The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy

The Crisis in College Mental Health: An Interview with Dr. Pardis Mahdavi, PhD Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk with Dr. Pardis Mahdavi about the growing mental-health crisis among college students. Pardis shares insights from her years in higher education leadership—revealing how rising costs, outdated systems, and lack of purpose are driving student anxiety and burnout. Together they explore what therapists, universities, and communities can do to realign education with meaning, wellbeing, and real-world readiness. About Our Guest: Dr. Pardis Mahdavi, Ph.D. Pardis Mahdavi is an author, educator, and entrepreneur whose work spans human rights, education policy, and consciousness. A former university president and provost, she is the author of seven nonfiction books including The Book of Queens (Hachette Books, 2023) and Riding (Duke University Press, 2024). She currently leads Entheon Journeys and The Bondery House, fostering connection and expanded awareness. Key Takeaways for Therapists College students face unprecedented levels of anxiety and depression—driven by systemic disconnection, financial stress, and unclear purpose. Higher education often fails to evolve with societal change, leaving students feeling unprepared and unseen. Preventive supports like mindfulness and mentorship should be built into the college experience. Therapists can help students find meaning, manage uncertainty, and advocate for collaborative care across campus systems. Full show notes: mtsgpodcast.com Join the Modern Therapist Community Our Linktree Creative Credits: Voice Over by DW McCann Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano

Medical Necessity or Personal Growth? Why Documentation Matters in Therapy Curt and Katie talk about medical necessity in therapy documentation – what it is, why it matters, and how therapists can navigate the tension between clinical care, insurance requirements, and personal growth. We explore how documentation protects therapists in utilization reviews and disciplinary processes, and how to ethically distinguish therapy from coaching or self-improvement. Key Takeaways for Therapists Why documenting medical necessity matters for insurance, ethics, and liability Risks of over-diagnosing or misrepresenting symptoms The role of treatment plans and progress notes in demonstrating medical necessity Navigating personal growth requests vs. clinical therapy Protecting yourself with clear, consistent documentation About Our Hosts Curt Widhalm, LMFT – www.curtwidhalm.com Katie Vernoy, LMFT – www.katievernoy.com Find the transcript and additional resources at mtsgpodcast.com. Join the Modern Therapist Community Linktree Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits Voice Over by DW McCann Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano

Beyond Coping: Radical Healing in a World Not Built for Us – An Interview with José Rosario Curt and Katie chat with José Rosario about radical healing, disability, cultural trauma, and intersectionality. José shares his story as a scholar, practitioner, and activist, and how his lived experience as a disabled person of color who is also queer informs both his clinical work and research. He discusses how healing must move beyond coping, the importance of community engagement, and how therapists can better support clients with marginalized identities. About Our Guest: José Rosario Born to young Puerto Rican parents, José Rosario developed Cerebral Palsy as a premature baby. His family's journey towards equity deeply impacted his mental health. Currently nearing his PhD in Clinical Psychology, his research focuses on cultural trauma in intersectional communities. He is an Interdisciplinary Minority Fellow for the American Psychological Association, member of the Congressional Diversity and Equality Advisory Board for Congressman James Langevin, and member of the Rhode Island Attorney General Community Advisory Board. He has been honored with the Chris Martin Humanitarian Award and the Victoria Lederberg Award for Excellence in Psychology. Key Takeaways for Therapists Radical healing means moving beyond coping to systemic change and community-based healing. Disability, race, and queerness intersect in ways that compound stigma and systemic barriers. Community is both a source of hope and a vital element of healing. Therapists must step outside the therapy room and engage genuinely with the communities they serve. For full show notes and transcripts, visit: mtsgpodcast.com Join the Modern Therapist Community Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits Voice Over by DW McCann Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano

Navigating Food, Body Image, and GLP-1 Medications: An Interview with Robyn L. Goldberg, RDN, CEDS-C Therapists are seeing more clients struggling with confusing medical advice, new medications, and diet culture messages that impact their relationship with food and body. In this conversation, Curt and Katie talk with Robyn L. Goldberg, RDN, CEDS-C about how therapists can examine their own biases, support clients navigating restrictive medical guidance, and encourage healthier, more intuitive approaches to eating. About Our Guest: Robyn L. Goldberg, RDN, CEDS-C Robyn began her career at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles as the in-patient dietitian in the Department of Cardiology. Over the last twenty-eight years she has developed her own private practice in Los Angeles, CA. She is a contributing author and is a nationally and internationally known registered dietitian nutritionist. She has been quoted in The New York Times, The Huffington Post, and Vogue. She has been on national television as the eating disorder expert on The Insider. Robyn is the author of The Eating Disorder Trap: A Guide for Clinicians and Loved Ones, Co-author of the online course Your Recovery Resource, and the host of The Eating Disorder Trap Podcast. Key Takeaways for Therapists Therapists must examine their own food and body biases to avoid unintentional harm to clients. Many physicians have minimal training in dietetics and may give inadequate advice. Clients can advocate for themselves in medical settings, including refusing to be weighed. GLP-1 medications may reduce appetite but can cause malnutrition, fatigue, and bone/muscle loss. Intuitive eating offers a path back to a healthier, more trusting relationship with food. For full show notes and transcript: mtsgpodcast.com Join the Modern Therapist Community Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined Creative Credits Voice Over by DW McCann Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano

Somatic Therapy, Nervous System Regulation, and Expanding Capacity for Rest: An Interview with Linda Thai Curt and Katie chat with Linda Thai, LMSW, ERYT-200 about practical, culturally aware somatic tools therapists can use, helping clients (and themselves) expand capacity for rest, and integrating bottom-up work ethically when working with trauma survivors and adult children of refugees and immigrants. Full show notes and transcripts available at mtsgpodcast.com. About Our Guest: Linda Thai, LMSW, ERYT-200 Linda Thai is a trauma therapist and educator specializing in brain- and body-based modalities for addressing complex developmental trauma. She teaches mindfulness, grief tending, and somatic practices with a special focus on adult children of refugees and immigrants. Linda has assisted Dr. Bessel van der Kolk in psychotherapy workshops on attachment trauma and offers trainings and courses worldwide. Key Takeaways for Therapists Gentle rocking and orienting to distance are accessible entry points for regulation. Track SUNs (Subjective Units of Nourishment) as well as distress in sessions. Somatic work expands capacity for rest, not just activation. Therapists must contextualize disembodiment within colonization, hustle culture, and systemic exploitation. Choose teachers and communities that match your style before committing to long trainings. Join the Modern Therapist Community Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined Creative Credits: Voice Over by DW McCann: DW McCann FacebookMusic by Crystal Grooms Mangano: groomsymusic.com

The Initial Consultation Call: Setting the Foundation for Therapy Curt and Katie chat about consultation and intake phone calls — the crucial first step in the client–therapist relationship. They explore how to balance logistics with empathy, set realistic expectations, and create safety and rapport from the very beginning. About our Hosts:Curt Widhalm, LMFT – www.curtwidhalm.comKatie Vernoy, LMFT – www.katievernoy.com Key Takeaways for Therapists: How consultation calls set the tone for therapy Balancing logistics (fees, scheduling, insurance) with rapport-building Exploring referral sources, past therapy experiences, and client expectations Avoiding underselling yourself when discussing fees For more information and full show notes, visit: mtsgpodcast.com Join the Modern Therapist Community: Linktree Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits: Voice Over by DW McCann Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano

Unmasking Shame, Myths, and Healing for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse: An Interview with Jeremy Sachs Curt and Katie chat with Jeremy Sachs, integrated therapist and Narrative Exposure Therapist, about supporting male survivors of sexual abuse. We explore harmful myths and stereotypes, the developmental impacts of sexual trauma, and the systemic and cultural barriers that make healing harder. Jeremy shares therapeutic approaches for early disclosure, building safety, and integrating trauma-specific interventions like Narrative Exposure Therapy, as well as the role of transformative justice in recovery. About Our Guest:Jeremy Sachs is an integrated therapist and Narrative Exposure Therapist from London, UK, now based in Glasgow, Scotland. Since the 2010s, he has run services that support individuals living with trauma or marginalisation, helping them to connect and find community. In 2016, he focused on developing therapy services for men, boys, and trans people who have survived sexual abuse and rape. He runs recovery groups and a private practice both online and in-person. Key Takeaways for Therapists: Myths like “men always want sex” or “they must have enjoyed it” are harmful and based on misunderstandings. Sexual abuse rarely occurs in isolation—context and systemic oppression matter. Containment and safety should precede trauma-specific work. Narrative Exposure Therapy can help integrate fragmented memories. Transformative justice offers community-based alternatives to the criminal justice system. Get the full show notes and transcript at: mtsgpodcast.com Join the Modern Therapist Community Linktree Patreon Podcast Homepage YouTube Facebook Group Creative Credits: Voice Over by DW McCann Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano

Relational Healing, Neuroplasticity, and the Power of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: An Interview with Dr. Alexa Altman, Ph.D. and Shira Myrow, LMFT In this episode, Curt and Katie chat with Dr. Alexa Altman and Shira Myrow, LMFT, about psychedelic-assisted therapy and how it supports trauma healing, neuroplasticity, and relational transformation. They explore how these treatments work, what integration really means, and how therapists can ethically and safely engage with this emerging field. About our guests:Dr. Alexa Altman and Shira Myrow, MFT, are co-founders of iPsychedelic Therapy. With backgrounds in trauma-informed psychology, spiritual counseling, and relational healing, they offer a holistic approach to psychedelic-assisted therapy that centers ethical care, integration, and transformational growth. Key takeaways: Psychedelics are not shortcuts—they act as amplifiers and accelerants in trauma work. Integration is a crucial part of psychedelic-assisted therapy and often overlooked. Clinicians must examine their own biases and seek robust training. Some clients are not appropriate for these treatments due to fragility or lack of therapeutic background. A safe therapeutic container, rigorous consent, and preparation are essential. Regulatory frameworks are still emerging and need clinician involvement. More info, transcripts, and full show notes: mtsgpodcast.com Join the Modern Therapist Community: Linktree Creative Credits: Voice Over by DW McCann Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano

Advanced Minds, Unique Challenges: Therapeutic Approaches for Gifted Children Gifted children often present with complex needs that are misunderstood or misdiagnosed. In this continuing education episode, Curt and Katie explore how asynchronous development, emotional intensity, and cognitive complexity show up in the therapy room—and what therapists need to build effective therapeutic alliances. They highlight key research, therapist characteristics that support clinical success, and how to work with masking, perfectionism, and challenging behaviors without pathologizing giftedness. Key Takeaways: Giftedness includes uneven cognitive, emotional, and social development Misdiagnosis and masking are common Therapist flexibility, intensity, and curiosity matter more than techniques Gifted children often resist therapy when they feel misunderstood Parents may need education and validation around giftedness About Our Hosts: Curt Widhalm, LMFT – www.curtwidhalm.com Katie Vernoy, LMFT – www.katievernoy.com CE Available for this Episode To earn 1 CE unit, visit moderntherapistcommunity.com More info and full show notes at mtsgpodcast.com Join the community: linktr.ee/therapyreimagined Creative Credits: Voice Over by DW McCann – facebook.com/McCannDW Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano – groomsymusic.com

Relational Self-Awareness and the Hard Truths of Couples Therapy: An Interview with Dr. Alexandra Solomon Dr. Alexandra H. Solomon joins Curt and Katie to discuss what therapists get wrong in couples therapy, how to work with high-conflict dynamics, and the power of relational self-awareness. We explore how therapists can show up better prepared for the real work of helping relationships grow—or gracefully end. About Our Guest:Dr. Alexandra H. Solomon, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist, professor, author, and host of the Reimagining Love podcast. Known globally for her relational self-awareness framework, Dr. Solomon bridges clinical wisdom, research, and pop culture in her work with couples. She is the author of Loving Bravely, Taking Sexy Back, and Love Every Day. Key Takeaways: The relationship—not the individuals—is the client in couples therapy Why individual therapist skills don’t always translate to couples work How regulation and self-awareness reduce conflict and promote connection What therapists should know about the "change partner vs. acceptance partner" dynamic Why therapist bias and romantic myths can derail the work More info, transcripts, and full show notes at mtsgpodcast.com Join the Modern Therapist Community:https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined Creative Credits: Voice Over by DW McCann: facebook.com/McCannDW Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano: groomsymusic.com