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

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

In this engaging conversation, Linda Thai, a trauma-focused somatic therapist and educator, shares her insights into somatic healing. She discusses how disembodiment relates to historical trauma and cultural contexts, particularly for adult children of refugees. Linda introduces practical tools like gentle rocking and tracking Subjective Units of Nourishment (SUNs) to help clients regulate their nervous systems. She emphasizes the importance of expanding capacity for rest and integrating these practices ethically in therapy.

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

What Do You Have to Offer? How Describing Your Ideal Client Might Be Repelling Good Enough Clients Curt and Katie chat about common mistakes therapists make when writing their websites and directories — especially using “ideal client” language that may turn away the very clients they want to help. They explore how to write therapist website copy that’s client-centered, inclusive, and more effective for attracting referrals. Key Takeaways: Describing ideal clients too rigidly can unintentionally alienate potential referrals Language should reflect client experiences and therapy process — not just therapist preferences Blog posts are a flexible, strategic way to expand on specialty areas without over-niching Websites should be regularly updated to reflect current practice and make contact easy Listen to the full episode and access resources:https://therapyreimagined.com/podcast Join the Modern Therapist Community:https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined Creative Credits: Voice Over by DW McCann Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano

Dr. Steve Dansiger, a clinical psychologist and EMDR consultant, shares insights on integrating mindfulness with EMDR. He debunks common myths about mindfulness and emphasizes its role in stabilizing trauma work. Steve highlights how wearable tech, utilizing sound and vibration, can help clients during sessions. He discusses the importance of maintaining a personal mindfulness practice for therapists and explores innovative applications for wearable healing technology in therapy and beyond.

Rethinking Oppositional Defiant Disorder—Children Reacting to the System Around Them Curt and Katie chat about Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), reframing it as a response to systemic and environmental stressors rather than a characterological flaw in children. They explore diagnostic challenges, systemic bias, and treatment considerations that support children and families more holistically. This episode is designed to help therapists critically assess and intervene when working with oppositional or defiant behaviors. Course Available for CE Credit:One unit of continuing education is available for this episode at moderntherapistcommunity.com. Listen, purchase the course, pass the post-test, and earn your certificate! Key Takeaways: Understand how ODD criteria can be misapplied without systemic context Identify the impact of trauma, neurodivergence, and racism on misdiagnosis Apply a functional, family systems-based approach to treating oppositional behaviors Learn which interventions are evidence-based—and which to avoid Recognize the importance of treating ODD like an adjustment to environment, not a lifelong label Link to Full Show Notes:Full references, transcript, and resource list at mtsgpodcast.com Join the Modern Therapist Community:Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined Creative Credits: Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano – groomsymusic.com Voice Over by DW McCann – facebook.com/McCannDW