Podcasts about lmft

Boris Kiselev, MD, explores how cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship can affect patients and the people who care for them. He offers practical guidance for addressing anxiety, grief, trauma, treatment-related mental health symptoms, caregiver stress, fear of recurrence, and the need for coordinated, multidisciplinary support. 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 emotional — and in this episode, ⁠Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™⁠ and ⁠Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT⁠ explore why emotions have such a powerful influence on financial behavior. From market volatility and economic uncertainty to comparison, insecurity, and fear of failure, people rarely make purely rational financial decisions. Instead, emotions often drive reactions that conflict with long-term goals. Dr. Matt introduces a powerful framework: emotions are signals, not commands. Fear, anxiety, and stress may reveal that something matters deeply, but they should not automatically dictate behavior. Erik shares real examples from his work as a financial planner, explaining how emotional reactions during market downturns or financial stress can sabotage otherwise solid plans. The episode offers practical tools for slowing down emotional reactions, identifying what feelings are trying to communicate, and responding with intention rather than panic. Episode Highlights: Dr. Matt explains that emotions drive thoughts and behaviors, making it essential to pay attention to the feelings behind financial actions. (02:22) Dr. Matt clarifies that people tend to treat emotions as facts rather than signals worth examining. (03:55) Dr. Matt shares that emotions are good data points but not directives. (05:17) Erik recalls choosing to validate clients' fear during a market crisis rather than dismissing it with "don't panic." (07:06) Dr. Matt recounts calling Erik during a market drop and how Erik's grounding in market history helped calm his fear. (08:12) Erik discusses how social media and financial content creators trigger emotional responses that push people toward decisions inconsistent with their values. (09:39) Dr. Matt explains that financial fear often points to a deeper concern such as "Will I have enough?" rather than surface-level market activity. (13:55) Erik emphasizes that emotions have legitimacy and decisions should align with what matters most rather than being hijacked by emotion. (14:44) Dr. Matt recommends using an emotions wheel to name feelings precisely, which slows reactive thinking. (16:19) Erik believes that talking through high-stakes emotional moments with a professional, whether a therapist or financial planner, is especially valuable. (18:17 Key Quotes: “Emotions are good data but they're not directives. They're not marching orders.” - Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT “Let's make sure that we make a good decision that's consistent with the things that are most important to you.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ “We think about feelings as being signals that something is really important to you. And then we want to be able to connect that to the thing that's really important.” - Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT Resources Mentioned: ⁠Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT⁠ ⁠Matt Morris & Associates⁠ ⁠Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™⁠ ⁠Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC⁠ ⁠Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors⁠

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

This week it's just the two of us! Amber & Melanie sit down for a long overdue catch-up episode.Amber has fans in the woods and is leaning into Transcendental Meditation. Melanie comes in fresh off vacation! Plus we get into relationships, mutual respect, and working for yourself without losing your mind.The rest of this conversation releases June 11 for our paywall subscribers community.Subscribers get:* 2 additional bonus episodes each month (4 total!)* Guided Meditations* Live chats with Amber & Melanie* A community to connect with other fans of the podcast and share ideas for future episodes!I'm Fine, It's Fine is hosted by comedian Amber Autry & trauma therapist Melanie Reese, LMFT. Follow Us!

Ep. 64. Justin Gregory Briggs, Ph.D., LMFT and his co-hosts talk about humility, a highly desirable character trait that is so often misunderstood. This episode features Seth Frank, Joshua Hardee, and Rachel Simon.

Episode 319 - “Stop Pretending You Like Brussels Sprouts: The Hard Skill of Saying What You Need”How often do we say “it's fine” when it really isn't? In this episode, Michelle and Scott explore the quiet ways people disconnect from their own needs, preferences, and feelings in order to avoid conflict, disappointment, or discomfort. From pretending to like things we don't… to minimizing what we actually need… many of us learn that being easygoing feels safer than being honest. They talk about people pleasing, emotional self-editing, the fear of seeming “difficult,” and why expressing even small preferences can feel surprisingly vulnerable. This isn't about becoming demanding. It's about reconnecting with your own honest experience—and learning how to express it without apology.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.

Good Enough, Safe Enough: Affirming LGBTQ+ Clients When You're Not a Specialist Affirming LGBTQ+ clients when you are not a specialist: Curt Widhalm, LMFT, and Katie Vernoy, LMFT on being a good enough, safe enough therapist when you cannot refer out. Curt and Katie take on a question therapists often avoid: what do you do when an LGBTQ+ client needs care, you are not a specialist, and referring out is not possible, not safe, or not honest? In this Pride Month episode, they make the case that you can be a good enough, safe enough therapist for LGBTQ+ clients even when affirming care is not your declared specialty. Mental health deserts, narrow insurance panels, long specialist wait lists, and unsafe home environments mean referral is not always available, and sometimes referring out is closer to abandonment than care. Curt and Katie argue that scope of competence is too often used as polite cover for therapist discomfort, and that most clinical work with LGBTQ+ clients is the same work you already do well. Affirming care is the container, not a separate specialty. They also get practical about being a safe enough stopgap therapist: building a just in time consultation kit, doing the cultural humility work, and reckoning with the invisible labor and consultation tax of allyship, including why you should never bill a client to research their own identity. And they name the specific moments when referring an LGBTQ+ client out is still the right and ethical call. This is a useful conversation for generalist therapists, rural and solo clinicians, insurance-based practices, and anyone doing the ongoing work of affirming, culturally humble care. In this episode, we discuss: - Why "refer out" can be avoidance dressed as ethics, and when it is genuinely the right call - How to tell a true scope of competence limit from your own discomfort - What it means to be a good enough, safe enough therapist for LGBTQ+ clients - How to build a just in time kit so an LGBTQ+ client never lands on you cold - Why the invisible labor and consultation tax of allyship is yours to carry, not your client's to fund - The specific signs that mean you should refer out anyway Timestamps: 00:15 - Why a Pride Month episode on being good enough, not a specialist 02:56 - "Just refer out": sound advice or avoidance? 05:05 - Scope of competence versus therapist discomfort 13:08 - The good enough therapist, and when referral becomes abandonment 16:55 - Meeting clients where they are until specialist care opens up 19:03 - Building a just in time kit for your practice 24:44 - The invisible labor and consultation tax of allyship 32:10 - When you should refer out anyway 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/

Joseph Contorer, MA, LMFT, is a California and Oregon-based psychotherapist and author, with over 30 years of experience. He specializes in helping clients with relationships, mental health challenges, and personal empowerment through a holistic approach. His book, You've Been Blocked, The Search for Gay Male Perfection, explores how gay men are often restricted from their true selves during childhood, leading to lifelong "blocking" that impacts their adult lives and relationships.  We discuss topics including: What is "blocking"? Understanding "straight normal" and "gay normal" Gay children and gay adults will act a certain way due to being blocked What is "The M-Ranking"? Internalized homophobia   SHOW NOTES: www.theblockedbook.com https://www.instagram.com/theblockedbook ____________________________________________ 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.

Lawrence sits down with family systems therapist Stephanie Sternes, LMFT, LCPC, NCC to explore what happens when parents begin dating again after divorce, estrangement, or parental alienation. Together they examine how new relationships can impact children, family roles, and the emotional balance of an already changing family system.Drawing on family systems principles, attachment, and lived experience, the discussion explores loyalty conflicts, belonging, emotional safety, and the challenges many families face when introducing a new partner. The result is a grounded conversation about creating healthier transitions for both parents and children. Living fully while navigating parental alienation is not giving up, but an act of love and integrity.Key TakeawaysHow dating after divorce affects children and family dynamicsWhy new relationships can trigger loyalty conflictsUnderstanding the hidden challenges of blended familiesHow attachment wounds influence parenting and partnershipWhy timing matters when introducing a new partnerSupporting children through major family transitionsThe importance of emotional healing before dating againHow co-parenting impacts future family relationshipsNavigating insider-outsider dynamics in stepfamiliesCreating stability and connection in a blended familyChapters00:00 - Navigating Dating, Divorce & Family Change 02:44 - Understanding Healthy Co-Parenting Relationships 05:58 - Why Blended Families Can Feel So Challenging 08:40 - The Emotional Work to Do Before Dating Again 11:47 - How Children's Ages Shape Their Reactions 14:57 - When Therapy Can Help Stepfamilies Thrive 17:42 - Insider vs. Outsider Dynamics in Blended Families 20:49 - Loyalty Conflicts, Loss & New Relationships 23:50 - Developmental Stages and Family Transitions 26:54 - Recognizing Attachment Wounds Early 29:48 - Building Trust Through Open Communication 32:38 - Reflections on Growth, Healing & Family ChangeSupport & Community:Parental Alienation Anonymous (PAA): Join our free 12-step support group with 16 online meetings weekly for parents, grandparents, family members, and previously alienated individuals seeking healing and recovery.PA-A.org: Parental Alienation Advocates is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to fostering education, advocacy, and support for individuals grappling with the distressing impact of parental alienation, estrangement, erasure, and family disconnection.All our services are free and sustained by grants and community donations. Your support helps us continue offering these vital resources.Donate here: https://pa-a.mykajabi.com/donations-for-the-12-step-programConnect with Us:Email your questions or insights: familydisappeared@gmail.comLike, share, and comment to help us reach more families in need.If you wish to connect with Lawrence Joss or any of the PA-A community members who have appeared as guests on the podcast:  Email - familydisappeared@gmail.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lawrencejoss(All links mentioned in the podcast are available in Linktree)To learn more or connect with Stephanie, you can visit:https://www.stephsternes.comhttps://www.healingstoryranch.comThis podcast is made possible by the Family Disappeared Team:Anna Johnson- Editor/Contributor/Activist/Co-hostGlaze Gonzales- Podcast ManagerConnect with Lawrence Joss:Website: https://parentalalienationanonymous.com/Email-         familydisappeared@gmail.com

