The Therapist Thrival Guide

In this episode, licensed clinical social workers Miranda, Gina and Letisha, discuss 'Attached' by Amir Levine and Rachel S.F. Heller. They explore the book's insights on attachment styles—secure, anxious, and avoidant—while noting its omission of disorganized attachment. The episode touches on how these styles influence relationships, offers critiques on the book's approach, and p...

In this episode, therapists Miranda Barker and Karna Boynton share an in-depth conversation about secondary traumatic stress (STS). Karna, an experienced clinician and licensed marriage family therapist, opens up about her personal experience with STS, describing how the compounded stress from her professional and personal life led her to encounter PTSD-like symptoms. We're discussing the dist...

Heather Olsson, LCPC and Matthew Toman, APRN, both at Ellie Mental Health in Naperville, IL , join this episode to explore how some physical illnesses or issues can mask as mental health problems. Heather and Matt share their experiences and insights on how to best support clients and the huge benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare. They also discuss the impact of physical healt...

What if you could separate your work and personal life—along with all the emotions tied to them? In this episode of The Therapist Thrival Guide, therapists Miranda and Lucas unpack the psychological and philosophical themes of Apple TV+’s Severance. They explore dissociation, compartmentalization, and the human desire to escape suffering, connecting these ideas to real-life therapy. How does avoid...

In this episode of the Therapist Thrival Guide, join Miranda, a licensed clinical social worker, alongside Letisha and Gina, as they candidly discuss Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). The discussion covers the DSM-5 criteria for ODD, its symptoms, and the stigma associated with the diagnosis. They explore alternative diagnoses, underlying issues like trauma, ADHD, and autism, and talk about eff...

This week we are joined by Shelby Finley, a Clinic Director for Ellie Mental Health in Kansas City. Shelby shares her expertise on Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), a modality that is especially useful for newer clinicians. The conversation covers the foundational components of DBT, including mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotional regulation. Shelby explain...

This second episode of a two-part series features Karna Boynton, LMFT and Gina Young, LICSW, both board-approved supervisors. We're talking about how to structure group supervision, some creative ideas for your groups, and how to be a kick-@$% group supervisor! OUR HOST: Miranda Barker, MSW, LICSW, has been practicing as a therapist for several years. She previously worked as a child protectio...

This first of a two-part series features Karna Boynton, LMFT and Gina Young, LICSW, both board-approved supervisors, who jump into the theory, benefits, dynamics, and common myths about group supervision.... and how you can be a kick-@$& group supervisor! Learn how group settings can enhance clinical skills, reduce isolation, and improve personal well-being. Discover practical tips for managin...

In this episode of the Therapist Thrival Guide, we are diving into the complexities of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and complex trauma (C-PTSD). We're discussing the stigma surrounding BPD, the challenges clinicians face in diagnosing and treating it, and the overlap with complex PTSD. Kielyr Luthi, LICSW, PMH-C, R-PLC explains her approach to treatment, emphasizing trauma-informed ca...

Join Miranda Barker, LICSW, and Erin Pash, LMFT, the founder of Ellie Mental Health, as they delve into the complex topic of narcissism. They discuss the clinical aspects, treatment approaches, and challenges therapists face when working with narcissistic clients. Drawing from personal experiences and cases, they also explore the dynamics of high-conflict co-parenting and provide insights on recog...

We are joined by dance movement therapist Shelby Turner, RMHCI from Ellie Mental Health- St. Petersburg, FL! In this episode, Shelby talks about her unique qualification in dance movement therapy, how she integrates this approach with psychotherapy, and the impact it has on her clients. She also shares her personal journey into the profession and elaborates on various techniques used in dance move...

In this episode of Therapist Thrival Guide, host Miranda, a licensed clinical social worker, is joined by Dr. Sara Polley, Chief Medical Officer at Ellie Mental Health and a psychiatrist specialized in addiction medicine. The duo discuss the principles and practices of Motivational Interviewing (MI), a therapeutic style aimed at evoking change talk and addressing ambivalence in clients. They explo...

