127 episodes

Entertaining and informative talks covering psychology and philosophy with a variety of guests! Discussing both practical and eccentric approaches on living a full and vibrant life. Including, bold unedited discussions about the meaning of life, history, music, and culture. Paul Krauss MA LPC (your host), draws on his unique life experience of growing up in a small motel in the countryside, living in large cities, and working with and living among diverse cultural and socioeconomic groups--combining his trauma-informed science-based perspective with the contrasting desire to live like a mystic. Opposites unite on this podcast! More at www.healthforlifegr.com

The Intentional Clinician: Psychology, Philosophy, and Therapy Paul Krauss MA LPC

    • Health & Fitness
    • 4.9 • 15 Ratings

Entertaining and informative talks covering psychology and philosophy with a variety of guests! Discussing both practical and eccentric approaches on living a full and vibrant life. Including, bold unedited discussions about the meaning of life, history, music, and culture. Paul Krauss MA LPC (your host), draws on his unique life experience of growing up in a small motel in the countryside, living in large cities, and working with and living among diverse cultural and socioeconomic groups--combining his trauma-informed science-based perspective with the contrasting desire to live like a mystic. Opposites unite on this podcast! More at www.healthforlifegr.com

    Relationship Programs and Couples Counseling for the LGBTQIA+ Community in Grand Rapids, MI with Brittani Decess, LLPC [Episode 127]

    Relationship Programs and Couples Counseling for the LGBTQIA+ Community in Grand Rapids, MI with Brittani Decess, LLPC [Episode 127]

    Brittani Decess, LLPC speaks with Paul Krauss MA LPC about the importance of relationship counseling programs for the LGBTQIA+ community in the lives of those involved in a relationship as well as the community that surrounds them. Brittani and Paul discuss the current offerings of a Premarital & Commitment Relationship Counseling Program for LGBTQIA+ Couples and a Healthy Relationship Dynamics program for LGBTQIA + Couples (for those who have been together for a time).  Also discussed: What each program entails, why they can be effective, the research surrounding couples therapy in the LGBTQIA+ community, why health insurance doesn't cover couples counseling, Research and Literature by Julie Tilsen and Joe Kort, Drs. Julie and John Gottman's love lab, existential couples therapy, solution-focused couples therapy, and more.
    All Relationship Programs at Health for Life Counseling in Grand Rapids, MI are listed here.
    How many queer folks want examples of healthy queer relationships, instead of toxic ones? In the 1990s a lot of the movies involved one of the members of a queer couple dying. 
    Stereotypes dealing with (Lesbian too much commitment. Gay men are switching too much). People joke about them. It’s common among people to have all sorts of different diverse relationship attachment style. 
    Pressure on the LGBTQIA+ community to get married, and prove “to the community” that our relationships also have love, commitments, sacredness and thus there is pressure.
    Why did you create these programs?
    Little to no premarital counseling programs designed for queer relationships in the Grand Rapids, MI area
    Only a handful of therapists and group practices that are trauma informed and affirming of LGBTQIA+ folx
    To provide representation that queer couples and those who may be partnered with someone that may not be straight also are deserving of the same services the straight people have access to

    Brittani Decess, LLPC is a mental health therapist at Health For Life Counseling and has been practicing since September 2021.  Brittani identifies as a queer cis-gendered white female and uses she/her pronouns . Brittani has worked with a variety of individuals and families across the life span using talk and creative therapies to aid clients in healing and processing. Brittani holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art Therapy and a Master’s Degree in Counseling with a focus on Marriage, Couples, and Families. Brittani is also continuing training in EMDR techniques and Couples Therapy Modalities. Brittani has several years of trauma-informed work including facilitating a Cognitive-Behavoral-Therapy curriculum to youth in court system, being a public speaker and educator on topics related to sexual assault and domestic violence, and counseling children, teens, and caregivers moving through the adoption and foster care system before coming to Health for Life Counseling- Ada, MI. Brittani specializes in topics and issues related to lifespan changes/transitions, trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship dynamics (couples, families, and other relationship groupings), attachment, communication, self-esteem, LGBTQ+ experiences , sexuality and intimacy, and impacts of unhelpful social narratives. Brittani approaches therapy by working towards processing the meaning of experiences by exploring the intersectionality of cultural identities and how connections to people, places, and events have impacted the client(s) mental health and other areas most important to them.
    Get involved with the National Violence Prevention Hotline: 501(c)(3)
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    Looking for excellent medical billing services? Check out Therapist Billing Services. A behavioral and mental health billing service developed by therapists for therapists.
    Preview an Online Video Course for the Parents of Young Adults (Parenting Issues)
    EMDR Training Solutions (For all your EMDR training needs!)
    Paul Krauss MA LPC is t

    • 41 min
    Premarital, Relationship Maintenance, and Couples Counseling Programs in Grand Rapids, MI with Brittani Decess, LLPC [Episode 126]

    Premarital, Relationship Maintenance, and Couples Counseling Programs in Grand Rapids, MI with Brittani Decess, LLPC [Episode 126]

    Brittani Decess, LLPC speaks with Paul Krauss MA LPC about the importance of relationship counseling programs in the lives of those involved in a relationship as well as the community that surrounds them. Brittani and Paul discuss the current offerings of a Premarital Counseling Program and a Relationship Maintenance Counseling Program (for those who have been together for a time).  Also discussed: What each program entails, why they can be effective, the research surrounding couples therapy, why health insurance doesn't cover traditional couples counseling, Drs. Julie and John Gottman's love lab, existential couples therapy, solution-focused couples therapy, and more.
    All Relationship Programs at Health for Life Counseling in Grand Rapids, MI are listed here.
    How many adults out there wish that their parents had enrolled in a relationship counseling program?
    For instance, many people have a “great relationship” on the surface–Bill and Suzy….always out….always having fun….holding hands….but at home…Bill lives in the garage and continues to work on the dead car… and Suzy is secretly drinking because of her resentment toward Bill and reading romance books. 
    Relationships affect how you feel inside with yourself and others.
    Brittani Decess, LLPC is a mental health therapist at Health For Life Counseling and has been practicing since September 2021.  Brittani identifies as a queer cis-gendered white female and uses she/her pronouns . Brittani has worked with a variety of individuals and families across the life span using talk and creative therapies to aid clients in healing and processing. Brittani holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art Therapy and a Master’s Degree in Counseling with a focus on Marriage, Couples, and Families. Brittani is also continuing training in EMDR techniques and Couples Therapy Modalities. Brittani has several years of trauma-informed work including facilitating a Cognitive-Behavoral-Therapy curriculum to youth in court system, being a public speaker and educator on topics related to sexual assault and domestic violence, and counseling children, teens, and caregivers moving through the adoption and foster care system before coming to Health for Life Counseling- Ada, MI. Brittani specializes in topics and issues related to lifespan changes/transitions, trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship dynamics (couples, families, and other relationship groupings), attachment, communication, self-esteem, LGBTQ+ experiences , sexuality and intimacy, and impacts of unhelpful social narratives. Brittani approaches therapy by working towards processing the meaning of experiences by exploring the intersectionality of cultural identities and how connections to people, places, and events have impacted the client(s) mental health and other areas most important to them.
    Get involved with the National Violence Prevention Hotline: 501(c)(3)
    Donate
    Share with your network
    Write your congressperson
    Sign our Petition

    Looking for excellent medical billing services? Check out Therapist Billing Services. A behavioral and mental health billing service developed by therapists for therapists.
    Preview an Online Video Course for the Parents of Young Adults (Parenting Issues)
    EMDR Training Solutions (For all your EMDR training needs!)
    Paul Krauss MA LPC is the Clinical Director of Health for Life Counseling Grand Rapids, home of The Trauma-Informed Counseling Center of Grand Rapids. Paul is also a Private Practice Psychotherapist, an Approved EMDRIA Consultant , host of the Intentional Clinician podcast, Behavioral Health Consultant, Clinical Trainer, and Counseling Supervisor. Paul is now offering consulting for a few individuals and organizations. Paul is the creator of the National Violence Prevention Hotline (in progress) as well as the Intentional Clinician Training Program for Counselors. Paul has been quoted in the Washington Post, NBC News, Wired Magazine, and Counseling Today. Questions? Call the office

    • 40 min
    Reconstructing your story after the trauma of losing a loved one to Suicide with Dr. Richard Brockman MD [Episode 125]

    Reconstructing your story after the trauma of losing a loved one to Suicide with Dr. Richard Brockman MD [Episode 125]

    This episode features Paul Krauss MA LPC and Dr. Richard Brockman, MD in conversation about Dr. Brockman’s story of loss, healing, and piecing together the self. Psychiatrist, playwright, and survivor Richard Brockman delves into his childhood trauma in Life After Death: Surviving Suicide. This deeply personal exploration weaves loss, resilience, and the power of storytelling through a man fractured, then reforged.
    Richard Brockman, MD, is a clinical professor in the department of psychiatry at Columbia University and a visiting professor in the department of psychiatry at the University of Namibia. He has been honored with the Nancy C.A. Roeske Award for medical student education by the American Psychiatric Association and with the Victor J. Teichner Visiting Scholar Award from the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry for his teaching. Also a playwright, his shows have been produced both off-Broadway and on international stages. Pick up Life After Death: Surviving Suicide today. 
    “Once we had a language that included a past and a present and the future, once we could think about what had happened and transfer information to people about what might therefore happen, we were going to be telling stories.” - Margaret Atwood
    Get involved with the National Violence Prevention Hotline: 501(c)(3)Donate
    Share with your network
    Write your congressperson
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    Looking for excellent medical billing services? Check out Therapist Billing Services. A behavioral and mental health billing service developed by therapists for therapists.
    Preview an Online Video Course for the Parents of Young Adults (Parenting Issues)
    EMDR Training Solutions (For all your EMDR training needs!)
    Paul Krauss MA LPC is the Clinical Director of Health for Life Counseling Grand Rapids, home of The Trauma-Informed Counseling Center of Grand Rapids. Paul is also a Private Practice Psychotherapist, an Approved EMDRIA Consultant , host of the Intentional Clinician podcast, Behavioral Health Consultant, Clinical Trainer, and Counseling Supervisor. Paul is now offering consulting for a few individuals and organizations. Paul is the creator of the National Violence Prevention Hotline (in progress) as well as the Intentional Clinician Training Program for Counselors. Paul has been quoted in the Washington Post, NBC News, Wired Magazine, and Counseling Today. Questions? Call the office at 616-200-4433. 
    If you are looking for EMDRIA consulting groups, Paul Krauss MA LPC is now hosting weekly online and in-person groups.  For details, click here.
    For general behavioral and mental health consulting for you or your organization.
    Follow Health for Life Counseling- Grand Rapids:
    Instagram   |   Facebook     |     Youtube
     Original Music:
    ”Alright" from the forthcoming album Mystic by PAWL (Spotify)
    “Everybody Hurts” from Automatic for the People by R.E.M. (Spotify) 
     

    • 1 hr 20 min
    The Intersection of Trauma-Informed Care and Change in Greater Society w/ Laurie Belanger LCSWR [Episode 124]

    The Intersection of Trauma-Informed Care and Change in Greater Society w/ Laurie Belanger LCSWR [Episode 124]

    Paul Krauss MA LPC and Laurie Belanger LCSWR speak about the foundations of what Trauma-Informed Care really means in the context of our greater society, not just mental health practice or trauma therapy. Laurie and Paul discuss the intersections of Trauma-Informed Care and change in greater society
    This is a different way of approaching human behavior and it really ought to help us question, reorganize or even dismantle many of our institutions of care (medical, educational...for starters) and build something better. That may sound a bit ambitious, yet it becomes pretty clear once you begin unpacking the core concepts of Polyvagal Theory.
    Neuroscience and Trauma therapists agree: It's something like a ‘Windows update’ for "being a human.” We are living in a very strange time in history. We actually have the knowledge that we need to create more compassionate and science backed care and education of every member of society. Yet we are falling farther and farther behind in many real spaces. Much of it comes down to systems that were not designed with emotional safety in mind as being important for learning or healing  physical health issues. Fear of change keeps broken systems in place. This means that trauma-informed providers and educators are out here in society trying to share and equip a community working from within systems that were not designed to work that way. 
    Rather than become discouraged, Laurie Belanger LCSWR is talking about it. As citizens, the steps we can all take from within the outdated systems we are working within. We are talking about the possibilities of someday re-inventing the systems that no longer serve us.
    Laurie Belanger LCSWR is a licensed Clinical Social Worker & Trauma Psychotherapist in New York State. With a bachelors in Psychology from Moravian University and a Masters in Social Work from The University at Buffalo Graduate School of Social work, Laurie continues to pursue a lifetime of advanced learning attending conferences and training herself on the advances continuing to be made in the field of trauma, social work and psychology.
    Get involved with the National Violence Prevention Hotline: 501(c)(3)
    Donate
    Share with your network
    Write your congressperson
    Sign our Petition

