The Affirming Minds Podcast

Shaina Siber, LCSW
  • 4.7 (21)
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Build your elite therapeutic toolkit learning through expert-led "pod-courses" and interviews. CEs available for Affirm Academy members.

  1. 11h ago

    Episode 86 | Understanding Suicide & Suicide Risk

    Purchase this course individually using the link below and complete the post-test and evaluation to earn CE credit. As of July 16, 2026, AFFIRM Academy memberships are no longer available. Existing members can continue accessing CE podcast episodes through their member portal until August 31, 2026. Register now: https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/offers/kSdSviQA Course Information: https://canva.link/zrmazhs6bovkq9y --- Episode Summary: Suicide is one of the most complex and consequential issues mental health professionals encounter. In this CE-eligible episode of the Affirming Minds Podcast, Shaina Siber, LCSW, explores what we know about why suicidal thoughts develop, what increases the risk that thoughts become actions, and why understanding suicide requires looking beyond diagnosis alone. We explore psychological pain, hopelessness, entrapment, perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, trauma, mental illness, chronic pain, social conditions, minority stress, and access to lethal means. We also examine how human cognition and our capacity to imagine the future may contribute to suicidal suffering. The episode considers major theories in suicidology, disparities in suicide risk, the distinction between suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior, and the complicated role of psychiatric hospitalization. Throughout the conversation, the focus remains on understanding the individual person: What has become unbearable? What feels impossible to escape? And what does the person believe suicide would solve? --- Resources: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline If you or someone you know is experiencing a suicidal crisis, emotional distress, or needs immediate crisis support in the United States, call or text 988. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline SAMHSA Suicide Prevention Resources Resources for people experiencing suicidal thoughts, people concerned about someone else, clinicians, and communities. SAMHSA Suicide Prevention CDC Suicide Prevention Resources Evidence-informed information on suicide prevention, risk and protective factors, data, and prevention strategies. CDC Suicide Prevention Resources Veterans Crisis Line Veterans and their loved ones can call 988 and press 1or text 838255 for confidential crisis support. Veterans Crisis Line & VA Suicide Prevention VA Lethal Means Safety Resources Information and resources for reducing access to potentially lethal means during periods of increased suicide risk, including safer storage of firearms and medications. VA Lethal Means Safety --- Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, is the Founder of Affirm Mental Health, an accredited CE provider. She receives financial compensation from Affirm Mental Health for the development and delivery of continuing education content. There are no other conflicts of interest to disclose. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical training or treatment. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional. --- Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals. Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways! Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/ TikTok: @affirm_mental_health

    Episode 86 | Understanding Suicide & Suicide Risk

  2. Aug 4

    Episode 85 | Saprea's Mission to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse: Free Resources Every Therapist Should Know

    Child sexual abuse prevention is a conversation every therapist should be part of. In this Mental Health Edit episode, Shaina sits down with Chris Yadon of Saprea to discuss child sexual abuse prevention, survivor healing, child-on-child sexual abuse, healthy sexual development, disclosure, the evolving role of technology and AI in exploitation, and practical ways clinicians, parents, and communities can help protect children. Chris also introduces Saprea's incredible free resources, including prevention education, support groups, online learning, and a trauma-informed retreat for adult survivors. Resources: Saprea: https://saprea.org/ If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague. Together, we can help bring these important conversations to more clinicians.

    Episode 85 | Saprea's Mission to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse: Free Resources Every Therapist Should Know

  3. Jul 28

    Episode 84 | Trauma-Informed Couples Therapy with Kathy Gusenkov, LMFT

    Purchase this course individually using the link below and complete the post-test and evaluation to earn CE credit. As of July 16, 2026, AFFIRM Academy memberships are no longer available. Existing members can continue accessing CE podcast episodes through their member portal until August 31, 2026. Register now: https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/offers/QyQFM5BU Course Information: https://canva.link/iu035nzvevyhqux --- Episode Summary: How do trauma and attachment shape the way we connect with our closest relationships? In this episode, Shaina speaks with Kathy Gusenkov, LMFT, about how developmental trauma influences adult relationships and explores trauma-informed approaches to fostering safety, co-regulation, and secure functioning in couples therapy. --- About Our Guest: Kathy Gusenkov, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist and the founder of Serendipity Psychotherapy LLC in the Phoenix area, where she has been in practice since 2020. She specializes in working with couples and individuals, with a focus on the psychobiology of relationships — how the nervous system, attachment, and early experience shape the way we connect with the people we love most. Her work draws on body-based and trauma-informed approaches, with particular attention to what happens between partners in real time. Alongside her clinical work, Kathy contributes to relationship research at the ASU HEART Lab and has taught and guest lectured at the graduate and undergraduate level. She brings the same curiosity that drives her in the research and classroom into the therapy room, staying close to what the science actually says about how people change and heal together. --- Topics Discussed: Developmental trauma and adult attachment Disorganized attachment and relationship patterns Secure attachment vs. secure functioning The Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT) Co-regulation and nervous system-informed interventions Trauma-informed strategies to strengthen connection and communication --- Resources: https://www.instagram.com/serendipitypsychotherapy/ https://www.tiktok.com/@serendipitypsychotherapy https://thepactinstitute.wildapricot.org/ https://www.asuheartlab.com/ --- Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, is the Founder of Affirm Mental Health, an accredited CE provider. She receives financial compensation from Affirm Mental Health for the development and delivery of continuing education content. There are no other conflicts of interest to disclose. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical training or treatment. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional. --- Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals. Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways! Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/ TikTok: @affirm_mental_health

    Episode 84 | Trauma-Informed Couples Therapy with Kathy Gusenkov, LMFT

  4. Jul 21

    Episode 83 | Recovery-Oriented Psychosis Care: Integrating Disability Justice, DBT & Person Centered Practice with Maggie Mullen, LCSW

    Want CEs for listening to this episode? Purchase this podcourse using the link below and complete the post-test and evaluation to earn CE credit.Register now: https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/offers/g9zK2M7L/checkout  Course Information: https://canva.link/4u10ccs43ort0sh As of July 16, 2026, AFFIRM Academy memberships are no longer available. Existing members can continue accessing CE podcast episodes through their member portal until August 31, 2026.  Psychosis has long been viewed through a medical model focused on symptom reduction—but recovery is about much more than eliminating symptoms. In this episode, Shaina sits down with Maggie Mullen, LCSW, DBT-LBC, to explore recovery-oriented, disability justice-informed approaches to psychosis. Together, they discuss common misconceptions, reducing stigma, person-centered care, and the emerging role of psychotherapy—including DBT—in supporting individuals experiencing psychosis.   In this episode: Recovery-oriented approaches to psychosis Disability justice and person-centered care Reducing stigma and pathologizing language The role of psychotherapy and DBT Resources• Maggie Mullen: www.maggiemullen.com•  The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook for Psychosis     Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals. Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways! Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/ TikTok: @affirm_mental_health

    Episode 83 | Recovery-Oriented Psychosis Care: Integrating Disability Justice, DBT & Person Centered Practice with Maggie Mullen, LCSW

  5. Jul 7

    Episode 82 | Professional Sustainability for Therapists: Evidence-Informed Strategies for Workload, Productivity, and Well-Being with Joe Sanok, LPC

