Edge of the Couch

They explore why therapists sometimes halt jokes to uncover deeper material. They debate when humor is a defense and when to refuse joining in. They describe gentle reality-checking around infatuation, affairs, and boundary violations. They warn about timing mistakes and discuss concrete ways to signal boundaries without destabilizing clients.

You probably heard this in grad school: "Never, ever touch your clients."  But you know, for us, things are rarely black-and white. What about high fives? What about comforting touch? Hugs at termination? The conversation about using physical touch in therapy usually centres around liability and the 'slippery slope' to abusing our clients. While those are essential considerations to this topic, we are taking a different focus: the impact on the client and the therapeutic relationship. Our perspective might surprise you...We're taking the couch on the road! Join us between May 9th and May 24th, we'll be heading to 8 Canadian cities for a LIVE episode recording and a chance to connect with other therapists in your area. Space is limited, so snag your ticket before it's too late! For more information, visit us on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod. We hope to see you there! Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch, share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram, or email us at connect@edgeofthecouch.com.We have partnered with Janeapp, our favourite all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign-up for a free one-month grace period on your new account.Alison McClearywww.woodstovewellness.caJordan Pickellwww.jordanpickellcounselling.ca@jordanpickellcounselling on InstagramEdge of the Couchwww.edgeofthecouch.com@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

Therapists discuss how death surfaces quietly in clients’ choices, from relationships to decisions about having children. They share personal death anxieties and different beliefs about what comes after. The conversation covers clinical approaches to MAID, suicidality, and how to ask what keeps someone tethered to life. Practical cues and therapist self-work for holding death-related conversations are highlighted.

They wrestle with a high-profile critique of polyvagal theory and what it means for therapy language. They debate metaphor versus mechanism when translating neuroscience to clients. They question clinicians who overclaim biological fixes and warn about commercialization of brain science. They emphasize lived experience, useful neuroscience findings, and holding theories loosely while adapting practice.

They debate whether shame ever has a constructive role rather than always being banished. They contrast shame and guilt, and explore how shame affects survivors and marginalized youth. They probe shame as social regulation, accountability for powerful people, cancel culture limits, and how therapists hold intense shame without crushing clients.

They unpack why promising fixed outcomes or eternal availability in therapy is risky. They explore how over-assurance can hinder clients from building coping skills and facing disappointment. They discuss naming limits, revising past promises, and holding gradual hope without miraculous guarantees.

Therapists talk about clients bringing photos, videos, texts, and artwork into sessions and why that trend is growing. They explore how multimedia can reveal hidden sides of people and shift the tone of therapy. Practical boundaries, consent, and when to gently decline viewing certain recordings are discussed. They also cover managing overwhelming information and preparing scripts for tough situations.

They challenge the idea that therapist neutrality is neutral, arguing it can silence and harm clients. They explore how acknowledging real-world threats and naming systems like racism matters in sessions. They discuss balancing human response with client autonomy and when clinicians need to take a stance for safety. They emphasize social justice as an ethical foundation for therapeutic work.

They tour Canada and share why acceptance and forgiveness are central yet complex in therapy. They unpack radical acceptance versus surface letting-go and how acknowledgement beats neutral platitudes. They explore naming abuse, boundaries around refusing to forgive, and when forgiveness is or is not appropriate. They also discuss self-forgiveness, accountability, and how acceptance can feel harder before it heals.

The conversation dives into the complexities of modern parenting choices and their long-term effects. The hosts dissect the cultural persistence of spanking despite research against it, and how misinterpretations of child behavior can lead to harmful parenting practices. They reflect on the helplessness therapists feel when witnessing issues like excessive screen time and outdated sleep methods. Differentiating between permissive and authoritative styles, they advocate for clear boundaries and embrace the value of setting limits for children's development.