Thank you for listening!

Carrie and Ben create their own model of therapy. Goal setting! Psychoeducation! Exploitation and worrisome sales tactics! What does it say about psychotherapy when our progressively cynical efforts to develop a modality end up mirroring some of the norms in our field? This episode is evidence-based and supported by neuroscience.   <span style= "mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;

All therapy books have an oddly similar message: *This* form of therapy is the one that truly matters, and *this* science/philosophy/whatever is the key to understanding how human psychology actually works. These narratives can’t all be true, so are they all simply bullshit instead? We read through Scott Alexander’s legendary blog post, Book Review: All Therapy Books, and discuss whether therapy gurus really believe the answers they are selling.   <p class="MsoNormal" style= "margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-marg

The vast majority of therapists enter their profession to help other people. Some become therapists to help themselves. Today’s episode features Millie, a client who found a therapist who seemed to good to be true – until the truth set in, months after Millie had left everything behind.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by Ben Caldwell Labs – training, advocacy, books, and additional resources for counselors and therapists. <p class="MsoNo

Life can be hard at times. Do you want to feel more visible and important in your relationships? Are you curious about why every Psychology Today profile looks the same? We get silly with the incredible Therapist Generator and learn all about treating sunroof addition with truckload therapy and registered turtleneck therapy. The therapist profiles are fake, but our desire to meet you where you are on your journey is very real.   <p class="MsoNormal" style= "margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; ms

Social proof has become a crucial element of consumer decision making in the Internet era. So why don’t the vast majority of therapists ask their clients to give testimonials or leave reviews? We ponder the frustrating tension between psychotherapy ethics codes and literature on marketing in the 21st century, and we do our best to advise therapists about what to do in response to a bad online review.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by <a href= "https:/

What is religious trauma, and why do some therapists refuse to work with clients who use that language? In today’s episode, Jeremy speaks about his experiences with therapists who felt the need to defend their faith in session, and we are joined by Josh Foster, LCPC to discuss the complicated intersection between evangelical Christianity and ethical psychotherapy.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by Ben Caldwell Labs – training, advocacy, boo

Trauma-informed therapy is…what, exactly? And is trauma actually stored in the body, or is that just a clever narrative that a few enterprising gurus have used to sell books and trainings? We dig deep into the research on trauma to answer these questions and more, and Carrie introduces her breakthrough trauma-focused treatment: dog therapy.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by <span style= "mso-bidi-font-family: Calibr

Let’s get controversial! Is it a good idea for a therapist to project their own political views onto a client? For today’s guest Ruth, the answer is a resounding “no.” We hear her story of a therapist who took her political advocacy too far, and Dr. Ben Caldwell rejoins us to explore the ethics of discussing politics in therapy. Plus, how can therapists know if they are trauma-informed enough for their clients?   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by <a hre

No, EMDR is not a cultish pyramid scheme. With that out of the way, why is EMDR training so expensive when its theoretical foundations are supported by dubious (at best) research? In this clickbaity-titled episode, Angela Nauss, EMDRIA-certified LMFT, joins us to describe the experience of paying thousands of dollars to “watch the dumpster fire from inside the dumpster.” Please direct all angry emails to [email protected].   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the <a href= "https://www.p

How do we know which psychotherapy research is trustworthy? Dr. Alex Williams and Dr. John Sakaluk help us search for evidence in all the logical places: the replication crisis, RCTs, qualitative studies, dolphin therapy, Canadian football, researchers fighting Connor McGregor, and of course, EMDR. This episode is brought to you by MR. BEAR (Meta-analysis, Registered, Big sample size, Experiment, Active control group, Replicated).   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is

What makes for effective group therapy? Cohesion, expectation setting, and as today’s guest Thomas can attest to, not having the therapist give the middle finger to a group member. We try to make sense of Thomas’ experience by looking into research on group therapy, and we also try to make sense of our own experience of failing to find a single group therapy expert.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. <p class="MsoNormal" style= "margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bot

What exactly is treatment planning and why do some therapists dread having to do it on a regular basis? This episode is Carrie’s love letter to treatment plans – why they are used, how they can improve therapy outcomes, and why Ben is wrong in his stubborn resistance to writing out a detailed plan for every client.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. <p class="MsoNormal" style= "margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-spa

What’s so important about a diagnosis? For neurodivergent clients, it can mean affirmation, community support, and access to much-needed services…if the diagnosis is correct. In today’s episode, we talk to Harley about her challenges in seeking diagnoses of autism and ADHD, and Halina Brooke rejoins us to discuss some of the best practices (and controversies) in supporting autistic clients.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. <p class="MsoNormal" style= "margin-bottom: 0in; margin

Nothing lasts forever, including therapeutic relationships. Therapy can end in lots of different ways, but what constitutes a good goodbye? We dig into the research on termination and the related ethics codes and come away with a surprising conclusion: firing a client is almost always ethically acceptable.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. <p class="MsoNormal" style= "margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;

“No bad parts” is a common mantra in therapy – the various parts of ourselves are always working to serve some beneficial purpose. But what happens when a therapist communicates to a client that significant parts of who they are aren’t welcome in the therapy room? Today’s guest Adam describes having to compartmentalize aspects of his identity with his therapist, and Dr. Sheila Addison joins us to discuss how to provide affirming services to all parts of a client.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon

What happens in the first session of therapy? More importantly, why do one-third of clients not come back for the second session? We look for answers in the research on client expectations and consider some creative perspectives on increasing first session effectiveness, including a radical idea that clients dropping out of therapy might actually be a positive outcome.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by Mental

Is good therapy as simple as whatever activity makes a client feel better? What if that activity is a singular focus on sports betting strategy? In today’s episode, we talk with Christine to learn from her experience of “gambling therapy” and answer the question of whether or not it’s a good thing to be friends with your therapist (spoiler: no, no it is not).   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by Mental Health Match.   Introduction: 0:00 – 5:39 Part One: 5:39 – 46:05 Part Two: 46:05 – 1:23:37   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf</

Carrie hasn’t worked as a therapist in over a year. Will she ever get licensed, and how is her decision connected to the apparent reality that many therapists are actively trying to not see clients? We explore the interesting trend of therapists looking for side hustles, and Carrie forces Ben to confront his extreme aversion to participating in the real world (aka sales and marketing).   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by Sentio Counseling Center – high-quality, low-fee online therapy in California with immediate availability for new clients.   Introduction: 0:00 – 4:16 Part One: 4:16 – 1:09:53   Very Bad Therapy: Website / <a href= "https://www.facebo

You’ve already heard that the therapeutic alliance is important to client outcomes, but does anyone actually know why? We dig into the research to figure out if ruptures can be a good thing (yes!), what clients and therapists should know about the therapeutic alliance, and why this topic has been fervently researched over the last half-century.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by Mental Health Match.   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / Tell Us Your Story   Show Notes: <

Many clients want a spiritual component to their therapy, but what happens when a therapist acts more like a theologian than a mental health professional? Today’s guest Kelsey describes her experience of having spirituality weaponized against her in sessions, and Dr. Jim Jobin joins us to discuss how religion can be ethically and effectively incorporated into the therapeutic environment.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by Sentio Counseling Center – high-quality, low-fee online therapy in California with immediate availability for new clients.   Introduction: 0:00 – 7:22 Part One: 7:22 – 37:54 Part Two: 37:54 – 1:23:15   Very Bad Therapy: Website / <a h

It seems odd that most therapists – us included – aren’t 100% certain about what constitutes an intervention. Are interventions scripted in-session activities? What about the theoretical orientations themselves? There isn’t one single answer, but interventions aren’t that difficult to understand if you zoom out far enough…and get a little bit of help from ChatGPT.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by Sentio Counseling Center – high-quality, low-fee online therapy in California with immediate availability for new couples and individual clients.   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / <a href= "https://www.verybadtherapy.com/boo

Stereotypes aren’t always a bad thing. That may not be true in therapy, especially when a client is made to feel like they are representing an entire group of people. That’s what we explore with today’s guest Jess, and we’re also joined by Deanna Fierman, LPC, to talk about what therapists should do after their biases about identity lead to clinical errors. Plus, Ben finds a therapist and Carrie gets a mammogram.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by Sentio Counseling Center – high-quality, low-fee online therapy in California with immediate availability for new clients.   Introduction: 0:00 – 18:09 Part One: 18:09 – 54:04 Part Two: 54:04 – 1:38:02 Part Three: 1:38:02 – 1:40:39   Very Bad Thera

There are over 600 types of psychotherapy. What are they, where did they come from, and what makes them important? We dive deep (too deep, probably) into a $900 textbook in an attempt to make sense of the spectacularly confusing topic of theoretical orientations. This is an integrative episode – we integrate a lot of information with even more information.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by Sentio Counseling Center – high-quality, low-fee online therapy in California with immediate availability for new clients.   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / <a href

