Podcast
The Affirming Minds Podcast
Hosted by Shaina Siber, LCSW · EN
Build your elite therapeutic toolkit learning through expert-led "pod-courses" and interviews. CEs available for Affirm Academy members.
27episodes
Episodes
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Episode 76 | Ethical Gray Zones in Clinical Supervision: Risk, Judgment, and Decision-Making with Amelia Larson, RCSW
1w ago00:58:02Tap to summarizeEarn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button. SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes. SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/offers/XMAbo9mh/checkout?coupon_code=POD Featured Book: Using ACT and CFT for Burnout Recovery: The Beyond Burnout Blueprint by Shaina Siber Kindle: https://a.co/d/0iAlSrhC Paperback: https://www.routledge.com/Using-ACT-and-CFT-for-Burnout-Recovery-The-Beyond-Burnout-Blueprint/Siber/p/book/9781041074304 Course Information: https://canva.link/022jklmnz1q4fl6 --- Episode Summary: This episode explores the realities of clinical supervision—what it’s meant to do, where it can fall short, and what’s at stake when it does. I’m joined by Amelia Larson, MSW, RCSW, to break down the ethical gray zones clinicians and supervisors navigate every day—from recognizing early “pink flags” to making high-stakes decisions in complex systems. Whether you’re receiving supervision or providing it, this episode offers a grounded look at navigating uncertainty in real-world clinical work. --- Topics Discussed: What gets missed in supervision Skills deficits vs. avoidance vs. countertransference Ethical decision-making in high-risk situations The impact of burnout, systems, and AI on clinical practice --- About Our Guest: Amelia Larson, MSW, RCSW is a clinical social worker, therapist, and supervisor based in Calgary, Alberta. She is the founder of As You Are Therapy, Clinical Supervision & Consulting and serves as Clinical Director of a large non-profit providing accessible mental health care. --- Resources: Website: https://asyouaretherapy.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/as_you_aretherapyandconsulting LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amelia-larson-msw-rcsw-78135239/ --- Conflict of Interest Disclosures: The host, Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, is the Founder of Affirm Mental Health, an accredited CE provider. She receives financial compensation from Affirm Mental Health for the development and delivery of continuing education content. No other financial conflicts of interest were reported. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical training or treatment. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional. --- Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals. Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways! Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/ TikTok: @affirm_mental_health
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Episode 75 | Family Trauma and Dysfunction: Clinical Tools for Breaking Generational with Kara Lissy, LCSW
3w ago00:56:04Tap to summarizeEarn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button. SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes. SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://affirmmentalhealth.com/become-a-member/ Course Information: https://canva.link/3j4cfb8py56le1o Episode Summary: In this episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, Shaina Siber, LCSW is joined by Kara Lissy, LCSW to explore how dysfunctional family dynamics shape adult relationships, self-worth, and emotional regulation. Grounded in CBT, DBT, and ACT, this conversation offers practical, evidence-based strategies to help clinicians and clients understand—and break—generational patterns. Topics Discussed: Family trauma vs. dysfunction How early adaptations show up in adulthood Boundaries, people-pleasing, and burnout Practical tools to interrupt maladaptive patterns About Our Guest: Kara Lissy, LCSW is a psychotherapist and author specializing in adult children of alcoholics and dysfunctional family systems. She works with adults navigating anxiety, shame, and the long-term impact of emotionally unpredictable homes. Resources: Healing From a Dysfunctional Family: A Workbook to Break the Generational Cycle: https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Dysfunctional-Family-Healing-from-a-Dysfunctional-Family-Workbook-Generational/dp/1648486134 Conflict of Interest Disclosures: The host, Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, is the Founder of Affirm Mental Health, an accredited CE provider. She receives financial compensation from Affirm Mental Health for the development and delivery of continuing education content. No other financial conflicts of interest were reported. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical training or treatment. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional. Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals. Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways! Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/ TikTok: @affirm_mental_health
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Episode 74| The Inner Life of Leaders: Burnout, Mental Health and the Psychological Cost of High Performance with Drs. Julian Barling & Simon Rego
