Couch to Couch

In this episode we speak with Autumn Stepanyants where we discuss Play Therapy, Parent Blame, and Shame. Join us for this exciting episode as we dive into counselling children, as well as the use of play therapy and modeling. We also discuss the effects of parent blame and how common it really is, as well as the shame that comes with it.

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Theme Song Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK

In Today’s episode we speak with Craig, one of the hosts of The Acid Horizon Podcast, about James Hillman’s psychoanalysis. We discussed the influences Carl Jung had on Hillman’s approach as well as the difference between how both practitioners view psychoanalysis. We also discuss how Deleuze and Guattari compare with Hillman’s thought on the unconscious and creativity. Finally, We discuss Hillman’s approach to Active Imagination as it is used in therapy with an example from one of my own dreams.     

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Theme Song Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK

On this week’s episode of Couch to Couch, we speak with Brandi Riddoch about the complex world of therapy with respect to stepfamilies. We talk about how stepfamily therapy continues to be an under-researched area in counselling, despite making up close to 50% of family dynamics in North America. We also discuss the complexities facing mothers, fathers, and their partners in a stepfamily dynamic and how it comes up in therapy.

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Theme Song Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK

In this week’s episode I had the great pleasure of speaking with Nicole MacRae a therapist from Oak and Cedar Counselling. We discussed post-partum depression/anxiety, as well as helping new parents navigate the complex world of parenting. We also spent some time discussing the always important topic of therapeutic fit and the importance of the therapeutic relationship in counseling.

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Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK

In today’s episode I speak with Nick Rew, a counselor from Queensland, Australia. During the episode we have a deep discussion about trauma, substance use and change. We also discuss what goes on in the therapeutic space as well as how fatherhood has effected my therapeutic approach.

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Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK

In today’s episode, I interviewed Angela Cowling who is a Registered Psychotherapist. Throughout the episode we discussed her work with individuals dealing with chronic illness, anxiety, and grief. We discussed some of the issues facing individuals with chronic illness such as grief, sadness, and anxiety. We also discussed grief and anxiety more broadly as something everyone faces from time to time as part of the human condition. 

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Theme Music By Kamil Niedopytalski.

Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK

In this week's episode, we speak with Dr. Maria Nichterlein, the co-author of "Deleuze and Psychology". We discuss how Gregory Bateson, Foucault, and of course Deleuze and Guattari influenced her work as a Counselling Psychologist. Throughout the episode we talk about the importance of the therapeutic relationship, as well as the respect a therapist needs to have for the client’s entire world (ecology). We wax poetic about the importance of affirming life and the therapist's role as companion, not authority. Finally, we discuss therapy as a political endeavor and how our capitalistic structure does not teach us how to understand ourselves.

Enjoy

Theme Music By Kamil Niedopytalski.

Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK

In today's episode, we speak with Michelle Sparling-Bodechon, an RPQ who is a clinical intern at KSRC, about her therapeutic influences, her niche, and how she treats things like anxiety. We discuss how the various influences she has such as Freud (Psychoanalysis), Fritz Pearls (Gestalt Therapy), and Carl Rogers (Person Centered Therapy) have helped her understand the therapeutic space. We also spend some time talking about the type of clients she treats, namely First Responders, as well as individuals and couples.

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Theme Music By Kamil Niedopytalski.

Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK

In today’s episode I spoke with Sydney Maharaj-Nicholson, an RPQ from Kemptville, Ontario. We discussed how social justice informs her practice and guides the way she works with blended families. We also discussed the effects of trauma and early childhood experiences, and the ways in which we build adaptation skills and coping mechanisms based on the environment we find ourselves in.

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Theme Music By Kamil Niedopytalski.

Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK

In this week's episode, I had the great fortune to speak with Sherry Law, a therapist and technological innovator from Fredericton, New Brunswick. We discussed Virtual Reality (VR) and its use in the therapeutic space. We discussed topics including her research on the use of VR for boosting the mood of elderly residents of long term care facilities. We also discussed how the use of new experiences found in VR may assist within the therapeutic space.

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Theme Music By Kamil Niedopytalski.

Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK

Today we have an exciting episode with Adam Gelinas. where we dive into sex and porn addiction in men. Specifically, we discuss and in some ways define intimacy and attachment styles. We also spend a considerable amount of time talking about the relationship dynamics at play for men dealing with sex and porn addictions as well as some possible reason for the addiction's development.

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Theme Music By Kamil Niedopytalski.

Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK

In today's episode I am joined by Robert Fabes, an existential therapist in the process of completing his doctorate. During our conversation we discuss a few elements of existential therapy, including meaning exploration as well as topics such as freedom and choice. We go on to discuss Viktor Frankl and logotherapy as well as Irvin Yalom and his approach to being a therapist. Finally, we discuss at length the role of the therapist as someone that walks with the client through their therapeutic journey.

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Theme Music By Kamil Niedopytalski.

Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK

     In today's episode we discuss how important it is to recognize that therapy is, in its own way, a kind of political event. At the same time, we discuss how eating disorders can arise from coping with the pressures from the external world. Throughout our conversation we move back and forth through the conversation of identity and the many factors that come into play with regards to how it is developed.

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Theme Music By Kamil Niedopytalski.

Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK

In today's episode we speak with James Raynard about Positive Psychology. Throughout the episode we discussed what positive psychology looks like in therapy, its importance in the psychological landscape and concrete tips on how to use it.

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Theme Music By Kamil Niedopytalski.

Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK

In the first episode of Season 2, we talk with Christina Hymers about Attachment, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Trauma, and Collective Grief. We dive deep into the topic of trauma and walk our way through several forms of therapy used to treat it. These forms of therapy include Attachment-Based, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, and Somatic Therapy. We also discuss the relational aspect to trauma and the importance of building a safe environment for our clients. Finally, we move our way through a discussion of collective grief. As part of this discussion, we talk about how the past few years have thrown a lot of shocking events our way: including a global pandemic which has given rise to trauma, isolation, and grief. To cap off the discussion, we bring in some tools that may help to relieve the pressure of the effects of the past few years such as the use of gratitude exercises.  

Enjoy.  

Theme Music By Kamil Niedopytalski. 

Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK 

This episode discusses problematic substances use from a compassionate trauma informed perspective. I speak with Amanda Neilson about changing our language with respect to individuals facing problematic substance use and how crucial it is to put the person before the problem. We also discuss the use of mindfulness and self compassion and the importance of maintaining a safe non-judgmental environment in therapy. 

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Theme Music By Kamil Niedopytalski.

Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK,

In todays episode we discuss many topics with Taylor Bourassa. These topics include art therapy and how it can help us to get in touch with our inner life by externalizing our unconscious. We also discuss ecotherapy as we highlight and explore the important healing that comes from interacting with the natural world around us, such as forests and trails. We also discuss how human beings heal through connection, whether it be through self discovery, the world around us, or the relationship dynamics of therapy.

Enjoy

Theme Music By Kamil Niedopytalski.

Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK,

In today's episode I have the great fortune to speak with Jennifer Jurkofsky about authenticity, finding our true self, and healing from core wounds. This was a deep, emotional, and real conversation that helped me personally understand my own "pain bodies" and how to be compassionate with myself.

Enjoy

Theme Music By Kamil Niedopytalski.

Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK,

In today's episode I speak with Garrett LaFosse my supervisor, a register psychotherapist who has been practicing for over 20 years, and former professor. Over the course of today's episode we discuss many issues facing couples which brings them in to therapy, as well as some of the dynamics at play as couples learned to communicate on a different level with each other. We discussed the impact of adverse childhood experiences on the ways we bond and develop relationships as adults. We also spend a significant time discussing the effects of adverse childhood experience on emotional development and its impacts on the way we see and interact with the world around us.  

Enjoy

Theme Music By Kamil Niedopytalski.

Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK,

In today's episode I speak with Dave Robinson a Psychotherapist from Guelph, Ontario about Shame, People Pleasing, and Performance. Throughout the episode Dave and I get real and vulnerable about our own struggles and how shame effects male mental health. We spend some time on how shame and socialization can drive us to withdraw and isolate ourselves which in turn can intensify anxiety and depression. As well as discussing how most of us are looking to connect with others about our pain and hurt but, either have a difficult time communicating this with people close to us, or do not have the safe space in order to express what we are feeling. 

You can find Dave at www.shift-counselling.ca

Enjoy 

Theme Music By Kamil Niedopytalski.

Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK,

In today's episode I speak with Alex Mateas a recently retired RedBlacks Football player from Ottawa, Ontario about mental health. We dig deep and get vulnerable about our mental health journeys. Along the way we discussed the importance of spreading awareness of mental health issues as well as the resources available to get the help needed. Most importantly we were able to uncover the importance of having a someone there to keep you from isolating yourself and guide you towards building better tools to manage anxiety, stress, and depression. We also discuss the shame and stigma behind what holds someone back from getting the help they need. Finally we talk about some practical advice about finding the right therapist. 

Enjoy

Theme Music By Kamil Niedopytalski.

Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK,

In today's episode I speak with Chris Wilson who is a mental health and Lyme disease awareness advocate who began the North Grenville Men's Mental health Support group. Chris has struggle with issues with his mental health ever since contracting Lyme Disease over 15 years ago and has since began the journey of advocacy. He is a strong proponent for healing in groups and for the need for all of us to be more open with our struggles. This openness for him is a good way to bring others in and to cultivate a safe and supportive space to talk about the struggles we may be facing in our day to day lives. 

Theme Music By Kamil Niedopytalski.

Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK,

On this week’s episode I speak with Jackie Shoemaker Holmes about motherhood and postpartum depression, empowerment, resilience. This was a very in-depth conversation on what external and internal influences  guide us to become hard on ourselves and scrutinize our own identities. We discuss empowerment as stemming from the recognition of these influences and the slow process of living life on your own terms. As well as resilience being less about just toughening up and more about negotiating the influences that society has set up for us which get in the way of how we want to live our lives, and the willingness to live a different way. We also discuss postpartum depression and how isolation can deepen the depression like a vacuum and the need to be able to discuss it out loud.

Please enjoy

Theme Music By Kamil Niedopytalski.

Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK,

This week's episode is all about Anxiety. Today I will be talking about Anxiety, what it is, how it works, and what it has to do with your body. Throughout the episode we will discuss how anxiety shows up in the body, how to understand what it is doing and what habits we are using to create safety in stressful times. We then talk about some ways to help cope with anxiety and what techniques are used in therapy to help work through the problems that an show up when we are overwhelmed. 

Theme Music By Kamil Niedopytalski.
 Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK,
Youtube:   youtube.com/KamilNiedopytalski

This is the second part of my conversation with Steve Clark where we dove into discussing philosophy, anxiety, and male vulnerability.

Enjoy

Theme Music By Kamil Niedopytalski.
 Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK,
Youtube:   youtube.com/KamilNiedopytalski

In today's episode I will be speaking with Steve Clark who is a therapist from nova scotia. Listen in as we discuss how philosophy and psychology mix, Carl Rogers,  as well as  Anxiety, and male vulnerability as seen through the lens of many different counselling styles such as emotion focused therapy, Narrative therapy, personal center therapy and more... 

Theme Music By Kamil Niedopytalski.
Artist can be found at Instagram: LargestK,
Youtube:   youtube.com/KamilNiedopytalski