In the United States, mental health professionals must pass a clinical exam to become licensed in their field. These exams appear to do nothing to make psychotherapy more effective or safe. They are, however, very efficient at furthering structural racism. Dr. Ben Caldwell joins us to make a very compelling, research-based argument for why these clinical exams should be abolished immediately.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by Sentio Counseling Center – high-quality, low-fee online therapy in California with immediate availability for new clients.   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / <a href= "https://www.verybadtherapy.c

It’s not unusual for clients to develop feelings for their therapist. It’s also not unusual for therapists to develop feelings for their clients. So why is it such a bad idea for a therapist to share (or act) on those feelings? Today’s guest Kate shares a story that illustrates exactly why, and Dr. Ben Caldwell rejoins us to talk about what should happen when clients and therapists develop feelings for one another.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by The Organized Therapist – Social Media for Therapists and Sentio Counseling Center – high-quality, low-fee online therapy in California with immediate availability for new clients.   Introduction: 0:00 – 8:40 Part O

Justin Norris rejoins us to conclude our conversation about the perplexing maze that is the application process for grad school. We use the California State University (CSU) system as a case study to illustrate why program requirements aren’t always what they seem, and Carrie discusses which therapy programs do a great job of defining and providing quality to their students. Plus, Subaru gets lots of free advertising.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by Sentio Counseling Center – high-quality, low-fee online therapy in California with immediate availability for new clients.   Introduction: 0:00 – 10:35 Part One: 10:35 – 1:10:11 Part Two: 1:10:11 – 1:13:21   Very Bad Therapy: <a href= "https://www.ve

Have you ever wondered why the process of applying to grad school is so unclear at times? In part one of two, we are joined by Justin Norris, an expert in systems of higher education, to talk about the surprisingly interesting topics of accreditation, for-profit vs. non-profit designations, and public vs. private universities. If you wanted to become a therapist but ended up in a sales funnel, this episode is for you.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by Sentio Counseling Center – high-quality, low-fee online therapy in California with immediate availability for new clients.   Introduction: 0:00 – 19:21 Part One: 19:21 – 1:27:53 Part Two: 1:27:53 – 1:31:45   Very Bad Therapy: <a href= "https://www.ve

What happens when a therapist doesn’t want to work with a client? What should happen? Tom shares his experience with a therapist who chose avoidance over honesty, and we discuss ten types of hard conversations that frequently give therapists anxiety. Plus, is Steve Carrell a good enough TV therapist to avoid getting murdered?   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by The Organized Therapist – Social Media for Therapists.   Introduction: 0:00 – 11:00 Part One: 11:00 – 37:54 Part Two: 37:54 – 1:37:40   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / <a href= "https://www.verybadtherapy.com/bookshe

Dr. Sally Gibbons is an Oxford-educated philosopher, professor of bioethics and philosophy at UCLA, and licensed professional clinical counselor. We discuss her academic background, what inspired her transition to a career in mental health, and how philosophical thinking informs her humility and curiosity with clients. We also explore the intersections between philosophy and psychotherapy and how this relates to questions about what it means to be a human being and what we owe each other. Plus, Dr. Gibbons shares her own experience of very bad solution-focused brief therapy.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 13:08 Part One: 13:08 – 1:11:38 Part Two: 1:11:38 – 1:16:26   Very Bad Therapy: Website / <a

Psychological testing can be complicated. It shouldn’t have to be hostile, even if the evaluation is not intended to be in a client’s best interest. In today’s episode, Jacob shares his experience of a truly ridiculous psych assessment, and we speak with Rachel Simon, LCSW MEd about how assessors can minimize the harmful impact of their own biases – and the biases built into the psych tests themselves.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by The Organized Therapist – Social Media for Therapists.   Introduction: 0:00 – 6:49 Part One: 6:49 – 43:54 Part Two: 43:54 – 1:20:49   Very Bad Therapy: Website / <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/ver

The history of expertise in medicine and science led the field of psychotherapy to its beloved empirically supported treatments (ESTs). Psychiatrists were prescribing pills, and psychotherapists were offering best practices. But how did these best practices get their reputation, and what happens when clients and therapists alike believe uncertain truths about mental health treatment? We conclude our two-part historical journey with a look at some contemporary alternatives to the medical model and what this all means for the most important aspect of therapy: helping clients get better outcomes.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 3:39 Part One: 3:39 – 58:05   Very Bad Therapy: Website / <a href= "https://www.

Therapists are considered mental health experts. How did this come to be, and is it necessary for the future of the field? Join us as we trace the surprising history of the medical model in therapy from its origins in the Scientific Revolution to the evolution of treatment manuals. Part I takes us all the way to 1987, with cameos by the Catholic Church, Ben Franklin, Sigmund Freud, Hans Eysenck, and more. If you’ve ever wondered why psychotherapy seems to have such a confusing relationship with medicine and science, this episode is for you.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 4:02 Part One: 4:02 – 55:39   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / <a href= "

Today’s guest Marie shares her thought-provoking story about a preoccupied telehealth therapist, and we drag Dr. Ben Caldwell into another one of our philosophical crises about what constitutes very bad therapy. Is it not following a treatment plan? Having young children show up in session? Ignoring ruptures? Regularly showing up late? And while we’re at it, what even is therapy? Who should get to be a therapist during the pandemic? Join us on the struggle bus as we try to parse out issues related to telehealth, laws, ethics, clinical practices, privilege, social systems…and bullshit.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by The Organized Therapist – Social Media for Therapists and Empifany

Carrie and Ben are joined by friend of the podcast Rachel Bennett to talk about how their past careers have shaped their identities as therapists. Topics include: How working in fine dining informs the importance of being of service and providing experiences to therapy clients How very few people in therapy and acting know what they're doing and how this helps with impostor syndrome The humility required to be a successful poker player and therapist, as well as the need to separate short-term results from long-term process The importance of learning how to self-regulate in the presence of others How all of this (as always) relates to feedback-informed treatment   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by <a href= "http://empifany.co

Consciousness-altering psychedelic drugs have shown tremendous promise in mental health treatment. The future of psychedelic-assisted therapy is uncertain, but one thing seems clear: the psychedelics are for the client, not the therapist. Today’s guest Matthew shares his peculiar experience with a not-quite-levelheaded therapist, and Ben Hearn joins us to discuss everything you ever wanted to know about this emerging pathway to psychological healing.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by The Organized Therapist – Social Media for Therapists and Empifany (Instagram / Facebook).  <

Dr. Andrew Scull is the Distinguished Professor of Sociology, Emeritus, at UCSD. He has written extensively about the history of psychiatry and the treatment of madness. We discuss why it seems like the more you know about mental illness, the less clear things become. We also explore myths about biology and neuroscience, the likelihood of a clear solution for improving psychotherapy, and the politics that have shaped our mental healthcare systems.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Join our charity drive! We are matching up to $6,000 of your donations to the world’s most effective charities. To contribute, visit GiveWell.org and use the fundraising code VBT.   Introduction: 0:00 – 5:18 Part One: 5:18 – 1:07:11   Very Bad

The field of psychotherapy has increasingly prioritized discussions about issues of oppression and marginalization. This is, of course, a sign of progress. But who gets left out of these conversations? Today’s guest Kaley shares her experience of antisemitism in therapy, and Halina Brooke rejoins us to talk about how Jewish clients are impacted when therapist education reinforces harmful narratives.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by The Organized Therapist – Social Media for Therapists.   Join our charity drive! We are matching up to $6,000 of your donations to the world’s most effective charities. To contribute, visit GiveWell.org and use the fundraising code VBT.</

We’re back with Dr. Ben Caldwell to conclude our thoughts on grad school and the surprising reality that it isn’t meant to make you a good therapist. We talk about starting supervision, avoiding moral injury, and most importantly, all the things that graduate education does very well in supporting early-career clinicians. Plus, we share our best advice for anyone getting started in their career in mental health.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Join our charity drive! We are matching up to $6,000 of your donations to the world’s most effective charities. To contribute, visit GiveWell.org and use the fundraising code VBT.   Introduction: 0:00 – 2:38 Part One: 2:38 – 1:03:04 Part Two: 1:03:04 – 1:14:45   Very Bad

Dr. Ben Caldwell joins us to discuss everything you need to know about going to school to become a therapist. His most important message? Treat grad school like a convenience store – get in and get out. We explore how to choose a school, how to get the most out of the experience, and where to focus your energy along the way. This episode is for anyone interested in becoming a therapist or for those already in grad school – especially if some of your experiences don’t seem to make sense.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by courtmandatedtraining.com.   Join our charity drive! We are matching up to $6,000 of your donations to the world’s most effective charities. To contribute, visit

Of course we were going to end up doing an episode about CBT eventually. Emily describes visiting a CBT therapist who seemed uninterested in doing any real work, and Alyssa Davis joins us to cognitively restructure our beliefs about therapy models. Plus, some notes on EMDR, common factors, and deliberate practice. This episode has a bit of everything.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by courtmandatedtraining.com and The Organized Therapist – Social Media for Therapists.   Join our charity drive! We are matching up to $6,000 of your donations to the world’s most effective charities. To contribute, visit GiveWell.org and u

