Episode 18 - Bryan Nixon - Therapeutic Fish in Relational Waters

Welcome back and thank you for listening! Before I jump into the content of this episode, I have a request as well as some exciting news to share. My request is, if you enjoy this podcast and have found it to be useful, please consider heading to iTunes and offering a rating. It is super helpful with getting the podcast in front of more people who might enjoy it. Additionally, please consider sharing the podcast with others whom you think might be into it. I would be extremely grateful!  

Now for the exciting news! As you may know, for the past 4 years I have been a trainer in the Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy post-grad continuing ed program, which I helped develop with fellow therapists Krista Law, Clarissa Hill, and founder, Dr. Roy Barsness. RFPT for short. 

We developed this program because Intuitively we all know that we are formed in relationship, harmed in relationship, and we heal in relationship. As therapists we have followed this intuition into a career path. And Research has clearly shown that in spite of which modality of therapy we are trained in, it is the quality of the relationship between therapist and client that will inevitably determine the outcome and yet our training is most heavily focused on equipping us with tools to use when certain symptoms are presented. We are not often taught how to fully show up in a healing and transformative way within the relationship itself.

RFPT exists to do precisely that. Rooted in Relational Psychoanalytic theory, we aim to help therapists deepen their clinical work to move beyond good rapport and techniques into transformational authenticity and presence with their patients. We have created this program to offer a communal and developmental structure to therapists who may find themselves silently wondering if they have what it takes to be a therapist or to those who find that their practice feels flat and stagnant, possibly on the brink of burnout, and are longing for a way to add depth, vibrancy, and vitality to the work they initially felt deeply drawn into.

The program has been housed within the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, which has been a huge source of support and organization for us as we have developed the program and we are grateful. As we prepare to begin our fourth year, I am so excited to announce that this Fall we will be launching a brand new institute named the Contemporary Psychodynamic Institute (CPI) which will become the new home for RFPT! In addition to the RFPT program, CPI will also have a number of additional offerings for therapists who are interested in learning more about Relational Psychodynamic practice, including: workshops and events, a learning library, e-courses, blogs and possibly a podcast of its own.

I could not be more excited about what is taking shape, so stay tuned for the upcoming launch of our website! I will most likely be posting updates about this process on my Instagram page: @wiwpodcast If you’re a therapist and this is interesting to you, you can also DM me there if you are curious to learn more about CPI & the RFPT program.

I think all of this segue’s nicely into today’s episode, which I am calling Therapeutic Fish in Relational Waters. In this episode I will give an overview of several of the most well known therapeutic methods…aka…the fish. And then I will describe the nature of the water in which all of the fish are swimming, that is the relational dynamics that take shape between every therapist and patient. As I mentioned a minute above, the relationship determines how effective the therapy will be, regardless of which technique is being used. Thank you for tuning in and I hope you enjoy! 

Links:

Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy (RFPT) - Post-grad continuing education program for psychotherapists that I teach in and mentioned at the start of this episode. If you’re a therapist and want to learn more, I’d love to chat with you! Send me an email at: [email protected].

Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy (RFPT) is an evidence-based treatment approach with strong roots in depth psychology (particularly contemporary Relational Psychoanalysis), dialogical philosophy, and neuroscience. As of December 2018, the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy has set forth policy recommendations that evidence-based therapy relationships and responsiveness be taught as frequently as other evidence-based treatments. (Reference: Norcross, J. C., & Lambert, M. J. (2019). Psychotherapy Relationships that work III. Psychotherapy, 55,4, p. 303-315). The RFPT certificate program is a direct response to these policy recommendations.

Why in the World Podcast on Instagram

Bryan Nixon is a psychotherapist and the founder and clinical director of Mindful Counseling GR in Grand Rapids, MI. He is also a teacher and facilitator in Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy, a post-grad continuing education program for therapists. 

Episode #17 - Dr. Galit Atlas - Emotional Inheritance

Dr. Galit Atlas is a psychoanalyst and clinical supervisor in private practice in New York City. She is on the faculty of the New York University Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis. Dr. Atlas has published three books for clinicians and numerous articles and book chapters that focus primarily on gender and sexuality. Her New York Times publication “A Tale of Two Twins” was the winner of a 2016 Gradiva Award. A leader in the field of relational psychoanalysis, Dr. Atlas is a recipient of the André François Research Award and the NADTA Research Award. She teaches and lectures throughout the United States and internationally. 

