Shows
Create with FranzEmbrace Your Roots: Unmasking Internalized RacismHave you ever felt like you had to hide parts of yourself to fit in? Sandra Kushnir, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Los Angeles, shares her personal experience with internalized racism as an American-born Jew in Utah. Triggered by the October 7th Attacks, Sandra's journey led her to confront deep-seated feelings of insecurity and a disconnect from her Jewish heritage. This experience sparked a profound exploration of how racism can manifest within ourselves, often unbeknownst to us. In this episode, discover: The subtle ways internalized racism can shape our beliefs and behaviors H...
2024-10-0723 min
The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie VernoyBeyond Being a Therapist is Hard Work: Curt and Katie respond to listener feedbackBeyond "Being a Therapist is Hard Work": Curt and Katie respond to listener feedbackCurt and Katie received feedback on a recent episode, Don’t Let Tik Tok Fool You: Being a therapist is hard work, an interview with Anita Avedian and Sandra Kushnir. We talk through the feedback that the perspective was too one-sided (primarily from the employer angle) and that it was too much in support of the status quo. We share our perspectives as well as how big of a challenge we’re facing as a profession to become sustainable. Transcripts for this...
2024-08-1233 min
The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie VernoyDon’t Let TikTok Fool You – Being a Therapist is Hard Work: An interview with Sandra Kushnir, LMFT and Anita Avedian, LMFTDon’t Let TikTok Fool You – Being a Therapist is Hard Work: An interview with Sandra Kushnir, LMFT and Anita Avedian, LMFTCurt and Katie interview Sandra Kushner and Anita Avedian about how the therapy business works now. We talk about how the profession and those who are entering it has changed over the years. We look at what new therapists can expect when they join a group practice, pushing back against some of the broadly held misconceptions of what it is like to be a therapist today.Transcripts for this episode will be available at m...
2024-07-0842 min
Money PartyAbundance & Scarcity mindsets, which one do you have with Sandra KushnirParty Favors:-Understand the difference between abundance and scarcity and where it comes from.-Behaviors that create an abundance or scarcity mindset with your children.-Cross-Class Marriages, and what that means.-Be aware of the Manifestation trendShelby takes the mic to discuss the abundance & scarcity mindsets with money Sandra Kushnir, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She is the founder of Meridian Counseling and Unify. Sandra also hosts her podcast, The Guiding Compass, which focuses on destigmatizing mental health. If you’d like to connect with Sandra, check out her pod...
2021-11-2248 min
Money PartyMillennials & Ego Death with Sandra Kushnir: How the most misunderstood generation can cope and find financial freedom.We talk with Sandra Kushner, a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in many mental health areas, but what caught our attention was that she works specifically with millennials. So, we invited her to the party to talk about millennials and money.She defines the different groups of millennials and the impact the pandemic and the 2008 recession had on them. We discuss how millennials change their behaviors to keep with a superficial lifestyle, and we have a small talk around psychedelics. If you’d like to connect with Sandra, check out her podcast, or are int...
2021-05-311h 04
Guiding CompassEpisode 46: Healing Your Relationship With FoodIn this episode, I meet with Abby Krom to discuss how to have a healthier
relationship with food and body image. Abby shares her experience as an
intuitive eating specialist and shares insights into how she has been able
to work with her clients to break free from their unhealthy relationships
with food.
2021-04-0800 min
CalPsychiatry Presents: MindstoriesMillennial Mayhem: Changing Needs in Mental Health | Sandra Kushnir, LMFTSandra Kushnir is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Los Angeles, CA. She is the founder of Meridian Counseling and Unify. Sandra also hosts her own podcast The Guiding Compass, which focuses on destigmatizing mental health. Sandra grew up in Utah and began her journey in the mental health industry during her undergraduate education at the University of Utah. She then continued on to California State University, Northridge for her Master's program. Sandra has 9 years of experience working in all types of settings ranging from high-end treatment centers to department of mental health agencies. The wide range of profess...
2021-04-0722 minGuiding CompassEpisode 45: It's Not About Sex: Healing Intimacy Issues That Lead To Compulsive Sexual BehaviorsIn this episode, I am joined by Andrew Susskind, LCSW who is an author,
podcast host and therapist. He specializes in compulsive sexual behaviors.
