Psycho Therapy

In our season finale, Dr. Kirk Honda, therapist and host of Psychology In Seattle, joins us to discuss the topic of harm in therapy. We talk about what therapy harm can look like, why it happens, and how clients and clinicians can better recognize and respond to it. Whether you’re in therapy, considering it, or working as a mental health professional, this conversation offers practical insight int...

Today’s guest is Carson Weitnauer, a former team member at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM). Carson joins me to talk about the open letter he wrote to Lori Anne Thompson a public apology for his role in enabling Ravi Zacharias and failing to see the truth sooner. In this conversation, we explore how powerful individuals often groom their supporters long before they ever groom their v...

In this raw and deeply moving interview, survivor Lori Anne Thompson shares her personal story of being groomed and abused by Ravi Zacharias. While their relationship wasn’t formally pastoral counseling, it carried many of the same power dynamics—spiritual authority, trust, and vulnerability. Lori Anne reflects on the factors in her life that made her more susceptible to abuse, the manipulative ta...

This week, I’m joined by Julie Anne Smith, the voice behind The Spiritual Sounding Board, a blog dedicated to exposing church abuse and shedding light on the harmful effects of patriarchy, particularly for women. Julie Anne shares her personal experience with biblical counseling and how it left her feeling injured. Together, we explore the ways in which the church can perpetuate toxic dynamics and...

In today’s episode, we explore Biblical counseling — what it is, how it can help, and how it can harm. Our guest, Noelle, joins us to walk through the key principles, practices, and potential pitfalls.

Today's episode marks the start of our in-depth series on the potential harms of faith-based counseling, examining how scripture can sometimes be misused as a tool of control rather than healing. Approximately one-quarter of U.S. adults—about 28 percent—identify as evangelical Christians, and many turn to church-run counseling rather than licensed therapists. But what are the consequences when...

Former therapist Daniel Mackler offers a critical insider’s perspective on the mental health field, exposing the flaws and hidden harms within the therapy system. We discuss why he left the profession, the ways therapy can sometimes do more harm than good, and what he believes needs to change. https://youtu.be/IwS7HyA6Oaw?si=3kE8A5wOBEv8pSEQ

In the conclusion of Maya and Justin’s story, we reveal what it meant for Maya to be legally kidnapped—cut off from her father, family, and friends for seven months—and the harrowing escape that brought her and her little brother back home. But their fight didn’t end there. Even after breaking free, they faced a court system determined to silence them. Reunification therapy is supposed to heal fam...

Within this episode, we hear from a father and daughter about a court-ordered intervention that claims to heal families — but often silences the very people it’s meant to help. What happens when children’s voices are ignored? When protecting them is framed as a crime? We’ll explore one family’s experience inside the controversial world of reunification therapy — and how the system designed to keep...

This week, we continue our deep dive into the family court system with an exclusive interview featuring Rachel Pickrel Hawkins, whose story made national headlines. Sourced from The Washington Post, Julie Roys’ investigative work, and Rachel herself, we explore the events that led to her arrest for interfering with reunification therapy. Rachel shares her harrowing experience of fighting for her c...

In this final episode, Leah Moses transforms her grief into action, working tirelessly to pass Om’s Law—a landmark initiative aimed at reforming the family court system. Following the devastating murder-suicide of her son, Om Moses Gandhi, at the hands of her ex-husband, psychologist Dr. Parth Gandhi, Leah’s journey becomes one of resilience and advocacy. As she navigates the challenges of pushing...

In part two of this heartbreaking survivor testimony, Leah Moses shares her devastating experience with her ex-husband, Dr. Parth Gandhi, a psychologist who used his position to manipulate and abuse vulnerable individuals. Leah exposes the deep failures of ethical boards and family courts that not only ignored her warnings but gave her abuser access to their children—leading to an unimaginable tra...