I first encountered her work in 2018 in her book Dramatic Dialogue which was co-authored with her life partner, the late Lew Aaron. I found her writing to be both accessible and honoring of the unending complexity and mystery that emerges in each therapeutic relationship.

I had the good fortune of sitting down with her via Zoom to discuss her latest book, Emotional Inheritance: A Therapist, Her Patients, and the Legacy of Trauma. This is her first book written for the general public and she has done a beautiful and heart-ful job of taking complex psychoanalytic ideas and making them relatable by way of the clinical and personal tales that fill the pages. I couldn't put this book down and would strongly encourage you to get a copy. she also narrated the audiobook if that is more your style.

Thank you for listening and please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Galit Atlas. 

If you enjoy this podcast, I would be extremely grateful if you would take a moment to give it a rating on iTunes.

Find Dr. Atlas online:

Instagram: @galit_atlas 

Facebook Author Page: Galit Atlas

Website: https://www.galitatlas.com/

New Book: Emotional Inheritance: A Therapist, Her Patients, and the Legacy of Trauma

Links:

Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy (RFPT) - Post-grad continuing education program for psychotherapists that I teach in and mentioned at the end of this episode. We have opened enrollment for the Fall  2022 cohort. If you’re a therapist and want to learn more, I’d love to chat with you! Send me an email at: [email protected]. Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy (RFPT) is an evidence-based treatment approach with strong roots in depth psychology (particularly contemporary Relational Psychoanalysis), dialogical philosophy, and neuroscience. As of December 2018, the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy has set forth policy recommendations that evidence-based therapy relationships and responsiveness be taught as frequently as other evidence-based treatments. (Reference: Norcross, J. C., & Lambert, M. J. (2019). Psychotherapy Relationships that work III. Psychotherapy, 55,4, p. 303-315). The RFPT certificate program is a direct response to these policy recommendations.

Why in the World Podcast on Instagram

Bryan Nixon is a psychotherapist and the founder and clinical director of Mindful Counseling GR in Grand Rapids, MI. He is also a teacher and facilitator in Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy, a post-grad continuing education program for therapists. 

Episode #16 - Dr. Steven Kuchuck - The Relational Revolution

Hey everyone! Welcome back to Why in the World. If you know anything about me, you know that I tend to be a bit of a nerd when it comes to reading and learning about psychoanalysis. I’m particularly drawn to what is known as Relational Psychoanalysis, which emerged in the 1980’s and has continued to evolve ever since. So when Dr. Steven Kuchuck agreed to be a guest on my podcast, my inner nerd started break dancing! 

I’m excited about this episode! It was a true pleasure talking with Dr. Kuchuck about his new book The Relational Revolution in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. Dr. Kuchuck is a leading teacher and scholar of relational thinking and President of the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. He is on the faculty of the New York University Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis as well as various other institutes. 

In addition to all of this, he is also just a joy to talk to. 

In his new book he writes: “In Relational and other contemporary, two-person perspectives, the analyst’s expertise is measured by the extent to which she can facilitate exploration of the intersubjective dynamics of a treatment in order to help the patient gain better understanding of older, formative relationships, internalizations, repetitions, and barriers to desired change. In a successful treatment, ‘co-created old truths are replaced with co-created new truths’. 

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Dr. Steven Kuchuck…

Find Dr. Kuchuck online:

Twitter: @stevenkuchuck 

Facebook Author Page: Dr. Steven Kuchuck

Website: www.stevenkuchuck.com

His New Book: The Relational Revolution in Psychoanalysis & Psychotherapy

Links:

Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy (RFPT) - Post-grad continuing education program for psychotherapists that I teach in and mentioned at the end of this episode. If you’re a therapist and want to learn more, I’d love to chat with you! Send me an email at: [email protected].

Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy (RFPT) is an evidence-based treatment approach with strong roots in depth psychology (particularly contemporary Relational Psychoanalysis), dialogical philosophy, and neuroscience. As of December 2018, the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy has set forth policy recommendations that evidence-based therapy relationships and responsiveness be taught as frequently as other evidence-based treatments. (Reference: Norcross, J. C., & Lambert, M. J. (2019). Psychotherapy Relationships that work III. Psychotherapy, 55,4, p. 303-315). The RFPT certificate program is a direct response to these policy recommendations.

