Couples therapy isn’t about picking sides—it’s about creating balance. In this episode, Aaron and Nathan break down one of the most misunderstood aspects of couples counseling: what real balance actually looks like in the room. They explore why couples therapy is not individual therapy times two, and how effective therapy requires attention to three things at once: Each individual partner The dynamic between them The relationship itself They also unpack: Why both partners need to feel understood—even when they disagree How therapist bias (intentional or not) can shape outcomes When individual sessions can help—and when they create problems The role of transparency, trust, and avoiding triangulation Why fairness and emotional safety are critical for real progress If therapy starts to feel one-sided, something is off. The goal isn’t to prove who’s right—it’s to help both people feel seen, while strengthening the relationship as a whole. 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/

A lot of people try therapy, do meaningful work, and then eventually step away—because life stabilizes, the “knot” loosens, and it feels like they can take it from there. And honestly, that’s often a healthy outcome. But then something shifts. A big life event hits (a car accident, a death in the family, a major transition), or something subtler starts repeating—your reactions feel outsized, your coping skills don’t seem to work the way they used to, or you notice an old pattern coming back online. In this episode, Aaron and Nathan talk through the most common signs it might be time to return to therapy—and how to do it without overthinking it. They normalize the reality that many people cycle in and out of therapy across different seasons of life. Not because therapy “failed,” but because life reveals deeper layers over time. You might be facing a new stressor your system hasn’t learned how to handle yet, or you’ve peeled back another layer of the onion and need an updated version of the skills you already built. They also address the quiet barriers that keep people from returning: worrying about what your therapist will think, feeling embarrassed that you’re “back again,” or convincing yourself you should be able to figure it out with self-help or AI. Aaron highlights the difference a real therapist can make in the room—especially the ability to notice tone, subtle shifts, and relational patterns that don’t show up in a prompt or a text box. You’ll also hear practical, relieving guidance: You don’t have to wait until you’re “stuck in a deep hole” to go back—earlier is often better Returning doesn’t mean recommitting for years; sometimes you only need a handful of sessions Going back to a prior therapist can save time because rapport is already there—and they can often help you adapt old tools to a new situation It’s also normal to choose a new therapist for a different perspective or a different modality (EMDR, IFS, etc.) If the thought “maybe I should go back” keeps tapping you on the shoulder… that might be the sign If you’ve done therapy before and you’re wondering whether it’s time to re-enter, this episode gives you a grounded framework: treat it like a tune-up, not a failure—and start with one session. 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/H4LoFr1P98M *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/

251. Envisioning Goals As Who I Want To Be by Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins

250. Skill Issue or Personality Difference by Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins

In this episode, Aaron and Nathan continue their two-part conversation on AI and therapy—this time getting practical. Rather than debating whether AI should be used, they start from a clear position: AI cannot replace therapy. But when used wisely, it can support and strengthen the therapeutic process. They explore how AI can function as a supplement to therapy—helping with normalization, psychoeducation, journaling, symptom tracking, and preparing for sessions—while also naming its clear limitations. You’ll hear why human therapy offers experiential knowledge, co-regulation, and real-time feedback that AI simply cannot replicate, and why screens can never replace being with another regulated human nervous system. This episode also dives into: The difference between informational knowledge and experiential healing When gaining more information helps—and when it actually increases anxiety How to use AI prompts intentionally to track patterns, not avoid emotions Ways AI can help you clarify what to bring into therapy Why skepticism, self-honesty, and boundaries matter when using AI How journaling, normalization, and skill-building can be enhanced (but not replaced) by AI If you’re already using AI—or considering it—this episode offers a grounded, human-centered framework for using it without outsourcing your healing. 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/ayPgXJcvH1o *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/

