Say More About That

Today I am joined by Julie and Gina as we discuss how COVID-19 has impacted our private practices. Gina starts out with some very handy tips that counselors can use while providing online sessions. We then dive into: - The hardest part of being a therapist during the pandemic - What the most positive thing has been - Our favorite piece of advice for clients during the pandemic - What the lasting impact will be on our profession - What we'll remember most 20 years from now - Our most petty and selfish grievances

Today I am joined by Karel Chan, LPC. We discuss how people that are living alone can stay sane during the COVID-19 pandemic. We cover how folks can use social media wisely, why maintaining a routine is key, how to get creative and flexible with things to do, how to shift your intentions, when to practice vulnerability, why being mindful and compassionate is important and so much more. It's always a blast to talk with Karel. Don't miss this one!

Today I am joined by resident philosopher Danielle LaSusa. We talk about our moral and ethical responsibilities regarding social distancing and quarantining in the age of COVID-19. I process my feelings about how frustrated I get with older people and how they don't seem to be taking this very seriously. We discuss whether or not it's ethical to knowingly pass on the coronavirus to president Trump. And we end with a novel way people can tolerate the fear that is arising because of the pandemic. 

Today it's just me! No guest. I dive into what it's like going through divorce mediation and why it hasn't been that great. I give all my listeners a free business idea that is sure to take off! I talk about what it's like to counsel clients that support Biden while I stand behind Bernie. And I respond to a couple bad reviews I have recently gotten.

Today I am joined by Heidi Savell, LCSW. We discuss five easy things that every therapist can do right now in order to be more poly friendly and competent with their clients. We talk about where therapists tend to be the most resistant when it comes to treating clients in poly and open relationships. And Jeff asks Heidi for some personal advice about how he can be more successful in poly relationships if he chooses to test it out.  Sign up for Heidi's CE poly competent workshop.

Today I am joined by resident philosopher Danielle LaSusa. We discuss how we integrate spirituality, metaphysics and religion into our sessions with clients. We talk about the similarities and differences in our approach. Oh, and Jeff reveals what happens to you when you die. Danielle may or may not agree with his after life beliefs. 

Today I am joined by Julie Berman, LPC and we chat about different ways we help clients that are struggling with jealousy in their relationships. And of course Jeff and Julie end up sharing a lot about their personal journey's with jealousy and how it has manifested in their romantic relationships.

Today I am joined by Julie Jeske, LPC and we chat about some of the most important things that we think new therapists should know before starting their practice. And it's not just practical advice. It's good advice that comes directly from our personal experience. A must listen for all new and aspiring therapists. 

I produce another podcast called Swoon: Love Lessons with Julie and Gina. A little while ago I was a guest on their episode about codependency. Today you'll get to listen to me chat with Julie and Gina on their podcast. Do you wonder if you or your partner might be needy or codependent? Tune in to learn about what codependency really means.

Today I am joined by the podcast's resident philosopher, Danielle LaSusa. We're talking about existential depression. Danielle and I compare notes on how we treat existential depression with our clients. We philosophize about the true meaning of life. And Jeff explores his own existential issues while Danielle supports him through his process.

Today I am joined by Julie Jeske, LPC. We're talking about all the hard conversations we are sometimes forced to have with our clients. Everything from telling them you forgot to show up, to how awkward it was when they saw you naked at the spa, to how you don't think you're helping and they should see another counselor and so much more. Enjoy our candid and cringe worthy episode!

This week I talk to my good therapist buddy Karel Chan, LPC about meditation and how she motivates her clients to start a meditation practice. She described her meditation practice in detail and made me feel like maybe I could actually start doing it myself. Karel talks about meditation in an incredibly accessible way.

Kay Lee joins me again. We chat about whether or not you should date a therapist. We break down the pros and cons of dating a mental health professional. We dive into what it's like for two therapists to date each other and for a non-therapist to date a therapist. If you've ever thought about dating at therapist or are a therapist yourself, this episode is for you!

Julie Berman joins me again. We chat about how we deal with breakups in our sessions as therapists, and how we've dealt with breakups personal in our lives. We'll also discuss what we do with clients that are perpetually on the fence about breaking up with their partner, the common feeling of sever depression after a breakup and mistaking that for believing that your ex was the one and only, what might be going on if you continue to date the same person over and over again and so much more.

Today I talk to Julie Berman, LPC about codependency and anxious attachments styles. We break down exactly what it is and how we see it manifest in our clients. We talk about why we love treating folks that struggle with codependency and all the different ways we treat the issue in session. We discuss why anxious folks gravitate towards avoidant people and what attracts them to each other in the first place. Lots of laughs and good times in this episode. 

Today I talk to Evelyn Schmechtig-Cochran, LMFT, an expert on emotionally focused therapy (EFT). We cover everything from what EFT is, why it works so well, what typical outcomes are for couples and what the flaws are. We touch on how EFT works with different cultures, what the biggest challenges are and if there are clients that might not benefit from EFT.

Today's episode is a candid and vulnerable one for me. Recently my wife and I decided to end our marriage. The couple months leading up to that decision were filled with emotional ups and downs. I wanted to bring on a close friend, Heidi Savell, who's been through similar stuff, and talk about what it's like to be a counselor while feeling emotionally upset and mentally preoccupied. We talk about how I've handled it so far, what I could have done better, how hard it can be to be present for your clients when you're not feeling grounded and much more.

Julie Jeske, LPC, from the Swoon podcast talks with me today about the best parts of being a therapist. This episode is 100% uplifting and fun to listen to. Julie and Jeff compare their top 5 favorite things about the profession and wonder why everybody isn't a therapist. 

Candace, a woman in her 30's, talks to me about how she was introduced to therapy as a kid through twilight zone episodes and an emergency visit to the ER. We discuss what type of counselor she was looking for as an adult, what therapeutic approaches worked and which ones missed the mark. We dig into why she continued to choose the same type of therapist over and over again. She also talks about how uncomfortable she can feel when silent periods in counseling last too long. 

Today I have fellow therapist Katie Playfair, LPC on the show to talk about health anxiety and hypochondria. I wanted her on the show because she specializes in treating illness anxiety disorder and I keep getting clients that I think might qualify for this diagnosis. She and I will define what illness anxiety disorder is, how sever it can be, how someone can start suffering from it, how it's different than other types of anxiety, how to cope with it, how to treat it and so much more.