Are you feeling overwhelmed by constant news, social media, emails, and information? In this podcast, Rev. Trudy D. Robinson and Sheilah Cameron, LMFT, explore information overload, anxiety, mental health, mindfulness, and faith—through the surprising lens of the biblical prophet Daniel. This is Episode 1 of "Taking Care of Mind, Body & Spirit," a five-part series exploring modern wellness challenges through the wisdom of Scripture. This conversation is for anyone struggling with stress, overwhelm, decision fatigue, digital overload, anxiety, burnout, or the pressure to stay informed about everything happening in the world. Inspired by Daniel 8:1-27 and the prophet Daniel's experience of receiving overwhelming visions, the topics discussed include: Why we continue to face information overload and how it affects us mentally, emotionally, and physically Mindful practices that can help us and others overcome information overload How faith can help us through mental roadblocks The importance of making time for solitude, accepting inaction, and honoring God’s timing for your life’s callings The need to balance information consumption and creation, honoring the Creator that’s found within us all This is a series of conversations with the female pastors of First United Methodist Church of San Diego and Sheilah Cameron, the Director of New Life Counseling Center. They’ll be talking for five weeks about Taking Care of Mind, Body, and Spirit. Join them to explore information overload, purpose fatigue, mental health, grief, and identity – as inspired by biblical prophets. If this conversation resonates with you, subscribe for more discussions on faith, mental health, spiritual growth, and practical ways to care for mind, body, and spirit. Reflection Questions: How can your faith be a resource to deal with information overload? What information do you need to gather in order for you to do what you can? What of Daniel’s story of faith is important for you to hold on to? Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction: Why we're overwhelmed by information 00:01:43 Information overload and the story of Daniel 00:07:27 Daniel's response mirrors our modern struggle 00:09:01 The guilt of not keeping up with everything 00:12:13 How to set healthy information boundaries 00:14:12 The 3-step emotional check-in practice 00:21:19 Consuming vs. creating: finding balance 00:27:17 Solitude, faith, and hearing God's voice Topics: information overload, Christian mental health, anxiety, stress management, emotional wellness, Christian mindfulness, healthy boundaries, spiritual growth, self-care, solitude, biblical wisdom, and the Book of Daniel

This presentation by Dr. Jessica ChenFeng, PhD, LMFT, titled "A Long Faithfulness Across Generations: Rupture & Repair in Asian American Families," was recorded on April 10, 2026. The lecture was part of the 2026 conference "Our Flourishing, Our Faith: Navigating Rupture and Repair in Asian American Christian Communities," presented by the Center for Asian American Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary and the Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University. You can learn more about this conference here: https://ourflourishing.org/.Family rupture in Asian American contexts is shaped by immigration narratives, cultural scripts, and intergenerational silence that can sometimes fuel disconnect and distance. This plenary explores the sources of familial rupture and offers a multi-layered framework for repair that integrates intrapersonal reflection, neurobiological regulation, and relational attunement while honoring generational distinctions and Asian American relational ethics. The conversation will be grounded in the reality that repair is sanctification work—a decades-long journey across seasons of life that finds its sustaining hope not in resolution but in Christ who came to give us fullness of life.Jessica ChenFeng, PhD, LMFT is an associate professor of marriage and family therapy and DMFT program chair at Fuller Theological Seminary, and an associate editor for Family Process journal. She has been a practicing MFT for almost 20 years and consults with academic, healthcare and church organizations to improve the well-being of people within their communities. Her research and clinical work center around social contextual intersections of race, gender, generation, trauma, and spirituality. She is the director of the Asian American Well-being Collaboratory and co-author of Finding Your Voice as a Beginning Marriage and Family Therapist and co-editor of Asian American Identities, Relationships, and Post-Migration Legacies.Time Stamps:00:00 Speaker Introduction01:58 Jessica Opening Reflection02:42 First Client and Calling09:05 A New Moment for the Asian American Church12:12 Presentation Framework12:58 Theological Reflections: Sanctification as a Long Faithfulness16:46 Case Study20:17 Relational Systems Framework27:31 Shame and Therapy Pathways31:51 Common Asian American Family Ruptures34:55 Understanding Rupture39:56 Postures of Repair43:07 The Work of Repair44:59 Repair with Parents, Spouse, and Kids49:44 A Long Faithfulness ClosingPhoto by Hannah Busing on Unsplash This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit caacptsem.substack.com

Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, explores how cognitive impairment and dementia can show up in clinical work. She offers practical guidance for adapting communication, supporting caregivers, preserving dignity, and expanding care when clients need more support. 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.

In this episode of The Child Psych Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Kim Van Dusen, psychologist, parenting expert, and author of Parenting Through Play: Creative Strategies for Building Better Behavior, Deeper Connection, and Positive Communication. Together, we explore the powerful role of play in child development and why play is one of the most effective tools parents can use to strengthen connection, improve behavior, and support emotional regulation.Dr. Kim explains how play-based parenting strategies can help reduce power struggles, increase cooperation, and build stronger parent-child relationships without relying on punishment, yelling, threats, or rewards. We discuss how children communicate through play, why playful parenting often works better than lectures, and how parents can use simple, everyday moments to foster emotional connection and positive behavior.Whether you're parenting a toddler, preschooler, school-aged child, or tween, this conversation offers practical tools to support emotional development, attachment, communication, and resilience. Dr. Kim also shares actionable strategies for managing challenging behaviors, improving listening skills, and creating more peaceful interactions at home—even for parents who don't consider themselves naturally playful.If you're looking for positive parenting techniques, play therapy-inspired strategies, behavior management tools, or ways to deepen your connection with your child, this episode is packed with evidence-informed insights and practical advice. It serves as a compassionate reminder that play is not simply a reward for good behavior—it is a child's primary language and one of the most powerful pathways to learning, regulation, communication, and connection.Get a copy of her book "Parenting Through Play" here--> https://a.co/d/0d46o1cOAbout the AuthorDr. Kim Van Dusen, LMFT, RPT, is a doctoral-level licensed marriage and family therapist, registered play therapist, parenting expert, educator, and mom of two. She specializes in working with young children, including both neurotypical and neurodiverse children, and has nearly twenty years of experience helping families use play-based, positive, and solution-focused strategies to address everyday behavioral challenges. Dr. Kim has also taught graduate-level play therapy students, supported positive behavioral systems in elementary schools, and works with a large online community of parents seeking practical support for connection, communication, and behavior. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 318 - “Book Review: Jonathan Livingston Seagull”In this episode, Michelle and Scott explore Jonathan Livingston Seagull—the timeless story about individuality, purpose, freedom, and the desire to become something more than what the world expects of you. They talk about why this simple allegorical tale continues to resonate so deeply, what it says about identity and self-discovery, and how its themes of growth, belonging, and transcendence still feel relevant today. More than a book review, this episode becomes a conversation about the courage to pursue meaning—even when it separates you from the crowd.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.

Have you ever wanted to journal but didn't know where to start — or tried and gave up because it felt too rigid, too vulnerable, or just not for you? In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623) sits down with Amber from the Catholic Counseling Institute to unpack the surprising depth of journaling as a tool for mental health and spiritual growth. From the neuroscience of narrative storytelling to inner child check-ins, morning pages to sketchbooks, this conversation covers journaling in all its forms — with warmth, humor, and real clinical insight. Topics covered: • The neuroscience of narrative and why journaling releases serotonin • Adam's simple emotional check-in method: sad, mad, glad, afraid • Free-association morning pages, sketchbooks, and non-word journaling • The Catholic history of journaling from early Church Fathers to modern saints • How to journal about trauma safely — without retraumatizing yourself • Inner child and parts work journaling for deeper self-awareness • AI and journaling: a thoughtful caution with practical guidance • A summer challenge to build a daily check-in habit Whether you're brand new to journaling or looking to deepen your practice, this episode offers something for everyone seeking a more honest, compassionate relationship with themselves. Have questions? Visit my website: adamcrossmft.com Adam Cross, LMFT #116623

Welcome back for the next journey of The Family Express Podcast with Kathryn de Bruin, LMFT and Ronda Evans, LMFT where our destination is resilient and connected families. Our guest stoday are Sara Lamb, MEd, RCT, CCC and Devonne Strachan, M.S.W., R.S.W. They will speak about parental alliance in EFFT.Kathryn de Bruin is an ICEEFT Certified EFT Trainer. Kathryn and Ronda are both licensed marriage and family therapists, EFT supervisors and therapists, and AAMFT Approved Supervisors.You can follow Kathryn de Bruin, LMFT atFacebook  YouTube  IG  Yelp  Google +  Twitter  WebsiteYou can follow Ronda Evans, LMFT atFacebook   Facebook   IG  WebsiteYou can reach Sara Lamb at www.saralamb.ca You can reach Devonna Strachan at https://www.westbridgeassociates.ca/associates/devonne-strachan/

