When Therapists Watch TV

Anger is a complicated emotion. We all experience it, but how we learn to express (or repress) it is tied to a whole range of factors, like our temperament, upbringing, culture, even our gender. The Netflix show, Beef, explores what happens when we can’t seem to find a healthy way to express or resolve our negative emotions. And while it is also a show about identity, relationships, expectations, racism, thwarted dreams, and despair, at its heart, Beef is a show about anger. In this episode of When Therapists Watch TV, Matt Reed, MA, and BJ McElrath, LPCC, join host Dr. Terri Bly to tackle this intense and even scary emotion that most of us don’t quite know what to do with, and what it is about life that can make us so darn angry.  When Therapists Watch TV is a podcast from Ellie Mental Health where we react to and discuss today's buzz-worthy TV shows and what they can teach us about ourselves, our relationships, and the world around us. This podcast is hosted Dr. Terri Bly, PsyD, an avid watcher of television and licensed clinical psychologist. Each season, we will feature shows we think does an excellent job portraying some aspect of being human. With the help of other mental health professionals and subject matter experts, we will explore how television tackles important topics such as mental health, relationships, addiction, grief and loss, parenting - all that good human stuff. Ellie Mental Health is an outpatient mental health clinic that began in St. Paul, Minnesota and has continued to expand to over 20 clinics in Minnesota and a growing number of franchises across the country (we'll be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide in the near future!!). Find out more at elliementalhealth.com #therapy #therapistreacts #beef #anger

While we can certainly debate the pros and cons of allowing children to watch TV, the reality is that most parents let their kids have some TV time now and again. These days, one of the most popular shows among children and parents alike is the Australian animated series, Bluey! As it turns out, therapists who work with kids and their parents also love the show. So why is Bluey so darn popular with everyone and their therapist? What can parents learn from watching it, and might your kids even benefit from having a little Bluey in their lives? Child therapists Kelly Pieper, LICSW, and Miranda Barker, LICSW, join host Dr. Terri Bly to discuss the merits of this adorable little show, and to give parents some guidance on how they can make the most out of their children’s (ideally limited) screen time.  When Therapists Watch TV is a podcast from Ellie Mental Health where we react to and discuss today's buzz-worthy TV shows and what they can teach us about ourselves, our relationships, and the world around us. This podcast is hosted Dr. Terri Bly, PsyD, an avid watcher of television and licensed clinical psychologist. Each season, we will feature shows we think does an excellent job portraying some aspect of being human. With the help of other mental health professionals and subject matter experts, we will explore how television tackles important topics such as mental health, relationships, addiction, grief and loss, parenting - all that good human stuff. Ellie Mental Health is an outpatient mental health clinic that began in St. Paul, Minnesota and has continued to expand to over 20 clinics in Minnesota and a growing number of franchises across the country (we'll be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide in the near future!!). Find out more at elliementalhealth.com #therapy #therapistreacts #bluey

Is there a right way to grieve? In the Apple TV show, Shrinking, grief and loss are major themes throughout the first season, with each of the characters grieving their specific losses in their own unique way. Since death is an inevitable part of life, nearly all of us will experience the loss of a loved one at some point, just as many of us will face a time when we learn that our own death is on the horizon. What can we learn from Shrinking about what it feels like to grieve, and how can we use that knowledge to help ourselves through that process, and also to support others who are grieving as well? Grief and loss expert Erin Opoku, LPCC, joins the show to share her wisdom and experience on this important topic.  When Therapists Watch TV is a podcast from Ellie Mental Health where we react to and discuss today's buzz-worthy TV shows and what they can teach us about ourselves, our relationships, and the world around us. This podcast is hosted Dr. Terri Bly, PsyD, an avid watcher of television and licensed clinical psychologist. Each season, we will feature shows we think does an excellent job portraying some aspect of being human. With the help of other mental health professionals and subject matter experts, we will explore how television tackles important topics such as mental health, relationships, addiction, grief and loss, parenting - all that good human stuff. Ellie Mental Health is an outpatient mental health clinic that began in St. Paul, Minnesota and has continued to expand to over 20 clinics in Minnesota and a growing number of franchises across the country (we'll be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide in the near future!!). Find out more at elliementalhealth.com #therapy #therapistreacts #shrinking

