Coffee and TheraTEA: Recent Episodes
Coffee and TheraTEA
A round table discussion about all things therapy - the good, bad and in between. Join 2 Music Therapists, a BCBA, and a LCSW offering knowledge & expertise while engaging in constructive conversations around therapy for caregivers & clinicians.
Today Alyssa sits down with Allison Thomas from Running Your Practice and Mainstay Music Therapy to talk ALL things private practice!
Allison was inspired by a recent podcast episode, Red Flags of Music Therapy Business to talk about the pros, cons, and qualms of small-business private practice.
In this episode, we will:
- Explore topics in Allison's new e-book which is loaded with resources for navigating private practice as a prospective employee and as an employer
- Dive into the differences between agencies and private practice
- Discuss salary vs. hourly and what that means for you as a therapist
- And get transparent with what it means to be a private practice owner
This episode is brewing with resources and Allison has even more in her e-book. Yes, we are fangirling, it is that good! You can get 20% off Allison's Unveiling Private Practice e-book for the month of October ONLY by using code MainstayBrew at https://mainstaymusictherapy.com/product/private-practice-unveiled/
Link will be active as of 10/1/2024
Not only do you get the 40-page resource, but you also get fillable templates for analyzing wages with a video walkthrough of how to use the template from Allison herself.
Want to learn more from Allison? Check out her socials!
- Running Your Practice
- Mainstay Music Therapy
- Learn with Mainstay
You can join Mainstay's free resource list with monthly private practice tips, music therapy intervention ideas, and AAC information from a previous Coffee and TheraTea guest, Shelley Anderson!
Thoughts, questions, ideas? Email us at coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com and keep the conversation flowing on Instagram @coffeeandtheratea
It's back to school season which means time for ALL the evaluations! Join Alyssa and Courtney as they take a drive through the Evaluation Station and give you tips, tricks, and tangible tools to implement play-based, neuro-affirming evaluations across settings.
MT Assessments of Note (ba-dum-chuh):
- New McCallum-Davis Assessment Discussed
- SEMTAP
- Nordoff-Robbins Musical Engagement Scale
Alternative ABA Assessments:
- Socially Savvy
- JASPER
- Early Start Denver Model
Additional Resources Discussed:
- Music Therapy Joy - Big Yellow Bag CMTE
- MeRT Therapy
Thoughts, questions, ideas? Email us at coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com and keep the conversation flowing on Instagram @coffeeandtheratea
The gals are spilling the tea on the challenges of life as a therapist. What else is new?
This episode has:
- A lot of banter around what's happening in daily life
- A reflection on why the podcast has been a bit more irregular lately
- Takeaway thoughts & tips for you to not feel so alone in the hard!
If things are feeling hard and you wish they weren't, you are not alone!
Thoughts, questions, ideas? Email us at coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com and keep the conversation flowing on Instagram @coffeeandtheratea
You voted and we made it happen! This month's topic was chosen by our listeners who follow us on instagram. We spill the theraTEA on all things supervision!
What is required of supervisors?
What should they bring to the table?
Why is supervision imortant?
Where do I find a supervisor?
We get into it all!
Supervision is a topic that is important to us. 3/4 of the Coffee and TheraTea table are supervisors in their day to day work. Creating strong relationships with our supervisees and ensuring their success means the world to us. We hope we empower you to level up your supervision game or find an amazing supervisor!
Previous episodes mentioned:
- SUPERvision
- The Work/Life Balancing Act
Peer support resources:
- Peer Support Network
- Music for Kiddos
- Creative Therapy Umbrella
- Do Better Collective
Thoughts, questions, ideas? Email us at coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com and keep the conversation flowing on Instagram @coffeeandtheratea
This week the gals talk all about the realities of money management as therapists. In the world of inflation in which we currently live, money matters more than ever. We share some of our tips, experiences, and perspectives on navigating the absolutely gloriously high salaries of therapists (can you taste the sarcasm? ha!)
Unfortunately, Courtney's audio did not work for this episode so you will have to wait until our next episode to hear her dulcet tones!
Links and Resources from this Episode:
- MIT Cost of Living Calculator
- Middle-Class Assessment Website
Thoughts, questions, ideas? Email us at coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com and keep the conversation flowing on Instagram @coffeeandtheratea
Alyssa and Sarah spill all the theraTEA on therapy business ownership! What is it really like? Why is it a must do? Why is it a must not do? Get your philosophical questions answered!
If you liked this Alyssa and Sarah episode, check out these previous episodes:
- Non-Traditional Therapists
- Work/Life Balancing Act
Thoughts, questions, ideas? Email us at coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com and keep the conversation flowing on Instagram @coffeeandtheratea
In this episode, the gals explore the value and challenge of repetition in therapy sessions. You will gain insight from Noa, Alyssa, and Sarah's diverse perspectives on how they approach session planning and leading. You will walk away with tips on how to effectively use repetition and how to make it less redundant to best support the people you serve!
