Therapy Chat

Welcome to episode 73 of the Therapy Chat Podcast with host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C. This week’s guest features Xanthia Johnson. She is the founder of Urban Playogoly in Washington, DC. Urban Playology provides psychotherapy services to children, adolescents, individuals, couples and families.During defining transitions, she provides a safe place for you to be who you are. Whether you are 2 years old or 85 years young, you will enjoy a transformative experience. Her clinical areas of specialization and interest include but are not limited to: Women & Women of Color Issues, Urban Play Therapy, Expressive Arts, Sandtray Therapy, Grief & Loss, LGBTIQ Folk, TF-CBT, Broad Spectrum Couples & Family WorkAt Urban Playology, they utilize an Integrative therapy model with emphasis on advocacy and social justice for all clients. This approach helps them provide optimal support and sustainable nurturing for all clients. They offer professional training, clinical supervision, and clinical consultation on advocacy projects of interest.In this episode, you will her discuss her work at Urban Playology, the need for creating a safe space, the importance of the safe space for both the therapist and client and creating the conditions for people to know what they want from the therapy sessions. Resourceshttp://www.urbanplayology.comhttps://twitter.com/UrbanPlayologyVisit Therapy Chat website at Http://therapychatpodcast.com and send host Laura Reagan a voice message letting her know what you think of Therapy Chat! Did you like this episode? Did you dislike it? Let her know!Thank you for listening to Therapy Chat! Please be sure to go to iTunes and leave a rating and review, subscribe and download episodes.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Welcome to episode 72 of the Therapy Chat Podcast with host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C. This week’s guest features Amy Weintraub. Amy has been a pioneer in the field of yoga and mental health for over twenty years. She offers the LifeForce Yoga Practitioner Training for Mood Management to health and yoga professionals and offers workshops for everyday practitioners.Amy leads workshops and professional trainings at academic and psychology conferences internationally at such venues as the Boston University Graduate School of Psychology, the University of Arizona Medical School, the Psychotherapy Networker Symposium, the Integrative Mental Health Conference, the Cape Cod Institute, Kripalu Center, Omega Institute, Sivananda Ashram, Yogaville, Esalen, Patanjali University in Haridwar, India and Yoga studios throughout the United States. Amy is also a regular contributor on the Goddesses in America blog.In the episode, Amy talks about her background, the primary practices of Yoga for depression & anxiety and gives an example of the use of “Stair, Step, Breath”. Amy has also won numerous literary prizes for her short fiction, including national prizes from Writer’s Digest Magazine, explorations and Wind. Her novel-in-progress, and her film documentaries have received awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, San Francisco State University, and many other national competitions.Resourceshttp://yogafordepression.com http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13707823-yoga-skills-for-therapistshttp://www.goddessesinamerica.comVisit Therapy Chat website at Http://therapychatpodcast.com and send host Laura Reagan a voice message letting her know what you think of Therapy Chat! Did you like this episode? Did you dislike it? Let her know!Thank you for listening to Therapy Chat! Please be sure to go to iTunes and leave a rating and review, subscribe and download episodes.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Welcome to episode 71 of the Therapy Chat Podcast with host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C. This week’s guest features Robert Cox, NCC. Robert is a therapist in Missouri near Kansas City who specializes in trauma, addictions, and autism. Trauma and addictions almost always go hand in hand. He specializes in walking with his patients through those rough patches. He uses therapy and mindfulness to work towards overcoming the past, repairing damaged relationships and moving into the future with a new ability to set boundaries and hold healthy relationships. As Robert says in his own words: “It has occurred to me that some of my future clients might wonder who they are hiring to help them through some very rough patches and trusting to walk with them on some vulnerable journeys. I understand that because I have been many of the places my clients have been and will go. I have my own history of addiction. In 1988 I used for the last time and I have been clean since. I know what it is to struggle with trauma, anxiety and craving. I know what it is to feel