The Thoughtful Counselor

In this episode, Megan Speciale talks with Dr. Theodore Burnes about supporting the mental and emotional health needs of clients who are involved in the sex work industry. The conversation explores Dr. Burnes's experience as a therapist and advocate with the sex worker population and also provides an overview of common misconceptions and stigma impacting sex workers. Dr. Burnes outlines strategies to better equip counselors inside and outside of the counseling office with the knowledge, skills, and awareness necessary for affirming and resiliency-based work with this population.   For more on Theodore, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com   The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu  

In this episode, Dr. Jessica Tyler sits down with Dr. Camden Morgante, a licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and speaker, to discuss purity culture. This conversation discusses the problematic messages of purity culture that promote false promises and can activate feelings of shame, guilt, fear, and low self-worth. In addition, we address how therapists can mindfully and intentionally work through spiritual trauma, the belief that purity is a measure of worth, the myth of women as gatekeepers of sexuality, and the grief that comes with dismantling the fairytale that purity will earn a person a dream spouse. For more on Camden, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com   The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu  

In this episode, Dèsa speaks with Pearis Bellamy and Dr. Della Mosley about the formation of Academics for Black Survival and Wellness, aka Academics for Black Lives. They share the successes and challenges of their work as healer-scholar-activists and why the fight for Black liberation leads to the liberation of everyone. We discuss the power of communities, how counselors can be healers beyond the counseling room, and why nothing starts in academia.   For more on Pearis and Della, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com   The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu  

In this episode, Megan talks to Kaila Hattis, LMFT about the importance of involving and empowering parents in the therapeutic care of their teenage children. Using a family systems lens, Kaila describes the benefits of parent involvement in the counseling process with teenagers and outlines strategies to help overcome some of the potential challenges that can arise in and outside of the therapy session. Kaila also describes tools to help facilitate communication skills building, boundary setting, and mutual goal development.    For more on Kaila, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com   The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu

Internationally renowned clinician, educator, and activist Deborah Headley, MSW chats with Dr. Aaron Smith about how clinicians and educators can create safer spaces for clients and students who are at the intersections of multiple marginalized identities. Deborah shares her three-phase process for facilitating a trauma-informed, safe space to resolve conflicts. These include prevention, intervention, and resolution/evaluation: Prevention: set the tone (framework, my background, experience, teaching style, lens); create agreements including me (my power), gatekeeping  Intervention: review course syllabus and make connections (walk through)  Resolution & Evaluation: critical analysis (belief, opinion vs information & knowledge) ▪ accommodations - all of you is welcome in the classroom; deconstructing the hidden curriculum; secondary & tertiary learning.   For more on Deborah, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com   The Thoughtful Counsel

 In this episode, Dr. Jessica Tyler sits down virtually with Dr. Kathryn Esquer, founder of the Teletherapist Network. Jessica and Dr. Esquer discuss the recent experience of therapists, the importance of community to build clinical and business skills, networking tips to avoid professional isolation and burnout, and strategies on balancing counselor professionalism with self-care. For more on Kathryn, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com   The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu

In this episode, Raissa talks with Cortland Dahl about the four pillars of well-being and the role contemplative practices play in health and resilience. He shares about the Healthy Minds framework and discusses initial research findings from randomized-control trials of the Healthy Minds program. Cortland offers cautions for some areas of application and highlights futures questions and anticipated developments in the field.   For more on Cortland, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com   The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu

Join Dr. Stacey Litam and Dr. Tori Stevens as they explore the intricacies of consensual non-monogamy (CNM). In this episode, Dr. Litam and Dr. Stevens describe some of the common presenting concerns faced by CNM folks in counseling, dispel existing myths about extra-dyadic relationships, and outline how professional counselors can best work with clients who practice CNM.    For more on Tori, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com   The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu

In this episode, Dèsa Karye Daniel talks to Dr. Anneliese Singh about the power of racial healing. They discuss why exploring your racial identity is important, how BIPOC and white communities can be intentional in their work, and challenge listeners to get uncomfortable while reflecting on how racial change can happen in mental health.   For more on Anneliese, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com   The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloalto.edu

In this episode, Raissa Miller talks with Maya Rosen about the primary science and practical translations of early adversity. Dr. Rosen gives a historical perspective on adversity research and offers new insights into contemporary conceptualizations and research methods. Dr. Rosen highlights a strength-based perspective and discusses the role relationships play in fostering resilience.   For more on Maya, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com   The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at concept.paloaltou.edu

In this episode, Dr. Joel Givens chats with Dr. Aaron Smith about how subtle forms of surveillance, discipline, and normalization (among others) in Counselor Education programs sometimes disrupt students’ abilities to develop an authentic counseling self and can recreate traumatic narratives for students that are survivors of racism and oppression. Dr. Givens uses Foucault’s philosophies on punishment and discipline to inform their conversation and to explore what these kinds of practices can mean for students of marginalized identities in the classroom and in counseling training clinics. He provides some actionable ways that Counselor Educators can reduce the power hierarchy and prevent the abuse of psychological science that often contribute to oppression in counseling and other fields. They finish by discussing some resources listeners can check out to learn more about Foucault and postmodern narrative work in counseling.   For more on Joel, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode vi

In this episode, Jessica Tyler virtually sits downs with Dr. Margie Taylor: Visiting Assistant Professor, LPC-S (AL), NCC and former court-appointed child advocacy representative. We discuss the role counselors can play in the courtroom, surprising components of Dr. Taylor’s work and the topic of court testimony as a clinician, how court testimony could impact the clinical relationship with a client, strategies on balancing counselor professionalism with self-care, and general recommendations for counselors in the courtroom. For more on Margie, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com   The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at www.paloaltou.edu/concept

In this episode of The Thoughtful Counselor, Priscilla Wilson interviews Mrs. Sewell, LPC, owner of Angela Sewell Counseling in Southside, Alabama. Some of her specialties include trauma-focused counseling, counseling children, and equine therapy. Mrs. Sewell will describe Equine Therapy and how she uses it in her practice with children, especially those who have experienced trauma.  For more on Angela, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com   The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at www.paloaltou.edu/concept

In today’s episode, Dean Khambatta sheds light on the benefits of therapeutic sex-positivity and discusses practical strategies for counselors to utilize a sex-positive framework in their work with diverse clients. For more on Dean, links from the conversation, and APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com   The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at www.paloaltou.edu/concept

Dèsa speaks with Dr. Alexia DeLeon on the importance of Sentipensante Pedagogy and its connection to service learning for practitioners and scholars. For more on Alexia, links from the conversation, and then APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com. The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at www.paloaltou.edu/concept.  

Dr. Eli Lebowtiz identifies unique features of anxiety experiences in children and shares about his novel parent-based approach, Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE). Dr. Lebowitz emphasizes the systematic and intentional nature of SPACE and shares examples and findings from clinical trials.  For more on Eli, links from the conversation, and then APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com. The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at www.paloaltou.edu/concept.

Dr. Aaron Smith interviews multiple New York Times best selling author and psychiatrist Daniel Siegel, MD, on the benefits of mindsight for trauma-work. They also discussed the latest neuroscience research on the effects of mindfulness and trauma on the morphology and functions of the brain, and what this means for clinicians working with survivors of trauma. Finally, they discuss what mindsight means for clinicians seeking to better support clients and colleagues of marginalized identities amidst the Black Lives Matter movement and beyond. For more on Dan, links from the conversation, and then APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com. The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at www.paloaltou.edu/concept.

Dr. Aaron Smith speaks with world renown diversity trainer, clinician, and author Lee Mun Wah on how counselors can move beyond performative allyship in support of people of marginalized identities. They delve into a discussion of many of Lee Mun Wah’s award winning documentaries highlighting diversity issues and examine the ways in which counselors often implicitly and explicitly exclude people of marginalized identities in their clinical work. They also discuss how representation in politics affect people of color’s wellbeing and the ways in which white counselors often avoid having difficult discussions on race in counseling with their clients. Finally, they discuss advocacy in counseling and explore a wide multitude of resources and trainings offered by Lee Mun Wah’s practice, Stirfry Seminars and Consulting. For more on Lee, links from the conversation, and then APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com. The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University

Mike speaks with Robert Vore and Holly Oxhandler on their work at the Christianity & Mental Health podcast. They discuss the creation of CXMH, the intersections of faith and wellness, and the pearls and perils of navigating the intersection between Christian faith and careers in the helping professions. For more on Robert & Holly, links from the conversation, and then APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com. The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at www.paloaltou.edu/concept.

Dr. Megan Speciale speaks with Dr. Richard “Rick” Balkin on his forthcoming book, “Practicing Forgiveness: A Path Toward Healing.” In the episode, listeners will learn about the Forgiveness Reconciliation Model, a framework intended to guide people through the complex and often gut-wrenching process of forgiveness that may be used by counselors and clients alike. Listeners can receive 30% off their purchase of the book using the promo code on the blog post. For more on Rick, links from the conversation, and then APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com. The Thoughtful Counselor is created in partnership with Palo Alto University’s Division of Continuing & Professional Studies. Learn more at www.paloaltou.edu/concept.