

The Couples Therapist Couch
Shane Birkel
This podcast is about the practice of Couples Therapy. Many of the episodes are interviews with leaders in the field of Relationships. The show is meant to help Therapists and Coaches learn how to help people to deepen their connection, but in the process it explores what is most needed for each of us to love, heal, and grow. Each week Shane Birkel interviews an expert in the field of Couples Therapy to explore all about the world of relationships and how to be an amazing therapist.
Episodes
Mentioned books

7 snips
Feb 3, 2026 • 49min
275: Internal Family Systems (IFS) & Couples with Liz Phillips
Liz Phillips, a therapist trained in Sensorimotor, EFT, and Internal Family Systems who teaches IFIO, discusses the multiplicity model of parts and how to befriend protectors. She explains the U-turn approach for couples, naming parts to reduce shame, unblending to access Self, and practical session frameworks and trainings for clinicians.

Jan 27, 2026 • 49min
274: 7 Steps to Move Beyond Your Painful Past with Katherine Woodward Thomas
This episode is brought to you by Alma. Visit https://helloalma.com/dg/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=privatepractice to learn more Get the Couples Therapy 101 course: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/ Join the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new Join The Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295562197518469/ In this episode, Shane talks with Katherine Woodward Thomas about What's True About You: 7 Steps to Move Beyond Your Painful Past and Manifest Your Brightest Future. Katherine is a licensed therapist, recognized pioneer in transformational psychology, and The New York Times bestselling author of Calling in "The One" and Conscious Uncoupling. Hear how consciousness plays into couples therapy, what to do when your clients feel stuck, how to prevent them from losing out on love, what you can learn from imagining yourself as a child, and where healing happens. To learn more about Katherine Woodward Thomas, Conscious Uncoupling, and What's True About You: 7 Steps to Move Beyond Your Painful Past and Manifest Your Brightest Future, visit: KatherineWoodwardThomas.com ConsciousUncoupling.com PenguinRandomHouse.com You can also listen to Katherine Woodward Thomas on Episode 269 of The Couples Therapist Couch

Dec 23, 2025 • 54min
273: Working with Infidelity in Couples Therapy with Shane Birkel
Explore the complex world of infidelity in couples therapy. Discover the betrayal spectrum and the emotional reactions, like shame and anger, that partners often experience. Learn about the importance of assessing commitment and the role of remorse in healing. Shane emphasizes the necessity of clear communication and practical safety agreements post-affair, along with the key distinction between healthy guilt and toxic shame. Dive into the deeper work of individual therapy to address root causes and ultimately rebuild trust.

Dec 16, 2025 • 53min
272: Common Sexual Issues in Couples Therapy with Adrien Monti
This episode is brought to you by Alma. Visit https://helloalma.com/dg/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=privatepractice to learn more Get the Couples Therapy 101 course: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/ Join the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new Join The Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295562197518469/ In this episode, Shane talks with Adrien Monti about common sexual issues in couples therapy. Rebecca is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Couples Therapist, and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist. Hear how to become a sex therapist, how to get comfortable talking about sex with your clients, the most common issues when it comes to sex & couples therapy, when to refer your clients to a sex therapist, and whether you should schedule sex. To learn more about Adrien Monti, visit: InnerFlameCounseling.com

Dec 9, 2025 • 53min
271: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with Dr. Rebecca Jorgensen
This episode is brought to you by Alma. Visit https://helloalma.com/dg/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=privatepractice to learn more Get the Couples Therapy 101 course: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/ Join the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new Join The Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295562197518469/ In this episode, Shane talks with Dr. Rebecca Jorgensen about Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Rebecca is a Supervisor & Trainer for EFT, and one of the leaders for teaching the EFT model. Hear why you should consider the EFT model, how to stay grounded as a couples therapist, how to stop your clients from arguing, why self-compassion can be the key to helping your clients, and where to get good EFT support. To learn more about Dr. Rebecca Jorgensen and her trainings, visit: DrRebeccaJorgensen.com Facebook & Instagram @EFTDoc Emotionally Focused Therapy Group Facebook Group

