Image: Podcast graphic for Episode 451 of Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide. Text reads, “When Does Therapy Really Start? Managing Risk and Responsibility Before the First Session.” Background shows a person writing in a notebook. Website listed as mtsgpodcast.com.

When Does Therapy Really Start? Managing Risk and Responsibility Before the First Session

, , , , ,
When Does Therapy Really Start? Managing Risk and Responsibility Before the First Session When does therapy actually begin—and when does a therapist’s responsibility start? In this host-led episode, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy explore…
Image: A promotional graphic for “The Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide” podcast. Text reads: “Special Episode – Good Intentions But Bad Policy: The BBS Needs Therapist Feedback. An interview with Dr. Ben Caldwell, LMFT.” The background shows a waving California state flag. A headshot of Dr. Caldwell appears in the bottom right corner. Website: mtsgpodcast.com.

Bonus Episode! When Good Intentions Lead to Bad Policy: Why the BBS Needs Therapist Feedback – An Interview with Dr. Benjamin E. Caldwell, LMFT

, , , , ,
When Good Intentions Lead to Bad Policy: Why the BBS Needs Therapist Feedback – An Interview with Dr. Benjamin E. Caldwell, LMFT Curt and Katie chat with Dr. Ben Caldwell about the California Board of Behavioral Sciences’ newly proposed…
Image: Two portraits of Lynn Grodzki, LCSW, and Margaret Wehrenberg, PsyD, are featured in front of a cozy living room background with a chair and orange pillow.

How Therapists Retire: Planning, Ethics, and Letting Go of the Work You Love – An Interview with Lynn Grodzki, LCSW and Margaret Wehrenberg, PsyD

, , , , ,
How Therapists Retire: Planning, Ethics, and Letting Go of the Work You Love – An Interview with Lynn Grodzki and Margaret Wehrenberg Curt and Katie chat with Lynn Grodzki, LCSW-C, MCC and Margaret Wehrenberg, Psy.D. about retirement for…
Image: Episode 438 of the Modern Therapist's Survival Guide titled Medical Necessity or Personal Growth? Why Documentation Matters in Therapy is displayed on a laptop screen. The background includes a blurred wire fence and plant, with the show's logo and website at the bottom.

Medical Necessity or Personal Growth? Why Documentation Matters in Therapy

, , ,
Medical Necessity or Personal Growth? Why Documentation Matters in Therapy Curt and Katie talk about medical necessity in therapy documentation – what it is, how it shows up in clinical work, and why it matters for insurance reimbursement,…
Photo ID: The image shows a large protest with law enforcement officials on raised bridge overlooking the crowd with text overlay "Episode 414: When Laws and Ethics Conflict: Civil Disobedience, Social Justice, and Our Role as Therapists"

When Laws and Ethics Conflict: Civil Disobedience, Social Justice, and Our Role as Therapists

, , , , , , , , , , ,
When Laws and Ethics Conflict: Civil Disobedience, Social Justice, and Our Role as Therapists Curt and Katie chat about what happens when legal requirements clash with ethical responsibilities—and how therapists can stay grounded in their…
Photo ID: Graphic for Episode 409 of the Modern Therapist's Survival Guide podcast, titled "Disciplinary Case: Suicidality, Erotic Transference, and Between-Session Communication." The background features a courtroom setting, symbolizing ethical and disciplinary issues in therapy. The episode explores therapist boundaries, with mtsgpodcast.com and moderntherapistcommunity.com listed at the bottom.

Reviewing a Disciplinary Case on Suicidality, Erotic Transference, and Between-Session Communication: How do therapists hold appropriate boundaries?

, , , , , , ,
Reviewing a Disciplinary Case on Suicidality, Erotic Transference, and Between-Session Communication: How do therapists hold appropriate boundaries? Curt and Katie chat about a disciplinary case against Dr. Eric Bergeman, highlighting key ethical…
Photo ID: A map of the United States with a photo of Roger Smith to one side and text overlay "Episode 404: MFTs Providing Therapy Across State Lines Through License Portability in the United States: An interview with Roger Smith"

MFTs Providing Therapy Across State Lines Through License Portability in the United States: An interview with Roger Smith

, , , , , ,
MFTs Providing Therapy Across State Lines Through License Portability in the United States: An interview with Roger Smith Curt and Katie chat with Roger Smith, Chief Advocacy Officer and General Counsel for American Association of Marriage…
Photo ID: A server room with a photo of Alyssa Dietz to one side and text overlay "Episode 403: The Advances in Artificial Intelligence for Mental Health: An interview with Dr. Alyssa Dietz"

The Advances in Artificial Intelligence for Mental Health: An interview with Dr. Alyssa Dietz

, , , , ,
The Advances in Artificial Intelligence for Mental Health: An interview with Dr. Alyssa Dietz Curt and Katie chat with Dr. Alyssa Dietz, a clinical psychologist and digital mental health expert, about the evolving role of AI in therapy. Dr.…
Photo ID: An open flip-top jar laying on the beach on its side with fairy lights inside while the sun is setting in the background making it look like lights are flying out of the jar with text overlay "Episode 386: Is Your Informed Consent Based on Magical Thinking?"

Is Your Informed Consent Based on Magical Thinking?

, , , ,
Is Your Informed Consent Based on Magical Thinking? Curt and Katie chat about the strange, manipulative, or outright illegal and unethical policies that therapists put into their informed consent. We talk through court, payment, and jurisdictional…
Photo ID: A backlit woman in front of an orange background with text overlay "Episode 379: Do Therapists Lie to Their Clients?"

Do Therapists Lie to Their Clients?

, , , , , ,
Do Therapists Lie to Their Clients? Curt and Katie chat about whether therapists are dishonest and whether they should be. We received a request from a listener to talk about the idea that therapists lie to their clients. We look at what types…