Kindness With Backbone: CFT Skills

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is having a moment… but what does it actually look like in real clinical practice? In this conversation, Autumn Starks pulls back the curtain on how KAP really works, from screening and prep to dosing days and integration. We talk about safety, ethics, scope of practice, and what therapists need to know before referring clients or pursuing training themselves. You'll hear how ketamine impacts the brain, why set and setting matter so much, and what makes a therapeutic container different from a medical-only clinic. It's thoughtful, grounded, and refreshingly honest about both the promise and the limitations of this work. If you're curious about psychedelic-assisted therapy but want real-world nuance instead of hype, this one's worth your time. And remember, you can get all your asynchronous CEs in one fun place at Not Boring CEs.  

Perinatal mental health is one of those topics most therapists know is important… but very few of us were actually trained in. In this episode, Allison sits down with PMH-C therapist Anne Miller to unpack what postpartum and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders really look like in the therapy room, from intrusive thoughts and postpartum anxiety to birth trauma, infertility, loss, NICU stays, and the quiet ways new parents can struggle while everyone tells them this is supposed to be the happiest time of their lives. It's an honest, wide-ranging conversation that blends research, clinical wisdom, and lived experience, including the kinds of stories clients rarely say out loud unless they feel very safe. You'll walk away with a clearer understanding of what's normal, what's not, how to screen more effectively, and how to support clients before things reach crisis mode. If you've ever felt undertrained in this area, this episode is a gentle but thorough place to start.

What happens when neurodivergence, queerness, and eating disorders all show up in the same therapy room—and most of us were never trained to recognize it? In this episode, Allison and psychologist Kelly Simonson unpack how autism, ADHD, and queer identities intersect with restriction, binging, ARFID, safe foods, stimming, "food noise," and that relentless internal ledger so many clients carry. They talk honestly about the clients they missed earlier in their careers, why so many neurodivergent and queer folks get mislabeled as "treatment resistant," and how sensory needs, minority stress, and body-based shame reshape the clinical picture. You'll hear practical, real-world ways to assess for eating disorder concerns in neurodivergent and queer clients, plus ideas for creating spaces where people can actually unmask and feel safe. It's thoughtful, nuanced, and very much Not Boring. And if you want CE credit for this conversation (and all your asynchronous hours), you can grab it in one fun, therapist-friendly place: Not Boring CEs. Listen here or watch on YouTube, then join us at www.notboringces.com to get your online continuing education credit.

Ever feel like "self-compassion" sounds a little too soft or self-indulgent? Therapist Courtney Katzenberg joins Allison Puryear to flip that idea on its head with a deep-dive into Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)—a model that treats compassion as courageous, accountable, and biologically necessary. They unpack the difference between self-compassion, self-esteem, and self-indulgence; explore the brain's threat, drive, and soothing systems; and talk about how compassion can prevent parental burnout, ease shame, and actually make us (and our clients) more resilient. Expect real-life examples, parenting moments, and the kind of grounded clinical wisdom that leaves you thinking, "Why didn't I learn this sooner?" Listen here or watch on YouTube, then join us at notboringces.com to get your CE credit.

What if "nature therapy" didn't have to mean hiking boots, wilderness permits, or a 60-pound backpack? In this refreshingly down-to-earth conversation, Elena Kopel—a compassion-focused, anti-oppression, nature-based therapist—joins Allison Puryear to challenge the gatekeeping of the "outdoorsy" world and remind us that nature is everywhere: in your office plant, your client's window view, even the sound of rain on your white-noise machine. Together, they explore how trauma, privilege, and accessibility shape our connection to the natural world, why repairing that relationship can be deeply healing, and how to bring nature into therapy without ever leaving the room. It's part clinical insight, part existential rewilding, and completely Not Boring. Listen here or watch on YouTube, then join us at www.notboringces.com to get your continuing education credit!

Dating isn't just swipes and small talk—it's one of the most vulnerable, frustrating, and growth-filled arenas our clients step into. In this episode of Not Boring CEs, Allison sits down with couples therapist and dating coach Krista Cargle-Niles to unpack the real work of helping clients navigate modern dating. From rejection sensitivity and operant conditioning to profile-building, messaging, and in-the-moment social skills, Krista breaks down why dating often feels like a part-time job and how therapists can bridge the gap between emotional healing and practical skill-building. Whether your clients are 25 or 65, this conversation will give you fresh, concrete strategies for helping them date with clarity, confidence, and resilience. Listen here or watch on YouTube, then join us at notboringces.com to get your continuing education credit!

Consensual non-monogamy shows up in therapy rooms more often than many clinicians expect, yet most of us received little to no training on how to support these clients. In this conversation with Cassandra Lange, LCSW, MEd, we dive into the foundations of assessment, attachment, and identity when working with non-monogamous clients—and how to untangle our own biases along the way. Together, we explore the difference between orientation and lifestyle choice, the role of boundaries versus rules, and how issues like jealousy, compersion, and couples privilege play out in real relationships. Cassandra also shares key terms, common pitfalls (like unicorn hunting), and the importance of meeting clients where they are, whether they're just beginning to explore or deeply rooted in CNM communities. If you've ever wondered how to avoid missteps and instead provide informed, affirming care, this training offers both clarity and practical insight. And remember—you can get all your asynchronous CEs in one fun place with Not Boring CEs. Listen here or watch on YouTube, then join us at www.notboringces.com to get your CE credit.

What do Augustus Gloop, Violet Beauregarde, Veruca Salt, Mike Teevee—and even Charlie—have to teach us about ADHD? In this Not Boring CEs episode, Allison Puryear, LCSW, and ADHD specialist Kathryn Chacra, LCSW-S, dive into Roald Dahl's chocolate-covered classic to explore the many faces of ADHD. From impulsivity and perfectionism to emotional regulation, masking, and rejection sensitivity, they unpack how these traits show up in kids and adults alike—and why so many ADHD presentations get missed or misdiagnosed. Kathryn shares her insights as both a clinician and a late-diagnosed ADHD professional, weaving in ACT, DBT, and practical strategies for clients and families. It's a rich, funny, and surprisingly sweet way to rethink what ADHD really looks like—beyond the stereotypes. Listen here or watch on YouTube, then join us at www.notboringces.com to get your online CE credit!

Postpartum depression, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, identity shifts—perinatal mental health is far more layered than most people talk about. In this episode of Not Boring CEs, I sit down with Dr. Alexa Bonacquisti, a clinical psychologist and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) specialist, to unpack the realities of pregnancy, postpartum, and everything in between. We cover how hormonal changes, social expectations, and sleep deprivation can collide with pre-existing vulnerabilities, why shame and silence make recovery harder, and how ACT's focus on acceptance, values, and psychological flexibility can help parents navigate this intense life transition. You'll hear personal stories, clinical insights, and practical ways to support perinatal clients without sugarcoating their struggles. It's real, it's relatable, and it's exactly the kind of continuing education you actually want to listen to. Listen here or watch on YouTube, then join us at notboringces.com to get your CE credit!

Infertility isn't just a medical issue—it's a full-body, full-life experience that can rattle a client's sense of identity, relationships, and hope. In this episode, Allison Ramsey, LCMHC, joins us for a refreshingly real conversation about what therapists need to know when working with clients navigating infertility, pregnancy loss, and complex reproductive journeys. We talk about the emotional landmines (hi, baby showers), the existential spiral of "what if I never become a parent?", and how well-meaning therapists can accidentally miss the mark. Whether you've supported clients through IVF, miscarriages, or just aren't sure what to say when someone mentions egg retrieval, this episode will expand your empathy, insight, and therapeutic toolkit—without sugarcoating the hard stuff. Listen here or watch on YouTube, then join us at notboringces.com to get your CE credit!