Project I Am

In this episode, we explore one of the most powerful — and often overlooked — truths in therapy: the healing lies not in the techniques we use, but in the authentic relationships we build. Drawing from Carl Rogers’ person-centered approach, Relational-Cultural Theory, and current research, we’ll unpack why the therapeutic relationship is more important than any core theory or intervention.

We’ll talk honestly about why therapists sometimes hesitate to prioritize connection, the personal and professional costs of staying guarded, and the courage it takes to lean into real relational work. Through composite case examples, published studies, and reflections from practice, we’ll look at the profound beauty and benefits that unfold when we show up fully — human to human.

Whether you’re a mental health professional, counseling student, or someone passionate about the heart of healing, this episode invites you to deepen your understanding of what truly transforms lives inside the therapy room.

Join me for an encouraging, challenging, and inspiring conversation about the real work behind the work: connection.

In this deeply reflective and empowering episode, Dr. David Schlosz explores the transformative power of sitting in your feelings—fully allowing yourself to feel, process, and move through emotional discomfort rather than escaping it. Drawing on cutting-edge research in psychology, counseling theory, and somatic practice, this episode challenges the cultural and personal habits of avoidance and emotional suppression.

This episode weaves together clinical wisdom, real-life anecdotes, and powerful therapeutic tools from mindfulness, DBT, and somatic experiencing. Listeners will learn why avoidance increases suffering, how emotions live in the body, and what it really means to ride the wave of emotion with courage, self-compassion, and presence.

Whether you’re guiding others through emotional healing or navigating your own inner world, this episode offers a grounded, research-based, and soul-nourishing invitation: feel it fully, and let healing begin.

In this episode of Project I Am, Dr. David Schlosz explores the powerful and often unspoken roles that therapists embody throughout the healing process. Far beyond techniques or treatment plans, effective therapy relies on presence, attunement, and the fluid ability to shift roles as the relationship deepens.

Drawing from recent research in interpersonal neurobiology, attachment theory, and relational-cultural therapy, David reflects on nine core archetypal roles therapists may take on—including midwife, surrogate, mirror, confessor, and sanctuary keeper. Each role invites us into a deeper understanding of the relational alchemy that underpins true transformation.

Whether you’re a counseling student, a practicing therapist, or someone who’s experienced the power of therapy firsthand, this episode will offer rich insight into what makes the therapeutic relationship a sacred, healing space.

In this episode of Project I Am, Dr. David Schlosz explores the powerful and often unspoken roles that therapists embody throughout the healing process. Far beyond techniques or treatment plans, effective therapy relies on presence, attunement, and the fluid ability to shift roles as the relationship deepens.

Drawing from recent research in interpersonal neurobiology, attachment theory, and relational-cultural therapy, David reflects on nine core archetypal roles therapists may take on—including midwife, surrogate, mirror, confessor, and sanctuary keeper. Each role invites us into a deeper understanding of the relational alchemy that underpins true transformation.

Whether you’re a counseling student, a practicing therapist, or someone who’s experienced the power of therapy firsthand, this episode will offer rich insight into what makes the therapeutic relationship a sacred, healing space.

In a recent Project I Am podcast interview, I sat with Sonata Miles and Tessa Myers and discussed the launch and success of Counselor Support and Success Initiative (CSSI). We explored the dynamic evolution of their work—its roots, its reach, and the exciting road ahead. What began as a grassroots study group has become a robust professional collective offering resources, guidance, and community for counseling students and early-career professionals across the country.

What started as a small online study group for the NCE has grown from two members to over 2,000, thanks in large part to the visionary leadership of Sonata and Tessa.

Join them in the Counselor Support & Success Initiative (CSSI): CPCE/NCE & NCMHCE Study Group on Facebook!

The one-time $8 Community fee can be sent via: • CashApp: $CSSInitiative • Venmo: @CSSInitiative

In this Mentoring Moments episode of Project I Am, Dr. David J. Schlosz guides counseling students and early-career therapists through the evolving landscape of Telehealth therapy. Is therapy via video really effective? How do you build authentic connection through a screen? What do the most recent research studies say about digital therapeutic alliances and client outcomes? Blending clinical research, practical wisdom, and personal anecdotes, Dr. Schlosz explores how online therapy has reshaped mental health care — and what it takes to show up fully in a virtual space.