Thoughts, questions, ideas? Email us at coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com and keep the conversation flowing on Instagram @coffeeandtheratea
This week Alyssa, Courtney, and Sarah sit down to discuss the pros & cons of app-based therapy, telehealth, and in-person therapy!
Not wanting our beautifully chaotic banter? Skip ahead to 15:45 to dive into the topic.
Check out the Kinder World app Alyssa was talking about in the episode!
Thoughts, questions, ideas? Email us at coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com and keep the conversation flowing on Instagram @coffeeandtheratea
It's not how you want your coffee, but the gals are spilling the tea this week in an unfiltered, unhinged episode. This week is all about the joys of podcasting, parenthood, and celebrating life's wins & challenges with your therapeople!
Shout out to one of our therapeople, Matthew Moody, who's episode we mention: 9-8-8 Crisis Mental Health.
Thoughts, questions, ideas? Email us at coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com and keep the conversation flowing on Instagram @coffeeandtheratea
A very special episode that's a short love letter from each of the gals to you! Alyssa, Noa, Sarah, and Courtney share their favorite Coffee and TheraTEA moments, goals for 2024, and personal successes in 2023.
Need an accountabil-a-buddy for 2024? Email us at coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com with your goals so we can all reach them together!
Or DM us on Instagram @coffeeandtheratea
Today's episode features Alyssa and Courtney zooming in on Courtney's recent presentations and experiences at ABA conferences in Colorado & Arizona. The gals wanted to explore the current state of ABA in a post-AMA update world!
Alyssa and Courtney dive into:
- What's changing in ABA "land"
- Misconceptions about ABA
- Protocols and why they exist/why maybe they shouldn't
- Making things better
- The importance of collaboration!
Courtney references several presentations she attended at these conferences and you can check out the agendas for them, here:
- Arizona ABA - https://azaba.org/2023-Conference-Agenda
- Colorado ABA - https://behaviorlive.com/conferences/coaba/program
It is so important to be tuned into what's happening in the therapy profession for those of us who want to see it change from outside and within!
The article on Happy, Relaxed, Engaged (HRE) that Courtney referenced is here:
https://practicalfunctionalassessment.com/2021/09/09/a-perspective-on-todays-aba-by-dr-greg-hanley/
Instagram pages mentioned in this episode:
- @danyelle.beal
- @autie.analyst
Thoughts, questions, ideas? Email us at coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com and keep the conversation flowing on Instagram @coffeeandtheratea
Today's episode was born out of a text thread between Noa and Sarah about the "behind the scenes" of being parents - specifically Mothers, AND therapists. Because this is such a HUGE topic, we're releasing it in two episodes!
In this episode, Noa and Sarah talk about:
- Sarah’s move to Georgia
- Noa getting ready to go back to work from maternity leave
- We introduce the topic of balancing parenthood with our therapeutic identity
- As a clinical expert on the topic, Sarah defines "Maternal Mental Health" and talks about what all factors into the mental load parents, caregivers, and Mothers carry (if you're anything like us, you only were aware of a SMALL FRACTION of all that goes into the mental load... it's massive!)
- A few examples of situations we've both found ourselves in recently as parents that force is to "surthrive," or find that "happy place" in between a survive and thrive mindset that's sustainable for us.
Get in touch with Noa and Sarah on Instagram:
Noa at @missnoamusic and Sarah @seraphinacounseling
Want to hear more about this topic? Stay tuned for "You're Not the Worst (Mom) - Part 2," where we'll talk about:
- how hard it is to be attuned to our kids' emotions and communicate effectively (even though "that's what we do")
- actually maintaining a space where our kids feel they can talk to us about everything
- how to flip your internal narrative from thrive to survive and BEING COMFORTABLE there
- and concrete ways to adjust your routines to make life as a caregiver feel more sustainable long-term
Thoughts, questions, ideas? Email us at coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com and keep the conversation flowing on Instagram at Instagram.com/coffeeandtheratea
This week the gals are joined by the one, the only, the magical Stephanie Leavell of Music for Kiddos! You may know Stephanie from her wonderful group supervision and support community, or you may know her from her own podcast, Music for Kiddos. What you may not know is the journey Stephanie took to get where she is.
In this episode, we talk all about:
- Burnout and its reality
- Preventing burnout
- Quality Supervision
- Strategies to support yourself
And of course a little bit of venting and a lot of laughter!
You can find Stephanie at www.musicforkiddos.com where you can learn more about her community, upcoming CMTE offerings, and free resources to help lighten your load.
If you are looking for 1:1 supervision, Alyssa has a few openings for music therapists who are seeking support! You can email her - alyssa@dynamiclynks.com.
Additional Resources for Supervision Support:
- Peer Support Network
- Music Therapy Ed Now
Previous episodes mentioned:
- Stop Shoulding Yourself
Thoughts, questions, ideas? Email us at coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com and keep the conversation flowing on Instagram at Instagram.com/coffeeandtheratea
In this episode, we brought back the incredible Shelley Anderson to talk more about AAC! If you haven't already, listen to our first episode with Shelley, All About AAC, to help us celebrate AAC Awareness Month all October long.
