Podcasts about lmft

Episode 517: How a Bloody Trauma Case Cured My Lifelong Blood Phobia Hosts: Kevin Cornelius, LMFT Dr. David Burns Episode Summary Can your greatest fear become one of your greatest strengths? In this deeply personal episode, Dr. David Burns shares the remarkable true story of how a severe lifelong blood phobia nearly ended his medical career—and how one unforgettable day in the emergency room transformed that fear forever. David recounts his unconventional path to becoming a psychiatrist, including almost dropping out of medical school, taking years away from medicine, living without money while trying to create a life centered around helping others, and eventually finding his way back to psychiatry through a residency at Highland Hospital in Oakland. On his very first day in the emergency department, David was confronted with what seemed like his worst nightmare: a critically injured bombing victim covered in blood. Unable to avoid the situation, he was asked to help clean gunpowder from the patient's wounds. What began as overwhelming terror became an unexpected turning point that permanently erased his blood phobia—and ultimately shaped his career treating anxiety disorders. Along the way, David and Kevin explore why exposure is one of the most powerful treatments for anxiety, why motivation is essential for lasting change, and why courage doesn't require the absence of fear. This inspiring conversation is a reminder that the experiences we most want to avoid can sometimes become the doorway to profound growth. In This Episode Why David never intended to become a physician—and almost quit medical school. The childhood experiences that contributed to his lifelong blood phobia. How avoiding feared situations keeps anxiety alive. The extraordinary trauma case that unexpectedly became David's own exposure therapy. The surprising moment his fear disappeared completely. David's concept of the "200% cure"—when something you once feared becomes something you genuinely enjoy. Why therapists sometimes avoid using exposure therapy, even though it is one of the most effective anxiety treatments. Why motivation often determines whether people are able to face their fears. The role of acceptance and willingness during exposure. A moving reunion with Highland Hospital decades later through the surgeon who recently performed David's successful colon surgery. Key Takeaways Exposure works because avoidance keeps fear alive. The natural impulse is to escape what frightens us. Unfortunately, every act of avoidance teaches the brain that the feared situation is dangerous. When we stay in the feared situation long enough, anxiety eventually peaks and then naturally declines. The feared catastrophe rarely occurs, and our confidence grows. Courage means acting while you're afraid. Kevin highlights an important distinction: You don't have to eliminate fear before taking action. Real courage is moving forward even while your anxiety feels overwhelming. David's anxiety remained at a 100 out of 100 for nearly fifteen minutes before it suddenly dissolved. Anxiety cannot remain at its peak forever. One of the biggest misconceptions about anxiety is the belief that once it starts, it will continue indefinitely. In reality, anxiety naturally rises and falls. If we stop escaping and allow ourselves to experience it, it eventually loses its power. Motivation makes exposure possible. For years David simply avoided blood. Everything changed because he had something more important than avoiding fear: he wanted to become a psychiatrist. Having a compelling reason to face anxiety often makes difficult exposure exercises possible. Sometimes fear transforms into enthusiasm. David describes what he calls the "200% cure." A 100% cure means you're no longer afraid. A 200% cure means you actually enjoy doing the very thing you once feared. Many people who overcome fears discover new passions that once seemed impossible. Therapists can become afraid of their patients' anxiety. Kevin and David discuss an important obstacle in treatment: therapists themselves sometimes avoid exposure because they're afraid it will overwhelm the client. Ironically, protecting people from anxiety often prolongs suffering. Learning that anxiety is uncomfortable—but not dangerous—is one of the most healing discoveries patients can make. Exposure requires willingness, not comfort. The goal is never to feel relaxed before confronting a fear. The goal is to become willing to experience anxiety while pursuing what matters. Memorable Quotes "When you confront the thing you're afraid of, you discover that the monster has no teeth." "You don't have to be a hero. You just have to make the decision to do it." "The 100% cure is you're no longer afraid. The 200% cure is that you love doing the thing you were once afraid of." "The real harm is believing that anxiety itself is dangerous." Resources Mentioned Dr. David Burns' accompanying Psychology Today article, "How a Bloody Trauma Case Cured My Lifelong Blood Phobia." TEAM-CBT and exposure techniques for treating anxiety disorders. If You Enjoyed This Episode If this conversation resonated with you, please subscribe to The Feeling Good Podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone who struggles with anxiety or avoidance. Your support helps more people discover practical, evidence-based tools for overcoming fear and building happier lives. Listener Survey We'd love to hear from you!Your feedback helps shape future episodes and allows us to create content that is as helpful and meaningful as possible. Please use this link to take the feedback survey and share your thoughts with us about this episode.Your voice matters—and as David points out in this episode, sometimes the most important conversations begin when we're willing to express what we're really thinking and feeling. Thank you for listening to The Feeling Good Podcast! 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!

Burnout Before Licensure: Why Prelicensed Therapist Exhaustion Is a Supervision Problem, Not a Time Management Problem A continuing education episode on prelicensed therapist burnout, clinical supervision, and why early career exhaustion is a systemic problem rather than a time management one. Curt Widhalm, LMFT, and Katie Vernoy, LMFT examine why prelicensed clinicians are entering the mental health workforce already depleted. Client acuity climbed during the pandemic and has not come back down, the least experienced clinicians are frequently assigned the most complex cases, and roughly a third of the work week goes to compliance, tracking, and billing. Add student loan debt, low paid and unpaid associate and practicum roles, and severe evaluation anxiety, and burnout arrives long before licensure. This is not a self-care episode, and Curt and Katie say so at the top: no toxic positivity, no bubble bath prescriptions. They treat prelicensee burnout as a systemic and relational problem, then look at clinical supervision as the place it can realistically be buffered. That includes the supervisor seat, where new supervisors often receive no training in how to supervise, absorb vicarious trauma from every caseload they oversee, and watch as much as 90 percent of the supervision hour get swallowed by administrative work. The back half of the episode is practical. Supervisees get transition rituals, boundary architecture, and a realistic look at managing up. Supervisors get better check-in questions, guidance on modeling vulnerability, and structural adjustments they can make in the next supervision hour. This is a continuing education podcourse. One unit of CE is available through the Modern Therapist Learning Community at moderntherapistcommunity.com. In this episode, we discuss: * Why prelicensed clinicians burn out at higher rates than their licensed colleagues * How burnout presents differently before licensure, as exhaustion, brain fog, and vicarious trauma rather than cynicism * Why treating early career exhaustion as a rite of passage is a supervisory failure * What supervisors are carrying that supervisees rarely see * Concrete strategies supervisees can use without waiting for a supervisor to change * How supervisors can build restorative space into the structure of supervision * Why note lag is a signal of clinical capacity rather than poor organization Timestamps: 00:54 - Why prelicensees arrive already exhausted 02:41 - CE objectives and the systemic frame 09:40 - The data on prelicensed burnout rates 14:26 - The competency trap 17:36 - How burnout looks different before licensure 22:32 - The supervision paradox and the 90 percent problem 29:06 - Strategies for supervisees 37:37 - Strategies for supervisors 50:31 - Case vignette: note lag as a capacity signal 1:04:58 - Key takeaways and call to action Full show notes, references, and CE information: 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/

Dr. Lisa Paz, LMFT is an experienced clinical sex and marriage therapist with more than 20 years of experience helping individuals and couples navigate intimacy and relationship issues. She can be seen on Peacock's hit show Married At First Sight, where she advises couples. Lisa and I discuss chemistry vs. compatibility, what is most important when choosing a partner, how to raise good men, what's holding singles back, the difference between how men think and women think, and so much more. — Get More We Met At Acme! Youtube: @wemetatacme IG: @lindzmetz @wemetatacme @wemetatbaby Substack: @wemetatacme + @wemetatbaby Website: @wemetatacme — This episode is sponsored by: If you're in the market for a beautiful new sofa, dining table, or bed, head over to article.com If you are interested in learning more about therapy or our services head to beyoupsychotherapy.com If you're expecting, Nanit is definitely the number one thing you're going to want to add to your baby registry. You can learn more about Nanit on their website at nanit.com. Right now, as a listener of this show, you get at least 15% off any annual membership at masterclass.com/acme Visit acme.omnibioticlife.com and use code BEST for 20% off your first order. Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money? Download the Vinted app for free and start listing. With no seller fees, you keep every dollar you earn. — Produced by Dear Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My friend Alicia is opening up about healing the traumas she experienced giving birth. You'll hear how these painful experiences opened her up to things she never would have expected, like psychedelics and listening to her ancestors. Alicia Taverner, LMFT is a licensed psychotherapist in Southern California specializing in trauma, relationships, and psychedelic integration. Her work explores the intersection of psychotherapy, psychedelic integration, Indigenous wisdom, and the lifelong practice of remembering who we are. Here's some of what we talked about: Having panic attacks and intrusive thoughts after the birth of her son Getting on medication and going to a weekend training Having birth trauma with her second birth Exploring healing with psychedelics Working through her birth traumas with redo experiences Continuing this healing work little by little Doing indigenous work with psilocybin in an apprenticeship program Connecting with her ancestors and guides Becoming a much more spiritual person How her healing journey has changed her work as a therapist Show notes at https://anniezam.com/podcast/262

In the final episode of the series, Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ and Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT bring together the core ideas explored throughout The Psychology of Money. They revisit the framework that ties the entire series together: Your thoughts shape you Your habits build you Your choices define you The conversation expands beyond investing and budgeting into fulfillment, relationships, identity, and purpose. Erik reflects on how his work as a financial planner has evolved from simply giving technical advice to helping people create meaningful behavioral change. Together, they explain why financial success is ultimately less about spreadsheets and more about psychology, self-awareness, discipline, and consistency over time. This episode serves as both a recap and a challenge: if listeners want financial freedom, they must begin paying attention not just to what they do with money — but why they do it. Episode Highlights: Erik explains that the future of financial planning is about helping clients make meaningful behavior changes, not just giving technical advice. (03:22) Dr. Matt discusses how mental health and financial health are closely connected, noting it's still overlooked in therapist training. (06:19) Erik shares that clients often hire him for technical help but find greater value in having a thought partner for financial decisions. (08:26) How a client's stated priorities, like family time, can directly conflict with their actual spending and time habits. (10:37) Dr. Matt explains how emotions act as data points revealing what matters, rather than instructions for what to do. (13:18) Dr. Matt shares an example of a 20-year-old investing $100 a month, showing the long-term power of compounding. (16:11) Erik mentions that financial success is shaped by psychology and habits as much as by numbers. (19:34) Key Quotes: “Spend less than you make, save as much as you can, and don't do anything foolish with your money. Super simple.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ “It's really our behavior and our habits that will determine our financial future so much more than our motivation, our intentions, or things that are beyond our control, like the market ups and downs.” - Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT “ Good financial habits compound more powerfully than investment returns.” - 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

How often do you take care of yourself? In this episode, I talk with Angelique Foye-Fletcher, LMFT, RPT about breaking the cycle of self-sacrifice and:How your cultural upbringing shapes your identity as an HSPLearning to take care of yourself when you grew up in an environment or culture that didn't have room for your sensitivityWhy simple acts of mindfulness are deeply healing and can change the way you parentAngelique Foye-Fletcher (she/her) is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and Registered Play Therapist who helps sensitive, neurodivergent adults and caregivers heal through her four pillars of Books, Nature, Play, and Connection. An INFJ, HSP, and Enneagram 4, Angelique brings curiosity, ritual, and deep empathy into her work—often lighting incense or walking in nature as part of her own healing practice.Keep in touch with Angelique:Website: https://foyefletchertherapy.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/foyefletchertherapyTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@foyefletcherllcResources Mentioned:Parent/Caregiver Support: https://foyefletchertherapy.com/parentcaregiver-support-coachingReconnect + Rejuvenate Support: https://foyefletchertherapy.com/coachingtherapy-packagesFor more deep conversations like this, join me in Sensitive Circles - a cozy online community for highly sensitive people to find meaningful connection and deepen self-awareness at their own pace. More details: https://www.sensitivecircles.com Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengthsYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengthsAnd for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional.  Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.  

In the final episode of the series, Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ and Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT bring together the core ideas explored throughout The Psychology of Money. They revisit the framework that ties the entire series together: Your thoughts shape you Your habits build you Your choices define you The conversation expands beyond investing and budgeting into fulfillment, relationships, identity, and purpose. Erik reflects on how his work as a financial planner has evolved from simply giving technical advice to helping people create meaningful behavioral change. Together, they explain why financial success is ultimately less about spreadsheets and more about psychology, self-awareness, discipline, and consistency over time. This episode serves as both a recap and a challenge: if listeners want financial freedom, they must begin paying attention not just to what they do with money — but why they do it. Episode Highlights: Erik explains that the future of financial planning is about helping clients make meaningful behavior changes, not just giving technical advice. (03:22) Dr. Matt discusses how mental health and financial health are closely connected, noting it's still overlooked in therapist training. (06:19) Erik shares that clients often hire him for technical help but find greater value in having a thought partner for financial decisions. (08:26) How a client's stated priorities, like family time, can directly conflict with their actual spending and time habits. (10:37) Dr. Matt explains how emotions act as data points revealing what matters, rather than instructions for what to do. (13:18) Dr. Matt shares an example of a 20-year-old investing $100 a month, showing the long-term power of compounding. (16:11) Erik mentions that financial success is shaped by psychology and habits as much as by numbers. (19:34) Key Quotes: “Spend less than you make, save as much as you can, and don't do anything foolish with your money. Super simple.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ “It's really our behavior and our habits that will determine our financial future so much more than our motivation, our intentions, or things that are beyond our control, like the market ups and downs.” - Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT “ Good financial habits compound more powerfully than investment returns.” - 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

The Man Who Was Fired Five Times How Letting Go of Blame Can Transform Your Life Hosts: Kevin Cornelius, LMFT Dr. David Burns What if the biggest obstacle to your happiness isn't your depression, your anxiety, or even the difficult people around you? What if it's the belief that everyone else needs to change first? In this powerful episode of the Feeling Good Podcast, Dr. David Burns and host Kevin Cornelius, LMFT, discuss one of David's favorite therapy stories from his recent Psychology Today article, "The Man Who Was Fired Five Times." What begins as the story of a brilliant computer programmer who can't keep a job becomes an unforgettable lesson in overcoming resistance, building meaningful relationships, and discovering the extraordinary power of humility. This episode is packed with practical TEAM-CBT techniques, fascinating therapy demonstrations, and one of the most inspiring recovery stories you'll ever hear. In This Episode A Brilliant Man Who Couldn't Keep a Job David introduces us to "Bhagwant" (a pseudonym), an exceptionally gifted computer programmer who sought treatment after being fired five times in just two years. Although he initially came to therapy complaining of low self-esteem, David quickly noticed something much deeper. Bhagwant believed: His coworkers were conspiring against him. His bosses failed to appreciate his intelligence. Other people were the source of nearly all his suffering. Despite his obvious brilliance, his habit of blaming others had become the greatest obstacle to both his career and his happiness. Why David Didn't Try to Help Him...At First Instead of immediately offering therapy techniques, David did something surprising. He told Bhagwant that perhaps they shouldn't work together. Why? Because therapy would require Bhagwant—not his coworkers—to do all of the changing. Rather than arguing with Bhagwant or trying to convince him he was wrong, David used one of the most powerful TEAM-CBT methods: Dangling the Carrot By joining Bhagwant's resistance instead of fighting it, David completely changed the emotional dynamic. Instead of saying: "You're the problem." He essentially said: "You're right—it seems terribly unfair that you'd have to do all the work when everyone else is causing the problem." That paradoxical response immediately dissolved Bhagwant's resistance. Moments later, he admitted something he had hidden from David: He hadn't merely been placed on probation. He had already been fired—for the fifth time. Why Specificity Matters One of the central themes of the episode is David's insistence on working with specific moments instead of vague labels. Rather than treating "low self-esteem" as the problem, David asks: What happened? Where were you? What time was it? What exactly were you thinking? This "fractal" approach allows therapy to target the real thoughts creating emotional suffering instead of treating abstract diagnostic labels. As David explains, problems can only be solved when they're connected to a real moment in time. Recovery Begins with Practice Once Bhagwant committed fully to treatment, he became an extraordinarily dedicated student of TEAM-CBT. He learned to: Identify cognitive distortions Challenge negative thoughts using Externalization of Voices Master the Five Secrets of Effective Communication Replace defensiveness with curiosity and empathy At one point, David actually had to limit Bhagwant's therapy homework because he was spending six to eight hours a day practicing. The Job Interview That Changed Everything Eventually Bhagwant received a job offer from a company in Florida. David gave him one final piece of surprising advice: Ask your new employer to agree to criticize you every single week. Specifically, David suggested requesting regular meetings where supervisors would openly point out mistakes so Bhagwant could practice using the Five Secrets and the Disarming Technique. The company agreed. The results were astonishing. Within weeks: He had developed excellent relationships with coworkers. He won Employee of the Month. He received multiple promotions. His salary doubled. Years later, David received a Christmas card that brought tears to his eyes. Bhagwant had become CEO of the very company that hired him. The Disarming Technique Much of the second half of the episode explores one of the most challenging—and most transformative—TEAM-CBT skills. What Is Disarming? Disarming means sincerely finding the truth in criticism, even when the criticism seems exaggerated or unfair. David explains what he calls the Law of Opposites: Defending yourself often convinces others the criticism is true. Agreeing sincerely with whatever truth exists often causes the criticism to lose its power. This simple paradox can dramatically transform difficult conversations. Live Role-Playing Kevin and David demonstrate the Disarming Technique through several live role plays. David criticizes Kevin as being: Fake Inexperienced Pretending to know more than he really does Kevin practices agreeing with the truth in the criticism instead of defending himself. David then coaches Kevin to go even deeper—not by problem-solving or trying to improve himself immediately, but by becoming genuinely curious about the other person's experience. Later, the roles reverse, and Kevin criticizes David for being: Cranky Impatient Insensitive David demonstrates how quickly criticism melts away when someone responds with humility, openness, and genuine curiosity. These demonstrations beautifully illustrate why the Disarming Technique is often one of the hardest TEAM-CBT skills to master—and one of the most powerful. Why Resistance Matters Throughout the episode, David explains that resistance is not an obstacle to therapy. It's the doorway into effective therapy. Rather than pushing people toward change, TEAM-CBT first helps people understand why changing feels difficult. Once resistance melts away, motivation naturally appears. Enlightenment and the "Death of the Self" The conversation concludes with a reflection on one of David's favorite philosophical themes. Drawing from Buddhist psychology, David discusses how learning to accept criticism requires what he calls "the death of the self"—letting go of pride, defensiveness, and the constant need to protect one's ego. Rather than seeing criticism as an attack, we can learn to experience it as an opportunity for connection, growth, and deeper understanding. Resource Mentioned Dr. David Burns' Psychology Today article: "The Man Who Was Fired Five Times" Memorable Takeaways The biggest obstacle to change is often our resistance—not our symptoms. Therapy becomes far more effective when it focuses on one specific moment instead of broad labels. Defending yourself usually strengthens criticism; finding the truth in it often dissolves conflict. Humility builds stronger relationships than winning arguments. Learning to respond differently to criticism can transform not only your mood, but your career, your relationships, and your entire life. Whether you're a therapist, a parent, a leader, or simply someone who wants healthier relationships, this episode offers practical tools and inspiring hope that lasting change is possible—even after years of frustration and failure. Listener Survey We'd love to hear from you! Your feedback helps shape future episodes and allows us to create content that is as helpful and meaningful as possible. Please use this link to take the feedback survey and share your thoughts with us about this episode. Your voice matters—and as David points out in this episode, sometimes the most important conversations begin when we're willing to express what we're really thinking and feeling. Thank you for listening to The Feeling Good Podcast! 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!

Ethan Hansen Pearson, AMFT, is an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist serving clients across Los Angeles and California with a focus on LGBTQ2PIA+ teens, adults, and families. Ethan practices under the supervision of Isabella Laughlin, LMFT, CEDS, ATR-BC at a South Bay-based private practice specializing in eating disorders. His clinical work centers on the intersection of gender identity, body image, and trauma, with particular expertise supporting transgender and gender-expansive clients navigating complex relationships with food, embodiment, and self-compassion. In addition to his clinical work, Ethan co-founded California Pathways to Practice, a training symposium for early-career clinicians, and has presented on topics involving navigating higher levels of care in clinical practice. His professional mission is to support clients in reclaiming agency, reducing shame, and building lives rooted in authenticity, safety, and embodiment. We discuss topics including: The need to have body image and eating disorder support in the LGBTQ2PIA+ community How online apps harm body image the community Discovering true identity and being able to live life as you truly are Exploring what safety truly looks like Help clients build autonomy, confidence and self reliance   SHOW NOTES https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ethan-hansen-pearson-redondo-beach-ca/1659593 https://www.isabellalaughlin.com/ethan https://nomoregatekeeping.org  ____________________________________________ If you have any questions regarding the topics discussed on this podcast, please reach out to Robyn directly via email: rlgrd@askaboutfood.com You can also connect with Robyn on social media by following her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on iTunes and subscribe. Visit Robyn's private practice website where you can subscribe to her free monthly insight newsletter, and receive your FREE GUIDE "Maximizing Your Time with Those Struggling with an Eating Disorder". Your Recovery Resource, Robyn's new online course for navigating your loved one's eating disorder, is available now! For more information on Robyn's book "The Eating Disorder Trap", please visit the Official "The Eating Disorder Trap" Website. "The Eating Disorder Trap" is also available for purchase on Amazon.

Marriage and family therapists play a vital role in mental health care, helping millions of individuals, couples, and families navigate conflict, strengthen relationships, and build healthier family systems. But what does it really take to create a family environment where every person feels heard, supported, and empowered to grow? In this episode of Let's Have This Conversation, we sit down with Angela Caldwell, MA, LMFT, a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, founder and director of the Caldwell Family Institute in Los Angeles, educator, speaker, and specialist in family-based treatment. Angela has spent more than a decade teaching graduate students and currently serves as an adjunct professor at California State University, Northridge, where she teaches systems theory and related courses. Her clinical work includes specialized training and experience in family-based treatment for non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), while her broader mission focuses on helping families discover shared values, improve communication, navigate conflict, and support one another's growth. Angela's approach to family therapy is deeply influenced by her upbringing in El Paso, Texas. Growing up within a bilingual border culture taught her the importance of adaptability, resilience, openness, and learning to understand people beyond the words they speak. Those experiences continue to shape how she reads family dynamics, recognizes nonverbal communication, and creates space for multiple personalities and perspectives within the therapy room. Her years as a competitive athlete also provided lessons that continue to influence her clinical practice. Sports taught Angela discipline, optimism, perseverance, and how to balance compassion for difficult emotions with the determination required to pursue meaningful change. At the heart of Angela's philosophy is a familiar but powerful idea: it takes a village to raise a child. The challenge is that many parents struggle to find their village—and even when that support system exists, people may not know how to effectively support parents and children. During our conversation, we explore what healthy family systems really look like, how parents and families can communicate through conflict, why resilience matters during difficult seasons, and how families can build a stronger sense of connection and belonging. We also discuss the relationship between individual growth and the larger family system, the role of shared values, and why supporting parents requires a community willing to participate in the work. Angela has shared her expertise with audiences at local, state, and national conferences and has been featured in outlets including Authority Magazine, Motherly, the New York Post, POPSUGAR, Verywell, and the Healthified podcast. She is also working on a series of books exploring what it means to create the modern-day "village" families need to thrive. This conversation is for parents, therapists, educators, mental health professionals, caregivers, and anyone interested in strengthening family relationships and creating communities where children and families can flourish. For more information: https://caldwellfamilyinstitute.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This encore episode of The Joyful Friar podcast has over 10,000 views! This episode features Dr. Raymond Moody's groundbreaking book, "Life After Life." As the International Association for Near Death Studies (IANDS) Conference begins next week, Fr. Nathan and Dr. Moody reflect on the origins of this influential research and share insights into what first inspired the study of near-death experiences. My Prayer Partner Kimberly Sharp, LMFT, is speaking at the IANDS Conference on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 3:15 pm on a panel: "Mental Health Support for Near-Death and Related Experiences." It qualifies for the Academic and Professional Track.Dr. Raymond Moody Jr. is an American psychiatrist, philosopher, and author widely known as the "father of the near-death experience" (NDE). He coined the term "near-death experience" and wrote the 1975 landmark bestseller "Life After Life," which sold over 13 million copies.Connect with Dr. Raymond Moody: https://www.lifeafterlife.comhttps://www.facebook.com/DrRaymondMoodyhttps://www.instagram.com/Life__AfterLifehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYbMoyl1QHvJVidKWIOiVbghttps://www.tiktok.com/@afterlifeexplorersClick this link and let us know what you love about The Joyful Friar Podcast! Support the show​Connect with Father Nathan Castle, O.P.: http://www.nathan-castle.com https://www.facebook.com/fathernathancastle https://www.instagram.com/father_nathan_castle https://www.youtube.com/@FatherNathanCastleOPListen to the podcast: https://apple.co/3ssA9b5Purchase books: https://tinyurl.com/34bhp2t4Donate: https://nathan-castle.com/donateMy Dominican brothers and I live a vow of poverty. That means we hold our goods in common. If you enjoy this podcast, please donate https://nathan-castle.com/donate. 501©3 of the Western Dominican Province.Father Nathan Castle, O.P., is a Dominican Friar, author, podcast host, and retreat leader. Over the past 27 years, his unique ministry rooted in the Catholic Church's mystical tradition has helped more than 700 souls transition from one afterlife plane to a more joyful one. Father Nathan believes that providing such help is something the Holy Spirit has given him and his prayer partners to do.     Theme music: Derek Gust      ...

