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

Welcome back! In Episode 60, the first in the series on Integrative Mental Health, Therapy Chat host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews James Lake, MD, an integrative psychiatrist in California who has authored four books, including 2009’s Integrative Mental Health: A Therapist’s Handbook. Dr. Lake is a leader in the field of integrative mental health, as you will hear in this interview.   Dr. Lake discusses how he uses complementary and alternative medicine (“CAM”) in his clinical practice, and how Master’s-level therapists can use integrative methods in their practices, within their scope of practice. He discusses use of supplements in psychotherapy practice, collaboration with alternative and complementary practitioners as well as allopathic medicine physicians as well. He shares information on his E-book series on integrative mental health and how practitioners can use it.   This is the Episode 1 of the series on integrative mental health, which will continue on alternating weeks through the next few months.

Welcome back! In Episode 59, # 2 in the series on Trauma and Attachment, Therapy Chat host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews Rebecca Wong, LCSW-R, a relationship therapist in New Paltz, NY, the creator of Connectfulness, and co-host of the upcoming Practice Of Being Seen podcast.   Rebecca talks about using play in her couples work, as well as how our attachment relates to our ability to trust our partners. Rebecca explains that needing attention is not a bad thing – it’s normal. She talks about the concept of being seen, in relationships and in our work with clients. She and Laura discuss getting out of our heads and into our bodies to connect with our partners, other people in our lives and as therapists, how we can connect with our clients. Rebecca explains how using animal-assisted therapy with dogs and horses helps us understand our emotions as shown in our bodies.   Rebecca describes her five-step process of Connectfulness, a research based practice she developed and uses with her couples therapy clients.

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! Episode 58 is the first in the series on Trauma and Attachment. In today’s episode host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews Amy Sugeno, LCSW. Amy is a clinical social worker in private practice who specializes in working with survivors of trauma related to attachment, particularly related to adoption.   Amy explains how attachment trauma can affect children who were adopted, even if the adoption went as smoothly as it possibly could. She describes how children who have been adopted may act out behaviorally to tell their parents how they feel. Amy also talks about a surprising way adoptive parents (and others parenting traumatized children) may experience trauma themselves and how to recognize the symptoms. She and Laura discuss how prior difficulty with conceiving a child can contribute to the experience for parents, how the parent’s own attachment style and trauma history is “churned up” through the process of adoption. She describes how adoption can change relationships within a fa

How Children Are Like Horses (And Why You Should Care)   If you have been listening to Therapy Chat podcast lately, you know that I have been talking about using equine assisted psychotherapy and education methods to get in touch with our emotional experiences. In Episode 55 I described my own experience of making a deep soul connection in a barn when I spent a Saturday morning at an equine learning workshop with four other women and two horses. That changed me and I am still feeling it, weeks later. I can’t wait to do more – and I will in a couple weeks when I trek to the Hudson Valley for a beautiful Equine Retreat for Therapists and Healers offered by my friends and colleagues Rebecca Wong and Marisa Goudy.   Then in Episode 56 I interviewed Charlotte Hiler Easley, an LCSW and Equine Specialist in Lexington, Kentucky who developed a model called Equine Assisted Survivors of Trauma Therapy that is being used with survivors of sexual assault to experientially teach safety in our bodies, to see what it feel

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In today’s episode, as a follow up to Episode 55 about falling in love in a barn, host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews Charlotte Hiler Easley, LCSW. Charlotte is a psychotherapist in private practice who specializes in working with survivors of trauma using equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP). Charlotte discusses her work using Equine Assisted Survivors of Trauma Therapy, a method she developed in collaboration with a rape crisis center when she was in grad school.   Charlotte talks about how horses are able to read our body language and react to our emotional experience. She explains what equine assisted psychotherapy is – hint: you don’t have to touch a saddle. She describes how survivors of trauma working with horses are able to learn and practice new ways of being in relationship; setting boundaries; making a mind-body connection; feeling what safety feels like – because the work is all experiential. Finally, Charlotte shares about her work helping therapists create practices

