Psychologists Off the Clock

376: The Art of Therapy with Michael Alcee


Listen Later

This week on Psychologists Off the Clock, Jill takes on the dynamic blend of science and art in therapy with our amazing guest, Dr. Michael Alcee, a mental health educator and the author of Therapeutic Improvisation: How to Stop Winging It and Own It as a Therapist.

Michael sheds light on the vital balance between left-brain logic and right-brain creativity that makes for effective psychotherapy, shares thoughts on the power of humor, metaphor, and emotional connection, and reveals how therapists can embrace their creative side while staying rooted in scientific principles. 

With fascinating examples from Miichael’s professional experience, he presents practical strategies to help therapists enhance their intuitive skills, boost their therapeutic presence, and build stronger connections with their clients.

Please join us for an intriguing discovery of how blending science and art can elevate your therapeutic practice and transform the outcome of your client sessions!


Listen and Learn: 
  • How the art of therapy and music intertwine to create healing conversations that inspire growth
  • The surprising encounter with Irving Yalom that revealed profound insights into the art of therapy and led Michael to write his book 
  • How therapy becomes an art, blending science and creativity to help clients find their true selves
  • Embracing intuition, creativity, and improvisation as a therapist to enhance your practice
  • Understanding left and right brain dynamics and how it enhances therapy, fostering creativity and insight 
  • How the concept "mindsight" and "wise mind" blend logic and emotion in therapy
  • How therapists can embrace metaphor and intuition for deeper client connections and transformative outcomes 


  • Resources:
    • Therapeutic Improvisation: How to Stop Winging It and Own It as a Therapist
    • https://michaelalcee.com/
    • https://michael-alcee.com/
    • https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-alcee-14417755/
    • https://www.instagram.com/mike_drop_/
    • https://www.facebook.com/livelifecreatively2/
    • Mentioned in this episode: The Courage to Create: https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Create-Rollo-May/dp/0393311066


    • About Michael Alcee

      Michael Alcée, PhD, is a clinical psychologist in Tarrytown, NY, and is a Mental Health Educator at the Manhattan School of Music. In his first book, Therapeutic Improvisation: How to Stop Winging It and Own It as a Therapist (Norton, 2022), Michael demonstrated how all clinicians are artists, reading the changes like well-versed jazz musicians, finding the poetic turns in their client's stories like skilled writers, and reveling in the creative act that emerges in the humanistic encounter of psychotherapy. His forthcoming book is entitled The Upside of OCD: Flip the Script to Reclaim Your Life (Rowman & LIttlefield, 2024) and aims to add depth to the exploration and understanding of the OCD experience. Michael has been a TEDx speaker and organizer and is a regular contributor at Psychology Today along with contributions to NPR, The Chicago Tribune, and The New York Times, among others. You can also find him on The Psychology Podcast with Scott Barry Kaufman and on Shrink Rap Radio.


      Related Episodes
      • 82. Therapist Self Doubt with Jim Lucas
      • 106. Therapy from “The Heart of ACT” with Robyn Walser
      • 158. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone with Lori Gottlieb
      • 294. Yes And: Improv in Psychology with Kelly Leonard
      • 269. Connection Through Vulnerability with Rikke Kjelgaard
      • 366. Psychologists ON the Clock: Getting Experiential with Us
      • Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

        See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

        ...more
        View all episodesView all episodes
        Download on the App Store

        Psychologists Off the ClockBy Debbie Sorensen, Jill Stoddard, Yael Schonbrun, Michael Herold & Emily Edlynn

        • 4.6
        • 4.6
        • 4.6
        • 4.6
        • 4.6

        4.6

        307 ratings


        More shows like Psychologists Off the Clock

        View all
        Speaking of Psychology by American Psychological Association

        Speaking of Psychology

        50 Listeners

        The One You Feed by Eric Zimmer

        The One You Feed

        2,501 Listeners

        The Psychology Podcast by iHeartPodcasts

        The Psychology Podcast

        1,831 Listeners

        Therapy Chat by Laura Reagan, LCSW-C

        Therapy Chat

        685 Listeners

        10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

        10% Happier with Dan Harris

        12,553 Listeners

        Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson by Rick Hanson, Ph.D., Forrest Hanson

        Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

        2,481 Listeners

        Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes by Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes

        Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes

        617 Listeners

        Therapist Uncensored Podcast by Sue Marriott LCSW, CGP & Ann Kelley PhD

        Therapist Uncensored Podcast

        1,388 Listeners

        Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel by Esther Perel Global Media

        Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel

        14,849 Listeners

        The Couples Therapist Couch by Shane Birkel

        The Couples Therapist Couch

        267 Listeners

        Attachment Theory in Action by The Knowledge Center

        Attachment Theory in Action

        152 Listeners

        Light Up The Couch by Clearly Clinical

        Light Up The Couch

        321 Listeners

        Unlocking Us with Brené Brown by Vox Media Podcast Network

        Unlocking Us with Brené Brown

        23,603 Listeners

        Therapy in a Nutshell by Therapy in a Nutshell -Emma McAdam

        Therapy in a Nutshell

        534 Listeners

        Dear Therapists with Lori Gottlieb and Guy Winch by iHeartPodcasts

        Dear Therapists with Lori Gottlieb and Guy Winch

        2,337 Listeners