Episode 515: Ask David Parenting Meltdowns, Real-Time TEAM-CBT, and When Negative Thoughts Won't Stop What do you do when your child has a public meltdown—and you feel your own frustration rising just as quickly? And what if your mind feels so overwhelmed with anxious or depressive thoughts that completing a Daily Mood Log seems impossible? In this Ask David episode, Dr. David Burns is joined by host Kevin Cornelius, LMFT, and Psychiatrist/TEAM-CBT therapist Dr. Matt May to answer two thoughtful listener questions that many parents and therapy enthusiasts will recognize. Together, they demonstrate TEAM-CBT techniques live, showing not only what to do, but how to think differently in the moment. Along the way, they explore why changing your relationship with your own thoughts is often more important than trying to control other people's behavior. In This Episode Question 1: How Do I Use TEAM-CBT in Real Time When My Child Has a Meltdown? A listener describes taking his two young sons to the driving range when one child suddenly wants to leave while the other wants to stay. As frustration mounts, so do the automatic thoughts: "He's being a brat." "He's too immature for this." "He's ungrateful and whines all the time." Although the listener can challenge these thoughts later using a Daily Mood Log, he wonders: How can I use TEAM-CBT in the middle of an emotionally charged parenting moment? David, Kevin, and Matt explore this question through several live demonstrations. Topics Include: Why self-compassion comes before effective parenting The danger of "should" statements directed at yourself How beating yourself up actually makes it harder to respond compassionately Why practice outside emotional moments prepares you for success inside emotional moments Accepting your own imperfections as a parent Matt demonstrates how to respond to his own inner critic using Externalization of Voices, replacing self-criticism with realistic self-acceptance instead of perfectionism. Challenging "Shoulds" About Other People The conversation then shifts to another common trap: Trying to make other people different than they are. Together they examine several automatic thoughts parents commonly experience: "He's being a brat." "He's too immature." "He's ungrateful." David helps Matt and Kevin identify the cognitive distortions hiding inside these thoughts, including: Labeling Hidden should statements Unrealistic expectations Blaming Rather than arguing intellectually, they demonstrate TEAM-CBT methods such as: Acceptance Paradox Self-Defense Counterattack Externalization of Voices The discussion highlights an important insight: Much of our emotional suffering comes not from other people's behavior—but from insisting they should be different than they are. Kevin shares a personal story about using the Feeling Great app's Paradoxical Magnification exercise to dissolve his own "should" statements about parenting through humor and acceptance. Question 2: What If My Mind Never Stops Producing Negative Thoughts? The second listener has struggled with depression and anxiety since adolescence. Although he believes in TEAM-CBT, he finds the Daily Mood Log overwhelming because his mind produces what feels like hundreds of negative thoughts every minute. His questions include: How long should I spend on a Daily Mood Log? Do I need to answer every negative thought? Why can't I create positive thoughts that actually feel believable? David's Advice Dr. Burns explains that: 10–20 minutes of Daily Mood Log work is usually enough. You do not need to answer every negative thought. Most automatic thoughts are simply variations of a handful of core beliefs. Consistent practice matters much more than perfection. Using his own recovery after recent surgery as an example, David reminds listeners that small, steady efforts often produce remarkable long-term change. Helpful TEAM-CBT Strategies Discussed Kevin describes how simply sitting down with the Daily Mood Log often quiets his racing mind and helps him focus on what truly matters. David recommends another powerful exercise: Negative Practice Instead of fighting racing thoughts: Schedule a few minutes. Record every negative thought without challenging them. Then listen back to the recording. Many people discover that simply hearing their thoughts aloud changes their relationship to them. Matt also emphasizes several uncovering techniques that help identify the deeper beliefs generating so many automatic thoughts, including: The What-If Technique Individual Downward Arrow Cost-Benefit Analysis Positive Reframing Rather than trying to "think positively," TEAM-CBT first helps eliminate the hidden resistance that makes positive thoughts difficult to believe. A Quick Speed Round Near the end of the episode, David introduces a new experiment: Rapid-fire Ask David answers. In just thirty seconds, he explains one of the central concepts from Feeling Great: The Four Deaths of the Self The death of the Special Self (depression) The death of the Fearful Self (anxiety) The death of the Angry, Blaming Self (relationship conflict) The death of the Entitled Pleasure-Seeking Self (habits and addictions) David explains that each "death" ultimately reveals something surprising: There was never anything essential to lose—only freedom to gain. Listener Feedback The team asks for your input: Would you rather hear: Longer, in-depth discussions of just a few questions? Faster "speed round" answers covering many listener questions? Let them know through this week's listener survey. Resources Mentioned Feeling Great by Dr. David Burns The Feeling Great App Episode 507: Mastering the Daily Mood Log: Small Details, Life-Changing Results Daily Mood Log Memorable Takeaways Self-compassion is often the first step toward becoming the parent you want to be. Your emotional suffering usually comes from your thoughts—not from other people's behavior. You don't need to defeat every negative thought to feel dramatically better. Practice emotional skills when you're calm so they're available when emotions run high. Small, consistent Daily Mood Log work can create profound change over time. As always, thank you for listening to the Feeling Good Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and send us your questions—you just might hear them discussed on a future Ask David episode. Contact Information You can reach Matt May, MD @ https://www.matthewmaymd.com 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!

In this foreplay replay we talk about how Affairs devastate the trust and connection in a committed relationship… Although healing after an affair is a delicate process and can feel impossible, we believe that recovery and reconnection is possible! What works best to restore the relationship and trust?  Acting out in an affair is often a sign of problems with the person's life or relationship. A push/pull dynamic can fuel the infidelity… While sexual betrayal strikes at the very heart of commitment, marriages and partnerships can often emerge stronger after an affair. Join sex therapist Dr. Laurie Watson and couples therapist George Faller, LMFT as they talk about the causes and how to recover from the pain of infidelity... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emotional maturity takes the long way home, and Homer's Odyssey has been quietly showing the way for 2,800 years. Underneath Christopher Nolan's new adaptation sits a poem that Tony Overbay, LMFT, thinks is one of the best pieces of therapy literature ever written, yet almost nobody reads it that way. The monsters aren't the point — they're the muse. Every obstacle Odysseus meets is asking whether he's willing to become somebody different, and if you've been away too long from your sense of self, from the marriage you thought you'd have, from the body you used to trust, from the faith that used to hand you certainty, or from the person you were sure you'd be by now, this one tends to land. In this episode: Meet the Lotus Eaters as experiential avoidance — coping that doesn't start as self-sabotage, it starts because it works, and then it quietly moves the destination Borrow a rule from Tony's ultra-running days, beware of the chair, and notice how many races end beside a space heater rather than on a cliff Tie yourself to the mast with a Ulysses contract, the decision your calm Tuesday afternoon self makes on behalf of your 11 p.m. Friday night self Watch the Cyclops moment show up in a marriage, when "See, I told you so" reaches back and drags a conflict you'd already escaped into your future Sit with David Schnarch's differentiation, and the difference between other-validated and self-validated intimacy Tony Overbay is a licensed marriage and family therapist who has spent over twenty years watching people discover they didn't know what they didn't know. This is part one — part two takes on Schnarch's four points of balance. If the poem stirred something up for you, send it Tony's way and it may end up in the next episode. Please follow Tony on Instagram @virtual.couch on Tiktok @virtualcouch on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/tonyoverbaylmft and on Substack https://thevirtualcouch.substack.com/ You can reach out to Tony through his website tonyoverbay.com or by emailing contact @ tonyoverbay.com

In this episode, Kristen talks with Amber Trejo, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in complex trauma and CPTSD, about how complex childhood trauma can resurface in adult relationships and parenting, shaping attachment, emotional responses, and the healing journey. You'll Learn: How childhood trauma can shape adult relationships and attachment Why trauma responses can resurface when you get married or become a parent What spiritual bypassing is and how it can interfere with healing How reconnecting with your body and internal needs can support healing Why self-compassion, community, and repair are important in breaking the cycle of trauma Connect with Amber: www.theintegrativetraumatherapist.com When you purchase Amber Trejo's recommended books through these Amazon affiliate links, you're helping support the podcast at no extra cost to you:    1. What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma: https://amzn.to/4groOgh 2. Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving: A Guide and Map for Recovering from Childhood Trauma: https://amzn.to/3I0jpjB 3. The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma: https://amzn.to/47GBu0r 4. Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma: https://amzn.to/47KHB3V   Subscribe HERE and get a free 5-day journal to begin closing the chapter on what doesn't serve you and open the door to the real you. Connect with Kristen: Get Kristen's newsletter, packed with tangible tools, resources, and inspiration Watch the episodes on YouTube Follow Kristen on Instagram   Kristen's TikTok   Have Kristen Speak at Your Event  Disclaimer This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. It is being provided to you to educate you about ideas on stress management and as a self-help tool for your own use. It is not psychotherapy/counseling in any form. This information is to be used at your own risk based on your own judgment. For counseling services near Indianapolis, IN, visit www.pathwaystohealingcounseling.com. Pathways to Healing Counseling's vision is to provide warm, caring, compassionate and life-changing counseling services and educational programs to individuals, couples and families in order to create learning, healing and growth.    

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, James and Ryan unpack a simple but powerful metaphor for adult romantic bonds: the red hat (emotional system), blue hat (caregiving system), and purple hat (sexual system). Drawing on attachment science from Phil Shaver, Mario Mikulincer, and Sue Johnson, they show how these three behavioral systems interact in-session and at home—and why you “can't red-hat your way into connection.” You'll hear vivid clinical examples, live-process reflections, and practical language you can bring straight to your couples, helping them see their cycle, name their hats, and take the first small blue-hat risks that change everything. 1. The Three Behavioral Systems = Three Hats Red Hat = Emotional System The hardwired system that signals inner experience—distress, pain, longings—outward. “Red” is not bad; it's the channel for “something is happening in me; I need you to see it.” Blue Hat = Caregiving System The instinct to turn toward another's distress: to be accessible, responsive, and engaged. In EFT terms, this is the responsive other—and it's what actually creates and maintains bond. Purple Hat = Sexual System The system driving touch, pleasure, and erotic connection in adult romantic bonds. Not an “add-on” after emotions are fixed, but a co-equal system that interacts with red and blue. 2. You Can't “Red-Hat” Your Way into Connection When both partners stay in red, they're each sending signals but no one is picking up the phone. That red‑vs‑red pattern feels like: competing for whose pain “counts,” chronic explaining, convincing, and defending, more loneliness after talking than before. Without at least a little blue hat, the bond cannot form or repair—no matter how much content is shared. 3. The Blue Hat Is Vulnerable Work—for Clients and Clinicians Putting on the blue hat requires a yielding move (Jim Coan's language): setting your own swirl aside for a moment, letting the other's pain actually touch you, allowing yourself to be impacted and guided by their inner world. For many partners (especially withdrawers), caregiving is wired to feel like a set-up for failure: “Every invitation is just another chance to get it wrong.” They often pull their heart back to protect against repeated failure. As a therapist or coach, you are meant to wear the blue hat for everyone in the room: If your compassion goes offline for one partner, the cycle has pulled you into red. Your temporary blue hat often “bridges” when a partner can't yet offer that responsiveness. 4. Red, Blue, and Purple Are Interlocking Cogs, Not a Straight Line Traditional framing: fix the emotional system first, and the sexual system will naturally follow. This episode offers a more mutual, systemic view: Secure emotional connection supports satisfying sexual connection. Blocked or painful sexual dynamics also make emotional safety harder. Deep, responsive sexual moments can reinforce emotional security, and vice versa. Think of the systems as interlocked gears: when one jams (emotion, caregiving, or sex), the others feel the strain. 5. Simple Metaphor, Heavy Theory Behind It The hat model is a front-door metaphor for clients that quietly carries: attachment research (5,000+ studies), Shaver & Mikulincer's work on adult bonding systems, Sue Johnson's emphasis on responsiveness as the core of love. Instead of teaching full attachment theory to clients who “can't even sit on the same couch,” you: offer two or three hats they can remember in the heat of the moment, help them name when they're switching hats, and anchor micro-interventions: “Right now, everyone has the red hat on. Who can risk 1% of a blue hat?” 6. Seeing the Cycle = Regaining Choice Clients cannot change what they cannot see; “hats” give them a shared language to see it. Therapists can track: When red turns from “open red” (vulnerable sharing) into “shadow red” (mistrust, blame, vague signals). When a partner briefly has a blue hat on and then flips back into red. When sexual bids (purple) are met with blue (healing) vs met with red (rejection, mistrust). Even a 1% blue-hat response (e.g., “I can see how hard that is for you”) can be enough to create real hope. 7. Beyond the Couch: A Call for More Blue Hats in the Culture The same red‑vs‑red dynamic shows up at the societal level: “My red hat is bigger/more legitimate than your red hat.” Lots of pain, very few reliable blue hats. The episode frames EFT and attachment science as world-facing work: inviting more blue‑hat moments in communities, justice spaces, and public conversations, honoring community leaders who quietly build learning communities that increase quality of care everywhere. 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!

