
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

Feb 6, 2024 • 46min
196: Mental Health for Men with David Khalili
Learn more about the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new In this episode, Shane talks with David Khalili about mental health for men. David is a Sex and Relationship Therapist who is the Founder of Rouse Relational Wellness and Author of the “Mental Health Workbook for Men.” Hear why there’s so much shame and anxiety around sex for men, the feeling men have of being a burden for other people, why it’s important for men to feel compassion for themselves, what David’s sessions look like with individuals vs. couples, and his thoughts on toxic masculinity. For David’s live and on-demand workshops on sex and relationships, visit RouseAcademy.com

Jan 30, 2024 • 44min
195: PTSD and the Unconscious with Heawon Hake
Learn more about the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new In this episode, Shane talks with Heawon Hake about the Collective Consciousness, Intergenerational Wisdom, Spirituality, and PTSD. Heawon is a Social Worker, Psychotherapist, and the Author of “Daughter of Korean Freud.” Hear Heawon’s personal story with abuse and how she got interested in psychotherapy, how PTSD ties to the unconscious, how to feel more empowered, how she approaches suicide and death, and the fine line between blaming the victim vs. feeling a sense of empowerment about our own life. For more about Heawon, visit KoreanAmericanPsychotherapist.com Check out Heawon’s book list at KoreanAmericanPsychotherapist.com/BookList

Jan 23, 2024 • 60min
194: The 10 Habits of Happy Couples with Tina and Michael LeBlanc
Find out more about the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new In this episode, Shane talks with Tina and Michael LeBlanc about their book, The 10 Habits of Happy Couples. Tina and Michael are the wife-husband duo behind Better Yourself 365, where they work exclusively with couples. Hear how they decided to marry each other and work together, their new approach to counseling, the importance of bettering yourself first as an individual, how much they work on their own relationship, and why couples often have shame in seeking therapy. For more about Better Yourself 365, visit BetterYourself365.com GET A FREE chapter from their book - The 10 Habits of Happy Couples: https://betteryourself365.lpages.co/the-10-habits-of-happy-couples/ Get their TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP digital course for couples at 34% off! https://betteryourself365.lpages.co/taking-charge-course-special-deal-for-podcast-listeners/ FOR THERAPISTS - If you want to preview their course for couples for free before referring it to clients, just contact Tina by email to request a FREE CODE: Tina@BetterYourself365.com

Dec 13, 2023 • 45min
193: The 13 Things Mentally Strong Couples Don't Do with Amy Morin
The next cohort of the Couples Therapist Business Mastermind starts in January. Learn more here. In this episode Shane talks to bestselling author, Amy Morin, about her new book, The 13 Things Mentally Strong Couples Don't Do. Shane was honored to be one of the many relationship experts who contributed to the book. Amy is the author of 6 books including: 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do 13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do 13 Things Mentally Strong Women Don’t Do 13 Things Strong Kids Do 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do Workbook 13 Things Mentally Strong Couples Don’t Do Find out more about her and check out her podcast at amymorinlcsw.com. The Couples Therapist Couch is the podcast for Couples Therapists about the practice of couples therapy. I'm Shane Birkel and my goal is to bring you interviews with experts in the field of couples therapy each week. Please subscribe to the podcast for more great episodes. Learn more about the Couples Therapist Business Mastermind.

