Therapy Chat | Psychotherapy | Mindfulness | Trauma | Attachment | Worthiness | Self Care | Parenting

Welcome to episode 80 of the Therapy Chat Podcast with host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C. This week's episode features Amy Sugeno, LCSW, PLLC. If you listened to episode 79 with Dr. Gabor Maté, you’ll be interested in this interview with Amy Sugeno, LCSW of Marble Falls, Texas, who is a clinical eco-therapist. Amy talks about what Eco Therapy is, the research on its use and effectiveness with depression and anxiety, stress relief, ADHD, grounding and self-regulation for trauma survivors. Amy explains that Eco Therapy can take many forms, including animal-assisted (for example, canine and equine) therapies, wilderness therapies, walk and talk therapy, horticulture therapy and clinical eco-therapy in an office, as well as many other possibilities. She explains that this is a depth-oriented type of psychotherapy which can be very powerful. Amy describes how she conducts an eco-therapy session what to wear and what a client can expect overall. She and Laura discuss the power dynamics of the therapy relationship and h

  Welcome to episode 79 of the Therapy Chat Podcast with host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C. This week's episode features Dr. Gabor Maté. Dr. Maté is the co-founder of Compassion for Addiction, a new non-profit that focuses on addiction. He is also an advisor of Drugs over Dinner. As an author, Dr. Maté has written several bestselling books including the award-winning In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction; When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress; and Scattered Minds: A New Look at the Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder, and co-authored Hold on to Your Kids. His works have been published internationally in twenty languages. For twelve years Dr. Maté worked in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside with patients challenged by hard-core drug addiction, mental illness and HIV, including at Vancouver’s Supervised Injection Site. With over 20 years of family practice and palliative care experience and extensive knowledge of the latest findings of leading-edge research, Dr. Maté is

Welcome to episode 78 of the Therapy Chat Podcast with host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C. This week's episode features Lanie Smith.   Lanie Smith is the founder of Integrative Art Therapy in Phoenix, AZ helping kids, teens and adults express themselves through art to improve wellness. Art therapy is the creative process of art-making to improve and enhance the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of individuals of all ages. The creative process offers an outlet for self-expression and helps to resolve conflicts, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem/awareness, and alter the brain state to improve overall functioning. As an Eco-Art Therapist and the owner/founder of Integrative Art Therapy, she has watched so many clients learn how to “bring the inside out and the outside in.” Her passion is to help you recognize your own innate beauty and wisdom as it’s reflected in the trees, mountains, wildlife, and in your own creativity. Her practice is designed to

Welcome to episode 77 of the Therapy Chat Podcast with host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C. This week's episode features Adena Bank Lees.   Recognized as an energetic presenter and integrative thinker, Adena Bank Lees has been offering expert services in training, consulting and psychotherapy around the globe for over 25 years. She possesses the ability to energize others to create, implement new ideas and incorporate them into their professional and personal lives. Adena's love of psychodrama was sparked way back in 1989 while employed as a post-master's intern at the Caron Foundation, Wernersville PA. She knew immediately this was the theory and modality of transformation she would utilize as the underpinning of her life's work. She received her C.P. February 7, 2014, after 25 years of study and raising then launching her only son to independence. Adena is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed and Internationally Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress, a

Welcome to episode 76 of the Therapy Chat Podcast with host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C. This week's episode features David Shannahoff-Khalsa. David Shannahoff-Khalsa is the Director of The Research Group for Mind-Body Dynamics at UCSD’s BioCircuits Institute, and a member of the UCSD Center for Integrative Medicine. Prior to coming to UCSD in 1994 he spent 23 years at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, first working on the building blocks of the genetic code, and then pioneering novel studies in the neurosciences. He has discovered a novel step in the evolution of the nervous system that gives new insights to mind-body (psychophysiological) states and how to control these states. He has published widely in scientific journals and conducted three clinical trials using Kundalini Yoga meditation techniques for treating obsessive compulsive disorders and OC spectrum disorders, and pioneered the use of whole-head magnetoencephalography brain imaging to study these and other yogic meditation techn

