Psyched for Psychology

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists Brett Cushing and Christa Overson break down rumination, a term that means thinking about the past over and over again-- often to the point of becoming bothersome. Brett and Christa discuss why we ruminate, as well as some ways to help ourselves stop ruminating. Listen in with a friend or partner to gain some ideas for breaking free of rumination. Do you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at podcast@nystromcounseling.comWe'd love to hear from you!Follow alongInstagramFacebookNystrom & Associates

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists Brett Cushing and Christa Overson discuss four main communication styles and how to know which one you tend to use in day-to-day life. They also wonder-- which of these communication styles will help me to get what I want?  Brett and Christa share an easy-to-use formula for how to clearly share with a friend, partner, or boss what you actually want and why. Listen, with a friend or partner, to find out your own way of communicating and whether it needs a little fine-tuning--Doing so might help you get what you are after. Do you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at podcast@nystromcounseling.comWe'd love to hear from you! Follow alongInstagramFacebookNystrom & Associates

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists Brett Cushing and Christa Overson share the four different personality types, what motivates each type, how each respond when under stress and how this understanding can transform your work, home and personal self-talk.Listen, with a friend or partner, and gain a super-easy understanding of personality types, that will effectively resource you towards greater connection, healing and effectiveness in your relationships at home, work and with yourself.Do you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at podcast@nystromcounseling.comWe'd love to hear from you!Follow alongInstagramFacebookNystrom & Associates

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists Brett Cushing and Christa Overson share how active listening bolsters connection and relational quality. Whether in a work setting, home setting, or any relational setting, Active Listening is imperative. However, it is a skill that does not come naturally; and takes practice.Listen, with a friend or partner, to find out how you are doing in terms of using the skill of Actively Listening and what concrete steps you can take to improve this indispensable skill. It just might transform your relationship, your parenting, and your quality of work.Do you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at podcast@nystromcounseling.comWe'd love to hear from you!Follow alongInstagramFacebookNystrom & Associates

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Brett Cushing shares how invalidation, whether it be intended to harm or to help, can be effectively utilized to maintain and enhance relationships. Brett shares why invalidation hurts, how to extend invalidation without harm, and how to respond to invalidation in helpful ways.  Listen to find out how to effectively utilize invalidation as a relational skill and transform relationships into safer, happier, and more secure ones.  Invalidation can often be intrusive and unwelcome, and this episode highlights how our response to invalidating people can work to our advantage and help our relationships.  Do you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at podcast@nystromcounseling.comWe'd love to hear from you! Follow alongInstagramFacebookNystrom & Associates

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Brett Cushing shares the desperate need and relevant power of validation upon relationships, ourselves, and our culture.   Brett provides clarity on what validation is and is not; while giving practical steps on being validating in a manner that can transform relationships with others and with oneself.Listen to find out how to effectively utilize validation skills and transform relationships into safer, happier, and more secure ones.  We often neglect validation because we believe validating someone means agreeing with them.  This episode highlights how leading every interaction with validation does not mean approval but does convey acknowledgment and acceptance, and this is the beginning of most any change effort.  Also, failure to lead with validation likely leads to defensiveness, stagnation, and a decline in relationships.  The skill of validation is the superpower that can significantly remedy relational challenges.Do you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at podcast@nystromcounseling.comWe'd love to hear from you! Follow alongInstagramFacebookNystrom & Associates

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing discuss the psychology behind goodbyes and closure as the podcast says goodbye to co-host Michelle in her final episode. Michelle has been honored to be a part of the podcast from its very beginning, and you'll hear about her hopes for the podcast and our listeners. Listen to find out why our brains seek out closures in our goodbyes and what research says about both the difficulties and benefits in having closure (versus being ghosted). We will continue to have weekly episodes available with Brett leading the helm, so please join us to listen today as Michelle graduates from co-host to devoted and passionate listener. Some of Michelle's favorite podcast episodes are linked below. Episodes Mentioned:Stories of Recovery and Hope: VickyThe Link Between Toxic Diet Culture and Eating DisordersSelf-Esteem: How Do You Want to Slice the Pie?The Wounded HealerAnti-New Years Resolutions  Do you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at podcast@nystromcounseling.comWe'd love to hear from you! Follow alongInstagramFacebookNystrom & Associates

