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Forget the checklist of letters and numbers. The real predictor of a strong start to school is whether a child feels safe, can settle their body, and can use words to get their needs met. We walk through a practical, research-aligned way to rethink kindergarten readiness so families spend time on what actually moves the needle in a real classroom.

Across the conversation, we share what teachers see every fall: kids who manage frustration, follow group directions, and handle transitions learn more, faster. We break readiness into five clear pillars—emotion regulation, communication, relationship skills, independence, and adult alignment—and show how each one shows up in daily routines like lining up, circle time, sharing materials, and cleaning up. Instead of vague advice, you’ll hear precise language you can use today: “You’re having a big feeling. Let’s figure this out together,” and “I can’t understand you when you’re whining. Try again with your calm voice.” These scripts validate emotion, set limits, and teach self-control without a power struggle.

We also dig into the messy middle of behavior change. Training works, but it takes repetition and accountability. Expect pushback when you stop rewarding whining or avoidance, and hold steady with predictable phrases and calm follow-through. Then we zoom out to the most overlooked piece of readiness: adult alignment. When home and school use consistent words and expectations, kids spend less effort decoding the rules and more effort learning letters, sounds, and early math. That consistency is the hidden efficiency that turns small daily wins into lasting confidence.

Looking for structure before August? We preview an eight-week Make Words Matter Kindergarten Readiness Framework that centers regulation, communication, and adult consistency to help families build these skills step by step. If you’re preparing a rising kindergartner—or supporting one at school—this conversation offers clear priorities, usable scripts, and a kinder, smarter roadmap to the first day. Subscribe, share with a caregiver or teacher, and leave a review telling us which script you’ll try this week.

This podcast is meant to be a resource for the general public, as well as fellow therapists/psychologists. It is NOT meant to replace the meaningful work of individual or family therapy. Please seek professional help in your area if you are struggling. #breakthestigma #makewordsmatter #thingsyoulearnintherapy #thingsyoulearnintherapypodcast

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health concerns, please contact 988 or seek a treatment provider in your area.

If you are a therapist or psychologist and want to be a guest on the show, please complete this form to apply: https://forms.gle/ooy8QirpgL2JSLhP6

Feel free to share your thoughts at www.makewordsmatterforgood.com or email me at [email protected]

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Ever notice how your best boundary script disappears the second your parent’s name lights up your phone? We dig into why that happens and what to do next, blending lived experience with clinical insight to make sense of fawning, conditioned guilt, and the body’s fierce loyalty to old safety strategies. Our guest, licensed professional counselor Jessica Van der Merwe, specializes in trauma, complex trauma, dissociation, and adult children of dysfunctional families—and she brings both expertise and heart to a topic that feels raw, messy, and very real.

Together we unpack the gap between knowing and doing: why cognitive plans crumble under stress, how the nervous system prioritizes survival over scripts, and what it takes to gently retrain your body that choosing yourself is safe. We draw a clear line between true guilt and conditioned guilt, offering simple language and somatic anchors—like labeling sensations and repeating this is not an emergency—to help you keep boundaries without drowning in shame. We also name the grief so many carry: ambiguous loss for the parent you needed but didn’t have, and the heavy loop of hope and letdown when change never comes.

If “self-care” makes you cringe, you’re not alone. We introduce realistic, micro-sized experiments in self-priority that respect your window of tolerance, from delaying a reply to stepping outside for one minute of sun. No ultimatums, no quick fixes—just steady practice that teaches your system a new story about safety and connection. Expect validation, practical tools, and a compassionate reminder that your body isn’t broken; it’s brilliant at keeping you alive, and it can learn new patterns.

Listen now and share your take: what tiny experiment will you try this week—and what better word should replace “self-care”? If this conversation resonates, subscribe, leave a review, and send the episode to someone who needs language for what they’ve been living.

This podcast is meant to be a resource for the general public, as well as fellow therapists/psychologists. It is NOT meant to replace the meaningful work of individual or family therapy. Please seek professional help in your area if you are struggling. #breakthestigma #makewordsmatter #thingsyoulearnintherapy #thingsyoulearnintherapypodcast

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health concerns, please contact 988 or seek a treatment provider in your area.

If you are a therapist or psychologist and want to be a guest on the show, please complete this form to apply: https://forms.gle/ooy8QirpgL2JSLhP6

Feel free to share your thoughts at www.makewordsmatterforgood.com or email me at [email protected]

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Ever catch yourself packing everyone’s lunches, smoothing every conflict at work, and composing the perfect text so no one gets upset—then wonder why you’re exhausted and resentful? We dig into the quiet engine behind that burnout: overfunctioning, the reflex to manage other people’s needs, emotions, and outcomes at the expense of your own.

With therapist and maternal mental health specialist Megan MacCutcheon, we map how overfunctioning forms in families, workplaces, and partnerships, and why it always creates its counterpart—underfunctioning in others. No villains here, just patterns. We talk nervous system regulation as the starting line, because clear choices come from a grounded body, not a buzzing one. From there, we trade overexplaining for simple, firm language and introduce boundary stacking: set the limit, don’t re-litigate it, and refuse the pull to repair someone else’s feelings about your choice.

Expect relatable stories: the balloon arch no one photographed, the late-night email drafted ten times, and the lunchbox tailored to every preference. We use them to spot the real “why” behind doing more—validation, control, fear of conflict—and replace it with values-driven decisions and “good enough” standards. We also reframe motherhood and caregiving. Being loving doesn’t mean being limitless; modeling bandwidth, rest, and emotional responsibility teaches kids to function, not lean on you for everything.

You’ll leave with practical tools: a mental load audit to delegate, delay, or drop; quick body checks to prevent anxiety-driven fixes; short scripts that hold the line without drama; and a healthier definition of momentum—forward, intentional, and aligned with your energy. If you’re ready to stop carrying what isn’t yours and reclaim your time, attention, and peace, this conversation will help you take the first honest steps.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs lighter shoulders, and leave a review to help more listeners find us. Your boundaries might be the permission someone else needs to set their own.

This podcast is meant to be a resource for the general public, as well as fellow therapists/psychologists. It is NOT meant to replace the meaningful work of individual or family therapy. Please seek professional help in your area if you are struggling. #breakthestigma #makewordsmatter #thingsyoulearnintherapy #thingsyoulearnintherapypodcast

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health concerns, please contact 988 or seek a treatment provider in your area.

If you are a therapist or psychologist and want to be a guest on the show, please complete this form to apply: https://forms.gle/ooy8QirpgL2JSLhP6

Feel free to share your thoughts at www.makewordsmatterforgood.com or email me at [email protected]

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What if the best way to serve clients starts with taking care of the therapist’s body in the room? We sit down with Destiny Davis and Dr. Victoria Rodriguez to challenge one of the field’s quiet myths: that clinician comfort is a distraction. Through lived experience and clinical expertise, they lay out a clearer path where water breaks, seating, pacing, and boundaries aren’t extras—they’re the foundation for sharper attunement, cleaner thinking, and more ethical care.

We dig into the messy middle of practice: how to self-disclose without shifting focus, what to do when a client shares your diagnosis, and why “failed” disclosures can still be gold for treatment. You’ll hear practical strategies for building resilience into your schedule—telehealth setups, three-hour intensives with breaks, tapering from weekly to biweekly to monthly, and batching medical appointments. We also examine continuity of care with fresh eyes: if a client cannot stabilize without weekly sessions, is private outpatient the right level? It’s a tough question that protects both safety and sustainability.

Community is the throughline. High-quality consultation groups, especially with other chronically ill providers, turn isolation into problem-solving. Cross-disciplinary collaboration—bringing PTs, OTs, and RDs into the conversation—helps you navigate the loop between symptoms, function, and mood. Along the way, we surface hidden biases about disability, replace them with a disability justice lens, and offer a humane template for therapists to model self-care that clients can actually use. If you’ve ever powered through pain, ignored a full bladder, or felt guilty canceling for a flare, this conversation hands you language, tools, and permission to practice differently.

Subscribe for more grounded, clinician-centered conversations, share this episode with a colleague who needs it, and leave a review to help others find the show. Your body matters here—and so does your work.