Why in the World Podcast on Instagram

EPISODE #15 - Dr. Karen Maroda - The Analyst's Vulnerability

Every once in a while, as a psychotherapist you come across an author who’s work really resonates with you. It challenges, inspires, and makes a mark on your own way of practicing. For me, Dr. Karen Maroda is one of those authors.

Dr. Maroda is a psychologist and psychoanalyst in private practice in Milwaukee, WI. She is the Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Medical College of Wisconsin and is the author of four books including:

1. The Power of Countertransference

I first read her work in 2005 while in Grad School to become a therapist and was immediately drawn in. I have returned to her books countless times throughout my career and almost always recommend them to therapists I supervise or consult with.

Throughout her work, but particularly in her new book, The Analyst’s Vulnerability (Great Title, BTW) there is a consistent call to therapists examine our own motivations for being therapists, to let go of the need to be perfect, to embrace our own humanity, and to show up with our patients in a deeply authentic, courageous and relational way. She often pushes against whatever the current popular fad in our field happens to be, and points out that we therapists are prone to avoid conflict by hiding behind our theories, techniques, and tools. In her new book she writes, “We have never focused on the natural conflicts that arise in any relationship, including the analytic one, in part because it would necessitate the examination of our own needs, desires, and shortcomings” (Maroda, 2022, p. 102).

In my opinion, this book is a must read for any psychotherapist who takes seriously the idea that our patients are far more than symptoms, thoughts, behaviors and who believe that our role in the work is far more dynamic than simply providing advice and solutions.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Dr. Karen Maroda as much as I did! Thank you for listening.

Links for Dr. Maroda

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-j-maroda-ph-d-abpp-b1679263

Website: https://www.karenmaroda.com/

Why in the World Podcast on Instagram

Bryan Nixon is a psychotherapist and the founder and clinical director of Mindful Counseling GR in Grand Rapids, MI. He is also a teacher and facilitator in Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy, a post-grad continuing education program for therapists. 

This is an interview I did for the Humanity’s Values Podcast with David Teachout. David is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington State. He is the founder of Life Weavings where he offers both counseling and coaching services. We had a really good conversation about my personal struggles and development as a therapist and what I have learned as a result. We discuss various therapeutic philosophies as well as the nature of the client/therapist relationship as the primary agent of change as to why therapy works. We also discuss the importance for therapists to remain committed to their own personal and professional development. Enjoy! 

Links:

David’s Counseling/Coaching Practice - Life Weavings, LLC

Follow David of Facebook - Life Weavings, LLC Facebook

David’s Podcast - Humanity’s Values

Book Referenced in the episode - When Minds Meet

Book Referenced in the episode - Freud/Jung Letters

Video Referenced in the episode - Lew Aron Video on YouTube: Freud: More Alive Than Dead

Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy (RFPT) - Post-grad continuing education program for psychotherapists that I teach in and mentioned in the intro of this episode. We have a few spots open for the Fall 2021 cohort. If you’re a therapist and want to learn more, I’d love to chat with you! Send me an email at: [email protected]. Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy (RFPT) is an evidence-based treatment approach with strong roots in depth psychology (particularly contemporary relational psychoanalysis), dialogical philosophy, and neuroscience. As of December 2018, the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy has set forth policy recommendations that evidence-based therapy relationships and responsiveness be taught as frequently as other evidence-based treatments. (Reference: Norcross, J. C., & Lambert, M. J. (2019). Psychotherapy Relationships that work III. Psychotherapy, 55,4, p. 303-315). The RFPT certificate program is a direct response to these policy recommendations.

Why in the World Podcast on Instagram

COVID-19 Support: The wonderful team of therapists at Mindful Counseling GR are able to accept new clients for Video Counseling during this time for Michigan residents. If you are not in Michigan and could use some additional support during this season, please locate a therapist in your area by doing a simple Google search. Most therapists across the country are now able to conduct therapy via video and telehealth options.

In this episode I had a fun and honest conversation with Erin & Stephen Mitchell about their work with couples! They are both trained therapists and they are a couple themselves. They are honest about their own relationship struggles and have dedicated their work in the world to helping other couples to explore the story they are living together. In other words, for those of you who are partnered, you and your partner are telling a story through your relationship. Erin & Stephen help couples discover old stories from your past that might be causing many of your relational conflicts, and how to stand shoulder to shoulder with compassion and courage in order to co-author a more life-giving couple's story that will improve your relationship. Enjoy!

