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

How Do Therapists Develop?Curt and Katie chat about how therapists can be rigid in their thinking at times and then seem to be performing mental gymnastics at other times. We look at the developmental stages of therapists (drawing from William Perry’s work) and identify where therapists get stuck, where they often regress, rebel, or sink into compliance.Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!In this podcast episode we talk about what typical development looks like for therapistsTherapists go through developmental stages just like everyone else. We thought it would be good to look at how therapists can get stuck in rigidity (or do mental gymnastics) at early stages of development.How can therapists be both rigid AND do mental gymnastics?·      Therapists employ mental gymnastics when they are trying to put together conflicting ideas and solve all of the problems in the field, individually·      Rigidity can happen when people have “figured out” their own choices and believe that everyone should do what they do·      Under-resourced and under-motivated folks can often get very rigidHow do William Perry’s developmental stages apply to therapist development?·      First stage is dualism (i.e., right or wrong), everything is fixable or solvable (grad school students wanting to know what to do)·      Second stage is about finding the right authority to listen to (i.e., sticking very tightly to a specific modality)·      Third stage, early multiplicity, which is getting to the stage where therapists start to know what they don’t know·      Fourth stage, late multiplicity, most problems have solutions we don’t know, people can have their own opinions, and some problems can’t be solved. This is a very uncomfortable stage.·      There are additional stages mentioned in the episode, we focus on Stage 4·      When people get stuck at stage 4, they are likely to regress to early stages (and become more rigid) or they are likely to rebel, or play the gameWhat are the concerns with therapists at earlier stages not moving through to later stages?·      Therapist Facebook groups may support stage 4 and earlier therapists providing dualistic or simplistic questions and answers leading to shortsighted·      Difficulty looking at any opposing voices due to rigidity or rebellion or complianceHow can therapists avoid rigidity in their thinking (or rebellion, or compliance)?·      Providing space to understand the options·      Employing critical thinking·      Deeper thought about what you’re doing and why you’re doing it·      Explore context and have conversations with folks further along in their developmentResources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, so if you purchase after clicking below, we may get a little bit of cash in our pockets. We thank you in advance!William Perry’s Scheme of Intellectual and Mental DevelopmentStay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:Our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimaginedPatreonBuy Me A CoffeeModern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits:Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano https://groomsymusic.com/

Teaching Wisdom: Best practices for decision-making to support your clientsCurt and Katie chat about decision-making best practices. We look at how we make decisions, what the decision-making process looks like, what can get in the way of effective decision-making, and how therapists can support their clients in making the best possible decisions.This is a continuing education podcourse.Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!In this podcast episode we talk about how therapists can support clients in decision-makingWhen therapists are asked “what do I do?!?” by their clients, we can often redirect our clients back and encourage them to make their own decisions. But what if we could provide them with best practices to support their decision-making process? This workshop is designed to help therapists learn more about how people typically make decisions, the cultural differences that can show up in the decision-making process, and best practices to support clients in making informed decisions.How do we make decisions?·      We don’t often choose what is in our best interest·      Emotions, mood, bias impact how we make decisions·      The DBT concept of Wise Mind, is a strong space to make decision·      Individual differences, including age, generation, family structures·      Cultural differences, including individualistic versus collectivist, tight or loose cultures (how many norms and how strictly they are enforced), cognitive style (wholistic versus analytic)·      Intersectionality also plays a part in how these factors can impact decision-makingWhat does the decision-making process look like?·      Does a decision need to be made?·      Who/what makes this decision?·      How is the decision?·      How much time and energy are invested in the decision-making?·      What are the alternatives?·      What could happen if the decision is implemented?·      What would happen if I make this decision?·      What values are relevant?·      What are the tradeoffs?·      How acceptable is this decision to the people around me?·      ImplementationWhat can get in the way of effective decision-making?