Very Bad Therapy

(Ben Fineman - Registered Associate MFT #119754 - Supervised by Curt Widhalm, LMFT #47333)

Show Notes:

81. Codependency In Therapy (with Marissa Esquibel, LMFT) Apr 26, 2021

Marissa Esquibel, LMFT joins us to talk about codependency – the tendency to let another person’s behavior affect your own while obsessing over trying to control that person’s behavior. What happens when this dynamic shows up in the therapeutic relationship and gets reinforced by well-intentioned caretaking? How can offering a reduced fee undermine therapeutic progress?

Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.

Introduction: 0:00 – 6:31

Part One: 6:31 – 1:02:48

Part Two: 1:02:48 – 1:16:05

Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / Tell Us Your Story

(Ben Fineman - Registered Associate MFT #119754 - Supervised by Curt Widhalm, LMFT #47333)

Show Notes:

Donate to Southern Poverty Law Center
Marissa Esquibel, LMFT: Website / Instagram
The Codependummy Podcast: Website / Instagram / Twitter
Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself

80. The Troubled Teen Industry (with Kenneth R. Rosen) Apr 12, 2021

Kenneth R. Rosen is an author and journalist with firsthand experience in what is colloquially called the Troubled Teen Industry. This industry – a dubious version of wilderness therapy – often includes coercion, legal kidnapping, and manipulation. Kenneth joins us to talk about these harmful practices and his new book, Troubled: The Failed Promise of America’s Behavioral Treatment Programs.

Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.

Introduction: 0:00 – 14:10

Part One: 14:10 – 1:06:05

Part Two: 1:06:05 – 1:14:31

Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / Tell Us Your Story

(Ben Fineman - Registered Associate MFT #119754 - Supervised by Curt Widhalm, LMFT #47333)

Show Notes:

79. The Stigma of Severe Mental Illness Mar 29, 2021

Having a severe and persistent mental illness is difficult – especially when the stigma of certain diagnoses negatively influences treatment. On today’s episode, Ann discusses her up and down experiences in the mental health system and her important perspectives on how therapists talk about their clients. Plus, we explore the landmark research on first impressions that explains how the therapeutic relationship is shaped within the first few seconds of treatment.

Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.

Introduction: 0:00 – 6:10

Part One: 6:10 – 46:49

Part Two: 46:49 – 1:21:22

Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / Tell Us Your Story

Ben Fineman Counseling -

(Ben Fineman - Registered Associate MFT #119754 - Supervised by Curt Widhalm, LMFT #47333)

Show Notes:

78. Very Bad Couples Therapy (with Dr. Bonnie Kennan) Mar 15, 2021

Building a good therapeutic alliance in couples therapy can be tricky with multiple people in the counseling room. This is especially challenging when the therapist is consistently late or not present at all. Today’s guest Maria shares her frustrating experience with an absentee therapist, and Dr. Bonnie Kennan joins us to talk about using feedback-informed treatment to provide very good couples therapy.

Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.

Introduction: 0:00 – 11:53

Part One: 11:53 – 38:20

Part Two: 38:20 – 1:12:41

Part Three: 1:12:41 – 1:15:38

Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / Tell Us Your Story

(Ben Fineman - Registered Associate MFT #119754 - Supervised by Curt Widhalm, LMFT #47333)

Show Notes:

77. Surviving Rehab Mar 01, 2021

Rehab facilities can be life saving for many people. This is a different kind of story. Jen shares her experience of 2.5 years in inpatient and outpatient treatment centers trying to overcome unhelpful therapy and victim blaming before leaving against medical advice and reclaiming her life. Plus, Carrie and Ben take some time to discuss the philosophy of Very Bad Therapy and interviewing guests.

Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.

Introduction: 0:00 – 6:05

Part One: 6:05 – 45:31

Part Two: 45:31 – 1:08:23

Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / Tell Us Your Story

Ben Fineman Counseling – Therapy for Young Professionals

(Ben Fineman - Registered Associate MFT #119754 - Supervised by Curt Widhalm, LMFT #47333)

Show Notes:

76. VBT in Focus: Potentially Harmful Therapies (with Dr. Alex Williams and Dr. John Sakaluk) Feb 15, 2021

The more you learn about psychotherapy research, the less it all seems to make sense. Dr. Alex Williams and Dr. John Sakaluk are working to change that by researching the research itself. We discuss two of their latest papers on empirically supported treatments and potentially harmful therapies. Which modalities can we be confident about? Which psychological interventions appear to cause harm? What do we know about EMDR and exposure therapy?

VBT in Focus is a series of sporadic episodes in which Carrie and Ben have the privilege of chatting with their favorite thinkers in the field of psychotherapy. Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.

