Why do some people just “talk talk talk” in a monologue in therapy? It could be that this kind of verbal processing is what they need to explore and understand what it is they think or feel, and the space given by a therapist facilitates it. If you’re not sure, having a conversation between therapist and client about this dynamic can help both of you understand each other and work together 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.

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

The Shrink Think Podcast

228. Verbal Processing In Therapy

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/

Shrink Think Podcast

229. Tolerating Emotions

Some people view therapy as a “product” that can be “consumed” at any location, while others view it as a “service” that requires more of a “specialist.” Neither is right or wrong, but knowing what is being sought in therapy can help the client and therapist get on the same page and work together toward the same goals.

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/JCv4p2cAuow
*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/

230. Is Therapy A Product Or A Service?

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

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.

New tracks tagged #Counselors