Jordan Pickell and Alison McCleary
Edge of the Couch
Two good friends and experienced therapists explore the topics that were either shied away from or dismissed because they were too big, too nuanced, too risky, or too uncomfortable to address in school or even in supervision. We want to inspire and encourage therapists to think more deeply, show up more fully, and find humour and self-compassion in navigating the messier parts of being a therapist.
Author
Jordan Pickell and Alison McCleary
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
May 13, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
Why Therapists Must Go to Therapy 13.04.2022 42:45
Alison McCleary www.alpenglowcounselling.com @alpenglow_counselling on Instagram Jordan Pickell www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca @jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram Edge of the Couch www.edgeofthecouch.com @edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth . Or, if you are ready to get started, m...
Your Dread is Telling You Something 06.04.2022 43:24
Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch , share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram, or email us at connect@edgeofthecouch.com. We have partnered with Janeapp, our favourite all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth . Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign-up for a...
Own Who You Are and What You Need - Interview with Theresa Thomas 30.03.2022 42:22
Theresa Thomas, RCC is our special guest this week. Topics include: - Her experience as a Black student in graduate school - How she is not everyone's therapist - Bias against survivors of violence - The culture of burnout in a non-profit setting - Showing up for Black clients by grieving together - Recovery from burnout Theresa Thomas www.inpowercounselling.com @inpowercounselling on Instagr...
How to Do Free Consultations 23.03.2022 40:49
Alison McCleary www.alpenglowcounselling.com @alpenglow_counselling on Instagram Jordan Pickell www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca @jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram Edge of the Couch www.edgeofthecouch.com @edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth . Or, if you are ready to get started, m...
Chitchat Isn't Therapy 16.03.2022 35:22
Alison McCleary www.alpenglowcounselling.com @alpenglow_counselling on Instagram Jordan Pickell www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca @jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram Edge of the Couch www.edgeofthecouch.com @edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth . Or, if you are ready to get started, m...
Anti-fat Bias in Therapy -- Interview with Alexandra Shewan 09.03.2022 43:23
Alexandra Shewan www.selkiecounselling.ca @selkiecounselling on Instagram Alison McCleary www.alpenglowcounselling.com @alpenglow_counselling on Instagram Jordan Pickell www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca @jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram Edge of the Couch www.edgeofthecouch.com @edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can le...
The Insidious Nature of Competitiveness 02.03.2022 35:39
"The therapy space is oversaturated. You're going to have to fight for clients" is just one of the messages Alison and Jordan received in grad school. Some therapists brag about how burned out they are, how marginalized their clients are, how many sessions they squeeze into the week. Students are actually pitted against each other when applying for internships. Do you recognize that...
Finding Your Theoretical Orientation 23.02.2022 39:56
Alison and Jordan talk about the importance of your theoretical orientation-- when it matters, when it doesn't matter so much, and when it straight-up gets in the way. They talk about their own journeys in finding their theoretical orientation and how they make room for it to continue to evolve. Alison McCleary www.alpenglowcounselling.com @alpenglow_counselling on Instagram Jordan Pickell ww...
When Things Go Sideways 16.02.2022 42:52
In this first episode of Season 3, Jordan and Alison discuss when things go sideways in a session (or before a session!) This topic is for counselling students and new therapists who tend to plan their sessions out to the letter. Listen to Jordan and Alison speak about their own experiences, and prepare yourself to stay grounded no matter what happens in the clinical hour! Alison McCleary www.alpe...
Holding onto Hope 12.01.2022 45:26
In this Season 2 finale, Jordan and Alison discuss the ethic of practicing hope, how to support clients through despair, and what happens when we as therapists are disconnected from a sense of hope. Thank you so much for listening this season! We will be back with new episodes in February. Do you have ideas for next season episode topics? Send us an email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com. Alison McCl...
Religion, Spirituality, and Ghosts 08.12.2021 48:23
This week's episode comes with a content warning: Mention of abortion, conversion "therapy" In our very first episode recorded in person, Alison and Jordan speak off the cuff about relating to clients who have very different belief systems than you. Alison McCleary www.alpenglowcounselling.com @alpenglow_counselling on Instagram Jordan Pickell www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca @jordan...
How to Leave Work at Work 01.12.2021 46:26
In this episode, Jordan and Alison help new therapists navigate setting boundaries between work and home life, which is particularly difficult when you work from a space off your bedroom! Alison McCleary www.alpenglowcounselling.com @alpenglow_counselling on Instagram Jordan Pickell www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca @jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram Edge of the Couch www.edgeofthecouch.com @edg...
Rupture and Repair 24.11.2021 43:14
In this episode, Alison and Jordan talk about mistakes they have made, how sometimes one person feels a rupture while the other person doesn't, and the need to apologize when we have messed up (but not for being a human.) Alison McCleary www.alpenglowcounselling.com @alpenglow_counselling on Instagram Jordan Pickell www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca @jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram Edge o...
