Therapy Chat

Curt Widhalm, a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and EMDR expert, shares his transformative journey with EMDR after a bike accident. He discusses the crucial phases of EMDR, including preparation and reprocessing, tailored for adolescents. Curt emphasizes the importance of building trust with teens to enhance therapeutic outcomes. He explores adaptations for developmental needs and the integration of family dynamics in therapy. His insights on balancing individual and family therapy shed light on supporting adolescents through trauma.

In this engaging discussion, Ann Beckley Forest, an experienced play therapist, and Annie Monaco, an EMDR trainer, share their innovative approach with Playful EMDR. They explain the synergy between EMDR and play therapy in helping children process trauma, emphasizing the importance of playful engagement. Topics include the structured techniques of EMDR tailored for kids, the necessity of building rapport, and the urgency of addressing unprocessed trauma in youth. They also highlight the role of caregivers and the community in supporting therapeutic processes.

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week, I'm joined by Therapist and EMDR Consultant Jocelyn Fitzgerald. We discussed the integration of creativity in trauma therapy, exploring the power of EMDR combined with creative arts, which she has used in working with refugees. She shared about her book, EMDR and the Creative Arts Therapies. The conversation also delves into the role of psychedelics in therapy, the neuroscience of creativity, and the essential nature of art in human development. Jocelyn shares practical applications for therapists and emphasizes the importance of humor in healing.Jocelyn Fitzgerald is a board-certified art therapist (ATR-BC), licensed marriage and family therapist, and EMDRIA-approved EMDR Consultant, known for integrating creative arts into trauma therapy. She is the co-author of EMDR and the Creative Arts Therapies and Colorful Place: Mindful Story and Art for Kids, and her work has been featured in Psychotherapy Networker. With dual master’s degrees in Art Therapy and Marriage and Family Therapy from Notre Dame de Namur University, Jocelyn blends traditional talk therapy with expressive arts to support clients navigating anxiety, depression, and self-harming behaviors. She has worked in diverse clinical settings across the country and served as an adjunct professor at Indiana University and Purdue University. Jocelyn is passionate about helping others live more authentic, connected, and creative lives.Check out Jocelyn Fitzgerald's Etsy shop here Download a FREE resource Jocelyn created here.Buy Jocelyn Fitzgerald's book, EMDR and the Creative Arts Therapies, here.Additional Resources:Are you a helping professional who wants to learn more about the Safe + Sound Protocol (SSP)? On behalf of our friends at Unyte Health, we are pleased to share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! Bumble is the dating app built with a focus on meaningful and authentic relationships and with the belief that love—in all its forms—is the foundation to a happy, healthy life. Bumble helps you find the real, intentional connections you're looking for. Download the app for free today on the App Store or Google Play and learn more at Bumble.com!Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here!If you're interested in being notified when I announce the details of the new Therapy Chat membership - open to anyone, not just therapists - submit your info on this form. Thanks!Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyChatPodcastTherapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website to learn about my upcoming retreat, put your name on the waitlist for TTN membership, find discounts on CE trainings, purchase my course, schedule a clinical consultation, access recommended resources and more. Find a trauma therapist near you via findtraumatherapy.com! We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available at Trauma Therapist Network. TherapyNotes® is the highest-rated EHR, practice management, and billing software for mental health professionals. Its all-in-one platform is designed to streamline all aspects of your practice, from connecting with clients via secure messages, to scheduling, to notes, to billing, and more; you can trust TherapyNotes has you covered. And one of the best parts? 24-7 customer service. It's beyond easy to get help over the phone or by email at any time of day from their knowledgeable and friendly representatives. The best time to give TherapyNotes a try is now! Sign up for your free trial by going to TherapyNotes.com, clicking "Start my free trial", and accessing your first two months free with the promo code CHAT. See why TherapyNotes is the most trusted EHR for behavioral health professionals today.Our Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.orgAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

