Beyond the Chair: The Therapist’s Companion

Sonya Andersen-Haile, MS, LPC, NCC

Hosted by Sonya Andersen-Haile, MS, LPC, NCC, this podcast explores the messy, nuanced, and often unspoken parts of counseling; from clinical supervision and ethical dilemmas to burnout, boundaries, and professional growth. Through real stories, case discussions, media analysis, and honest reflection, The Therapist’s Companion creates space for meaningful conversation about what it actually takes to grow as a clinician. This podcast is designed to complement, not replace, clinical supervision. Whether you’re a graduate student, intern, newly licensed therapist, seasoned clinician, or supervisor, you’ll find thoughtful insights, practical considerations, and moments of connection that help you think differently about your work. Episodes cover topics such as: Clinical supervision and supervision gaps Ethical decision-making in real-world practice Therapist burnout, isolation, and sustainability Media portrayals of therapy and what they get wrong Case conceptualization and clinical judgment Professional identity development Beyond the Chair offers both a free version with core episodes and a subscription option featuring deeper dives, interactive monthly cases, extended discussions, and opportunities to engage more closely with the material. If you’re looking for a therapist podcast that’s reflective, grounded, and honest about the complexities of counseling, this is your companion beyond the therapy room. *Disclaimer: This podcast is not intended to replace clinical supervision. This podcast is conceptualizations from the perspective of the host and/or guests, please ensure you are conducting yourself and your practice bound by your ethical codes, regulatory board, and law in your state.

Episodes

  1. Oct 17

    Life, Death, and Being a Therapist

    The things that no one prepares you for, personal loss and being a therapist, it’s just not what one might expect and all the skills in the world can’t fix what’s broken when we lose someone who means the world to us.  This episode serves as a return of sorts to my programming, but also a moment to aknowledge a tremendous woman who meant a tremendous amount to me, who I think about when I allow myself to, who I wish I could hug and talk to and tell her all about my life and what has been happening in the year and some odd months since I had her last. This episode is for and about my Mom.  Chapters (00:00:01) - Returning from hiatus(00:02:12) - Why therapists need to hear about struggles(00:02:44) - Compartmentalizing grief as a therapist(00:04:28) - The one-year anniversary and avoidance(00:06:12) - Seeing mom's car and small reminders(00:07:47) - Visiting mom's grave for the first time(00:11:13) - The neighboring grave story(00:12:44) - AI, season breaks, and finances(00:13:38) - Listener gratitude and intro to mom's story(00:14:58) - 2019 diagnosis: stage four lung cancer(00:17:22) - Starting the PhD program as distraction(00:18:27) - Balancing school and time with mom(00:19:15) - COVID, treatment, and the ER scare(00:20:41) - Mom's decision to stop treatment(00:22:19) - Meeting the baby and losing mom(00:23:00) - Processing a year without mom(00:24:00) - Mom as a supportive, intuitive presence(00:25:08) - Grief, privacy, and friends checking in(00:26:54) - Finding a new north star(00:28:18) - Closing reflections and thanks

  2. Feb 25

    From Hurt to Healing: Why We Choose This Work

    If you want to share your reflections or continue the conversation, you can find me on Instagram at @thetherapistscompanion In this episode of Beyond the Chair: The Therapist Companion, I reflect on the early experiences that shaped my path to becoming a therapist. From navigating childhood friendships and exclusion to learning the importance of boundaries and empathy, I share how these formative moments inspired my “why.” Whether you’re new to the field or have been practicing for years, this episode invites you to explore your own reasons for choosing this work and consider how your story can deepen your understanding of clients. A self-reflection exercise at the end encourages you to pause, journal, and connect with your personal motivations as a helper. Chapters (00:00:00) - Beyond the Chair(00:00:26) - Why Are We Therapists?(00:01:58) - The Reasons Why I Got Into Psychotherapy(00:10:50) - One Bullied By Her Best Friend(00:18:31) - The Reasons I Became A Therapist(00:21:41) - A Little Self-Reflection

  3. Feb 18

    We Are Our History: Burnout, Identity, and Reclaiming Ourselves

    In this episode of Beyond the Chair, I sit down with my longtime colleague and friend, Lluliana Flores, LCSW, to talk about decolonizing therapy, community mental health, supervision, and therapist burnout. Together, we reflect on what it means to practice in systems that shape us and sometimes exhaust us. We explore cultural humility in the therapy room, the limitations of diagnosis, the realities of early-career supervision, and how many of us built our identities around productivity and the letters behind our names. But underneath it all is a deeper question: Who are we outside of the job? This conversation is about reclaiming identity, remembering our history, reconnecting with our roots, and finding sustainable ways to remain in this field without losing ourselves in it. If you’ve ever wondered whether burnout is about more than just workload, this one’s for you. Chapters (00:00:00) - Burnout and Decolonization(00:05:52) - Bring culture into the therapist's session(00:09:19) - Neuroticism on Inflammation(00:14:06) - On Why I Have Burnout(00:18:41) - Juliana on Working On A Full Schedule(00:22:52) - Clinical Case Manager on Burnout(00:27:01) - Former Community Mental Health therapist on the burnout(00:31:37) - Pushing the boundaries of mental health(00:34:30) - Burnout Talk: Own Your Story(00:35:24) - The First Intermission

  4. Feb 10

    Clinicain Anxiety

    In this episode of Beyond the Chair, we dive into the often-overlooked topic of therapist anxiety. Whether you're a new therapist or a seasoned pro, anxiety can show up in surprising ways, especially around first-time experiences like meeting a new client, running your first group, or stepping into a new modality. Sonya reflects on her own moments of self-doubt, sharing stories that will resonate with anyone who's felt the pressure of being "perfect" in this field. She also touches on the importance of normalizing these feelings, acknowledging that they’re part of the journey for all therapists. The episode we briefly discuss the upcoming deep dive into the documentary Evil Influencer: The Jody Hildebrandt Story. Make sure to check out the discussion questions for that at @thetherapistcompanion on Instagram. As always: Beyond the Chair is intended for informational purposes only. The content shared in this podcast is not a substitute for supervision, professional advice, or counseling. Listeners are encouraged to seek supervision and adhere to ethical guidelines in their practice. The goal of this podcast is to spark thoughtful conversation and provide insights, but it should not be used as a replacement for individualized clinical support. Always prioritize the well-being of your clients and stay aligned with the ethical standards of your profession.

  5. Jan 31

    Special Episode: Current Events and Social Justice

    This special episode explores social justice through the lens of counseling ethics, current events, and clinician responsibility. She reflects on the current political and social climate, discusses how systemic harm and fear impact clients and communities, and challenges counselors to show up ethically, compassionately, and consistently—regardless of personal beliefs. The episode also offers practical ways therapists can support clients, engage in advocacy, and care for themselves during unprecedented times. Chapters (00:00:01) - Sonia Anderson Hale on Her Voice(00:01:58) - Counseling Ethics(00:04:58) - Counselors Speak Out About ICE and Protests in Minnesota(00:14:37) - What Do We Do If Our Clients Strike?

  6. 12/27/2025

    Deep Dive Brilliant Minds

    In this episode of Beyond the Chair: The Therapist Companion, we take a deep dive into Brilliant Minds through the lens of clinical ethics. Using the character of Dr. Carol Pierce as this month’s case, we unpack the many ways media misrepresents mental health professionals, particularly around roles, boundaries, and ethical decision-making. The episode explores a high-stakes ethical dilemma in which Dr. Pierce’s personal and professional lives collide, raising critical questions about dual relationships, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, supervision, and clinician responsibility. We discuss what the show gets wrong, what feels realistic, and most importantly, what should happen in real life when therapists find themselves in ethically complex, emotionally charged situations. This case serves as a reminder that consultation, transparency, and boundaries aren’t signs of weakness, but essential protections for both clinicians and clients. Chapters (00:00:01) - Deep Dive: Dr. Carol Pierce of Brilliant Minds(00:02:20) - Law and Order: The Mental Health Profession(00:11:14) - Dr. Pierce's Affair With Her Client(00:13:04) - Dr. Pierce on "This Is My Life"(00:16:41) - Beyond the Chair: Dr. Pierce's Case

  7. 12/20/2025

    Welcome to Beyond the Chair: The Therapist’s Companion

    Have you ever felt alone in the work of being a therapist? Like no one quite understands the burnout, the quiet wins, the self-doubt, or the messy middle of this work? In the very first episode of Beyond the Chair: The Therapist’s Companion, host Sonya Andersen-Haile, MS, LPC, NCC shares why this podcast exists and who it’s for. Drawing from her own early experiences in community mental health and supervision, Sonya reflects on how supervision can miss the mark and how much growth, clarity, and connection it could offer when done well. This episode sets the foundation for the podcast: honest conversations about counseling as a craft, the gaps many clinicians experience in supervision, and the importance of reflection, consultation, and community in a profession that can feel increasingly isolating. Sonya also explains how the podcast will work, including the difference between the free episodes and the optional subscription experience, and invites listeners into the first upcoming deep-dive case. Whether you’re a student, intern, licensed clinician, or supervisor, this space is for you—to think, question, learn, and feel a little less alone in the work. Chapters (00:00:00) - Therapist Companion: Feel Lonely in the Work?(00:10:01) - What Clinical Supervision Is(00:14:57) - The Therapist Companion(00:16:24) - Intro to the Deep Dive(00:17:37) - A Case From Brilliant Minds

  • 7 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

About

Hosted by Sonya Andersen-Haile, MS, LPC, NCC, this podcast explores the messy, nuanced, and often unspoken parts of counseling; from clinical supervision and ethical dilemmas to burnout, boundaries, and professional growth. Through real stories, case discussions, media analysis, and honest reflection, The Therapist’s Companion creates space for meaningful conversation about what it actually takes to grow as a clinician. This podcast is designed to complement, not replace, clinical supervision. Whether you’re a graduate student, intern, newly licensed therapist, seasoned clinician, or supervisor, you’ll find thoughtful insights, practical considerations, and moments of connection that help you think differently about your work. Episodes cover topics such as: Clinical supervision and supervision gaps Ethical decision-making in real-world practice Therapist burnout, isolation, and sustainability Media portrayals of therapy and what they get wrong Case conceptualization and clinical judgment Professional identity development Beyond the Chair offers both a free version with core episodes and a subscription option featuring deeper dives, interactive monthly cases, extended discussions, and opportunities to engage more closely with the material. If you’re looking for a therapist podcast that’s reflective, grounded, and honest about the complexities of counseling, this is your companion beyond the therapy room. *Disclaimer: This podcast is not intended to replace clinical supervision. This podcast is conceptualizations from the perspective of the host and/or guests, please ensure you are conducting yourself and your practice bound by your ethical codes, regulatory board, and law in your state.

Information