they loveHot, practical tips around sex and intimacyThe exploration of tantric and chakra workConnect with Dr Joy:Instagram: @glowyourgoddessYouTube: Dear Dr JoyWebsite: www.joyberkheimer.comConnect with me:Instagram: @beccnichollsTiktok: @beccanichollsWebsite: www.beccanicholls.comSubscribe to my email listYouTube: BECCAIt would mean the world to me if you would subscribe, rate and review this podcast to help support the show. If you enjoy this podcast, share it on your stories and tag me or share it with a friend. Let's build this community, together! ⚡️

What I Discussed With Dr. Jenn Kennedy...- The two problems that bring most couples over 50 into sex therapy, and why embarrassment keeps them away for so long.- Why an unreliable erection doesn't mean the end of pleasure, and what "pivoting" actually looks like in bed.- The surprising sensitivity of a soft penis, and why porn has left us all badly under-educated.- Why sex that "feels like sandpaper" is so common after menopause, and the fixes that work within weeks.- The generational reason women over 50 feel funny about keeping lube by the bed.- Why the low-desire partner usually doesn't dislike sex. She dislikes the sex she's having.- How pressure turns desire into obligation, and what brings real desire back instead.- The two words that reignite relationships after decades together.Show NotesIs it okay to say things aren't working in the bedroom? That's the question, according to my guest, that couples are silently asking as they walk into her office. Erections that have become unreliable. Sex that hurts. Desire that seems to have packed up and left. Most people wait years before saying any of it out loud.In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Jenn Kennedy, clinical sexologist, licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of The Pleasure Project in Santa Barbara. Jenn works with couples and individuals in their 50s, 60s and beyond, and she's refreshingly frank about what she sees: bodies that change with age, partners drowning in shame about it, and simple fixes that nobody has bothered to tell them exist.What I love about this conversation is how practical it gets. We talk about what to do in the actual moment an erection doesn't arrive. We talk about vaginal estrogen, the treatment that clears up painful sex in weeks, and why so many women have never heard of it. And we land on Jenn's most freeing insight: the partner who has "gone off sex" usually hasn't gone off sex at all. She's gone off sex where her pleasure comes last.Whether you're partnered, dating or somewhere in between, this episode is full of things you can actually use. Including, for the men, the simplest question in the entire universe. Ask it daily. Then listen to the answer.Listen, learn and enjoy.Key Takeaways- Dysfunction and dissatisfaction are the two main reasons couples over 50 seek sex therapy.- Pivoting to what feels good keeps shame out of the room, and often brings things back.- Sensitivity doesn't disappear with an erection.- Painful sex after menopause is common, treatable and nothing to be ashamed of.- Lube is not a failure.- Vaginal estrogen can transform painful sex in weeks, yet many women are never told about it.- Pressuring a low-desire partner creates obligation, not desire.- The low-desire partner often enjoys sex.- Desire lives in play, curiosity and banter, not in routine.About the GuestDr. Jenn Kennedy is a clinical sexologist and LMFT specialising in sex and couples. In 2023, Dr. Jenn launched The Pleasure Project, which is dedicated to helping us all have a better sex life.  She hosts a podcast called Pleasure Project: Sex & Relationships and offers small group intensives for women and couples. She recently launched a self-guided intimacy course for women and owns a 9-person group therapy practice called Riviera Therapy. Dr Jenn has been quoted in Redbook, Reader's Digest, Forbes Health, DailyOm, Shondaland, Parade, Allure, Yahoo!, and others. She is often tapped to discuss intimacy and sexuality for therapists and physicians.About SuzanneSuzanne Noble is a sex and relationship expert, author, and host of the Sex Advice for Seniors podcast—one of the top-rated shows empowering people 50+ to embrace confident, joyful intimacy. Known for her candid, warm, and often humorous approach, Suzanne challenges age-related taboos, misinformation, and awkward conversations about sex after 50. She helps millions around the world navigate their sexual lives with pleasure, connection, and self-assurance. Because life is too short for bad sex... or silence about it.Connect With SuzanneInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sexadviceforseniorsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sexadviceforseniorsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sexadviceforseniorsSubstack: https://www.sexadviceforseniors.comWant More?Visit the Website: https://sexadviceforseniors.com — includes FREE guides and resources for better sex at any age.Free Downloadable Guide: 10 Most Overlooked Secrets to Better Sex PDF: https://subscribepage.io/suzannenoblefreebieSign Up for My FREE Newsletter: https://sexadviceforseniors.comOvercome Erectile Dysfunction & Stay Firm: https://www.stayfirmprogram.comCheck Out My Storefront for Better Sex: https://zaap.bio/stayfirmInterested in 1:1 Coaching or Custom Sex Advice for Seniors Sessions? https://tidycal.com/suzannenoble/30-minute-mentoringRelated EpisodesWhy Long-Term Couples Drift Apart, and the Simple Habit That Brings Them Back: https://www.sexadviceforseniors.com/p/why-couples-lose-the-spark-and-howThe Simple Practice That Brought Intimacy Back After 20 Years: https://www.sexadviceforseniors.com/p/why-waiting-to-feel-in-the-mood-doesntBonus Live: The Relationship Lesson That Ends So Much Conflict: https://www.sexadviceforseniors.com/p/bonus-live-the-relationship-lesson This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sexadviceforseniors.com/subscribe

HOT RELATIONSHIP TIP: fighting isn't a bad thing… but you do need to learn how to fight fair. Emmalee Bierly, LMFT and Jennifer Chaiken, LMFT of Shrink Chicks are back and this time they're sharing their expert tips on how to fight. We cover: -Why fighting is actually a part of a healthy relationship -How to fight fair -How to regulate your emotions during a fight -Scripts for expressing your feelings and apologizing -What resentment can look like and how it manifests in our relationships -The grief that comes along with committing to a long term relationship EVERYONE who signs up wins a FREE Rose suction toy with their order!https://www.bboutique.co/vibe/honeydewme-pod Learn more about 1:1 coaching HERE!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Honeydew Me Merch HERE!⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What therapists often misunderstand about DID, childhood trauma, shame, attachment, and the therapeutic relationship—with psychotherapist and author Sally Maslansky. **If you find conversations about childhood sexual abuse activating, please take care with this episode. Although our discussion doesn't contain explicit details, abuse is a central theme.**  Because hindsight is 20/20, allow me to add a bit of self-evaluation to this conversation with Sally Maslansky, LMFT, my emotionally wise and accomplished guest. Sally is a licensed psychotherapist, speaker, consultant, and author of A Brilliant Adaptation: How Dissociative Identity and the Therapeutic Bond Saved Me. Her work centers on the power of relationship, the complexity of the mind, and the possibility of healing even in the aftermath of profound childhood trauma.  Sally's life and career can serve as proof that people with dissociative identity disorder (DID) can heal. Here are three points to take away from this discussion: DID truly is a superior survival adaptation. It generally develops in response to attachment wounds sustained in childhood. Shame––not the feeling that we've done something bad but that we are bad––is a bummer! The more we can build capacity to identify the implicit or explicit shame-based lessons of our childhood, the closer we get to connecting with ourselves and each other. Therapists can (and should) "meet" their patients' dissociated states. With proper training and supervision, these interactions can become part of a compassionate reintegration process. "Therapy," concludes Sally, "is a collaborative venture." I agree. It's not about needing to fix; it's about accountability and liberating ourselves from trauma. Join The Therapist Network and receive 20% off your subscription tier when you enter the code SARAHROCKS. Join the waitlist for the next Authentic Leaders Group! This is a journey of self-discovery and leadership mastery, where you'll not only enhance your leadership skills but also forge meaningful connections with fellow therapists who are committed to their own growth and the betterment of the therapy field. Apply now! Thank you to The Therapist Network for sponsoring the show! The Therapist Network is a global community built by and for therapists. You'll find live consult groups, an ever-growing library of workshops and courses, plus a community that really sees you. Sarah's group, Tending to the Wounded Healer, meets every other Monday from 1–2pm CT, and it's a space to explore the intersection of your lived experience and your clinical work. So if you want to feel more supported and less alone, visit TheTherapist.Network—or join Sarah's group directly at tinyurl.com/HealerConsultTTN. UPCOMING EVENTS Check the calendar for opportunities to connect with Sarah and earn CEs. SUPPORT THE SHOW Conversations With a Wounded Healer Merch Join our Patreon for gifts & perks Shop our Bookshop.org store and support local booksellers Share a rating & review on Apple Podcasts *** Let's be friends! You can find me in the following places… Website Facebook @headheartbiztherapy Instagram @headheartbiztherapy

Feeling disconnected, burned out, or wondering why success can still feel lonely? You are not the only one. In this honest and deeply relatable episode of Normalize The Conversation, Francesca sits down with licensed therapist Jessica Vickers to talk about burnout, friendship changes in adulthood, self-care that actually helps, and how to stop feeling so alone in hard seasons of life.Jessica Vickers is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in trauma therapy, EMDR, and perinatal mental health. Together, we explore what it means to be human in today's overwhelming world from emotional exhaustion and therapist burnout to navigating relationships, social media comparison, and finding support when life feels heavy.This episode is for anyone who has:Felt isolated from friends as life changesStruggled with burnout or emotional exhaustionWondered if therapy can actually helpFelt hurt when support from others doesn't look the way they hopedNeeded permission to slow down, rest, and reconnect with joyFrancesca and Jessica also discuss the pressure to seek validation from others, why adult friendships shift, and how misunderstandings—not rejection—may be behind some relationship struggles. They dive into practical ways to support your mental health, including building community, spending time alone without loneliness, and finding small moments of joy through hobbies, books, travel, or even nostalgic places like Disney.You'll also hear an honest conversation about therapy, emotional wellness, and why finding the right therapist matters. Jessica shares thoughtful insight into self-disclosure in therapy, emotional safety, and how therapists balance boundaries while still showing up as humans.If you've been feeling emotionally overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure how to care for yourself in difficult seasons, this conversation will remind you that healing doesn't have to happen alone.Listen now, and if this episode resonates with you, follow Normalize The Conversation and share it with someone who may need a reminder that they're not alone.

