Things You Learn in Therapy

Send us Fan Mail What if there's no such thing as a bad kid? What if challenging behaviors are simply messages children send when they lack the emotional vocabulary to express themselves?  Licensed Professional Counselor Jillian Oetting takes us behind the scenes of a behavior modification camp founded in the 1960s that continues to transform lives today. Drawing from five summers working at...

Send us Fan Mail What does it really mean to live with an illness that never goes away? While most people understand the concept of getting sick and then getting better, navigating life with chronic illness requires an entirely different roadmap—one that isn't widely understood even by many medical professionals. Licensed professional counselor Victoria Rodriguez joins Dr. Beth Trammell to un...

Send us Fan Mail What if the life you've carefully constructed is slowly burning you out? Dr. Beth Trammell sits down with licensed therapist Laurel Roberts-Meese for an eye-opening conversation about the reality of burnout – and why that tropical vacation you've been dreaming about won't fix it. "Burnout comes from a pathological pattern of not choosing yourself," explain...

Send us Fan Mail The world feels increasingly chaotic and unpredictable. Global events, endless news cycles, and persistent uncertainty have left many of us stuck in a state of nervous system dysregulation that doesn't seem to subside. Marie Sloane returns to the podcast to share practical wisdom about finding stability when everything around us feels unstable. Marie introduces us to a transf...

Send us Fan Mail Ever been caught in that awkward moment when someone recognizes you but you can't place them? For therapists living and working in the same community, these encounters create what I call "introverted therapist nightmares"—those uncomfortable moments when professional boundaries and social niceties collide. In today's conversation, I share how these encounters u...

Send us Fan Mail What happens to your identity when you return to a place that once felt like home but now feels foreign? In this profound conversation, therapist Kindall Tyson opens up about her journey of repatriation after spending six years building a life and career in Beijing, China. Kindall shares raw, vulnerable insights into the unexpected challenges of coming home—from the financial shoc...

Send us Fan Mail Are you worried your child isn't ready for kindergarten? You're not alone. While many parents focus on teaching academic skills, I've discovered through years of consulting with teachers and families that five-year-olds often struggle with something more fundamental: the social and emotional skills needed to thrive in a classroom environment. This episode introduces...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when one person in a relationship is ready to throw in the towel while their partner wants to keep trying? This emotional standoff creates a relationship limbo that can last for months or even years, preventing healing and growth for both individuals. Therapist Lianna Purjes joins us to explore the powerful tool of discernment counseling - a specialized, short-term in...

Send us Fan Mail What separates those who merely notice problems from those who actually solve them? In this enlightening conversation, Leslie Bolser and Dr. Beth Trammell tackle the powerful concept of initiative —defined as "seeing what needs to be done and doing it"—and why this two-part skill proves challenging for people of all ages. The discussion moves through developmental stages...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever been in a perfect rhythm only to let a tiny distraction derail your entire momentum? That's exactly what crossed my mind during a recent swim session that turned unexpectedly profound. While gliding through the water in a perfect cadence of stroke-stroke-breathe, a single drop of water leaked into my goggles. That tiny irritation threatened to break my rhythm co...

Send us Fan Mail Cooperation sounds simple – working together to accomplish more than we could alone – but as parents and educators, we often struggle to maintain this focus as children grow. This candid conversation between Leslie Bolser and Dr. Beth Trammell explores how our emphasis on cooperation naturally diminishes as we begin prioritizing independence in our children. For preschoolers, coop...

Send us Fan Mail Discovering what makes us each wonderfully unique stands at the heart of this month's exploration. We're diving into the powerful idea that by learning about others, we actually uncover more about ourselves – a concept that creates ripples through every stage of childhood development. For the littlest ones, uniqueness blossoms when parents simply notice and name those sp...

Send us Fan Mail Resilience gets a fresh take in this heartfelt conversation between Leslie Bolser and Dr. Beth Trammell, who strip away the buzzword status and reframe this essential life skill as something we practice every single day. Moving beyond the trendy "grit" narrative, they explore what resilience actually looks like from toddlerhood through the teenage years—and why some mome...

Send us Fan Mail Hope isn't just wishful thinking – it's believing good things can happen even amid challenges. In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Beth Trammell and Leslie Bolser unpack how to nurture this essential quality in children at every developmental stage. For parents of younger children, we discuss the importance of mindful language, highlighting how casually using &qu...

Send us Fan Mail The upcoming Week of the Young Child celebration provides a fascinating framework for understanding developmental priorities. From Movement Monday to Family Friday, these themed days don't just guide our approach to supporting children—they offer surprising lessons for adults too. Dr. Beth explores this reciprocal relationship, suggesting that young children might be teaching...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for a compelling discussion on the growing concerns of mom rage and how community care among mothers can transform individual struggles into collective strength. In this episode, I sit down with two incredible therapists, Megan and Nicole, who share their insights and experiences working in the field of maternal mental health.  As we dive deep into the subject of mom rage,...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets to fostering a supportive environment for children grappling with weight and body image concerns. Join us as we engage with Christy Tunnell, a seasoned registered dietitian, who shares her professional insights and personal experiences, including those with her own daughter. Together, they unravel how societal pressures and nutritional challenges complicate conv...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an enlightening conversation with special guest Desiree Argentina, a licensed independent clinical social worker, who shares her insightful journey of transitioning to Washington State and the hurdles of obtaining a new professional license. We take a deep dive into the shifting landscape of middle and high schools, especially in the aftermath of COVID-19. With rising...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the complexities of religious trauma with Dr. Essence Rivers, a licensed clinical psychologist known for her work with marginalized and intersectional groups. Dr. Rivers brings her wealth of knowledge to our discussion, shedding light on how religious trauma can reshape an individual's worldview and sense of self. We promise you'll gain a deeper understanding of...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets of effective clinical supervision with insights from Dr. Beth Trammell and her esteemed guest, Michele Mani, a seasoned clinical supervisor and psychotherapist. Michele shares her journey from clinical practice to private practice, and how it has elevated her role in supervision. Together, we explore the art of balancing professional duties with personal wellnes...

Send us Fan Mail Listen in as we debrief the episode from Kaya Spicer! We're also excited to welcome back Kaya, who brings a refreshing approach to discussing sexual health. With her candidness, Kaya transforms what is often a hushed topic into an easy, dinner-table conversation. For many of us who grew up in environments where such discussions were sparse, Kaya's openness is both enligh...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when therapists seek therapy themselves? That's the pressing question we tackled with Dr. Beth Trammell and our special guest, Marie Sloane, a licensed professional counselor. Despite being equipped with theoretical knowledge, therapists like Marie often face the stigma and imposter syndrome when they turn the lens inward. We delved into this fascinating topic, u...

Send us Fan Mail This is a throwback episode that I will probably always post around this time because I always need this reminder!! Hope you enjoy this conversation around New Year's resolutions! Want to transform the way you view New Year's resolutions? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Michael Alcée, who returns to share his captivating insights into the tradition of s...

Send us Fan Mail It's Christmas EVE!!!! WHATTTT?!?!?   I am so proud of you. Of us. For making it 25 days to a better Christmas morning. Today is about rest. Presence. Enjoyment. Love.  Stay safe, stay well, friends. Merry, merry Christmas and I will be back here after the new year! #25days25waystoabetterchristmas  #kidsthesedayspodcast #makewordsmatter #parenting Support the show www.bethtra...

Send us Fan Mail We do this for a lot of random occasions. All of the kids and all of the grown-ups always laugh, laugh, laugh. It's just so fun and there are no materials needed!  #25days25waystoabetterchristmas  #kidsthesedayspodcast #makewordsmatter #parenting Support the show www.bethtrammell.com