boy meets therapy

Navigating Graduate School in Counseling: Faith, Internships, and Choosing a Master’s or a PhD with Bailey Mcfadden

In this episode, Dustin Oliver sits down with counseling graduate student Bailey McFadden to talk about the real-life journey through psychology education—from undergrad to grad school and beyond. They discuss why they both chose to pursue master’s degrees over PhDs, how to evaluate faith-integrated counseling programs, and what it’s really like working in internship settings. Bailey shares her experiences navigating clinical training, community support, and the pressure to “do it all” in grad school. Whether you're exploring mental health careers, considering a graduate degree, or already deep in your training, this candid conversation offers insight, encouragement, and practical advice.
Connect with Bailey McFadden:
Instagram: ⁠@genzcounselorb⁠
TikTok: ⁠@genzcounselorb⁠
Connect with boy meets therapy:
Instagram: ⁠⁠@boymeetstherapy⁠⁠
TikTok: ⁠⁠@boymeetstherapy⁠⁠
Website with Free Resources: boymeetstherapy.com
Episode Guide & Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:07 Undergraduate Experience in Psychology
06:04 Transitioning to Graduate School
09:01 Working in a Psychiatric Unit
12:09 Advice for Aspiring Psychologists
15:11 Study Abroad Experiences
17:47 Choosing a Graduate Program
20:51 Faith Integration in Counseling
24:05 The Role of Spirituality in Therapy
28:00 Navigating Faith Integration in Counseling Programs
29:51 The PhD Dilemma: To Pursue or Not?
35:48 Internship Insights: What to Expect
43:55 Finding Support and Community in Grad School
 
Created and Produced by Dustin Oliver.

Understanding Kids: OCD, Divorce, and Culturally Informed Therapy with Chandler Donny

In this episode, host Dustin Oliver sits down with child and adolescent therapist Chandler Donny to explore the unique challenges and breakthroughs in therapy with young clients. They dive into topics like OCD in children, the emotional impact of divorce, and how to build trust with resistant or withdrawn kids. Chandler shares clinical insights on the importance of confidentiality, psychoeducation, and engaging parents in the therapeutic process. The conversation also touches on Relational Cultural Theory, LGBTQ-affirming care, and the role of cultural understanding in effective mental health treatment. Whether you're a therapist, parent, or mental health professional, this episode offers valuable guidance on navigating the complex world of child and teen therapy.
Each week, we talk with clinicians about their areas of expertise, their connections to therapy, and how they use their tools in session.
Connect with Chandler Donny:
⁠Therapy⁠
Connect with boy meets therapy:
Instagram: ⁠@boymeetstherapy⁠
TikTok: ⁠@boymeetstherapy⁠
Website with Free Resources: boymeetstherapy.com
Episode Guide & Chapters:
Chapters
 
00:00 Introduction and Connection
01:46 Chandler's Journey into Therapy
07:28 Specialization in Working with Teens
09:40 Common Issues in Child Therapy
10:32 Navigating Divorce and Its Impact on Children
11:50 Integrating Parents in Child Therapy
17:01 Confidentiality and Trust in Therapy
19:57 Building Rapport with Resistant Clients
23:18 Understanding Relational Cultural Theory
30:40 Exploring Client Relationships and Dynamics
37:41 Navigating Childhood Therapy and Accountability
42:54 Understanding OCD in Children
49:20 The Importance of the Therapeutic Relationship
Created and Produced by Dustin Oliver.

Beyond Abstinence: Rethinking Substance Use Treatment, Boundaries, and Recovery with Julie River

What if recovery wasn’t just about stopping the use of a substance — but about understanding why it was there in the first place?
In this episode, I speak with Julie River, LPC, NCC, clinical director and therapist at ⁠Atlas Behavioral Health⁠, about what truly person-centered substance use treatment can look like. We explore the daily experience of clients in recovery programs, the role of group therapy, and how therapists can support emotional sobriety, boundary-setting, and harm reduction with empathy and nuance.
Whether you’re a clinician, student, or someone navigating their own healing journey, Julie brings thoughtful insight into how treatment can move beyond stereotypes — and toward connection, curiosity, and lasting change.
Each week we talk with clinicians about their areas of expertise, their connections to therapy, and how they use their tools in session.
Connect with Julie River:
Therapy
Atlas Behavioral Health
Connect with boy meets therapy:
Instagram: ⁠⁠@boymeetstherapy⁠⁠
TikTok: ⁠@boymeetstherapy⁠
Website with Free Resources: ⁠boymeetstherapy.com
Episode Guide & Chapters: 
00:00 Introduction and Personal Background02:59 Understanding Substance Use Disorder Treatment05:51 Daily Life in Treatment Programs09:08 Innovative Therapeutic Approaches12:04 Client Reactions to Alternative Therapies14:53 Co-occurring Disorders and Their Impact17:46 The Complexity of Diagnosing Disorders20:58 Interpersonal Dynamics in Group Therapy23:53 Managing Resentments and Emotions26:53 Facilitating Group Interactions30:06 Conclusion and Key Takeaways35:45 Understanding Boundaries in Relationships40:10 The Concept of Emotional Sobriety45:05 Navigating Sober Curiosity49:49 The Spectrum of Addiction54:26 Harm Reduction in Substance Use Treatment58:24 The Misconceptions of Addiction Treatment

Healing Beyond the Surface: Trauma, Attachment, and Anti-Oppressive Therapy with Sakinaa Rock

This episode focuses on trauma-informed therapy and working with survivors of abuse. We explore how to build trust, address denial, and apply attachment theory in clinical practice. The conversation also highlights the role of supervision, therapeutic alliances, and navigating power dynamics. Special attention is given to supporting trans and gender non-conforming clients through anti-oppressive, empathetic, and empowering approaches.Each week we talk with clinicians about their areas of expertise, their connections to therapy, and how they use their tools in session. Connect with Sakinaa Rock: Sakinaa Rock TherapyConnect with boy meets therapy:Instagram: ⁠@boymeetstherapy⁠TikTok: @boymeetstherapyWebsite with Free Resources: boymeetstherapy.comEpisode Guide & Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background03:08 Theoretical Perspectives in Social Work05:58 Understanding Client Populations08:58 Building Trust and Safety in Therapy11:55 Working with Survivors of Abuse14:57 Navigating Denial and Confrontation17:59 The Role of Supervision in Therapy20:49 Attachment Theory and Its Impact23:59 Unlearning Harmful Relational Patterns31:03 Navigating Client Emotions and Healthy Responses32:03 Confronting Disagreements in Therapy32:51 The Role of Power and Oppression in Therapy33:51 Addressing Misogyny in Client Interactions36:14 Challenging Heteronormative Dynamics in Queer Relationships37:00 Exploring Power Dynamics in Kink Relationships41:02 Understanding Trans and Gender Non-Conforming Experiences49:57 The Therapist's Responsibility in Anti-Oppressive PracticeCreated and Produced by Dustin Oliver