To register for the conference, sign up here: https://www.chronicillnesstherapists.com/

This podcast is meant to be a resource for the general public, as well as fellow therapists/psychologists. It is NOT meant to replace the meaningful work of individual or family therapy. Please seek professional help in your area if you are struggling. #breakthestigma #makewordsmatter #thingsyoulearnintherapy #thingsyoulearnintherapypodcast

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health concerns, please contact 988 or seek a treatment provider in your area.

If you are a therapist or psychologist and want to be a guest on the show, please complete this form to apply: https://forms.gle/ooy8QirpgL2JSLhP6

Feel free to share your thoughts at www.makewordsmatterforgood.com or email me at [email protected]

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In case you missed it, I'm reposting this episode because it seems to come up over and over and over. Even if you've listened before, maybe hearing it again will bring fresh light. 

Ever say the “right thing” and watch it land the wrong way? We unpack three phrases that sound supportive but often sting—calm down, everything happens for a reason, and let me know if you need anything—and trade them for language that actually regulates, validates, and helps. Drawing on real-world therapy experience, we explain why timing and purpose matter more than perfect wording, and how to align what you say with what the moment needs.

We start by exploring how high emotions change what people can hear. Instead of commanding feelings, we focus on co-regulation and presence: I’m here with you, I hear you, let’s take a breath together. You’ll learn simple de-escalation scripts for anger and anxiety, how to avoid accidentally shaming someone for not being “in control,” and when to keep words minimal and concrete if safety is a concern.

Then we tackle platitudes. Meaning-making has a place, but not at the peak of pain. We share alternatives that invite story and honor timing: that sounds really hard, what else happened, where does it hurt most today. Finally, we replace vague offers with specific, doable help that people can accept without planning energy: I can bring dinner Thursday or Saturday; I’ll text Friday to check in; I can watch the kids for two hours this weekend. These small changes turn good intentions into real support.

If you’re ready to make your words matter for good, press play for clear phrases, practical tools, and a kinder way to show up. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s a natural fixer, and leave a quick review telling us which phrase you’re swapping out this week.

This podcast is meant to be a resource for the general public, as well as fellow therapists/psychologists. It is NOT meant to replace the meaningful work of individual or family therapy. Please seek professional help in your area if you are struggling. #breakthestigma #makewordsmatter #thingsyoulearnintherapy #thingsyoulearnintherapypodcast

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health concerns, please contact 988 or seek a treatment provider in your area.

If you are a therapist or psychologist and want to be a guest on the show, please complete this form to apply: https://forms.gle/ooy8QirpgL2JSLhP6

Feel free to share your thoughts at www.makewordsmatterforgood.com or email me at [email protected]

Support the show

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Send us a text

Reposting again in case you missed it! These things are common in my practice and everyday clinical encounters. Hoping they resonate for you also. :)

Ever wish a single sentence could lower the volume, keep your boundary, and actually teach a skill? We dig into three phrases nearly every adult has used with kids—“Because I said so,” identity-laced labels, and “There’s no reason to cry”—and offer practical swaps that reduce power struggles while strengthening connection. As a licensed psychologist and professor, I unpack how a child’s brain hears our words, why timing matters more than perfectly crafted lectures, and how short scripts can turn conflict into coaching.

We start by reframing authority with clarity. Instead of relying on blunt power, I show how a brief reason satisfies a child’s need for predictability and how a simple code word agreement creates a shared signal to pause, listen, and follow through. From there, we tackle labels that stick. You’ll learn to replace “You’re acting like a jerk” with I-statements that name your feeling and the impact of the behavior, keeping dignity intact while inviting accountability and empathy.

We also face the tears. Rather than dismissing feelings, we practice validation paired with firm limits: acknowledging emotion without rewarding misbehavior. I share quick language to build emotional vocabulary—sad, embarrassed, hurt—and a calm-down-then-coach rhythm that moves the conversation from meltdown to meaningful repair. Throughout, the focus is on language that teaches, protects the relationship, and makes daily life smoother at home and in the classroom.

If these scripts help, share the episode with a friend who needs a reset, subscribe for more practical psychology, and leave a review with the phrase you plan to swap first. Your words matter—let’s make them work for you.

