The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy

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Latest Episodes:

Unmasking Shame, Myths, and Healing for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse: An Interview with Jeremy Sachs Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

Unmasking Shame, Myths, and Healing for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse: An Interview with Jeremy Sachs

Curt and Katie chat with Jeremy Sachs, integrated therapist and Narrative Exposure Therapist, about supporting male survivors of sexual abuse. We explore harmful myths and stereotypes, the developmental impacts of sexual trauma, and the systemic and cultural barriers that make healing harder. Jeremy shares therapeutic approaches for early disclosure, building safety, and integrating trauma-specific interventions like Narrative Exposure Therapy, as well as the role of transformative justice in recovery.

About Our Guest:
Jeremy Sachs is an integrated therapist and Narrative Exposure Therapist from London, UK, now based in Glasgow, Scotland. Since the 2010s, he has run services that support individuals living with trauma or marginalisation, helping them to connect and find community. In 2016, he focused on developing therapy services for men, boys, and trans people who have survived sexual abuse and rape. He runs recovery groups and a private practice both online and in-person.

Key Takeaways for Therapists:

Myths like “men always want sex” or “they must have enjoyed it” are harmful and based on misunderstandings.
Sexual abuse rarely occurs in isolation—context and systemic oppression matter.
Containment and safety should precede trauma-specific work.
Narrative Exposure Therapy can help integrate fragmented memories.
Transformative justice offers community-based alternatives to the criminal justice system.

Get the full show notes and transcript at: mtsgpodcast.com

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Creative Credits:

Voice Over by DW McCann
Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano

Relational Healing, Neuroplasticity, and the Power of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: An Interview with Dr. Alexa Altman and Shira Myrow Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

Relational Healing, Neuroplasticity, and the Power of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: An Interview with Dr. Alexa Altman, Ph.D. and Shira Myrow, LMFT

In this episode, Curt and Katie chat with Dr. Alexa Altman and Shira Myrow, LMFT, about psychedelic-assisted therapy and how it supports trauma healing, neuroplasticity, and relational transformation. They explore how these treatments work, what integration really means, and how therapists can ethically and safely engage with this emerging field.

About our guests:
Dr. Alexa Altman and Shira Myrow, MFT, are co-founders of iPsychedelic Therapy. With backgrounds in trauma-informed psychology, spiritual counseling, and relational healing, they offer a holistic approach to psychedelic-assisted therapy that centers ethical care, integration, and transformational growth.

Key takeaways:

Psychedelics are not shortcuts—they act as amplifiers and accelerants in trauma work.
Integration is a crucial part of psychedelic-assisted therapy and often overlooked.
Clinicians must examine their own biases and seek robust training.
Some clients are not appropriate for these treatments due to fragility or lack of therapeutic background.
A safe therapeutic container, rigorous consent, and preparation are essential.
Regulatory frameworks are still emerging and need clinician involvement.

More info, transcripts, and full show notes: mtsgpodcast.com

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Linktree

Creative Credits:

Voice Over by DW McCann
Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano

Advanced Minds, Unique Challenges: Therapeutic Approaches for Gifted Children Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

Advanced Minds, Unique Challenges: Therapeutic Approaches for Gifted Children

Gifted children often present with complex needs that are misunderstood or misdiagnosed. In this continuing education episode, Curt and Katie explore how asynchronous development, emotional intensity, and cognitive complexity show up in the therapy room—and what therapists need to build effective therapeutic alliances. They highlight key research, therapist characteristics that support clinical success, and how to work with masking, perfectionism, and challenging behaviors without pathologizing giftedness.

Key Takeaways:

Giftedness includes uneven cognitive, emotional, and social development
Misdiagnosis and masking are common
Therapist flexibility, intensity, and curiosity matter more than techniques
Gifted children often resist therapy when they feel misunderstood
Parents may need education and validation around giftedness

About Our Hosts:
Curt Widhalm, LMFT – www.curtwidhalm.com
Katie Vernoy, LMFT – www.katievernoy.com

CE Available for this Episode
To earn 1 CE unit, visit moderntherapistcommunity.com

More info and full show notes at mtsgpodcast.com
Join the community: linktr.ee/therapyreimagined

Creative Credits:
Voice Over by DW McCann – facebook.com/McCannDW
Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano – groomsymusic.com

Relational Self-Awareness and the Hard Truths of Couples Therapy: An Interview with Dr. Alexandra Solomon Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

Relational Self-Awareness and the Hard Truths of Couples Therapy: An Interview with Dr. Alexandra Solomon

Dr. Alexandra H. Solomon joins Curt and Katie to discuss what therapists get wrong in couples therapy, how to work with high-conflict dynamics, and the power of relational self-awareness. We explore how therapists can show up better prepared for the real work of helping relationships grow—or gracefully end.

About Our Guest:
Dr. Alexandra H. Solomon, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist, professor, author, and host of the Reimagining Love podcast. Known globally for her relational self-awareness framework, Dr. Solomon bridges clinical wisdom, research, and pop culture in her work with couples. She is the author of Loving Bravely, Taking Sexy Back, and Love Every Day.

Key Takeaways:

The relationship—not the individuals—is the client in couples therapy
Why individual therapist skills don’t always translate to couples work
How regulation and self-awareness reduce conflict and promote connection
What therapists should know about the "change partner vs. acceptance partner" dynamic
Why therapist bias and romantic myths can derail the work

More info, transcripts, and full show notes at mtsgpodcast.com

Join the Modern Therapist Community:
https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined

Creative Credits:

Voice Over by DW McCann: facebook.com/McCannDW
Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano: groomsymusic.com

What Do You Have to Offer? How Describing Your Ideal Client Might Be Repelling Good Enough Clients Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

What Do You Have to Offer? How Describing Your Ideal Client Might Be Repelling Good Enough Clients

Curt and Katie chat about common mistakes therapists make when writing their websites and directories — especially using “ideal client” language that may turn away the very clients they want to help. They explore how to write therapist website copy that’s client-centered, inclusive, and more effective for attracting referrals.

Key Takeaways:

Describing ideal clients too rigidly can unintentionally alienate potential referrals
Language should reflect client experiences and therapy process — not just therapist preferences
Blog posts are a flexible, strategic way to expand on specialty areas without over-niching
Websites should be regularly updated to reflect current practice and make contact easy

Listen to the full episode and access resources:
https://therapyreimagined.com/podcast

Join the Modern Therapist Community:
https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined

Creative Credits:
Voice Over by DW McCann
Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano

Mindfulness, EMDR, and Wearable Tech: An Interview with Dr. Steve Dansiger Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

Mindfulness, EMDR, and Wearable Tech: An Interview with Dr. Steve Dansiger

Curt and Katie chat with Dr. Steve Dansiger about integrating mindfulness into EMDR, what therapists often get wrong about mindfulness, and how wearable technology might enhance trauma healing. Steve shares his journey from punk rock drummer to EMDR trainer to tech innovator—and how sound and vibration may support grounding, resourcing, and trauma reprocessing.

About Our Guest: Dr. Steve Dansiger
Dr. Steve Dansiger is a clinical psychologist, EMDRIA-approved EMDR consultant, longtime mindfulness practitioner, and co-founder of HapTech Holdings. He is the creator of the MET(T)A Protocol and co-author of multiple books on EMDR, trauma, addiction, and mindfulness. Steve’s work spans clinical practice, innovation, and international teaching, bringing together ancient wisdom and cutting-edge tech.

Key Takeaways:

Therapists and clients often misunderstand mindfulness as “clearing the mind.”
Mindfulness is already embedded in EMDR and helps stabilize and prepare for trauma work.
Starting with just 1–2 minutes a day can be effective, especially with neurodivergent clients.
Wearable tech using sound and vibration may help ground and resource clients in session and beyond.
Therapists need to maintain their own mindfulness practice to model and teach it effectively.

For full show notes, transcripts, and more episodes:
🔗 www.mtsgpodcast.com

Join the Modern Therapist Community:
🌐 Linktree

Creative Credits:
🎙 Voice Over by DW McCann
🎵 Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano

Rethinking Oppositional Defiant Disorder: Children reacting to the system around them Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

Rethinking Oppositional Defiant Disorder—Children Reacting to the System Around Them

Curt and Katie chat about Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), reframing it as a response to systemic and environmental stressors rather than a characterological flaw in children. They explore diagnostic challenges, systemic bias, and treatment considerations that support children and families more holistically. This episode is designed to help therapists critically assess and intervene when working with oppositional or defiant behaviors.

Course Available for CE Credit:
One unit of continuing education is available for this episode at moderntherapistcommunity.com. Listen, purchase the course, pass the post-test, and earn your certificate!

