logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2025
43m 42s

Empowering Parents: Navigating Therapy a...

Lisa Mustard
About this episode

SIGN UP FOR THE JUST THERAPY NEWSLETTER.

If you are a therapist or counselor looking for continuing education, check out my $5 Podcourses and other continuing education offerings.

Reframe is a science-backed app that helps you reduce or quit alcohol, build healthier habits, and achieve lasting change in just 10 minutes a day. Start your journey now with a free 7-day trial—download Reframe today. (affiliate link)

Support the Podcast, Buy Me a Coffee 

In this episode of the Just Therapy Series, I’m thrilled to welcome my friend and colleague, Pamela Garfield-Jaeger, also known as The Truthful Therapist. Pam’s story is incredible—she’s a licensed clinical social worker who’s worked in everything from inner-city schools to foster care to adult treatment programs. Her journey has taken some surprising turns, including becoming a public advocate for truth and empowerment in the mental health field.

We dive into some important (and sometimes controversial) topics, including:

  • How therapy has shifted in recent years and why staying grounded in objective truth matters.

  • Why parental involvement is critical in kids’ mental health and how to avoid “outsourcing” their emotional well-being.

  • Pam’s practical advice for families navigating challenges like gender identity confusion, as shared in her book, A Practical Response to Gender Distress: Tips and Tools for Families.

  • The importance of empowering yourself to trust your instincts as a parent, a therapist, or simply a person navigating this complex world.

This is an eye-opening conversation filled with practical advice, real talk, and a lot of heart. If you’re a parent, a mental health professional, or just someone looking to better understand these issues, this episode is for you. 

Pam’s website: The Truthful Therapist

The content provided in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your own licensed mental health provider or medical professional regarding your specific situation.

While I am a licensed marriage and family therapist, and my guests are also professional counselors, the discussions in this podcast are meant to offer general insights and should not be taken as personalized therapeutic advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship with me or any of my guests.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or have thoughts of harming yourself or others, please contact a mental health professional, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. You can also reach out to a crisis hotline, such as the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 in the United States, for immediate support.

Every individual’s journey is unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another. Please use discretion and seek appropriate care as needed.

Therapy, mental health, licensed therapist, counseling, social worker, emotional well-being, parenting and mental health, therapist podcast, mental health resources, The Truthful Therapist, Pamela Garfield-Jaeger, gender identity, gender distress, gender identity confusion, parental involvement in therapy, objective truth in therapy, practical parenting advice, family mental health, children’s emotional well-being, parenting challenges, gender identity support, empowerment in therapy, controversial mental health topics, mental health education, family counseling tips, advocacy in mental health, supporting parents in therapy, truth in mental health, mental health apps, quit alcohol app, Reframe app review, continuing education for therapists, $5 podcourses for therapists, therapist resources, therapist-client relationship, licensed marriage and family therapist.

Up next
Jun 20
Understanding Mind-Body Pain: A Neuroplastic Approach for Mental Health Providers with Dr. David Clarke | continuing education for mental health counselors and therapists | NBCC approved | Podcourse | trauma
Purchase this Podcourse here! Neuroplastic symptoms - also known as psychophysiologic or mind-body symptoms - represent a significant portion of clinical presentations, yet they are frequently misunderstood or overlooked in both medical and mental health settings. In this informa ... Show More
53m 33s
May 28
The Shocking Truth About Under-Fueling – How to Spot Hidden Eating Issues in Therapy with Kristen Zeismer, RD | Eating Disorders | Nutrition | Mental Health
If you are a therapist or counselor looking for continuing education, check out my NBCC Approved $5 Podcourses and other continuing education offerings. Plus, get your first Podcourse half off. Check out all my Counselor Resources. Coping with Political Stress eBook & Workbook: T ... Show More
28m 20s
May 21
Leading with Faith: Building Community-Based Mental Health Clinics with Yerachmiel Stern, LCSW | Faith Based Mental Health Clinics | Hiring Tips
If you are a therapist or counselor looking for continuing education, check out my NBCC Approved $5 Podcourses and other continuing education offerings. Plus, get your first Podcourse half off. Check out all my Counselor Resources. Coping with Political Stress eBook & Workbook: T ... Show More
42m 21s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2024
What is ISTDP? The Therapy That Transforms Emotional Healing
Show Notes for The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast Episode 154: What is ISTDP? The Therapy That Transforms Emotional HealingThis episode is a fascinating exploration of how ISTDP offers a pathway to deeply transformative emotional work, encouraging both clients and practitioners to ... Show More
46m 22s
Jun 2021
17/30 Reframe Your Negative Thoughts: Change How You See the World: How to Process Emotions
Ready to change your life? Buy the full, ad-free Emotion Processing course now for only $147: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/emotion-processing?utm_campaign=Jun%2005,%202021&utm_medium=Description&utm_source=podcast   You can change your negative thoughts by learning the ... Show More
16m 45s
Jul 2021
21/30 Mindfulness for Anxiety: A Beginner‘s Guide: How to Process Emotions
Ready to change your life? Buy the full, ad-free Emotion Processing course now for only $147: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/emotion-processing?utm_campaign=Jul%2016,%202021&utm_medium=Description&utm_source=podcast Practicing mindfulness can help you shift your perspecti ... Show More
16m 34s
May 2021
13/30 Coping Skills for Anxiety or Depression: How to Process Emotions
Ready to change your life? Buy the full, ad-free Emotion Processing course now for only $147: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/emotion-processing?utm_campaign=May%2006,%202021&utm_medium=Description&utm_source=podcast Coping skills can be really important for anxiety. They ... Show More
8m 4s
Feb 2025
Lasting Treatments for Anxiety vs. Coping Skills - Is THIS why Therapy isn't working?
Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Have you tried a bunch of stuff to manage anxiety and depression, but you’re still struggling? This might be why: Some strategies that work great for the short term, ... Show More
16m 8s
Jul 2024
Guided Meditation - The Container Method - for Processing Trauma, PTSD and Intense Emotions
Do you want to learn How to Process Emotions and improve your Mental Health? Sign up for a Therapy in a Nutshell Membership, you'll get access to all of Emma’s courses, workbooks, and a Live Q and A with 100’s of exclusive videos: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership ... Show More
6m 43s
Aug 2023
Bonus Episode: Trichotillomania with Michael Twohig
Michael Twohig counseling and resources: https://junipermh.com/ Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the comfort of your own home. Try it now for 10% off your first month: https://betterhelp.com/therapyinan ... Show More
39m 21s
Mar 2025
Talking about Trauma won't heal you
Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Talking about trauma doesn’t heal trauma. For a lot of people, it makes them feel much worse especially if you have PTSD. This is one thing that sets human brains ap ... Show More
22m 17s
Jun 2021
18/30 Cognitive Distortions: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques
Ready to change your life? Buy the full, ad-free Emotion Processing course now for only $147: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/emotion-processing?utm_campaign=Jun%2018,%202021&utm_medium=Description&utm_source=podcast Cognitive distortions are thoughts that aren't actually ... Show More
15m 54s
Jan 2025
The Body Keeps the Score - Book Summary by a Therapist w/o the Triggering Bits
Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Download the PDF Workbook that goes with this video: Therapy Modalities for Healing Trauma https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/pl/2148622299 I think a lot of peop ... Show More
39m 3s