The Good Counsel Podcast

Joe Considine is a Marchman Act attorney who has practiced law since 1983. He is an expert on Florida's Marchman Act and works exclusively with families whose loved ones have substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. On this episode, Joe and I talk about the Hulu series, Dopesick, we discuss substance use disorder treatment, and of course, Joe shares about his extensive experience with the Marchman Act. For more information about Joe and his practice, please check out his website https://joeconsidinelaw.com/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts On Spotify On Google Podcasts © Copyright 2022, Eric Bricker; Produced by Tom Gentry. Theme music composed and performed by Eric Bricker.

This episode is a narrated biography of the life of our dog, Rocki. It's a story about dogs and the people who love them.   Subscribe on Apple Podcasts On Spotify On Google Podcasts © Copyright 2022, Eric Bricker; Produced by Tom Gentry. Theme music composed and performed by Eric Bricker. 

Brian is an EMDR-certified therapist, consultant and co-owner of Mangrove Therapy Group. Brian is also an instructor for the Trauma Recovery Humanitarian Assistance Programs and founder of the Southeast Florida Trauma Recovery Network. On this episode of the podcast, Brian and I discuss our practice of EMDR therapy, its inner workings and how we each have come to rely on this modality as a means of healing trauma.  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts On Spotify On Google Podcasts © Copyright 2022, Eric Bricker; Produced by Tom Gentry. Theme music composed and performed by Eric Bricker. 

Dawn DiCicco, LCSW, BCD is a therapist, behavioral healthcare consultant, and founder of her own consulting firm, The Presto Group. On this episode of the Good Counsel Podcast, Dawn shares about the transformative power of Dialectical Behavior Therapy and its application in both institutional settings and private practice. We also discuss Rush tribute bands and some of Hulu's original programing. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts On Spotify On Google Podcasts © Copyright 2022, Eric Bricker; Produced by Tom Gentry. Theme music composed and performed by Eric Bricker. 

Tommy is a psychotherapist, behavioral healthcare administrator and college professor. He has worked with populations representative of a wide variety of cultures, races and socio-economic backgrounds. On this episode of the podcast, Tommy and I discuss his perspectives on psychotherapy, African Americans and the complexities of working with cultures other than our own. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts On Spotify On Google Podcasts © Copyright 2022, Eric Bricker; Produced by Tom Gentry. Theme music composed and performed by Eric Bricker. 

Josephine Tynes is the former Executive Director for Caron Renaissance and Caron Ocean Drive. In this episode of the podcast, Josey shares the recovery journey that took her from transitional housing to completing an Ivy League graduate degree, and becoming an executive director within one of the most prestigious behavioral health organizations in the country.  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts On Spotify On Google Podcasts © Copyright 2022, Eric Bricker; Produced by Tom Gentry. Theme music composed and performed by Eric Bricker. 

Karyn Rosenberg is an accomplished veteran psychotherapist and specialist in the treatment of grief, loss, trauma and reproductive mental health. On this episode of the Good Counsel Podcast, Karyn and I discuss the nuances and complexities of psychotherapy with individuals dealing with grief and loss. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts On Spotify On Google Podcasts © Copyright 2022, Eric Bricker; Produced by Tom Gentry. Theme music composed and performed by Eric Bricker. 

George Jahn is a math professor and pioneer in substance use disorder transitional housing. On this episode of the Good Counsel Podcast, we discuss George's experiences in founding and operating the Sober Living in Delray transitional home, and its impact on his personal recovery journey. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts On Spotify On Google Podcasts © Copyright 2022, Eric Bricker; Produced by Tom Gentry. Theme music composed and performed by Eric Bricker. 

William Shlifer, LCSW, CTT is a Spirit2Spirit certified trauma therapist and clinical consultant.  On this episode of the Good Counsel Podcast, we discuss Will's journey into becoming a trauma therapist, the Spirit2Spirit trauma treatment method and Will's experience in helping develop the integrated trauma treatment program at Beachway Therapy Center.   Subscribe on Apple Podcasts On Spotify On Google Podcasts © Copyright 2022, Eric Bricker; Produced by Tom Gentry. Theme music composed and performed by Eric Bricker. 