What if the therapy that was supposed to help actually made things worse?For many survivors of coercive control, couples therapy doesn't bring clarity, it deepens confusion, self-doubt, and shame.In this episode, I'm joined by licensed marriage and family therapist Frances Russell to talk about why traditional couples therapy can be harmful when coercive control or domestic violence is present. We discuss what survivors should know, what therapists often miss, and why understanding patterns of power and control—not just isolated incidents—is essential.Whether you're a survivor wondering why couples therapy didn't work or a mental health professional wanting to better recognize coercive control, this conversation offers practical insights and compassionate validation.In this episode, we discuss:Why couples therapy can unintentionally reinforce coercive control.How neutrality can cause harm when abuse is present.The subtle signs therapists should be watching for.Why assessment for coercive control is an ongoing process—not a one-time intake questionnaire.The difference between incident-based and pattern-based thinking.What survivors can do if they're looking back and realizing therapy caused additional harm.Considerations for therapists when ending couples therapy due to safety concerns.What to know about therapy notes, confidentiality, and family court.About Frances: Frances works as a therapist for both individuals and couples, and specializes in trauma recovery, helping people rebuild trust in themselves, others and life after experiences that have shattered it. She works with clients who want to process childhood abuse and neglect as well as others who come in to process recent, traumatic experiences between themselves and their partner. She primarily uses Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with couples and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with individuals. In addition to being a therapist, Frances is a trauma-informed yoga instructor with Comeback Yoga, an organization that supports veterans and their families. Frances also teaches graduate students at Regis University and her courses include Crisis, Trauma and Loss and Human Growth and Development.In her free time, Frances enjoys staying active and getting outdoors through running, backpacking and skiing. She is also always on the lookout for new restaurants and recipes.Register for the Free Webinar Series - Why Co-Parenting Feels Like a Trap  here - https://mailchi.mp/risingbeyondpc/coparentingPlease leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.If you want to chat more about this topic I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpcIf you want to support the show you may do so here at, Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/Where to find more from Rising Beyond:Rising Beyond FacebookRising Beyond LinkedInRising Beyond Pinterest If you're interested in guesting on the show please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7Enjoy some of our freebies!Choosing Your Battles FreebieCanned Responses FreebieMic Drop Moments Freebie...

Conquering Social Anxiety: The Courage to Reach Out Hosts: Kevin Cornelius, LMFT Dr. David Burns In this deeply moving episode, Dr. David Burns and Kevin Cornelius explore one of the most painful and misunderstood forms of anxiety: social anxiety. David shares a remarkable true story about a wealthy and highly successful businessman whose severe social anxiety left him feeling isolated, ashamed, and unable to connect even with his own family. Despite his power, wealth, and accomplishments, he secretly believed there was something deeply wrong with him because he felt anxious around people. Through an unforgettable exposure exercise involving radical self-disclosure on a public train, David illustrates how shame loses its power when it is brought into the open—and how genuine human connection can emerge when we stop hiding our perceived flaws. This episode explores: Why shame—not low self-esteem—is often at the core of social anxiety How secrecy fuels anxiety and emotional suffering The healing power of vulnerability and authenticity Why exposure exercises can create rapid breakthroughs How therapists can unintentionally reinforce hopelessness The difference between treating a diagnosis and treating a human being The surprising warmth and compassion people often receive when they stop pretending to be "special" David and Kevin also discuss: Why TEAM-CBT is never a "cookie-cutter" approach The importance of courage in overcoming fear "Reverse hypnosis" and how anxious thoughts persuade people they are incapable Why meaningful change often requires stepping directly into discomfort How human connection—not status or achievement—creates joy One especially memorable takeaway from the episode:"When I give up my need to be special, then life can be special." Key Themes Social Anxiety Shame and Vulnerability Exposure Therapy TEAM-CBT Self-Disclosure Human Connection Courage and Emotional Healing Memorable Moments David describing the businessman arriving at a modest hospital in a limousine with bodyguards The patient's emotional transformation after talking openly with strangers The realization that most people respond with kindness rather than judgment David's reflection that "magic is available to most of us most of the time" Kevin's observation that the patient "had everything—and yet nothing" About the Next Episode Next week, David and Kevin explore another powerful treatment for social anxiety inspired by Albert Ellis: Shame Attacking Exercises—a bold and often life-changing approach to overcoming fear of judgment. Resources Mentioned David Burns' articles on Psychology Today Let Us Know What You Think of This Episode Please use this link to take a very brief survey and share your opinion with us about this episode Contact Information Kevin Cornelius, LMFT is a Level 5 Certified Master TEAM-CBT Therapist and Trainer and the Clinical Director of Feeling Good Institute--Silicon Valley. He specializes in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship problems and insomnia. You can reach Kevin at kevin@feelinggoodinstitute.com and visit his website at www.tools4change.me. You can reach Dr. Burns at david@feelinggood.com. Feeling down in these turbulent times? Take a ride on our Feeling Great app. Feeling Great feels wonderful! You owe it to yourself to feel GREAT! Give the Greatest Gifts of ALL--Love and Happiness!

What if the stories you've been told about yourself aren't the whole story? In this episode of Perspectives Podcast, Rev. Hannah and licensed marriage and family therapist Sheilah Cameron, LMFT, explore the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4) and what it teaches us about shame, identity, worth, and belonging. Drawing on both Scripture and therapeutic insight, this conversation explores how shame, exclusion, and internalized beliefs affect our mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. And how Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman offers a picture of being fully known without being shamed. This is Episode 5 of our five-part series, Taking Care of Mind, Body, and Spirit, featuring the female pastors of First United Methodist Church of San Diego and Sheilah Cameron, Director of New Life Counseling Center. Inspired by John 4:7-19 and 27-29, the episode includes: Why the Samaritan woman’s story continues to resonate today How shame becomes a part of our internal narrative The connection between trauma, belonging, and identity Why compassion is more transformative than judgment Healing through safe relationships and authentic connection Releasing identities built around shame and survival Practicing vulnerability with ourselves, others, and the Sacred Finding a deeper sense of worth beyond labels and expectations What the story in John 4 offers people seeking healing today Reflection Questions: What labels have you carried for so long that you've mistaken them for your identity? Are you spending more energy protecting your reputation than nurturing your identity? What would change if you truly believed you are fully known and fully loved? Continue the Conversation Whether you identify as Christian, progressive Christian, spiritual but not religious, are deconstructing faith, or are simply curious about spirituality and mental health, we'd love to continue the conversation. Convergence discussion group (Sundays at 12 PM) Join our online Patreon community Please note: This conversation is intended for reflection and encouragement and is not a substitute for professional mental health care. If you're struggling with your mental health, consider reaching out to a licensed mental health professional or a trusted support person, such as the New Life Counseling Center, a mental health ministry of First United Methodist Church of San Diego. Timestamps 00:00 What Happens When Someone Truly Sees You? 01:21 The Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4) 04:01 Jesus Crosses Boundaries with Compassion 05:37 Identity, Belonging, and Mental Health 10:20 Trauma, Shame, and the Stories We Tell Ourselves 17:55 Healing Through Safe Relationships 19:17 Leaving the Water Jar: A New Story Emerges 20:36 What Healing and Integration Look Like 22:01 Personal Stories of Identity and Belonging 25:03 Questions for Reflection

In this groundbreaking episode, Dr. Eli brings together female sports legend Danica Patrick and esteemed LMFT, Vienna Pharaon, for an intimate conversation about the transformative power of systemic therapy. Together, they delve into Danica's journey of healing from an emotionally abusive relationship, exploring the courage it takes to confront personal patterns and break generational cycles. This episode offers profound insights into systemic therapy's role in fostering resilience and repairing important bonds. Join us as we uncover stories of vulnerability, strength, and the deep human connection at the heart of therapy.

