

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

16 snips
Sep 3, 2024 • 59min
221: EFT and Ketamine-Assisted Couples Therapy with Kathryn Rheem
Kathryn Rheem, Director of The Washington Baltimore Center for EFT and Co-Founder of The EFT Cafe, delves into the transformative approach of Ketamine-Assisted Couples Therapy. She discusses how this innovative method fosters emotional openness and vulnerability in relationships. Kathryn emphasizes the potential of ketamine to enhance emotionally focused therapy, tackle treatment-resistant conditions, and strengthen emotional bonds. She also highlights the importance of safe therapeutic environments and collaborative practices between therapists and medical professionals.

Aug 27, 2024 • 46min
220: Pregnancy, Parenthood, and Relationships with Hilary Waller
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 Hilary Waller about pregnancy, parenthood, and relationships. Hilary is a psychotherapist who supports new parents as they navigate pregnancy and parenthood. Hear the best way to support couples who are new parents, what to recommend for people who just found out they’re pregnant, why community plays such a big role, how often parents should check in with each other, and the most challenging cases she’s worked on. To learn more about Hilary and her books - Dropping the Baby and Other Scary Thoughts and The Perinatal Patient - visit: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/hilary-waller-fort-washington-pa/1251531 https://www.amazon.com/Dropping-Baby-Other-Scary-Thoughts/dp/0367223902 https://www.amazon.com/Perinatal-Patient-Compassionate-Postpartum-Depression/dp/1683736567

Aug 20, 2024 • 40min
219: Internal Family Systems and Couples with Tammy Sollenberger
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 Tammy Sollenberger about Internal Family Systems (IFS) and couples. Tammy is a licensed clinical mental health counselor and an Internal Family Systems Certified Supervisor. Hear the different parts we’re made up of, how IFS works in our heads, how our parts trigger each other, how to recognize your feelings and characteristics, and how to stay grounded in the true foundation of a relationship. To learn more about Tammy, The One Inside podcast, and The One Inside book, visit TammySollenberger.com

Aug 6, 2024 • 50min
218: Imago and Polyvagal Therapy with Hayley Hoffman
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 Hayley Hoffman about Imago and polyvagal therapy. Hayley is a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist and a psychodynamic mental health counselor supporting clients in making meaning out of daily events while living life on life’s terms. Hear how to figure out why things bother you, how to stay present, how Imago therapy works, how to improve your relationships, and how polyvagal therapy overlaps with Imago therapy. To learn more about Hayley and her workshops, visit ImagoCenterDC.com and HayleyHoffman.com

Jul 30, 2024 • 19min
217: Stop Trying to Be Right in Your Relationship with Shane Birkel
In a thought-provoking discussion, Shane highlights the pitfalls of constantly trying to be right in relationships. He illustrates how this mindset leads to defensiveness and communication stalemates. By emphasizing the importance of respecting each partner's perspective, he advocates for healthy boundaries to enhance understanding. The conversation also dives into the impact of perfectionism on accountability and emotional connection. Ultimately, Shane encourages embracing authenticity over the need to be right, paving the way for more meaningful interactions.

Jul 23, 2024 • 1h 4min
216: Beyond Mars and Venus with John Gray
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 John Gray about Beyond Mars and Venus and what he’s been up to since his last time on The Couples Therapist Couch. John is one of the most well-known relationship experts of the past 40 years and also wrote the iconic bestseller, Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus. Hear how to keep your libido at any age, why partners lose interest in sex, how to keep that spark as a married couple, why grief is actually addictive, and what he learned from his wife’s passing. To learn more about John and his coaching, visit MarsVenusCoaching.com Check out John’s book, “Beyond Mars and Venus” You can also listen to John on Episode 43 of The Couples Therapist Couch: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/blog/043-beyond-mars-and-venus-with-john-gray

7 snips
Jun 18, 2024 • 52min
215: ADHD and Couples with Anita Robertson
Anita Robertson, an ADHD & Relationship Therapist and author of "ADHD & Us," shares her expertise on navigating relationships impacted by ADHD. She discusses the unique challenges couples face, emphasizing effective communication and supportive environments. Anita introduces five essential pillars for relationship management and engages listeners with interactive exercises to enhance understanding. The conversation also highlights the importance of individual therapy alongside couples therapy for better outcomes.

Jun 11, 2024 • 25min
214: Working with High Intensity after an Affair with Shane Birkel
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 solo episode, Shane breaks down how to work with high intensity after an affair. This topic stems from a question that came up in the Couples Therapist Inner Circle. Hear how to help clients recover after an affair, the emotions both partners are going through, how long it typically takes people to recover from an affair, how to get someone to stop having affairs, and how to help a client avoid getting into a shame spiral. Join The Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295562197518469/

7 snips
Jun 4, 2024 • 48min
213: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Attachment with Dr. James Hawkins
Dr. James Hawkins discusses Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and attachment on the podcast. Topics include success tied to vulnerability, bringing important issues forward, love and protection balance, the key role of validation, and typical client frequency in therapy.

May 28, 2024 • 47min
212: Implicit Psychotherapy and Couples with Dr. Abi Blakeslee
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 Dr. Abi Blakeslee about implicit psychotherapy and couples. Abi is the founder of Implicit Psychotherapy and senior faculty at Somatic Experiencing International. Hear how to help people find deeper healing, how implicit memory works, how somatic experiencing fits with implicit memories, how childhood trauma impacts relationships years later, and how small changes can make a big impact over time. To learn more about Abi, visit: AbiBlakeslee.com ImplicitPsychotherapy.com You can also listen to Abi on Episode 169 of The Couples Therapist Couch