Apr 1400:55:11Tap to summarizeEarn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button. SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes. SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://affirmmentalhealth.com/become-a-member/ Course Information: https://canva.link/hiv9ont8fgrhgzt --- Episode Summary: Leadership often demands sustained performance under pressure—but what is the psychological cost? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Simon Rego and Dr. Julian Barling to explore burnout, stress, and the internal experiences of high-performing leaders. Drawing from CBT, ACT, and related evidence-based approaches, we examine how common traits like perfectionism, over-responsibility, and emotional suppression can both drive success and maintain distress. We also discuss practical strategies to support more sustainable, values-aligned functioning in leadership and high-demand roles. --- Guests: Simon A. Rego, PsyD, ABPP, A-CBT – Chief of Psychology at Montefiore Medical Center and Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine Julian Barling, PhD – Distinguished University Professor and Borden Chair of Leadership at Queen’s University --- Resource: The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Workbook for Leaders https://www.amazon.com/Cognitive-Behavioral-Therapy-Workbook-Leaders/dp/1648484778 --- Conflict of Interest Disclosures: The host, Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, is the Founder of Affirm Mental Health, an accredited CE provider. She receives financial compensation from Affirm Mental Health for the development and delivery of continuing education content. No other financial conflicts of interest were reported. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical training or treatment. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional. --- Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals. Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways! Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/ TikTok: @affirm_mental_health
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Episode 73| Rethinking Youth Mental Health: What We’re Getting Wrong with Dr. Will Dobud, PhD, MSW
Apr 701:17:45Tap to summarizeEarn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button. SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes. SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://affirmmentalhealth.com/become-a-member/ Course Information: https://canva.link/qvhqgnz5pnptjgk --- Episode Summary: Rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide among young people have risen dramatically over the past decade. But what if we’re misunderstanding the problem? In this episode, Shaina sits down with Dr. Will Dobud, social worker, researcher, and co-author of Kids These Days, to challenge dominant narratives about youth mental health. Together, they explore how current clinical and cultural frameworks may contribute to over-pathologizing normal development—and what we may be missing when we focus too narrowly on diagnosis, symptom reduction, and control. This conversation invites clinicians, parents, and educators to consider a broader, more contextual lens—one that centers relationships, autonomy, and environment. --- Topics Covered: Why youth symptoms may reflect broader systemic and relational factors How adult anxiety and over-intervention influence youth mental health Limitations of diagnosis-driven and symptom-focused models When therapy may not be effective—and how to recognize it The role of autonomy, connection, and trusted relationships --- About Our Guest: Dr. Will Dobud is a social worker, researcher, and educator who has worked with adolescents and families in the United States, Australia, and Norway. He is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Charles Sturt University and an award-winning researcher focused on improving therapy outcomes for teenagers and promoting safe, ethical practices. His work includes examining the risks of coercive and institutional treatment models. --- Resource: Kids These Days (book): https://a.co/d/0gsTkoHy --- Conflict of Interest Disclosures: The host, Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, is the Founder of Affirm Mental Health, an accredited CE provider. She receives financial compensation from Affirm Mental Health for the development and delivery of continuing education content. Dr. Will Dobud is the co-author of Kids These Days and may reference concepts from the book during this episode. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical training or treatment. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional. --- Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals. Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways! Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/ TikTok: @affirm_mental_health
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Episode 72| Positive Psychology, Done Right: The Science of Flourishing with Dr. Jessica Rabon
Mar 3100:54:48Tap to summarizeEarn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button. SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes. SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://affirmmentalhealth.com/become-a-member/ Course Information: https://www.canva.com/design/DAHFXBWd8Uo/8KIEPLLsY2iJZRr_Z3iejQ/view?utm_content=DAHFXBWd8Uo&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=he7a8881f70 --- Episode Summary: Therapists are trained to reduce suffering—but what if that’s only part of the work? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Jessica Rabon to explore positive psychology as a scientifically grounded approach to wellbeing. We break down what it is, what it isn’t, and how it moves beyond symptom reduction to help clients build meaningful, engaged lives. We cover the PERMA model, the role of flow and relationships, and how to integrate positive psychology into clinical practice—without slipping into toxic positivity. If you’ve ever felt the gap between helping clients feel less bad and helping them actually feel fulfilled, this conversation will meet you there. --- About Our Guest: Dr. Jessica Rabon is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in pediatric psychology. Her clinical interests include depression, anxiety, chronic medical illnesses, LGBTQ+ health, and eating disorders. She has published a number of peer-reviewed research papers and a book on topics such as suicide, depression, anxiety, self-compassion, gratitude, and forgiveness. Additionally, Jess creates mental health content on social media and hosts a podcast, Psych Talk, with the goal of making mental health more accessible and relatable, and destigmatizing mental health. --- Connect with Dr. Jessica Rabon: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaleighphd/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessicaleighphd Website: https://jessicaleighphd.wixsite.com/mysite Podcast (Psych Talk): https://psychtalk.buzzsprout.com/ --- Conflict of Interest Disclosures: The host, Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, is the Founder of Affirm Mental Health, an accredited CE provider. She receives financial compensation from Affirm Mental Health for the development and delivery of continuing education content. No other financial conflicts of interest were reported. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical training or treatment. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional. --- Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals. Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways! Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/ TikTok: @affirm_mental_health