I found my heart and soul connection in a barn. I had a new experience which was a game-changer for me. I've been saying for at least 10 years that I want to take horseback riding lessons. I talked about it on an episode of Therapy Chat earlier this year, vowing that I would make it happen.   I've ridden a horse maybe 5 times in my whole life, all between the ages of 10-13 years old. For a time I was obsessed with them, as many children are. I grew up in the city but close enough to rural areas that there was one horse farm many of us knew to visit.  Recently as I've learned more about equine-assisted therapy and the benefits of spending times with horses, I've become determined to increase the amount of time I spend with horses. I'm now 44 years old and my body has changed quite a bit since I was 13. I think it's safe to say that my heart hasn't changed much, if at all, though, as I learned through this experience.  Before I tell you what happened, let me give you some i

Welcome to Therapy Chat! In today’s episode host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C discusses the AMC drama “Mad Men.” If you are a fan of the show, you’ll want to listen and if you haven’t watched it before, maybe you will be intrigued to check it out. Just a warning, though, this episode contains some spoilers so if you don’t want to know some of the important plot points, maybe you should watch the show first and come back to this episode later. Laura is a trauma therapist, and she talks about how the main character of Mad Men, Don Draper, exhibits characteristics common in survivors of childhood abuse trauma. Actor Jon Hamm and show creator Matthew Weiner masterfully characterize a man who is tormented by his inner demons. Laura describes how the traumatic experiences of Don Draper’s childhood could have led to him becoming the adult we meet in the first episode of the series, and what someone who has these symptoms now can do to get help. Laura explains some of the symptoms commonly experienced by survivors of childho

Welcome to Therapy Chat! In today’s episode host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C talks about Secrecy, Shame and the Shadow. Laura references previous Therapy Chat episodes 38 with Renee Beck, 40 with Lourdes Viado and 42 with Keri Nola – all about the Shadow. If you haven’t listened to those episodes yet, check them out too – links are below. Laura talks about how we carry beliefs about what makes us different – what disconnects us from everyone else, and how we hold shame about those things we don’t like about ourselves. Those secrets we can’t tell anyone are shameful to us, and create further disconnection. Laura talks about how we can connect based on our common human experience, and how using loving kindness can help us to embrace all the parts of ourselves. Tune in and then contact Laura through the Therapy Chat website to share something you think makes you different, a part of yourself you don’t like! You may be featured on a future episode (with your permission). Resources mentioned in this episode: Therapy C

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! Today’s topic is a serious one, and something that needs to be talked about, although most of us would rather not think about it. September is Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month, and host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C recorded this special episode to honor a friend’s brother who died by suicide almost 3 years ago. Today Laura interviews someone who has worked for years in the field of suicide prevention. Jonathan B. Singer, PhD is podcaster, a social work professor at Loyola University in Chicago and one of the co-authors of the book “Suicide in Schools: A Practitioner’s Guide to Multi-Level Prevention, Assessment, Intervention and Postvention.” This book is a guide for schools and communities, as well as families, to understand what we can all do to make a difference in the problem of suicide which plagues the United States. Jonathan shares some shocking statistics about the problem of suicide – how often it happens and who is most at risk. He describes specific things schools and

  Welcome to Therapy Chat! Today’s episode, the 9th and final episode in the Practice Building Series, is about using what makes you unique to create a successful business. Host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews amazing business strategist Tara Gentile, host of Profit.Power.Pursuit podcast, highly sought out speaker, creator of Quiet Power Strategy™ and the author of Quiet Power Strategy, The Art of Earning, The Observation Engine and The Art of Growth. Tara talks about exactly how you can tap into your Quiet Power and use it to highlight who you are and what makes clients want to work with you. She explains that it’s not just about being yourself. She explains how she uses systems to help people find her. She defines the three pillars of a business used in Quiet Power Strategy and why market research is important. Tara explains how you can use a “virtual focus group” to develop your business strategy. She speaks about what causes entrepreneur burnout and offers one key to avoiding it. She lists tangible ways y

 Welcome to Episode 50 of Therapy Chat! Today’s episode is extra special because it’s the 50th episode of Therapy Chat! Host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C decided to try something different. She asked her fellow therapists to record a favorite self care tip, and they jumped at the chance to share what they recommend, and what they use personally. Listeners will hear a variety of therapists sharing their favorite self care tips. Check in with Therapy Chat and let Laura know: what’s your favorite tip? What did you take away from this episode that you can use?   Resources mentioned in this episode:   Laura’s blog post on self care apps recommended by therapists: Read here   Previous episodes of Therapy Chat about self care:   Episode 22 with Ashley Davis Bush, author of Simple Self Care for Therapists: Episode 22   Episode 24 on Vicarious Trauma/Secondary Traumatic Stress & Self Care: Episode 24   Episode 44 with Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, author of Trauma Stewardship: Episode 44   Poem quoted in this episode:   “

  Welcome to Episode 49 of Therapy Chat! Today’s episode is #8 in the therapist practice building series. Host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews the amazing Melvin Varghese, PhD, who is a psychologist and host of Selling the Couch podcast. Melvin, whose podcast is one of the top 100 business podcasts according to the iTunes rankings, discusses how podcasting can help therapists grown their practices and help them scale their businesses away from simply trading time for money. Melvin shares statistics about how podcasting is growing, and gives concrete examples of the skills most therapists already have that make us naturals at podcasting. He describes specific ways that podcasting can be used to grow a therapist’s business. He shares some of his free resources and invites listeners to check out his Healthcasters course for health, wellness and fitness podcasters, whether their podcasts have already begun or they are just in the ideas phase. He shares the changes podcasting has made to his business and his incom

Welcome to Episode 48 of Therapy Chat! Today’s guest is Eric Greene, also known as “1 Awesome Dad”! Host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C and Eric discuss the random way they reconnected after growing up in the same community, even though neither of them lives there now. Eric talks about what he calls “peaceful parenting.” Eric explains the key to peaceful parenting, which is by definition non-violent – no hitting, spanking, smacking or popping, is to remain calm and connected with the child. Laura and Eric talk about some of the situations which can be challenging for parents and how to implement peaceful parenting when these issues come up. Eric describes how empathizing with your child and teaching them to express emotions can allow connection instead of disconnection when a child exhibits behavior that isn’t appropriate. Eric shares a painful experience which led him to commit to peaceful parenting when his son was born. He shares resources he recommends and how you can work with him for consultation. Enjoy!   Resour

In Episode 47 Therapy Chat host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews clinical social worker and practice building coach Allison Puryear. Allison shares her journey from agency work to building a thriving private practices in the saturated market of Seattle, then starting over and building a practice in the saturated market of Asheville, NC. Allison describes the abundance mindset and how it differs from a scarcity mindset. She explains why this matters in practice building and why it’s okay to make a living as a therapist. If you want to work with Allison, check out her website or join her and two other practice coaches for “Brew Your Practice” in Asheville, NC in September 2016! Enjoy this interview with the very funny Allison Puryear!   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 Abundance Practice Building at: http://abundancepracticebuilding.com   Get the details for Brew Your Practice and

  Therapy Chat host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C chatted with friend and colleague Deb Del Vecchio Scully, LPC, a trauma therapist in Connecticut who specializes in helping people affected by communal trauma. Deb has supported survivors of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 as well as the Newtown, Connecticut community affected by the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Laura and Deb talk about this concept of communal trauma and how the trauma of a mass tragedy is shared among community members. Listen to Laura and Deb discussing how we often think we aren’t affected by trauma, when it actually is impacting us, and sometimes we don’t recognize the symptoms. Deb talks about what she does for self care to overcome the effects of trauma exposure through work and in life. Deb shares information about her new program addressing the foundational elements of wellness. Host Laura Reagan also shares the details of the new trauma therapist community she has created to help trauma therapists be well and continue