In this episode, Shelley will emphasize:
- how to support self-advocacy with AAC
- how to program regulation & advocacy pages
- how to use AAC for safety skills.
Shelley has some wonderful AAC resources and courses coming out very soon! Stay tuned to Shelley's many social media pages to be the first to know about her fantastic resources:
- Notes 2 Live By
- Mainstay Music Therapy and their new platform Learn with Mainstay
- Stay tuned to Learn with Mainstay's Instagram to see when Shelley's continuing education AAC course goes live!
We can't wait to keep the conversation flowing with you over on Instagram, @CoffeeAndTheraTEA, or email us at CoffeeAndTheraTEA@gmail.com
This week the gals are joined by a special guest for AAC awareness month, Shelley Anderson! Shelley is a board-certified music therapist and assistive technology specialist. She joins the Coffee and TheraTEA stage to talk ALL things AAC!
What is AAC? AAC is Alternative and Augmentative Communication and Shelley is going to tell you a ton about it.
In this episode we will highlight:
- What AAC is
- The difference between PECS and AAC
- How to gain more access to AAC
- What to use to expand communication if someone does not have an AAC system
- Funding AAC
- Expanding access to AAC
- Introducing AAC through invitations and not demands
- How to use AAC in therapy sessions
- AAC’s impact on spoken language
- Language development through AAC
and so much more!
We had such a wonderful time with Shelley that she will be back for an AAC part 2 to talk all things AAC and mental health. Stay tuned!
Where to find Shelley and her fantastic resources:
- Notes 2 Live By
- Mainstay Music Therapy and their new platform Learn with Mainstay
- Stay tuned to Learn with Mainstay's Instagram to see when Shelley's continuing education AAC course goes live!
Most importantly, check out the AAC apps on super sale for the week of October 10th - 17th, 2023 before they're gone!
We recommend this comprehensive list - https://bridgingapps.org/aac-awareness-month-aac-app-list/
We can't wait to keep the conversation flowing with you over on Instagram, @CoffeeAndTheraTEA, or email us at CoffeeAndTheraTEA@gmail.com
Today the gals are joined by special guest, Allie Newell, BS, BCBA, LBA. Allie joins us for continued critical evaluation of the ABA field, because we can't help ourselves, as well as discussion around Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Allie has an upcoming training for practitioners all about ACT called ACT-U! You can learn more about ACT-U and register, here.
Allie is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst specializing in providing behavioral therapy to people of all ages and abilities. Whether you are a person looking for someone to understand your unique needs, or a parent looking for support with your children or teens, her services are right for you. Allie loves supporting clients from all walks of life. She has specialized experience within the neurotypical and neurodivergent populations.
You can learn more about Allie on her website
Keep the conversation flowing on instagram @CoffeeAndTheraTEA or email us, coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
September is NICU awareness month and we are so excited to share Courtney's personal story and journey in the NICU with her beautiful child, Elliott! This story follows Elliott's 67 day NICU stay with all of the challenges and wonderful support Courtney and her wife received during their time in the NICU.
A support that you'll hear Courtney share that helped her family during this difficult time is @DearNICUMama on instagram. You can find their page, here!
We hope this story helps anyone on their own NICU journey as well as the wonderful therapists who care for NICU babies and their families.
We recorded this episode a while back and you'll hear us reference the episode, Ketchup and Sour Pickles which is a great listen as well!
We'd love to hear about your journey in the NICU if this story resonates with you. Keep the conversation flowing on instagram @CoffeeAndTheraTEA or email us, coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
It’s BTS time! Sadly, no not the band, Back To School. This can be a challenging time for kids, parents, and professionals. In this episode, Alyssa, Courtney, and Noa sit down and talk about tangible ways to ease the back to school transition. They leave you with ideas for how to manage both the knowns and unknowns of big transitions!
Needing more resources?
Dynamic Lynks has a variety of back to school activities parents and professionals can use to help ease the BTS transition in their free resource portal.
You can also check out their latest blow, www.dynamiclynks.com/blog all about prepping for back to school!
Join us in discussions over on Instagram to keep the conversation flowing - @coffeeandtheratea - or email us coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
In this episode, Alyssa, Noa, and Courtney sit down to discuss the complicated topic of evidence-based practice (EBP). The gals explore the what, why, and how of EBP to better understand what role it plays in clinical practice, outside of the research setting.
Why EBP? It all spurred from last episode's discussion around the update on EBP practices for autistic individuals. Give that episode a listen first if you haven't already, The AMA and ABA Update.
What is EBP?
There are MANY definitions and interpretations. One you will hear on the episode is "evidence-based practice is the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best empirical evidence when making decisions about how to practice when providing information and care for client/patients. This best evidence should be combined with practitioner expertise and should consider the characteristics, state, needs, values and preference of those who will be affected."
Other resources we share are:
- AMTA Evidence-based practice definition
- Educational definition of EBP
- Level of Evidence and how to get to EBP
- Johns Hopkins Definition of EBP
- National Institute of Corrections Definition of EBP
Episode Edit: Alyssa talked about the PAL research coming out of FSU. Alyssa misspoke on the lead researcher on that study. That lead researcher is Jayne Standley from Florida State University.
You can read about this incredible research and work, here.
Join us in discussions over on Instagram to keep the conversation flowing - @coffeeandtheratea - or email us coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
A very heated topic in therapy land this week has been the update from the American Medical Association's House of Delegates annual meeting in June 2023, withdrawing their support of ABA for the treatment of autism. That title is not all it seems, and this week the gals dive into it.
We encourage you to read the handbook yourself, which has many updates for healthcare as a whole in the US.
This post from ICDL on Instagram also summarizes a lot of research calling ABA into question, noting the harm that his has done to autistic individuals, and opening the door for new evidence-based practices to receive support from the AMA as services for Autism (like music therapy, wooh!).
We know this is a large topic and would love to hear from you.
Join us in discussions over on Instagram to keep the conversation flowing - @coffeeandtheratea - or email us coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
As a table of podcasters that includes music therapists and BCBAs, we are no stranger to fighting for your style of therapy to be understood. There are a lot of misconceptions, truths, and opportunities for growth in our professions.
In this episode, the gals deep dive into how to advocate and stand up for the work you love to do! We also mention the enneagram a lot. You can check out what enneagram number you are, here!
Want to keep the conversation flowing? Email us: coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com or DM us on instagram @coffeeandtheratea. We want to hear from you!
Are you...
- Applying for your first job as a therapist?
- Wondering what employers are looking for when you're applying for a job?
- A private practice owner who is curious what the hiring process could entail?
- Looking to rock your first job interview?
Then this is the episode for you!
Alyssa and Noa dive into how they structure the hiring and interview process for prospective job candidates from cover letter to job offer! And... they're both currently hiring!
Check out the job details:
- Dynamic Lynks' open position
- Spectrum Creative Arts' open position
This episode is all about giving you a peak behind the curtain into why employers choose the steps they do when you're applying for a job.
It can also help guide you as a business owner in what steps to take to ensure qualified candidates are joining your team!
Have more questions about the interview and hiring process? Email us: coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com and we'd love to share more!
or DM us on instagram @coffeeandtheratea
Alyssa, Noa, and Sarah spill some realiTEA this week diving into why we love reality TV so much, how we use it in therapy sessions, and the mental health implications of participating in reality TV. This topic was sparked heavily by the discussions surrounding Love is Blind on Netflix. Danielle and Nick from season 2 of Love is Blind dropped a podcast episode this week talking all about their mental health journey on the show. You can check it out here!
Want more mental health content? Check out these episodes!
- Mental Health Minutes
- Mental Health and Burnout
- Fill Your Cup First
- Creating Safe Mental Health Spaces for Children
- Neurodiversity and Mental Health
- Crisis Mental Health (9-8-8)
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instagram @coffeeandtheratea
Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
It's Mental Health Month and today Alyssa is sharing some of her favorite tips for regulation and mental wellness as a therapist!
Top Takeaways from the Episode:
- 3 breathing techniques
- The power of movement
- Connecting with nature and sunshine
- Affirmations and why they're important
- Apps that can support your mental health
- Using deep pressure for nervous system regulation to support the body-brain connection
- Music playlists with purpose to support your wellbeing!
Want more mental health content? Check out these episodes!
- Mental Health and Burnout
- Fill Your Cup First
- Creating Safe Mental Health Spaces for Children
- Neurodiversity and Mental Health
- Crisis Mental Health (9-8-8)
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instagram @coffeeandtheratea
Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
If you haven't already, Listen to Part 1 that sets the framework for these ideas! This week the gals talk more about how to put neuro-affirming work into practice. We focus on questions to ask yourself when building neuro-affirming goals, such as:
- Why am I working on this?
- Who is this skill for?
- How can I support this skill through understanding neural differences?
Additional Resources to explore neuro-affirming skills in therapy:
- Learn, Play, Thrive.
- Play Spark
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instagram @coffeeandtheratea
Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
It's Autism Acceptance month and the gals are zooming in on neuro-affirming care in their day-to-day work as clinicians & humans! In this episode, we define the difference between neuro-affirming and client-centered care and explore what that looks like in practice. We also ask a question that many want to know, "can ABA be neuro-affirming?" There's of course a lot of fun banter along the way!
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instagram @coffeeandtheratea
Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
1 year of Coffee and TheraTEA and we needed 2 episodes to celebrate! If you haven't listened to Part 1, give that a listen first. This week the gals continue their Billie Eilish a la Vanity Fair style interview to discuss big things happening in their careers, the year ahead, and some fun rapid questions. Take time to sip as we spill lots more TEA and kick off season 2 of Coffee and TheraTEA!
Mentioned in this Episode:
- Music for kiddos
- The Music Therapy Spot
Previous Episodes to Check Out:
- Anniversary episode - Part 1!
- BCBAs Making the World a Better Place
- Qualifications for Becoming a Therapist
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instragram @coffeeandtheratea
Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
1 year of Coffee and TheraTEA, can you believe it?! This week the gals do a Billie Eilish a la Vanity Fair style interview to discuss themselves, their confidence, and their new journeys ahead for year 2 of podcasting. Take time to sip as we spill lots of TEA and stay tuned for part 2 next week!
Awesome Thing referenced in the episode:
- The every girl
- The every mom
- NICU Mamas
- Eugene levy travel show - The Reluctant Traveler
Previous Episodes Mentioned:
- Work/Life Balance
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instagram @coffeeandtheratea
Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
Today the gals get real about what it takes to become a BCBA, LCSW, MT-BC, and other types of therapists! We discuss the coursework required, ongoing training, and consistent commitment that is critical to being a qualified clinician. This is a great episode for students and emerging professionals who are seeking a degree in a therapy field! If you’re a therapist who is feeling some of the frustration of these requirements, take the time this episode to reflect and vent with us.
Learn more about the requirements for becoming a:
- BCBA (Board-Certified Behavior Analyst)
- LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)
- MT-BC (Music Therapist-Board Certified)
As always, you can keep the conversation flowing by emailing us at coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com or following us on Instagram @coffeeandtheraTEA
This week the gals are joined by Zenobia Lee-Briggs, MA, LPC, ACS to discuss the transgenerational impact trauma has on the BIPOC community, especially as it relates to mental health and seeking therapeutic support. This is something to keep in mind not just this Black History Month, but in all the work we do as therapists and as human beings. Zenobia is incredibly open and honest throughout the conversation, allowing listeners to learn from her immense knowledge to better support the communities we serve.
You can learn more about Zenobia and her incredible practice at embracingHHR.com
Top Takeaways from the Episode:
- The difference between transgenerational and intergenerational trauma
- Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and how it relates to the BIPOC community
- Curiosity and unconditional regard as the path to moving forward
- This work MATTERS, even when it feels small
Previous episodes referenced:
- Non-traditional therapists
Additional Resources:
- Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome by Dr. Joy Degruy
- Dr. Joy Degruy lecture
- Medical Apartheid
As always, you can keep the conversation flowing by emailing us at coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com or following us on Instagram @coffeeandtheraTEA
This week the gals explore new ways to evaluate the effectiveness of a session and how to reframe what makes a "good" session. This episode is for clinicians and parents alike, to celebrate the effort and care we all bring to therapy each day/week/month/year!
Additional Resources:
Looking for supervision to expand your clinical delivery? Both Alyssa and Noa offer that for music therapists and pediatric professionals!
You can find Noa, here
You can find Alyssa, here
Mentioned in the Episode:
Play Spark - an amazing instagram follow!
Previous Episodes to Check Out:
Goal Driven
SUPERvision
All About Acronyms
Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us at coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com or DM us, @coffeeandtheratea on Instagram!
The gals kick off the first round table of the new year with some silly exploration of the most Googled therapy questions. Lots of laughter will be had with this one!
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instragram @coffeeandtheratea
Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
Join Alyssa and Courtney in a new year-themed episode all about shifting priorities and working with what you have! Top takeaway of the episode: “Don’t mourn the loss of who you were, celebrate who you’re gonna be.”
Previous Episodes Mentioned:
- Stop "Shoulding" Yourself
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instragram @coffeeandtheratea
Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
The gals wrap up the year discussing what they are most proud of, what they're looking forward to in 2023, and sending some shout outs to the listeners!
Make sure to follow the gals to see what they're up to in the new year:
- Sarah Phillips
- Noa Ferguson - self-care in seconds series will help you rock 2023!
- Alyssa Stone
- Courtney Lohrenz
If you want to focus on your self-care in the new year and join in restorative yoga, you can check out the class packages here - https://www.dynamiclynks.com/yoga-classes. All virtual, all gentle, and all inclusive!
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instragram @coffeeandtheratea
Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
CONTENT WARNING: Death by suicide, suicidal ideation, suicide prevention, mental health crises.
In this episode, the gals are joined by Matthew Moody. Matthew serves as the Director Of Contact Operations and Clinical Services at Solari Crisis and Human Services. In this role, he oversees 100 employees in a crisis contact center that fields over 40,000 calls per month.
Main Takeaways from this Episode:
- What is crisis mental health
- 9-8-8 - what it is, how to use it - a true resource for crisis mental health!
- Burnout in the Mental Health field
- How to support someone in crisis
Resources:
- Why People Die by Suicide
- It's Not About the Nail
Steps you can take when someone is talking about suicide:
- Help them feel supported and heard
- Create a comfortable space to talk about it
- Phrases you can say "I want to check in", "I care about you", "I want to make sure you’re safe", "Have you thought about hurting or killing yourself?"
- Show up and listen
- Don’t talk over them
- Don’t give them advice
What’s the next step?
- Ask yourself and them "Do we need to get 9-8-8 on the line?"
- Ask directly and clearly, let them know you care - "How did you get here, what’s led you to feel like this?"