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Episode 71| - The Parent Is the Intervention: What Therapists Need to Know About BPT and SPACE with Grace Berman, LCSW
Mar 2401:01:55Tap to summarizeEarn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button. SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes. SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://affirmmentalhealth.com/become-a-member/ Course Information: https://www.canva.com/design/DAHEx3SjNn4/YYhpzRA8P0PooWCNxqFUJQ/view?utm_content=DAHEx3SjNn4&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h9fde65f80a --- Episode Summary: In this episode, I’m joined by Grace Berman, LCSW, to explore evidence-based approaches for treating children with anxiety, ADHD, and behavioral challenges. We break down how therapists can integrate Behavioral Parent Training (BPT) and SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) to reduce parental accommodation, improve child behavior, and build emotional regulation through parent-mediated interventions. This conversation highlights how to move beyond diagnosis and use a functional approach to child behavior, including reinforcement, extinction bursts, natural consequences, and parent consistency to support long-term outcomes. --- Topics Covered: Child anxiety treatment ADHD in children Behavioral Parent Training SPACE therapy Parental accommodation Emotional dysregulation Extinction bursts Natural consequences Parent-mediated interventions Evidence-based therapy for children --- About Our Guest: Grace Berman is a licensed clinical social worker and adjunct professor at Columbia University School of Social Work. She specializes in the treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with anxiety disorders and OCD at the Ross Center. Previously, she trained as an Advanced Clinical Social Work Fellow at the Yale Child Study Center, where she later served as a faculty clinician, and held clinical and supervisory roles at the Child Mind Institute. In addition to her clinical work at the Ross Center, she is co-director of Community Education, providing workshops and consultation to schools, caregivers, and community organizations. --- Connect with Grace Berman: Ross Center (clinical work + resources) Community education, workshops, and consultation Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) ADAA AI Special Interest Group (SIG) → sigs@adaa.org Email: gberman@rosscenter.com Website: https://www.rosscenter.com/team/grace-berman-lcsw/ --- Conflict of Interest Disclosures: The host, Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, is the Founder of Affirm Mental Health, an accredited CE provider. She receives financial compensation from Affirm Mental Health for the development and delivery of continuing education content. No other financial conflicts of interest were reported. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical training or treatment. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional. --- Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals. Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways! Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/ TikTok: @affirm_mental_health
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Episode 70| - Burnout, Overcontrol, and the Limits of Pushing Through with special guest host Dr. Laurie Gallo
Mar 1701:35:07Tap to summarizeUsing ACT and CFT for Burnout Recovery: The Beyond Burnout Blueprint by Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz Order directly from the publisher and receive a 20% off discount with code: Code: 26SMA1 Valid through: June 30 Publisher link: https://www.routledge.com/Using-ACT-and-CFT-for-Burnout-Recovery-The-Beyond-Burnout-Blueprint/Siber/p/book/9781041074304 Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Using-ACT-CFT-Burnout-Recovery/dp/1041074301/ Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242051083-using-act-and-cft-for-burnout-recovery --- Earn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button. SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes. SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://affirmmentalhealth.com/become-a-member/ Course Information: https://www.canva.com/design/DAHEHPJQbtw/TDh_gkX4iWI8w6t4UVLPmg/view?utm_content=DAHEHPJQbtw&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h285b19bdb6 --- Episode Summary: In this episode of the Affirming Minds Podcast, Dr. Laurie Gallo interviews host Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz about the ideas behind her new book, Using ACT and CFT for Burnout Recovery: The Beyond Burnout Blueprint. Together they explore how burnout develops in high-demand professions and why many traditional approaches to burnout fall short. The conversation examines how principles from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) can help clinicians support burnout recovery by addressing shame, overcontrol, and chronic occupational stress while cultivating psychological flexibility and self-compassion. --- Conflict of Interest Disclosures: The host, Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, is the Founder of Affirm Mental Health, an accredited CE provider. She receives financial compensation from Affirm Mental Health for the development and delivery of continuing education content. No other financial conflicts of interest were reported. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical training or treatment. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional. --- Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals. Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways! Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/ TikTok: @affirm_mental_health
