The Affirming Minds Podcast

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  Dissociation is often misunderstood—even by clinicians. In this powerful and practical episode, Shaina Siber sits down with trauma and dissociation specialist Katy Kandaris-Weiner, MA, LPC, to unpack the continuum of dissociation and explore how complex trauma, early relational harm, and systemic forces contribute to the development of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID).

You’ll learn how to recognize dissociation in subtle and not-so-subtle forms, differentiate DID from other diagnoses, and respond with compassion, clarity, and evidence-based stabilization strategies. This episode blends clinical insight with fierce empathy—and invites you to challenge your assumptions about what trauma "should" look like.

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  In this powerful and practical episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, host Shaina Siber, LCSW, is joined by Dr. Shauna Pollard, PhD—a licensed psychologist and nationally recognized expert in executive functioning, ADHD, and culturally responsive care.

In this episode we unpack the nuanced ways ADHD shows up in high-achieving BIPOC adults, how it often goes misdiagnosed or missed entirely, and how perfectionism and imposter syndrome can function as survival strategies. This episode explores how systemic bias, internalized messages, and structural barriers shape both the lived experience and the diagnostic process for BIPOC clients—and how therapists can provide more affirming, effective care.

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Earn continuing education credit for this episode here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com/courses/47432976-dc08-498e-aa5b-7ecf25d41c7e 

Looking for more? Explore our convenient, affordable CE bundles or browse our full library of podcast courses, on-demand webinars, and live virtual trainings at affirmmentalhealth.com.  

  In this impactful episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, Shaina sits down with therapist and religious trauma expert Mellissa Perry Hill, MS, LPC, to explore the deep and often invisible wounds caused by high-control religious environments. Together, they unpack the psychological, relational, and spiritual challenges that arise during and after a faith transition—and how therapists can show up with nuance, compassion, and trauma-informed care.

Mellissa shares her clinical wisdom, personal lived experience, and practical therapeutic tools that help clients reclaim agency, make meaning, and reconnect with themselves after religious harm. If you work with clients struggling with shame, identity confusion, scrupulosity, or spiritual disconnection, this episode is a must-listen.

**Want CE/CEUs for this episode?**

Earn continuing education credit for this episode here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com/courses/4e74fb05-e2b6-4844-b1a2-86371a85366c 

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  Cynophobia—the fear of dogs—can be deeply disruptive, especially for children and families navigating daily life in a dog-loving society. In this episode, we sit down with Stefani M. Cohen, LCSW, a clinical social worker and author who specializes in treating dog phobia across the lifespan. Drawing from personal experience, decades of clinical practice, and her unique Overcoming the Fear of Dogs Protocol (OFOD), Stefani walks us through what causes cynophobia, how it shows up differently in children and adults, and what really works when it comes to treatment.

You’ll learn how to apply gradual exposure, dog safety education, and trauma-informed techniques to help clients build resilience and confidence—whether you're a therapist, parent, or educator.

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Earn continuing education credit for this episode here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com/courses/3bb96b0b-928c-4d37-9b6c-f9bd3ce1c37e 

Looking for more? Explore our convenient, affordable CE bundles or browse our full library of podcast courses, on-demand webinars, and live virtual trainings at affirmmentalhealth.com.  

  In this deeply compassionate and clinically rich episode, host Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW is joined by Michelle Zipser, LMSW—a seasoned therapist with over 22 years of experience supporting individuals and families impacted by dementia and life transitions related to brain changes.

Michelle shares her insights from years in hospice and palliative care and her private practice, where she works closely with care partners navigating the emotional, psychological, and logistical toll of supporting a loved one with dementia.

Together, we explore the challenges of ambiguous loss, caregiver identity shifts, compassion fatigue, and the trauma-informed clinical strategies therapists can use to support clients in these roles with empathy, nuance, and evidence-informed care.

**Want CE/CEUs for this episode?**

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Looking for more? Explore our convenient, affordable CE bundles or browse our full library of podcast courses, on-demand webinars, and live virtual trainings at affirmmentalhealth.com. 

  In this episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, host Shaina Siber is joined by EMDR-certified trauma therapist Catrina Drinning-Davis, LPC-S to explore clinical considerations when working with individuals impacted by intimate partner violence (IPV). This episode blends therapeutic insights with trauma-informed strategies to support clinicians in providing compassionate, affirming care to survivors of IPV.

Trigger Warning:
This episode includes discussions of domestic violence, strangulation, homicide risk, and structural oppression. Please listen with care.

**Want CE/CEUs for this episode?**

Earn continuing education credit for this episode here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com/courses/5e09ff26-cc51-46a7-9b40-2914d553a0ca  

Looking for more? Explore our convenient, affordable CE bundles or browse our full library of podcast courses, on-demand webinars, and live virtual trainings at affirmmentalhealth.com.  

  In this episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, Shaina sits down with psychiatric nurse practitioner, educator, and mental health advocate Maria Ingalla, founder of Paperflower Psychiatry, a neurodivergent-affirming practice rooted in compassion, accessibility, and social justice.

Together, they tackle one of the most commonly misunderstood areas in clinical practice: psychiatric medication. If you're a non-prescribing therapist who feels unsure about how to talk to clients about meds—or how to collaborate with prescribers—this conversation will leave you feeling more informed, more confident, and more grounded in your role.

Maria brings her signature no-BS style to break down the basics of psychopharm in a way that’s clear, compassionate, and completely accessible. She shares insights from her years in community mental health, tips for ethically supporting clients through medication changes, and why mental health professionals must stay vigilant in the face of growing political misinformation and stigma.

Whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned clinician, this is essential listening for anyone who wants to integrate affirming, evidence-informed, and collaborative care into their work.

**Want CE/CEUs for this episode?**

Earn continuing education credit for this episode here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com/courses/10e16f39-6701-4297-a9fb-1a9f0c7dd88f    

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  In this rich and wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Kendhal Hart joins host Shaina Siber to demystify Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and explore how it can be powerfully integrated with EMDR to support trauma healing. A seasoned educator, IFS Consultant, and EMDRIA-Approved Trainer, Kendhal brings warmth, wisdom, and clinical clarity to a topic that has inspired both buzz and confusion in the therapy world.

Together, Shaina and Kendhal unpack foundational IFS concepts—like protectors, exiles, blending, and Self-energy—while reflecting on real-life clinical applications, therapist parts in the room, and how IFS fosters consent, choice, and compassion. Whether you’re new to parts work or looking to deepen your integration across modalities, this episode offers both practical strategies and moments of soulful resonance.

**Want CE/CEUs for this episode?**

Earn continuing education credit for this episode here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com/courses/41c349c5-e338-4e61-b38b-0912989705dd    

Looking for more? Explore our convenient, affordable CE bundles or browse our full library of podcast courses, on-demand webinars, and live virtual trainings at affirmmentalhealth.com.  

In this episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, Shaina is joined by perinatal mental health expert and advocate Elyse Springer, MA-CLP, LMFT, PMH-C, for a rich and deeply human conversation on the realities of working with clients during the perinatal period. They explore what often gets overlooked in clinical training, how systemic gaps in policy and access compound suffering, and what therapists can do right now to offer more competent, compassionate, and inclusive care.

While this conversation primarily centers on experiences related to wanted pregnancies, Elyse brings a nuanced lens that honors the full spectrum of perinatal experiences—including loss, trauma, non-birthing partner mental health, intersectionality, and the social determinants that shape who gets care and who gets missed.

Elyse also shares powerful insights from her own personal journey, and offers practical, evidence-based strategies for assessing and supporting perinatal clients in both individual and systemic contexts.

This episode is essential listening for any therapist working with adults, couples, or families—and especially for those looking to deepen their confidence and competence in this vital area of care.

**Want CE/CEUs for this episode?**

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Looking for more? Explore our convenient, affordable CE bundles or browse our full library of podcast courses, on-demand webinars, and live virtual trainings at affirmmentalhealth.com.  

  In this powerful episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, host Shaina Siber sits down with Dr. Gwilym Roddick and Dr. Melanie Smith—two national leaders in the clinical integration of virtual reality (VR)—to explore how immersive technology is transforming psychotherapy. From exposure therapy and phobia work to trauma-informed care and culturally responsive adaptations, this conversation goes deep into how therapists can ethically and effectively use VR to expand client access, support emotional growth, and stay centered in human connection.

The conversation also honors the late Dr. Elizabeth McMahon and her groundbreaking work in VR-assisted therapy for anxiety. Whether you're VR-curious or tech-skeptical, this episode offers practical insight, clinical guidance, and next steps for bringing innovation into your therapeutic practice.