A Couch Divided: Recent Episodes
Dr. Robyn Hall, Nick Thomas
Welcome to "A Couch Divided Podcast" where secular psychology meets a Christian worldview. Hosted by Dr. Robyn Hall, PsyD (Doctor of Clinical Psychology) and Nick Thomas (Nouthetic Counselor and Behavioral Health student), this podcast aims to provide a useful, Christ-centered discourse on 'all things' mental health-related.
Nick and Robyn discuss the "so what should Christians think about all this hypnosis stuff?"
Hey Guys! We're back with Part 2 of our series on the Psychology of Hypnosis! We hope you enjoyed Part 1 and learning all about the history of hypnosis and some of the "fields" major players. In Part 2 we cover the Neurobiology involved in Hypnosis and talk about some of the major research studies that have been done in the area. For those of you not on Patreon, we will be back next week with the third and final installation of the series, so stay tuned! And all of you lucky patrons have access to all 3 parts right now! We love you guys and hope you enjoy!
We're Back!!!! And we missed, you guys! The couch has been cold without you and we can't wait to launch all of us full throttle into this "Part Two" of Season 4. We have some truly neat episodes to share with y'all over the next few months starting with our 3 Episode Series on the Psychology of Hypnosis! We lay out a pretty cool foundation in part one, check it out 😉
Hey Guys, Please enjoy this special episode of On the Couch that we are releasing across all platforms! ACD has some exciting updates and is closing out the first part of Season 4! We will be back for part 2 starting September 5th, and for those of you who are Patreon supports, you will have early access beginning August 1st! We have some really awesome episodes to record over the summer break- make sure and listen to this episode to hear the details about that. You might be asking, "But what will I do over the summer with no new episodes?" Well, don't fret! While ACD is breaking for the summer, we will continue to release episodes of On the Couch for our Patrons, so if you guys really get to missing us, head on over to Patreon.com/acouchdivided and become a supporter! We greatly appreciate you all and can't wait to be back this fall!
That it we are breaking up!!! It's been fun but please dont blame yourself, its us not you.okay...we are not really breaking up but we are talking about break ups and specifically our interrelationships. Do Christians break up? How should we think about breaking up? How do you go about it when you do?
Nick and Robyn talk about the proper term of descronsuction and how its used today. They speak of the heresy of descunstrtion but also remind everybody how deconstructing might be necessary if you already have bad theology.
Nick and Robyn talk about a classic experience that all humans have had and continue to have. What is anger? Is there any need for it? Is all anger sin? Take a listen and find out.
Uh ohhh the big "L" word. Nick and Robyn talk about love from a biblical point of view and chronicle history to see love in many different shapes and understandings. Is there such a thing as love at first site? What about love languages? These are just some of the things Nick and Robyn go over in this post Valentines Day episode.
"Your mom" - Sigmund Freud. This week, Nick and Robyn take a deep dive into vast pool that is parenting styles. What makes a good parent? Come hang out on the couch with us while we try to summarize the current psychological thought on the matter and as always, attempt to leave you with a good idea of what God says about it all!
Nick and Robyn talk about dissociative identity disorder (D.I.D.), They go through the criteria and the implications of this strange phenomenon that seems to pop every once in a while. Is there any hope for people with this disorder? Is there a purpose in dissociating at all?
Exciting podcast about the future of A Couch Divided. We hope you guys will love it, plus Nick and Robyn discuss a year in review about their lives and how far the grace and mercy of Christ has brought them as they chronicle their personal sanctification.
What do we actually write hear that won't "speak" for itself when listening. Let's say that certain academics wanted to see if they can create a speech disorder in young vulnerable children? Would you say that it's a good idea? After all, we will learn what makes people st..st...st....stammer.Just listen!! its undesirable for you to speak right now anyway.....
A must listen Patreon exclusive story of our friend Haley who has had some strange experiences in seeing what is believed demonic activity.Sign up at patreon.com/acouchdivided to listen
In light of the Spooky Season, Nick and Robyn discuss horrible Psych experiments that press ethical boundaries. The First Episode of this two part series. Nick discusses the trauma and harm of a baby known as Little Albert as the experimenters try and condition this baby like Ivan Pavlov did to a dog. This Horrible and Horrifying experiment eventually was deemed unethical as it should have been.