AI is everywhere right now—and it’s starting to show up in the therapy room, too. In this episode, Aaron and Nathan zoom out and wrestle with a big question that therapists, clients, and everyday humans are increasingly asking: should you use AI alongside therapy… or instead of it? This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation, focused more on the “big picture” and the philosophical/ethical tension points. We talk about why motivation matters (for both therapists and tech), how AI can become an echo chamber or a challenger depending on what you ask it to be, and why voice, tone, and attachment needs can shape how much we trust a tool. We also explore real-world ways people are already using AI to “double-check” their therapist, make predictions about relationships, and outsource thinking—along with the risks of losing critical thinking and personal responsibility when you hand too much over to a machine. We close with a practical framing: asking “Should I use AI?” can be like asking, “Should I hand this task to someone else, or is this something I need to do myself?” Next episode, we’ll get more practical about how to use AI wisely without replacing the human parts that actually 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/uGPQ-EC9tRs *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/

In this follow-up to our episode on empathy, Aaron and Nathan shift the focus to compassion—what it is, how it’s different from empathy, and why it can be a more sustainable way of helping others without burning out. Compassion isn’t about getting swept up in someone else’s emotions or rushing them toward change. It’s about feeling for someone while staying grounded, holding both care and perspective at the same time. Using clinical examples, metaphors (including quicksand), and real therapy moments, this episode explores how compassion allows you to stay present, patient, and effective—without fusing, pushing, or losing yourself. You’ll hear: The core difference between feeling with someone (empathy) and feeling for someone (compassion) Why compassion includes intention, pacing, and respect for what someone can tolerate How helpers can accidentally rush healing—or want change more than the other person The role of boundaries, groundedness, and patience in real compassion Why compassion is often quieter, steadier, and more sustainable than empathy This episode is especially relevant for therapists, helpers, and caregivers—but it’s just as valuable for anyone who wants to support others well without overfunctioning or burning out. 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/

Empathy is one of the most powerful tools in relationships—and in therapy. But if you’re not careful, it can also become one of the fastest paths to emotional exhaustion. In this episode, Aaron and Nathan kick off a two-part series on empathy vs. compassion, starting with a deep dive into empathy: what it is, why it works, and where it can quietly go sideways—especially for therapists, helpers, and highly attuned people. You’ll learn: -Why empathy can feel like being “swept away” into someone else’s emotions -How empathy reduces loneliness and helps people feel truly seen -The hidden risks: distress contagion, countertransference, and vicarious activation -Why too much empathy (without boundaries) can contribute to burnout over time -How to use empathy intentionally—attune, validate, anchor, and then help movement happen If you care deeply about people but sometimes feel drained, fused, or overwhelmed by others’ pain, this episode will help you stay connected without getting pulled under. 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/J22KHvV7WWE *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/

Overthinking isn’t the same thing as “thinking deeply.” In this episode, Aaron and Nathan unpack what overthinking actually is, how it feeds anxiety, and why it often turns small decisions into exhausting, paralyzing spirals. They break down the overthinking loop (thought → anxiety → more thinking to relieve anxiety → more anxiety), and offer practical questions to interrupt it—like identifying what you’re truly worried about, what outcome you’re trying to control, and whether you’re chasing perfection instead of a workable decision. You’ll also hear why action is often the antidote (not more analysis), how learning to tolerate discomfort and disappointment changes everything, and how operating from your values—rather than trying to guarantee outcomes—creates more confidence, freedom, and peace. 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/

What does it actually mean to be vulnerable? Is it the same as being transparent? And where do emotions fit in? In this episode of The ShrinkThink Podcast, licensed professional counselors Aaron and Nathan break down the often-confused differences between transparency, vulnerability, and sharing emotions—and why misunderstanding them can quietly block intimacy, connection, and growth in your relationships. You’ll learn: -Why being transparent doesn’t automatically create closeness -How vulnerability invites connection (and risk) in a way transparency doesn’t -How you can share emotions without being vulnerable—and be vulnerable without sharing emotions -Why some personality styles (including Enneagram types) default to transparency as protection -Practical ways to practice transparency, vulnerability, and emotional sharing with safe people If you’ve ever felt like you’re “open” but still not truly known—or frustrated that emotional conversations don’t seem to deepen relationships—this episode will give you language, clarity, and next steps. 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/