Off The Couch with the Psych Guys

The Psych Guys say farwell to this limited series Off The Couch, and discuss what endings mean to them and how others can aid themselves with their own endings.

Bob Newhart's famous "Stop It!" skit is deconstructed by the Psych Guys today on Off The Couch. What do you think of the advice "Just stop it!" as a therapeutic engine? Good? Bad? Funny? 

The Psych Guys talk about their own relationships in this week's episode of Off The Couch, and their partners' experience being married to therapists. It's a different dynamic, and one they are asked about often. The takeaway? With great power, comes great responsibility.

This week on Off The Couch, the Psych Guys get into the make-up of our brain and how its survival instinct can sometimes impede our progress in certain aspects of our lives.

The Psych Guys talk about the relationship between anxiety and depression this week of Off The Couch, and how they impact our personal growth and expansion when acted upon.

This week the Psych Guys tackle the current rising rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide, considering how as a society we avoid all possible discomfort, feeling as though constant comfort in life is to be expected. If we opened up to our own discomfort, embracing that life is challenging, and allowing our comfort zone to push outward, we may find more resiliancy when faced with adversity.

In this week's episode of Off The Couch, the Psych Guys discuss alcohol use and the 4 different types of 'drinkers' they tend to see in session. They also dive into the mental health and interpersonal implications that come with each persona, and what may be underlying the behavior.

The Psych Guys tackle the sometimes uncomfortable experience of erotic transference in therapy. Erotic (or sexual) transference is when a client finds they have sexual or romantic feelings towards their therapist -- a prevalent and very understandable occurrence. Tim and Konstantin suggest acknowledging it, talking about it, and using what you learn from it to help progress your therapeutic growth!

This week on Off the Couch, Tim and Konstantin push past the stereotypical OCD symptoms portrayed in movies and media, and talk about the more disturbing OCD symptom of intrusive negative thoughts. Many people have these difficult thoughts, though because they are not openly discussed, someone who experiences them may feel very alone. We want you to know that you are not alone, and we're here to normalize this symptom! 

The Psych Guys are joined by Dr. David Kwon (PT, DPT) of Next Level Physio (www.nlphysio.com) and Lukin Center's Sports Performance Department Co-Directors Jessica Colucci (LPC, NCC) and Stephen Neer (LPC). The team discusses the importance of integrating mental health with phsyical health, and offer insight into the impactful relationship these two areas of wellness have upon one another.

Happy April Fool’s Day everybody! To celebrate this quirkiest of holidays, Tim and Konstantin are taking on the comments section. Stick around - we promise you’ll be super entertained!

In this week's episode of Off The Couch, the Psych Guys talk antidepressants - specifically SSRIs. There are a lot of opinions out there regarding antidepressants, but both the Psych Guys agree that SSRIs are most beneficial in combination with therapy.

This week on Off The Couch, The Psych Guys watch a provocative video that considers the idea that "money can't buy happiness." A complicated concept, as money can aid in a person's happiness when they are able to afford life's essentials. Where money cannot buy happiness is in excess of luxery (the pleasure of owning two Ferarrii vs 5 Ferraris is pretty much the same). Tim and Konstantin discuss where happiness can be bought once wealth is accrued: it's in the sharing of that wealth for the benefit of others.

The Psych Guys talk addiction on this week's episode of Off The Couch, and how dedication is a far more powerful change-maker than motivation.  

This week on Off The Couch, The Psych Guys focus on the #1 challenge heard by their male clients: how do I effectively balance every aspect of my busy life as a father, husband, employee, friend, son, and self? The answer: Less Is More. 

The Psych Guys tackle toxic relationships this week on Off The Couch, where Tim dismantles the idea of titling a relationship as "toxic" to begin with, while Konstantin speaks to taking responsibility for one's roll in a struggling partnership. Remeber, it takes two to tango!

The Psych Guys welcome children's book author and mental health advocate Geroge A. Peterson to Off The Couch! Peterson's first children's book Oh, Maya! helps kids and parents navigate anxiety through the beloved character of Maya the anxious dog. In this episode he discusses how the story of came to life through working with his own son and his dog Maya, and how important it is to support children with anxiety. His book and more rescorces can be found on his website WagsOverWorries.com.

On this episode of Off The Couch, the Psych Guys talk about EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy) and together watch the recent clip of Tim demonstrating the process on The Joe Rohan Experience!

The Psych Guys dive into key elements of addiction in this week's episode of Off The Couch. They discuss the difference between momentary pleasure and value-based pleasure, as well as the need for inner-reflexion, understanding of self, and true willingness to ultimately change the behavior.

This week on Off The Couch, The Psych Guys discuss the emotional expression sports can provoke in fans, and suggest that this abundance of feeling can be very helpful to tap into for a better understanding of yourself and your partner!

This week, the Psych Guys talk about saying sorry in Off The Couch! Saying you’re sorry can be hard in a relationship, but receiving the apology can be just as difficult. To work through a relationship challenge both may be needed, and the Psych Guys dive head-first into this partnership between expressing remorse and embodying forgiveness!

In this weeks episode of Off The Couch, The Psych Guys use Tim’s recent and new triathlon experience to show therapeutic coping skills in action! Using our anxiety to motivate us towards new and intimidating challenges, and mindfulness to help maintain our commitment to them, is clearly shown in Tim’s undertaking of this challenge.

This week, The Psych Guys dissect the structure of a panic attack in Off The Couch. Panic attacks are incredibly scary, and can feel like a full-blown heart attack with a swift trip to the ER for some! The Psych Guys pull apart the elements that create a panic attack for better insight into how one actually occurs, while validating just how real and severe it is for the person experiencing it.

The Psych Guys are back in Off The Couch to discuss the prevalent client complaint of not feeling heard. Many of us throughout our lives do not feel heard by others, be it family, friends, or partners. But what can we do about it? The Psych Guys lean into this question and offer an alternative perspective focusing more on how to be heard, rather than simply not feeling it.

The Pysch Guys discuss TikTok, and its influence on client perspectives. TikTok allows us all to connect in a swift and present way to others around the world. However, relating to another’s mental health experience via fleeting posts can sometimes lead us down a path to faulty self-diagnoses. The Psych Guys discuss the benefits of remaining open to therapeutic options that may differ from what we’ve picked up on TikTok.

The Psych Guys take a moment to engage in a sensitive and timely topic, sharing how they approach clients struggling with current global humanitarian conflicts. They discuss what coping looks like when deeply held beliefs are triggered by external factors including social media, contradictory perspectives, and even our own nervous system’s reaction.

The Psych Guys offer a view into the other side of the therapeutic relationship with their new limited series Off The Couch. In this episode, they discuss the age old client question: “what are you really thinking during session?” The answer: no judgment, unconditional positive regard, and occasional frustration due to an unbridled desire to help!