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

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Introduction: 0:00 – 6:10

Part One: 6:10 – 46:49

Part Two: 46:49 – 1:21:22

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Ben Fineman Counseling -

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

Show Notes:

• Donate to Your Local Library
• People Are Sharing "Red Flags" For Bad Therapists And Everyone Should Take Notes
• Perceptions of the impact of negatively valued characteristics on social interaction
• Expectancy Confirmation Processes Arising in the Social Interaction Sequence
• Lesson of a Lifetime (Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes)