Shows
the Informed Simplicity podcastThe Future of Therapy Training: Exploring Process Coding with Pioneers Dr. Henny Westra and Alyssa Di Bartolomeo
The transformative work of Dr. Henny Westra and Alyssa Di Bartolomeo in their paper, "Developing expertise in psychotherapy: The case for process coding as clinical training," represents a significant advancement in therapeutic practice.
They introduce a novel framework called "process coding" to enhance therapists’ skills by using session recordings to better understand and refine therapeutic techniques. This method addresses common issues such as therapists' misremembering interactions, enabling a more accurate and effective review and improvement of their sessions. Their approach promises to dramatically enhance therapists' ability to assist clients by offering a systematic way to analyze therapy ta...2024-05-1050 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastDr. Albert Cheng-Are Master’s Degrees Overrated? The Dark Secret of Teacher Quality!
A few weeks ago I ran into Dr. Albert Cheng of the University of Arkansas.
We started talking, and he mentioned he was in the department of education reform. I asked him, "What's one thing about education that you know, that you wish everyone knew?"
"Well," he said, "that teacher training, teacher certification, has no relationship to teacher quality. Just because someone has a master's degree doesn't mean they are a better teacher than someone with a bachelor's."
I was floored.
I knew this happened in the counseling field. Despite what we say, certification in various models doesn't make you...2023-12-0659 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastAudio Blog - The Hidden HierarchyCheck out more of blog or find this blog post here: https://www.jordanthecounselor.com/blog
Earn CE's by listening to my podcast. Find out more here: Check out more of blog or find this blog post here: https://www.jordanthecounselor.com/polyvagalseries
2023-07-2004 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastHow to run private pay groups and earn $300 per hour (for counselors and therapists).Allyson Clemmons is a clinical social worker, couples therapist and owner Bridgetown Clinical, a counseling practice specializing in couples therapy and divorce recovery.
In this conversation Allyson and Jordan discuss:
The time freeing benefits of group practice.
How to run a healthy business.
How to market for your group practice
and more..!
You can find Allyson at her clinical website ( bridgetownclinical.com ) or get coaching on building your practice at her therapists facing website ( www.allysonclemmons.com )
Follow me:
Blog: jordanthecounselor.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Inf...2023-07-1145 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastUnyte, Polyvagal Theory, and the Pyramid of Learning (With Kelly Beins and Leah Dawang){Note: this podcast and show notes were originally part of an online CE course. That course is no longer available.}
Dr. Jordan Harris interviews Kelly Beins and Leah Dawang about their experiences using polyvagal theory in their practices and working with Unyte.
After this training you will be able to meet the following objectives.
Describe a polyvagal perspective of the autonomic nervous system.
Explain the concept of state "blends".
Explain the sequential "pyramid of learning" and how it applies to our central nervous system.
More on Jordan Harris, Ph.D, LMFT-s, LPC-s
...2023-03-101h 02the Informed Simplicity podcast”Am I a good counselor?” 3 Metrics for Assessing your effectiveness.Find this blog post here: jordanthecounselor.com/post/imposter-syndrome
2023-01-2613 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastHow to become a wealthy therapistFind this blog post here: jordanthecounselor.com/post/how-to-become-a-wealthy-therapist
1. Vicki Fountain's Interview
2. JL Collins' Interview
2023-01-0321 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastA Deliberate Practice Hero - WebinarFind this blog post here: jordanthecounselor.com/post/a-deliberate-practice-hero
2022-12-2256 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastWhy We’re Secretly Terrified of Amazing TherapistsFind this blog post here: jordanthecounselor.com/post/effective-counseling-13
2022-12-1609 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastHow to actually get clients from Psychology TodayFind this blog post and get the free Check List here: jordanthecounselor.com/post/private-practice-2
2022-12-0211 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastSupervision is Broken. Here’s How to Fix it.Find this blog post and get the free Check List here: jordanthecounselor.com/post/supervision
2022-11-1709 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastHow to Make 100k as a Counselor (no side hustles needed)Check out more of blog or find this blog post here: https://www.jordanthecounselor.com/private-practice
2022-11-0407 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastWesley Little and the Marketing Magic of NichesCheck out more of blog or find this blog post here: https://www.jordanthecounselor.com/blog
Earn CE's by listening to my podcast. Find out more here: Check out more of blog or find this blog post here: https://www.jordanthecounselor.com/polyvagalseries
2022-10-2444 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastSuicidality and Poverty: The three things you need to know!Register here : Click me!