The great debate that has been argued for thousands of years has come to A Couch Divided. Nature vs. Nurture is not an easy topic to tackle but, Nick and Robyn indeed attempt. Where does human responsibility begin and end? What have the sociologist and psychologist of the past theorized on this matter vs. what the bible has described this to be?
Very important topic! Nick and Robyn talk about self love from the biblical aspect to the complete and under destruction of the worlds definition of self love. In our society, how has self love completely discounted our neighbor and how has the love of God taken a backseat in our pursuit of pleasure, happiness and self indulgence?
This episode is a highly requested topic that we hope you enjoy. Nick and Robyn talk about honoring dishonorable parents, the types of tension that can be created in the immediate and extended families, generational curses and more.
On The Couch is a new show coming exclusively to patreon next week on 08/17/2023!!!! You can subscribe at patreon.com/acouchdivided. You are in for a treat!!!!
In this episode Nick and Robyn in light of all the alien talk and pseudo spirituality out there, discuss the topic of superstitions and the psychology behind it. What does the bible say about superstitions and should we as christians give ourselves over to them?
Dr. James white joins Nick and Robyn to talk about the very serious topic of grieving and being a minister in the midst of (not only your own grief)but others as well. Dr. White gives us a series of stories about how hard it was to be a hospital chaplain in a secular world and discusses how he came to write his #2 best selling book "Grieving, Your Path Back to Peace."
Today we discuss a very huge and controversial topic, the subject of IVF. Laura Klassen with Choice42, an anti abortion ministry and John Speed from Loor.tv discuss the nature and the horrors of IVF and what it really is. This is all in light of Choice42's and Loor.tv's Exposed Series and their new release Build-a-Baby. Sit back and prepared to be couched....or offended #JustSaying
This is part 2 of diving into the psychology of evangelism. Nick, Robyn and special guest James Baird (Robyn's Husband) go through some of their experiences doing ministry, dealing with abortive minded mothers, the homeless and addicted on the streets and how they been able to make an impact.
Their stories do not come without troubles though, they also explain some of the troubles the heart and mind go through as a consequence of doing ministry.
Nick and Robyn along with a very special guest(Robyn's husband) James Baird have a round table discussion about life and emotions as ministers of the Lord. With this month being a secular celebration of pride and sin, we thought it be a timely discussion.
A special episode of ACD. Nick gives you one of his audio blogs that he wrote about self deprecation, comedy and the consuming nature of verbal self harm one can do to themselves that can sling you into complete depression with what seems to be no way out.
Nick and Robyn continue their talk about bad theology and sharing stories from when they first got saved and how much false presuppositions about God created so much angst and anxiety in their lives. This is an important episode on just how important discipleship really is.
Bad Theology Hurts People and that is just what Nick and Robyn talk about today. Robyn tells of her experience hearing bad preaching and the mischaracterization of God that can lead people astray with much guilt in their faith and just how much of this is going on in a world of angst and confusion.
Nick and Robyn dive deeper in the subject of OCD in this part two episode. They define criterion from the DSM and explain from a christian perspective how Christ is the ultimate remedy and solution. They both share some personal stories that involved major scruples which at some times led to them to high anxiety
Nick and Robyn talk about OCD in this episode and set up some foundational truths to know when considering this disorder. You may notice though that they actually never addressed the topic, so don't obsess OKAY, there may just be a reason for that. Guess you will just have to listen to find out why.
Hey guys it's Nick, this is the audio blog I mentioned in our singles episode. I go a little deep and take an emotional risk by sharing about my past dating life (before christ), what I desired to happened and what actually happened. Go easy on me, you just might hear a sniffle or two come out of me.
In this very special valentines day episode Nick and Robyn talk about singleness and the different circumstances people find themselves in when it comes to their aspirations of marriage. They also talk about the gift of the so called "singleness" and what the bible says about being called to the life that the Apostle Paul lived and why its important to consider the biblical criteria before you declare yourself single forever.
Nick and Robyn speak on a very complicated subject in secular psychology. They first speak of an intrusive personality feature known as delusions of grandeur and the difference between such feature and grandiosity. They then discuss the scripture and how very important biblical discipline at an early age can be an amazing preventive aspect to such personality features and what to do if you find yourself with these kinds of features.
We welcome Marcus Pitman the co-owner and founder of Loor.tv to the Podcast to talk about the objectivity of art and how it should reflect the Triune nature of God. This concept highly effects society, how we think about beauty and the therapeutic nature that art bring inside the skills of creation.Loor.tv is a Christian streaming platform that allows the subscribers to fund what they want to see, all exalting the name of God in great story telling and fine art.
