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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Alternative & Complementary Medicine Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology
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Episodes
  • Going No Contact, Relationship Recovery, and the NY Times: An interview with Patrick Teahan, LICSW

    Going No Contact, Relationship Recovery, and the NY Times: An interview with Patrick Teahan, LICSW
    Nov 18 2024
    Going No Contact, Relationship Recovery, and the NY Times: An interview with Patrick Teahan, LICSW Curt and Katie interview Patrick Teahan, LICSW after he was featured in an article on going no contact in the New York Times. We explored his experience of his work being sensationalized and the fallout from that article (and the string of duplicates). We also dug into how he actually works. We talked about the Relationship Recovery Process (RRP) and what it can look like when someone makes the challenging decision to cut off their family members. Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com! In this podcast episode, we talk with Patrick Teahan on his NY Times interview on Going No Contact We read and had a big response to a NY Times article on going no contact, reacting to the sensationalized portrayal of Patrick Teahan’s work with adults who come from abusive families. After learning how he really works, we reached out to him to explore the impact of this article as well as what his model is for working with these individuals. Reflecting on the NY Times Article: Is Cutting Off Your Family Good Therapy? · Patrick was interviewed due to his viral videos and online presence on YouTube · He talked with the interviewer about the process of Going No Contact and his work with childhood trauma survivors · He felt like the process took a turn into his personal story and then sensationalized his work · There were a number of duplicate articles (even in different countries) that led to misunderstanding of his work and hurting clients who have made the decision to go no contact with abusive family members What is RRP (the Relationship Recovery Process)? · Work to finishing business with family members · Reclaim intimacy · Group Psychotherapy focused on normalization of the experiences of survivors of abusive families and childhood trauma · The work can include individual work prior to joining the group · Late in the process (potentially years into the process) a client may make the decision to “get distance” from their family if they are not able to continue their healing process due to ongoing triggers and abuse · Patrick is doing research on the RRP model and will be publishing those results soon What is the process for Going No Contact with family members? · It is a very complex decision, usually after communication with family members has not led to any work on their part and repeated boundary crossings that make it impossible for a client to continue their work to heal · It is better to transparently and clearly communicate the decision to go no contact, rather than ghosting family members, when safe and possible · The decision to go no contact does not need to be total or permanent. Clients can seek space without making the decision to never talk to their family member again 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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    47 mins
  • How Do Therapists Manage Intense Caseloads?

    How Do Therapists Manage Intense Caseloads?
    Nov 11 2024
    How Do Therapists Manage Intense Caseloads? Curt and Katie chat about how to manage clients with high needs. We look at risk factors as well as how therapists can take care of themselves while working with challenging caseloads. We also talk about clinical strategies and effective risk assessments and safety planning as important elements for effective practice. Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com! In this podcast episode we talk about how therapists can manage high levels of risk in their caseload As part of our “Survival Guide” we have been asked to talk through how to manage high intensity caseloads. What is a high intensity caseload? · High levels of suicide · Impulsive or aggressive clients · Families with a lot of challenges (like trauma, poverty, etc.) What are the risks for therapists who have high intensity caseload? · Burnout · Vicarious Trauma · Moral Injury How can therapists take care of themselves when their caseload is challenging? · Scheduling breaks and other self-care practices · Timing clients with bigger challenges at times you have more space to address them · Managing caseload size (i.e., you may have to see clients more than once a week) · Don’t be alone with challenging cases · Looking at which problems are structural and which are based on your individual effort · Assessing your capacity for seeing clients and working with clients · Understanding how your personal life can impact your ability to work with clients · Building support and cohesive teams (e.g., DBT Consulting Team) · Balancing work and personal life effectively What are clinical strategies for working with high-risk cases? · Separating your emotions from your clients · Making sure you get yourself into wise mind before you engage with crisis · Meet your client where they are, not where they “should be” · Creating a treatment team · In-between session contact should be structured and boundaried · Move away from savior or protector role for clients · Effective risk assessment and safety planning 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
  • Bipolar Disorder - How Can Therapists Support Clients and Their Families?: An interview with Dr. David J. Miklowitz, PhD

    Bipolar Disorder - How Can Therapists Support Clients and Their Families?: An interview with Dr. David J. Miklowitz, PhD
    Nov 4 2024
    Bipolar Disorder - How Can Therapists Support Clients and Their Families?: An interview with Dr. David J. Miklowitz, PhD Curt and Katie interview Dr. David Miklowitz about his work with people with Bipolar Disorder and their families. We look at what therapists can often get wrong when working with patients presenting with this disorder. We explore differential diagnosis, treatment options, lifestyle coping strategies, and family support. We also talk about how to walk the line between self-responsibility and accommodation. Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com! In this podcast episode, we interview an expert on Bipolar Disorder Many clinicians can miss or over-diagnose bipolar disorder. We wanted to make sure that our modern therapists have enough of the basics to identify if it is coming in their offices. We also talked with our guest about non-medication options to supporting bipolar clients and their family members. What makes it hard to diagnose bipolar disorder? · Therapists need to get adequate information, which is often self-report or family history · There are a number of rule outs and comorbidities such as depression (unipolar), anxiety, trauma, personality disorders, substance use · If someone is inaccurately dx, it can lead to the wrong treatments, including the wrong medications · It is challenging to differentiate normal adolescent behavior from bipolar, so careful assessment is needed. What can get in the way of treatment compliance for bipolar disorder? · Desire to be more creative or feel all of ones emotions can lead to lack of meds compliance · Perceptions about productivity during hypomania · Substance use and abuse can cause a lack of compliance or efficacy with medications, substances can also lead to exacerbation of symptoms · Medication side effects can be challenging, which requires active communication with psychiatrist to adjust dosages What role can the family and loved ones play in supporting someone with bipolar? · Family-Focused Therapy (FFT) is a protocol that can be helpful · Family members can provide accommodation for client · There is a balance to be struck between family support, medication, and personal responsibility · Boundaries are very important 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

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A great resource for therapists and anyone interested in therapy!

I learn something new every week. The hosts are very entertaining and knowledgeable. They also choose interesting and insightful guests.

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