In the final episode of the season, we revisit the topic of imposter syndrome. We talked about imposter syndrome in the very first episode of the podcast way back in 2021. How has our thinking about imposter syndrome evolved since then? In this episode, we explore what it looks like to own your experience as a therapist, even when there is still discomfort and self-doubt. We also share what is bringing each of us imposter-y feelings lately. We discuss how privilege shapes who feels like an impos...
Jun 04, 2025•49 min•Season 8Ep. 16
What do therapists mean when they say someone has a "victim mentality"? In this episode, we unpack this flippant term and explore what’s going on underneath it. We recognize that "victim mentality" is applied to several distinct phenomena. We discuss the difference between being an actual victim of harm, using "victimhood" as a protective defense, and unprocessed grief or trauma. We also examine how "victim mentality" is often used to discredit marginalized people and survivors of violence. Fina...
May 28, 2025•47 min•Season 8Ep. 15
Have you ever found yourself being the villain in someone else’s story? In this episode, we talk about what it’s like to be perceived as "the bad guy." As therapists, we will get cast as the villain at some point. Our clients get cast as the bad guy in their other relationships. In some ways, it's inevitable. And not everyone gets a redemption arc. How have you been cast as the villain? -- Check out Leading Edge's upcoming free events, in-person events, and over 150 webinars to choose from at Le...
May 21, 2025•48 min•Season 8Ep. 14
Has another therapist ever told you, “You shouldn’t work harder than the client”? In this episode, we talk about what people really mean when they use this phrase. We unpack how privilege, trauma, the relationship, theoretical orientation, and modality all shape what “effort” really looks like in the therapy room. What do we lose when we expect therapy to be equal effort? What does it mean to "work hard" in therapy anyway? -- Check out Leading Edge's upcoming free events, in-person events, and o...
May 14, 2025•46 min•Season 8Ep. 13
You know those moments in session when something inside says, "Something just shifted", "Pause here", or "Hmm..this is not lining up"? In this episode, we dig into what it means to follow our therapist intuition. We talk about how intuition grows over time, how it shows up in the room, and how we tentatively introduce our impressions. What’s your relationship with intuition in the therapy room... and how do you know when to trust it? -- Check out Leading Edge's upcoming free events, in-person ev...
May 07, 2025•43 min•Season 8Ep. 12
In light of the recent mass killing at the Lapu Lapu Day festival in Vancouver, we decided not to publish an episode this week. We're honouring that our bodies need more time to grieve, recalibrate, and rest. We know many of you have also been impacted and we hope you're honouring your needs as well. Donate directly to families impacted. Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at con...
Apr 30, 2025•1 min
Are therapists who "call out" their clients more effective? This week, we’re responding to a Reddit post from a therapist who proudly claims to be a "mean therapist". They describe themselves as solution-focused, direct, and not afraid to hold clients accountable. We unpack what might be behind that identity, what types of therapists and settings tend towards mean-ness, and what might be driving someone drawn to that kind of therapist. We also explore our own uneasiness with the term, and why ca...
Apr 23, 2025•41 min•Season 8Ep. 11
All therapists miss essential information-- things like self-harm, abuse, and disordered eating. These can have major consequences. In this episode, we discuss what gets missed in the therapy room, why it happens, and what we can do about it. From clients showing up drunk in session to disclosures that slip past us, we explore the kinds of clinical information that can go unnoticed, even by experienced therapists. We also talk about the impact of these misses on clients, the shame therapists can...
Apr 16, 2025•50 min•Season 8Ep. 10
In this episode, we’re talking about a dynamic that (dare we say) all therapists are familiar with: working with clients who over-intellectualize. We explore why some clients show up to therapy in their heads while disconnected to their bodies and emotions, and how intellectualizing is both foundational and a block to good therapeutic work. We talk about the common pitfalls therapists fall into, especially when it feels satisfying or productive to stay in the intellectual space. We also discuss ...
Apr 09, 2025•45 min•Season 8Ep. 9
Are we "treating" our clients, as in doing something *to* them, or *with* them? In this episode, we dig into situations where therapy aligns more closely with a medical model, and how we prefer to work using an open-ended approach. We discuss why therapy isn't always/only about alleviating suffering, but changing their relationship with it. You'll notice we get noticeably fired up because we love this topic! Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your tho...
Apr 02, 2025•38 min•Season 8Ep. 8
Social media is one of the most impactful frontiers for therapists right now. So many questions are coming up for therapists at this time-- should I have social media at all? Should I market on social media? How much is too much to share? The internet is forever - what does that mean for me putting parts of my life online? In this episode, we discuss showing up on social media as a therapist, the various ways it can be done (to market, to share information, to allow the public to see behind the ...
Mar 26, 2025•40 min•Season 8Ep. 7
Every therapist has been there. You’re in session and suddenly something your client says hits a nerve. Maybe it’s a detail in their story that pulls up your own history or something about their client presentation you can't quite put your finger on. In this episode, we dig into what happens when something comes up in session that feels like being poked by a white-hot poker. If you’ve ever had to lay on the floor and cry after a session, this conversation is for you. Join us on Patreon for bonus...
Mar 19, 2025•39 min•Season 8Ep. 6
Supervision and consultation are a core part of being a therapist, whether in practicum, newly graduated, or a decade into practice (and beyond). In this episode, we discuss how to get the most out of supervision, like bringing a list, not fixating on every misstep, and sharing the messy parts of your work, ensuring that any supervision conversations are intentional, useful, and ultimately helpful for you to become a better clinician. And yep, we also talk about how some supervisors are just not...
Mar 12, 2025•36 min•Season 8Ep. 5
Trends in the therapy world come and go. Girl-bossing, therapists-as-content-creators, and now “the cool therapist”. Maybe you’ve seen the same “cool therapist” stuff we have - acting like new therapists are scared of everything, making skits or memes about disregarding ethical considerations, and acting like following thoughtful rules is somehow stuffy! If you’ve listened to the podcast for a while, you know that we think some therapy standards ARE outdated and stuffy. We are very critical of t...
Mar 05, 2025•34 min•Season 8Ep. 4
This is the most intense political landscape that we’ve ever experienced as therapists. Many of our clients are also hugely impacted by policies being enacted and fear is a common feeling for both therapists and clients alike. The focus of the episode is how to talk to clients about politics when it comes up in session because we know it can feel scary and precarious. We both share how we navigate political conversations in sessions, why it’s important to acknowledge that therapy is political, a...
Feb 26, 2025•37 min•Season 8Ep. 3
What happens when a client expects therapy to “fix” them or assumes their therapist will always have the wise, perfect answer? In this episode, we explore how to set realistic expectations around the therapy process, the therapist’s role, and how change actually happens. How do we balance validating our clients’ hopes while grounding them in what therapy can (and can’t) do? Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Insta...
Feb 19, 2025•37 min•Season 8Ep. 2
We’re so happy to be back after our holiday hiatus. We're starting the new season with a highly requested topic-- opening a private practice. Since we graduated, the landscape of the counselling field has changed tremendously. More and more clinicians are opening their own practices right after graduating and we know that can be extremely anxiety-provoking. While we don’t share specific how-to tips, we hope that by sharing our stories, you can pick up some niblets of helpful information. We both...
Feb 12, 2025•41 min•Season 8Ep. 1
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Being a Therapist in 2024 conference at the beautiful Jane Headquarters in North Vancouver. In this special episode, we dive into questions from the audience about niching, overcoming imposter syndrome, and working within organizations. We wrap up with messages to our younger selves, reflecting on what we wish we’d known when we were just starting out. We’re so grateful for our listeners and invite you to leave a review, follow us on Patreon to access a...
Nov 06, 2024•48 min•Season 7Ep. 20
How can we support clients in navigating the big life decisions, including to stay or leave relationships, choose career paths, or family planning? In this episode, we explore the therapeutic role of discernment. Often, people are grappling with the pros and cons of each choice. Some of these conversations are vital and productive, and other times, it feels like we are spinning our wheels. As the therapist, we can find ourselves frustrated or stuck not knowing where to go next. In the context of...
Oct 23, 2024•36 min•Season 7Ep. 19
Content note: This episode discusses suicide and abuse. Are therapists crisis workers? We believe that the role of the therapist and the role of the crisis worker are distinct, yet, in certain situations, we can still find ourselves pulled into that role. In this episode, we break down the crucial differences between emergencies, crises, and general distress, and explore where our responsibilities begin and end in a private practice setting. We discuss why it's essential to connect clients to ap...
