The Affirming Minds Podcast

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In this enlightening episode of Affirming Minds, Shaina sits down with Jennie Ketcham Crooks, LICSW, author of Look Up: The 30-Day Path to Digital Minimalism and Real Life Maximalism. Together, they explore how our relationship with digital devices impacts mental health and well-being. Jenny shares powerful insights, grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Habit Reversal Training (HRT), that help listeners identify their values, minimize mindless phone use, and reclaim vitality in their lives. Whether you’re a therapist looking for clinical applications or someone hoping to navigate your own digital habits, this episode offers strategies to transform your relationship with technology.

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In this episode, we welcome Alisa Kamis-Brinda, LCSW, LCADC, a licensed clinical social worker and licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor with over 20 years of experience in anger management, anxiety, and trauma-informed care. Alisa brings her expertise to the podcast as she dives deep into the complex and often misunderstood emotion of anger. She discusses when anger should be a direct focus in therapy and how clinicians can discern between anger as an emotion versus anger as a behavioral response. This conversation is essential for clinicians and individuals alike, offering insights into the varied expressions of anger—from the overt outbursts to the subtle, passive-aggressive behaviors that often go unnoticed.

Alisa also explores the importance of a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approach to anger, recognizing that clients may have unique experiences and histories that shape how they perceive and express this emotion. You’ll learn about the powerful role of psychoeducation in anger management, how mindfulness can help clients recognize early signs of anger, and evidence-based strategies that support assertive communication and emotional regulation.

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 This episode features Erin Pressman, LCSW-C, a seasoned clinical social worker and founder of Lodestar Wellness LLC, as she explores strategies for addressing the Parent Control Agenda and integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to foster healthier family dynamics. This episode is a must-listen for clinicians seeking to support collaborative relationships between parents and children, helping both parties navigate control dynamics in meaningful ways.

In her practice, Erin Pressman applies ACT techniques across multiple settings, including True North Therapy and Consulting and the Center for Developmental and Behavioral Health at Kennedy Krieger Institute. With degrees in Intercultural Communication Through Theater and Social Work, along with an AMI Elementary Education Certificate, Erin has contributed to various ACT protocols for families, including high school mentorship programs, parents of emerging adults, and adolescents with depression, in collaboration with Johns Hopkins Hospital. Her extensive background also includes serving on the ACBS Midatlantic Chapter board, enhancing the use of ACT in clinical and research contexts.

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  In this episode, we dive into the groundbreaking work of Dr. Dana Crawford and her transformative Crawford Bias Reduction Theory (CBRT). As bias and accountability become increasingly critical topics in the therapeutic space and beyond, Dr. Crawford’s CBRT approach stands out as a powerful, action-oriented plan for addressing both implicit and explicit biases. This method emphasizes compassion, self-reflection, and accountability—empowering therapists and individuals to engage in ongoing, meaningful change.   Join us as Dr. Crawford discusses the origins of CBRT, inspired by her own observations of bias within clinical and educational settings, and her dedication to reducing the impact of bias in therapy. She explains CBRT’s unique approach, contrasting it with traditional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) methods, and shares how CBRT goes beyond definitions to offer practical, actionable steps.

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 In this powerful episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, host Shaina Siber, LCSW, dives into a profound and often challenging topic: navigating personal grief as a therapist while upholding the integrity of the therapeutic alliance. Joined by expert guest Olga Montgomery, LCSW, an experienced grief therapist, they explore how personal struggles, such as grief, can intersect with professional responsibilities, influencing the therapeutic dynamic and enriching the therapist’s presence.

Through thoughtful discussion, Shaina and Olga address the essential balance between vulnerability and professionalism, providing evidence-based strategies for therapists managing their own grief. They discuss practical techniques like the “parking lot” approach for setting aside personal emotions and highlight how self-compassion and addressing mortality anxiety can deepen a therapist’s authenticity and resilience in their work. This episode serves as both a guide and a support system for therapists experiencing grief, showing how personal challenges can transform into powerful tools for connection, empathy, and growth.

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 In this enlightening episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, Shaina Siber, LCSW is joined by Dr. Kiki Fehling, a licensed clinical psychologist and expert in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Together, they dive deep into the topic of shame, its impact on mental health, and how therapists can address it effectively in clinical practice. Dr. Fehling shares valuable insights into how shame differs from guilt, common ways it manifests in clients, and why addressing shame can be transformative in therapy, particularly for marginalized communities such as LGBTQ+ individuals.

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  In this enlightening episode of Affirming Minds, host Shaina Siber, LCSW welcomes Dr. Brett Novick, an expert in family therapy, school social work, and educational leadership, to dive deep into the often misunderstood world of narcissism. Together, they explore the crucial distinctions between adaptive and pathological narcissism, how these traits manifest in personal and professional relationships, and what therapists need to know when treating clients exhibiting narcissistic traits or Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD).

Dr. Novick brings over 23 years of experience as a licensed marriage and family therapist, school social worker, and counselor to this rich conversation. He shares insights into the nuances of narcissism, offering practical clinical considerations for assessing and treating NPD. Shaina and Dr. Novick also discuss boundary enforcement, empathy-building strategies, and the challenges therapists face when working with narcissistic clients in therapy.

Whether you're a mental health professional, therapist, or someone seeking a deeper understanding of narcissism in relationships, this episode offers valuable tools and perspectives on how to approach these complex dynamics in the therapeutic space.

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 Due to provider implicit biases, discrimination, and insufficient training, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth experience significant health disparities (e.g., increased suicidality, depression, and anxiety) compared to heterosexual cisgender peers. As more youth self-identify as sexual and gender minorities, and at younger ages, inclusive and affirming health care practices are needed to improve psychological and physical health outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth. The current presentation will focus on understanding and differentiating between terminology, clinical strategies to assess and discuss gender and sexual diversity with patients, and best clinical practices when working with LGBTQ+ individuals to establish an affirming care environment. Providers versed in LGBTQ+ health competencies and affirming care approaches can reduce the perpetuation of health disparities and stigmatization experienced by LGBTQ+ youth.

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  In this insightful episode of the Affirming Minds podcast, host Shaina Siber, LCSW welcomes Dr. Laurie Gallo, a clinical psychologist specializing in trauma recovery and healing. Together, they explore the fundamental principles of trauma-informed care, share practical therapeutic interventions, and discuss how clinicians can navigate client readiness when addressing trauma.

Dr. Gallo opens up about her personal connection to trauma work and her professional path and deep commitment to improving trauma services for underserved populations. Throughout the episode, Dr. Gallo and Shaina delve into important topics, including the balance between client autonomy and therapist guidance, as well as evidence-based trauma treatments like cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and prolonged exposure (PE).

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  In this third and final episode of the Beyond Burnout series, host Shaina Siber, LCSW, dives into the final stages of burnout prevention and transcendence. This episode builds on the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) and introduces techniques that help clinicians recover from burnout and guide their daily actions through their values and unique gifts.

Listeners will be introduced to the first 3 steps in Shaina’s Beyond Burnout Blueprint: creating a compelling vision, welcoming the unwanted and watching your words as burnout buffer. This strategy helps clinicians and clients alike imagine a future that is grounded in values while bolstering their  resilience and growth. Shaina highlights key tools such as cognitive defusion, willingness, and compassionate imagery, offering evidence-based techniques that can transform how we relate to stress and burnout.