Ben and Carrie have a new podcast! It’s called Learn Psychotherapy, and we’re inviting you to listen and practice along to develop your therapy skills.   Learn Psychotherapy: Website / YouTube / Apple Podcasts / Spotify   Skill Criteria for Soliciting Client Feedback: Begin with a short response, reflection, or validating comment. Ask the client for feedback about some aspect of therapy that is related to the subject of the client statement.   Thanks for joining us to develop your therapy skills just a little bit beyond where they were yesterday. Visit Sentio University to download the clien

We’re long overdue for a good old-fashioned Q&A episode. You’ve sent in your questions, and we’re here to opine about everything from the importance of therapists getting their own therapy to the curious reluctance of the mental health field to embrace social psychology. Plus, we begrudgingly discuss the latest TikTok therapist drama to make a point about when it might be better to actually reject client preferences in session…or something like that. Social media is the worst.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by courtmandatedtraining.com.   Join our charity drive! We are matching up to $6,000 of your donations to the world’s most effective charities. To contribute, visit GiveWell.o

What happens when a therapist and client have two very different conversational styles? Therapists can try to build rapport in many ways, which unfortunately is reflected in our guest Ben’s experience of being given terrible advice mislabeled as psychoeducation. Whether a client is talkative or reserved, one thing is for sure: randomly praising Donald Trump as a paragon of confidence is curious at best.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by courtmandatedtraining.com and The Organized Therapist – Social Media for Therapists.   Join our charity drive! We are matching up to $6,000 of your donations to the world’s most effective charities. To contribute, visit <a hr

Dr. Robin Hanson is an associate professor of economics at George Mason University and the coauthor of The Elephant in the Brain: Hidden Motives in Everyday Life. He joins us along with guest host Dr. Alex Williams to explore what clients are subconsciously signaling when they seek therapy – and what therapists are signaling to others when they enter the field. Plus, why is feedback-informed treatment similar to paying a friend $100 for a home-cooked meal?   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 4:54 Part One: 4:54 – 1:18:27   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / <a href= "https://www.very

When does somebody officially become a client of therapy? And what happens if, before that distinction is made, crises occur and the therapeutic relationship unravels? Our guest Neith shares her experience navigating this scenario, and Dr. Ben Caldwell explains why little of this is clear cut, but some of it is clearly bad. Plus, we introduce a new segment: Is It Bad Therapy?   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by The Organized Therapist – Social Media for Therapists.   Introduction: 0:00 – 7:16 Part One: 7:16 – 44:14 Part Two: 44:14 – 1:25:45 Part Three: 1:25:45 – 1:27:52   Very Bad Therapy: Website / <a href= "https://www.facebo

On Very Bad Therapy, we seek to understand what it’s like for clients to have bad therapeutic experiences. Should we focus more on the therapists’ side of the story? Dr. Patrick Wiita joins us to continue our conversation from the end of episode #72 to discuss some very interesting questions: Are we doing a disservice to our listeners by not considering the “bad” therapists’ point of view? What are we suggesting by being unquestionably validating of our guests’ stories? Is it even possible to have this podcast if we challenge our guests’ perspectives? Plus, Carrie finds deep meaning in a breakfast sandwich.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 3:57 Part One: 3:57 – 52:28   Very Bad Therapy: <a href= "https://ww

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is considered the front-line treatment for borderline personality disorder. What exactly is DBT, and why is it nothing like the invalidating experience that Amy describes in today’s episode? To accept and change the reality of bad DBT, we speak with Fred Kutnick, LCSW about the propositions of good DBT.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Today’s episode is sponsored by The Organized Therapist – Social Media for Therapists.   Introduction: 0:00 – 7:17 Part One: 7:17 – 44:17 Part Two: 44:17 – 1:23:33 Part Three: 1:23:33 – 1:26:01   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook /

Thomas Lennon is an acclaimed actor and screenwriter, best-selling novelist, and most importantly, Carrie’s long-time friend. We break from our usual format to chat with Tom about his good experiences in therapy, the impact of fame on mental health, and Metallica getting family counseling together. This was a fun conversation – maybe next time we can talk with Paul Rudd!   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 5:42 Part One: 5:42 – 48:19   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / Tell Us Your Story   Show Notes: T

Carrie and Ben are joined by Dr. Will Dobud to discuss two burning questions: is good therapy just the absence of bad therapy, and should we ban the use of cognitive behavioral therapy? We explore the importance of teaching people to think about psychotherapy models differently, the appeal of bringing therapy back to its pragmatist roots, and what the biased origins of personality tests can teach us about taking precautions when using theories of pathology. Plus, what can we learn from the wonderful history of smoke enemas?   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 5:43 Part One: 5:43 – 1:08:24   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / <a href= "https://www.ver

Beth is a self-described therapy failure expert. She joins us for the whole episode (and more!) as we discuss her personal bad therapy experiences, what therapists think of clients who disclose their stories of bad therapy, why therapists often struggle to provide specialized services, and the fact that some therapists simply aren’t good at making their clients feel understood.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 7:53 Part One: 7:53 – 53:02 Part Two: 53:02 – 1:41:23 Part Three: 1:41:23 – 1:44:32   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / <a href= "https://www.verybadtherapy.c

A therapist’s job is to help their clients. But what does “help” mean when a client has been diagnosed with an incurable disease? In this episode, Cassie shares her story of seeking emotional support for her diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer only to receive unhelpful fixes instead. Plus, Jill Johnson-Young returns to talk about supporting clients who are experiencing the grief of having to say goodbye.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 6:37 Part One: 6:37 – 36:43 Part Two: 36:43 – 1:11:28 Part Three: 1:11:28 – 1:17:01   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / <a href=

Dual relationships can be perfectly fine in therapy. But imagine if your therapist was also working with your good friend… and that friend’s girlfriend… and the therapist hired your friend to be her dog walker… and everyone’s private information was shared in session with no concern for confidentiality. That’s the first ten minutes of Anna’s story, and it gets worse from there. So, so much worse.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 2:34 Part One: 2:34 – 55:03 Part Two: 55:03 – 1:10:55   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / Tell U

What does it mean if a therapist suddenly changes their behavior? In this episode, Katie shares her experiences with two therapists who made significant adjustments and left her (and Ben and Carrie) confused about what happened. Plus, Dr. Ben Caldwell returns with fantastic metaphors about ethical gray areas and how therapists can adjust their boundaries and clinical style in a compassionate way.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 5:43 Part One: 5:43 – 42:32 Part Two: 42:32 – 1:25:40 Part Three: 1:25:40 – 1:30:33   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / <a href= "https://w

Post-Traumatic Stress Demonology   The cause of psychological distress is often complex and unknowable. There are many helpful theories to explain depression, anxiety, and trauma, but in this episode, Maria shares her bewildering experience with a therapist who had some less conventional ideas. This story features many different examples of bad therapy with a freaking exorcism included as an iatrogenic exclamation point.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 5:54 Part One: 5:54 – 44:12 Part Two: 44:12 – 1:12:04   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook /

Lots of therapists describe themselves as “trauma-informed.” Very few fail to live up to that title as inexplicably as what we hear in this episode, as Sarah shares her unfortunate therapy experience following a sexual assault. We also talk with Dr. Chelsea Kilimnik to learn more about how therapists can actually be trauma-informed when supporting survivors of sexual trauma.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 7:03 Part One: 7:03 – 39:17 Part Two: 39:17 – 1:15:32 Part Three: 1:15:32 – 1:19:32   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / <a href= "https://www.verybadtherapy.com/

Therapists have a lot of power. This episode is about a therapist who leveraged that power to abuse his clients.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 3:40 Part One: 3:40 – 1:03:16 Part Two: 1:03:16 – 1:18:18   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / Tell Us Your Story   Show Notes: Donate to SPCA International Episode 82 – Predatory Therapists (with

Can wearing a cross be considered a type of bad therapy? This episode features a conversation with Johannah Song, LPC about the positive and negative ways therapists of faith can impact treatment by disclosing their religion. Plus, we talk about the right balance between expertise and curiosity, and why seeking consultation from a specialist is like baking a quiche.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 9:15 Part One: 9:15 – 55:46 Part Two: 55:46 – 1:29:38   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / Tell Us Your Story   <

This episode’s interview with Sara is about two therapists – one who was too friendly, and another who wasn’t friendly enough. What should therapists consider before using risky interventions such as guilt, self-disclosure, or icy behavior? We try to answer these questions and more as we go back down the rabbit hole of using service-dominant logic to make therapy more effective.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 9:23 Part One: 9:23 – 47:16 Part Two: 47:16 – 1:25:00   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / Tell Us Your Story</

