Eric Bricker talks with Dr. Claudia Black about what happens inside families shaped by alcoholism and why the effects often show up long after someone stops drinking. Claudia reflects on writing It Will Never Happen to Me in her 20s, the early days of Adult Children of Alcoholics, and how giving people language for denial, loss, and grief changed the way recovery work is done.

They get into the quiet rules many kids learn early on, don't talk, don't trust, don't feel, and what it takes to undo them without turning the past into a blame game. Claudia explains why family of origin work can be a key piece of sustained recovery, how fear of feelings can keep people stuck, and what helps clients begin to identify needs, set boundaries, and make real choices in relationships.

The conversation also moves into today's reality for young adults, including the role of screens, social media, online sexual content, and the ways technology can deepen isolation, comparison, and secrecy. Claudia shares how treatment has evolved, what trauma informed work looks like now, and how the Claudia Black Center at The Meadows approaches resistance, motivation, and recovery for ages 18 to 28.

Learn more or get in touch:🎙 Contact Eric Bricker: ericbrickerlmhc.com

On this episode of the Good Counsel Podcast, psychotherapist Eric Bricker sits down with trauma therapist, coach, and mindfulness teacher Ryan Soave to explore what truly makes helping relationships effective. Ryan shares why real healing is less about adding something new and more about uncovering the innocent, curious self that life has covered up. He and Eric dig into distress tolerance, why learning how to "feel bad" is central to growth, and how we confuse discomfort with actual threat.

They also talk about the rise of counterfeit experts on social media, the importance of skepticism with an open mind, and why ethical training and supervision still matter in a world of AI and online coaching. Ryan explains his vision for accessible, zero cost tools, his growing library of YouTube content, and his work helping people question their relationship with substances, success, and themselves.

Learn more or get in touch:🎙 Contact Eric Bricker: ericbrickerlmhc.com

On this episode of the Good Counsel Podcast, host Eric Bricker sits down with attorneys Craig Robinson and Richard Casey to break down the Baker Act, the Marchman Act, and civil commitments in plain language. We talk through due process and rights, how assessments work, why counties handle cases differently, and the high burden of proof for Marchman cases. Craig and Richard share their behavioral health backgrounds, why they see their firm as part of the treatment team, and how law enforcement and clinicians can initiate help. We also dig into the bigger policy debate around institutionalization, community care, and safeguards that keep involuntary treatment from being abused. If you support someone struggling with mental health or substance use, this conversation gives you clear next steps and questions to ask.

Learn more or get in touch:🎙 Contact Eric Bricker: ericbrickerlmhc.com

Behavioral health veteran Terry Shapiro joins Eric to dig into what actually moves the needle in care today.We unpack the rise of TMS as noninvasive brain stimulation, why pairing it with solid therapy matters, and how GAIABehavioral Health is collaborating across programs to make access easier. Terry shares the story behind Prospect HillRecovery and Wellness in St. Croix where privacy meets high touch treatment and continuing care is built in. We also getcandid about AA culture, how to break in when meetings feel intimidating, and simple tools like yoga nidra that calm ananxious mind. Then we zoom out to TCIV and the business of innovation before spotlighting the Florida shuffle reformsand the new documentary Shuffle alongside State Attorney Dave Aaronberg. Smart, practical, and hopeful. Learn more or get in touch: 🎙Contact Eric Bricker: ericbrickerlmhc.com

Host Eric Bricker sits down with Joseph Lee, LCSW, a Delray Beach psychotherapist and owner of Joseph Lee Counseling and co-founder and clinical director at Mindspa Therapy. Joseph shares his path from program director to private practice, why he stepped outside the treatment-center bubble to rediscover his identity, and how mentorship shaped his early career. He offers an insider's look at South Florida's behavioral health landscape, from the rise of the Florida model to the renewed emphasis on quality and accountability.

They dig into entrepreneurship, building an insurance-based group that keeps therapy accessible, and the recent merger with Mindspa to integrate therapy and psychiatry under one collaborative umbrella. Joseph speaks candidly about doubt, confidence, personal responsibility, and the difference between wishful thinking and doing the work. If you are navigating career pivots, launching a practice, or trying to align your energy with your goals, this conversation delivers practical insight with heart.

Find Joseph at josephleecounseling.com and by searching Mindspa Therapy.

Learn more or get in touch: 🎙 Contact Eric Bricker: ericbrickerlmhc.com

On this episode, I sat down with REAL Course instructor, Jon Waller to discuss personal development courses. We both give very frank and sometimes comical personal accounts of our own experiences. We take a deep dive into the history of the personal development course universe, going all the way back to the 1970's, and the controversial EST course. Jon shares about how he and the REAL Course team continue to work diligently to build a safe and ethical program. I experienced Jon as open and transparent, which allowed us to have a meaningful dialogue. This is not the infomercial you might be expecting. To my many friends who are a part of this community, I hope we have done justice to this discussion, and I hope you all enjoy it.

On this episode of the Good Counsel Podcast, host Eric Bricker sits down with Kim Litton, licensed clinical social worker, certified sex addiction therapist, and author of I Do It For Her. Kim opens up about her personal journey through substance use, sex and love addiction, and the generational patterns she was determined to break for her children. Together, Eric and Kim explore the roots of complex trauma, the realities of growing up in the heart of the opioid crisis, and the powerful healing that comes from naming and de-shaming addiction. Kim also shares insights from her book and her therapeutic approach, including her concept of "compassionate structure," which helps people rebuild self-trust and embrace recovery with kindness.

Whether you're walking your own path of healing or supporting someone you love, this conversation is a powerful reminder that cycles can be broken and freedom is possible.

Learn more or get in touch: 🎙 Contact Eric Bricker: ericbrickerlmhc.com

On this episode of the Good Counsel Podcast, Blake Cohen talks Ted Talk preparation with host Eric Bricker. Blake Cohen is a behavioral healthcare professional and consultant, focusing on organizational leadership and workplace cultures. Blake is currently pursuing a doctorate in Leadership Psychology at William James College in Boston, MA. Blake is currently constulting at Mass General Hospital with hospital staff.

Tune in for a conversation about Ted Talk prep and workplace wellness.

Learn more or get in touch: 🎙 Contact Eric Bricker: ericbrickerlmhc.com

On this episode of the Good Counsel Podcast, host Eric Bricker welcomes Laura Kunz, co-founder and Chief Growth Officer of Spirence, a preventative mental health platform reshaping the way employers support their workforce. Laura shares how Spirence bridges the gap left by traditional employee assistance programs, offering confidential on-demand resources, expert-led content, and prevention strategies that resonate with today's employees.

They discuss how COVID shifted the stigma around mental wellness, why prevention is becoming essential in workplace benefits, and how Spirence has achieved utilization rates far beyond traditional models. Laura also opens up about her personal career pivot, the risks and rewards of launching a new venture, and the powerful role of timing, leadership, and symbolism in the journey. From partnerships with major corporations to international expansion, Laura explains how Spirence is helping build healthier, more resilient workplaces.

About Laura: Laura Kunz is the co-founder and Chief Growth Officer of Spirence. With more than 16 years of experience in behavioral health and business development, she is passionate about creating innovative solutions that empower both employers and employees to prioritize mental wellness. Learn more about Laura here.

Tune in for a conversation about innovation, courage, and the future of workplace wellness.

Learn more or get in touch: 🎙 Contact Eric Bricker: ericbrickerlmhc.com