Lessons learned from Very Bad Therapy. The Very Bad Therapy podcast has changed the way I think about therapy and the stories we do and do not tell. This episode is a replay from Inside Social Work with hosts Ben and Carrie.

I loved this podcast and I learned so much from listening to it. It speaks to both therapists and non therapists, and it fits perfectly with the theme of This Complex Life. Therapy is difficult, messy, and complicated. 

I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing the hosts of the Very Bad Therapy Podcast, Ben and Carrie. We explore what therapists get wrong, how bad therapy can look different for every client, and why people so often blame themselves when therapy does not help. Ben and Carrie share what they have learned from hundreds of client stories and how those stories have changed the way they practise. We also talk about the side effects of therapy, what to do with feelings of defensiveness or imposter syndrome, the importance of asking about expectations in the first session, and how to repair when ruptures happen.

Key Takeaways

• Bad therapy cannot be reduced to a checklist. It depends on the individual client experience

• Many clients internalise bad therapy and believe they are at fault

• Therapy can have side effects and sometimes people feel worse afterwards

• Mistakes will happen. Repair and humility matter more than perfection

• Asking about expectations is just as important as setting goals

• Therapists will feel defensive. The work is to notice it and respond with openness

• Deliberate practice builds skills by focusing on one area at a time

• Administrative details like fees, scheduling, and emails are part of the relationship and need care

Resources

Very Bad Therapy podcast with Ben Feinman and Carrie Wiita

Modern Therapist Survival Guide with Kurt and Katie

Sentio Counselling Centre in California

Learn Psychotherapy podcast with Ben and Carrie

Inside Social Work with Marie Vakakis

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Mentioned in this episode:

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