Andrew shares his experience working with clients struggling with these
behaviors, his own journey to recovery and brings insight into what we can
do to begin normalizing and healing these types of addictive behaviors
through vulnerability and trauma work.
2021-03-2500 minGuiding CompassEpisode 44: The Journey To Becoming A ClinicianNicole Anavim joins me to discuss her journey as a graduate student
entering the field of Marriage and Family Therapy and discusses her
experience and growth both personally and professionally.
2021-03-1200 minGuiding CompassEpisode 43: Coping With Covid-19Jillian Ziesmer, LMFT and LPCC joins me to discuss the impact of COVID-19
on our mental health. Jillian dives into easy to use coping skills that can
be used to deal with anxiety or depression that might be coming up for you
at this time.
2021-02-1600 min
Guiding CompassEpisode 42: How Music Can Help You HealBill Protzman joins me for a discussion about mental health and music. Bill
has built a career around helping his clients find healing and purpose in
music. Join us for a discussion on mental health, art, passion and healing.
2019-09-1621 minGuiding CompassEpisode 41: Addiction Treatment The Business of RehabIn this episode, Sandra discussed the unethical aspects of addiction
treatment. Sandra explored her experience working in the field and
highlights some issues that arise from the lack of regulation in the
substance abuse treatment industry.
2019-05-1921 min
Get on the Bus! A Zero Stigma Podcast.Episode 4 with Sandra Kushnir of U-NIFY Los Angeles, offering affordable workshops led by therapists, life coaches, spiritual leaders, and wellness experts.So we had an event in Los Angeles and during the question/answer audience participation segment, whom I’ve come to know as Sandra Kushnir, LMFT spoke out and told us about her idea for addressing stigma and it’s called U-NIFY LOS ANGELES, which offers AFFORDABLE workshops led by wellness experts, therapists, coaches, and spiritual leaders. The foundation of this idea seems to be about connection, which is very much a part of our message and a lot of people’s message these days. A big goal of Unify LA is get people to regard mental health like we do...
2019-04-2456 minGuiding CompassEpisode 40: Understanding Commitment PhobiaEpisode 40: Sandra discusses commitment phobia and the impact that it has
on individuals and relationships. Sandra cover signs that you may be in a
relationship with a commitment phobic person and what to do about it.
2019-04-2321 minGuiding CompassEpisode 39: Intuitive vs. Mindful EatingEpisode 39: Robyn Goldberg, a registered dietician to discuss the
difference between intuitive vs. mindful eating. Robyn explains how she
teaches her client’s tool on intuitive eating and shares some insight on
the importance of working with a registered dietician rather than a
nutritionist.
2019-02-0221 minGuiding CompassEpisode 38: Re-Connecting and Finding Each Other AgainEpisode 28: Ira Israel joins me for a third interview about the impact of
being disconnected as a culture. We dive deep into how connection to self
and others is vital to emotional, spiritual and mental health.
2019-01-1521 minGuiding CompassEpisode 37: The Magic Of Neuro-FeedbackEpisode 37: Charlene Simpson joins us to share her neuro-feedback can be
used in addition to therapy and medication to help decrease a variety of
symptoms, both physical and mental.
2018-12-2621 minGuiding CompassEpisode 36: U-Nify LA: Creating ConnectionEpisode 36: Sandra the owner of Meridian Counseling and the host of The
Guiding Compass shares some of her insights and thoughts about connection,
mental health and her new start-up U-Nify!
2018-12-1721 minGuiding CompassEpisode 35: Building A Life Worth Staying Sober ForEpisode 35: I meet with my colleague and close friend Kaybe to discuss his
journey to sobriety and the importance of building a life worthy staying
sober for.
2018-11-0121 minGuiding CompassEpisode 34: Stop The Stigma On MedicationsEpisode 34: James Morgan who is a psychiatric NP, joins me for a discussion
about the stigma related to medications, risk and benefits and dives into
the impact on medication on overall quality of life and mental health.
2018-10-2521 minGuiding CompassEpisode 33: End OverdoseEpisode 33: Theo Krzywicki the founder of End Overdose joins me for a
discussion about the opioid crisis.
2018-10-0821 minGuiding CompassEpisode 32: Understanding Attachment StylesIn episode 32, J. Ann Clayton, LCSW discusses the impact of attachment
styles and the impact that they have on relationships.
