The Couples Therapist Couch

Latest Episodes:

023: Ernesto Segismundo on Creativity, Video, and Social Media Jan 04, 2018

Show notes

As therapists, we have so much to offer people, but we are often afraid. Whether it is a case of imposter syndrome or just getting stuck in the day to day, it can be easy to stay in our comfort zone.

In this bonus business episode with Ernesto Segismundo, he talks about how to put ourselves in new situations in order to see things from a different perspective and get fresh ideas.

Ernesto is always challenging therapists to create content on social media, particularly using video. He helps therapists find their voices and share their messages with the world.

He has a facebook group for therapists who want to learn more about using video called FYLMIT.com--Video Marketing for Therapists.

The Couples Therapist Couch is the podcast for Couples Therapists about the practice of couples therapy. The host, Shane Birkel, interviews an expert in the field of couples therapy each week. There is an episode released every Tuesday and a bonus business episode released the first Thursday of each month.

Please rate and subscribe to the podcast for more great episodes!

Click here to join the Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group.

Resources

Visit Ernesto's website FYLMIT.com

Visit Ernesto's group practice site at cavfamilytherapy.com

Click here to join the FYLMIT.com Facebook Group

022: Gay Couples with Alapaki Yee and Salvatore Garanzini Jan 02, 2018

Show notes

In the field of Couples Therapy there has been very little research on gay couples. Fortunately, more and more is being done all of the time. It is important for Couples Therapists to be educated on this research and also understand how they can communicate in a way that is inclusive.

This episode was with Alapaki Yee and Salvatore Garanzini, the founders of the Gay Couples Institute with locations in San Francisco, San Diego, and New York. They created the institute because they disagreed with many of the things their gay and lesbian friends were being told in their own relationship therapy that were not based on any research.

They both have advanced training in the Gottman method and Salvatore is a Certified Gottman Therapist. They continue to do research and are at the forefront of what is working in couples therapy. Please, please, please read the article below about their work!!!

Please rate and subscribe to the podcast for more great episodes!

Click here to join the Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group.

Resources

Visit The Gay Couples Institute website at gaycouplesinstitute.org

Article:

Gottman Method Couples Therapy Established as Evidence-Based Treatment for Same-Sex Couples

021: True Love is not True: Relationships Take Work Dec 26, 2017

Show notes

This is the first solo episode on the Couples Therapist Couch. Shane Birkel talks about how love changes over time and normalizes how different it might feel at different phases of the relationship. In order to keep love alive with our partners, it takes a lot of work.

As the New Year approaches it is important for all of us to set relationship goals along with all of the other areas of our lives.

Thank you all for listening in 2017. There are already lots of great episodes scheduled for 2018. I appreciate all of you!

Please subscribe to the podcast for more great episodes!

Click here to join the Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group.

020: How to Ask About Sex in Couples Therapy with Martha Kauppi Dec 19, 2017

Show notes

Most Couples Therapists understand the importance of bringing sex into the conversation in couples therapy. Unfortunately, most feel unprepared to know what questions to ask, how to make clients feel comfortable, and what to do with the information once it is part of the conversation. In this episode, Sex Therapist, Martha Kauppi and I talk all about how to do that.

She has identified 6 questions that she says should be a part of the assessment process for every couple we see. She clearly breaks down important issues that we should be specifically asking about and what to do with that information.

Martha Kauppi has a lifelong career in sexual health, counseling, and creative education. She has been a midwife, an artist, and is currently a certified sex therapist. She is the founder of The Institute for Relational Intimacy which is committed to competence working with a full array of sex issues, including sexual health concerns, alternative sexualities, problematic sexual behavior, and LGBTQAI+ related concerns.

Please subscribe to the podcast for more great episodes!

Click here to join the Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group.

Resources

For more information visit Martha's website at instituteforrelationalintimacy.com

The next 16 week course starts on February 5. Go to the website for more information.

019: Hedy Schleifer on Encounter-centered Couples Therapy Dec 12, 2017

Show notes

Hedy Schleifer has developed an deep and rich model of working with couples based on her decades of experience as a couples therapist as well as using her own relationship as a "living laboratory."

Encounter-centered Couples Therapy is an experience for one couple to work with the therapist for two full days and connect with each other in a way they have never imagined.

This experience leads to transformational change for the couples and there is more and more research to show that the synaptic process of the brain can be changed through something called memory reconsolidation.

Please subscribe to the podcast for more great episodes!

Click here to join the Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group.

Resources

For more information visit Hedy's website at hedyyumi.com. She has tons of resources and educational materials on her website so definitely check it out!

Here are the events Hedy has coming up.

018: Amber Hawley on Building Your Business Community Dec 07, 2017

Show notes

This is the third Bonus Business episode in a series that is release the first Thursday of each month.

Being in Private Practice can be lonely and therapists tend to be introverts to begin with. In this episode Shane talks with Amber Hawley about how therapists can build their business community. Therapists need to do a better job of making their businesses a priority and having a business bestie (or besties) can help.

Amber Hawley is the co-host, along with Maelisa Hall, of the podcast, My Biz Bestie. She is also the owner of a group practice, licensed marriage and family therapist, business coach, ENFT, mom of three kids and avid coffee drinker.

My Biz Bestie is a podcast focused on sharing ways of connecting with other female entrepreneurs, making the most of networking, discussing helpful biz resources and having fun while being in business.