This week, I'm speaking with Debra Wesselmann about attachment injuries in children and families. We discussed the importance of early intervention in attachment wounds, the integration of EMDR therapy, and the development of the Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol for Children.The conversation highlights the complexities of parent-child dynamics in therapy and the profound impact of trauma on children's development. Wesselmann shares insights on how therapists can create a safe and supportive environment for healing, emphasizing the need for collaboration between parents and therapists to foster healthier attachments and emotional regulation in children.Debra Wesselmann, MS, LIMHP has specialized in treating attachment trauma for over 30 years. In 2008, along with several like-minded colleagues, she co-founded The Attachment and Trauma Center of Nebraska, where she co-developed and researched the integrative family therapy and EMDR therapy model for treating attachment trauma in children. In addition to her clinical work, she offers trainings and is on faculty with the EMDR Institute. She’s authored and co-authored several articles, chapters, and books related to attachment and trauma, including the updated and expanded “EMDR and Family Therapy: Integrative Treatment for Attachment Trauma in Children, 2nd edition. Learn more about Debra at: https://debrawesselmann.com/ Are you a helping professional who wants to learn more about the Safe + Sound Protocol (SSP)? On behalf of our friends at Unyte Health, we are pleased to share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! Bumble is the dating app built with a focus on meaningful and authentic relationships and with the belief that love—in all its forms—is the foundation to a happy, healthy life. Bumble helps you find the real, intentional connections you're looking for. Download the app for free today on the App Store or Google Play and learn more at Bumble.com!Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here! If you're interested in being notified when I announce the details of the new Therapy Chat membership - open to anyone, not just therapists - submit your info on this form. Thanks!Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyChatPodcastTherapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on CE trainings, recommended resources and more. Find a trauma therapist near you via findtraumatherapy.com! We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available at Trauma Therapist Network. TherapyNotes® is the highest-rated EHR, practice management, and billing software for mental health professionals. Its all-in-one platform is designed to streamline all aspects of your practice, from connecting with clients via secure messages, to scheduling, to notes, to billing, and more; you can trust TherapyNotes has you covered. And one of the best parts? 24-7 customer service. It's beyond easy to get help over the phone or by email at any time of day from their knowledgeable and friendly representatives. The best time to give TherapyNotes a try is now! Sign up for your free trial by going to TherapyNotes.com, clicking "Start my free trial", and accessing your first two months free with the promo code CHAT. See why TherapyNotes is the most trusted EHR for behavioral health professionals today.Podcast Produced by Vaudeo Productions: https://vaudeoproductions.comOur Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.orgAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

This episode dives into a personal journey of vulnerability during a live interview on shame. Just before going on stage, the host faced devastating news about a family member, causing a rush of emotions. She candidly shares her struggles with asking for help and the shame that comes with it. A powerful transformation occurred when support arrived unexpectedly, highlighting the importance of community care. The discussion also emphasizes how early experiences shape our beliefs about vulnerability and the healing power of genuine connection.

In this enlightening conversation, Kim Barthel, a seasoned Canadian occupational therapist with over 41 years of experience, delves into the intricate connections between trauma and the vestibular system. She discusses how developmental trauma impacts sensory processing and emphasizes the importance of co-regulation in therapy. Kim shares fascinating insights on the role of the Vagus Nerve, sound healing therapies, and how trauma can shift visual attention. Her holistic approach highlights the significance of embracing neurodiversity and understanding the body’s response to trauma.

This week's episode of Therapy Chat is on a topic which we've covered before - religious trauma. This week's guest, SC Nealy (they/she) discusses the impact of religious trauma and offers additional perspective into the harm it can cause for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Our conversation was fascinating to me, and I hope you'll find many valuable insights through listening to our discussion. With over 15 years in the mental health field, SC Nealy is a queer, gender fluid psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and group practice owner in Arlington, VA. SC operates a team of all gay and trans-identifying therapists with the focus of bringing clinicians with lived experiences to the queer community and their families. They also work locally and nationally to advocate for queer rights, accessible mental health care, and bringing more awareness to the needs of the queer community. Their upcoming book published by Bloomsbury Academics, Healing Sacred Wounds, focuses on giving folx a guide map for processing and exploring their experiences in religious or spiritual trauma. Learn more about SC Nealy and their work at: https://lgbtcounselingdmv.com .Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here!If you're interested in being notified when I announce the details of the new Therapy Chat membership - open to anyone, not just therapists - submit your info on this form. Thanks!Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyChatPodcastTherapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on CE trainings, recommended resources and more. Find a trauma therapist near you via findtraumatherapy.com! We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available at Trauma Therapist Network. TherapyNotes® is the highest-rated EHR, practice management, and billing software for mental health professionals. Its all-in-one platform is designed to streamline all aspects of your practice, from connecting with clients via secure messages, to scheduling, to notes, to billing, and more; you can trust TherapyNotes has you covered. And one of the best parts? 24-7 customer service. It's beyond easy to get help over the phone or by email at any time of day from their knowledgeable and friendly representatives. The best time to give TherapyNotes a try is now! Sign up for your free trial by going to TherapyNotes.com, clicking "Start my free trial", and accessing your first two months free with the promo code CHAT. See why TherapyNotes is the most trusted EHR for behavioral health professionals today.Podcast Produced by Vaudeo Productions: https://vaudeoproductions.comOur Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.orgAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Stefanie Klein, LCSW, SEP, and a NARM Master Therapist with 30 years of experience, dives into the importance of embracing countertransference as a therapeutic gift. She introduces the SPACE program, aimed at helping therapists manage complex trauma while finding fulfillment in their roles. The conversation highlights the significance of personal connection, self-awareness, and evolving spirituality in therapy. Stefanie emphasizes the need for community support and ongoing personal healing for therapists to enhance their effectiveness and client relationships.