How much control do we really have over our financial future? In this episode, Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ and Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT explore the tension between external circumstances and personal responsibility. While economic conditions, inflation, taxes, and unexpected crises are outside anyone's control, the conversation highlights the many financial choices that still remain firmly within reach. Using concepts like “internal locus of control” and “external locus of control,” they explain how mindset shapes behavior and outcomes. Erik shares practical examples of decisions people can control — saving, spending, insurance, debt management, and lifestyle choices — while Dr. Matt explains how a sense of agency creates resilience and confidence. The episode challenges listeners to stop wasting emotional energy on uncontrollable variables and instead focus on the habits and decisions that move them forward. Episode Highlights: Erik discusses the belief that financial success can feel dictated by external forces outside someone's control. (02:19) Understanding how much control you actually have over your finances is the focus of this episode, Dr. Matt shares. (03:13) Dr. Matt explains the psychological concept of an internal locus of control, describing it as being "the captain of your own ship." (04:44) Entrepreneurs often carry a strong sense of influence and control over their financial outcomes, Erik shares. (06:47) Erik shares a friend's rule that if you can't afford something twice, you can't really afford it, using a car purchase as an example. (09:22) Dr. Matt recounts helping under-resourced clients in New Orleans save small amounts toward $100 so they'd have money to evacuate during a hurricane. (10:36) Recognizing personal control over spending and impulses, rather than adopting a victim mindset, is key to financial success, Erik shares. (13:00) Key Quotes: “Money's emotional. It's tied to fear, identity, habits, and even relationships, and we've learned that long-term financial success is as much about behavior as it is math.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ “Even the best financial plan can be undone by poor behavior, while good financial behavior has the potential to compound more powerfully than investment returns.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ “We don't have control over the weather, but we do have control over saving a little money so we can get to a destination that might be safer.” - 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

What if the key to improving our mental health, reducing anxiety, and creating a healthier future isn't found within ourselves alone, but in reconnecting with the natural world we've forgotten we're part of? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Julie Brams, MA, LMFT, on her Nautilus award-winning book The Nature Embedded Mind: How the Way We Think Can Heal Our Planet and Ourselves.Moments with Marianne Radio Show airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate!  https://www.kmet1490am.com Julie Brams, M.A., LMFT is an Earth-centered psychotherapist, ANFT certified Forest Therapy Guide, meditation practitioner/teacher and author of The Nature Embedded Mind: How the Way We Think Can Heal Our Planet and Ourselves (CollectiveInk | Simon & Schuster). Her psychotherapy practice integrates traditional therapy, Earth-centered practices, meditation and the latest advances in the field of neuroscience. She was trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) by Francine Shapiro the method's originator, and Thought Field Therapy (TFT) as adjuncts to traditional talk therapy specifically for resolving traumatic experiences that may be at the root of current anxiety, depression, addictive behavior and painful relationship patterns. Julie works with both individuals, couples and groups in order to feel healthy and vibrant at every phase of life. She is dedicated to social change and environmental sustainability through re-establishing our intimate connectedness with the rest of Nature.. https://www.juliebrams.com Order on Amazon: https://a.co/d/026MS8Y4 Discover inspiring conversations with today's leading authors, celebrities, thought leaders, and change makers. To learn more about the Moments with Marianne Radio Show, explore guest interview opportunities, connect with Marianne, and follow her on social media, visit https://www.mariannepestana.comExplore the Moments with Marianne Book Club and find your next great read: https://www.mariannepestana.com/book-club/Listen to the Moments with Marianne Radio Show on KMET 1490AM & 98.1FM, an ABC News Radio Affiliate, weekdays at 8:06 AM PT / 11:06 AM ET and Sundays at 10:06 AM PT / 1:06 PM ET. Learn more at: https://www.kmet1490am.com/moments-with-marianne

Shame might be the silent architect behind our biggest relationship struggles—fueling secrecy, driving distance, and making genuine intimacy feel just out of reach. When the fear of rejection or not being enough sneaks in, it often keeps us locked in painful cycles of criticism, defensiveness, and disconnect. But what if the way we react to shame is the very thing sabotaging our deepest connections? In this episode, the discussion dives into how shame operates beneath the surface of issues like betrayal, addiction, and disconnection, and offers concrete strategies for transforming these patterns. Through personal stories, therapeutic insights, and powerful principles such as courage, context, and compassion, listeners are guided in breaking free from shame's grip. The conversation also explores practical ways to practice vulnerability, build safety, and foster more authentic connections—both with ourselves and our partners. Brannon Patrick, LCSW, and Tyler Patrick, LMFT, are brothers and licensed clinicians who help individuals and couples heal after infidelity, addiction, and the trust rupture that follows. With 20+ years each in addiction and trauma work, they bring both depth and straight talk, translating complex psychology into practical next steps people can use immediately. Together, they host The Therapy Brothers, a weekly call-in show where real people work through betrayal, shame, trauma, and addiction in real time, with over 500 episodes and nearly 2 million downloads. Their approach centers on heart work: healing the underlying trauma and shame so couples can rebuild trust with honesty, accountability, empathy, and healthy strength.   Episode Highlights 03:25 Overcoming betrayal and rebuilding trust. 07:34 Authenticity vs connection in relationships. 12:17 Shame's hidden impact on self-image. 15:35 Using IFS to overcome shame. 18:39 Choosing love and self-awareness. 21:10 Navigating shame's impact on relationships. 24:13 Navigating vulnerability in relationships. 28:28 Embracing compassion over self-criticism. 31:52 Exploring EFT and emotional connectivity. 34:48 Recovering trust after betrayal. 36:45 The trust equation and lasting love. 41:54 Beginning your healing journey.   Your Checklist of Actions to Take Practice Courage: Begin sharing your personal story and feelings with people you trust, focusing on authenticity and vulnerability. Build Context: Remind yourself you are not alone in your struggles; seek out others with similar experiences to normalize your feelings and reduce shame. Cultivate Compassion: Replace self-criticism with curiosity and kindness; when you notice a harsh inner voice, intentionally respond with understanding instead. Separate Your Parts: Use parts work or Internal Family Systems (IFS) to identify shame-driven and protective parts within yourself, then approach them with gratitude rather than rejection. Join a Support Group: Find or create safe spaces such as group therapy or support circles where you can practice vulnerability and receive nonjudgmental feedback. Create Boundaries: Establish healthy internal and external boundaries so you can engage with others' emotions without absorbing attacks or losing your sense of self. Get Professional Help: Explore modalities such as IFS, EMDR, ART, or DBT to address entrenched patterns and trauma that reinforce shame. Work on Relationship Recovery: If healing from betrayal, prioritize establishing safety and consistency, then focus on individual growth alongside nurturing relationship trust and intimacy.   Mentioned The Therapy Brothers (podcast) Shifting Criticism For Connected Communication (free relationship guide)   Connect with Tyler and Brannon Patrick Website: therapybrothers.org YouTube: youtube.com/@lovestrong | youtube.com/@therapy.brothers  Facebook: facebook.com/love.strong.org | facebook.com/ExpertBrannon  Instagram: instagram.com/therapy.brothers/ | instagram.com/sunrisegoal LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brannon-patrick/ | linkedin.com/in/tyler-patrick-lmft-24488366/ | linkedin.com/in/chase-jones-b63368128  

In this episode of The Strength In Weakness Podcast, Ellen and Morgan both showed up to record this episode depleted. Instead of scrapping it, they decided to do something more valuable: be honest about it. What came out of that conversation is one of the most raw and relatable episodes they've ever recorded.They're talking about the valley seasons of life — those stretches where you're not grieving something specific, you're just exhausted by the accumulation of it all. The unexpected ER visit. The job stress. The ministry criticism. The slow drift away from what once felt exciting and meaningful. The unmet expectations that quietly hollow you out.Ellen brings her clinical lens as an LMFT and Morgan brings her lived experience as a mom, wife, and ministry co-host — and together they unpack how we actually get into valleys, why we stay stuck in them longer than we need to, and what it looks like to stop fighting the valley and start letting God meet you in it.They cover the "of course" technique for building self-compassion, the difference between self-soothing and actual emotional validation, what Isaiah 26:3 has to do with your racing heart, and the powerful image of a shepherd carrying a wandering sheep — and what that means for you in your hardest season.This one is honest, warm, and genuinely helpful whether you're in a deep valley right now or just starting to feel the descent.

Have you gotten stuck in the belief that HSPs are fragile? In this episode, I talk with Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali, LMFT about celebrating your sensitivity and:  Teaching people how to treat you and communicating that your needs are differentSetting firm, but kind boundaries and how to manage pushbackFinding fulfilling ways to socialize without the overwhelm or social pressure to show up like everyone elseRewriting the messages that say HSPs are weird, too sensitive, shy, or weakIt's possible for highly sensitive people to be ambitious, resilient, and strongIbinye is a licensed marriage and family therapist for couples and women with anxiety and insomnia. As a coach, she helps highly sensitive women set clear, kind boundaries, so they can put their needs at the forefront of their lives, stand up for themselves and rock social situations. When she's not working with HSPs she loves trying out new foods and taking naps.Keep in touch with Ibinye:Website: http://www.thezinniapractice.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thezinniapracticeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thezinniapracticeResources Mentioned:Individual Coaching for Highly Sensitive Women: https://calendly.com/ibi-k7ob/consultHSP Self-Test: https://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-testFor more deep conversations like this, join me in Sensitive Circles - a cozy online community for highly sensitive people to find meaningful connection and deepen self-awareness at their own pace. More details: https://www.sensitivecircles.com Thanks for listening! You can read the full show notes and sign up for my email list to get new episode announcements and other resources at: https://www.sensitivestories.comYou can also follow "SensitiveStrengths" for behind-the-scenes content plus more educational and inspirational HSP resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensitivestrengths TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sensitivestrengthsYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@sensitivestrengthsAnd for more support, attend a Sensitive Sessions monthly workshop: https://www.sensitivesessions.com. Use code PODCAST for 25% off. If you have a moment, please rate and review the podcast, it helps Sensitive Stories reach more HSPs! This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment with a mental health or medical professional.  Some links are affiliate links. You are under no obligation to purchase any book, product or service. I am not responsible for the quality or satisfaction of any purchase.  