·      How someone has been parented·      Mental health concerns like anxiety·      Cognitive biases like confirmation bias, anchoring, and availability bias·      Misalignment with values·      Errors from Decisive by Dan and Chip Heath: narrow framing, confirmation bias, short-term emotions, overconfidence·      Defensive decision-making when there is a lack of resources or safety·      Low sleep impacts both at overall cognitive and metacognitive levelsWhat are best practices for decision-making?·      Looking at opportunities for moral development when there are misalignments or conflicts between core values when making a decision·      From Decisive: WRAP techniques to improve decision-makingReceive Continuing Education for this Episode of the Modern Therapist’s Survival GuideYou can find this full course (including handouts and resources) here: https://learn.moderntherapistcommunity.com/pages/podcourseContinuing Education Approvals:Continuing Education InformationStay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:PatreonBuy Me A CoffeeModern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits:Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano https://groomsymusic.com/

Does Your Social Media Make You Look Like a Bad Therapist?Curt and Katie chat about therapists putting out advice on social media. We look at how bad this advice can be and when it can even be harmful. We talk about what makes this advice bad and what to do instead.  Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!In this podcast episode we talk about therapist influencers giving advice on social mediaWe look at really bad relationship advice that seems to proliferate on social media by therapist influencers.Why is the advice oftentimes bad from therapists on social media?·      Micro-validation of what clients are already believing about themselves or their partners·      Lack of context and very specific related to your target client (but seen by all folks)·      Focusing on the people around the person reading the post, rather than the reader themselves·      Single posts that go viral or reach wider audiences may be misconstrued or taken out of contextWhat is the potential for harm for the therapy profession?·      Bad advice = bad therapist, which can be generalized to all therapists·      Harmful advice can lead to harm in the wider population·      Saying that you’re speaking for all of mental health (when it is actually not grounded in the evidence base)·      It is hard to distill nuanced information in very short timeframesWhat should therapists do to improve their social media posts?·      Citing sources rather than standing out as a sole expert·      Grounding self in the evidence base or recognized psychological knowledge·      Talking to clients about what they can do, rather than how to judge the people around them·      Designing the content to be engaging, but also tie back to longer form content that can have more nuance and context·      Each post has to stand alone, with sufficient context·      Identifying questions or considerations for folks to look at (versus definitive statements)What are the concerns with therapists being too limited with what they share on social media?·      Not providing information that can help folks in abusive relationships·      Coaches and “fake therapists” may be the only people in the space, putting out even worse adviceWhat are the characteristics of very bad social media advice?·      Rigidity in perspective·      Equating hurt and abuse·      Overusing pop psychology terms like “trauma bond”·      Giving overarching, single tactic coping advice that can be harmful for many folks·      Putting things very definitively, without nuance relatedResources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, so if you purchase after clicking below, we may get a little bit of cash in our pockets. We thank you in advance!Relevant Episodes of MTSG Podcast:Navigating the Social Media Self-Diagnosis TrendHas Therapy Become the New ReligionWhat Can Therapists Say About Celebrities: The ethics of public statementsStay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:PatreonBuy Me A CoffeeOur Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimaginedModern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits:Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano https://groomsymusic.com/

Oklahoma Bureaucrats Want Your Mental Health RecordsCurt and Katie chat about some Oklahoma legislation about health information exchange. We talk about what a health information exchange is, the concerns with Oklahoma’s legislation related to health information exchange, and how therapists can advocate effectively (as modern therapists in Oklahoma have done).   Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!In this podcast episode we talk about new Oklahoma legislationWe look at “coordinated care” and the problems that could ensue if therapists are required to participate in the health information exchange.What are health information exchanges?·       A central location for all health providers to chart to help with coordination of care·       Psychotherapy notes are not required to be put into these systems, but diagnosis, treatment dates, and prescriptions seem to be required.·       Patients can opt out of this information being shared, but it will still be stored in these databasesWhat are the concerns with the new Oklahoma legislation related to health information exchange?