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The Couples Therapist Couch

Shane Birkel
250 episodes   Last Updated: Jul 07, 25
This podcast is about the practice of Couples Therapy. Many of the episodes are interviews with leaders in the field of Relationships. The show is meant to help Therapists and Coaches learn how to help people to deepen their connection, but in the process it explores what is most needed for each of us to love, heal, and grow. Each week Shane Birkel interviews an expert in the field of Couples Therapy to explore all about the world of relationships and how to be an amazing therapist.

Episodes

This episode is brought to you by Alma. Visit HelloAlma.com/ATPP to learn more Get the Couples Therapy 101 course: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/ Join the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new Join The Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295562197518469/ In this episode, Shane talks with Hedy Schleifer about Encounter-centered Transformation (EcT). Hedy is a Master Relationship Builder, Motivational Speaker, and the Creator of EcT. Hear how EcT was born, how Hedy & Yumi used their relationship as a lab, the unique workshops she’s facilitated around the world, the different types of listening, and EcT-inspired exercises you can do with your clients. To learn more about Hedy Schleifer, visit: HedySchleifer.com You can also listen to Hedy on Episode 19 & Episode 71 of The Couples Therapist Couch  
This episode is brought to you by Alma. Visit HelloAlma.com/ATPP to learn more Get the Couples Therapy 101 course: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/ Join the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new Join The Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295562197518469/ In this episode, Shane talks with Marie Vakakis about parents of teenagers. Marie is a Therapist, Mental Health and Relationship Educator, and Host of the This Complex Life podcast. Hear the pros & cons of family therapy vs. couples therapy, how to work through parenting struggles in couples therapy, how to navigate differing parenting styles with clients, the language parents should use when communicating with their teenagers, and whether it’s okay to show vulnerability as a parent. To learn more about Marie Vakakis & This Complex Life, visit: MarieVakakis.com.au This Complex Life podcast Inside Social Work podcast Marie Vakakis on LinkedIn  
This episode is brought to you by Alma. Visit HelloAlma.com/ATPP to learn more Get the Couples Therapy 101 course: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/ Join the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new Join The Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295562197518469/ In this episode, Shane talks with Dr. Jill Stoddard about Imposter Syndrome. Jill is a Speaker, Author, Podcaster, Psychologist, and Coach on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Hear what Imposter Syndrome looks like in couples, how to help your clients embrace their authentic emotions, what to do when a client feels insecure, the 5 personas under the Imposter Syndrome umbrella, and the power of relationships. To learn more about Dr. Jill Stoddard, her books, her podcast, and her Substack, visit: JillStoddard.com Dr. Jill Stoddard on LinkedIn   You can also listen to Jill on Episode 247 of The Couples Therapist Couch
This episode is brought to you by Alma. Visit HelloAlma.com/ATPP to learn more Get the Couples Therapy 101 course: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/ Join the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new Join The Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295562197518469/ In this episode, Shane talks with Dr. Jill Stoddard about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Jill is a Speaker, Author, Podcaster, Psychologist, and Coach on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Hear what ACT is, how to help your clients be their authentic selves, how to practice being uncomfortable, how to give your clients clarity on their thoughts, and how to focus on your message & serving others. To learn more about Dr. Jill Stoddard, her books, her podcast, and her Substack, visit: JillStoddard.com Dr. Jill Stoddard on LinkedIn  
This episode is brought to you by Alma. Visit HelloAlma.com/ATPP to learn more Get the Couples Therapy 101 course: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/ Join the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new Join The Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295562197518469/ In this episode, Shane talks with Michelle Garraway about PACT Informed Couples Therapy. Michelle is the Founder & Clinical Director of The Relationship Agency, where she specializes in PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy). Hear what makes the PACT model fun & different, how the PACT process works with couples, what you can learn when couples face towards each other, some of the most common PACT exercises, and when it’s time to have your clients focus on soothing. To learn more about Michelle Garraway, The Relationship Agency, and The PACT Institute, visit: TheRelationshipAgency.com Instagram @Relationships.Are.Everything ThePACTInstitute.com  