Live Work with Ruben: Part 1 of 2 Working with Performance Anxiety in Real Time Hosts: Kevin Cornelius, LMFT Dr. David Burns Guests: Dr. Jill Levitt Ruben Land In this live work from a recent Tuesday Group, we had the opportunity to work with Ruben, a highly capable and thoughtful clinician, who brought a struggle that many therapists quietly share: intense performance anxiety in evaluative situations, especially in the presence of authority figures or people he deeply admires. What made this work especially powerful is that Ruben was actively experiencing anxiety in the moment, allowing us to "get in the car with him" rather than talk about the problem abstractly. We began, as always in TEAM-CBT, with Testing. Ruben had completed a Brief Mood Survey, which showed relatively low baseline symptoms—just mild anxiety and minimal depression or anger. However, when we reviewed his Daily Mood Log, anchored to a specific situation (leading a group under supervision), we saw a very different picture: anxiety at 70%, feelings of inferiority and defectiveness at 80%, embarrassment at 70%. This contrast highlights a core principle: symptoms are often situational and state-dependent, and without anchoring in a specific moment, we risk missing the true intensity of the problem. From there, we moved into Empathy, where Jill did a beautiful job modeling the Five Secrets of Effective Communication. She captured Ruben's internal experience with precision: the pressure to perform, the fear of saying the wrong thing, the spiral of anxiety leading to cognitive blanking, and the secondary anxiety about appearing anxious. She also identified both the internal loop ("I'm anxious about being anxious") and the interpersonal fears ("they'll think I'm a fraud," "I'm wasting their time"). David complemented this with curiosity and gentle inquiry, helping to deepen the conceptualization without getting lost in theory. Importantly, we conducted an empathy check, asking Ruben to grade us on thought empathy, feeling empathy, and warmth. He gave A+ ratings across the board, with a slight adjustment on thought empathy when he introduced an additional element: a compulsive need to check and recheck, suggesting a subtle OCD-like process. This moment is critical—without the empathy check, we would have missed an important maintaining factor. Only after strong empathy did we move into Agenda Setting, which is often the most counterintuitive and transformative part of TEAM-CBT. David began with the Invitation, asking whether Ruben wanted help or more support. Ruben was ready to "roll up his sleeves," which is essential—no imposed agenda. Then we used the Miracle Question to clarify goals: Ruben wanted to feel less anxious, maintain fluency, and stay present in high-stakes situations. Next came the Magic Button, targeting outcome resistance. When asked if he would eliminate all his negative feelings, Ruben said no—he wanted to keep some anxiety. This is exactly what we hope for. It opens the door to Positive Reframing, where we honor the symptoms rather than pathologize them. Together, we identified numerous positive values and benefits of his anxiety and self-doubt: Anxiety motivates preparation and effort It enhances connection through vulnerability It reflects caring deeply about others and their time Feelings of inadequacy keep him humble and growth-oriented Fear of judgment protects him and signals high standards Even the thought "I might be a fraud" reflects a desire to be authentic and competent At one point, Ruben articulated that his anxiety shows he values others and wants to contribute meaningfully—this is a profound reframe. Jill and David reinforced these insights, helping him see that his "symptoms" are actually expressions of his values system in action. We also explored a key factor: his anxiety is amplified in performative, evaluative contexts, especially with authority figures, and is less intense in vulnerable, non-evaluative settings. This distinction is clinically crucial and guides both conceptualization and intervention. Another powerful moment came when Ruben acknowledged that self-disclosure reduces his anxiety, supporting the idea that "shame requires secrecy." When he hides his anxiety, it intensifies; when he shares it, it softens. This is both a therapeutic tool and a treatment target. After thoroughly addressing resistance, we moved into Goal Setting, asking Ruben not what he wants to eliminate, but what he wants to dial down. This is a hallmark of TEAM: Anxiety: 70 → 30 Shame: 30 → 20 Inadequacy: 80 → 30 Embarrassment: 70 → 20 We then transitioned into Methods, targeting the thought: "My speech is too slow, and I sound foolish, ignorant, and boring." Jill began with a classic but essential step: identify the distortions. Ruben quickly identified all-or-nothing thinking, overgeneralization, mental filter, discounting positives, mind reading, fortune telling, labeling, self-blame, and hidden "shoulds." This is an important teaching point: when a thought contains nearly all distortions, it's not a problem—it's a goldmine. From there, rather than staying intellectual, we offered multiple method pathways—Externalization of Voices, Feared Fantasy, Be Specific, and Double Standard—modeling flexibility and collaboration. Ruben chose Externalization of Voices, which became the central method. David stepped in as the Negative Ruben, delivering the attack clearly and forcefully. This is essential—the more vivid the critic, the more powerful the response. Ruben responded using a blend of acceptance ("it's true I sometimes pause"), self-defense, and realism (some people may not like it, and that's okay). He won "big," but not "huge," which is a key TEAM moment—we don't settle for partial wins. They then moved into role reversal, and this is where things deepened. When Ruben played the critic and David responded, David modeled a powerful combination of self-acceptance, counterattack, and refusal to buy into the critic's frame. He highlighted that the real problem wasn't slow speech—it was the constant inner criticism. Ruben immediately recognized this as a "huge" win. Ruben then practiced again, this time integrating acceptance, values ("my heart is in the right place"), and counterattack ("the bigger problem is your nagging voice"). This time it felt huge. Next, they targeted a different thought: "If I screw up, David will be disgusted and see I'm a worthless, selfish fraud." This brought up more anxiety, and Ruben got stuck. Jill did something very important here—she paused the method and returned to empathy, naming the pressure to "do it right" and the performance anxiety happening inside the exercise itself. After empathy, they resumed. Jill modeled a powerful response in role reversal that included radical acceptance of imperfection ("I expect to screw up"), a growth mindset ("that's why I collect feedback"), and a reframe of failure as essential to learning. She also gently challenged the distortion of David as a harsh authority figure and emphasized choosing supportive learning environments. Ruben then extended this insight even further, saying, "the more I fail, the better… the more vulnerable I am, the less I appear like a fraud." This was a genuine shift. They then moved into Feared Fantasy, with David playing "David from Hell," saying things like "you're incompetent," "you're worthless," and "you should find another profession." Ruben responded by using Be Specific, asking what exactly he had done wrong. When the answer became "you paused," the entire structure of the criticism collapsed. Ruben saw the absurdity and described the experience as a weight lifting. This is a classic TEAM moment—when global, harsh judgments are reduced to specific, manageable behaviors, they lose their power. They extended this further with the thought "I'm wasting people's time." Through additional role plays, Ruben practiced self-defense and purpose clarification, David used humor and counterattack, and Jill demonstrated Be Specific in a very precise way—asking exactly how long a pause should be, exposing the irrationality of the standard. The work then expanded to include the group. Participants used Externalization of Voices to challenge Ruben's thoughts, and Ruben responded with increasing strength and clarity, using self-acceptance and reversal of beliefs (for example, recognizing that vulnerability actually increases connection). David then introduced the Survey Technique, asking Ruben to directly check his assumptions with the group. The responses were striking—people reported never noticing pauses, experiencing him as thoughtful and engaging, and feeling more connected because of his style. This directly disconfirmed his mind reading and labeling. At the end, they returned to Testing. Anxiety went from 70 to 0, shame from 30 to 0, inadequacy from 80 to 10, embarrassment from 70 to 0, rejection from 40 to 0, and frustration from 30 to 0. Ruben reported that the change felt real and that his belief in the negative thoughts had dropped dramatically. When asked what created the breakthrough, Ruben identified two key moments. First, a deep emotional realization that the goal is actually to make mistakes—that failure is not something to avoid but something to embrace. Second, a shift in how he saw authority figures—recognizing that the perceived gap between himself and others was distorted. As that sense of separation dissolved, so did much of the anxiety. David highlighted that much of our suffering comes from that artificial separation—seeing others as powerful and ourselves as deficient. Jill added an important layer: when we assume others are harsh, judgmental, and critical, we are also distorting them, not just ourselves. Some key clinical takeaways: Externalization of Voices becomes especially powerful when it includes emotion, repetition, and role reversal. Feared Fantasy works best when the criticism becomes specific and even a bit absurd. The Survey Technique is extremely effective for dismantling mind-reading. And often, breakthrough comes when patients fully embrace failure and let go of perfectionism. Let Us Know What You Think of This Episode Please use this link to take a very brief survey and share your opinion with us about this episode Contact Information You can reach Jill Levitt, PhD Jill Levitt . Jill is cofounder and Director of Clinical Training at The Feeling Good Institute (www.feelinggoodinstitute.com) in Mountain View, California.  Ruben Land is an Associate Social Worker at Feeling Good Institute. He provides psychotherapy, using TEAM-CBT, and is available to work with clients in California. You can reach Ruben at ruben@feelinggoodinstitute.com and visit him online at this link. 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!

Allyship Is Awkward: How Therapists Can Keep Showing Up Anyway What if the awkwardness of ally work is not a sign you are doing it wrong, but the actual work? Curt Widhalm, LMFT, and Katie Vernoy, LMFT explore what it looks like to do ally work as a therapist when you hold majority identities the people around you do not share. They move across three zones where this shows up: with clients in the therapy room, with colleagues and consultants in professional spaces, and in broader community and advocacy work. Drawing on their own missteps and on the work of creators like Ashani Mfuko of Anti-Racism School Is In Session and Dr. Raquel Martin of Mind Ya Mental, Curt and Katie make a direct case to white, cis, straight, and other majority-identity therapists: cultural humility is not a credential, fragility shifts the labor onto the people around you, and the strong feelings that come with ally work belong with other allies, not with clients or colleagues of color. This is an episode about staying in the room, decentering yourself, and learning to fail better. In this episode, we discuss: Why ally work is inherently awkward, and why that is not a problem to be solved How fragility, over-apologizing, and gold-star seeking shift the emotional labor onto clients and colleagues of color What repair actually looks like when a cross-cultural rupture happens in session Why being called out by a client can be a sign the relationship is alive enough to repair How to process defensiveness and hurt with other allies instead of with clients or colleagues of color Why cultural humility is not a free pass, and what therapists owe their own continuing education How consultation with diverse colleagues protects clients from being conscripted as your teacher Ally work is ongoing. The goal is not to stop making mistakes. The goal is to keep failing better. Full show notes and resources: mtsgpodcast.com Join the Modern Therapist Community: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/mtsgpodcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/therapyreimagined Modern Therapist's Survival Guide Creative Credits: Voice Over by DW McCann: https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/ Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano: https://groomsymusic.com/

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What is acceptance is the requirement for growht? What would life look like if you just stopped trying to fix yourself? That's the question at the heart of this conversation with returning guest Alli Spotts-De Lazzer, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Eating Disorders Specialist who has spent nearly 20 years working with people around eating, body image, and the experience of living in a body.We dig into why self-esteem is a shaky foundation in midlife, when opinions of ourselves rise and fall with every hormonal shift and identity change. Alli's working definition of self-acceptance cuts deeper: choosing to stay with yourself even when shame, judgment, ego, or fear try to pull you away. It's knowing yourself, plus self-compassion, plus the willingness to face reality.The biggest misunderstanding we tackle: acceptance is not resignation. Resignation says "it is what it is, there's nothing I can do." Acceptance says "it is what it is. What's next?" One keeps you stuck. The other creates the conditions for growth.We also do a live, unscripted experiment using my own belly and body image history, which turned into one of the most unexpectedly moving moments I've had on this podcast. Alli also shares news about her new book, My Child Has an Eating Disorder: An Essential Guide for Parents of Kids, Teens, and Adults (Bloomsbury Academic, 2026).Connect with Alli: Website: allispottsdelazzer.com Instagram: @allispottsdelazzerRelated episodes:#57 - Story Session: What this therapist wants you to know about making midlife meaningFULL with Alli Spotts-De Lazzer#141 - Trusting Your Body: Finding Peace Through Grief with Nina Manolson#92 - From Body Grief to Body Acceptance: The Way Forward with Amanda Mittman, RD #109 - The Body Acceptance Mistake That's Keeping You Stuck in the Suck What did you think of this episode? Click here and let me know!

