Edge of the Couch

Jordan Pickell and Alison McCleary
  • 4.8 (32)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Edge of the Couch

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 new 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. 11/06/2024

    Live Q+A

    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 acces...

    48 min

  2. 10/23/2024

    Working with Discernment

    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...

    36 min

  3. 10/16/2024

    Managing Crisis (Without Becoming a Crisis Worker)

    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 clien...

    46 min

  4. 10/09/2024

    What Does 'Following the Client' Mean?

    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 pr...

    40 min

  5. 10/02/2024

    When Does Compassion Cross Over into Complicity?

    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...

    36 min

  6. 09/25/2024

    Clients are Lonelier Than Ever Before

    Edge of the Couch

    46 min

  7. 09/18/2024

    Watching Our Very First Recording: When Edge of the Couch was Reel Therapy Talk

    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...

    1h 8m

  8. 09/11/2024

    DEI is Not Enough: A Conversation with Bhupie Dulay and Abby Chow

    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, Lea...

    42 min
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Trailer

4.8
out of 5
32 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 new 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 - 2024
  • Episodes
    120
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Edge of the Couch
  • Show Website
    Edge of the Couch

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