The Thoughtful Counselor

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 m...

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 o...

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...

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 thei...

Priscilla catches up with Anna Shinn, Cotina Houston- Stroud, Anjuli Thompson, and Mindi Wilkins- Amberson on how their unique roles as mental health professionals and administrators within their community have changed since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak. For more on the guests, links from the conversation, and then APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com . The...

Aaron speaks with Dr. Cortny Stark on her program of research examining trauma-informed care with trans and gender-expansive youth. We also discussed the history of oppression of folx within the LGBTQ+ community, as well as research that clearly indicates that conversion therapy causes immense harm. Dr. Stark provides some actionable tips for how counselors can work to transform their therapy prac...

Mike speaks with Tom Sweeney and Michael Brubaker on SCI's Wellness Counseling Identity: A Defining Characteristic of Professional Counselors , a position paper that advocates for wellness as a central and defining characteristic of the counseling profession. For more on Will, links from the conversation, and then APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com. The Thoughtful C...

Jess speak with Ous Badwan about the beauty and the pitfalls of starting and growing a private practice in this ever-changing world. Ous shares genuine and valuable advice and feedback he has gained through first-hand experience on ways to create and sustain an authentic and thriving practice. For more on Ous, links from the conversation, and then APA citation for this episode visit www.thethought...

Priscilla Wilson speaks to Loki Mulholland, an award-winning filmmaker, author, activist, and son of Civil Rights icon, Joan Trumpauer Mulholland. Our conversation includes his mother's history of anti-racist activism, his current activist work, his thoughts about the ongoing Civil Rights Movement, and information about the Joan Trumpauer Mulholland Foundation, of which he is the founder and Execu...

Mike speaks with Maelisa Hall on the merits of collaborative documentation. They discuss different types of collaborative and open documentation, ethical considerations, and barriers counselors encounter as they move toward more collaborative work. For more on Maelisa, links from the conversation, and then APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com. The Thoughtful Counselor...

Dr. Megan Speciale talks to Valen Keefer and Dr. Cristen Wathen on the experiences and struggles of people with chronic illness and immunity suppression during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation explores how the pandemic is impacting immunosuppressed people and offers strategies to help support the health and wellness of your clients, loved ones, and community members who face increased risks...

A conversation with Peter Simons about the philosophy of science, the largely unsubstantiated nature of many contemporary assumptions about psychiatric diagnoses and medication-based treatments, and suggestions for being an informed consumer of mental health related research. Peter critically analyzes pharmaceutical research, genetic prediction models, and fMRI studies and discusses the lasting va...

Mike speaks with Scott Bandoroff about his work in wilderness family therapy, how nature acts like a co-therapist as families integrate new ways of being together, and how we can bridge the gap between the traditional counseling room and the great outdoors. For more on Scott, links from the conversation, and then APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com . The Thoughtful C...

Dr. Lauren Shure, current president of Counselors for Social Justice, moderates a panel of counselor educators and community leaders including Dr. Ebony White, Mr. Darren Green. Dr. Darius Green, and Dr. Michael Hannon, on the counseling profession's historic complicity with systemic racism, challenges and barriers counselors face when confronting white supremacy in our own lives and the helping p...

Jessica Tyler speaks with Rachael Estes on working with adjudicated youth who have been convicted of sexual crimes and violence using a trauma-focused, holistic, and psychoeducational lens. For more on Rachel, 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 divisi...

Mike speaks to Annie about creative ways to take our work as counselors outside of the traditional counseling room. They discuss Annie's move from practice to coaching, the process of creating services that provide more than traditional therapy can accomplish, and the interplay between making money and making a difference. For more on Annie, links from the conversation, and the APA citation for th...

Aaron speaks with Patricia Nevala on the unique challenges female-identifying veterans encounter when re-entering civilian work life. For more on Patricia, 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...

Raissa Miller and Eric Beeson have a conversation about their upcoming book, The Neuroeducation Toolbox: Practical Translations of Neuroscience in Counseling and Psychotherapy. They discuss the evolution of neuroeducation as a counseling intervention, address key components to ethical and effective implementation of neuroeducation, and highlight neuroeducation uses and specific activity ideas from...

Mike speaks with Dominique Hammonds on the need for broaching conversations in our work as counselors and educators, barriers to and reasons why we avoid these conversations, and how we can grow as culturally competent counselors. For more on Dominique, links from the conversation, and then APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com The Thoughtful Counselor is created in pa...

Priscilla Wilson speaks to Ayanna Moss about PsychoHairapy, a community health model created to secure a space for African Americans to address mental health and well-being through hair care. Ms. Moss details the PsychoHairapy concept, how services are provided, and beneficial outcomes. For more on Ayanna, links from the conversation, and then APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulc...

Victoria Kress, Matthew Paylo, Nicole Stargell, and Marissa Grey discuss how the Covid-19 pandemic influencing family violence, what counselors need to be aware of, ethical considerations when safety planning, and how to use technology when developing a safety plan with clients of all ages. For more on the guests, links from the conversation, and then APA citation for this episode visit www.thetho...

Guest Host Amanda Giordano speaks with Markus Lloyd and Antwuan Malone on their personal experience of racism as black men, how systemic racism shapes the way black children think about themselves, and how many white Americans manipulate history to avoid the reality of systemic racism in our past and present. For more on Markus, Antwuan, and Amanda, links from the conversation, and then APA citati...

Mike speaks with Russell Siler Jones on the practical nuts and bolts of bringing spirituality into our work as counselors and mental health workers. They discuss attending to our clients spirituality (in whatever form that comes, attending to our own spirituality, and the intersection of psychotherapy and spiritual direction. For more on Russell, links from the conversation, and the APA citation f...

The Four Doctors - Janeé Avent Harris, Angie D. Cartwright, Loni Crumb, and Dominique S. Hammonds - discuss Mental Health Awareness Month, the unique mental health concerns of Black communities, and how the senseless murders of Black individuals and most recently the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery, result in community stress, fear, and collective trauma in Black families and communities. For more on Th...

Mike speaks with Terry Freiberg on the growth of chronic loneliness in the United States, the use of relational cultural theory in response to loneliness, and the unique features of loneliness during Covid-19. For more on Terry, links from the conversation, and the APA citation for this episode visit www.thethoughtfulcounselor.com .