Therapy Chat

In the US, violence is a major problem. We hear news stories about mass shootings, war, and sexual and domestic violence daily. Last week in episode 333, therapist and author Terry Real talked about how patriarchal conditioning limits those who are socialized as male in their emotional expression.  In today's episode, host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C revisits a prior interview with the co-authors of "The Tough Standard: The hard truths about masculinity and violence," Dr. Ronald Levant and Shana Pryor. In this conversation you'll learn about the construct of masculinity and how it impinges upon men and others, contributing to violent behavior.  Ronald F. Levant, EdD, ABPP, is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at The University of Akron; Past President of the American Psychological Association (APA) and APA Division 51; and two-term Editor of APA Division 51’s quarterly journal, Psychology of Men & Masculinities. He has developed and evaluated a number of measures designed to assess a variety of gender constructs. Dr. Levant’s signature contribution has been in establishing the empirical foundation for the “Normative Male Alexithymia” hypothesis. In addition, he developed Alexithymia Reduction Treatment (ART), a brief psychoeducational intervention designed to remediate normative male alexithymia in order to prepare men to engage more fully in psychotherapy. This is his 19th book. Shana Pryor, MA, is a doctoral student in Counseling Psychology at the University of Akron. She has spent the majority of her career focusing on men, masculinity and sexual trauma. Resources Learn more about their work and find a book excerpt at: www.thetoughstandard.com.  Find The Tough Standard here.   Listen to last week's episode or read a transcript here.  Thank you to TherapyNotes for sponsoring this week's episode! TherapyNotes makes billing, scheduling, notetaking, and telehealth incredibly easy. And now, for all you prescribers out there, TherapyNotes is proudly introducing E-prescribe! Find out what more than 100,000 mental health professionals already know, and try TherapyNotes for 2 months, absolutely free. Try it today with no strings attached, and see why everyone is switching to TherapyNotes, now featuring E-prescribe. Use promo code "chat" at www.therapynotes.com to receive 2 FREE months of TherapyNotes! This episode is also sponsored by Trauma Therapist Network. Learn about trauma, connect with resources and find a trauma therapist near you at www.traumatherapistnetwork.com. We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available. Therapists, registration opens in July for Trauma Therapist Network membership. Join a compassionate and skilled group of trauma therapists for weekly calls focused on Self Care, Case Consultation, Q&A and Training.  Get on the waiting list now to be the first to know when registration opens! Sign up here: https://traumatherapistnetwork.com/wait-list/  Podcast produced by Pete Bailey - https://petebailey.net/audio  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C speaks with internally recognized speaker, author and therapist Terrence Real. Terry Real is the author of several books, including the classic "I Don't Want To Talk About It: Overcoming the secret legacy of men's depression," as well as his newest book, released in June 2022. His new book is entitled, "Us: Getting past you and me to build a more loving relationship."    In this conversation, Terry sheds light on how the patriarchy influences gender roles within relationships and the harm that is done when individuals are put into boxes limiting their expression. He talks about some of the ways his books and his method, Relational Life Therapy (RLT) help those who are socialized as male access emotional intimacy for deeper, more connected relationships with their partners. He is open about the emotional legacy of trauma and abuse and its impact so couples can recognize what stands in the way of vulnerability within relationships. This was a beautiful and inspiring conversation which will make you think and give you hope. Learn more about Terry Real's work including his books, workshops, consultation, intensives and trainings through his website: www.terryreal.com Thank you to TherapyNotes for sponsoring this week's episode! TherapyNotes makes billing, scheduling, notetaking, and telehealth incredibly easy.  And now, for all you prescribers out there, TherapyNotes is proudly introducing E-prescribe! Find out what more than 100,000 mental health professionals already know, and try TherapyNotes for 2 months, absolutely free.  Try it today with no strings attached, and see why everyone is switching to TherapyNotes.  Now featuring E-prescribe. Click here or use promo code "chat" at www.therapynotes.com to receive 2 FREE months of TherapyNotes!  This episode is also sponsored by Trauma Therapist Network. Learn about trauma, connect with resources and find a trauma therapist near you at www.traumatherapistnetwork.com. We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available. Visit Trauma Therapist Network today to learn about trauma and find a therapist who can help. Therapists - registration for Trauma Therapist Network membership will be opening up in Summer 2022. Click here to get on the waiting list! You'll be the first to know when registration is opening and receive early bird offers! Podcast produced by Pete Bailey - https://petebailey.net/audio  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! If you listened to the past two weeks' episodes about equine-assisted psychotherapy, you might be wondering why and how Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is effective. Today's guest will help you understand. Philip Tedeschi is the founder of the Human-Animal Connection program of the School of Social Work at University of Denver. He is the Director Emeritus now, and when this interview took place, he was the founder and Director. Philip's passion for connection with animals really comes through in our conversation. This conversation focuses on connection with animals and nature for a better world. Find inspiration for all of the ways healing can happen by listening to today's episode. Resources Thank you to TherapyNotes for sponsoring this week's episode! TherapyNotes makes billing, scheduling, notetaking, and telehealth incredibly easy.  