In this episode, Anna sits down with Kati Morton, LMFT, bestselling author and one of the internet's most trusted mental-health educators. Kati has spent more than a decade helping millions of people understand their emotions, navigate trauma, and break unhealthy patterns. Her latest book, Why Do I Keep Doing This?, unpacks the emotional habits we fall into — and what it actually takes to change them from the inside out.In this episode, we explore:• What inspired her new bookHow Kati sees “doing this” — the patterns, habits, and emotional cycles we repeat — showing up in her own life and in her clients.• The truth that even therapists get stuckWhy mental-health professionals aren't immune to autopilot patterns… and the early signs Kati looks for in herself when she's drifting away from alignment.• Burnout cycles & nervous-system loopsEspecially for sensitive creatives, caretakers, and over-functioners:o why burnout often comes from emotional over-responsibilityo how chronic self-abandonment masquerades as “being capable”o the biological and psychological loops that keep people stucko how to tell the difference between capacity and compulsion• What it means to shift safelyKati shares the gentlest places to begin — including micro-bids for rest, nervous-system resets, interrupting old narratives, and slowly rebuilding trust with yourself so change doesn't feel threatening.• Why shame blocks every kind of healingAnd what happens when we bring curiosity instead of self-criticism to our patterns.• Practical tools for coming back to yourselfFrom checking in with your body before your to-do list, to noticing emotional “flare alerts,” to using supportive structure without falling into perfectionism.This conversation is validating, clarifying, honest, and deeply hopeful.If you're tired of your own loops, this one's for you. Connect with Kati• Website: https://www.katimorton.com/• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/katimorton• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katimorton/• Her books, including Why Do I Keep Doing This?, Are U OK?, and Traumatized Connect with Anna• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna_holtzman/• Website: https://www.annaholtzman.com/• Free workshop — Let Yourself Be Seen: https://www.annaholtzman.com/beseen

Mercedes Coffman, LMFT, is a seasoned Marriage and Family Therapist known for her insightful, compassionate approach to emotional healing and relational growth.  Today on the show we discuss how inconsistency can make relationships feel addictive, why chemistry is not always the same as compatibility, how love bombing and emotional highs can dysregulate your nervous system, the difference between emotional unavailability and manipulation, why childhood wounds can cause people to chase the wrong partners, how trauma bonds actually work, why safe love can feel boring at first, and how to rebuild self-trust so you can choose healthier relationships. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to We Heart Therapy, your destination for training, clinical conversations, and inspiration for Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) therapists around the world. In this episode, Dr. Belle, PhD, LMFT, ICEEFT Certified EFT/EFIT/EFFT Supervisor & Therapist and EFT Community Leader for Southern NV EFT, sits down with Kathryn DeBruin, ICEEFT Certified EFT Trainer, originally with the San Diego Center for EFT, now practicing and training in Utah, and a pioneer in helping develop the South African EFT community. Together, they explore one of the most important topics for developing EFT therapists: How do we effectively work with more complex cases in Emotionally Focused Therapy?  As therapists grow in their EFT journey, they inevitably encounter clients whose presentations require greater flexibility, deeper attunement, and a more nuanced understanding of attachment science. In this rich clinical discussion, Kathryn shares decades of experience helping therapists navigate these challenging moments while staying grounded in the EFT model. In this episode, you'll learn: ✨ What makes a case "complex" in EFT ✨ How to stay anchored in the attachment model when sessions become difficult ✨ Working with trauma, high conflict, and complicated relationship dynamics ✨ Common challenges therapists encounter—and how to navigate them effectively ✨ Clinical wisdom for maintaining emotional presence under pressure ✨ How complexity can become an opportunity for deeper healing and secure attachment Whether you're new to EFT or an experienced Certified EFT Therapist/Supervisor, this conversation offers practical guidance, thoughtful reflection, and clinical pearls that can immediately enhance your work with couples and individuals. If you're committed to growing as an attachment-based therapist, this is an episode you won't want to miss. ---

What if your life first fee isn't just about earning more — but about creating a practice that can truly support your life?In this podcast takeover episode, Linzy hands the mic to her biz bestie, Tiffany McLain — founder of The Lean In. MAKE BANK. Academy and host of The Money Sessions — for a bold conversation about what it really takes to build a life first fee practice.Tiffany speaks honestly and unapologetically to the therapist who knows they want a more sustainable practice, but still finds themselves pulled back into lower fees, insurance dependence, inconsistent referrals, or marketing that does not seem to bring in the clients they actually want to work with.She names the shift many therapists are feeling right now: the private practice landscape has changed, and the old ways of filling a caseload are not working the way they once did. But instead of responding by working more, charging less, or trying to compete with therapy platforms and AI, Tiffany points toward a different path.This episode invites you to think differently about your fee, your positioning, your clinical authority, and the kind of practice that can actually take care of you while you take care of your clients.If you have your life first fee written down somewhere, but are not yet living it in your practice, this conversation is for you.Timestamps:00:34 - Linzy Introduces the Podcast Takeover02:36 - Tiffany's Life First Fee Practice Framework04:22 - Why Referrals Feel Different Now05:14 - The Private Practice Landscape Before the Pandemic06:15 - What Changed When Therapy Moved Online07:14 - Big Tech, Therapy Platforms, and Cheap Labor09:01 - The Pressure of Lower Reimbursement Rates10:25 - AI, Burnout, and the Race to the Bottom13:00 - Why Life First Fees Are a Different Path15:46 - Why Therapists Cannot Compete with Big Tech16:49 - Returning to Deep Human Work17:32 - Marketing Beyond the Scaled Online Game18:58 - Start by Knowing Your Life First Fee20:55 - The “R to the Third” Client: Resourced, Ready, Recognized25:00 - How Specificity Helps Clients Find Themselves in Your Work27:19 - Where Life First Fee Clients Come From29:18 - Stepping Into Professional Authority31:04 - Linzy's Final Reflection and Community InvitationConnect with Tiffany McLain:Tiffany McLain, LMFT is a clinical fee strategist for therapists in private practice. Her mantra is, “Full fees are the new black.” Via her program, The Lean In. MAKE BANK. Academy, she helps therapists ethically earn significantly more per month while seeing fewer clients and doing BETTER clinical work.The Lean In. MAKE BANK. Academy is a program that addresses the underlying money mindset stories that keep therapists broke so they can become THAT therapist who charges premium fees, cash pay. With the LIMB 4-step framework to make BANK, regular coaching calls to help you go to the next level, a phenomenal community of funny and intelligent therapists, be ready to get real raw and real rich.Website: https://leaninmakebank.comLife First Fee Calculator: https://leaninmakebank.com/fee-calculator/Email: hey@leaninmakebank.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/leaninmakebank/For other episodes with Tiffany, check out:Episode 204 - Breaking the Martyr Cycle: Therapists, Money Shame, and Self-Care with Tiffany McLainEpisode 200 - Seasons of Entrepreneurship: Growth, Contraction, and the Truth About BusinessEpisode 100 - A Look at Our Financial Origin Stories with Tiffany McLain & Maegan MegginsonEpisode 60 - Raising Fees and Showing Up Differently with Tiffany McLainEpisode 15 - Charging an Appropriate Fee to Match Your Money Goals with Tiffany McLainAbout Linzy Bonham:Linzy Bonham is a therapist turned money coach who helps private practice owners and health professionals feel calm, confident, and in control of their finances through her podcast, free workshops and comprehensive programs: Money Skills for Therapists and Money Skills for Group Practice Owners.It all started when she saw her extremely skilled colleagues struggle with the money side of business. Some had even left private practice, or were avoiding starting one, because managing finances was just too stressful.So Linzy set out to support helpers and healers with developing peace of mind about their money. Since so many were never taught money skills, she focuses on the “how” of making the business side of private practice doable — and even super satisfying.You can learn more here: https://moneyskillsfortherapists.com/aboutAnd you can follow along on social media:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linzybonham/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moneyskillsfortherapists/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneynutsandboltsWant to feel more calm and confident about your money? Join one of Linzy's free online workshops for private practice owners who want practical support with money mindset, avoidance, and the technical side of managing business finances.Explore upcoming workshops and save your spot or register to get the replay: https://moneyskillsfortherapists.com/workshopsYou can also join the new private WhatsApp community to connect with other therapists, health practitioners, and podcast listeners. Email hello@moneynutsandbolts.com for an invite.