Disclaimer: This episode contains explicit conversations regarding sex and physical intimacy. It is not suitable for little ears. Please use headphones or save this episode for later if you have children nearby.In this episode of the Married and Connected podcast, host Kameran sits down with Keri Green, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and certified sex therapist, for a highly practical and direct conversation about the realities of physical and emotional connection in marriage.Drawing from their professional expertise and personal experiences navigating divorce and dating, Kameran and Keri tackle the tough, often unspoken challenges couples face. From the impact of "sex sabbaticals" to managing mismatched libidos and performance anxiety, this episode provides actionable, evidence-based tools to help you and your partner build safety, trust, and genuine pleasure in your relationship.Key TakeawaysStaying for the Kids: A candid look at why waiting for the kids to grow up before addressing a fractured marriage often backfires, and why modeling a healthy relationship is paramount.The Danger of "Sex Sabbaticals": Why withholding intimacy as a punishment ultimately hurts both partners and turns spouses into mere roommates.Mismatched Sex Drives: Practical steps for bridging the gap when partners have drastically different desires for the frequency or type of sex, starting with redefining what "sex" actually means.Transitioning from Manager to Lover: How to drop the mental load of household chores and transition into an intimate headspace, including why foreplay actually starts the moment you wake up.Performance Anxiety: Understanding that both men and women experience physical and mental pressure in the bedroom, and how building body confidence and emotional safety counters it.Introducing Novelty: Why spicing up a long-term monogamous relationship doesn't require extreme measures—small, consistent changes in environment or routine make a massive difference.Notable Quotes"Foreplay begins the minute we wake up. Foreplay is anything we do throughout the day to show our partner we love them, we appreciate them, we're attracted to them." — Keri Green"Comfort first, pleasure second. We cannot find pleasure to the point where we want to, where we deserve to in a sexual experience unless we're comfortable." — Keri Green"It takes two people to start a relationship. It only takes one to end it." — Keri Green"The best sex that you can possibly have is with someone where you have so much trust and emotional intimacy and knowing, and not just honesty, but transparency." — KameranConnect with Keri GreenKeri Green is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Sex Therapist practicing in California and Colorado. She helps individuals and couples navigate relational and sexual challenges to build the sex lives they actually want.Website: Keri Green, LMFT, CST | Online TherapyWork with KameranLooking for practical, direct support for your marriage? Kameran provides relationship and marriage coaching focused on evidence-based tools and individual responsibility. Please note: Kameran offers relationship coaching rather than traditional therapy, and services are not eligible for insurance reimbursement.WebsiteVerafy your relationship Join the SKOOL CommunitySupport the show

A lot of people are curious about non-monogamy. But there's a big difference between liking the idea of it and knowing whether it genuinely fits your emotional needs, attachment style, and relationship temperament. So how do you know if non-monogamy is right for you? That's what we're exploring in this episode. I am joined once again by Kate Loree, LMFT, a sex-positive psychotherapist, author, and speaker specializing in trauma, relationships, sexuality, and non-traditional relationship structures. She is the author of Open Deeply: A Guide to Building Conscious, Compassionate Open Relationships. She also co-hosts the Open Deeply podcast with Sunny Megatron. Some of the specific topics we explore include: How can you tell whether you genuinely want non-monogamy or simply like the idea of it? What are signs you may be overriding yourself to make non-monogamy work? How can you assess whether non-monogamy is a good fit for you? How can you safely and honestly explore the relationship style that fits you best? Learn more about Kate’s work by visiting her website. Got a sex question? Send me a podcast voicemail to have it answered on a future episode at speakpipe.com/sexandpsychology. *** Thank you to our sponsors!  Soaking Wet from VB Health is the world’s first probiotic specifically designed for vaginal and vulva health and wellness. It’s a doctor formulated blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and vitamins specifically designed to restore balance and increase lubrication. Visit vb.health and use code JUSTIN for 10% off. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Bluesky to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

Hernan Barenboim, PhD, PCC, LMFT, is the Chief Wellness Officer at the KPC Group in Menifee, California. He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and is a registered psychologist. After moving to the US, he completed a PhD in Medical Family Therapy at the University of Saint Louis and a fellowship in Medical Family Therapy at the Chicago Center for Family Health. He has more than 20 years of clinical experience, including providing psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families, supervising mental health students, and teaching culturally informed behavioral science to family medicine residents. In addition to his clinical experience, Dr. Barenboim has been a consultant in health equity, cultural competence, and integrated care for several national and international companies.Thanks for tuning in! Check out more episodes of The Well-Being Connector at www.bethejoy.org/podcast.

What happens when ADHD and betrayal trauma collide in the same family? This episode is one of the most important conversations we've had on the podcast — and it's one that doesn't get talked about enough in the recovery space.Hali Roderick, CPC, ACC, sits down with two incredible therapists to unpack how ADHD shows up across every part of the betrayal trauma family system — from the person with problematic sexual behaviors, to the betrayed partner, to the children caught in the middle.Monifa Ellis-Addie, LMFT, CSAT, CCSP Monifa is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in anxiety and intimacy issues that spawn from incongruences in sexuality. Her work supports individuals navigating the complex process of healing after sexual betrayal. Website: Banyon Therapy Group Instagram:  @intimateanswers Podcast: Hope & Healing ChatsMorgan Ellsworth, LAMFT, CCSP Morgan is a therapist who specializes in supporting individuals navigating the impact of betrayal trauma within family systems. She is especially passionate about helping teen and adult children process the complexities of betrayal in the family system, while also supporting parents as they learn how to best care for and support their children through the healing process.  Website:  Ellsworth Family Therapy  Instagram: @healing.betrayed.families Podcast: Healing Betrayed FamiliesEnjoyed This Episode?If this conversation resonated with you, here are three ways you can support the show:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Leave a Review

In this episode, DB welcomes back three-time guest Dr. Lexx Brown-James to talk about what she's learned from working with folks in relationships for almost two decades. From gaining confidence to giving yourself the time you need to the dating apps, let's break down some of what post-divorce folks might experience in dating. What is it like getting back into the dating pool after a divorce? In one word, according to Dr. Lexx: intentional. ABOUT OUR GUEST: Dr. Lexx Brown-James, LMFT, CSE, CSES is a premiere sexologist centering pleasure as a connective tool for shame free sexuality education and building intimate partner connection. As an AASECT certified sexuality educator and supervisor, Dr. Lexx lectures, trains, and does therapy for academic, professional and general audiences. As a multiple time best seller, Dr. Lexx is an international sexologist. Featured in prominent media like CNN, Essence, It Gets Better, Scary Mommy, and Therapy for Black Girls, Dr. Lexx's goal is to educate others about sexuality from womb to tomb. FROM THIS EPISODE: Come to our Bi Flirting Night on 6/12 in Oakland, CA! | Nicole Kidman divorce meme | Princess Diana revenge dress image and Wikipedia page dedicated entirely to this dress TAKE OUR SMUT QUIZ: Find your page-turning turn-on with our new SMUT QUIZ! In just 5 questions, you'll get right to the good stuff with curated pages, poems, and audios. No slow burn. No fluff. Just pleasure.; Take the quiz here: https://sexedwithdb.fillout.com/smutquiz  ASK AN ANONYMOUS SEX ED QUESTION: Fill out our anonymous form to ask your sex ed question. ABOUT SEX ED WITH DB: Sex Ed with DB is your go-to podcast for smart, science-backed sex education — delivering trusted insights from top experts on sex, sexuality, and pleasure. Empowering, inclusive, and grounded in real science, it's the sex ed you've always wanted. Season 14 of Sex Ed with DB is ALL ABOUT PLEASURE! Solo pleasure. Partnered pleasure. Orgasms. Porn. Queer joy. Kinks, sex toys, fantasies -- you name it. We're here to help you feel more informed, more empowered, and a whole lot more turned on to help YOU have the best sex. GET IN TOUCH: Email: sexedwithdb@gmail.com CONNECT WITH US: Instagram: @sexedwithdbpodcast; TikTok: @sexedwithdb; Threads: @sexedwithdbpodcast; YouTube: Sex Ed with DB; X: @sexedwithdb SEX ED WITH DB SEASON 14 SPONSORS: Uberlube, Magic Wand, Nancy, and Happy V. Get discounts on all of DB's favorite things here! DISCOVER SEX POSITIVE EVENTS IN YOUR CITY: Subscribe to our newsletter for S.E.X I.R.L: your curated monthly list of sex-positive events, spaces, and experiences happening in person across major cities. FOR SEXUAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS: Check out DB's workshop: "Building A Profitable Online Sexual Health Brand" SEASON 14 TEAM: Creator, Host & Executive Producer: Danielle Bezalel (DB) (she/her); Producer and Growth Marketing Manager: Wil Williams (they/them); Social Media & Communications Manager: Iva Markicevic Daley (she/her) MUSIC: Intro theme music: Hook Sounds; Background music: Bright State by Ketsa; Ad music: Soul Sync by Ketsa, Always Faithful by Ketsa, and Soul Epic by Ketsa.; Thank you Ketsa!

In the opening episode of The Psychology of Money series, Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ and Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT explore one of the most overlooked drivers of financial success: mindset. Long before people learn how to invest, budget, or build wealth, they develop internal “money scripts” — subconscious beliefs shaped by childhood experiences, family dynamics, culture, and personal history. Together, Erik and Matt unpack how these invisible beliefs influence everything from spending habits and lifestyle expectations to fear, scarcity, ambition, and financial anxiety. Through relatable stories, humor, and real-world examples, they explain why wealth-building is often less about intelligence and more about the mental filters through which we interpret money. The episode challenges listeners to begin identifying the stories they carry about money — and whether those stories are helping or hurting their future. Episode Highlights: Erik explains how mindset functions as a constant background filter for the way people think about and approach money. (03:00) Dr. Matt discusses how scarcity mindset surfaces in couples when partners feel they will never have enough or get ahead. (08:50) Building awareness and changing behavior are the keys to rewiring a money mindset. (14:40) Erik shares how the most valuable client conversations focus on mindset and behavior rather than technical financial advice. (16:50) Dr. Matt shares a starting point for exploring money scripts by reflecting on what a family communicated about money. (18:20) Key Quotes: "Building wealth, having financial success has as much to do with behavior, with managing emotions, all that psychology stuff than it does with the technical stuff about money" - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ "There's a script running in the background. We don't just act rationally with money. We are acting out a story about our beliefs about money." - Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT "We're using mindset and script synonymously, so take time to understand your money scripts. They probably came from your family of origin, so take some time. If you have a spouse, take some time to understand theirs also." - Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT Resources Mentioned: Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT Matt Morris & Associates Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors

People often think successful non-monogamy comes down to communication, boundaries, and relationship agreements. But underneath those conversations are deeper psychological dynamics involving attachment, emotional safety, and nervous system regulation. In today's episode, we're exploring what it means to approach consensual non-monogamy through a trauma-informed lens. My guest is Kate Loree, LMFT, a sex-positive psychotherapist, author, and speaker specializing in trauma, relationships, sexuality, and non-traditional relationship structures. She is the author of Open Deeply: A Guide to Building Conscious, Compassionate Open Relationships. She also co-hosts the Open Deeply podcast with Sunny Megatron. Some of the specific topics we explore in this episode include: What does “trauma-informed non-monogamy” actually mean? What are signs someone may be consenting without truly feeling grounded internally? How can somatic tracking help us better understand our intuitions? How can jealousy be reframed as a source of curiosity rather than anxiety? How can people assess whether they're emotionally ready for consensual non-monogamy? Learn more about Kate’s work by visiting her website. Got a sex question? Send me a podcast voicemail to have it answered on a future episode at speakpipe.com/sexandpsychology. *** Thank you to our sponsors!  Soaking Wet from VB Health is the world’s first probiotic specifically designed for vaginal and vulva health and wellness. It’s a doctor formulated blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and vitamins specifically designed to restore balance and increase lubrication. Visit vb.health and use code JUSTIN for 10% off. If you’re looking to gain a broad understanding of human sexuality or refresh your knowledge, check out the upcoming Human Sexuality Intensive courses at the Kinsey Institute: https://kinseyinstitute.org/learning/human-sexuality-intensive.html  *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Bluesky to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.

