All The Therapies

Welcome to the final episode of season 2 of All the Therapies! A huge thanks to everyone who has tuned in! We've saved the best for last... CBT! 

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (or CBT for short) is one of the most recognizable forms of therapy, but how does it work exactly? Listen in to hear Mona’s experience trying CBT, how she actively collaborated with the therapist and got to the root of her problem by identifying a core belief. Mona and Abby then interview CBT therapist Cassandra Moore to hear her perspective of the therapy and why it works so well. If you’ve heard of CBT and are curious to learn more, this episode is definitely for you!

Cassandra Moore, LMFT Bio:

Cassandra Moore specializes in CBT, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and Comprehensive Behavioral Treatment of Tics (CBIT) and provides individual, family and group therapy to treat a variety of disorders including ADHD, mood disorders, Tourette/Tic Disorders, defiance, eating disorders, and anxiety disorders.

Website: www.cbtiofsocal.com

Instagram: @allthetherapies

Editing by: Blackwell Post

Original music by: Juli Crockett

Time Stamps:

0:45 Abby and Mona discuss their curiosities for the week

5:25 Mona and Abby explain what they understand about CBT

8:08 Mona describes her experience in the session

9:37 Mona describes the structure of the session

20:37 Interview with Cassandra Moore

22:55 Cassandra explains why CBT is a popular form of therapy

25:10 Cassandra describes what a typical CBT session looks like

29:51 Cassandra shares how she first became interested in CBT

31:46 Cassandra explains what core beliefs are

36:15 Cassandra explains how CBT can be helpful for anxiety

42:30 Our favorite final question: What does Cassandra think healing is?

44:13 How to find out more about our guest, Cassandra Moore

In this episode, we got curious about an alternative therapy called Reiki. With so many places offering this healing modality, we wanted to try it out, get a clear definition for it, and see what happens! We interview Reiki Rae about her practice and Abby shares her experience getting Reiki. If you have seen this word around but don't know much about it, definitely listen in as we explore it!

Reiki Rae Bio:

I’ve been a Reiki Master Teacher since 2016. I’m a daughter, student, mom, mindfulness practitioner, healthy eater, business owner and so much more.

Reiki found me in the most painful part of my life and I have been thankful for it everyday since. This practice has moved energetic mountains for myself and my clients and am passionate about spreading this positive life force energy to the world. I can’t wait to work with you!

Website: reikirae.square.site

Instagram @positiveliferituals

Instagram @allthetherapies

Editing By: Blackwell Post

Original Music: Juli Crockett

Time Stamps

0:43 Abby and Mona discuss our curiosities for the week

6:44 Abby shares when she first heard about Reiki

9:57 Abby shares how she met Reiki Rae 

13:30 Abby discusses the Reiki session she had with Rae

15:45 What happens in the session

16:55 What happened after the session

21:59 How to get the most out of the session

25:11  Interview with Rae

26:05 Rae shares about herself and how she came to practice Reiki

27:48 Rae defines Reiki

30:01 What happens in a Reiki session

38:01 What is distance Reiki?

42:45 Rae's definition of healing

Let’s meet in the metaverse! In this week’s episode we embark into a new therapy frontier: virtual reality. We’ll hear Mona’s experience trying VR Therapy and what it was like to engage with a therapist in a non-traditional “location.” Mona and Abby then interview the practitioner, Dr. Jessica Stone who is at the precipice of utilizing VR technology in therapy. Dr. Stone discusses the ethics of technology in therapy, the benefits, and the many ways she’s used it with clients. This is a fun one so definitely stay tuned!

Jessica Stone Bio:

Dr. Jessica Stone, PhD is a licensed psychologist in the state of Colorado. She has served on a number of boards including the World Association for Sand Tray Professionals, AutPlay, and the California branch of the Association for Play Therapy. Dr. Stone is an international speaker, clinical supervisor, and registered play therapist.  She is the co-creator of The Virtual Sandtray, which has partnered with the Lowenfeld Trust, and is the developer of Digital Play Therapy. Dr. Stone has been featured for her work throughout the virtual world as an innovator, ambassador of play, and stalwart advocate for the use of digital technology in the field of psychology.

Website: https://jessicastonephd.com/

Virtual Sand Tray Website: https://www.virtualsandtray.org/

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digitalplaytherapy

Instagram: @allthetherapies

Editing by: Blackwell Post

Original music by: Juli Crockett

Time Stamps:

0:51 Abby and Mona discuss their curiosities for the week

7:45 Mona explains how she prepared for VR therapy

11:23 Mona describes her experience in the session

24:14 Interview with Jessica Stone

26:01 Jessica describes VR Therapy and how it differs from in-person sessions

31:29 Jessica shares how she first became interested in VR as a therapeutic tool

43:12 Jessica ponders where she imagines VR technology moving in the future

46:58 Jessica describes the ideal client for VR therapy

56:10 Our favorite final question: What does Jessica think healing is?

59:02 How to find out more about our guest, Jessica Stone

Have you been curious about how to address a complex trauma in your life or how to break a difficult pattern? NARM is a therapy that uses the science of attachment to help treat trauma symptoms and lifelong relationship patterns. In this episode, Mona has a session of NARM therapy and discusses how it was different than other therapies she has experienced and her own rapid resolution of a traumatic memory in the session! We then interview licensed therapist Sarah Buino about NARM and how it works. Definitely, an episode not to miss!

Sarah Buino Bio:

Sarah Buino, LCSW, RDDP, CADC, CDWF, NMT is a speaker, teacher, therapist and the founder and president of Head/Heart Therapy, Inc. She’s a member of the adjunct faculty at Loyola University Chicago and a podcast host. Her podcast called Conversations With a Wounded Healer examines the role of one’s own healing while being a care-giving professional. Sarah finds joy and rest by playing with her 10-lb chihuahua mix named Batman.

Website: www.headhearttherapy.com

IG: @headhearttherapy

FB: @headhearttherapy and @woundedhealr

Instagram: @allthetherapies

Editing by: Blackwell Post

Original music by: Juli Crockett 

Time Stamp:

1:30 Curiosities for the week

7:30 Mona talks about her experience with NARM

10:24 Mona's Insights from her session

20:49 Interview with Sarah Buino, LCSW about NARM therapy

23:50 Definition of NARM

32:33 How to find your own agency through therapy

41:09 Sarah's Ideas of Healing

43:36 End of Episode

Do you want to see a therapist but find ongoing weekly appointments unappealing? Single Session Therapy might be your jam! Tune in as Abby shares her experience meeting with Caitlin Olsen for a standalone 90-minute “Mental Health Check Up.” We then hear from Caitlin about how she came to find the value in a one time check-in with a mental health professional and who can benefit from it. Finally Caitlin describes her niche working with progressive Mormon women and Abby and Mona have a very enlightening conversation about the evolution of religion in conjunction to the evolution of healing. This is one you definitely don’t want to miss!

Caitlin Olsen Bio:

I’m Caitlin McNally Olsen, trained therapist, mental health coach, and lifelong Mormon. I live in Northern California, where my Air Force Major husband and I are raising our three young children.

After earning a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from UNLV, I worked in private practice for years, then expanded my business into coaching. I closed my therapy practice at the end of 2021 after my coaching practice took off. I love using everything I learned from my years as a therapist to coach people all across the country.

Some technical qualifications: As a LifeSTAR-educated and Addo-Certified betrayal trauma and sexual addiction specialist, I am fully trained in both mindfulness-based stress reduction and dialectical behavioral therapy. I’m also proficient in emotionally focused couples therapy and EMDR trauma treatment. And, I’ve studied parts psychology and trauma recovery yoga. If none of that makes any sense to you, don’t worry! All it means is I really know what I’m doing.

These days, I run group programs, create self-paced courses, and work 1:1 with incredible coaching clients, all under my business, Caitlin Olsen Co. I love my job and the beautiful people I get to meet and work with. It’s an endless honor and privilege to do the work I do. My mission is to destigmatize mental health care, change some family trees for the better, and bring mental health to the forefront of Mormonism.

Website: caitlinolsen.mykajabi.com

Instagram: @caitlinolsenco

Blog: behiving.com

Instagram: @allthetherapies

Editing by: Blackwell Post

Original music by: Juli Crockett

Time Stamps:

0:50 Abby and Mona discuss their curiosities for the week

4:02 Abby defines Single Session Therapy

7:34 Abby describes her experience in the session

16:30 Interview with Caitlin Olsen

17:40 Cailtin’s journey in becoming a therapist

19:59 Caitlin describes how she practices and defines what she means by a progressive Mormon therapist

28:30 Caitlin describes how she came to develop the Mental Health Check Up and the benefits of Single Session Therapy

39:56 Our favorite final question: What does Caitlin think healing is?

41:15 How to find out more about our guest, Caitlin Olsen

Are you comfortable talking about sex? Is sex an area of life that works well for you or do you struggle with pain, past trauma, and insecurity in relationships? You are not alone! Due to a lack of meaningful education about sex and our bodies, most of us have some sexual hang-ups or feelings of dysfunction. In today's episode, Mona shares her experiences working with Irene Morning, a trained yoga therapist and somatic (def: body-based) pleasure coach to work on becoming more comfortable with talking about sex and becoming more embodied. We then interview Irene about her practice and belief in working with people on experiencing more pleasure in their lives, whether that is within their sex lives or just within life in general. This conversation with Irene was one of my favorites! Definitely check this one out!

Irene Morning Bio:

Irene is a trauma-informed somatic pleasure coach, weaving together extensive training in somatic healing, sexual health counseling and lived experience as a queer, kinky, neurodivergent, polyamorous femme. She to help others reclaim pleasure as a guiding principle in their daily lives. This includes individual coaching, couples coaching, small group programs, and writing, in addition to facilitating the Pleasure Coven membership for femme pleasure magic. Both her work and personal life revolve around the belief that centering our own pleasure is not only healing on an individual level, but also in service of interdependence and collective well being.

Website: www.irenemorning.com

Instagram: @irene_morning

Instagram: @allthetherapies

Editing By: Blackwell Post

Original Music by: Juli Crockett

Time Stamps: 

1:45 Abby and Mona discuss their curiosities for the week

9:30 Mona shares about her session with Irene Morning

13:50 Mona talks about a grounding exercise that gave her new insight

16:30 Mona shares how the session with Irene benefitted her

25:30 Interview with Irene Morning

33:33 Irene discusses how capitalism impacts pleasure

37:45 We discuss the ways pleasure gets policed and discouraged in society

45:00 Irene discussed her experience with polyamory and how relationships help us heal

56:27 What is Irene's idea of healing?

1:00:39 End of Episode

Have you ever wondered what coaching is and how it differs from therapy? Are you curious if coaching is a good fit for you? If so, this is the episode for you! Listen in as Abby shares her experience meeting with coach Mollie Birney to address issues related to anxiety. We then hear from the coach herself who describes her understanding of coaching and her journey as a licensed therapist who eventually pivoted to coaching. This episode is full of gems so be sure to listen in!

Mollie Birney Bio:

Mollie Birney is a Clinical Life Coach in private practice, she works with high-achieving professionals seeking efficient, authentic transitions and behavioral change. Her coaching style has been described as “compassionate straight-talk with therapeutic roots” and draws upon her years as therapist in a variety of treatment environments, as a private consultant and interventionist for families in crisis. These clinical underpinnings are now the foundation of her work as a personal coach for folks looking for a clearer understanding of the mechanics of their mind. She holds a masters in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University with a specialization in Addiction Studies.

Website:  molliebirney.com 

Instagram: @molliebirney

Instagram: @allthetherapies

Editing by: Blackwell Post

Original music by: Juli Crockett

Time Stamps:

0:48 Abby and Mona discuss their curiosities for the week: what mental health care looks like in the Middle East and a particular hair stylist in Santa Monica

10:46 Abby begins by explaining her understanding of coaching vs therapy

12:41 Abby’s experience of coaching to help with anxiety about money

26:02 Abby answers the question who she thinks coaching would be more suitable for over therapy

28:40 Interview with Mollie Birney

30:32 Mollie explains the difference between coaching and therapy

35:34 Mollie describes what a typical coaching session looks like

37:31 Mollie shares what life circumstances coaching works well for

40:11 Mollie’s personal journey arriving to the healing field

42:42 Mollie explains the use of intuition in her practice

51:46 Our favorite final question: What does Mollie think healing is?

53:20 How to find out more about our guest, Mollie Birney

Have you ever thought about going to couples therapy with your partner but worried what might come of it or if your problems are "bad enough" to warrant it. If so, check out this week's episode of All The Therapies, as Mona describes her couples therapy with her partner. Then we interview Gottman trained couples therapist John Berndt and hear about how and why couples therapy helps our relationships. 

John Berndt Bio: 

John is a native Southern Californian, born and raised in the Los Angeles area. He decided to become a therapist while working as a missionary in South Africa when he was nineteen, and realized he loved helping others. Working concurrently in local government as he went to school at Pacific Oaks College, John started his training at the Los Angeles LGBT Center and finished his internship at the Southern California Counseling Center. Once licensed and then retiring from government work, John started a private practice in Los Angeles and became the Clinical Director of the Southern California Counseling Center. Helping the SCCC community move through the pandemic is one of John’s most satisfying accomplishments. Now focusing on his private practice, John truly enjoys helping couples move from argumentative and problematic communication patterns toward more considerate, constructive, and collaborative conversations. He has completed Level 3 Practicum Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, which he uses along with elements of Esther Perel’s work, while employing an overall attachment theory lens to help couples uncover their underlying emotions and change their communication and relational dynamics. He also enjoys helping individuals live more true to who they are. He lives in Los Angeles with his amazing partner, two lively dogs, and one stubborn cat.

