Episode #11 - Bryan Nixon - Why Does Therapy Work?

Why Does Therapy Work?  by: Bryan Nixon


Welcome, Good People! Woo, has it been a year, or what?! We are
quickly coming to the end of 2020 and back in January when I
launched this podcast,like all of us, I had no idea what this
year had in store for us. COVID wasn’t even on the radar yet (can
you even remember what that was like?!). I remember having a deep
sense of optimism and even some creative energy as I looked
forward into what 2020 might hold. And, in spite of a global
pandemic, some really great things have taken shape. I was able
to stick with this podcast experiment, my counseling practice,
Mindful Counseling GR launched our 3rd location in West Michigan
in June, and the RFPT continuing ed program that I teach in is
now half way through our 2nd year in operation training licensed
therapists to work in deeper relational waters with their
clients. 


I started this podcast with a goal of doing 12 episodes in 2020
as a way for me to push my own edge by getting outside my comfort
zone and risk putting myself out there. My heart still races
everytime I turn on the mic! Maybe that will get easier the
longer I do this.


This is episode 11...the final episode of 2020. One shy of my
goal, but I still feel pretty damn proud that I have stuck with
it this far and I’m excited for what the podcast will hold in
2021! 


At the time of this recording, Why in the World has just over
2400 total downloads! I just want to say a huge thank you to all
of you who have taken the time to tune in this year! If you’ve
enjoyed the podcast, I would be deeply grateful if you would head
over to iTunes or wherever you listen and give it a rating. That
really helps me to spread the word.


I take this episode in a slightly different direction. This will
be my first solo-episode. All of the previous episodes have been
me interviewing really cool people about who they are and why
they do what they do in the world. In this episode, I discuss the
following ideas:


We are relational beings.

We have an unconscious.

We repeat the past in the present.

What does all of this have to do with therapy?



This episode parallels a recent blog that I posted on the MCGR
website titled: Why Does Therapy Work? It’s not why you think!


For Therapists: Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy
continuing ed program.


APA Article referenced in the episode.


 


Connect with Mindful Counseling GR


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COVID-19 Support: The wonderful team of therapists at Mindful
Counseling GR are able to accept new clients for Video Counseling
during this time for Michigan residents. If you are not in
Michigan and could use some additional support during this
season, please locate a therapist in your area by doing a simple
Google search. Most therapists across the country are now able to
conduct therapy via video and telehealth options.


 


Bryan Nixon is a psychotherapist and the founder and clinical
director of Mindful Counseling GR in Grand Rapids, MI. He is also
a teacher and facilitator in Relationally Focused Psychodynamic
Therapy, a post-grad continuing education program for
therapists.