Welcome to episode 75 of the Therapy Chat Podcast with host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C. This week's episode features David Emerson. David is the Founder and Director of Yoga Services for the Trauma Center at the Justice Resource Institute in Brookline Massachusetts, where he coined the term “trauma-sensitive yoga”. He was responsible for curriculum development, supervision and oversight of the yoga intervention component of the first of its kind, NIH funded study, conducted by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk to assess the utility and feasibility of yoga for adults with treatment-resistant PTSD. Mr. Emerson has developed, conducted, and supervised TSY groups for rape crisis centers, domestic violence programs, residential programs for youth, military bases, survivors of terrorism, and Veterans Administration centers and clinics. In addition to co-authoring several articles on the subject of yoga and trauma, Mr. Emerson is the co-author of Overcoming Trauma through Yoga, released in 2011 by North Atlantic Books and Autho

Welcome to episode 74 of the Therapy Chat Podcast with host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C. This week’s guest features E. Anna Goodwin. Anna is a psychotherapist and lecturer turned writer and professional speaker.  Anna applies her extensive knowledge and experience with those suffering from trauma and stress in her highly-acclaimed book, “How to Cope with Stress After a Trauma: Especially for Veterans, their Families, and Friends.” Anna also co-authored a renowned textbook for counselors and psychologists entitled “Sandplay Therapy: A Step-by-Step Manual for Psychotherapists of Diverse Orientations” and is now writing psychological suspense using her extensive knowledge of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. She lives in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. At present Anna is writing a fiction trilogy under her penname Ana Parker Goodwin about what she loves most: a mixture of psychology and mystery/suspense. Why is she writing fiction? Simple. She can create her own ending to a story, which she could not do in real life. Forbidden Jus

Welcome to episode 73 of the Therapy Chat Podcast with host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C. This week’s guest features Xanthia Johnson. She is the founder of Urban Playogoly in Washington, DC. Urban Playology provides psychotherapy services to children, adolescents, individuals, couples and families. During defining transitions, she provides a safe place for you to be who you are. Whether you are 2 years old or 85 years young, you will enjoy a transformative experience. Her clinical areas of specialization and interest include but are not limited to: Women & Women of Color Issues, Urban Play Therapy, Expressive Arts, Sandtray Therapy, Grief & Loss, LGBTIQ Folk, TF-CBT, Broad Spectrum Couples & Family Work At Urban Playology, they utilize an Integrative therapy model with emphasis on advocacy and social justice for all clients. This approach helps them provide optimal support and sustainable nurturing for all clients. They offer professional training, clinical supervision, and clinical consultation on advoca

Welcome to episode 72 of the Therapy Chat Podcast with host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C. This week’s guest features Amy Weintraub. Amy has been a pioneer in the field of yoga and mental health for over twenty years.  She offers the LifeForce Yoga Practitioner Training for Mood Management to health and yoga professionals and offers workshops for everyday practitioners. Amy leads workshops and professional trainings at academic and psychology conferences internationally at such venues as the Boston University Graduate School of Psychology, the University of Arizona Medical School, the Psychotherapy Networker Symposium, the Integrative Mental Health Conference, the Cape Cod Institute, Kripalu Center, Omega Institute, Sivananda Ashram, Yogaville, Esalen, Patanjali University in Haridwar, India and Yoga studios throughout the United States. Amy is also a regular contributor on the Goddesses in America blog. In the episode, Amy talks about her background, the primary practices of Yoga for depression & anxiety and give

Welcome to episode 71 of the Therapy Chat Podcast with host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C. This week’s guest features Robert Cox, NCC. Robert is a therapist in Missouri near Kansas City who specializes in trauma, addictions, and autism. Trauma and addictions almost always go hand in hand. He specializes in walking with his patients through those rough patches. He uses therapy and mindfulness to work towards overcoming the past, repairing damaged relationships and moving into the future with a new ability to set boundaries and hold healthy relationships.  As Robert says in his own words:  “It has occurred to me that some of my future clients might wonder who they are hiring to help them through some very rough patches and trusting to walk with them on some vulnerable journeys.  I understand that because I have been many of the places my clients have been and will go.  I have my own history of addiction.  In 1988 I used for the last time and I have been clean since.  I know what it is to struggle with trauma, anxiety an