And now, for all you prescribers out there, TherapyNotes is proudly introducing E-prescribe! Find out what more than 100,000 mental health professionals already know, and try TherapyNotes for 2 months, absolutely free.  Try it today with no strings attached, and see why everyone is switching to TherapyNotes.  Now featuring E-prescribe. Click here or use promo code "chat" at www.therapynotes.com to receive 2 FREE months of TherapyNotes!  This episode is also sponsored by Trauma Therapist Network. Learn about trauma, connect with resources and find a trauma therapist near you at www.traumatherapistnetwork.com. We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available. Visit Trauma Therapist Network today to learn about trauma and find a therapist who can help. Therapists - registration for Trauma Therapist Network membership will be opening up in Summer 2022. Click here to get on the waiting list! You'll be the first to know when registration is opening and receive early bird offers! Podcast produced by Pete Bailey - https://petebailey.net/audio  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week, host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C revisits a conversation from a few years ago with Julia Alexander, MSW (now LCSW). At the time this was recorded, Julia was a new MSW starting her career in clinical work although she had years of experience in the field - and the pasture. As an equine-assisted psychotherapist, Julia shared how she was using Natural Lifemanship in her clinical practice then, and the vulnerability of finding her way as a clinician. Stay tuned for a future episode with Julia, where she will update us on what she is doing now.    Resources   Learn more about Julia at her website: julia alexander counseling.com   Read the blog post Mary Sue McCarthy wrote for Trauma Therapist Network here.    Listen to Episode 329 with Mary Sue McCarthy here. Thank you to TherapyNotes for sponsoring this week's episode! TherapyNotes makes billing, scheduling, notetaking, and telehealth incredibly easy.  And now, for all you prescribers out there, TherapyNotes is proudly introducing E-prescribe! Find out what more than 100,000 mental health professionals already know, and try TherapyNotes for 2 months, absolutely free.  Try it today with no strings attached, and see why everyone is switching to TherapyNotes.  Now featuring E-prescribe. Click here or use promo code "chat" at www.therapynotes.com to receive 2 FREE months of TherapyNotes!  This episode is also sponsored by Trauma Therapist Network. Learn about trauma, connect with resources and find a trauma therapist near you at www.traumatherapistnetwork.com. We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available. Visit Trauma Therapist Network today to learn about trauma and find a therapist who can help. Therapists - registration for Trauma Therapist Network membership will be opening up in Summer 2022. Click here to get on the waiting list! You'll be the first to know when registration is opening and receive early bird offers! Podcast produced by Pete Bailey - https://petebailey.net/audio   Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week, host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C shares an experience from several years ago when she first felt the magic of interacting with horses in a therapeutic environment. As you listen to this vulnerable recounting of what it felt like for her, you may get a feel for how powerful equine work can be. Taking talking out of psychotherapy allows for a different level of relational attunement. If you missed last week's interview with Mary Sue McCarthy, be sure to check it out for more specifics on how and why equine assisted psychotherapy is so effective at helping us connect with ourselves and other beings. This month we will continue the theme of exploring equine-assisted psychotherapy and relationships with upcoming episodes about Natural Lifemanship and Animal Assisted Therapy. Then next month you'll hear our interview with internationally known couples therapy expert and author Terry Real. Resources Thank you to TherapyNotes for sponsoring this week's episode! TherapyNotes makes billing, scheduling, notetaking, and telehealth incredibly easy.  And now, for all you prescribers out there, TherapyNotes is proudly introducing E-prescribe! Find out what more than 100,000 mental health professionals already know, and try TherapyNotes for 2 months, absolutely free.  Try it today with no strings attached, and see why everyone is switching to TherapyNotes.  Now featuring E-prescribe. Click here or use promo code "chat" at www.therapynotes.com to receive 2 FREE months of TherapyNotes!  