In this episode, we explore what might be happening with clients when there is silence. Sometimes it's an awkward silence, sometimes they are contemplating what to say next or they are dissociated, and sometimes they are waiting for us to take the reigns. We share our perspectives on sitting in the silence versus breaking it, and talk about the different types of silences that show up in therapy. What happens if there are no silences? Join us as we uncover the significance behind these quiet moments.

Leading Edge Seminars is bringing their sought-after EMDR training to Toronto and Halifax. This isn’t just any EMDR training—it's developed and taught by Roy Kiessling, the creator of a new streamlined version of EMDR.

Use code EDGE100 at checkout to receive $100 off. Head to LeadingEdgeSeminars.org to grab your spot today.

Toronto: August 11-15, 2025
Halifax: July 21 – 25, 2025

Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at [email protected], or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.

We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.

Alison McCleary
www.alpenglowcounselling.com
@alpenglow_counselling on Instagram

Jordan Pickell
www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca
@jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram

Edge of the Couch
www.edgeofthecouch.com
@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

Unconditional positive regard, a concept introduced by Carl Rogers, emphasizes accepting and supporting clients without judgment regardless of what the client says or does. We have thoughts!

Leading Edge Seminars is bringing their sought-after EMDR training to Toronto and Halifax. This isn’t just any EMDR training—it's developed and taught by Roy Kiessling, the creator of a new streamlined version of EMDR.

Use code EDGE100 at checkout to receive $100 off. Head to LeadingEdgeSeminars.org to grab your spot today.

Toronto: August 11-15, 2025
Halifax: July 21 – 25, 2025

Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at [email protected], or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.

We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.

Alison McCleary
www.alpenglowcounselling.com
@alpenglow_counselling on Instagram

Jordan Pickell
www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca
@jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram

Edge of the Couch
www.edgeofthecouch.com
@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

What do you do when a client describes a traumatic experience, but then proceeds to shrug it off? In this episode, we explore what might be going on when clients dismiss what we gather are traumatic experiences. We discuss possible reasons behind this phenomenon, including denial, dissociation, or simply seeing it as common and therefore, normal and not worth discussing. We use examples like Alec Baldwin's 2007 voicemail to his daughter and an anecdote about Gabor Mate. This conversation mostly focuses on developmental or relational trauma, and so, there are a few points where we have trouble finding the words to talk about it! These experiences can be so beyond language. Join us as we wade into the complexities of working with trauma when the client isn't quite naming it as trauma.

Leading Edge Seminars is bringing their sought-after EMDR training to Toronto and Halifax. This isn’t just any EMDR training—it's developed and taught by Roy Kiessling, the creator of a new streamlined version of EMDR.

Use code EDGE100 at checkout to receive $100 off. Head to LeadingEdgeSeminars.org to grab your spot today.

Toronto: August 11-15, 2025
Halifax: July 21 – 25, 2025

Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at [email protected], or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.

We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.

Alison McCleary
www.alpenglowcounselling.com
@alpenglow_counselling on Instagram

Jordan Pickell
www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca
@jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram

Edge of the Couch
www.edgeofthecouch.com
@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

Now, we don’t believe that clients can be “too emotional” but many clients come to therapy with narratives around emotion that may make them feel that they are being too much when they are emotional in session - crying is a weakness, anger is a bad emotion, I’m a cry baby, stoicism is best etc. As clinicians we have to sit with the full spectrum of emotionality from clients, but we can sometimes be shocked by our own reactions to client emotional expressions (and many programs don’t specifically train clinicians for sitting with big feelings).

We also have to be aware of our own beliefs about feelings. Do we think that there is such a thing as too much crying? How do we feel when we are sitting with someone who is extremely angry? Is anger a bad thing or a good thing, in our opinion? How can we feel regulated and balanced when clients may be swinging more wildly?

Leading Edge Seminars is bringing their sought-after EMDR training to Toronto and Halifax. This isn’t just any EMDR training—it's developed and taught by Roy Kiessling, the creator of a new streamlined version of EMDR.

Use code EDGE100 at checkout to receive $100 off. Head to LeadingEdgeSeminars.org to grab your spot today.

Toronto: August 11-15, 2025
Halifax: July 21 – 25, 2025

Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at [email protected], or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.

We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.

Alison McCleary
www.alpenglowcounselling.com
@alpenglow_counselling on Instagram

Jordan Pickell
www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca
@jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram

Edge of the Couch
www.edgeofthecouch.com
@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

This week, we talk about therapist enmeshment - what it is, how it happens, and what therapists can do to ensure they have appropriate boundaries with clients. For this conversation, we’re placing the context at the feet of the therapists and exploring how some therapy practices and some therapists encourage emotional enmeshment with clients.

We talk about how over-identification with a client (we’ve experienced the same things so we must feel the same way), lack of energetic and relational boundaries, and making clients feel that we are dependent on them getting well all muddy the waters of therapy. We also talk about what happens when clients feel that they owe their therapists something (I have to seem okay or my therapist will feel bad about themselves) or when they feel that have to edit the content of their sessions out of worry of burdening the client.

Even when we share identities with a client, they have had their own experience or life that is fully separate from us and it’s vital that we have a clear sense of where we end and clients begin. We have to be able to be present with clients without inserting ourselves energetically in their personal psychic space.

This is a doozy of a topic but super energizing to discuss. What are your thoughts about therapist enmeshment? Be sure to check out this season 7 opener and let us know what you think!

Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at [email protected], or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.

We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.

Alison McCleary
www.alpenglowcounselling.com
@alpenglow_counselling on Instagram

Jordan Pickell
www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca
@jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram

Edge of the Couch
www.edgeofthecouch.com
@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

Leading Edge Seminars is bringing their sought-after EMDR training to Toronto and Halifax. This isn’t just any EMDR training—it's developed and taught by Roy Kiessling, the creator of a new streamlined version of EMDR.

Use code EDGE100 at checkout to receive $100 off. Head to LeadingEdgeSeminars.org to grab your spot today.

Toronto: August 11-15, 2025
Halifax: July 21 – 25, 2025

Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at [email protected], or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.

We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.

Alison McCleary
www.alpenglowcounselling.com
@alpenglow_counselling on Instagram

Jordan Pickell
www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca
@jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram

Edge of the Couch
www.edgeofthecouch.com
@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

We're in between seasons right now, but we feel it is long overdue to talk about Palestine and what therapists are wrestling with when it comes to speaking up about genocide in session and in public. We are taught "do no harm" but at what point is our silence more harmful than speaking out? As always, we ask for openness and curiosity as we engage with the nuance about this "controversial" topic. How do we talk about genocide? How do we bring our feelings and stance into sessions? How do we centre the client in front of us and their experiences? These are questions therapists are confronted with at this historical moment. 

Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at [email protected], or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.

We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.

Alison McCleary
www.alpenglowcounselling.com
@alpenglow_counselling on Instagram

Jordan Pickell
www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca
@jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram

Edge of the Couch
www.edgeofthecouch.com
@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

In this special episode, we look back at the history of our podcast, our favourite episodes, and the vulnerable things about doing the podcast. We read some recent DMs from Instagram, a one-star review, and we listen to some voice notes sent in by listeners. We recorded this one late at night (for us at least!) so we get a little loopy at the end saying thank you thank you thank you, but truly, thanks for listening and being a part of our Edge of The Couch community. This marks both our 100th episode as well as the finale of Season 6. If you want more, and can't wait until Season 7, join us on patreon, where we are posting weekly episodes breaking our typical format. Maybe we will see you there!

Leading Edge Seminars is bringing their sought-after EMDR training to Toronto and Halifax. This isn’t just any EMDR training—it's developed and taught by Roy Kiessling, the creator of a new streamlined version of EMDR.

Use code EDGE100 at checkout to receive $100 off. Head to LeadingEdgeSeminars.org to grab your spot today.

Toronto: August 11-15, 2025
Halifax: July 21 – 25, 2025

Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at [email protected], or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.

We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.

Alison McCleary
www.alpenglowcounselling.com
@alpenglow_counselling on Instagram

Jordan Pickell
www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca
@jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram

Edge of the Couch
www.edgeofthecouch.com
@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

Our penultimate episode this season explores what can happen when the content of the session tugs at all of our own shit! Maybe we’re experiencing something similar to our clients in our own lives or the client says something that reminds us of ourselves. Maybe the client experience is pulling forward memories of something we’ve said or done before. This episode is all about what to do in the moment when we are flooded with our own stuff AND we still need to be present for the client.

We share examples of topics that tend to poke at our personal stuff, times when we were more susceptible to being activated, and how we have managed these moments with as little disruption to the client as possible. We spend a great deal of time weighing the pros and cons of sharing with a client when our own shit is coming up and we land on our personal opinions about whether therapists should share that or not!