Welcome to episode 70 of the Therapy Chat Podcast with host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C. This week’s guest features Hilary Jacobs Hendel, LCSW. Hilary was gracious enough to speak to me again after a fault with technology disrupted our previous interview. I originally touched base with Hilary because she consulted on the show Mad Men (which I’m a huge fan of) and in episode 53 & 54 you can hear me dissect the character of Don Draper and relate it to childhood trauma, secrecy, and shame. Hilary grew up in New York City in a culture of "mind over matter." Raised by a psychiatrist and a guidance counselor, family time included analyzing her thoughts and dreams. Feelings were rarely mentioned (except perhaps to discuss how to get rid of them!) She thought she had total control over my emotions. Now she wants to share what she (and many psychotherapists and researchers) know about the new science of emotions. She wants others to learn what she had the good fortune to learn: that core emotions provide a path t

Welcome to episode 69 of the Therapy Chat Podcast with host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C. This week’s guest features the director of the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA), Lisae Jordan.MCASA supports legislation that promotes justice for survivors of sexual assault, accountability for offenders, and protection for the general public. MCASA supports legislation that promotes justice for survivors of sexual assault, accountability for offenders, and protection for the general public. MCASA responds to policy questions and legislative initiatives throughout the year and is represented in Annapolis during the legislative session. MCASA tracked over 35 bills during the 2016 legislative session to assure that the needs of survivors are addressed. In the episode, Lisae talks about the work she does and her commitment to support rape crisis centers, schools, forensic nurse examiners, law enforcement, and survivors. She also talks about the ways in which MCASA has been able to change laws in Maryland to benefi

Welcome to episode 68 of the Therapy Chat Podcast with host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C. This is the third episode in the integrative mental health series featuring Lisa Mitchell. She became a therapist 20 years ago — and for the first 10 years of her private practice, taught thousands of therapists how to integrate art into their work safely and effectively. As she walked along her teaching path, she made a surprising discovery. Most of the therapists she met already identified as “creative types” — but most were nervous about incorporating “creativity” into their work, with clients.  In the episode, Lisa talks about the work she does, working in her private practice in Sacramento, California. Her two niche categories of people she works with are teens and professional women, she helps them to work more with art to understand themselves better and to find experiences that help them resolve the issues going on in their lives. She also touches upon of the five stages of the creative process and how the therapist and

In Episode 67 Therapy Chat host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews therapist and group specialist Katie K. May, a licensed professional counselor in the Philadelphia area who also calls herself the “Group Guru” because she loves running groups and teaching therapists how to effectively plan and market their groups. Katie talks about how therapeutic groups are different from individual therapy and why she loves offering groups in her practice. If you’re a therapist, this episode will likely inspire you to offer more groups, and if you are someone who is interested in continuing your therapeutic journey by participating in groups, hopefully you will have found inspiration.   As always, please visit iTunes to leave a rating and review and subscribe to Therapy Chat so you will receive the latest episodes as soon as they’re released!   Find Katie May’s info on growing groups for therapists here: http://katiekmay.com   Sign up for information about Laura Reagan’s Daring Way™ groups beginning in March, 2017 here: http:

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! Today's episode, the second in the Integrative Mental Health Series, includes a fascinating interview with author Dr. Leslie Korn, who is a Harvard-trained body-oriented psychotherapist who has worked for four decades to help people understand the connection between physical and emotional health. Leslie spoke with host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C all the way from Mexico, where she lives and works. Leslie talks about how she got started doing body-oriented psychotherapy, what she learned in the jungle, and how nutrition can help our mental health. She discusses the connection between trauma and physical and mental health; self care; and her book "Nutrition Essentials for Mental Health". She talks about the "right diet" for everyone, explaining that fat is actually our friend! She explains that she prefers to take the ideology out of nutrition, stating that clinicians can use the science and the art of nutrition to help clients. Leslie discusses the idea of the gut as