Who should we talk to next about how to break the decades-long plateau of client outcomes in psychotherapy? Short on ideas, we take it upon ourselves to try and crack the 45-year-old riddle about how to make therapy more effective. Ben has another existential crisis, Carrie converts to the religion of customer service, and we (eventually!) explore why the path to better outcomes might go directly through Starbucks and the hospitality industry. We want to hear your feedback on this one!   VBT in Focus is a series of sporadic episodes in which Carrie and Ben have the privilege of chatting with their favorite thinkers in the field of psychotherapy. Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Part One: 0:00 – 1:01:28 Part Two: 1:01:28 – 1:50:27   Very Bad Therapy: <a href= "https://www.ver

Jill Johnson-Young is an expert in the areas of dying, death, and grief. She also has the personal experiences that come with having been widowed twice, including stories of the bad grief therapy that followed. In this episode, Jill shares what therapists and clients should know about working with grief and all the reasons why the conventional wisdom about grief therapy is often counterproductive.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 10:59 Part One: 10:59 – 1:14:34 Part Two: 1:14:34 – 1:25:50   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / <a href= "https://www.verybadtherapy.com/contact"

What is the role of a couples therapist in deciding whether a couple stays together or separates? In this episode, Sade Kammen shares their experience trying to navigate the impact of racism in their relationship, only to be met with unusual and unhelpful therapeutic interventions. Plus, we familiarize ourselves with the wonderfully curious idea of empirically-supported bullshit.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 6:28 Part One: 6:28 – 53:31 Part Two: 53:31 – 1:06:31   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / Tell Us Your Story<

Halina Brooke rejoins us to share her story of bad therapy and resulting experience with the board complaint process. This episode is a bingo card of what not to do as a therapist: drink alcohol in session, send barrages of shaming texts to a client, weaponize client disclosures against them, cyberstalking, and more. When an interview begins with a legal disclaimer, you know some very bad therapy took place.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 6:42 Part One: 6:42 – 1:20:33 Part Two: 1:20:33 – 1:29:50   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / <a href= "https://www.verybadtherapy.com

When things go very wrong in therapy, clients often have the option of filing a complaint with the therapist’s licensing board. In this episode, Rebecca shares her experience of bad therapy and subsequent frustrations with the board hearings, and Halina Brooke joins us to talk about what clients and therapists need to know about the complaint process.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 4:39 Part One: 4:39 – 37:49 Part Two: 37:49 – 1:20:00 Part Three: 1:20:00 – 1:24:51   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / Tell Us Your St

What can therapists do to provide culturally humble services to clients? Being curious is a good start, and not asking for evidence of racial bias should be an easy next step. In this episode, Grace shares her experience as a woman of color having to justify the impact of racism to her white therapist, and Farah Zerehi joins us to discuss the social justice critiques of “expert” approaches to therapy.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 3:48 Part One: 3:48 – 43:04 Part Two: 43:04 – 1:28:26 Part Three: 1:28:26 – 1:32:35   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / <a href= "http

Attachment theory is one of the most credible areas in the field of psychotherapy. It is not, however, an excuse for a therapist to presume to be a substitute parental figure for a client. In this episode, Monika describes working with a therapist who talked about reparenting but undermined therapeutic progress with inconsistent boundaries and unethical behavior. Plus, Carrie takes a deep dive into the research on attachment between therapists and clients.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 6:07 Part One: 6:07 – 1:00:42 Part Two: 1:00:42 – 1:37:50   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshe

In this episode, our guest Maryellen shares her bad experience with a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) specialist. But was it bad therapy? Was it therapy at all? Dr. Ben Caldwell joins us to share his thoughts on loosely regulated mental health services, and we explore the unfortunately relevant ethics of having sessions with clients while visiting the Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru and getting tattooed.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 5:39 Part One: 5:39 – 45:56 Part Two: 45:56 – 1:27:36 Part Three: 1:27:36 – 1:32:04   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / <a href= "http

A small percentage of therapists do bad things – not tiny ruptures in the therapeutic alliance or scheduling errors, but truly exploitative practices. This is a story about the latter. Courtney describes her experience with a therapist who groomed her for inappropriate sexual contact, and we speak with Dr. Diane Gehart about the prevalence and tendencies of predatory therapists.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 4:50 Part One: 4:50 – 44:17 Part Two: 44:17 – 1:32:40 Part Three: 1:32:40 – 1:37:42   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / <a href= "https://www.verybadtherapy.

Marissa Esquibel, LMFT joins us to talk about codependency – the tendency to let another person’s behavior affect your own while obsessing over trying to control that person’s behavior. What happens when this dynamic shows up in the therapeutic relationship and gets reinforced by well-intentioned caretaking? How can offering a reduced fee undermine therapeutic progress?   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 6:31 Part One: 6:31 – 1:02:48 Part Two: 1:02:48 – 1:16:05   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / Tell Us Your Story <p

Kenneth R. Rosen is an author and journalist with firsthand experience in what is colloquially called the Troubled Teen Industry. This industry – a dubious version of wilderness therapy – often includes coercion, legal kidnapping, and manipulation. Kenneth joins us to talk about these harmful practices and his new book, Troubled: The Failed Promise of America’s Behavioral Treatment Programs.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 14:10 Part One: 14:10 – 1:06:05 Part Two: 1:06:05 – 1:14:31   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / <a href="https://www.verybadtherapy.com/cont

Having a severe and persistent mental illness is difficult – especially when the stigma of certain diagnoses negatively influences treatment. On today’s episode, Ann discusses her up and down experiences in the mental health system and her important perspectives on how therapists talk about their clients. Plus, we explore the landmark research on first impressions that explains how the therapeutic relationship is shaped within the first few seconds of treatment.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 6:10 Part One: 6:10 – 46:49 Part Two: 46:49 – 1:21:22   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Booksh

Building a good therapeutic alliance in couples therapy can be tricky with multiple people in the counseling room. This is especially challenging when the therapist is consistently late or not present at all. Today’s guest Maria shares her frustrating experience with an absentee therapist, and Dr. Bonnie Kennan joins us to talk about using feedback-informed treatment to provide very good couples therapy.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 11:53 Part One: 11:53 – 38:20 Part Two: 38:20 – 1:12:41 Part Three: 1:12:41 – 1:15:38   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / <a href= "

Rehab facilities can be life saving for many people. This is a different kind of story. Jen shares her experience of 2.5 years in inpatient and outpatient treatment centers trying to overcome unhelpful therapy and victim blaming before leaving against medical advice and reclaiming her life. Plus, Carrie and Ben take some time to discuss the philosophy of Very Bad Therapy and interviewing guests.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 6:05 Part One: 6:05 – 45:31 Part Two: 45:31 – 1:08:23   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / Tell Us

The more you learn about psychotherapy research, the less it all seems to make sense. Dr. Alex Williams and Dr. John Sakaluk are working to change that by researching the research itself. We discuss two of their latest papers on empirically supported treatments and potentially harmful therapies. Which modalities can we be confident about? Which psychological interventions appear to cause harm? What do we know about EMDR and exposure therapy?   VBT in Focus is a series of sporadic episodes in which Carrie and Ben have the privilege of chatting with their favorite thinkers in the field of psychotherapy. Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 11:20 Part One: 11:20 – 1:58:23 Part Two: 1:58:20 – 2:00:02   Very Bad Therapy: <a href= "https://www.verybadtherap

The cost of therapy, like most everything else, increases over time. This can lead to some difficult conversations about money and rate changes. How should therapists talk with their clients about fee increases? In today’s episode, Marwa shares her experience of very good therapy that ended very poorly when her therapist used Hunger Games logic to determine her new sliding scale availability.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 9:14 Part One: 9:14 – 43:35 Part Two: 43:35 – 1:21:34   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / Tell Us You

Conversations about sex – even in therapy – are often constrained by harmful cultural narratives. In today’s episode, Leah describes her experience of being shamed and blamed by her sex therapist, and Danielle Kramer provides an expert perspective on how therapists can prevent their sexual biases from negatively influencing clients. Plus, Carrie passionately revisits the topic of silence in therapy.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 18:28 Part One: 18:28 – 48:53 Part Two: 48:53 – 1:27:29 Part Three: 1:27:29 – 1:29:54   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf<

Silence in therapy can feel awkward, helpful, expansive, or even punitive. There is no consensus on its usefulness, but it can certainly contribute to very bad therapy. Ella joins us to share her experience of feeling punished by her therapists’ use of silence, and Dr. Gene Combs provides a narrative perspective on silence, sanctity, and power in the therapeutic relationship.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 7:46 Part One: 7:46 – 40:30 Part Two: 40:30 – 1:15:38 Part Three: 1:15:38 – 1:24:09   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Bookshelf / <a href= "https://www.verybadtherapy.com/

It’s not a secret that rapport contributes to outcomes in all types of healthcare. How, then, to make sense of our guest C’s story about a psychiatrist who ranted about Christmas, laughed at her suicide plan, and gave terrible marital advice? Dr. Patrick Wiita joins the show to talk about education, training, and ethics in the field of psychiatry and how to make the most out of every session with your patients.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 6:50 Part One: 6:50 – 31:16 Part Two: 31:16 – 1:15:36 Part Three: 1:15:36 – 1:19:54   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story<

