In this solo episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes to share a personal and professional update.

I talk about life lately, the growth of The Therapy Show, what I'm continuing to build with Podcourses and continuing education.

I also open up about a deeply personal new project inspired by my family's experience with white-collar crime and my desire to support spouses and families navigating that kind of crisis.

Learn about my coaching services for spouses and families of white collar criminals

Resources:

Explore my 30+ NBCC-approved Podcourses: https://lisamustard.com/podcourses

Get 50% off your first Podcourse here!

Explore my other NBCC CE offerings: https://lisamustard.com/cecourses/

Try Berries AI and save $50 off your first month with code THERAPYSHOW50.

Learn about Berries Annual Plan + FREE continuing education.

FREE CE course! Earn 1.25 continuing education contact hours. The Promise of AI for Mental Health Professionals is available now.

The Therapy Show with Lisa Mustard is for educational and informational purposes only and does not replace therapy, consultation, supervision, legal advice, or ethical decision-making.

Connect with Lisa:

Visit lisamustard.com to explore continuing education podcourses, join the CE membership, and access full show notes.

What happens when a licensed clinical social worker walks into an improv class and discovers a powerful clinical tool?

In this episode of The Therapy Show, I sit down with Dr. Juda Alcabes, also known as The Improv Therapist, to explore how improv comedy can be used therapeutically to treat anxiety, build intimacy, strengthen couples' connections, and help clients get out of their heads and into the present moment.

Dr. Juda shares how taking an improv class on a mental health day eventually led him to develop a clinical framework for bringing improv into therapy sessions. Whether you're a clinician curious about adding more play and experiential work into your practice, or someone who has always wanted to try improv, this conversation is insightful, practical, and fun.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How improv can support anxiety treatment
• Why play and spontaneity matter in therapy
• How improv helps clients move from overthinking to experiencing
• The connection between improv, intimacy, and relationships
• Why therapists don't need to be performers to benefit from improv
• How clinicians can thoughtfully integrate unique skills into their work

Dr. Juda Alcabes, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker based in South Florida who specializes in sex and porn addiction. Known as The Improv Therapist, he integrates improv comedy into clinical work with individuals, couples, and groups. He is also a stand-up comedian and improv performer, and he offers consultation for therapists interested in incorporating improv into their own practice.

Resources Mentioned:

The Improv Therapist: theimprovtherapist.com
Instagram/TikTok/YouTube: @theimprovtherapist

Explore my 30+ NBCC-approved Podcourses: https://lisamustard.com/podcourses

Get 50% off your first Podcourse here!

Explore my other NBCC CE offerings: https://lisamustard.com/cecourses/

Try Berries AI and save $50 off your first month with code THERAPYSHOW50.

Learn about Berries Annual Plan + FREE continuing education.

FREE CE course! Earn 1.25 continuing education contact hours. The Promise of AI for Mental Health Professionals is available now.

Free CE ChatGPT Tool: CE Course Builder for Mental Health Clinicians
If you're curious about teaching or continuing education but aren't ready to commit to creating a full course, this free tool is designed to help you explore ideas, clarify learning objectives, and think like an educator, without pressure or obligation.

The Therapy Show with Lisa Mustard is for educational and informational purposes only and does not replace therapy, consultation, supervision, legal advice, or ethical decision-making.

Connect with Lisa:

Visit lisamustard.com to explore continuing education podcourses, join the CE membership, and access full show notes.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague who could use a little more play in their practice.

In this episode of The Therapy Show, I'm joined by Dr. Chloe Carmichael, licensed clinical psychologist and author of Can I Say That? Why Free Speech Matters and How to Use It Fearlessly.

This episode is a portion of a larger continuing education course on free speech, self-censorship, open dialogue, and mental health. Dr. Chloe explores how language supports emotional regulation, problem-solving, self-efficacy, and authentic connection, and how chronic self-silencing may contribute to anxiety, depression, helplessness, groupthink, and weakened social support.

You'll hear Dr. Chloe discuss why open dialogue matters clinically, how self-censorship can impact mental health, and why the ability to speak honestly and listen with resilience is an important part of relational well-being.

This is only a preview of the full course. To access the complete training and earn 1 NBCC continuing education contact hour, click here.

Please note: this course is not included in the podcourse bundle and is available as a separate continuing education course.

The Full Course topics include:

Free speech and mental health
Self-censorship, suppression, repression, and denial
Language, affect labeling, and emotional regulation
Groupthink and the cost of silence
Authentic dialogue and social connection
Clinical tools for speaking up and listening well
The WAIT framework, reflective listening, thought replacement, journaling, and mind mapping

Learn more and access Dr. Chloe's course here.

Looking for affordable continuing education that you can listen to anytime, anywhere? Check out my offerings and get half off your first podcourse here.