Social media often makes it sound like there’s only one answer to difficult family relationships: cut them off. But is that always the healthiest choice?

In this episode, Paul Wagner and Dr. Ray Christner take a thoughtful look at family estrangement, toxic relationships, and the role of boundaries in protecting your well-being. They explore why the word “toxic” has become so common, how clinicians can avoid black-and-white thinking, and why firm but flexible boundaries often deserve consideration before permanent no-contact decisions.

You’ll hear practical ways to think through difficult family dynamics, the potential long-term costs of estrangement, situations where immediate separation is appropriate, and how therapists can support clients without steering them toward a predetermined outcome.

Whether you’re a mental health professional or someone navigating a challenging family relationship, this conversation offers a balanced, compassionate framework for making decisions that align with your values instead of reacting from the moment.

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To hear more and stay up to date with Paul Wagner, MS, LPC and Ray Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP visit our website at: 

http://www.psychedtopractice.com 

“Be well, and stay psyched"

AI is moving far beyond simple chatbots, and many mental health professionals are wondering what comes next.

In the first episode of Beyond the Bot, Dan Florell and Adam Lockwood break down one of the fastest-growing areas of artificial intelligence: AI agents. They explain the difference between traditional AI chatbots and autonomous AI systems, where these tools can genuinely save clinicians time, and where they should never be used.

The conversation covers practical examples for psychologists, counselors, school psychologists, and private practice owners, including research reviews, program evaluation, website analysis, marketing insights, and automating repetitive administrative work. Just as importantly, they discuss the ethical boundaries, including why protected health information should never be shared with consumer AI tools and why curiosity should come before rushing to adopt new technology.

Whether you're just beginning to explore AI or already using ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini, this episode offers practical guidance to help you understand where the technology is headed and how to prepare for it responsibly.

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To hear more and stay up to date with Paul Wagner, MS, LPC and Ray Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP visit our website at: 

http://www.psychedtopractice.com 

“Be well, and stay psyched"

We are excited to announce the launch of a brand new podcast, Beyond the Bot, hosted by Dr. Dan Florel and Dr. Adam Lockwood. Starting Friday, July 31st, you’ll find episodes of Beyond the Bot appearing right here on the Psyched To Practice feed, alternating with our regular episodes. This means you’ll continue to receive fresh content every week without needing to subscribe to anything new.

For those familiar with our journey, Dan has played a pivotal role behind the scenes, helping to transform Psyched To Practice from a passion project into a robust educational platform. Joining him is Adam Lockwood, who brings years of experience in helping mental health professionals thoughtfully integrate artificial intelligence into clinical practice, education, supervision, and daily workflows.

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To hear more and stay up to date with Paul Wagner, MS, LPC and Ray Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP visit our website at: 

http://www.psychedtopractice.com 

“Be well, and stay psyched"

Most therapists overlook one of the most powerful tools for supporting LGBTQ+ clients: the deep connection between minority stress, emotional validation, and joy. In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Kiki Fehling—an expert in queer-affirmative DBT—shares how understanding the unique challenges faced by queer individuals can transform therapy from mere coping to building a genuinely fulfilling life.

Discover how minority stress operates like chronic invalidation, fueling mental health difficulties like anxiety, depression, and trauma. Kiki reveals how DBT’s biosocial model not only helps clients manage emotions but also reframes their experiences—empowering clients to see their identities not as sources of pathology but as sources of strength and joy. She explains how the foundational CBT skill of opposite action can combat shame and anxiety, leading clients to actively pursue moments of queer joy—whether through celebrations, community, or self-affirmation.

You'll learn practical ways clinicians can avoid microaggressions—like making assumptions about pronouns or relationships—and how to repair ruptures that threaten trust. The episode emphasizes the importance of fostering therapy spaces where queer clients can fully embrace their identities, find happiness, and counteract societal stigma. Whether you're a mental health professional or a queer advocate, this conversation offers a clear map for integrating affirming practices that lead to genuine resilience and happiness.

Filled with actionable exercises from Kiki’s new workbook, along with her insights on cultural humility and self-work, this episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to supporting LGBTQ+ folks in living their fullest, happiest lives. Queer joy isn’t just a moment—it’s a vital component of mental health and belonging.

Her New Book: https://www.kikifehling.com/lgbtqworkbook

Therapist Guide: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0197643302?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

Free worksheets/handout: https://www.newharbinger.com/9781648486623/the-lgbtq-mental-health-workbook/

Find a LGBTQ+ community center near you: https://www.lgbtqcenters.org/

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To hear more and stay up to date with Paul Wagner, MS, LPC and Ray Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP visit our website at: 

http://www.psychedtopractice.com 

“Be well, and stay psyched"

The words we choose shape far more than conversation—they shape emotions, treatment, documentation, and even access to care.

In this episode, Paul Wagner and Ray Christner explore how language influences the way clients experience their struggles and how clinicians document those experiences. They discuss the growing trend of using highly charged clinical terms like trauma, PTSD, narcissist, abuse, and hostage to describe everyday situations, and why that language can unintentionally increase emotional distress instead of helping people move forward.

They also examine the opposite problem: clinicians softening documentation so much that important functional impairments disappear from reports, potentially affecting insurance coverage, disability determinations, educational services, and medical necessity.

You’ll learn practical strategies for challenging inflated language without invalidating clients, writing balanced documentation that captures both strengths and impairments, and using words that promote clarity, accuracy, and effective treatment.

