The Affirming Minds Podcast

Shaina Siber, LCSW
  • 4.6 (17)
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Build your elite therapeutic toolkit learning through expert-led "pod-courses" and interviews. CEs available for Affirm Academy members.

  1. Episode #58 - The Ethics of Being a Public Therapist: Social Media, Podcasts, and Beyond with Dr. Kiki Fehling

    22H AGO

    Episode #58 - The Ethics of Being a Public Therapist: Social Media, Podcasts, and Beyond with Dr. Kiki Fehling

    Earn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button. SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes. SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://affirmmentalhealth.com/become-a-member/ Course Information: https://www.canva.com/design/DAG7l1eTh1Q/_ZLnM4mT596WGPoe3v709w/view?utm_content=DAG7l1eTh1Q&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hd0b27cafe4 --- Episode Summary: As mental health knowledge increasingly moves beyond the therapy room and into public-facing spaces—social media, podcasts, blogs, and newsletters—therapists are navigating new ethical terrain. In this episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, host Shaina Siber, LCSW is joined by licensed psychologist and DBT expert Dr. Kiki Fehling for a thoughtful conversation about what it means for therapists to show up publicly with integrity, clarity, and ethical care. Together, they explore how public-facing psychoeducation can expand access, reduce stigma, and counter misinformation—while also examining ethical considerations around visibility, self-disclosure, confidentiality, political expression, and professional identity. Rather than offering rigid rules, this episode invites clinicians into a more reflective, values-driven approach to public engagement. --- Topics Discussed: Why therapists are increasingly visible in public-facing spaces Public psychoeducation as a public health intervention Ethical self-disclosure and boundary-setting online Responding to comments and DMs without practicing therapy in public Navigating politics, human rights, and professional responsibility Protecting confidentiality and scope of practice in digital spaces --- About Our Guest: Dr. Kiki Fehling is a licensed psychologist, author, speaker, and Linehan Board–Certified Clinician in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). She is known for her public-facing psychoeducation through @dbtkiki, her Substack How To Queer Joy, her book Self-Directed DBT Skills, her DBT Cards for Coping Skills deck, and her work with the suicide prevention nonprofit Now Matters Now. Learn more about DBT at behavioraltech.org. Dr. Fehling is also a WomenHeart Champion, using both clinical expertise and lived experience to advocate for equity in cardiac health. --- Upcoming Workshop With Our Guest Ethics of Personal Branding for Therapists: How to Get Started, Show Up Wisely, and Maintain Boundaries in Digital Spaces March 27, 2026 @12:00PM-3:00PM EST Live via Zoom 3 CEs – Meets NYSED Boundaries Requirement (SW & Psychologists) Free for AFFIRM Academy Members Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1977913650974?aff=oddtdtcreator --- Conflict of Interest Disclosure: This episode includes discussion of an upcoming continuing education training offered through Affirm Mental Health. The host, Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, is the Founder of Affirm Mental Health and will receive financial benefit from course registrations. Dr. Kiki Fehling is a paid presenter for this training. The workshop is free for Affirm Academy members. No other financial conflicts of interest are 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

    1h 1m
  2. Episode #57 - IFS and Attachment Theory: How Early Relationships Shape Our Parts with Alyce Messer, LCSW-S

    DEC 2

    Episode #57 - IFS and Attachment Theory: How Early Relationships Shape Our Parts with Alyce Messer, LCSW-S