IMPORTANT TAKEAWAYS
It is a myth that if you ask someone if they’re suicidal that you are going to put the idea in their head
- They’re overriding their instinctual desire to stay alive
- It’s not illegal to think about or die from suicide
More About Matthew and Where to Find Him:
Matthew provides oversight to 2-1-1 Arizona, which offers information and referral services to the state of Arizona. He has over ten years of experience in the behavioral health field, specializing in case management, crisis, and counseling services. Matthew is passionate about veteran support, increasing public knowledge of mental health issues, and reducing mental health stigma. With a strong desire to prevent suicide, Matthew leads innovative change to improve the lives of those with mental illness. Matthew earned a Bachelor of Psychology degree and a Master of Science degree in Counseling from Arizona State University. Matthew also serves on the Board of Directors for Mental Health America of Arizona.
Matthew’s LinkedIn
This week on the pod, Alyssa and Courtney are joined by Katie Sears to discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of ABA. The goal of this episode is to shed light on the true harm of ABA while also understanding how the field can move forward. Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) continues to be the most widely prescribed and accessible therapeutic approach for autistic children. Katie brings decades of knowledge to help us understand how the field can do better, what is holding it back, and what families should look for when exploring the use of ABA therapy in their child's treatment plan.
Highlights from this episode include:
- Assent-based practices
- Supporting a child’s voice and self-advocacy in therapy
- Meeting children where they are
- Levels of play
- Using new research to move the field forward
- Therapy in the grey area - graphs can be useful, but data isn’t everything!
Previous episodes mentioned:
- All About Acronyms
- Neurodiversity and Mental Health
- Black and White Thinking in Behaviorism
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instragram @coffeeandtheratea
Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
Content Warning: Death by suicide, suicidality.
In this episode, the gals get deep and explore why mental health must be a critical component of care for the neurodivergent individuals we serve. This episode is a little heavier and we understand if it’s hard for you to get through.
Top takeaways:
- Why client-centered therapy is important
- The importance of cognitive flexibility for growth mindset and mental wellbeing
- Looking at therapeutic frameworks through a neuro-affirming lens
Additional episodes surrounding mental health:
- Creating safe mental health spaces for children - https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/nXGxinDKPub
Creators mentioned:
@studiomucci on Instagram
@howtosupportautistickids on Instagram
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instagram @coffeeandtheratea
Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
Difficult difficult conversations can be the hardest to navigate, but, as humans, we have them all the time. Join the gals as they explore tools and strategies to help you in those challenging moments to advocate for yourself and keep that dialogue open.
Strategies you will walk away with:
- How to get curious
- The importance of delivery over content
- Presuming competence and approaching with non-judgement
- Giving yourself space in those challenging moments
Previous Episodes Mentioned:
- · Ketchup and Sour Pickles
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instagram @coffeeandtheratea Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
On this spro sode, Alyssa and Sarah debunk assumptions around therapists and therapy! Explore the diversity of what therapists sound like, how therapists approach therapy, and what the root of therapeutic work really means. Prepare to laugh a lot and get a little chaotic with the 2 goofiest members of our round table!
Sarah's Private Practice: www.seraphinacounseling.net Alyssa's Private Practice: www.dynamiclynks.com
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instagram @coffeeandtheratea Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
It's a SPILL sode with the full round table finally back together again! Content Warning – Pregnancy, Pregnancy struggles, Birth, NICU What’s in this episode:
Highlights of our lives these last few months (sweet ketchup) and the hard moments (sour pickles) Where has Courtney been? YOU GET TO FIND OUT! Discussion around early intervention, parenting, and the taboo of therapy that still prevails Salary transparency in therapy and preparing new grads for the work force And a whole lot of giggles!
Resources from the episode:
@preemie_nicu_baby_milestones on Instagram @kinactive_kids on Instagram
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instagram @coffeeandtheratea Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
Noa Ferguson, MS, MT-BC hosts a mini thought-centered episode around the idea of “gentle accountability” - finding your personal balance between continuing to strive for your best work while also acknowledging the limitations life brings to our day-to-day experiences. Noa shares self reflection prompt excerpts from her Song Implementation Checklist for Music Therapists™ that she uses within her own work as a therapist and supervisor, and talks through ways to apply these types of introspective questions into work outside of music therapy, and into the talk therapy education/teaching spaces.
You’ll leave this introspective episode with a platform to start defining what “gentle accountability” means, looks like, and feels like in your life, and ways to question and self-evaluate your teaching practices to prioritize engagement and accessibility for your students, clients, and people you support in your work.
Previous episodes of Coffee and TheraTEA mentioned:
• Stop Shoulding yourself
• Fill Your Cup First
Where to find us:
Dynamic Lynks – www.dynamiclynks.com
Spectrum Creative Arts - www.spectrumcreativearts.org
Noa’s professional IG page: @spectrumnoa
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instagram @coffeeandtheratea
Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
Join Alyssa Stone, MT-BC and Julia Jordan-Lake, LCPC to talk about creating safe spaces to support the mental health of children. Julia is a therapist who is passionate about partnering with caregivers in working with unlocking the strengths of their holistic child. If you love Julia as much as we do, join her pay-what-you-can talk live or on the replay - https://urbanwellnesscounseling.com/courses/uncovering-the-whya-grown-ups-guide-for-navigating-back-to-school-behaviors/ for EVEN MORE tips to support the mental health of the children you love!