Limited to 20 participants!
Registration Closes Sept 21st 11:50pm CST!
2022-09-0530 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastHow to advance in your career: A Case StudyFollow the blog here.
Follow this post here : https://www.jordanthecounselor.com/post/career-advice-counselors
2022-08-1846 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastClinical Implications for Suicide AssessmentSign up for the training at Jordanthecounselor@gmail.com
2022-08-0227 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastREBOARDCAST - Deb Dana2022-06-101h 08the Informed Simplicity podcastThe Polyvagal Series: 9. Clinical Implications for Stress and Your Body (a CE eligible podcast)Since you're here you might as well earn CEs. Find out how to earn CEs for this course here.
Find us on iTunes here.
Find us on YouTube here.
2022-05-1349 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastThe Polyvagal Series: 8. Stress and Your Immune System (a CE eligible podcast)Since you're here you might as well earn CEs. Find out how to earn CEs for this course here.
Read about Polyvagal Theory and Cytokine's role in inflammation here.
Read my blogpost about polyvagal theory and the paradox is presents
2022-04-2957 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastREBROADCAST Julia Conroy on using Polyvagal Theory in Research and PracticeListen on YouTube
Listen on iTunes
Contact me at InformedSimplicity@gmail.com
or on Twitter @jordanharrisphd
P.S. If you enjoyed this episode check out my interview with Deb Dana. She's the clinician taking Polyvagal Theory to the masses.
2022-04-1555 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastThe Polyvagal Series: 7. Stress and Reproduction (a CE eligible podcast)Since you're here you might as well earn CEs. Find out how to earn CEs for this course here.
Find out about the ACE study and sexual assault here.
Find out the book Come as You Are here.
PS. If you're interested in learning more about sex and sex therapy check out my episode with Linda Weiner. She's an expert on making sexual touch safe.
2022-04-011h 00the Informed Simplicity podcastThe Polyvagal Series: 6. Stress and Attachment (a CE eligible podcast)Since you're here you might as well earn CEs. Find out how to earn CEs for this course here.
Find out about Bruce Perry's Neurodevelopmental model here.
2022-03-1858 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastThe Polyvagal Series: 5.Stress and Your Gastrointestinal Tract (a CE eligible podcast)Since you're here you might as well earn CEs. Find out how to earn CEs for this course here.
You can pick up Dr. Allan Abbass' book here.
2022-03-0457 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastAudio Blog-For some men, endless validation feels unsafeCheck out more of blog or find this blog post here: https://www.jordanthecounselor.com/blog
Earn CE's by listening to my podcast. Find out more here: Check out more of blog or find this blog post here: https://www.jordanthecounselor.com/polyvagalseries
2022-02-2804 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastAudio Blog- If your client is coming back, they are getting something out of therapy.Check out more of blog or find this blog post here: https://www.jordanthecounselor.com/blog
Earn CE's by listening to my podcast. Find out more here: Check out more of blog or find this blog post here: https://www.jordanthecounselor.com/polyvagalseries
2022-02-2104 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastThe Polyvagal Series: 4. Stress and Your Metabolic System (a CE eligible podcast)Since you're here you might as well earn CEs. Find out how to earn CEs for this course here.
Find the about Newcastle Diet here.
Pick up a copy of Bonnie Kaplan's book on how nutrition impacts your brain here, or listen to my previous interview with her here.
2022-02-181h 08the Informed Simplicity podcastAudio Blog - ”I have to be able to do this job when I’m grieving”Check out more of blog or find this blog post here: https://www.jordanthecounselor.com/blog
2022-02-1303 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastThe Polyvagal Series: 3. Stress and Your Cardiovascular System (a CE eligible podcast)Since you're here you might as well earn CEs. Find out how to earn CEs for this course here.
Watch this video to find out more about how Heartrate Variability impacts your health.
You can pick up Dr. Leah Lagos' book here.
2022-02-041h 05the Informed Simplicity podcastThe Polyvagal Series: 2. Stress and Your Nervous System (a CE eligible podcast)Since you're here you might as well earn CEs. Find out how to earn CEs for this course here.
Find the about Tend and Befriend Theory Here.
If you want an overview of Polyvagal Theory check out this video. It's short and very clear.