so raw all the time that all you want is for things to stop hurting and to be willing to do anything to escape that. I know what it is to feel you have disappointed and hurt everyone around you but not know how to stop. Those experiences have deepened my ability to help my clients know that I feel what they feel…. that I have known what they know.”In the episode, Robert talks about his background, how trauma & autism are related and how he became involved with mindfulness. Robert also has two podcasts of his own “Listening to Autism” and “Mindful Recovery” which you can check out from the links below.Resourceshttp://liferecoveryconsulting.comhttp://listeningtoautism.libsyn.comhttp://liferecoveryconsulting.com/podcast-2Visit Therapy Chat website at Http://therapychatpodcast.com and send host Laura Reagan a voice message letting her know what you think of Therapy Chat! Did you like this episode? Did you dislike it? Let her know!Thank you for listening to Therapy Chat! Please be sure to go to iTunes and leave a rating and review, subscribe and download episodes.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Welcome to episode 70 of the Therapy Chat Podcast with host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C. This week’s guest features Hilary Jacobs Hendel, LCSW. Hilary was gracious enough to speak to me again after a fault with technology disrupted our previous interview. I originally touched base with Hilary because she consulted on the show Mad Men (which I’m a huge fan of) and in episode 53 & 54 you can hear me dissect the character of Don Draper and relate it to childhood trauma, secrecy, and shame.Hilary grew up in New York City in a culture of "mind over matter." Raised by a psychiatrist and a guidance counselor, family time included analyzing her thoughts and dreams. Feelings were rarely mentioned (except perhaps to discuss how to get rid of them!) She thought she had total control over my emotions. Now she wants to share what she (and many psychotherapists and researchers) know about the new science of emotions. She wants others to learn what she had the good fortune to learn: that core emotions provide a path to physical and psychological well-being.In the episode, Hilary talks about core emotions, the change triangle, the disconnect between thoughts and body experience. She also goes further in depth on her analysis of the character Don Draper from Mad Men, analyzing which core feelings Don would able to identify after treatment.Resourceshttp://www.hilaryjacobshendel.comhttps://www.facebook.com/AuthorHilaryJacobsHendelToday's sponsor, Lesley University: http://www.lesley.edu/mental-health Visit Therapy Chat website at Http://therapychatpodcast.com and send host Laura Reagan a voice message letting her know what you think of Therapy Chat! Did you like this episode? Did you dislike it? Let her know!Thank you for listening to Therapy Chat! Please be sure to go to iTunes and leave a rating and review, subscribe and download episodes.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Welcome to episode 69 of the Therapy Chat Podcast with host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C. This week’s guest features the director of the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA), Lisae Jordan.MCASA supports legislation that promotes justice for survivors of sexual assault, accountability for offenders, and protection for the general public.MCASA supports legislation that promotes justice for survivors of sexual assault, accountability for offenders, and protection for the general public. MCASA responds to policy questions and legislative initiatives throughout the year and is represented in Annapolis during the legislative session. MCASA tracked over 35 bills during the 2016 legislative session to assure that the needs of survivors are addressed.In the episode, Lisae talks about the work she does and her commitment to support rape crisis centers, schools, forensic nurse examiners, law enforcement, and survivors. She also talks about the ways in which MCASA has been able to change laws in Maryland to benefit survivors, such as the Rape Survivor Family Protection Act which will be introduced in the Maryland legislature in January, 2017.Resourceshttp://www.mcasa.orghttp://www.mcasa.org/social-media-enewsletterVisit Therapy Chat website at Http://therapychatpodcast.com and send host Laura Reagan a voice message letting her know what you think of Therapy Chat! Did you like this episode? Did you dislike it? Let her know!Thank you for listening to Therapy Chat! Please be sure to go to iTunes and leave a rating and review, subscribe and download episodes.