    Earn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button. SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes. SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://affirmmentalhealth.com/become-a-member/ Course Information: https://www.canva.com/design/DAG6RMxBArE/68btywE2DPvr8nnoE_j8uA/view?utm_content=DAG6RMxBArE&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=he417b57f34 --- Episode Summary: Today we explore how Internal Family Systems (IFS) and attachment theory intersect—and why this integration offers such powerful clinical clarity. We discuss how early attachment experiences shape protectors, how authenticity gets exiled in favor of connection, and what it looks like to build a secure internal attachment between Self and parts. If you’d like an IFS foundation first, listen to Episode #35 with Kendall Hart. --- Topics Discussed: How attachment adaptations form protectors Why certain relational patterns repeat in adulthood What internal secure attachment actually means The role of Self-energy as an internal secure base How IFS + attachment deepens trauma work, parenting, and self-leadership --- About Our Guest: Alyce Messer, LCSW-S, is an EMDRIA-Approved Consultant and IFS Level 2-trained therapist specializing in complex trauma and therapist wellness. She integrates EMDR and IFS to help clinicians, clients, and humans cultivate Self-leadership and healing through differentiation --- Connect with Alyce:  Website: https://alycemesser.com Instagram:    @alycerachel Trainings, retreats & consultation: See offerings on her website Newsletter: Sign up via her homepage for updates on IFS + attachment trainings --- Upcoming Workshop with Our Guest Introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy: Foundations for Clinicians Tuesday, February 24, 2026 12–3 PM EST Live via  Zoom 3 CEs (ASWB, NBCC, NYSED SW/Psychology) $60 — Free for Affirm Academy Members - BECOME A MEMBER – Affirm Mental Health Part of Affirm Reads — read No Bad Partsbeforehand for additional CEs Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-internal-family-systems-therapy-foundations-for-clinicians-tickets-1931966617159?aff=oddtdtcreator --- Resources Mentioned Episode #35: Kendall Hart on IFS Foundations Book: No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz IFS Institute: https://ifs-institute.com Attachment theory basics: Bowlby & Ainsworth foundational work --- Conflict of Interest Disclosure: 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. 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

    57 min
  3. Episode #56: The Mental Health Edit with Megan Gallagher, Writer & Creator of All Her Fault

    NOV 25

    Episode #56: The Mental Health Edit with Megan Gallagher, Writer & Creator of All Her Fault

    In this special Mental Health Edit episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, host Shaina Siber, LCSW speaks with the brilliant Megan Gallagher, the Oslo-based, American-born writer behind All Her Fault — the #1 show on Peacock and a breakout hit that blends psychological suspense with piercing social commentary. Megan’s adaptation of Andrea Mara’s novel delivers a propulsive, twist-heavy thriller while unearthing deeper themes: the mental load of parenthood, weaponized incompetence, gendered blame, disability representation, caregiving, and the quiet emotional burdens that shape family life. If you love psychologically rich storytelling — or you’re a therapist who wants to explore how mental health shows up in the stories we consume — this conversation is essential. About Megan Gallagher Megan Gallagher is an acclaimed screenwriter known for bold, emotionally grounded, character-driven thrillers. Her work includes: ALL HER FAULT (Peacock #1 in the U.S.; Sky & NOW TV in the UK), starring Sarah Snook, Dakota Fanning, Michael Peña, and Jake Lacy WOLF (BBC), based on Mo Hayder’s Jack Caffery novels THE BLAME (currently in production for ITV and Quay St.) Adaptation of Robert Harris’s Act of Oblivion for Carnival Two episodes of Suspicion for Apple TV+, starring Uma Thurman An episode of the Harlen Coben/Amazon thriller series Lazarus Her writing is known for its emotional honesty, sophisticated tension, and ability to frame genre storytelling through a deeply human lens. Listen & Learn Watch All Her Fault on Peacock Explore CE-eligible podcourses at affirmmentalhealth.com Follow @affirmmentalhealth on Instagram for updates If You Loved This Episode Please follow, rate, and share with fellow clinicians and pop-culture enthusiasts. Your support helps expand thoughtful, nuanced conversations about mental health in media.

    27 min
  4. Episode #55: The Asian American Teen Mental Health Crisis and the SPEAK Initiative with Dr. Teresa Hsu

    NOV 18

    Episode #55: The Asian American Teen Mental Health Crisis and the SPEAK Initiative with Dr. Teresa Hsu

    Earn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button. SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes. SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://affirmmentalhealth.com/become-a-member/ Course Information: https://www.canva.com/design/DAG45j7muyU/GyvsDQMgwhL4FHOY1FrELQ/view?utm_content=DAG45j7muyU&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h174d77b3d6 --- Episode Summary: In this episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, host Shaina Siber, LCSW sits down with Dr. Teresa Hsu-Walklet — clinical psychologist, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Founder of S.P.E.A.K. (A Supportive Place for Empowering Asian Americans & Kin) — to explore the growing mental-health crisis among Asian American teens. Dr. Hsu discusses the historical and cultural context that shapes Asian American mental health — from early immigration and Japanese internment to the Vietnam War and the 2020 surge in anti-Asian hate during COVID-19. She shares how these systemic and generational experiences of trauma continue to influence today’s youth and why culturally responsive interventions are critical for prevention and healing. We dive into her groundbreaking new resource, The Asian American Teen’s Mental Health Workbook, and the community-based work of S.P.E.A.K., which empowers Asian American families and providers through education, destigmatization, and research-driven advocacy. --- Topics Discussed: How historical oppression and racialized trauma intersect with modern Asian American identity. The impact of COVID-19–related anti-Asian hate on mental health and belonging. Key takeaways from The Asian American Teen’s Mental Health Workbookfor clinicians, parents, and youth. The role of community-based participatory action research (CBPAR) in advancing culturally responsive care. --- About Our Guest: Teresa Hsu, PhD, is the Founder and Executive Director of S.P.E.A.K., a Supportive Place for Empowering Asian Americans & Kin, which focuses on Asian American mental health and wellness through education, destigmatization, research, and direct services. She is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and as the former Assistant Director of the Pediatric Behavioral Health Integration Program at Montefiore Medical Center, she helped establish one of the largest pediatric integrated behavioral health primary care programs in the nation. She uses evidenced-based approaches in her work with individuals and families to address race-related stressors, parent-child cultural issues including cultural dissonance, anxiety, mood disorders, and trauma. Her research focuses on collaborative care, prevention, and population health in diverse, historically marginalized communities, and she has presented nationally and published in peer-reviewed journals. She has been interviewed by The New York Times, WHYY PBS & NPR, VeryWell Family, Romper, Modern Healthcare, and City Limits, amongst others. Dr. Hsu-Walklet attended Northwestern University, where she received her B.A. in Psychology and Piano Performance, and she received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from The George Washington University. She completed her Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship at New York University. --- Connect with Teresa:  Website: www.connecttospeak.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drteresahsu & https://www.instagram.com/connecttospeak The Asian American Teen’s Mental Health Workbook: https://www.amazon.com/Asian-American-Mental-Health-Workbook/dp/1648485693 --- Conflict of Interest Disclosure: 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. 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

    53 min
  5. Episode #54: Infertility, IVF, and Reproductive Grief: Supporting Clients Through Uncertainty with Hilary Hovis, LCSW

    NOV 4

    Episode #54: Infertility, IVF, and Reproductive Grief: Supporting Clients Through Uncertainty with Hilary Hovis, LCSW

    Earn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button. SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes. SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://affirmmentalhealth.com/become-a-member/ Course Information: https://www.canva.com/design/DAG3p9dLjmY/4qwcHJ9bffOH5QItUeTI0Q/view?utm_content=DAG3p9dLjmY&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h90a91f5af6 --- This Episode is Sponsored by Jane This episode is proudly sponsored by Jane, the practice management software that simplifies scheduling, charting, billing, and running your therapy business – all in one place. Use code AFFIRM1MO to receive a 1-month grace period when you sign up: 🔗 https://jane.app --- Episode Summary: Infertility affects an estimated 1 in 6 people worldwide, yet remains one of the least explored topics in clinical education. In this episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, sits down with Hilary Hovis, LCSW to unpack the emotional and psychological dimensions of infertility and IVF treatment—and how therapists can offer informed, compassionate care to clients navigating these deeply personal experiences. Hilary brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the conversation. She specializes in helping women and non-binary clients explore the intersections of body image, disordered eating, and reproductive grief, and her insights illuminate what it means to hold space for grief, hope, and identity shifts when the body becomes the site of uncertainty. --- Topics Discussed: Common emotional and relational themes in infertility and IVF journeys Quiet grief, control, and shame as clinical targets rather than character flaws Containment planning, widening the window of tolerance, and distinguishing pain from danger The role of systemic barriers—cost, access, policy, and privilege—in shaping reproductive experiences Moving beyond toxic positivity toward authentic, trauma-informed compassion --- About Our Guest: Hilary Hovis, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and founder of HLH Therapy, a private practice serving adults across New York. Hilary helps clients unpack the deeper roots of body image distress, disordered eating patterns, and reproductive grief. Her approach is trauma-informed, relational, and narrative-based—offering humor, honesty, and validation to those navigating complex relationships with their bodies and identities. --- Connect with Hilary:  Website: www.hlhtherapy.com TikTok: @hlhtherapy --- Conflict of Interest Disclosure: 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. 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

    1h 8m
  6. Episode #53: Generational Trauma: How Family Pain Moves Through Relationships with Alyssa Scarano, LPC

    OCT 28

    Episode #53: Generational Trauma: How Family Pain Moves Through Relationships with Alyssa Scarano, LPC

    Earn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button. SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes. SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://affirmmentalhealth.com/become-a-member/ Course Information: https://www.canva.com/design/DAG26R2OOgE/ty4ePFfNomzIu95FE4nomA/view?utm_content=DAG26R2OOgE&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h3abe042a1d --- This Episode is Sponsored by Jane This episode is proudly sponsored by Jane, the practice management software that simplifies scheduling, charting, billing, and running your therapy business – all in one place. Use code AFFIRM1MO to receive a 1-month grace period when you sign up: 🔗 https://jane.app --- Episode Summary: In this episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, host Shaina Siber, LCSW sits down with Alyssa Scarano, LPC, NCC, founder and Clinical Director of The Collective Therapy & Wellness, to explore how family pain and protection get passed down through relationships—and how therapy can interrupt those cycles. Grounded in the frameworks of Bowenian Family Systems Theory and Attachment Theory, the conversation looks at how early family roles like caretaker, peacekeeper, or over-functioner often repeat across generations. Shaina and Alyssa unpack what it means to notice these patterns, develop differentiation, and create new ways of relating that align with our values rather than our survival instincts. This episode offers a clinically rich, compassion-driven lens for therapists and anyone interested in understanding how healing within relationships can begin to transform entire family systems. --- Topics Discussed: How relational patterns from our families of origin influence adult relationships Key concepts from Bowenian Family Systems and Attachment Theory Practical ways to use genograms to identify intergenerational dynamics How mindfulness and compassion practices help interrupt inherited roles What it looks like when awareness becomes action in therapy --- About Our Guest:  Alyssa Scarano, LPC, NCC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the Founder/Owner of The Collective Therapy & Wellness. Known for her empathetic and compassionate approach, Alyssa views her work as a profound privilege—an opportunity to be invited into the most intimate and vulnerable parts of her clients’ lives to offer unwavering support and grace. Specializing in relationships, Alyssa is dedicated to helping individuals heal from childhood trauma, break generational patterns, and cultivate meaningful, authentic connections by first fostering a compassionate relationship with themselves. --- Connect with Alyssa:  Website:collective-therapy.com --- Conflict of Interest Disclosure: 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. 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

    1 hr
  7. Episode #52: Integrating Music into Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): Creative Approaches to OCD Treatment with Desiree Untch, LISW-S

    OCT 21

    Episode #52: Integrating Music into Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): Creative Approaches to OCD Treatment with Desiree Untch, LISW-S

    Earn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button. SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes. SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://affirmmentalhealth.com/become-a-member/ Course Information: https://www.canva.com/design/DAG2WyGmi0o/adhSJJgo9pXQxC25FH5QDw/view?utm_content=DAG2WyGmi0o&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=had1e1338e2 --- This Episode is Sponsored by Jane This episode is proudly sponsored by Jane, the practice management software that simplifies scheduling, charting, billing, and running your therapy business – all in one place. Use code AFFIRM1MO to receive a 1-month grace period when you sign up: 🔗 https://jane.app --- Episode Summary: Music can comfort us, move us, and even help us heal — but for some people, it can also provoke anxiety or fear. In this episode, host Shaina Siber, LCSW, explores the intersection between music therapy, exposure-based interventions, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) with guest Desiree Untch, LCSW — an independently licensed clinical social worker with advanced training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Shaina and Desiree discuss how music — a powerful activator of memory, emotion, and physiology — can become both a trigger and a pathway to healing. Desiree shares how she integrates music into ERP to help clients with moral and religious scrupulosity, a form of OCD characterized by intrusive fears of sinning or moral failure. Together, they explore how sound and rhythm can enhance emotional regulation, deepen exposure work, and transform avoidance into connection. Whether you specialize in OCD or not, this conversation offers creative, evidence-informed ways to bring music, embodiment, and emotional resonance into therapy — especially for clients who avoid sadness, shame, or grief.   If you’re new to ERP or OCD treatment, start with our self-study webinar: 🎓 An Introduction to Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) 🔗 https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/offers/LadRw3dq/checkout --- Topics Discussed: The neurobiological and emotional effects of music on the brain and body How moral and religious scrupulosity can lead to avoidance of music and environments where music is played How music can be used as an exposure stimulus within ERP The overlap between music therapy and modern exposure learning theory Creative ways to use sound and rhythm to reduce experiential avoidance and enhance engagement --- About Our Guest: Desiree Untch is an independently licensed clinical social worker specializing in anxiety disorders, OCD, and related conditions. She has received extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and completed the International OCD Foundation’s Pediatric Behavioral Therapy Training Institute (BTTI). Desiree is a professional member of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) and serves as Vice President and Social Media & Public Relations Chair for OCD Midwest, where she also contributes to the Education Committee. Driven by a passion for helping individuals manage intrusive thoughts and anxiety, she empowers clients with practical, evidence-based tools to reclaim their lives and live fully in the present moment. --- Connect with Desiree:  Email: desiree@aspireanxietysolutions.com www.aspireanxietysolutions.com https://www.instagram.com/Aspireanxietyandocdsolutions https://www.instagram.com/desireeuntch/ --- Conflict of Interest Disclosure: 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. 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

    55 min
  8. Episode #51: Between Two Worlds - South Asian Identity, Family Pressure, and Mental Health with Shruthi Nair MHC-LP

    OCT 14

    Episode #51: Between Two Worlds - South Asian Identity, Family Pressure, and Mental Health with Shruthi Nair MHC-LP

    Earn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button. SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes. SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://affirmmentalhealth.com/become-a-member/ Course Information: https://www.canva.com/design/DAG1r9olGRo/pwcm9HHNjwzJmvgcopOwmg/view?utm_content=DAG1r9olGRo&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h0bc8e717dc --- This Episode is Sponsored by Jane This episode is proudly sponsored by Jane, the practice management software that simplifies scheduling, charting, billing, and running your therapy business – all in one place. Use code AFFIRM1MO to receive a 1-month grace period when you sign up: 🔗 https://jane.app --- Episode Summary: In this episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, host Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW sits down with Shruthi Nair, MHC-LP, a New York–based mental health counselor whose work centers on the experiences of South Asian and other BIPOC individuals navigating identity, family dynamics, and mental health stigma. Together, they unpack the complex layers of shame, guilt, success, and family reputation that shape the mental health journeys of South Asian communities. Shruthi shares how historical and cultural forces—like colonialism, collectivism, and generational trauma—continue to influence help-seeking behaviors today. Whether you’re a therapist seeking to build cultural competence or someone personally navigating these themes, this episode offers powerful insight, validation, and tools for growth. --- Topics Discussed: How historical and cultural narratives impact South Asian mental health and stigma The difference between shame and guilt in family systems—and why this distinction matters How therapists can approach bicultural identity, people-pleasing, and intergenerational trauma with compassion and cultural responsiveness Practical strategies and therapeutic modalities that support healing, including mindfulness, IFS, and ACT-based approaches --- About Our Guest: Shruthi Nair is a Limited Permit Mental Health Counselor based in New York. As a second-generation Indian American and daughter of immigrants, Shruthi brings a deep personal understanding to her work with BIPOC communities, with a special focus on supporting South Asian individuals navigating the unique challenges of bicultural identity. Shruthi works primarily with adults dealing with anxiety, depression, life transitions, self-esteem, chronic health conditions (such as PCOS and thyroid disorders), and issues related to people-pleasing, shame, guilt, and family dynamics. She also specializes in helping clients process intergenerational trauma and explore identity through a culturally responsive, trauma-informed lens. A passionate advocate for de-stigmatizing mental health in the South Asian community, Shruthi regularly appears on podcasts, panels, and speaking engagements across organizations. She shares educational, culturally informed content on Instagram and TikTok as @boldbrowntherapist — a platform she created to empower others through representation, storytelling, and healing. Shruthi lives in New Jersey with her husband, loves traveling the world, and has been learning and performing Indian classical dance since the age of four. --- Connect with Shruthi:  Instagram & TikTok: @boldbrowntherapist Website: www.shruthinair.com --- Conflict of Interest Disclosure: 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. 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

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