Why in the World

Episode 18 - Bryan Nixon - Therapeutic Fish in Relational Waters   Welcome back and thank you for listening! Before I jump into the content of this episode, I have a request as well as some exciting news to share. My request is, if you enjoy this podcast and have found it to be useful, please consider heading to iTunes and offering a rating. It is super helpful with getting the podcast in front of more people who might enjoy it. Additionally, please consider sharing the podcast with others whom you think might be into it. I would be extremely grateful!     Now for the exciting news! As you may know, for the past 4 years I have been a trainer in the Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy post-grad continuing ed program, which I helped develop with fellow therapists Krista Law, Clarissa Hill, and founder, Dr. Roy Barsness. RFPT for short.    We developed this program because Intuitively we all know that we are formed in relationship, harmed in relationship, and we heal in relationship. As therapists we have followed this intuition into a career path. And Research has clearly shown that in spite of which modality of therapy we are trained in, it is the quality of the relationship between therapist and client that will inevitably determine the outcome and yet our training is most heavily focused on equipping us with tools to use when certain symptoms are presented. We are not often taught how to fully show up in a healing and transformative way within the relationship itself. RFPT exists to do precisely that. Rooted in Relational Psychoanalytic theory, we aim to help therapists deepen their clinical work to move beyond good rapport and techniques into transformational authenticity and presence with their patients. We have created this program to offer a communal and developmental structure to therapists who may find themselves silently wondering if they have what it takes to be a therapist or to those who find that their practice feels flat and stagnant, possibly on the brink of burnout, and are longing for a way to add depth, vibrancy, and vitality to the work they initially felt deeply drawn into. The program has been housed within the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, which has been a huge source of support and organization for us as we have developed the program and we are grateful. As we prepare to begin our fourth year, I am so excited to announce that this Fall we will be launching a brand new institute named the Contemporary Psychodynamic Institute (CPI) which will become the new home for RFPT! In addition to the RFPT program, CPI will also have a number of additional offerings for therapists who are interested in learning more about Relational Psychodynamic practice, including: workshops and events, a learning library, e-courses, blogs and possibly a podcast of its own. I could not be more excited about what is taking shape, so stay tuned for the upcoming launch of our website! I will most likely be posting updates about this process on my Instagram page: @wiwpodcast If you’re a therapist and this is interesting to you, you can also DM me there if you are curious to learn more about CPI & the RFPT program. I think all of this segue’s nicely into today’s episode, which I am calling Therapeutic Fish in Relational Waters. In this episode I will give an overview of several of the most well known therapeutic methods…aka…the fish. And then I will describe the nature of the water in which all of the fish are swimming, that is the relational dynamics that take shape between every therapist and patient. As I mentioned a minute above, the relationship determines how effective the therapy will be, regardless of which technique is being used. Thank you for tuning in and I hope you enjoy!    Links: Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy (RFPT) - Post-grad continuing education program for psychotherapists that I teach in and mentioned at the start of this episode. If you’re a therapist and want to learn more, I’d love to chat with you! Send me an email at: bryan@mindfulcounselinggr.com. Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy (RFPT) is an evidence-based treatment approach with strong roots in depth psychology (particularly contemporary Relational Psychoanalysis), dialogical philosophy, and neuroscience. As of December 2018, the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy has set forth policy recommendations that evidence-based therapy relationships and responsiveness be taught as frequently as other evidence-based treatments. (Reference: Norcross, J. C., & Lambert, M. J. (2019). Psychotherapy Relationships that work III. Psychotherapy, 55,4, p. 303-315). The RFPT certificate program is a direct response to these policy recommendations.   Why in the World Podcast on Instagram   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.   

Episode #17 - Dr. Galit Atlas - Emotional Inheritance “The people we love and those who raised us live inside us; we experience their emotional pain, we dream their memories, we know what was not explicitly conveyed to us, and these things shape our lives in ways that we don't always understand.” - Dr. Galit Atlas (2022, p. 11)   Dr. Galit Atlas is a psychoanalyst and clinical supervisor in private practice in New York City. She is on the faculty of the New York University Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis. Dr. Atlas has published three books for clinicians and numerous articles and book chapters that focus primarily on gender and sexuality. Her New York Times publication “A Tale of Two Twins” was the winner of a 2016 Gradiva Award. A leader in the field of relational psychoanalysis, Dr. Atlas is a recipient of the André François Research Award and the NADTA Research Award. She teaches and lectures throughout the United States and internationally.    I first encountered her work in 2018 in her book Dramatic Dialogue which was co-authored with her life partner, the late Lew Aaron. I found her writing to be both accessible and honoring of the unending complexity and mystery that emerges in each therapeutic relationship.   I had the good fortune of sitting down with her via Zoom to discuss her latest book, Emotional Inheritance: A Therapist, Her Patients, and the Legacy of Trauma. This is her first book written for the general public and she has done a beautiful and heart-ful job of taking complex psychoanalytic ideas and making them relatable by way of the clinical and personal tales that fill the pages. I couldn't put this book down and would strongly encourage you to get a copy. she also narrated the audiobook if that is more your style.   Thank you for listening and please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Galit Atlas.    If you enjoy this podcast, I would be extremely grateful if you would take a moment to give it a rating on iTunes.   Find Dr. Atlas online: Instagram: @galit_atlas  Facebook Author Page: Galit Atlas Website: https://www.galitatlas.com/ New Book: Emotional Inheritance: A Therapist, Her Patients, and the Legacy of Trauma   Links: Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy (RFPT) - Post-grad continuing education program for psychotherapists that I teach in and mentioned at the end of this episode. We have opened enrollment for the Fall  2022 cohort. If you’re a therapist and want to learn more, I’d love to chat with you! Send me an email at: bryan@mindfulcounselinggr.com. Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy (RFPT) is an evidence-based treatment approach with strong roots in depth psychology (particularly contemporary Relational Psychoanalysis), dialogical philosophy, and neuroscience. As of December 2018, the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy has set forth policy recommendations that evidence-based therapy relationships and responsiveness be taught as frequently as other evidence-based treatments. (Reference: Norcross, J. C., & Lambert, M. J. (2019). Psychotherapy Relationships that work III. Psychotherapy, 55,4, p. 303-315). The RFPT certificate program is a direct response to these policy recommendations.   Why in the World Podcast on Instagram 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. 