When Trauma Still Hurts: Memory Rescripting Hosts: Kevin Cornelius, LMFT Dr. David Burns Content Note This episode includes discussion of trauma, including sexual abuse and violence, which may be distressing for some listeners. What Is Memory Rescripting? Memory rescripting is a therapeutic technique that helps people transform how they experience painful memories. Instead of simply revisiting trauma, clients: Re-enter the memory vividly (often with eyes closed) Experience the emotions fully Then actively change the outcome of the scene The key idea:Many trauma victims, see themselves, still, as the helpless little child, the victim, and every time they re-experience the trauma, they re-enforced those brain circuits. Memory Rescripting allows patients to establish new brain circuits and new ways of seeing themselves. Clients often: Step into the scene as a powerful adult self Protect their younger self Confront or stop the perpetrator Create a new, empowering ending A Powerful Case Example David shares a striking case of a young woman struggling with: Severe anxiety Agoraphobia (fear of leaving home, especially public transportation) What wasn't working: Cognitive therapy helped overall mood But she refused exposure to public transportation Breakthrough moment: She revealed a childhood trauma: A babysitter repeatedly sexually abused her The Memory Rescripting Process During a guided session: She vividly re-experienced the traumatic memory At peak emotional intensity, she: Entered the scene as a strong adult Physically stopped the perpetrator (in imagination) Enacted intense revenge fantasies She continued reshaping the scene until: She felt relief and empowerment Surprising Outcome After the session: She voluntarily booked a solo international flight Completed 21 hours of travel alone Reported: Zero anxiety Ability to neutralize fear using spontaneous rescripting She ended therapy shortly after—fully recovered from her presenting issue Key Insight Memory rescripting may work by: Shifting identity: From helpless victim → powerful protector Allowing expression of: Suppressed anger Emotional truth Rewriting emotional memory—not just recalling it Important Caveat This technique is not for everyone David notes: He has used it rarely in decades of practice Most patients improve with standard cognitive and exposure methods Relapse Prevention for Anxiety A crucial takeaway: Recovery is maintained through continued exposure—not avoidance. Key principles: Face your fears regularly Don't become complacent If fear returns: It does not mean failure It means it's time to re-engage the tools Normalizing Setbacks Negative thoughts and feelings will return at times This is part of being human—not a sign something is wrong You can reuse the same tools that worked before Core Takeaways 1. Thoughts create feelings Changing distorted thoughts can eliminate emotional suffering. 2. There is no one-size-fits-all method Different techniques work for different people. 3. Don't give in to hopelessness Even long-standing anxiety can be overcome. 4. Avoid rigid "schools" of therapy Flexibility and multiple tools are key. 5. Memory Rescripting is one powerful method that could help When the patient rewrites the script on a traumatic memory, new brain circuits are created and the patient is freed from the pain of the traumatic event. "100% vs 200% Cure" 100% Cure: Fear disappears completely 200% Cure: You come to enjoy what you once feared Resources Mentioned When Panic Attacks by Dr. David Burns Feeling Good by Dr. David Burns Feeling Great by Dr. David Burns Feeling Great App (free at www.feelinggreat.com) Free anxiety resources and classes available at www.feelinggood.com Let Us Know What You Think of This Episode Please use this link to take a very brief survey and share your opinion with us about this episode Contact Information Kevin Cornelius, LMFT is a Level 5 Certified Master TEAM-CBT Therapist and Trainer and the Clinical Director of Feeling Good Institute--Silicon Valley. He specializes in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship problems and insomnia. You can reach Kevin at kevin@feelinggoodinstitute.com and visit his website at www.tools4change.me. You can reach Dr. Burns at david@feelinggood.com. Feeling down in these turbulent times? Take a ride on our Feeling Great app. Feeling Great feels wonderful! You owe it to yourself to feel GREAT! Give the Greatest Gifts of ALL--Love and Happiness!

AI Ethics Codes for Therapists: What CAMFT, APA, NASW, and AAMFT Now Require How the CAMFT, APA, NASW, and AAMFT ethics codes now regulate AI in therapy: a CE podcourse on competence, informed consent, data privacy, bias, and human accountability. Curt Widhalm, LMFT, and Katie Vernoy, LMFT, walk through the recent artificial intelligence updates to the major mental health ethics codes. Centering on the new CAMFT updates and cross-referencing the APA, NASW, ACA, and AAMFT codes, they turn the new language into a practical roadmap for everyday clinical work. The conversation covers what competence with AI actually requires (closer to safely driving a car than building one), the three CAMFT obligations that travel together (disclosure, informed consent, and informed decision making), and a client's right to opt out. They get specific on data privacy, including business associate agreements and why "HIPAA compliant" is a marketing claim rather than a certification, on spotting demographic and medical-model bias in AI output, and on why the human in the loop still owns and is accountable for anything signed under their name. This continuing education podcourse is for therapists, supervisors, and clinical educators who want to use AI tools ethically and stay accountable in an automated world. In this episode, we discuss: - Why the codes aim for broad, durable AI principles instead of tool-specific rules - What competence with AI actually requires of a clinician - The three CAMFT obligations: disclosure, informed consent, and informed decision making - How to vet data privacy, including BAAs and why "HIPAA compliant" is only marketing - How to catch demographic and medical-model bias in AI output - Why the clinician remains responsible for anything produced under their name Timestamps: - 0:55 - Why the ethics codes are updating for AI - 3:30 - Defining artificial intelligence (California AB 2885) - 9:49 - The four Beauchamp and Childress principles - 12:28 - Timeline: CAMFT, APA, NASW, and AAMFT updates - 16:11 - Competence and the "driving a car" metaphor - 21:09 - Disclosure, informed consent, and the right to opt out - 33:18 - Data privacy, BAAs, and "HIPAA compliant" as marketing - 41:20 - Bias, social justice, and reading the output - 44:52 - The human in the loop and accountability - 53:12 - Is AI right for this client? - 1:00:59 - Supervision, education, and the AI vetting guide 1 CE unit is available through the Modern Therapist Learning Community: moderntherapistcommunity.com Full show notes and transcript: mtsgpodcast.com Join the Modern Therapist Community Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/mtsgpodcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/therapyreimagined Modern Therapist's Survival Guide Creative Credits Voice Over by DW McCann: https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/ Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano: https://groomsymusic.com/

In episode 621, depth psychotherapist and astrologer Shawna McGrath, LMFT (she/her) shares about the planetary archetypes of Jupiter, Pluto, and Chiron and how from a depth psychological perspective these symbolically represent themes of power, authority, dignity, oppression/oppressor, child/adult, wounded/caregiver, privilege/marginalization, and a call to heal our relationship with wounding, power, and trauma.

Mara Sammartino, LCSW, explores how clinicians can support Hispanic and Latino/x/e clients with cultural humility, curiosity, and respect amid heightened fear and safety concerns. She offers practical guidance for building trust, addressing systemic stressors, and reducing barriers to care. Interview with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT.Earn CE credit for listening to this episode by joining our low-cost membership for unlimited podcast CE credits for an entire year, with some of the strongest CE approvals in the country (APA, NBCC, ASWB, and more). Learn, grow, and shine with Clearly Clinical Continuing Ed by visiting https://ClearlyClinical.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the Leading Edge in Emotionally Focused Therapy, hosted by Drs. James Hawkins, Ph.D., LPC, and Ryan Rana, Ph.D., LMFT, LPC—Renowned ICEEFT Therapists, Supervisors, and Trainers. We're thrilled to have you with us. We believe this podcast, a valuable resource, will empower you to push the boundaries in your work, helping individuals and couples connect more deeply with themselves and each other. In this episode, Dr. James Hawkins and Dr. Ryan Reyna walk into the heart of Stage 2 EFT and ask a hard question: How do you get the most out of YOU when every path forward involves pain? Drawing on stories from haunted houses, combat medicine, and oncology surgery, they unpack what it means to be the stronger, wiser other—not as a top-down expert, but as a steady, emotionally present guide when clients' eyes are begging, “Please don't make me go there.” You'll hear how to: Stay confident and regulated in deep Stage 2 work Use your own limbic system, intensity, and presence in service of healing Avoid “over-validating” clients out of depth Become relentless but attuned when working with shame, trauma, and withdrawer re-engagement Here are the top 10 points from the episode in bullet format, tailored for therapists: Therapist consistency is heroic work Therapists, like elite athletes or Navy SEALs, show up and train relentlessly—session after session—often without recognition, but this consistency is what makes deep Stage 2 work possible. You are the “stronger, wiser other” in Stage 2 Borrowing from Bowlby, the therapist's role is to be a grounded, slightly leading presence—not hierarchical, but a steady guide who believes in the clients' capacity to go deeper. Clients need your confidence more than your explanations In Stage 2, detailed EFT mapping is less helpful than a calm, “I know where we're going; we can do this together” energy. Tone matters: gentle, invitational, and regulated—not pushy or detached. Every real option involves pain—but not the same kind of pain If you back away when clients say “don't make me do this,” you protect them now but leave unregulated pain to hurt them later. If you stay with them in the fear and shame, you create constructive, healing pain that opens the door to new patterns. Self-coaching: what do YOU need to hear in the chair? Therapists need internal scripts/mantras (e.g., “No one gets left behind on the battlefield”). Drawing on mentors, attachment figures, faith, or personal values can help you stay present when you want to retreat. Use your own limbic system—and the partner's—to share the load Strategic use of “we” (“We'll go there together,” “We can face this”) helps clients feel they're not alone. The therapist can consciously bring their own emotional presence and the partner's caregiving energy to bear on the hardest moments. Relentless, attuned fighting for the client Ryan names his intensity and even competitiveness as assets: he refuses to let the cycle “win.” Clients often experience this as, “You fought for us more than we fought for ourselves,” which becomes contagious and regulating—as long as it stays tethered to alliance and repair. Validation and celebration must be timed and dosed well Over-validating or celebrating too soon can pull clients out of depth, like doing a cold plunge right after a hard muscle-building workout. Validation should support staying with the core emotion, not remove the heat from the room prematurely. Withdrawer re-engagement is “drip by drip” work Ryan uses the oncologic surgery metaphor: you don't want to close up while leaving “half the tumor” (unworked shame, trauma, negative self-views) inside. Stage 2 requires repetition and reps—going back into the “torture chamber” scenes multiple times so the body learns, “I don't have to do this alone anymore.” Homework: study your A-game and your use of self Notice what you do when you're at your best: your presence, nonverbals, timing, intensity, or way of breathing/pausing. Ask: How am I regulating me? How am I using me as the tool? Then intentionally amplify those strengths and clarify what needs adjustment (e.g., less rescuing, more tolerating pain, smarter use of validation). We aim to equip therapists with practical tools and encouragement for addressing relational distress. We're also excited to be part of the team behind Success in Vulnerability (SV)—your premier online education platform. SV offers innovative instruction to enhance your therapeutic effectiveness through exclusive modules and in-depth clinical examples.    Stay connected with us: Facebook: Follow our page @pushtheleadingedge Ryan: Follow @ryanranaprofessionaltraining on Facebook and visit his website James: Follow @dochawklpc on Facebook and Instagram, or visit his website at dochawklpc.com George Faller: Visit georgefaller.com If you like the concepts discussed on this podcast you can explore our online training program, Success in Vulnerability (SV). Thank you for being part of our community. Let's push the leading edge together!