Key Takeaways:

Understand how ODD criteria can be misapplied without systemic context
Identify the impact of trauma, neurodivergence, and racism on misdiagnosis
Apply a functional, family systems-based approach to treating oppositional behaviors
Learn which interventions are evidence-based—and which to avoid
Recognize the importance of treating ODD like an adjustment to environment, not a lifelong label

Link to Full Show Notes:
Full references, transcript, and resource list at mtsgpodcast.com

Join the Modern Therapist Community:
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined

Creative Credits:
Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano – groomsymusic.com
Voice Over by DW McCann – facebook.com/McCannDW

How Virtual Clinical Supervision is Changing the Field: An Interview with Rachel Ledbetter, LMFT Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

How Virtual Clinical Supervision is Changing the Field: An Interview with Rachel Ledbetter, LMFT

Curt and Katie chat with Rachel Ledbetter, LMFT, CEO and Co-Founder of Motivo, about how virtual supervision is transforming therapist training and professional development. We explore how technology can remove barriers for prelicensed clinicians, improve the supervision experience, and create space for mentorship beyond administrative oversight. Rachel also shares insights on the future of AI in mental health and what supervisors can do to better support early career therapists.

Guest Bio:
Rachel Ledbetter is the CEO and Co-Founder of Motivo Health, a pioneering platform dedicated to transforming the landscape of mental health care by facilitating virtual clinical supervision for behavioral health professionals. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Rachel's personal experiences navigating the licensure process have profoundly influenced her mission to remove barriers for aspiring therapists. Through Motivo, she continues to make a lasting impact by supporting the next generation of therapists and ensuring that quality mental health services are accessible to all.

Key Takeaways:

Supervision should focus on developing a clinician’s unique identity—not just administrative tasks.
Virtual supervision increases access and continuity, especially for rural and underserved areas.
Motivo actively tracks licensure requirements and verifies supervisor qualifications.
AI can ease therapist burdens (e.g., documentation) but shouldn’t be used to raise productivity quotas.
Supervisors are more effective when they support both professional development and self-of-the-therapist work.

More info and full show notes at mtsgpodcast.com

Join the Modern Therapist Community:
https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined

Creative Credits:
Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano – groomsymusic.com
Voiceover by DW McCann – facebook.com/McCannDW

Why It’s Hard for Therapists to Be Friends: Understanding Boundaries, Identity, and Reciprocity Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

Why It’s Hard for Therapists to Be Friends

Curt and Katie chat about why therapists often struggle with friendships—especially with non-therapists. They explore the impact of emotional labor, overidentifying as caretakers, and the challenges of setting boundaries and expressing needs in personal relationships.

Key Takeaways:

Therapists often default to caretaking in friendships, especially if they have a history of being “the helper.”
Emotional exhaustion from client work can make socializing difficult.
Confidentiality and identity boundaries limit what therapists can share about their day.
Friendships become healthier when therapists drop the therapist role and prioritize reciprocity.
Intentional communication and boundary-setting help create sustainable relationships.

More information and transcripts available at:
https://mtsgpodcast.com

Join the Modern Therapist Community:
Linktree

Creative Credits:
Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano
Voiceover by DW McCann

Special Episode: Modern Therapist’s Consumer Guide on Relias Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

Special Episode: Modern Therapist's Consumer Guide on Relias

Curt and Katie talk with Candace Wallace, Chief Customer Officer at Relias, about how this tech-enabled platform supports therapist training, infrastructure, and regulatory compliance. Candace explains how Relias helps practices of all sizes reduce admin burdens, improve staff retention, and compete in a changing behavioral health landscape. This episode is part of our Modern Therapist Consumer Guide, where we explore tools and services designed for therapists and their clients.

About Our Guest:
Candace Wallace is the Chief Customer Officer at Relias, overseeing Customer Success, Renewals, Support, and Professional Services. Since joining in 2013, she’s led several key teams and now focuses on delivering customer value at scale. With degrees in Archaeology and Religion from Baylor University, Candace’s career path includes both compliance consulting and a deep commitment to healthcare systems transformation.

Key Takeaways:

Relias reduces administrative burdens to improve patient care
Solutions are tailored to solo, small, and large practices alike
Training, leadership development, and compliance tracking in one platform
Helps therapist-led organizations stay competitive and grow sustainably
Started with small providers—continues to focus on accessible, effective tools

For full show notes and transcripts, visit:
https://www.mtsgpodcast.com

Join the Modern Therapist Community:
Linktree Creative Credits:
Voice Over by DW McCann
Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano

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