The Thoughtful Counselor

About this Episode In this week of the Sex Series, we focus on gender with Dr. Alex Iantaffi — sex and gender expert, licensed therapist, and Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Sexual and Relationship Therapy. This episode is for anyone looking to better understand the role of gender in clients’ lives, including how people can change and express their gender identity. Considering gender from both its biological and societal roots, we look at how gender plays a role in our relationships and interactions with family, friends, partners and strangers.  About Alex: Alex Iantaffi, PhD, MS, LMFT is the Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Sexual and Relationship Therapy. They work as a therapist, writer and independent scholar on Dakota and Anishinaabe territories, Turtle Island, also known as Minneapolis, MN. Alex has researched, presented and published extensively on gender, disability, sexuality, bisexuality, polyamory, BDSM, Deafness, education, sexual health, HIV prevention, and transgender issues. Yo

A conversation with Drs. Brittany Pollard and Tiffany Brooks on how counselors can utilize creative interventions to assist those we work with who are experiencing grief and loss while attending to their unique cultural identities. For more about Brittany and Tiffany, links from the conversation, and the APA citation for this episode visit https://wp.me/p7R6fn-er

Allison interviews Mike, creator of The Thoughtful Counselor Podcast, on favorite interviews, cross-cultural counseling challenges and successes, and keeping connected to mental health field while living and working abroad. For more about Allison and Mike, linsk from the conversation, and the APA citation for this episode visit https://wp.me/p7R6fn-fj  

In this episode of the Sex Series, we talk to Dr. Karen Rayne about her work developing sex-positive sex education curricula for kids and teens. We discuss how early childhood education can support healthy, affirming, and safe sexual development. Dr. Rayne provides strategies for counselors, parents, and teachers talking about sex with children, including what to say, when to say it, and how to feel comfortable saying it.  For more on Karen, links from the conversastion, and the APA citation for this episode visit https://wp.me/p7R6fn-ei

A conversation with Stan Tatkin, founder of the PACT Institute, about a neuroscience-informed approach to working with couples.  Dr. Tatkin discusses both theoretical foundations of his approach, as well as practical strategies for applying the model with couples.   For more on Stan, links from the conversation, and the APA citation for this episode visit http://wp.me/p7R6fn-e9  

A conversation with Amanda Giordano and Elizabeth Posek on how counselors can apply the Multicultural and Social Justice Competencies to address religious and spiritual diversity with our clients as well as address our own internal biases that inhibit our ability to take our client's religious and spiritual lives seriously in counseling. For more about Amanda and Elizabeth, links for this episode, and the APA citation visit http://wp.me/p7R6fn-dV  

Our conversation with Dr. Russ Curtis continues as we discuss models of integrated care, ethical concerns, what it looks like to incorporate spirituality in an integrated care setting. For more about Russ, links from this episode, and the APA citation for this episode visit http://wp.me/p7R6fn-dQ  

A conversation with Dr. Russ Curtis on the nuts and bolts of integrated care for behavioral health professionals For more about Russ, links from the episode, and the APA citation for this episode visit http://wp.me/p7R6fn-dy      

In Episode 3 of the Sex Series, Dr. Megan Speciale interviews sex educator and licensed clinical social worker Amelie Zurn-Galinsky on the use of desire mapping as a reflective process of sexual self-discovery for counselors, clients, and everyone in between. In the conversation, we discuss common barriers to desire and sexual satisfaction, tools for supporting clients delve into the sexual unknown, and the importance of taking care of the self-as-counselor in our own pursuits toward sexual wellness and clinical effectiveness. Tune in for helpful tips to use with clients, partners, and yourself! For more about Amelia, links from the conversation, and the APA citation for this episode visit http://wp.me/p7R6fn-dt

A converation with Emily Kircher-Morris - LPC and owner of Unlimited Potential Counseling & Education Center - on addressing the specific needs of gifted, high-ability, and twice-exceptional children and teens. For more about Emily and the APA citation for this episode visit http://wp.me/p7R6fn-b1  

A conversation with Dr. Kevin Doyle about the neglected modality of group counseling in private practice, the advantages and challenges to getting a group started, and resources for counselors interested brings groups to their private practice. For more about Kevin, a link to the article we talk about, and the APA citation for this episode visit http://wp.me/p7R6fn-b5

A conversation with Dr. Pamela J. Birrell - retired Senior Instructor at the University of Oregon - on the importance of using Relational Ethics to make each moment with clients an ethical moment. For more about Pamela, links from the converation, and the APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com    