    Featured Book: Using ACT and CFT for Burnout Recovery: The Beyond Burnout Blueprint by Shaina Siber Kindle: https://a.co/d/0iAlSrhC Paperback: https://www.routledge.com/Using-ACT-and-CFT-for-Burnout-Recovery-The-Beyond-Burnout-Blueprint/Siber/p/book/9781041074304 Course Information: https://canva.link/rw9f4vjqv6om4k0 --- Episode Summary: Demand for mental health care continues to grow while therapists face increasing rates of burnout, workforce shortages, administrative burden, and rapid technological change. In this episode, Shaina sits down with therapist, consultant, and bestselling author Joe Sanok to explore how organizational psychology and intentional work design can help clinicians build more sustainable, fulfilling careers. Together, they discuss the science of productivity, decision fatigue, autonomy, and workplace design, challenging the idea that burnout is simply an individual problem to solve with better self-care. Whether you work in community mental health, hospitals, integrated care, leadership, or private practice, this conversation offers practical, evidence-informed strategies for supporting both clinician well-being and high-quality client care. --- About Our Guest: Joe Sanok is the author of Thursday is the New Friday: How to work fewer hours, make more money, and spend time doing what you want. It examines how the four-day workweek boosts creativity and productivity.  Joe has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, NASDAQ, and over 300 business podcast interviews. He is the host of the popular The Practice of the Practice Podcast, which is recognized as one of the Top 50 Podcasts worldwide with 1200+ episodes and over 100,000 downloads each month. Fun fact: Joe hates mint chocolate chip ice cream and most forms of mint. --- Resources: Thursday Is the New Friday by Joe Sanok: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/thursday-is-the-new-friday-joe-sanok Practice of the Practice Podcast: https://www.practiceofthepractice.com/podcast/ Practice of the Practice: https://www.practiceofthepractice.com/ Free Practice of the Practice Basics Course: https://www.practiceofthepractice.com/basics/ --- Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, is the Founder of Affirm Mental Health, an accredited CE provider. She receives financial compensation from Affirm Mental Health for the development and delivery of continuing education content. There are no other conflicts of interest to disclose. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical training or treatment. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional. --- Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals. Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways! Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/ TikTok: @affirm_mental_health

    Episode 82 | Professional Sustainability for Therapists: Evidence-Informed Strategies for Workload, Productivity, and Well-Being with Joe Sanok, LPC

  6. Jun 23

    Episode 81 | The Psychology of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives with Mellissa Perry Hill, LPC

    What can a reality television show teach us about trauma, belonging, faith, and identity? In this Mental Health Edit episode, I’m joined by Mellissa Perry Hill, LPC, owner of Inner Compass Counseling & Consulting. Using The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives as a starting point, we explore religious trauma, high-control belief systems, gender roles, childhood trauma, mental health stigma, public shaming, and the challenges of healing while living in the public eye. In This Episode, We Discuss: Religious trauma and faith transitions High-control religious systems Shame, belonging, and community pressure Gender roles and patriarchy Childhood trauma and sexual abuse Mental health stigma Public accountability vs. public shaming Reality TV, social media, and culture Healing and reclaiming personal autonomy About Today's Guest Mellissa Perry Hill, MS, LPC, is the owner of Inner Compass Counseling & Consulting and specializes in religious trauma, spiritual abuse, and faith transitions. She works with individuals, couples, and families throughout Arizona and Utah. Connect with Mellissa Website: https://inner-compass-counseling.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mellissaperrytherapy/ Related Episode 🎙️ Episode 40: Healing After High-Control Religion and Religious Trauma For a deeper clinical discussion of religious trauma and faith transitions, be sure to check out Mellissa's previous CE-eligible appearance on The Affirming Minds Podcast Learn more about Affirm Mental Health

    Episode 81 | The Psychology of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives with Mellissa Perry Hill, LPC

  7. Jun 16

    Episode 80 | DBT with LGBTQ+ Clients: Building a Life Worth Living While Cultivating Queer Joy with Dr. Kiki Fehling