This podcast is meant to be a resource for the general public, as well as fellow therapists/psychologists. It is NOT meant to replace the meaningful work of individual or family therapy. Please seek professional help in your area if you are struggling. #breakthestigma #makewordsmatter #thingsyoulearnintherapy #thingsyoulearnintherapypodcast

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health concerns, please contact 988 or seek a treatment provider in your area.

If you are a therapist or psychologist and want to be a guest on the show, please complete this form to apply: https://forms.gle/ooy8QirpgL2JSLhP6

Feel free to share your thoughts at www.makewordsmatterforgood.com or email me at [email protected]

Support the show

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The ground under therapy keeps moving, and we’re digging into why. We sit down with returning guest Marie Sloane, LPC, to trace how telehealth became the default, why insurance cuts and clawbacks are reshaping private practice, and what it really costs to keep care accessible without burning clinicians to ash. Marie shares the realities of leaving agency life, navigating panels directly versus using intermediaries, and the surprising leverage you can gain by simply asking for a rate increase. We get candid about the trade-offs of platforms like Alma and Headway, the tension between sustainability and access, and the quiet math behind student loans, healthcare, and the hours a therapist can truly carry.

Then we turn to the culture shift powered by TikTok and social media. Openness is rising and stigma is falling, which can jumpstart meaningful therapy. But there’s a catch: self-diagnosis trends and algorithm-friendly “advice” blur traits with disorders and can worsen compulsions. We talk about how licensed voices can step into the feed with clear, compassionate education—translating buzzwords into grounded care and helping people move from scrolls to sessions.

The heart of this conversation is moral injury. Beyond burnout, it’s the pain of acting against your values—or watching systems do it—because the rules demand it. Teachers triaging classrooms without aides, clinicians pushed to see nine or ten clients a day, frontline staff who lived the pandemic up close while hearing it denied. We name the guilt, shame, and betrayal that follow, and why “do more self-care” falls flat when the workload itself is inhumane. If you’ve felt that strain and wondered what to call it, you’re not alone—and naming it is a step toward changing it.

If this episode resonates, share it with a colleague, subscribe for more real talk on the future of care, and leave a review with the one shift you’d make to improve access and sustainability. Your voice helps shape the system we all rely on.

For more about Marie, check out her website: Marie Sloane: counseling and consulting services – Online Therapy for People in Arizona, Texas and Minnesota

This podcast is meant to be a resource for the general public, as well as fellow therapists/psychologists. It is NOT meant to replace the meaningful work of individual or family therapy. Please seek professional help in your area if you are struggling. #breakthestigma #makewordsmatter #thingsyoulearnintherapy #thingsyoulearnintherapypodcast

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health concerns, please contact 988 or seek a treatment provider in your area.

If you are a therapist or psychologist and want to be a guest on the show, please complete this form to apply: https://forms.gle/ooy8QirpgL2JSLhP6

Feel free to share your thoughts at www.makewordsmatterforgood.com or email me at [email protected]

Support the show

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What if your teen can name every mental health term on TikTok but still freezes when big feelings hit? We dig into that gap between awareness and coping, sharing how parents can move from fear or frustration to calm, right‑sized responses that keep communication open. You’ll hear practical language for starting hard conversations about anxiety, depression, and suicide without causing panic, plus a simple framework for spotting when your reaction comes from your child’s behavior versus your own history or comparison.

We also shift to the preschool years to rethink timeouts. Yes, they can stop behavior in the moment, but interruption isn’t education. We break down how regulation comes first—ours and theirs—and why teaching works best after the storm has passed. Expect concrete alternatives you can try today: time‑in for co‑regulation, choices with limits that preserve safety and autonomy, and do‑overs that build replacement skills like asking, pausing, and repairing. These tools help little kids feel seen and capable while reducing the daily tug‑of‑war.

Along the way, we preview new episodes featuring conversations on chronic illness, the concept of overfunctioning, and the shifts reshaping the therapy field. If you want the full workshop audio, email Beth@ MakeWordsMatterforgood.com with “audio for teen session number one,” and check the site’s upcoming events for the next free sessions on screens, motivation, school, and big feelings. If this conversation helps, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs support today, and leave a quick review to help others find us.