In this 3rd and final episode of Spiritual Warfare, Nick and Robyn go over some more basic fundamentals of spiritual attacks and also talk about some common errors people make regarding physiological realities being attributed solely to spiritual warfare one of those things being Sleep Paralysis.
Nick and Robyn continue their series on Spiritual Warfare and the kinds of things that happened to the mind under such circumstances. In this episode they briefly describe some of the attributes of Satan and Nick Shares a personal story of how he perceived Satan attacking when ministering to the homeless and addicted population in Phoenix, Arizona
In this 3 part series, Nick and Robyn discuss the psychology of spiritual warfare, by first talking about the realities of this very real phenomenon, the attributes of Satan and how this plays a role in the our everyday lives.
In light of Black Friday and the current holiday season, Nick and Robyn talk about something we all need and deal with on a day to day basis and that is MONEY!!! With special guest Sherry Staggs who owns her very own financial consulting business, Sherry gives very deep insight on a biblical approach to being a good steward and tells us some of the psychological consequences people undertake when a mismanagement of money happens.
If you would like to contact Sherry for your consulting needs, please visit her at www.staggsconsulting.com
The world of mental health and mental illness is dominated largely by an unbelieving worldview. This week Nick & Robyn are joined by the stars of the Sheologians podcast Joy and Summer, to discuss the nature of psychopaths and other traits such as narcissism and how we should look at these things with a Christian Worldview
Listener Discretion is Advised In this series, we reunite with Jeremiah Roberts from Cultish as we delve into the dark and twisted world of Jeffery Dahmer that shocked the world in the early 1990s. Nearly 30 years after his horrific murders took place, many are still trying to grasp and understand who he was and why he did what he did.
Dr Robyn Hall & Nick Thomas bring a incredibly unique perspective as their primary expertise is understanding post traumatic stress resulting from various trauma & the complexities of how sociology affects us all.
Join us as we take a look inside the mind of Dahmer.
*Listener discretion is advised
In this series, we reunite with Jeremiah Roberts from Cultish as we delve into the dark and twisted world of Jeffery Dahmer that shocked the world in the early 1990s.
Nearly 30 years after his horrific murders took place, many are still trying to grasp and understand who he was and why he did what he did.
Dr Robyn Hall & Nick Thomas bring a incredibly unique perspective as their primary expertise is understanding post traumatic stress resulting from various trauma & the complexities of how sociology affects us all.
Join us as we take a look inside the mind of Dahmer.
Nick and Robyn talk about a highly requested topic of impulsive behavior. They define what it is, what impulsiveness is and what reflex is and even go into their own personal struggles with this.
Nick and Robyn go over some of the dynamics of the command to pick up your cross and follow Christ, what that means for your mind and how that will impact the way you view the world.
Nick and Robyn finish up the last part of the Gloria Tapes with one of the more profound therapy approaches still seen today. This approach being Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy or REBT. The "father" of this approach is Albert Ellis and they begin to analyze his approach using a Christian World View to show the truth in what Ellis is saying but also to show you where his conclusions and remedy misses the mark of true help for the individual.
Nick and Robyn continue there series of the infamous Gloria Tapes. Today they set focus on Car Rogers "Client Centered Therapy" and have a thing or two to say in dissatisfaction in regards to his worldview and the nature of his counseling approach.
Nick and Robyn start there series on The Gloria Tapes a Documentary series on a series of Psychotherapeutic approaches (3 to be exact) that were given to one patient. A woman named Gloria. This was done in 1965 and has been widely viewed by the behavioral and mental health field of study.
Nick and Robyn go over part two in the series that shows Dr. Frederick Perls using his approach on Gloria called Gestalt Therapy and at the time (and still is...) a highly controversial approach to use therapeutically. You will certainly see what we are talking about.
Nick and Robyn go deeper on the topic of abortion and discuss in full the psychological effects of faulty beliefs and even go after the false pastors hurting their sheep with false virtue and lackluster exhortations.
Roe V. Wade has been overturned and we rejoice in this for many prayers have been answered!!! In this episode we talk about abortion and the heinous effects it has on the culture at large, how Christians should feel about Roe V. Wade and an exhortation to rejoice but also a consideration to know that the work of ending abortion is not done!
Nick and Robyn in light of pride month, talk about marketing and the psychology around it. A wide range of topics are discussed in this episode such as tv shows, commercials and yes, even Pro Wrestling and how all of this plays into the day to day of the common consumer.