This week we sat down with the incredible Heidi Clements — Instagram's favorite authentic voice.We talk about ketamine, imposter syndrome, how Heidi reframed her relationship to social media as simply journaling, the inner critic, aging with zero shame and more.Plus Heidi shares some big news she hasn't made public yet

Ep. 63. Justin Gregory Briggs, Ph.D., LMFT and his co-hosts talk about desire and the benefits that come with understanding what it is, how to create it, and what it means. This episode features Seth Frank, Joshua Hardee, and Rachel Simon.

Episode 317 - “Ending Things Well”Not every ending has to become a disaster to matter deeply. Some endings arrive quietly. A relationship changes. A chapter closes. A role, routine, or version of life comes to an end. And often, what stays with us most is not just that something ended… but how it ended. In this episode, Michelle and Scott explore the emotional complexity of endings—why they affect us so deeply, why people often avoid them or handle them poorly, and what it means to bring honesty, care, and clarity into the closing of something meaningful. This isn't about making endings painless. It's about understanding that closure is less about perfection… and more about the way we leave each other when something can no longer continue.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.

In the opening episode of The Psychology of Money series, Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ and Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT explore one of the most overlooked drivers of financial success: mindset. Long before people learn how to invest, budget, or build wealth, they develop internal “money scripts” — subconscious beliefs shaped by childhood experiences, family dynamics, culture, and personal history. Together, Erik and Matt unpack how these invisible beliefs influence everything from spending habits and lifestyle expectations to fear, scarcity, ambition, and financial anxiety. Through relatable stories, humor, and real-world examples, they explain why wealth-building is often less about intelligence and more about the mental filters through which we interpret money. The episode challenges listeners to begin identifying the stories they carry about money — and whether those stories are helping or hurting their future. Episode Highlights: Erik explains how mindset functions as a constant background filter for the way people think about and approach money. (03:00) Dr. Matt discusses how scarcity mindset surfaces in couples when partners feel they will never have enough or get ahead. (08:50) Building awareness and changing behavior are the keys to rewiring a money mindset. (14:40) Erik shares how the most valuable client conversations focus on mindset and behavior rather than technical financial advice. (16:50) Dr. Matt shares a starting point for exploring money scripts by reflecting on what a family communicated about money. (18:20) Key Quotes: "Building wealth, having financial success has as much to do with behavior, with managing emotions, all that psychology stuff than it does with the technical stuff about money" - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ "There's a script running in the background. We don't just act rationally with money. We are acting out a story about our beliefs about money." - Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT "We're using mindset and script synonymously, so take time to understand your money scripts. They probably came from your family of origin, so take some time. If you have a spouse, take some time to understand theirs also." - Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT Resources Mentioned: Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT Matt Morris & Associates Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors

The Moment You're in Matters More Than the One You Remember You Can Recover from Trauma by Focusing on the Present Hosts:Kevin Cornelius, LMFT Dr. David Burns Episode Overview In this powerful episode, Dr. David Burns shares transformative insights from decades of clinical experience treating depression and trauma. Through compelling real-life stories, he challenges the traditional belief that healing requires deep exploration of the past. Instead, he reveals that you do not need to deal with the past to overcome the impact of trauma or recover from depression. Real change can happen rapidly by focusing on thoughts in the present moment. Key Takeaways You don't need to explore the past—even for trauma Dr. Burns challenges the idea that recovery requires revisiting painful memories. You do not need to deal with the past to overcome the impact of trauma. Instead, healing comes from addressing the thoughts and beliefs you're having right now. Thoughts—not events—create emotional suffering Depression and trauma-related distress are driven by distorted thinking. When those thoughts are exposed as untrue, emotional relief can be immediate. Rapid recovery is possible—even in severe cases Patients can experience dramatic improvement in just a few sessions—or even minutes. Trauma patients, often considered "hard to treat," can respond quickly using present-focused methods. "You do not need to deal with the past to overcome the impact of trauma or recover from depression. All of your suffering is contained in how you're thinking in this moment—and when you change those thoughts, you can change how you feel immediately." Resources Mentioned Feeling Great App – Free tool for improving mood and applying CBT techniques Dr. Burns' Website – Free resources, tools, and exercises Psychology Today Articles – Scroll the page for many articles by David Final Thought If you're struggling right now, there is hope—and possibly faster relief than you've been led to believe. You don't have to spend years digging into your past. By examining your thoughts in the present moment, you may already have everything you need to start feeling better today. https://traffic.libsyn.com/feelinggood/Episode_504_-_Feeling_Good_Podcast.mp3 Listener Invitation Have a question you'd like Dr. Burns to answer in a future episode?Submit it through the Feeling Great app or the Feeling Good Podcast website. Let Us Know What You Think of This Episode Please use this link to take a very brief survey and share your opinion with us about this episode Contact Information Kevin Cornelius, LMFT is a Level 5 Certified Master TEAM-CBT Therapist and Trainer and the Clinical Director of Feeling Good Institute--Silicon Valley. He specializes in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship problems and insomnia. You can reach Kevin at kevin@feelinggoodinstitute.com and visit his website at www.tools4change.me. You can reach Dr. Burns at david@feelinggood.com. Feeling down in these turbulent times? Take a ride on our Feeling Great app Feeling Great feels wonderful! You owe it to yourself to feel GREAT! Give the Greatest Gifts of ALL--Love and Happiness!

The human desire for connection and relationship is real and powerful.Especially when tacos are involved.Vonda Tiede, LMFT tells her side of the story.Support the showThank you for listening, and a very special thank you to our community of supporters!Join our email list and never miss an episode or an eventVisit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.Follow us on Instagram & FacebookInterested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for IntegrationMusic: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.

The Seven Stages of Queer Love: Therapy with Queer Couples, Queer Sex, and the Developmental Model - An Interview with Tom Bruett, LMFT Tom Bruett, LMFT on the seven stages of queer relationship development, the Developmental Model, queer couples therapy, and queer sex. Curt and Katie talk with Tom Bruett, LMFT, founder of the Queer Relationship Institute, about what therapists most often get wrong when working with queer couples, why queer sex is still treated as an asterisk in most sex therapy training, and how the Developmental Model of Relationship Therapy can be expanded to better reflect queer experience. Trained under Drs. Ellyn Bader and Peter Pearson, Tom adds two stages to the five-stage Developmental Model: Second Queer Adolescence and Agreement. The expanded seven-stage model gives therapists a clearer way to track differentiation, autonomy, and connection in queer relationships that do not fit the standard "relationship escalator." Tom is the author of The Go-To Relationship Guide for Gay Men: From Honeymoon to Lasting Commitment (Jessica Kingsley Publishers). This is a useful conversation for therapists working with queer couples, sex therapists, couples therapists trained in heteronormative models, and queer therapists looking for better tools and community for this work. In this episode, we discuss: - What therapists most often get wrong with queer couples and queer sex - The Seven Stages of Queer Relationship Development, including Tom's two additions - Why a "second queer adolescence" matters clinically - Mutual interdependence versus codependence in gay male relationships - Minority stress, the relationship escalator, and queer identity formation - How the current political moment is showing up in queer couples therapy - Trauma activation, nervous-system regulation, and slowing the work down - Support for queer therapists working through a difficult cultural moment Timestamps: 02:28 - What therapists get wrong with queer couples and queer sex 04:43 - Sex therapy training and the asterisk problem 08:20 - The Seven Stages of Queer Relationship Development 13:00 - Mutual interdependence versus codependence 17:39 - The relationship escalator and minority stress 21:14 - The current political moment in queer couples therapy 25:18 - Trauma, regulation, and slowing down the work 27:08 - Writing The Go-To Relationship Guide for Gay Men 33:21 - Doing the work on the back end, not asking clients to educate you 34:13 - Where to find Tom and the Queer Relationship Institute Guest Bio: Tom Bruett, LMFT is a therapist, trainer, consultant, and author who works extensively with the queer community. He is the founder of the Queer Relationship Institute, which provides therapy for queer folx and training for therapists who work with queer relationships. Tom has trained under Drs. Ellyn Bader and Peter Pearson in the Developmental Model of Relationship Therapy, which he now trains other therapists in. His book The Go-To Relationship Guide for Gay Men: From Honeymoon to Lasting Commitment is published by JKP. Tom has spoken at national conferences including AASECT. Learn more at www.QueerRelationshipInstitute.com. Full show notes and transcript: mtsgpodcast.com Join the Modern Therapist Community Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/mtsgpodcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/therapyreimagined Modern Therapist's Survival Guide Creative Credits Voice Over by DW McCann: https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/ Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano: https://groomsymusic.com/

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! Dr. George James joins the podcast to discuss his new book I Give Myself Permission: Take Risks. Be Imperfect. Live Boldly and the psychological barriers that keep people stuck even when they have insight into their patterns, trauma, and history. The conversation explores the idea that lasting change is not simply about awareness, but about developing an internal sense of authorization to live differently.Drs. Kelly and James discuss how personal narratives become deeply embedded over time through family systems, attachment experiences, perfectionism, chronic stress, and systemic injustice — and why many people intellectually understand themselves while still feeling emotionally trapped in old roles and identities. The discussion examines how these narratives shape what people believe they are “allowed” to pursue in relationships, work, leadership, and identity development.The episode explores the overlap between narrative therapy, CBT, family systems, and culturally informed approaches to treatment, including how therapists can help clients identify distorted narratives while still validating very real structural barriers and trauma histories. Dr. James also discusses racial trauma, injustice stress, and the importance of balancing empowerment with realism in clinical work.Other themes include:The psychology of perfectionism and self-worthAttachment trauma and high achievementLeadership burnout and “sacrifice syndrome”Mid-life identity shifts and reinventionBehavioral activation, risk-taking, and fear responsesWhy insight alone is often insufficient for changeThe role of self-compassion in identity transformationHow therapists can integrate “permission language” into treatmentDr. George James, PsyD, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist, executive coach, and internationally recognized speaker with more than two decades of clinical experience. He is the founder of George Talks and specializes in narrative transformation, leadership development, racial trauma, and family systems work.His book, I Give Myself Permission: Take Risks. Be Imperfect. Live Boldly (New Harbinger Publications, 2026), examines how inherited narratives, chronic stress, perfectionism, and systemic pressures shape identity — and how reclaiming permission can create space for courage, healing, and meaningful change.

