The Affirming Minds Podcast

By Shaina Siber, LCSW

Build your elite therapeutic toolkit learning through expert-led "pod-courses" and interviews. CEs available for Affirm Academy members.... more

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FAQs about The Affirming Minds Podcast:

How many episodes does The Affirming Minds Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 82 episodes available.

The Affirming Minds Podcast episodes:

June 23, 2026Episode 81 | The Psychology of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives with Mellissa Perry Hill, LPC
What can a reality television show teach us about trauma, belonging, faith, and identity? In this Mental Health Edit episode, I’m joined by Mellissa Perry Hill, LPC, owner of Inner Compass Counseling & Consulting. Using The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives as a starting point, we explore religious trauma, high-control belief systems, gender roles, childhood trauma, mental health stigma, public shaming, and the challenges of healing while living in the public eye. In This Episode, We Discuss:
Religious trauma and faith transitions
High-control religious systems
Shame, belonging, and community pressure
Gender roles and patriarchy
Childhood trauma and sexual abuse
Mental health stigma
Public accountability vs. public shaming
Reality TV, social media, and culture
Healing and reclaiming personal autonomy
About Today's Guest Mellissa Perry Hill, MS, LPC, is the owner of Inner Compass Counseling & Consulting and specializes in religious trauma, spiritual abuse, and faith transitions. She works with individuals, couples, and families throughout Arizona and Utah. Connect with Mellissa Website: https://inner-compass-counseling.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mellissaperrytherapy/ Related Episode 🎙️ Episode 40: Healing After High-Control Religion and Religious Trauma For a deeper clinical discussion of religious trauma and faith transitions, be sure to check out Mellissa's previous CE-eligible appearance on The Affirming Minds Podcast Learn more about Affirm Mental Health
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56min
June 16, 2026 Episode 80 | DBT with LGBTQ+ Clients: Building a Life Worth Living While Cultivating Queer Joy with Dr. Kiki Fehling
Earn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button.
SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes.
SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/offers/XMAbo9mh/checkout?coupon_code=POD
Featured Book:
Using ACT and CFT for Burnout Recovery: The Beyond Burnout Blueprint by Shaina Siber
Kindle: https://a.co/d/0iAlSrhC
Paperback: https://www.routledge.com/Using-ACT-and-CFT-for-Burnout-Recovery-The-Beyond-Burnout-Blueprint/Siber/p/book/9781041074304
Course Information: https://canva.link/qz2pet5l95q2jch
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Episode Summary: Psychologist, author, speaker, and Linehan Board-Certified DBT Expert Dr. Kiki Fehling joins The Affirming Minds Podcast to discuss LGBTQ+ mental health, minority stress, identity invalidation, and the role of Dialectical Behavior Therapy in fostering resilience, self-love, and queer joy.
Together, we explore the history of LGBTQ+ mental health care, affirmative practice, and how DBT skills can help individuals navigate shame, stigma, and discrimination while building lives that feel meaningful, authentic, and connected.
Dr. Fehling is the author of The LGBTQ+ Mental Health Workbook: Find Emotional Resilience, Self-Love, and Queer Joy with Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
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About Our Guest:
Dr. Fehling is a clinical psychologist, author, and DBT-Linehan-Board-Certified expert in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). She began training in DBT early during her graduate education at Rutgers University under Dr. Shireen Rizvi, a student of Dr. Marsha Linehan, and received years of direct supervision and training on DBT, BPD, and suicide/self-harm assessment. Under her research mentor Dr. Edward Selby, she received several research grants and published research manuscripts about suicide and self-harm, particularly in LGBTQ+ adults. She continued her training on DBT/suicidality during her predoctoral internship at Montefiore Medical Center and during her postdoctoral training at NYCBT. At NYCBT, she became a full-time staff clinician, coordinating the program’s LGBTQ+ DBT program. She remains active in mental health advocacy and the dissemination of evidence-based therapies. She is a Psychology Today blogger and contributor to other publications; she co-wrote a published self-help workbook (Self-Directed DBT Skills) and is working on other projects, and she regularly shares DBT skills and mental health tips on social media (@dbtkiki).
