The Counseling Center Podcast

Send a textObsessive-Compulsive Disorder can manifest in a multitude of ways, especially in ways that affect the parts of our life that we hold the most dear. In this episode Jessica Fish Champlin, LCSW re-joins Tim at their kitchen table to discuss her life experience with Scrupulosity. Jessica discusses how it affected her life as an LDS missionary, how it tainted her relationship with God and how she learned to sit in uncertainty to take her spirituality back. 

Send a textWho doesn't want to be more happy in their life? In this episode Tim is joined by Dr. Neeta Lal, MD, CSW to talk about the 2025 World Happiness Report. Tim and Neeta discuss what we can learn from the research about being happier as well as what obstacles we face in our culture here in the U.S. to achieve more happiness. Put in some headphones, make some time for yourself, listen and enjoy!

Send a textIn 1949 writer Joseph Campbell released The Hero with a Thousand Faces. A book that introduced the concept of the Hero's Journey. The Hero's Journey is a pattern that many stories we love follow about a protagonist's adventures in self discovery and becoming stronger. In this episode Tim is joined by Dr. Maren Swensen to discuss how we can apply the Hero's Journey to our own mental health journey and how we can begin identifying ourselves as heroes in our story. After the discussion Tim and Maren also share their personal lists of favorite stories that feature the Hero's Journey and what we can take away from those stories. Check it out!

Send a textBetween the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the murder of the Melissa and Mark Hortman in their home and the attack of Paul Pelosi in 2022, political violence is on the rise. The past weeks have filled many with fear, apprehension and uncertainty. When possible, during such times it is valuable to learn pertinent information so we can act in effective ways. In this episode Tim is joined by Dr. Bryan Bushman to discuss what the research says about the psychological profiles of those committing these acts of violence and what we can do with this information to be a help and a support. Tim and Bryan also discuss effective ways to connect with those we may politically disagree with to avoid dehumanization. This episode is very much worth your time during this difficult period. 

Send a textIn this episode, Tim is joined by LCSW Madeline Claude to discuss the powerful DBT skill of radical acceptance. We discuss what it means to radically accept our reality, how this is valuable and how radical acceptance is not giving up or being apathetic. Madeline shares the process of radical acceptance and gives us a bonus guided meditation we can practice. Check it out!

Send a textIn this episode Tim is joined by LCSW Ben Scoma talking about Internal Family Systems. Internal Family Systems is getting increasingly popular in the world of therapy. What is it? How does it work? How can it help someone? These questions are answered and Ben even does a demo of IFS with Tim. This is a great episode to check out if you've had heard of IFS and are wondering if it's the right kind of therapy for you. 

Send a textWho here likes drama? Sure, we may like to watch it on TV but most of us hate when it's present in our lives. How can we name drama for what it is and then get out of it? In this episode, LCSW Cari Reyes gives us the answers to these burning questions. Cari and Tim talk about Karpman's Drama Triangle, how the roles within it relate to drama and what we can do to get out of it. Check it out!

Send a textIn this episode, Tim sits down with Dr. Bryan Bushman to talk about how we can effectively communicate with those in our lives including assertive communication and setting appropriate boundaries. 

Send a textIn this episode Tim is joined by clinician Mikenna Giauqe. Mikenna and Tim discuss what core beliefs are, where they come from, how they can effect us and if we can change them if they are unhelpful to us. Check it out!

Send a textIn this episode Tim is joined by therapist intern Sydney Smith. Sydney has just graduated with her Masters of Social Work and is about to get her own license to do therapy. Tim and Sydney talk about some pros of working with an intern still in school and how years of experience isn't always everything. 

Send a textHave you ever heard someone say something like "I need my desk organized, I'm so OCD!" Maybe you've even said something like that. In this episode, Tim is joined by Becky Steinfels to discuss Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, what it actually looks like as a diagnosis and treatments often associated with it. Check it out!

Send a textJoin us in this episode as Tim meets back up with Counseling Center Clinical Director Karen Talbot as they discuss Dialectical Behavior Therapy. What is it? Where does it come from? Why is it one of both Karen and Tim's favorite therapy modalities? Listen to the episode to find out these answers and other valuable information on the subject!

Send a textJoin us as we continue our conversation on faith crises and transitions from the view point of the family and friends of the person in the transition, a topic that is very close to my heart. In this episode we discuss how we can mourn this loss while still being loving unconditionally and continue to connect with this person we care about. It was a pleasure having these conversations with Maren and I look forward to doing more episodes with her in the future. Check it out!

Send a textIn this episode Tim is joined by faith specialist Maren Swensen to discuss faith crises and transitions. This will be a two part episode in which part 1 discusses the individual experience and how one can navigate it effectively. Part 2 will focus on how the individual's family and friends can be supportive. Check it out!

Send a textLove is in the air in this special Valentine's Day themed episode. Tim recruits his sweetheart and fellow mental health therapist, Jessica Fisher Champlin to go over their top five relationship skills. Wisdom is shared and sparks fly as they talk about what they intentionally do to enrich their relationship.

Send a textIn this episode, Tim is joined by Dr. Jon Ahern to speak to those who may not have had an effective experience in therapy or who may feel hesitant to try therapy. During the episode, Jon and Tim discus the efficacy of therapy and the value of finding a therapist that's the right "fit." 

Send a textAnxiety is an extremely common experience. All of us feel it and most of the time we don't want to. In this episode Tim is joined by The Counseling Center's very own Becky Steinfels. Check us out as we talk about what the actual function of anxiety is, how we can manage it, and that maybe the answer to feeling less anxiety is not necessarily getting rid of it.  

Send a textIn this episode Tim is joined by psychologist Dr. Bryan Bushman who discusses skills and tools we can implement when we are experiencing depression. 

Send a textCounseling Center CEO Dr. Jon Ahern returns to the podcast to discuss why boundaries are important and when we need to set boundaries vs when we need to challenge ourselves.

Send a textChildren can be just as susceptible to mental health challenges as adults and the more we understand the more helpful we can be to them. In this episode Tim is joined by Mikenna Giauque, ACMHC. Mikenna specializes in working with children and shares some important insights into how we as parents (or other loving adult roles) can be supportive of our children in their mental health, specifically with depression and anxiety. 

Send a textRaise your hand if you are feeling anxious about the presidential election just a few days away! I know I'm feeling a lot of anxiety myself. In this episode I (Tim) talk with my friend and fellow therapist Alena about how we can deal with our anxiety during these politically divisive times. Alena brings some great insight into this episode as someone that is very experienced and passionate about local politics and state government as well as her insight as a skilled therapist. Go ahead and press play, take some deep breaths and let's keep moving forward. 

Send a textIn this episode, Tim sits down with Karen Talbot, clinical director of The Counseling Center. Karen talks with Tim about the loss of her husband in 2009 and what she has done and continues to do to cope with it.

Send a textTim and Jon introduce the podcast and Tim explores Jon's origins with The Counseling Center.