
The Couples Therapist Couch
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.
Latest episodes

Apr 16, 2024 • 47min
206: Sex and Perfectionism with Tom Murray
Get the Couples Therapy 101 course: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/ Join the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new In this episode, Shane talks with Tom Murray about the intersection of perfectionism and intimacy. Tom is a Sex and Relationship Expert who’s the Author of “Making Nice with Naughty” and a Co-Host of the Making Nice with Naughty podcast. Hear how to predict a couple’s quality of sex life, how anxiety and adrenaline come into play in the bedroom, how therapists can help with sex and relationship issues, the difference between closeness and vulnerability, and the reality of monogamy. To learn more about Tom and check out his book, visit MakingNiceWithNaughty.com For Tom’s clinical practice, visit APathToWellness.com

9 snips
Apr 9, 2024 • 43min
205: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Trauma with Leanne Campbell
Leanne Campbell discusses Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and trauma, highlighting the benefits of EFT, the traumatizing effects of isolation, gathering information before diving into experiences, focusing on the CARE model in initial sessions, and being cautious when working with trauma.

Apr 2, 2024 • 53min
204: Stepfamily Relationships with Patricia Papernow, Part 2
Learn more about the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new In this episode, Shane continues his talk with Patricia Papernow for Part 2 of a 2-part interview on stepfamily relationships. Patricia is widely recognized as one of the world’s foremost experts on “blended families” and received the 2023 award for Distinguished Contribution to Family Therapy from the American Family Therapy Academy. Hear the benefits of authoritative parenting, how to maintain discipline, why it’s important to talk through things as a couple, the reality of parent-child attachment, and the impact of gray divorce. To learn more about Patricia, visit StepfamilyRelationships.com Check out Patricia’s books at StepfamilyRelationships.com/Books

Mar 26, 2024 • 47min
203: Stepfamily Relationships with Patricia Papernow, Part 1
Learn more about the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new In this episode, Shane talks with Patricia Papernow for Part 1 of a 2-part interview on stepfamily relationships. Patricia is widely recognized as one of the world’s foremost experts on “blended families” and received the 2023 award for Distinguished Contribution to Family Therapy from the American Family Therapy Academy. Hear why stepfamilies are a fundamentally different structure, how to have a healthy relationship with your stepfamily, the impact on the children, her 5 major challenges for stepfamilies, and how to navigate disciplining children. To learn more about Patricia, visit StepfamilyRelationships.com Check out Patricia’s books at StepfamilyRelationships.com/Books

Mar 19, 2024 • 45min
202: Psychedelics and Relationships with Guy Winch
Learn more about the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new In this episode, Shane talks with Guy Winch about psychedelics, relationships, and mental health. Guy is a Psychologist, Speaker, and Author who’s a leading advocate for integrating the science of emotional health into our daily lives. Hear why society doesn’t address mental health as much as physical health, how couples can evaluate and improve their relationships, how long it takes to recover from a divorce or break-up, how psychedelics can help in recovery, and how accepted psychedelics are today. To learn more about Guy, visit GuyWinch.com Check out Guy’s latest book, “Emotional First Aid” Check out Guy’s podcast, “Dear Therapists” To learn more about ketamine therapy, visit Mindbloom.com

Mar 12, 2024 • 51min
201: Love Every Day with Alexandra Solomon
Learn more about the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new In this episode, Shane talks with Alexandra Solomon about her new book, “Love Every Day.” Alexandra is a Therapist, Professor, Speaker, and the Author of 3 books. Hear why it’s important for kids in college to learn how to have a healthy relationship, how we could improve sex education for teens, core principles helpful for people going into any relationship, the importance of staying curious to maintain connection, and why it’s okay to make mistakes as a parent - and tell our kids about those mistakes. To learn more about Alexandra, visit DrAlexandraSolomon.com Check out Alexandra’s latest book, “Love Every Day” Check out Alexandra’s podcast, “Reimagining Love” Sign up for Alexandra’s eCourse Check out Alexandra’s previous episode on The Couples Therapist Couch: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/blog/114-alexandra-solomon-on-taking-sexy-back

Mar 5, 2024 • 45min
200: Peter Levine on Somatic Experiencing and Couples Therapy
Peter Levine, developer of Somatic Experiencing and bestselling author, shares powerful insights on trauma and relationships. He discusses how unresolved trauma affects couples and emphasizes that it doesn't have to dictate their lives. Levine highlights the importance of bodily sensations in therapy and the transformational potential of personal storytelling. He also explores the journey from co-regulation to self-regulation in relationships, stressing the necessity of therapists' healing for better client support.

Feb 27, 2024 • 50min
199: Brain Science and Relationships with Juliane Taylor Shore
Explore how brain science influences relationships with insights from Juliane Taylor Shore. Learn the importance of setting boundaries, understanding safety, and navigating tough conversations with compassion and empathy. Discover the power of personal imagery in communication and the significance of self-compassion in relationship dynamics. Dive into the challenges of setting boundaries, building trust through effective communication, and the importance of practicing patience for long-lasting change.

Feb 20, 2024 • 57min
198: Solution-Oriented Approach with Couples with Bill O’Hanlon
Learn more about the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new In this episode, Shane talks with Bill O’Hanlon about his Solution-Oriented Approach to couples therapy. Bill is a world-renowned leader in the fields of brief psychotherapy and clinical hypnosis and is the co-founder of the Solution-Oriented Approach, a therapeutic method that focuses on identifying unrealized possibilities while acknowledging emotional and contextual issues. Hear Bill’s own history with mental health, the biggest opportunity for couples therapists, how to help people accept the reality of how their relationships evolve, how hypnosis is connected to his work with couples, and his passion for songwriting. For all things Bill, visit BillOHanlon.org Check out Bill’s previous episode on The Couples Therapist Couch: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/blog/025-love-is-a-verb-with-bill-o-hanlon

Feb 13, 2024 • 52min
197: Intergenerational Trauma and Relationships with Anita Mandley
Learn more about the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new In this episode, Shane talks with Anita Mandley about intergenerational trauma and relationships. Anita is an Integrative Psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience in the field of Mental Health. Hear why she focuses on building relationships first, why intergenerational trauma happens, the things that influence us the most, how to ease into these discussions as a therapist, and the most important thing you can bring to a session.