A conversation with Dr. Megan Delaney - Assistant Professor in the Department of Professional Counseling at Monmouth University (MU) in Long Branch, New Jersey - on the art and science of using nature in counseling. Dr. Megan Delaney has a PhD in Counselor Education from Montclair State University (MSU) and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Professional Counseling at Monmouth University (MU) in Long Branch, New Jersey.  Her research explores the influence of natural world on our mental health and the use of Ecotherapy in clinical practice and the counselor education classroom.  Trained in outdoor leadership through the National Outdoor Leadership School, Dr. Delaney spent several years as a wilderness instructor for organizations including the National Wildlife Federation and Outward Bound. Today she infuses Ecotherapy in her private practice with clients. Dr. Delaney is currently writing her book “Nature is Nurture: Counseling and the Natural World” anticipated in 2019 through Oxford U

A conversation with Dr. Brett Wilkinson about the intersections of humanism and neuroscience with implications for counseling practice. Dr. Brett Wilkinson is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education. He obtained a B.A. in both psychology and philosophy from the University of Kentucky and an M.A. in Mental Health Counseling from Eastern Kentucky University. He earned his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Northern Colorado, where he was awarded the Dean’s Citation of Excellence for Outstanding Dissertation of the Year. He received advanced doctoral training in marriage, couples, and family counseling, as well as applied statistics and research methods. His research interests include the development of humanistic methods and models for clinical training and practice, the exploration of phenomenological pedagogies, and the advancement of metacognitive supervision strategies for practicum and internship. Dr. Wilkinson actively presents at state, regional, and national confer

In the last recast of the summer, we revisit a conversation with Dr. Cyrus Williams, associate professor at Regent University, about how the “Quarter-Life Crisis” affects millennials and how counselors can best understand and address the needs of this population. Dr. William’s refers to the following resources in the interview: The Quarter-Life Crisis Counseling Today Article You Can contact Dr. Williams at cwilliams2@regent.edu For the APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com    

In this recast, we revisit a conversation with Dr. George Hu – a clinical psychologist and Director of Psychology and Mental Health at Jiahui International Clinic in Shanghai – about the stigmas around counseling for men, common presenting concerns, and strategies to build a strong alliance with your male clients. You can email George at george.hu@jiahui.com or view his profile at http://www.jiahui.com/en/ourteam/doctors/george-hu/ For the APA citation to this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com

As Mike contintues to be on break, in this recast episode we revisit a conversation with Dr. Janeé R. Avent - assistant professor in the counselor education program at East Carolina University - on African American mental health, the need for counselors to understand African American spirituality and the influence of the Black church, and general best practices for counseling and advocacy with our African American clients. An article in The Professional Counselor by Janeé called The Black Church: Theology and Implications for Counseling African Americans Janeé's staff page at ECU Email Janeé at aventj16@ecu.edu For the APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com    

In this "recast" we revisit an episode with Courtney Armstrong on the art and science of using music in counseling. Visit Courtney’s website at www.courtneyarmstrong.net Check out Courtney's books: Transforming Trauma Grief and The Therapeutic “Aha:” 10 Strategies to Help Your Client Get Unstuck For the APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com

In Episode 2 of Sex Series, Dr. Megan Speciale interviews sex therapist and educator, Melissa Fritchle, on the her new book, The Conscious Sexual Self Workbook. In the interview, we learn the importance of understanding our sexual stories in the pursuit of both clinical effectiveness and personal sexual satisfaction.   You can learn more about Melissa Fritchle and the The Conscious Sexual Self Workbook at the sites below:   - http://www.conscioussexualself.com/about/ - http://www.mf-therapy.com/   For the APA citation for this episode please visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com

A conversation with Dr. Amy Gaesser - Assistant Professor Counseling & Development at Purdue University in Indiana - on the effects of anxiety on school-aged youth and adolescents, finding the right balance between no stress and too much stress, and how to use EFT (emotional freedom techniques) to reduce student anxiety in school settings. Dr. Gaesser is currently an Assistant Professor of Counseling and Development at Purdue University. She received her PhD in Educational Psychology: Counselor Education & Gifted Education from the University of Connecticut, her Masters in Counselor Education from SUNY Brockport, and her Bachelor of Science in Social Work with a minor in Religious Studies from Nazareth College of Rochester. She is a certified New York State School Counselor and a Nationally Certified Counselor with 20+ years of experience in mental health and academia, specializing in school counseling interventions to assist students with a variety of academic, developmental, social, and emotional co