Light Up The Couch

Sarah Bergenfield, MA, IFS educator, explains how Internal Family Systems can help autistic clients reduce overwhelm, understand their parts, and build confidence through self-compassion and predictability. Interview with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT. Earn CE credit for listening to this episode by joining our low-cost membership for unlimited podcast CE credits for an entire year, with some of the strongest CE approvals in the country (APA, NBCC, ASWB, and more). Learn, grow, and shine with Clearly Clinical Continuing Ed by visiting https://ClearlyClinical.com.

Dr. Keith Klostermann, LMFT, MHC, shares practical, evidence-based ways to use early feedback data to spot dropout risk, repair ruptures before clients vanish, and foster lasting engagement and progress. Interview with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT. Quick Note: You may notice a little clicking in Beth’s audio during this episode — turns out her microphone needed replacing, which she discovered after recording. Our apologies for the sound quality; this conversation with Dr. Keith Klostermann was too insightful not to share. Thanks so much for your understanding and support! We’re not audio engineers… we’re therapists, and we’re grateful you’re listening. Earn CE credit for listening to this episode by joining our low-cost membership for unlimited podcast CE credits for an entire year, with some of the strongest CE approvals in the country (APA, NBCC, ASWB, and more). Learn, grow, and shine with Clearly Clinical Continuing Ed by visiting https://ClearlyClinical.com.

Dr. Elyssa Helfer, CST, LMFT, explores the ethical and cultural dimensions of kink-affirming therapy, helping clinicians distinguish between abuse and healthy erotic expression to enhance ethical competence and cultural humility. Interview with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT. Earn CE credit for listening to this episode by joining our low-cost membership for unlimited podcast CE credits for an entire year, with some of the strongest CE approvals in the country (APA, NBCC, ASWB, and more). Learn, grow, and shine with Clearly Clinical Continuing Ed by visiting https://ClearlyClinical.com.

Dr. Matt Zakreski, PsyD, reframes “deficits” as different operating systems, highlighting neurodiversity across giftedness, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and OCD (the "big five"), and explores how clinicians can adapt care with supports that build on clients’ strengths and maximize skills. Interview with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT. Earn CE credit for listening to this episode by joining our low-cost membership for unlimited podcast CE credits for an entire year, with some of the strongest CE approvals in the country (APA, NBCC, ASWB, and more). Learn, grow, and shine with Clearly Clinical Continuing Ed by visiting https://ClearlyClinical.com.

Lara Okoloko, LICSW, traces codependency’s roots in addiction culture, exposing the cultural and clinical gaps created when vague definitions pathologize normal caregiving. She then introduces evidence-based strategies that promote autonomy and reduce harm. Interview with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT. Earn CE credit for listening to this episode by joining our low-cost membership for unlimited podcast CE credits for an entire year, with some of the strongest CE approvals in the country (APA, NBCC, ASWB, and more). Learn, grow, and shine with Clearly Clinical Continuing Ed by visiting https://ClearlyClinical.com.

Dr. Jaimee Arnoff reviews evidence-based strategies to help caregivers support adolescents facing suicidal ideation or self-harm, including guidance on boundary setting, safety planning, and recognizing when to escalate to emergency services. Interview with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT. Earn CE credit for listening to this episode by joining our low-cost membership for unlimited podcast CE credits for an entire year, with some of the strongest CE approvals in the country (APA, NBCC, ASWB, and more). Learn, grow, and shine with Clearly Clinical Continuing Ed by visiting https://ClearlyClinical.com. DISCLAIMER: Please note that this episode discusses death by suicide and various forms of self-injurious behaviors, including discussion of redacted case examples.

Linda Hershman, LMFT, examines how later-in-life parental divorce disrupts rituals, relationships, finances, and caregiving for Adult Children of Divorce (ACODs), highlighting ways to validate their grief and foster resilience across family systems. Interview with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT. Earn CE credit for listening to this episode by joining our low-cost membership for unlimited podcast CE credits for an entire year, with some of the strongest CE approvals in the country (APA, NBCC, ASWB, and more). Learn, grow, and shine with Clearly Clinical Continuing Ed by visiting https://ClearlyClinical.com.

Amanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, offers a critical look at forgiveness in trauma therapy, clarifying its elective role and its distinction from reconciliation, as well as providing practical tools to help therapists integrate these concepts responsibly into treatment. Interview with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT. Earn CE credit for listening to this episode by joining our low-cost membership for unlimited podcast CE credits for an entire year, with some of the strongest CE approvals in the country (APA, NBCC, ASWB, and more). Learn, grow, and shine with Clearly Clinical Continuing Ed by visiting https://ClearlyClinical.com.

Dr. Beth Mullen-Houser, a clinical psychologist specializing in Internal Family Systems (IFS), discusses crucial aspects of therapy with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT. They explore how IFS can mend ruptures in the therapist-client relationship and emphasize the ethical duty of staying attuned. Mullen-Houser shares her journey from acceptance and commitment therapy to embracing IFS, highlighting the importance of genuine human connection. The conversation tackles the emotional dynamics between therapists and clients, underscoring the need for self-awareness to improve outcomes.

Bronwyn Schweigerdt, a licensed therapist specializing in anger and emotion-focused interventions, shares her transformative journey into anger work. She explores how unaddressed anger can lead to depression and illness, emphasizing its role as a signal for unresolved issues. Bronwyn provides therapeutic strategies, including validation techniques and creative exercises like fantasy letters. She critiques traditional anger management, advocating for deeper understanding of root causes and the therapeutic relationship's ability to safely express anger.