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March 10, 2022 77 mins

Yael Schonbrun, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist who wears a number of professional hats: she a small private practice specializing in evidence-based relationship therapy, she’s an assistant professor at Brown University, she is a podcast host, and she writes for nonacademic audiences about working parenthood. She has a B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis, a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and completed her postgraduate training at Brown University. In all areas of her work, she draws on scientific research, her clinical experience, ancient wisdom (with an emphasis on Taoism), and real life experiences with her three little boys. You can find out more about Yael’s writing, including her forthcoming book on work and family, and about her research by clicking the links, and can follow her on Twitter and on Facebook where she posts about the science and practice of work and family.

Topics we cover: 

  1. What drew you to clinical psychology?
  2. What did you love about research?
  3. Impact in research vs. therapy / finding a balance
  4. Why are you fascinated by interpersonal relationships?
  5. Advice for prospective graduate students
  6. Rewards and challenges of graduate school
  7. Why is evidence-based practice important to you?
  8. When did Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) come into the equation? 
  9. After your post-doc, how did you decide what the balance between clinical work and research would look like for you?
  10. How did becoming a mom shift your professional outlook and commitments?
  11. Values-based decision-making and the work-life conflict
  12. Yael’s upcoming book: Work, Parent, Thrive
  13. Advice for a younger audience about working parenthood
  14. How do each of your roles fill you up? Faculty position, writing, podcasting, and therapy
  15. An ACT exercise to help you make your next career decision: the eulogy exercise (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - minute 58:55)
  16. Yael’s and Maya’s values
  17. How is being a clinical psychologist in line with your values?
  18. The power of psychological flexibility
  19. What is one skill, quality, or general factor that has served you no matter where you went in life? 

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Music by: Adam Fine 

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