Edge of the Couch

Exploring the struggles therapists face with feeling the need to prove themselves, the impact of trainings on authenticity, the value of deep listening in therapy, and the importance of relevant training for therapists.

Rejection in therapy is a deeply emotional experience, especially for new therapists. The hosts delve into the complexities of client disengagement, exploring feelings of loss and confusion. They stress the importance of understanding the reasons behind a client's decision and the growth that can come from these moments. Authentic communication is key, as well as recognizing when a client might not be a good fit. Emphasis is placed on community support and self-reflection as vital tools for managing the emotional toll of rejection.

This podcast delves into the importance of effective beginnings and endings in therapy sessions. They discuss personalized approaches, intentional closings, and the benefits of structuring sessions. The episode explores client-centered therapy sessions, navigating client agendas, and mastering the art of ending sessions with meaningful conclusions.

Therapists discuss handling clients' 'I don't know' responses, exploring deeper therapy work, guiding conversations effectively, and boosting confidence in managing uncertainties in therapy sessions.

The conversation dives deep into the emotionally charged world of cancellations, late arrivals, and no-shows in therapy. The hosts explore how therapists can communicate clear policies while maintaining empathy towards clients. They discuss the importance of balancing financial realities with compassionate understanding, especially during hectic times like holidays. The ramifications of client attendance on the therapeutic relationship are highlighted, along with a critique of public discourse among therapists regarding client absences. The episode urges a thoughtful approach to setting boundaries.

Many clients come to therapy with a history of charged relationship dynamics. Maybe they’ve been people-pleasing, maybe they shut others out, maybe they have difficulty being vulnerable with friends, maybe they crave closeness but don’t know how to get it, maybe they dance between investing too little in relationships to putting everything into them, maybe they never rock the boat for fear of abandonment…the list is endless. How, as therapists, do we help clients to move from one of these dynamics into a different way of showing up?This episode explores how we help clients to take relational risks: deepen relationships, practice vulnerability, say “no”, name their internal experience to someone else, tell us when we’ve done something that they did not like…another long list!These risks can happen in the therapy space when we talk about rupture with clients, do active check-ins about how they feel therapy is going, and prioritize intentional open communication. These risks can also happen outside of therapy. In these moments, we can help clients prepare for tricky conversations, discuss how they might feel following a relational risk, and fortify for any big reactions that could happen.Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on InstagramJoin us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

If you’re on any therapy forums, part of a therapist group, or even currently becoming a therapist, you’ve undoubtedly seen people talking about therapists leaving the field. One of the most common questions we get from new therapists is how to know if the field is right for them given how much of a hard time they are having. This week we discuss our theories about why so many new and seasoned therapists alike are leaving the field. We talk about the disillusionment that happens when we transition from student to therapist, how much the field requires of us personally, financially, and emotionally, and the trend of established practices mistreating new therapists to the point of burnout.We also discuss the impact of our current unstable economy, the demands of capitalism, how little some therapists are being paid and what it means to be a therapist trained through an individual lens but realizing how big the systems are that impact our clients.Being a therapist is not easy and we’re not surprised that the systems in place are forcing people to choose professions outside of therapy. But we feel a sense of sadness that so many incredibly gifted clinicians are needing to look elsewhere because of low pay, unrealistic work expectations from employers, and ever-increasing demands on the field as a whole.Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on InstagramJoin us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed the landscape of therapy. Where before 2020 online therapy was met with a great deal of skepticism and judgment, once in-person sessions were no longer possible, clinicians across the world had to pivot into virtual work. At first, it seemed that the changes may only be temporary (“just until it’s safe to be in-person again”) but here we are almost four years later, and virtual work has become an undeniable part of our field.In this episode, we dive into the pros and cons, and the debates around virtual versus in-person therapy. We talk about what is unique in each—how clients might get distracted, what interruptions look like, the control we have over the therapy space, how comfortable everyone feels, and the nuances of interacting with our clients. Plus, we discuss all the ways the essential parts of therapy remain the same, regardless of the setting.Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on InstagramJoin us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.Alison McClearywww.alpenglowcounselling.com@alpenglow_counselling on InstagramJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

Therapists explore the significance of 'small things' in sessions, challenging misconceptions about therapy eligibility. They delve into clients' minor stories, emphasizing the emotional depth behind seemingly insignificant issues. The episode navigates crisis reactions in teenagers vs. adults and the complexities of diverse client relationships. Therapists reflect on peer consultation, accountability, and the importance of genuine introspection in therapy sessions.

Join us in a candid conversation about therapist boundaries, power dynamics, and finding balance in therapy. Explore the challenges of setting boundaries in therapy practice and the consequences of leaving a therapy site. Learn about the influence of group practice culture on therapists and how to navigate power dynamics with supervisors. Plus, discover a practice management software for therapists and ways to engage with the podcast.