What is empathy and how is it different from sympathy? How does empathy help your relationships? Listen in to learn about how understanding another person's experiences can change you and your relationships.

Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
www.ShrinkThinkPodcast.com/course

Shrink Think Podcast

Ep 41-All About Empathy

Ep. 41 - All About Empathy

Episode 51. We continue our series on the types of therapy, focusing on different interventions that are popular and effective: EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Neurofeedback, and Brainspotting. This episode is broken into two parts, so it will be continued into the next episode (#52).

Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
www.ShrinkThinkPodcast.com/course

Ep 51-Types of Therapy: EMDR (Part 1 of 2)

Ep. 51 - Types Of Therapy: EMDR (Part 1 of 2)

Everyone has an attachment style that influences and impacts their relationships. Everyone starts out as a dependent baby and seeks to end up as an interdependent adult. We discussed how this looks in action with the secure and disorganized attachment types in the previous episode. In this follow-up episode, we discuss how this looks in action - with the anxious and avoidant types. 

————————
Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
www.ShrinkThinkPodcast.com/course

84-Attachment Styles In Action: Anxious & Avoidant Types

84 - Attachment Styles in Action: Anxious & Avoidant Types

What does it mean to be your “self”? How do you lose “yourself” in relationships and how can you avoid or prevent that from happening? In this two-part series, we break down the issue to help you better know who you are and spot ways you might be operating that cause you to lose yourself or behave not in accordance with who you are (such as what matters to you or what you value).

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/Qke88i8OZgo
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

176. How To Not Lose Yourself In Relationships

Did you grow up being responsible for taking care of the feelings of a parent? Were you also responsible for making adult decisions as a child? Do you have difficulty knowing or caring for your own needs now as an adult? If so, you might have experienced emotional incest and need to learn some boundaries for yourself so you can grow the parts of you that you need to be healthy and mature.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/gzl8pstBOSo
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

185. Did You Grow Up With Emotional Incest?

We’ve done an episode on Internal Family Systems (#50) but we wanted to explain it better so you have an idea of what it is and how it works, practically. Nathan shares a fascinating metaphor that you’ll want to hear!

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/k5CD9UAlEyI
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

203. Internal Family Systems (IFS) Explained

This is a re-release of a popular episode we recorded way back in 2021. We’ve been introducing more IFS content and thought it would be helpful to “bump” this informative episode but with a fresh coat of paint!

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

The Shrink Think Podcast

208. Replay of Types of Therapy: Internal Family Systems (IFS)

We’ve introduced Internal Family Systems and described it, and thought it would be helpful to hear it demonstrated. Aaron offers himself as a client for Nathan as his IFS therapist, focusing on a “performing/achieving” part of Aaron’s system. Listen/watch to experience IFS more in-depth.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/4oZ6MrAs1FI
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

206. Aaron & Nathan Demonstrate IFS

Part 1 of 2. There is a common dynamic in marriage where a passive husband does not contribute like his wife needs him to, which causes her to “overfunction.” When she tries to talk to him to get more initiation from him, he often shuts down or says he will help but then doesn’t. This “pursue-and-withdraw” pattern can be tricky! In this episode, we focus on the unsupported wife: what she feels and needs to do to change her side of the equation.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/ONVTBlVdbVs
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

209. Part 1: Unsupported Wives & Passive Husbands

Using a list of Universal Human Needs, which everyone has, we discuss the importance of knowing your needs and how they make you - and others - known. When you know your feelings AND the needs that are associated with them, you can better meet them and be a healthier, more stable person. It also means you can better see and meet the needs of others in relationships.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/KiejsgzNg70
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

213. Knowing Your Needs Makes You Known

Do you know the difference between arguing and discussing? Conflict in a relationship will require some conversation about it, and we want to make sure you’re discussing issues with the goal of understanding one another.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/ePD6xFpJ_f4
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

223. Are You Arguing Or Discussing?

John & Julie Gottman founded the Love Lab at the UW in Seattle, WA which can predict with 94% accuracy whether a couple will stay together based on observing the first several minutes of their argument. The Gottmans discovered four relationship killers called “the four horsemen”; the first one being criticism. Criticism is when you attack the person or character rather than address the behaviors. The relationship antidote to criticism is a soft startup.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/2PUwgGAViUE
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

224. Gottman’s Four Horsemen: Criticism

The second and most destructive of the four “horseman” that the Gottmans identify as a relationship killer is contempt. Contempt involves taking a one-up position of superiority and shaming the other person. The antidote to contempt is a culture of appreciation in the relationship. 

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/QmOqghcAoOU
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

225. Gottman’s Four Horsemen: Contempt

The third “horseman” of the relational apocalypse is defensiveness, usually as a response to criticism. Defensiveness is a form of self-protection from a perceived attack, usually from a place of righteous indignation or innocent victimhood. The antidote to defensiveness is accepting responsibility for your role in the conflict or situation.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: 
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

226. Gottman's Four Horsemen: Defensiveness

The fourth and final of the Gottman “horsemen” is stonewalling-withdrawing and disengaging from the conversation to build a kind of “wall” between you and your partner. This usually comes from physiological overwhelm called “flooding,” where the stonewaller shuts down and chooses to disengage. The antidote to stonewalling is taking time to calm down and re-engaging.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/pZxY1vhhWlU
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

