The Therapy Gents

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode Michael and Andy break down a common CBT intervention for anxiety known as 'Thought Records.' This process challenges our thoughts in healthy ways to better acquaint ourselves with not just what is making us anxious, but why that anxiety is so strong. We are often stuck in thought loops when such anxiety only focuses on supporting itself. Thought...

Send us Fan Mail What is really the difference between all the ways we label taking care of oneself?  Self-confidence, self-compassion, self-esteem, self-care, self-help, ect.  “The flower does not think of competing to the flower next to it. It just blooms.” from book Zen Shin Talks Let’s start from the beginning. How do parents play a role in the way their child views themself? Balance between l...

Send us Fan Mail Marcus Aurelius was the Roman Emperor from 161AD to 180AD. He was also a Stoic and a Philosopher. He was the last of the “Five Good Emperors” of Rome. He was adopted by Antoninus, who was the successor of Hadrian.  Marcus Aurelius had no intention of publishing Meditations. The book was a journal to himself to explore the concepts of self discipline, justice, courage, and wisdom....

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode Michael & Andy break down the Heroes Journey and how it can relate to our own therapeutic journeys through life!

Send us Fan Mail Today's Podcast is brought to us by a set of topics asked about by Nananu. We appreciate your thoughts and the topics you asked us to explore. When we think of self-image, which do you think would affect it more? Lying or Avoiding Responsibility. What is the most common lie we all make? Virginia Woolf once said, "You can not find peace by avoiding life." Who lies? W...

Send us Fan Mail Sophocles - "The keenest sorrow is to recognize ourselves as the sole cause of all our adversities." Epicticus - "Men are disturbed not by things, but the view which they take of them." Four Basic Goals of IFS Liberate parts from the roles they've been forced into, so they can be who they're designed to be. Restore trust in the Self and Self-lea...

Send us Fan Mail Show notes: Fear is the most powerful of emotions Franklin D Roosevelt - "The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself." Yoda: "Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering." -potential to create self-discovery Collective unconscious and Fear - pandemics, politics, spirituality vs secularism, morals and...

Send us Fan Mail How do you experience Love in your life? Love is a noun and a verb? Noun   1. A beloved person 2. A great interest and pleasure in something (can be sexual desire) 3. An intense feeling of deep affection. 4. Unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another Verb    1. To feel deep affection for someone  2. To like or enjoy something very much 3. To hold dear 4. To tak...

Send us Fan Mail Michael & Andy break down both healthy & unhealthy coping mechanisms: and how to see the difference! Common Unhealthy Coping mechanisms: avoidance/isolation, substance abuse, pornography, self-harm,dissociation, excessive screen time (over 1.5 hours of non-productive screen use), perfectionism, blaming/victim mentality, food, gambling, work, exercise (hours a day and you’r...

Send us Fan Mail Today Michael & Andy discuss trauma. They break down acute, chronic and complex trauma, how to address and heal from trauma, and several therapeutic modalities that have evidence based benefits to addressing trauma. If you have any questions you want to ask The Therapy Gents please be sure to reach out to us at our email: actioncounseling@gmail.com Also be sure to rate our pod...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode Michael & Andy discuss the value we can draw from popular culture and thought leaders by sharing several valuable quotes. Everything from Star Wars to Carl Jung contains wisdom and application to marriage, relationships, addiction, trauma and more. If you have any questions you want to ask The Therapy Gents please be sure to reach out to us at our email...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode Michael & Andy break down common cognitive distortions people face. There are many cognitive distortions that affect us. They affect our relationships, our perception of the world around us, and our self esteem.  If you have any questions you want to ask The Therapy Gents please be sure to reach out to us at our email: actioncounseling@gmail.com Also be...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode Michael and Andy build on last week's discussion of the 7 deadly wounds with Mark & Debbie Laaser's 7 Desires. Those desires are to be Heard & Understood, Affirmed, Grateful (Blessed), Safe, Have Meaningful Touch, Be Chosen and Be Included.  If you have any questions you want to ask The Therapy Gents please be sure to reach out to us at ou...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode Michael and Andy break down what Bob Schuchts describes as the 7 deadly wounds in his book "Be Healed." If you have any questions you want to ask The Therapy Gents please be sure to reach out to us at our email: actioncounseling@gmail.com Also be sure to rate our podcast if you enjoyed todays episode!

Send us Fan Mail In Today's episode Michael and Andy discuss how we can learn from the psychology of Lobsters to better understand human mental health! They discuss reward systems in the brain and how chemicals like dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin help influence our stability.  If you have any questions you want to ask The Therapy Gents please be sure to reach out to us at our email: actionc...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode Michael and Andy discuss addiction, how it manifests, how to recognize it in yourself, and more! They also break down several areas of stigma that have been harmful.  If you have any questions you want to ask The Therapy Gents please be sure to reach out to us at our email: actioncounseling@gmail.com Also be sure to rate our podcast if you enjoyed todays ep...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode Michael & Andy discuss the wonderful book "The Boy, The Mole, The Fox And The Horse" by Charlie Mackesy. This is a wonderful book that has tremendous nuggets of wisdom for all ages. 

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode Michael and Andy break down how shame is built into society, social media and more. They discuss further how to develop shame resilience in a society that seems bent on shaming us for our normalcy, body type, identity and more.

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode Michael & Andy break down what shame is, how it affects us and how we can become shame resilient.

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode Michael & Andy break down what shame is, how it affects us and how we can become shame resilient.

Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is part 2 of Michael and Andy's discussion on Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning." They cover logotherapy- which was Developed by the Austrian psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, and is a unique approach to psychotherapy that focuses on finding meaning and purpose in life, even in the midst of suffering. Unlike traditional psychotherapy, which...

Send us Fan Mail In this two part episode Michael & Andy begin their breakdown of one of the greatest books ever written: Man's Search for Meaning. Viktor Frankl writes the book as both a concentration camp survivor and psychiatrist who analyzes human suffering from the worst of human experiences. Frankl outlines how finding meaning in one's life is of the utmost importance.

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode Michael and Andy expand on Gottman's 4 horsemen with a model for emotional conflict: ACTS. Acknowledge the Emotion, Clarify the Emotion, Tend to the Emotion & Support always. 

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode of the Therapy Gents we break down John & Julie Gottman's 4 horseman: Criticism, Defensiveness, Contempt and Stonewalling. These 4 horseman show up in most relationships, so how do you deal with them? Michael & Andy also discuss the antidotes to each horseman to breakdown healthy communication in relationships. 

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode Michael and Andy discuss the power of validation in relationships. They break down how to validate even when you disagree with your loved one, validation in self, gratitude, recognizing when to validate vs. when to affirm your own positions, and the benefits of validation in general.