In this episode of It Takes Balls, licensed marriage and family therapist Renee Calhoun joins the podcast to discuss one of the most overlooked aspects of a testicular cancer diagnosis: the emotional and relational impact it can have on patients, partners, children, and families.Drawing from her professional experience as an LMFT, Renee explains how cancer affects far more than physical health. The conversation explores the fear, uncertainty, anxiety, and identity shifts that often follow a diagnosis, especially for men who may feel pressure to stay strong or avoid emotional vulnerability. She also shares practical insight into how couples can communicate more effectively during treatment and recovery, even when both partners are struggling in different ways.Renee also offers guidance for parents trying to explain cancer to children, emphasizing the importance of honest, age-appropriate conversations and emotional openness within the family.Throughout the discussion, Renee highlights why mental health support should be viewed as an important part of the cancer journey not just for patients, but for caregivers and loved ones as well. Her perspective brings a compassionate and practical voice to conversations that many families struggle to navigate alone.Provide your feedback on the podcast:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/itbsurveyHave a question for a future expert guest? Submit here:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-question-submissionWant to be a guest? Apply here:https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/it-takes-balls-submissionsFollow Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:⁠https://www.testescancer.orghttps://www.twitter.com/testescancer⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/testescancerhttps://www.facebook.com/tca.orgConnect with Reneehttps://www.reneecalhounlmft.comFollow Steven Crocker:https://www.instagram.com/stevencrockerhttps://www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2Theme song: No Time Like Now - Tom Willner www.tomwillner.com

In this episode of The Sensitive and Neurodivergent Podcast, Julie Bjelland, LMFT, shares what she has learned from thousands of conversations with autistic women, her own late autism discovery, autism assessments, and her work writing Autistic Women: A Clinician's Guide to Neurodiversity-Affirming Identification and Support.Julie explores common themes many autistic women recognize in themselves, including feeling different, deep empathy, sensory sensitivity, masking, burnout, chronic overwhelm, perfectionism, social exhaustion, uneven capacity, self-blame, and the healing shift that can happen through autism discovery. She also discusses why so many highly sensitive people later discover they are autistic and why lived experience is essential to understanding autism in women.This conversation offers a compassionate, affirming lens for anyone exploring autism, high sensitivity, neurodivergence, or late discovery. Julie reminds listeners that what may have been interpreted as failure may actually have been extraordinary effort that went unseen for years.Resources Mentioned:Forthcoming book Autistic Women: A Clinician's Guide to Neurodiversity-Affirming Identification and Support Published by W. W. NortonYour website JulieBjelland.comFree autism quizExtensive resources and research about late-discovered autismThe Sensitive and Neurodivergent CommunityAdult self-assessments Formal autism assessments for womenAuthor BioJulie Bjelland, LMFT, is a psychotherapist, author, adult-discovered autistic woman, and founder of The Sensitive and Neurodivergent Community, Podcast, and Blog. She specializes in high sensitivity, autism assessments for late-discovered autistic women, and supporting sensitive and neurodivergent people in understanding their nervous systems with more self-compassion. Julie is the author of the forthcoming book Autistic Women: A Clinician's Guide to Neurodiversity-Affirming Identification and Support, published by W. W. Norton. Learn more at JulieBjelland.com.

Michael Pezzullo, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist, gay men's therapist, relationship coach, speaker, and creator of Therapy for Gay Men. His work focuses on helping gay men understand the deeper emotional and relational patterns shaping their dating lives, sexuality, attraction, confidence, self-worth, trauma, addiction, intimacy, and relationships.In this conversation, Michael Pezzullo and Dr. Joe Kort explore why gay men often repeat the same dating and relationship patterns, why emotionally unavailable men can feel so compelling, and how early experiences, insecurity, shame, and the desire to belong can influence who men pursue and what they tolerate in relationships. Michael discusses how many gay men may feel stuck not because they lack insight, but because deeper emotional patterns continue to shape their choices beneath the surface.They also discuss gay identity, labels, and the difference between calling oneself gay, queer, or something else entirely. Michael and Dr. Kort talk about why language can feel empowering for some people and painful for others, especially when certain words were once used as slurs. They also explore generational differences, individual identity, and why it is important to let people define themselves in the language that feels most accurate to them.The conversation also looks at gay dating, body image, self-worth, and the pressure some men feel to fit into certain gay spaces or beauty standards. Michael shares his perspective on dating in places like West Hollywood, the myth that more options always make dating easier, and how comparison, insecurity, and the search for belonging can shape gay men's experiences in community, sex, and relationships.Michael and Dr. Kort also discuss open relationships, monogamy, porn, sexual confidence, erectile dysfunction medication, gay shame, and the importance of honest communication between partners. They explore why open relationships are not automatically better or worse than monogamy, why both require negotiation and emotional honesty, and why gay men need more space to talk openly about what works, what does not, and what actually feels safe and meaningful.Listen to this Smart Sex, Smart Love episode as Dr. Joe Kort talks with Michael Pezzullo about gay dating patterns, emotionally unavailable men, gay shame, open relationships, self-worth, sexuality, labels, body image, and what it takes for gay men to build stronger intimacy, confidence, and emotional safety.Support the show

You can't forgive a narcissistic or emotionally immature partner—and you think that makes you a bad person. It doesn't. For anyone who's been on the receiving end of years of criticism, betrayal, or being subtly "nothinged" in a relationship, the well-meaning prescription to "just forgive and forget" can sting more than the original harm. In this follow-up to his earlier episode on acceptance versus forgiveness, Tony goes deeper into the architecture beneath it—why your nervous system can't comply on someone else's timeline, and what actually hands the keys back to you. In this episode, you'll: Meet Wally and Edwina—a case study in nice guy syndrome, covert contracts, and what twenty years of co-dysregulation can do to a body before it lands you in the ER Understand why forgiveness is other-validated (it requires the harm-doer's participation) while acceptance is self-validated and yours to complete on your own timeline Explore David Schnarch's four points of balance and the concept of borrowed functioning—how you end up renting your sense of "okay-ness" from a critical partner Learn why James Coan's social baseline theory means solo mindfulness is only half the story, and what calm, confident energy actually looks like when it lands in the body Hear a faith-centered reframe for Christian listeners who've been told that good forgiveness means swimming harder while still inside the wreckage With over twenty years and 1,700+ couples in his clinical practice, Tony Overbay, LMFT, brings the framework beneath a phrase you've heard a thousand times. If you've been quietly running a covert contract or beating yourself up for not being able to "just let it go," this episode is for you. You're not broken. You're human—and you're right where you need to be. 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 01:11 Meet Edwina Criticism 03:31 Covert Contract Explained 05:18 ER Wake Up Call 06:57 Edwina Reaction Fallout 09:11 Years Later Apathy 10:15 Therapy Apology Rage 11:31 Pastor Says Forgive 14:30 Episode Setup Questions 15:29 Acceptance Versus Forgiveness 17:27 Differentiation Co Regulation 21:11 Narcissism Versus Immaturity 26:13 Emotional Maturity Skills 31:33 Lens One Differentiation 34:27 Social Baseline Theory 35:26 Wally's Chaos Sync 37:46 Edwina's Criticism Roots 39:32 Calm Confident Energy 40:13 Four Points Balance 45:24 Acceptance Needs Safety 49:24 Forgiveness Versus Acceptance 52:55 Pressure to Forgive 56:29 Acceptance for Believers 01:02:53 What We Learned Today 01:08:35 Wally's Ongoing Healing

What happens when eating disorder recovery starts colliding with nervous system overwhelm? In this episode of the Dr. Marianne-Land podcast, Dr. Marianne Miller explores one of the most confusing parts of restrictive eating disorder recovery: learning how to tell the difference between genuine nervous system dysregulation and eating disorder avoidance disguised as self-protection. Many people with anorexia, ARFID, orthorexia, chronic dieting histories, OCD, autism, ADHD, trauma, or sensory processing challenges struggle to know when they truly need accommodations and support versus when the eating disorder is quietly shrinking their world through avoidance. This episode explores why restrictive eating disorders often borrow the language of nervous system regulation, why food anxiety does not always mean danger, and why recovery sometimes requires gentle exposure to discomfort instead of waiting to feel completely “safe” before eating. When “Listening to Your Body” Gets Complicated in Eating Disorder Recovery Social media often promotes messages about protecting your peace, avoiding discomfort, and never forcing yourself into situations that feel activating. But what happens when restrictive eating disorders begin using that language to reinforce food fear, rigidity, and avoidance? In this episode, Dr. Marianne talks about: Anxiety Around Eating and Restrictive Eating Disorders Why anxiety during meals does not automatically mean you are unsafe. How starvation and undernourishment intensify emotional dysregulation, obsessive thinking, rigidity, panic, sensory sensitivity, and distress tolerance difficulties. Why many people get trapped waiting to feel calm enough to eat while restriction continues worsening nervous system symptoms. ARFID, Autism, ADHD, and Sensory Food Struggles Why neurodivergent people often need both accommodations and recovery support at the same time. How sensory overwhelm, executive functioning challenges, contamination fears, and burnout can complicate restrictive eating disorder recovery. Why recovery does not need to become harsh or punishing in order to challenge avoidance patterns. Restrictive Eating Disorders and the “Shrinking Life” Pattern How anorexia, ARFID, and restrictive eating disorders gradually narrow food choices, social experiences, spontaneity, travel, and daily functioning. Why temporary anxiety relief from food avoidance can increase long-term nervous system sensitivity. How to begin recognizing when the eating disorder is quietly gaining more control over your life. Neurodivergent-Affirming Support for ARFID and Selective Eating Dr. Marianne also shares more about her ARFID and selective eating course, which explores restrictive eating through a neurodivergent-affirming lens. The course addresses sensory sensitivities, executive functioning challenges, nervous system regulation, autonomy needs, accommodations, and gentle food expansion without shame-based recovery approaches. Related Episodes Fear of Uncertainty in Eating Disorder Recovery: Why It Feels So Terrifying + 5 Practical Skills That Help on Apple and Spotify. An Open Letter to the Body: Listening to the Part That Fears Getting Better on Apple and Spotify. Eating Disorders as Safety Systems: Why Letting Go Can Trigger Fear on Apple and Spotify. If Recovery Feels Unsafe Right Now: A Guided Moment for Eating Disorder Recovery Fear on Apple and Spotify. About Dr. Marianne Miller Dr. Marianne Miller, LMFT is a fat eating disorder therapist, podcast host, and educator specializing in ARFID, binge eating disorder, anorexia, neurodivergence, OCD, and restrictive eating disorders. She provides eating disorder therapy and coaching for people across California, Washington, D.C., Texas, and globally through coaching services. Dr. Marianne is especially passionate about neurodivergent-affirming eating disorder care for autistic clients and ADHDers navigating complex relationships with food, sensory overwhelm, and body image distress. Check out her website at drmariannemiller.com. Listen and Subscribe to the Dr. Marianne-Land Podcast If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone navigating restrictive eating recovery, ARFID, anorexia, food anxiety, or nervous system dysregulation.