PS. If you enjoyed this episode check episode one of our series here.
2022-01-2158 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastThe Polyvagal Series: 1. Stress Research and Polyvagal Theory (a CE eligible podcast)Since you're here you might as well earn CEs. Find out how to earn CEs for this course here.
Find the Polyvagal Theory whitepaper here.
PS. If you enjoyed this episode check out my previous interview with Julia here.
2022-01-0758 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastBonnie Kaplan - Nutrition for Building a Better BrainFind our more about Bonnie here:
Find out more about The Better Brain here:
Contact me at Jordanthecounselor.com
PS. If you enjoyed this episode check out my previous interview with Bonnie here.
Winn a copy of the book! Contest details.
1) Go to iTunes.
2) Leave a review.
3) Take a picture of the review.
4) Send me an email at InformedSimplicity@gmail.com with the picture and your address.
5) I'll pick a random winner by 6/11/2021 who will then be mailed a copy of the...2021-06-0454 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastShari Geller and the Importance of PresenceFind out more about Shari here:
Contact me at Jordanthecounselor.com
PS. If you enjoyed this episode check out this interview with Linda Weiner. She talks about the power of presence in sex therapy.
2021-04-0449 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastThe Root of Resistance
Contact me at InformedSimplicity@gmail.com
Listen on YouTube
P.S. If you enjoyed this check out my interview with Deb Dana. She's the therapist popularizing Polyvagal Theory.
2021-03-2605 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastJesse Owen on Developing a Multicultural orienation.Follow Jesse here: https://www.multiculturalorientation.com/
Check out his book here: https://www.apa.org/pubs/books/4317453
Learn more about his friend Scott Miller here: https://www.scottdmiller.com/
Listen on YouTube
Listen on iTunes
Contact me at InformedSimplicity@gmail.com
or on Twitter @jordanharrisphd
P.S. If you enjoyed this episode check out my interview with Tony Rousimanerrie. He also talks about the micromoves of therapy.
2021-03-051h 05the Informed Simplicity podcastSimon Goldberg on Using Tech to Offer Therapy at Scalehttps://hminnovations.org/meditation-app
Follow Simon here: https://centerhealthyminds.org/about/people/simon-goldberg
Check out the App here: https://hminnovations.org/meditation-app
Listen on YouTube
Listen on iTunes
Contact me at InformedSimplicity@gmail.com
or on Twitter @jordanharrisphd
P.S. If you enjoyed this episode check out my interview with Tony Rousimanerrie. She's the clinician taking Polyvagal Theory to the masses.
2021-02-0554 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastTony Rousmaniere on Deliberate Practice and Getting Better as a TherapistListen on YouTube
Listen on iTunes : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-informed-simplicity-project/id1427537186
Learn more about Deliberate Practice here : https://www.dpfortherapists.com/tonyrousmaniere
Contact me at InformedSimplicity@gmail.com
P.S. If you enjoyed this episode check out my lecture on how to become a master therapist.
2020-10-301h 06the Informed Simplicity podcastEP 45: Linda Weiner on Sensate Focus in Sex TherapyGet the book here.
Find Linda Weiner here.
Contact me at InformedSimplicity@gmail.com
Listen on YouTube
P.S. If you enjoyed this check out my interview with Peggy Kleinplatz She's another amazing sex therapist.
2020-10-0958 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastEP 44: Eri Vlass: a few thoughts on the secret to her successIt's only when we feel free to give up hypervigilance that we can give someone our full attention. That requires us to feel safe.
Contact me at InformedSimplicity@gmail.com
Listen on YouTube
P.S. If you enjoyed this check out my interview with Deb Dana. She's the therapist popularizing Polyvagal Theory.
2020-09-1605 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastEP 43: Erigoni Vlass The Supershrink"I think it's the listening. You listen you here. You do not actually let one detail go. You're completely there. And this is why as therapist we need to be accountable. We need... to look after our own physical and mental health. We need to be alert all the time. We can not actually bring outside issues into our work. We have to be there 150 percent."
-Eri Vlass
Listen on YouTube
Contact me at InformedSimplicity@gmail.com
P.S. If you enjoyed this episode check out my interview with Deb Dana. 2020-08-2853 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastEP 42: Peggy Kleinplatz on Peak Sexual Experiences"Sex is always contextual. It's about about the relationship. It's always about the hopes, and dreams, and fears of each of the people involved in those sexual relations. It's always complex and that's where the media gets it wrong. ...it's never what it seems to be."
