Psyched to Practice

Dr. Ray Christner and Paul Wagner
  • 4.8 (16)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Biweekly

Join us as your hosts, Dr. Ray Christner and Paul Wagner, as we explore the far reaches of mental health and share this experience with you. We’re going to cover a wide variety of topics in and related to the field, as well as having experts share their findings and their passion for mental health. We look forward to taking this adventure with you and hope we can get you Psyched!“ Be well, and stay psyched!”

  1. 2d ago ·  Video

    Practice in Action: Discomfort Isn't Always Dysfunction

    What happens when we start treating normal human experiences as symptoms of a mental disorder? In this episode of the Psyched to Practice Podcast, Paul Wagner and Dr. Ray Christner take a closer look at the line between normal distress and clinical pathology. They discuss how referral bias, self-diagnosis, rating scales, symptom matching, and even our own clinical expectations can lead us to see a diagnosis before we fully understand the person sitting in front of us. They also explore why context, culture, proportionality, persistence, and functional impairment matter when deciding whether a reaction is clinically significant. From grief and anxiety to ADHD, OCD, sleep problems, food preferences, and passive suicidal thoughts, the conversation looks at why a symptom alone does not tell the whole story. Most importantly, the episode asks a difficult question for clinicians: What if our attempts to help can sometimes reinforce the idea that normal emotions are problems that need to be eliminated? Mental health is not about never feeling sad, anxious, angry, or uncomfortable. It is about developing the capacity to experience those emotions without becoming controlled by them. For clinicians, this episode offers a reminder to slow down, stay curious, and understand the experience before deciding what it means. Brightminds Ad PAR Ad This episode is brought to you by PAR. Explore the AI Report Writer here: https://www.parinc.com/product/ai-report-writer?utm_campaign=38111624-Psyched%20to%20Practice%202026&utm_source=P2P%20Podcast&utm_medium=Related%20Podcasts Learn more about the RIAS-2 NU here: https://www.parinc.com/product/groups/rias-rist-assessments?utm_campaign=38111624-Psyched%20to%20Practice%202026&utm_source=P2P%20Podcast&utm_medium=Related%20Podcasts To hear more and stay up to date with Paul Wagner, MS, LPC and Ray Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP visit our website at:  http://www.psychedtopractice.com  “Be well, and stay psyched"

  2. Aug 28 ·  Video

    Beyond the Bot: Introduction to AI in Mental Health Report Writing Pt. 2

    AI can fix your grammar, rewrite a sentence, summarize your notes, generate recommendations, and eventually start making decisions for you. But where should the line be? In this episode of Beyond the Bot: AI and Mental Health, Dan Florell and Adam Lockwood break down the different levels of AI-assisted report writing, from simple editing to recommendations and clinical judgment. They discuss data security, HIPAA and FERPA concerns, enterprise accounts and BAAs, and why even seemingly harmless AI tools can create privacy risks. They also tackle a bigger question: What happens to our professional skills when we let AI do too much of the thinking? For newer professionals, the risks may be even greater. Dan and Adam discuss why developing strong report-writing and clinical reasoning skills should come before handing those tasks over to AI. They also explore using AI as a thought partner, the limits of AI-generated perspectives, and why clinicians need to remain the expert in the loop. The bottom line is simple: If AI is helping you write the report, you still need to know the data well enough to know when AI is wrong. Brightminds Ad PAR Ad This episode is brought to you by PAR. Explore the AI Report Writer here: https://www.parinc.com/product/ai-report-writer?utm_campaign=38111624-Psyched%20to%20Practice%202026&utm_source=P2P%20Podcast&utm_medium=Related%20Podcasts Learn more about the RIAS-2 NU here: https://www.parinc.com/product/groups/rias-rist-assessments?utm_campaign=38111624-Psyched%20to%20Practice%202026&utm_source=P2P%20Podcast&utm_medium=Related%20Podcasts To hear more and stay up to date with Paul Wagner, MS, LPC and Ray Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP visit our website at:  http://www.psychedtopractice.com  “Be well, and stay psyched"

    Beyond the Bot: Introduction to AI in Mental Health Report Writing Pt. 2

  3. Aug 21

    THROWBACK EPISODE: Schools Back, Bye Summer

    It’s that time of the year again, one of the biggest transitions for families is back with back to school. Whether you’re a parent or student this is a time of change. And that’s exactly what Ray and Paul explore in this week’s episode. They review some helpful and healthy recommendations to ease back into the school routine, and make this school year the best it can be. We hope you enjoy this Living Psyched episode Schools Back, Bye Summer.  Brightminds Ad PAR Ad This episode is brought to you by PAR. Explore the AI Report Writer here: https://www.parinc.com/product/ai-report-writer?utm_campaign=38111624-Psyched%20to%20Practice%202026&utm_source=P2P%20Podcast&utm_medium=Related%20Podcasts Learn more about the RIAS-2 NU here: https://www.parinc.com/product/groups/rias-rist-assessments?utm_campaign=38111624-Psyched%20to%20Practice%202026&utm_source=P2P%20Podcast&utm_medium=Related%20Podcasts To hear more and stay up to date with Paul Wagner, MS, LPC and Ray Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP visit our website at:  http://www.psychedtopractice.com  “Be well, and stay psyched"

  4. Aug 14 ·  Video

    Beyond the Bot: Introduction to AI in Mental Health Report Writing Pt. 1

    This episode focuses on AI report writing in psychological assessment, with a special emphasis on school psychology. Dan Florell and Adam Lockwood look at why AI is being adopted so quickly, where it genuinely helps, and where human judgment still matters. They also dig into the tension between compliance-heavy technical reports and the need for parent-friendly, usable summaries. In this episode, Dan Florell, a professor at Eastern Kentucky University and founder of Psyched to Practice, is joined by Adam Lockwood of Kent State University, who consults on AI implementation and AI report writing. Together, they explore report quality, defensibility, readability, and the practical realities of using AI in educational and clinical settings. Brightminds Ad PAR Ad This episode is brought to you by PAR. Explore the AI Report Writer here: https://www.parinc.com/product/ai-report-writer?utm_campaign=38111624-Psyched%20to%20Practice%202026&utm_source=P2P%20Podcast&utm_medium=Related%20Podcasts Learn more about the RIAS-2 NU here: https://www.parinc.com/product/groups/rias-rist-assessments?utm_campaign=38111624-Psyched%20to%20Practice%202026&utm_source=P2P%20Podcast&utm_medium=Related%20Podcasts To hear more and stay up to date with Paul Wagner, MS, LPC and Ray Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP visit our website at:  http://www.psychedtopractice.com  “Be well, and stay psyched"

    Beyond the Bot: Introduction to AI in Mental Health Report Writing Pt. 1

  5. Aug 7 ·  Video

    Practice in Action : Estrangement Should be the Nuclear Option

    Social media often makes it sound like there’s only one answer to difficult family relationships: cut them off. But is that always the healthiest choice? In this episode, Paul Wagner and Dr. Ray Christner take a thoughtful look at family estrangement, toxic relationships, and the role of boundaries in protecting your well-being. They explore why the word “toxic” has become so common, how clinicians can avoid black-and-white thinking, and why firm but flexible boundaries often deserve consideration before permanent no-contact decisions. You’ll hear practical ways to think through difficult family dynamics, the potential long-term costs of estrangement, situations where immediate separation is appropriate, and how therapists can support clients without steering them toward a predetermined outcome. Whether you’re a mental health professional or someone navigating a challenging family relationship, this conversation offers a balanced, compassionate framework for making decisions that align with your values instead of reacting from the moment. Brightminds Ad PAR Ad This episode is brought to you by PAR. Explore the AI Report Writer here: https://www.parinc.com/product/ai-report-writer?utm_campaign=38111624-Psyched%20to%20Practice%202026&utm_source=P2P%20Podcast&utm_medium=Related%20Podcasts Learn more about the RIAS-2 NU here: https://www.parinc.com/product/groups/rias-rist-assessments?utm_campaign=38111624-Psyched%20to%20Practice%202026&utm_source=P2P%20Podcast&utm_medium=Related%20Podcasts To hear more and stay up to date with Paul Wagner, MS, LPC and Ray Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP visit our website at:  http://www.psychedtopractice.com  “Be well, and stay psyched"

  6. Jul 31 ·  Video

    Beyond the Bot: How Agentic AI Can Transform Education and Practice

    AI is moving far beyond simple chatbots, and many mental health professionals are wondering what comes next. In the first episode of Beyond the Bot, Dan Florell and Adam Lockwood break down one of the fastest-growing areas of artificial intelligence: AI agents. They explain the difference between traditional AI chatbots and autonomous AI systems, where these tools can genuinely save clinicians time, and where they should never be used. The conversation covers practical examples for psychologists, counselors, school psychologists, and private practice owners, including research reviews, program evaluation, website analysis, marketing insights, and automating repetitive administrative work. Just as importantly, they discuss the ethical boundaries, including why protected health information should never be shared with consumer AI tools and why curiosity should come before rushing to adopt new technology. Whether you're just beginning to explore AI or already using ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini, this episode offers practical guidance to help you understand where the technology is headed and how to prepare for it responsibly. Brightminds Ad PAR Ad This episode is brought to you by PAR. Explore the AI Report Writer here: https://www.parinc.com/product/ai-report-writer?utm_campaign=38111624-Psyched%20to%20Practice%202026&utm_source=P2P%20Podcast&utm_medium=Related%20Podcasts Learn more about the RIAS-2 NU here: https://www.parinc.com/product/groups/rias-rist-assessments?utm_campaign=38111624-Psyched%20to%20Practice%202026&utm_source=P2P%20Podcast&utm_medium=Related%20Podcasts To hear more and stay up to date with Paul Wagner, MS, LPC and Ray Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP visit our website at:  http://www.psychedtopractice.com  “Be well, and stay psyched"