Ageism, at its core, is about the loss of privilege. Where perhaps you were once visible, prioritized, and valued, you are now becoming invisible, ignored or even outright dismissed, solely because of your age. For women, this typically starts in their mid- to late-40s, but really kicks into high gear starting at 50. Not coincidentally, so does menopause. Of course, for obese women, disabled women, queer women, and women of color, being visible and prioritized may never have been part of their lived experience. Nonetheless, ageism is real, and as a society we don’t like to talk about it any more than we like to talk about menopause. While the television industry has made some small steps towards inclusion over the past few years, the numbers are still pretty dismal. The annual Boxed In study by San Diego State University found that in the 2021-2022 season, only 26% of all female television characters were over 40 (and only 3% were over 60), versus 41% of male characters. Clearly, this is not representative of the population at large. Even if other industries are less obvious in their attitudes about age, the majority of women over 50 still report experiencing ageism in the workplace. So what can we do about ageism? How can women push back against the messaging that we are no longer “in our prime” after we turn 50, and therefore should fade quietly into the background? Is there anything women over 50 can be doing differently to reduce ageism or its impact?  In this episode of When Therapists Watch TV, we will be discussing ageism in modern society, using the HBO series Hacks as the platform. Hacks stars Jean Smart as the aging comedian Deborah Vance, who is facing forced retirement despite doing everything she can to stay visible and viable in her career. A 20-something comedic writer, Ava, is sent to Las Vegas to help Deborah refresh her act, but what happens next points to some of the ways women, young and old, might be able to help each other fight back against a patriarchal society that continues to base a woman’s value primarily on her sex appeal and youthfulness.  When Therapists Watch TV is a podcast from Ellie Mental Health where we react to and discuss today's buzz-worthy TV shows and what they can teach us about ourselves, our relationships, and the world around us. This podcast is hosted Dr. Terri Bly, PsyD, an avid watcher of television and licensed clinical psychologist. Each season, we will feature shows we think does an excellent job portraying some aspect of being human. With the help of other mental health professionals and subject matter experts, we will explore how television tackles important topics such as mental health, relationships, addiction, grief and loss, parenting - all that good human stuff. Ellie Mental Health is an outpatient mental health clinic that began in St. Paul, Minnesota and has continued to expand to over 20 clinics in Minnesota and a growing number of franchises across the country (we'll be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide in the near future!!). Find out more at elliementalhealth.com #therapy #therapistreacts #hacks

While divorce can set in motion positive changes in our lives, rarely does it make life easier. Not initially, anyway. In season 3 of Ted Lasso, Ted struggles to adjust to life after divorce. He’s having a hard time accepting that his ex-wife is now dating, and that her new boyfriend is spending a lot of time with their son. He’s also trying to figure out his own dating future, and what he needs to work on within himself to be in a good place to pursue new relationships. In this episode of When Therapists Watch TV, we discuss how to navigate life after divorce, including how to know when you’re ready to date, when and how to talk to your kids about your love life, and how your ex figures into those conversations. Divorce and co-parenting expert Deb Link joins Dr. Terri Bly to share her invaluable insight and wisdom for divorced men and women trying to figure out how to make the most of this chapter of their lives, while doing what they can to ensure the best outcomes for their children as well.  When Therapists Watch TV is a podcast from Ellie Mental Health where we react to and discuss today's buzz-worthy TV shows and what they can teach us about ourselves, our relationships, and the world around us. This podcast is hosted Dr. Terri Bly, PsyD, an avid watcher of television and licensed clinical psychologist. Each season, we will feature shows we think does an excellent job portraying some aspect of being human. With the help of other mental health professionals and subject matter experts, we will explore how television tackles important topics such as mental health, relationships, addiction, grief and loss, parenting - all that good human stuff. Ellie Mental Health is an outpatient mental health clinic that began in St. Paul, Minnesota and has continued to expand to over 20 clinics in Minnesota and a growing number of franchises across the country (we'll be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide in the near future!!). Find out more at elliementalhealth.com #therapy #therapistreacts #tedlasso

Why is it so hard to talk with our teenagers about sex? Why does the concept of masturbation make us so deeply uncomfortable? And what are the potential consequences of avoiding these kinds of conversations with our kids? In this episode of When Therapists Watch TV, we will talk about the Netflix show Sex Education, as well as HBO’s Euphoria, and what adults and parents need to know when it comes to helping our teenagers develop healthy sexual identities and feel empowered to make good decisions when it comes to sex.  Find it on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou4Waw8GnMs For this podcast episode, host Dr. Terri Bly interviews therapist Heather Reidinger, a licensed marriage and family therapist that has been working in the mental health field for over fifteen years. She especially enjoys working with adolescents and young adults, as this is a time of vulnerability, growth and such resilience. Special areas of interest include: Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, self-harm/suicidal ideation, LGBTQ+, post-partum/fertility issues, trauma, and family therapy. Heather and Terri use examples from the shows Sex Education on Netflix and Euphoria on HBO to talk about HOW and WHY we should be talking to our adolescents and teenagers about sex and sexuality. When Therapists Watch TV is a podcast from Ellie Mental Health where we react to and discuss today's buzz-worthy TV shows and what they can teach us about ourselves, our relationships, and the world around us. This podcast is hosted Dr. Terri Bly, PsyD, an avid watcher of television and licensed clinical psychologist. Each season, we will feature shows we think does an excellent job portraying some aspect of being human. With the help of other mental health professionals and subject matter experts, we will explore how television tackles important topics such as mental health, relationships, addiction, grief and loss, parenting - all that good human stuff. Ellie Mental Health is an outpatient mental health clinic that began in St. Paul, Minnesota and has continued to expand to over 24 clinics in Minnesota and a growing number of franchises across the country (we'll be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide in the near future!!). Find out more at elliementalhealth.com #therapy #therapistreacts #sexeducation #teenagers #euphoria