Peggy Kleinplatz.
Listen on YouTube
Learn more about Peggy and get trained here optimalsexualexperiences.com
Contact me at InformedSimplicity@gmail.com
P.S. If you enjoyed this mini-episode check out this episode where I talk...2020-07-3051 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastEP 41: Jennifer Allen on a Client's Perspective"Thank you for what you do...The fact that you listen is a huge deal."
Jennifer Allen.
Contact me at InformedSimplicity@gmail.com
Listen on YouTube
P.S. If you enjoyed this check out this interview with Katheryn Sneed. She also talks about her experience as a client.
2020-07-061h 13the Informed Simplicity podcastEP 40: How to Know if Your Clients Feel SafeAs therapists we have to always be mindful of how safe our clients feel in our presence. This is not always easy to determine. But now we know. There are innate cues and Polyvagal Theory tells us what they are.
Contact me at InformedSimplicity@gmail.com
Listen on YouTube
P.S. If you enjoyed this check out my interview with Deb Dana. She's the therapist popularizing Polyvagal Theory.
2020-05-2310 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastEP 39: Jordan Harris "How I Became a Therapist" "Connection is always, always, always a long term solution...Empathy and connection techniques are just the more powerful techniques."
Contact me here: informedsimplicity@gmail.com
Watch here on YouTube
P.S. If you enjoyed this, make sure to check out this episode on How to Become a Supershrink. The two are thematically linked.
2020-04-291h 16the Informed Simplicity podcastEP 38: Ryan Rana the Trana' on Mastering Your Craft "A lot of learning comes through failure. That's been a good teacher for me."
Contact me here: informedsimplicity@gmail.com
Watch here on YouTube
Learn a more about Ryan Rana here. If you want more from Ryan check out his podcast on EFT here, on Leadership here, or his video chat with former ISP guest Anabelle Bugatti Here.
P.S. If you enjoyed this, make sure to check out this episode on How to Become a Supershrink. The two are thematically linked.
Additional Notes and Resources for Ryan Rana
2020-03-3141 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastEP 37: Corona, Social Distancing, and the Psychology of Disgust"One can imagine how revulsion at the physical signs of suffering, of disease, might have had a benefit in reducing contagion, but it comes at the cost of reducing our capacity for empathy and compassion, which can be very useful in building community."
-Paul Ekman "Emotions Revealed"
Contact me at Jocrharris@gmail.com
Listen on YouTube
P.S. If you enjoyed this check out my other short on John Gottman. He talks about sex and healthy relationships.
2020-03-1806 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastEP 36: Katy Wells on Curating The Art of Learning. Not only is it okay to make mistakes or to fail at something, but it's good in a way. If your not, if your not making mistakes and you're not failing your not growing."
Contact me here: Jocrharris@gmail.com
Watch here on YouTube
Learn a more about Josh here Check out Josh's book here
Also, check out https://theartoflearningproject.org/
P.S. If you enjoyed this, make sure to check out this episode on How to Become a Supershrink. The two are thematically linked.
2020-02-271h 01the Informed Simplicity podcastEP 35: Gottman on Affairs and Sex - A Review of What Makes Love LastMy research findings were not unique. The late sex therapist Bernie Zilbergeld studied 100 couples...to [his] surprise, his overwhelming finding was the unimportance of technique. What [mattered?] The sexually active partners had a closer friendship and were committed to making sex a priority.
-John Gottman "What Makes Love Last"
Contact me at Jocrharris@gmail.com
Check out more about Gottman's Affair Recovery Model here.
Watch on YouTube here.
P.S. If you enjoyed this check out my other review on what DOES make therapist better here.
2020-01-3007 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastEP 34: A Critique of Esther Perel and other Charismatic Speakers - an ISP short The Charismatic {Speakers}: This is the kind of person who spends all their time talking. Lecturing. Weaving shimmering webs of ideas into the air. They’re often quite eloquent and charismatic; listening to them can be great fun. Which is precisely the problem — because in the end, passively listening to someone talk is a really inefficient way to learn. We learn by doing, exploring, discovering for ourselves. By asking questions, interacting, engaging with ideas. (Another reason why Socratic method works so well.)
