The Beachfront Therapist

Postpartum Depression is the number one complication of childbirth, affecting 15% of new mothers. Symptoms of Postpartum Depression include feelings of sadness and hopelessness, irritability, appetite and sleep changes, and in some instances thoughts of suicide and self-harm. This is due to the drop in postpartum hormones in combination with sleep deprivation and emotional stress. Given these statistics, it is likely that we have, or will, encounter a client experiencing one or more perinatal mood disorder in our counseling practices, so to tell us more about these disorders, we have Perinatal Mood Specialist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor Lauren Fafulas-Fortunato. Get all of our latest news, be the first to know about new episodes and events, and stay connected through Instagram, Facebook, and our Newsletter. Also, checkout our free, interactive clinician community on Facebook.

In this episode, we feature Sara Kahler, LPC and Licensed Behavioral Specialist; Sara shares her expertise on supporting resilience in children and adolescents. She explains how to distinguish between typical child and adolescent behavior and behavior that may be cause for concern. Sara discusses the use of coping skills to both increase resilience and shorten recovery time for children and adolescents. Finally, she reviews common stress and anxiety behaviors seen in children and adolescents and the evidence-based approach she uses to work with them.Get all of our latest news, be the first to know about new episodes and events, and stay connected through Instagram and Facebook. Also, checkout our free, interactive clinician community on Facebook.

In this episode, we discuss the influence of early attachment on adult relationships with Liz Casey, LPC. If you work with adult survivors of childhood trauma or clients that present with characteristics of Borderline Personality Disorder or CPTSD, this is the episode for you. Liz talks us through the presentation of clients that did not have attachment needs met in childhood and the shame they experience because of it. She shares her approach to working with attachment in session and explains why she prefers the term connection. Liz discusses the importance of shifting from blame to responsibility and how it helps clients. She also helps us identify signs that clients may struggle with attachment and explains her preferred interventions for helping clients work through attachment issues. Get all of our latest news, be the first to know about new episodes and events, and stay connected through Instagram and Facebook. Also, checkout our free, interactive clinician community on Facebook.

Whether this is your area of expertise or you want to learn more about working with kids, I think we can all recognize the need to support this underserved population. Many states are experiencing a shortage in child mental health providers, yet the need is great: nearly 1 in 5 children experience a mental health, emotional, or behavioral disorder, and half of all lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 14. Given these statistics, it is easy to see why clinicians want, and need, to know more about working with children. Our goal today is to explore some of the fears clinicians have about working with children and the stereotypes that hold us back from doing it.In this episode, we take a fresh look at working with children. Our guest, Jennifer Mathes, LPC, talks us through her child-centered approach, including the process of engaging the child and making the child the main focus of each session; she also highlights the steps she takes to help her child clients discover that they do want to know themselves better and shares how she engages in their world. Finally, she talks us through gaging the level of interaction necessary for each caregiver and her method for updating and including them. Get all of our latest news, be the first to know about new episodes and events, and stay connected through Instagram and Facebook. Also, checkout our free, interactive clinician community on Facebook.

This episode is all things REBT (Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy). Our guest, Emily Remo, M.A., discusses the differences and similarities of CBT and REBT. She also shows us how to use REBT in session and illustrates how it can be uplifting. Emily demonstrates ways to use client statements, like should or must, to segue into REBT work and provides psychoeducation on the ABCs of REBT. Plus, Emily shows us how to teach the ABCs to clients. Finally, we wrap this episode up with some tips and tricks for doing family therapy through telehealth. REBT has been used to treat disorders that, we as clinicians, encounter often, including Depression and Anxiety, and REBT provides clients with skills that they can continue using long after therapy has ended. This is a 2 part podcast, and in the second part, Emily gives us some tips for using telehealth in family therapy.Get all of our latest news, be the first to know about new episodes and events, and stay connected through Instagram and Facebook. Also, checkout our free, interactive clinician community on Facebook.

Young adults are “boomeranging” back home, and this experience is putting them at an increased risk of Depression. At the same time, their parents are in the position of taking on additional financial responsibilities, caretaking duties, and stress. So, how do we, as clinicians, support them? In this episode, we explore the anxiety and depression associated with this change and discuss interventions therapists can use to support both the young adults and parents in this situation.Whether you work with clients that have children who recently moved back home, or your client moved back in with their parents, a home environment with more than two adults living together can become quite stressful. A recent study found that young adults who move back home, or "boomerang” back home, experience an increase in depressive symptoms. Young adults move back home for a variety of reasons, including losing a job, decline in income, personal relationship breakdown, opportunities to socialize, or to care for elderly parents. During the course of the pandemic, over 15.9 million people moved back home; given the high numbers of adults moving back in with their parents, therapists are likely to see clients experiencing both sides of this situation in their practices. Get all of our latest news, be the first to know about new episodes and events, and stay connected through Instagram and Facebook. Also, checkout our free, interactive clinician community on Facebook.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) can be difficult for most adults to understand, but imagine this diagnosis from the eyes of a child and the psychological impact that they can endure into adulthood. In this episode, guest host Jill Harle, LPC, shares the symptom presentation of clients raised by a caregiver with NPD and the role this can play in their understanding of self and future partner selection. Jill also discusses her treatment approach and three step plan for working with teen or adult children of Narcissists.Get all of our latest news, be the first to know about new episodes and events, and stay connected through Instagram and Facebook. Also, checkout our free, interactive clinician community on Facebook.