Episode #16 - Dr. Steven Kuchuck - The Relational Revolution Hey everyone! Welcome back to Why in the World. If you know anything about me, you know that I tend to be a bit of a nerd when it comes to reading and learning about psychoanalysis. I’m particularly drawn to what is known as Relational Psychoanalysis, which emerged in the 1980’s and has continued to evolve ever since. So when Dr. Steven Kuchuck agreed to be a guest on my podcast, my inner nerd started break dancing!    I’m excited about this episode! It was a true pleasure talking with Dr. Kuchuck about his new book The Relational Revolution in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. Dr. Kuchuck is a leading teacher and scholar of relational thinking and President of the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. He is on the faculty of the New York University Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis as well as various other institutes.    In addition to all of this, he is also just a joy to talk to.    In his new book he writes: “In Relational and other contemporary, two-person perspectives, the analyst’s expertise is measured by the extent to which she can facilitate exploration of the intersubjective dynamics of a treatment in order to help the patient gain better understanding of older, formative relationships, internalizations, repetitions, and barriers to desired change. In a successful treatment, ‘co-created old truths are replaced with co-created new truths’.    I hope you enjoy my conversation with Dr. Steven Kuchuck…   Find Dr. Kuchuck online: Twitter: @stevenkuchuck  Facebook Author Page: Dr. Steven Kuchuck Website: www.stevenkuchuck.com His New Book: The Relational Revolution in Psychoanalysis & Psychotherapy   Links: Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy (RFPT) - Post-grad continuing education program for psychotherapists that I teach in and mentioned at the end of this episode. If you’re a therapist and want to learn more, I’d love to chat with you! Send me an email at: bryan@mindfulcounselinggr.com. Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy (RFPT) is an evidence-based treatment approach with strong roots in depth psychology (particularly contemporary Relational Psychoanalysis), dialogical philosophy, and neuroscience. As of December 2018, the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy has set forth policy recommendations that evidence-based therapy relationships and responsiveness be taught as frequently as other evidence-based treatments. (Reference: Norcross, J. C., & Lambert, M. J. (2019). Psychotherapy Relationships that work III. Psychotherapy, 55,4, p. 303-315). The RFPT certificate program is a direct response to these policy recommendations.   Why in the World Podcast on Instagram 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.

EPISODE #15 - Dr. Karen Maroda - The Analyst's Vulnerability Every once in a while, as a psychotherapist you come across an author who’s work really resonates with you. It challenges, inspires, and makes a mark on your own way of practicing. For me, Dr. Karen Maroda is one of those authors. Dr. Maroda is a psychologist and psychoanalyst in private practice in Milwaukee, WI. She is the Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Medical College of Wisconsin and is the author of four books including: The Power of Countertransference Seduction, Surrender, and Transformation Psychodynamic Techniques The Analyst’s Vulnerability, which was just released earlier this year I first read her work in 2005 while in Grad School to become a therapist and was immediately drawn in. I have returned to her books countless times throughout my career and almost always recommend them to therapists I supervise or consult with. Throughout her work, but particularly in her new book, The Analyst’s Vulnerability (Great Title, BTW) there is a consistent call to therapists examine our own motivations for being therapists, to let go of the need to be perfect, to embrace our own humanity, and to show up with our patients in a deeply authentic, courageous and relational way. She often pushes against whatever the current popular fad in our field happens to be, and points out that we therapists are prone to avoid conflict by hiding behind our theories, techniques, and tools. In her new book she writes, “We have never focused on the natural conflicts that arise in any relationship, including the analytic one, in part because it would necessitate the examination of our own needs, desires, and shortcomings” (Maroda, 2022, p. 102). In my opinion, this book is a must read for any psychotherapist who takes seriously the idea that our patients are far more than symptoms, thoughts, behaviors and who believe that our role in the work is far more dynamic than simply providing advice and solutions.   I hope you enjoy my conversation with Dr. Karen Maroda as much as I did! Thank you for listening. Links for Dr. Maroda LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-j-maroda-ph-d-abpp-b1679263 Website: https://www.karenmaroda.com/   Why in the World Podcast on Instagram 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.