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Episode #69 - Social Anxiety in Context: A Culturally Responsive CBT Lens with Dr. Janeé Steele
Mar 300:52:59Tap to summarizeEarn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button. SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes. SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://affirmmentalhealth.com/become-a-member/ Course Information: https://www.canva.com/design/DAHCtVcZ2Tg/hk7ToqoD3ZDMAqyACKanZA/view?utm_content=DAHCtVcZ2Tg&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h4dd8cd6de7 --- Episode Summary: In this episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, Dr. Janeé M. Steele joins the conversation to explore social anxiety through a culturally responsive CBT lens. The discussion examines the core mechanisms that maintain social anxiety — including anticipatory processing, safety behaviors, and post-event rumination — and how these patterns intersect with lived experience, systemic bias, and stereotype threat. Dr. Steele outlines practical strategies for differentiating between irrational fear and rational responses to discrimination, adapting exposure hierarchies with attention to real-world risk, using broaching to explore identity within the therapeutic relationship, and integrating micro-interventions and self-affirmation into clinical practice. This episode offers clinicians concrete tools for delivering evidence-based treatment while honoring the broader social and cultural context in which anxiety develops and is maintained. --- About Our Guest: Janeé M. Steele, Ph.D. is a licensed professional counselor, counselor educator, and diplomate of the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies. Dr. Steele is also the owner of Kalamazoo Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy, PLLC, where she provides therapy, supervision, and training in cognitive behavior therapy. Her research focuses on counselor training, social justice, and culturally responsive approaches to therapy. She is the author of the book Racism and African American Mental Health: Using Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Empower Healing, and has published in peer-reviewed journals such as Counselor Education and Supervision, Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, Journal for Specialists in Group Work, Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, and Counselling Psychology Quarterly. Her insights have also been featured in media outlets such as Vogue, Psychiatric Times, Psychology Today, and Counseling Today. She frequently presents at state, national, and international counseling conferences and serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development. She is an active member of the counseling profession and has served on the executive committee of the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies, the board of the National Social Anxiety Center, the webinar committee of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, and the research and knowledge committee of the American Counseling Association. --- Connect with Dr. Steele: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjaneesteele Books by Dr. Steele: Racism and African American Mental Health: Using Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Empower Healing https://www.routledge.com/Racism-and-African-American-Mental-Health-Using-Cognitive-Behavior-Therapy-to-Empower-Healing/Steele/p/book/9781032050492 Black Lives Are Beautiful: 50 Tools to Heal from Trauma and Promote Positive Racial Identity(with S. Newton) https://www.routledge.com/Black-Lives-Are-Beautiful-50-Tools-to-Heal-from-Trauma-and-Promote-Positive-Racial-Identity/Steele-Newton/p/book/9781032117423 --- Conflict of Interest Disclosures: The host, Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, is the Founder of Affirm Mental Health, an accredited CE provider. She receives financial compensation from Affirm Mental Health for the development and delivery of continuing education content. No other financial conflicts of interest were reported. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical training or treatment. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional. --- Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals. Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways! Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/ TikTok: @affirm_mental_health
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Episode # 68: Teenage Anxiety: Supporting Caregivers in Navigating Growing Pains versus Clinical Anxiety with Sophia Vale Galano, LCSW
Feb 2400:55:26Tap to summarizeEarn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button. SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes. SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://affirmmentalhealth.com/become-a-member/ Course Information: https://www.canva.com/design/DAHCJ9CKZKI/Ad1sHDONsRUAfzKnZndnYw/view?utm_content=DAHCJ9CKZKI&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h08e753f0a7 --- Episode Summary: Are today’s teens truly more anxious — or are we simply seeing anxiety more clearly? In this episode, we unpack the narrative of “the anxious generation” and explore what current research actually shows about adolescent anxiety. We discuss adolescent brain development and expected shifts in mood, sleep, and emotional intensity, and how to distinguish developmentally expectable distress from clinically impairing anxiety. We also explore how contextual factors — COVID-19 disruption, social media and parasocial relationships, and expanded access to telehealth — shape our understanding of youth anxiety reporting without assuming pathology. Finally, we delve into a critical relational factor: how caregiver anxiety and over-accommodation can unintentionally reinforce avoidance — and what differentiation looks like in practice when supporting teens. Joining me is Sophia Vale Guarino, LCSW, author