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Ever wondered how to navigate the convoluted road to behavioral change? Well, you're in the right place. Together with the insightful Dr. Linton Hutchinson and the lively Stacy Frost, we're tearing down the dense fog surrounding the trans-theoretical model of behavior change. We're dissecting every stage—from pre-contemplation to termination—illuminating the path for those looking to guide others on this challenging journey. Get ready to unravel the mysteries of self-efficacy and decisional balance, two key facets that greatly influence a client's motivation and readiness for transformation.

But don't think we're stopping there! We're also tackling the intriguing crossroads where decisional balance intersects with the trans-theoretical model. Whether you're an aspiring therapist or a seasoned expert preparing for licensure exams, there's something here for everyone. Learn about the nonlinear, cyclical nature of behavioral change, and realize that setbacks are stepping stones leading to success. So, buckle up and join us as we traverse this winding path, and remember: change may be challenging, but with understanding and guidance, it is certainly achievable.

If you need to study for your national licensing exam, try the free samplers at: LicensureExams


This podcast is not associated with the NBCC, AMFTRB, ASW, ANCC, NASP, NAADAC, CCMC, NCPG, CRCC, or any state or governmental agency responsible for licensure.

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A client drops a bomb five minutes before the session ends, a fire alarm interrupts group, a telehealth caller says someone is breaking in and you do not even know their address. In those moments, “good instincts” are not enough and the licensure exam loves to tempt you with answers that sound kind but land in the wrong sequence. We get brutally practical about what to do first when something goes sideways mid-session and there is no time to think.

We walk through what an emergency preparedness plan actually is, why it is different from a collaborative client safety plan, and how to treat it like a trigger-to-action playbook. Whether the crisis is suicidal ideation, physical aggression, a medical emergency, a natural disaster, or a telehealth location problem, the principle stays the same: safety first, therapy second. We also call out the most common exam traps, like processing feelings before securing safety, pausing to consult a supervisor, handing out a hotline number during imminent risk, or documenting before the crisis is contained.

To make it stick, we use a case example with Ruby, where plan, means, and intent force a clear lethality assessment followed by activating the exact crisis protocol your practice has already decided on, then documenting only after safety is actively being managed. You will leave with sharper clinical judgment, cleaner ethics-and-law thinking around duty to protect, and a concrete homework step to review and rehearse your own emergency procedures. Subscribe, share with a classmate studying for licensure, and leave a review telling us which “wrong but tempting” answer gets you every time.

If you need to study for your national licensing exam, try the free samplers at: LicensureExams


This podcast is not associated with the NBCC, AMFTRB, ASW, ANCC, NASP, NAADAC, CCMC, NCPG, CRCC, or any state or governmental agency responsible for licensure.

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Your client keeps bouncing between “fine” and full-blown crisis, and you’re doing solid therapy work, so why isn’t it sticking? We zoom out to the missing piece many clinicians overlook: level of care. When the setting doesn’t match the clinical need, progress can stall, clients can disengage, and everyone ends up frustrated. We walk through the continuum of care as a ladder, from inpatient and intensive services down to outpatient therapy and peer support, with the key idea that movement is flexible and responsive, not one-way.

We also get concrete about what misplacement looks like in real life. If a client is consistently overwhelmed, unsafe, or destabilizing between sessions, outpatient may not be enough support. If someone lands in a highly structured program after a brief spike and then checks out, “resistance” might actually be poor fit. We talk through diagnoses that often trigger placement questions, including severe bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, and substance use disorders, while emphasizing why diagnosis alone is never the full answer. Functioning, recovery environment, supports, and risk factors matter just as much, especially with co-occurring disorders and dual diagnosis.

To make these decisions clearer and easier to justify, we break down the ASAM criteria for substance use and LOCUS for mental health, plus how strong documentation and the language of medical necessity show up in managed care. We also share practical, therapist-friendly strategies you can use immediately: thorough biopsychosocial assessment at intake, regular updates over time, collaborative decision making, warm handoffs between providers, and simple psychoeducation so clients understand why a level change might help.

If this helps you think differently about placement and the continuum of care, subscribe, share the episode with a colleague, and leave a review so more therapists can find it. What’s the clearest “wrong level of care” sign you’ve seen in your work?

If you need to study for your national licensing exam, try the free samplers at: LicensureExams


This podcast is not associated with the NBCC, AMFTRB, ASW, ANCC, NASP, NAADAC, CCMC, NCPG, CRCC, or any state or governmental agency responsible for licensure.