Introduction: 0:00 – 11:20

Part One: 11:20 – 1:58:23

Part Two: 1:58:20 – 2:00:02

Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / Tell Us Your Story

(Benjamin Michael Fineman - Registered Associate MFT #119754 - Supervised by Curt Widhalm, LMFT #47333)

Show Notes:

75. How Not To Handle Fee Increases Feb 01, 2021

The cost of therapy, like most everything else, increases over time. This can lead to some difficult conversations about money and rate changes. How should therapists talk with their clients about fee increases? In today’s episode, Marwa shares her experience of very good therapy that ended very poorly when her therapist used Hunger Games logic to determine her new sliding scale availability.

Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.

Introduction: 0:00 – 9:14

Part One: 9:14 – 43:35

Part Two: 43:35 – 1:21:34

Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / Tell Us Your Story

Ben Fineman Counseling – Therapy for Young Professionals

(Benjamin Michael Fineman - Registered Associate MFT #119754 - Supervised by Curt Widhalm, LMFT #47333)

Show Notes:

Donate to Khesed Wellness
Therapy That Works LIVE - (Use code VERYBADTHERAPY for a $100 discount)
How to Increase Rates for Clients in Private Practice (Pollen Magazine)
Is therapy more effective when people pay a fee for it?

74. Very Bad Sex Therapy (with Danielle Kramer, LIMHP) Jan 18, 2021

Conversations about sex – even in therapy – are often constrained by harmful cultural narratives. In today’s episode, Leah describes her experience of being shamed and blamed by her sex therapist, and Danielle Kramer provides an expert perspective on how therapists can prevent their sexual biases from negatively influencing clients. Plus, Carrie passionately revisits the topic of silence in therapy.

Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.

Introduction: 0:00 – 18:28

Part One: 18:28 – 48:53

Part Two: 48:53 – 1:27:29

Part Three: 1:27:29 – 1:29:54

Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / Tell Us Your Story

Ben Fineman Counseling – Therapy for Young Professionals

(Benjamin Michael Fineman - Registered Associate MFT #119754 - Supervised by Curt Widhalm, LMFT #47333)

Show Notes:

Donate to MAPS
Danielle Kramer's Website and Instagram
Modern Sex Therapy Institutes
American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT)

73. Silence in Therapy: What's the Story? (with Dr. Gene Combs) Jan 04, 2021

Silence in therapy can feel awkward, helpful, expansive, or even punitive. There is no consensus on its usefulness, but it can certainly contribute to very bad therapy. Ella joins us to share her experience of feeling punished by her therapists’ use of silence, and Dr. Gene Combs provides a narrative perspective on silence, sanctity, and power in the therapeutic relationship.

Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.

Introduction: 0:00 – 7:46

Part One: 7:46 – 40:30

Part Two: 40:30 – 1:15:38

Part Three: 1:15:38 – 1:24:09

Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / Tell Us Your Story

Ben Fineman Counseling – Therapy for Young Professionals

(Benjamin Michael Fineman - Registered Associate MFT #119754 - Supervised by Curt Widhalm, LMFT #47333)

Show Notes:

72. All About Psychiatry (with Dr. Patrick Wiita) Dec 21, 2020

It’s not a secret that rapport contributes to outcomes in all types of healthcare. How, then, to make sense of our guest C’s story about a psychiatrist who ranted about Christmas, laughed at her suicide plan, and gave terrible marital advice? Dr. Patrick Wiita joins the show to talk about education, training, and ethics in the field of psychiatry and how to make the most out of every session with your patients.

Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.

Introduction: 0:00 – 6:50

Part One: 6:50 – 31:16

Part Two: 31:16 – 1:15:36

Part Three: 1:15:36 – 1:19:54

Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

Ben Fineman Counseling – Therapy for Young Professionals

(Benjamin Michael Fineman - Registered Associate MFT #119754 - Supervised by Curt Widhalm, LMFT #47333)

Show Notes:

71. Very Bad Family Therapy (with Dr. Eli Karam) Dec 07, 2020

In this week’s episode, Amy shares her childhood experience as a sexual abuse survivor being told by a therapist that her behavior was the problem and needed to be called out by her family. We also speak with Dr. Eli Karam about the importance of thinking systemically, the practice of family therapy, and how to help traumatized children feel supported instead of stigmatized as the identified patient (IP).

Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.

Introduction: 0:00 – 6:00

Part One: 6:00 – 31:03

Part Two: 31:03 – 1:11:04

Part Three: 1:11:04 – 1:15:07

Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

Ben Fineman Counseling – Therapy for Young Professionals

(Benjamin Michael Fineman - Registered Associate MFT #119754 - Supervised by Curt Widhalm, LMFT #47333)

Show Notes:

70. Missed Attunement (with Dave Segal, RCC) Nov 23, 2020

Dave Segal is a nature-based therapist and the executive director of Human-Nature Counselling in Victoria, British Columbia. He discusses his own experience of bad therapy, the importance of attunement and attachment, and how being with nature can bring about healing. Plus, Carrie and Ben give each other empirically supported Thanksgiving compliments.

Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.

Introduction: 0:00 – 5:32

Part One: 5:32 – 55:19

Part Two: 55:19 – 1:03:28

Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

Ben Fineman Counseling – Therapy for Young Professionals

(Benjamin Michael Fineman - Registered Associate MFT #119754 - Supervised by Curt Widhalm, LMFT #47333)

Show Notes:

69. Culture, Stigma, and Very Bad Psychiatry Nov 09, 2020

Today’s guest Cherry shares her experience being prescribed benzodiazepines and God instead of receiving the emotional support she was seeking. We explore the impact of culture and stigma on mental health services, the heroism of clients, and what we can learn from the remarkable conclusions of antidepressant outcome studies.

Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.

Introduction: 0:00 – 6:21

Part One: 6:21 – 33:01

Part Two: 33:01 – 1:10:42

Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

Ben Fineman Counseling – Therapy for Young Professionals

(Benjamin Michael Fineman - Registered Associate MFT #119754 - Supervised by Curt Widhalm, LMFT #47333)

Show Notes:

68. Misdiagnosing Clients (with Dr. Christine King and Dr. Ben Caldwell) Oct 26, 2020

Dr. Christine King experienced three concussions when she was a child. The symptoms of her brain injury were misunderstood and later assumed to be the result of childhood sexual abuse, sending Christine on a pathologized path that took decades for her to undo. We hear her story and also speak with Dr. Ben Caldwell about how therapists can attune to client symptoms, make good referrals, and avoid misdiagnoses when they lack relevant knowledge beyond their scope of practice.

Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.

Introduction: 0:00 – 12:27

Part One: 12:27 – 44:34

Part Two: 44:34 – 1:20:53

Part Three: 1:20:53 – 1:27:13

Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

Ben Fineman Counseling - Therapy for Young Professionals

(Benjamin Michael Fineman - Registered Associate MFT #119754 - Supervised by Curt Widhalm, LMFT #47333)

Show Notes:

67. VBT in Focus: Dr. Don Meichenbaum on CBT and Hype Oct 12, 2020

Dr. Don Meichenbaum is credited with helping to develop cognitive behavioral therapy in the 1960s and 1970s. He has been named one of the ten most influential psychotherapists of the 20th century. He also believes that the field of psychotherapy is full of bullshit and hype. Dr. Meichenbaum joins us to talk about delivering what actually works in therapy, how to spot hype, and challenging the status quo.

VBT in focus is a series of sporadic episodes in which Carrie and Ben have the privilege of chatting with their favorite thinkers in the field of psychotherapy. Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.

Introduction: 0:00 – 4:53

Part One: 4:53 – 56:09

Part Two: 56:09 – 1:09:20

Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

(Benjamin Michael Fineman - Registered Associate MFT #119754 - Supervised by Curt Widhalm, LMFT #47333)

Show Notes:

66. Questioning Trans Identities (with Beck Gee-Cohen, CADC-II) Sep 28, 2020

In today’s episode, Jonathan shares his story as a teenager working with a gender therapist who dismissed his preferences for treatment in favor of uncovering his “reasons” for being trans. We also speak with Beck Gee-Cohen about best practices in working with trans kids and how many modalities of psychotherapy exclude trans narratives.

Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.

Introduction: 0:00 – 3:51

Part One: 3:51 – 40:53

Part Two: 40:53 – 1:19:39

Part Three: 1:19:39 – 1:24:06

Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

(Benjamin Michael Fineman - Registered Associate MFT #119754 - Supervised by Curt Widhalm, LMFT #47333)

Show Notes:

Donate to TGEU and Queer Base
Visions Teen Website
Email Beck-Gee Cohen: bgcohen@visionsteen.com
Ageism in Mental Health Assessment and Treatment of Older Adults
6 Black Therapists on the Best Ways to Practice Self-Care Right Now
Link From Listener Mail (Starting on Page 44)
Dr. Diane Gehart's free webinar "The 5-Minute Cure for Impostor Syndrome: What New Therapists and Counselors Need to Know"

65. When Treatment Fails (with Henk Spierings) Sep 14, 2020

Henk Spierings has had a wide range of experiences in therapy – most of them unhelpful, if not outright harmful. He joins us to discuss his new book, Becoming Compliant, and share the lessons he’s learned from decades of bad therapy. Plus, Ben and Carrie get on their soapbox to explain why it’s necessary to talk with clients about how therapy works and the risks of treatment failure.

Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.

Introduction: 0:00 – 12:53

Part One: 12:53 – 44:21

Part Two: 44:21 – 1:15:58

Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

(Benjamin Michael Fineman - Registered Associate MFT #119754 - Supervised by Curt Widhalm, LMFT #47333)

Show Notes

64. Is Bad Therapy Unethical Therapy? (with Dr. Christopher Taylor) Aug 31, 2020

What’s the difference between very bad therapy and very unethical therapy? Today’s guest Lisa shares her experience with a logotherapist that was many things – insulting, disturbing, oddly prophetic – but did any of it constitute an ethical violation? Dr. Christopher Taylor joins us to answer these questions and more about the surprisingly interesting world of ethics in psychotherapy.

Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.

Introduction: 0:00 – 7:30

Part One: 7:30 – 38:26

Part Two: 38:26 – 1:17:36

Part Three: 1:17:36 – 1:23:58

Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

(Benjamin Michael Fineman - Registered Associate MFT #119754 - Supervised by Curt Widhalm, LMFT #47333)

Show Notes:

63. Therapy in Prison (with Kenneth E. Hartman) Aug 17, 2020

Kenneth E. Hartman is a prison reform activist who served 38 years in the California prison system. He discusses his advocacy work, what mental health care looks like in prison, and his personal experiences of therapy – both good and bad. He also shares his thoughts on how therapists can play a role in the necessary social change at the heart of effective prison reform. Plus, Carrie discusses if it is ever justified to warn clients about using insurance.

Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.

Introduction: 0:00 – 6:06

Part One: 6:06 – 1:04:22

Part Two: 1:04:22 – 1:26:25

Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

(Benjamin Michael Fineman - Registered Associate MFT #119754 - Supervised by Curt Widhalm, LMFT #47333)

Show Notes:

62. Overcoming Systemic Transphobia in Mental Health (with Rachel Bennett and Dr. David Nylund) Aug 03, 2020

Rachel Bennett shares her experience navigating the historically misguided gatekeeping requirements for gender reassignment surgery. She discusses how therapists can better advocate for trans-affirmative care, and we speak with Dr. David Nylund to explore a paradigm that challenges the oppressive notion that transitioning is a psychiatric issue. Plus, how can feedback-informed treatment be used as a tool of social justice?

Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.

Introduction: 0:00 – 4:49

Part One: 4:49 – 44:31

Part Two: 44:31 – 1:32:16

Part Three: 1:32:16 – 140:30

Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

(Benjamin Michael Fineman - Registered Associate MFT #119754 - Supervised by Curt Widhalm, LMFT #47333)

Show Notes:

61. What Heals Trauma? (with Chrissy Gillmore, MCoun) Jul 20, 2020

An interview with Chrissy Gillmore about the primacy of client strengths, resilience, and culture in healing trauma, and how a pathology-focused approach can result in bad therapy. Plus, Carrie and Ben explore the controversy behind the APA Clinical Practice Guidelines for PTSD and discuss whether being trauma-informed is an ethical requirement, clever marketing, or both.

Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.

Introduction: 0:00 - 17:09

Part One: 17:09 - 1:01:26

Part Two: 1:01:26 - 1:25:13

Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

(Benjamin Michael Fineman - Registered Associate MFT #119754 - Supervised by Curt Widhalm, LMFT #47333)

Show Notes:

A Short Progress Note Jul 13, 2020

Very Bad Therapy is switching to biweekly episodes, but we’re not quite ready to miss a week of podcasting yet. We discuss the new format, check in on our quarantine adventures, talk about some episodes in the queue, and Carrie gushes about the upcoming Therapy Reimagined conference.

Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.

60. VBT in History (2010s): The Replication Crisis Comes for Us All Jul 06, 2020

There is an ongoing replication crisis in science; many of the studies that frame our scientific knowledge, especially in psychology, likely have incorrect conclusions. This has huge ramifications for clinical psychology. How can clinicians be effective if the research that supports accepted practices is largely a mirage? Join us as we explore the false positives of psychotherapy and gaze into the existential void.

Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.

Show Notes:

59. Don't Be Weird (with Bronwen Clark) Jun 29, 2020

Bronwen Clark is the author of Don’t Be Weird: A Memoir of Food and Feelings. She joins us to share experiences of bad therapy from her healing journey that include being kicked out of eating disorder treatment for being too depressed – only to almost be kicked out of mood disorder treatment for being too eating disordered. This is a compelling story of trauma and resilience.

Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.

Show Notes:

58. VBT in Focus: Paul Gilmartin on Mental Health and Therapy Jun 22, 2020

Paul Gilmartin is a former stand-up comedian and host of the widely popular Mental Illness Happy Hour podcast. We speak with him about his journey with clinical depression, insights on mental health and psychotherapy from ten years of hearing others’ personal stories, and his own experiences of very bad therapy. Plus, Paul shares his thoughts on self-obsession and the quest for fame.