Whether you’re a therapist, psychologist, counselor, educator, or simply interested in how language shapes mental health, this conversation offers practical insights you can use immediately.

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To hear more and stay up to date with Paul Wagner, MS, LPC and Ray Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP visit our website at: 

http://www.psychedtopractice.com 

“Be well, and stay psyched"

Smartwatches, fitness trackers, smart rings, and other wearable devices are collecting more health data than ever before—but what does that mean for mental health care?

In this episode, Paul Wagner and Dr. Dan Florell explore the growing role of wearable technology in psychology. They discuss how devices can help monitor sleep, heart rate, stress, and activity levels, and how that information may support treatment for anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, and other conditions. You’ll also hear about emerging research showing how physiological changes may provide early warning signs before symptoms become more severe.

The conversation also tackles the important questions every clinician should be asking. How accurate are these devices? When should therapists trust the data? What are the ethical concerns around privacy, AI, and client safety? And how can wearable technology become a useful clinical tool without replacing sound professional judgment?

Whether you’re a clinician curious about integrating technology into practice or someone interested in the future of mental health, this episode offers a balanced look at both the opportunities and the limitations of wearable technology.

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To hear more and stay up to date with Paul Wagner, MS, LPC and Ray Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP visit our website at: 

http://www.psychedtopractice.com 

“Be well, and stay psyched"

Boundaries are often presented as the answer to difficult relationships, workplace stress, and emotional well-being. But what happens when a boundary is actually avoidance in disguise? In this episode, Paul Wagner and Ray Christner explore the complicated space between protecting yourself and limiting your growth. They discuss how rigid boundaries can sometimes create new problems, why flexibility matters, and how anxiety can influence the decisions we make about work, relationships, and personal fulfillment. Through clinical examples and practical insights, they examine how to recognize when a boundary is serving you, when it may be holding you back, and how to make thoughtful decisions that align with your values. This conversation offers clinicians and listeners a fresh perspective on balancing self-protection, growth, and meaningful connection.

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To hear more and stay up to date with Paul Wagner, MS, LPC and Ray Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP visit our website at: 

http://www.psychedtopractice.com 

“Be well, and stay psyched"

What happens when the symptoms fit… but the diagnosis doesn’t?

In this episode of Psyched to Practice, Paul Wagner and Ray Christner break down the messy reality of differential diagnosis and why so many mental health conditions can look nearly identical on the surface. From ADHD and anxiety to autism, depression, sleep problems, medical conditions, and substance use, they explore how clinicians can avoid jumping to conclusions and start asking better questions.

Ray shares practical ways to rule diagnoses in and out without getting trapped by confirmation bias, while Paul highlights how curiosity, collaboration, and ongoing assessment can completely change treatment outcomes.

They discuss why diagnosis should be treated like a working hypothesis instead of a fixed answer, how overlapping symptoms create false positives, and the danger of diagnostic overshadowing when one diagnosis hides another. The episode also explores why women with ADHD were so often missed for years, how medical conditions can mimic mental health disorders, and why gathering information from parents, spouses, and caregivers can completely change the clinical picture.

This episode is packed with practical insights for therapists, psychologists, counselors, and anyone trying to better understand the complexity behind mental health diagnosis.

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To hear more and stay up to date with Paul Wagner, MS, LPC and Ray Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP visit our website at: 

http://www.psychedtopractice.com 

“Be well, and stay psyched"

Why do so many therapists hesitate to use exposure therapy for PTSD, even when the research strongly supports it?

In this episode of the Psyched to Practice podcast, Ray sits down with Dr. Carmen McLean and Dr. Elizabeth Goetter to unpack the myths, fears, and misunderstandings surrounding Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE). Together, they explore why avoidance keeps PTSD symptoms alive, why many clinicians feel anxious delivering trauma-focused care, and what the science actually says about retraumatization, dropout rates, and treatment outcomes.

The conversation also dives into some of the newest developments in PTSD treatment, including intensive treatment models, telehealth delivery, virtual tools, culturally responsive adaptations, and how PE is being used with complex comorbidities like substance use, borderline personality disorder, and suicidality.

Along the way, they reflect on the legacy of Dr. Edna Foa, the pioneer behind PE, and discuss why evidence-based trauma treatment still remains out of reach for far too many people.

This episode is packed with practical insight for clinicians, graduate students, and anyone interested in how trauma treatment continues to evolve.

Their New Book: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-72720-7

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To hear more and stay up to date with Paul Wagner, MS, LPC and Ray Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP visit our website at: 

http://www.psychedtopractice.com 

“Be well, and stay psyched"

As the school year winds down, many students hit a wall. They’re tired, overwhelmed, and often feel like it doesn’t even matter anymore. Missing assignments pile up, motivation drops, and even high-achieving students start to question whether it’s worth the effort.

In this episode, Paul and Ray break down what’s really happening during this final stretch. They explore why students feel “over it,” how burnout shows up differently across age groups, and what clinicians and parents can actually do to help.

You’ll hear practical strategies for tackling missing work without overwhelm, using “good enough” in a productive way, and helping kids regain momentum when they feel stuck. They also address the stress around standardized testing and how to reframe it so it doesn’t define a child’s sense of self.

This conversation is packed with real-world tools you can use immediately in sessions, at home, or in schools to help kids finish the year with less stress and fewer regrets.

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To hear more and stay up to date with Paul Wagner, MS, LPC and Ray Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP visit our website at: 

http://www.psychedtopractice.com 

“Be well, and stay psyched"