Very Bad Therapy

Today's episode is a deep dive into the nuances of harm reduction therapy. How does stigmatization, politicization, and cultural bias regarding substance use influence the way mental health professionals view and work with their clients? What happens when abstinence is not a client's preferred option? Also, Ben and Carrie say hello to Sweden! Show Notes: Donate to Harm Reduction Coalition What Does Recovery Mean in Practice? A Qualitative Analysis of International Recovery-Oriented Practice Guidance The Antidote To The Opioid Crisis: Harm Reduction As A Pathway To Autonomy, Connection, And Hope Harm Reduction Therapy: A Practice-Friendly Review of Research Lauren's Website Very Bad Website / Facebook / Instagram

The quality of the therapeutic alliance is one of the largest predictors of successful therapy. What doesn't help with building rapport? 25 minutes of paperwork to begin every session. Today's guest Meredith shares her challenges in working with a therapist who failed to convey appropriate messages of empathy but felt very strongly about the positive impact of collecting sticks from the ground. Show Notes: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Give a Gift The Harmful Effects of Psychotherapy: When the Therapeutic Alliance Fails Therapist shortage, or saturation? Depends on who (and how) you ask Synchronous Telehealth Technologies in Psychotherapy for Depression: A Meta-analysis Best Practices in the Online Practice of Couple and Family Therapy Very Bad Website / Facebook / Instagram

Societal messages around health, beauty, and body image can contribute to problems that lead individuals to seek out therapy. But what happens when the therapist herself is unaware of how these cultural influences impact how treatment is provided? Our guest Holly shares her story about working with a therapist who reinforced unhealthy disordered eating behaviors under the guise of helpful therapy. Show Notes: Performing a Project Premortem Health at Every Size Intuitive Eating: The Diet That Tells You to Quit Dieting Psychotherapy for eating disorders: A metaanalysis of direct comparisons Rachel Coleman's website Very Bad Website / Facebook / Instagram

Today's episode features a story about a therapist who pleaded with her client to help with research for her Master's thesis. We discuss why this is objectively problematic and look at the difference between boundary crossing and boundary violation in the context of inherent power dynamics within the therapeutic relationship. Plus, Carrie and Ben share their own absurd experiences of very bad therapy. Show Links: Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Calm the F*ck Down: An Irreverent Adult Coloring Book Patient-Therapist Boundary Issues To Cross Or Not To Cross: Do Boundaries In Therapy Protect Or Harm? Very Bad Website / Facebook / Instagram

Discover the groundbreaking approach of Zimbabwean grandmothers, who have been more effective at treating depression than traditional Western methods. The hosts discuss the urgent need for a mental health shift worldwide, emphasizing the value of community-driven support. They delve into the often-overlooked dynamics of the therapeutic relationship, alongside a critical assessment of the real impact of psychotherapy over the years. Join the dialogue on how authenticity and vulnerability can transform mental health practices.

Therapists are not supposed to tackle their clients*. But what are the ethical limitations in trying to prevent a potential suicide attempt? Today's guest Katherine recounts her experience with a caring clinician who went to extreme lengths to protect her safety, and Dr. Ben Caldwell shares his expertise to help us understand how therapists should manage delicate yet ambiguous situations with clients. *Unless perhaps the client is attempting to physically harm someone else in the room. Perhaps. Show Notes: Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder) Bellah v. Greenson Dr. Ben Caldwell's Website Saving Psychotherapy: How Therapists Can Bring the Talking Cure Back from the Brink SimplePractice Learning Suicide Prevention, Assessment, and Intervention (6 hours CE) Very Bad Website / Facebook / Instagram

Dr. Dana Stone, a licensed marriage and family therapist and professor at CSUN, dives into the complexities of race in therapy. She shares insights on a client's experience with a therapist's microaggression and discusses how such ruptures can ultimately benefit the therapeutic relationship. The conversation emphasizes the importance of cultural humility and open communication. Dana also highlights the need for therapists to acknowledge their biases, advocating for ongoing education to foster understanding and navigate the emotional intricacies of race in therapeutic settings.

If a person claims to be gay, should you ever doubt them? Ben shares his story about winning $50 betting on his own sexual orientation, our guest Shaw tells us what it's like to debate your therapist about same-sex attraction not being a symptom of sexual assault, and we look at research that links sexual trauma to sexual identity. Show Links: Does Maltreatment in Childhood Affect Sexual Orientation in Adulthood? Impact of Sexual Trauma on Gender Identity and Sexual Object Choice Does Incest Cause Homosexuality? https://www.verybadtherapy.com https://www.facebook.com/vbtpodcast https://www.instagram.com/vbtpodcast https://twitter.com/vbtpodcast

EMDR is a groundbreaking, controversial, and maybe not-that-special psychotherapy treatment. We explore the research on its mechanisms and effectiveness before hearing from our guest Justin about his EMDR experience with an overeager therapist. Then, Curt Widhalm, LMFT, EMDR certified, and cohost of The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide sits down with us to answer our questions about EMDR and highlight what went wrong in Justin's therapy. Show Links: How Does Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy Work? A Systematic Review on Suggested Mechanisms of Action EMDR: Taking a Closer Look Curt's Website https://www.verybadtherapy.com https://www.facebook.com/vbtpodcast https://www.instagram.com/vbtpodcast https://twitter.com/vbtpodcast

Carrie and Ben share why they decided to start a podcast about bad therapy. What can be learned from our guests' varied experiences in the counseling room? How will this podcast be helpful to listeners with an interest in therapy? These are conversations that are rarely held within the field of psychotherapy. Thank you for listening. Show Links: https://www.verybadtherapy.com https://www.facebook.com/vbtpodcast https://www.instagram.com/vbtpodcast https://twitter.com/vbtpodcast