Oct 31, 2023 • 48min
192: Vienna Pharaon on Therapist Burnout
Click here to learn more about The Couples Therapist Inner Circle In this episode Shane interviews Vienna Pharaon. She is an LMFT who has a huge following on instagram where she posts helpful advice for people. She is also the author of the book, The Origins of You. She has a new podcast called This Keeps Happening. Find out more about her at viennapharaon.com The Couples Therapist Couch is the podcast for Couples Therapists about the practice of couples therapy. I'm Shane Birkel and my goal is to bring you interviews with experts in the field of couples therapy each week. Please subscribe to the podcast for more great episodes. Learn more about joining the Couples Therapist Inner Circle

Oct 25, 2023 • 1h 1min
191: The Key to Every Conversation in Couples Therapy
Click here to learn more about The Couples Therapist Inner Circle This episode is a recording from an Inner Circle Webinar with Shane. The Couples Therapist Couch is the podcast for Couples Therapists about the practice of couples therapy. I'm Shane Birkel and my goal is to bring you interviews with experts in the field of couples therapy each week. Please subscribe to the podcast for more great episodes. Learn more about joining the Couples Therapist Inner Circle

Oct 21, 2023 • 57min
190: Intensive EFT with Jim Thomas
Click here to learn more about The Couples Therapist Inner Circle In this episode Shane talks to renowned emotionally focused therapy trainer, Jim Thomas. They discuss doing intensive work with couples, particularly using EFT. Jim Thomas is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist & Certified EFT Therapist while being an internationally known therapist, trainer, and speaker. Find out more about him at jimthomas.care The Couples Therapist Couch is the podcast for Couples Therapists about the practice of couples therapy. I'm Shane Birkel and my goal is to bring you interviews with experts in the field of couples therapy each week. Please subscribe to the podcast for more great episodes. Learn more about joining the Couples Therapist Inner Circle

Sep 26, 2023 • 55min
189: Healthy Conflict with Jessica Higgins
Click here to learn more about The Couples Therapist Inner Circle In this episode, Dr. Jessica Higgins talks about dealing with criticism, how to resolve conflict, and healthy communication for couples. Dr. Jessica Higgins hosts the Empowered Relationship Podcast and you can find out more about her at drjessicahiggins.com The Couples Therapist Couch is the podcast for Couples Therapists about the practice of couples therapy. I'm Shane Birkel and my goal is to bring you interviews with experts in the field of couples therapy. Please subscribe to the podcast for more great episodes. Learn more about joining the Couples Therapist Inner Circle

Sep 12, 2023 • 48min
188: Polyvagal Theory in EFT Couples Therapy with Rebecca Jorgensen
Click here to learn more about The Couples Therapist Inner Circle Polyvagal Theory is a concept that is gaining a lot of momentum in the therapy world and has been written about a lot by Stephen Porges and Deb Dana. In this episode Dr. Rebecca Jorgensen talks all about Polyvagal Theory and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy. Becca is a university professor and EFT trainer. Find out more about her at drrebeccajorgensen.com To explore options for EFT trainings go to https://www.trieft.org/ The Couples Therapist Couch is the podcast for Couples Therapists about the practice of couples therapy. I'm Shane Birkel and my goal is to bring you interviews with experts in the field of couples therapy each week. Please subscribe to the podcast for more great episodes. Learn more about joining the Couples Therapist Inner Circle

Aug 21, 2023 • 48min
187: Premarital Counseling with Rachel Dorneanu
Click here to learn more about The Couples Therapist Inner Circle In this episode I spoke with Rachel Dorneanu about doing Premarital Counseling. In my mind this doesn't have to mean people are intending to get married, but has become more of a term to describe people in the beginning phases of their relationship. Sometimes the issues people are facing in the beginning phases are similar to anyone else in their relationships, but there are some very specific things that tend to be helpful for couples during this time. It is really important for couples to have the ability to communicate their boundaries, speak their truth with respect, and make agreements about what they want in the relationship. Premarital Counseling can be helpful for people to think of topics they may not have even thought to discuss. Rachel has a premarital counseling training coming up on Aug. 26. If you are interested in finding out more click the link: Prepare Enrich Facilitator Training. The Couples Therapist Couch is the podcast for Couples Therapists about the practice of couples therapy. I'm Shane Birkel and my goal is to bring you interviews with experts in the field of couples therapy each week. Please subscribe to the podcast for more great episodes. Learn more about joining the Couples Therapist Inner Circle