What if the secret to a stronger, more passionate relationship could be broken down into clear, actionable steps? “During my doctoral studies in clinical sexology, one theme kept coming up: The concept of low desire . While some couples manage to maintain their passion throughout the years, others slowly drift into emotional distance. I wanted to understand why this happens and how desire shapes not only intimacy but also our sense of self and connection with the person we choose to spend our lives with. For me, this question wasn't simply academic. It was undeniably personal.” - Anna Elton, Ph.D.Anna Elton, PhD, LMFT, CST, is a licensed marriage and family therapist, certified sex therapist, and clinical sexologist whose work sits at the intersection of desire, identity, communication, and modern relationships. She is the creator of multiple therapeutic models used by clinicians and couples across the United States, including frameworks that treat desire as a measurable signal of relational health rather than a fixed trait.Dr. Elton is known for translating complex psychological dynamics into clear, compassionate, and actionable frameworks. Drawing on neuroscience, attachment theory, and relationship science, her work focuses on how emotional connection, attraction, conflict, and digital habits shape long-term relational patterns. She works with couples, clinicians, families, executives, and organizations, helping them understand what drives attraction, disconnection, and meaningful relational change over time.Her insights have been featured on PBS, FOX, ABC, and NBC. She teaches nationally through PESI and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes, and has presented internationally, including in Japan, Canada, Italy, and Australia. Dr. Elton is also the host of Life, Love, Etc., a relationship-focused show where she explores desire, communication, intimacy, and the psychology of connection. She writes for Psychology Today through her blog, Life, Love, Etc., and continues to develop research-informed tools that support emotional and intimate connection in a world that often works against it. Beyond her professional work, Dr. Elton lives the principles she teaches. She has been married to her high school sweetheart, Michael, for over two decades, and together they are raising their three children. The Formula of Desire: What Brings Us Together and Drives Us Apart, and the Science of Connection (August 4, 2026 | New Harbinger Publications)What if the secret to a stronger, more passionate relationship could be broken down into clear, actionable steps? In The Formula of Desire, licensed marriage and family therapist and certified sex therapist Dr. Anna Elton reframes desire as a dynamic, relational process shaped by attention, emotional safety, stress, and everyday interaction―not chemistry alone.Drawing on neuroscience, attachment theory, and decades of clinical experience, the book shows why desire often fades in long-term relationships even when love remains, and what couples can do about it. At the center of the book is the Relational Desire Formula, a practical framework that explains how awareness, emotional connection, affectionate expression, and reciprocal attraction support desire, while stress, unmet needs, and emotional withdrawal weaken it. An accompanying self-assessment translates these patterns into a relational desire score, offering a clear snapshot of relationship health and helping couples see where connection is strong and where it needs attention. Through research, clinical stories, and structured exercises, The Formula of Desire explores:● Why attraction and desire change over time and why that's normal● How stress, routine, and emotional labor retrain the brain away from intimacy● The difference between being physically present and emotionally available● How to navigate conflict using effective communication● How to repair without escalation, shutdown, or loss of emotional and erotic connection● What desire equilibrium is and how restoring balance revives intimacy ● How desire can redirect toward work, fantasy, or other people without conscious intent● What actually helps intimacy return by creating the conditions for desire to re-emerge naturallyThe book offers a clear framework for understanding relationship shifts, improving communication, and restoring connection, intimacy, and desire through intentional change. Official Website: www.annaelton.comBook Website: www.theformulaofdesire.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drannaelton/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=anna%20eltonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annaelton/Twitter/X: https://x.com/drannaelton

Episode 324 - “The Fear of Wasting Your Life”Have you ever wondered if you're running out of time to become the person you hoped you'd be? In this episode, Michelle and Scott explore the quiet fear of wasting your life—the feeling that you should have accomplished more, chosen differently, or figured it all out by now. We talk about comparison, regret, purpose, and why so many people feel they're falling behind, even when they're exactly where they need to be. A thoughtful conversation about redefining success, letting go of impossible timelines, and discovering that a meaningful life isn't measured by how fast you get there—but by how intentionally you choose to live.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.

How much control do we really have over our financial future? In this episode, Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ and Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT explore the tension between external circumstances and personal responsibility. While economic conditions, inflation, taxes, and unexpected crises are outside anyone's control, the conversation highlights the many financial choices that still remain firmly within reach. Using concepts like “internal locus of control” and “external locus of control,” they explain how mindset shapes behavior and outcomes. Erik shares practical examples of decisions people can control — saving, spending, insurance, debt management, and lifestyle choices — while Dr. Matt explains how a sense of agency creates resilience and confidence. The episode challenges listeners to stop wasting emotional energy on uncontrollable variables and instead focus on the habits and decisions that move them forward. Episode Highlights: Erik discusses the belief that financial success can feel dictated by external forces outside someone's control. (02:19) Understanding how much control you actually have over your finances is the focus of this episode, Dr. Matt shares. (03:13) Dr. Matt explains the psychological concept of an internal locus of control, describing it as being "the captain of your own ship." (04:44) Entrepreneurs often carry a strong sense of influence and control over their financial outcomes, Erik shares. (06:47) Erik shares a friend's rule that if you can't afford something twice, you can't really afford it, using a car purchase as an example. (09:22) Dr. Matt recounts helping under-resourced clients in New Orleans save small amounts toward $100 so they'd have money to evacuate during a hurricane. (10:36) Recognizing personal control over spending and impulses, rather than adopting a victim mindset, is key to financial success, Erik shares. (13:00) Key Quotes: “Money's emotional. It's tied to fear, identity, habits, and even relationships, and we've learned that long-term financial success is as much about behavior as it is math.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ “Even the best financial plan can be undone by poor behavior, while good financial behavior has the potential to compound more powerfully than investment returns.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ “We don't have control over the weather, but we do have control over saving a little money so we can get to a destination that might be safer.” - 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

514: Ask David w/ Dr. Matt May Schizophrenia, Resistance, TEAM's Future, and What Makes a Great Therapist In this thought-provoking Ask David episode, Dr. David Burns is joined by Kevin Cornelius, LMFT, and special guest Dr. Matt May, psychiatrist, TEAM-CBT therapist, and longtime colleague of Dr. Burns. Together, they tackle challenging listener questions about schizophrenia, emotional suffering, resistance to change, therapist training, and the future of psychotherapy. Along the way, the conversation becomes deeply personal as David reflects on the qualities that shaped the development of TEAM-CBT, his hopes and concerns for the future of psychotherapy, and the lessons he's learned after decades of clinical work. Our Special Guest: Dr. Matt May Kevin welcomes Dr. Matt May back to the podcast. Matt is a psychiatrist trained at Stanford who has worked closely with David for more than twenty years. Although trained in psychiatry, Matt explains that his work today focuses almost entirely on TEAM-CBT rather than medication management. David praises Matt as one of the most gifted therapists he has ever known, highlighting his warmth, compassion, humility, and clinical expertise. Question #1: Can TEAM-CBT Help the Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia? A listener asks whether TEAM-CBT can help with the so-called "three A's" of schizophrenia: Apathy Avolition (severe lack of motivation) Anhedonia (loss of pleasure) or whether medication is the primary treatment. David's Response David challenges the assumptions behind the question itself. Rather than viewing people through the lens of diagnostic labels and symptoms, he emphasizes that TEAM-CBT begins by asking: "What would you like help with?" He argues that therapists often fall into the trap of acting like experts who believe they already know what a patient needs based on a diagnosis. TEAM-CBT takes the opposite approach, focusing on the individual person's goals, struggles, and hopes. David shares an early experience treating a patient with schizophrenia. Initially, he tried to challenge the patient's delusional beliefs directly through cognitive techniques. When the patient simply reinterpreted the evidence to support the delusion, David realized he was pursuing his own agenda rather than the patient's. The lesson: TEAM-CBT focuses on helping people with the problems they want help with—not on treating diagnostic labels. Key Takeaways Diagnosis does not define the person. People with schizophrenia may still want help with relationships, mood, habits, goals, or self-esteem. Effective therapy begins with understanding what matters to the individual. Humility is often more helpful than expertise. Question #2: What About Trauma, Brain Circuits, and "Underlying Vulnerabilities"? A listener asks whether present-moment thoughts are only part of the picture and whether deeper emotional circuitry, stress physiology, or network-level brain changes also contribute to emotional suffering. The listener also wonders whether cognitive therapy truly processes emotions like grief, fear, shame, and anger—or merely suppresses them. Matt's Perspective Matt offers a practical example from his own life. One afternoon he found himself flooded with depressive thoughts and self-critical feelings. He suddenly felt hopeless, inadequate, and discouraged. Then he realized: He had skipped lunch and was extremely hungry. After eating, the negative thoughts disappeared. His point is that physical states matter. Sleep deprivation, poor nutrition, illness, intoxication, and other biological factors can influence how easily negative thoughts arise and how difficult they are to challenge. David's Perspective David distinguishes sharply between: Healthy negative emotions Distorted emotional suffering He revisits a story from his medical school years, describing the death of a beloved elderly patient whose family gathered around him during his final moments. Everyone cried. David cried too. But that sadness was not depression. The grief emerged naturally from loving thoughts and genuine loss. In contrast, depression is fueled by distorted thoughts such as: "I'm worthless." "I'm not good enough." "Things will never get better." TEAM-CBT seeks to eliminate distorted suffering while preserving healthy human emotions. Key Takeaways Healthy grief is not a disorder. TEAM-CBT does not suppress genuine emotions. Depression, anxiety, shame, and hopelessness often arise from distorted thoughts that can be transformed. Biological factors matter, but thoughts remain a powerful therapeutic target. Question #3: What's the Biggest Misunderstanding Therapists Have About TEAM-CBT? A listener asks: When teaching clinicians, what misunderstanding should be corrected first? The belief that resistance means the patient is difficult? Or the belief that techniques alone are enough? David's Answer David emphasizes that TEAM is a system: Testing → Empathy → Agenda Setting → Methods Many therapists focus immediately on techniques and interventions. But before methods can work: The therapist must develop genuine empathy. The therapist must uncover resistance to change. Without empathy, patients don't feel understood. Without addressing resistance, therapists often end up arguing with their patients. David explains that people usually have many good reasons not to change. TEAM-CBT helps bring those reasons into awareness and resolve them before attempting intervention. Matt's Answer Matt reflects on his own training with David. He recalls spending countless hours learning empathy and discovering how difficult it is not to jump in with advice, reassurance, or premature solutions. According to Matt: Most therapists are tempted to help too quickly. Many accidentally create resistance by pushing for change. Understanding resistance is often one of the most challenging skills to master. Kevin's Perspective Kevin notes that TEAM itself naturally provides the roadmap: First learn testing. Then learn empathy. Then learn agenda setting. Only afterward focus on methods. The sequence protects therapists from moving too quickly into problem-solving. Question #4: What Is the Future of TEAM-CBT? A listener named Vlad writes a heartfelt letter reflecting on the transition from Rhonda Barovsky's co-hosting role and asking: What is the future of TEAM-CBT? How might it evolve? What personal qualities allowed David to create such an influential therapeutic framework? David on the Future of TEAM David explains that much of his current work focuses on preserving and sharing TEAM-CBT for future generations. Examples include: Recorded therapy sessions Training materials His psychotherapy eBook Psychology Today articles The Feeling Good Podcast The Feeling Great app He hopes future therapists will continue refining, expanding, and improving the methods. At the same time, David expresses disappointment that many mental health professionals have shown limited interest in approaches that emphasize rapid, measurable change. He remains committed to the possibility that therapy can become far more effective than it is today. The Personal Qualities Behind TEAM-CBT Matt identifies several characteristics he believes contributed to David's success: Intense Curiosity David never accepted conventional wisdom simply because others believed it. He continually asked: "What actually works?" Intellectual Honesty David consistently measures outcomes and learns from failures rather than defending cherished theories. Humility Rather than seeing himself as the expert, David allows patients to become his teachers. Compassion According to Matt, David's genuine concern for human suffering gives life to the science. Grit and Persistence David spent decades refining techniques, collecting data, developing tools, and challenging accepted assumptions. Discussion of AI and the Future of Therapy The conversation also touches on the Feeling Great app and artificial intelligence. David explains that the app was designed to deliver many TEAM-CBT principles to people who might not otherwise have access to therapy. He remains hopeful that technology can help make effective treatment more widely available while preserving the human values at the heart of psychotherapy. Memorable Themes from This Episode People are more important than diagnoses. Healthy sadness is different from depression. Empathy comes before technique. Resistance is not a problem—it is information. Great therapists remain curious and humble. Real innovation begins with measuring outcomes. Compassion and science work best together. Resources Mentioned Feeling Great App Psychology Today articles by David Burns Episode 49 featuring Marilyn's transformational session Listener Survey We'd love to hear from you! Your feedback helps shape future episodes and allows us to create content that is as helpful and meaningful as possible. Please use this link to take the feedback survey and share your thoughts with us about this episode. Your voice matters—and as David points out in this episode, sometimes the most important conversations begin when we're willing to express what we're really thinking and feeling. Thank you for listening to The Feeling Good Podcast! Contact Information You can reach Matt May, MD @ https://www.matthewmaymd.com 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 EFT, James Hawkins and Ryan Reyna tackle one of the trickiest tensions in therapy: how to work with distortion and meaning-making without gaslighting your client—especially tender pursuers and highly protected withdrawers. Using a vivid “watermelon vs. hot sauce” metaphor, they unpack what happens when one partner intends care, but the other receives danger. They explore why the brain distorts on purpose in the name of survival, how to keep honoring the client's emotional reality, and how to redirect blame away from partners and back to the negative cycle as the true enemy. You'll hear a powerful reframe that replaces the potentially invalidating, “What's the story you're telling yourself?” with a cleaner, safer question: “When you see Trigger X, what message does the cycle send to you about how your partner sees you?” James and Ryan apply this lens not just to couples, but also to race, marginalization, and societal conversations, illustrating how attempts to “correct the facts” can land as gaslighting when bodies are carrying generations of threat. They share moving examples of Stage 2 and Stage 3 work where partners begin catching and correcting the cycle on their own—creating “cycle killer” moments that change everything. If you're an EFT therapist, trauma-informed clinician, or a partner trying to understand your own reactions, this episode will help you honor emotion, respect meaning-making, and still gently face distortion—without shaming or silencing anyone. Top Takeaways  “Distortion” in EFT ≠ Fake or Irrational Emotion Emotions are never irrational; they always make sense in context. What may be “distorted” is the meaning-making or thinking, not the feeling. Watermelon vs. Hot Sauce Metaphor One partner offers something meant to be sweet and refreshing (watermelon). The other experiences it as danger or attack (hot sauce). This gap often comes from old injuries, expectations of being hurt, and the cycle, not badness in either partner. Why “What's the Story You Tell Yourself?” Can Feel Like Gaslighting Although poetic, it can land as, “This is just in your head; you're making it up.” For pursuers especially, this repeats a long history of being told they're “too much” or “misreading reality.” A Safer, Cleaner Clinical Question Instead of: “What's the story you're telling yourself?” Use: “When you see Trigger X, what message does the cycle send to you about how your partner sees you?” This question: Honors the client's internal world and logic. Externalizes the problem to the cycle, not the partner. Protects both partners from blame and shame. The Cycle as the Real Distorter The negative cycle becomes the “third entity” that scrambles messages. Seeing the cycle as the enemy helps the therapist stay out of the triangle and helps partners fight the cycle, not each other. Expected Pain Is Real Pain (Jim Coan's Research) The brain responds to anticipated threat almost as if it already happened. So even if words are technically “distorted,” the body's reaction is real and valid. The limbic system amplifies signals to protect, not to be dramatic. Clinical Target: Lean Into Pain, Not Cognitive Correction If you pivot too fast to “self-reflection” or cognitive reframe, you may move away from the raw pain where the best enactments live. Staying with the pain supports deeper Stage 2 work and more powerful enactments. Personal vs. Clinical Use of Self-Reflection Personally, it's healthy to ask, “Is this really what they meant, or is this my story?” Clinically, putting that question on the client too soon can feel invalidating and gaslighting. Application to Race, Marginalization, and Power When someone names patterns of racism or marginalization, responding only with “facts” and statistics often lands as, “You're crazy; that's not real.” Bodies encode generational and societal cycles, so their threat response has good reasons. Saying, “I can see good reasons your brain codes it this way,” is deeply regulating and dignifying. Stage 2 & Stage 3: “Cycle Killer” Moments In de-escalated couples, partners begin to say things like: “This might be my stuff coming up, but here's what happens for me…” “You don't have to put that part of you away—let's make space for your fear and my optimism.” These are Stage 3 moments where partners catch and correct the cycle themselves—sometimes without therapist intervention. Therapist Posture: Genuine Blame on the Cycle Effective EFT therapists truly believe that “this is the cycle, not their character.” Repeated exposure to Stage 2/3 couples reshapes the therapist's internal frame, making it easier to hold the externalized cycle under pressure. Therapist Self-Care and Embodiment Therapy is hard on bodies, not just minds. Ryan and James emphasize physical health practices (walking, gym, etc.) as non-optional for therapists. Our bodies are the instrument we bring into the room. From the Couch to the Culture The same principles that de-escalate couples can transform societal conversations—about race, oppression, and power. As Bruce Perry urges, therapists are invited to take what they witness in session and amplify it into the world 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!

