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. 3H AGO

    Practice in Action: When the Case on Your Schedule Feels Off

    Most clinicians enter this field wanting to help everyone. But over time, we learn a hard truth: being willing isn’t the same as being the right fit. In this episode of the Psyched to Practice Podcast, Paul Wagner and Ray Christner unpack what “fit” really means in clinical work. They explore how scope of practice, availability, client preferences, professional development, and even our own life circumstances shape whether we’re truly the best provider for someone sitting across from us. They share personal stories of cases that stretched them in healthy ways—and others that should have led to earlier referrals. You’ll hear practical ways to assess fit during intake, how to build a thoughtful “stretch protocol” for growth areas, and how to navigate referrals without shame or abandonment. This conversation challenges the myth that strong clinicians can treat anything. Instead, it offers a more sustainable model: intentional growth, honest boundaries, and clinical decisions grounded in competence—not ego. If you’ve ever wrestled with whether to take a case, keep a case, or refer a case, this episode will give you language, clarity, and a framework you can actually use. 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"

    58 min

  2. FEB 6

    Practice in Action: Embracing the Imposter Within

    Most mental health professionals have felt it at some point but rarely say it out loud: the fear that they don’t really belong, that they’re one mistake away from being exposed as a fraud. In this episode of the Psyched to Practice Podcast, Paul Wagner and Ray Christner unpack imposter syndrome as it shows up in clinicians across all stages of their careers. They explore why imposter syndrome is more common in thoughtful, conscientious professionals, how it often shows up during transitions and high-stakes moments, and why it’s not a diagnosis or a sign of incompetence. The conversation focuses on reframing imposter syndrome as a signal of growth rather than a flaw, the role of shame and silence in making it worse, and practical ways clinicians can respond when self-doubt creeps in. This episode offers normalization, perspective, and grounded strategies for clinicians who care deeply about their work and sometimes wonder if they’re doing it right. 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"

    44 min

  3. JAN 23

    Technical Difficulties

    Hey everyone, quick heads up. For the first time in our recording history, we ran into some technical issues, and the audio from a really solid conversation between Ray and Paul on imposter syndrome didn’t survive. We’re still holding out hope that an uncorrupted version turns up, and if it does, we’ll get it posted immediately. So keep an eye on the feed. Because of that, we’re not able to release a full episode on our usual schedule. We’ll be back in two weeks with a complete episode and more of the conversations you expect from us. Thanks for sticking with us, and we really appreciate your patience. As always, Be Well, and Stay Psyched. 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"

    3 min

  4. JAN 9

    Masters in Practice: Living Well with Adult ADHD w/ Laura Knouse

    Adult ADHD is often misunderstood as a motivation problem or a lack of effort. In this episode, psychologist and researcher Dr. Laura Knouse joins Psyched to Practice to explain why that framing misses the mark—and how cognitive behavioral therapy can actually work for adults with ADHD when it’s done right. We explore how ADHD shows up as a self-regulation challenge, why behavior change often has to come before thought work, and how everyday environments quietly sabotage or support follow-through. Laura breaks down why traditional CBT models often fall short, how medication and skills can work together, and what clinicians need to know about perfectionism, avoidance, and “overly positive” thinking in this population. This conversation is packed with practical, clinician-ready insights for working with adults and emerging adults with ADHD, including how to structure treatment, build momentum through small wins, and help clients stop blaming themselves for systems that were never designed for their brains. 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"

    1h 5m

  5. 12/27/2025

    Masters in Practice: Living Well with Social Anxiety w/ Deb Dobson

    Social anxiety isn’t just about nerves in social situations, it slowly shrinks lives through avoidance, self-judgment, and fear of being seen. In this episode, Dr. Deb Dobson joins The Psyched to Practice Podcast to talk about what actually keeps social anxiety going, why reassurance and comfort can backfire, and how exposure really works in the real world. We explore subtle safety behaviors clinicians often miss, how avoidance becomes seductive, and why progress depends more on persistence than perfection. This conversation offers practical insights for clinicians who want to help clients live fuller lives without promising unrealistic cures. 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"

    1h 5m

  6. 12/19/2025

    ‼️Bright Minds Subscription Announcement‼️

    Too often continuing education is expensive, rigid, or disconnected from real clinical work, until now. Our Bright Minds Subscription is officially live, and it’s built for how clinicians actually live and practice. This all-access membership gives you unlimited entry to a growing library of high-quality CE courses, live webinars, and expert-led trainings, all in one place. No waiting for scheduled dates. No pressure to finish a course in one sitting. No wasting your CE budget on one or two workshops a year. Every course is designed to be practical, relevant, and easy to fit into your day—whether that’s between sessions, after the kids go to bed, or on the treadmill. You’ll learn from clinicians who live the work you do, across topics that matter in real practice, with assessments and downloadable CE certificates included. Bright Minds is about making continuing education accessible, flexible, and genuinely useful again. If you’re ready for a smarter, more supportive way to meet your CE requirements, this is it. Head over to www.psychedtopractice.com to get started today.  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"

    5 min

  7. 12/12/2025

    Practice in Action: Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance w/ Marie Hooper

    In this episode, Paul and Ray sit down with psychologist Marie Hooper to break open one of the most misunderstood autism profiles: PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), or the pervasive drive for autonomy. Marie explains why these kids look oppositional on the surface but are actually responding to a nervous-system threat, why typical behavior plans often backfire, and how masking—especially among girls—keeps PDA hidden for years. She walks through the six core features clinicians should recognize, what burnout looks like in kids who stop attending school entirely, and how to shift from compliance-based approaches to safety-based, trauma-assumed care. Whether you’re a therapist, educator, or parent, this conversation reframes what “can’t, not won’t” truly 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"

    1h 1m

  8. 11/28/2025

    Practice in Action: The Difference Between Feeling Gratitude and Performing It

    In this episode, Paul and Ray take on gratitude in a way that cuts deeper than the usual holiday routine. Instead of listing three things you’re thankful for or posting something online that sounds good, they explore what it looks like to experience gratitude from the inside out. They break down the difference between goals and intentions, why slowing down matters, and how savoring small moments can turn gratitude into a steady part of daily life—not just something you try to do when things are going well. They also share personal stories from clinical work and their own lives that reveal how gratitude shows up during stress, growth, grief, and connection. This conversation is real, grounding, and something clinicians can use in practice right away. 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"

    57 min
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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
    128
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Psyched to Practice
  • Show Website
    Psyched to Practice