This episode is also sponsored by Trauma Therapist Network. Learn about trauma, connect with resources and find a trauma therapist near you at www.traumatherapistnetwork.com. We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available. Podcast produced by Pete Bailey - https://petebailey.net/audio Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week, host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews Mary Sue McCarthy, LCPC. Mary Sue is a trauma therapist in Hunt Valley, Maryland who has a talk therapy/EMDR practice as well as a second practice solely for Trauma Focused Equine Assisted Therapy (TF-EAP). Mary shares how she fell in love with this way of working, how it is different from talk therapy, and how TF-EAP is attachment work. She discusses how experientially practicing risking connection and detaching with connection allows her clients to practice relational boundaries in the session.   Mary Sue McCarthy, LCPC, NCC, is a second level Natural Lifemanship practitioner working toward her final certification. In private practice in Hunt Valley, Maryland, Mary Sue welcomes clients 25 years and older for support with recovery from trauma and related symptoms including addictions, depression, social isolation and “feeling stuck.” She is a Maryland Registered and Board Approved Clinical Supervisor and is available for consultation with therapists seeking to start their own TF-EAP practices.  She can be reached at ms@marysuemccarthy.com or 410-979-7744. Her website is: www.marysuemccarthy.com.   Learn more about TF-EAP by reading Mary Sue's guest blog post on Trauma Therapist Network. Learn more about Mary Sue's work here.   Learn more about Natural Lifemanship here. Thank you to TherapyNotes for sponsoring this week's episode! TherapyNotes makes billing, scheduling, notetaking, and telehealth incredibly easy.  And now, for all you prescribers out there, TherapyNotes is proudly introducing E-prescribe! Find out what more than 100,000 mental health professionals already know, and try TherapyNotes for 2 months, absolutely free.  Try it today with no strings attached, and see why everyone is switching to TherapyNotes.  Now featuring E-prescribe. Click here or use promo code "chat" at www.therapynotes.com to receive 2 FREE months of TherapyNotes!  This episode is also sponsored by Trauma Therapist Network. Learn about trauma, connect with resources and find a trauma therapist near you at www.traumatherapistnetwork.com. We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In this engaging conversation, Laura Davis, author of The Courage to Heal, shares her deep insights on mending broken family relationships. She discusses the challenges of navigating estrangement and the healing journey with her own mother. Listeners learn about the complexities of forgiveness, the importance of boundaries, and the impact of trauma on family dynamics. With powerful anecdotes, Davis offers practical strategies for reconciliation and emphasizes the potential for healing even in the most strained ties.

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week, host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews Laurie Ure, LICSW, who is a clinical social worker and Certified Bioenergetic Therapist in Massachusetts. Laurie explained what Bioenergetics is, how she uses it in her work, and guided Laura through a practice. You'll learn about energetic boundaries and using Bioenergetics in therapy through this fascinating discussion.    Laurie Ure, LICSW, has practiced as a Certified Bioenergetic Therapist in Gloucester, MA, for over 25 years. She trains bioenergetic therapists in the U.S. and internationally. In addition, she leads workshops, speaks, plans conferences, and writes about topics related to bioenergetic analysis. Her involvement with this approach began in 1986 as a client of a bioenergetic therapist. She has studied with Alexander Lowen, M.D., founder of bioenergetic analysis, and has directed the Massachusetts Society for Bioenergetic Analysis.    Laurie has also taught at Salem State College School of Social Work. She publishes articles on the blog of Psychotherapy Networker, in the NASW Focus magazine, on Medium, in the Elephant Journal, in WomanBeeWell magazine, and on the blog of her website at www.laurieure.com. Currently, she is writing a book about the bioenergetic approach to treating depression. In addition to her work, she enjoys traveling, swimming, walking her dog, and kayaking.   Resources You can find her on Instagram: https://instagram.com/laurieure Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurie_ure Facebook: https://facebook.com/LaurieUreLICSW Medium: https://medium.com/laurieure and LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/laurie-ure-7487a429/   Visit Laurie's website at www.laurieure.com,  Learn more about the North American/New Zealand Institutes for Bioenergetic Analysis at www.nanziba.com and  Visit the International Institute for Bioenergetic Analysis www.bioenergetic-therapy.com Thank you to TherapyNotes for sponsoring this week's episode! TherapyNotes makes billing, scheduling, notetaking, and telehealth incredibly easy.  And now, for all you prescribers out there, TherapyNotes is proudly introducing E-prescribe! Find out what more than 100,000 mental health professionals already know, and try TherapyNotes for 2 months, absolutely free.   Try it today with no strings attached, and see why everyone is switching to TherapyNotes.  Now featuring E-prescribe. Click here or use promo code "chat" at www.therapynotes.com to receive 2 FREE months of TherapyNotes!  This episode is also sponsored by Trauma Therapist Network. Learn about trauma, connect with resources and find a trauma therapist near you at www.traumatherapistnetwork.com. We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available. Podcast produced by Pete Bailey - https://petebailey.net/audio  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C speaks with friend and colleague Charlene MacPherson, LCSW-C about Charlene's work bringing therapeutic gaming to adults in Linthicum, Maryland.   