Therapy Chat | Psychotherapy | Mindfulness | Trauma | Attachment | Worthiness | Self Care | Parenting

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In today's episode, I'm bringing you a replay of my conversation with with Kristen D. Boice, LMFT, an EMDR and Brainspotting therapist who is the owner of a trauma-focused group practice called Pathways to Healing in Noblesville, Indiana.Kristen D. Boice is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 20 years experience and owner of a group private counseling practice, Pathways to Healing Counseling. She’s also the host of the Close the Chapter Podcast and a sought-after international speaker. Kristen is an EMDR-trained psychotherapist, which, as she mentions in the interview, is one of the most effective, researched-based trauma treatment modalities along with Brainspotting.She specializes in improving self-worth, helping couples and families resolve conflicts and develop powerful communication skills, effective parenting strategies, making life transitions, grief and loss, reducing anxiety and working through trauma. Most importantly, she instils hope, helps peop

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In today's episode, I'm bringing you a replay of two of my conversations with Rotem Brayer, talking all about EMDR and Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy. If you're an EMDR therapist or a therapist who is interested in learning about psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, this episode is for you! And if you're someone who is interested in learning about how EMDR and psychedelic-assisted therapy can be combined, you're in the right place!Rotem Brayer, M.Ed., LPC, is a certified EMDR therapist, EMDR consultant, and advanced EMDR trainer. He's the founder of the EMDR Learning Community, a community that brings EMDR therapists together and provides education on EMDR therapy and the integration of this modality with other treatment approaches.Find Rotem's book, The Art & Science of EMDR, on Amazon here.Join Rotem's free learning community for EMDR therapists here: EMDR Learning Community.Rotem's website is here: https://emdartnscience.com/Additiona

This week's Therapy Chat features two leaders in our field, Thomas Hubl, PhD and Dick Schwartz, PhD speaking about the importance of including a collective lens in trauma work. In this conversation, we explored the interdependence of individual and collective healing, the distinction between spirituality and religion, and the importance of addressing legacy burdens and cultural trauma. We talk about the popular culture's view of healing and how our culture promotes spiritual bypass through "quick fix" approaches to wellness. Listen in to this inspiring conversation with these two leaders.Key Takeaways from this Episode:Individual and collective healing are interdependent.Spirituality is distinct from religion and can be healing.Healing can occur more rapidly in group settings.Legacy burdens from ancestors can impact current generations.Cultural trauma needs to be addressed for healing to occur.Time alone does not heal wounds; action is required.We must both confront experiences of victimizatio

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week's episode is a replay where I speak to Libby Murdoch, LPC, CCTP about her Resilience-Focused EMDR therapy training! The concept of building resilience is gaining traction in our field, and it makes sense! Listen in to our conversation as Libby and I discuss her EMDR Basic Training offerings and what's different about her Resilience-Focused approach.I met Libby last year in London at a conference where she was a speaker and I loved her enthusiasm for the work and her way of clearly explaining the neuroscience, making it accessible for more people to understand.  Libby Murdoch is a licensed professional counselor and certified clinical trauma professional who is an EMDRIA-approved EMDR Trainer. She facilitates Basic EMDR Training for clinicians on a monthly basis.She has a private practice located in Cincinnati, OH where she offers EMDR intensives. She is the developer of Resilience-Focused EMDR and Psychological CPR. Libby has presented at various conferences acr

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In this week's replay episode, we're looking at the many ways to use EMDR. I'm revisiting my conversation with Rebecca Kase, a licensed clinical social worker and yoga instructor, living in Gig Harbor, WA. She is an EMDR Consultant & Basic Trainer, and owner of Kase & CO, an EMDR Training and Consulting company. She is the author of Polyvagal informed EMDR: A Neuro-informed Approach to Healing.In our conversation, you'll hear why a Polyvagal perspective is important when learning EMDR, and how she incorporates this into her EMDR sessions, as well as learning about EMDR training with Rebecca.Learn more about Rebecca's work via her website: https://kaseandco.com/Find Rebecca's book here: Polyvagal informed EMDR: A Neuro-informed Approach to HealingWe are accepting new clients in my therapy practice (for those located in Maryland). Learn more via our website: https://bahealing.com Additional Resources:Are you a helping professional who wants to learn

