Therapists' Take with Carrie and Josh

Why do some films leave us speechless, stirred, or suddenly more aware of our own lives? In this episode of Therapists’ Take, we sit down with actor, producer, and screenwriter Erin Elizabeth Cook, whose current film in production features Martin Sheen. Together, we explore how storytelling onscreen doesn’t just entertain, it evokes emotion, builds empathy, and influences how we understand ourselves and others.

From a clinical lens,...

What if stories aren’t just something we consume, but something we step into, feel in our bodies, and experience together?

In this episode of Therapists’ Take, we sit down with Rev. Jim Perkin, founder of Bedford Theatre and longtime community arts leader, to explore the healing potential of live performance. Though Jim isn’t a mental health professional, his decades in ministry and community theatre offer a practical and deeply hum...

Infidelity doesn’t just damage trust, it changes the emotional landscape of a relationship almost overnight. In this episode of Therapists’ Take, we unpack the complex shifts couples often face in the aftermath of betrayal, exploring how identity, connection, and stability can suddenly feel uncertain. Rather than focusing only on the event itself, we look at the relational ripple effects: evolving roles, fluctuating power dynamics,...

In this episode of Therapists’ Take, we welcome back published author and practicing family law attorney Brian Putnam to continue our conversation on Escaping Domestic Abuse, the title of his book and the framework for this important series. This time, our focus is on one of the most critical and practical aspects of leaving an abusive relationship - safety planning.

Together, we walk through how to thoughtfully develop a safety pla...

Therapists are often expected to be calm, neutral, and unaffected, regardless of what enters the room. Yet therapists are human—and that humanity is not a liability; it is an essential part of the clinical process. In this episode of Therapists’ Take, we examine what it truly means when therapists are human and why that matters in practice. We explore the distinction between having internal reactions and acting on them, how self-aw...

This holiday season, Therapists’ Take is unwrapping something a little unexpected - the psychology of holiday villains. Sure, we all know the Grinch’s heart grew three sizes and that Scrooge found the true meaning of Christmas—but what does it really mean to be a “villain” in a world shaped by trauma, unmet needs, and human complexity?

In this special series, we look beyond the caricatures and clichés to explore the emotional underp...

In this episode of The Therapists’ Take Podcast, we dive into the complex and often invisible realm of ambiguous and non-traditional grief. These forms of grief don’t stem from a physical death, making them harder to recognize, articulate, and validate. Together, we unpack the many ways this kind of grief shows up—through infertility and disrupted visions of family (13:53), through the slow unraveling of relationships and the loss ...

Ever feel like you’re stuck in the same argument on repeat — whether with your partner, your kids, or even yourself? Restoration Therapy might just be the reset button you’ve been looking for. This approach helps you spot those old patterns that trip you up, understand why they keep showing up, and learn how to choose peace instead of pain. In this episode, restoration therapist, Jacob Oliver, will be joining us to break it all dow...

In this second installment of Therapists’ Take on the dark side of couples therapy, Dr. Shannon Dial and Whitney Alexander rejoin us to push the conversation even further. While couples therapy is often seen as a pathway to healing, not every situation—or every client dynamic—fits neatly into that frame. This episode shines a light on the places where couples therapy can actually backfire, enabling harm instead of helping.

From the ...

When we think of couples therapy, we often imagine healing, communication, and hope. But what if the very process that’s meant to help actually makes things worse?

In this first half of our live discussion, returning guests Dr. Shannon Dial and Whitney Alexander join us to unpack the expectations people bring into couples therapy, how the field itself continues to evolve, and the subtle ways counseling can shift from supportive to h...

Ever feel like there’s a whole cast of characters living inside your head? You’re not alone — and Pixar’s Inside Out might be closer to real life than you think. In this episode of Therapists’ Take, we break down the concept of "parts language" through the Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy model, using the Inside Out movies as our guide. We’ll talk about why it sometimes feels like different “parts” of us are pulling ...

In this episode of Therapists’ Take, Carrie and Josh unpack the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and mental health counseling. They explore pressing questions: How is AI already being used in the field? What are the risks of introducing it into such a sacred, human-centered space? Could AI ever replace the need for therapists—or does it simply serve as a tool to enhance care?

This conversation is designed to ...

In this compelling episode of Therapists’ Take, we sit down with family law attorney and author Brian Putnam to unpack the complex and often misunderstood reality of domestic abuse. Drawing on decades of legal experience and personal insight, Brian shares what it truly takes to break free from abuse—and the critical steps toward safety, justice, and healing.

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00:00 - Hi, Carrie! (Intro)

01:38 - Guest: Brian Putnam

02:50 - T...

After a two-month pause, we’re back—and this time, we’re leaning into the space of transition. In this reflective return episode, we explore what it means to live in the “in-between”—those seasons where you’ve stepped away from what’s familiar but haven’t yet arrived at what’s next.

As therapists, we spend a lot of time with people in this very space: between what was and what will be. Today, we’re sharing our take on how to underst...

In this short and sunny episode of Therapists’ Take, we’re talking about the power of pressing pause—yes, even on the things we’re passionate about. As therapists, we get how easy it is to stay stuck in productivity mode, always connected and always “doing the work.” But sometimes, the most meaningful step forward is choosing to stop and just be.

As we head into our own summer break this June and July, we’re reflecting on what it re...

In this episode of the Therapists’ Take Podcast, we explore some uncomfortable—but essential—truths that emotionally healthy, non-codependent couples have learned to live by. At first glance, these insights might feel counterintuitive or even a little controversial. But rather than chasing the illusion of the perfect relationship, these couples have embraced a more grounded, realistic approach to love—one rooted in clarity, maturit...

In Part 2 of our heartfelt series, The Impact Our Clients Have on Us, we continue the conversation with the insightful Whitney Alexander, LMFT. This episode takes a deeper dive into the personal side of being a therapist—where our professional and human selves inevitably intersect.

We open up about our own vulnerabilities in couple relationships, the tension between being a "helper" and being human, and the sometimes uncom...

In this special two-part series, we’re joined once again by our friend and trusted colleague, Whitney Alexander, LMFT, owner of The Warren Alexander Group in Stillwater, OK.

This episode dives into a conversation that’s rarely had publicly—the personal and professional impact our clients have on us as therapists. In Part 1, we explore:

🔹 How our clients’ stories shape who we are as clinicians and people

🔹 The emotional weight that c...

Ever wonder what really catches a therapist’s eye—or ear—during a session? It’s not always the words you’re saying, but how you say them, what your body does, or the deeper patterns you may not even notice. In this episode of Therapists’ Take, we dive into the subtle but powerful signals that guide us as clinicians. From repeated themes to emotional tone to the moment a client says something “small” that’s actually huge—we’ll talk ...