VBT in Focus is a series of sporadic episodes in which Carrie and Ben have the privilege of chatting with their favorite thinkers in the field of psychotherapy. Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Show Notes:

57. Addressing Cultural Complexities (with Dr. Pamela Hays) Jun 15, 2020

In today’s episode, our guest J shares two experiences that highlight the difficulties therapists can have in intercultural therapeutic relationships. We also speak with Dr. Pamela Hays about the ADDRESSING model and other strategies therapists can use to mitigate the impact of their cultural biases in session with clients.

Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Show Notes:

56. Very Bad Therapy and Anti-Racism Jun 08, 2020

Ben and Carrie discuss their commitment to making this podcast an antiracist space.

Show Notes:

55. VBT in History (2000s): Rebirthing Therapy Jun 01, 2020

Candace Newmaker was a 10-year-girl who tragically died in the process of rebirthing therapy, a variation of a pseudoscientific treatment of childhood trauma known as attachment therapy. This episode comes with a big trigger warning. If you were in a room where a child was being suffocated, would you do anything to stop her death?

Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Show Notes:

54. How Much Therapy is Necessary? May 25, 2020

This week’s guest Adam shares his experience of seeing a therapist for five years without any noticeable benefit. When should clients – or therapists – start to wonder if it’s time to end the therapeutic relationship? As it turns out, there’s a lot of research suggesting that therapists need to do much more than simply wait for their approach to start working…including accepting the likelihood of treatment failure.

Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Show Notes:

53. VBT in Focus: How to Do Deliberate Practice (with Dr. Tony Rousmaniere and Dr. Alexandre Vaz) May 18, 2020

Deliberate practice is an emerging (and sometimes abstract) concept of psychotherapist development. Tony Rousmaniere and Alex Vaz are working to transform these ideas into concrete practices. This episode is an exploration of the theory, adaptability, and future of deliberate practice. Plus, Alex leads Carrie in a live demonstration of a deliberate practice exercise with Ben playing the role of a challenging client.

VBT in Focus is a series of sporadic episodes in which Carrie and Ben have the privilege of chatting with their favorite thinkers in the field of psychotherapy. Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Show Notes:

Deliberate Practice Institute
What is Deliberate Practice
The Essentials of Deliberate Practice (APA Press)
Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

52. On Grief and Loss (with Dr. Michael Morad-McCoy) May 11, 2020

Conversations about death, dying, and bereavement can be difficult, but they are often an important part of the therapeutic process. Dr. Michael Morad-McCoy joins us to share his experiences with “not very helpful” clinicians who were unable or unwilling to explore dark areas, and we discuss how therapists can best support their clients in a time of ubiquitous grief and loss.

Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Show Notes:

51. VBT in History (1990s): The Empirically Supported Treatment Debate Rages On May 04, 2020

The American Psychological Association commissioned a task force in 1993 to determine how to scientifically evaluate psychotherapy treatments. A controversy immediately ensued. Carrie digs into the literature on the history and effectiveness of empirically supported treatments to figure out what this suggests about best clinical practices. Note: this is not an ad for CBT.

Pardon the slight background noise in Carrie’s audio; this is resolved after eight minutes.

Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Show Notes:

50. A Story of Strength Apr 27, 2020

In this week’s episode, Samuel discusses his experiences with conversion therapy in Provo, Utah. This is a beautiful story of resilience, compassion, and thriving. Thanks to our listeners, experts, and most of all the inspiring guests who have shared their stories with us for 50 episodes. It is a privilege for us to be a part of this growing community.

Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Show Notes

49. Radical Acceptance of Clients (with Dr. Nathan Castle) Apr 20, 2020

Therapist defensiveness is a recurring theme in stories of bad therapy. In this week’s episode, Suzanne shares her experience with a therapist whose defensiveness was expressed in gratuitous displays of power and dismissive remarks. Plus, Dr. Nathan Castle rejoins the show to explore the topics of defensiveness, radical acceptance of clients, and the importance of transparency.

Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Show Notes:

Donate to Nacoa
Why do depressed people prefer sad music?
Spotify - Deep Focus Playlist
Dr. Nathan Castle's Website
Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

48. In Defense of Bad Therapy (with Angela Caldwell, LMFT) Apr 13, 2020

This week’s story from Ashley has all the markings of bad family therapy. But did the interventions work? Ashley shares her experience as a teenager in crisis being threatened with inpatient care and alarms on her door, and Angela Caldwell makes us question everything we know about what constitutes good therapy. Is it OK to trick clients if it leads to successful outcomes?

Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Show Notes:

Donate to The Opal Center
Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

47. VBT in History (1980s): Satanic Panic and Recovered Memory Therapy Apr 06, 2020

A satanic panic in the early 1980s culminated in the McMartin Preschool abuse trial, the then-longest and most expensive criminal trial in American history. The trial centered around 359 allegations of ritualistic satanic child abuse and concluded with zero convictions and a new understanding of the unreliability of recovered memories. The satanic panic has subsided, but its indirect effects are still present today in how therapists work with childhood trauma.

Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Show Notes:

46. Curious Interventions Mar 30, 2020

This week’s story from Alison is a throwback to high school and all of Carrie and Ben’s greatest fears around teenage embarrassment. We discuss interventions that are better left unsaid (telling an underage client to share romantic feelings with her softball coach) and others that have questionable validity (House-Tree-Person and Rorschach tests). Plus, what does modern science have to say about Instagram Face?

Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Note: This episode was recorded in early March.

Show Notes:

45. VBT in Focus: Dr. Scott Miller and Dr. Daryl Chow on Deliberate Practice Mar 23, 2020

Scott Miller and Daryl Chow return to the podcast to discuss their new book, Better Results: Using Deliberate Practice to Improve Therapeutic Effectiveness. Topics include the importance of targeting individual strengths and deficits in a system of learning, how to get out of the performance zone, the significance of a coach, and ideas for changing the ways in which psychotherapy is taught.

VBT in Focus is a series of sporadic episodes in which Carrie and Ben have the privilege of chatting with their favorite thinkers in the field of psychotherapy. Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Show Notes:

44. Supporting Clients with Disabilities (with Joy Wolf, LCSW) Mar 16, 2020

What should therapists know about working with individuals with disabilities? In this week’s episode, Joy Wolf joins us to share her personal story about two therapists who responded to her disability in very different yet similarly problematic ways. We also discuss the impact of privilege, therapist uncertainty, and the limitations in how we are trained to work with clients with disabilities.

Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Show Notes:

Donate to Shriners Hospitals
Joy Wolf, LCSW | Psychology Today
Frontiers of Psychotherapist Development Podcast
Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

How Should Therapists Respond to Coronavirus? Mar 13, 2020

An urgent conversation about the role of therapists in doing the most public good during the coronavirus outbreak. Pat Wiita, MD and Farah Zerehi, MS explore the science, needed actions, and social justice implications of the pandemic, and Ben Caldwell, PsyD discusses what you need to know about shifting your practice to telehealth services. Please share this episode anywhere you feel it might make an impact.

If you have expertise or information related to the pandemic that you feel is important to share with the psychotherapy community, email us at vbtpodcast@gmail.com.

Note: A previous version of this episode contained information about Zoom being HIPAA compliant. This is only true for the Zoom for Healthcare option ($200/month), not the free and low-tier paid options.

43. Specialization and Ethical Responsibility (with Curt Widhalm, LMFT) Mar 09, 2020

This week’s captivating story from Paloma brings together themes of postpartum depression and therapist specialization. Paloma offers insight into the harmful impact of societal narratives about motherhood and Curt Widhalm rejoins the podcast to explain what specialization actually means – and when it’s just a marketing tool with dangerous consequences.

Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Show Notes:

Donate to Project NATEEN
Dog ownership might reduce loneliness
Are You Sure You are a Specialist?
Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

42. VBT in History (1970s): Was the Stanford Prison Experiment a Sham? Mar 02, 2020

Philip Zimbardo rode the impact of the Stanford Prison Experiment to international renown. Perhaps he forgot to mention that his famous research was more performance art than psychological experiment. In our eighth of twelve history episodes, we look at the common narratives and impact of the SPE, and then consider recently uncovered evidence to the contrary. Plus, Carrie makes sense of Zimbardo’s 7,000 word response to the new criticisms.

Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Show Notes:

41. Less Advice, More Transparency Feb 24, 2020

This week’s story from Farah touches on many common themes of bad therapy: disempowerment, unsolicited advice, misrepresenting qualifications, and more. We explore how early-career therapists can be transparent about their lack of experience while still creating client buy-in, what research suggests about giving advice to clients, and the importance of feedback. Plus, Carrie reflects on the gender power dynamic on this podcast and between male therapists and female or non-binary clients. Stay tuned afterward for a teaser of the most recent VBT Patreon episode!

Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Show Notes:

40. Exploring Bad LGBTQ+ Therapy (with Dr. Joe Kort) Feb 17, 2020

Today’s guest Danny shares his outrageous experience of being told to urinate in a cup so his therapist could test if he was really gay. And that’s just the beginning of the story. We also speak with Dr. Joe Kort to explore best practices for working with the LGBTQ+ community, the need for humility and curiosity in a time of rapidly changing relationships to identity, and the diagnoses that stigmatize and marginalize members of this population.

Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Show Notes:

39. Making Sense of Mean Therapy Feb 10, 2020

Today’s guest Kat shares her experience with a therapist who was unnecessarily cruel in her approach to treatment. In trying to make sense of this behavior, Carrie and Ben consider the research on how and when therapeutic relationships get fractured as a result of divergent interpretations of the same significant events in therapy.

Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Show Notes:

38. VBT in History (1960s): The Gloria Tapes Feb 03, 2020

In 1964, Dr. Everett Shostrom had a brilliant idea: record short videos of the same person receiving therapy from three top psychologists. These videos are colloquially referred to as the Gloria tapes, and the story behind the therapy is astounding. Coercion, human ashtrays, lawsuits, Fritz Perls being a massive jerk, and more! This is episode seven in our monthly look at bad therapy through the decades.

Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Show Notes:

37. You Can Be a Therapist for $16 (with Jordan Dunbar) Jan 27, 2020

In the UK, anyone with $16 can become a certified psychotherapist and begin seeing clients immediately. If this sounds surprising, imagine how clients feel when they have a bad experience and realize their therapist is not governed by any regulatory body. BBC presenter Jordan Dunbar joins us to share his own stories of bad therapy and his surprising findings from investigating the lack of regulation around UK mental health services.

Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Show Notes:

36. Please Renew Your License Jan 20, 2020

In America, psychotherapist licensure requirements vary – often absurdly – from state to state. What does not vary is the need for periodic license renewal, an otherwise mundane fact that holds foreboding significance in our guest Dee’s story. Join us for a surprisingly interesting exploration of licensure requirements and the consequences of practicing without authorization.

Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Show Notes:

35. What is Pastoral Counseling? (with The Reverend Meredith Harber) Jan 13, 2020

The exploitation of uneven power and emotional vulnerability is, of course, not limited to the field of psychotherapy. Today’s guest Megan shares her experience of very bad pastoral counseling, and we speak with the Reverend Meredith Harber to explore the nuances of Megan’s story and what proper pastoral care looks like with a contemporary understanding of power dynamics, boundaries, and gender norms.

Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Show Notes:

Donate to Solid Ground
Better Results: Using Deliberate Practice to Improve Therapeutic Effectiveness
Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

34. VBT in History (1950s): The DSM-I and Thou Jan 06, 2020

The first Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-I) was published with the intention of creating standardized language for mental abnormalities. It was also basically a war department bulletin. The controversial compendium is responsible for many important contributions to the fields of psychiatry and psychotherapy, but it also legitimized new forms of oppression and stigmatization in the name of normalizing judgments. This is part six of twelve monthly episodes revisiting bad therapy through the decades.

Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Show Notes:

33. Boundary Entanglements Dec 30, 2019

Today’s story from T is a cautionary tale about a therapist causing harm by blurring boundaries around texting, personal space, and self-disclosure. Carrie and Ben attempt to hold space for T’s experience while seeking a middle ground in their differing perspectives about her therapist’s behavior. One thing is certain: if a therapist has a sexual dream about a client, the therapeutic relationship is not the place for processing.

Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Show Notes:

Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

32. When No Therapy is Bad Therapy Dec 23, 2019

The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. In today's episode, the absence of bad therapy is indeed evidence of bad therapy as our guest Eric joins us to discuss the impact of showing up for multiple sessions only to discover that the therapist is nowhere to be found. Plus, we talk about therapists going to prison, cars exploding, and Ben unveils the six-word joke that will single-handedly change the future of psychotherapy.

Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.

Show Notes:

Donate to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Humor Associated With Positive Outcomes in Individual Psychotherapy
Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

31. How Important is Therapist Attachment Style? (with Jon Hook) Dec 16, 2019

Jon Hook, PhD student at Western Michigan University, is contributing to research on how the coding of session transcripts to determine therapist attachment styles can be used to facilitate better client outcomes. He joins us to discuss the significance of therapist attachment and shares his story as a client of two therapeutic alliances that were anything but securely attached.

Show Notes:

Support Very Bad Therapy on Patreon
Donate to Sojourner Truth House
Therapist Attachment-Related Behaviors and Their Effects on Psychotherapy Process and Outcome
ResearchGate: Alessandro Talia / Eric Sauer / Jon Hook
Division 29: Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy
Jon Hook on Twitter
Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

30. The Money Episode Dec 09, 2019

Do client fees impact therapy outcomes? How should therapists talk with their clients about money? Should mental health care be a basic human right? We have lots of questions and few answers as today’s guest Arianne joins us to share her story of money tension in therapy. Plus, Carrie and Ben read listener mail, gripe about therapist Facebook groups, and debate the ethics of prioritizing income maximization over all else as a mental health professional.