Dec 1, 2025 • 46min
270: Attachment Patterns & Secure Relationships with Jessica Baum
This episode is brought to you by Alma. Visit https://helloalma.com/dg/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=privatepractice to learn more Get the Couples Therapy 101 course: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/ Join the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new Join The Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295562197518469/ In this episode, Shane talks with Jessica Baum about attachment patterns & secure relationships. Jessica is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and the Author of the new book, Safe: An Attachment-Informed Guide to Building More Secure Relationships. Hear the 4 attachment styles, what causes different types of attachment, how to help your clients develop compassion from themselves, how to use attachment insights with your clients, and why we rely on protectors. To learn more about Jessica Baum and her book, Safe, visit: JessicaBaumLMHC.com JessicaBaumLMHC.com/Safe JessicaBaumLMHC.com/Interview Instagram @JessicaBaumLMHC

Nov 24, 2025 • 49min
269: Conscious Uncoupling with Katherine Woodward Thomas
This episode is brought to you by Alma. Visit https://helloalma.com/dg/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=privatepractice to learn more Get the Couples Therapy 101 course: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/ Join the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new Join The Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295562197518469/ In this episode, Shane talks with Katherine Woodward Thomas about Conscious Uncoupling. Katherine is a licensed therapist, recognized pioneer in transformational psychology, and The New York Times bestselling author of Calling in "The One" and Conscious Uncoupling. How to help your clients navigate the shame of failing in a relationship, why finding a great partner comes from within you, how to gently direct questions towards your clients, whether couples therapy works better with one or both partners in the room, and how to shift the language you use when working with clients. To learn more about Katherine Woodward Thomas and Conscious Uncoupling, visit: KatherineWoodwardThomas.com ConsciousUncoupling.com

Nov 17, 2025 • 45min
268: Change Your Questions, Change Your Future with Elliott Connie
This episode is brought to you by Alma. Visit https://helloalma.com/dg/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=privatepractice to learn more Get the Couples Therapy 101 course: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/ Join the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new Join The Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295562197518469/ In this episode, Shane talks with Elliott Connie about Change Your Questions, Change Your Future. Elliott is a Psychotherapist, Author, Podcaster, and Trailblazer in Solution-Focused Therapy. Hear how to take care of yourself as a couples therapist, why Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is helpful, how to help your clients find inspiration, how to remind your clients who they are & what they want, and how to practice as a couples therapist. To learn more about Elliott Connie, The Solution Focused Universe, his podcasts, and Change Your Questions, Change Your Future, visit: ElliottConnie.com TheSFU.com ElliottConnie.com/Books Instagram & Facebook @ElliottSpeaks YouTube @ElliottConnieSpeaks You can also listen to Elliott on Episode 96 & Episode 154 of The Couples Therapist Couch

Nov 13, 2025 • 40min
267: So Much More than Listening with Shane Birkel
Explore the art of listening and its crucial role in building connections. Shane Birkel dives into how genuine listening extends beyond mere words, emphasizing its importance in intimacy. Discover common pitfalls like defensiveness that create barriers in communication. Learn effective techniques like mirroring and asking curious questions to foster understanding. The discussion also highlights the need for deep listening during affair recovery and the power of taking timeouts to self-regulate during arguments.

Nov 3, 2025 • 53min
266: Enneagram & Relationships with Christa Hardin
In this engaging discussion, Christa Hardin, a therapist and author specializing in relationship dynamics, shares insights on the Enneagram's nine personality types. She explains how understanding these types can enhance therapeutic practices and improve relationship compatibility. Learn about the strengths and challenges of each type, from the perfectionist’s justice orientation to the peacemaker’s diplomatic tendencies. Christa also offers advice on helping children discover their types and emphasizes the importance of self-awareness for therapists in their practice.


