Here's a quick talk with your host Ryan Howes, and producer Justin Blank, talking about what is Seize the Hour podcast.

Seize the Hour

What is this?

Who am I? Why am I doing this? What is this podcast, and what is it not? Point to ponder: "What did I notice about myself this week?" Give me any of your questions or comments at my Facebook or website. 

1 - Introduction

The relationship between you and your therapist is the most important factor in your treatment (want to see the research?). Without a functional relationship, you could be missing out on quite a lot. How do you feel in therapy, and about the therapist? It's worth taking a look. Questions or comments? Contact me through my Facebook or website. The quote of the week: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou  

2 - The Relationship

What can you do in therapy? Quite a lot, from working through tough memories to practicing confrontation to exploring hidden parts of your personality. It can feel strange, but the sky is practically the limit. What kind of person do you want to be? How can therapy help you get there? Send any questions or comments to my Facebook page or website. The quote of the week: "In my early professional years I was asking the question: How can I treat, or cure, or change this person? Now I would phrase the question in this way: How can I provide a relationship which this person may use for his own personal growth?" - Carl Rogers, Ph.D.

3 - The Relationship, part II

How do you feel about coming to therapy? Excited? Ashamed? "Crazy?" There's no shame at seeking help for a problem or wanting to make a good life better, but not everyone has caught on to that idea yet. Feel proud you're doing something good for yourself! Send any questions or comments to me on Facebook or my website. 

4 - Therapy Stigma

What should you talk about today, the current events, or the deeper issues? Where do you start? Send any questions, comments, or topic ideas to my Facebook or website. 

5 - Outside vs Inside

What is therapy for? Having someone else telling you what to do? Probably not. What is my question for today, and how much of the answer do I need to find myself? Send along any questions or comments to my Facebook or website. 

6 - Advice

What? We just got started! It's never too early to accept that therapy will eventually end and plan for it well in advance so it doesn't come as a surprise. Termination (the fancy term for the end of therapy) is one time in life where you can have a full, satisfying sense of closure. Take a look at my blog for more, or contact me through my Facebook or website. 

7 - Ending Therapy

Therapy is a gift of compassion toward yourself. Right now you are joining the relatively few others who are seeking to fix a problem or make a good life better. This is a courageous act, and you should feel proud of yourself! Throw me any questions or comments at my Facebook or website. 

8 - Compassion

Is therapy safe? Kinda. Yes, it's confidential, and your therapist is trained to not judge you, but the issues you explore and feelings that come up could feel very unsafe. How can you cope with that? Quote of the week:  "In reality, therapy isn’t safe. At any moment, therapy could reveal that you never loved your lover, that your parents never really cared for you, or even that you hate yourself. How, I wonder, can any of this process be considered safe?" - Matt Varnell, Ph.D. Drop any comments or questions at my Facebook or website. 

9 - Safety

Emotion is often the material we're working with in therapy. Do you feel safe enough to express and explore them here? Do any emotions feel off limits? Why? Can you talk about that? Quote of the week: "Never be ashamed of what you feel. You have the right to feel any emotion that you want, and to do what makes you happy. That's my life motto." - Demi Lovato Send along any questions or comments to my Facebook or website. 

10 - Emotion

Your Therapy Warm Up. Start listening 10 minutes before your session.

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Seize the Hour

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