In this week’s episode, Amy shares her childhood experience as a sexual abuse survivor being told by a therapist that her behavior was the problem and needed to be called out by her family. We also speak with Dr. Eli Karam about the importance of thinking systemically, the practice of family therapy, and how to help traumatized children feel supported instead of stigmatized as the identified patient (IP).   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 6:00 Part One: 6:00 – 31:03 Part Two: 31:03 – 1:11:04 Part Three: 1:11:04 – 1:15:07   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story <p

Dave Segal is a nature-based therapist and the executive director of Human-Nature Counselling in Victoria, British Columbia. He discusses his own experience of bad therapy, the importance of attunement and attachment, and how being with nature can bring about healing. Plus, Carrie and Ben give each other empirically supported Thanksgiving compliments.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 5:32 Part One: 5:32 – 55:19 Part Two: 55:19 – 1:03:28   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story   Ben Fineman Counseling – Therapy f

Today’s guest Cherry shares her experience being prescribed benzodiazepines and God instead of receiving the emotional support she was seeking. We explore the impact of culture and stigma on mental health services, the heroism of clients, and what we can learn from the remarkable conclusions of antidepressant outcome studies.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 6:21 Part One: 6:21 – 33:01 Part Two: 33:01 – 1:10:42   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story   Ben Fineman Counseling – Therapy for Young Professionals

Dr. Christine King experienced three concussions when she was a child. The symptoms of her brain injury were misunderstood and later assumed to be the result of childhood sexual abuse, sending Christine on a pathologized path that took decades for her to undo. We hear her story and also speak with Dr. Ben Caldwell about how therapists can attune to client symptoms, make good referrals, and avoid misdiagnoses when they lack relevant knowledge beyond their scope of practice. Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community. Introduction: 0:00 – 12:27 Part One: 12:27 – 44:34 Part Two: 44:34 – 1:20:53 Part Three:  1:20:53 – 1:27:13 Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / <a href="https://www.verybadthe

Dr. Don Meichenbaum is credited with helping to develop cognitive behavioral therapy in the 1960s and 1970s. He has been named one of the ten most influential psychotherapists of the 20th century. He also believes that the field of psychotherapy is full of bullshit and hype. Dr. Meichenbaum joins us to talk about delivering what actually works in therapy, how to spot hype, and challenging the status quo.   VBT in focus is a series of sporadic episodes in which Carrie and Ben have the privilege of chatting with their favorite thinkers in the field of psychotherapy. Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.    Introduction: 0:00 – 4:53 Part One: 4:53 – 56:09 Part Two: 56:09 – 1:09:20   Very Bad Therapy: Website / <a href= "https://www.

In today’s episode, Jonathan shares his story as a teenager working with a gender therapist who dismissed his preferences for treatment in favor of uncovering his “reasons” for being trans. We also speak with Beck Gee-Cohen about best practices in working with trans kids and how many modalities of psychotherapy exclude trans narratives.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 3:51 Part One: 3:51 – 40:53 Part Two: 40:53 – 1:19:39 Part Three:  1:19:39 – 1:24:06   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story   Ben Fineman

Henk Spierings has had a wide range of experiences in therapy – most of them unhelpful, if not outright harmful. He joins us to discuss his new book, Becoming Compliant, and share the lessons he’s learned from decades of bad therapy. Plus, Ben and Carrie get on their soapbox to explain why it’s necessary to talk with clients about how therapy works and the risks of treatment failure.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 12:53 Part One: 12:53 – 44:21 Part Two: 44:21 – 1:15:58   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story Ben Fine

What’s the difference between very bad therapy and very unethical therapy? Today’s guest Lisa shares her experience with a logotherapist that was many things – insulting, disturbing, oddly prophetic – but did any of it constitute an ethical violation? Dr. Christopher Taylor joins us to answer these questions and more about the surprisingly interesting world of ethics in psychotherapy.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 7:30 Part One: 7:30 – 38:26 Part Two: 38:26 – 1:17:36 Part Three: 1:17:36 – 1:23:58   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story <a href="https://www

Kenneth E. Hartman is a prison reform activist who served 38 years in the California prison system. He discusses his advocacy work, what mental health care looks like in prison, and his personal experiences of therapy – both good and bad. He also shares his thoughts on how therapists can play a role in the necessary social change at the heart of effective prison reform. Plus, Carrie discusses if it is ever justified to warn clients about using insurance.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 6:06 Part One: 6:06 – 1:04:22 Part Two: 1:04:22 – 1:26:25   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your

Rachel Bennett shares her experience navigating the historically misguided gatekeeping requirements for gender reassignment surgery. She discusses how therapists can better advocate for trans-affirmative care, and we speak with Dr. David Nylund to explore a paradigm that challenges the oppressive notion that transitioning is a psychiatric issue. Plus, how can feedback-informed treatment be used as a tool of social justice?   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 – 4:49 Part One: 4:49 – 44:31 Part Two: 44:31 – 1:32:16 Part Three: 1:32:16 – 140:30   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your

An interview with Chrissy Gillmore about the primacy of client strengths, resilience, and culture in healing trauma, and how a pathology-focused approach can result in bad therapy.  Plus, Carrie and Ben explore the controversy behind the APA Clinical Practice Guidelines for PTSD and discuss whether being trauma-informed is an ethical requirement, clever marketing, or both.   Thank you for listening.  To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Introduction: 0:00 - 17:09 Part One: 17:09 - 1:01:26 Part Two: 1:01:26 - 1:25:13   Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story Ben Fine

Very Bad Therapy is switching to biweekly episodes, but we’re not quite ready to miss a week of podcasting yet.  We discuss the new format, check in on our quarantine adventures, talk about some episodes in the queue, and Carrie gushes about the upcoming Therapy Reimagined conference.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.

There is an ongoing replication crisis in science; many of the studies that frame our scientific knowledge, especially in psychology, likely have incorrect conclusions.  This has huge ramifications for clinical psychology.  How can clinicians be effective if the research that supports accepted practices is largely a mirage?  Join us as we explore the false positives of psychotherapy and gaze into the existential void.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Show Notes: Psychology’s Replication Crisis Has Made The Field Better False-Positive Psychology: Undisclosed Flexibility in Data Collection a

Bronwen Clark is the author of Don’t Be Weird: A Memoir of Food and Feelings. She joins us to share experiences of bad therapy from her healing journey that include being kicked out of eating disorder treatment for being too depressed – only to almost be kicked out of mood disorder treatment for being too eating disordered. This is a compelling story of trauma and resilience.   Thank you for listening. To support the show and receive access to regular bonus episodes, check out the Very Bad Therapy Patreon community.   Show Notes: Donate to National Eating Disorders Association Don’t Be Weird: A Memoir of Food and Feelings<

Paul Gilmartin is a former stand-up comedian and host of the widely popular Mental Illness Happy Hour podcast. We speak with him about his journey with clinical depression, insights on mental health and psychotherapy from ten years of hearing others’ personal stories, and his own experiences of very bad therapy. Plus, Paul shares his thoughts on self-obsession and the quest for fame.   VBT in Focus is a series of sporadic episodes in which Carrie and Ben have the privilege of chatting with their favorite thinkers in the field of psychotherapy. Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.   Show Notes: The Mental Illness Happy Hour <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/re

In today’s episode, our guest J shares two experiences that highlight the difficulties therapists can have in intercultural therapeutic relationships. We also speak with Dr. Pamela Hays about the ADDRESSING model and other strategies therapists can use to mitigate the impact of their cultural biases in session with clients.   Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.   Show Notes: Donate to Med’EqualiTeam Addressing Cultural Complexities in Practice: Assessment, Diagnosis, and Therapy <a href="https://www.drpamelahays.com/inde

Ben and Carrie discuss their commitment to making this podcast an antiracist space.   Show Notes: Webinar – Ask the Experts: Treating Mental Health in the Black Community I’m a Black Therapist…& Yes, it matters. Stamped from the Beginning – The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America Why I Left My White Therapist How Therapists Drive Away Minority Clients <a href= "https://podcasts.app

Candace Newmaker was a 10-year-girl who tragically died in the process of rebirthing therapy, a variation of a pseudoscientific treatment of childhood trauma known as attachment therapy. This episode comes with a big trigger warning. If you were in a room where a child was being suffocated, would you do anything to stop her death?   Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal.   Show Notes: Anti-racism resources Anti-R

This week’s guest Adam shares his experience of seeing a therapist for five years without any noticeable benefit. When should clients – or therapists – start to wonder if it’s time to end the therapeutic relationship? As it turns out, there’s a lot of research suggesting that therapists need to do much more than simply wait for their approach to start working…including accepting the likelihood of treatment failure. Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal. Show Notes: Bergin and Garfield’s Handbook of Psychotherapy and Behavior Change <a href= "https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338559374_Anticipating_and_Planni

Deliberate practice is an emerging (and sometimes abstract) concept of psychotherapist development. Tony Rousmaniere and Alex Vaz are working to transform these ideas into concrete practices. This episode is an exploration of the theory, adaptability, and future of deliberate practice.  Plus, Alex leads Carrie in a live demonstration of a deliberate practice exercise with Ben playing the role of a challenging client. VBT in Focus is a series of sporadic episodes in which Carrie and Ben have the privilege of chatting with their favorite thinkers in the field of psychotherapy. Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal. Show Notes: Deliberate Practice Institute <a href= "http

Conversations about death, dying, and bereavement can be difficult, but they are often an important part of the therapeutic process. Dr. Michael Morad-McCoy joins us to share his experiences with “not very helpful” clinicians who were unable or unwilling to explore dark areas, and we discuss how therapists can best support their clients in a time of ubiquitous grief and loss. Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal. Show Notes: Donate to Doctors Without Borders and <a href= "https://www.weareplannedparenthood.org/onlineactions/2U7UN1iNhESWUfDs4gDPNg2?sourceid=1000063&_ga=2.85250905.1516739367.1589063774

The American Psychological Association commissioned a task force in 1993 to determine how to scientifically evaluate psychotherapy treatments. A controversy immediately ensued. Carrie digs into the literature on the history and effectiveness of empirically supported treatments to figure out what this suggests about best clinical practices. Note: this is not an ad for CBT. Pardon the slight background noise in Carrie’s audio; this is resolved after eight minutes. Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal. Show Notes: AAMFT Endorses Evidence Based Practice Consensus Statement  <a href= "https://www.div12.

