Beyond the Chair: The Therapist’s Companion

If you want to share your reflections or continue the conversation, you can find me on Instagram at @thetherapistscompanion In this episode of Beyond the Chair: The Therapist Companion , I reflect on the early experiences that shaped my path to becoming a therapist. From navigating childhood friendships and exclusion to learning the importance of boundaries and empathy, I share how these formative...

In this episode of Beyond the Chair , I sit down with my longtime colleague and friend, Lluliana Flores, LCSW, to talk about decolonizing therapy, community mental health, supervision, and therapist burnout. Together, we reflect on what it means to practice in systems that shape us and sometimes exhaust us. We explore cultural humility in the therapy room, the limitations of diagnosis, the realiti...

In this episode of Beyond the Chair , we dive into the often-overlooked topic of therapist anxiety. Whether you're a new therapist or a seasoned pro, anxiety can show up in surprising ways, especially around first-time experiences like meeting a new client, running your first group, or stepping into a new modality. Sonya reflects on her own moments of self-doubt, sharing stories that will resonate...

This special episode explores social justice through the lens of counseling ethics, current events, and clinician responsibility. She reflects on the current political and social climate, discusses how systemic harm and fear impact clients and communities, and challenges counselors to show up ethically, compassionately, and consistently—regardless of personal beliefs. The episode also offers pract...

In this episode of Beyond the Chair: The Therapist Companion , we take a deep dive into Brilliant Minds through the lens of clinical ethics. Using the character of Dr. Carol Pierce as this month’s case, we unpack the many ways media misrepresents mental health professionals, particularly around roles, boundaries, and ethical decision-making. The episode explores a high-stakes ethical dilemma in wh...

Have you ever felt alone in the work of being a therapist? Like no one quite understands the burnout, the quiet wins, the self-doubt, or the messy middle of this work? In the very first episode of Beyond the Chair: The Therapist’s Companion , host Sonya Andersen-Haile, MS, LPC, NCC shares why this podcast exists and who it’s for. Drawing from her own early experiences in community mental health an...