It seems like everybody is talking about polycules right now -- but what are they actually? How do polycules work? What makes a polcule appeal to people? DB talks to the incredible Rachel Wright about everything polycules, from busting myths to talking about the joy of love outside of the framework of monogamy. ABOUT OUR GUEST: Rachel Wright, MA, LMFT (she/her) is a licensed psychotherapist, speaker, and educator specializing in modern relationships, mental health, and sex, known for translating clinical insight into practical, relatable guidance. She has worked with thousands of clients worldwide and brings an empathetic, humor-forward approach to therapy, teaching, and media that resonates with both audiences and professionals. Rachel is the host of The Wright Conversations, a podcast with over 100,000 downloads, has created widely attended sex and relationship education programs, and is the in-house sex educator for Zumio. TAKE OUR SMUT QUIZ: Find your page-turning turn-on with our new SMUT QUIZ! In just 5 questions, you'll get right to the good stuff with curated pages, poems, and audios. No slow burn. No fluff. Just pleasure.; Take the quiz here: https://sexedwithdb.fillout.com/smutquiz  ASK AN ANONYMOUS SEX ED QUESTION: Fill out our anonymous form to ask your sex ed question. ABOUT SEX ED WITH DB: Sex Ed with DB is your go-to podcast for smart, science-backed sex education — delivering trusted insights from top experts on sex, sexuality, and pleasure. Empowering, inclusive, and grounded in real science, it's the sex ed you've always wanted. Season 14 of Sex Ed with DB is ALL ABOUT PLEASURE! Solo pleasure. Partnered pleasure. Orgasms. Porn. Queer joy. Kinks, sex toys, fantasies -- you name it. We're here to help you feel more informed, more empowered, and a whole lot more turned on to help YOU have the best sex. GET IN TOUCH: Email: sexedwithdb@gmail.com CONNECT WITH US: Instagram: @sexedwithdbpodcast; TikTok: @sexedwithdb; Threads: @sexedwithdbpodcast; YouTube: Sex Ed with DB; X: @sexedwithdb SEX ED WITH DB SEASON 14 SPONSORS: Uberlube, Magic Wand, Nancy, and Happy V. Get discounts on all of DB's favorite things here! DISCOVER SEX POSITIVE EVENTS IN YOUR CITY: Subscribe to our newsletter for S.E.X I.R.L: your curated monthly list of sex-positive events, spaces, and experiences happening in person across major cities. FOR SEXUAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS: Check out DB's workshop: "Building A Profitable Online Sexual Health Brand" SEASON 14 TEAM: Creator, Host & Executive Producer: Danielle Bezalel (DB) (she/her); Producer and Growth Marketing Manager: Wil Williams (they/them); Social Media & Communications Manager: Iva Markicevic Daley (she/her) MUSIC: Intro theme music: Hook Sounds; Background music: Bright State by Ketsa; Ad music: Soul Sync by Ketsa, Always Faithful by Ketsa, and Soul Epic by Ketsa.; Thank you Ketsa!

Most people believe financial transformation starts with motivation. ⁠Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™⁠ and ⁠Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT⁠ argue the opposite: motivation fades, but habits compound. In this episode, they explain why relying on bursts of inspiration or willpower almost always leads to inconsistency — especially when it comes to money. Using stories from fitness, personal finance, and everyday life, they break down how systems and routines quietly shape long-term outcomes. From automating savings and debt payments to separating spending accounts and reducing decision fatigue, listeners learn practical ways to create financial habits that work even when emotions and motivation disappear. This episode reinforces one of the core themes of the series: long-term financial success is behavioral more than intellectual. Episode Highlights: Erik explains why motivation is a poor long-term financial strategy. (04:41) Dr. Matt shares that habits and systems are the real answer to lasting financial change. (05:49) Erik connects accountability and environment-building to showing up consistently, using his gym experience as an example. (08:27) Automating savings removes the need to make the same decision repeatedly. (09:14) Dollar cost averaging is explained and how automated investing helps combat emotional reactions to market swings. (10:42) Automating debt payments eliminates willpower battles when tempting expenses arise. (12:48) A one-week waiting rule is shared as a practical way to curb stress-driven impulse shopping. (13:52) Erik walks through his budgeting system of separating fixed expenses from variable spending into different accounts. (15:31) Dr. Matt reflects on how good financial systems become boring in the best way, eliminating repeated emotional decision-making. (17:26) Erik recommends keeping savings at a different bank to create friction and reduce the urge to raid savings impulsively. (19:00) Building systems tailored to your own tendencies works better than following generic budgeting advice. (20:01) Dr. Matt closes by reinforcing that willpower has limits and lasting financial progress comes from habits and systems. (21:09) Key Quotes: “Motivation deals with willpower, and generally speaking, we have willpower to do things in bursts, but anything that takes energy is really, really, really hard to sustain.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ “You need habits. You need patterns. You will not rise to the level of your financial intentions. You will fall to the level of your financial systems.” - Dr. Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT “It really helps to have a disinterested third party to help you think. We have blind spots, and oftentimes we don't know what we need to do.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ Resources Mentioned: ⁠Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT⁠ ⁠Dr. Matt Morris & Associates⁠ ⁠Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™⁠ ⁠Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC⁠ ⁠Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors⁠

Sometimes healing doesn't start in your head. It starts in your body. For 17 years, Erika Shershun did everything she was told she was supposed to do. She went to therapy. She named her depression. She worked on her thoughts. But the symptoms kept coming, and underneath them was a survival story her body had never been given the space to release. This conversation dives into what somatic psychotherapy actually is, why the body remembers trauma in ways the mind cannot, and the pivotal moment in a hands-on training when Erika's body finally interrupted years of silence. Erika opens up about surviving an attempted assault while running at dusk, the voice that told her she was not going to die, and the years of shame that came before and after. She also walks through what unhealed trauma looks like in everyday life, why so many survivors blame themselves for what their body did during an assault, and the simple daily practice she gives every client to begin feeling safe in their body again. Through fear, shame, fight responses, and decades of seeking answers, Erika's story is a powerful reminder that healing is possible at any age, that intuition is something to trust, and that the body always knows how to find its way home if you give it the right tools. Guest Bio Erika Shershun, MA, LMFT, is a somatic psychotherapist who specializes in helping trauma survivors reclaim the life they were meant to live. She's the author of the Healing Sexual Trauma Guided Journal: Writing and Somatic Practices to Help You Process, Heal, and Feel Safe, the Healing Sexual Trauma Workbook: Somatic Skills to Help You Feel Safe in Your Body, Create Boundaries & Live with Resilience, and the PESI Sexual Trauma Clinical Training. The workbook is available in Spanish (Tengo Un Trauma Corporal?), Polish, Russian, and Romanian, and the journal is available in Turkish. Her approach is trauma informed, rooted in somatic principles, drawing on neuroscience and integrative modalities such as EMDR, Brainspotting, energy psychology, mindfulness, self-compassion, and parts work. Erika values diversity, offers individual online therapy sessions in California, and provides coaching to clients outside of the state. You'll hear About What somatic psychotherapy is and why the body has to be part of healing How trauma is stored differently than ordinary memory Why 17 years of traditional therapy did not heal Erika's deepest symptoms The moment in a body work training that finally unlocked her healing Surviving an attempted assault and trusting the voice that came through Why so many sexual trauma survivors carry shame for what their body did How unhealed trauma shows up as digestive, autoimmune, and emotional symptoms The daily grounding and orienting practice Erika gives every client Why it is never too late to begin your healing journey Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 01:15 Meet Erika Shershu 02:00 What Somatic Psychotherapy Really Is 05:00 Why the Body Holds Trauma Differently Than Memory 08:00 17 Years of Therapy and Still Searching 09:30 The Trigger Point Therapy Session That Changed Everything 12:00 Surviving the Assault While Running at Dusk 17:00 The Voice That Told Her She Was Going to Live 21:00 The Shame Most Survivors Carry in Silence 22:30 Finding Somatic Therapy and Beginning to Heal 24:30 How Unhealed Trauma Shows Up in the Body 30:00 Why Self-Medicating Quiets What the Body Is Trying to Say 33:30 Erika's Daily Practices for Safety and Healing 36:30 Where to Find the Workbook and Guided Journal 42:30 Erika's Message for Anyone Still Searching for Hope 45:00 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways Chuck's Challenge This week, take one small step toward listening to your body. Maybe that means pausing before you push through another long day. Maybe it means asking what the tight chest, the gut ache, or the restlessness has actually been trying to tell you. Maybe it means downloading the first chapter of Erika's book and sitting with one grounding practice instead of scrolling away from yourself. You don't have to name everything you're carrying. You don't have to fix it all this week. You just have to start by listening. Because as Erika shared, healing doesn't begin when life feels safe again. It begins the moment you give your body permission to be heard. Connect with Erika Website: https://healingsexualtrauma.com/ Therapy Website: https://erikashershuntherapy.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikashershun/ Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.  