In this week’s episode, Samuel discusses his experiences with conversion therapy in Provo, Utah. This is a beautiful story of resilience, compassion, and thriving. Thanks to our listeners, experts, and most of all the inspiring guests who have shared their stories with us for 50 episodes. It is a privilege for us to be a part of this growing community. Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal. Show Notes Donate to The Trevor Project Donate to Encircle From Voldemort to Vader, Science Say

Therapist defensiveness is a recurring theme in stories of bad therapy. In this week’s episode, Suzanne shares her experience with a therapist whose defensiveness was expressed in gratuitous displays of power and dismissive remarks. Plus, Dr. Nathan Castle rejoins the show to explore the topics of defensiveness, radical acceptance of clients, and the importance of transparency. Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal. Show Notes: Donate to Nacoa Why do depressed people prefer sad music? Spotify - Deep Focus Playlist <a href

This week’s story from Ashley has all the markings of bad family therapy. But did the interventions work? Ashley shares her experience as a teenager in crisis being threatened with inpatient care and alarms on her door, and Angela Caldwell makes us question everything we know about what constitutes good therapy. Is it OK to trick clients if it leads to successful outcomes? Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal. Show Notes: Donate to The Opal Center Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

A satanic panic in the early 1980s culminated in the McMartin Preschool abuse trial, the then-longest and most expensive criminal trial in American history. The trial centered around 359 allegations of ritualistic satanic child abuse and concluded with zero convictions and a new understanding of the unreliability of recovered memories.  The satanic panic has subsided, but its indirect effects are still present today in how therapists work with childhood trauma. Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal. Show Notes: Conviction of Things Not Seen: The Uniquely American Myth of Satanic Cults <a href= "https://en.wikipedia

This week’s story from Alison is a throwback to high school and all of Carrie and Ben’s greatest fears around teenage embarrassment. We discuss interventions that are better left unsaid (telling an underage client to share romantic feelings with her softball coach) and others that have questionable validity (House-Tree-Person and Rorschach tests). Plus, what does modern science have to say about Instagram Face? Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal. Note: This episode was recorded in early March. Show Notes: New study finds women wearing heavy makeup are viewed a

Scott Miller and Daryl Chow return to the podcast to discuss their new book, Better Results: Using Deliberate Practice to Improve Therapeutic Effectiveness.  Topics include the importance of targeting individual strengths and deficits in a system of learning, how to get out of the performance zone, the significance of a coach, and ideas for changing the ways in which psychotherapy is taught. VBT in Focus is a series of sporadic episodes in which Carrie and Ben have the privilege of chatting with their favorite thinkers in the field of psychotherapy. Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal. Show Notes: Better Results: Using Del

What should therapists know about working with individuals with disabilities? In this week’s episode, Joy Wolf joins us to share her personal story about two therapists who responded to her disability in very different yet similarly problematic ways. We also discuss the impact of privilege, therapist uncertainty, and the limitations in how we are trained to work with clients with disabilities. Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal. Show Notes: Donate to Shriners Hospitals Joy Wolf, LCSW | Psychology Today <a href="https://da

An urgent conversation about the role of therapists in doing the most public good during the coronavirus outbreak. Pat Wiita, MD and Farah Zerehi, MS explore the science, needed actions, and social justice implications of the pandemic, and Ben Caldwell, PsyD discusses what you need to know about shifting your practice to telehealth services. Please share this episode anywhere you feel it might make an impact. If you have expertise or information related to the pandemic that you feel is important to share with the psychotherapy community, email us at [email protected]. Note: A previous version of this episode contained information about Zoom being HIPAA compliant. This is only true for the Zoom for Healthcare option ($200/month), not the free and low-tier paid options.

This week’s captivating story from Paloma brings together themes of postpartum depression and therapist specialization. Paloma offers insight into the harmful impact of societal narratives about motherhood and Curt Widhalm rejoins the podcast to explain what specialization actually means – and when it’s just a marketing tool with dangerous consequences. Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal. Show Notes: Donate to Project NATEEN Dog ownership might reduce loneliness Are You Sure You are a Special

Philip Zimbardo rode the impact of the Stanford Prison Experiment to international renown. Perhaps he forgot to mention that his famous research was more performance art than psychological experiment. In our eighth of twelve history episodes, we look at the common narratives and impact of the SPE, and then consider recently uncovered evidence to the contrary. Plus, Carrie makes sense of Zimbardo’s 7,000 word response to the new criticisms. Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal. Show Notes: Debunking the Stanford Prison Experiment The Lifespan of a Lie <a href= "htt

This week’s story from Farah touches on many common themes of bad therapy: disempowerment, unsolicited advice, misrepresenting qualifications, and more. We explore how early-career therapists can be transparent about their lack of experience while still creating client buy-in, what research suggests about giving advice to clients, and the importance of feedback. Plus, Carrie reflects on the gender power dynamic on this podcast and between male therapists and female or non-binary clients. Stay tuned afterward for a teaser of the most recent VBT Patreon episode! Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal. Show Notes: Donate to Angel City Pit Bulls <a href="https://www.ncbi

Today’s guest Danny shares his outrageous experience of being told to urinate in a cup so his therapist could test if he was really gay. And that’s just the beginning of the story. We also speak with Dr. Joe Kort to explore best practices for working with the LGBTQ+ community, the need for humility and curiosity in a time of rapidly changing relationships to identity, and the diagnoses that stigmatize and marginalize members of this population. Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal. Show Notes: Donate to Teen Line Exploratory study on the role of emotion regulation in perceived valence, humour, and benefic

Today’s guest Kat shares her experience with a therapist who was unnecessarily cruel in her approach to treatment. In trying to make sense of this behavior, Carrie and Ben consider the research on how and when therapeutic relationships get fractured as a result of divergent interpretations of the same significant events in therapy. Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal. Show Notes: Donate to Save the Children Book Review: All Therapy Books <a href= "http://cl

In 1964, Dr. Everett Shostrom had a brilliant idea: record short videos of the same person receiving therapy from three top psychologists. These videos are colloquially referred to as the Gloria tapes, and the story behind the therapy is astounding. Coercion, human ashtrays, lawsuits, Fritz Perls being a massive jerk, and more! This is episode seven in our monthly look at bad therapy through the decades. Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal. Show Notes: The March of Time (Wikipedia) Stuff You Should Know: How Conversion Ther

In the UK, anyone with $16 can become a certified psychotherapist and begin seeing clients immediately. If this sounds surprising, imagine how clients feel when they have a bad experience and realize their therapist is not governed by any regulatory body. BBC presenter Jordan Dunbar joins us to share his own stories of bad therapy and his surprising findings from investigating the lack of regulation around UK mental health services. Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal. Show Notes: Donate to Northern Ireland Hospice The Next Episode: Anyone Can Call Themselves A Therapist <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/p

In America, psychotherapist licensure requirements vary – often absurdly – from state to state. What does not vary is the need for periodic license renewal, an otherwise mundane fact that holds foreboding significance in our guest Dee’s story. Join us for a surprisingly interesting exploration of licensure requirements and the consequences of practicing without authorization. Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal. Show Notes: Donate to a LGBTQ+ Charity Three Decades Later: The Life Experiences and Mid-Life Functioning of 1980s Heavy Metal Groupies, Music

The exploitation of uneven power and emotional vulnerability is, of course, not limited to the field of psychotherapy. Today’s guest Megan shares her experience of very bad pastoral counseling, and we speak with the Reverend Meredith Harber to explore the nuances of Megan’s story and what proper pastoral care looks like with a contemporary understanding of power dynamics, boundaries, and gender norms. Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal. Show Notes: Donate to Solid Ground Better Results: Using Deliberate Practice to Improve Therapeutic Effectivene

