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What kind of clients do you love working with? All kinds of clients! Probably a cheesy response, but - of greater importance than a given client’s demographics or particular challenges for which they’re requesting support, is the quality of connection we’re able to create together. Shared trust, curiosity, and humor often facilitate the most lovely relationships with clients. Also, I have found such fulfillment in supporting clients with their work exploring identity, blocks to creativity, dilemmas of spirituality, grief, and anxiety. It's fun to build new ways of relating to old wounds! What values guide your work as a therapist? I believe in the inherent dignity of every person and I believe that every person has the right to self-determination, meaning that we all have the right or autonomy to make our own choices about our beliefs, goals, lives, etc. I have training that I believe can be helpful, but a client is the foremost expert in their own life. In terms of approach, I highly value third-wave contextual behaviorism, as opposed to more mentalistic approaches to therapy. Mentalism is "old-school" view within western psychology that internal mental states like thoughts, feelings, urges, and memories directly cause behavior - the highest importance is placed on the content of those mental states. In contrast, third-wave contextual behaviorism values highly the context and function of psychological events - behavior is not driven by the content of internal mental states themselves, but by how a person has learned to respond in certain situations based on their history and environment. It's less about exactly what we think and feel and more about how those experiences fit into the bigger picture of our lives. To me, third-wave contextual behaviorism feels both more true in how it conceptualizes human behavior, but also feels much more hopeful about the work we can do in psychotherapy toward making more vital, meaningful lives for ourselves! Finally, our practice uses these seven wonderful dialectical consultation agreements to inform and guide our practice. They were developed within the context of third-wave contextual behaviorism and apply to a lot more than just therapy. We made this beautiful slide set explaining the dialectical agreements which you can find here. What books, authors, artists, or activists inspire your work? I am most consistently inspired by ICC founder and fellow therapist and clinical supervisor, Lauren Hall Bushman. Among so many qualities worth appreciating, she's ceaselessly curious and compassionate, driven to act in accordance with what matters most to her, playful, and CREATIVE. The creative vision as it plays out in all aspects of life - from ICC itself to whimsical mends of our kids' clothing and everything in between - is so inspiring, every day! I'm inspired by the Chicago-born music label, International Anthem, that produces and lifts up incredibly interesting voices in contemporary jazz and experimental music. Find their work here. Also, I'm perpetually inspired by the musical legacy of the late, great John Coltrane, Alice Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, and Joe Henderson. I'm inspired by the creative playfulness and ethical integrity of the clothing brand, Story MFG. Read their Positive Product Manifesto here. Over the last few years, I've been most inspired in my work by the writing about psychotherapy by Robyn Walser (The Heart of ACT), Jason Luoma (Values In Therapy: A Clinician’s Guide to Helping Clients Explore Values, Increase Psychological Flexibility, and Live a More Meaningful Life), Steve Hayes(Learning ACT), and Mark Epstein (Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart; Advice Not Given; The Zen of Therapy). From a broader perspective, but still deeply related, I have been deeply inspired by the work and writing of author, educator, and activist bell hooks (All About Love: New Visions; The Wisdom to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love; Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics; Art on my Mind: Visual Politics). I have been most consistently inspired by the writings and teachings of the late Buddhist monk and peace activist Thích Nhất Hạnh (Fragrant Palm Leaves: Journals 1962–1966; No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering; Interbeing: Fourteen Guidelines for Engaged Buddhism; Fear: Essential Wisdom for Getting Through the Storm; Reconciliation: Healing the Inner Child; Present Moment Wonderful Moment: Mindfulness Verses for Daily Living). What's your favorite part about working at ICC? Always, my favorite part about working at ICC is the people. Colleagues and clients (which is to say "community") are so remarkable here, and I continue to note that to be able to do this work alongside and with people is a sacred privilege and honor. 🎺 Psst…be sure to check out Michael’s contribution to the “Resources Our Folks Love” section of this newsletter to access his very own Jazz Before Therapy Vol. 1 playlist on Spotify!
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