Given the tragic events that happened in Texas and the devastations of the shootings that went on there. We decided to rehash out series on The Psychology of Mass Shooters and specifically Part 2 of this series.
Nick and Robyn continue interview each other with Nick in the hot seat this time. Robyn asks Nick what compelled him to study psychotherapy and want to become an elder of a church. Nick then touches on some very personal aspects of his life involving fears and doubts.
Well things have been a little hectic in the studio!!! So today Nick decided to interview Dr. Robyn Hall and get her story of what compelled her to enter into the field of Psychotherapy.
Stanley Milgram was a social psychologist known for his extremely controversial and now considered unethical experiments conducted in the 60's and 70's.
Nick and Robyn dive into his experiments which are centered around on the topic of obedience to authority and explain why they are unethical, what the experiments actually showed us and how we should think about such findings as Christians.
This is a very special episode and extra long for your listening. Nick and Robyn have a guest over Matthew Hunter to talk to us about the mindset it takes to survive in the wilderness. What does it take, how should you prepare and what are the risks? Take a listen and you will find out.
by the way....watch your step....
This was a highly requested topic and we hope you all enjoy. Todays episode is on ADHD with specifics to what it is and isn't. We also discuss how the Christian should think about it, our concerns over medication and the trend of this diagnosis.
Hey there everyone, hope you had a great valentines day with your special someone. In this episode Robyn and Nick talk about romantic relationships from a biblical worldview and share some personal stories about their past. Talks of addiction and promiscuity in previous relationships are brought up and of course the healing and salvation of Christ that remedies those wounds.
This may seem like an odd episode because it is..... we are talking about new years resolutions ibn February. There is a good reason for this only because we wanted to see how you were doing with those and if you needed any help? (we sure do) If this has sarked your curiosity then please, indulge a little bit and give this episode a listen. We love you guys!!!
This episode is very special because we have a very special guest with us. All the way from Australia, Cass Backhouse from the "Her Theology" podcast joins us to talk about the nature of fear in the church during these pressing and hard times.
We made through the year 2021 and are excited to see what God has in store for this show in 2022. Whether or not this show lives or dies it has been a tremendous blessing to get to speak into the mics and actually have you guys listen. Thank you all so much!!!
This show will go over some of our favorite episodes of this past year like Depression and the Crushed Spirit, Much Ado About Self and Addiction. We hope you will be blessed in this recap.
God Bless and Happy New Year!!
Nick and Robyn talk about the concept of Joy from a biblical worldview as well as some empirical data that will help you understand what the mind will go through when joy is experienced. Robyn gives a brief overview of the "Positive Psychology" analysis on and Nick and Robyn share their disagreements with the analysis. A very touching story about joy in the midst of suffering the loss of someone loved is told and a couple tears are shed.
This is our last podcast of the year! We hope everyone has enjoyed the show!
Nick and Robyn talk about the psychology of grief from a Christian perspective and what one who has a heart for God goes through, when they suffer the loss of someone or fall into a state of grief, this episode gets a little emotional, as talking about this very common attribute of the human condition is something everyone has stepped into. So grab your tissues and prepare yourselves.
In this episode Nick and Robyn talk about gratitude and just how important it is not just for your biological nature but, how important it is in your walk with Christ, both Nick and Robyn break down the scriptures to explain what the psychological nature of gratitude is and how this is the will of God for your life.
Nick and Robyn in preparation for the holidays, discuss some of the typical problems that can arise during this season. Grief, inadequacies, suicidal ideation, depression are just some of things mentioned in this episode, plus, Nick and Robyn both share stories about their personal experience in hard times surrounding the holidays.
In this very different episode of A Couch Divided, Nick and Robyn discuss what drives our wanting to be afraid for entertainment. They then talk about Arizona's creepy city of Jerome and so called "Asylum" that is now a hotel located in the city, then Robyn gives quite a detailed history of Arizona State Hospital (ASH) and the spooky history of this very well known institution.
In this episode, Nick and Robyn talk about Anorexia Nervosa and how this commonly known disorder can be a little misconstrued. They go over particular criterion that is attached to this disorder and often not known by the general public. They then discuss the human want and desire to control ones environment which leads Nick to tell a story from his past and things get pretty interesting. This is one episode you don't want to miss.