What you will walk away with:
- Tangible ideas to support children this new school year
- Resources to support yourself and ask for help
- Connecting before correcting
- Mental Health resources for parents, caregivers, teachers, and therapists
Resources:
- Yardsticks: Children in the Classroom Ages 4-14
- Mona Delahooke - Author of Brain-Body Parenting and Beyond Behaviors
- Whole-Brain Child by Dr. Dan Siegel and Dr. Tina Payne Bryson
Previous episodes of Coffee and TheraTEA mentioned:
- Stop Shoulding yourself
- Fill Your Cup First
- Goal Driven
Where to find us:
Dynamic Lynks – www.dynamiclynks.com
Urban Wellness - https://urbanwellnesscounseling.com/
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instagram @coffeeandtheratea
Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
It's another spro sode with Alyssa all about how to stop shoulding yourself and focus on your needs and your WHYs. Here’s what you’re going to walk away with:
- Tangible strategies for building functional to-do lists
- Ideas for automatization and optimization to ease your mental burden
- The reality that our world is asking too much & validation for how hard you are working!
Did you like this shorter format? Let us know at coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com and keep the conversation flowing on Instagram at Instagram.com/coffeeandtheratea
It’s just Alyssa and Noa this week for a short episode! Here’s what you’re going to walk away with:
- Moving from relax to grind – what makes that feel easier
- Organization, Planning, and Preparation tips for the new school year
- Validation of your awesomeness!
Need back to school resources? Here is the video Alyssa referenced in the episode - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5yr4afGf6w. You can also check out Dynamic Lynks’ resource portal full of back-to-school ideas at www.dynamiclynks.com/resources under the “Back to School” tab!
Did you like this shorter format? Let us know at coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com and keep the conversation flowing on Instagram at Instagram.com/coffeeandtheratea
The gals are back and talking all things goals! In this episode we explore how to write effective goals, exploring ableism in goal writing, and WHY goals are a necessary part of therapeutic treatment.
Top takeaways:
-
Growth is improvement, goal acquisition is not linear
-
Be person-first in your work, goals are not everything
-
Different fits for different folks – working towards the same goals in a different way!
-
Getting out of the data and into what our clients need
Previous Episodes mentioned:
Colloquialisms in Therapy
Who Are We That Spill the Tea
Children Are Not Small Adults
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instagram @coffeeandtheratea
Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
Join the gals as they explore supervision in the workplace especially as it pertains to therapists! This episode is PACKED full of resources and ideas to support yourself and the people on your team.
Top takeaways and things to ask your employees and self this week:
What is one thing you need from your leader?
What are your types of communication?
What are your goals?
What are your strengths?
What’s motivating for you?
If you’re looking for a 1:1 supervisor, reach out to us! We would be happy to connect you with the incredible clinicians we know, or ourselves, to help you reach your therapeutic goals.
You can find Alyssa’s hot supervision takes at @alyssastone.co on instragram
You can find Noa’s supportive self at @spectrumnoa on instagram
Resources:
Gretchen Reuben 4 tendencies
Kolbe index
Calculate your astrology chart
Brené Brown – Dare to Lead
The 5 love languages
Alyssa’s love language is gifts and you can check out the Dynamic Lynks’ adorable crocs mentioned in this episode at @dynamiclynks on Instagram
6 Thinking Hats
Strengths Finder
16 Personalities (Myers-Briggs style test)
Navigating Adulthood and IDD Supervision Episode
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instagram @coffeeandtheratea
Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
This week the gals are joined by Dr. Serina Tetenov to talk all things self-care, filling your cup, and exploring the micro moments of your day to stay charged. We give you tangible tips to stay fueled through focusing on accessible self-care that does not need to be in place of something else or look one way while being in balance with the energy that is being removed from your cup. Serina is wealth of knowledge and we can't wait for you to learn from her!
About Serina:
Serina Tetenov has extensive experience as a mental health therapist, supervisor, college instructor and administrator. She is currently the clinical director of Adult Ambulatory psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center, where she oversees operations for the General Ambulatory Service, Deaf Wellness Center, Adult Rapid Access, Lazos Fuertes and the Psychopharmacology Clinic.
Prior to joining the URMC Department of Psychiatry, Tetenov directed the Finger Lakes Area Counseling and Recovery Agency (FLACRA) Outpatient Mental Health Clinic for Monroe and Yates counties. Additionally, she served as Visiting Assistant Professor at UR’s Warner School of Education, taught Social and Cultural Diversity at Medaille College (Rochester campus), and was a Sign Language Interpreter at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) for several years.
Where to Find Her:
Instagram:
@CobblestoneCounselingServices
@it_was_a_good_run_podcast
LinkedIn:
Serina M.R.Tetenov, Ph.D., LCSW-R
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instagram @coffeeandtheratea
Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
This week we have the one and only, Kate the great Shannon! Kate is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, and Board-Certified Music Therapist. She joins the gals this week to spill the tea on all things pediatric therapy, play therapy, what we get right and what we get wrong!