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing discuss the use of DBT skills in your daily life of "Alternate Rebellion" and "Adaptive Denial." Listen to find out how these skills relate to our lives and the clients we work with daily. You'll even hear how Michelle's pink hair is a form of these skills,  and why these skills will help you if you are feeling stuck, helpless, or even rebellious (in unhelpful ways). Episodes Mentioned:Are You Ready for Change?How to Change Behavior (Letting Go of the Log)What Do You Want to Know About Borderline Personality Disorder?Do you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at podcast@nystromcounseling.comWe'd love to hear from you! Follow alongInstagramFacebookNystrom & Associates

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing discuss the fork and spoon theory concepts and how they relate to understanding our stress and energy levels throughout the day. The theories are helpful in understanding the difference between our internal resources (spoons) and external stressors (forks). Listen to find out why we might say the phrase "stick a fork in me, I'm done" when we have reached our maximum capacity for stress for the day, and how we might choose to spend spoons to help. You'll also find out how these theories apply to invisible illnesses like chronic pain, chronic illness, and even our own mental health needs. Episodes Mentioned: What You Didn't Know About StressIs Laughter Really the Best Medicine?Do you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at podcast@nystromcounseling.comWe'd love to hear from you! Follow alongInstagramFacebookNystrom & Associates

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing learn about EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy with special guest Christa Overson, LMFT. Christa is the Clinical Site Director at Nystrom's Bloomington clinic and a lifelong Minnesotan raised in the north woods of Duluth. She has 10 years of clinical experience and seven years of experience with EMDR. She works with adults, couples, and families and provides supervision to therapists working toward their license. Outside work, she loves playing with her niece and two nephews. Listen as Christa, Brett, and Michelle talk about what EMDR is, including the difference between how "regular" therapy works and how EMDR techniques work by accessing a different part of the brain. Christa shares her own experiences with EMDR and explains how to know if EMDR therapy might be the right kind for you. Episodes Mentioned:The Wounded HealerDo you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at podcast@nystromcounseling.comWe'd love to hear from you! Follow alongInstagramFacebookNystrom & Associates

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing discuss the topic of behavior change, which many clients seek help for in therapy. They talk about what makes it hard to change a behavior, but also give strategies and tools for better understanding why the behavior itself occurs in the first place and giving yourself compassion when it is hard to make a change. Listen to find out more about how therapists use a behavior chain to help clients better understand their behaviors and to hear why it can be hard to "let go of the log" when you feel as though you are drowning and still need that behavior to help you survive. Episodes Mentioned:Are You Ready for Change? You Are Who you Choose to Be Do you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at podcast@nystromcounseling.comWe'd love to hear from you! Follow alongInstagramFacebookNystrom & Associates

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing talk about their lives and what led them to become the therapists they are today. They talk about Carl Jung's concept of "The Wounded Healer", and what it means to have a therapist who also gets their own therapy due to encountering and overcoming their own experiences with mental health and family dynamics.Listen to learn more about Michelle and Brett's stories, how they navigate issues around countertransference in therapy, and how their journey with healing and self-awareness helps to increase their empathy and curiosity with those they work with daily.Episodes Mentioned:The Benefits of Vulnerability Perinatal Mental Health - It's Not Just Postpartum DepressionDo you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at podcast@nystromcounseling.comWe'd love to hear from you!Follow alongInstagramFacebookNystrom & Associates

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Michelle Iversen discusses her "Anti-New Year's Resolutions" and why the New Year's resolutions we most commonly set are often linked to toxic diet culture and also fail 91% of the time. But rather than blame ourselves for this, Michelle would like us to think about the goals and whether they are designed in a way that isn't helpful for us and our self-esteem. Listen as Michelle talks more about toxic diet culture and the new year and offers ideas for new resolutions to try throughout the new year instead. Happy 2023 to all of our listeners. We are thankful for you!Episodes Mentioned: The Link Between Toxic Diet Culture and Eating DisordersSelf-Esteem: How Do You Want to Slice the Pie?The Problems with PerfectionismDo you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at podcast@nystromcounseling.comWe'd love to hear from you! Follow alongInstagramFacebookNystrom & Associates