Oct 16, 2024•46 min•Season 7Ep. 18
Did you hear the phrase “follow the client” in graduate school and wonder what it really means in practice? In this episode, we dive into the nuances of this concept, exploring how therapists balance the art of staying present with the client’s story while holding the bigger picture in mind. We talk about how goals in therapy can shift over time and how we can support clients by being curious about what’s beneath the surface. Join us as we reflect on what it looks like to trust the client’s proc...
Oct 09, 2024•40 min•Season 7Ep. 17
Have you heard the phrase 'The worst person you know has a therapist encouraging and validating their behaviour'? In this episode, we tackle a tricky line in therapy-- when compassion tips into complicity in a client's harmful, toxic, or otherwise unkind behaviour. We talk about the skill and risk involved in calling clients in when they’re not acting in alignment with their own or our shared ethics. We reflect on our own struggles and strategies for working with clients who might be stuck in wh...
Oct 02, 2024•36 min•Season 7Ep. 16
Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch. We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth . Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up. Alison McCleary www.alpenglowcounselling.com @alpenglow...
Sep 25, 2024•46 min•Season 7Ep. 15
In this special episode, we watch and react to our first recording together, before Edge of the Couch, an unpublished episode of a podcast that would never be: 'Reel Therapy Talk' where we would talk about pop culture from the perspective of therapists. On April 6, 2020, we recorded our first and only episode. Love is Blind was having a cultural moment, and it inspired us to talk about the reality show characters, Jessica and Marc. In 2024, our rewatch brings up tender and surprising feelings. W...
Sep 18, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 7Ep. 14
In this special episode, Bhupie Dulay and Abby Chow come on the podcast to talk about how we can rather than rely on the reductionist approach to working with clients with marginalized identities, radically reimagine what relationality looks like in relationships inside and outside the therapy room. We talk about what it means to practice hope, how our work is essentially about love, and the immense responsibility and power we have as therapists. To learn more about their upcoming summit, Leanin...
Sep 11, 2024•42 min•Season 7Ep. 13
In this episode, we talk about the roller coaster of emotions that come with getting "dumped" by clients. We discuss the different ways clients can terminate therapy, how each one hits us differently, and the common mistakes we make that might lead to their departure. We talk about mistakes that we make that have lead to clients terminating. We also explore whether or not it is wise to chase down a client after they've left, why the urge to email them can be so strong, and why, more often than n...
Sep 04, 2024•29 min•Season 7Ep. 12
Do all therapists engage in dream work, or is it more of a niche practice? We discuss what might hold newer therapists back from exploring their clients' dreams and share how we integrate dream work into our own practices. Plus, we open up about our experiences in an informal projective dream group and how it has shaped our approach as therapists. How do you incorporate dreams into your therapeutic work, or is it something you’re curious to try? Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreo...
Aug 28, 2024•26 min•Season 7Ep. 11
Sometimes clients will come right out and tell you what they are feeling frustrated, annoyed, or concerned about. Sometimes clients may have a harder time communicating “negative” things and their frustrations may come out in passive aggressive ways. But what do we do when clients are communicating passive aggressively? Do we let the little remakes pass, do we respond to them directly, or do we actively avoid them out of discomfort? This week’s episode is about navigating the complexities of com...
Aug 21, 2024•31 min•Season 7Ep. 10
In this episode, we dive into a recent trend of clients secretly or openly recording their therapy sessions. We discuss how it might feel as a therapist to discover you're being recorded and wrestle with the ethical implications surrounding this practice. We discuss the different motivations behind recording—whether it’s for memory retention, accountability, or creating content for social media. Does the fear of being recorded reveal deeper concerns about avoiding accountability in our professio...
Aug 14, 2024•38 min•Season 7Ep. 9
In this episode, we dive into who is responsible for creating a sense of continuity in therapy-- the client or the therapist. We discuss the role of homework, strategic note-taking, and what you might say at the beginning or end of sessions to keep the flow going. How do you ensure each session builds on the last? Share your thoughts with us! Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email a...
Aug 07, 2024•29 min•Season 7Ep. 8
