Ep. 5: Education Is Liberation: LGBTQIA2S+ Identity, Advocacy, and Affirming Care

Ep. 5: Education Is Liberation: LGBTQIA2S+ Identity, Advocacy, and Affirming Care

In time for Pride Month, this episode of Inside the Session features Drs. Jason Branch and Cheryl Fisher leading a deeply personal and educational conversation with Drs. Elizabeth Watters and Winter Wiorkowski on LGBTQIA2S+ identity, advocacy, and affirming mental health care. Through candid storytelling and clinical insight, the guests unpack key concepts including gender identity, nonbinary experiences, pronouns, asexuality, polyamory, and the realities of navigating safety, stigma, and systemic discrimination in today’s sociopolitical climate. The discussion highlights the importance of curiosity over judgment, the role of education in dismantling bias, and the responsibility clinicians have to create culturally responsive, affirming spaces for clients. Centered around the idea that “education is liberation,” the episode ultimately challenges listeners to move beyond fear and assumptions toward empathy, accountability, and authentic human connection.

Ep. 4: Cultural Wealth: Counseling Built on Identity, Community, and Care

Inside the Session returns with Drs. Jason Branch and Cheryl Fisher inviting fellow Alliant MACC faculty member Dr. Ashley Diaz for a compelling discussion on social justice in mental health, centered on the idea of “cultural wealth”: the strengths, traditions, and lived experiences clients bring into the therapeutic space. Drawing from her experiences as a Latina counselor educator, Dr. Diaz examines how systemic inequities, stigma, and lack of access continue to impact marginalized communities, while highlighting the importance of cultural humility, cultural responsiveness, and radical empathy in addressing these gaps. The conversation emphasizes the need for clinicians to engage in ongoing self-reflection, embrace discomfort, and make intentional, culturally attuned changes in their practice, ultimately reframing care to both challenge inequities and celebrate the richness of clients’ cultural identities.

Ep. 3: Cleaning Out Your Basement: Exploring the Depths of Trauma

Dr. Jason Branch and Dr. Cheryl Fisher delve into the complexities of trauma and its far-reaching effects on individuals and communities in this episode of Inside the Session. They explore the definitions of trauma, the impact of the pandemic as a collective trauma, and the concept of intergenerational trauma. Through engaging analogies, such as the house and the backpack, they illustrate how trauma manifests in our lives and the importance of self-awareness and therapy in the healing process. The conversation also touches on the roots of racism and privilege, emphasizing the need for open dialogue and understanding in addressing these issues. Ultimately, the episode serves as a call to action for listeners to confront their own traumas and embark on a journey of healing and liberation.

Ep 2: Supplement, Not Substitute: AI, Social Media, and Tech in Mental Health

Drs. Cheryl Fisher and Jason Branch take you Inside the Session with fellow Alliant MACC faculty members Dr. Donnette Deigh and Samantha Guber. Together, they explore the intersection of mental health, social media, and technology, featuring insights from mental health professionals on the impact of social media on mental health, the role of AI, and practical strategies for managing technology use. The conversation emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries, understanding generational perspectives, and using AI as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for human connection.

Ep. 1: 50 Years of Human Experience in Counseling

In this inaugural episode of Inside the Session, hosts Dr. Jason Branch and Dr. Cheryl Fisher introduce themselves and their vision for the show, which aims to explore the intersection of current events and the counseling profession. They discuss the importance of authenticity, vulnerability, and the human experience in counseling, while also addressing the challenges counselors face today. The conversation delves into their personal journeys into the field, the impact of impostor syndrome, and the need for decolonization within the profession. The hosts emphasize the importance of creating a space for open dialogue and community building, encouraging listeners to engage in personal growth and reflection.