In this powerful episode, Dr. Amy Meyers opens up about her personal experience with emotional and physical sibling abuse and the long-lasting effects on self-esteem, trust, and relationships.

Joined by fellow survivor Lorene Stanwick, Dr. Meyers reflects on family dynamics, her current sibling relationship, and the challenges of speaking publicly about trauma. She shares why telling her story now feels important and how it connects to her work as a psychotherapist.

Listeners will gain insight into healing from childhood trauma, building resilience, and personal growth after abuse. Dr. Meyers’ journey is a compelling example of overcoming adversity and reclaiming confidence, offering hope and guidance for survivors, parents, and mental health professionals.

In this episode, Dr. Meyers shares her thoughtful perspective on psychiatric medication, focusing on its potential utility as a tool rather than a cure. She explores how medication can help stabilize symptoms, support day-to-day functioning, and create the conditions for individuals to more fully engage in therapy. With a balanced and compassionate lens, this conversation invites listeners to move beyond polarized debates and consider how medication and therapy can work together to support healing and growth.

In this episode, Dr. Ray Blanchard explores the critical role of context and systems in practice, grounding the conversation in the person-in-environment perspective. Together, we move beyond pathologizing individuals to examine how relationships, environments, and larger systems shape functioning and behavior. Dr. Blanchard highlights the importance of collaboration, curiosity, and shared meaning-making, emphasizing a systems-oriented lens where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This episode invites practitioners to rethink assessment and intervention through a more relational, contextual, and humane framework. 
Dr. Ray Blanchard earned his PhD in Counseling from Montclair State University, specializing in school mental health and LGBTQ issues. With over 10 years of bilingual clinical and supervisory experience, he has worked extensively with children and adolescents in NYC schools. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor and Clinical Coordinator in Molloy University's Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. 

Dr. Hudson Elmore explains how Ketamine is being used in psychotherapy. He unpacks how patients are prepared for its use, what it's really like inside a ketamine therapy session, and the profound ways in which it can unlock trauma,treat depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Beyond the inapropriate uses of Ketamine, we take a close look at its utility in the treatment process and the trepidation that folks may have. 

Dr. Elmore is a Clinical Adult Psychiatrist, who serves as the medical director at Being Health, an integrated mental health practice in New York City. He has expertise in ketamine therapy and oversees interventional services at Being Health, where they offer IV and IM ketamine therapy as well as Spravato (intranasal esketamine). Dr. Elmore completed his training in Adult Psychiatry at New York University School of Medicine and Bellevue Hospital Center in New York City. He holds a Medical Degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine. www.beinghealth.co

This episode features Kevin Dahill-Fuchel, LCSW, a leader in school-based mental health, discussing how counseling supports the emotional well-being of students, families, and educators. We explore why emotional health is foundational to learning, how schools can become safe spaces for connection, and what’s needed to engage all constituents—students, teachers, and administration—with compassion and clarity. Given the rampant social anxiety amongst students and the cell-phone-free experiment in NYC schools, this rich discussion addresses how this program helps students find independence and individuality. Dr. Kevin Dahill-Fuchel is a leader in school-based social work programming with more than 30 years of experience in working with children, families and school staff. Throughout his tenure as the Executive Director of Counseling In Schools (CIS), Kevin has led the process to evolve CIS’ mission beyond counseling services to include a multi-dimensional and strength-based menu of services that support an entire school community. A team leadership model is his focus within the organization that embodies the non-oppressive, collaborative systems that are needed to effectively take on the complex challenges routinely faced in schools by children, families, teachers and administrators.

Dr. Meyers, a survivor and expert on sibling abuse has an informal, impromptu conversation with Lorene Stanwick, also a sibling abuse survivor and prior guest. Together, they explore the ways that trauma becomes imprinted, the lens through which survivors see themselves, others, and the word, and the utility of therapy towards healing. They discuss the imperative for the survivor to develop deep self-awareness towards moving beyond the internalized voice of the sibling harmer and receive genuine, healthy communications and relationships with others. They also address the work that remains to spread awareness while offering hope through example.

Will Wright, a Certified Life Coach discusses his stuckness in survival mode and how he shifted from just existing to thriving. He shares how he showed up with a false self in his life and at work, fueled by his need for validation. With deep introspection, humor, and genuine selflessness, Will takes us through his development of self-confidence, his process towards self-actualization, and how his method is now serving others.

Group formation and treatment requires thoughtfulness and awareness of the multiple dynamics at play including therapist to each individual client, the group as a whole, and the individual clients' reactions to each other and the group leader. Transferences and countertransference are abound. When guided skillfully, the evolving patterns, connections, conflicts, and collective reflections become catalysts for growth. From group screening to structuring and facilitating groups, Dr. Ray Blanchard informs us about the multidimensional aspects of group management. Whether you are a therapist, group member, or simply want ot learn more about the various group dynamics we are all part of including families, school, etc., this episode is for you. Dr. Ray Blanchard earned his PhD in Counseling from Montclair State University, specializing in school mental health and LGBTQ issues. With over 10 years of bilingual clinical and supervisory experience, he has worked extensively with children and adolescents in NYC schools. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor and Clinical Coordinator in Molloy University's Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program.

Change is scary. Because it infers facing the unknown. And there is a lot of resistance to it. How can we learn to embrace and face it with confidence rather than fear? Dr. Meyers addresses making change within ourselves through her own path of risk-taking and pushing through discomfort. You too can turn insecurities into self-assurance.

What happens when two therapists sit down for a candid, impromptu conversation about the personal challenges of working with clients? In this episode, we get a behind-the-scenes look at the world of therapy—where the experts swap stories, share insights, and reflect on their internal lives while supporting others. Expect honest dialogue, relatable humor, and practical wisdom as they discuss the human side of being a therapist. Ruthie Kalai, LCSW has worked for over twenty years with children, adolescents, and adults.Her passion for working with people in their 20s and 30s stems from her years of working with children and adolescents in schools. www.ruthiekalai.com