135. Even Worse Than We Thought: The Woke Takeover of Counseling Psych Grad School | Ryan Rogers

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Nov 11, 2024

Ryan Rogers, a graduate student in counseling psychology and author of "The Woke Mind," discusses the troubling trends in mental health education. He shares his journey through addiction and his motivations for pursuing therapy amidst a climate prioritizing activism over clinical skills. The conversation highlights the disconnect between academic learning and real-world counseling, particularly in suicide prevention and cultural competency. Ryan critiques the ideological influences overshadowing traditional therapeutic practices, calling for a return to client-centered care.

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ANECDOTE

Activism over Therapy

Ryan Rogers's diversity professor claimed a therapist's primary goal is political activism.
She insisted this even after Rogers expressed his desire to focus on individual client needs.

ANECDOTE

Lack of Cultural Competency

Rogers's diversity class prioritized critical theory over practical cultural competency.
His professor dismissed his request for information on addressing diverse clients' unique needs.

ANECDOTE

Learning from Peers

Rogers learned more about multiculturalism from classmates than in two years of the program.
Two Latina classmates provided valuable insights into anxiety in Latina women, missing from the curriculum.

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Even if you’ve been following my work for a while, you’re not going to believe how bad the state of affairs has gotten when it comes to postgraduate education in counseling psychology — until you hear from today’s guest.

Ryan Rogers, a student currently pursuing a masters degree in the hopes of becoming a therapist, joins me to discuss the troubling trends he's observed in mental health education. Ryan shares his personal journey, including his background in addiction and the motivation behind his pursuit of a counseling career. We delve into the alarming shift in graduate programs, where political activism often takes precedence over the core principles of therapy.

Ryan highlights his experiences in classes that prioritize critical theory over practical skills, leaving students ill-equipped to address the real needs of their clients. We explore the implications of this shift, particularly in relation to suicide prevention, addiction treatment, and the importance of cultural competency. Ryan raises critical questions about the role of therapists: should they be activists for so-called social justice, or should they focus on helping individuals navigate their personal struggles?

Throughout our conversation, we examine the consequences of substituting genuine therapeutic training with ideological indoctrination. As we unpack these issues, we aim to shed light on the future of counseling psychology and the urgent need for a return to a client-centered approach that prioritizes healing over activism.

Ryan Rogers is a graduate student in clinical mental health counseling. He has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and work history in addiction treatment.
Twitter/X: @RyanMcRogers
Upcoming book: The Woke Mind: The Twisted Psychology of the Social Justice Movement (Social Justice Fanaticism Book 6) - Kindle edition by Rogers, Ryan

View my complete list of book recommendations, including those written by authors who have been guests on this show, at https://sometherapist.com/bookshop.

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links from my show notes or website. Thank you for purchases that support the show!

00:00 Start

[00:02:30] Counseling program concerns and indoctrination.

[00:04:18] Activism in therapy training.

[00:08:22] Cultural competency in therapy.

[00:10:37] American perfectionism vs. Mexican culture.

[00:17:12] Counseling grad programs' effectiveness.

[00:18:22] Teaching quality in psychology classes.

[00:24:01] ROGD Repair for parents.

[00:27:16] Common humanity versus identity markers.

[00:31:06] Wokeness in academic environments.

[00:34:12] Lack of experienced educators.

[00:38:58] Counseling theories in academia.

[00:42:46] Counseling versus Social Justice Advocacy.

[00:45:04] Self-beliefs and mental health.

[00:51:06] Antinatalist views and human nature.

[00:52:57] Normlessness in society and therapy.

[00:58:00] The Ethical Slut in Counseling.

[01:00:45] Attachment theory and relationships.

[01:04:44] Therapy and its societal perceptions.

[01:09:03] Intersectionality and Religion Evaluation.

[01:12:24] Pride in Professional Experience.

[01:16:20] Hate and envy in activism.

[01:20:54] The downfall of counseling profession.

[01:24:51] Therapy and political discontent.

[01:29:56] Transition in kids.

[01:30:41] Limits of gender dysphoria treatment.

[01:34:13] Tribalism and cultural biases.

[01:38:48] Understanding social justice radicalism.

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Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

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