-Dan Coyle "A Field Guide to Avoiding Toxic Teachers/Coaches"
Contact me at...2020-01-2206 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastEP 33: Meet You in McGinnis Meadow - an ISP short"Attunement and responsiveness are hot topics, and the subject of a fair bit of research, in psychotherapy. The former refers to a therapist’s ability to pick up on the nuances of interactions with clients...The latter concept, responsiveness, refers to doing the right thing at the right time, adjusting interventions on the fly to fit the unique and evolving circumstances of the client and therapeutic interactions"
-Scott Miller and Brooke Mathewes
Contact me at Jocrharris@gmail.com
Read the article Meet You in McGinnis Meadow HERE
Watch Monte Roberts HERE...2020-01-1407 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastEP 32: Mark Andreas on Taming Troubled TeensDon't get into a power battle, but if you do get into a power battle get back out of it. What I realized is there's not a rule that says once you're in one you have to stay in it. A lot of people feel like once they start down that path they have to stick it out to the bitter end... and it turns out that's just not true.
Contact me here: Jocrharris@gmail.com
Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/mI0cZlqQs-A
Find Mark online here: https://markandreas.com/
2020-01-081h 16the Informed Simplicity podcastEP 31: Bil Lepp - a master class in storytelling
"The most important thing of any storytelling is you can't be the hero of your own stories. Nobody wants me to stand on stage for 30 minutes and talk about what a great person I am. So if anything heroic happens in my stories, generally I'm telling about someone else doing it or I'm watching someone else do the heroic act."
Contact me here: Jocrharris@gmail.com
View on YouTube
Find Bil online here:https://www.leppstorytelling.com/
Check out his YouTube page here: https://www.youtube.com/watc...2019-12-2150 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastBONUS: So you want to be a Supershrink?: the search for informed simplicityAbout a month ago a friend and fellow therapist asked me to give a presentation to his chapter of GAMFT. At first I didn't know what to present on, then it dawned on me. Since day 1 I've been trying to follow in the footsteps of Milton Erickson. While my journey has been roundabout to say the least, what it's left me with is one question "how do you become a better therapist?" As I collected my thoughts I realized I had answered that question. I entitled the presentation So you want to be a Supershrink?: the search for informed s...2019-11-1940 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastEP 29: Jesse Smith and Attachment Based Family Therapy for Suicidal Teens
"For me humility is super important. Humility, I think a lot of people think, means humbling yourself and bringing yourself down, But it's also about bringing yourself up. it's about right sizing where you fit."
View on YouTube
Contact Jesse at: jas945@drexel.edu
Learn about the ABFT here.
P.S. If you enjoyed this episode, check out my conversation with Debbie Pridemore. She's another attachment clinician.
2019-10-281h 13the Informed Simplicity podcastEP 28: Jeff Zeig and the Art of Therapeutic Communication
"It's a matter of utilizing, not analyzing, what the client is bringing to you, what exists in the total weave of the therapy situation, learning how to join into that moment rather than trying to instruct in some cognitive about how to get out of that situation."
View on YouTube
Learn More about Jeff here.
Learn about the Milton Erickson Foundation here.
P.S. If you enjoyed this episode, check out my conversation with Connirae Andreas. She also studied with Milton Erickson.
2019-10-081h 00the Informed Simplicity podcastEP 27: Debbie Pridemore on Attachment theory, Therapy, and Christianity"[Attachment] it's a protection systems that's built into our bodies, so when that's in distress, like with a couple, and you don't know if that person has your back, you don't know if you're safe with that person, or that person becomes a threat, then we go into survival mode. Literally our body goes into a fight-flight freeze response because we don't know if we're safe, we don't have that other person to keep us safe, to help us watch for danger, and to protect us when there's danger there."
View on YouTube
Contact Debbie H...2019-09-031h 14the Informed Simplicity podcastEP 26: Alan Berkowitz on using Social Norms for Social Change"We go through life underestimating the goodness of human beings and we overestimating the negative and then it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy."
Learn more about Alan here: www.alanberkowitz.com
Get his EXCELLENT book here:
http://www.lulu.com/shop/alan-berkowitz-phd/response-ability-a-complete-guide-to-bystander-intervention/paperback/product-4843519.html
P.S. If you enjoyed this check out my conversation with Lisa Diamond, she's another changing social norms.
2019-07-2658 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastEP 25: Connirae Andreas and Awakening the Wisdom WithinWatch on Youtube:, follow on Medium:,Listen on iTunes:
"It can't be imposed on someone. It's for everyone who's interested in a better life."
Connirae Andreas is the last of the mavericks. There was a time in the world of psychotherapy when the field was advanced by people unafraid to ask bold questions and make even bolder moves. Much of modern day hypnosis and NLP was born during this time. In the thick of it all sat Connirae Andreas adding her unique blend to the process of change and personal evolution. She brings that...2019-06-251h 20the Informed Simplicity podcastName change and new directions!Hello!
I'm pleased to announce the Informed Simplicity Project!
This project is all about mastery in the field of psychotherapy. Part of this project will be same- I'll still be interviewing amazing guest in the field of psychotherapy. And part of this podcast will be very different. You'll have access to book reviews (such as Anne Herrington's Mind Fixers) and curated content from around the web. This is no longer just for students in an online program, now it's for students of the field of psychotherapy.
So, make sure to subscribe....2019-06-1802 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastEP 24: James Hawkins, Ph.D on Racial Reconciliation"I hear so many political pundits and talking heads now and when they talk about reconciliation or why there's is disproportionate levels of income and crime rates and all of these things now and they'll point to things such as 'well it's because of single motherhood' or 'lack of fathers in african america or minority communities'... okay that's fine, but that didn't just happen overnight. There's a reasons. I never hear anyone talk about reason and there's a reason."
"Some people may think I'm only doing this, Jordan, for minorities, but that's not true. I believe we'r...2019-05-2957 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastEP 23: Dr. Anabelle Bugatti on excellence in EFTIf you really want to be a superior therapist then you got to keep getting trained. And you can, and it it will show up... I really care about not just being a good therapist, but an amazing therapist.
Anabelle Bugatti first popped onto my radar through her interview with George Faller. They spent an hour dissecting the nuances of working through client anger in ways which validate and transform rather than dismiss and invalidate. It was a phenomenal interview. As I watched that and her other interviews, two things become very clear, very quickly. First, she is...2019-05-0247 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastEP 22: Adam Mathews and the Digital Future of Therapy"Most online schools, that are accredited, have a thousand people in their master's program getting online degrees, and so to then say that we don't do online therapy is kind of ludacris. And we don't teach how to do online therapy well, that's kinda ludacris as well."
Adam Mathews was my first supervisor. As I was grinding away as an In-Home therapist I watched him transition smoothly from the world of managed care into private practice. Since then his online presence as a therapist has only grown. He has a wonderful website, a sex therapy podcast, and gen...2019-04-081h 08the Informed Simplicity podcastEP 21: Alex Vaz on Becoming a Practitioner Researcher
"It's not that we're doing nothing. It's that a lot of the things we're focusing on {don't} seem to map to outcomes."
After talking with Alex I got the sense that if we weren't divided by an ocean we'd be good friends. Living in Lisbon, Portugal he does a little of everything, teaching, research, practice, etc. He first appeared on my radar after I stumbled upon his amazing youtube series for therapist: Psychotherapy Expert Talks where he interviews top therapist and researchers in the field. Not only is he super friendly and incredibly welcoming, he is a...2019-03-071h 02the Informed Simplicity podcastEp 20: Scott Miller and What it Takes To Be a Better Therapist"I'm not interested in psychotherapy as an enterprise. I'm interested in doing whatever it takes to engage people in helping people help themselves to lead healthier, more functional, happier lives."
Scott Miller is easily one of the most important and most underrated psychologist of our time. Listen to him speak for just a few minutes and it's clear why. He has a master of the research that is almost unparalleled. But that is not what makes him great. What makes him great is he knows where to look. All of his energy is focused, not on theory, but on the v...2019-02-1448 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastEP 19: Denise Walker, A.B.D. on In-home Therapy
"How can we educate anybody when they have so much more going on outside of these 6.5 - 7 seven hours of school?"
Denise Walker is one of the few therapist I've seen work. Her ability to connect with teenagers is something to behold. Because of this unique ability, and because of her years of experience working in client's homes, I decided to reach out to her. As you listen, pay special attention to her passion for education, especially for those forgotten and overlooked.
In this episode we talk about:
How she started working with yo...2019-01-311h 13the Informed Simplicity podcastEP 18: An Uncommon Case Report with Eric Greenleaf"That's all I'm trying to do in therapy, I'm trying to get the patient to teach me how he does things well, [rather] than me to teach him what his mistakes are."
Eric Greenleaf, has plenty of awards. He's a Ph.D, the director of MHEIBA, editor for the Erickson Foundation Newsletter, and first recipient of the Milton H. Erickson Award of Scientific Excellence for Writing in Hypnosis. However, in this podcast you'll come to see him as a wonderful storyteller. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him discuss case after case. Whenever I hear stories like this I'm always i...2018-12-131h 14the Informed Simplicity podcastEP 17: Deb Dana and the Science of Safety
"[I call polyvagal theory] the science of feeling safe enough to fall in love with life and take the risk of living."
I can't talk about therapy without talking about how important safety is. And I can't talk about safety without talking about polyvagal theory. And I can't talk about polyvagal theory without talking about two names, and one of those is Deb Dana. While others have outlined the steps and stages of safety, Deb's mission is to operationalize safety so that we therapists can use it in practical ways to help our clients.
In t...2018-12-011h 08the Informed Simplicity podcastEP 16: Stephen Gilligan and Generative Trance
"Usually with trance you think close your eyes and go away. And that's a good thing to be able to do but I think we always should regard it as a special case. Really what people are needing is how to connect with others and how to participate in life in the present moment with all of who they are."
Before there were therapist there were priest, mystics, magi and the like. Stephen Gilligan is a throwback to the best of those healing traditions. Talking with him and seeing him work is always inspiring and reminds me t...2018-11-1554 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastEP 15: Laurence Hirshberg on Neurofeedback and Neuromodulation
"The question I had was, well I could teach people how to cope better, I could teach people how to manage that arousal better, but could I actually turn down that arousal so they weren't having to deal with so damn much."
Laurence Hirshberg is a brainach. You'll get two minutes into this conversation and his intelligence will simply smack you in the face. I love that. I love brilliant people. But he's also the kind of smart person who deeply cares. That is why Laurence was such an awesome guest to have on. Not only does...2018-10-311h 05the Informed Simplicity podcastEP 14: How to Get your Baby to Sleep (and build a following) with Alexis Dubief
{No one is successful by themselves.} It takes a village. And I found my village and I'm super grateful because possibly the 100,000 people we've helped on the facebook group, that would have never have happened if it was just me. 2930
When I learned I was having a child one of my biggest fears was, "How am I going to handle everything when I'm exhausted?" Then, by chance, a friend recommended Alexis' blog Precious Little Sleep and everything changed. Make no mistake, the first few weeks were hard, but they were also more doable because I felt...2018-10-191h 08the Informed Simplicity podcastEP 13: Bonnie Kaplan and Nutritional Treatments for Mental HealthIf we had a new antidepressant that resulted in a 1/3 remission in just 12 weeks, with no side effects, except having more energy, sleeping better, having better bowel functions etcetera, it would be on the cover of Time magazine. But nobody knows about the nutrition research because the media won't cover it.
Bonnie Kaplan is a radical. She's a maverick who holds one of the best kept secrets in mental health: that a major player in mental health is nutrition. Over and over agains she's seen how simple it is to dump the nasty side effects of psychotropic chemicals and rece...2018-09-201h 12the Informed Simplicity podcastEP 12: Kathryn Sneed and Brand building from a Client's Point of View"If you want to have a lot of clients you've got to make yourself a brand."
We live in a world where therapists are expected to do more than merely see clients. We now must become a personal brand. Who better to learn from then the people are have mastered personal branding: Influencers. In this episode Ryan and I sat down with influencer and therapy client, Kathryn Sneed. As a therapy client and influencer she offers unique insights into how therapists can build their brand and grow their platform. In this episode we cover:
The importance of self pr...2018-09-0530 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastEP 11: Enlightenment and Social Justice with Noelle Zamudio"There's more than enough to go around. If you trust in that flow ... if you have an open hand, things can flow into that hand and things flow out of it. But if it's closed it's hard to flow in and it's hard to flow out."
After talking with Noelle I came away inspired by her clarity and vision. She's committed to providing therapy in a way that's affordable to her clients as well as creating a business that mentors new therapists. Her approach is so refreshing in a world that increasingly only cares about making a profit. I...2018-08-221h 09the Informed Simplicity podcastEP 10: Motivational Interviewing with Dr. Angela Bethea-Walsh One of the things that’s important to remember is knowledge is not enough for people to change.
Along the path of life we occasionally bump into exemplars- persons seen from a distance who inspire us by showing us what’s possible. For me, Dr Angela Bethea-Walsh is one of those persons; a highly skilled person of color with a full and diverse career. Because of that, my interview with her was profoundly engaging. I hope you listen as closely as I did, because every other word she speaks is gold. In this episode we cover:
Her wandering path of suc...2018-08-151h 24the Informed Simplicity podcastEP 9: Lisa Diamond on sexual fluidity and attachment“Our society does not respect attachment relationships that are neither family nor sexual and I think that’s a fundamental weakness and something that runs counter to what we know about ourselves as a species.”
Lisa Diamond is one of the top researchers in the world on sexual fluidity, the capacity for a person’s sexual orientation to change over time. Talking with her was an acid trip. Every other thing she said blew my mind and opened up whole worlds of questions. What surprised me the most was how quickly the conversation turned towards …wait for it… attachment.
In thi...2018-08-1558 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastEP 7: Karyn “Her Heart Beats for Therapists” Bristol“When you watch your own tapes you’ve got to be so careful to not look for all your mistakes … how we learn is yeah, notice something you may have missed, but also make sure you catch the things you did right. ” Karyn Bristol
For this episode I finally got to sit down and talk with Karyn Bristol. Besides being one of the top EFT bloggers, she’s also an EFT supervisor and founding member of the New Jersey chapter of EFT.
One of the things that I didn’t expect was how warm she was, even the cadence of he...2018-08-1552 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastEP 6: Talk’n EFT with Katie GuddeMy first guest on the podcast, and little-known wonder, was Katie Gudde. Practicing in the small (but growing) area of Northwest Arkansas, Katie Gudde is, in my humble opinion, one of those hidden Supershrinks, a wonder therapist who has grown her skills through practice and dedication and regularly helps people that stump other therapists.
In this episode we talk about:
Feeling like a failure and fraud even after years of being in the field
The cyclical nature of change
EFT and motivation
How attachment needs are survival needs, just like hunger and thirst
Does EFT work...2018-08-1551 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastEP 5: A “Little” Advice on Becoming an EFT TherapistI stumbled upon Wesley Little’s blog Becoming A Couples Therapist a few months ago and was dumbstruck. Here was someone who spoke with both passion and precision about couples therapy. Not only was her blog offering specific, actionable steps in helping therapists work with couples, she also spoke with a simplicity that revealed a deep heart for couples in pain. Becoming a Therapist has been my favorite therapy blog ever since. So you can imagine how excited I was when I sat down for our interview.
On Episode 4 we talk about:
Her favorite therapy blog
The wis...2018-08-1537 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastEP 4: Kershaw, Wade and the hidden common factor of therapyDrs. Kershaw and Wade are, in my my opinion, pioneers of the field. Their approach to therapy which combines neurofeedback and hypnosis puts them on the forefront of innovative change work. In this episode we talk about:
How they taught me to ask the miracle question
Jaak Pansepp’s emotional states
The hidden common factor in therapy
Alpha/Theta training and it’s connection to hypnosis
How to know when someone’s in an Alpha/Theta state
How you brain makes it only cannabis
Their best advice for students
Click here to listen
P.s. If you want mo...2018-08-1538 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastEP 3: The Hypnotic Therapy of Douglas FlemonsRyan and I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Douglas Flemons. A wonderful therapist and a personal mentor we’ve been talking about hypnosis and change for some time now. A brief therapist in practice in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Douglas specializes in hypnosis, sex, and suicide.
In this episode we talk about:
How his approach is a mix of Gregory Bateson’s theory of mind and Daoism
Why he doesn’t let clients set the goals of therapy (sort of)
Why Flemons doesn’t encourage clients to use hypnosis
How he thinks about brief therapy
The wisdom he to...2018-08-1539 minthe Informed Simplicity podcastEP 8: Sebern Fisher and Neurofeedback for Developmental Trauma“Neuroplasticity, which we talk a lot about, is in the frequency domain of the brain. We know it’s not in the chemical because we provide chemicals and they don’t create brain change. They create sedation.”
My talk with Sebern Fisher was phenomenal! What impressed me the most was her honesty. In her book and in the interview she was remarkably candid about her failure to help the most troubled of children, that is until she found neurofeedback. If you’ve ever found yourself stuck with patients who have had horrendously extensive trauma histories then this is the episode for...2018-08-151h 24