    Featured Book: Using ACT and CFT for Burnout Recovery: The Beyond Burnout Blueprint by Shaina Siber Kindle: https://a.co/d/0iAlSrhC Paperback: https://www.routledge.com/Using-ACT-and-CFT-for-Burnout-Recovery-The-Beyond-Burnout-Blueprint/Siber/p/book/9781041074304 Course Information: https://canva.link/qz2pet5l95q2jch --- Episode Summary: Psychologist, author, speaker, and Linehan Board-Certified DBT Expert Dr. Kiki Fehling joins The Affirming Minds Podcast to discuss LGBTQ+ mental health, minority stress, identity invalidation, and the role of Dialectical Behavior Therapy in fostering resilience, self-love, and queer joy. Together, we explore the history of LGBTQ+ mental health care, affirmative practice, and how DBT skills can help individuals navigate shame, stigma, and discrimination while building lives that feel meaningful, authentic, and connected. Dr. Fehling is the author of The LGBTQ+ Mental Health Workbook: Find Emotional Resilience, Self-Love, and Queer Joy with Dialectical Behavior Therapy. --- About Our Guest: Dr. Fehling is a clinical psychologist, author, and DBT-Linehan-Board-Certified expert in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). She began training in DBT early during her graduate education at Rutgers University under Dr. Shireen Rizvi, a student of Dr. Marsha Linehan, and received years of direct supervision and training on DBT, BPD, and suicide/self-harm assessment. Under her research mentor Dr. Edward Selby, she received several research grants and published research manuscripts about suicide and self-harm, particularly in LGBTQ+ adults. She continued her training on DBT/suicidality during her predoctoral internship at Montefiore Medical Center and during her postdoctoral training at NYCBT. At NYCBT, she became a full-time staff clinician, coordinating the program’s LGBTQ+ DBT program. She remains active in mental health advocacy and the dissemination of evidence-based therapies. She is a Psychology Today blogger and contributor to other publications; she co-wrote a published self-help workbook (Self-Directed DBT Skills) and is working on other projects, and she regularly shares DBT skills and mental health tips on social media (@dbtkiki). --- Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, is the Founder of Affirm Mental Health, an accredited CE provider. She receives financial compensation from Affirm Mental Health for the development and delivery of continuing education content. Kiki Fehling, PhD is an author with Zeitgeist as a contractor, an author with New Harbinger where she may receive royalties as a contractor, and serves as Director of Clinical Content for Now Matters Now as a nonprofit contractor. All content presented in this course is evidence-based and delivered without commercial bias. There are no other conflicts of interest to disclose. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical training or treatment. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional. --- Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals. Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways! Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/ TikTok: @affirm_mental_health

    Episode 80 | DBT with LGBTQ+ Clients: Building a Life Worth Living While Cultivating Queer Joy with Dr. Kiki Fehling

  8. Jun 2

    Episode 79 | Beyond PTSD: Trauma-Informed Care, Evidence-Based Treatment, and Internal Family Systems with Mariah Zur, LPC

    Featured Book: Using ACT and CFT for Burnout Recovery: The Beyond Burnout Blueprint by Shaina Siber Kindle: https://a.co/d/0iAlSrhC Paperback: https://www.routledge.com/Using-ACT-and-CFT-for-Burnout-Recovery-The-Beyond-Burnout-Blueprint/Siber/p/book/9781041074304 Course Information: https://canva.link/88hlzsfl7a02icw --- Episode Summary: What does it mean to be trauma-informed, and how is trauma-informed care different from trauma treatment? In this episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, host Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, explores the foundations of trauma-informed care, PTSD, Complex PTSD, post-traumatic growth, and the current landscape of evidence-based trauma treatment. Listeners will learn about SAMHSA's Four R's and Six Guiding Principles, the impact of trauma across the lifespan, and several established and emerging approaches to trauma treatment. Shaina is joined by Mariah Zur, LPC, for a conversation about Internal Family Systems (IFS), including how the model conceptualizes trauma responses through protective parts, exiles, and self-leadership. --- About Our Guest: Mariah Zur, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor, private practice owner, and PhD Candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision. She specializes in trauma-informed care, Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic approaches, clinician resilience, and burnout prevention. --- Conflict of Interest Disclosures: The host, Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, is the Founder of Affirm Mental Health, an accredited CE provider. She receives financial compensation from Affirm Mental Health for the development and delivery of continuing education content. No other financial conflicts of interest were reported. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical training or treatment. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional. --- Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals. Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways! Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/ TikTok: @affirm_mental_health

    Episode 79 | Beyond PTSD: Trauma-Informed Care, Evidence-Based Treatment, and Internal Family Systems with Mariah Zur, LPC
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Build your elite therapeutic toolkit learning through expert-led "pod-courses" and interviews. CEs available for Affirm Academy members.

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