VBT Copenhagen meetup: Ruby, tirsdag 17. december kl. 16:30

Show Notes:

29. VBT in History (1940s): Old-Timey Psychoanalysis Propaganda Dec 02, 2019

In the 1940s, a new ad campaign appeared on the silver screen to promote psychotherapy. Yes, the extant videos are as spectacular as you imagine. In this month's journey through the decades, Carrie and Ben break down archival footage to laugh, marvel, and look curiously at how the American public was sold on psychoanalysis. Now tell me about your mother.

Show Notes:

Support Very Bad Therapy on Patreon
Popular Depiction of Psychoanalysis in Late 1940s
Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

28. VBT in Focus: Dr. Chris Hoff on Curiosity, Knowing, and Failure Nov 25, 2019

Dr. Chris Hoff hosts The Radical Therapist podcast and YouTube channel. He joins us to discuss postmodern assumptions in therapy, how a strict focus on social justice can lead to familiar diagnostic pitfalls, and the importance of maintaining curiosity to combat confirmation bias. Plus, we explore the benefits of creating a culture where failure is valued and Chris shares his advice for early-career clinicians.

VBT in Focus is a series of sporadic episodes in which Carrie and Ben have the privilege of chatting with their favorite thinkers in the field of psychotherapy. Thank you for listening.

Show Notes:

27. The Negative Effects of Therapy (with Jørgen A. Flor) Nov 18, 2019

A small percentage of clients experience negative effects from therapy. Why is it so difficult for therapists to identify this phenomenon when reflecting on past or present work? Norwegian psychologist and author Jørgen A. Flor joins us to explore the myth of side-effect free therapy and discuss a moving story from today's guest Jamie about unambiguously harmful treatment.

Show Notes:

Support Very Bad Therapy on Patreon
Donate to NARAL
Skadelige samtaler - myten om bivirkningsfri terapi
Jørgen A. Flor's Website
Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

26. "If You Say Yes to This..." Nov 11, 2019

"If you say yes to this, we'll have to end our therapeutic relationship." The context of this quote is explained in this week's episode about therapist self-disclosure, dual relationships, and a much-deserved misconduct report. Seriously y'all, be aware of how your social and political identities have the potential to impact clients and don't burst through boundaries like the Kool-Aid Man. Even Woebot gets sad when therapists act on self-interest.

Show Notes:

25. VBT in History (1930s): Were Lobotomies Ever a Good Idea? Nov 04, 2019

In the 1930s, a handful of aspiring medical luminaries imagined that mental illness could be fixed by cutting into the brain. In this month's history exploration, Carrie and Ben seek to understand why this seemed like a good idea at the time and what led to the procedure being banned a few decades later. When the awarding of a Nobel Prize is subsequently considered "an astounding error of judgment," bad things probably happened.

Show Notes:

24. Misadventure Therapy (with Will Dobud, MSW) Oct 28, 2019

Adventure therapy: nature, healing, strength, and camaraderie. And sometimes emotional abuse, strip searches, forced compliance, and more. What is happening in this niche of psychotherapy where our guest Will's story is simultaneously shocking to us and not at all surprising to those within the field? Join us and our expert guest Will Dobud on a truly compelling trek through the wilderness of adventure therapy.

Show Notes:

23. Very Bad Graduate School Oct 21, 2019

On today's episode, our guest Ashley recalls her experience as a graduate psychology student looking for therapy in part to process feelings of disappointment with her education. We take this opportunity to get intimate with the research on graduate psychology programs and confront the elephant in the room: these programs don't seem to work. If you have ever doubted the usefulness of your graduate education, this episode is for you.

Show Notes:

22. A Clinic On Unprofessionalism (with Katie Vernoy, LMFT) Oct 14, 2019

Professionalism in psychotherapy is often hard to define, but it probably doesn't include being twenty minutes late to a client's first session and sharing unwanted Bible passages. Katie Vernoy joins us in advance of the Therapy Reimagined Conference to share her knowledge and make sense of all the confusing therapist behavior we hear in today's interview with Ofra.

Show Notes:

Donate to the ACLU
Katie Vernoy's Website
Therapy Reimagined Conference 2019
Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

21. VBT in History (1920s): Very Bad Supervision Oct 07, 2019

Dr. Ben "Manfred" Caldwell joins us in make-believe 1920s Berlin to discuss Max Eitingon and the surprising origins of psychotherapy supervision. We also explore examples of bad supervision, why contemporary supervision appears to have no impact on client outcomes, and what supervisors and supervisees can actually do to make our field better. This is episode three of twelve in our monthly series exploring very bad therapy through the decades.