Everyday Therapy

This week, Christa Overson, LMFT is once again joined by Mary Anderson, LMFT—an expert in Early Childhood Mental Health. Mary discusses that young children need mental health help too-- yes, even before they are born! If this seems surprising, you will definitely want to listen in to this episode. Don't forget to go back to Part 1 of Therapy with Kids: What It Is and Why It Matters. Do you have fe...

This week, Licensed Marriage Family Therapists Christa Overson and Mary Anderson cover the basics of therapy with children. An expert in Early Childhood Mental Health, Mary explains how kids utilize unique ways of coping not only with the events of everyday life, but with traumatic events as well. Don't forget to check out Part 2 next week, for a deeper dive into Early Childhood Therapy! Do you ha...

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists Christa Overson and Brett Cushing are joined by special guest Becky Sanders, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Associate Program Director of Nystrom's Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Program. Listen in to learn about what we can do to address the growing epidemic of Adolescent Suicide. Crisis Resources: Go to the local hospital...

Join Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists Brett Cushing and Christa Overson for an episode dedicated to a common concern from those who may be interested in seeking therapy. Will the therapist expect me to delve into details about my childhood? Will I have to blame my parents for things? Listen in as Brett and Christa explain why childhood experiences are relevant in therapy, while being only o...

This week, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists Brett Cushing and Christa Overson sat down with Mark Peterson, Chief Executive Officer at Nystrom and Associates since January 2023. Mark shares about his background and interest in overcoming barriers to mental health services (which he has been studying for over 20 years). Listen in as Brett and Christa discuss and learn about his approach to le...

In this episode, In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Brett Cushing identifies the natural way we tend to think, why we think in such ways, and how it is not effective in many relational settings.   Listeners will be able to learn practical tips on how to more effectively view the world, others, and themselves, which can result in transformed and healthier relationships. Do you...

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists Brett Cushing and Christa Overson discuss the work of Dr. John Gottman, one of the titans of Couples therapy, including the famous "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" that can signal that a relationship is in distress. Listen in with a friend or partner to learn about the most common reasons people don't want to try couples therapy, as well as...

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists Brett Cushing and Christa Overson discuss forgiveness, what it is, why it helps our mental health, and who exactly it is for. They also examine questions: Does forgiveness mean I am condoning someone else's behavior? Does the other person have to apologize in order for me to forgive them? Listen in with a friend or partner to learn not just...

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists Brett Cushing and Christa Overson go over the concept of neuroplasticity - the idea that our brains are much more malleable than we think. Actually, our thoughts, behaviors, and feelings are not set in stone but rather highly changeable over time. Brett and Christa share examples of how we can get "set in our ways" and some ideas for forging...

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists Brett Cushing and Christa Overson break down rumination, a term that means thinking about the past over and over again-- often to the point of becoming bothersome. Brett and Christa discuss why we ruminate, as well as some ways to help ourselves stop ruminating. Listen in with a friend or partner to gain some ideas for breaking free of rumin...

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists Brett Cushing and Christa Overson discuss four main communication styles and how to know which one you tend to use in day-to-day life. They also wonder-- which of these communication styles will help me to get what I want?  Brett and Christa share an easy-to-use formula for how to clearly share with a friend, partner, or boss what you actual...

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists Brett Cushing and Christa Overson share the four different personality types, what motivates each type, how each respond when under stress and how this understanding can transform your work, home and personal self-talk. Listen, with a friend or partner, and gain a super-easy understanding of personality types, that will effectively resource...

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists Brett Cushing and Christa Overson share how active listening bolsters connection and relational quality. Whether in a work setting, home setting, or any relational setting, Active Listening is imperative. However, it is a skill that does not come naturally; and takes practice. Listen, with a friend or partner, to find out how you are doing i...

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Brett Cushing shares how invalidation, whether it be intended to harm or to help, can be effectively utilized to maintain and enhance relationships. Brett shares why invalidation hurts, how to extend invalidation without harm, and how to respond to invalidation in helpful ways.   Listen to find out how to effectively utilize invalidation as a...

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Brett Cushing shares the desperate need and relevant power of validation upon relationships, ourselves, and our culture.   Brett provides clarity on what validation is and is not; while giving practical steps on being validating in a manner that can transform relationships with others and with oneself. Listen to find out how to effectively ut...

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing discuss the psychology behind goodbyes and closure as the podcast says goodbye to co-host Michelle in her final episode. Michelle has been honored to be a part of the podcast from its very beginning, and you'll hear about her hopes for the podcast and our listeners.  Listen to find out why our brains...

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing discuss the use of DBT skills in your daily life of "Alternate Rebellion" and "Adaptive Denial."  Listen to find out how these skills relate to our lives and the clients we work with daily. You'll even hear how Michelle's pink hair is a form of these skills,  and why these skills will help you if yo...

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing discuss the fork and spoon theory concepts and how they relate to understanding our stress and energy levels throughout the day. The theories are helpful in understanding the difference between our internal resources (spoons) and external stressors (forks).  Listen to find out why we might say the p...

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing learn about EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy with special guest Christa Overson, LMFT. Christa is the Clinical Site Director at Nystrom's Bloomington clinic and a lifelong Minnesotan raised in the north woods of Duluth. She has 10 years of clinical experience and seven ye...

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing discuss the topic of behavior change, which many clients seek help for in therapy. They talk about what makes it hard to change a behavior, but also give strategies and tools for better understanding why the behavior itself occurs in the first place and giving yourself compassion when it is hard to...

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing talk about their lives and what led them to become the therapists they are today. They talk about Carl Jung's concept of "The Wounded Healer", and what it means to have a therapist who also gets their own therapy due to encountering and overcoming their own experiences with mental health and family...

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Michelle Iversen discusses her "Anti-New Year's Resolutions" and why the New Year's resolutions we most commonly set are often linked to toxic diet culture and also fail 91% of the time. But rather than blame ourselves for this, Michelle would like us to think about the goals and whether they are designed in a way that isn't helpful fo...

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing discuss the most common myths around therapy and "bust" them along with special guest Scott Steinbarger, LMFT. Scott is the Clinical Site Director at Nystrom's Edina clinic and a "Midwestern Millennial Middle Child." He has always had an interest in counseling but needed to take a detour into Nuclear...

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing interview their first client guest on the podcast, Vicky. Vicky is a Nystrom client who completed the DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) program. Today, she shares her story of how treatment helped her find happiness and a way out of suffering. Listen to find out more about Vicky's story, how she co...

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing continue their holiday stress series by talking about the importance of boundaries over the holiday season and learning what setting a boundary with others really means for your mental health. Listen to learn more about how boundaries will reduce your stress and get a step-by-step guide on how to us...