Coffee and TheraTEA

Courtney is back (!!!) as we dive deep into the viral Crave show, Heated Rivalry; not just as a romance, but as a story about identity, emotional safety, vulnerability, and queer visibility. As therapists (and fans), we unpack what made this story hit so hard, what felt affirming or complicated, and how our reactions were shaped by our own experiences, including perspectives from queer community members across generations. Joined by Noa's mentor, Music Therapist Wade Richards, we talk about attachment styles, masculinity, secrecy, emotional growth, and the power of representation, while letting ourselves fully nerd out about the moments that wrecked us (in the best way). Whether you’re here for literary analysis, queer joy, or feelings-heavy chaos, this one’s for you.Thoughts, questions, ideas? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and keep the conversation flowing on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram.com/coffeeandtheratea

As the year comes to a close, it’s easy to feel pulled toward big resolutions or get weighed down by everything that didn’t go as planned. In this short end-of-year reflection episode, we’re stepping away from pressure and perfection and leaning into clarity, honesty, and sustainability.This episode is an invitation to pause, take stock, and move forward with intention, without the guilt.In This Episode, We Cover:Thoughtful questions to help you reflect on the year that wasWhy traditional New Year’s resolutions often don’t stickCommon mindset traps that derail follow-throughPractical ways to redefine and measure progressHow to carry clarity and intention into the year aheadReflection Prompts Mentioned in the Episode:What did I spend the most energy on this year—and was it intentional?What changed me this year, even in small ways?Where did I show up consistently, even when it was hard?What am I ready to stop carrying into the new year?What feels doable right now?Thoughts, questions, ideas? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ and keep the conversation flowing on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram.com/coffeeandtheratea

Sarah is the Coffee and TheraTea fan favorite, AND she's a published author! (Daily Calm by Sarah Phillips, LCSW)Our very own pew pew pew queen wrote a journal to support your daily practice of calm based on her decades of work as a therapist.In this interview, we learn more about what inspired Sarah and all that you can expect from her journal! Check it out for yourself and grab a copy ahead of the holiday season.Thoughts, questions, ideas? Email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ and keep the conversation flowing on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠Instagram.com/coffeeandtheratea

The holidays bring joy, connection, and celebration, but for therapists, caregivers, and parents, they can also bring exhaustion, overwhelm, and unrealistic expectations. In this 20-minute episode, we’ll explore tangible, research-informed tools to help you protect your peace, set boundaries, and truly care for yourself this season.You’ll learn how to:Reframe self-care as essential maintenance, not indulgenceSet and communicate boundaries with confidence and compassionCreate simple, meaningful rituals that restore energy and connectionRecognize early signs of burnout and practice quick, 5-minute resetsGive yourself permission to rest, recharge, and say “no” without guiltWhether you’re managing a busy caseload, caregiving around the clock, or trying to make the holidays magical for everyone else, this episode will help you return to yourself with intention and grace.💭 Takeaway: You can’t pour from an empty mug — but you can refill it, one mindful choice at a time.Previous episodes mentioned:Combatting Compassion FatigueProtecting Your PeaceFinding the GoodTherapists React to Unknown NumberThe Burnout is REALThoughts, questions, ideas? Email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ and keep the conversation flowing on Instagram at ⁠⁠Instagram.com/coffeeandtheratea

If you haven't seen this viral Netflix documentary, you are truly missing out! Join Alyssa, Noa, and Sarah for a roundtable discussion of this HORRIFIC rollercoaster ride of emotion and dissect some of what could be going on behind the scenes.Stay tuned for more viral reviews coming soon! Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on Instagram @coffeeandtherateaQuestions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! [email protected]

After years of using music as their work, Alyssa and Noa open up about rediscovering the spark that first drew them to being creative arts therapists.If you’ve ever felt burnt out, uninspired, or like the joy of your passion has slipped away, this conversation is for you. Together, we’ll explore:How to reconnect with your “why”Ways to reignite creative joyThe balance between art, work, and well-being🔥 Love this episode? Queue up these listener favorites next:The Burnout is Real – A candid conversation with Stephanie Leavell about the realities of burnout, quality supervision, and strategies for long-term sustainability.Combatting Compassion Fatigue – Explore what compassion fatigue is, how it shows up in helping professions, and the tools we can use to care for ourselves.Mental Health & Burnout – Alyssa, Noa, and the team share their go-to practices for protecting mental health in demanding, heart-centered work.✨ Share this episode with a friend who needs a little spark, and let’s keep the joy alive together.Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on instragram @coffeeandtherateaQuestions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! [email protected]

Where Values, Ethics, and Neutrality Collide“Neutrality is a privilege—not every therapist gets to claim it.”Can therapy ever truly be apolitical? Or does staying “neutral” simply mean taking the side of the status quo?In this thought-provoking roundtable, we unpack one of the most debated questions in mental health today: Should therapy be political?From clients fearing deportation to navigating racial trauma, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, and unequal access to care, politics already shape the therapy room. But what does that mean for the therapist sitting across from you?✨ What we dig into in this episode:🔥 What does “political” even mean in therapy?⚖️ Is neutrality a clinical strength or a cop-out?🏳️‍🌈 How should therapists respond when clients bring politically charged pain or harmful beliefs into sessions?📜 What do ethical codes say about advocacy, bias, and boundaries?🌍 Can a therapist in 2025, or at any time ever, really stay “neutral”?This isn’t just an academic debate—it’s personal. And the personal is political.Join us for a candid conversation with diverse voices as we explore the messy, complicated intersection of values, ethics, and identity in therapy today.We want to hear from you: Has politics ever come up in your therapy—on either side of the couch? DM us, email us, or leave a voice note for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode!Want to keep the conversation flowing? As always, follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ or email us at [email protected]!

Being a therapist is... a LOT, and it's SO good sometimes! Today, the gals are relishing in the joy, the good, and the memorable moments that help sustain the passion we have for what we do.Want to keep the conversation flowing? As always, follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠ or email us at [email protected]!

After a whirlwind of an Autism Acceptance month, new CDC statistics, and a lot of dialogue from the US government, the gals thought it was high time to sit down and talk about it!Join us for an off-the-cuff conversation surrounding autism acceptance and how we're continuing to hold out hope for the communities we support.This episode has a few ad breaks from our very own Noa and Alyssa! Noa's company, Spectrum Creative Arts, is hiring for a July start date. You can learn more at spectrumcreativearts.org/employment/ AND Alyssa's company, Dynamic Lynks, is hiring for an August start date. You can learn more at dynamiclynks.com/careersWant to keep the conversation flowing? As always, follow us on Instagram or email us at [email protected]!

This week Alyssa and Courtney sit down & sip coffee with their younger selves! Sparked by the social media trend, Alyssa and Courtney explore questions their younger selves would ask them today because Alyssa & Courtney have known each other a looooong time.Previous episodes mentioned:Combatting Compassion FatigueKeep the conversation flowing and follow us on Instagram @CoffeeAndTheraTea or email us, [email protected]

This week Alyssa, Noa, and Sarah talk all things compassion fatigue and burnout: What is it? How do we combat it? AND the realities of therapeutic work in the long-term sustainability of a career. Like this topic? You might love: The Burnout is REAL with Stephanie Leavell of Music for Kiddos Mental Health and Burnout The Work/Life Balancing Act Allison Thomas' Unveiling Private Practice - the creator of the compassion fatigue and burnout definition Alyssa shared on today's episode!Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on Instagram @CoffeeAndTheraTea or email us, [email protected]

What can we say? The world is chaos and we're just living in it. Sit down with the gals to have a laugh, have a cry, and check in at the start of this never-ending new year! Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on Instagram @CoffeeAndTheraTea or email us, [email protected]

Join the gals for a quick review of 2024, a recap of 3 years of podcasting together, and their goals for the year ahead! Episodes to tide you over until 2025: Our top episode of all time Our first episode! Our most popular episode of 2024 We can't wait to spill, sip, and share with you in 2025. Thank you to all of our listeners and top fans who have supported us this year! Keep the conversation flowing and follow us on Instagram @CoffeeAndTheraTea or email us, [email protected]

This week that gal's talk all about Dan Siegel's Window of Tolerance! If you are unfamiliar with Window of Tolerance, it is all about navigating optimal arousal levels. The gals talk more about how to support them, confront them, and navigate them in therapy sessions. Window of Tolerance Resources: https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/window-of-tolerance https://www.gov.je/SiteCollectionDocuments/Education/ID%20The%20Window%20of%20Tolerance%2020%2006%2016.pdf https://westmidlands-vrp.org/app/uploads/2020/06/1.A-Dr-Dan-Siegel-Window-of-Tolerance.pdf Previous Episodes Discussed: Life in the NICU Unveiling Private Practice The Work/Life Balancing Act Children are Not Small Adults Creating Safe Mental Health Spaces for Children If you want to learn more about Window of Tolerance and see Alyssa present on self-regulation at the Music for Kiddos Symposium on Friday, November 8th, you can grab your tickets here! Thoughts, questions, ideas? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and keep the conversation flowing on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@coffeeandtheratea⁠

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 10/1/2024Not 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 MainstayYou 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ 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 [email protected] 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 ⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ 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 ⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ 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 - [email protected]. Additional Resources for Supervision Support: Peer Support Network Music Therapy Ed Now Previous episodes mentioned: Stop Shoulding Yourself Thoughts, questions, ideas? Email us at [email protected]⁠ 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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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, [email protected]

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, [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected] Here is the article from the National Clearinghouse on Autism that outlines current evidence-based practices for Autistic services, as of 2020. *EDIT: Music Therapy is an evidence-based practice for 0-14, Alyssa had an error on the episode.

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: [email protected] 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: [email protected] 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! [email protected]

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! [email protected]

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! [email protected]

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! [email protected]

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 instagram @coffeeandtheratea Questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us! [email protected]

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! [email protected]

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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! [email protected]

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! [email protected]

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! [email protected]

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! [email protected]