2018-10-0421 minGuiding CompassEpisode 31: Conquer Your Fear And Break Free Of AnxietyEpisode 31: In episode 31 Jodi Aman joins us to discuss how to overcome
anxiety and live a happier life. Through humor and warmth, her popular
YouTube Channel inspires thousands of people all over the world get rid of
fear, expand their consciousness and live with vitality.
2018-09-2621 minGuiding CompassEpisode 30: Become A VisionaryEpisode 30: Nichomi Higgins, LMFT joins me in discussing the spiritual,
mental and emotional road blocks of taking risks and following your dreams.
She shares how to get over fear and manifest your dreams.
2018-09-1921 minGuiding CompassEpisode 29: Understaning Polyamory From A New PerspectiveEpisode 29: In this episode we dive into understanding poly-amorous
relationships from a new perspective. Valerie is a licensed marriage and
family therapist who specializes in working with couples in open
relationships.
2018-09-1021 minGuiding CompassEpisode 28: What Is Happening To Our Relationships?Episode 28: Ira Israel comes back onto the show to share his opinion on
relationships and how our cultural dynamics have shifted how we show up in
our relationships. Ira offers a unique clinical, spiritual and
philosophical perspective on this topic.
2018-08-2921 minGuiding CompassEpisode 27: Change Your Life With MindfulnessEpisode 27: Ashley Graber, LMFT joins me for a discussion about the
benefits of meditation and mindfulness. Ashley shares practical ways to in
cooperate the practice into your day-to-day life.
2018-08-2221 minGuiding CompassEpisode 26: New Age Recovery: A New Perspective On SobrietyEpisode 26: Jay Wick, LMFT joins me for an interesting discussion about his
journey in recovery and how he helps client's find purpose in their
sobriety.
2018-08-0821 minGuiding CompassEpisode 25: Navigating MotherhoodEpisode 25: Motherhood is hard. There is no question about how difficult it
is to become a new mother. Today's episode is all about maternal mental
health.
2018-07-3121 minGuiding CompassEpisode 24: Creating The Bridge: How To Connect With TeensEpisode 24: Aly Thompson, LMFT joins me for a discussion about adolescence
and provides insight, tools and valuable information about how to connect
with, understand and guide teens through their unique challenges.
2018-07-2321 minGuiding CompassEpisode 23: Nap Time Is Good For You! The Impact Of SleepEpisode 23: Amanda Cortez, LMFT discusses the impact that sleep has on your
mental, emotional and physical health
2018-07-1021 minGuiding CompassEpisode 22: The Power Of Yoga For TraumaEpisode 22: Deborah Vinall, LMFT discusses her experience using the
practice in her therapeutic work with client's and shares her own journey
of becoming a yogi, clinician and coming up with the idea to combine her
two passions.
2018-06-2721 minGuiding CompassEpisode 21: How Mentorship Can Transform Your LifeEpisode 21: Dr. TK shares how mentorship helped her create the life and
career of her dreams and also gives practical advice for how to find a
mentor, what to look for and ways to best utilize mentorship to move to the
next level in your life.
2018-06-1821 minGuiding CompassEpisode 20: From Anxiety to LoveEpisode 20: Author Corinne Zupko, a licensed counselor and
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction teacher, undertook her study of
psychology out of necessity when debilitating anxiety threatened to derail
her life. Seeking ways to do more than temporarily alleviate her symptoms,
Corinne began to study A Course in Miracles (ACIM), mindfulness meditation,
and the latest therapeutic approaches for treating anxiety.
2018-05-2221 minGuiding CompassEpisode 19: Intuitive EatingEpisode 19: Julie Simon, LMFT joins me for an in-depth look into the
origins of emotional eating, recovery and shares about her most recent
book. Julie focuses on self-soothing, emotional regulation and mindfulness.
2018-05-1521 minGuiding CompassEpisode 18: The Healing Power Of Breath WorkEpisode 18: Nathaniel Hodder-Shipp discusses how trauma is stored in the
body and how he uses breathing techniques to help client's access, process
and move through the trauma stored in their body and transform their lives.
2018-04-2421 minGuiding CompassEpisode 17: Healing From Divorce: The Power of MediationEpisode 17: Barry Davis joins me to discuss the power of mediation and how
it can help decrease some of the emotional trauma of divorce.