Laura and Charlene discuss how embracing one's authentic self as a therapist helps clients who are looking for what is unique about us to feel seen and understood in therapy settings. Charlene talks about her journey to acceptance as a self-proclaimed nerd and how she learned to embrace her gifts and use them to help her clients. This is a beautiful conversation that will inspire you to embrace the parts of you that might be hidden when wearing your therapist hat. Additionally, Charlene talks about how Role Playing Games can be used therapeutically and what a therapeutic RPG looks like.   Self-proclaimed nerd and licensed psychotherapist, Charlene MacPherson uses nerd culture to create a safe and fun environment to explore the therapy process. She's also a mother, wife, Lutheran, podcaster, and owner of Nerd Adventure Therapy 2.0 (NAT20). Charlene's been playing Role Playing games for 15 years and Game Mastering for 3 years. She's been in the mental health field as a Licensed Certified Social Worker- Clinical for 12 years. Charlene offers Therapeutically Applied Role Playing Game social skills therapy groups for adults age 25 and up as a part of her therapy services in Linthicum, Maryland. She's a certified Therapeutic Game Master in the Game to Grow method of TTRPG therapy. She's also in the process of completing certification with Geek Therapeutics. And she has a podcast called Mental Health Quest which is about demystifying and destigmatizing therapy.   Resources:   Find NAT20Therapy on Facebook and Twitter Check out Charlene's website here! (it's very cool)   Find Charlene's podcast, Mental Health Quest, here. Thank you to TherapyNotes for sponsoring this week's episode! TherapyNotes makes billing, scheduling, notetaking, and telehealth incredibly easy.  And now, for all you prescribers out there, TherapyNotes is proudly introducing E-prescribe! Find out what more than 100,000 mental health professionals already know, and try TherapyNotes for 2 months, absolutely free.  Try it today with no strings attached, and see why everyone is switching to TherapyNotes.  Now featuring E-prescribe. Click here or use promo code "chat" at www.therapynotes.com to receive 2 FREE months of TherapyNotes!  This episode is also sponsored by Trauma Therapist Network. Learn about trauma, connect with resources and find a trauma therapist near you at www.traumatherapistnetwork.com. We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available. Podcast produced by Pete Bailey - https://petebailey.net/audio Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week's episode is about a sensitive topic - finding safety via the legal system following domestic violence and stalking. If this topic hits close to home for you, please take care of yourself while listening.   Today host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews Kaytee Gillis, LCSW, a Louisiana-based psychotherapist, advocate and author. Her recent book, "Invisible Bruises - How A Better Understanding of the Patterns of Domestic Violence Can Help Survivors Navigate the Legal System" is out now. In this conversation, Laura and Kaytee discuss the limitations of protective orders, what therapists need to know about supporting survivors of relationship violence and how survivors can get help. Kaytee talks about some of the specific barriers LGBTQ+ survivors face when navigating the legal system for protection.    Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS, is a psychotherapist, advocate, and author with a passion for working with survivors of family trauma and the LGBTQ+ community. She received her BA in psychology from Clark University, and her Master's from Tulane, where she focused on sexuality and promoting effective and accurate sex education in Louisiana schools. Her work focuses on assisting survivors of psychological abuse, stalking, and other non-physical forms of domestic violence and family trauma, and assisting survivors with navigating the legal system to receive protection. Her recent book, Invisible Bruises: How a Better Understanding of the Patterns of Domestic Violence Can Help Survivors Navigate the Legal System, sheds light on the ways that the legal system can perpetuate the cycle of domestic violence by failing to recognize patterns that would otherwise hold perpetrators accountable and protect survivors. Gillis provides training on recognizing patterns of domestic violence and family dysfunction, treating the aftermath of abuse and trauma, and helping survivors move forward.   Resources:   Find Kaytee's blog on Psychology Today here.   Find the Invisible Bruises book here.   Get in touch with Kaytee via her website: www.kaytlyngillislcsw.com    Access the National Domestic Violence Hotline online or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233) if someone may be monitoring your online activity. Thank you to TherapyNotes for sponsoring this week's episode! TherapyNotes makes billing, scheduling, notetaking, and telehealth incredibly easy.  And now, for all you prescribers out there, TherapyNotes is proudly introducing E-prescribe! Find out what more than 100,000 mental health professionals already know, and try TherapyNotes for 2 months, absolutely free.  Try it today with no strings attached, and see why everyone is switching to TherapyNotes.  Now featuring E-prescribe. Click here or use promo code "chat" at www.therapynotes.com to receive 2 FREE months of TherapyNotes!  This episode is also sponsored by Trauma Therapist Network. Learn about trauma, connect with resources and find a trauma therapist near you at www.traumatherapistnetwork.com. We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available. Podcast produced by Pete Bailey - https://petebailey.net/audio  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands