Latest Episode:
Episode 126 - VBT Study Hall: Interventions
It seems odd that most therapists – us included – aren’t 100% certain about what constitutes an intervention. Are interventions scripted in-session activities? What about the theoretical orientations themselves? There isn’t one single answer, but interventions aren’t that difficult to understand if you zoom out far enough…and get a little bit of help from ChatGPT.
Episode 125 - So You’ve Stereotyped Your Client (with Deanna Fierman, LPC)
Stereotypes aren’t always a bad thing. That may not be true in therapy, especially when a client is made to feel like they are representing an entire group of people. That’s what we explore with today’s guest Jess, and we’re also joined by Deanna Fierman, LPC, to talk about what therapists should do after their biases about identity lead to clinical errors. Plus, Ben finds a therapist and Carrie gets a mammogram.
Episode 124 - VBT Study Hall: Theoretical Orientations
There are over 600 types of psychotherapy. What are they, where did they come from, and what makes them important? We dive deep (too deep, probably) into a $900 textbook in an attempt to make sense of the spectacularly confusing topic of theoretical orientations. This is an integrative episode – we integrate a lot of information with even more information.
Bonus: Clinical Licensing Exams Don't Work (with Dr. Ben Caldwell)
In the United States, mental health professionals must pass a clinical exam to become licensed in their field. These exams appear to do nothing to make psychotherapy more effective or safe. They are, however, very efficient at furthering structural racism. Dr. Ben Caldwell joins us to make a very compelling, research-based argument for why these clinical exams should be abolished immediately.
Episode 123 - Catching Feelings (with Dr. Ben Caldwell)
It’s not unusual for clients to develop feelings for their therapist. It’s also not unusual for therapists to develop feelings for their clients. So why is it such a bad idea for a therapist to share (or act) on those feelings? Today’s guest Kate shares a story that illustrates exactly why, and Dr. Ben Caldwell rejoins us to talk about what should happen when clients and therapists develop feelings for one another.
Episode 122 - Patreon Selects: Degrees of Confusion (Part 2)
Justin Norris rejoins us to conclude our conversation about the perplexing maze that is the application process for grad school. We use the California State University (CSU) system as a case study to illustrate why program requirements aren’t always what they seem, and Carrie discusses which therapy programs do a great job of defining and providing quality to their students. Plus, Subaru gets lots of free advertising.
Episode 121 - Patreon Selects: Degrees of Confusion (Part I)
Have you ever wondered why the process of applying to grad school is so unclear at times? In part one of two, we are joined by Justin Norris, an expert in systems of higher education, to talk about the surprisingly interesting topics of accreditation, for-profit vs. non-profit designations, and public vs. private universities. If you wanted to become a therapist but ended up in a sales funnel, this episode is for you.
Episode 120 - Hard Conversations
What happens when a therapist doesn’t want to work with a client? What should happen? Tom shares his experience with a therapist who chose avoidance over honesty, and we discuss ten types of hard conversations that frequently give therapists anxiety. Plus, is Steve Carrell a good enough TV therapist to avoid getting murdered?
Episode 119 - Patreon Selects: The Intersections of Philosophy and Psychotherapy
Dr. Sally Gibbons is an Oxford-educated philosopher, professor of bioethics and philosophy at UCLA, and licensed professional clinical counselor. We discuss her academic background, what inspired her transition to a career in mental health, and how philosophical thinking informs her humility and curiosity with clients. We also explore the intersections between philosophy and psychotherapy and how this relates to questions about what it means to be a human being and what we owe each other. Plus, Dr. Gibbons shares her own experience of very bad solution-focused brief therapy.
Episode 118 - Testing Patients (with Rachel Simon, LCSW)
Psychological testing can be complicated. It shouldn’t have to be hostile, even if the evaluation is not intended to be in a client’s best interest. In today’s episode, Jacob shares his experience of a truly ridiculous psych assessment, and we speak with Rachel Simon, LCSW MEd about how assessors can minimize the harmful impact of their own biases – and the biases built into the psych tests themselves.
Episode 117 - Patreon Selects: The History of Expertise in Therapy (Part II)
The history of expertise in medicine and science led the field of psychotherapy to its beloved empirically supported treatments (ESTs). Psychiatrists were prescribing pills, and psychotherapists were offering best practices. But how did these best practices get their reputation, and what happens when clients and therapists alike believe uncertain truths about mental health treatment? We conclude our two-part historical journey with a look at some contemporary alternatives to the medical model and what this all means for the most important aspect of therapy: helping clients get better outcomes.
Episode 116 - Patreon Selects: The History of Expertise in Therapy (Part I)
Therapists are considered mental health experts. How did this come to be, and is it necessary for the future of the field? Join us as we trace the surprising history of the medical model in therapy from its origins in the Scientific Revolution to the evolution of treatment manuals. Part I takes us all the way to 1987, with cameos by the Catholic Church, Ben Franklin, Sigmund Freud, Hans Eysenck, and more. If you’ve ever wondered why psychotherapy seems to have such a confusing relationship with medicine and science, this episode is for you.
Episode 115 - What is Bad Therapy, and Who Gets to Provide It? (with Dr. Ben Caldwell)
Today’s guest Marie shares her thought-provoking story about a preoccupied telehealth therapist, and we drag Dr. Ben Caldwell into another one of our philosophical crises about what constitutes very bad therapy. Is it not following a treatment plan? Having young children show up in session? Ignoring ruptures? Regularly showing up late? And while we’re at it, what even is therapy? Who should get to be a therapist during the pandemic? Join us on the struggle bus as we try to parse out issues related to telehealth, laws, ethics, clinical practices, privilege, social systems…and bullshit.
Episode 114 - Patreon Selects: An Actor, a Sommelier, and a Poker Player Walk Into a Bar
Carrie and Ben are joined by friend of the podcast Rachel Bennett to talk about how their past careers have shaped their identities as therapists. Topics include:
How working in fine dining informs the importance of being of service and providing experiences to therapy clients
How very few people in therapy and acting know what they're doing and how this helps with impostor syndrome
The humility required to be a successful poker player and therapist, as well as the need to separate short-term results from long-term process
The importance of learning how to self-regulate in the presence of others
How all of this (as always) relates to feedback-informed treatment
Episode 113 - Psychedelics and Therapy (with Ben Hearn, LPCC-S)
Consciousness-altering psychedelic drugs have shown tremendous promise in mental health treatment. The future of psychedelic-assisted therapy is uncertain, but one thing seems clear: the psychedelics are for the client, not the therapist. Today’s guest Matthew shares his peculiar experience with a not-quite-levelheaded therapist, and Ben Hearn joins us to discuss everything you ever wanted to know about this emerging pathway to psychological healing.
Episode 112 - Patreon Selects: Desperate Remedies for Mental Illness
Dr. Andrew Scull is the Distinguished Professor of Sociology, Emeritus, at UCSD. He has written extensively about the history of psychiatry and the treatment of madness. We discuss why it seems like the more you know about mental illness, the less clear things become. We also explore myths about biology and neuroscience, the likelihood of a clear solution for improving psychotherapy, and the politics that have shaped our mental healthcare systems.
Episode 111 - Talking About Antisemitism (with Halina Brooke, LAMFT)
The field of psychotherapy has increasingly prioritized discussions about issues of oppression and marginalization. This is, of course, a sign of progress. But who gets left out of these conversations? Today’s guest Kaley shares her experience of antisemitism in therapy, and Halina Brooke rejoins us to talk about how Jewish clients are impacted when therapist education reinforces harmful narratives.
Episode 110 - Patreon Selects: The VBT Guide to Grad School (Part II)
We’re back with Dr. Ben Caldwell to conclude our thoughts on grad school and the surprising reality that it isn’t meant to make you a good therapist. We talk about starting supervision, avoiding moral injury, and most importantly, all the things that graduate education does very well in supporting early-career clinicians. Plus, we share our best advice for anyone getting started in their career in mental health.
Episode 109 - Patreon Selects: The VBT Guide to Grad School (Part I)
Dr. Ben Caldwell joins us to discuss everything you need to know about going to school to become a therapist. His most important message? Treat grad school like a convenience store – get in and get out. We explore how to choose a school, how to get the most out of the experience, and where to focus your energy along the way. This episode is for anyone interested in becoming a therapist or for those already in grad school – especially if some of your experiences don’t seem to make sense.
Episode 108 - The Inevitable CBT Episode (with Alyssa Davis, LMFT)
Of course we were going to end up doing an episode about CBT eventually. Emily describes visiting a CBT therapist who seemed uninterested in doing any real work, and Alyssa Davis joins us to cognitively restructure our beliefs about therapy models. Plus, some notes on EMDR, common factors, and deliberate practice. This episode has a bit of everything.