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week's episode is a replay where I interviewed author, EMDR-Certified therapist and Consultant In Training Marcken Volmy, LMHC, about how EMDR can help with betrayal trauma and the impact of broken trust. We explored how betrayal by trusted figures and institutions can shatter one's sense of safety and trust in the world.We also discussed recent examples of betrayal within the mental health field, for example, the FTC settlement with BetterHelp, and other situations in our field which have affected both of us. We talked about the impact these experiences can have on therapists' and clients' trust in the systems and processes of our profession. Marcken explains how EMDR can help change implicit beliefs about self and the world, leading to healing and a felt sense of safety. We also touch on the current political climate and its effect on trust and safety. Marcken's book, Trauma Stories, is available now! Listen in to this hopeful conversation. It's nev

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week's episode is a replay from 2021 with Curt Widhalm, LMFT.Curt is a group practice owner, podcaster and EMDR Consultant In Training based in Los Angeles, CA, In this replay episode, Curt explains more about EMDR and how he uses it with adolescents. He explains how he got into using EMDR after experiencing it himself following an accident, and some of the ins and outs of working with teens using this method.Curt Widhalm is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Los Angeles, CA. He is certified in EMDR and a consultant-in-training. His group practice specialises in working with teens and their families, especially those undergoing trauma or self-harm.Curt is the co-founder of the Therapy Reimagined Conference and co-host with Katie Vernoy of "The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide" podcast. He teaches in the MFT programs at California State University-Northridge and Pepperdine University and is a member of the CAMFT Ethics Committee.Curt Widhalm Online

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week is a replay episode with Ann Beckley Forest and Annie Monaco, two EMDR therapists who together make up Playful EMDR. Ann and Annie talk about how they use EMDR in combination with play therapy with children who have experienced disrupted attachment relationships and trauma. As always, I had many questions and they answered them all. If you found Robyn Gobbel's episode interesting a couple months ago, here is another take on working with the same population of children in therapy. I hope this will inspire you to think outside the box about working with traumatized children.ResourcesFind Playful EMDR at: www.playfulemdr.com - their summit is coming up and they have an EMDR training starting in December 2023.Keep up with Annie Monaco via: www.anniemonaco.com, Ann Beckley Forest is found at: www.annbeckleyforest.comAre you a helping professional who wants to learn more about the Safe + Sound Protocol (SSP)? On behalf of our friends at Unyte Health, we are pleased to sha

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week, I'm joined by Therapist and EMDR Consultant Jocelyn Fitzgerald. We discussed the integration of creativity in trauma therapy, exploring the power of EMDR combined with creative arts, which she has used in working with refugees. She shared about her book, EMDR and the Creative Arts Therapies. The conversation also delves into the role of psychedelics in therapy, the neuroscience of creativity, and the essential nature of art in human development. Jocelyn shares practical applications for therapists and emphasizes the importance of humor in healing.Jocelyn Fitzgerald is a board-certified art therapist (ATR-BC), licensed marriage and family therapist, and EMDRIA-approved EMDR Consultant, known for integrating creative arts into trauma therapy. She is the co-author of EMDR and the Creative Arts Therapies and Colorful Place: Mindful Story and Art for Kids, and her work has been featured in Psychotherapy Networker. With dual master’s degrees in Art Therapy and Marriage a

This week, I'm speaking with Debra Wesselmann about attachment injuries in children and families. We discussed the importance of early intervention in attachment wounds, the integration of EMDR therapy, and the development of the Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol for Children. The conversation highlights the complexities of parent-child dynamics in therapy and the profound impact of trauma on children's development. Wesselmann shares insights on how therapists can create a safe and supportive environment for healing, emphasizing the need for collaboration between parents and therapists to foster healthier attachments and emotional regulation in children.Debra Wesselmann, MS, LIMHP has specialized in treating attachment trauma for over 30 years. In 2008, along with several like-minded colleagues, she co-founded The Attachment and Trauma Center of Nebraska, where she co-developed and researched the integrative family therapy and EMDR therapy model for treating attachment trauma in children. In addi