    Looking for excellent medical billing services? Check out Therapist Billing Services. A behavioral and mental health billing service developed by therapists for therapists.
    Preview an Online Video Course for the Parents of Young Adults (Parenting Issues)
    EMDR Training Solutions (For all your EMDR training needs!)
    Paul Krauss MA LPC is the Clinical Director of Health for Life Counseling Grand Rapids, home of The Trauma-Informed Counseling Center of Grand Rapids. Paul is also a Private Practice Psychotherapist, an Approved EMDRIA Consultant , host of the Intentional Clinician podcast, Behavioral Health Consultant, Clinical Trainer, and Counseling Supervisor. Paul is now offering consulting for a few individuals and organizations. Paul is the creator of the National Violence Prevention Hotline (in progress) as well as the Intentional Clinician Training Program for Counselors. Paul has been quoted in the Washington Post, NBC News, Wired Magazine, and Counseling Today. Questions? Call the office at 616-200-4433. 
    If you are looking for EMDRIA consulting groups, Paul Krauss MA LPC is now hosting weekly online and in-person groups.  For details, click here.
    For general behavioral and mental health consulting for you or your organization.
    Follow Health for Life Counseling- Grand Rapids:
    Instagram   |   Facebook     |     Youtube
     Original Music:
    ”Alright" from the forthcoming album Mystic by PAWL (Spotify)
    “Zoom Zoom” from Caravelle by Polo & Pan (Spotify) 
    “Canopee’ ” from Caravelle by Polo & Pan (Spotify) 

    • 1 hr 17 min
    Is Religious Deconstruction Good for your Mental Health? w/ Dr. Ryan Lambros [Episode 123]

    Is Religious Deconstruction Good for your Mental Health? w/ Dr. Ryan Lambros [Episode 123]

    Dr. Ryan Lambros and Paul Krauss MA LPC discuss: Is Religious Deconstruction Good for your Mental Health? Deconstruction is the free act of valuing (evaluating) what was, experiencing what is, and holding a posture of curiosity moving forward. 
    Some points to consider: A.The intention of this discussion is not to destroy a faith system. It’s not even to deconstruct a faith system. “De” words won’t provide holistic health. Rather, the intention is to evaluate systems, dogmas, and ideas based on our experience and reason. Curiosity and compassion are key to pursuing spiritual health. The intention is to offer freedom, hope, and beauty for people to pursue healing in their spiritual journey. B. Why are so many people deconstructing Evangelical Christianity and leaving the church? C. The church isn’t controlling the narrative anymore. D. Are we lacking deep and meaningful spirituality practices in our current culture?
    Also Discussed: Joseph Campbell, Carl Jung, Evangelical movement, Power, Money, Control, a partial History of the Church, Sex-Cult, Patriarchy, bibliolatrous behavior, critical thinking, scientific exploration, Spirituality, Healthy Spirituality, Unhealthy spirituality, Gaslighting, Narcissism, Truth, "truth", Catholic Priest letters from 500 years ago, Jesus, the Book of Enoch, the Gnostic Gospels, the Bible, US Politics, dogma, tithing, religious fundamentalism, capitalism's influence on the church, purity culture, internal family systems, counseling, therapy, trauma, defense mechanisms, human adaptation, "the self", integration, healing spirituality, curiosity, compassion, learning from myths, etc.
    Dr. Ryan Lambros is a Certified Life Coach and Chaplain in Gilbert, AZ. He is married to Jessica, a Licensed Professional Counselor, and they have two sons.  Ryan completed his doctorate from Northwind Seminary with his doctoral work focusing on the intersection of philosophy and psychology as it pertains to a phenomenological metaphysic of healing.  Ryan is passionate about walking with people in their healing journey, specifically in relationships and religious trauma.
    Website: www.thetablecoach.com/coaching
    Instagram: @tablecoaching
    Bonus IG: @hereticallife
    "On this immediate level of life and structure, myths offer life models. But the models have to be appropriate to the time in which you are living, and our time has changed so fast that what was proper fifty years ago is not proper today. The virtues of the past are the vices of today. And many of what were thought to be the vices of the past are the necessities of today. The moral order has to catch up with the moral necessities of actual life in time, here and now. And that is what we are not doing. The old-time religion belongs to another age, another people, another set of human values, another universe. By going back you throw yourself out of sync with history. Our kids lose their faith in the religions that were taught to them, and they go inside."- Joseph Campbell
    Myth is powerful not just because it holds value in its literal-ness (which it may), but because it transcends the literal facts as well - offering us something more valuable than truth…beauty. -Dr. Ryan Lambros
    Get involved with the National Violence Prevention Hotline: 501(c)(3)
    Donate
    Share with your network
    Write your congressperson
    Sign our Petition

    Looking for excellent medical billing services? Check out Therapist Billing Services. A behavioral and mental health billing service developed by therapists for therapists.
    Preview an Online Video Course for the Parents of Young Adults (Parenting Issues)
    EMDR Training Solutions (For all your EMDR training needs!)
    Paul Krauss MA LPC is the Clinical Director of Health for Life Counseling Grand Rapids, home of The Trauma-Informed Counseling Center of Grand Rapids. Paul is also a Private Practice Psychotherapist, an Approved EMDRIA Consultant , host of the Intentional Clinician podcast, Behavioral Health Consultant, Clinical

    • 2 hr 23 min
    Healing the Traumatized Brain (Mood, Memory, Behavior Changes & More) w/ Dr.Vaishnavi, MD, PhD [Episode 122]

    Healing the Traumatized Brain (Mood, Memory, Behavior Changes & More) w/ Dr.Vaishnavi, MD, PhD [Episode 122]

    Dr. Sandeep Vaishnavi, MD, PhD is interviewed by Paul Krauss MA LPC about his new book Healing the Traumatized Brain: Coping after concussion and other brain injuries (co-authored by Vani Rao, MBBS, MD).
    If you are interested in the brain, brain injuries, neural plasticity, the various issues that brain injuries may cause, as well as how one may recover from a brain injury than this episode is for you. Also discussed: ways to increase neural plasticity and overall brain health.
    Sandeep Vaishnavi, MD, PhD, is a Duke Institute for Brain Sciences faculty member and an adjunct associate in the Department of Medicine at Duke University. He is also a neuropsychiatrist and the chief medical officer designate at ARC Health.
    Get involved with the National Violence Prevention Hotline: 501(c)(3)
    Donate
    Share with your network
    Write your congressperson
    Sign our Petition

    Looking for excellent medical billing services? Check out Therapist Billing Services. A behavioral and mental health billing service developed by therapists for therapists.
    Preview an Online Video Course for the Parents of Young Adults (Parenting Issues)
    EMDR Training Solutions (For all your EMDR training needs!)
    Paul Krauss MA LPC is the Clinical Director of Health for Life Counseling Grand Rapids, home of The Trauma-Informed Counseling Center of Grand Rapids. Paul is also a Private Practice Psychotherapist, an Approved EMDRIA Consultant , host of the Intentional Clinician podcast, Behavioral Health Consultant, Clinical Trainer, and Counseling Supervisor. Paul is now offering consulting for a few individuals and organizations. Paul is the creator of the National Violence Prevention Hotline (in progress) as well as the Intentional Clinician Training Program for Counselors. Paul has been quoted in the Washington Post, NBC News, Wired Magazine, and Counseling Today. Questions? Call the office at 616-200-4433. 
    If you are looking for EMDRIA consulting groups, Paul Krauss MA LPC is now hosting weekly online and in-person groups.  For details, click here.
    For general behavioral and mental health consulting for you or your organization.
    Follow Health for Life Counseling- Grand Rapids:
    Instagram   |   Facebook     |     Youtube
     Original Music:
    ”Alright" from the forthcoming album Mystic by PAWL (Spotify)
    "Harvest Moon" [Neil Young Cover] from Pacific Standard Time by Poolside (Spotify)
     

    • 1 hr 8 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
15 Ratings

15 Ratings

hair62 ,

Wonderful

Thanks for covering great topics! I wonder if you can discuss struggles with people who have been married for long periods of time like 40 years

Fiz Gig ,

Geat Information

Just listened to my first one. Looking forward to checking out more! Important topics and information for anyone and everyone.

pawlmusic ,

Refreshing!

I love Paul’s approach! There is diversity in topics and genuine curiosity. I love that the show sounds like it is unedited and completely genuine.

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