If you’ve watched the Apple+ show “Shrinking,” you’ve no doubt wondered if this is what therapists are really like. In this episode of When Therapists Watch TV, we will attempt to answer that question and more. Can a therapist really take their clients to a mixed martial arts club to fight? Is it ok for them to go into a client's home? How much should your therapist tell you about their personal life? What should you do if your therapist tells you to do something or they will fire you as a client?  Our two guests for this episode include Nic Brave, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and Laura Fegley, a Creative Director and big fan of therapy. They will assist host Terri Bly in unpacking the many eyebrow-raising decisions made by the therapists in “Shrinking,” to make sure you, the viewer, know what is reasonable to expect from your own therapist.  When Therapists Watch TV is a podcast from Ellie Mental Health where we react to and discuss today's buzz-worthy TV shows and what they can teach us about ourselves, our relationships, and the world around us. This podcast is hosted Dr. Terri Bly, PsyD, an avid watcher of television and licensed clinical psychologist. Each season, we will feature shows we think does an excellent job portraying some aspect of being human. With the help of other mental health professionals and subject matter experts, we will explore how television tackles important topics such as mental health, relationships, addiction, grief and loss, parenting - all that good human stuff. Ellie Mental Health is an outpatient mental health clinic that began in St. Paul, Minnesota and has continued to expand to over 20 clinics in Minnesota and a growing number of franchises across the country (we'll be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide in the near future!!). Find out more at elliementalhealth.com

Ted and Michelle. Rebecca and Rupert. Rebecca and Sam. Keeley and Jamie. Keeley and Roy. We almost need a chart to navigate the many (and messy!) relationships portrayed in the first two seasons of Ted Lasso. We can also learn a lot from these relationships, which is why in this episode, we discuss what the show can teach us all about dating, breakups, marriage and divorce. For this podcast episode, host Dr. Terri Bly interviews two relationship experts: Deb Link, a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in working with divorced co-parents and their families, and Rose Joiner, a licensed marriage and family therapist who sees many couples in her practice, and also supervises pre-licensed therapists who work with couples. They use examples from Ted Lasso to illustrate important topics like relationship repair, coercive control, narcissistic abuse, individuation, love languages and attachment styles. If you are in a relationship, have ever been in a relationship, or know people who are, you will definitely want to check out this episode of When Therapists Watch TV! When Therapists Watch TV is a podcast from Ellie Mental Health where we react to and discuss today's buzz-worthy TV shows and what they can teach us about ourselves, our relationships, and the world around us. This podcast is hosted Dr. Terri Bly, PsyD, an avid watcher of television and licensed clinical psychologist. Each season, we will feature shows we think does an excellent job portraying some aspect of being human. With the help of other mental health professionals and subject matter experts, we will explore how television tackles important topics such as mental health, relationships, addiction, grief and loss, parenting - all that good human stuff. Ellie Mental Health is an outpatient mental health clinic that began in St. Paul, Minnesota and has continued to expand to over 20 clinics in Minnesota and a growing number of franchises across the country (we'll be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide in the near future!!). Find out more at elliementalhealth.com #therapy #therapistreacts #tedlasso #attachmentstyles

Season 2 introduces us to Dr. Sharon, a sports psychologist who is brought in to help Danny overcome the Yips. But, what exactly are the Yips? Is this a real phenomenon? If so, what causes it and how is it treated? We will also discuss how coaching style might affect a player’s “mental game,” and our two guests will weigh in on whether Ted Lasso would make a good coach in real life. When Therapists Watch TV is a podcast from Ellie Mental Health where we react to and discuss today's buzz-worthy TV shows and what they can teach us about ourselves, our relationships, and the world around us. This podcast is hosted Dr. Terri Bly, PsyD, an avid watcher of television and licensed clinical psychologist. Each season, we will feature shows we think does an excellent job portraying some aspect of being human. With the help of other mental health professionals and subject matter experts, we will explore how television tackles important topics such as mental health, relationships, addiction, grief and loss, parenting - all that good human stuff.    Ellie Mental Health is an outpatient mental health clinic that began in St. Paul, Minnesota and has continued to expand to over 20 clinics in Minnesota and a growing number of franchises across the country (we'll be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide in the near future!!). Find out more at elliementalhealth.com   #therapy #therapistreacts #tedlasso