In this gripping survivor testimony, Leah Moses recounts her experience with her former husband, Dr. Parth Gandhi, a psychologist who worked with children and was involved in the Teen Industry. Dr. Gandhi, a known sexual predator, exploited his position as a therapist to manipulate and abuse vulnerable individuals, including using psychedelic therapy as a tool for sexual exploitation. Leah shares...

The story begins with a phone call from a distressed former client of Mollys ex-husband, Mark, who is a psychologist. Despite his behavior being flagged many times over the years, Mark always managed to skirt systems intended to protect the public. This woman's plea for help only confirmed what Molly had long since discovered about Mark...that he was a predator.  www.psychotherapy-podcast.com podc...

In part two of this series, we dive even deeper into the nuanced behaviors of unethical or abusive therapists that often fly under the radar. These aren’t the obvious infractions you’ll find in a Google search—they’re the manipulative dynamics and emotional tactics that create a false sense of safety and trust. We explore how these subtle actions can foster emotional dependency, blur boundaries, a...

When you search for “red flags in therapy,” you’ll often find a list of glaring violations—like a therapist making sexual advances or sharing inappropriate personal details. But for therapy harm survivors, the reality is far more nuanced. In this episode, we explore the subtle groundwork that unethical or abusive therapists lay long before major boundary violations occur. By sharing insights from...

Join us for part two of Rose's story of therapy harm and betrayal. In this episode Rose and her husband share the devastating impact her longtime therapist had on their marriage after crossing professional boundaries and pursuing Rose's husband. https://search.app/i7XuULY6DqN4Poif7 podcast.pyschotherapy@gmail.com

In today's episode, we hear from Rose and her spouse Scott, about the deep betrayal and predatory behavior of a therapist Rose had trusted, respected, and admired for almost a decade. Someone who had truly helped her, only to later betray her.

In this episode, author and therapist Dr. Angela Sells shares her personal experience with erotic transference and boundary violations by a therapist, offering a deeply intimate perspective on the lasting impact of such exploitation. Drawing parallels between her own story and the subject of her doctoral dissertation, Sabina Spielrein—a pioneering psychoanalyst who faced similar transgressions—Dr....

In todays's episode, we hear from Aundria Adams, author of the forthcoming memoir Wire Monkeys, along with other survivors who share their experiences with a well respected, wealthy, and sophisticated psychologist. Evenings that began with fine dining and Broadway shows ultimately ending in a courtroom. www.psychotherapy-podcast.com aundriaadams.com

Ellie's story of therapy harm began as a teen living in Gary, Indiana, where she grew up under the weight of strict, high control religion. Pushed into treatment, she was placed under the care of a therapist who made her uneasy. Even many years later, she found herself wondering and doubting her experience. Recent events however, have brought Ellie the validation she longed for. Her story serv...

The troubled teen industry encompasses various programs and facilities aimed at modifying behavior in adolescents deemed "problematic" by parents and authorities. In this episode we sit down with author and survivor Meg Appelgate to discuss the efficacy, ethics and potential long term psychological out comes of these treatment programs.

In todays episode we continue the story of Halina, a therapist who was harmed by her own therapist. Halina sheds light on the board complaint process, revealing the lengths to which an unethical therapist might go to discredit a client. Halina's story underscores the importance of understanding these tactics to better prepare survivors in navigating the complaint process. www.psychotherapy-pod...

In this first episode we introduce Halina, a then grad student seeking therapy to manage her anxiety. As she begins her sessions, Halina realizes that her new therapist has more problems than she does. The therapist's issues and unprofessional behavior ultimately lead Halina to file a complaint with the licensing board. www.psychotherapy-podcast.com https://www.instagram.com/psycho.therapypodc...

The story begins with a phone call from a distressed former client of Mollys ex-husband, Mark, who is a psychologist. Despite his behavior being flagged many times over the years, Mark always managed to skirt systems intended to protect the public. This woman's plea for help only confirmed what Molly had long since discovered about Mark...that he was a predator. www.psychotherapy-podcast.com p...