This week, in a special 500th episode of Therapy Chat, I shared a behind the scenes look at what happened when I got bad news right before a LIVE, in person interview with Janina Fisher on shame.I talked about the profound challenges of asking for help, especially for those of us who have experienced emotional or physical neglect. In a twist from the usual Therapy Chat episode, I talked about my process, sharing what was happening with my Parts and how I understood what was happening through the lens of trauma and attachment. And I shared the beautiful surprise that happened after I fell apart and how it helped me along my healing journey. I hope this episode will help you along your journey and offer you a compassionate perspective on how early childhood experiences can shape our unconscious beliefs about our safety in the world. Key Takeaways from This Episode:Reflect on your own "blueprint" from early childhood experiences regarding asking for help and trusting others.Recognize shame as a potential

In this week's episode of Therapy Chat, I interviewed the amazing Kim Barthel about the intricate connections between trauma, the sensory system, and healing. We explored the role of the vestibular system, the Vagus Nerve, and the importance of co-regulation in therapy. Kim shares insights from her extensive experience in Occupational Therapy and discusses the impact of developmental trauma on individuals. The conversation highlights the significance of sound healing and the need for a nuanced, layered and holistic approach to understanding our relationships to Self and others, and the role of the vestibular system in our survival and connection.Kim Barthel is a Canadian occupational therapist, multi-disciplinary speaker, mentor and best-selling author who is active in supporting people in many contexts globally. She is passionate about understanding complex behavior, neurobiology, trauma-sensitive and neurodiverse-affirming practice, sensory processing, attachment, movement and mental health. In 2025 Kim

This week's episode of Therapy Chat is on a topic which we've covered before - religious trauma. This week's guest, SC Nealy (they/she) discusses the impact of religious trauma and offers additional perspective into the harm it can cause for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Our conversation was fascinating to me, and I hope you'll find many valuable insights through listening to our discussion. With over 15 years in the mental health field, SC Nealy is a queer, gender fluid psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and group practice owner in Arlington, VA. SC operates a team of all gay and trans-identifying therapists with the focus of bringing clinicians with lived experiences to the queer community and their families. They also work locally and nationally to advocate for queer rights, accessible mental health care, and bringing more awareness to the needs of the queer community. Their upcoming book published by Bloomsbury Academics, Healing Sacred Wounds, focuses on giving folx a guide map for

How can therapists learn to see countertransference as a gift, rather than a problem? This week's guest is Stefanie Klein, LCSW. Stefanie, an SEP and NARM Master Therapist, is the Assistant Training Director for the Complex Trauma Training Center where she is also a consultant and faculty in the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) and the new SPACE program for psychotherapists. Our conversation was about how can feel more effective in their work with clients, while also experiencing more ease and fulfillment in their professional roles through the SPACE program Stefanie co-created with Brad Kammer of NARM (a previous Therapy Chat guest). Stefanie has 30 years of experience practicing psychotherapy with adults in her Los Angeles private practice, where she has specialized in treating trauma and anxiety for the past 20 years. Learn more about the Complex Trauma Training Center and the SPACE Program here.Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In this episode, my guest is Dr. Dan Siegel. In this deep conversation, we explored themes of grief, connection, the quantum realm, integration in a biological sense, the work of Joanna Macy, losing our parents and staying connected with them, and the shared humanity that binds us all together, while also addressing the challenges we face in today's world and how we can find new ways of living. Dr. Dan Siegel is the Founder and Director of Education of the Mindsight Institute and founding co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA, where he was also Co-Principal Investigator of the Center for Culture, Brain and Development and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the School of Medicine. An award-winning educator, Dan is the author of five New York Times bestsellers and over fifteen other books which have been translated into over forty languages. As the founding editor of the Norton Professional Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology (“IPNB”), Dan has overseen

