The Reframe

My guest is Dr. Gerald Corey, Professor Emeritus of Human Services and Counseling at California State University, Fullerton and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Holy Cross in New Orleans. Dr. Corey has authored or coauthored 16 textbooks on topics such as counseling theories, group counseling, clinical supervision, and professional ethics. He is a Fellow of the American Counseling Association, a Fellow of the Association for Specialists in Group Work, and a Fellow of the American Psychological Association (Division 17, Counseling Psychology and Division 49, Group Psychotherapy). Dr. Corey offers strategies for effectively integrating theory with your unique personality and style, shares his thoughts on taking risks and overcoming setbacks, and highlights the necessity of self-care. He also describes the evolution of his theoretical orientation, explains the benefits of utilizing an integrative approach to working with clients, and reflects on some of the important lessons he has learned over the course of his 60-year career. For more information about The International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors, visit IAMFC's website: http://www.iamfconline.org/

My guest is Dr. Marissa Davala, Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling and School Psychology at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and 2020-2021 IAMFC Emerging Leader. Her clinical and research interests focus on couples counseling, preventing infidelity and maintaining monogamy, trauma-informed care, and attachment concepts. Dr. Davala discusses her strategies for nurturing self-reflection and ongoing curiosity, explains the roles that humility and transparency play in her clinical work, and shares about how the generosity of mentors helped her build a successful private practice. She also reflects on the various challenges associated with being an early-career academic and describes how she acknowledges her missteps and growing edges with students. For more information about The International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors, visit IAMFC's website: http://www.iamfconline.org/

My guest is Dr. Rick Balkin, Professor and Doctoral Program Coordinator, in the Department of Leadership and Counselor Education, at the University of Mississippi. Dr. Balkin is the immediate past editor of the Journal of Counseling & Development, the current editor of the International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, and a Fellow of the American Counseling Association. His research focuses on counseling outcomes, instrument development, research methods, forgiveness, and religious diversity. Warning: This episode contains descriptions of sexual abuse and suicide. Dr. Balkin discusses how studying and teaching martial arts increased his self-confidence and ability to build strong relationships, describes how working in an inpatient psychiatric hospital impacted his growth as a new professional, reflects on some of his most memorable and challenging cases, and shares about how his clinical work has informed his research into forgiveness. He also explains how recent hardships and struggles have increased his willingness to express vulnerability and nurture deeper friendships. For more information about The International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors, visit IAMFC's website: http://www.iamfconline.org/

My guest is Dr. Rebecca Pender Baum, current President of IAMFC (2020-2022). She is an Associate Professor and Practicum and Internship Coordinator, in the Department of Counseling, at Murray State University and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the State of Kentucky. Her research focuses on play therapy, marriage, couple and family counseling, trauma and crisis work, and supervision. Dr. Pender Baum discusses the priorities and goals she’s working to accomplish during tenure as IAMFC President, describes the instructive and humbling nature of couple and family counseling, and recounts how mentors challenged and encouraged her to overcome imposter syndrome and embrace new leadership roles. She also highlights various opportunities to serve and advocate for the profession through involvement with IAMFC. For more information about The International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors, visit IAMFC's website: http://www.iamfconline.org/

My guest is Mr. Mike Shook, creator and host of the wildly popular and always informative podcast, The Thoughtful Counselor. Mike is a mental health counselor in China, where he provides counseling to English speaking cross-cultural workers and immigrants living in Beijing. He is a National Certified Counselor and a licensed mental health counselor in the State of Florida. Prior to becoming a counselor, Mike worked in Central China for an NGO that provided care for children with medical needs. Mike discusses what it’s like to live and practice counseling in China, explains how he strives to apply ethical counseling practices in a country where the profession is still emerging and unregulated, and describes what he’s learned about health and well-being from his Chinese colleagues. He also shares about the challenging and humbling nature of striving to become a more culturally competent clinician, highlights his strategies for receiving and integrating corrective feedback, and reflects on how hosting a mental health podcast has influenced his clinical work and professional identity.