A recent Trevor Project study found that 45% of LGBTQ+ youth have seriously considered suicide in the past year. Additionally, the study found that LGBTQ+ youth, that felt support from their family, attempted suicide at half the normal rate. Nearly 1 in 5 Transgender and Nonbinary youth attempted suicide, and 60% reported wanting mental health care services in the past year and not being able to get it. These statistics are eye opening and illustrate the need for LGBTQ+ youth and adult trained mental health providers.In this episode, we talk with specialist Michael Avender, LCSW. Michael discusses virtual social connection for LGBTQ+ youth, increased risk of mental health disorders, and the coping skills that he likes to teach clients. Michael shares unique ways to build rapport over telehealth as well as how he navigates confidentiality with LGBTQ+ youth in virtual sessions. He also walks us through providing psychoeducation to families on the use of client’s preferred name and pronoun and explains the Genderbread Person and Gender Unicorn.  Resources for this episode: The Trevor Project Hotline : 1-866-488-7386The Trevor Project also offers support for LGBTQ youth through online chat or text message: text “START” to 678678Trans Lifeline’s Peer Support Hotline: 1-877-565-8860Get all of our latest news, be the first to know about new episodes and events, and stay connected through Instagram and Facebook. Also, checkout our free, interactive clinician community on Facebook.

This episode is all things groups! It is not uncommon to see questions about starting and running groups in mental health message boards. There has also been a great deal of conversation about running counseling groups via telehealth or managing them safely in person. PA lists the following benefits of group counseling: support, accountability, perspective, relief, and diversity. Now, more than ever, clinicians are looking for ways to provide these for clients, and here to help us learn more about starting and running a small group is Dr. Lyz DeBoer Kreider, PhD. Dr. Lyz covers group counseling basics, including the process of forming a group, running a group, and managing group dynamics. She also shares the steps she took when starting her very first group and her favorite groups to run. Finally, Dr. Lyz explains how group interactions provide insight into daily client struggles and how to balance group dynamics. Get all of our latest news, be the first to know about new episodes and events, and stay connected through Instagram and Facebook. Also, checkout our free, interactive clinician community on Facebook.

In this episode, we explore the impact of social media on mental health through the lens of Sociometer Theory. We look at how self-esteem is affected when clients determine their value and self-worth through social media responses and discuss how to recalibrate client self-esteem sources. Victoria Alercia-Casella, LPC, our guest host for this episode, also shares treatment approaches and interventions (and an app) for clients presenting with depression and low self-esteem. Get all of our latest news, be the first to know about new episodes and events, and stay connected through Instagram and Facebook. Also, checkout our free, interactive clinician community on Facebook.

The topic of this episode is Imposter Syndrome (IS). While Impostor Syndrome is not in the DSM, it is not uncommon, even among mental health providers. Jill Harle, LPC joins us for this episode, and she opens up the conversation by discussing mental health provider Imposter Syndrome, including feeling not good enough or not effective enough. She moves into detailing symptoms and identifiers, and which diagnosable disorders these symptom patterns are often present in. The conversation then turns to working with IS in session and the interventions Jill likes to use. Get all of our latest news, be the first to know about new episodes and events, and stay connected through Instagram and Facebook. Also, checkout our free, interactive clinician community on Facebook.

In this episode, Connor Moriarty, LPC talks about the mental and physical benefits of getting outdoors for both client and clinician. Connor kicks off the episode by describing the three ingredients he incorporates into every nature program. He then moves into the personal experience that led him to nature-based therapy and starting Reset Outdoors. He also explains the type of client that is most likely to benefit from outdoor counseling and walks us through the nature-based session framework. This episode delves into trying nature based therapy in our own practices or practicing it as self-care. Get all of our latest news, be the first to know about new episodes and events, and stay connected through Instagram and Facebook. Also, checkout our free, interactive clinician community on Facebook.

Today we talk with Christy Yerk-Smith, LPC, and we are working through a topic that may be triggering for some: Gaslighting. The episode begins with the signs and symptoms of gaslighting, including those that are considered abusive. Christy explains what gaslighting might look and sound like in session and what the role of the therapist is in these sessions. Christy discusses identifying goals in the intake session, and which ones need further exploration to assess for gaslighting or abuse. She also shares the techniques she uses to address abuse or manipulation with clients and other types of relationships where clients may encounter gaslighting. The episode wraps up with the clinical interventions Christy uses as well as community resources we may need for clients.Get all of our latest news, be the first to know about new episodes and events, and stay connected through Instagram and Facebook. Also, checkout our free, interactive clinician community on Facebook.

