Psyched to Practice

Smartwatches, fitness trackers, smart rings, and other wearable devices are collecting more health data than ever before—but what does that mean for mental health care? In this episode, Paul Wagner and Dr. Dan Florell explore the growing role of wearable technology in psychology. They discuss how devices can help monitor sleep, heart rate, stress, and activity levels, and how that information may support treatment for anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, and other conditions. You’ll also hear...

Adult ADHD is often misunderstood as a motivation problem or a lack of effort. In this episode, psychologist and researcher Dr. Laura Knouse joins Psyched to Practice to explain why that framing misses the mark—and how cognitive behavioral therapy can actually work for adults with ADHD when it’s done right. We explore how ADHD shows up as a self-regulation challenge, why behavior change often has to come before thought work, and how everyday environments quietly sabotage or support follow-thr...

Too often continuing education is expensive, rigid, or disconnected from real clinical work, until now. Our Bright Minds Subscription is officially live, and it’s built for how clinicians actually live and practice. This all-access membership gives you unlimited entry to a growing library of high-quality CE courses, live webinars, and expert-led trainings, all in one place. No waiting for scheduled dates. No pressure to finish a course in one sitting. No wasting your CE budget on one or two w...

In this episode, Paul and Ray take on gratitude in a way that cuts deeper than the usual holiday routine. Instead of listing three things you’re thankful for or posting something online that sounds good, they explore what it looks like to experience gratitude from the inside out. They break down the difference between goals and intentions, why slowing down matters, and how savoring small moments can turn gratitude into a steady part of daily life—not just something you try to do when things a...

Every therapist can talk for days about difficult cases. But what about the cases that work? In this episode, Paul and Ray break down how success leaves clues — from therapist strengths to client readiness to the role of meaning and expert identity in change. You’ll learn how to reflect on what actually makes you effective, reshape your marketing to match your true impact, and confidently choose the right clinical fits instead of taking every referral that comes your way. Whether you’re build...

Stop dreading your next CEU scramble—this episode of Psyched to Practice flips the script on continuing education for mental health professionals. Hosts Ray Christner and Paul Wagner dig deep into what it really means to grow as a clinician, sharing personal strategies to move from last-minute credit-chasing to a purposeful, energizing professional development plan. From the ethical imperative behind ongoing learning, to the link between specialized knowledge and reduced burnout, to practical...

This episode features Drs. Robyn Walser and Darrah Westrup discussing the application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for trauma, highlighting approaches from their book, You Are Not Your Trauma: An ACT Guide to Healing from Within. Through an exploration of ACT’s core processes—including psychological flexibility, self-as-context, and committed action—the conversation provides advanced practitioners with evidence-based strategies for supporting trauma survivors beyond symptom redu...

‼️Continuing Education Series‼️ Psychosis is often treated as a mystery, something clinicians avoid or feel unprepared to address. In this Masters in Practice episode, Dr. Aaron Brinen shares how his book Living Well with Psychosis makes this complex topic approachable for individuals, families, and therapists alike. Drawing from Recovery Oriented Cognitive Therapy, Dr. Brinen explains how shifting the focus from symptoms to motivation, connection, and aspirations creates powerful pathways to...