  Therapy Chat Podcast Show Notes Episode 46 – How To Be Assertive with Dr. Julie Hanks   In Episode 46 Therapy Chat host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews Dr. Julie Hanks, who is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, private practice consultant and coach, author of two books – The Burnout Cure and The Assertiveness Guide for Women – as well as a performing musician and owner of a successful group psychotherapy practice in Utah. Julie talks about using social media and writing to expand her reach as a helping professional and discusses how women can learn to be more assertive. She talks about her latest book and explains some of the concepts discussed there, including how our attachment relates to our ability to ask for what we need. She shares a link where you can download a free chapter of her new book so you can check it out! Listen in for this interview with the amazing Dr. Julie Hanks!   Host Laura Reagan also shares the details of the new trauma therapist community she has created to help trauma therapists b

  Episode 45 – With Dr. Samantha Rodman, aka “Dr. Psych Mom”   In Episode 45 Therapy Chat host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews a friend, colleague, author of two books and the very popular blog “Dr. Psych Mom,” Dr. Samantha Rodman. Samantha, a clinical psychologist in private practice outside of Annapolis, Maryland and the author of How to Talk to Kids About Your Divorce and the upcoming book 52 Emails to Transform Your Marriage (coming in November 2016), shares how she manages to find time to write in between caring for three young children and running her private practice. She explains that her blog and books offer an opportunity to reduce stigma about seeking help for mental health needs and help people feel less alone. She also shares how blogging helped her become an author of two books. Listen in for this interview with the irreverent Dr. Samantha Rodman!   Host Laura Reagan also shares the details of the new trauma therapist community she has created to help trauma therapists be well and continue the w

 In Episode 44 Therapy Chat host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews a very inspiring person who has really been a pioneer in the field of trauma exposure. Laura van Dernoot Lipsky is today’s guest on the podcast! You may have heard of her book, Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide To Caring for Self While Caring for Others, and her amazing TED Talk entitled, “Beyond the Cliff”. In this episode of Therapy Chat Laura describes what happened AFTER she realized the impact trauma work had in her life. Host Laura Reagan wanted to know what today’s guest did, exactly, to get through that dark time. Laura van Dernoot Lipsky shares what it was like for her during that process, and describes simple, inexpensive and effective techniques to overcome the effects of secondary traumatic stress which affect all of us who work as helpers and healers with survivors of trauma. Then Laura Reagan shares the details of the new trauma therapist community she has created to help trauma therapists be well and continue the work for yea

I've worked with survivors of trauma since 2002 and at various times I've felt alone in my thoughts and feelings about the experience of doing this work. We can't talk about what we see and hear day in and day out with the important non-professionals in our lives, like family, close friends and spouses. Even discussing our feelings about our work can be overwhelming for those loved ones, which contributes to the isolation we trauma therapists often feel. The effects of vicarious trauma, secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue can sneak up on us and bleed into our daily lives, personally and professionally. I don't know a trauma therapist who is unaffected by trauma exposure, and I've learned to manage this in my own life through a lot of inner work. I want to help you develop ways to manage it in yours. We need you to keep sharing your light and doing your work for years to come. Join us! Curious? Keep reading!  Let go of the idea that you have to be a super hero! Consider this y

In Episode 43, the 5th in the therapist private practice building series, host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C discusses the benefits of practice management systems with Brad Pliner, the founder and CEO of Therapy Notes. Brad explains how Therapy Notes and other similar practice management systems allow therapists to securely maintain clinical documentation along with recording payments received, balances owed, submit insurance claims, keep track of client appointments and therapist schedules, and more. Most importantly, Brad discusses the benefits to therapists and clients which come from using practice management systems. Any therapist considering starting a private practice needs to hear the information shared in this episode! For more information on Therapy Notes visit www.therapynotes.com and as always, please visit iTunes to leave a rating and review for Therapy Chat! Host Laura Reagan welcomes feedback from listeners via laura@laurareaganlcswc.com. Thanks for listening! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.co