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In this episode, my guest is Dr. Dan Siegel. In this deep conversation, we explored themes of grief, connection, the quantum realm, integration in a biological sense, the work of Joanna Macy, losing our parents and staying connected with them, and the shared humanity that binds us all together, while also addressing the challenges we face in today's world and how we can find new ways of living. Dr. Dan Siegel is the Founder and Director of Education of the Mindsight Institute and founding co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA, where he was also Co-Principal Investigator of the Center for Culture, Brain and Development and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the School of Medicine. An award-winning educator, Dan is the author of five New York Times bestsellers and over fifteen other books which have been translated into over forty languages. As the founding editor of the Norton Professional Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology (“IPNB”), Dan has overseen the publication of one hundred books in the transdisciplinary IPNB framework which focuses on the mind and mental health. A graduate of Harvard Medical School, Dan completed his postgraduate training at UCLA specializing in pediatrics, and adult, adolescent, and child psychiatry. He was trained in attachment research and narrative analysis through a National Institute of Mental Health research training fellowship focusing on how relationships shape our autobiographical ways of making sense of our lives and influence our development across the lifespanLearn more about Dr. Dan Siegel and purchase his books  Find the Mindsight Institute here Bob Sima’s song “The Measure,” performed with Dr. Dan Siegel in Baltimore (YouTube)Find Bob Sima’s music with Shannon Plummer at Where the Light Gets InJoanna Macy’s The Work That Reconnects is found here.Karen O’Brien’s work - Quantum Social Change Substack If you're interested in being notified when I announce the details of the new Therapy Chat membership - open to anyone, not just therapists - submit your info on this form. Thanks!Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyChatPodcastTherapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on CE trainings, recommended resources and more. Find a trauma therapist near you via findtraumatherapy.com! We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available at Trauma Therapist Network. TherapyNotes® is the highest-rated EHR, practice management, and billing software for mental health professionals. Its all-in-one platform is designed to streamline all aspects of your practice, from connecting with clients via secure messages, to scheduling, to notes, to billing, and more; you can trust TherapyNotes has you covered. And one of the best parts? 24-7 customer service. It's beyond easy to get help over the phone or by email at any time of day from their knowledgeable and friendly representatives. The best time to give TherapyNotes a try is now! Sign up for your free trial by going to TherapyNotes.com, clicking "Start my free trial", and accessing your first two months free with the promo code CHAT. See why TherapyNotes is the most trusted EHR for behavioral health professionals today.Podcast Produced by Vaudeo Productions: https://vaudeoproductions.comOur Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.orgAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

This week's guest is Vanessa Bennett, LMFT, author of the new book "The Motherhood Myth: A Depth Therapist's Guide to Redefine Parenting, Reimagine Intimacy, and Reclaim the Self." In this soulful conversation, through the lens of depth psychology, Vanessa Bennett explores themes of motherhood, and some of the archetypal wounds that women carry, including the mother wound, sister wound, witch wound, and father wound. We discuss societal myths surrounding motherhood and the importance of reclaiming one's self and intuition after becoming a parent. I shared about my mother wound. Vanessa Bennett, LMFT, is a licensed depth psychotherapist, author, and facilitator known for her no-nonsense yet compassionate approach to personal growth and healing. She is the coauthor of the bestselling relationship book It’s Not Me, It’s You with her partner John Kim and co-hosts the Cheaper Than Therapy podcast. A former New Yorker now based in Los Angeles, Vanessa leads transformational retreats and workshops grounded in Jungian and depth-oriented psychology. Through her writing, teaching, and digital content, she helps others break generational patterns and reconnect with their truest selves. Find everything Vanessa Bennett offers on her website here.If you're interested in being notified when I announce the details of the new Therapy Chat membership - open to anyone, not just therapists - which will open in September, 2025, submit your info on this form. Thanks!Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyChatPodcastTherapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on CE trainings, recommended resources and more. Find a trauma therapist near you via findtraumatherapy.com! We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available at Trauma Therapist Network. TherapyNotes® is the highest-rated EHR, practice management, and billing software for mental health professionals. Its all-in-one platform is designed to streamline all aspects of your practice, from connecting with clients via secure messages, to scheduling, to notes, to billing, and more; you can trust TherapyNotes has you covered. And one of the best parts? 24-7 customer service. It's beyond easy to get help over the phone or by email at any time of day from their knowledgeable and friendly representatives. The best time to give TherapyNotes a try is now! Sign up for your free trial by going to TherapyNotes.com, clicking "Start my free trial", and accessing your first two months free with the promo code CHAT. See why TherapyNotes is the most trusted EHR for behavioral health professionals today.Podcast produced by Vaudeo Productions - https://vaudeoproductions.comOur Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.orgAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands