Episode 4 – Therapist are human, after all

What happens when a therapist is sick, tired, or having a cursed day? They can’t just call a substitute, like your science teacher did, that one time they got food poisoning. Although Olivia can’t just phone the PE Teacher, and have them wheel in the TV and put on an episode of “Bill Nye the Science Guy”, she does have skills in her repertoire that allow her to remain present in order to hold space for her client. Tanya discusses how once again, small things, all things; she initially thought the “Big T” Trauma would take front and centre of her sessions, but her therapist Katherine points out instances where damage was done, unbeknownst to her. She and Olivia then discuss at length how important it is for a therapist to be mindful of the cultural/socioeconomic/racial contexts of their clients, because it is crucial we don’t inadvertently “whitewash” someone’s story. Also, Tanya and Olivia discuss how even just an hour of healthy guidance and attention, could change the trajectory of a child’s life; Tanya discusses the significance of how her kickboxing coach encouraged her, and what that did for her self-esteem and confidence. Lastly, Olivia answers the question, “What happens when someone isn’t ready to go ‘_there_’ in therapy?" This episode is an illuminating look into the secret lives of a therapist, and hopefully, allows us to fully appreciate that these are ordinary humans, doing extraordinary emotional lifting. Chapters (00:00) Mic drop (04:38) Therapists and reparenting (11:36) Counter-transference (14:40) When Olivia has cases very similar to her childhood (16:50) What therapists do between sessions (19:26) Keeping perspective (20:26) Olivia is a literal strongman (21:47) Micro/Macroaggressions (27:02) Understanding the parents (33:06) Safe spaces for kids (34:52) When the client isn't ready (38:59) Closing remarks Keywords Mental health, therapy, trauma therapy, PTSD, childhood trauma, trauma healing Find out more at http://therapyismytherapy.coRead transcript