2018-04-2021 minGuiding CompassEpisode 16: Whole Health Is Mental HealthEpisode 16: Justin Bethoney joins me for Episode 15 to discuss how
lifestyle factors such as, diet, exercise, sleep and stress management
combine and contribute to our overall mental health and emotional wellness.
2018-04-1021 minGuiding CompassEpisode 15: Healthy Love LAEpisode 15: Barry Davis, LMFT and Shana Diskant to discuss their group
therapy approach to helping people develop healthy relationships and how
they use a combination of mindfulness and CBT to teach new client's new
ways of communicating, connecting and caring for their relationships.
2018-03-2721 minGuiding CompassEpisode 14: How To Survive A Narcissistic RomanceEpisode 14: Alla Branzburg, LCSW joins me for an in-depth discussion about
narcissistic personality disorder and her work with couples where one or
both partners have this diagnosis.
2018-03-1221 minGuiding CompassEpisode 13: The Path To AuthenticityEpisode 13: Ira Israel the author of "How To Survive Your Childhood Now
That You Are An Adult" joins me to discuss the path to healing and
learning to live an authentic, fulfilling and connected life. Ira's
philosophy looks at how our cultural and social expectations prevent us
from being able to tap into our truest selves
2018-03-0121 minGuiding CompassEpisode 12: The Space BetweenEpisode 12: Ms. Cocharo discusses the beauty that exists in "the space
between" and how she helps couples reconnect by looking at each other with
admiration, curiosity and respect for each person's experience in the
relationship.
2018-02-2021 minGuiding CompassEpisode 11: Women And The Power Of PerspectiveEpisode 11: Joanne Royer, PH D has built her coaching practice around
working with women and helping empower them by utilizing the power of
perspective. Joanne will speak about her journey working with women and how
she has utilized her background in clinical work combined with coaching to
help women take control of and improve their lives.
2018-02-0821 minGuiding CompassEpisode 10: Let's Talk About SexEpisode 10: Alicia Brandt, LMFT will be discussing why sex is such an
important part of a relationship, how to talk about it and ways that she
helps couples communicate their needs better.
2018-01-0921 minGuiding CompassEpisode 9: Millennials And The Life Skills EpidemicEpisode 9: On the ninth episode of Guiding Compass, I interview Dr. Tekesia
Jackson Rudd about how the lack of life skills and direction in life is
impacting Millennials and leading to higher rates of anxiety, depression
and the "snowball generation."
2017-12-1921 minGuiding CompassEpisode 8: The Impact Of TraumaEpisode 8: In the seventh episode, I interview Dr. Carole Goguen about her
work with client's with PTSD and complex trauma.
2017-12-1221 minGuiding CompassEpisode 7: Interactive Parenting And Relationship BuildingEpisode 7: Dr. Lisa Cohen about Parent-Child Interactive Therapy (PCIT) and
how she uses play to help build and strengthen the relationship between
caregiver and child.
2017-11-2221 minGuiding CompassEpisode 6: Helping Men Embrace Their VulnerabilityEpisode 6: Courtland McPherson, LCSW about his research and work with men,
embracing vulnerability and helping challenge cultural perceptions of "male
stereotype."
2017-11-1421 minGuiding CompassEpisode 5: Leaning Into Pain and Healing From AddictionEpisode 5: Jasmine Malekan, licensed Marriage and Family Therapist talks
about the importance of "leaning into your pain" and sharing your truth as
it apply's to recovery.
2017-11-0721 minGuiding CompassEpisode 4: Understanding The Impact Of Work On Mental HealthEpisode 4: I interview Brennan Fitzgerald, LPCC about the importance of
work/life balance, meditation and mental health in the tech industry.
2017-11-0321 minGuiding CompassEpisode 3: Spirituality, How To Find Meaning And Purpose In Your LifeEpisode 3: I meet with Jude Weber, a life coach, and eating disorder
specialist. We will be discussing the meaning of spirituality in our lives
and how living authentically can truly transform your life.
2017-10-0421 minGuiding CompassEpisode 2: What To Look For And How To Choose a Treatment Program For Substance AbuseEpisode 2: Dr. Goldenberg will be discussing how to choose a treatment
program, what questions to ask and what too look for.
2017-06-1121 minGuiding CompassEpisode 1: Impact of Social Media and Staying Safe OnlineEpisode 1: Monica Neris an Associate Social Worker will be discussing the
impact of social media, how to talk to teens about their online presence
and staying safe online.
2017-05-1921 min