The CBT Dive

The CBT Dive

<p>Welcome to The CBT Dive: a video podcast that brings therapy skills to the real world! Each episode welcomes a new guest who wants to explore a challenging situation using the most common cognitive behavioural therapy tool: the thought record. Rahim Thawer is a queer, racialized social worker and psychotherapist based in Toronto. He's created this podcast to support folks who want to learn how to use this clinical tool and to demystify what therapy can look like.</p>

When your queerness feels constantly challenged

Lindsay Wynn, founder and CEO of Momotaro Apotheca, shares her experience of feeling excluded and questioned about her bisexual identity at a gay bar. She explores the feelings of self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and sadness that arose from this encounter. Lindsay reflects on her journey of self-discovery and the challenges of navigating her sexual identity. As Rahim walks Lindsay through the Thought Record, Lindsay discusses her experiences and challenges as a bisexual woman and the fear of no...

07-23
31:01

Getting out of your mind and into your body with somatic therapy

Instead of exploring thoughts patterns using CBT this episode, Rahim interviews somatic counsellor Megan Blair, who then guides him through a mini session where Rahim plays the role of the client who is encouraged to explore what his body is experiencing and what insight it can give him. They discuss the practice of somatic experiencing and its focus on the mind-body connection. Megan explains that somatic counselling is a body-based practice that looks at the mind-body connection and uses va...

07-09
38:41

Parenting an ageing parent: Offering care with renewed boundaries

Our guest this episode is a medical worker named Ale who joins psychotherapist and host Rahim Thawer to discuss his complicated relationship with his mom and the difficult feelings that arise when she calls asking him for money. In a departure from our usual episode, Rahim pivots from using a thought record to using a problem solving worksheet to better address the logistics of Ale’s situation. The conversation revolves around two main objectives: providing stability for Ale's mother an...

06-11
37:01

Feeling frazzled and not knowing where to start

Host and psychotherapist Rahim Thawer talks with David, a masters student who is struggling with balancing his career with his schoolwork. Together they delve into the feelings and thoughts of dread, exhaustion, urgency, and self-criticism that emerge in the evening when David is done with work for the day but procrastinates before starting his schoolwork. They also touch on the concept of misattribution of arousal and the fear of financial decline due to academic challenges. The themes of en...

05-28
41:48

Masking jealousy with stoicism in a poly relationship

In this conversation, psychotherapist and host Rahim Thawer is joined by José, a psychologist and poet who lives with their partner. José shares their experience as the anchor partner in a polyamorous relationship and they explore the feelings and behaviors that arise in certain situations, such as when their partner shows affection to another partner but not them. Rahim guides Jose through examining the automatic thoughts and consequences that result from these experiences, including feeling...

04-29
31:20

Reframing the fear of being excluded

Host and therapist Rahim Thawer talks to Vance, a sex and intimacy coach, who discusses his behaviors and thoughts when he feels excluded, and his desire for a group of friends. Vance shares his experiences with friendships and the fear of being too much for others. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the isolation that can come with personal growth and the importance of being understood by a small group of people. ABOUT THE CBT DIVE PODCAST The CBT Dive is a video podcast that br...

04-09
40:04

When capitalism turns you against yourself

Psychotherapist and host Rahim Thawer and Riz discuss Riz’s travel adventures and how they have led to unique stressors and insights into his relationship with money. Riz shares situations that have brought up difficult feelings, such as feeling cheated and disappointed when spending money on experiences that don't meet his expectations. Rahim helps Riz identify his automatic thoughts and behaviors that arise in these situations, including self-criticism and questioning his choices. Ov...

04-02
40:04

When you're trying to disrupt the trauma of poverty

In this episode, host Rahim Thawer talks to Kae about the recurring feelings of stress around when rent is due. The conversation explores Kae's thoughts and emotions related to financial struggles, self-criticism, and worries about falling back into unhealthy habits. Rahim and Kae also cover topics such as maintaining psychological safety, rationalizing thoughts, and the fear of not being able to escape past trauma and financial difficulties. With the use of the “Thought Record,” Rahim talks ...

03-19
38:14

CBT Shorts: The Aftermath of Being Ghosted

We all know how infuriating it can be when someone ghosts you after a couple of dates. It's okay to feel frustrated and deceived. But what else comes up for you in those moments? 🤔 In our latest Shorts episode, we're bringing you the key moments from the original episode so you can dive into the heart of the discussion where we explore the underlying fears that reawaken in the emotional aftermath of being ghosted. These include fears of being unworthy or not masculine enough for gay dating cu...

08-20
41:14

CBT Shorts: Can’t Break My Soul - When Dating Meets Grind Culture

In this special Shorts episode, we revisit some highlights from a previous season that dive deep into personal journeys and the challenges of dating apps. Our guest, Terence, believes that everyone is on their unique path. Yet, he struggles with feelings of resentment when judged by people with impressive job titles and comfortable bank accounts.Join host Rahim Thawer and Terence as they invoke the wisdom of Beyonce to reframe Terence’s feelings of inadequacy. They explore how capitalism and ...