Welcome back! In this brief episode host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C extends an end of year greeting to listeners of Therapy Chat. She pauses to reflect on the increase in audience of Therapy Chat from the beginning of 2016 to the end, talks about what is coming up in the next few months, and makes a confession about the difficulty she finds in practicing self care. Happy New Year!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Looking for some new podcasts to listen to? I'm on a bit of a holiday hiatus from new episodes of Therapy Chat podcast. In the meantime, I wanted to tell you about some other podcasts I love. Here are 6 podcasts I'm listening to and recommending frequently! I hope you will check them out and please comment with your favorite podcast! 1. Women In-Depth with Dr. Lourdes Viado, MFT - I love this podcast because my friend and colleague Lourdes Viado conducts interesting and (as the name implies) in-depth interviews on topics that people don't usually talk about. Lourdes is a depth psychologist who was mentored by Jungian analyst and author Dr. James Hollis. She is so knowledgeable about her work and I love listening to her soothing voice. The podcast is fantastic and I recommend it without reservation! Some of the episodes I frequently recommend to my clients include: Episode 10: Spiritual Abuse: What It Is & Why It Matters with Tamara Powell, LMHC Episode 23: Understanding Spiritual Abuse

Today, I did something hard. Have you heard Glennon Doyle Melton say "We can do hard things"? Well, we can. I can. I think. It's not always something huge - for me, today, it was trying something new and very challenging. Fulfilling a promise I made to myself and to listeners of Therapy Chat (talk about accountability!), I took my 45 year old body which has not been on the back of a horse for 32 years - and even then, at age 13, my experience was limited to two or three times I rode a horse while someone held on and walked it - and had my first horseback riding lesson. My first lesson, ever. It was clear that the people at the barn and at the shop where I bought my helmet today expected I had SOME kind of experience on a horse when they were talking to me. They kept saying "so you're coming back to riding?" I was like, "no, I'm an absolute beginner. I've never done it at all." I like knowing. I'll be honest, I hated how it felt to admit that I didn't know ANYTHI

Welcome to episode 62 of the Therapy Chat Podcast with host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C. This is the third episode in the trauma and attachment series featuring Stuart Fensterheim, LCSW. Stuart is a clinical social worker in Scottsdale, Arizona, practicing with couples using Sue Johnson’s Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) which is an attachment-based couples therapy method.  In the episode, Stuart talks about how he works on making connections with couples and how our childhood attachment affects the way we show up in relationships as adults. He also touches upon John Bowlby's Attachment Theory, which focuses on your relationship with your primary caretaker and how it influences everything through your life. To make sense of this theory, he talks further about the relationship young babies have with their caretaker, avoiding failure to thrive and how the needs of a young baby to experience touch and closeness, continue with us throughout our adult life.   Resources http://www.thecouplesexpertscottsdale.com http:

Welcome back! In Episode 61 Therapy Chat host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C asked 11 therapists to contribute their best tips for using self care to manage holiday stress. With Thanksgiving Day tomorrow in the US, hopefully you will find something useful here.   Thanks for listening to Therapy Chat. Please get in touch and let host Laura Reagan know what you thought of this episode!   Thanks to the eleven therapists who participated! See below for their names and links to their websites!     Elizabeth Cush, MA, LGPC Progressioncounseling.com Robert Cox, MA, PLPC, NCC http://www.liferecoveryconsulting.com Charlotte Hiler Easley LCSW ESMHL www.charlotteeasley.com Daniela Paolone LMFT westlakevillage-counseling.com Elizabeth Burke, LCSW www.empoweredtherapy.org Gina Della Penna, LMHC www.ginadellapenna.com Jackie Flynn EdS | LMHC | RPT www.counselinginbrevard.com Melvin Varghese, PhD melvinvarghese.com Ellis Edmunds, Licensed Psychologist www.drellisedmunds.com Re