The Affirming Minds Podcast

Епизоди

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  Episode 88 | ACT for Couples: Yearnings & Interpersonal Flexibility with Lou Lasprugato, MFT 22.09.2026 54мин

  **Want CE/CEUs for this episode?**   View course information and earn CE/CEUs here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com/courses/883839f8-bb1a-4dab-97bf-4966b1a7be13 Looking for more? Explore our convenient, affordable CE bundles or browse our full library of podcast courses, on-demand webinars, and live virtual trainings at affirmmentalhealth.com.  In this episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, host Shaina Siber, LCSW, is joined by Lou Lasprugato, LMFT, to explore how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can be applied within couples therapy. The conversation focuses on yearnings—deep, enduring psychological longings for experiences such as connection, security, validation, understanding, partnership, and shared meaning—and how they influence relationship patterns. Shaina and Lou discuss how ACT’s psychological flexibility processes can be extended interpersonally, how threat responses and underlying vulnerabilities can contribute to conflict, and how clinicians can help couples move toward greater flexibility, safety, connection, and values-guided action. The episode also highlights practical ACT-informed interventions for couples, including workability, “us as context,” co-regulation, and experiential exercises that support relational change.
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  Episode 87 | Assessing & Treating Suicide Risk 01.09.2026 2ч 22мин

  **Want CE/CEUs for this episode?** Earn continuing education credit for this episode here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com/courses/9c5ad152-0781-4b43-8ec1-77cc4e1be9c0    Looking for more? Explore our convenient, affordable CE bundles or browse our full library of podcast courses, on-demand webinars, and live virtual trainings at affirmmentalhealth.com. Suicide assessment is only the beginning of suicide care. In this continuing education podcourse, we move beyond identifying risk to explore how clinicians can formulate suicide risk, directly address suicidal thoughts and behaviors, develop collaborative safety plans, reduce access to lethal means, and determine appropriate levels of care. We discuss suicide-specific approaches including CAMS, CBT for Suicide Prevention (CBT-SP), and DBT, as well as the role of psychiatric treatment and interdisciplinary coordination. The course also explores chronic suicidality, medication considerations, hospitalization and alternatives to hospitalization, post-crisis care, and more complex presentations involving violence risk, postpartum psychiatric emergencies, financial crises, and emerging technology.
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  Episode 86 | Understanding Suicide & Suicide Risk 18.08.2026 50мин

  **Want CE/CEUs for this episode?** Earn continuing education credit for this episode here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com/courses/9ca63c70-af79-4f1b-8853-b5efcca3c0f6    Looking for more? Explore our convenient, affordable CE bundles or browse our full library of podcast courses, on-demand webinars, and live virtual trainings at affirmmentalhealth.com. Suicide is one of the most complex and consequential issues mental health professionals encounter. In this CE-eligible episode of the Affirming Minds Podcast, Shaina Siber, LCSW, explores what we know about why suicidal thoughts develop, what increases the risk that thoughts become actions, and why understanding suicide requires looking beyond diagnosis alone. We explore psychological pain, hopelessness, entrapment, perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, trauma, mental illness, chronic pain, social conditions, minority stress, and access to lethal means. We also examine how human cognition and our capacity to imagine the future may contribute to suicidal suffering. The episode considers major theories in suicidology, disparities in suicide risk, the distinction between suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior, and the complicated role of psychiatric hospitalization. Throughout the conversation, the focus remains on understanding the individual person: What has become unbearable? What feels impossible to escape? And what does the person believe suicide would solve?  
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  Episode 85 | Saprea's Mission to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse: Free Resources Every Therapist Should Know 04.08.2026 39мин

  Child sexual abuse prevention is a conversation every therapist should be part of. In this Mental Health Edit episode, Shaina sits down with Chris Yadon of Saprea to discuss child sexual abuse prevention, survivor healing, child-on-child sexual abuse, healthy sexual development, disclosure, the evolving role of technology and AI in exploitation, and practical ways clinicians, parents, and communities can help protect children. Chris also introduces Saprea's incredible free resources, including prevention education, support groups, online learning, and a trauma-informed retreat for adult survivors. Resources: Saprea: https://saprea.org/ If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague. Together, we can help bring these important conversations to more clinicians.
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  Episode 84 | Trauma-Informed Couples Therapy with Kathy Gusenkov, LMFT 28.07.2026 50мин

  **Want CE/CEUs for this episode?** Earn continuing education credit for this episode here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com/courses/9e17027a-8651-4111-b994-8a5bb1a76741    Looking for more? Explore our convenient, affordable CE bundles or browse our full library of podcast courses, on-demand webinars, and live virtual trainings at affirmmentalhealth.com. How do trauma and attachment shape the way we connect with our closest relationships? In this episode, Shaina speaks with Kathy Gusenkov, LMFT, about how developmental trauma influences adult relationships and explores trauma-informed approaches to fostering safety, co-regulation, and secure functioning in couples therapy. 
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  Episode 83 | Recovery-Oriented Psychosis Care with Maggie Mullen, LCSW 21.07.2026 55мин

  **Want CE/CEUs for this episode?** Earn continuing education credit for this episode here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com/courses/1909ad83-0f64-4ba6-aeef-7ccaeeea044d  Looking for more? Explore our convenient, affordable CE bundles or browse our full library of podcast courses, on-demand webinars, and live virtual trainings at affirmmentalhealth.com.   Psychosis has long been viewed through a medical model focused on symptom reduction—but recovery is about much more than eliminating symptoms. In this episode, Shaina sits down with Maggie Mullen, LCSW, DBT-LBC, to explore recovery-oriented, disability justice-informed approaches to psychosis. Together, they discuss common misconceptions, reducing stigma, person-centered care, and the emerging role of psychotherapy—including DBT—in supporting individuals experiencing psychosis.   
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  Episode 82 | Professional Sustainability for Therapists with Joe Sanok, LPC 07.07.2026 53мин

  **Want CE/CEUs for this episode?** Earn continuing education credit for this episode here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com/courses/3aac8a4c-169b-45df-8c69-882ed09bdbd1  Looking for more? Explore our convenient, affordable CE bundles or browse our full library of podcast courses, on-demand webinars, and live virtual trainings at affirmmentalhealth.com.   Demand for mental health care continues to grow while therapists face increasing rates of burnout, workforce shortages, administrative burden, and rapid technological change. In this episode, Shaina sits down with therapist, consultant, and bestselling author Joe Sanok to explore how organizational psychology and intentional work design can help clinicians build more sustainable, fulfilling careers. Together, they discuss the science of productivity, decision fatigue, autonomy, and workplace design, challenging the idea that burnout is simply an individual problem to solve with better self-care. Whether you work in community mental health, hospitals, integrated care, leadership, or private practice, this conversation offers practical, evidence-informed strategies for supporting both clinician well-being and high-quality client care.  
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  Episode 81 | The Psychology of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives with Mellissa Perry Hill, LPC 23.06.2026 55мин

  What can a reality television show teach us about trauma, belonging, faith, and identity? In this Mental Health Edit episode, I’m joined by Mellissa Perry Hill, LPC, owner of Inner Compass Counseling & Consulting. Using The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives as a starting point, we explore religious trauma, high-control belief systems, gender roles, childhood trauma, mental health stigma, public shaming, and the challenges of healing while living in the public eye. In This Episode, We Discuss: Religious trauma and faith transitions High-control religious systems Shame, belonging, and community pressure Gender roles and patriarchy Childhood trauma and sexual abuse Mental health stigma Public accountability vs. public shaming Reality TV, social media, and culture Healing and reclaiming personal autonomy About Today's Guest Mellissa Perry Hill, MS, LPC, is the owner of Inner Compass Counseling & Consulting and specializes in religious trauma, spiritual abuse, and faith transitions. She works with individuals, couples, and families throughout Arizona and Utah. Connect with Mellissa Website: https://inner-compass-counseling.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mellissaperrytherapy/ Related Episode 🎙️ Episode 40: Healing After High-Control Religion and Religious Trauma For a deeper clinical discussion of religious trauma and faith transitions, be sure to check out Mellissa's previous CE-eligible appearance on The Affirming Minds Podcast.
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  Episode 80 | DBT with LGBTQ+ Clients with Dr. Kiki Fehling 16.06.2026 54мин

  **Want CE/CEUs for this episode?** Earn continuing education credit for this episode here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com/courses/b38c1a67-776b-47e3-a5fb-24250e5cd456    Looking for more? Explore our convenient, affordable CE bundles or browse our full library of podcast courses, on-demand webinars, and live virtual trainings at affirmmentalhealth.com.   Psychologist, author, speaker, and Linehan Board-Certified DBT Expert Dr. Kiki Fehling joins The Affirming Minds Podcast to discuss LGBTQ+ mental health, minority stress, identity invalidation, and the role of Dialectical Behavior Therapy in fostering resilience, self-love, and queer joy. Together, we explore the history of LGBTQ+ mental health care, affirmative practice, and how DBT skills can help individuals navigate shame, stigma, and discrimination while building lives that feel meaningful, authentic, and connected. Dr. Fehling is the author of The LGBTQ+ Mental Health Workbook: Find Emotional Resilience, Self-Love, and Queer Joy with Dialectical Behavior Therapy.  
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  Episode 79 | Beyond PTSD: Trauma-Informed Care with Mariah Zur, LPC 02.06.2026 59мин

  **Want CE/CEUs for this episode?** Earn continuing education credit for this episode here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com/courses/b9e9c5e6-8afd-4568-be2b-bde2515290c2  Looking for more? Explore our convenient, affordable CE bundles or browse our full library of podcast courses, on-demand webinars, and live virtual trainings at affirmmentalhealth.com.     What does it mean to be trauma-informed, and how is trauma-informed care different from trauma treatment? In this episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, host Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, explores the foundations of trauma-informed care, PTSD, Complex PTSD, post-traumatic growth, and the current landscape of evidence-based trauma treatment. Listeners will learn about SAMHSA's Four R's and Six Guiding Principles, the impact of trauma across the lifespan, and several established and emerging approaches to trauma treatment. Shaina is joined by Mariah Zur, LPC, for a conversation about Internal Family Systems (IFS), including how the model conceptualizes trauma responses through protective parts, exiles, and self-leadership.  
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  Episode 78 | Hush Money: Why Clinicians Are Afraid to Want Wealth with Taylor Gilbert, LCSW & Faith Voss, LCSW 26.05.2026 48мин

  In this episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast: Mental Health Edit, Shaina sits down with Taylor Gilbert, LCSW, and Faith Voss., LCSW, co-hosts of the Social Work to Wealth Podcast, for a candid conversation about money, sustainability, and the hidden financial narratives within helping professions. Together, they explore: The “you’re not in it for the money” culture in social work and mental health Financial shame, burnout, and martyrdom in helping professions Gender, systemic inequities, and compensation disparities Why financial wellness is an ethical issue for clinicians How money impacts career sustainability, burnout, and access to opportunity Private practice, salary transparency, and wealth-building for social workers The role of systemic barriers, financial literacy, and advocacy in mental health professions This episode is part of our Mental Health Edit series — conversational episodes focused on mental health, culture, systems, and professional life. These episodes are not eligible for CE credit. 🎧 Check out the Social Work to Wealth Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-work-to-wealth-podcast/id1783920058 Learn more about Taylor & Faith’s work and CE offerings:https://socialworktowealth.com/learn  Shaina’s Book: Using ACT and CFT for Burnout Recovery: The Beyond Burnout Blueprint Kindle:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FVGKT76Z?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_PM97TMRJV2HQ49N1SXNE&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_PM97TMRJV2HQ49N1SXNE&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_PM97TMRJV2HQ49N1SXNE&bestFormat=true Paperback:https://www.routledge.com/Using-ACT-and-CFT-for-Burnout-Recovery-The-Beyond-Burnout-Blueprint/Siber/p/book/9781041074304  
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  Episode 77 | Mental Health in Military & Law Enforcement with Caleb Chestnutt, LAMFT 19.05.2026 1ч 8мин

  **Want CE/CEUs for this episode?** Earn continuing education credit for this episode here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com/courses/55b39c15-128a-466e-9fcf-4b24a1114dcd   Looking for more? Explore our convenient, affordable CE bundles or browse our full library of podcast courses, on-demand webinars, and live virtual trainings at affirmmentalhealth.com.     What happens when survival mode becomes an identity? In this episode, Shaina sits down with Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist Caleb Chestnutt to explore the mental health impact of chronic stress, trauma exposure, hypervigilance, and emotional suppression within military and law enforcement culture. Drawing from both his clinical work and his lived experience serving in military law enforcement roles in the U.S. Air Force, Caleb offers a grounded and deeply nuanced conversation about the culture of endurance that exists within many first responder spaces — and the ways it can quietly shape relationships, emotional regulation, identity, and help-seeking over time. This is a thoughtful and deeply human conversation about trauma, endurance, identity, and the emotional cost of operating in systems that reward strength while often stigmatizing vulnerability.  
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  Episode 76 | Ethical Gray Zones in Clinical Supervision: Risk, Judgment, and Decision-Making with Amelia Larson, RCSW 05.05.2026 58мин

  Featured Book: Using ACT and CFT for Burnout Recovery: The Beyond Burnout Blueprint by Shaina Siber Kindle: https://a.co/d/0iAlSrhC Paperback: https://www.routledge.com/Using-ACT-and-CFT-for-Burnout-Recovery-The-Beyond-Burnout-Blueprint/Siber/p/book/9781041074304 Course Information: https://canva.link/022jklmnz1q4fl6 --- Episode Summary: This episode explores the realities of clinical supervision—what it’s meant to do, where it can fall short, and what’s at stake when it does. I’m joined by Amelia Larson, MSW, RCSW, to break down the ethical gray zones clinicians and supervisors navigate every day—from recognizing early “pink flags” to making high-stakes decisions in complex systems. Whether you’re receiving supervision or providing it, this episode offers a grounded look at navigating uncertainty in real-world clinical work. --- Topics Discussed: What gets missed in supervision Skills deficits vs. avoidance vs. countertransference Ethical decision-making in high-risk situations The impact of burnout, systems, and AI on clinical practice --- About Our Guest: Amelia Larson, MSW, RCSW is a clinical social worker, therapist, and supervisor based in Calgary, Alberta. She is the founder of As You Are Therapy, Clinical Supervision & Consulting and serves as Clinical Director of a large non-profit providing accessible mental health care. --- Resources: Website: https://asyouaretherapy.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/as_you_aretherapyandconsulting LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amelia-larson-msw-rcsw-78135239/ --- Conflict of Interest Disclosures: The host, Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, is the Founder of Affirm Mental Health, an accredited CE provider. She receives financial compensation from Affirm Mental Health for the development and delivery of continuing education content. No other financial conflicts of interest were reported. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical training or treatment. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional. --- Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals. Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways! Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/ TikTok: @affirm_mental_health
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  Episode 75 | Family Trauma and Dysfunction with Kara Lissy, LCSW 21.04.2026 56мин

  **Want CE/CEUs for this episode?** Earn continuing education credit for this episode here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com/courses/6767e922-98a1-40b2-806d-74619afb4ea5  Looking for more? Explore our convenient, affordable CE bundles or browse our full library of podcast courses, on-demand webinars, and live virtual trainings at affirmmentalhealth.com.     In this episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, Shaina Siber, LCSW is joined by Kara Lissy, LCSW to explore how dysfunctional family dynamics shape adult relationships, self-worth, and emotional regulation. Grounded in CBT, DBT, and ACT, this conversation offers practical, evidence-based strategies to help clinicians and clients understand—and break—generational patterns.  
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  Episode 74 | The Inner Life of Leaders with Drs. Julian Barling & Simon Rego 14.04.2026 55мин

  **Want CE/CEUs for this episode?**   View course information and earn CE/CEUs here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com/courses/9efb692d-f428-4a7f-b0e1-08f46a8b775d  Looking for more? Explore our convenient, affordable CE bundles or browse our full library of podcast courses, on-demand webinars, and live virtual trainings at affirmmentalhealth.com.   Leadership often demands sustained performance under pressure—but what is the psychological cost? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Simon Rego and Dr. Julian Barling to explore burnout, stress, and the internal experiences of high-performing leaders. Drawing from CBT, ACT, and related evidence-based approaches, we examine how common traits like perfectionism, over-responsibility, and emotional suppression can both drive success and maintain distress. We also discuss practical strategies to support more sustainable, values-aligned functioning in leadership and high-demand roles.  
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  Episode 73 | Rethinking Youth Mental Health with Dr. Will Dobud, PhD, MSW 07.04.2026 1ч 17мин

    **Want CE/CEUs for this episode?**   View course information and earn CE/CEUs here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com/courses/f0884cb8-0edc-418f-bcb4-29c436c9443d  Looking for more? Explore our convenient, affordable CE bundles or browse our full library of podcast courses, on-demand webinars, and live virtual trainings at affirmmentalhealth.com  Rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide among young people have risen dramatically over the past decade. But what if we’re misunderstanding the problem? In this episode, Shaina sits down with Dr. Will Dobud, social worker, researcher, and co-author of Kids These Days, to challenge dominant narratives about youth mental health. Together, they explore how current clinical and cultural frameworks may contribute to over-pathologizing normal development—and what we may be missing when we focus too narrowly on diagnosis, symptom reduction, and control. This conversation invites clinicians, parents, and educators to consider a broader, more contextual lens—one that centers relationships, autonomy, and environment.  
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  Episode 72 | Positive Psychology: The Science of Flourishing with Dr. Jessica Rabon 31.03.2026 54мин

  **Want CE/CEUs for this episode?**   View course information and earn CE/CEUs here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com/courses/d0ba57a6-8626-44bf-8142-d4f7f78d2542  Looking for more? Explore our convenient, affordable CE bundles or browse our full library of podcast courses, on-demand webinars, and live virtual trainings at affirmmentalhealth.com    Therapists are trained to reduce suffering—but what if that’s only part of the work? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Jessica Rabon to explore positive psychology as a scientifically grounded approach to wellbeing. We break down what it is, what it isn’t, and how it moves beyond symptom reduction to help clients build meaningful, engaged lives. We cover the PERMA model, the role of flow and relationships, and how to integrate positive psychology into clinical practice—without slipping into toxic positivity. If you’ve ever felt the gap between helping clients feel less bad and helping them actually feel fulfilled, this conversation will meet you there.  
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  Episode 71 | The Parent Is the Intervention: BPT and SPACE with Grace Berman, LCSW 24.03.2026 1ч 1мин

  **Want CE/CEUs for this episode?**   View course information and earn CE/CEUs here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com/courses/7177c242-769a-4db8-b7f1-21d610a772f5  Looking for more? Explore our convenient, affordable CE bundles or browse our full library of podcast courses, on-demand webinars, and live virtual trainings at affirmmentalhealth.com   In this episode, I’m joined by Grace Berman, LCSW, to explore evidence-based approaches for treating children with anxiety, ADHD, and behavioral challenges. We break down how therapists can integrate Behavioral Parent Training (BPT) and SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) to reduce parental accommodation, improve child behavior, and build emotional regulation through parent-mediated interventions. This conversation highlights how to move beyond diagnosis and use a functional approach to child behavior, including reinforcement, extinction bursts, natural consequences, and parent consistency to support long-term outcomes.  
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  Episode 70 | Burnout, Overcontrol, and Pushing Through with Special Guest Host Dr. Laurie Gallo 17.03.2026 1ч 35мин

  **Want CE/CEUs for this episode?**   View course information and earn CE/CEUs here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com/courses/bf4ab7cf-9249-4a7b-bfe5-4c22f8715fdf  Looking for more? Explore our convenient, affordable CE bundles or browse our full library of podcast courses, on-demand webinars, and live virtual trainings at affirmmentalhealth.com  In this episode of the Affirming Minds Podcast, Dr. Laurie Gallo interviews host Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz about the ideas behind her new book, Using ACT and CFT for Burnout Recovery: The Beyond Burnout Blueprint. Together they explore how burnout develops in high-demand professions and why many traditional approaches to burnout fall short. The conversation examines how principles from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) can help clinicians support burnout recovery by addressing shame, overcontrol, and chronic occupational stress while cultivating psychological flexibility and self-compassion. Using ACT and CFT for Burnout Recovery: The Beyond Burnout Blueprint by Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz Publisher link: https://www.routledge.com/Using-ACT-and-CFT-for-Burnout-Recovery-The-Beyond-Burnout-Blueprint/Siber/p/book/9781041074304 Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Using-ACT-CFT-Burnout-Recovery/dp/1041074301/ Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242051083-using-act-and-cft-for-burnout-recovery
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  Episode 69 | Social Anxiety Through a Culturally Responsive CBT Lens with Dr. Janeé Steele 03.03.2026 52мин

  **Want CE/CEUs for this episode?**   View course information and earn CE/CEUs here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com/courses/67c2d1e2-d8c7-403e-91b8-d9b99a8ed753   Looking for more? Explore our convenient, affordable CE bundles or browse our full library of podcast courses, on-demand webinars, and live virtual trainings at affirmmentalhealth.com  In this episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, Dr. Janeé M. Steele joins the conversation to explore social anxiety through a culturally responsive CBT lens. The discussion examines the core mechanisms that maintain social anxiety — including anticipatory processing, safety behaviors, and post-event rumination — and how these patterns intersect with lived experience, systemic bias, and stereotype threat. Dr. Steele outlines practical strategies for differentiating between irrational fear and rational responses to discrimination, adapting exposure hierarchies with attention to real-world risk, using broaching to explore identity within the therapeutic relationship, and integrating micro-interventions and self-affirmation into clinical practice. This episode offers clinicians concrete tools for delivering evidence-based treatment while honoring the broader social and cultural context in which anxiety develops and is maintained.