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

Psychiatric Crises in the Emergency RoomInterview with Kesy Yoon, LMHC and James McMahill, LMFTKesy Yoon, LMHC: As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), I am dedicated to helping my clients understand who they are and how they fit into the world around them. Over the past six years, I have worked in a variety of mental health settings with individuals from all walks of life. Currently, I work with clients struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, trauma, and major life transitions. Over the course of my career, I have developed a specialty in working with the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) 1st generation population. My work in this area is informed by my own personal experience with navigating the differences between an American upbringing and traditional Asian values. I enjoy working with AAPI clients to identify solutions to improve quality of life while honoring important cultural values and needs. Therapy is dynamic and my style is centered upon empowerment and hope. I show up as a human first, therapist second. As a counselor, I believe that every individual is a unique and complicated being; therefore, I do not have one uniform approach. I draw inspiration from several evidence-based modalities such as EMDR, Solution Focused Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I am also trained in the EMDR modality and I am currently in the process of EMDR Certification.James McMahill, LMFT: I am an LMFT in CA and MN specializing in crisis care for those struggling with psychosis, severe depression, PTSD and suicidality. The majority of my clinical experience has been in crisis work and includes all ages, from children and adolescents in inpatient, TAY and adults in county outpatient clinics, and as a member of a Geri Psyche urgent response team. While in San Diego, I was the Program Director for Heartland Wellness Recovery Center, a county outpatient program serving SPMI clients in East County, San Diego. Currently, I am a team member for a CRT (Crisis Response Team) in Carver County, MN, and spend much of my clinical time in Emergency Rooms or responding to community or Law Enforcement mental health crises. I may also be commonly found co moderating Therapists in Private Practice (TIPP) on Facebook, with my wife Namrata.In this episode we talk about: Continuing our special series on Fixing Mental Healthcare in America How emergency rooms become a part of the mental health system The role of emergency rooms as the first door for folks with a mental health crisis It can be a catchall and revolving door for some with longer term mental health concerns The challenges and overwhelm when someone comes into the ER The goals that emergency rooms can have when someone comes in with a psychiatric crisis The differences in ERs (whether they have psychiatric facilities or whether they transfer to other facilities) The challenges in placing clients in psychiatric inpatient care The revolving door – developing relationships and losing hope Potential legislation changes that could increase time for care Conflicting goals at different levels of the hospital and the hot potato syndrome Training of the emergency room staff, medical staff, law enforcement, fire services The criminogenic interpretation of behavior that can hinder law enforcement and seeing a patient as someone needing help The importance of patience in managing psychiatric crises Interacting with Law Enforcement in these situations

Why YOU Shouldn’t Sell Out to BetterHelpAn interview with Jeff Guenther, LPC from TherapyDen about the ins and outs of affiliate partnerships. Curt and Katie talk with Jeff about the offer he received from BetterHelp and why he turned it down – taking some time to discuss the therapist businesses and influencers who have chosen this partnership and the subsequent backlash from the online therapist communities. We look at how these types of partnerships can be formed, what you should consider when you are approached to collaborate with another company, and how much money it would take for us to sell out.It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.Interview with Jeff Guenther, LPC, TherapyDenJeff Guenther, LPC, is a therapist in Portland, OR. He has been in private practice since 2005 and currently leads workshops on how health and wellness practitioners can build their digital brand and attract more clients online. Jeff is the creator and owner of two highly ranked healthcare directory sites, Portland Therapy Center and TherapyDen. In this episode we talk about: Jeff’s TherapyDen story – why/how he started it and the different types of partnerships and other business arrangements that he’s been approached with How to sift out what is being offered and whether a partnership is beneficial or harmful The salesy approaches that Jeff just does not respond to The common origin stories and connections made with tech startups Why Brighter Vision and others have gotten so much backlash when they partnered with BetterHelp The movement from the online therapists’ groups to respond to Brighter Vision and the resulting discontinuation of the partnership with BetterHelp The importance of taking care of the individuals in the profession The corporate focus on commoditization of therapy The different ways that companies like BetterHelp may be making money off of therapy clients and therapists (e.g., data mining) BetterHelp’s plan to take over therapist directories and all of the entry points for therapy The consequences of BetterHelp’s success and how they are changing the expectations Ideas about larger provider networks that can be done well to support therapists and clients The specifics of Jeff’s offer from BetterHelp and why he turned it down The morals and values questions that come up when facing one of these offers The practical reasons not to take these kinds of deals, no matter the money involved The importance of being able to stand behind your partners  Resources mentioned: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!TherapyDenCreate a Free Therapist Profile on TherapyDenContact Jeff: hello@therapyden.comSwoon Podcast and Jeff's TherapyDen Blog

The State of the Profession in a COVID WorldCurt and Katie chat about the current state of the Mental Health Profession. We give our opinion on a recent report from SimplePractice, looking at what they included as well as what we think is missing. We explore how COVID has impacted burnout rates and give action steps professionals can take to support each other as we continue to move forward as a field. We also talk about barriers in our field and what is coming next.This is the Modern Therapist Consumer Guide, a series of special episodes to help modern therapists navigate products and services specifically designed for therapists and their clients. We dig deeply into the companies, the people, and the products and services so you can make smart decisions in building your practice and serving your clients.In this episode we talk about: 0:53: What do Curt and Katie think about the report? And how do demographics and length of time in the field impact how long clinicians stay in the profession? 2:27: Who feels burned out the most and what are action steps professionals can take to help each other with this problem? 7:44: How do financial burdens and parental burnout impact a clinician’s ability to work in this field? 10:50: How do insurance regulations create barriers for clinicians and clients? 15:38: How has COVID impacted use of technology in the field and accessibility to care? 18:55: Who are the therapists in the field and who are they working with (demographics)? 23:18: How do social justice issues impact burnout rates? 24:56: What comes next for our profession?. Resources mentioned:We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Please note that some of the links below might 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!State of the Mental Health Profession: Impact of COVID-19Teletherapy Good Enough Therapy For A Crisis…and Beyond! 

Modern Therapist’s Consumer Guide on SimplePracticeCurt and Katie talk with Howard Spector, CEO and Diana Stepner, VP of Product for SimplePractice. We look at how SimplePractice has been envisioned, the company values, and the details of the product, so you can decide if SimplePractice is the Practice Management System for your private practice.This is the Modern Therapist Consumer Guide, a series of special episodes to help modern therapists navigate products and services specifically designed for therapists and their clients. We dig deeply into the companies, the people, and the products and services so you can make smart decisions in building your practice and serving your clients. Interview with Howard Spector, CEO and Diana Stepner, VP of Product, SimplePracticeHoward is the CEO and Co-founder of SimplePractice. Howard has over 20 years of experience in the information technology industry. He is proud to have earned his MA in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Depth Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute.Diana joined SimplePractice from Pearson where she was the VP of Innovative Learning Solutions, a portfolio of products that provide value anytime, anywhere for learners by increasing confidence & outcomes associated with a specific learning activity or skill. Previously Diana headed up Future Technologies and Innovation Partnerships at Pearson. She also worked in Emerging Media at Razorfish and User Experience at Salesforce.com. In addition, Diana led Product Management in Western Europe for Monster Worldwide. She has a MIMS from UC Berkeley and an MBA from Boston University. When not doing Product, Diana can be found exercising, listening to podcasts, nutrition / health / wellness, and travel (someday). She lives in San Francisco with her husband and attack puppy. In this episode we talk about: Interview with Howard Spector, CEO, SimplePractice 2:12: How did the vision for SimplePractice (SP) come into being? 4:17: What is the trajectory for SimplePractice? 6:25: How does SP take in feedback and remain true to their principles and values from which it began? 9:12: What is SP’s response to feedback about customer service? 15:31: How does the team atmosphere and culture play out for customers? 19:41: How does SimplePractice support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion? 22:12: What is in the future for SP? 23:18: What is Howard most proud for about SP? 25:10: What does Howard want everyone considering SP for their practice management system need to know? Interview with Diana Stepner, VP of Product, SimplePractice 26:32: What does it look like when someone signs up for SimplePractice? 28:54: What are the strongest elements of SimplePractice? 30:24: What are SP’s paperwork customization features? 34:04: What is the professional website feature? 35:07: What is Monarch? 38:01 What are some areas SimplePractice is looking to improve? 40:17: How has SP taken suggestions from the community and incorporated them into SimplePractice? 41:56: Who is SimplePractice NOT right for? 44:35: What is coming up next for SimplePractice’s development? 45:54: How do you sign up for SimplePractice? (includes information on our special offer) 46:19: How would you recommend people investigating if SimplePractice is a good fit for them? Curt and Katie Chat – Our review of SimplePractice 47:31: Who would we recommend SimplePractice for? 52:05: Who we think would not be a good match for SimplePractice

Being a Therapist on Both Sides of the CouchAn interview with Rwenshaun Miller, LCMHC, where he shares what therapists get wrong when understanding the client perspective and how to genuinely connect with clients. Curt and Katie chat with Rwenshaun about tough questions on racial bias in diagnosing and the impact of systemic structures in Black and brown communities. They also discuss a vision for an ideal mental health system and suggestions for how to start advocating for change.It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.Interview with Rwenshaun Miller, MA, LCMHC, NCCRwenshaun Miller is an accomplished author, motivational speaker, counselor, consultant and philanthropist who has dedicated his life and career to, not only reshaping the negative connotations often associated with mental health, but also directly impacting the lives of those living with mental health challenges. Of all his accolades and roles, Mr. Miller proudly first serves as a Mental Health Change Agent. As a result, Mr. Miller has globally impacted the lives of many through his awareness efforts.Mr. Miller’s relentless passion and commitment derived from his personal experience living with Bipolar Disorder. Through his journey, Mr. Miller initially encountered similar challenges many face, including that of acceptance of a mental health diagnosis. Eventually, Mr. Miller decided to not allow this diagnosis to define and debilitate him realizing that Bipolar Disorder is not what defines who he is. Thus, he embarked on a path to help uplift, empower, encourage and teach others who live with mental health challenges how to “thrive” in life.In this episode we talk about: Rwenshaun’s story of encountering systemic barriers while facing his own mental health challenges and how he uses his experience as a client to inform his work as a therapist as well as educate other therapists. Looking at “both sides of the couch” and bridging the differences between what we learn as clients and what we are taught to do as therapists. Discussion of what therapists do wrong when it comes to understanding the client perspective. The utility of diagnosing as well as problems with treating someone like a diagnosis (impact on self-perspective, living up to the diagnosis, etc.) Examining how inherent white bias shows up in diagnosing and how to consider environmental factors when conceptualizing a client’s behavior. Exploration of how systemic structures impact the mental health of BIPOC youth and the need to challenge the systems that hold these individuals back. Looking at ways to step outside the box of conventional therapy techniques to meet client’s where they are at and connect with them as a person (engaging clients in video games, basketball, yoga, etc.). Discussion of how to set the stage for therapy to ensure it is comfortable for the therapist and client. Exploration of how the stigma of mental health has changed in BIPOC communities and what is needed to change systemically to continue reducing the stigma. Envisioning an ideal for how therapists and systemic structures can support the mental health needs of society, along with examining current barriers and how work to reduce them. The importance of advocating for preventative care to improve mental health care.  Resources mentioned: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!Rwenshaun’s websiteEustress Inc.Eustressin JournalInjured Reserve: A Black Man's Playbook To Manage Being Sidelined By Mental Illness Twitter: @RwenshaunFacebook: Rwenshaun MillerInstagram: @Rwenshaun

At Least 3 Reasons Continuing Education SucksCurt and Katie chat about why continuing education is usually pretty ineffective. We dig into a listener question related to repackaged, introductory level, uninspiring presentations. We look at the systemic concerns related to CE standards as well as the difficulty balancing high quality education with affordability. We explore research that shows that continuing education (especially when it is solely didactic) does not impact client outcomes. We also share ideas to improve continuing education for the next generation of clinicians.      It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.In this episode we talk about: The problems with continuing education rules and what that means for the types of education modern therapists often can find The ways in which presenters repackage others’ material Continuing education is not proven to improve client outcomes CE standards that limit the innovation and interactive capability How most CE is very general and appropriate for all levels of clinicians (not solely intermediate to advanced therapists) The type of didactic training that might be impactful or effective (but may not be CE worthy) The problem with not having practical applications involved in presentations Learning, practicing and then doing Why effective continuing education is expensive and whether they make a difference in being better therapists Deliberate practice and the effectiveness of spending time outside of session (and training) practicing skills Practice-based evidence (measuring how well our clients are doing) and why this is the strongest way to do better work The importance of giving accurate feedback to CE providers The acknowledgement and acceptance within the system that CE doesn’t really work – and the push back and reasons why people within the system don’t want to fix it Assessing competence and engagement in training (pros and cons) The balance between accessibility and accountability The shelf-life of graduate education and the need for continuing education Our vision related to continuing education and learning Resources mentioned:We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Please note that some of the links below might 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 Cycle of Excellence by Tony RousmaniereDr. Joy DeGruyWhy TED Talks don't change people's behaviors: Tom Asacker at TEDxCambridge 2014 Scott Miller, PhD: Deliberate PracticeDr. Ben Caldwell, LMFT – Ben Caldwell LabsArticles: Impact of Formal Continuing Medical Education Does Professional Training Make a Therapist More Effective?

How to Stay in Your Lane to Support Diversity and InclusionAn interview with Dr. Joy Cox, PhD, on tapping into the strength of community and genuine relationships to understand and address systemic oppression. Curt and Katie talk with Dr. Joy about intersectionality, the harmful stories we can tell ourselves about people who are different from us, and what we can do to best support diversity and inclusion in all the spaces we inhabit. We also address why it is important to do some of this work privately (rather than working it out publicly through statements on social media).It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.Interview with Dr. Joy Cox, PhDDr. Joy Cox is a body justice advocate using her skill set in research and leadership to foster social change through the promotion of fat acceptance and diversity and inclusion. With 37 years living as a fat, Black cisgendered woman and 7+ years of professional experience under her belt, Dr. Cox draws on her own experiences and skill set to amplify the voices of those most marginalized in society, bringing attention to matters of intersectionality addressing race, body size, accessibility, and “health.”Joy has been featured on several podcasts and media productions such as Food Pysch with Christy Harrison, Nalgona Positivity Pride with Gloria Lucas, Fat Women of Color with Ivy Felicia, and Huffington Post’s piece, “Everything You Know About Obesity is Wrong.” She also just authored her first book, Fat Girls in Black Bodies: Creating Communities of Our Own. She is the voice of an overcomer, looking to propel others into a place of freedom designed by their desires.In this episode we talk about: What Dr. Joy is putting out into the world Intersectionality and bias, stigma How to take an intersectional approach The importance of genuine relationships in understanding others Discussing the panel discussion in the conference when addressing learning about others The harm of putting work on individuals with lived experience Why and when you should pay for expert consultation The challenge of googling to learn (when it works and when to seek expert guidance) The importance of saying no when someone is asking you to become a spokesperson The exponential impact of intersectionality of marginalized identities How intersectional identities compound to create narratives Anything that is heavily stigmatized in society – racism is not far behind it Knowledge without learning to implement Why you should find your lane and move accordingly How to identify what you can and should do to support inclusion The importance of identifying where to do the work, it doesn’t have to be public Why individuals need to learn themselves, understand their heart, and identify who they are Getting it right is better than getting it fast Having the important conversations and checking in with the people who matter The unreasonable expectation to have an opinion on everything The benefits of community with each person staying in their lane Creating community that includes all people and the strength that provides Pushing back on the idea that everyone has to be able to do all of the roles We need to change how we think and we need to change how we feel to uncover more space than we knew was available for all people Resources mentioned: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. Joy Cox's WebsiteJabbie AppDr. Joy on Instagram: FreshOutTheCocoonDr. Joy on TwitterDr. Joy's Book: Fat Girls in Black Bodies Creating a New Space of BelongingThe Care Bear Stare

Why You Should Stop Trying to Convince Clients to ChangeAn interview with Hillary Bolter, LCSW, on Motivational Interviewing. Curt and Katie chat with Hillary about what MI really is, what therapists often get wrong when supporting clients in making changes, and the importance of how therapists show up for this evidence-based model.  It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.Interview with Hillary Bolter, MSW, LCSW, LCASHillary is one of those folks that inherently thinks they have great ideas and solutions for people upon first encounter (Enneagram 1!). She’s ready to jump in and FIX! When she began her MI learning process, she realized just how essential MI was going to be for her energy, effectiveness, and longevity in the helping profession!She has been a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) since 2011. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Addiction Therapist and absolutely delights in helping individuals, groups, and organizations learn the essential skills of Motivational Interviewing. She has worked as a helping professional for 20 years, ranging from working in wilderness therapy to community mental health, providing in home & school-based services, as a therapist with specialties including working with anxiety, trauma, addiction, and veterans.In this episode we talk about: Motivational Interviewing (MI) is simple but not easy The righting reflex – the tendency for therapists to try to persuade toward change The differences between MI and the stages of change What does “using MI” really mean? The spirit of MI – the attitude we bring to our clients – empathy, collaboration, evocation, acceptance and compassion OARS skills: open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries Change talk – the more people talk about change, the more likely they are to change Focusing on why people would like to change When we focus on why TO change, clients may argue against change (voicing the ambivalence) How therapists may want to navigate changes that feel urgent (unsafe behaviors, for example) Three styles of communication: following, guiding, directing The ways to move from directing or educating back into a more collaborative stance Why MI isn’t more widely used The ways that MI skills could intermingle with other theoretical orientation The idea around walking with your clients Looking at the myth that motivational interviewing is manipulative How to assess whether the change is in the client’s best interest The focusing process as a way to ensure client participation Motivational Interviewing is a communication technique Distinguishing between the motivations that drive the change – focusing on the best interest of the client is the only one that really is MI The importance of experiential training for MI Resources mentioned: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!Hillary’s website: bolterconsulting.comSpecial offer: use “MTSG” for 10% off a foundations of MI course Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hillarybolter/ Hillary's Facebook GroupMotivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT)

Post Pandemic PracticeCurt and Katie chat about what our practices can look like post pandemic. We explore the creativity that the pandemic has inspired and what the clinical and business implications might be for continuing in flexible modalities. We talk about logistics, clinical evaluation, and ethics related to the options available for the clients. We also talk about how to take care of yourself while taking care of clients.     It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.In this episode we talk about: How creativity can be used in practice Different options for therapy (telehealth, outdoor/walk and talk, in-person, concierge) The logistical challenges of having different options for your clients (different locations, different modalities, etc.) The flexibility required during the pandemic and how to adjust schedules after returning The benefits of having so many options Boundaries and flexibility needed to manage a multimodal practice The importance of communication and teamwork The benefits of this flexibility to clinicians The considerations of cost and charging different fees, and rationale for how you set fees The clinical benefits and challenges for different modalities The necessary documentation of rationale Clinical considerations for in-person sessions Some CYA advice The importance of taking this time to deliberately design the practice you want Resources mentioned:We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Please note that some of the links below might 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! APA Article - COVID-19: When is it OK to provide more in-person services?Outdoor therapy: Jennifer Deacon, MBACPLeadership article – Checklist for Post Pandemic Reentry

Psychedelic-Assisted TherapyAn interview with Dr. Craig Heacock, M.D., about innovative treatments in psychiatry. Curt and Katie talk with Dr. Heacock about psychedelic-assisted therapy – looking at efficacy, safety, and risks for these promising treatments (ketamine, psilocybin, and MDMA) for depression and trauma. We also discuss the debate about medicalization versus legalization of these substances. It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.Interview with Dr. Craig Heacock, M.D.Dr. Craig Heacock is an adolescent/adult psychiatrist and addiction specialist in Colorado as well as the co-producer and host of the psychiatric storytelling podcast Back from the Abyss. He was a therapist in the Phase 3 trial of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD and has particular interest in the use of ketamine and other psychedelics to treat severe mood disorders and PTSD. He is a graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and did his psychiatry training at Brown University.In this episode we talk about: The innovations in psychedelic-assisted therapy Why it is so hard to find a good psychiatrist, especially one that goes beyond med checks How psychiatry is changing, as well as how little has changed in medication since 1994 Treatment-resistant may mean deep-seated trauma Definitions of psychedelics, psychedelic-assisted treatment Ketamine, MDMA, psilocybin Efficacy for treatment with ketamine, MDMA, psilocybin for trauma and depression The speed of building trust and moving into the working phase with these treatments Safety concerns and side effects with ketamine, psilocybin, and MDMA Boundaries and safety for therapists (as well as clients) during these treatments The vulnerability during these treatments Self-assessment for mental health providers whether they should work in this space The importance of doing your own psychedelic treatment before being a therapist in this work Client-perceptions of clinicians doing their own psychedelic work (or publicly owning their story) The increasing acceptance of these types of treatments – the treatments becoming more mainstream Psilocybin – in trials for FDA approval for trauma treatment, but may be legalized before it is medicalized and used for treatment Medicalization versus legalization conversation The problems with medical THC (including making symptoms worse and psychotic breaks) Micro-dosing efficacy and risks and whether they should be managed by a doctor The importance of assessing sleep and substance use/abuse Abyss stories – how Dr. Heacock started telling these stories and the power of these stories Resources mentioned: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!Craig Heacock, MD WebsiteBack from the Abyss PodcastInterview with Lisa LingLaura Northrup Inside Eyes Podcast Article: Self-admitted psychedelic use and association with psychedelic culture harm perceptions of researchers’ scientific integrit