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
  • Do Therapists Lie to Their Clients?

    Do Therapists Lie to Their Clients?
    Sep 16 2024
    Do Therapists Lie to Their Clients? Curt and Katie chat about whether therapists are dishonest and whether they should be. We received a request from a listener to talk about the idea that therapists lie to their clients. We look at what types of lies are common, whether lying is expected or acceptable, what to do instead, and how to decide whether you will lie or not in session. Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com! In this podcast episode we talk through how, when, and why therapists lie We received a listener email requesting a discussion on therapist dishonesty and the impact on the therapeutic relationship. What types of lies might a therapist tell? · Whoppers (fraud) · Fibs (untruths that support the clinical work or the therapeutic relationship) · Omission (concealing facts that impact the client) · Deflections (bending the truth for therapeutic effect) · Denial (rejecting reality, with positive and negative results) Is it good or bad for a therapist to lie? · Fraud is never okay, and is illegal and unethical · Fibs may be in the best interest of the client OR could be to protect the therapist (which is human, but not really okay) · Professionalism, exaggerating/minimizing emotional responses for therapeutic effect, and “social niceties” may be appropriate, but it is important to think about authenticity and whether it will negatively impact the client if they perceive the deception · If a client is asking for the therapist’s opinion of them, the context of the client’s treatment agreements and their needs, as well as the therapeutic relationship impact whether a therapists will be best served by honesty or deflecting or denying the truth What can therapists do when they are tempted to lie to their clients? · Make the decision of whether to tell the truth based on the context of the relationship and treatment goals · Be more transparent with the client about therapist’s limitations, while also holding hope and accountability to address these limitations · Work collaboratively with the client to get to the information or treatment interventions that are needed, rather than working by and for yourself. · If you lie to your client and it backfires, work to make repairs (see our episode on “Should Therapists Admit Mistakes?) 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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    41 mins
  • Welcome to Therapist Grad School!

    Welcome to Therapist Grad School!
    Sep 9 2024
    Welcome to Therapist Grad School! Curt and Katie chat about what the career is like, what is important to know starting out in grad school. We look at what prospective therapists need to know as they enter school, including hard truths and tips for social support. We also talk about what changes are needed in the profession and how students and new therapists can navigate these challenges. We provide suggestions on how to best take advantage of the opportunities in graduate school. We also unveiled a new project for the podcast. Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com! In this podcast episode we talk through what the therapist career is like We decided to talk through what it is like to be a therapist and how to best navigate your grad school education. What do prospective therapists need to know as they enter grad school? · Grad school doesn’t cover all that you’ll need to know to be an effective therapist · Lived experience is valid and definitely informs your work · It is important to assess what you already know, what you need to unlearn, what interventions you can add to what you already know · Learning how to be a “safe therapist” is not the same as learning to be a “good therapist” · Theories and orientations are foundational, but you can’t know them all · Once you graduate, that’s when you actually start learning how to be a therapist What can grad school students and new therapists expect regarding needed changes in the profession? · Changes may happen, but slowly · There can be times for advocacy to help increase the sustainability of the practice · You don’t need to worry about getting a job immediately, but you can start working with clients or in the field, if you would like or need to do so financially · There are a number of students who burnout before graduation, so pay attention to your capacity and self-care practices What opportunities are important to take advantage of while you are in grad school for therapy? · Consider taking the hardest or more complex practicum sites to learn how to work with the most challenging populations · Volunteer to do roll plays and risk making mistakes in your classes · Make mistakes while you are a student and prelicensed individual to get the supervision and oversight, to learn from these mistakes What are some hard truths about becoming a therapist? · The therapy profession is not for everyone · Not all students will make it through to graduation or to licensure (whether by choice or not) · Grad schools are not always transparent with how long it will take to get through the program, whether you will have support in getting a practicum site · The entry level jobs in the field may not pay very well (i.e., some are at or only slightly above minimum wage) · There is a risk of becoming disillusioned by the state of the world and the profession What are the social elements of becoming a therapist? · If you’re only friends and socializing with therapists, your view of the world may become more limited · There can be echo chambers, especially around social justice topics within mental health · Having friends who are therapists, so you can have the validation and understanding of other therapists · Socialization can be too focused on alcohol-forward events. It is important to find other ways to socialize to avoid the risks of substance abuse and dependence, especially as therapists are held to a higher standard through licensure · Take responsibility for self-care/self-maintenance 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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    39 mins
  • Are Therapist Conferences Elitist? An interview with Linda Thai, LMSW

    Are Therapist Conferences Elitist? An interview with Linda Thai, LMSW
    Sep 2 2024
    Are Therapist Conferences Elitist? An interview with Linda Thai, LMSW Curt and Katie interview Linda Thai on her experiences as a conference attendee, keynote speaker, and educator. We discussed the need for more accessible, community-centric, and culturally humble education as well as how to more effectively share knowledge. The limitations of traditional educational models (which Linda calls the Continuing Education Industrial Complex) are discussed as well as how conferences can be exclusive or elitist. We explore how to best access continuing education and take advantage of all types of educational opportunities. Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com! In this podcast episode, we look at how privilege and elitism show up in therapist conferences. Katie recently took one of Linda Thai’s courses and was fascinated by the way that she was able to make an engaging virtual course. We reached out and requested she share her wisdom with us and we found ourselves talking about the nature of continuing education. Why should therapists attend (or not attend) mental health conferences? · If you understand what type of conference you are attending and take advantage of that opportunity (to learn, build community, or something else) attending mental health conferences can be beneficial to therapists · There can be an inherent elitism in conferences, both in who is able to comfortably attend as well as who can participate as speakers or in supporting conferences · Continuing education can also have bias and privilege white (typically female) therapists, especially those who have been in private practice for many years. · Conferences are often events designed to inspire and create community, the learning experiences may not be as deep as therapists need to truly get what they need as clinicians What are the primary concerns in continuing education for mental health professionals? · What qualifies as continuing education seems limited (i.e., lived experience is discounted as valid education) · There is a bureaucracy within continuing education approval that makes it difficult for speakers and conference hosts to be able to allow for interactivity and emergence within the workshops · Too often the same speakers are elevated and there is a need to center lived experience and marginalized voices to co-create collective learning and liberation 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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    43 mins
  • How Much is Too Much? Thoughts on therapists being too branded, niched, and political

    How Much is Too Much? Thoughts on therapists being too branded, niched, and political
    Aug 26 2024
    How Much is Too Much? Thoughts on therapists being too branded, niched, and political Curt and Katie chat about the delicate balance between authenticity and influence in therapy, with a focus on avoiding bias and discrimination while still being real people. We also navigate the challenges of political discussions in therapy, emphasizing the need to balance political awareness with client needs and goals. Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com! In this podcast episode we explore the risks of bringing too much of your own beliefs into your work as a therapist We have been rethinking the conversations we’ve had about blank slate and the Brand Called You. We look at the risks of being too branded or niched, or too political. We also talk about what might be more beneficial for clients, without losing the work toward authenticity and real connections as therapists. Do therapists bring too much of themselves into their work? Curt and Katie did a CE presentation and then an episode called the Brand Called You, which talks about how to create personal branding as a therapist to refine who seeks you out for therapy When you bring yourself into the therapy room, you want to assess for bias and discrimination If you’ve advertised a specific type of treatment or, especially, a specific type of outcome, you may be unduly influencing clients who may not know if that outcome is right for them How can therapists be “political” without just talking politics or inappropriately influencing their clients? Therapists can successfully navigate political discussions in therapy to benefit clients. It is important to distinguish between political in therapy (systemic pressures, opportunities, access) vs pushing viewpoints (talking about politics, biased) Discussions about the limitations of resources or systemic pressures are political Conversations about voting for a particular party would be talking politics Helping clients to look at things from a different viewpoint may be helpful, but only if you assess your own bias and the client’s readiness It can be challenging to be a political therapist, clients may feel uncomfortable or resistant to discussing political issues in therapy What can therapists do to balance branding and authenticity with effective client care? Tailor your client sessions to their needs and perspectives and values Consider providing additional referral resources for clients whose goals do not directly align with a therapist's specialized approach. Evaluate whether strongly branding oneself risks prioritizing showing one's values over directly addressing what clients are asking for in therapy. Assess the efficacy of your treatment for the client in front of you. Make sure even clients who resonate strongly with a therapist's approach are empowered to think critically and come to their own conclusions. 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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    33 mins
  • How Can Therapists Help Politically Divided Families: An interview with Angela Caldwell, LMFT

    How Can Therapists Help Politically Divided Families: An interview with Angela Caldwell, LMFT
    Aug 19 2024
    How Can Therapists Help Politically Divided Families? : An interview with Angela Caldwell, LMFT Curt and Katie interview Angela Caldwell, LMFT about family therapy for politically divided families. We explore what therapists get wrong when working with these families as well as what works better. Angela talks us through the goals for family therapy, how to move families from trying to convince each other to understanding each other better, and the importance of distress tolerance and finding ways for families to survive, even when members strongly disagree with each other. Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com! In this podcast episode, we talk about how therapists can work with politically divided families During the run up to the 2024 US presidential election, we are seeing more and more political division, even in families. We reached out to our good friend Angela Caldwell, LMFT, to talk through how therapists can support families during this challenging time. What do therapists get wrong when working with politically divided families? · Therapists inaccurately agree with families that the goal is either communication skills or getting consensus · The goals for family therapy are increasing tolerance for differing opinions and sustaining relationships even when you disagree How can therapists address the societal messages that negatively impact relationships? · Modeling holding affection while disagreeing on viewpoints · Hold sacred that everyone in the room has come to their viewpoint honestly · Focus on the why for the positions people take · Listen for and mark trigger words to help “opposing party” to stay with the explanation of viewpoint · Soften the relationship through understanding What can therapists do if clients feel frightened of the beliefs of their family members? · Explore perspective and increase clarity on the real anxious feelings · Find common ground related to hopes for the world · Work on distress tolerance with the anxious feelings · Hold the moment of anxiety and then move to reassurance (i.e., that the relationship can survive opposing viewpoints) What does the work of family therapy look like with politically divided families? · Set reasonable expectations · Make sure to give pep talks · Plan and promise for the next session before ending the previous session · Personal connection between sessions (like short texts) · Don’t play “gotcha” when someone is wrong · Set ground rules at the beginning of therapy related to showing source material for viewpoints 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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    41 mins