Edge of the Couch

Jordan Pickell and Alison McCleary
  • 4.8 (40)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Two good friends and experienced therapists explore the topics that were either shied away from or dismissed because they were too big, too nuanced, too risky, or too uncomfortable to address in school or even in supervision. We want to inspire and encourage therapists to think more deeply, show up more fully, and find humour and self-compassion in navigating the messier parts of being a therapist.

  1. 1D AGO

    The Problem with Therapist Promises and Guarantees

    Therapists should not be out here guaranteeing results! That is a big red flag. But false assurances aren't just for those "bad therapists" over there; we, too, can fall into the trap of making promises we can't keep. Have you ever told a client you'll never abandon them? That therapy will save their marriage or "cure" them of anxiety or depression? Listen to learn why it can be harmful to make such strong claims, and what we could be doing instead to create realistic expectations and support the long-term work of alleviating suffering and living a meaningful life.  We're taking the couch on the road! Join us between May 9th and May 24th, we'll be heading to 8 Canadian cities for a LIVE episode recording and a chance to connect with other therapists in your area. Space is limited, so snag your ticket before it's too late! For more information, visit us on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod. We hope to see you there!  Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram, 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.woodstovewellness.ca Jordan Pickell www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca @jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram Edge of the Couch www.edgeofthecouch.com @edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

    35 min

  2. FEB 11

    Show and Tell in Therapy: When Clients Want to Share Videos, Text messages, or Poetry with Us

    Clients bring in photos, videos, and artwork—and we love it. It helps us see their world more clearly. But what happens when the sheer volume becomes overwhelming, boundaries get blurry, or we take away something they didn't intend to share? We're taking the couch on the road! Join us between May 9th and May 24th, we'll be heading to 8 Canadian cities for a LIVE episode recording and a chance to connect with other therapists in your area. Space is limited, so snag your ticket before it's too late! For more information, visit us on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod. We hope to see you there!  Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram, 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.woodstovewellness.ca Jordan Pickell www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca @jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram Edge of the Couch www.edgeofthecouch.com @edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

    36 min

  3. FEB 4

    For the Record... Neutrality Doesn't Exist

    It's time for a refresher about why it's harmful when therapists put on a front of "neutrality". Especially during this time in history, people need therapists to be a place to land, to meet a real person, to talk about their completely understandable fears and have those validated and held. Heads up: this conversation is a little messy and unfinished. We're curious about what you think. We're taking the couch on the road! Join us between May 9th and May 24th, we'll be heading to 8 Canadian cities for a LIVE episode recording and a chance to connect with other therapists in your area. Space is limited, so snag your ticket before it's too late! For more information, visit us on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod. We hope to see you there!  Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram, 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.woodstovewellness.ca Jordan Pickell www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca @jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram Edge of the Couch www.edgeofthecouch.com @edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

    37 min

  4. JAN 28

    Our Thoughts on Acceptance and Forgiveness

    In the finale of Season 9, we discuss the concepts of acceptance and forgiveness, and how they show up in therapy. Therapists can have strong opinions about these, and we are no exception!  While this is the finale, because we have our tour coming up, we won't be taking a break this time. We'll be back next week for Season 10. We're taking the couch on the road! Join us between May 9th and May 24th, we'll be heading to 8 Canadian cities for a LIVE episode recording and a chance to connect with other therapists in your area. Space is limited, so snag your ticket before it's too late! For more information, visit us on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod. We hope to see you there!  Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram, 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.woodstovewellness.ca Jordan Pickell www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca @jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram Edge of the Couch www.edgeofthecouch.com @edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

    38 min

  5. JAN 21

    Permissive Parenting, Spanking, and The Therapist's Conundrum

    We started this episode with the working title, 'When You Watch Childhood Trauma Happening in Real Time', but as the conversation unfolded, so much of what we were talking about was a mixed bag of parenting choices that often fall within the cultural norm, even if, as therapists, we understand might have long-term consequences. We talked about screen time and spanking, being strict with teens, and having age-inappropriate expectations of young children. What is a therapist to do in this situation? Especially if the client isn't there to discuss their parenting? As you listen, keep in mind our own standpoints: Jordan is in the thick of it with school-aged kids, and Alison is childfree by choice. Let us know what you think! We're taking the couch on the road! Join us between May 9th and May 24th, we'll be heading to 8 Canadian cities for a LIVE episode recording and a chance to connect with other therapists in your area. Space is limited, so snag your ticket before it's too late! For more information, visit us on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod. We hope to see you there!  Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram, 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.woodstovewellness.ca Jordan Pickell www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca @jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram Edge of the Couch www.edgeofthecouch.com @edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

    43 min

  6. JAN 14

    Naming The Culture of Thinness in the Room

    Inspired by conversations with clients about GLP-1s, today we're talking something particularly tender and nuanced: the cultural shift towards thinness and the myriad ways that is showing up in our work. We talk about our duty to our clients, and balancing that with respecting self-determination and stage of change. We discuss how exactly to bring up disordered eating, and whether and when self-disclosure can be helpful. We also talk about countertransference and how that can add layers to the already complex theme.  We're taking the couch on the road! Join us between May 9th and May 24th, we'll be heading to 8 Canadian cities for a LIVE episode recording and a chance to connect with other therapists in your area. Space is limited, so snag your ticket before it's too late! For more information, visit us on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod. We hope to see you there!  Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram, 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.woodstovewellness.ca Jordan Pickell www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca @jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram Edge of the Couch www.edgeofthecouch.com @edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

    45 min

  7. JAN 7

    Working With Clients Who Know Each Other

    We're taking the couch on the road! Join us between May 9th and May 24th, we'll be heading to 8 Canadian cities for a LIVE episode recording and a chance to connect with other therapists in your area. Space is limited, so snag your ticket before it's too late! For more information, visit us on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod. We hope to see you there!  Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram, 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.woodstovewellness.ca Jordan Pickell www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca @jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram Edge of the Couch www.edgeofthecouch.com @edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

    40 min

  8. 12/31/2025

    Heated Rivalry and Why We Need to Know What Our Clients are Watching

    In this episode, we talk about how we can use our shared experience of media to enrich therapeutic work and deepen our relationships with our clients. We mention recent media like Heated Rivalry and the Oprah special on parental estrangement. We also talk about media that stays relevant, like Inside Out. If you enjoyed this episode, join us on patreon, where we often discuss pop culture and current events, in the context of therapeutic work. We're taking the couch on the road! Join us between May 9th and May 24th, we'll be heading to 8 Canadian cities for a LIVE episode recording and a chance to connect with other therapists in your area. Space is limited, so snag your ticket before it's too late! For more information, visit us on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod. We hope to see you there!  Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram, 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.woodstovewellness.ca Jordan Pickell www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca @jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram Edge of the Couch www.edgeofthecouch.com @edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram

    36 min
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Trailer

4.8
out of 5
40 Ratings

About

Two good friends and experienced therapists explore the topics that were either shied away from or dismissed because they were too big, too nuanced, too risky, or too uncomfortable to address in school or even in supervision. We want to inspire and encourage therapists to think more deeply, show up more fully, and find humour and self-compassion in navigating the messier parts of being a therapist.

Information

  • Creator
    Jordan Pickell and Alison McCleary
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    156
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Edge of the Couch
  • Show Website
    Edge of the Couch

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