We don’t heal alone – we heal in connection.

Prentis Hemphill, alongside co-host Sue Marriott, traces their path from social organizing to somatic therapy, revealing how personal healing and collective transformation are deeply intertwined. Together, they explore how inherited myths, power dynamics, and collective trauma shape both our inner worlds and our social systems. This episode invites therapists and change makers alike to consider healing as more than an individual process—it’s relational, embodied, and political in impact. Prentis offers grounded reflections and practical tools for working with the body, navigating power, and engaging in healing that extends beyond the self.

“When we are courageous, we can do the unexpected and start to mold the world around a vision bigger than one produced by fear. Every inch of progress, every ounce of love, every truly meaningful action from here on out will happen through courage, not comfort.”  – Prentis Hemphill

Time Stamps for Where Personal Healing Meets Collective Change (295)

06:15 The interplay of interpersonal and systemic dynamics
09:31 The challenge of updating therapeutic practices
16:49 Impact of myths on human behavior
20:32 Reflections on current political climate and collective trauma
24:10 The myth of “American Exceptionalism”
36:50 Self-care and community engagement
40:07 Resources for healing and transformation

About our Guest – Prentis Hemphill

Prentis Hemphill is the bestselling author of What It Takes to Heal, a groundbreaking exploration of healing, justice, and transformation. A therapist, somatics teacher, facilitator, political organizer, and writer, Prentis is also the founder of The Embodiment Institute and a leading voice in embodied leadership and collective healing. For over a decade, Prentis has worked with individuals and organizations through their most challenging moments of change—navigating leadership transitions, conflict, and the alignment of practice with values. Grounded in an embodied approach, their work ensures that our intentions aren’t just ideas, but are fully lived, felt, and practiced. Before founding The Embodiment Institute, Prentis served as the Healing Justice Director at Black Lives Matter Global Network and was a lead somatics teacher with generative somatics and Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity (BOLD). They hold an M.A. in Clinical Psychology and have provided therapeutic services in low-cost mental health clinics, centering marginalized communities. Prentis has contributed to Atlas of the Heart (Brené Brown), The Politics of Trauma (Staci K. Haines), You Are Your Best Thing (edited by Brené Brown & Tarana Burke), and Holding Change (adrienne maree brown). They are also the creator and host of the acclaimed podcasts Finding Our Way and Becoming the People, which have surpassed over a million downloads. At its core, Prentis’ work challenges the complacency of mainstream therapeutic models, infusing healing with the rigor of justice, repair, and accountability. They believe that reclaiming feeling and relationship creates space for true transformation—in ourselves, our movements, and the world. Prentis lives on a small farm in Durham, NC, with their partner, Kasha, their child, and two dogs.

!!NEW OPPORTUNITY!! READING POD STARTING MAY 1ST!

Looking to deep dive into Prentis’s book? Co-host Sue Marriott is hosting a weekly Zoom reading pod – with a potential author Q&A at the conclusion. First session starts May 1st.

$10/session and $5/session for our Supercast and Neuronerds. Learn more and reserve your spot – HERE!

Resources for Where Personal Healing Meets Collective Change with Prentis Hemphill (295)

The Embodiment Institute – Training institute, research entity, and culture change engine that strategically develops people and organizations to be agents of transformation in families, social movements and the environment.

Prentis’s Website – Resources and information

“Becoming the People” – Prentis’s podcast

What It Takes to Heal; Published 2024 by Penguin Random House -Prentis’s book, get your copy today!

Beyond Attachment Styles course is available NOW!  

Learn how your nervous system, your mind, and your relationships work together in a fascinating dance, shaping who you are and how you connect with others.

Online, Self-Paced, Asynchronous Learning with Quarterly Live Q&A’s – next one April 13, 2026!

Earn 6 Continuing Education Credits – Available at Checkout

As a listener of this podcast, use code BAS15 for a limited-time discount.

Get your copy of Secure Relating here!!

You are invited! 

Join our exclusive community to get early access and discounts to things we produce, plus an ad-free, private feed. In addition, receive exclusive episodes recorded just for you. Sign up for our premium Neuronerd plan!! Click here!!

Patreon/Supercast Special Release –

Bonus – Hormones, Libido, and the Missing Conversation About Women’s Bodies with Dr. Christine Vaccaro (294)

This is a sneak peek of our episode with Dr. Christine Vaccaro – available only on our Premium Supercast and Patreon platforms. For as little as $5/month you can have access to special releases like this one, first-to-know about upcoming events and discounts and an ad-free feed.