Sustainability Is a Fundamental Responsibility: Therapist Burnout, Moral Injury, and the Systems We Practice Within Therapist burnout, sustainability, and moral injury, and why fixing burnout can't land on individual clinicians alone. Curt Widhalm, LMFT, and Katie Vernoy, LMFT kick off a series of discussions on modern therapist principles with the one that shapes almost everything they cover: sustainability is a fundamental responsibility, paired with the reminder that therapists are human first. Nine years into the show, they revisit a question they keep returning to. If therapist burnout is a systemic problem, why does the job of solving it keep landing on individual clinicians? It is a framing the show has argued for since 2017, and it still cuts against most of the advice therapists are sold about fixing their own burnout by charging their worth and tightening their own schedules. This episode holds a both/and at its center. You are responsible for practicing competently and staying well enough to do the work, and yet shrinking reimbursement, vertically integrating insurance companies, inconsistent platforms, and constant collective crisis sit far outside any one therapist's control. Curt and Katie talk honestly about martyrdom, moral injury, and the polished corporate language now reshaping the field, then name the four places where sustainability tends to break down: too much work, not enough of the right work, work that betrays your values, and isolation. They also name what is shifting fastest right now, from AI and insurance chatbots to platforms that lower fees and fragment how clinicians document their work. Burnout is not a personal failing, and sustainability is not something you can white-knuckle alone. This conversation makes the case for navigating the system as it is, a refusal to accept that it has to stay that way, and building community on purpose, through consultation groups, networks, and professional relationships, as one of the few reliable protections therapists have. It is honest company for a problem the profession has not solved, plus a look at the collective work that might eventually move it. In this episode, we discuss: - Why therapist burnout is a systemic problem, not an individual failing - How to hold the both/and of working within the system while working to change it - The four ways sustainability breaks down, and how to spot them in your own practice - Why moral injury and isolation can be harder to carry than sheer overwork - How consultation and community become a real strategy for sustainability - What collective action, including guild-style organizing, could eventually require Timestamps: - 01:17 - The principle: sustainability is a fundamental responsibility, and therapists are human first - 04:41 - Nine years in: why systemic burnout still isn't fixed - 06:47 - Martyrdom, sacrificial helping, and band-aiding a broken system - 10:21 - What years of burnout and advocacy episodes have taught us - 16:31 - Seductive corporate language and the insurance chatbot future - 20:33 - Four ways sustainability gets hindered - 23:36 - Isolation and strategically building community - 26:31 - Building the plane while flying it: delayed competence and shared trauma - 32:10 - No more therapist martyrdom, and a word from Audre Lorde 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/

Signe Darpinian, LMFT, CEDS, is a public speaker and therapist who specializes in eating disorders and body image across the lifespan. Her books include No Weigh!, Raising Body Positive Teens, and A Woman's Guide to Menopause, Body Image and Emotional Well-Being at Midlife We discuss topics including: The "menopause goldrush" What happens when women's body change during menopause CBT therapy practiced in the menopause space Understanding that the body is trying to help us out Reeducate what a woman's body should like as we age Exploring what a woman values as this stage of life   SHOW NOTES: Website: http://www.signedarpinian.com Book: A Woman's Guide to Menopause, Body Image, and Emotional Well-being at Midlife IG: @noweighguide  ____________________________________________ If you have any questions regarding the topics discussed on this podcast, please reach out to Robyn directly via email: rlgrd@askaboutfood.com You can also connect with Robyn on social media by following her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on iTunes and subscribe. Visit Robyn's private practice website where you can subscribe to her free monthly insight newsletter, and receive your FREE GUIDE "Maximizing Your Time with Those Struggling with an Eating Disorder". Your Recovery Resource, Robyn's new online course for navigating your loved one's eating disorder, is available now! For more information on Robyn's book "The Eating Disorder Trap", please visit the Official "The Eating Disorder Trap" Website. "The Eating Disorder Trap" is also available for purchase on Amazon.

In this special episode of Open Deeply, Sunny Megatron sits down with co-host Kate Loree to explore the therapeutic approach she has developed over more than two decades as a psychotherapist.Kate shares how she integrates EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic psychotherapy, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, and psychedelic integration to help people heal trauma, deepen intimacy, and create more authentic relationships with themselves and others.Together, they discuss:What makes Kate's approach different from traditional relationship and trauma therapyWhy she specializes in working with consensual non-monogamy, sexuality, and sex workersHow spirituality became an important part of her clinical workWhat led her to ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and psychedelic integrationThe launch of Open Deeply Coaching and how coaching differs from psychotherapySupporting couples creating a new chapter in intimacy and people navigating consensual non-monogamyKate's men's process group and her vision for future groups exploring psychedelic integration, spirituality, and alternative relationshipsThe biggest lessons she's learned after working with thousands of clientsWhether you're curious about trauma healing, relationships, sexuality, psychedelic integration, or human potential, this conversation offers an inside look at the philosophy that guides Kate's work and why she believes lasting change happens through curiosity, compassion, and embodied self-awareness.Kate's Bio:Kate Loree, LMFT, is a sex-positive psychotherapist, author, speaker, and podcast host specializing in trauma, relationships, sexuality, and non-traditional relationship structures. She works extensively with LGBTQIA+, kink, and consensually non-monogamous communities and is the author of Open Deeply: A Guide to Building Conscious, Compassionate Open Relationships.In addition to her work as a licensed marriage and family therapist, Kate holds an MBA and is a registered art therapist (ATR). She is certified in EMDR, IFS-Informed Somatic Trauma Therapy, and Psychedelic Harm Reduction & Integration and offers Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy.Kate has worked with clients since 2003 and is known for integrating attachment theory, somatic awareness, sexuality, nervous system regulation, and compassionate communication into her work. She co-hosts the Open Deeply podcast with Sunny Megatron, has appeared in BuzzFeed videos and Playboy Radio, and has been featured in media outlets including Vice and Ms. Magazine.Through her writing, teaching, and clinical work, Kate helps people create more authentic relationships,How to find Kate Loree: Website http://kateloree.com Instagram: http://instagram.com/opendeeplywithkateloree Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@opendeeplywithkateloree Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kateloreelmft Twitter http://twitter.com/kateloreelmft YouTube https://youtube.com/channel/UCSTFAqGYKW3sIUa0tKivbqQHow to find Sunny Megatron: Website: http://sunnymegatron.com Facebook http://facebook.com/sunnymegatron Twitter http://twitter.com/sunnymegatron Instagram http://instagram.com/sunnymegatron Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@sunnymegatron YouTube https://www.youtube.com/sunnymegatron American Sex Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/2HroMhWJnyZbMSsOBKwBnkOpen Deeply podcast is not therapy or a replacement for therapy.

In this final to our 3-part series on Pastoral Counseling, Olatunde Howard returns to discuss premarital counseling and what so many Christians struggle with regarding how they approach marriage conflicts to begin with. Olatunde is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Cary, NC. He can be reached at: https://one-eightycounseling.com/olatunde-howard/ More episodes with Olatunde can be found in our Counseling & Therapy playlist at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4bbdsVUgfc6Y3fPvCqWfepUlSJ-HkV3k Olatunde's worksheets: PDF worksheets: * Premarital Counseling outline for Pastors - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/mb78jwsx79x6br3qygebz/PREMARITAL-COUNSELING.pdf?rlkey=w9620v4j0sx2wfd9x8cbsbu6n&dl=0 * The ABCs of CBT - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/eipzf7l53jfxhvbhzn5g9/THE-ABC-S-OF-CBT.pdf?rlkey=65muk6fdv11mx42d7oecq3pip&dl=0 * The 3 C's of CBT - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/hgzrf71ltyg2mn7lemubx/THE-3-C-S-OF-CBT.pdf?rlkey=q877tq0b81g3ml0446popwx8m&dl=0 * Identifying ANTs - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/lipw497v0jn425q7aykfw/AUTOMATIC-NEGATIVE-THOUGHTS-ANTs.pdf?rlkey=kn25jcy9ovcfrqs5o8g8j3vyo&dl=0 * Adjusting Negative Core Beliefs - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/n6kxxv0s8epwy9cy4nyrl/Adjusting-Negative-Core-beliefs.pdf?rlkey=s7i0jkyx8rk4ti0l8b2420byn&dl=0 ***Disciple Dojo shirts and other gifts are available over in our online store! - https://www.zazzle.com/discipledojo ***Become a monthly Dojo Donor and help keep us going! - https://www.discipledojo.org/donate ***Dojo Donor Patches: If you are a monthly donor and would like an iron-on DiscipleDojo patch, supplies are limited so message JM directly via the contact page at https://www.discipledojo.org/contact ***If you are an unmarried Christian looking for community, check out our Facebook group “The Grownup's Table” over at www.facebook.com/groups/grownupstable (We also have a group for both married and unmarried Christians: www.facebook.com/groups/grownupfriends ) ------ Go deeper at www.discipledojo.org

