Think Act Be Podcast

Joel Minden, a licensed therapist and frequent podcast collaborator, discusses maximizing the effectiveness of therapy sessions. He shares tips on choosing the right therapist and preparing for sessions by prioritizing topics. The conversation highlights the importance of honesty with therapists and the benefits of practicing skills outside of therapy. Joel emphasizes summarizing key takeaways at the end of each session to enhance learning and application in daily life, making every therapy visit count.

In this engaging conversation, cognitive-behavioral therapist Joel Minden tackles the fear of judgment in therapy. He explores why clients often hold back, addressing common anxieties about being perceived as 'crazy' and the shame tied to personal struggles. Joel emphasizes the need for therapy to be a safe space for full honesty and normalizes the experiences of clients. He also discusses the significance of initial sessions in building trust and the importance of therapists' nonjudgmental attitudes, even when sensitive topics arise.

There's nothing more important for your well-being than having good relationships. But countless people find themselves feeling isolated and alone, with few real friends. Joel and I explore effective ways to meet new people, including how to address common obstacles like anxiety and depression. Discover small, practical steps you can take toward building more connection in your daily life. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

In this discussion, clinical expert Joel Minden shares practical strategies for managing anxiety, drawing insights from his work. He highlights the importance of short daily practices to realign thinking and ease anxious feelings. Topics include embracing the uncertainty of change, the significance of mindfulness in movement, and taking gradual steps to confront fears. Seth and Joel also delve into how starting tasks early can minimize avoidance-driven anxiety and illustrate the interconnectedness of cognitive, behavioral, and mindfulness techniques.

One of the hardest parts of being a parent is dealing with a child’s challenging emotions. Many of the same skills that help in your relationship with your child can also help in managing your own feelings. In this episode Joel and I explore how to diffuse difficult emotions rather than adding fuel to the fire, integrating firmness and warmth, and investing in a long-term relationship with yourself. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

Your mental habits have a powerful effect on the health of your relationship. In this episode Joel and I explore some of the common cognitive distortions that can drive a wedge between partners, such as mind reading, personalizing, shoulding, and the blame bias. Discover how to recognize and see through these distortions. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

Joel Menden, a psychologist and author of 'Your Daily Reset', dives into the intriguing world of emotional intelligence. He discusses how emotional awareness can significantly improve decision-making and interpersonal relationships. The conversation explores core skills behind emotional intelligence, such as recognizing and managing emotions. They also debate if 'intelligence' fits emotions and highlight practical strategies like mindful check-ins and empathic listening to foster emotional skills. Tune in for insights that can transform how you understand and utilize your emotions!

In this engaging discussion, Joel Minden, a practicing clinician, shares valuable insights on managing daily stress. He emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between stress and anxiety, as well as the biology behind stress responses. The conversation dives into the role of sleep, diet, and exercise in reducing stress, while stressing the need for healthy boundaries in relationships. Joel also highlights techniques like breathwork, mindfulness, and finding joy in daily tasks as effective strategies to foster resilience and maintain a balanced mindset.

Joel and I explore what intrusive thoughts are, what causes them, what makes them worse, and how to deal with them more effectively. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe

There is an ongoing debate about what makes therapy effective. Is it aspects of the therapist? What the patient brings to treatment? Common factors that cut across all psychotherapy, or specific elements of certain treatment programs? Joel and I explore these questions and discuss our own views on why therapy works. Here is a link to the classic review that Joel mentioned about psychotherapy clinical outcome studies: Meta-analysis of Psychotherapy Outcome Studies. Get full access to Think Act Be with Seth Gillihan at thinkactbe.substack.com/subscribe