A quick note for ABCT attendees: Paul and Ray are getting ready for the ABCT Conference in Baltimore, Maryland! Stop by the Psyched to Practice booth at Booth 305 at the Baltimore Convention Center and Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor. Paul will be there Friday, and Ray will be there Saturday and Sunday. Come say hello, enter the raffle, and pick up some P2P merchandise!

What happens when gratitude becomes another item on your to-do list? In this throwback episode, Paul Wagner and Dr. Ray Christner explore the difference between performing gratitude and actually experiencing it. They discuss how gratitude connects to our values, why turning it into a measurable goal can sometimes miss the point, and how we can make space for appreciation even when life feels difficult.

You’ll also hear practical ways to bring these ideas into therapy, including how to help clients recognize meaningful moments without dismissing their struggles. Plus, Paul and Ray introduce the Three Breaths of Gratitude, a simple exercise focused on appreciating someone who supported you, something that challenged you, and something about yourself.

Website:

https://www.learn.psychedtopractice.com

Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/PsychedToPractice

https://www.instagram.com/psychedtopractice/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/psyched-to-practice/

“Be well, and stay psyched"

AI chatbots are becoming more than homework helpers. For many teenagers, they’re turning into confidants, sources of emotional support, and even substitutes for human relationships. But what happens when young people start relying on AI to navigate loneliness, anxiety, and other mental health concerns?

In this episode of Beyond the Bot, Dan Florell and Adam Lockwood explore the growing use of AI companions among young people and what mental health professionals need to understand. They discuss why teenagers may find chatbots so appealing, how AI’s tendency to agree and provide reassurance could reinforce existing mental health symptoms, and the potential impact on social development and real-world relationships.

But it’s not all negative. The conversation also explores how AI could provide opportunities for social skills practice, psychoeducation, and support for young people who struggle to connect with their peers.

Most importantly, Dan and Adam discuss why mental health professionals need to start asking teenagers about their AI use without judgment. As AI becomes a bigger part of young people’s lives, understanding how they’re using it may become an important part of understanding their mental health.

Website:

https://www.learn.psychedtopractice.com

Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/PsychedToPractice

https://www.instagram.com/psychedtopractice/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/psyched-to-practice/

“Be well, and stay psyched"

What if the games already sitting in your therapy office could do more than help kids pass the time?

In this episode of Psyched to Practice, Paul Wagner and Dr. Ray Christner explore how therapists can use everyday games, improv activities, and metaphors to teach practical clinical skills. From using Jenga to practice emotional regulation and manage impulsivity to using chess to build executive functioning skills, they share ways to turn familiar activities into meaningful learning experiences.

You’ll hear how a simple deck of cards can encourage perspective-taking, how magic tricks can build critical thinking, and how improv exercises can help kids approach problems from new angles. They also discuss using games like Perfection to explore frustration, performance anxiety, and coping with unexpected outcomes.

The conversation goes beyond choosing the right activity. Paul and Ray explain why therapists need to identify the skill they want to teach, recognize meaningful moments during play, and help clients apply what they learn to everyday situations.

Whether you work with children, adolescents, or adults, this episode offers practical ideas for making therapy more engaging while keeping clinical goals at the center.

Website:

https://www.learn.psychedtopractice.com

Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/PsychedToPractice

https://www.instagram.com/psychedtopractice/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/psyched-to-practice/

“Be well, and stay psyched"