In this episode of the Therapist Thrival Guide, Dr. Sara Polley, Ellie's Chief Medical Officer and a psychiatrist specializing in addiction medicine, talks about the complexities of addiction. We're discussing key topics like when to refer clients for specialized addiction treatment, evidence-based treatments, the role of family in prevention and recovery, medicated assisted treatment, and...

This episode covers an array of self-care tips, recognizing warning signs of burnout, and essential strategies to maintain personal well-being. We're also discussing the importance of setting boundaries, utilizing tools like the ProQol survey, and integrating daily rituals to ensure therapists can continue to provide the best care for their clients..... and when it's time to find a new job...

We're diving into the transformative world of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) . In this episode of the Therapist Thrival Guide, Allison, who specializes in trauma, grief, and anxiety, explains the fundamentals of ART, its similarities and differences with EMDR, and its applications for various mental health issues. They discuss the structured yet creative nature of ART, the importance of...

In this episode, we are discussing the balance between passion and financial stability in the mental health profession. We're delving into the misconceptions and challenges therapists face regarding financial struggles and martyrdom, and emphasize the importance of self-care, professional development, and valuing one’s own services. Amity shares her unique journey combining therapy with busine...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Robyn Janssen and Tiffany Farrar, a certified eating disorder specialist and owner of Confluence Counseling. The discussion revolves around: - Recognizing the symptoms of disordered eating and eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and ARFID, and effective treatment modalities. - Insights on family-based treatment and the importance of...

Welcome to the Therapist Thrival Guide! In this episode we are joined by clinic directors Jordan Mealey, LPCC and Steve Drzewoszewski, LICSW. Our guests share valuable insights on how therapists can comfortably handle financial discussions with clients, the importance of early and consistent communication, and tips for ensuring both therapist and client are on the same page. Learn about effective...

In this episode of Therapist Thrival Guide, therapists Miranda and Letisha delve into the science of gratitude. As Thanksgiving approaches, they discuss research studies that showcase the significant mental health benefits of gratitude practices, including: improved mood reduced anxiety and depression better sleep We're sharing practical ways therapists can infuse gratitude into their sessions...

It's a true crime crossover episode! We brought on attorney Suzette Schommer to discuss the Menendez brothers episode and what the therapist in this case did wrong, plus: If a client confesses a murder (or another crime) to their therapist, is it true that the therapist bound by confidentiality and cannot tell anyone? What does "duty to warn" mean-- who do you warn and in what situat...

Hey there, podcast fam! Buckle up for a deep dive into something that affects us all more than we might realize: intergenerational trauma. It's like this invisible thread that weaves through families and communities, shaping our experiences in ways we might not even be aware of. Terance Dawkins, LISW-CP shares his own stories of uncovering and dealing with this generational baggage, and how it...

Today, Zach Eichler, MS, LPCC is joining the podcast again to discuss and reflect on change over time as a therapist. Miranda and Zach discuss: - What we thought being a therapist was going to be like when in graduate school - How we navigated being a brand new therapist and - How our niche and client type has changed over time - Becoming more confident in yourself - Diversifying your caseload and...

Today, Zach Eichler, MS, LPCC is back on the podcast for a mini-episode about: - Supervision styles - What to do if you don't have a good clinical supervisor match - The first meeting and setting expectations with a supervisee - Their experiences with bad supervision or bad supervisors LINK TO BOOK: https://amzn.to/45RCnjJ Stay tuned for next week as Zach joins to discuss what new therapists c...

Join Miranda along with Dr. Sable McElveen and Amber Silva as they discuss the complexities and importance of working with the LGBTQIA+ community in therapy. This episode covers key topics such as self-disclosure, creating safe environments, addressing the diagnosis of gender dysphoria, and handling biases both from therapists and clients. Learn essential approaches to foster trust and support for...

This week guests Michael Atkinson and Alison Affalter join to discuss Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The episode covers: - ACT’s origins, key principles, and practical applications - How clients can live a meaningful life aligned with personal values while accepting inevitable hardships - ACT's six core principles aimed at enhancing psychological flexibility: acceptance, cognitive de...