The first Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-I) was published with the intention of creating standardized language for mental abnormalities. It was also basically a war department bulletin. The controversial compendium is responsible for many important contributions to the fields of psychiatry and psychotherapy, but it also legitimized new forms of oppression and stigmatization in the name of normalizing judgments. This is part six of twelve monthly episodes revisiting bad therapy through the decades. Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal. Show Notes: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual: Mental Disorders (DSM-I) <a href= "https://

Today’s story from T is a cautionary tale about a therapist causing harm by blurring boundaries around texting, personal space, and self-disclosure. Carrie and Ben attempt to hold space for T’s experience while seeking a middle ground in their differing perspectives about her therapist’s behavior. One thing is certain: if a therapist has a sexual dream about a client, the therapeutic relationship is not the place for processing. Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal. Show Notes: Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. In today's episode, the absence of bad therapy is indeed evidence of bad therapy as our guest Eric joins us to discuss the impact of showing up for multiple sessions only to discover that the therapist is nowhere to be found. Plus, we talk about therapists going to prison, cars exploding, and Ben unveils the six-word joke that will single-handedly change the future of psychotherapy. Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal. Show Notes: Donate to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention <a href= "https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327631560_Humor_Associated_With_Positive_Outcomes_in_Individual_Psychothera

Jon Hook, PhD student at Western Michigan University, is contributing to research on how the coding of session transcripts to determine therapist attachment styles can be used to facilitate better client outcomes. He joins us to discuss the significance of therapist attachment and shares his story as a client of two therapeutic alliances that were anything but securely attached. Show Notes: Support Very Bad Therapy on Patreon Donate to Sojourner Truth House Therapist Attachment-Related Behaviors and Their Effects on Psychotherapy Process and Outcome ResearchGate: Alessandro Talia / <a href= "ht

Do client fees impact therapy outcomes? How should therapists talk with their clients about money? Should mental health care be a basic human right? We have lots of questions and few answers as today’s guest Arianne joins us to share her story of money tension in therapy. Plus, Carrie and Ben read listener mail, gripe about therapist Facebook groups, and debate the ethics of prioritizing income maximization over all else as a mental health professional. VBT Copenhagen meetup: Ruby, tirsdag 17. december kl. 16:30 Show Notes: Support Very Bad Therapy on Patreon Donate to Karsh Center The Money Taboo: Its Effects in Everyday Life and in the Practice of Psychotherapy <a href= "https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/019261805909329

In the 1940s, a new ad campaign appeared on the silver screen to promote psychotherapy. Yes, the extant videos are as spectacular as you imagine. In this month's journey through the decades, Carrie and Ben break down archival footage to laugh, marvel, and look curiously at how the American public was sold on psychoanalysis. Now tell me about your mother. Show Notes: Support Very Bad Therapy on Patreon Popular Depiction of Psychoanalysis in Late 1940s Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

Dr. Chris Hoff hosts The Radical Therapist podcast and YouTube channel. He joins us to discuss postmodern assumptions in therapy, how a strict focus on social justice can lead to familiar diagnostic pitfalls, and the importance of maintaining curiosity to combat confirmation bias. Plus, we explore the benefits of creating a culture where failure is valued and Chris shares his advice for early-career clinicians. VBT in Focus is a series of sporadic episodes in which Carrie and Ben have the privilege of chatting with their favorite thinkers in the field of psychotherapy. Thank you for listening. Show Notes: Support Very Bad Therapy on Patreon The Radical Therapist podcast and YouTube channel <a href= "http://www.bruno-latour.fr/sites/default/files/89-CRITICAL-INQUIRY-G

A small percentage of clients experience negative effects from therapy. Why is it so difficult for therapists to identify this phenomenon when reflecting on past or present work? Norwegian psychologist and author Jørgen A. Flor joins us to explore the myth of side-effect free therapy and discuss a moving story from today's guest Jamie about unambiguously harmful treatment. Show Notes: Support Very Bad Therapy on Patreon Donate to NARAL Skadelige samtaler - myten om bivirkningsfri terapi Jørgen A. Flor's Website Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / <a href=

"If you say yes to this, we'll have to end our therapeutic relationship." The context of this quote is explained in this week's episode about therapist self-disclosure, dual relationships, and a much-deserved misconduct report. Seriously y'all, be aware of how your social and political identities have the potential to impact clients and don't burst through boundaries like the Kool-Aid Man. Even Woebot gets sad when therapists act on self-interest. Support Very Bad Therapy on Patreon Show Notes: Donate to Mental Health America Woebot Therapy robots are already here The Truth About The Codes Of Ethics: Dispelling the Rumors that Dual Relationships are Unethical <a href=

In the 1930s, a handful of aspiring medical luminaries imagined that mental illness could be fixed by cutting into the brain. In this month's history exploration, Carrie and Ben seek to understand why this seemed like a good idea at the time and what led to the procedure being banned a few decades later. When the awarding of a Nobel Prize is subsequently considered "an astounding error of judgment," bad things probably happened. Support Very Bad Therapy on Patreon Show Notes: Violence, mental illness, and the brain - A brief history of psychosurgery: Part 1 - From trephination to lobotomy Frontal leukotomy and related psychosurgical procedures in the era before anti

Adventure therapy: nature, healing, strength, and camaraderie. And sometimes emotional abuse, strip searches, forced compliance, and more. What is happening in this niche of psychotherapy where our guest Will's story is simultaneously shocking to us and not at all surprising to those within the field? Join us and our expert guest Will Dobud on a truly compelling trek through the wilderness of adventure therapy. Support Very Bad Therapy on Patreon Show Notes: Donate to Friends of the Rainforest Based on a True Story (Podcast) International Adventure Therapy International Adventure Therapy Group (Facebook) <a href= "https://www.facebo

On today's episode, our guest Ashley recalls her experience as a graduate psychology student looking for therapy in part to process feelings of disappointment with her education. We take this opportunity to get intimate with the research on graduate psychology programs and confront the elephant in the room: these programs don't seem to work. If you have ever doubted the usefulness of your graduate education, this episode is for you. Support Very Bad Therapy on Patreon Show Notes: Donate to Global Empowerment Mission How Cognitive Biases Impact Therapist Development: The Importance of Self-Awareness in Graduate Psychology Education (Ben's Thesis) Specific vs Nonspeci

Professionalism in psychotherapy is often hard to define, but it probably doesn't include being twenty minutes late to a client's first session and sharing unwanted Bible passages. Katie Vernoy joins us in advance of the Therapy Reimagined Conference to share her knowledge and make sense of all the confusing therapist behavior we hear in today's interview with Ofra. Support Very Bad Therapy on Patreon Show Notes: Donate to the ACLU Katie Vernoy's Website Therapy Reimagined Conference 2019 Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story

Dr. Ben "Manfred" Caldwell joins us in make-believe 1920s Berlin to discuss Max Eitingon and the surprising origins of psychotherapy supervision. We also explore examples of bad supervision, why contemporary supervision appears to have no impact on client outcomes, and what supervisors and supervisees can actually do to make our field better. This is episode three of twelve in our monthly series exploring very bad therapy through the decades. Support Very Bad Therapy on Patreon Show Notes: Does Psychotherapy Supervision Contribute to Patient Outcomes? Considering Thirty Years of Research The Ingredients of Supervisor Failure <a href= "http://mastor.cl/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Watkings.-THE-BEGINNINGS-OF-

Your therapist is having a bad day. Will this impact the quality of counseling? If you ask the therapist, probably not. But what does the research suggest about clients' perceptions of therapists who are riding the struggle bus? Today's guest Allison describes her increasingly bizarre experience with a clinician who wasn't quite able to bring her 'A' game to the counseling room. Do you have a story of very bad therapy? Send us a message to share it on the show! Show Notes: Donate to International Rescue Committee Blog post: 4 Lessons from 20 Weeks of Very Bad Therapy The Contribution of the Quality of Therapists' Perso

Tricare is government managed health insurance given to United States military personnel and their dependents. It is also very confusing to understand, even for many of the providers themselves. As we learn from our guest Anna, this can lead to a frustrating search for helpful counseling. To make sense of the mystifying details of Anna's story - as well as all the acronyms - Julie Payne joins us to discuss everything you ever wanted to know about military mental health care. Show Notes: Donate to Wounded Warrior Project What does losing your keys have in common with the treatment of trauma? Adoption by VA Residential Programs of Two Evidence-Based Psychotherapies for PTSD: Effect

What is at the root of very bad therapy? The common feeling that something is lacking in the education, training, development, and services provided by psychotherapists is backed by a wealth of research supporting the notion that a paradigm shift is sorely needed. Dr. Scott Miller is leading this movement with his work in the areas of routine outcome monitoring and deliberate practice. VBT in Focus is a series of sporadic episodes in which Carrie and Ben have the privilege of chatting with their favorite thinkers in the field of psychotherapy. Thank you for listening. Show Notes: Dr. Scott Miller's Website International Center for Clinical Excellence Scott Miller, PhD - The Evolution of Psychotherapy: An Oxymoron (2013) <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Soul-Change-

What constitutes bad termination? In the words of Justice Potter Stewart, "I shall not today attempt to further define [it]... But I know it when I see it." In today's episode, R shares their story of termination that we can clearly know to be bad. But is it unethical? Ben and Carrie search for answers and discuss a pantheoretical framework for good termination. Thank you for listening. All reviews, ratings, Facebook likes, and feedback to soothe Ben's anxiety are greatly appreciated. Show Notes: Donate to Project Reunify Codes of Ethics on Termination in Psychotherapy and Counseling Comparing therapist and client perspectives on reasons for psychotherapy termination <a href= "https://www.researchgate.net/publication/314269329_Do_all_therapists_do_that_when_sayi

Lewis Terman was one of the most influential innovators in educational psychology and IQ testing. He also believed that segregating and sterilizing "feebleminded" individuals - as determined by a biased paradigm of general intelligence - was the necessary path toward a better society. This is the second installment in our monthly series on very bad therapy through the decades. Show Notes: The Uses of Intelligence Tests (Terman, 1916) The Vexing Legacy of Lewis Terman The Kallikak Family (Wikipedia) Reconstruction: America After the Civil War (PBS) Very Bad Therapy: Website / <a href= "%20https:/www.facebook.com/

Young children need play - not interrogation - to help them learn and form relationships. Today's guest PJ recalls his experience as an eight-year-old with a therapist who chose not to use play therapy in favor of a more investigative approach. Next, child therapy expert Megan Costello discusses the nuance of play therapy and what went wrong in PJ's story. And for some reason, we introduce our new sure-to-fail concept: The Richard Spencer Matrix for Therapists. Show Notes: Donate to Kidspace Children's Museum Megan Costello's Website Therapy Reimagined Conference 2019 Free Licenses for the Outcome Rating Scale (ORS), Child ORS, and Young Child ORS Very Bad Therapy: <a href= "https://www.ve

In 2019, there somehow exists at least one psychotherapist who feels that it is helpful to tell a female client that her entire gender is biologically predisposed to prefer domestic life to a professional career. We cringe-laugh our way through an engaging interview with Aviva before diving into the research on societal biases, gender norms, and gender matching in the therapeutic relationship. Climate change is real. Show Notes: Donate to March of Dimes and/or RAICES Why Men Don't Listen and Women Can't Read Maps

Imagine a spectrum of unethical therapist conduct. Far, far toward the most extreme end, just before sexual coercion, are activities like grooming behavior and inappropriate physical touch. Our guest Jessica shares her dread-inducing story of working with a therapist who abused his power in ways that mental health professionals should only experience when reading ethics textbooks. Show Notes: Donate to Renewed APA Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct AAMFT Code of Ethics Recognizing and Managing Erotic and Eroticized Transferences Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook

Adolescent girls should be sent to the country to prepare for housewifery and motherhood. So writes G. Stanley Hall, first president of the American Psychological Association, in 1904. This is the first in a series of monthly episodes exploring very bad therapy in the decades preceding the stories of today. Floating uteruses not included. Show Notes: Chapter XVII: Adolescent Girls and Their Education (Hall, 1904) Wherein Should the Education of a Woman Differ from That of a Man (Gordon, 1905) G. Stanley Hall (Wikipedia) Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook

Gathering client information: good. Transcribing client responses into a computer while facing a wall: not good. It is estimated that 34% of clients don’t return after their first session, a strong indication that the traditional intake model is in need of repair. Dr. Daryl Chow joins us to discuss our guest Bryan’s bad intake experience, the importance of focusing intakes on giving rather than taking, and we explore how psychotherapists can achieve better outcomes over the long-term future. Show Notes: Is Dropout After a First Psychotherapy Visit Always a Bad Outcome? The First Kiss: Undoing the Intake Model and Igniting First Sessions in Psychotherapy Beyond Measures and Monitoring: Realiz

Today's episode is a deep dive into the nuances of harm reduction therapy. How does stigmatization, politicization, and cultural bias regarding substance use influence the way mental health professionals view and work with their clients? What happens when abstinence is not a client's preferred option? Also, Ben and Carrie say hello to Sweden! Show Notes: Donate to Harm Reduction Coalition What Does Recovery Mean in Practice? A Qualitative Analysis of International Recovery-Oriented Practice Guidance The Antidote To The Opioid Crisis: Harm Reduction As A Pathway To Autonomy, Connection, And Hope Harm Reduction The

The quality of the therapeutic alliance is one of the largest predictors of successful therapy. What doesn't help with building rapport? 25 minutes of paperwork to begin every session. Today's guest Meredith shares her challenges in working with a therapist who failed to convey appropriate messages of empathy but felt very strongly about the positive impact of collecting sticks from the ground. Show Notes: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Give a Gift The Harmful Effects of Psychotherapy: When the Therapeutic Alliance Fails Therapist shortage, or saturation? Depends on who (and how) you ask <a href= "https://onlinelibrary.w

Societal messages around health, beauty, and body image can contribute to problems that lead individuals to seek out therapy. But what happens when the therapist herself is unaware of how these cultural influences impact how treatment is provided? Our guest Holly shares her story about working with a therapist who reinforced unhealthy disordered eating behaviors under the guise of helpful therapy. Show Notes: Performing a Project Premortem Health at Every Size Intuitive Eating: The Diet That Tells You to Quit Dieting Psychotherapy for eating disorders: A metaana

Today's episode features a story about a therapist who pleaded with her client to help with research for her Master's thesis. We discuss why this is objectively problematic and look at the difference between boundary crossing and boundary violation in the context of inherent power dynamics within the therapeutic relationship. Plus, Carrie and Ben share their own absurd experiences of very bad therapy. Show Links: Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Calm the F*ck Down: An Irreverent Adult Coloring Book Patient-Therapist Boundary Issues To Cross Or Not To Cross: Do Boundaries In Therapy Protect Or Harm?<

In Zimbabwe, hastily trained "Grannies" were found to be significantly better at treating depression than the standard of care that best resembles Western psychotherapy. Ben and Carrie put on their researcher hats to explore how lessons from Friendship Benches in Africa reflect the need for a mental health paradigm shift around the world. Ben says thank you for taking care of his feelings. Show Notes: Busting the myth that depression doesn't affect people in poor countries Effect of a Primary Care-Based Psychological Intervention on Symptoms of Common Mental Disorders in Zimbabwe Practicing Psychotherapy in Constructed Reality: Ritual, Cha

Therapists are not supposed to tackle their clients*. But what are the ethical limitations in trying to prevent a potential suicide attempt? Today's guest Katherine recounts her experience with a caring clinician who went to extreme lengths to protect her safety, and Dr. Ben Caldwell shares his expertise to help us understand how therapists should manage delicate yet ambiguous situations with clients. *Unless perhaps the client is attempting to physically harm someone else in the room. Perhaps. Show Notes: Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder) Bellah v. Greenson Dr. Ben Caldwell's Website <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Saving-Psychotherapy-Therapists-Bring-Talking/dp

Dr. Dana Stone joins us to unpack our guest Carol's experience with a therapist who chose a stance of defensiveness following a rather shocking microaggression. How can we become not just better clinicians, but better human beings as well? Any why might some therapeutic ruptures ultimately serve to benefit the client? Show Notes: Cultural Humility: Measuring Openness to Culturally Diverse Clients The Session Rating Scale: Preliminary Psychometric Properties of a "Working" Alliance Measure The working alliance in treatment of military adolescents. What is the essen

If a person claims to be gay, should you ever doubt them? Ben shares his story about winning $50 betting on his own sexual orientation, our guest Shaw tells us what it's like to debate your therapist about same-sex attraction not being a symptom of sexual assault, and we look at research that links sexual trauma to sexual identity. Show Links: Does Maltreatment in Childhood Affect Sexual Orientation in Adulthood? Impact of Sexual Trauma on Gender Identity and Sexual Object Choice Does Incest Cause Homosexuality? https://www.verybadtherapy.com https://www.facebook.com/vbtpodcast <a href= "https://www.

EMDR is a groundbreaking, controversial, and maybe not-that-special psychotherapy treatment. We explore the research on its mechanisms and effectiveness before hearing from our guest Justin about his EMDR experience with an overeager therapist. Then, Curt Widhalm, LMFT, EMDR certified, and cohost of The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide sits down with us to answer our questions about EMDR and highlight what went wrong in Justin's therapy. Show Links: How Does Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy Work? A Systematic Review on Suggested Mechanisms of Action EMDR: Taking a Closer Look Curt's Website https://www.verybadtherapy.com <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/vbtp

Carrie and Ben share why they decided to start a podcast about bad therapy. What can be learned from our guests' varied experiences in the counseling room? How will this podcast be helpful to listeners with an interest in therapy? These are conversations that are rarely held within the field of psychotherapy. Thank you for listening. Show Links: https://www.verybadtherapy.com https://www.facebook.com/vbtpodcast https://www.instagram.com/vbtpodcast https://twitter.com/vbtpodcast