This episode is brought to you by Alma. Visit HelloAlma.com/ATPP to learn more Get the Couples Therapy 101 course: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/ Join the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new Join The Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295562197518469/ In this episode, Shane talks with Dr. Sara Reardon about being The Vagina Whisperer and her new book, Floored. Dr. Sara Reardon is a Board-Certified Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist and Mom of 2. Hear why the pelvic floor can have a big impact on relationships, how to help couples navigate the topic of painful sex, the shame that occurs when you’re having issues with your pelvic floor, why it helps to talk through pelvic floor concerns as a couple, and signs you should visit a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist. To learn more about Dr. Sara Reardon, The Vagina Whisperer, and Floored, visit: TheVagWhisperer.com Floored Instagram @The.Vagina.Whisperer TikTok @TheVagWhisperer  
This episode is brought to you by Alma. Visit HelloAlma.com/ATPP to learn more Get the Couples Therapy 101 course: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/ Join the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new Join The Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295562197518469/ In this episode, Shane talks with James Kimmel, Jr. about The Science of Revenge. James Kimmel, Jr., JD is a violence researcher, psychiatry lecturer, and author who explores the science of revenge, addiction, forgiveness, and violence. He’s the author of 3 books on revenge and forgiveness, the latest being The Science of Revenge. Hear why we naturally want to seek revenge, what goes on in our brain when we seek revenge, why revenge addiction is like drug addiction, how to move your clients away from violence, and how to help them understand how they can truly be healed. To learn more about James Kimmel, Jr., The Science of Revenge, and the Miracle Court App, visit: JamesKimmelJr.com The Science of Revenge MiracleCourt.com  
This episode is brought to you by Alma. Visit HelloAlma.com/ATPP to learn more Get the Couples Therapy 101 course: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/ Join the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new Join The Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295562197518469/ In this solo episode, Shane explores commitment in couples therapy. Hear how to help couples on the brink of divorce, the challenges of discernment counseling, what to do when one partner is leaning out, why you should talk goals & expectations from the beginning, and how to get some level of commitment from a client.
This episode is brought to you by Alma. Visit HelloAlma.com/ATPP to learn more Get the Couples Therapy 101 course: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/ Join the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new Join The Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295562197518469/ In this episode, Shane talks with Tom Bruett about The Go-To Relationship Guide for Gay Men. Tom Bruett, LMFT is a therapist, trainer, consultant, and author who works extensively with the queer community. He is the founder of the Queer Relationship Institute, which provides therapy for queer folx and training for therapists who work with queer relationships. Hear how to be more open & sensitive with your clients, the 7 stages of relational development, why you should trust your intuition with your clients, how to work better with queer couples, and how to model that these types of conversations are okay. To learn more about Tom Bruett, the Queer Relationship Institute, and The Go-To Relationship Guide for Gay Men, visit: QueerRelationshipInstitute.com The Go-To Relationship Guide for Gay Men  
This episode is brought to you by Alma. Visit HelloAlma.com/ATPP to learn more Get the Couples Therapy 101 course: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/ Join the Couples Therapist Inner Circle: https://www.couplestherapistcouch.com/inner-circle-new Join The Couples Therapist Couch Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295562197518469/ In this episode, Shane talks with Elizabeth Earnshaw about the themes from her new book, ‘Til Stress Do Us Part. Elizabeth is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Clinical Fellow of The American Association of Marriage & Family Therapy. She also founded A Better Life Therapy, where she sees couples in her tailored weekend intensives. Over the past 15 years, she’s become one of today’s most trusted relationship teachers. Hear why couples fight when they love each other, how to help clients manage stress, how to get them to be more compassionate towards each other, the most common stressors as parents, and how to help your clients internalize concepts with metaphors, analogies, and pictures. To learn more about Elizabeth Earnshaw, A Better Life Therapy, and ‘Til Stress Do Us Part, visit: ElizabethEarnshaw.com ABetterLifeTherapy.com ‘Til Stress Do Us Part Instagram @LizListens