Throughout the show, it is clear Ted Lasso is trying to shine a light on some of the problems that stem from society’s concept of masculinity. The show frequently challenges traditional gender norms and presents examples of what a healthier approach to masculinity might look like. In this episode, we will explore the negative impact male gender norms can have on men’s mental health, their careers, and their relationships, and what Ted Lasso can teach us about the benefits of expanding our definition of what it means to be a real man. We are joined by Kyle Ross, LPCC and Austin Jacobson, MA to discuss this topic! When Therapists Watch TV is a podcast from Ellie Mental Health where we react to and discuss today's buzz-worthy TV shows and what they can teach us about ourselves, our relationships, and the world around us. This podcast is hosted Dr. Terri Bly, PsyD, an avid watcher of television and licensed clinical psychologist. Each season, we will feature shows we think does an excellent job portraying some aspect of being human. With the help of other mental health professionals and subject matter experts, we will explore how television tackles important topics such as mental health, relationships, addiction, grief and loss, parenting - all that good human stuff.    Ellie Mental Health is an outpatient mental health clinic that began in St. Paul, Minnesota and has continued to expand to over 20 clinics in Minnesota and a growing number of franchises across the country (we'll be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide in the near future!!). Find out more at elliementalhealth.com   #therapy #therapistreacts #tedlasso

The way our personalities develop is influenced by any number of factors, including genetics, parenting, and culture. But what about trauma? In this episode of When Therapists Watch TV, we will explore how traumatic experiences shape the “masks” we wear out in the world. In Ted Lasso, we are first introduced to the characters with their masks on: Rebecca is the cold, vengeful boss lady. Roy is the grumpy loner. Jamie is the attention-seeking narcissist. Nate is the self-effacing guy who asks for nothing. Ted is the eternal optimist who has all his sh*t figured out and is living his best life. But as the show progresses, we see that there is another layer - a more real layer - underneath their public-facing personae. We also learn that these characters came by their masks honestly, as a result of negative experiences that occurred earlier in their lives. What can we learn from these characters about how negative events and circumstances shape us as individuals? When Therapists Watch TV is a podcast from Ellie Mental Health where we react to and discuss today's buzz-worthy TV shows and what they can teach us about ourselves, our relationships, and the world around us. This podcast is hosted Dr. Terri Bly, PsyD, an avid watcher of television and licensed clinical psychologist. Each season, we will feature a show we think does an excellent job portraying some aspect of being human. With the help of other mental health professionals and subject matter experts, we will explore how television tackles important topics such as mental health, relationships, addiction, grief and loss, parenting - all that good human stuff.  Ellie Mental Health is an outpatient mental health clinic that began in St. Paul, Minnesota and has continued to expand to over 20 clinics in Minnesota and a growing number of franchises across the country (we'll be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide in the near future!!). Find out more at elliementalhealth.com   #therapy #therapistreacts #tedlasso

When is being relentlessly positive a bad thing? Ted Lasso is an endearing and lovable character with his positive attitude, his optimism, and how he supports his players and colleagues-- but is there a downside to his eternal sunshine? Most of us could stand to be more like Ted, but also, how can we know when we’re using optimism as denial, or positivity as a way to avoid doing the hard and painful stuff? We are joined by Dr. Lucas Volini, LMFT and Scott Kronebusch, LPCC to discuss this topic in depth. When Therapists Watch TV is a podcast where we react to and discuss today's buzz-worthy TV shows and what they can teach us about ourselves, our relationships, and the world around us. This podcast is hosted Dr. Terri Bly, PsyD, an avid watcher of television and licensed clinical psychologist. Each week, we will feature a show we think does an excellent job portraying some aspect of being human. With the help of other mental health professionals and subject matter experts, we will explore how television tackles important topics such as mental health, relationships, addiction, grief and loss, parenting - all that good human stuff.   When Therapists Watch TV is one of many creative productions from Ellie Mental Health. Ellie is an outpatient mental health clinic that began in St. Paul, Minnesota and has continued to expand to over 20 clinics in Minnesota and a growing number of franchises across the country (we'll be opening over 500 locations in communities nationwide in the near future!!). #therapy #therapistreacts #tedlasso