Beyond the Chair: The Therapist’s Companion

From Hurt to Healing: Why We Choose This Work

If you want to share your reflections or continue the conversation, you can find me on Instagram at @thetherapistscompanion In this episode of Beyond the Chair: The Therapist Companion, I reflect on the early experiences that shaped my path to becoming a therapist. From navigating childhood friendships and exclusion to learning the importance of boundaries and empathy, I share how these formative moments inspired my “why.” Whether you’re new to the field or have been practicing for years, this episode invites you to explore your own reasons for choosing this work and consider how your story can deepen your understanding of clients. A self-reflection exercise at the end encourages you to pause, journal, and connect with your personal motivations as a helper.

We Are Our History: Burnout, Identity, and Reclaiming Ourselves

In this episode of Beyond the Chair, I sit down with my longtime colleague and friend, Lluliana Flores, LCSW, to talk about decolonizing therapy, community mental health, supervision, and therapist burnout. Together, we reflect on what it means to practice in systems that shape us and sometimes exhaust us. We explore cultural humility in the therapy room, the limitations of diagnosis, the realities of early-career supervision, and how many of us built our identities around productivity and the letters behind our names. But underneath it all is a deeper question: Who are we outside of the job? This conversation is about reclaiming identity, remembering our history, reconnecting with our roots, and finding sustainable ways to remain in this field without losing ourselves in it. If you’ve ever wondered whether burnout is about more than just workload, this one’s for you.

Clinicain Anxiety

In this episode of Beyond the Chair, we dive into the often-overlooked topic of therapist anxiety. Whether you're a new therapist or a seasoned pro, anxiety can show up in surprising ways, especially around first-time experiences like meeting a new client, running your first group, or stepping into a new modality. Sonya reflects on her own moments of self-doubt, sharing stories that will resonate with anyone who's felt the pressure of being "perfect" in this field. She also touches on the importance of normalizing these feelings, acknowledging that they’re part of the journey for all therapists. The episode we briefly discuss the upcoming deep dive into the documentary Evil Influencer: The Jody Hildebrandt Story. Make sure to check out the discussion questions for that at @thetherapistcompanion on Instagram. As always: Beyond the Chair is intended for informational purposes only. The content shared in this podcast is not a substitute for supervision, professional advice, or counseling. Listeners are encouraged to seek supervision and adhere to ethical guidelines in their practice. The goal of this podcast is to spark thoughtful conversation and provide insights, but it should not be used as a replacement for individualized clinical support. Always prioritize the well-being of your clients and stay aligned with the ethical standards of your profession.

Special Episode: Current Events and Social Justice

This special episode explores social justice through the lens of counseling ethics, current events, and clinician responsibility. She reflects on the current political and social climate, discusses how systemic harm and fear impact clients and communities, and challenges counselors to show up ethically, compassionately, and consistently—regardless of personal beliefs. The episode also offers practical ways therapists can support clients, engage in advocacy, and care for themselves during unprecedented times.

Deep Dive Brilliant Minds

In this episode of Beyond the Chair: The Therapist Companion, we take a deep dive into Brilliant Minds through the lens of clinical ethics. Using the character of Dr. Carol Pierce as this month’s case, we unpack the many ways media misrepresents mental health professionals, particularly around roles, boundaries, and ethical decision-making. The episode explores a high-stakes ethical dilemma in which Dr. Pierce’s personal and professional lives collide, raising critical questions about dual relationships, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, supervision, and clinician responsibility. We discuss what the show gets wrong, what feels realistic, and most importantly, what should happen in real life when therapists find themselves in ethically complex, emotionally charged situations. This case serves as a reminder that consultation, transparency, and boundaries aren’t signs of weakness, but essential protections for both clinicians and clients.