Ray Estefania is a nationally recognized interventionist, clinical consultant and expert on substance use disorders. On this episode, Ray and I discuss the evolution and methodology of helping families to navigate this complex landscape.  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts On Spotify On Google Podcasts © Copyright 2022, Eric Bricker; Produced by Tom Gentry. Theme music composed and performed by Eric Bricker. 

Andrew Baker, Ph.D. is a psychotherapist, university professor, counselor educator and researcher. He is also the clinical director of the Comprehensive Wellness Center residential treatment center. On this episode of the Good Counsel Podcast, we discuss Andrew's published research into the science of therapuetic relationships between psychotherapists and their clients.  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts On Spotify On Google Podcasts © Copyright 2022, Eric Bricker; Produced by Tom Gentry. Theme music composed and performed by Eric Bricker. 

*The Good Counsel Podcast is an exploration into the world of helping professionals from various disciplines and walks of life. The goal of the podcast is to discover the motivations and methodologies of these unique individuals in order to satisfy and arouse curiosity among members of the public who have an interest in this area of discussion. The intention of the Podcast is to incorporate a definition of 'helping professional' that is diverse. Good Counsel Podcast interviewees will include Psychotherapists, Medical Professionals, Life Coaches, Interventionists, Spiritual Healers, Substance Use Disorder Treatment Professionals and Educators amongst others, in order to capture a broad range of disciplines. My hope is to increase awareness and reduce stigma among the general public around mental health issues, substance use disorders and related problems while exposing people to the abundance and variety of help that is available to them. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts On Spotify On Google Podcasts © Copyright 2022, Eric Bricker; Produced by Tom Gentry. Theme music composed and performed by Eric Bricker. 

Eric Bricker talks with Dr. Claudia Black about what happens inside families shaped by alcoholism and why the effects often show up long after someone stops drinking. Claudia reflects on writing It Will Never Happen to Me in her 20s, the early days of Adult Children of Alcoholics, and how giving people language for denial, loss, and grief changed the way recovery work is done. They get into the quiet rules many kids learn early on, don't talk, don't trust, don't feel, and what it takes to undo them without turning the past into a blame game. Claudia explains why family of origin work can be a key piece of sustained recovery, how fear of feelings can keep people stuck, and what helps clients begin to identify needs, set boundaries, and make real choices in relationships. The conversation also moves into today's reality for young adults, including the role of screens, social media, online sexual content, and the ways technology can deepen isolation, comparison, and secrecy. Claudia shares how treatment has evolved, what trauma informed work looks like now, and how the Claudia Black Center at The Meadows approaches resistance, motivation, and recovery for ages 18 to 28. Learn more or get in touch:🎙 Contact Eric Bricker: ericbrickerlmhc.com

Episode 58: Yair Yifrah "Surviving Nova"   Yair Yifrah is a sound and lighting engineer, hip hop artist and survivor of the Nova Music Festival massacre that took place on October 7th of 2023 near the grounds of Kibbutz Re'im. On this episode of the podcast, Yair shares his experience of survival and recovery from the horrific trauma of that day. He speaks about the community of people that helped him including Rabbi Baruch Plotkin and Shayndel Plotkin of the Liumi West Retreat in Delray Beach, Fl, where Yair spent last summer.   Yair gives a candid disclosure about his personal struggles and how family, his love of music, and spirituality helped to inspire healing and a more hopeful view of the future. Yair's is one of many such stories from the events of that day. Meanwhile, this small but resilient nation continues to recover from the trauma of the deadliest civilian massacre in its history.

