Is Therapy an Opiate of the Masses? Curt and Katie chat about how therapy can collude with the status quo and has historically failed to serve marginalized populations. We talk about the risks of therapy that doesn’t honor the context and systems within which people and families operate. We look at how therapists can create complacence and obedience if not careful. It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age. In this episode we talk about: Criticisms of therapy as an opiate of the masses Does therapy reinforce the status quo? “Normal” as a culture bound concept Feminist Therapy, Liberation Psychology, Decolonized Therapy The history of pathologizing or demonizing LGBTQ+ Therapy as a white construct Bias in MMPI and re-norming How bias toward “normal” permeates clinical work How therapists reinforce systems norms, encouraging placating the system First, Second, and Third Order change – Individual within family within the systems within which the family operates Individual versus collective change The challenge of assessing and treating within the complex overlay of systems The limitations of evidence-based treatments The vision of acceptance of diversity Therapist training gaps The Seven-Eyed Model of Supervision Impacts for case conceptualization Looking at clients as agents of change, as impacted by their context Validating experiences, increasing resilience and capacity, empowering client to make larger changes Suggesting coping skills without diminishing systemic impacts Therapy as a bandaid “As therapists, we can do a really good job of moving people to complacence if we’re not careful.” – Katie Helping individuals to heal, then moving to “now that” The requirement for therapists to be advocates for change within their communities   Our Generous Sponsor: Brighter Vision Hey Modern Therapists!  Do you need help building your brand? Feel like you don’t even know where to begin when it comes to marketing your practice online?  Whether you’re a seasoned clinician with a website in need of a refresh, or you’re fresh out of school needing your very first therapist website, Brighter Vision is the perfect solution.  From building a brand and designing the perfect website to reflect that, to helping you rank higher with search engines. They’ve even created tools to make online marketing simple that are specifically for therapists. We’ve worked with them to create a special offer just for all of you Modern Therapists. All you have to do is go to brightervision.com/modern to learn more and get your first month free of any new website package. Resources mentioned: We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Please note that some of the links below might be affiliate links, so if you purchase after clicking below, we may get a little bit of cash in our pockets. We thank you in advance! The Prostitution of Psychotherapy: A Feminist Critique Third-Order Thinking in Family Therapy: Addressing Social Justice Across Family Therapy Practice Seven-Eyed Model of Supervision Decolonizing Therapy on Instagram Prevention of farmer suicides: Greater need for state role than for a mental health professional's role   Therapy Reimagined 2020: Therapy Reimagined 2020 Conference Therapy Reimagined 2020 Call for Sponsors   Relevant Episodes: Therapy as a Political Act Is CBT Crap? Defining the Therapy Movement Interview with Dr. Harry Aponte: The Person of the Therapist Interview with Dr. Joel Schwarz: Neurodivergence Interview with Dr. Jamie Marich: Exploring Trauma and the 12 Steps   Connect with us! Our Facebook Group – The Modern Therapists Group Get Notified About Therapy Reimagined 2020 (and TR2019 Virtual Conference)   Our consultation services: The Fifty-Minute Hour   Who we are: Curt Widhalm is in pri