LINKS

Erin & Stephen's Website

Erin & Stephen on Instagram

Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy (RFPT) - Post-grad continuing education program for psychotherapists that I teach in and mentioned in the intro of this episode. We have a few spots open for the Fall 2021 cohort. If you’re a therapist and want to learn more, I’d love to chat with you! Send me an email at: [email protected]. Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy (RFPT) is an evidence-based treatment approach with strong roots in depth psychology (particularly contemporary relational psychoanalysis), dialogical philosophy, and neuroscience. As of December 2018, the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy has set forth policy recommendations that evidence-based therapy relationships and responsiveness be taught as frequently as other evidence-based treatments. (Reference: Norcross, J. C., & Lambert, M. J. (2019). Psychotherapy Relationships that work III. Psychotherapy, 55,4, p. 303-315). The RFPT certificate program is a direct response to these policy recommendations.

Follow Why in the World on Instagram: @wiwpodcast

COVID-19 Support: The wonderful team of therapists at Mindful Counseling GR are able to accept new clients for Video Counseling during this time for Michigan residents. If you are not in Michigan and could use some additional support during this season, please locate a therapist in your area by doing a simple Google search. Most therapists across the country are now able to conduct therapy via video and telehealth options.

ANGELA NIXON - Marriage: What is going on here?

In this episode I have a chat with the one and only Angela Nixon! Angela Nixon is a breathwork facilitator and embodied movement guide with the Vitalist Institute. Drawn to the complexity of what it is to be human, she possesses a deep curiosity about the sacred path from suffering to freedom.

Through her own journey, Angela has discovered the power of working with the breath and the body to reignite the inner life force, bringing healing and balance to the mind, body and soul. Utilizing breathwork, somatic coaching, Reiki energy healing, and teaching, Angela assists individuals in connecting to the deepest parts of themselves in order to heal past wounds, uncover the soul’s inner truth, and create a radiant and resonant life in alignment.

Angela holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology and is a certified Reiki Practitioner. In addition to all of this, we also happen to be married. 

LINKS

Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy (RFPT) - Post-grad continuing education program for psychotherapists that I teach in and mentioned in the intro of this episode. We have a few spots open for the Fall 2021 cohort. If you’re a therapist and want to learn more, I’d love to chat with you! Send me an email at: [email protected]. Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy (RFPT) is an evidence-based treatment approach with strong roots in depth psychology (particularly contemporary relational psychoanalysis), dialogical philosophy, and neuroscience. As of December 2018, the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy has set forth policy recommendations that evidence-based therapy relationships and responsiveness be taught as frequently as other evidence-based treatments. (Reference: Norcross, J. C., & Lambert, M. J. (2019). Psychotherapy Relationships that work III. Psychotherapy, 55,4, p. 303-315). The RFPT certificate program is a direct response to these policy recommendations.

Angela Nixon on IG

The Vitalist Institute of Psychospiritual Transformation

Follow Why in the World on Instagram: @wiwpodcast

COVID-19 Support: The wonderful team of therapists at Mindful Counseling GR are able to accept new clients for Video Counseling during this time for Michigan residents. If you are not in Michigan and could use some additional support during this season, please locate a therapist in your area by doing a simple Google search. Most therapists across the country are now able to conduct therapy via video and telehealth options.

Why Does Therapy Work?  by: Bryan Nixon

Welcome, Good People! Woo, has it been a year, or what?! We are quickly coming to the end of 2020 and back in January when I launched this podcast,like all of us, I had no idea what this year had in store for us. COVID wasn’t even on the radar yet (can you even remember what that was like?!). I remember having a deep sense of optimism and even some creative energy as I looked forward into what 2020 might hold. And, in spite of a global pandemic, some really great things have taken shape. I was able to stick with this podcast experiment, my counseling practice, Mindful Counseling GR launched our 3rd location in West Michigan in June, and the RFPT continuing ed program that I teach in is now half way through our 2nd year in operation training licensed therapists to work in deeper relational waters with their clients. 

I started this podcast with a goal of doing 12 episodes in 2020 as a way for me to push my own edge by getting outside my comfort zone and risk putting myself out there. My heart still races everytime I turn on the mic! Maybe that will get easier the longer I do this.

This is episode 11...the final episode of 2020. One shy of my goal, but I still feel pretty damn proud that I have stuck with it this far and I’m excited for what the podcast will hold in 2021! 