Reframing Our Fear of Failure and Embracing Mistake Making - Interview with Kat DeFatta 17.11.2021 34:14
We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth . Or, if you are ready to get started, use the code EDGECOUCH1MO at the time of sign-up for a 1 month grace period. Alison McCleary www.alpenglowcounselling.com @alpenglow_counselling on Instagram Jordan Pickell www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca @jordanpickellcounselling on Instagr...
The Beautiful, Powerful Art of Self-Disclosure 10.11.2021 47:44
We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth . Or, if you are ready to get started, use the code EDGECOUCH1MO at the time of sign-up for a 1 month grace period. Alison McCleary www.alpenglowcounselling.com @alpenglow_counselling on Instagram Jordan Pickell www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca @jordanpickellcounselling on Instagr...
Progress Notes: Often Stressful, Sometimes Dangerous 03.11.2021 26:49
Progress notes are one of the most tiresome and stressful parts of being a therapist! While completing notes can feel like trying to catch the wind in a net, never quite being able to complete them all, a therapists’ notes (even minimal, even incomplete) hold a lot of power. What is in a note can have huge consequences for how we view the client and in the absolute worst case scenarios, notes can...
Practicing Joy and Play for Collective Liberation - Interview with Ji-Youn Kim 27.10.2021 43:52
In this episode, Jordan interviews Ji-Youn Kim. Ji-Youn (she/they) is a justice-oriented therapist in the pursuit of collective liberation, located in what is colonially known as Vancouver, Canada. She aims to disrupt oppressive practices of the mental health industry and its complicities, and envision new ways of mental health care rooted in community and collective healing. She also deeply belie...
I passed a client on the street! Should I say 'Hi'? 20.10.2021 44:12
This week’s episode is all about how we manage the moments when we see a client outside of the therapeutic space-the good, the bad, and the uncomfortable. Big takeaways include inviting you to consider your personal policies, even if you live in a big city and don’t expect to see clients often; how to talk to clients about instances when you do see them out and about; and how to make sure you don’...
Multiple clients owe me money. Now what?? 06.10.2021 39:47
This week’s episode is all about the toughest, most awkward, anxiety-inducing, resentment-building money topics! Probably surprising to no one here, our programs don’t always prepare us for how to best manage these tricky moments and so Alison and Jordan share their tips and tricks for navigating a variety of situations. Littered throughout the episode are also some throwback hilariously mismanage...
Talking to Clients about Sex 29.09.2021 38:43
We may know why a client talks about sex, but we don’t always know how WE will feel when that happens. As sex-positive or sex-neutral as we aspire to be, there can be topics, words, or stories that make us uncomfortable or maybe even giggle. In this episode, Alison and Jordan remind listeners that they, like all therapists, MUST do their own work around sex and sexuality, they share their stories...
Celebrating Humanness in the Therapy Room and on Social Media - Interview with Taylor Broughton 22.09.2021 43:56
Alison interviews Taylor Broughton about how she approaches her 100% online practice, building rest into her schedule. Together, they explore the emerging trends in the field, particularly in the UK context. Taylor talks about emphasizing humanness in the therapy room and on social media. You can find Taylor on Instagram @NotBrokenJustHuman. We have a workshop coming up on October 16th called What...
What the heck happens in first sessions anyway? 15.09.2021 36:22
For brand new therapists, first sessions are DAUNTING! Where do I sit? What if the client is late for the session? What is the first question I ask? What if the client asks me about my experience? What if the client cries? Do I just read this consent form out loud to the client? How do I end a session? In this week’s episode, we hope to give you some encouragement, perspective, and a few tips for...
Moving Through Client Stuckness 08.09.2021 39:51
Jordan and Alison talk about what comes up for them when clients feel they aren't making progress in their therapeutic work. It can bring up many layers of thoughts and feelings in us as therapists. Especially for folks new to the field, it can make you doubt your worth as a therapist. Alison and Jordan offer nuggets of wisdom about what might be going on when a client feels stuck, and how to...
Re-imagining therapy - Interview with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy 01.09.2021 39:27
This week, Jordan interviews Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy of the Modern Therapist Survival Guide podcast about their upcoming conference, Therapy Re-imagined. Listen what they have to say about "rebel therapists", the direction they would like the therapy field to move, and how we can resist the corporatization of therapy. You can save 10% on a conference ticket using the code EDGEOFTHE...
The Myth of Dressing Unprofessionally 25.08.2021 31:20
In this first episode of the second season of Edge of the Couch, Jordan and Alison break down what it means to dress “professionally” as a therapist. As a student or new therapist, it’s hard to know what to wear to present yourself as trustworthy and competent. Before you put on a therapist costume, listen to this episode! We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software....
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