Deliberating Practice: Deconstructing Psychotherapy for a Better Future

Glenn and Richard are joined by Derek Weiss, an AI enthusiast and psychotherapy client, to discuss the encroachment of AI into the space of counselling, psychotherapy, and the mental health field. The trio discuss some of the innovations that AI has brought to the field and their potential consequences, for better or for worse, for therapists and clients alike.

*Video starts at 01:23* Glenn and Richard are joined by Dr. Zachary Walsh, Clinical Psychologist and Faculty from UBC to discuss research and practice of Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy, the state of the field currently, criticisms, safety, and the hope for a more equitable and accessible future to this potentially transformative medicine. Zachary Walsh, PhD is a Professor in the UBC (Universit...

Glenn and Richard are joined by Dr. Avraham Cohen, a psychotherapist, researcher and educator based in Vancouver, to discuss his experience in the field of psychotherapy and thoughts on the state of the field today. Glenn and Richard engage Avraham around his humanistic orientation to explore the critical potentialities of this movement and tease out a meaningful framing for contemporary practice....

Richard and Glenn continue their exploration of the Great Psychotherapy Debate, focusing in this episode on the work of Scott Miller. Scott's contributions to the debate include a shift from privileging modality to a focus on interpersonal effectiveness, highlight the importance of consistent deliberate practice to enhance effectiveness, and the need to consistently seek feedback from the clients...

In this episode, Glenn and Richard discuss trauma, a central concept in the psychotherapy landscape. They explore the history of trauma, its contemporary definitions and framing, and deconstruct the space of trauma, emphasizing a return to the subjectivity of the client. This episode incorporates the work of Mark Epstein ( The Trauma of Everyday Life) and Donald Kalsched ( The Inner World of Traum...

In this episode Richard and Glenn discuss the work of critical psychotherapist Del Loewenthal and topics of concern that extend from his theorizing. Dels' book: Critical Psychotherapy, Psychoanalysis, and Counselling: Implications for Practice https://www.amazon.co.uk/Critical-Psychotherapy-Psychoanalysis-Counselling-Implications/dp/1137460571/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1544454474&sr=8-1&k...

Richard and Glenn are joined by SFU graduate student Anthony to discuss the book Constructing the Self, Constructing America by Philip Cushman. Cushman advances the argument that psychotherapy is a cultural activity and cannot be fully understood outside of the culture of consumer capitalism. The speakers discuss Cushman's wide perspective on psychotherapy and its implications for contemporary pra...

Glenn and Richard discuss money's influence on the practice of counselling and psychotherapy. Exploring perspectives from both seats in the office, they discuss therapist's vulnerability to money through their altruism and greed.

Richard and Glenn are joined by friend and colleague Emma to discuss relational psychotherapy. Drawing on the work of psychodynamic practitioner Teri Quatman, they discuss the risks and rewards of this type of approach. Personal examples are used to explore the complexities of relational process. Teri Quatman's book Essential Psychodynamic Psychotheray: An acquired art- https://psycnet.apa.org/rec...

In this episode, hosts Glenn and Richard delve into the ongoing controversy in psychotherapy research. They discuss Bruce Wompold's contextual model, which highlights common factors in psychotherapy effectiveness, and Jonathan Shedler’s critiques of current research methodologies, especially short-term and manualized treatments. Shedler advocates for the importance of long-term, depth-oriented the...

In this two-part episode, Glenn and Richard explore Buddhism's history, its forms of integration in contemporary and counselling and psychotherapy, and the problems and solutions it provides.

In this two-part episode, Glenn and Richard explore Buddhism's history, its forms of integration in contemporary and counselling and psychotherapy, and the problems and solutions it provides. Addendum to the episode: Bodhidharma is the 28th patriarch of the Zen Buddhist lineage, not the 6th.

Richard and Glenn continue their discussion on Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy and its profound implications for the contemporary psychotherapy space.

Richard and Glenn discuss Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy, an emerging form of therapy that uses Psychedelic medications (MDMA, Psylocibin, Ketamine) to catalyze profound psychological change. The authors discuss how this topic stretches the boundaries of how conventional psychotherapy understands itself.

Richard and Glenn grapple with the complexities, both personal and professional, of integrating one's practice around multiple theories.

Glenn and Richard compare the two dominant positions that psychotherapists take today: the management of symptoms vs. supporting healing transformation. Each makes the case for how healing transformation can be supported in an industry increasingly focused on helping people just to cope, including sharing case examples of their work.

Richard and Glenn discuss problems in the contemporary space of psychotherapy: the dehumanizing forces of managed care, AI, an increasing emphasis on technique, and the diminishment of relational practice. They warn of a dark future if these forces are left unchecked, but also opportunities to correct course and expand the possibilities of psychotherapy today.