Is it Time for a New Approach to Emotional Suffering? Advantages and Disadvantages of DSM Diagnoses Hosts: Kevin Cornelius, LMFT Dr. David Burns Episode Summary In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. David Burns and host Kevin Cornelius, LMFT explore a topic that shapes nearly every corner of modern mental health care: psychiatric diagnosis. For decades, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) has defined how clinicians diagnose, treat, and research emotional suffering. But what if many of these diagnostic categories don't represent distinct medical diseases? What if they are simply normal human emotions—like sadness, anxiety, or shame—occurring on a spectrum? Dr. Burns draws on decades of clinical experience, research, and insights from TEAM-CBT to question the assumptions behind psychiatric labeling. While diagnoses can sometimes reduce stigma or help people access care, they can also unintentionally shape identity, medicalize everyday emotional struggles, and distract from the real drivers of emotional pain. This episode offers a nuanced conversation about labels, measurement, therapy, and what actually helps people recover from depression and anxiety. In This Episode You'll Learn What the DSM is—and why it became so influential How the DSM functions as the "diagnostic bible" of psychiatry Why the system was originally designed for research standardization, not necessarily for everyday clinical treatment The difference between true mental disorders and normal emotional experiences Examples of genuine brain disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder Why many DSM diagnoses describe normal emotions taken to an extreme How everyday struggles became medical diagnoses Shyness becoming "social anxiety disorder" Chronic worry becoming "generalized anxiety disorder" Why time-based thresholds (like "14 days of depression") can be arbitrary The unintended consequences of diagnostic labels How labels can reinforce feelings of shame or defectiveness Why diagnoses can sometimes lead to over-medicalization and medication-focused care Why measurement matters more than diagnosis in therapy Dr. Burns explains how simple mood scales can quickly assess a patient's emotional state Research showing that DSM diagnoses often add little predictive value for treatment outcomes A surprising research finding After lengthy diagnostic interviews, clinicians were only 3–5% accurate at estimating patients' feelings in the moment What this reveals about the limits of traditional diagnostic approaches Why focusing on thoughts may be the key According to cognitive research, negative thoughts drive emotional suffering Effective therapy focuses on identifying and transforming these thoughts Hope for people who feel defined by a diagnosis Why diagnoses do not determine your ability to recover How targeted cognitive techniques can sometimes produce rapid improvements—even within a single session Benefits of Diagnosis (According to Dr. Burns) While the episode critiques diagnostic labeling, the conversation also highlights situations where diagnoses can help: Access to insurance coverage Eligibility for disability or academic accommodations Temporary relief from self-blame Clear communication in research studies Key Takeaway Mental health diagnoses can sometimes be useful administrative tools—but they should never define who you are. Real healing often comes from understanding the specific thoughts, moments, and experiences that drive emotional pain, and learning practical methods to change them. Mentioned in This Episode Dr. Burns' article: "Is It Time for a New Approach to Emotional Suffering?" (Psychology Today) TEAM-CBT approach to psychotherapy Brief Mood Survey and other measurement tools used in therapy Memorable Quote "We treat humans, not disorders." Connect & Learn More Read Dr. Burns' latest articles on Psychology Today Explore more tools and resources at FeelingGood.com Learn about TEAM-CBT training and techniques If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, sharing the podcast, or leaving a review. It helps more people discover tools for overcoming depression and anxiety. Let Us Know What You Think of This Episode Please use this link to take a very brief survey and share your opinion with us about this episode Contact Information Kevin Cornelius, LMFT is a Level 5 Certified Master TEAM-CBT Therapist and Trainer and the Clinical Director of Feeling Good Institute--Silicon Valley. He specializes in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship problems and insomnia. You can reach Kevin at kevin@feelinggoodinstitute.com and visit his website at www.tools4change.me. You can reach Dr. Burns at david@feelinggood.com. Feeling down in these turbulent times? Take a ride on our Feeling Great app. Feeling Great feels wonderful! You owe it to yourself to feel GREAT! Give the Greatest Gifts of ALL--Love and Happiness!

"I love for people to come when the pipes leak instead of when they burst." — Vonda TiedelWhy do so many couples wait years before finally seeking help?What actually happens in the therapy room, and what is the therapist really doing?Are there situations where couples therapy can do more harm than good?Couples therapy is one of the most misunderstood tools in marriage. People assume it means something's broken, that the therapist will pick a side, or that it's too late. None of that is true.In this episode, Kenna sits down with two trusted colleagues and fellow licensed marriage and family therapists, Ben Baker and Vonda Tiede, for an honest, behind-the-curtain conversation about what couples therapy actually looks like, who it's for, and what gets in the way of people starting sooner.They cover the myths that keep couples stuck, the difference between a disagreement and a full-blown fight, what "containment" really means in the therapy room, and the specific situations where couples therapy is actually contraindicated. They also share the one thing they each wish every couple knew before they ever walked through the door.Whether you're considering couples therapy, currently in it, or just curious what happens in that room, this episode will give you real answers, not vague reassurances.Chapters(00:00) - "Your marriage is my client"(00:28) - Welcome and guest introductions(02:14) - Highs and Hards(08:25) - Why couples therapy feels so mysterious(09:35) - How Ben and Vonda chose marriage and family therapy(14:01) - Individual therapy vs. couples therapy(18:38) - Myths and misconceptions therapists want to dispel(33:56) - When to come and when to wait(52:18) - The one thing each therapist wishes every couple knew(58:03) - Challenge by choice(01:00:27) - Closing prayerLinks and Resources:Martin Center for Integration - https://martincenterforintegration.comVonda Tiede, LMFT - https://www.vondatiede.com/Related episodes with Ben Baker: Men and Mental Health, Men in Relationships, Triangulation - https://martincenterforintegration.com/show-notes-70Related episodes with Vonda Tiede: Marital Intimacy, What Happens in Individual Therapy - https://martincenterforintegration.com/show-notes-21Support the showThank you for listening, and a very special thank you to our community of supporters!Join our email list and never miss an episode or an eventVisit us online at thiswholelifepodcast.com, and send us an email with your thoughts, questions, or ideas.Follow us on Instagram & FacebookInterested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for IntegrationMusic: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.

Before You Refer to the Hospital: De-Escalation, Safety Planning, and Wraparound Care for Teens in Crisis When a suicidal teen is in crisis, is the hospital really the safest call? What outpatient therapists need to know. Curt Widhalm, LMFT, leads this episode from his work running a comprehensive DBT private practice in Los Angeles that specializes in higher-acuity adolescent cases, including teens with serious suicidality, self-harm, and emotional dysregulation. These are exactly the clients most often routed toward psychiatric hospitalization or platform-based care, and Curt argues the default-to-hospital reflex frequently makes things worse, not better. Drawing on recent research and his clinical experience, Curt walks through the iatrogenic harms of adolescent psychiatric inpatient care, why post-discharge is the highest-risk window for completed suicide, and how clinician anxiety can drive premature 5150 holds and crisis referrals. Katie Vernoy, LMFT, joins with years of LPS-designated assessment experience from community mental health, naming what really happens when a teen gets sent in, including the relational rupture that often starts the moment a crisis evaluation is requested. Together they show outpatient therapists, including solo practitioners, how to build the clinical infrastructure that makes hospital diversion a real option: standardized risk assessment, collaborative safety planning that starts at intake, verbal de-escalation, family-integrated care, and wraparound treatment teams that include both formal providers and informal natural supports. This is a continuing education podcourse. Therapists can earn 1 CE credit through the Modern Therapist Learning Community at moderntherapistcommunity.com. What you'll take away: - How to recognize when a teen client really needs inpatient care, and when escalation will cause more harm than help - How to use standardized risk assessment tools (C-SSRS, LRAMP) without losing the therapeutic relationship - How to build a safety plan that actually works, and what to leave out (hint: no-suicide contracts) - What to teach parents about verbal de-escalation and environmental modifications at home - How to construct a mini Intensive Outpatient Program inside a solo or small-group practice - Who belongs on a wraparound treatment team, and how to find informal supports that families often forget to mention - How systemic barriers and health disparities shape access and outcomes for Black, Hispanic, and lower-SES adolescents Timestamps: 00:15 - CE intro and how to earn 1 CE credit 05:17 - Why outpatient therapists need real de-escalation protocols 11:23 - What actually happens during a crisis evaluation, with Katie's LPS-designated insights 18:46 - Iatrogenic harm and post-discharge suicide risk in adolescents 26:27 - Distant admissions, capped beds, and reentry into school and community 30:43 - Building safety plans from the first session, not the first crisis 34:32 - What belongs in a comprehensive adolescent safety plan 41:05 - When a teen says "I want to die," and why language matters 47:27 - Family-integrated care in solo private practice 48:56 - Building a mini IOP without the institutional overhead 55:29 - Wraparound teams and the role of informal natural supports 59:51 - ROIs, HIPAA-compliant communication, and minor consent 1:01:00 - Health disparities and access for marginalized adolescents Earn 1 CE credit: Therapists can earn 1 CE credit for this episode through the Modern Therapist Learning Community. Register, purchase the course, pass the post-test, and complete the evaluation to receive your certificate. Therapy Reimagined is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT CEPA #132270). Please check with your licensing board to confirm eligibility. Full show notes, references, and transcript: mtsgpodcast.com CE enrollment: moderntherapistcommunity.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. John explains psychological blind spots drawing on organizational psychologist Tasha Eurich's research that while most people believe they're self-aware, only 12–15% actually are. He distinguishes internal self-awareness (knowing your values, emotions, motivations) from external self-awareness (knowing how others experience you), noting they aren't strongly correlated and blind spots live in the gap. He outlines why blind spots persist—self-protection, threat-based defensiveness, and success masking dysfunction—then offers a practical process: choose 2–5 honest, non-dependent “mirrors,” ask specific stress-and-conflict questions, listen without defending, look for repeated patterns, and separate intent from impact. He emphasizes emotional regulation and turning blind spots into growth edges through naming, tracking, and small behavioral experiments, and introduces Proximity Coaching (live biweekly groups plus an always available AI coach) before concluding that real self-awareness includes knowing how you make others feel.00:52 Self Awareness Myth01:59 Two Types Awareness03:32 Why Blind Spots Happen05:16 Common Blind Spot Examples06:05 Ask What Not Why07:10 Find The Right Mirror08:38 Spot Patterns And Impact09:33 Regulate Emotions For Feedback10:10 Turn Insight Into Change11:47 Why It Matters12:10 Proximity Coaching Offer14:38 Final TakeawaysFor Fewer Regrets and Greater Connection? Start Here…Get a free trial of the brand new Proximity AI Coaches based on thousands of hours of the work of Dr. John Schinnerer and Joree Rose, LMFT at ProximityCoaching.com Company going through painful cultural changes like rapid AI adoption or reorgs? Check out the new AI-fueled change management solution at TetheredConsulting.com For info on Dr. John's Ultimate Online Anger Management Class (which has over 25,000 graduates!), visit his High Performer Shop.Top tools for emotional mastery and high tech execs from the best executive coach in the San Francisco Bay Area: GuideToSelf.comThe best podcast for relationships and those who want to create a happier, safer love life:

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Phebe Brako for a really thoughtful conversation about what it means to make therapy more culturally responsive. So many of the clinical theories we learn were developed through a Western lens, and while those theories can be helpful, they don't always fit every client, every family system, or every cultural background. Dr. Phebe talks about why therapists need to examine their own worldview, stay curious about their clients' lived experiences, and be willing to adapt the models they use in the therapy room. We talk about culture, family systems, CBT, attachment, mindfulness, and why good therapy is not one-size-fits-all. This is such an important reminder that culturally responsive care is not a box to check. It is an ongoing commitment to learning, listening, and doing the work. Resources Mentioned In This Episode  Subscribe to YouTube Watch on YouTube Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free Consulting with Gordon The PsychCraft Network Follow us on Instagram Meet Dr. Phebe Brako Phebe Brako, LMFT, LMHC, NCC, is a licensed therapist, educator, speaker, and host of Between Two Worlds with Dr. Phebe. She is the Founder and CEO of 253 Therapy and Consult, a group therapy practice based in University Place, Washington. Phebe's work focuses on culturally responsive therapy and the ways traditional clinical theories can be adapted to better serve Black, Brown, Indigenous, and other communities of color. She is also passionate about supporting the next generation of therapists through supervision, training, and consultation. Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn 253 Therapy Summer Training Institute

In this powerful EFT training discussion, We Heart Therapy host (Anabelle Bugatti) Dr. Belle, PhD, LMFT/EFT Supervisor/Therapist sits down with Emotionally Focused Therapy trainer Dr. Ting Liu and explores how therapists can effectively work with ambivalence in couples therapy and attachment-based healing. Ambivalence is one of the most common challenges therapists encounter in EFT sessions, especially when partners feel stuck between connection and protection, longing and fear, or closeness and withdrawal, staying or leaving. In this conversation, Dr. Ting Liu shares clinical insight into: • Working with emotional ambivalence in EFT • Helping couples navigate uncertainty and emotional disconnection • EFT interventions for pursuer-withdrawer dynamics • Clinical applications of Emotionally Focused Therapy with Ambivalence Whether you are an EFT therapist, LMFT, psychologist, counseling student, or simply interested in attachment science and relationship healing, this video offers valuable insights into the EFT process and how to work with complex relational dynamics.  

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. Welcome back to The Leading Edge in Emotionally Focused Therapy. In this episode, Dr. James Hawkins and Dr. Ryan Rana discuss the concept of “Stage 2 Rehab” — the process of helping couples recover when deep emotional work becomes blocked, disorganized, or overwhelming. Rather than seeing difficult sessions as failures, James and Ryan explore how moments of fear, confusion, and protective relapse often become opportunities for deeper attachment repair when therapists know how to slow down, reorganize the process, and help clients regain safety. Why Stage 2 Work Can Collapse Clients may not yet feel safe enough for depth Fear often interrupts vulnerability The caregiving system can become disoriented or blocked Therapists sometimes move too fast for the nervous system Stage 2 Rehab Strategies Return to the last successful emotional step Normalize fear and hesitation Slow the process down Regulate therapist energy and pacing Help clients climb “back up the ladder.” Reorganize emotional safety before pushing for more vulnerability Highlighting Longing Beneath Pain Drawing from Gail Palmer's work, James and Ryan discuss how helping clients contact longing—not just pain—can soften blocks and reopen emotional engagement. Resetting the Caregiving System The hosts explore how caregivers can become overwhelmed, defensive, solution-focused, or emotionally disorganized during deep moments — and how therapists can help restore accessibility and responsiveness. Therapist Takeaways Don't panic when the process breaks down Fear is often the doorway, not the obstacle Stay exploratory rather than perfectionistic Repairing the process is often the work itself 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!

Before we dive in: the breakdown of this episode includes a discussion of sexual assault. Please take care while listening. You're listening to Voices of Your Village, and today I'm joined by Rebecca Geshuri to talk about something that shows up in motherhood whether we realize it or not: all of our different parts. We get into Internal Family Systems, or IFS, and how the different parts of us—like the anxious part, the perfectionist part, or the “I'm not good enough” part—can take over in parenting. We talk about why motherhood brings these parts to the surface so quickly, how social and internal pressures amplify them, and what it actually looks like to meet those parts with curiosity instead of trying to push them away. This conversation is about understanding yourself in a deeper way so you can show up with more calm, more compassion, and more connection, both for your kids and for yourself. Alright folks, let's dive in. Connect with Rebecca: Instagram: @rebeccageshurilmft Website: rebeccageshurilmft.com, secondstreetcollective.org Order the book: When Good Moms Feel Bad: An Empowering Guide For Transforming Guilt, Anxiety, and Anger into Compassion, Confidence, and Connectedness Postpartum Support International (PSI): https://postpartum.net Connect with us: Instagram and TikTok: @seed.and.sew  Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: Take the Quiz Order Big Kids, Bigger Feelings now!  Website: seedandsew.org Credits: Host: Alyssa Blask Campbell Co-host: Rachel Lounder Production/Editing: Kristin Mork-McVeigh Graphics: Kayla Kurland-Davis/ Beki Rohrig Music by: Ruby Adams and  Bensound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ask David: Is High Speed Change a Quick Fix? Trauma, Anxiety, and What Really Works Hosts: Kevin Cornelius, LMFT Dr. David Burns Guest: Dr. Rhonda Barovsky Episode Summary In this powerful Ask David episode, Dr. David Burns, Kevin Cornelius, and Dr. Rhonda Barovsky tackle two deeply important listener questions: Is rapid emotional recovery just a "quick fix," especially for people with severe trauma? How can someone manage intense anxiety and "what if" thoughts in the moment—when they keep coming back? Through vivid clinical stories, real examples from the Feeling Great app, and live demonstrations of TEAM-CBT techniques, the panel explores why working in the present moment can lead to profound and lasting emotional change—even for people with severe trauma histories. Question 1: Is Fast Change Just a "Quick Fix"? Dr. Burns responds to a question inspired by the story of Elise, a Holocaust survivor who recovered from severe depression after challenging a single, devastating belief: "I've never accomplished anything meaningful in my life." When that belief was overturned, Elise's depression disappeared—immediately. Listeners often wonder: Was something deeper left unresolved? Doesn't trauma require long-term exploration of the past? Dr. Burns shares: 50 years of clinical experience producing rapid, measurable symptom elimination Research from the Feeling Great app showing that current thoughts—not past suffering—predict change Why working in the present moment automatically transforms the past Why many therapy schools rely on belief systems rather than data He also discusses new findings (recently published in Psychology Today) showing that prior depression over the last two years adds zero predictive value once current mood and thoughts are addressed. "The moment you're in is vastly more important than the one you remember." Question 2: What If My Anxious Thoughts Keep Coming Back? The second question comes from Dina, a college student overwhelmed by social anxiety and catastrophic "what if" thoughts about meeting with her professor. Despite successfully completing a Daily Mood Log and reducing her anxiety to near zero, Dina finds that the thoughts keep returning in real-life situations. The team explains why this happens—and what to do next. Key strategies discussed: Why cognitive work alone isn't enough for anxiety The importance of exposure and testing fears in real situations Using self-disclosure to dissolve shame Turning anxiety into connection rather than avoidance Role-playing feared scenarios ("Professor from Hell") Externalization of voices Feared fantasy and "what-if" techniques Shame-attacking exercises Asking for real feedback instead of guessing what others think Identifying hidden emotions (such as unexpressed anger) Understanding interpersonal roles and rules that fuel anxiety Multiple techniques are demonstrated live, showing how anxiety collapses when fears are brought into the open with warmth, humor, and honesty. Key Takeaways Rapid emotional change is not a gimmick—it can be measured, replicated, and sustained Trauma is embedded in the present moment, not trapped in the past Anxiety persists when we hide, not when we feel Exposure + self-disclosure = freedom You don't need to eliminate negative thoughts—just stop believing them The Feeling Great app offers free, evidence-based tools anyone can use Tools & Resources Mentioned Feeling Great App (free): https://feelinggreat.com Daily Mood Log TEAM-CBT tools: Motivational Methods Cognitive Techniques Exposure Hidden Emotion Work Five Secrets of Effective Communication Psychology Today article: "The Moment You're In Is Vastly More Important Than the One You Remember" Memorable Quotes "When we change the present, we change the past." — Dr. David Burns "Shame is like a vampire—it can't survive the light of day." "Stop doing one thing and expecting it to work for everyone." "You don't need to be perfect to feel better." Listener Invitation Have a question you'd like Dr. Burns to answer on a future episode? Submit it through the Feeling Great app or the Feeling Good Podcast website. Kevin, Rhonda, and I thank you for listening today!  Let Us Know What You Think of This Episode Please use this link to take a very brief survey and share your opinion with us about this episode Contact Information Kevin Cornelius, LMFT is a Level 5 Certified Master TEAM-CBT Therapist and Trainer and the Clinical Director of Feeling Good Institute--Silicon Valley. He specializes in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship problems and insomnia. You can reach Kevin at kevin@feelinggoodinstitute.com and visit his website at www.tools4change.me. Dr. Rhonda Barovsky is a Level 5 Certified TEAM-CBT Master Therapist and Trainer and specializes in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship problems. Check out her website: www.feelinggreattherapycenter.com. 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!

Whitney Walker on the Dark Night of the Soul, Self Acceptance, and Why Souls Keep Coming Back Whitney Walker, LMFT, mental health professional, spiritual seeker, and host of the Women Waken podcast with over 400 episodes, brings a rare blend of clinical training and deep spiritual inquiry. She joins the show to unpack the dark night of the soul not as one bad night but as a recurring reckoning with whether your life is actually aligned with your soul's path. Topics covered: The dark night of the soul as a soul path alignment check, not a single dark moment Her own rock bottom at 29 with alcoholism, eating disorder, and self hatred, and what self acceptance actually required of her Reincarnation, past lives, and why souls choose hard lifetimes Unconditional love as the central lesson and why duality and challenge are required to learn it Self destruction as a symptom of conditional belief systems imposed from birth Bill Gates as an unsettling example of a master manifestor whose beliefs are perfectly aligned Tarot cards, channeling, and the difference between higher self guidance and AI feedback loops How therapists hold space for trauma without absorbing it The Women Waken podcast origin story and the synchronicity that launched it Stuart Wilde, Neale Donald Walsch, and Dolores Cannon as foundational influences https://womenwaken.com/ Keywords: Whitney Walker, Women Waken podcast, dark night of the soul, soul path alignment, self acceptance and recovery, reincarnation and past lives, unconditional love, spiritual awakening, tarot and channeling, mental health and spirituality