Robyn and Nick talk about the disposition of bitterness and its utterly destructive ways in yielding fruit of idolatry and separation from worshiping God.
You wrote in your questions and we answered. In this episode, Robyn and Nick take a look at some of the things wrote in by you. Topics such as, "How do I find a Christian counselor? and "What things I should avoid when it comes to particular counseling techniques?"
If you like what you hear, then visit our website www.acouchdivded.com and consider partnering with us by pressing on the donate tab. Much appreciated.
A Couch Divided is a back after some time off and Dr. Hall discusses what she learned at the Grace Agenda Conference in Moscow, Idaho from Pastor Doug Wilson about Envy, Greed and Jealousy.
We were privileged to be apart of the Cultish Show Podcast, with Jerry Roberts and the Super Sleuth him self Andrew Soncrant. In this episode we trip out on the nature of psychedelics from a Christian perspective, the pros and cons and what pharmakeia is. We also talk a little bit about our experiences with the usage of these drugs and how Christ is preeminent over it all.
In this episode Robyn and Nick talk about the features of Psychopathy vs Psychosis while going into personal stories that tell their experience under drug induced psychosis and how Christ redeemed their lives and brought them out of such a hard disposition.
In this episode, Robyn and Nick dive into the depths of depression and describe what it is according to clinical psychology. They also parallel this topic with the biblical presentation of the crush spirit and how this is the biblical way of describing the desire to live no more and total inability to delight in your Creator.
Dr. Hall and Nick continue their discussion on PTSD, revealing symptoms and providing deeper insight with biblical application.
Dr. Hall and Nick discuss the topic of PTSD, what it is, what it is not and how Christians should look at PTSD in a world full of opinions. This is a topic that is near and dear to both hosts for different reasons.
Dr. Hall and Nick talk about talking and exploring the secular virtue of communication and the biblical presentation of speaking to our fellow man.
Dr. Hall and Nick talk about talking and exploring the secular virtue of communication and the biblical presentation of speaking to our fellow man.
Dr. Hall and Nick Thomas this week are talking addiction of all kinds. They describe the clinical side of things and the worldview that is attached to the notion of once an addict always an addict and the biblical side of things on how addiction is sin(specifically idolatry) that needs to be repented of.
This is part 2 of ACD'S Anxiety Series, Nick and Robyn go through and break down the DSM criteria for different types of anxiety disorder; what they are and what they are not followed by the so what of it all.
In this part 1 episode of (See above title), Dr. R037n Hall and N136 Thomas speak to a very and let me tell you that things are while something fishy is on the the criteria.....enjoy the show....
Nick Thomas and Dr. Robyn hall speak on the concept of emotional baggage, what it is and what to do with it. These two dive in deep in a very humorous and serious way by telling personal stories of struggle and the things they have brought into the Kingdom of God and how God is sanctifying them through it.
In this episode, part 1 of our Mass Shooters series. We dive into the depth of the Psychological nature of a mass shooter and find out what's really going on behind the motive to kill.
In this episode, part 2 of our Mass Shooters series. We dive into the depth of the Psychological nature of a mass shooter and find out what's really going on behind the motive to kill.
In this episode we talk about the ways Sigmund Freud attempted to describe humanity and what he thought about people. We also break down what God says humanity is according to biblical revelation and just how important proper identity is.
In this part 2 we talk about the ways Sigmund Freud attempted to describe humanity and what he thought about people. We also break down what God says humanity is according to biblical revelation and just how important proper identity is.
Psy-COVID: A Look at the Psychological Repercussions of the COVID-19 Pandemic from a biblical worldview.
Our friends friends, James and Hilary stop by the studio for a really good discussion on the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. James is a behavioral health technician and is apart of a mobile crisis team. Hilary is a nurse in a hospital ICU and talks about the emotional ride of taking care of COVID-19 patients that are essentially on their death bed.
Psy-COVID: A Look at the Psychological Repercussions of the COVID-19 Pandemic from a biblical worldview.
We are wrapping up this series with the "So What?" of it all and what this means as we cope and learn to assess our current disposition in the COVID-19 pandemic
Psy-COVID: A Look at the Psychological Repercussions of the COVID-19 Pandemic from a biblical worldview.
We are finishing up the COVID timeline and diving into the depths and repercussions from this pandemic
Part 2 of Psy-COVID: A Look at the Psychological Repercussions of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Psy-COVID: A Look at the Psychological Repercussions of the COVID-19 Pandemic from a biblical worldview