The Couples Therapist Couch is the podcast for Couples Therapists about the practice of couples therapy. The host, Shane Birkel, interviews an expert in the field of couples therapy each week. There is an episode released every Tuesday about the practice of couples therapy and a bonus episode the first Thursday of each month about the business of private practice.

Please subscribe to the podcast for more great episodes!

Click here to join the Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group

Resources

Visit Amber's personal website at www.amberhawley.com

Visit Amber's practice website at www.fremontcounselingservices.com

Check out the podcast website for MyBizBestie

Check out the site for online resources for couples, couplesfix

Maelisa Hall's site for paperwork support for mental health professionals QAprep

Books

Get Rich Lucky Bitch by Denise Duffield-Thomas

017: Using Gottman Interventions to Enhance Intimacy with Laura Heck Dec 05, 2017

Show notes

In order to guide couples to greater intimacy it can be helpful to have a framework that is backed up by decades of research. Laura Heck talks with Shane in this episode about the fact that as a therapist, there is no substitute for experience, but having exercises and interventions can be life changing for couples when used properly.

Laura Heck is an LMFT and Certified Gottman Therapist in private practice in Salt Lake City, UT. She is co-founder of forBetter, an action driven online coaching tool for couples that teaches the science of successful relationships through straight talking and exercises.

She co-hosts Marriage Therapy Radio where you can be a fly on the wall while two marriage therapists hash out some of the most common issues couples encounter. She is the co-developer and master trainer for the Gottman Seven Principles Program and consults as a relationship expert for corporations and media outlets.

Please subscribe to the podcast for more great episodes!

Click here to join the Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group

Resources

Visit Laura Heck's practice website at www.laurahecktherapy.com

Check out the online coaching tool for couples at www.forbetter.us

Check out Laura's podcast, Marriage Therapy Radio

HIPPA compliant video conferencing mentioned during the show: wecounsel.com

016: Joy Harden Bradford on Being Open to the Conversation of Privilege Nov 28, 2017

Show notes

Lately in our country it seems like race and privilege are at the forefront of the media. From police shootings, to Donald Trump, to kneeling during the national anthem, these issues have a huge impact on everyone, particularly people of color. This is not new, in fact it has been going on for hundreds of years.

In this episode, Dr. Joy Harden Bradford talks about being open to staying in the conversation. The worst thing we can do in these situations is to shut down the things that need to be discussed. We need to open up our awareness to the microagressions that happen on a daily basis all around us.

Dr. Joy is a Licensed Psychologist in Decatur, GA whose clinical specialty is helping women recover from breakups. She is the founder of Therapy for Black Girls which is a community of collegiate and professional black women who are committed to mental wellness and personal development.

Please subscribe to the podcast for more great episodes!

Click here to join the Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group

Resources

Visit Dr. Joy's website at therapyforblackgirls.com

Check out Dr. Joy's podcast called Therapy for Black Girls on iTunes.

Find Dr. Joy Harden Bradford and Therapy for Black Girls on twitter, facebook, and instagram.

015: Lori Gottlieb on Writing to Help Relationships Nov 21, 2017

Show notes

In therapy we participate in the conversation with people as they explore the potential for their lives. As a masterful therapist, Lori Gottlieb knows this work, but she is also an expert at something that is a bit different.

She receives letters from people who need help in their lives. She doesn't talk with them, ask questions, or get to know who they are. Using only the letter each person sends, she crafts a response that sheds light and provides amazingly in-depth insight for her column in the New York Magazine called What Your Therapist Really Thinks.

Lori is a psychotherapist and bestselling author of 4 books, most recently, Marry Him: The Case for Settling for Mr. Good Enough. In this episode she talks about the process and challenges of writing her column. She is also writing a new book called, Girl Walks Into A Therapy Room.

The Couples Therapist Couch is the podcast for Couples Therapists about the practice of couples therapy. The host, Shane Birkel, interviews an expert in the field of couples therapy each week. There is an episode released every Tuesday about the practice of couples therapy and a bonus episode the first Thursday of each month about the business of private practice.

Please subscribe to the podcast for more great episodes!

Resources

Visit Lori's website at lorigottlieb.com

Read articles from Lori's column, What Your Therapist Really Thinks

Lori's Books

Marry Him: The Case for Settling for Mr. Good Enough

I Love You, Nice to Meet You: A Guy and a Girl Give the Lowdown on Coupling Up

Stick Figure: A Diary of My Former Self

Inside the Cult of Kibu: And Other Tales of the Millennial Gold Rush

Click here to join the Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group

014: Addiction and Couples Therapy with Bob Navarra Nov 14, 2017

Show notes

Addiction and substance abuse are significant issues that affect a huge number of relationships. Unfortunately, many therapists feel incompetent to work with couples when this is a presenting issue. Dr. Bob Navarra sheds light on this matter by giving therapists a new way of thinking about couples and addiction.

Bob Navarra is a master Gottman Therapist and has over 35 years of experience working with couples. He has done extensive work with couples and addiction and now teaches a training to help educate therapists about how to work with this.

Couples Therapist Couch is the podcast for Couples Therapists about the practice of couples therapy. The host, Shane Birkel, interviews an expert in the field of couples therapy each week. There is an episode released every Tuesday about the practice of couples therapy and a bonus episode the first Thursday of each month about the business of private practice. Please subscribe to the podcast for more great episodes!

Resources

Visit Bob's website at robertnavarra.net

Visit the facebook page called Couples Recovery

Check out the trainings and resources available at the Gottman Institute

Assessments mentioned

Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)

CAGE questionnaire

Click here to join the Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group