08-06
36:21

CBT Shorts: Muscles and my fear of being overlooked

In this bonus Shorts episode of The CBT Dive, we’ve taken the highlights from a previous season for you to dip into. Host and psychotherapist Rahim Thawer talks with Al about body image concerns amongst gay men and the pressures to either achieve or maintain a particular physique. This preoccupation is about optimising the ways they can participate in gay men's spaces, including dating and hookup culture.Al seemingly has the body he's always wanted but we dig a bit deeper into the culture of ...

06-25
26:54

CBT Shorts: Trepidation of being a "bottom" on Grindr

In this bonus Shorts episode of The CBT Dive, we’ve taken the highlights from a previous season for you to dip into. Host and psychotherapist Rahim Thawer talks with Adnan about his experience with hesitating to indicate he’s a “bottom” on dating app due to femmephobia and bottom-shaming in the gay community. ABOUT THE CBT DIVE PODCAST The CBT Dive is a video podcast that brings therapy skills to the real world. Each episode welcomes a new guest who wants to explore a challenging situation us...

05-13
34:30

CBT Shorts: My father is dishonest and consistently disappointing

In this bonus CBT Shorts episode, we’ve taken the highlights from a previous season for you to dip into. Host and psychotherapist Rahim Thawer talks with Farrah about her experience with a dishonest and disappointing father. ABOUT THE CBT DIVE PODCAST The CBT Dive is a video podcast that brings therapy skills to the real world. Each episode welcomes a new guest who wants to explore a challenging situation using the most common cognitive behavioural therapy tool: the thought record. ABOUT HO...

04-23
20:50

E22 The aftermath of being ghosted

When you’re ghosted by someone after a couple of dates, it’s legitimately infuriating. It’s okay to feel frustrated and even deceived. But, what else comes up for you in those moments? In this episode, we explore the underlying fears that get reawakened after a ghosting experience. These include fears of being unworthy or unattractive and also an overarching fear of never finding happiness. Through the therapeutic process, this guest unexpectedly challenges beliefs about the formulas and fram...

10-02
01:49:54

E21 Interview: Culturally adapted CBT and treatment for complex disorders, in-person and online

In this interview, Dr. Farooq Naeem shares his longstanding research interest in CBT and culture. He discusses how CBT concepts can conflict with the beliefs of people in non-Western cultures and then delves into the various ways people can understand and approach depression and schizophrenia from their own worldviews. He also discusses his research on using CBT for psychosis and delivering CBT interventions by e-mail. GUEST BIO: Farooq Naeem is a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of...

09-04
44:54

E20 Interview: Adapting CBT interventions for sexual and gender minorities

In this interview, Dr. Trevor Hart discusses the need for CBT interventions that target sexual and gender minorities (SGM) and explains how they differ from standard psychotherapy. He addresses some of the critiques that are often shared about the CBT approach and shares his perspectives on the utility of goal-oriented models. Finally, he tells listeners what resources they can avail themselves of to learn more about SGM-affirming CBT. GUEST BIO: Dr. Trevor Hart is the Director of the HIV Pr...

08-21
39:21

E19 Questioning my lived experience as a valid credential

When community organizations create roles for people with lived experience, how does this get experienced on the employee side? In this episode, we talk to a harm reduction activist, drug user, and community worker committed to gay men's health. He explores the imposter syndrome and feelings of self-doubt when working next to academics and other credentialed folks. - WATCH at thecbtdive.ca LISTEN wherever you get podcasts! - Join my mailing list: affectiveconsult.ca My socials: ladyativ...

08-07
01:13:46

E18 Self-criticism as a motivator or reinforcer of low self-worth

You have a work assignment but you avoid getting started, worry about failure, catastrophize, and then negate positive feedback when it's been submitted and reviewed. Sound familiar? In this episode, we explore a common but frustrating pattern. We query the possibility of Adult ADHD and locate its roots in childhood family dynamics. Sebastien leaves the session more insightful about how he came to believe that self-criticism was a good motivator. - WATCH at thecbtdive.ca LISTEN wherever...

07-26
01:01:26

E17 Performative activism and the betrayal of a close friend

If you were called out publicly (or worse, cancelled altogether), would your closest friends stick by your side and be there for you? In this episode, we examine the impact of being betrayed by close friends on social media for their own self-preservation. We also explore how the loss, grief, and trauma can permeate all future relationships and leave you with self-doubt anytime you decide to trust someone. - WATCH at thecbtdive.ca LISTEN wherever you get podcasts! - Join my mailing list...

07-12
01:15:08

E16 Can’t Break My Soul - When Dating Meets Grind Culture

We’re all on our individual journeys. That’s what this guest strongly believes. Still, there’s legitimate resentment that comes up when you feel judged by people on dating apps who appear to be well sorted with their nice job titles and cushy bank accounts. In this episode, we conjure up Beyonce to help reframe the feelings of inadequacy that arise when capitalism and grind culture don’t fit for people who are working through trauma and managing symptoms of Adult ADHD–which, of course, are ov...

06-28
01:14:34

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