This week's guest is Vanessa Bennett, LMFT, author of the new book "The Motherhood Myth: A Depth Therapist's Guide to Redefine Parenting, Reimagine Intimacy, and Reclaim the Self." In this soulful conversation, through the lens of depth psychology, Vanessa Bennett explores themes of motherhood, and some of the archetypal wounds that women carry, including the mother wound, sister wound, witch wound, and father wound. We discuss societal myths surrounding motherhood and the importance of reclaiming one's self and intuition after becoming a parent. I shared about my mother wound. Vanessa Bennett, LMFT, is a licensed depth psychotherapist, author, and facilitator known for her no-nonsense yet compassionate approach to personal growth and healing. She is the coauthor of the bestselling relationship book It’s Not Me, It’s You with her partner John Kim and co-hosts the Cheaper Than Therapy podcast. A former New Yorker now based in Los Angeles, Vanessa leads transformational retreats and workshop

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week, I’m sharing an incredibly rich and soul-stirring conversation with psychotherapist and author, Francis Weller. Recently retired after 43 years in practice, Francis shares profound insights from his fieldwork—sitting with grieving people for over four decades to understand what the individual and collective psyche are trying to express through symptoms and suffering. We delve into how grief saturates almost every human experience, from addiction to childhood wounds, and how our culture often teaches us to avoid it.This episode explores the concept of "soul work" and how indigenous traditions offer profound wisdom on community, ritual, and the "primary satisfactions" that keep us strong and fluid. Francis illuminates how Western individualism has ripped apart these vital connections and what it has cost us. We also discuss his new book, In the Absence of the Ordinary, Soul Work for Times of Uncertainty, and how it couldn't be more timely for the times

In this conversation, I interviewed Yudit Maros, LMFT, founder of Authenticity Therapy. Yudit led the retreat I attended earlier this year in Italy, which was a powerful experiential training in her method. Authenticity Therapy is a form of inner child work which helps identify unmet emotional needs, emphasizing the importance of self-love and our relationship to ourselves. Yudit shares her journey of developing this therapy model, the significance of body awareness, and the process she teaches to guide individuals in responding to their feelings. I talked about my experience in the training. Yudit Maros is an LMFT and Certified Hypnotherapist in private practice in Ridgefield, CT, with 32 years of clinical experience. She is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, and an international trainer of psychotherapists in Authenticity Therapy© and Brief, Solution Oriented Trauma Resolution. She is author of „Apple of My I: The Four Practices of Self-Love”, and the originator of Authenticity Therapy©, a new integration in the

In this week's episode of Therapy Chat, I interviewed Michelle Chalfant, a licensed therapist and coach, about her journey from anxiety and self-hatred to self-love and healing. She describes her Adult Chair model, which includes understanding the ways the energy of our child parts, adolescent parts and adult parts show up in our lives. Her recent book, The Adult Chair: Get Unstuck, Claim Your Power, and Transform Your Life, teaches readers about how these energies feel and how to work with them. Michelle shares insights on working with triggers and the role of the body in emotional healing, emphasizing that everyone has the potential to transform their lives with the right tools and support. In this warm, engaging and funny conversation with Michelle, you'll gain insight into how her Adult Chair method can help transform our lives as we learn to meet the unmet needs of our child parts. I love this book and have been recommending it to so many clients and friends!Michelle Chalfant, MS, LPC, is a licen

In this episode of Therapy Chat, I interviewed returning guest Deb Dana, LCSW. We explored the profound impact of Polyvagal Theory on emotional regulation and connection. We discussed the importance of co-regulation, the role of nature in fostering a sense of safety, and the significance of recognizing micro-moments of joy and connection in our daily lives. We talked about the current trend of regulation "hacks" and challenged the idea that our goal is to be regulated. We also touchedthe power of glimmers as reminders of safety and connection. We talked about how we can move forward when things seem dark and discouraging. Ultimately, this conversation offers hope and practical insights for fostering emotional well-being in a dysregulated world, through the power of connection.Deb Dana, LCSW, is a clinician, consultant, author and speaker. Deb’s work delves into the intricacies of how understanding and befriending the nervous system can change the way we navigate our daily lives. She is well known for