    Beyond the Bot: How Agentic AI Can Transform Education and Practice

  7. Jul 25

    ‼️New Podcast Update‼️

    We are excited to announce the launch of a brand new podcast, Beyond the Bot, hosted by Dr. Dan Florel and Dr. Adam Lockwood. Starting Friday, July 31st, you’ll find episodes of Beyond the Bot appearing right here on the Psyched To Practice feed, alternating with our regular episodes. This means you’ll continue to receive fresh content every week without needing to subscribe to anything new. For those familiar with our journey, Dan has played a pivotal role behind the scenes, helping to transform Psyched To Practice from a passion project into a robust educational platform. Joining him is Adam Lockwood, who brings years of experience in helping mental health professionals thoughtfully integrate artificial intelligence into clinical practice, education, supervision, and daily workflows. Brightminds Ad PAR Ad This episode is brought to you by PAR. Explore the AI Report Writer here: https://www.parinc.com/product/ai-report-writer?utm_campaign=38111624-Psyched%20to%20Practice%202026&utm_source=P2P%20Podcast&utm_medium=Related%20Podcasts Learn more about the RIAS-2 NU here: https://www.parinc.com/product/groups/rias-rist-assessments?utm_campaign=38111624-Psyched%20to%20Practice%202026&utm_source=P2P%20Podcast&utm_medium=Related%20Podcasts To hear more and stay up to date with Paul Wagner, MS, LPC and Ray Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP visit our website at:  http://www.psychedtopractice.com  “Be well, and stay psyched"

  8. Jul 24 ·  Video

    Masters in Practice: LGBTQ+ Mental Health and DBT w/ Dr. Kiki Fehling

    Most therapists overlook one of the most powerful tools for supporting LGBTQ+ clients: the deep connection between minority stress, emotional validation, and joy. In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Kiki Fehling—an expert in queer-affirmative DBT—shares how understanding the unique challenges faced by queer individuals can transform therapy from mere coping to building a genuinely fulfilling life. Discover how minority stress operates like chronic invalidation, fueling mental health difficulties like anxiety, depression, and trauma. Kiki reveals how DBT’s biosocial model not only helps clients manage emotions but also reframes their experiences—empowering clients to see their identities not as sources of pathology but as sources of strength and joy. She explains how the foundational CBT skill of opposite action can combat shame and anxiety, leading clients to actively pursue moments of queer joy—whether through celebrations, community, or self-affirmation. You'll learn practical ways clinicians can avoid microaggressions—like making assumptions about pronouns or relationships—and how to repair ruptures that threaten trust. The episode emphasizes the importance of fostering therapy spaces where queer clients can fully embrace their identities, find happiness, and counteract societal stigma. Whether you're a mental health professional or a queer advocate, this conversation offers a clear map for integrating affirming practices that lead to genuine resilience and happiness. Filled with actionable exercises from Kiki’s new workbook, along with her insights on cultural humility and self-work, this episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to supporting LGBTQ+ folks in living their fullest, happiest lives. Queer joy isn’t just a moment—it’s a vital component of mental health and belonging. Her New Book: https://www.kikifehling.com/lgbtqworkbook Therapist Guide: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0197643302?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback Free worksheets/handout: https://www.newharbinger.com/9781648486623/the-lgbtq-mental-health-workbook/ Find a LGBTQ+ community center near you: https://www.lgbtqcenters.org/ Brightminds Ad PAR Ad This episode is brought to you by PAR. Explore the AI Report Writer here: https://www.parinc.com/product/ai-report-writer?utm_campaign=38111624-Psyched%20to%20Practice%202026&utm_source=P2P%20Podcast&utm_medium=Related%20Podcasts Learn more about the RIAS-2 NU here: https://www.parinc.com/product/groups/rias-rist-assessments?utm_campaign=38111624-Psyched%20to%20Practice%202026&utm_source=P2P%20Podcast&utm_medium=Related%20Podcasts To hear more and stay up to date with Paul Wagner, MS, LPC and Ray Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP visit our website at:  http://www.psychedtopractice.com  “Be well, and stay psyched"

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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Join us as your hosts, Dr. Ray Christner and Paul Wagner, as we explore the far reaches of mental health and share this experience with you. We’re going to cover a wide variety of topics in and related to the field, as well as having experts share their findings and their passion for mental health. We look forward to taking this adventure with you and hope we can get you Psyched!“ Be well, and stay psyched!”

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Ray Christner and Paul Wagner
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    146
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Psyched to Practice
  • Show Website
    Psyched to Practice

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