The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy

By: Curt Widhalm LMFT and Katie Vernoy LMFT
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  • Summary

  • The Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide: Where Therapists Live, Breathe, and Practice as Human Beings It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. We are human beings who can now present ourselves as whole people, with authenticity, purpose, and connection. Especially now, when clinicians must develop a personal brand to market their private practices, and are connecting over social media, engaging in social activism, pushing back against mental health stigma, and facing a whole new style of entrepreneurship. To support you as a whole person, a business owner, and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.
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Episodes
  • Exploring the Danger, Trauma, and Grief for a Palestinian Therapist in the United States: An anonymous interview

    Exploring the Danger, Trauma, and Grief for a Palestinian Therapist in the United States: An anonymous interview
    Sep 30 2024
    Exploring the Danger, Trauma, and Grief for a Palestinian Therapist in the United States: An anonymous interview As part of a double episode release, Curt and Katie share an anonymous interview with a Palestinian American therapist about their experience in our profession and in the United States both historically and since the attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023. We explore what therapists need to know about Palestine, Palestinian culture, and Palestinians in the diaspora. We also identify additional resources for Palestinian therapists in the diaspora. Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com! In this podcast episode, we look at the challenges Palestinian American Therapists face in our communities and our profession We reached out to Palestinian American colleagues to work to get the perspective of these individuals during the last year as well as historically. Due to safety concerns, our interviewee decided to be interviewed anonymously. Curt and Katie share written interview questions and answers on this episode. What should therapists know about Palestine, Palestinian Culture, and Palestinians in the diaspora? · There is a rich and complex history for Palestinians, deeply tied to experiences of displacement, resilience, and a strong sense of community · One of the most significant events in Palestinian history is the Nakba (or catastrophe) which saw the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homeland in 1948. This event has led to intergenerational trauma and collective grief. · There are generational differences in the Palestinian experience to be aware of What has the experience been like over the past year, with heightened awareness of Palestine and the conflict in Gaza? · There has been a heightened sense of dread and the ability to remain invisible or avoid the topic has been taken away · Safety, even with therapy clients, has been questioned · Difficulty balancing denouncing the violence committed by Hamas, while also advocating for Palestinian human rights without being branded a terrorist sympathizer What do therapists need to know about working with Palestinian clients in the diaspora at this time? · Clients may be reluctant to share feelings about the conflict due to the challenges in doing so without judgment or fear for their own safety · Therapists need to have an understanding of the conflict and the broader context, to help avoid relying on the emotional labor of the client to educate · Palestinians are not a monolith (there are religious, cultural and socioeconomic differences, as well as different reasons for emigration), so it is important to see and connect to the client in front of you How can therapists in the diaspora navigate global tragedies in their homeland? · Seek and Accept Support: Don’t hesitate to reach out for support from colleagues or professional networks. It’s crucial to have spaces where you can share and process your experiences. · Engage in Personal Therapy: Utilize personal therapy more actively. Having a space to openly discuss and navigate your identity and feelings can be invaluable, especially when faced with such intense global events. · Choose Supportive Communities Wisely: Be discerning about the communities and support networks you engage with. Ensure they offer a safe and respectful space for sharing and discussion and be mindful of how public or anonymous these spaces are. Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement: Our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/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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    35 mins
  • Growing Antisemitism in the Therapy Profession: An interview with Halina Brooke, LPC

    Growing Antisemitism in the Therapy Profession: An interview with Halina Brooke, LPC
    Sep 30 2024
    Growing Antisemitism in the Therapy Profession: An interview with Halina Brooke, LPC As part of a double episode release, Curt and Katie interview Halina Brooke, LPC, founder of the Jewish Therapist Collective, about experiences of antisemitism in our profession. We explore the foundations of antisemitism throughout the development and innovation in psychotherapy. We also talk about lived experiences of Jewish therapists of increasing antisemitism since the attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023. Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com! In this podcast episode, we look at the increase in antisemitism in the therapist community In a recent article from Jewish Insider, there are stories about increasing antisemitism in the therapy profession, including in online therapist Facebook groups. We decided to reach out to Jewish Therapist Collective founder, Halina Brooke, LPC, to talk us through what has been happening throughout her time as a therapist as well as the escalation of antisemitism in the past year. Experiences of Antisemitism in the Therapy Profession · The Jewish Therapist Collective has received an increase in calls from clients who are seeking Jewish therapists after October 7, 2023 due to cultural incompetence from non-Jewish therapists · Jewish therapists have reported being sidelined or fired from their mental health workplaces due to being Jewish · Jewish therapy students report being told that their presence is triggering to non-Jewish therapists · Jewish therapists and counselor have reported losses of peer groups due to antisemitism, including affinity groups for intersectional identities Antisemitic Incidents Within Therapist Facebook Groups · Posts targeting “Zionist” therapists have been used to identify Jewish therapists · There are lists of “Zionist Therapists” that include only Jewish therapists, potentially ones who have not made political statements about Zionism, that “antiracist” groups are suggesting should not receive any referrals due to their status as “Zionists” · These lists appear to solely be lists of Jewish therapists, without including Christian Zionists or others with Zionist beliefs What do therapists need to know about Jewish Culture and Identity? · Multicultural education on Jewish identity in graduate school is insufficient · There is as much diversity within the Jewish community as there is between the Jewish and other communities · Halina discusses the historical context of Jewish identity and how often they are not seen as part of the dominant majority · It is important to seek consultation from Jewish colleagues due to the many nuances and differences · Even though many of the founders of psychotherapy are Jewish, there is a lack of inclusion of Jewish identity in multicultural courses What support is available for Jewish Therapists? · The Jewish Therapist Collective provides community and training · Halina described the steps that she has taken to hide her Jewishness as well as to find support within the community Learn more about these resources: jewishtherapists.org Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement: Our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/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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    34 mins
  • Navigating Religious Trauma, Spiritual Abuse, and Lies About God: An interview with Dr. Jamie Marich

    Navigating Religious Trauma, Spiritual Abuse, and Lies About God: An interview with Dr. Jamie Marich
    Sep 23 2024
    Navigating Religious Trauma, Spiritual Abuse, and Lies About God: An interview with Dr. Jamie Marich Curt and Katie interview Dr. Jamie Marich about her new book coming out in October 2024, You Lied to Me About God. We explore the impacts of religious abuse, Jamie’s personal story of spiritual trauma, and what therapists can miss when working with clients on these topics. We also dig into the idea that therapists can let their clients down when they don’t do their own internal work, address their bias, and show up effectively. Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com! In this podcast episode, we look at the impacts of spiritual trauma on therapy clients We invited our friend, Dr. Jamie Marich, back on the podcast to talk about her story (and her upcoming book) that deals with spiritual abuse, religious trauma, and the lies that have been told "in God's name" that lead to shame and isolation for many of our clients. What are the impacts of spiritual abuse and religious trauma? · Definition of shame as the lie someone told you about yourself · Spiritual abuse goes deeper because the lies are told in God’s name · There are big impacts of religious trauma on those in the LGBTQ+ community as well as those who are seeking deep spiritual connection Looking at the concept of forgiveness within the context of religious and other trauma · How forgiveness can be helpful · How forgiveness is weaponized within the church and can be harmful · Forgiveness is not required, acceptance is a more appropriate goal How can therapists make sure they are not adding to the harm for clients with religious trauma? · Do your own work, so you can approach clients where they are · Be authentic, don’t lie to your clients, but don’t bring it up unless asked · Seek consultation to enhance your understanding of the client’s situation · Cultural humility is key, and don’t rely solely on your clients to be the cultural informant · Do not impose your spirituality on your clients, but be open to discussing spirituality · Be aware of the power dynamics, so you don’t become the client’s new guru · Help clients to find their own answers rather than relying on external authority Other ideas we touched on in this podcast episode · The importance of critical thinking · “Therapy cults” that promote adherence to a specific intervention model · The challenges of folks seeking compliance and righteousness, rather than taking a nuanced approach to topics and deciding for themselves Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement: Our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/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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    46 mins
Alternative & Complementary Medicine Psychology Hygiene & Healthy Living
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