An Incomplete List of Everything Wrong with Therapist Education An interview with Diane Gehart, LMFT, on what works in therapy and where the field is headed. Curt and Katie talk with Diane about the overwhelming amount of information new therapists must learn in school and how this impacts their confidence. We also explore how the field is moving towards synthesizing theories and how this will impact future clinicians. 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.   Interview with Diane Gehart, LMFT Diane Gehart, Ph.D. is Professor in the Marriage and Family Therapy and Counseling Programs at California State University, Northridge and has a private practice in Agoura Hills, California. She has authored several professional books including Mindfulness for Chocolate Lovers: A Lighthearted Way to Stress Less and Savor More Each Day, Mindfulness and Acceptance in Couple and Family Therapy Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy, Theory and Treatment Planning in Counseling and Psychotherapy. In this episode we talk about: Who Diane Gehart is and what she has (and continues) to contribute to the field. Diane discusses what is wrong with therapist education and how it impacts newer therapists. How we can help students feel more confident when they enter the field, while still providing a good education. The abundance of theories students need to learn in graduate school and how the future of the field will be synthesis of theories. How the synthesis of theories will impact testing for licensure. Diane discusses how focusing on client outcomes and finding quality training can support confidence in new clinicians. How cultural considerations can be included in the synthesis of theories. Using the client’s reality/perspective to make therapy work, rather than focusing on interventions. Explore how different parts of the field (e.g., clinicians, researchers, educators) contribute to what is wrong with therapist education. The need for synthesized information to be more widely available to make more competent therapists. Balancing helping clinicians to feel more confident while also encouraging them to be self-motivated to learn. What are the best things clinicians can do right now to improve their confidence? Our Generous Sponsors: Healthcasters The Healthcasters is a podcasting course and community designed for therapists in private practice and therapists turned coaches + consultants that's supported the successful launch of over 270 podcasts. Wanted to tell you guys a little bit what's included in the Healthcasters podcasting course. It includes simple step by step videos to take your podcast from idea to one that generates income when it launches. Also includes cheatsheets and templates Melvin uses for the Selling The Couch podcast whether its scripts to reach out to guests or templates to let guests know a podcast is live.  We recently released the Podcast Episode Tracker.  This simple sheet helps you keep your podcast episodes organized whether you want to reference them later or re-purpose the content in the future.  You can also choose to upgrade after purchasing the course to a community of over 250 other therapist podcasts.  This also includes monthly group and 1 on 1 coaching calls with Melvin.  You can learn more about Healthcasters at sellingthecouch.com/jointhehealthcasters (enter the promo code "therapyreimagined" at checkout for $100 off the listed price). 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 may 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! Diane Gehart Therapy That Works Mastering Competencies Mindfulness at Our Schools Diane on