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing discuss the most common myths around therapy and "bust" them along with special guest Scott Steinbarger, LMFT. Scott is the Clinical Site Director at Nystrom's Edina clinic and a "Midwestern Millennial Middle Child." He has always had an interest in counseling but needed to take a detour into Nuclear Engineering in college before figuring out Marriage and Family Therapy was just the ticket. A self-described nerd who loves storytelling and story listening even more, Scott is passionate about relationships and has a surprising amount of fun working with couples and individuals through their challenges and goals. When not counseling, Scott may be found reading fantasy novels or pretending to be a writer.Listen as Scott, Brett, and Michelle talk about the various myths around therapy, and share from their own experiences and practice what the reality of therapy truly is (especially if you've never tried therapy before!) Do you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at podcast@nystromcounseling.comWe'd love to hear from you! Follow alongInstagramFacebookNystrom & Associates

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing interview their first client guest on the podcast, Vicky. Vicky is a Nystrom client who completed the DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) program. Today, she shares her story of how treatment helped her find happiness and a way out of suffering.Listen to find out more about Vicky's story, how she continues to use skills to help her through the holiday season, and the hope that comes with treatment and recovery.Episodes Mentioned: Your Guide to Boundaries for the HolidaysManaging Holiday ExpectationsUnderstanding Domestic ViolenceWhat Do You Want to Know About Borderline Personality Disorder? Do you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at podcast@nystromcounseling.comWe'd love to hear from you!Follow alongInstagramFacebookNystrom & Associates

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing continue their holiday stress series by talking about the importance of boundaries over the holiday season and learning what setting a boundary with others really means for your mental health.Listen to learn more about how boundaries will reduce your stress and get a step-by-step guide on how to use assertiveness skills to help you have these conversations with others during the holidays and all year long.Episodes Mentioned:Managing Holiday ExpectationsDo you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at podcast@nystromcounseling.comWe'd love to hear from you!Follow alongInstagramFacebookNystrom & Associates

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing continue their holiday stress series by talking about how to manage holiday expectations, including expectations related to spending time with others, finances, and gifts.Listen to find out more about the "broken promises theory" that impacts our mood, how we experience high expectations around the holiday, and strategies to use that will help you feel prepared to handle the stress of the holiday season.Do you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at podcast@nystromcounseling.comWe'd love to hear from you!Follow alongInstagramFacebookNystrom & Associates

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing discuss domestic violence and dispel myths and assumptions about what it is and who it affects. Brett will share his training in using the "Duluth Model," a domestic abuse intervention program and an innovative way of holding batterers accountable and keeping victims safe.Listen to find out more about what domestic violence is, who it affects, and better understand the characteristics of those who batter. You'll also learn more about the characteristics of healthy relationships and effective treatments for stopping cycles of abuse. If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out and use the resources below:National Domestic Violence Support Hotline - 800-799-SAFE (7233) or text "Start" to 88788Domestic Violence Support | The National Domestic Violence Hotline (thehotline.org)Duluth Model: Home Page - Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs (theduluthmodel.org)Do you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at podcast@nystromcounseling.comWe'd love to hear from you!Follow alongInstagramFacebookNystrom & Associates

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing discuss the relationship between increases in eating disorders in US society and its connection with diet culture. Eating disorders affect more than 28 million people in the US, and diet culture is the best-known environmental contributor to this... but what do we do about it?Listen to find out more about myths and assumptions around eating disorders, why diet culture is toxic (especially during this time of year), and ways to combat stigma and misinformation around weight and health. Please check out our website and the NEDA link below for more information and support.National Eating Disorders Association Do you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at podcast@nystromcounseling.comWe'd love to hear from you!Follow alongInstagramFacebookNystrom & Associates

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) Michelle Iversen and Brett Cushing discuss the concept of gratitude in the first part of our "Managing Holiday Stress" series. Did you know gratitude isn't just an action or saying "thank you"? Together we will look at what research says gratitude is, and the mental and physical health benefits of making gratitude an intentional daily practice.Listen to learn more about how an "attitude of gratitude" helps with stress (not just during the holiday season, but all year long) and ways you can incorporate this every day using DBT skills. Brett and Michelle will demonstrate an "A, B, C" gratitude exercise for listeners and let you know what makes them feel grateful this time of the year.Episodes Mentioned: You Are Who You Choose to BeThe 5 Love LanguagesWhat You Didn't Know About Stress Do you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at podcast@nystromcounseling.comWe'd love to hear from you!Follow alongInstagramFacebookNystrom & Associates