What if the problem isn’t that your clients don’t have the right tools—but that the tools don’t feel usable in real life? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jesse Finkelstein to unpack how DBT moves beyond worksheets and into everyday decision-making. We break down what DBT actually is, why it works across diagnoses, and how its core ideas—like holding two truths at once—can shift the way clinicians think about change. You’ll hear how skills like mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation show up in ordinary moments, not just crisis. We also explore why clients often avoid using skills, how to make them more engaging, and what it looks like to translate complex concepts into something people will actually use. If you’ve ever had a client say “I know what to do, I just don’t do it,” this conversation gives you a different way to approach that gap.

His book: https://a.co/d/01LfKduu

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Learn more about the RIAS-2 NU here:

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To hear more and stay up to date with Paul Wagner, MS, LPC and Ray Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP visit our website at:

http://www.psychedtopractice.com

“Be well, and stay psyched"

School refusal isn’t just about kids staying home. It shows up in subtle ways—frequent nurse visits, missed classes, late arrivals, and quiet disengagement that often goes unnoticed until it becomes a major problem.

In this episode, we break down what’s actually driving school refusal behavior and why a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. Drawing from real clinical and school-based experience, we explore the four core functions behind these behaviors and how they often overlap in ways that make intervention more complex than it seems.

You’ll hear how anxiety, avoidance, attention-seeking, and access to more rewarding alternatives all play a role—and how modern factors like virtual learning, technology, and shifting family dynamics are changing the landscape.

We also walk through practical, evidence-based strategies that clinicians, schools, and families can use together. From distress tolerance and exposure work to environmental changes and caregiver collaboration, this episode focuses on what actually helps move kids back toward consistent school engagement.

If you’re working with students who are struggling to attend—or families who feel stuck—this conversation will give you a clearer framework and more confidence in how to respond.

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This episode is brought to you by PAR.

Explore the AI Report Writer here:

https://www.parinc.com/product/ai-report-writer?utm_campaign=38111624-Psyched%20to%20Practice%202026&utm_source=P2P%20Podcast&utm_medium=Related%20Podcasts

Learn more about the RIAS-2 NU here:

https://www.parinc.com/product/groups/rias-rist-assessments?utm_campaign=38111624-Psyched%20to%20Practice%202026&utm_source=P2P%20Podcast&utm_medium=Related%20Podcasts

To hear more and stay up to date with Paul Wagner, MS, LPC and Ray Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP visit our website at:

http://www.psychedtopractice.com

“Be well, and stay psyched"

Social media isn’t going anywhere, but the way we’re handling it with kids and teens might be making things worse. In this episode, we sit down with Kelly McCullough, LCSW, to unpack what’s actually happening when kids spend hours on their phones. From sleep loss and anxiety to comparison and constant pressure to respond, we explore why this generation is struggling and why it’s not just a “self-control problem.” You’ll hear how clinicians can guide parents without turning the phone into a constant battle, what actually motivates teens to change their behavior, and how to shift from control to collaboration. We also break down practical strategies that work in real homes, including setting limits without escalating conflict, helping kids rethink what they see online, and building healthier habits that stick. If you work with kids, teens, or families, this conversation will change how you approach screen time, connection, and mental health.

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This episode is brought to you by PAR.

Explore the AI Report Writer here:

https://www.parinc.com/product/ai-report-writer?utm_campaign=38111624-Psyched%20to%20Practice%202026&utm_source=P2P%20Podcast&utm_medium=Related%20Podcasts

Learn more about the RIAS-2 NU here:

https://www.parinc.com/product/groups/rias-rist-assessments?utm_campaign=38111624-Psyched%20to%20Practice%202026&utm_source=P2P%20Podcast&utm_medium=Related%20Podcasts

To hear more and stay up to date with Paul Wagner, MS, LPC and Ray Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP visit our website at:

http://www.psychedtopractice.com

“Be well, and stay psyched"