You can learn more about Kate at https://creativetherapyumbrella.com/
As teased in the episode, stay tuned for Kate’s workshop with Music for Kiddos coming out in June. If you love Kate as much as we do, this will be a great one to keep learning and growing from her beautiful mind!
This episode was FULL of recommendations for our wonderful listeners:
- Explore the UNT trainings & classes for parent and therapists that Kate mentioned at https://cpt.unt.edu/upcoming-trainings
Books to Read
The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson
Beyond Behaviors by Mona Delahooke
Brain-Body Parenting by Mona Delahooke
Cribsheet by Emily Oster
Expecting Better by Emily Oster
A Therapist's Guide to Child Development by Dee C. Ray
Instagram Pages
Mommy and Me Milestones
Big Little Feelings
Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us at coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com or DM us, @coffeeandtheratea on Instagram!
It's a spill and sip episode where the gals explore colloquialisms of therapy terms and address some misunderstandings around language used in therapy. They also explore Encanto and other current pop culture trends that are impacting the world of therapy. Join Alyssa, Courtney, Noa, and Sarah as they engage in dialogue around some controversial changes happening in the therapy world.
Want to share you perspective? Email us at coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com! The conversation is far from over in this episode and constructive conversation helps us all grow.
Keep the conversation flowing @coffeeandtheratea on instagram to share your perspectives!
Join Alyssa, Courtney, Noa, and Sarah as they discuss the balancing act of work/life in the wild new world we are all living in! Explore work/life balance percentages and what this looks like realistically versus in a dream world, why we are all doing too much, how to create effective working spaces, and the executive function challenges of brain shifting.
Courtney was sipping on a delicious cup of coffee from Sip of Hope in Chicago. If you want to learn more about their wonderful mission, check them out at sipofhope.com/
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instagram @coffeeandtheratea
Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
It's a spill-themed podcast as the gals share what's been burning them out lately and how they get through. Enjoy this little nugget from Noa and how she uses it with her employees as a private practice owner: I will let go of, I am grateful for, 3 things I will focus on. Alyssa, Courtney, and Sarah share additional tips and tricks for managing mental health as therapists themselves. Courtney references this Ted Talk - https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_david_the_gift_and_power_of_emotional_courage/transcript
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instragram @coffeeandtheratea
Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
A quick bonus episode to explain what the heck we're talking about when you hear us use a bunch of acronyms!
Questions? Email us at coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
It's a spill and share episode featuring Alyssa and Noa talking ALL about music therapy! Dive into what music therapy is, what it's not, and just some of the ways music therapists use therapeutic music experiences to support their clients. Join us in some aha! and frustrating moments while we grow with our colleagues. Alyssa and Noa also share their experiences as private practice owners supporting neurodivergent individuals and school-based programs.
If you'd like to follow Alyssa's business, check out @dynamiclynks on all social media platforms or visit www.dynamiclynks.com. If you'd like to follow Noa's business, check out @spectrumartsllc on all social media platforms or visit spectrumcreativearts.org
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instagram @coffeeandtheratea
Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
This is a second version of episode 4 to hopefully allow for downloading on all platforms! Thank you for your patience as we navigate these technical difficulties.
It's a spill and share episode featuring Alyssa and Noa talking ALL about music therapy! Dive into what music therapy is, what it's not, and just some of the ways music therapists use therapeutic music experiences to support their clients. Join us in some aha! and frustrating moments while we grow with our colleagues. Alyssa and Noa also share their experiences as private practice owners supporting neurodivergent individuals and school-based programs.
If you'd like to follow Alyssa's business, check out @dynamiclynks on all social media platforms or visit www.dynamiclynks.com. If you'd like to follow Noa's business, check out @spectrumartsllc on all social media platforms or visit spectrumcreativearts.org
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instagram @coffeeandtheratea
Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
Get to know Alyssa, Courtney, Noa and Sarah as they spill, sip, and share the theraTEA! Learn more about our therapy backgrounds, areas of expertise, and why we wanted to start this roundtable podcast. Alyssa and Noa share their perspectives as Board-Certified Music Therapists while Courtney and Sarah offer their side of the table as a BCBA and LCSW.
Make sure to subscribe so you never miss a new episode of Coffee and TheraTEA.
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instagram @coffeeandtheratea
Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
Join Alyssa, Courtney, Noa, and Sarah as they navigate the challenges of black and white thinking in therapy. Learn about perspectives of ABA form supporters and challengers alike while engaging in constructive dialogue to move the field as a whole forward. Explore why TikTok is NOT therapy, the challenges we've faced as therapists in this ever changing world, and MORE!
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instagram @coffeeandtheraTEA
Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com
Join us for a quick taste of everything that awaits with Coffee and TheraTEA! Join our podcast round table where we spill the tea on therapy related topics, sip our favorite coffee, and share our decades of expertise to benefit you as a therapist, teacher, parent, caregiver, or partaker of therapy!
Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instagram @coffeeandtheratea
Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! coffeeandtheratea@gmail.com