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Welcome to episode 68 of the Therapy Chat Podcast with host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C. This is the third episode in the integrative mental health series featuring Lisa Mitchell. She became a therapist 20 years ago — and for the first 10 years of her private practice, taught thousands of therapists how to integrate art into their work safely and effectively. As she walked along her teaching path, she made a surprising discovery. Most of the therapists she met already identified as “creative types” — but most were nervous about incorporating “creativity” into their work, with clients. In the episode, Lisa talks about the work she does, working in her private practice in Sacramento, California. Her two niche categories of people she works with are teens and professional women, she helps them to work more with art to understand themselves better and to find experiences that help them resolve the issues going on in their lives. She also touches upon of the five stages of the creative process and how the therapist and client can embrace the vulnerable space of being curious, open and collaborative, helping to navigate the creative process together. Resourceshttp://www.innercanvas.com Creativity as Co-Therapist: The Practitioner's Guide to the Art of Psychotherapy (Book) Visit Therapy Chat website at Http://therapychatpodcast.com and send host Laura Reagan a voice message letting her know what you think of Therapy Chat! Did you like this episode? Did you dislike it? Let her know!Thank you for listening to Therapy Chat! Please be sure to go to iTunes and leave a rating and review, subscribe and download episodes.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In Episode 67 Therapy Chat host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews therapist and group specialist Katie K. May, a licensed professional counselor in the Philadelphia area who also calls herself the “Group Guru” because she loves running groups and teaching therapists how to effectively plan and market their groups. Katie talks about how therapeutic groups are different from individual therapy and why she loves offering groups in her practice. If you’re a therapist, this episode will likely inspire you to offer more groups, and if you are someone who is interested in continuing your therapeutic journey by participating in groups, hopefully you will have found inspiration. As always, please visit iTunes to leave a rating and review and subscribe to Therapy Chat so you will receive the latest episodes as soon as they’re released! Find Katie May’s info on growing groups for therapists here: http://katiekmay.com Sign up for information about Laura Reagan’s Daring Way™ groups beginning in March, 2017 here: http://www.laurareaganlcswc.com/groupsandintensives/ Learn more about Laura Reagan’s Trauma Therapist Community: http://laurareaganlcswc.com/join/ Therapy Chat website: http://therapychatpodcast.com Visit iTunes to leave a rating and review of Therapy Chat: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/therapy-chat-psychotherapy/id1031099411?mt=2   Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! Today's episode, the second in the Integrative Mental Health Series, includes a fascinating interview with author Dr. Leslie Korn, who is a Harvard-trained body-oriented psychotherapist who has worked for four decades to help people understand the connection between physical and emotional health. Leslie spoke with host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C all the way from Mexico, where she lives and works.Leslie talks about how she got started doing body-oriented psychotherapy, what she learned in the jungle, and how nutrition can help our mental health. She discusses the connection between trauma and physical and mental health; self care; and her book "Nutrition Essentials for Mental Health". She talks about the "right diet" for everyone, explaining that fat is actually our friend! She explains that she prefers to take the ideology out of nutrition, stating that clinicians can use the science and the art of nutrition to help clients. Leslie discusses the idea of the gut as the second brain.Leslie answers the question Laura has been wondering about for years. What is the connection between childhood trauma and ACES and long term physical health problems? She clearly explains this for clinicians to understand and explain to clients. And any survivor of childhood trauma who is listening will surely feel empowered to understand this connection from listening to Leslie's very clear explanation.Finally, Leslie discusses pharmaceuticals "du jour" and diagnoses "du jour" and how the food-mood connection can be in direct conflict with traditional Western ideas about medicine and health. And she explains how the gall bladder plays a role in mental health, and how social justice fits in. In her work with indigenous groups and in the US she has observed the effects of the loss of traditional diets and culture on physical and mental health. And she points out that blood sugar can play a very significant role in mental health, and explains how clinicians can help clients look at this differently.Dr. Leslie Korn teaches therapists nationally in the US through PESI on multicultural as well as offering supervision and working with clients in Mexico. Her most recent book is Nutrition Essentials for Mental Health, published by Norton; and Rhythms of Recovery: Trauma, Nature and the Body. Her new book will be published in early 2017. Here's where you can find more of what Dr. Leslie Korn is doing:www.drlesliekorn.comThank you for listening to Therapy Chat! Please visit iTunes to subscribe and leave a rating and review!  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Welcome back! In this brief episode host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C extends an end of year greeting to listeners of Therapy Chat. She pauses to reflect on the increase in audience of Therapy Chat from the beginning of 2016 to the end, talks about what is coming up in the next few months, and makes a confession about the difficulty she finds in practicing self care. Happy New Year!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Looking for some new podcasts to listen to?I'm on a bit of a holiday hiatus from new episodes of Therapy Chat podcast. In the meantime, I wanted to tell you about some other podcasts I love. Here are 6 podcasts I'm listening to and recommending frequently! I hope you will check them out and please comment with your favorite podcast!1. Women In-Depth with Dr. Lourdes Viado, MFT - I love this podcast because my friend and colleague Lourdes Viado conducts interesting and (as the name implies) in-depth interviews on topics that people don't usually talk about. Lourdes is a depth psychologist who was mentored by Jungian analyst and author Dr. James Hollis. She is so knowledgeable about her work and I love listening to her soothing voice. The podcast is fantastic and I recommend it without reservation! Some of the episodes I frequently recommend to my clients include: Episode 10: Spiritual Abuse: What It Is & Why It Matters with Tamara Powell, LMHC Episode 23: Understanding Spiritual Abuse (Part 2) with Tamara Powell, LMHC Episode 14: Women and the Midlife Crisis with Diann Wingert, LCSW Episode 21: Healing the Mother Wound with Bethany WebsterWomen In-Depth covers subjects that people may consider off-limits or taboo, such as infidelity, sexual abuse, staying in an unhappy marriage, and much more. I hope you'll check it out! Let me know what you think! I must add, Lourdes has been a guest on Therapy Chat too. I frequently tell people about her episode, which was about "The Shadow." To listen to that episode click here! I've also been a guest on her podcast.2. Mom & Mind with Dr. Kat Ritchie - Dr. Kat is a clinical psychologist who specializes in maternal mental health. She is knowledgeable, skilled and experienced at helping people who are struggling with infertility, emotional health related to pregnancy - including pregnancy loss, and post-partum stress like depression, anxiety, OCD and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Her podcast is a fabulous resource offering information to pregnant and parenting moms, fathers and people who are trying to conceive as well as healthcare providers and psychotherapists. I have learned so much from Dr. Kat and her podcast and I recommend it frequently! Start out with these episodes:  Episode 1: My Postpartum Story: Anxiety and Depression Episode 3: Resources for PPD Healing and Learning Episode 7: The Good MotherMom and Mind is a great resource. Stay tuned to my podcast to hear an upcoming interview with Dr. Kat. I can't wait to share her with my audience!  3. Galactic Vibrations with Keri Nola and Lloyd Burnett - if you've listened to my podcast you've heard Keri Nola there. She's been on twice, talking about intuition and the Shadow. I am a huge fan of both Keri and Lloyd, who are amazing energy healers and coaches. Their podcast is brand new (it came out less than a month ago) and it is a huge hit already. If you are into the "woo woo" stuff like I am, you'll enjoy hearing their energetic forecasts, oracle card readings, and so much more. Get started by listening to these three episodes: Episode 1: Understanding & Healing the Energy of Denial Episode 2: Using the Energy of Fear to Unlock the Mystery of Ascension Episode 3: The Shadow of Force, the Truth of New Years Resolutions, and People PleasingI've done coaching for business and personal growth with both Keri and Lloyd. They're great at what they do! And as I mentioned, Keri has been on my podcast. She talked about using intuition in therapy in Episode 11, back when my podcast was called The Baltimore Annapolis Psychotherapy Podcast. And she contributed to my series of episodes on the Shadow (after Lourdes's episode, mentioned above) in Episode 42.4. Launching