Listeners will walk away with evidence-based tools, client stories, and actionable tips to foster therapeutic presence, manage screen fatigue, and adapt ethically and skillfully to this new modality. Whether you're preparing for your first video session or looking to deepen your digital empathy, this episode is your guide to becoming a confident and connected Telehealth practitioner.

What does it mean to lead with integrity when the room wasn’t built for you?

What does authenticity look like when others are filtering you through their biases?

In one of the most powerful conversations I’ve had, I sat down with Dr. Rachelle Smith—counselor, scholar, higher ed leader, wife, mother, and truth-teller.

We explored:

✅ The emotional labor of being a Black woman in academia

✅ Why code-switching can’t protect us from bias—and why authenticity is essential

✅ Her groundbreaking research on inclusive excellence, identity, and institutional growth

✅ Balancing career, family, and spiritual life in a culture of overwork

✅ What it really means to lead from your moral core

Rachelle’s wisdom is a gift. Her courage is a call to all of us in leadership, education, and advocacy.

Shame is a silent weight many of us carry — a belief that we are somehow flawed, broken, or unworthy of love. In this powerful and compassionate episode of Project I Am, Dr. David J. Schlosz unpacks the profound impact of shame on our mental and emotional well-being and offers a path toward healing through the courageous practices of confession and authenticity.

Drawing on research from shame experts like Brené Brown and June Tangney, personal therapy stories, and real-life media examples including Jonah Hill’s Stutz and Demi Lovato’s journey of truth-telling, this episode explores how sharing our stories in safe spaces can transform our lives. David highlights why empathy is the antidote to shame, what makes a space truly “safe,” and how living authentically — even when it’s costly — leads to freedom and wholeness.

This episode is both a heart-opening invitation and a practical guide for anyone longing to break free from the grip of shame and step into a more authentic life.

Whether you're a therapist, a seeker, or someone on a healing journey, this episode will meet you with truth, grace, and hope.

In this powerful episode of Project I Am, Dr. David J. Schlosz explores one of the most transformative practices in personal growth and mental health today: embracing and integrating all the parts of ourselves. Drawing from Internal Family Systems (IFS), Polyvagal Theory, and somatic therapies, David invites you to rethink your inner world—not as broken or fragmented, but as a system of valuable, protective parts that are longing to be seen, heard, and healed.

You’ll learn how to:

• Recognize the different parts of yourself—like the Inner Critic, the Perfectionist, and the Inner Child
• Bring curiosity and compassion to even the most difficult emotions
• Build trust with protective parts that may be keeping you stuck
• Lead your inner system from a place of Self-energy: calm, confident, and compassionate

This episode is packed with real-life client stories, current research, and practical steps you can use today to bring your whole self to the table. Whether you’re a therapist, leader, or someone on a healing journey, this conversation offers tools and insights to move from inner conflict to inner harmony.

“Every part of you belongs. Every part has a voice. And you are the leader they’ve been waiting for.” – Dr. David J. Schlosz

Tune in now and start leading your inner system with compassion and courage.

The mental health counseling field is evolving at lightning speed, and today’s students are stepping into a landscape rich with new opportunities—and new challenges. In this episode of Project I Am – Mentoring Moments we dive deep into Emerging Trends in Mental Health Counseling, exploring the cutting-edge innovations shaping the future of our profession.

Join us as we break down:

· The rise and permanence of telehealth counseling

· How AI-powered tools are augmenting therapy—and raising ethical questions

· The growing legitimacy of psychedelic-assisted therapy

· The explosion of wellness coaching and its impact on traditional counseling

· New ethical codes, legislation, and how counseling students can prepare for the changing landscape

This episode is packed with research-backed insights, recent ethical guidelines, and practical advice to help you stay informed, competent, and ahead of the curve.

Whether you’re a counseling student, intern, or early-career professional, you’ll leave this episode with a clearer vision of the future—and your place in it.