Does it matter whether your eating disorder therapist has personally recovered from anorexia or bulimia? In this solo episode of Dr. Marianne-Land, I explore that question from two perspectives: as an eating disorder therapist and as someone who spent about 25 years navigating anorexia, binge eating, orthorexia, bulimia, compulsive exercise, and the long road to recovery. Lived experience does not replace professional training, and professional training does not require lived experience. Both forms of knowledge have value. In this episode, I share how my personal recovery has shaped my clinical work and why that perspective can be especially meaningful for autistic people, ADHDers, AuDHDers, and other neurodivergent adults recovering from anorexia and bulimia. What You'll Learn You'll hear five lessons that have transformed the way I understand eating disorder recovery. We discuss why what appears to be resistance is often nervous system overwhelm, how to tell the difference between neurodivergent traits and eating disorder symptoms, why shame rarely creates lasting recovery, how safety supports sustainable healing, and why recovery ultimately becomes about building a meaningful life instead of simply eliminating symptoms. Why Neurodivergent People Often Need a Different Recovery Conversation Traditional eating disorder treatment does not always account for sensory processing differences, executive functioning challenges, autistic burnout, ADHD, interoceptive differences, or the ways trauma and neurodivergence can intersect with anorexia and bulimia. In this episode, I explain why understanding your nervous system can make recovery feel more compassionate, more realistic, and more sustainable. Rather than forcing yourself to fit a rigid recovery model, you can begin building an approach that respects both your neurodivergence and your recovery goals. Who This Episode Is For This episode is for adults recovering from anorexia nervosa, atypical anorexia, bulimia nervosa, chronic eating disorders, or long-term restrictive eating. It's also for autistic adults, ADHDers, AuDHD adults, highly sensitive people, therapists, dietitians, parents, caregivers, and anyone who wants a deeper understanding of neurodivergent-affirming eating disorder treatment. Mentioned in This Episode If you want to learn more about sensory processing, autonomy, nervous system regulation, and neurodivergent-affirming approaches to eating, check out my ARFID and Selective Eating Course. Although the course focuses on ARFID, many of the concepts also apply to neurodivergent people recovering from anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders. Related Episodes Harm Reduction for Eating Disorders: How Lived Experience Shapes Recovery, Support, & Long-Term Healing on Apple & Spotify. Lived Experience of ARFID in Autistics & ADHDers: Sensory Survival & Misunderstandings With Dr. Panicha McGuire, LMFT, RPT on Apple & Spotify. Unmasking in Eating Disorder Recovery: What Neurodivergent People Need to Know About Safety & Healing via Apple & Spotify. Connect With Dr. Marianne Miller If you're looking for eating disorder therapy in California or Washington, D.C., or eating disorder coaching from anywhere in the world, I'd love to help. I specialize in anorexia, bulimia, ARFID, binge eating disorder, autism, ADHD, AuDHD, and neurodivergent-affirming eating disorder treatment. Visit www.drmariannemiller.com to learn more about working with me, explore my ARFID course, and listen to more episodes of Dr. Marianne-Land. If you found this episode helpful, please follow the podcast, leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, and share it with someone who could benefit from hearing that recovery does not have to look the same for everyone.

Therapist Joe Sikorra, LMFT, joins Trending with Timmerie: Episode Guide For women: How to reject control and embrace trust. Trust in your husband. (2:06) For men: How to reject passivity and embrace responsibility (22:38) What causes abusiveness vs passivity in men? (30:54) Regaining trust regarding finances (37:36) Where you find your marriage after idolizing and sentimentalizing being married (39:39) Resources mentioned: https://joesikorra.com/

Father Nathan, along with prayer partner Kimberly Sharp, LMFT, shares the spiritual practices to Craig and Charlie, the Watch Repair Guy. This story is new and not in any of the Afterlife, Interrupted book series publications.Kimberly Sharp, LMFT, DTM, is a psychotherapist dedicated to helping individuals connect with their inner selves to foster greater joy, peace, and relief. Utilizing a mind-body-spirit perspective, she has seen firsthand how engaging in reflective inner work leads to a more meaningful, joyful, and fulfilling life. As a prayer partner with Father Nathan, Kimberly has witnessed the incredible benevolence, kindness, and creativity with which heavenly helpers support souls on their afterlife journeys. Outside of her professional practice, Kimberly cherishes time with family and friends, working out at the gym, and being on the water. Kimberly is a Distinguished Toastmaster with Toastmasters International and active in her home parish of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in San Pedro, California. She can be reached through her website, www.kimberlysharpmft.com.Click this link and let us know what you love about The Joyful Friar Podcast! Support the show​Connect with Father Nathan Castle, O.P.: http://www.nathan-castle.com https://www.facebook.com/fathernathancastle https://www.instagram.com/father_nathan_castle https://www.youtube.com/@FatherNathanCastleOPListen to the podcast: https://apple.co/3ssA9b5Purchase books: https://tinyurl.com/34bhp2t4Donate: https://nathan-castle.com/donateMy Dominican brothers and I live a vow of poverty. That means we hold our goods in common. If you enjoy this podcast, please donate https://nathan-castle.com/donate. 501©3 of the Western Dominican Province.Father Nathan Castle, O.P., is a Dominican Friar, author, podcast host, and retreat leader. Over the past 27 years, his unique ministry rooted in the Catholic Church's mystical tradition has helped more than 700 souls transition from one afterlife plane to a more joyful one. Father Nathan believes that providing such help is something the Holy Spirit has given him and his prayer partners to do.     Theme music: Derek Gust      ...

Ep. 67. Justin Gregory Briggs, Ph.D., LMFT and his cohosts discuss opportunity. Some opportunities are given, others are found, and many are built. Our curiosity, courage, and willingness to learn often decide when we will miss or make the most of opportunities.  

Episode 323 - “Micro-Stress: The Tiny Things Slowly Wearing You Down”It's usually not one big thing that leaves us feeling exhausted—it's a hundred little things. The unread emails, constant notifications, difficult conversations, endless decisions, and small interruptions that quietly drain our energy without us even noticing. In this episode, Michelle and Scott explore the hidden impact of micro-stress, why these seemingly insignificant moments accumulate over time, and practical ways to recognize and reduce the invisible burdens that leave us feeling overwhelmed. A conversation about protecting your energy, reclaiming your attention, and discovering that sometimes the smallest changes make the biggest difference.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.

Grandma's Snake Phobia The Real Cause of Her Anxiety Hosts: Kevin Cornelius, LMFT Dr. David Burns What if anxiety isn't the problem? What if anxiety is actually a message? In this fascinating episode, Dr. David Burns and Kevin Cornelius explore one of the most intriguing concepts in TEAM-CBT: the Hidden Emotion Technique. Using the memorable case of "Grandma's Snake Phobia," David explains why some forms of anxiety persist despite cognitive techniques, exposure exercises, and logical reassurance—and how uncovering an unrecognized emotional truth can sometimes lead to astonishingly rapid recovery. David shares the story of an elderly woman who suddenly developed a crippling fear of snakes despite spending her entire life comfortably around them. While most therapists might have focused on treating the phobia itself, David suspected that the anxiety was serving another purpose entirely. As the conversation unfolds, listeners learn how anxiety can function as a symbolic message from the subconscious mind, drawing attention to feelings, needs, conflicts, or desires that have been pushed out of awareness. David also shares the remarkable story of the patient whose panic attacks and nausea at work led him to first discover the Hidden Emotion Technique, as well as a deeply personal story involving his own struggle with anxiety and professional conflict. Along the way, David and Kevin discuss why highly anxious people are often some of the kindest and most compassionate individuals, how "niceness" can sometimes fuel anxiety, and why learning to honor our feelings may be one of the most important steps toward recovery. In This Episode Why traditional cognitive and behavioral approaches sometimes only partially relieve anxiety The origins of the Hidden Emotion Technique The surprising connection between anxiety and excessive "niceness" Why anxiety may be a symbolic message rather than a malfunction The case of Grandma's sudden snake phobia How unspoken fears about aging and dependence fueled anxiety Why simply becoming aware of a hidden emotion is not enough The critical action step that completes the Hidden Emotion Technique The story of the young woman whose job was literally making her sick How suppressed dreams and unexpressed desires can trigger anxiety symptoms David's personal experience discovering a hidden source of anxiety in his own life The role of conflict avoidance, people-pleasing, and "emotophobia" Why the hidden emotion is almost always happening in the present—not buried in childhood How anxious symptoms often function as symbolic clues to what's really wrong Practical ways to begin exploring hidden emotions in your own life Key Insights from David "Anxiety is our subconscious mind trying to get our attention and tell us something important that our conscious minds can't seem to see." "The ultimate fear in anxiety is often the fear of your own feelings." "Only nice people develop anxiety disorders." "The hidden emotion isn't the fear itself. The fear is conscious. The hidden emotion is the feeling you believe you're not supposed to have." "Anxiety never comes out of the blue. It comes from our lives and our hearts." The Hidden Emotion Technique: Two Essential Steps Step 1: Discover the Hidden Emotion Identify the feeling, desire, conflict, or unmet need that has been pushed out of conscious awareness. Common examples include: Anger that feels unacceptable Unexpressed disappointment A desire you feel guilty about wanting Conflict you're avoiding A dream you've abandoned A need you're afraid to ask for Step 2: Take Action Recovery occurs when you: Express the avoided feeling honestly Address the underlying problem directly Have the difficult conversation you've been avoiding Honor the need or dream you've been neglecting As David emphasizes, insight alone rarely eliminates anxiety. The transformation occurs when awareness is followed by action. Why "Nice" People Often Struggle with Anxiety David describes a pattern he has observed repeatedly throughout his career: Many anxious individuals: Want everyone to be happy Avoid conflict at all costs Feel responsible for others' feelings Believe they should never feel angry Fear disappointing people Suppress their own needs and desires When these feelings remain hidden, anxiety can emerge as a signal that something important needs attention. Questions for Reflection Is there something important you're not telling someone? Are you avoiding a conflict because you don't want to upset anyone? Have you been ignoring a dream, desire, or need that matters deeply to you? Do your anxiety symptoms seem symbolic in any way? Is there a feeling you've decided you're "not supposed" to have? Resources Mentioned Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by David Burns When Panic Attacks by David Burns David's recent Psychology Today article, "Grandma's Snake Phobia: The Real Cause of Her Anxiety" Listener Survey We'd love to hear from you! Your feedback helps shape future episodes and allows us to create content that is as helpful and meaningful as possible. Please use this link to take the feedback survey and share your thoughts with us about this episode. Your voice matters—and as David points out in this episode, sometimes the most important conversations begin when we're willing to express what we're really thinking and feeling. Thank you for listening to The Feeling Good Podcast! 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 It Means to Be a Modern Therapist: The Principles That Guide Our Work Curt Widhalm, LMFT, and Katie Vernoy, LMFT, on the principles that define a sustainable, ethical, modern therapy practice. After nearly nine years and almost 500 episodes, Curt and Katie step back to name what the Modern Therapist's Survival Guide actually stands for. This episode lays out the guiding principles behind the show, the standards they hold and the practices they refuse, and reintroduces the hosts and the experience that shapes how they show up. Across nearly a decade of conversations, the same themes keep resurfacing. Therapists are human first, and neutrality is more myth than reality. Sustainability is a professional responsibility, not a luxury, which means martyrdom, self-sacrifice, and exploitative business models are no-goes rather than badges of dedication. Clinical depth matters more than ever in an era of influencer psychology, short-form content, and AI. Representation and inclusion strengthen the field, while gatekeeping and elitism weaken it. Systems shape practice in ways no amount of self-care can fix. Therapists are stewards of their own profession through advocacy, leadership, and calling each other in. And the work has to keep evolving, met with critical thinking rather than fear-based rejection or unexamined enthusiasm. Curt and Katie also explain why they are naming these principles now: to frame a run of upcoming deep dives that take these themes further with guests and conversations built to move past lip service. Taken together, the principles work less like a mission statement and more like a filter for the decisions therapists face every week, from which job to take to which trend to adopt and which one to let pass. Whether you have listened since the beginning or found the show last week, this is a clear look at where Curt and Katie are coming from, and an invitation to build a practice that is more human, more sustainable, and more connected to a community of therapists working through the same questions you are. In this episode, we discuss: - Why "therapists are human first" still matters in an era of corporate consolidation and AI - How to build a sustainable practice free from martyrdom - What keeps clinical depth relevant against influencer psychology and short-form content - Why representation, inclusion, and systems awareness strengthen the whole field - How therapists can act as stewards of the profession without shaming or policing - What it looks like to evolve with the field through critical thinking, not fear or hype Timestamps: - 00:15 - Nine years in: why this episode now - 02:54 - Curt and Katie reintroduce themselves - 06:46 - The modern therapist principles and no-goes - 07:09 - Therapists are human first - 10:26 - Sustainability as a fundamental responsibility - 12:49 - Clinical depth over simplification - 16:21 - Representation and inclusion strengthen the field - 18:57 - Systems shape practice - 20:49 - Therapists as stewards of the profession - 22:55 - Evolving with the field through critical thinking - 25:21 - An invitation to join the community Full show notes and resources: mtsgpodcast.com Join the Modern Therapist Community 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 this podcast, Anika Warrier, interviews Michelle Li, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). This is the first podcast of the Therapists Off the Clock Series, where Anika interviews various therapists. Michelle discusses the ups and downs that comes with working in this field along with the reward that comes with it. Lastly, Michelle provides tips and tricks for students interested in going into this field of Psychology.

What happens when years of eating disorder treatment reduce symptoms but never fully address the trauma underneath? In this episode of the Dr. Marianne-Land Podcast, I welcome Jennifer Lancaster, LCSW, for a conversation about complex trauma treatment for eating disorders, including the role of EMDR therapy, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP), attachment trauma, nervous system healing, and shame recovery. Whether you're recovering from anorexia, bulimia, ARFID, binge eating disorder, or another eating disorder, understanding the connection between trauma and eating disorders can open new possibilities for healing. Jennifer is a licensed clinical social worker and founder of Houston Healing Collective. Drawing on more than a decade of experience treating eating disorders and complex trauma, she explains why many clients arrive after years of therapy saying they understand why they struggle but still feel trapped in the same patterns. We discuss how trauma-informed treatment can move beyond symptom management by addressing the underlying experiences that shaped the nervous system in the first place. Why Complex Trauma Often Fuels Eating Disorders Complex trauma is not always one catastrophic event. It can develop through repeated experiences of emotional neglect, attachment disruptions, chronic criticism, unsafe relationships, community violence, poverty, or growing up without feeling consistently seen, safe, or emotionally supported. Jennifer shares how her own experiences and years of clinical work helped her recognize that many eating disorders function as adaptive responses to unresolved trauma rather than isolated illnesses. We also discuss why many people in eating disorder recovery become frustrated when treatment focuses primarily on changing behaviors without creating space to process traumatic experiences. Although symptom stabilization remains important, Jennifer explains why many clients eventually seek treatment that addresses the deeper emotional wounds beneath restrictive eating, binge eating, purging, or other eating disorder symptoms. EMDR Therapy for Trauma and Eating Disorders Jennifer explains how she integrates EMDR therapy into eating disorder treatment. She discusses the importance of building trust, strengthening nervous system regulation, assessing readiness, and helping clients expand their window of tolerance before trauma reprocessing begins. She also describes how EMDR allows people to process traumatic memories without needing to repeatedly tell every painful detail, making the work feel more manageable for many survivors of complex trauma. Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Explained If you've been curious about ketamine-assisted therapy for PTSD, trauma, or eating disorders, Jennifer offers an accessible explanation of how this treatment works. She discusses why ketamine differs from traditional psychiatric medications, how it may temporarily increase neuroplasticity, and why those changes can create opportunities for deeper therapeutic work. We also talk about the brain's default mode network, rigid thinking patterns, and why many people experience new perspectives during treatment that previously felt impossible to access. One of the most important messages in this episode is that ketamine itself is not the treatment. Jennifer emphasizes that preparation, psychotherapy, and thoughtful integration before and after medicine sessions are what help lasting healing occur. Rather than replacing therapy, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy works alongside trauma-focused treatment approaches like EMDR and other evidence-informed therapies. Healing Shame Through Safe Relationships Jennifer also shares her own experience receiving ketamine-assisted therapy and how it transformed her relationship with shame. She describes participating in a therapeutic group experience where she felt safe enough to openly share parts of her story for the first time. That experience inspired her to develop group ketamine retreats because she witnessed how healing can deepen when people experience connection, compassionate witnessing, and emotional safety alongside trauma treatment. Our conversation also explores why shame often survives in isolation but begins to loosen when people experience safe therapeutic relationships. Whether treatment happens individually or in a carefully facilitated group setting, safety remains the foundation of meaningful trauma recovery. Who Should Listen This episode is for adults recovering from anorexia, bulimia, ARFID, binge eating disorder, or other eating disorders. It is also valuable for parents, caregivers, therapists, dietitians, physicians, and other healthcare professionals who want a deeper understanding of complex trauma, EMDR therapy, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, PTSD, attachment trauma, and trauma-informed eating disorder treatment. In This Episode Jennifer explains how complex trauma contributes to eating disorders, why attachment wounds often remain hidden beneath eating disorder symptoms, how EMDR therapy helps people process traumatic memories, what ketamine-assisted psychotherapy actually involves, why preparation and integration matter just as much as the medicine itself, how neuroplasticity may support healing, why shame often decreases through safe therapeutic relationships, and how trauma-informed care can help people move beyond surviving toward genuine recovery. Content Cautions This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, anorexia, bulimia, ARFID, PTSD, complex trauma, childhood adversity, attachment trauma, emotional neglect, shame, poverty, community violence, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, and ketamine-assisted therapy. Listen to Related Episodes Using EMDR & Polyvagal Theory to Treat Trauma & Eating Disorders With Dr. Danielle Hiestand, LMFT, CEDS-S on Apple & Spotify. The Connection Between Unresolved Trauma & Long-Lasting Eating Disorders (Content Caution) on Apple & Spotify. How Childhood Trauma Shapes Eating Disorders & Body Shame (Content Caution) on Apple & Spotify. Childhood Trauma & Eating Disorders on Apple & Spotify. Connect With Jennifer Lancaster Jennifer Lancaster is the founder of Houston Healing Collective, where she specializes in complex trauma treatment, EMDR therapy, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, eating disorder treatment, psychotherapy intensives, and therapeutic retreats. Learn more through Houston Healing Collective or follow her on Instagram at @_jenlightened. Work With Dr. Marianne Miller If you're looking for a California eating disorder therapist, Washington, DC eating disorder therapist, ARFID therapist, anorexia therapist, bulimia therapist, or binge eating disorder therapist, I provide neurodivergent-affirming, trauma-informed eating disorder therapy throughout California and Washington, DC, along with eating disorder coaching worldwide. If you or your child has ARFID or selective eating, be sure to explore my self-paced ARFID & Selective Eating Course for practical, evidence-informed support. Check out my website at drmariannemiller.com for all the latest info!

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.

What do you do with a relationship after a shocking truth comes out? If you're the betrayed partner making the therapy appointments, reading the books alone, and wondering whether the person across from you is actually changing — this episode is for you.What most people don't realize is that the day you found out wasn't the beginning of the problem. The patterns of behavior that led to betrayal started long before that moment. And the real question isn't just why did this happen and how do I fix it — it's how do you both heal from betrayal trauma, and how do you know whether your relationship can survive it?My guests are Brannon Patrick, LCSW, and Tyler Patrick, LMFT — brothers, licensed therapists, and hosts of the Therapy Brothers podcast. Between them they bring more than 40 years of experience in addiction and trauma work, and across more than 500 call-in episodes they've sat with real people in real time navigating betrayal, shame, and the long road back.In this episode we go deep on what your body needs in the immediate aftermath of discovery, why sobriety and real recovery are not the same thing, and the three specific signs Brannon and Tyler look for when assessing whether a relationship can genuinely be repaired.In this episode, you'll learn:Why the patterns behind betrayal started long before discovery — and what that changes about the repair processWhat to do when your whole system goes into shock and you can't think straightHow grounding, breathwork, and somatic healing help refill an emotional tank running on emptyWhy no major decision is worth making when you're at an eight out of ten — and what to do instead while you return to a fiveWhy the hurt partner often ends up overfunctioning — and how it quietly affects the relationship dynamicWhat shame resilience actually sounds like in a conversation, and why it's the skill that makes real honesty possibleHow to tell the difference between a partner doing the work for themselves versus performing it for youWhy rigorous honesty isn't the same as confessing every detail — and how anxiety can disguise itself as transparencyThe 3 signs Brannon and Tyler watch for when someone is genuinely in recoveryHow to be vulnerable in small ways when rebuilding trust after infidelity or betrayal still terrifies youWhether you're standing at the crossroads of betrayal or deep in the process of infidelity recovery, this conversation will give you a clearer lens — and a little more ground under your feet.Cheers to more love and freedom,LaurieClick here to learn more about my Somatic/Yoga course with Harmony YogaClick here to purchase my “Nervous System Regulation Starter Kit” it's $29.99Click here to purchase my book: Sandwiched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting GoFree ResourcesClick here to schedule a FREE inquiry call with me.Click here for my FREE “Beginner's Guide to Somatic Healing”Click here for my FREE Core Values ExerciseConnect with me:WebsiteInstagramConnect with Brannon & Tyler:WebsiteInstagramYouTubeListen to Brannon and Tyler's weekly call-in show: The Therapy Brothers Podcast Please leave me feedback. I cannot respond so if you'd like me to respond, please leave your email***********************DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL, MEDICAL OR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED THERAPIST IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY MEDICAL ISSUE OR PROBLEM.

"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

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!

Are We Really Better at Empathy Than the Bots? What the Research Says About AI in Therapy AI in therapy, therapy chatbots, and AI empathy: what the latest research actually says, and what it means for your clinical work. Curt Widhalm, LMFT, and Katie Vernoy, LMFT close out AI month by setting the hot takes aside and looking at what the research actually says about AI in mental health. They walk through the Dartmouth Therabot randomized controlled trial, where an expert-built, safety-monitored therapy chatbot outperformed a waitlist control, and a Communications Psychology study in which third-party raters judged AI-generated responses as more compassionate than those of expert human crisis responders. The findings are uncomfortable, and that's the point. In short in-the-moment exchanges, AI empathy can read as warmer than a human's, which is exactly the kind of result that makes therapists defensive. Curt and Katie talk through what these studies do and do not show, why a quick hit of empathy is not the same as a real therapeutic relationship, and the safety risks of consumer-grade chatbots that can validate delusions or miss a crisis. This is a conversation about staying credible instead of fearful: getting literate about AI therapy tools, talking with clients honestly about where these tools help and where they are dangerous, and leaning into the clinical depth, presence, and human connection that AI cannot fake. In this episode, we discuss: - What the Therabot trial really shows about AI therapy chatbots: better than a waitlist, not better than a human therapist - Why third-party raters judged AI as more compassionate than expert crisis responders - The difference between in-the-moment empathy and the long-term therapeutic relationship - How sycophancy and "context pollution" can make AI empathy feel good while keeping clients stuck - The safety risks of consumer-grade chatbots, and the regulation starting to address them - How to talk with clients about AI in a way that makes you more credible, not less Timestamps: 00:15 - Welcome and the two traps therapists fall into with AI 06:24 - The Therabot trial: AI therapy chatbots vs. a waitlist control 09:14 - Do people rate AI as more empathetic than human responders? 12:56 - Sycophancy, context pollution, and deceptive empathy 19:40 - Safety, crisis risk, and the regulation that is coming 26:27 - What people actually want in a crisis moment 35:45 - Be credible, not fearful: talking with clients about AI 37:40 - Deliver what AI can't fake: presence and clinical depth 41:36 - Closing: be aggressively human 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/

Send us Fan Mail A Note Before You Listen: This episode discusses human trafficking, grooming, abuse, and trauma. It is educational and prevention-focused, guided by a licensed therapist, and is not graphic. Even so, the subject may be difficult for some listeners, especially anyone with lived experience. Please take care of yourself, and step away if you need to. If you or someone you know may be affected, in the United States you can reach the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 (call or text), and in an emergency contact your local emergency services. This episode is educational only and is not a substitute for professional or emergency help. Human trafficking doesn't always arrive with a threat and a locked door. Sometimes it arrives as attention, gifts, a “relationship” that takes over someone's world, and a slow drift into secrecy and fear. We sit down with licensed therapist Renée Calhoun,LMFT whose work supports survivors and helps the rest of us understand what trauma, recovery, and dignity really look like when the story is not simple. We talk about the biggest misconceptions that keep people blind, including the idea that trafficking only happens “somewhere else”. Renée explains how grooming works in real life, why traffickers target unmet needs, and how vulnerability can be shaped by foster care involvement, justice system contact, low self-worth, isolation, and the normal identity struggles of adolescence. We also share clear, practical warning signs parents, teachers, friends, and coworkers can look for, from sudden expensive gifts and older connections to emotional changes that resemble depression or anxiety. Most importantly, we focus on what to do next. Renée offers a safer way to intervene: ask questions that spark reflection instead of delivering judgement that shuts someone down. We also cover trauma-informed support, why recovery is rarely linear, and how supporters can stay present without burning out. If you or someone you love is quietly recognising themselves here, you'll hear this more than once: you are worthwhile, recovery is possible, and you deserve support. Subscribe for more grounded mental health conversations, share this with someone who needs a clearer lens, and leave a review so more listeners can find help and hope. Connect With the Guest: Website: https://www.reneecalhounlmft.com Nonprofit: Worthwhile, https://www.worthwhile.org US National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 (call or text) Support the show Want to Be a Guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life?

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/