At the time of this recording, Why in the World has just over 2400 total downloads! I just want to say a huge thank you to all of you who have taken the time to tune in this year! If you’ve enjoyed the podcast, I would be deeply grateful if you would head over to iTunes or wherever you listen and give it a rating. That really helps me to spread the word.

I take this episode in a slightly different direction. This will be my first solo-episode. All of the previous episodes have been me interviewing really cool people about who they are and why they do what they do in the world. In this episode, I discuss the following ideas:

• We are relational beings.

This episode parallels a recent blog that I posted on the MCGR website titled: Why Does Therapy Work? It’s not why you think!

For Therapists: Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy continuing ed program.

APA Article referenced in the episode.

Connect with Mindful Counseling GR

Web: Mindful Counseling GR

Instagram

Facebook

Why in the World Podcast

Instagram

COVID-19 Support: The wonderful team of therapists at Mindful Counseling GR are able to accept new clients for Video Counseling during this time for Michigan residents. If you are not in Michigan and could use some additional support during this season, please locate a therapist in your area by doing a simple Google search. Most therapists across the country are now able to conduct therapy via video and telehealth options.

Bryan Nixon is a psychotherapist and the founder and clinical director of Mindful Counseling GR in Grand Rapids, MI. He is also a teacher and facilitator in Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy, a post-grad continuing education program for therapists. 

BENJAMIN REISTERER - Step Into the Mess

In this episode, I sit down with my friend, colleague, and fellow psychotherapist, Benjamin Reisterer. Benjamin is the founder of the Metafi app, is a psychotherapist and the clinical director at Mindful Counseling GR’s Claystone location. We have a hearty conversation exploring what it looks like to step into the mess of life with less certainty and more inquiry. We parse out the difference between solitude and isolation. We talk shop a bit about being therapists and what it means to show up with therapeutic courage, and relational authenticity with our clients rather than taking a power-over position as the expert with all the answers. I hope you enjoy!

If you would like to connect further with Benjamin you can find him at: www.mindfulcounselinggr.com, www.metafi.me, or on Instagram at: @metafi_ben

Follow Why in the World on Instagram: @wiwpodcast

COVID-19 Support: The wonderful team of therapists at Mindful Counseling GR are able to accept new clients for Video Counseling during this time for Michigan residents. If you are not in Michigan and could use some additional support during this season, please locate a therapist in your area by doing a simple Google search. Most therapists across the country are now able to conduct therapy via video and telehealth options.

Bryan Nixon is a psychotherapist and the founder and clinical director of Mindful Counseling GR in Grand Rapids, MI. He is also a teacher and facilitator in Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy, a post-grad continuing education program for therapists. 

INGER BROWN - You Are Creative

In this episode, I sit down with Inger Brown and we riff on creativity, how it is innate in each of us, how it differs from being artistic, and how creative blocks can serve as a mirror for us to look inward in order to discover more about the fullness of who we are. 

Inger is an herbalist, writer, poet, artist, and teacher who has found healing in the natural world and with plant medicine. She writes, “Having such life affirming experiences with herbs, I wanted to help others find their own healing so studied herbalism on my own and with teachers and mentors. It was beautiful to see the softening of nervousness that milky oats could bring, how yarrow could both help move stagnant blood and stop excessive bleeding, and how Solomon’s seal and rose could assuage grief.

One day as I sat with a client we came face to face with their deepest resistance.  They showed up to appointments and left ready to implement lifestyle changes and use the herbs I suggested yet came back each time having been unable to take action between sessions. It was demoralizing and baffling for us both and I didn’t have strategies or resources to draw from to help them get past this block so the herbs could do their profound work.

At the same time I experienced my own creative dry spell and was stuck for months, unable to be present to things that bring me joy or take action toward the things I knew might make a difference. Since then I’ve learned new maps to help me understand where and why we tend to get stuck and continue to do my own inner work to be able to meet myself and my clients where they are—helping them move beyond protective patterns to experience greater flow and feeling in their own lives.”

If you would like to connect with Inger you can find her via her website: apothecaryoftherose.com

Follow Why in the World on Instagram: @wiwpodcast

COVID-19 Support: The wonderful team of therapists at Mindful Counseling GR are able to accept new clients for Video Counseling during this time for Michigan residents. If you are not in Michigan and could use some additional support during this season, please locate a therapist in your area by doing a simple Google search. Most therapists across the country are now able to conduct therapy via video and telehealth options.