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Two parenting seasons, one throughline: regulation before strategy. We dive into the real-world challenges parents face with young kids and teens, unpacking why tantrums are developmentally normal, how to coach emotions without fueling the fire, and the science-backed way to get better listening without repeating yourself a hundred times. If you’ve ever wondered what to say when a child shouts “I hate you” or how to stop a power struggle before it begins, you’ll find practical language you can use today.

We start with early childhood: how to keep your cool during meltdowns, use effective instruction delivery to boost cooperation, and teach sharing, turn-taking, and conflict repair without over-coaching. You’ll learn why “calm down” backfires, how to match expectations to developmental level, and when stepping back actually speeds social learning among peers. The goal isn’t to eliminate big feelings; it’s to build a calm nervous system in you and a growing skill set in your child.

Then we shift to adolescence, where emotions run hot and connection can feel distant. We talk about granting space in the moment, returning to tough topics when everyone’s regulated, and setting clear boundaries that support independence. You’ll hear concrete ways to explain curfews and consequences, avoid win-lose standoffs, and open ongoing conversations about anxiety, depression, and stress. Worried about self-harm? We model how to ask directly and why that question can be life-giving. Throughout, we keep the focus on relationship, clarity, and timing—three levers that quietly transform daily conflict into teachable moments.

If this episode hits home, share it with a friend, subscribe for more conversations like this, and leave a review with the tip you’re trying first. Your feedback helps other parents find the tools they need.

To register for January's preschool session:  Why ‘Time-Outs’ Don’t Work (and What to Do Instead) complete this form: https://forms.gle/G4fRAJhQksZzD5CB6 

To register for January's teen session:   Supporting Mental Health Without Overreacting or Underreacting complete this form: https://forms.gle/DLntY1V1XvvkxCC19

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This is a throwback episode that I will probably always post around this time because I always need this reminder!! Hope you enjoy this conversation around New Year's resolutions!

Want to transform the way you view New Year's resolutions? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Michael Alcée, who returns to share his captivating insights into the tradition of setting annual goals. Dr. Alcée helps us navigate the emotional rollercoaster of resolutions, from the excitement of self-improvement to the weight of societal expectations. Get ready to rethink your approach with fresh perspectives on blending self-acceptance and growth. We'll explore how the rigidity of conventional resolutions might stifle creativity and discover ways to harmonize the enthusiasts and skeptics among us. 

Amidst discussions on SMART goals and the cultural phenomenon of "Quitter's Day," Dr. Alcée invites us to embrace a mindset filled with playfulness and curiosity. Imagine resolutions as an ever-evolving journey rather than a strict deadline. Together, we reevaluate the traditional calendar-bound mindset, celebrating the essence of continuous personal development. By the end, you'll learn how high achievers find fulfillment in the process itself, leading to sustained innovation and success. Prepare to leave this episode with renewed motivation and a fresh perspective on how to craft resolutions that truly resonate with your unique rhythm and needs.

Michael Alcée, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Tarrytown, NY and Mental Health Educator at Manhattan School of Music. He specializes in the psychology of artists and everyday creativity and the professional development of therapists. His contributions have appeared in The Chicago Tribune, The New York Times, The New York Post, NPR, Salon.com, and on the TEDx stage. His book from Norton entitled Therapeutic Improvisation: How to Stop Winging It and Own It as a Therapist is available wherever books are sold. 

 Book Link

Therapeutic Improvisation 

Website

https://michaelalcee.com/

 

This podcast is meant to be a resource for the general public, as well as fellow therapists/psychologists. It is NOT meant to replace the meaningful work of individual or family therapy. Please seek professional help in your area if you are struggling. #breakthestigma #makewordsmatter #thingsyoulearnintherapy #thingsyoulearnintherapypodcast
 
 Feel free to share your thoughts at www.makewordsmatterforgood.com or email me at [email protected]

If you are a therapist or psychologist and want to be a guest on the show, please complete this form to apply: https://forms.gle/ooy8QirpgL2JSLhP6 

Support the show

www.bethtrammell.com