·       Oklahoma is now asking to put medical information into a system regardless of whether they are on Medicaid or any other type of service as well as for folks who are paying out of pocket·       The price tag of connecting to this system is high·       The confusion around whether therapists are “medical providers” or not·       Interstate practice can be impactedWhat can therapists do to understand and impact legislation?·       Acknowledge that we’re healthcare providers to stay aware of responsibilities·       Watching legislation that is relevant·       Being involved in your professional organization or member benefit organization, so you know that there is someone watching for these types of legislation and prepped for advocacy·       Advocacy and activism within these orgs as well as individual and small group advocacy·       Understanding the concerns related to lack of privacy for clients·       All 50 states have a health information exchange, so all clinicians need to pay attention·       Paying attention from the bill writing process all the way through implementation·       Going to public meetings to provide feedback on implementation·       Donate to your professional association’s Political Action CommitteesResources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, so if you purchase after clicking below, we may get a little bit of cash in our pockets. We thank you in advance!Oklahoma Providers for PrivacyKeeping Oklahomans' Mental Health Records ConfidentialLawmaker says concerns about Oklahoma health information exchange 'unfounded'State board approves health information exchange rules despite pushbackRelevant Episodes of MTSG Podcast:What Goes in Your Notes (About Abortion and Gender Affirming Care)?The January 2022 Surprise of Good Faith EstimatesIs the Counseling Compact Good For Therapists?Joining Your AssociationLet’s Get Political: An interview with Heather Walker Janz, LMFTNow Modern Therapists Have to Document Every F-ing Thing?Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:PatreonBuy Me A CoffeeOur Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimaginedModern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits:Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano https://groomsymusic.com/

Making Every Therapy Practice Profitable: An Interview with Julie HerresCurt and Katie interview Julie Herres of GreenOak Accounting about her new book, Profit First for Therapists. We explore what profit first is, the unique challenges that therapist face in implementing profit first, the core principles of profit first, mistakes therapists make in implementation, and the benefits of using this bookkeeping model.Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!In this podcast episode, we talk about the profit first method specific to therapy practicesTherapists often struggle with their money, oftentimes forgetting to pull out profit or paying themselves. One accounting system that helps therapists to better manage their money is Profit First. Our friend, Julie Herres, has written a book about this system with specific information for how this accounting system applies to therapists.What is Profit First?·      Focusing on profit as a given number in your accounting·      You identify the profit you need FIRST to determine what you can spend on your expenses·      An accounting system created by Mike MichalowiczWhat are the unique challenges that therapists face in implementing profit first?·      Therapist guilt and emotional processes that get in the way of therapists mastering the money in their businesses·      The stages of change that go into realigning your budget to stabilize your finances in your business and personal lifeThe core principles of Profit First·      “Use a smaller plate” so you spend less money. You add bank accounts, so each is smaller to divide out your profit, expenses, pay, and taxes.·      “Serve sequentially” – to the different bank accounts·      “Remove temptation” – the idea is that you won’t use money that is in a labeled account for something else.·      “Enforce a rhythm” – moving money consistently, to help see the ebb and flow of money in the business.Mistakes therapists often make in implementing Profit First·      Not changing spending habits·      Changing too much too quickly·      Not creating separate bank accounts (this is a key to success)The benefits of using Profit First in your therapy practice·      Understanding where your money is going·      Planning for scaling into a group practice·      Looking at finances in a structured and consistent way·      Understanding the percentages for all the money in the business·      Making sure that you are paying yourself and taking profit in your businessThoughts about group practices·      The different phases of growth·      The benefits of using a more structured system to weather the emotional challenges of growth in your business·      Reverse engineering your practice to support your lifeResources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, so if you purchase after clicking below, we may get a little bit of cash in our pockets. We thank you in advance!The Book: Profit First for Therapists by Julie Herreshttps://www.profitfirstfortherapists.com/mtsg@Julie.Herres on InstagramGreenOak AccountingFacebook Group: Profit First for TherapistsRelevant Episodes of MTSG Podcast:Don’t Take Tax Advice From Therapists: An interview with Julie HerresFinancial Therapy: An interview with Lindsay Bryan-PodvinAsking for MoneyStay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:PatreonBuy Me A CoffeeModern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits:Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano https://groomsymusic.com/

What is Our Fascination with Anything Vaguely Neuroscience?Curt and Katie chat about our profession’s fascination with neuroscience. We explore the myths about the brain, why therapists lean on neuroscience (even when they really shouldn’t), and how “neuro” is misused and can actually be harmful to our clients.   Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!In this podcast episode we talk about neuroscienceCurt has started to get frustrated with all of the ways that neuroscience is misused. Curt is frustrated with the ongoing use of “neuro” information that may be myth.What are the most common neuromyths? Humans only use 10% of our brains Left/Right Brain preference Learning style (i.e., auditory, visual, or kinetic learners) If you don’t drink enough water, your brain will shrink Why do therapists often privilege “neuroscience” over everything else? The fascination with brain scans The belief that explanations including neuroscience are more effective (even if they are not) Interest in data and the scientific explanations The Misuse of “Neuro” to increase the credibility of other concepts The “neuroscience” of the power of attraction Overusing neuroscience explanations for interventions that don’t help The potential for clients to feel incompetent due to trying to access parts of the brain versus understanding the interventions in a basic and complete manner Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, so if you purchase after clicking below, we may get a little bit of cash in our pockets. We thank you in advance!Article: The Seductive Allure of Neuroscience Explanations by Deena Skolnick Weisberg, Frank C. Keil, Joshua Goodstein, Elizabeth Rawson, and Jeremy R. GrayArticle: Dispelling the Myth: Training in Education or Neuroscience Decreases but Does Not Eliminate Beliefs in Neuromyths by Kelly Macdonald, Laura Germine, Alida Anderson, Joanna Christodoulou and Lauren M. McGrathArticle: Brain Images Make Cognitive Research More BelievableArticle: Neuroscience and education: myths and messagesArticle: Brain images make the article seem more reliableThe manifested article that has not been vetted for scientific accuracy, but I can’t believe I found it: The Neuroscience of The SecretStay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:PatreonBuy Me A CoffeeOur Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimaginedModern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits:Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano https://groomsymusic.com/

Clinical Work with Sex Workers: An Interview with Jamila Dawson, LMFT and Dr. Theo Burnes, PhDCurt and Katie interview Dr. Theo Burnes and Jamila Dawson on their new book Essential Clinical Care for Sex Workers. We talk about what therapists get wrong when thinking about sex work and sex workers, what common biases therapists hold about sex work, what sex work looks like now, and how clinicians can work effectively with sex workers.Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!In this podcast episode, we talk about sex workers seeking therapyThere are number of client populations that we just don’t talk about in grad school. Sex Workers are an important group that we find continue to face bias and ignorance in the therapy room. We reached out to Theo Burnes and Jamila Dawson to learn more about this often forgotten client population.What are therapists getting wrong when thinking about sex work and sex workers? Clinicians often are focused on saving people, which is misguided We lose opportunities as change agents Not understanding sex work and the complexity of any job There is a bias about the relationships between sex and work and what sex is What are common biases that therapists hold related to sex work? The bias that there must be trauma if someone chooses to do sex work The bias that they must hate their job and want to get out of this work The lack of awareness about immigration’s intersection with sex work The additional bias related to racism, sexism, and genderism Anti-erotophobia Anti-neurodivergence – there are more folks in sex work who are neurodivergent due to the flexibility and other characteristics of the job Entertainment bias is pervasive with the rescue theme (e.g., Pretty Woman) What does sex work look like now? The “Whorearchy” or hierarchy within sex worker communities (outside vs inside, independent or employee, safety level) – for example working independently in the safest environments (i.e., inside, virtually) is seen higher up the whorearchy Different types of sex work including courtesan/girlfriend experience versus other types that are less heterosexual normative Understanding the pros and cons of each type of sex work is important for clinicians working with sex workers The opportunities related to innovation (sex and porn often drive innovation) and creativity How can a clinician work effectively with sex workers? Getting curious to fully understand the unique situation for the client Assessments availability in the book: Essential Clinical Care for Sex Workers Pay attention to how you talk about sex work as clients will test whether they can talk about their sex work Sex work may not be the presenting issue, but it is relevant to identify whether they are self-identifying as a sex worker to the therapist Holding space for clients not disclosing everything at the beginning of therapy Showing sex positivity and openness to hear about any sensitive topics (sex, drug use, etc.) Understanding the fears and myths that are floating around (e.g., the myth that therapists will call law enforcement or CPS solely because someone reports being a sex worker) Being an agent for social change and advocating for systemic change Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:PatreonBuy Me A CoffeeModern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits:Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano https://groomsymusic.com/

Is AI Smart for Your Therapy Practice? The ethics of artificial intelligence in therapyCurt and Katie chat about the use of ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence as part of your therapy practice. We look at what uses therapists are considering, the differences between chatbots and search engines, and basic information on how chatbots work. We explore ethical implications for using chatbots within different aspects of a therapist practice. This is a law and ethics continuing education podcourse.Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!In this podcast episode we talk about therapists using ChatGPT in their practicesHow are ChatGPT and other chatbots being used by modern therapists? Writing blog posts and other marketing content Getting suggestions for writing progress notes Potentially case consultation and differential diagnosis? What is the difference between ChatGPT (or other AI chatbots) and Search Engines? The goals are different – developing human-sounding language versus information retrieval Primary sources and raw data versus interpretation and an answer that sounds good What are the legal and ethical uses of ChatGPT? The user agreement allows all uses of the content developed based on your prompts There is not a guarantee of unique output between different users which calls into question ownership on content and plagiarism Citing authorship, publication credits, and whose ideas are being included in your content Suggestions from ethical bodies on how to cite chatbots The importance of transparency and accountability  What is the harm in using ChatGPT without transparency on a therapist website? The impact on pretreatment role expectations and the digital therapeutic alliance A lack of transparency and potential for misleading prospective clients on your personality and/or expertise If you don’t check accuracy, especially when you have someone else creating your content, you may actually create outdated information that is heavily influenced by the medical model and potentially biased What are thoughts about using ChatGPT in clinical work for therapists?Please use caution when using AI in any clinical workWhat are recommendations for modern therapists who would like to use ChatGPT? Use with caution: check primary sources and completely review Transparently cite that AI was used, which app was used, how it was used, and the date when information was pulled Be aware of SEO impacts, lack of branding, whether it adds value, and that the content is accurate and is helpful rather than harmful Do not input any confidential information Do not overly rely on the clinical suggestions due to bias and accuracy concerns Receive Continuing Education for this Episode of the Modern Therapist’s Survival GuideYou can find this full course (including handouts and resources) here: https://learn.moderntherapistcommunity.com/pages/podcourseContinuing Education Approvals: Continuing Education Information Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, so if you purchase after clicking below, we may get a little bit of cash in our pockets. We thank you in advance!ChatGPT*The full reference list can be found in the course on our learning platform.Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits:Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano https://groomsymusic.com/

What Therapists Should Know About Code-Switching: An Interview with Dr. Jameta Nicole BarlowCurt and Katie interview Dr. Jameta Nicole Barlow on code-switching. We explore what code-switching is, the mental health impacts of code-switching, and how therapists can support clients who code-switch.Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!In this podcast episode, we talk about code-switchingAn important conversation about code-switching for therapists. What do we need to know and what can we do to support people who need to code switch?What is code-switching? Shifting how one speaks or behaves to fit into the current situation Often occurs with people who do not look like you or are culturally different from you Learning to operate differently in different spaces due to being judged based on appearance, behavior, and language Choosing which words to use, which has additional layers for multilingual folks Much deeper than just linguistic shifts Responding to the potential for violent harm when how you typically show up doesn’t fit the current situation’s prescribed norms The concept of “professionalism” and who set the standards Needing to push back on the norms What are the mental health effects of Code-switching? Anxiety and depression Not bringing full self into most spaces Hesitation, lack of learning and sharing Chronic health diseases connected to cortisol Identity concerns, unraveling of identity over time Fear of being found out or not being accepted High mental load Not everyone code switches Why are people code-switching in professional settings? Or is it still happening? Shifts in behaviors during the pandemic Letting go of certain social mores on zoom Not having to go to work and putting on a professional persona when working remotely What can mental health professionals due to support clients who code-switch? There are not enough Black therapists to see all of the Black clients, so therapists of other demographics need to make sure that they are addressing it Going beyond the client having to explain all of their experience or be a cultural translator Stay present to the story and clarify later, to allow client to stay in the vulnerability Being authentic yourself as a therapist, to create space for imperfection Providing reinforcement for the client showing up authentically, their accomplishments Getting to IDGAF attitude and testing it out in different spaces How does Dr. Jameta Barlow push back against the status quo related to code-switching? Land acknowledgement Grounding in family and cultural history Focusing on the history and the experiences of Black women No code-switching or requirement for being anything but your full self Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, so if you purchase after clicking below, we may get a little bit of cash in our pockets. We thank you in advance!Dr. Barlow’s Website: JametaBarlow.comTwitter: @allaboutafyaEmail: JametaWrites @ gmail.comInformation on the concept of Double Consciousness from W.E.B. Du BoisArticle on PsychCentral: Code-Switching: What it is and What it Costs UsStay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:PatreonBuy Me A CoffeeModern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits:Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano https://groomsymusic.com/ 

Why Is Therapy Taking So Long? The causes and solutions for therapeutic driftCurt and Katie chat about the tendency for therapists to drift clinically – meaning that they fail to use evidence-based practices that they have been trained to do. We explore the phenomenon of therapeutic drift, contributing factors, ways to mitigate risk, and what therapists can do to address this tendency that leads to poorer therapeutic outcomes. This is a continuing education podcourse.Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!In this podcast episode we explore why therapists stray from using evidence-based practicesIn order for therapy to be successful, both the therapist and client need to stay invested in the therapeutic process. We explore the reasons that therapy can stall, how to identify the causes, and how to get back on track toward achieving client goals.What is therapist drift and why is it bad? Therapists will fail to use evidence-based treatment even when they have the tools and training May be seen as pushing back on manualized treatments that do not seem to focus on the relationship sufficiently Therapeutic drift can happen when the therapist and client are not in agreement or clear on the goals for treatment Not sticking to the plan for treatment and failing to make progress Mislabeling of treatment interventions What factors contribute to therapeutic drift? Client factors include avoiding talking about treatment goals Lack of adherent training and understanding of the models Therapist factors include not identifying optimal treatment methods or structures upon which to build creative intervention Therapists doing what feels good to them versus what is best for the client Systemic factors including teaching too many theories without sufficient depth How can we mitigate the risks of therapeutic drift? Practice-based evidence Setting treatment plans and single session agendas Outcome measures and client feedback Intentionality versus convenience Assessing bias and where our negative feelings about EBPs come from Collaborating with the client Deliberate practice Consultation, ongoing supervision Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, so if you purchase after clicking below, we may get a little bit of cash in our pockets. We thank you in advance!Very Bad Therapy PodcastYou can find this full course (including handouts and resources) here: https://learn.moderntherapistcommunity.com/pages/podcourseContinuing Education Approvals:When we are airing this podcast episode, we have the following CE approval. Please check back as we add other approval bodies: Continuing Education InformationReferences mentioned in this continuing education podcast can be found in the course on our learning platform.Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:Link tree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimaginedPatreonBuy Me A CoffeeModern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits:Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano https://groomsymusic.com/