Because we believe in being fully present and allowing energy to flow bi-directionally, it is inevitable that work with clients will sometimes stir up our own big feelings. It’s not about ensuring it never happens but instead it’s about how to manage and respond effectively when it does.

How do you respond/act/manage when your shit comes up? Any particular topics that you know poke at your personal stuff? What, if anything, do you share with clients about that?

Leading Edge Seminars is bringing their sought-after EMDR training to Toronto and Halifax. This isn’t just any EMDR training—it's developed and taught by Roy Kiessling, the creator of a new streamlined version of EMDR.

Use code EDGE100 at checkout to receive $100 off. Head to LeadingEdgeSeminars.org to grab your spot today.

Toronto: August 11-15, 2025
Halifax: July 21 – 25, 2025

Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at [email protected], or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.

We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.

Alison McCleary
www.alpenglowcounselling.com
@alpenglow_counselling on Instagram

Jordan Pickell
www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca
@jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram

Edge of the Couch
www.edgeofthecouch.com
@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

In this episode, we dive into a common struggle suggested by one of our awesome listeners: the nagging feeling of not "doing enough" in therapy. Join us as we unpack this topic and ask ourselves the question: Do trainings really make you a better therapist? We share our experiences and some controversial opinions. Whether you're a seasoned therapist or just starting out on your journey, this episode is your invitation to explore what's happening behind feeling the need to prove yourself in the therapy room. We do offer ideas about which trainings are worthwhile, and when it's time for you to do some inner work to be a more confident therapist.

Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at [email protected], or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.

We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.

Alison McCleary
www.alpenglowcounselling.com
@alpenglow_counselling on Instagram

Jordan Pickell
www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca
@jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram

Edge of the Couch
www.edgeofthecouch.com
@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

Leading Edge Seminars is bringing their sought-after EMDR training to Toronto and Halifax. This isn’t just any EMDR training—it's developed and taught by Roy Kiessling, the creator of a new streamlined version of EMDR.

Use code EDGE100 at checkout to receive $100 off. Head to LeadingEdgeSeminars.org to grab your spot today.

Toronto: August 11-15, 2025
Halifax: July 21 – 25, 2025

Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at [email protected], or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.

We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.

Alison McCleary
www.alpenglowcounselling.com
@alpenglow_counselling on Instagram

Jordan Pickell
www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca
@jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram

Edge of the Couch
www.edgeofthecouch.com
@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

This is a highly requested topic that comes with so much charge and tenderness. This week, we’re talking about being rejected by a client. We explore the myriad of rejections that can happen in the relationship - both micro and macro moments.

We tenderly share what can come up for therapists when a client stops scheduling sessions or tells us they want to stop seeing us. This is an especially vulnerable moment for new therapists and we remember well how crushing it felt in the beginning.

Throughout the episode, we discuss the many reasons that clients reject therapists and we dive into the pieces that the therapist has to own and all of the pieces that have nothing to do with the therapist. We strongly believe that moments of rejection can be learning opportunities for therapists but that shame and “I’m a bad therapist” thoughts are rarely helpful.

This episode is about recognizing that rejection is a normal part of this work but also honouring how painful it can be. We share what has helped us to build our capacities for rejection and what we have learned from being “dumped” by clients.

How are you when a client stops booking sessions? How do you feel if a client tells you they don’t want to keep working together? What have you learned in the process or a client pulling away from the relationship?

Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at [email protected], or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.

We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.

Alison McCleary
www.alpenglowcounselling.com
@alpenglow_counselling on Instagram

Jordan Pickell
www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca
@jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram

Edge of the Couch
www.edgeofthecouch.com
@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

Leading Edge Seminars is bringing their sought-after EMDR training to Toronto and Halifax. This isn’t just any EMDR training—it's developed and taught by Roy Kiessling, the creator of a new streamlined version of EMDR.

Use code EDGE100 at checkout to receive $100 off. Head to LeadingEdgeSeminars.org to grab your spot today.

Toronto: August 11-15, 2025
Halifax: July 21 – 25, 2025

Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at [email protected], or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.

We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.

Alison McCleary
www.alpenglowcounselling.com
@alpenglow_counselling on Instagram

Jordan Pickell
www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca
@jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram

Edge of the Couch
www.edgeofthecouch.com
@edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram