November 05, 2024

Episode #8: When the Therapist is Grieving: Navigating Shared Human Experience in the Therapeutic Space

56 minutes

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Episode Description: In this powerful episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, host Shaina Siber, LCSW, dives into a profound and often challenging topic: navigating personal grief as a therapist while upholding the integrity of the therapeutic alliance. Joined by expert guest Olga Montgomery, LCSW, an experienced grief therapist, they explore how personal struggles, such as grief, can intersect with professional responsibilities, influencing the therapeutic dynamic and enriching the therapist’s presence.

Through thoughtful discussion, Shaina and Olga address the essential balance between vulnerability and professionalism, providing evidence-based strategies for therapists managing their own grief. They discuss practical techniques like the “parking lot” approach for setting aside personal emotions and highlight how self-compassion and addressing mortality anxiety can deepen a therapist’s authenticity and resilience in their work. This episode serves as both a guide and a support system for therapists experiencing grief, showing how personal challenges can transform into powerful tools for connection, empathy, and growth.

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Key Topics Discussed:

How therapists’ personal grief can impact the therapeutic alliance

Moving beyond transference and countertransference to embrace a shared human experience in therapy

Evidence-based techniques like the “parking lot” approach to manage emotions while maintaining client focus

Using self-compassion as a foundation for staying grounded and connected during personal challenges

Strategies for addressing mortality anxiety and how it can enhance the depth of the therapeutic process

The role of therapist vulnerability and boundary-setting in clinical practice

Practical Therapeutic Techniques: Throughout the episode, practical DBT skills like self-validation, self-soothing, and opposite action are discussed as powerful tools to combat shame and help clients build resilience.

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About Our Guest: Olga Montgomery, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker practicing in Virginia and Florida, specializing in radically compassionate grief support for women. A graduate of Bryn Mawr College, Olga integrates contextual behavioral approaches and evidence-based techniques in her work, offering both individual and group support for clients navigating complex grief experiences.

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Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Learn more about Olga’s practice and her free grief education meetings at com.

Join us May 2025 for Olga's live virtual training: Scared to Death: Therapeutic Approaches for Mortality Anxiety and Living Fully - Free for Affirm Academy members or Register here:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/scared-to-death-contextual-behavioral-approaches-for-mortality-anxiety-and-tickets-1008579477367?aff=oddtdtcreator

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Conflict of Interest Disclosure: The host, Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, is the Founder of Affirm Mental Health, an accredited CE provider. She receives financial compensation from Affirm Mental Health for the development and delivery of continuing education content. There are no other conflicts of interest to disclose.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical training or treatment. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional.

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By Shaina Siber, LCSW

4.6

1818 ratings