

The Couples Therapist Couch
Shane Birkel
This podcast is about the practice of Couples Therapy. Many of the episodes are interviews with leaders in the field of Relationships. The show is meant to help Therapists and Coaches learn how to help people to deepen their connection, but in the process it explores what is most needed for each of us to love, heal, and grow. Each week Shane Birkel interviews an expert in the field of Couples Therapy to explore all about the world of relationships and how to be an amazing therapist.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 11, 2025 • 29min
255: Resentment in Relationships with Shane Birkel
This episode is brought to you by Alma. Visit HelloAlma.com/ATPP to learn more Get the Couples Therapy 101 course: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/ Join the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new Join The Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295562197518469/ In this solo episode, Shane talks resentment in relationships. Hear how to help couples let go of resentment, how to make healthy decisions based on compassion for your partner, what couples should do after they get past the honeymoon period, how to grieve a sacrifice you’ve made in your relationship, and how to help clients come up with compromises.

Aug 4, 2025 • 45min
254: Boundaries & Neurobiology with Juliane Taylor Shore
This episode is brought to you by Alma. Visit HelloAlma.com/ATPP to learn more Get the Couples Therapy 101 course: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/ Join the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new Join The Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295562197518469/ In this episode, Shane talks with Juliane Taylor Shore about boundaries & neurobiology. Juliane is an Educator, Therapist, and Writer inspiring people to shift their relationships with self, others, and the world. She’s the Author of “Setting Boundaries That Stick: How Neurobiology Can Help You Rewire Your Brain to Feel Safe, Connected, and Empowered.” Hear how our salience network works, how our emotions & history influence our actions, how to witness yourself doing therapy, why you’re a gift to the clients you work with, and how we can work with our brains to learn how to witness our minds. To learn more about Juliane Taylor Shore, her book, and her workshops, visit: JulianeTaylorShore.com JulianeTaylorShore.com/Book You can also listen to Juliane on Episode 199 of The Couples Therapist Couch

Jul 28, 2025 • 42min
253: Relationships & Control with Shane Birkel
This episode is brought to you by Alma. Visit HelloAlma.com/ATPP to learn more Get the Couples Therapy 101 course: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/ Join the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new Join The Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295562197518469/ In this solo episode, Shane talks relationships & control. Hear all the things we can’t control in life, how to help your clients respect the autonomy of their partner, what makes people become controlling, the healthy way of talking through feelings, and how to help a client who’s on the receiving end of controlling energy.

Jul 21, 2025 • 41min
252: Trauma & Relationships with Dr. Janina Fisher
This episode is brought to you by Alma. Visit HelloAlma.com/ATPP to learn more Get the Couples Therapy 101 course: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/ Join the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new Join The Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295562197518469/ In this episode, Shane talks with Dr. Janina Fisher about trauma & relationships. Janina is an Author, Clinical Psychologist, and Educator on the forefront in the field of trauma. Hear the history of trauma research & trauma therapy, how working with trauma compares to other types of therapy, how to help couples focus on the reactions in their bodies, what the healing process looks like from trauma, and why we have a phobia of interrupting. To learn more about Dr. Janina Fisher, visit: JaninaFisher.com Janina’s Book: Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors: Overcoming Internal Self-Alienation

Jul 14, 2025 • 34min
251: Compassion in Encounter-centered Transformation (EcT) with Hedy Schleifer
This episode is brought to you by Alma. Visit HelloAlma.com/ATPP to learn more Get the Couples Therapy 101 course: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/ Join the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new Join The Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295562197518469/ In this episode, Shane talks with Hedy Schleifer about compassion in Encounter-centered Transformation (EcT). Hedy is a Master Relationship Builder, Motivational Speaker, and the Creator of EcT. Hear how to help your clients feel the emotions, how Hedy’s EcT process works, how to think of yourself as a guide, how to embrace fear & compassion, and how to calm your clients’ nervous systems. To learn more about Hedy Schleifer, visit: HedySchleifer.com You can also listen to Hedy on Episode 19, Episode 71, and Episode 250 of The Couples Therapist Couch

Jul 7, 2025 • 1h 2min
250: Encounter-centered Transformation (EcT) with Hedy Schleifer
Hedy Schleifer, a Master Relationship Builder and motivational speaker, dives into the fascinating world of Encounter-centered Transformation (EcT). She shares how she and her partner turned their relationship into a lab for growth. Topics include the powerful interplay of love and grief, the importance of deep and generative listening, and the impact of nonverbal communication in relationships. Hedy also discusses transformative techniques for couples therapy, emphasizing the vital role of creating safe spaces for authentic expression.

5 snips
Jun 30, 2025 • 44min
249: Parents of Teenagers with Marie Vakakis
Marie Vakakis, a therapist and relationship educator, shares insights on parenting teenagers. She discusses the balance between family and couples therapy, emphasizing the importance of clear communication within families. Marie highlights the emotional complexities of navigating different parenting styles and the need for consistent dialogue. She also encourages parents to express vulnerability and model emotional communication. Her advice aims to foster healthier relationships between parents and their teens through effective communication strategies.

18 snips
Jun 23, 2025 • 51min
248: Imposter Syndrome with Dr. Jill Stoddard
Dr. Jill Stoddard, a psychologist and author known for her work on acceptance and commitment therapy, dives into the nuances of Imposter Syndrome. She explores how it manifests in couples and its effects on communication. The conversation highlights the importance of embracing vulnerability and discomfort for personal growth, offering practical strategies to manage anxiety. Jill also discusses the five personas associated with Imposter Syndrome, emphasizing self-reflection and genuine connection as pathways to overcoming feelings of inadequacy.

10 snips
Jun 17, 2025 • 54min
247: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with Dr. Jill Stoddard
Join psychologist Dr. Jill Stoddard, a speaker and author renowned for her work in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). In this insightful discussion, Jill unveils how to embrace discomfort and practice self-compassion, inspiring listeners to align their actions with personal values. She tackles common challenges like imposter syndrome while emphasizing the importance of psychological flexibility. With practical strategies, Jill encourages finding fulfillment through authenticity and intentional living, inviting listeners to be their true selves.

Jun 9, 2025 • 48min
246: PACT Informed Couples Therapy with Michelle Garraway
This episode is brought to you by Alma. Visit HelloAlma.com/ATPP to learn more Get the Couples Therapy 101 course: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/ Join the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new Join The Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295562197518469/ In this episode, Shane talks with Michelle Garraway about PACT Informed Couples Therapy. Michelle is the Founder & Clinical Director of The Relationship Agency, where she specializes in PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy). Hear what makes the PACT model fun & different, how the PACT process works with couples, what you can learn when couples face towards each other, some of the most common PACT exercises, and when it’s time to have your clients focus on soothing. To learn more about Michelle Garraway, The Relationship Agency, and The PACT Institute, visit: TheRelationshipAgency.com Instagram @Relationships.Are.Everything ThePACTInstitute.com