227. Gottman’s Four Horsemen: Stonewalling

When you can give yourself compassion and tolerate your own emotional experiences, you can hold space for others and be present with their emotional experiences. This is a great skill that can transform your relationships and move conversations to what the real issues are.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/oDc_qXREIWk
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

229. Tolerating Emotions

The purpose of therapy is to learn more about yourself so you can make meaningful changes - to “get better.” Sometimes there are obstacles that can get in the way of that process, from both the therapist or the client. The right combination should be help you make progress, even if it takes some time to get there.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/cWs0lKBfyF8
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

231. You Should Be Getting Better In Therapy

When you decide to go to therapy, it's usually because you've recognized something has become problematic in your life and it needs to change. Bringing this to a therapist for help is a good start, but assuming the therapist knows what you need can prevent you from taking ownership of your needs and directing sessions to meet your needs best.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

232. Don't Ask What To Do In Therapy

Going to therapy every week is a great thing, but what makes it effective is when you practice something different between sessions toward meaningful change. We discuss some reasons why you might struggle with doing the work outside the therapy office, and what you can do to address this with your therapist.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/HSpRej2Pze4
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/


233. Clients Who Don't Do Work Between Sessions

Many people go to therapy because they struggle to feel emotions. Intellectualizing problems is a common way of coping with overwhelming feelings, but it prevents you from feeling. If this is you, here's what you can do about it.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/gH1-rKsXj30
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

234. Clients Who Intellectualize Their Problems But Struggle To Feel

Amber Drake is a current graduate student attending UH at Hilo, studying clinical mental health counseling and graduating in May 2025. She’s doing an internship at Aloha House, a partial hospitalization program, volunteers with NAMI Maui, sits on the state board of directors with NAMI Hawaii, is a NAMI Maui affiliate leader, and is certified as a youth mental health first aid instructor. Amber sat down with us to share her story about how NAMI helped her recover from mental illness, which led her to a career in the mental health field and active participation with the organization that helped her.

Nat'l Alliance on Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

235. NAMI Mental Health Resources: Interview w/ Amber Drake

If you’ve ever thought you’re too much, crazy, too boring, or too dumb when you share with your therapist, you might have a specific wound that the therapeutic relationship an help heal.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/US2LfZpdS0I
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

236. Are You “Too Much” For Your Therapist?

If there’s something in your life you keep doing that it’s healthy and you know you need to change but can’t seem to get started, this episode is for you. We often cling to unhealthy patterns because they’re familiar and changing means walking into the unknown-which is hard to do!

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/sheCzwfPVY0
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

237. Why We Fear Change & Cling To The Unhealthy

Saying “I’m fine” to people when asked how you’re doing, may not be the emotionally honest answer. Sure, there are times and places to give a socially acceptable answer. But with people close to you, this answer blocks connection and prevents closeness in relationships.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/US2LfZpdS0I
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

238. Saying "I'm Fine" Is Emotional Dishonesty

Can psychology and spirituality play nice together? Many people believe they cannot mix but we argue they can - and should. Whether a client wants to involve their spiritual beliefs or not, therapy should make space for it without forcing it upon anyone so this important part of life can be addressed.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/5lHC5hMRxTM
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

240. The Role of Spirituality in Therapy

Without advocating for or against medication, we address the importance of understanding how it can play a part in the direction therapy goes. As therapists, we don’t need to know as much as prescribers (Primary Care Docs or Psychiatrists) do, but we should be familiar with medication so therapy can include this critical piece of the puzzle.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/itDFsJHafXg
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

239. Medication Can Play A Significant Role In Therapy

Going to therapy is about self-exploration and self-understanding. You learn more about yourself as your therapist reflects you back to yourself. If you’re focused on trying to earn your therapist’s approval by being a “good client,” then you’re missing the point and not getting what you need out of therapy.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

241. Stop Trying To Be A "Good Client" In Therapy

You can’t change the world around you but when YOU change, the world around you begins to adjust. As you get healthier, set better boundaries, and become more peaceful, your world will become calmer, safer, and more positive. Bad things will still happen, because that’s a part of life, but the world around you will always be a reflection of what’s in you.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/US2LfZpdS0I
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

242. Your World Is A Reflection Of You

People often think that being “nice” means you will be “safe” in the world, and others won’t hurt you or take advantage of you. Unfortunately, being nice is often a people-pleasing tendency that seeks to pacify what we believe others want at the expense of our needs, honesty, and healthy relationship.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/US2LfZpdS0I
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

243. If I’m Nice I’m Safe (People-Pleasing)

Episode 10: Now that we understand each role on the Fear Triangle and what they're afraid of, we unpack the two necessary components for getting off the triangle, healing those wounds, and getting healthy.

Shrink Think Ep. 10-Getting Off The Fear Triangle

Ep 10 - Getting Off The Triangle

Welcome to the Shrink Think Podcast hosted by Aaron Potratz and Nathan Hawkins, two licensed counselors. With engaging, informative conversations and light-hearted humor, the Shrink Think Podcast aims to normalize and demystify therapy for those beginning or continuing their mental health journey; in short, to bridge the gap between clients and therapists.

Episodes are geared toward simplifying complex therapeutic concepts, exploring personal contributions and needs in relation to therapy, and both informing and empowering individuals to know what to expect from the process and their own therapist.

The Shrink Think Podcast

Popular tracks