of Calming Teenage Anxiety — a practical guide for caregivers who want to support teens with clarity and steadiness. Get her book here: https://a.co/d/005IWBFj --- About Our Guest: Sophia was born in Los Angeles, raised in London, and holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from New York University. She has been providing therapy since 2015 and has over a decade of experience working with adults and adolescents. Sophia has treated individuals and families in her private practice while also providing therapy in medical, educational, residential and outpatient settings. She is an expert at treating teenage anxiety, and is the author of the book, Calming Teenage Anxiety: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Your Teenager Cope with Worry. Sophia has been featured on numerous media outlets, such as television news segments, radio stations, podcasts and YouTube channels. Sophia’s writing has been featured in Writer’s Digest, Your Teen Mag, Get Fit Now and her book, Calming Teenage Anxiety: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Your Teenager Cope with Worry was selected by Kirkus as an indie pick for 2026. She has taught continuing education courses for professionals on adolescent anxiety, and has guest lectured at both the high school and university level. Sophia is also a subject matter expert for Hollywood, Health and Society, ensuring script accuracy in addiction-related story lines. Additionally, Sophia holds certifications in the following areas: animal assisted therapy, forensic social work, sex therapy, yoga teaching and is a master level reiki practitioner. In her free time, Sophia volunteers for several animal rescue organizations, and as a trained fine artist and fashion designer, she loves painting and drawing as well as designing and manufacturing clothes. --- Conflict of Interest Disclosures: The host, Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, is the Founder of Affirm Mental Health, an accredited CE provider. She receives financial compensation from Affirm Mental Health for the development and delivery of continuing education content. No other financial conflicts of interest were reported. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical training or treatment. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional. --- Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals. Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways! Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/ TikTok: @affirm_mental_health
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Episode #67 - Going Low Contact & No Contact with Caregivers: A Trauma-Informed Clinical Framework for Navigating Estrangement
Feb 1701:15:58Tap to summarizeEarn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button. SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes. SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://affirmmentalhealth.com/become-a-member/ Course Information: https://www.canva.com/design/DAHBhSxa9gU/RwQ9m-fExyl2E3Wn0felXA/view?utm_content=DAHBhSxa9gU&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hbd367d8551 --- Episode Summary: Family estrangement is often portrayed as impulsive, trendy, or selfish. In reality, navigating low contact or no contact with a parent is typically a painful decision — one that is rarely made lightly and almost never without history. As public debate around estrangement has intensified — including criticism directed at therapists — this episode asks an essential question: What is our clinical role in this conversation? Host Shaina Siber, LCSW offers a trauma-informed, ethically grounded framework for clinicians working with adult clients who are considering distance from caregivers. She argues that therapy should not treat reconciliation as morally superior — nor estrangement as inherently empowered. Instead, clinicians are called to remain outcome-neutral and harm-responsive. This episode provides: A structured assessment model for evaluating impact, boundary history, accountability capacity, and safety Clarification of what “boundaries” actually mean — and how they differ from requests or impact statements Guidance for navigating trauma history, identity-based rejection, and developmental instability A clear stance on avoiding coercion while naming harm when present Estrangement decisions are complex, relational, and often grief-filled. This conversation offers therapists a grounded framework for helping clients move through these waters with clarity, agency, and care. --- About Shaina: Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker with 15 years of experience providing psychotherapy to diverse patient populations. She is the founder and owner of AFFIRM Mental Health, an accredited continuing education provider dedicated to offering high quality virtual workshops to mental health providers. She’s spent her career in various clinical and leadership roles focused on serving underserved populations and addressing systemic issues. She continues to provide therapy through her private practice, offer consulting for organizations with behavioral health needs and teach in psychology and psychiatry residency training programs, graduate social work education and continuing education courses on a variety of topics including Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Gender Affirming Care, Professional Burnout and Structural Competency. --- Conflict of Interest Disclosures: The host, Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, is the Founder of Affirm Mental Health, an accredited CE provider. She receives financial compensation from Affirm Mental Health for the development and delivery of continuing education content. No other financial conflicts of interest were reported. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical training or treatment. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional. --- Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals. Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways! Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/ TikTok: @affirm_mental_health
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