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Conflict of Interest Disclosures:
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. Kiki Fehling, PhD is an author with Zeitgeist as a contractor, an author with New Harbinger where she may receive royalties as a contractor, and serves as Director of Clinical Content for Now Matters Now as a nonprofit contractor. All content presented in this course is evidence-based and delivered without commercial bias. 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.
---
Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals.
Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways!
Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com
Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/
TikTok: @affirm_mental_health
...more
55min
June 02, 2026 Episode 79 | Beyond PTSD: Trauma-Informed Care, Evidence-Based Treatment, and Internal Family Systems with Mariah Zur, LPC
Earn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button.
SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes.
SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/offers/XMAbo9mh/checkout?coupon_code=POD
Featured Book:
Using ACT and CFT for Burnout Recovery: The Beyond Burnout Blueprint by Shaina Siber
Kindle: https://a.co/d/0iAlSrhC
Paperback: https://www.routledge.com/Using-ACT-and-CFT-for-Burnout-Recovery-The-Beyond-Burnout-Blueprint/Siber/p/book/9781041074304
Course Information: https://canva.link/88hlzsfl7a02icw
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Episode Summary: What does it mean to be trauma-informed, and how is trauma-informed care different from trauma treatment?
In this episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, host Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, explores the foundations of trauma-informed care, PTSD, Complex PTSD, post-traumatic growth, and the current landscape of evidence-based trauma treatment. Listeners will learn about SAMHSA's Four R's and Six Guiding Principles, the impact of trauma across the lifespan, and several established and emerging approaches to trauma treatment.
Shaina is joined by Mariah Zur, LPC, for a conversation about Internal Family Systems (IFS), including how the model conceptualizes trauma responses through protective parts, exiles, and self-leadership.
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About Our Guest:
Mariah Zur, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor, private practice owner, and PhD Candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision. She specializes in trauma-informed care, Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic approaches, clinician resilience, and burnout prevention.
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Conflict of Interest Disclosures:
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. No other financial conflicts of interest were reported.
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.
---
Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals.
Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways!
Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com
Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/
TikTok: @affirm_mental_health
...more
1h
May 26, 2026Episode 78 | Hush Money: Why Clinicians Are Afraid to Want Wealth with Taylor Gilbert, LCSW & Faith Voss, LCSW [Mental Health Edit]
In this episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast: Mental Health Edit, Shaina sits down with Taylor Gilbert, LCSW, and Faith Voss., LCSW, co-hosts of the Social Work to Wealth Podcast, for a candid conversation about money, sustainability, and the hidden financial narratives within helping professions.
Together, they explore:
The “you’re not in it for the money” culture in social work and mental health
Financial shame, burnout, and martyrdom in helping professions
Gender, systemic inequities, and compensation disparities
Why financial wellness is an ethical issue for clinicians
How money impacts career sustainability, burnout, and access to opportunity
Private practice, salary transparency, and wealth-building for social workers
The role of systemic barriers, financial literacy, and advocacy in mental health professions
This episode is part of our Mental Health Edit series — conversational episodes focused on mental health, culture, systems, and professional life. These episodes are not eligible for CE credit.
🎧 Check out the Social Work to Wealth Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-work-to-wealth-podcast/id1783920058
Learn more about Taylor & Faith’s work and CE offerings:
https://socialworktowealth.com/learn
💙 Join the AFFIRM Academy Membership
Get access to:
70+ CE-eligible podcast episodes and growing
Live CE workshops
Self-study webinars
CE book club offerings
Topics ranging from ACT, IFS, EMDR, Perinatal Mental Health, OCD, Burnout, Trauma, Ethics, Sleep, and more
AFFIRM Mental Health is accredited by ASWB, NBCC, and NYSED for social workers and psychologists.
✨ Podcast listeners get $5 OFF their first month of membership using the link below:
https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/offers/XMAbo9mh/checkout?coupon_code=POD
📘 Shaina’s Book:
Using ACT and CFT for Burnout Recovery: The Beyond Burnout Blueprint
Kindle:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FVGKT76Z?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_PM97TMRJV2HQ49N1SXNE&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_PM97TMRJV2HQ49N1SXNE&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_PM97TMRJV2HQ49N1SXNE&bestFormat=true
Paperback:
https://www.routledge.com/Using-ACT-and-CFT-for-Burnout-Recovery-The-Beyond-Burnout-Blueprint/Siber/p/book/9781041074304
Follow AFFIRM Mental Health & The Affirming Minds Podcast for more conversations grounded in science and fueled by compassion.
...more
49min
May 19, 2026Episode 77 | Mental Health in Military & Law Enforcement: Endurance, Identity, and Relationship Strain with Caleb Chestnutt, LAMFT
Earn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button.
SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes.
SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/offers/XMAbo9mh/checkout?coupon_code=POD
Featured Book:
Using ACT and CFT for Burnout Recovery: The Beyond Burnout Blueprint by Shaina Siber
Kindle: https://a.co/d/0iAlSrhC
Paperback: https://www.routledge.com/Using-ACT-and-CFT-for-Burnout-Recovery-The-Beyond-Burnout-Blueprint/Siber/p/book/9781041074304
Course Information: https://canva.link/3zd9769bl3hwj38
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Episode Summary: What happens when survival mode becomes an identity?
In this episode, Shaina sits down with Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist Caleb Chestnutt to explore the mental health impact of chronic stress, trauma exposure, hypervigilance, and emotional suppression within military and law enforcement culture.
Drawing from both his clinical work and his lived experience serving in military law enforcement roles in the U.S. Air Force, Caleb offers a grounded and deeply nuanced conversation about the culture of endurance that exists within many first responder spaces — and the ways it can quietly shape relationships, emotional regulation, identity, and help-seeking over time.
This is a thoughtful and deeply human conversation about trauma, endurance, identity, and the emotional cost of operating in systems that reward strength while often stigmatizing vulnerability.
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Topics Discussed:
Barriers to seeking therapy in military and law enforcement communities
Hypervigilance, emotional numbing, and chronic survival mode
Dark humor as adaptation and coping
Moral injury and institutional culture
Relationship strain in high-stress professions
The psychology of strength, control, and emotional suppression
Clinical considerations when working with first responders
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About Our Guest:
Caleb Chestnutt is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who works with couples navigating the weight of high-stress lives. His work focuses on how long-term pressure from careers in military service, emergency response, healthcare, and other demanding professions quietly reshapes communication, emotional presence, and connection at home.
Before becoming a therapist, Caleb served in the U.S. Air Force in military law enforcement roles, including overseas deployments and leadership within high-pressure operational environments. His own experience with stress, transition, and seeking help informs the way he shows up in the room: grounded, direct, and deeply human.
Caleb helps couples slow down, understand what’s happening beneath the surface of conflict, and reconnect without shame or blame. He practices at Collaborative Counseling Institute in Gilbert, Arizona, and speaks on topics related to relationships, transition, identity, and chronic stress.
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Conflict of Interest Disclosures:
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. No other financial conflicts of interest were reported.
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.
---
Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals.
Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways!
Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com
Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/
TikTok: @affirm_mental_health
...more
1h 9min
May 05, 2026Episode 76 | Ethical Gray Zones in Clinical Supervision: Risk, Judgment, and Decision-Making with Amelia Larson, RCSW
Earn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button.
SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes.
SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/offers/XMAbo9mh/checkout?coupon_code=POD
Featured Book:
Using ACT and CFT for Burnout Recovery: The Beyond Burnout Blueprint by Shaina Siber
Kindle: https://a.co/d/0iAlSrhC
Paperback: https://www.routledge.com/Using-ACT-and-CFT-for-Burnout-Recovery-The-Beyond-Burnout-Blueprint/Siber/p/book/9781041074304
Course Information: https://canva.link/022jklmnz1q4fl6
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Episode Summary: This episode explores the realities of clinical supervision—what it’s meant to do, where it can fall short, and what’s at stake when it does.
I’m joined by Amelia Larson, MSW, RCSW, to break down the ethical gray zones clinicians and supervisors navigate every day—from recognizing early “pink flags” to making high-stakes decisions in complex systems.
Whether you’re receiving supervision or providing it, this episode offers a grounded look at navigating uncertainty in real-world clinical work.
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Topics Discussed:
What gets missed in supervision
Skills deficits vs. avoidance vs. countertransference
Ethical decision-making in high-risk situations
The impact of burnout, systems, and AI on clinical practice
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About Our Guest: Amelia Larson, MSW, RCSW is a clinical social worker, therapist, and supervisor based in Calgary, Alberta. She is the founder of As You Are Therapy, Clinical Supervision & Consulting and serves as Clinical Director of a large non-profit providing accessible mental health care.
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Resources:
Website: https://asyouaretherapy.ca
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/as_you_aretherapyandconsulting
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amelia-larson-msw-rcsw-78135239/
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Conflict of Interest Disclosures:
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. No other financial conflicts of interest were reported.
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.
---
Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals.
Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways!
Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com
Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/
TikTok: @affirm_mental_health
...more
59min
April 21, 2026Episode 75 | Family Trauma and Dysfunction: Clinical Tools for Breaking Generational with Kara Lissy, LCSW
Earn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button.
SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes.
SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://affirmmentalhealth.com/become-a-member/
Course Information: https://canva.link/3j4cfb8py56le1o
Episode Summary: In this episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, Shaina Siber, LCSW is joined by Kara Lissy, LCSW to explore how dysfunctional family dynamics shape adult relationships, self-worth, and emotional regulation.
Grounded in CBT, DBT, and ACT, this conversation offers practical, evidence-based strategies to help clinicians and clients understand—and break—generational patterns.
Topics Discussed:
Family trauma vs. dysfunction
How early adaptations show up in adulthood
Boundaries, people-pleasing, and burnout
Practical tools to interrupt maladaptive patterns
About Our Guest: Kara Lissy, LCSW is a psychotherapist and author specializing in adult children of alcoholics and dysfunctional family systems. She works with adults navigating anxiety, shame, and the long-term impact of emotionally unpredictable homes.
Resources:
Healing From a Dysfunctional Family: A Workbook to Break the Generational Cycle: https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Dysfunctional-Family-Healing-from-a-Dysfunctional-Family-Workbook-Generational/dp/1648486134
Conflict of Interest Disclosures:
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. No other financial conflicts of interest were reported.
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.
Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals.
Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways!
Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com
Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/
TikTok: @affirm_mental_health
...more
57min
April 14, 2026 Episode 74| The Inner Life of Leaders: Burnout, Mental Health and the Psychological Cost of High Performance with Drs. Julian Barling & Simon Rego
Earn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button.
SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes.
SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://affirmmentalhealth.com/become-a-member/
Course Information: https://canva.link/hiv9ont8fgrhgzt
---
Episode Summary: Leadership often demands sustained performance under pressure—but what is the psychological cost?
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Simon Rego and Dr. Julian Barling to explore burnout, stress, and the internal experiences of high-performing leaders. Drawing from CBT, ACT, and related evidence-based approaches, we examine how common traits like perfectionism, over-responsibility, and emotional suppression can both drive success and maintain distress.
We also discuss practical strategies to support more sustainable, values-aligned functioning in leadership and high-demand roles.
---
Guests:
Simon A. Rego, PsyD, ABPP, A-CBT – Chief of Psychology at Montefiore Medical Center and Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Julian Barling, PhD – Distinguished University Professor and Borden Chair of Leadership at Queen’s University
---
Resource:
The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Workbook for Leaders
https://www.amazon.com/Cognitive-Behavioral-Therapy-Workbook-Leaders/dp/1648484778
---
Conflict of Interest Disclosures:
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. No other financial conflicts of interest were reported.
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.
---
Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals.
Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways!
Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com
Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/
TikTok: @affirm_mental_health
...more
56min
April 07, 2026Episode 73| Rethinking Youth Mental Health: What We’re Getting Wrong with Dr. Will Dobud, PhD, MSW
Earn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button.
SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes.
SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://affirmmentalhealth.com/become-a-member/
Course Information: https://canva.link/qvhqgnz5pnptjgk
---
Episode Summary: Rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide among young people have risen dramatically over the past decade. But what if we’re misunderstanding the problem?
In this episode, Shaina sits down with Dr. Will Dobud, social worker, researcher, and co-author of Kids These Days, to challenge dominant narratives about youth mental health. Together, they explore how current clinical and cultural frameworks may contribute to over-pathologizing normal development—and what we may be missing when we focus too narrowly on diagnosis, symptom reduction, and control.
This conversation invites clinicians, parents, and educators to consider a broader, more contextual lens—one that centers relationships, autonomy, and environment.
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Topics Covered:
Why youth symptoms may reflect broader systemic and relational factors
How adult anxiety and over-intervention influence youth mental health
Limitations of diagnosis-driven and symptom-focused models
When therapy may not be effective—and how to recognize it
The role of autonomy, connection, and trusted relationships
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About Our Guest: Dr. Will Dobud is a social worker, researcher, and educator who has worked with adolescents and families in the United States, Australia, and Norway. He is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Charles Sturt University and an award-winning researcher focused on improving therapy outcomes for teenagers and promoting safe, ethical practices. His work includes examining the risks of coercive and institutional treatment models.
---
Resource:
Kids These Days (book): https://a.co/d/0gsTkoHy
---
Conflict of Interest Disclosures:
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. Dr. Will Dobud is the co-author of Kids These Days and may reference concepts from the book during this episode.
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.
---
Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals.
Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways!
Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com
Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/
TikTok: @affirm_mental_health
...more
1h 18min
March 31, 2026 Episode 72| Positive Psychology, Done Right: The Science of Flourishing with Dr. Jessica Rabon
Earn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button.
SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes.
SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://affirmmentalhealth.com/become-a-member/
Course Information: https://www.canva.com/design/DAHFXBWd8Uo/8KIEPLLsY2iJZRr_Z3iejQ/view?utm_content=DAHFXBWd8Uo&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=he7a8881f70
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Episode Summary: Therapists are trained to reduce suffering—but what if that’s only part of the work?
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Jessica Rabon to explore positive psychology as a scientifically grounded approach to wellbeing. We break down what it is, what it isn’t, and how it moves beyond symptom reduction to help clients build meaningful, engaged lives.
We cover the PERMA model, the role of flow and relationships, and how to integrate positive psychology into clinical practice—without slipping into toxic positivity.
If you’ve ever felt the gap between helping clients feel less bad and helping them actually feel fulfilled, this conversation will meet you there.
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About Our Guest: Dr. Jessica Rabon is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in pediatric psychology. Her clinical interests include depression, anxiety, chronic medical illnesses, LGBTQ+ health, and eating disorders. She has published a number of peer-reviewed research papers and a book on topics such as suicide, depression, anxiety, self-compassion, gratitude, and forgiveness. Additionally, Jess creates mental health content on social media and hosts a podcast, Psych Talk, with the goal of making mental health more accessible and relatable, and destigmatizing mental health.
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Connect with Dr. Jessica Rabon:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaleighphd/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessicaleighphd
Website: https://jessicaleighphd.wixsite.com/mysite
Podcast (Psych Talk): https://psychtalk.buzzsprout.com/

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Conflict of Interest Disclosures:
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. No other financial conflicts of interest were reported.
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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Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals.
Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways!
Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com
Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/
TikTok: @affirm_mental_health
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55min

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