In this episode of Etymologies of Care, Paul is joined by newly licensed social worker Lauren Barragan, who has been part of the integrative relational health (IRH) journey since its earliest days. Together, they explore how IRH departs from traditional therapy models by recognizing that what we call “symptoms” are often intelligent responses to relational ruptures—not evidence of something wrong within the individual. Paul and Lauren trace the origins of IRH, discuss the paradigm shift from individual pathology to relational fields, and reflect on what it means to embody these principles in real-world practice. From navigating supervision and treatment plans to holding space for clients’ lived experience, this conversation is both deeply theoretical and grounded in everyday care.

Listeners will come away with a clearer sense of what IRH is (and isn’t), how to recognize relational frameworks in therapy, and why the simple act of genuine presence can be transformative.

Topics:

* The difference between technique-based therapy and relationship-based healing

* How integrative and relational approaches often fall short when separated, and why IRH combines them into a true paradigm shift

* The origins of IRH, from undergraduate research to developing a conceptual framework

* Why “there is nothing wrong with you” is both radical and easily misunderstood

* Navigating graduate training, supervision, and treatment planning while centering relational health

* Real-world examples of shifting from applying techniques to cultivating authentic relational presence

* The importance of trusting intuition when beginning therapy and recognizing if a therapist is working relationally

Suggested Practices:

* Notice relational context, pay attention to the quality of connection itself, not just content being discussed

* Practice authentic presence. In conversation, experiment with being genuinely present rather than trying to fix or solve something.

Episode Resources:

* integrativerelationalhealth.com

In this inaugural episode of Etymologies of Care, Host Paul Lichtenberg shares his journey from traditional psychotherapy to developing integrative relational health, exploring how language shapes our experience of suffering and healing. This opening episode invites you to reflect on the power of words, the limits of diagnostic labels, and the possibilities for deeper connection and care.

Topics:

* Paul’s background as a psychotherapist and researcher

* The limitations of traditional “fixing what’s wrong” models of therapy

* Two clinical lenses: symptom reduction vs. meaning-making

* Why language matters in shaping whether we see suffering as pathology or possibility

* Historical and cultural roots of mental health frameworks (e.g., hysteria, borderline, Cartesian dualism, nuclear family norms, industrial capitalism)

* Core themes of the podcast: recognition, historical understanding, and relational literacy

Suggested Practices:

* Notice language patterns in your next healthcare or family interaction.

* Experiment with shifting from statements to open questions and observe how it changes the relational space.

* Reflect on a moment when someone’s words fundamentally shifted your experience.

Episode Resources:

* Follow Paul on Substack

* Join The Center for Integrative Relational Health

Etymologies of Care is a podcast about rethinking what it means simply to care– through language, across culture, and within the spaces between us. Hosted by clinical psychologist and conversation partner Paul Lichtenberg, these episodes explore how language and words, relationships, and culture shape the way we suffer, heal, and thrive.

Drawing on the work of the Center for Integrative Relational Health, each conversation invites us to move beyond the idea of “what’s wrong with you?” toward a deeper sense of awareness that reveals the wisdom and wholeness you already have within you. In Etymologies of Care, you’ll hear from voices across different disciplines–(and from all walks of life — people re-imagining a cultural shift from mental health as an individualized pursuit to relational health as a shared relational practice.

Whether you’re a professional working with clients, a student just entering the field of care, or simply someone longing for authentic community, you’ll find insight, connection, and the reminder that there is nothing wrong with you

The podcast is launching in October, subscribe now to never miss an episode. You can also visit the podcast’s website here: https://www.integrativerelationalhealth.com/etymologies-of-care