Website: www.couplestherapywithjohn.com

Instagram: @couplestherapywithjohn

Instagram: @allthetherapies

Editing by: Blackwell Post

Original music by: Juli Crockett

Time Stamps:

:40 Mona and Abby share their curiosities for the week

6:40 Mona discusses what happened in her couples therapy session

8:18 What is the Gottman Method?

11:15 What Mona learned

19:52 Interview with John Berndt, LMFT

20:20 How to argue productively

23:10 What is Gottman Couples Therapy Like?

28:04 Why Did John get into couples therapy?

39:23 When should a couple seek therapy

49:15 How to find John

Have you ever been curious about the mind-body connection and how our bodies hold emotions? This week, Abby tries Craniosacral Therapy to uncover underlying emotional elements related to her tension headaches. Learn how the practitioner incorporates light touch with talk therapy as a way to identify and release pain. Abby and Mona then interview the practitioner, Randi Kofsky who walks us through her journey arriving to the practice, speaks to the importance of the body in psychotherapy and what she looks for in her work with clients.

Randi Kofsky Bio:

Randi Kofsky is a Bodyworker, Craniosacral Practitioner & Psychotherapist with a Private Practice in Santa Monica, CA. She's worked in variations of mind-body medicine for over 20 years and is certified in advanced myofascial bodywork and energy-based healing modalities. She's also a long-time student of mindfulness and meditation. Randi draws on her training in the somatic/experiential Satir Systemic Transformational Therapy & Trauma Resource Model and depth-oriented Jungian Psychology, Psychodynamic & Attachment Theory. Her work focuses on the process of Individuation and transmuting past anxiety into viable Aliveness.

Bodywork website: www.innerwavebodywork.com

Therapy website: www.innerrichestherapy.com

Instagram: @innerrichestherapy

Instagram: @allthetherapies

Editing by: Blackwell Post

Original music by: Juli Crockett

Time Stamps

00:52 Abby and Mona discuss their curiosities for the week: how Barcelona solved for their city’s congestion problem and how scam-artists get away with their crime

10:47 What is Craniosacral Therapy

12:28 Abby describes the office setup and the assessment part of the session

15:29 Abby describes the touch element of Craniosacral Therapy

26:05 Interview with Randi Kofsky

27:30 Randi describes Craniosacral Therapy

30:20 Randi’s personal journey arriving to the practice

33:57 Randi’s explanation of the importance of mind, body and spirit in therapy

36:20 What Randi looks for during a typical session

42:32 Randi explains the ideal patient for this type of therapy

44:10 Randi describes a typical treatment protocol

46:48 Our favorite final question: What does Randi think healing is?

48:50 How to find out more about our guest, Randi Kofsky

Many people have heard of EMDR therapy but struggle to understand what it is. This week, Mona tries an EMDR demonstration on grief (TW: Death of a Parent) and describes her impressive results! Then we interview trauma therapist, Joanna Filidor LMFT, about what EMDR is and how to do it virtually with clients. She shares her understanding of trauma and why EMDR is so effective with it. If you have heard of EMDR but haven't been sure if you should try it, definitely listen to this episode!

Joanna Filidor Bio:

Joanna Filidor is a licensed therapist specializing in the treatment of psychological trauma. She has her own practice where she provides therapy to individuals with a history of complex trauma, dissociative disorders, sexual trauma, and PTSD. Joanna is passionate about helping trauma survivors find healing, build resilience, and cultivate agency and belonging. Joanna is also a supervisor for new therapists and a consultant in training for EMDR trained therapists. Through this work, Joanna also witnessed first-hand the effect of spaces that were not trauma-informed, which laid the foundation for her work as a consultant. Joanna works alongside organizations to create trauma-informed and trauma-responsive organizational frameworks to ensure trauma survivors can receive quality clinical care while feeling safe, supported, and cared for. Joanna has also facilitated workshops, courses, and presentations on trauma treatment and trauma-informed care. Additionally, Joanna is an adjunct professor at University of Massachusetts Global.  She teaches in the MFT graduate program.

Website: joannafilidormft.com

Instagram: @theresilientself

Instagram: @allthetherapies

Editing By: Blackwell Post

Original Music By: Juli Crockett

Time Stamps

00:30 Abby and Mona discuss their curiosities for the week: Seeing our marginalized parts represented in celebrities and the awe at the number of products and malls that continue to be in existence