Your Daughter with Nicole Burgess, LMFT - My friend and colleague Nicole Burgess, LMFT, practices in Indianapolis, Indiana with a focus on teen girls and women. Nicole is super passionate about her work and it comes through when you listen to her podcast.She has been kind enough to have me on her podcast twice! Once I talked about The Daring Way™ and the second time was about helping your daughter (or son) if they experience sexual violence. Nicole's podcast covers a wide variety of topics related to the issues of parenting girls.Here's a sampling of some of her episodes that I've enjoyed: Episode 34: How Art Therapy Can Be Effective With Teens Episode 33: How to Create Healthy Boundaries In Your Family Episode 31: Ways Parents & Teens Can Receive Support Around Suicide PreventionI hope you'll enjoy listening to Launching Your Daughter as much as I do.These last two podcasts are super amazing ones for therapists who are building private practices. Both of the podcasters are my buddies - they've both helped me in tons of different ways and if you're a therapist you probably already know of them. If not - prepare to have your mind blown!5. Selling The Couch with Dr. Melvin Varghese - Melvin is an awesome psychologist in Philadelphia who wanted to start his own private practice so like any good student, he set out to learn from people who have already done it. Melvin has interviewed dozens upon dozens of therapists and other experts in practice-building to learn how they have managed to build successful private practices and other types of businesses. Melvin has interviewed experts on marketing, multiple income streams, running groups, building websites, creating Psychology Today profiles, writing books, mindset shifts, and so much more. He's had over 100 episodes so far and his podcast is listed in the top 100 business podcasts on iTunes, which is a pretty significant accomplishment! I'm super excited for Melvin as he's now building his private practice, following all that great advice he's received, and I know he will help many people! Here are a few of his most recent episodes. There are so many - if you're a therapist trying to build your private practice I recommend you listen to every episode - but here are a few to get you started: Episode 93: How Comparison Can Steal Your Joy Episode 92: My Morning Routine & Productivity Episode 85: Saying No As a Private Practice OwnerMelvin was on my podcast talking about how therapists can use podcasting to grow their practices. He knows his stuff. He taught me pretty much everything I know about podcasting. Podcasting has enriched my life in so many ways and it's mainly Melvin who I have to thank for it. Here's Episode 49 of Therapy Chat with Melvin Varghese.6. Blissful Practice Podcast with Dr. Agnes Wainman - this is another brand new podcast. Disclaimer - I was the first guest on this podcast. But I don't love it only because I've been on it. Agnes is a psychologist in Ontario, Canada who has learned the hard way how to create a private practice that feels blissful. She spent time at the other end of that spectrum, feeling burned out, and she wants to help therapists who are building private practices find their own bliss. On her podcast, Agnes talks to therapists about their journeys to private practice. I love her perspective and I think you'll love her podcast. Check it out here:Episode 3: Why I Became A TherapistEpisode 2: Networking Guru Allison Salmon PuryearEpisode 1: Therapists Can Change the World: A Discussion with Laura Reagan, LCSW-CAgnes was one of my early guests on Therapy Chat (back when it wasn't called that). Check out our interview here!So now you have my list of 6 podcasts I'm loving right now. When you have downtime this holiday season, check them out! I am sure you'll find at least one that you really love. Of course, you're always welcome to listen to Therapy Chat, there are 64 episodes counting the podcast version of this blog post, and I would love for you to listen, subscribe and leave a rating and review! If you want to read more of what I write, follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. You can also visit iTunes to subscribe to Therapy Chat. There you'll hear me talking about what I talk about and interviewing other people about what I'm interested to discuss. Or you can listen to Therapy Chat on my website, or on iHeartRadio, Stitcher or Google Play.If you're in Maryland, and you want therapy to explore the vulnerable parts of yourself that are in need of healing, check out my website. Therapists can learn about my Trauma Therapist Community by clicking here.You can also call me at 443-510-1048 or e-mail me at laura@laurareaganlcswc.com. I look forward to connecting! In the meantime, take care and I hope you enjoy the holidays! Warmly,Laura Reagan, LCSW-CAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands