The Couples Therapist Couch

Latest Episodes:

303: Are You Practicing the Way You Actually Want to Practice? With Shane Birkel Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

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

Sign up for Shane's 6-week live training program, Couples Therapy Intensives: The Blueprint, before it starts on October 27, 2026 here: https://cit.shanebirkel.com/blueprint

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 solo episode, Shane poses the question: Are you practicing the way you actually want to practice? Hear how to think outside the box when it comes to your couples therapy practice, why we should question the traditional couples therapy model, what your clients will think if you start offering intensives, the difference between competency & certainty when it comes to couples therapy, and how to get over what's holding you back as a couples therapist.

302: Guilt & Relationships with Dr. Jennifer Reid Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

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

Sign up for Shane's free live training "Beyond the 50-Minute Session: How to Start Offering Couples Therapy Intensives" on October 2, 2026 at Noon ET here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WPzz0aBYTlObz31MdlDpKg

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. Jennifer Reid about guilt & relationships. Jennifer is a board-certified psychiatrist, award-winning educator, creator and host of A Mind of Her Own podcast and Substack, and the author of Guilt Free: Reclaiming Your Life from Unreasonable Expectations. Hear how women & men tend to experience guilt differently, what to do when there's seemingly no way to satisfy your guilt, how guilt often shows up in relationships, how to avoid losing your voice in your relationship, and how boundaries relate to guilt.

To learn more about Dr. Jennifer Reid and Guilt Free: Reclaiming Your Life from Unreasonable Expectations, visit:

JenniferReidMD.com

301: Longer Therapy Sessions with Shane Birkel Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

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 solo episode, Shane talks longer therapy sessions. Hear why couples therapists need to be working in longer sessions when meeting with couples, what to do if you run out of time in a couples therapy session, why you should focus on the betrayer first in an affair, why couples therapy is a very difficult art form, and how long couples therapy intensives should be.

300: Brave Love, Great Sex with Dr. Laurie Watson & George Faller Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

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. Laurie Watson & George Faller about Brave Love, Great Sex. Laurie is an internationally recognized sex therapist, couples counselor, and educator with over 35 years of experience helping people heal their most intimate relationships. George is a husband, father, therapist, educator, speaker, author, and global leader in helping people reconnect and strengthen their relationships. Their latest book is Brave Love, Great Sex: Harnessing Attachment Theory for Passionate Relationships. Hear the sexual side of attachment theory, the 3 systems in a romantic relationship, how to work with clients where only 1 partner wants to have sex, the role of compassion when it comes to sex, and the safety couples therapists provide to clients when talking about sex.

To learn more about Dr. Laurie Watson & George Faller, visit:

LaurieWatson.com

GeorgeFaller.com

Brave Love, Great Sex Book & Podcast

You can also listen to George Faller on Episode 47 of The Couples Therapist Couch

299: Understanding Shame with Dr. Frank Spinelli Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

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. Frank Spinelli about understanding shame. Frank is a Physician, Health Coach, Author, and passionate advocate whose groundbreaking work bridges healthcare, storytelling, and social justice. His latest book is The Shame Compass: A Radical Framework for Trauma Healing and Self-Acceptance. Hear why shame is like a beach ball, why there's nothing positive about toxic shame, why guilt can be healthy for couples, what happens with adults who were shamed as a kid, and the top reasons women & men feel shame.

To learn more about Dr. Frank Spinelli, visit:

FrankSpinelli.com

The Shame Compass: A Radical Framework for Trauma Healing and Self-Acceptance

298: Part 2: The Tao of Love, Sex, and Deep Intimacy with Arjuna Ardagh Sep 02, 2026

Show notes

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 Part 2 of 2, Shane talks with Arjuna Ardagh about The Tao of Love, Sex, and Deep Intimacy. Arjuna supports couples in the practice of conscious relationships and Taoist sexual practices. Hear how to help couples deepen their sense of truth in the world, what to do when partners have different levels of sexual desire, the most common ways couples start relationships, how to help partners share what they truly want with each other, and how couples can practice these concepts at home.

To learn more about Arjuna Ardagh and The Tao of Love, Sex, and Deep Intimacy, visit:

TaoOfDeepIntimacy.com

Instagram @TheTaoOfDeepIntimacy

297: Part 1: The Tao of Love, Sex, and Deep Intimacy with Arjuna Ardagh Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

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 Part 1 of 2, Shane talks with Arjuna Ardagh about The Tao of Love, Sex, and Deep Intimacy. Arjuna supports couples in the practice of conscious relationships and Taoist sexual practices. Hear how he became so in love with love, his unique approach with couples, the history of relationships, helpful exercises related to Taoism, and the difference between healthy connection & codependence.

To learn more about Arjuna Ardagh and The Tao of Love, Sex, and Deep Intimacy, visit:

TaoOfDeepIntimacy.com

Instagram @TheTaoOfDeepIntimacy

296: How to Apologize with Harriet Lerner Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

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 Harriet Lerner about how to apologize. Harriet is one of the most respected voices in the psychology of women, and the "how-tos" of navigating the swamps and quicksands of difficult relationships. She is the author of 12 books published in 35 languages. Hear why apologies are so important, the ways people ruin their apologies, what a good apology requires of us, the differences in how men & women apologize, and how to navigate a client who refuses to apologize.

To learn more about Harriet Lerner, visit:

HarrietLerner.com

Why Won't You Apologize? Book

Why Won't He Apologize? | Harriet Lerner | TEDxKC

You can also listen to Harriet Lerner on Episode 27 of The Couples Therapist Couch

295: Why You Keep Reacting That Way and How to Stop with Shane Birkel Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

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 solo episode, Shane talks why you keep reacting that way and how to stop. Hear the difference between your authentic self & your unconscious programming, how our brain creates shortcuts & patterns to protect us, how to find the real Truth of your clients, how to help your clients understand where their feelings & actions are coming from, and how to help your clients come home to themselves.

294: Attachment Styles with Annie Chen Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

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 Annie Chen about attachment styles. Annie is an author, therapist, consultant, and coach who holds 2 master's degrees in counseling and psychology. With over 17 years dedicated to studying the mind, nervous systems, and relationships, she has developed a unique approach to relationships and working with people. Hear why attachment theory is so important, how we develop our attachment styles, how to approach attachment styles with your clients, the danger of talking in absolutes, and how much to dive into family of origin work.

To learn more about Annie Chen, visit:

AnnieChen.net

AttachmentQuiz.com

The Attachment Theory Workbook

I Want to Connect

Instagram @AnnieChenLMFT

You can also listen to Annie Chen on Episode 90 of The Couples Therapist Couch