Episode 321 - “The Exhaustion of Always Explaining Yourself”Have you ever felt like you're constantly explaining, clarifying, or defending yourself just to be understood? In this episode, Michelle and Scott explore the emotional exhaustion that comes from over-explaining—why so many of us feel the need to justify our choices, boundaries, and feelings, and how the fear of being misunderstood can quietly wear us down. A conversation about self-trust, people pleasing, and learning that not everything about you requires an explanation.Keeping Your Sh*t Together in a Stressed World is a podcast hosted by Michelle Post, MA, LMFT and Scott Grossberg, JD, CLC, CCH, NLP, and is 30 minutes of raw, irreverent, and results-oriented discussion with one purpose in mind . . . to help you cope, thrive, and survive the craziness that's going on in the world.As a reminder, our “Get Your Sh*t Together” Home Retreat can be found here:http://thinkingmagically.com/retreatReplays of prior episodes can be found at:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scott-grossbergYou can also join our Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/keepingystMichelle Post can be reached at michelle@postinternationalinc.com http://postinternationalinc.com
Scott Grossberg can be reached at sgrossberg@hotmail.com https://www.thinkingmagically.com© ℗ 2026 Scott Grossberg & Michelle Post. All rights reserved."Easy Lemon (60 second)" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0DISCLAIMER: MICHELLE IS A THERAPIST, BUT SHE IS NOT YOUR THERAPIST. SCOTT IS A RETIRED ATTORNEY, DOES NOT PRACTICE LAW, AND DOES NOT GIVE LEGAL ADVICE. AS SUCH, SCOTT IS NOT YOUR ATTORNEY. THE INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION THAT TAKES PLACE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT LEGAL, MEDICAL, NOR MENTAL HEALTH ADVICE. LISTENING TO THIS PODCAST DOES NOT CREATE AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT NOR THERAPIST-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP. MICHELLE AND SCOTT ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY LOSSES OR DAMAGES RELATED TO ACTIONS OR FAILURES TO ACT RELATED TO ANY OF THEIR PROGRAMS OR TRAINING. IF YOU NEED SPECIFIC LEGAL, MEDICAL, OR MENTAL HEALTH ADVICE OR HELP, CONSULT WITH A PROFESSIONAL WHO SPECIALIZES IN YOUR SUBJECT MATTER AND JURISDICTION. NEVER DISREGARD THE MEDICAL ADVICE OF A PSYCHOLOGIST, PHYSICIAN OR OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONAL, OR DELAY IN SEEKING SUCH ADVICE, BECAUSE OF THE INFORMATION OFFERED OR PROVIDED WITHIN OR RELATED TO ANY OF MICHELLE'S OR SCOTT'S PROGRAMS OR TRAININGS. THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY EITHER MICHELLE OR SCOTT OR BOTH OF THEM ARE OFFERED IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL CAPACITIES, OFFERED "AS-IS" AND NO REPRESENTATIONS ARE MADE THAT THE CONTENT OF ANY VIEWS ARE ERROR-FREE.MICHELLE'S AND SCOTT'S PROGRAMS AND TRAINING ARE NOT SUITED FOR EVERYONE. THEY DO NOT ASSUME, AND SHALL NOT HAVE, ANY LIABILITY TO USERS FOR INJURY OR LOSS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. THEY MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY CONCERNING ANY TREATMENT OR ANY ACTION FOLLOWING THE INFORMATION OFFERED OR PROVIDED WITHIN OR THROUGH ANY PROGRAM, COACHING, CONSULTING OR STRATEGIC WORK SESSION.

What if the grind isn't the path to freedom — it's the thing keeping you from it? In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623) sits down with Dr. Tim White — psychology professor, researcher, and self-proclaimed workaholic — to explore what it actually means to rest in a culture that has forgotten how. Drawing on the theology of the 8th day of creation, Joseph Pieper's Leisure: The Basis of Culture, and the latest research in psychology and blue zone longevity, Adam and Tim make the case that leisure isn't a reward you earn through hard work. It's the foundation everything else is built on — including worship. Topics covered: • Why "work will set you free" is a lie from Auschwitz to Silicon Valley • The Genesis story and what was lost — and restored — through Christ • What real rest looks like (hint: it's not Netflix or a beach vacation) • Flow states, play, and why winners in sports look completely incoherent • Mindfulness with God as a secure attachment figure • "The opposite of sin is not virtue but praise" — and what that means practically • Blue zones, enjoyment, and why leisure-centred living actually helps you live longer • Practical steps for stepping out of the productivity trap and into Sabbath rest If you've been burning the candle at both ends and wondering why you still feel empty, this conversation is for you. Have questions? Visit my website: adamcrossmft.com Adam Cross, LMFT #116623

Most people believe financial transformation starts with motivation. Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ and Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT argue the opposite: motivation fades, but habits compound. In this episode, they explain why relying on bursts of inspiration or willpower almost always leads to inconsistency — especially when it comes to money. Using stories from fitness, personal finance, and everyday life, they break down how systems and routines quietly shape long-term outcomes. From automating savings and debt payments to separating spending accounts and reducing decision fatigue, listeners learn practical ways to create financial habits that work even when emotions and motivation disappear. This episode reinforces one of the core themes of the series: long-term financial success is behavioral more than intellectual. Episode Highlights: Erik explains why motivation is a poor long-term financial strategy. (04:41) Dr. Matt shares that habits and systems are the real answer to lasting financial change. (05:49) Erik connects accountability and environment-building to showing up consistently, using his gym experience as an example. (08:27) Automating savings removes the need to make the same decision repeatedly. (09:14) Dollar cost averaging is explained and how automated investing helps combat emotional reactions to market swings. (10:42) Automating debt payments eliminates willpower battles when tempting expenses arise. (12:48) A one-week waiting rule is shared as a practical way to curb stress-driven impulse shopping. (13:52) Erik walks through his budgeting system of separating fixed expenses from variable spending into different accounts. (15:31) Dr. Matt reflects on how good financial systems become boring in the best way, eliminating repeated emotional decision-making. (17:26) Erik recommends keeping savings at a different bank to create friction and reduce the urge to raid savings impulsively. (19:00) Building systems tailored to your own tendencies works better than following generic budgeting advice. (20:01) Dr. Matt closes by reinforcing that willpower has limits and lasting financial progress comes from habits and systems. (21:09) Key Quotes: “Motivation deals with willpower, and generally speaking, we have willpower to do things in bursts, but anything that takes energy is really, really, really hard to sustain.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ “You need habits. You need patterns. You will not rise to the level of your financial intentions. You will fall to the level of your financial systems.” - Dr. Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT “It really helps to have a disinterested third party to help you think. We have blind spots, and oftentimes we don't know what we need to do.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ Resources Mentioned: Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT Dr. Matt Morris & Associates Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors

A New Model for Treating Trauma Do You Need to Revisit the Past to Heal Trauma? Episode Overview In this episode, David and Kevin explore a provocative idea: healing from trauma may not require revisiting the past at all. Drawing from decades of clinical experience and data-driven research, David challenges a core assumption in trauma therapy and explains why focusing on the present moment can lead to rapid and lasting change. Key Takeaways A Radical Shift in Trauma Treatment Traditional approaches often emphasize revisiting and "processing" past trauma. David argues that this may be unnecessary—and sometimes counterproductive. His clinical experience suggests trauma can often be resolved in a single session by focusing on current thoughts and feelings. The Power of the Present Moment Patients consistently want help with what's bothering them right now, not necessarily past events. Changing how someone feels in the present can dissolve the emotional impact of past trauma. "The past is embedded in the present"—shift the present, and the past loses its grip. The Cognitive Model at Work Emotional suffering is driven not by events, but by thoughts about those events. When distorted thoughts are identified and challenged, emotional distress can rapidly disappear. This applies to trauma, depression, anxiety, and more. Data-Driven Insights Statistical modeling of patient data revealed that past emotional history does not predict recovery. In fact, including past data made predictive models less effective. Present-moment variables fully explained improvement. Powerful Clinical Stories Anne's Story (Terminal Cancer Diagnosis) Faced with a devastating diagnosis, Anne experienced severe depression. In a single session, her distorted thoughts (self-blame, guilt) were challenged. Her depression dropped from severe to zero—and did not return over the next two years. Trauma Workshop Demonstrations Across dozens of live demonstrations, participants with severe trauma experienced complete symptom relief within hours. Most work focused on present concerns—not revisiting traumatic memories. Latvian Survivor's Story A woman who survived Nazi-era trauma attempted suicide decades later. Her distress was tied not to past trauma, but to a belief: "I am worthless." Challenging that thought led to rapid recovery. Key Concepts Healthy vs. Unhealthy Negative Emotions Healthy: sadness, grief, concern Unhealthy: shame, guilt, worthlessness Therapy aims to eliminate distorted, self-defeating emotions, not natural human feelings. Exposure Therapy—Used Selectively Exposure can be powerful, especially for anxiety. However, it's often not necessary for trauma recovery. David reports using it rarely in trauma cases. No One-Size-Fits-All Approach Effective therapy requires a toolbox of techniques, not rigid adherence to one method. TEAM-CBT emphasizes flexibility and rapid testing of what works. Practical Tools for Listeners Daily Mood Log: Identify and challenge negative thoughts in real time Cognitive Techniques: Learn to "crush" distorted thinking patterns Self-Help Resources: Feeling Good by Dr. David Burns When Panic Attacks Dr. David Burns Feeling Great Dr. David Burns Feeling Great App: Free tool to practice these methods interactively Memorable Quote "The moment you stop believing a distorted thought is the moment your negative feelings disappear." Final Thoughts This episode offers a hopeful and empowering message: You may not need to relive your past to heal from it. By changing how you think and feel today, meaningful recovery can happen faster than you might expect. What's Coming Next Next episode: A deeper dive into trauma treatment using memory rescripting, including when revisiting the past can be helpful. Thanks for listening—see you next time! Let Us Know What You Think of This Episode Please use this link to take a very brief survey and share your opinion with us about this episode Contact Information Kevin Cornelius, LMFT is a Level 5 Certified Master TEAM-CBT Therapist and Trainer and the Clinical Director of Feeling Good Institute--Silicon Valley. He specializes in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship problems and insomnia. You can reach Kevin at kevin@feelinggoodinstitute.com and visit his website at www.tools4change.me. You can reach Dr. Burns at david@feelinggood.com. Feeling down in these turbulent times? Take a ride on our Feeling Great app. Feeling Great feels wonderful! You owe it to yourself to feel GREAT! Give the Greatest Gifts of ALL--Love and Happiness!

Welcome to the Leading Edge in Emotionally Focused Therapy, hosted by Drs. James Hawkins, Ph.D., LPC, and Ryan Rana, Ph.D., LMFT, LPC—Renowned ICEEFT Therapists, Supervisors, and Trainers. We're thrilled to have you with us. We believe this podcast, a valuable resource, will empower you to push the boundaries in your work, helping individuals and couples connect more deeply with themselves and each other. In this episode of The Leading Edge in Emotionally Focused Therapy, James and Ryan explore the “sequela” — the long-term fallout — of the burnout pursuer and how that shows up in both Stage 1 and Stage 2 EFT. They unpack what it means to truly witness a burned-out pursuer's journey instead of trying to “get them to move,” why holdouts are such a powerful (and costly) survival strategy, and how to work with the unique shame of someone who feels, “I hate myself for still loving you.” You'll hear practical ways to: Stay grounded with a pursuer who's done protesting and now just shows up with crossed arms Do the kind of historical witnessing that feels more like a series of emotional “massages” than a quick intervention Use hope scenes and the “big three” moments of failed hope in Stage 2 to create deep limbic revision Support re-engagement without accidentally reenacting the very patterns that burned them out in the first place Top 10 Points from the Episode “Sequela” as a frame: Ryan uses “sequela” (the long-term consequences) to describe what we're really dealing with in a burnout pursuer—not just current behavior, but the accumulated fallout of thousands of drops, failed bids, and unresolved pain. Burnout pursuer = mixed signals + survival strategy: Burnout pursuers send mixed messages to their partner, the therapist, and themselves. What looks like manipulation or a “power move” is actually an adaptive survival strategy to cope with feeling helpless and repeatedly dropped. Historical witnessing is non‑negotiable: Stage 1 work with burnout pursuers requires slow, repeated, historical witnessing—not “forget the past, let's start over.” The therapist invites them to tell the journey of how they got this burned out, and stays with the horror and grief of it instead of talking them out of it. The “holdout” dynamic: A burnout pursuer may show up in therapy with arms crossed, essentially saying, “I'm here, but I'm not moving until my partner proves it.” That holdout protects them, but also rigidly locks the cycle in place, sometimes even raising the bar as the withdrawer improves. Therapist stance: release the need to make them move: James names a crucial shift: the therapist must let go of the internal pressure to get the pursuer to move. The more the therapist pushes, the more the pursuer's nervous system feels pressured and unsafe. The work becomes: “James, just be with what is. Give witness to their journey.” Stage 1 as repeated “emotional massage”: Ryan likens the work to a series of massages—one session won't undo years of knots. The therapist returns multiple times to witnessing, validating, and grieving with the pursuer, even as this can be very hard on the withdrawer who's just starting to “get it.” Unique shame of the burnout pursuer: There's a specific shame: “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me thousands of times… shame on me.” Many burnout pursuers feel, “I love you, and I hate myself for the fact that I love you.” Without naming and working this shame, they can't risk hope again. Stage 2: asking them to care‑give again is huge: When the couple “dumps over” into Stage 2, the burnout pursuer is often asked to sit with and respond to their partner's vulnerability first. This can re-evoke the old experience: “Once again, it's not about me.” Naming how much is being asked of them is essential. The “big three” hope scenes as core Stage 2 work: Effective Stage 2 softening with burnout pursuers often requires revisiting 2–3 symbolic “big hope” moments (e.g., an elaborate romantic trip) where they risked, hoped, and were dropped. These hope scenes become key sites for deep grief, attachment injury work, and limbic revision—otherwise, it's like leaving a tumor behind and relapse risk stays high. From vision → witness → visual redemption (the “eye” theme): Pursuers are visionaries—they can see how good the relationship could be, but that visionary energy often works against them. They need: Witness in Stage 1 & early Stage 2: someone who really sees the journey of their drops and failed hopes. Visual redemption in late Stage 2: in Step 7, the re-engaged withdrawer looks at them and clearly names, how I see you—lovable, worth fighting for, beautiful, someone I want to be with. That attuned “I see you” becomes a redemptive corrective to years of being unseen and dropped. We aim to equip therapists with practical tools and encouragement for addressing relational distress. We're also excited to be part of the team behind Success in Vulnerability (SV)—your premier online education platform. SV offers innovative instruction to enhance your therapeutic effectiveness through exclusive modules and in-depth clinical examples.    Stay connected with us: Facebook: Follow our page @pushtheleadingedge Ryan: Follow @ryanranaprofessionaltraining on Facebook and visit his website James: Follow @dochawklpc on Facebook and Instagram, or visit his website at dochawklpc.com George Faller: Visit georgefaller.com If you like the concepts discussed on this podcast you can explore our online training program, Success in Vulnerability (SV). Thank you for being part of our community. Let's push the leading edge together!

If you're a regular listener of the Ultimate Intimacy Podcast, you've probably heard Austin talk about the importance of becoming "one" in marriage. But what does that really mean, and why is it so important for creating a thriving relationship?In this episode, Austin dives deep into the concept of unity in marriage and explains why so many couples struggle to feel connected despite living under the same roof. In today's world, it's easy for spouses to become independent roommates—pursuing separate interests, managing their own lives, making individual decisions, and gradually drifting apart without even realizing it.While individuality is important, a strong marriage requires more than simply coexisting. It requires intentionally building a life together. Becoming "one" doesn't mean losing your identity; it means aligning your goals, priorities, decisions, and hearts so that you are moving in the same direction as a team.Austin shares practical insights on how couples can create greater unity, strengthen emotional and physical intimacy, improve communication, and avoid the subtle habits that create division within a marriage. He discusses what it looks like to truly partner with your spouse, make decisions together, support each other's dreams, and build a relationship where both partners feel connected, valued, and understood.

Send us Fan MailRelax and unwind with a guided meditation led by Patti Brown, LMFT. This meditation is designed to help you find peace and tranquility, releasing stress and embracing calm.Wellness Within is the realization of a dream for Patti. After 20 years in private practice as a psychotherapist, she decided to honor the tugging at her heart and open a grassroots organization to serve a community dealing with cancer and its aftermath.  It is her life's work to teach, support, and mobilize the body and mind for healing.  Learn more on our website at: www.wellnesswithin.org.Patti actively incorporates her training in mind-body medicine to support a community of people struggling with a cancer diagnosis. The Center's belief is based on honoring the integration of medical treatments with mind-body practices that enhance one's quality of life with dignity and hope.  As the founder of Wellness Within, she understands the profound impact a life-threatening illness brings, and the significance of pulling together a caring, loving community to provide support, comfort and healing.This podcast is offered freely to ensure everyone has access to these practices and conversations offered by Wellness Within Cancer Support Services. If you feel inspired to donate to support Wellness Within offerings, please visit www.wellnesswithin.org/giveSupport the showThis podcast offers health, wellness, fitness and nutritional information and is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other health-care professional. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have read on this site. The use of any information provided on this podcast is solely at your own risk.

We all find ourselves surprised by how ANGRY our kids can make us.  Nothing can trigger our nervous systems quite like those moments where our kids push our buttons.  Maybe your patience disappears, your heart starts racing, or you find yourself caught in a cycle of parenting stress and reactive parenting.  You are not alone, friend.In this episode of Sustainable Parenting, I'm joined by my old camp friend, and trauma-informed marriage and family therapist Rachael Votah, LMFT (of the Apricot Oak Podcast), to talk about practical self-regulation tools that can help when parenting triggers show up. Together, we explore how our bodies signal stress, why it can be so hard to stay calm in the moment, and simple ways to reconnect with ourselves before reacting.Rachel shares easy, accessible strategies including breathwork, body awareness, and emotion labeling that can support calm parenting and parenting without yelling. These tools can help you move from reacting on autopilot to responding with greater intention, even during difficult parenting challenges.In this episode, you'll learn:• How to recognize the body's early signs of stress and dysregulation• A simple breathing technique to help calm your nervous system• Why body awareness is an important part of gentle parenting• How labeling emotions can reduce overwhelm and create space for choice• Small daily practices that can help you become a dependable calm presence for your familyIf parenting burnout and dysregulation, parenting stress, or parenting triggers have been making it harder to show up the way you'd like, this conversation offers simple tools and encouraging reminders you can begin using today.

Mastering the Daily Mood Log Small Details, Life-Changing Results Episode Summary The Daily Mood Log might seem simple—even boring—but its impact can be profound. In this episode, David and Kevin break down how to use this powerful CBT tool effectively, highlighting the most common mistakes people make and how to avoid them. They explain why focusing on a single specific moment is the key to emotional transformation, how to accurately identify feelings, and how to uncover the exact thoughts driving distress. This practical deep dive shows how small shifts in technique can lead to dramatic improvements in mood, confidence, and even what David calls "enlightenment." Step 1: Upsetting Event / Moment Identify one specific moment in time (not a general problem). Include details: Where were you? Who was there? What exactly happened? Common Mistakes: ❌ Being too vague: "My life is a mess" ❌ Writing thoughts instead of events: "I'm not good enough" ❌ Describing ongoing situations instead of a moment Example: ✔️ "At 3pm today, my boss criticized my report in a meeting." Step 2: Emotions Circle or list all emotions you felt Rate each from 0–100% intensity Examples: Sad / Down – 60% Anxious / Nervous – 70% Ashamed – 50% Common Mistakes: ❌ Skipping this step ❌ Not rating intensity ❌ Thinking feelings can't be measured Why It Matters: Helps track progress Improves emotional awareness Increases accuracy and empathy Step 3: Negative Thoughts Write short, specific thoughts (1 sentence each) Focus on what you were telling yourself Examples: "I'm a failure." "There's something wrong with me." "I'll never succeed." Common Mistakes: ❌ Writing long paragraphs ❌ Including events ("She rejected me") ❌ Including feelings ("I feel terrible") ❌ Writing questions ("Why am I like this?" → convert to statement) Tip: Work through emotions one at a time: "What thought caused my sadness?" "What thought caused my anxiety?" Step 4: Positive Thoughts Generate thoughts that: ✅ Are 100% true ✅ Reduce belief in the negative thought Examples: "I made a mistake in that meeting, but that doesn't define my entire ability." "One criticism doesn't mean I'm a failure." Common Mistakes: ❌ Cheerleading ("I'm awesome no matter what") ❌ Irrelevant truths ("At least I can cook") ❌ Statements you don't fully believe Key Insight: Truth alone isn't enough—it must directly challenge the negative belief. Step 5: Re-evaluate Belief in Negative Thought After generating positive thoughts, re-rate how much you believe the original thought Example: "I'm a failure" Before: 90% After: 0% Goal: Reduce belief as much as possible (ideally close to 0%) Why It Matters: Emotional change happens when belief in negative thoughts decreases The greater the reduction, the greater the relief Core Principle Change one moment → understand the pattern → apply it everywhere. Memorable Quotes "We're not fishing for small improvements—we're going after the big fish." "I can't help you with your whole life, but I can help you with one moment." "The truth—not positive thinking—is what sets you free." "Without measuring feelings, therapists are mostly guessing." Practical Exercise Try this today: (Download a blank Daily Mood Log at this link) Write down one upsetting moment Rate your feelings (0–100%) List 3–5 short negative thoughts Challenge one thought with a 100% true alternative Who This Episode Is For Therapists using CBT or TEAM-CBT Anyone struggling with anxiety, depression, or self-doubt Listeners who want practical, structured tools for change Connect & Learn More Read Dr. Burns' latest articles on Psychology Today Explore more tools and resources at FeelingGood.com Learn about TEAM-CBT training and techniques If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, sharing the podcast, or leaving a review. It helps more people discover tools for overcoming depression and anxiety. Let Us Know What You Think of This Episode Please use this link to take a very brief survey and share your opinion with us about this episode Contact Information Kevin Cornelius, LMFT is a Level 5 Certified Master TEAM-CBT Therapist and Trainer and the Clinical Director of Feeling Good Institute--Silicon Valley. He specializes in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship problems and insomnia. You can reach Kevin at kevin@feelinggoodinstitute.com and visit his website at www.tools4change.me. You can reach Dr. Burns at david@feelinggood.com. Feeling down in these turbulent times? Take a ride on our Feeling Great app. Feeling Great feels wonderful! You owe it to yourself to feel GREAT! Give the Greatest Gifts of ALL--Love and Happiness!

Should Conversion Therapy Be Protected Speech? What Chiles v. Salazar Means for Conversion Therapy Bans and the Future of the Profession In Chiles v. Salazar, the Supreme Court ruled 8 to 1 that a therapist's talk therapy is protected speech, putting state conversion therapy bans at risk. Curt Widhalm, LMFT, and Katie Vernoy, LMFT break down what the March 31, 2026 decision actually says, what it does not say, and what it means for therapists who work with LGBTQ+ clients. The Court did not call conversion therapy safe, effective, or ethical, and it did not make the practice mandatory. It treated talk therapy as speech rather than regulable conduct, and sent Colorado's ban back to the lower courts for stricter First Amendment review. Curt and Katie walk through the strict scrutiny test at the center of the case, the Kagan and Sotomayor concurrence, and Justice Jackson's dissent, then sit with the harder question: what happens to the profession when the state can no longer set a guardrail on harmful practice before harm has occurred. Released during Pride Month, this is a candid, values-forward conversation about protecting LGBTQ+ clients and practicing affirming, anti-conversion-therapy care out loud. In this episode, we discuss: - What the Chiles v. Salazar ruling does, and does not, change about conversion therapy bans - Why the Court treated talk therapy as protected speech instead of medical treatment - How the strict scrutiny test decided the case - Where the concurrence and the dissent point the profession next - Concrete ways to signal affirming, anti-conversion-therapy care in your practice Full show notes and resources: mtsgpodcast.com Join the Modern Therapist Community Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/mtsgpodcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/therapyreimagined Modern Therapist's Survival Guide Creative Credits Voice Over by DW McCann: https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/ Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano: https://groomsymusic.com/

What does it really take to build a lasting ministry without sacrificing your marriage, family, or personal well-being along the way? JD and Lori Pearring pull back the curtain on the hidden challenges many leaders face from blind spots and burnout to finances, calling, and emotional health. Resources: Excel Leadership Network https://excelnetwork.org/blog LoriPearringLMFT@gmail.com Dear Young Married Couple Book Tour: https://www.dearyoungmarriedcouple.com/marriage-toolbox-tour Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's time to redefine commitment in relationships, especially in midlife and beyond. My guests, Dr. Dana McNeil, PsyD, LMFT and Jeffrey Young are partners in life and work. They specialize in working with modern relationships, helping individuals and couples navigate connection, commitment, and emotional safety in today's dating landscape.In this episode:Why it's important to redefine commitment in today's modern relationshipsWhat tends to go off course in relationships when there aren't clear definitions of commitmentSome early signs people often miss that a relationship is going off courseHow to rebuild trust when people don't follow through on commitmentsHow to find out early on in dating if you're compatibleFollow Jeffrey and Dana:Websites: www.sdrelationshipplace.com  and www.danamcneil.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrDanaMcNeil IG: @sdrelationshipplace and @drdanamcneil►Please subscribe/rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts http://bit.ly/lastfirstdateradio or Spotify https://tinyurl.com/lfdradio ►If you're feeling stuck in dating and relationships and would like to find your last first date, apply for a complimentary 30-minute breakthrough session with me https://lastfirstdate.com/application ►Free Facebook for women https://facebook.com/groups/yourlastfirstdate ►Get my books, Becoming a Woman of Value; How to Thrive in Life and Love https://bit.ly/womanofvaluebook , Choice Points in Dating https://amzn.to/3jTFQe9 and Love at Last https://amzn.to/4erpj7C ►Apply for FREE coaching on the podcast! https://bit.ly/LFDradiocoaching ►Submit your dating dilemma to be answered on my podcast https://tinyurl.com/datingdilemma ►Group Coaching: https://lastfirstdate.com/the-woman-of-value-club/ ►Website → https://lastfirstdate.com/ ► Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lastfirstdate1/ ► TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@lastfirstdate1 ►Get Amazon Music Unlimited FREE for 30 days at https://getamazonmusic.com/lastfirstdate