On this episode of the Good Counsel Podcast, psychotherapist Eric Bricker sits down with trauma therapist, coach, and mindfulness teacher Ryan Soave to explore what truly makes helping relationships effective. Ryan shares why real healing is less about adding something new and more about uncovering the innocent, curious self that life has covered up. He and Eric dig into distress tolerance, why learning how to "feel bad" is central to growth, and how we confuse discomfort with actual threat. They also talk about the rise of counterfeit experts on social media, the importance of skepticism with an open mind, and why ethical training and supervision still matter in a world of AI and online coaching. Ryan explains his vision for accessible, zero cost tools, his growing library of YouTube content, and his work helping people question their relationship with substances, success, and themselves. Learn more or get in touch:🎙 Contact Eric Bricker: ericbrickerlmhc.com

On this episode of the Good Counsel Podcast, host Eric Bricker sits down with attorneys Craig Robinson and Richard Casey to break down the Baker Act, the Marchman Act, and civil commitments in plain language. We talk through due process and rights, how assessments work, why counties handle cases differently, and the high burden of proof for Marchman cases. Craig and Richard share their behavioral health backgrounds, why they see their firm as part of the treatment team, and how law enforcement and clinicians can initiate help. We also dig into the bigger policy debate around institutionalization, community care, and safeguards that keep involuntary treatment from being abused. If you support someone struggling with mental health or substance use, this conversation gives you clear next steps and questions to ask. Learn more or get in touch:🎙 Contact Eric Bricker: ericbrickerlmhc.com

Behavioral health veteran Terry Shapiro joins Eric to dig into what actually moves the needle in care today.We unpack the rise of TMS as noninvasive brain stimulation, why pairing it with solid therapy matters, and how GAIABehavioral Health is collaborating across programs to make access easier. Terry shares the story behind Prospect HillRecovery and Wellness in St. Croix where privacy meets high touch treatment and continuing care is built in. We also getcandid about AA culture, how to break in when meetings feel intimidating, and simple tools like yoga nidra that calm ananxious mind. Then we zoom out to TCIV and the business of innovation before spotlighting the Florida shuffle reformsand the new documentary Shuffle alongside State Attorney Dave Aaronberg. Smart, practical, and hopeful. Learn more or get in touch: 🎙Contact Eric Bricker: ericbrickerlmhc.com

Host Eric Bricker sits down with Joseph Lee, LCSW, a Delray Beach psychotherapist and owner of Joseph Lee Counseling and co-founder and clinical director at Mindspa Therapy. Joseph shares his path from program director to private practice, why he stepped outside the treatment-center bubble to rediscover his identity, and how mentorship shaped his early career. He offers an insider's look at South Florida's behavioral health landscape, from the rise of the Florida model to the renewed emphasis on quality and accountability. They dig into entrepreneurship, building an insurance-based group that keeps therapy accessible, and the recent merger with Mindspa to integrate therapy and psychiatry under one collaborative umbrella. Joseph speaks candidly about doubt, confidence, personal responsibility, and the difference between wishful thinking and doing the work. If you are navigating career pivots, launching a practice, or trying to align your energy with your goals, this conversation delivers practical insight with heart. Find Joseph at josephleecounseling.com and by searching Mindspa Therapy. Learn more or get in touch: 🎙 Contact Eric Bricker: ericbrickerlmhc.com

On this episode, I sat down with REAL Course instructor, Jon Waller to discuss personal development courses. We both give very frank and sometimes comical personal accounts of our own experiences. We take a deep dive into the history of the personal development course universe, going all the way back to the 1970's, and the controversial EST course. Jon shares about how he and the REAL Course team continue to work diligently to build a safe and ethical program. I experienced Jon as open and transparent, which allowed us to have a meaningful dialogue. This is not the infomercial you might be expecting. To my many friends who are a part of this community, I hope we have done justice to this discussion, and I hope you all enjoy it. 

On this episode of the Good Counsel Podcast, host Eric Bricker sits down with Kim Litton, licensed clinical social worker, certified sex addiction therapist, and author of I Do It For Her. Kim opens up about her personal journey through substance use, sex and love addiction, and the generational patterns she was determined to break for her children. Together, Eric and Kim explore the roots of complex trauma, the realities of growing up in the heart of the opioid crisis, and the powerful healing that comes from naming and de-shaming addiction. Kim also shares insights from her book and her therapeutic approach, including her concept of "compassionate structure," which helps people rebuild self-trust and embrace recovery with kindness. Whether you're walking your own path of healing or supporting someone you love, this conversation is a powerful reminder that cycles can be broken and freedom is possible. Learn more or get in touch: 🎙 Contact Eric Bricker: ericbrickerlmhc.com