Click here to join & finish the episode!!

We’ve normalized not understanding women’s bodies.

Dr. Christine Vaccaro helps demystify women’s sexual health – exploring everything from hormones and anatomy to libido and pelvic floor challenges. Together, we break down what’s often misunderstood or overlooked, offering clear, empowering insights to help women better understand their bodies and advocate for their care.

“You don’t want women to have to choose between mental health or sexual health.” – Dr. Christine Vaccaro

Time Stamps for Bonus – Hormones, Libido, and the Missing Conversation About Women’s Bodies with Dr. Christine Vaccaro (294)

00:49 Understanding the complexity of women’s sexual health
06:53 Libido and sexual health
09:36 Gender equity in sexual health education
12:36 The Clitoris: Anatomy and function
15:12 Hormones and their impact on sexual health
30:57 Navigating hormonal changes in Perimenopause and Menopause
34:09 The role of Testosterone in women’s health
51:53 Pelvic floor health and its impact on women
58:02 Importance of sexual health awareness

About our Guest – Dr. Christine Vaccaro 

She is a double board-certified and fellowship trained urogynecologist & reconstructive pelvic surgeon with advanced training in sexual medicine. She is an expert in treating urogynecological conditions and has conducted research on interstitial cystitis (IC), pelvic floor disorders, and clitoral anatomy. Dr. Vaccaro is an active member of both the American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) and the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons (SGS), where she contributes to multiple committees focused on advancing education and research.Dr. Vaccaro has been practicing medicine for over 20 years in the military, and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1999, with a major in Chemistry/Life Sciences, Nuclear Engineering Track. She received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree in 2003 from the University of North Texas Health Science Center. She completed her OB/GYN residency training in 2007 at Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA and her Urogynecology fellowship training in 2011 at Good Samaritan Hospital, Cincinnati, OH. ​Dr. Vaccaro retired from the U.S. Army with the rank of Colonel, after serving as Fellowship Program Director and Service Chief of Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Looking for our Upcoming Events? Click here!!

Our Beyond Attachment Styles course is available NOW!

Learn how your nervous system, your mind, and your relationships work together in a fascinating dance, shaping who you are and how you connect with others.

• Earn 6 Continuing Education Credits – Available at Checkout
• Online, Self-Paced, Asynchronous Learning with Quarterly Live Q&A’s

Some feelings can’t be said – but they can be sung

Ann Koplow shares her journey as a therapist and musician, discussing the healing power of music, her experiences with a rare heart condition, and the importance of authenticity in therapy. She emphasizes the role of shamelessness in creative expression and how songwriting serves as a therapeutic tool for both herself and her clients. The conversation explores the impact of music on mental health, the creation of community through shared experiences, and the necessity of letting go of shame to embrace one’s true self.

“Every day is a gift. Let go of your shame. Be your authentic self.” – Ann Koplow, LCSW, CGP

About our Guest – Ann Koplow, LCSW, CGP

Ann Koplow is a clinical social worker, certified group therapist, and singer-songwriter who uses psychotherapy and music to help people grow and connect. She facilitates six open-access “Coping and Healing” groups a week at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and is a past president of the Northeastern Society for Group Psychotherapy. She has yet to publish any articles or books about her innovative model for group therapy because she’s better at short-form creations like songs, including “Triggers,” “Everybody’s Somebody’s Asshole,” “Catastrophizing,” “Other People’s Anger,” “Don’t Kill Yourself,” and her protest song “You Don’t Scare Me!” When she shares her songs in her groups, the members appreciate her relatable and accepting messages like “I Left the House Before I Felt Ready” and “It’s Hard to Get Sh*t Done When You’re Scared Sh*tless.” Her patients express concern that she will get too famous and leave the groups behind, but that’s just not going to happen. Her album The Singing Therapist — Live at the Lilypad! and her other songs are available on Spotify, Apple Music, and probably wherever music can be found.

Time Stamps for How Music Heals What Words Can’t with Ann Koplow (293)

05:23 How Ann navigates life living with a heart condition
12:30 Shameless appeals for applause
19:26 Using music in group therapy
26:16 The power of authenticity and relatability in creative expression
31:15 Healing through creative outlets

Resources for How Music Heals What Words Can’t with Ann Koplow (293)

The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally – Ann’s blog

Ann’s Youtube Channel – Check out her music

Ann’s Linktree – Find her social media, blogs, Youtube channel and original songs

Beyond Attachment Styles course is available NOW!  

Learn how your nervous system, your mind, and your relationships work together in a fascinating dance, shaping who you are and how you connect with others.

Online, Self-Paced, Asynchronous Learning with Quarterly Live Q&A’s – next one April 13, 2026!

Earn 6 Continuing Education Credits – Available at Checkout

As a listener of this podcast, use code BAS15 for a limited-time discount.

Get your copy of Secure Relating here!!

You are invited! 

Join our exclusive community to get early access and discounts to things we produce, plus an ad-free, private feed. In addition, receive exclusive episodes recorded just for you. Sign up for our premium Neuronerd plan!! Click here!!

Join us again in Washington, DC for the 49th Annual Psychotherapy Networker!

March 19-22nd! In person and online options available. Get your discounted seat HERE!

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions around suicide. 

Triggers Aren’t the Problem—They’re the Clue

Co-host Sue Marriott and guest Lisa Firestone examine how attachment wounds, emotional dysregulation, and relational disconnection can quietly escalate into crisis. Together they explore the often-overlooked link between attachment patterns and suicidality, and why understanding your relational blueprint may be one of the most important protective factors you have. Blending research, clinical experience, and practical strategies, this episode offers tools for building emotional resilience, increasing self-awareness, and supporting others through vulnerable moments.

 “It is a full-time job to cope with alien elements from both interpersonal sources and societal influences.” – Dr. Lisa Firestone

Myths of Attachment Styles: What Real Science Tells Us

FREE LIVE Webinar – March 12

Join Ann and Sue as they challenge oversimplified attachment frameworks popularized on social media and explore the dynamic, context-dependent nature of defensive attachment patterns.​​​​​​​ The attachment spectrum includes cultural patterns as well as unconscious scripts and strategies to update your patterns in real time – tune in to hear more! FREE with an option to purchase 1.5 CE. Click Here to Sign Up!!

Time Stamps for From Crisis to Connection: Attachment as a Lifeline with Dr. Lisa Firestone (292)

05:23 Understanding suicide and self-regulation
11:09 Therapeutic approaches to suicidality
16:17 Navigating attachment styles
27:11 Understanding attachment and security
29:53 Interactive exercise on attachment
40:22 Recognizing triggers in relationships

About our Guest – Dr. Lisa Firestone

Lisa Firestone, PhD is a Clinical Psychologist and the Director of Research and Education at the Glendon Association and Senior Editor at PsychAlive.org. She is the author of numerous articles and book chapters and coauthor of the books Self Under Siege, Conquer Your Critical Inner Voice, and Creating a Life of Meaning and Compassion. Dr. Firestone is a national and international trainer and presenter on topics including couple relationships, attachment, suicide and violence prevention assessment and treatment Lisa has been involved in clinical training and research in the areas of suicide and violence which resulted in the development of the assessments Firestone Assessment of Self-destructive Thoughts (FAST) and (FASI) and the Firestone Assessment of Violent Thoughts (FAVT) for adults and adolescents. Lisa Firestone is a clinical psychologist in private practice and consultant on the management of high-risk clients.

Resources for From Crisis to Connection: Attachment as a Lifeline with Dr. Lisa Firestone (292)

Making Sense of Your Life – eCourse with Dr. Dan Siegel and Dr. Lisa Firestone (4 CEs)

Challenging the Fantasy Bond – book by Dr. Robert Firestone

Developing Secure Attachment  – Two-Part Online Course (2 CEs)

Beyond Attachment Styles course is available NOW!  

Learn how your nervous system, your mind, and your relationships work together in a fascinating dance, shaping who you are and how you connect with others.

Online, Self-Paced, Asynchronous Learning with Quarterly Live Q&A’s – next one April 13, 2026!

Earn 6 Continuing Education Credits – Available at Checkout

As a listener of this podcast, use code BAS15 for a limited-time discount.

Get your copy of Secure Relating here!!

You are invited! 

Join our exclusive community to get early access and discounts to things we produce, plus an ad-free, private feed. In addition, receive exclusive episodes recorded just for you. Sign up for our premium Neuronerd plan!! Click here!!

Join us again in Washington, DC for the 49th Annual Psychotherapy Networker!

March 19-22nd! In person and online options available. Get your discounted seat HERE!

What does science actually say about monogamy, desire, and long-term love?

Evolutionary biologist Dr. Justin Garcia joins co-host Sue Marriott to deepen our understanding of the myths and realities of modern relationships. From monogamy to consensual non-monogamy, we explore how jealousy and trust function – not as flaws – but as deeply human signals shaped by biology and attachment. Dr. Garcia breaks down how relationships shift over time, especially as we age, and why sexual satisfaction isn’t just about frequency – it’s about novelty, meaning, and connection. We dive into the neuroscience of intimacy, including the roles of dopamine and oxytocin, and revisit the Kinsey scale to better understand the fluidity of sexual orientation. This conversation is a grounded, nuanced look at how passion evolves, and how couples can intentionally cultivate desire, curiosity, and emotional safety over the long haul.

“Humans, the most intimate animal, will always live and die for love. Understanding why gives us the power to find and maintain the loves worth living for.” – Dr. Justin Garcia, a quote from The Intimate Animal

Time Stamps for Why Long-Term Love Gets Complicated: A Scientific Approach with Dr. Justin Garcia (291)

00:57 Understanding social vs. sexual monogamy
04:32 The evolutionary perspective on relationships
08:26 Jealousy and relationship dynamics
20:25 Sexuality and aging: A new perspective
28:44 The power of eye gaze and oxytocin
30:30 Understanding aggression: Oxytocin and vasopressin dynamics
39:01 Exploring sexual diversity and the Kinsey scale

About Our Guest – Dr. Justin Garcia

Dr. Justin Garcia is an evolutionary biologist and international authority on the science of sex and relationships. Since 2019, he has served as the Executive Director of the world-renowned Kinsey Institute, where he is also a Senior Scientist. He holds an appointment as the Ruth N. Halls Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana University and is a Founding Co-Director of Human Sexuality and Health at the IU School of Medicine. Dr. Garcia holds a Ph.D. in evolutionary biology and M.S. in biomedical anthropology from Binghamton University and an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from Harvard Kennedy School.An award-winning researcher and educator, Dr. Garcia has consulted with a variety of industry partners, and he is currently the Chief Scientific Advisor to Match where he provides expertise for the annual Singles in America study. His research has been featured widely in the media and focuses on people’s romantic and sexual lives throughout the life course, especially on integrative biopsychosocial models of variation in courtship, intimacy, and sexual behavior.

Resources for Why Long-Term Love Gets Complicated: A Scientific Approach with Dr. Justin Garcia (291)

Justin Garcia – The Kinsey Institute: Biography and other information

The Intimate Animal – Dr. Garcia’s new book, order here!

Beyond Attachment Styles course is available NOW!  

Learn how your nervous system, your mind, and your relationships work together in a fascinating dance, shaping who you are and how you connect with others.

Online, Self-Paced, Asynchronous Learning with Quarterly Live Q&A’s!

Earn 6 Continuing Education Credits – Available at Checkout

As a listener of this podcast, use code BAS15 for a limited-time discount.

Get your copy of Secure Relating here!!

You are invited! 

Join our exclusive community to get early access and discounts to things we produce, plus an ad-free, private feed. In addition, receive exclusive episodes recorded just for you. Sign up for our premium Neuronerd plan!! Click here!!

Join us again in Washington, DC for the 49th Annual Psychotherapy Networker!

March 19-22nd! In person and online options available. Get your discounted seat HERE!

Please support our sponsors – they keep our podcast free and accessible to all! 

Talkiatry is a 100% online psychiatry practice that provides comprehensive evaluations, diagnoses, and ongoing medication management for conditions like ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, insomnia, and more. Head to Talkiatry.com/TU and complete the short assessment to get matched with an in‑network psychiatrist in just a few minutes.

Health starts with what we absorb, not just what we eat

Dr. Aly Cohen and co-host Dr. Ann Kelley discuss the often-overlooked importance of drinking water quality, the impact of environmental toxins on health, and the connection between gut health and mental well-being. Listen as Dr. Cohen highlights the alarming rise of autoimmune diseases and the role of hormones and chemicals in our health. Learn practical, manageable ways to reduce toxin exposure, while exploring how nutrition, lifestyle choices, education, and community support play a vital role in empowering people to take control of their health.

“You don’t have to wait to be saved. You have everything you need to make informed choices and changes that can protect your health now. – Dr. Aly Cohen

Time Stamps for Nontoxic Guide to Healthy Living with Dr. Aly Cohen (290)

08:19 The rise of autoimmune diseases
11:17 Understanding gender disparities in autoimmune disorders
13:52 The gut-brain connection
29:10 The impact of environmental chemicals on health
35:03 Practical steps for reducing toxins
41:43 Understanding organic vs. conventional produce
45:14 The dangers of plastics and their effects
56:11 Understanding drinking water safety
01:01:07 Choosing the right water containers

About our Guest – Dr. Aly Cohen 

Dr. Aly Cohen is a board-certified rheumatologist and integrative medicine physician, recognized nationally for her expertise in environmental health, and medical education. She is the author of Detoxify: The Everyday Toxins Harming Your Immune System and How to Defend Against Them, which connects the dots between everyday chemicals and the epidemic rise in immune disorders and autoimmune disease…and what we CAN all do about it! She continues to teach, lecture, and practice medicine in Princeton, New Jersey.

Resources for Nontoxic Guide to Healthy Living with Dr. Aly Cohen (290)

Detoxify: Live Clean, Reduce Inflammation, and Reclaim Your Health – Purchase Dr. Cohen’s new book

Instagram  – @TheSmartHuman

AlyCohenMd – Dr. Aly Cohen’s official website

The Smart Human – The Smart Human official website

The Smart Human – Youtube channel

How to Protect Your Kids from Toxic Chemicals – TEDx

Beyond Attachment Styles course is available NOW!  

Learn how your nervous system, your mind, and your relationships work together in a fascinating dance, shaping who you are and how you connect with others.

Online, Self-Paced, Asynchronous Learning with Quarterly Live Q&A’s!

Earn 6 Continuing Education Credits – Available at Checkout

As a listener of this podcast, use code BAS15 for a limited-time discount.

Get your copy of Secure Relating here!!

You are invited! 

Join our exclusive community to get early access and discounts to things we produce, plus an ad-free, private feed. In addition, receive exclusive episodes recorded just for you. Sign up for our premium Neuronerd plan!! Click here!!

Join us again in Washington, DC for the 49th Annual Psychotherapy Networker!

March 19-22nd! In person and online options available. Get your discounted seat HERE!

Please support our sponsors – they keep our podcast free and accessible to all! 

Talkiatry is a 100% online psychiatry practice that provides comprehensive evaluations, diagnoses, and ongoing medication management for conditions like ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, insomnia, and more. Head to Talkiatry.com/TU and complete the short assessment to get matched with an in‑network psychiatrist in just a few minutes.

10 years in and still uncensored

In this special 10-year anniversary episode, Sue and Ann reflect on a decade of Therapist Uncensored – how it began, how it’s changed, and how the relationships formed have deepened along the way. They share candidly about the influence from our listeners in keeping them curious, accountable, and grounded, as well as the ways their own thinking has evolved through conversations with leading experts and thoughtful audience feedback. Together they explore the joys and tensions of teaching in the mental health space, including the importance of humility, questioning long-held assumptions, and recognizing the limits of any single perspective. This episode is both a celebration and a recommitment – to inclusivity, to amplifying diverse voices, and to ongoing learning in a field that is constantly evolving. And above all, it’s a heartfelt thank-you to the community that has made the last ten years possible.

“The podcast itself was going to be this incredible learning machine for us…and there were times we had to move our butts from expert to ignorant.”

Time Stamps for 10 Years of TU: Growth, Reflections & the Future (289)

02:49 The journey of growth and learning
05:29 Bridging knowledge and accessibility
11:09 Challenging the traditional narratives
16:42 Navigating vulnerability in conversations
22:08 Lessons from public mistakes
24:58 The landscape of podcasting and mental health

Resources & Action Items

Nominate your favorite lightbulb moment or episode with our quick survey – therapistuncensored.com/nominations

The Equalizer that Wasn’t – Lessons Learned After Ten Years of Mental Health Podcasting – Sue’s newest blog for an even deeper dive

$90,990 DONATED to mental health care for BIPOC communities, LGBQI+, trans and genderqueer individuals, artists, musicians and people experiencing homelessness – View HERE!

Beyond Attachment Styles course is available NOW!  

Learn how your nervous system, your mind, and your relationships work together in a fascinating dance, shaping who you are and how you connect with others.

Online, Self-Paced, Asynchronous Learning with Quarterly Live Q&A’s – Next one is January 23rd!

Earn 6 Continuing Education Credits – Available at Checkout

As a listener of this podcast, use code BAS15 for a limited-time discount.

Get your copy of Secure Relating here!!

You are invited! 

Join our exclusive community to get early access and discounts to things we produce, plus an ad-free, private feed. In addition, receive exclusive episodes recorded just for you. Sign up for our premium Neuronerd plan!! Click here!!

Join us again in Washington, DC for the 49th Annual Psychotherapy Networker!

March 19-22nd! In person and online options available. Get your discounted seat HERE!

Please support our sponsors – they keep our podcast free and accessible to all! 

Talkiatry is a 100% online psychiatry practice that provides comprehensive evaluations, diagnoses, and ongoing medication management for conditions like ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, insomnia, and more. Head to Talkiatry.com/TU and complete the short assessment to get matched with an in‑network psychiatrist in just a few minutes.

Welcome 2026!

Kicking off the new year with a replay episode from our powerful interview with Dr. Stan Tatkin, this discussion dives into inner workings of relationships from a biological and societal perspective, and his book, In Each Other’s Care.

Click Here to View the Original Episode Shownotes 

Conflict in relationships is inevitable – find out the ins and outs of repair for healthy relationships.

We are back with relationship expert, Dr. Stan Tatkin to explore the inner workings of relationships from a biological and societal perspective, and his new book, In Each Other’s Care. All humans are complicated creatures and if we spend enough time with each other, it’s going to get tense.  That part is OK, but what happens after arguing disconnection or tension is what really matters.

Sue Marriott & Dr. Tatkin take a deep dive into addressing conflicts, building secure attachments, and abandoning gender stereotypes for a more inclusive discussion. Follow along to explore healthy interdependence, couples’ purpose, and secure functioning.

“A secure functioning partnership works on problems, not each other” – Dr. Stan Tatkin

Time Stamps for In Each Other’s Care – Healthy Relationships 

5:44 – Dr. Tatkin’s view on telehealth & virtual therapy

8:36 – How PACT approaches virtual therapy

16:05 – Understanding procedural memory

19:08 – Break down of insecure attachment

22:53 – What does secure functioning look like?

28:48 – Attachment in polyamorous relationships

37:47 – Exploring healthy interdependence in relationships

44:50 – An example of a couple’s purpose

53:41 – The importance of gender inclusivity when talking about relationships

Resources for today’s episode, In Each Other’s Care – Healthy Relationships

Stan Tatkin’s Website – Information about his practice, sessions

The PACT Institute – Dr. Tatkin’s official website

Relationships are Hard, but Why? – Dr. Tatkin’s TedTalk

A free excerpt – from Dr. Tatkin’s new book

@DrStanTatkin – Instagram account

Dr. Stan Tatkin – Facebook Page

@DrStanTatkin – Twitter account

Dr. Stan Tatkin – LinkedIn account

Dr. Tatkin’s newest book.

 

 

 

About our Guest – Stan Tatkin, PsyD, MFT

Clinician, author, researcher, PACT developer, and co-founder of the PACT Institute.  Dr. Tatkin is an assistant clinical professor at UCLA, David Geffen School of Medicine.  He maintains a private practice in Southern California and leads PACT programs in
the US and internationally. He is the author of We Do, Wired for Love, Your Brain on Love, Relationship Rx, Wired for Dating, What Every Therapist Ought to Know, and co-author of Love and War in Intimate Relationships, and the recent, In Each Other’s Care.

 

Beyond Attachment Styles course is available NOW!  

Learn how your nervous system, your mind, and your relationships work together in a fascinating dance, shaping who you are and how you connect with others.

Online, Self-Paced, Asynchronous Learning with Quarterly Live Q&A’s – Next one is January 23rd!

Earn 6 Continuing Education Credits – Available at Checkout

As a listener of this podcast, use code BAS15 for a limited-time discount.

Get your copy of Secure Relating here!!

You are invited! 

Join our exclusive community to get early access and discounts to things we produce, plus an ad-free, private feed. In addition, receive exclusive episodes recorded just for you. Sign up for our premium Neuronerd plan!! Click here!!

Join us again in Washington, DC for the 49th Annual Psychotherapy Networker!

March 19-22nd! In person and online options available. Get your discounted seat HERE!

A replay episode from our powerful interview with Lisa Kays on how improv can deepen conversations around tough topics like race and oppression.

Click Here to View the Original Episode Shownotes

Improv in Therapy and in Life –

Explore the power – and sheer fun – of using improvisation in therapy!

Dr. Ann Kelley and Lisa Kays discuss how improv can deepen conversations around tough topics like race and oppression. They examine white supremacy culture and show how improv values like collaboration, slowing down, and embracing complexity can challenge these norms. Improv fosters creativity, playfulness, and self-reflection to help reduce defensiveness and strengthen relationships in everyday life, at work, or in our closest relationships. By creating a supportive, collaborative environment, improv deepens connections and helps people tap into a wider range of emotions.

“A culture of improvisation is collaborative – it is nature – you cannot do it by yourself.” – Lisa Kays

Time Stamps for Improv in Therapy & Life

03:30 The integration of improv and tough conversations
10:03 The origins of improv and its connection to social justice
14:27 Contrasting white supremacy culture and improv culture
19:20 Questioning cultural norms and valuing relationships
25:29 The power of the ‘And’ in joining and connecting
38:27 The power of improv in building secure relationships
53:25 Embracing creativity and letting go of perfectionism
58:12 Creating a culture of support and collaboration
01:05:04 Applying improv in everyday life
01:09:10 Deepening connections and accessing different emotions

About our Guest for Improv Therapy – Lisa Kays LICSW, LCSW, LCSW-C

Lisa Kays, LICSW, LCSW-C, LCSW, is an independently licensed clinical social worker in Washington, D.C, Maryland, Virginia, Oregon and New Jersey. She obtained her MSW from Catholic University in 2011 and has worked in a variety of clinical settings. Since 2013, she has been in private practice, providing individual, couples and group therapy to adults. She has interest in social work ethic and has published on and leads ethics training on the intersection of technology, social media and social work ethics as well as anti-racism and systemic oppression. Her practice also provides opportunities for other presenters to develop CE trainings on under-taught topics linked to social justice, systemic racism, and oppression. In addition to her traditional psychotherapy work, Lisa was a performing improviser from 2007-2019 and was on the faculty of Washington Improv Theatre from 2008-2016. She developed Washington Improv Theater’s first Improv for Therapist’s class and has offered Improv for Therapists courses, workshops and trainings to individual clinicians, pastors, life coaches, and psychiatrists, as well as clinical agencies. Since its inception, Lisa has trained more than 500 people in the application of improvisation to foster personal growth and stronger and more cohesive groups. Lisa has been invited to lead trainings in improv-informed therapy at the American Academy of Psychotherapists, the Mid-Atlantic Group Psychotherapy Association, the American Group Psychotherapy Association, and at The Psychotherapy Networker, among others. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post and on NBC4. Recently, Lisa launched a humor, humility-infused podcast, “What if Nothing’s Wrong With You?” with co-host Paula D. Atkinson on themes related to therapy, mental health, oppression, patriarchy and how it’s all interconnected.

Resources for Improv Therapy – 

Lisa Kay’s – Website & Resources

The Fierce Urgency of Now: Improvisation, Rights, and the Ethics of Cocreation (Improvisation, Community, and Social Practice) – by Fischlin, Daniel; Heble, Ajah; Lipsitz, George

Theater Games – Viola Spolin Resources Rehearsals for Growth – Website and Educational Resources Decolonizing Therapy: Oppression, Historical Trauma, and Politicizing Your Practice – book by Jennifer Mullan, PsyD The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron – Book and Resources Free Play: Improvisation in Life and Art – Nachmanovitch, Stephen

Beyond Attachment Styles course is available NOW!  

Learn how your nervous system, your mind, and your relationships work together in a fascinating dance, shaping who you are and how you connect with others.

Online, Self-Paced, Asynchronous Learning with Quarterly Live Q&A’s – Next one is January 23rd!

Earn 6 Continuing Education Credits – Available at Checkout

As a listener of this podcast, use code BAS15 for a limited-time discount.

Get your copy of Secure Relating here!!

You are invited! 

Join our exclusive community to get early access and discounts to things we produce, plus an ad-free, private feed. In addition, receive exclusive episodes recorded just for you. Sign up for our premium Neuronerd plan!! Click here!!

A replay episode from our powerful interview with Jeff Lutes, this discussion dives into raising families, the evolution of the community, allyship, gender, and the importance of advocacy.

Click Here to View the Original Episode Shownotes 

 “There are a lot of therapists that see themselves as affirming, but I think you have to get actively involved in order to be an ally.” – Jeff Lutes

Time Stamps for Advocating for the LGBTQ+ Community 

2:00 – Jeff’s anecdotes about religion and sexuality

11:18 – How advocacy can be a thankless job 

12:00 – Introduction to the Contemporary Relationships Conference 

14:34 – The difference between being trained in accepting versus educated 

16:48 – The importance of knowing the correct terminology 

20:39 – What we can learn from the polyamorous community 

22:58 – Definition of queer and who that represents

24:37 – Let’s talk about pronouns 

31:21 – Explanation of dead naming and why it is wrong

42:15 – Conversion therapy research and findings 

47:00: Trailblazers in Love, Jeff’s book 

Resources for today’s episode Advocating for the LGBTQ+ Community 

Jeff Lute’s Website – Information, credentials, presentations and publications

Contemporary Relationships Conference – Conference information and proposals

Get your copy of his book, Trailblazers in Love, here!!

About our Guest – Jeff Lutes, LPC

Jeff specializes in creating collaborative conversations with clients that generate new possibilities for change.  Using a postmodern approach, he listens carefully to each client’s story and strives to understand how they might make meaning of themselves, others, and the world around them. He founded the Contemporary Relationships Conference and has presented to audiences around the country, including the American Association of Marriage & Family Therapy,  the American Family Therapy Academy, the American Counseling Association, and the Texas Psychological Association. He is also the author of Trailblazers In Love, as well as chapters in three counseling textbooks. Lutes also wrote a children’s book about adoption, deaf culture, and non-traditional families and has been a contributing writer at Bilerico and Therapy Matters.

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A replay episode from our powerful interview with Dr. Shena Young

Click Here to View the Original Episode Shownotes 

“The more that we unlearn, the more that we decolonize our minds, bodies, hearts and spirits” – Dr. Shena Young

Join co-host Sue Marriott and Dr. Shena Young as they dive into liberation psychology and the conflict between intuition and the traditional European model of psychology. Dr. Shena highlights embodying a holistic approach to help heal traumas and deeply root us in our most authentic selves. Whether through connections with nature or the exploration of ancestral traditions, this discussion is enriched with various opportunities to reconnect and liberate our mind, body, heart, and spirit.

About our Guest – Dr. Shena Young (She/Her)

Affectionately known as Dr. Shena (she/her) & spiritually as Iya Osunbunmi Orisasewa, she is a licensed embodiment-focused psychologist–healer, artist, mental health futurist, on-set wellbeing professional, and priestess in the Isese tradition of Ifa. She holds space internationally for individuals, couples, groups, and organizations committed to the ritual of calling themselves back into their bodies as a freedom practice. She owns a private practice, embodied truth healing & psychological services, rooted in Los Angeles, CA where she offers mind–body–heart–spirit care in healing from sexual, racial, intergenerational, and ancestral traumas.

Time Stamps for Embodying Liberation Psychology 

1:30 – Dr. Shena’s journey with liberation psychology and decolonization

7:25 – Dr. Shena’s early life and intuition

9:48 – Body language is one of our first languages

18:58 – Understanding the pillars of authenticity 

20:52 – Embracing the mind, body, heart, spirit approach

28:21 – Unlearning scarcity and expecting abundance

33:29 – Thinking of currency as seeds

41:37 – New interests in ancient traditions

44:11 – What the act of grounding may look like 

51:45 – The decriminalization of psychedelic plant medicines 

56:30 – There is power in practicing choice

1:05:01 – Impact of The Color Purple

Resources for today’s episode – Embodying Liberation Psychology

EmbodiedTruthHealing.com – Dr. Shena’s website

Healing Opportunities with Dr. Shena

@EmbodiedTruthHealing – Dr. Shena’s Instagram

Invest in healing programs for BIPOC

Dr. Clenora Hudson-Weems website – Where Dr. Shena first learned about Africana Womanist theory

Body Rites – Dr. Shena’s book. Get your copy!!

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