In this episode, we discuss using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with kids and creative ways to teach it to children. Our guest today is Registered Clinical Counsellor and Author Sharon Selby. Sharon starts out with explaining what CBT looks like in session and how she refines it for use with children and teens. Sharon discusses using art in CBT with children and teens and also talks us through breaking down neuroscience and the fight or flight response for younger people. This episode is full of ways to use CBT with children and teens and includes Sharon’s unique interventions for specific situations, including school refusal. The episode wraps up with the psychoeducation piece for parents and how to help them avoid common mistakes. Get all of our latest news, be the first to know about new episodes and events, and stay connected through Instagram and Facebook. Also, checkout our free, interactive clinician community on Facebook.

Allison Puryear, LCSW is the Founder of Abundance Practice Building. She is a Practice Building Consultant and Psychotherapist offering Group and Individual Business Consultation for soon-to-be private practice therapists, those currently in private practice, and clinicians who want help attracting their ideal client. Allison helps her clients work through blocks that have kept them from taking the leap and also with finding their brand of marketing and creating a business that feels authentic and fulfilling. Get all of our latest news, be the first to know about new episodes and events, and stay connected through Instagram and Facebook. Also, checkout our free, interactive clinician community on Facebook.

In this episode we explore what it means to be a Court Involved Therapist (CIT). For many mental health providers, the idea of going to court is very anxiety provoking, and that’s why we invited Dene Carroll, LCSW to join us today. Dene talks about her experience as a CIT; she discusses the three key components of therapy with families involved in the court, and the four roles CITs play. She also talks us through the process of coparenting counseling, including session systems and structure, and she touches on the business aspect of being a court involved therapist, including how she gets referrals. Finally, she shares the five protective factors that help move parents and families through this experience.  Get all of our latest news, be the first to know about new episodes and events, and stay connected through Instagram and Facebook. Also, checkout our free, interactive clinician community on Facebook.

In this episode, we discuss coping with anxiety as kids head back to school. With returning to in-person learning, students may experience a variety of emotions, including excitement and anxiety. In this episode, our guests discuss the symptoms children and parents may be experiencing and the potential for anxiety disorders to be exacerbated as students return to in person school. They provide great advice for parents about monitoring what kids hear and take in as well as techniques to help children feel supported and heard. They touch on how clinicians can normalize these experiences for their clients and tools you can use in session. Finally, they talk through the process of communicating about anxiety with the teacher as well as tools for managing anxiety in the home.Get all of our latest news, be the first to know about new episodes and events, and stay connected through Instagram and Facebook. Also, checkout our free, interactive clinician community on Facebook.

In this episode, we talk with Ray Barrett CEO, LMHC, LPC  owner of The Telehealth Certification Institute. Ray comes to the show with a vast amount of telehealth experience and talks us through essential considerations for using telehealth for direct mental health services. Ray reviews both federal and state laws involved in the practice of telehealth and what we need to know before meeting with a client virtually. He discusses insurance and medicare reimbursement policies and touches on telehealth research. Ray also goes into real time client goal tracking and symptom reduction metrics. Finally, he talks through considerations for using email and apps with clients. Get all of our latest news, be the first to know about new episodes and events, and stay connected through Instagram and Facebook. Also, checkout our free, interactive clinician community on Facebook.

In this episode, Amber Rice, LMFT joins us to discuss the influence of Diet Culture and Weight Stigma on mental health. Amber shares the early messages we get about food and hunger and explains what diet culture is and where it comes from. She reviews some of the things therapists do that may cause harm, even inadvertently, and what we can do instead. Amber also shares the workshops she has found most helpful and the modalities she uses. She talks us through a peaceful relationship with food and self-compassion for our bodies. Finally, Amber touches on the relationship of trauma and weight and eating disorder treatment with a health at every size approach. Get all of our latest news, be the first to know about new episodes and events, and stay connected through Instagram and Facebook. Also, checkout our free, interactive clinician community on Facebook.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a treatment approach that was originally designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. EMDR shows that the mind can, in fact, heal from psychological trauma much like the body recovers from physical trauma. In this episode, we feature expert Marisol Solarte-Erlacher, M.A., LPC. Marisol is a trauma expert, speaker, and trainer that specializes in post-traumatic growth and resilience. She is also the creator and host of the podcast Resilience and Resistance, which features successful Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color who have overcome trauma and become resilient. As the primary therapist of her own practice, Marisol works with high-functioning adults who have experienced developmental trauma. She improves employee wellness and functionality as a consultant for corporations and nonprofits. Her dedication to Latino community is evident in her research and public-speaking engagements as well as through her previous work with the non-profits Sisters of Color United for Education. A leader in her field, Marisol has served as a clinical supervisor, curriculum developer, report, writer, and board member for educational, non-profit, and governmental entities. She resides in Denver, CO and enjoys mountain adventures, coffee, and live music.Get all of our latest news, be the first to know about new episodes and events, and stay connected through Instagram and Facebook. Also, checkout our free, interactive clinician community on Facebook.