Everyday Therapy

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing continue their holiday stress series by talking about the importance of boundaries over the holiday season and learning what setting a boundary with others really means for your mental health.

Listen to learn more about how boundaries will reduce your stress and get a step-by-step guide on how to use assertiveness skills to help you have these conversations with others during the holidays and all year long.

Episodes Mentioned:

Managing Holiday Expectations

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In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing continue their holiday stress series by talking about how to manage holiday expectations, including expectations related to spending time with others, finances, and gifts.

Listen to find out more about the "broken promises theory" that impacts our mood, how we experience high expectations around the holiday, and strategies to use that will help you feel prepared to handle the stress of the holiday season.

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In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing discuss domestic violence and dispel myths and assumptions about what it is and who it affects. Brett will share his training in using the "Duluth Model," a domestic abuse intervention program and an innovative way of holding batterers accountable and keeping victims safe.

Listen to find out more about what domestic violence is, who it affects, and better understand the characteristics of those who batter. You'll also learn more about the characteristics of healthy relationships and effective treatments for stopping cycles of abuse. If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out and use the resources below:

• National Domestic Violence Support Hotline - 800-799-SAFE (7233) or text "Start" to 88788
  Domestic Violence Support | The National Domestic Violence Hotline (thehotline.org)
• Duluth Model: Home Page - Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs (theduluthmodel.org)

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In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing discuss the relationship between increases in eating disorders in US society and its connection with diet culture. Eating disorders affect more than 28 million people in the US, and diet culture is the best-known environmental contributor to this... but what do we do about it?

Listen to find out more about myths and assumptions around eating disorders, why diet culture is toxic (especially during this time of year), and ways to combat stigma and misinformation around weight and health. Please check out our website and the NEDA link below for more information and support.

National Eating Disorders Association

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In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing discuss the concept of gratitude in the first part of our "Managing Holiday Stress" series. Did you know gratitude isn't just an action or saying "thank you"? Together we will look at what research says gratitude is, and the mental and physical health benefits of making gratitude an intentional daily practice.

Listen to learn more about how an "attitude of gratitude" helps with stress (not just during the holiday season, but all year long) and ways you can incorporate this every day using DBT skills. Brett and Michelle will demonstrate an "A, B, C" gratitude exercise for listeners and let you know what makes them feel grateful this time of the year.

Episodes Mentioned: 

• You Are Who You Choose to Be
• The 5 Love Languages
• What You Didn't Know About Stress

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In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing discuss the concept of Radical Acceptance along with special guest Dr. Karin Ryan, PsyD. 

Dr. Ryan is a psychologist and director at Nystrom's Eden Prairie clinic and has over 23 years of experience working in the field using a variety of evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches. You can also tune in to KSTP and listen to Dr. Karin Ryan on Twin Cities Live and Minnesota Live talking about mental health topics like this (and more!) 

Listen as Dr. Ryan, Brett, and Michelle talk about what radical acceptance is (and isn't) and how this can be used to help people to find a way out of suffering. You'll hear examples of how they all use this skill in their real lives as therapists and what can help when it is difficult to radically accept painful situations in life.

Watch Dr. Karin Ryan on Twin Cities Live:

• How to Manage Stress So It Doesn't Lead to a Breakdown
• What Radical Acceptance Is & How to Apply it In Your Life

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In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing discuss election stress. The APA has found that every election year, Americans are feeling more and more stressed. This year they found that 76% feel that the election has been a significant source of stress in their lives. Brett and Michelle explore the factors that cause people to experience election stress and strategies for managing and coping while increasing your ability to feel empowered with making a difference in what you can control. 

Learn more about how radical acceptance and dialectical thinking can help reduce election stress and why exercising your right to vote matters. We'll also have fun discussing why we'd like to see a "therapist-in-chief" someday - maybe in 2024!

Please take time to check out how to vote in your area, and the national, state, and local votes happening on your ballot here: VOTE411

Podcast episodes mentioned: 

• What You Didn't Know About Stress
• What Do You Want to Know About Anxiety?

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In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing discuss Halloween and why some people seek out fear during the "spooky season." You'll learn the biochemical and emotional factors of fear, the benefits of experiencing fear, and how Halloween can provide safe ways to explore and challenge fears. 

Learn more about how watching a scary movie and riding a roller coaster has similar effects on the body and brain and how our bodies jump into "superhero mode" when we experience fear. You'll also hear how Michelle had a high school movie date go wrong (but she still watches scary movies anyway).

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In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Michelle Iversen is all alone in the studio this week and continuing to talk about psychology in the workplace. Studies show that 7 in 10 employees report the pandemic being the most stressful time in their careers, and more people than ever are reporting experiences with trauma. More organizations recognize their role in helping employees with their mental health, but how does becoming a trauma-informed organization help support employees?

Listen to find out how organizations become trauma-informed, the six factors to look for in trauma-informed organizations, and the 3 "I statements" that managers and leaders can implement to help employee mental health. Brett will be back in the recording studio next week!

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In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing discuss the idea of finding joy in work and why it is an integral part of our mental health. Studies show that 90% of people expect joy, but only 37% experience it at work. You'll learn more about why there is a disconnect and how to overcome this through "Harmony, Clarity, and Party!".

Listen to find out more about how to find meaning, purpose, and joy in work. If you like this topic, please also join us for next week's episode on trauma-informed workplaces.

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