Surprise! In this bonus episode of Inside the Session, Drs. Jason Branch and Cheryl Fisher welcome career counseling expert and Alliant MACC Systemwide Program Director Dr. David Paul for a wide-ranging conversation about how work shapes identity, purpose, opportunity, and personal growth.

Dr. Paul challenges the traditional separation between personal and career counseling, arguing that the two are deeply connected because our work can be central to how we understand ourselves and care for those around us. The conversation explores the history of career counseling, barriers faced by marginalized communities, the role of mentorship, navigating family and cultural expectations, work-life balance, and the changing role of technology and AI in counseling.

Dr. Paul also encourages listeners to think beyond traditional career pathways, create opportunities when existing ones aren’t accessible, and remain open to changing direction as their strengths and the profession evolve. He ultimately returns to the metaphor of a career as a “chariot” that moves us forward, encouraging listeners to keep preparing, pursuing, and imagining what might be possible.

In the Season 1 finale of Inside the Session, Drs. Jason Branch and Cheryl Fisher explore what it means to close a chapter—whether ending a therapeutic relationship, completing counselor training, or reaching the end of a podcast season. They examine the challenges of saying goodbye, the systems that shape clinical practice, and the importance of self-awareness, therapy, and intentional self-care for counselors.

Using metaphors ranging from flights and books to “salamanders” and “gators,” the hosts reflect on the ongoing evolution of counselors as both professionals and people. They also look back on the creation of Inside the Session and forward to what might come next, ultimately encouraging listeners to recognize their growth, let go of what no longer serves them, and embrace the mystery of who they are becoming.

Dr. Cat Araya, Curriculum Lead Specialist at the IFS Institute, goes Inside the Session for an accessible introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS), a therapeutic model that views the mind as naturally made up of different “parts.” In conversation with hosts Drs. Jason Branch and Dr. Cheryl Fisher, Dr. Araya explains how IFS helps clients understand these parts through consent, curiosity, and self-leadership, while emphasizing the importance of therapists doing their own internal work. The discussion also explores IFS and spirituality, choosing appropriate training, and caring for oneself while doing intensive therapeutic work. 

Recorded during Mental Health Awareness Month, this episode of Inside the Session features Drs. Jason Branch and Cheryl Fisher in conversation with MACC colleague Dr. Kristen Curry, a longtime community mental health practitioner, counselor educator, and Alliant alumna. Drawing from nearly two decades of experience, Dr. Curry candidly explores the realities of burnout, compassion fatigue, and working within increasingly strained mental health systems. Together, the trio unpacks the myth of the counselor as savior, the importance of therapists seeking therapy themselves, and the necessity of building sustainable self-care practices that go beyond buzzwords. The discussion also addresses the impact of funding cuts, the rise of AI as a substitute for therapy, cultural humility in clinical work, and how counselor educators can better prepare students for the emotional demands of the profession. Ultimately, the episode reframes counseling as an act of holding space rather than carrying clients’ burdens, reminding listeners that effective helping begins with caring for ourselves.

In time for Pride Month, this episode of Inside the Session features Drs. Jason Branch and Cheryl Fisher leading a deeply personal and educational conversation with Drs. Elizabeth Watters and Winter Wiorkowski on LGBTQIA2S+ identity, advocacy, and affirming mental health care. Through candid storytelling and clinical insight, the guests unpack key concepts including gender identity, nonbinary experiences, pronouns, asexuality, polyamory, and the realities of navigating safety, stigma, and systemic discrimination in today’s sociopolitical climate. The discussion highlights the importance of curiosity over judgment, the role of education in dismantling bias, and the responsibility clinicians have to create culturally responsive, affirming spaces for clients. Centered around the idea that “education is liberation,” the episode ultimately challenges listeners to move beyond fear and assumptions toward empathy, accountability, and authentic human connection.

Inside the Session returns with Drs. Jason Branch and Cheryl Fisher inviting fellow Alliant MACC faculty member Dr. Ashley Diaz for a compelling discussion on social justice in mental health, centered on the idea of “cultural wealth”: the strengths, traditions, and lived experiences clients bring into the therapeutic space. Drawing from her experiences as a Latina counselor educator, Dr. Diaz examines how systemic inequities, stigma, and lack of access continue to impact marginalized communities, while highlighting the importance of cultural humility, cultural responsiveness, and radical empathy in addressing these gaps. The conversation emphasizes the need for clinicians to engage in ongoing self-reflection, embrace discomfort, and make intentional, culturally attuned changes in their practice, ultimately reframing care to both challenge inequities and celebrate the richness of clients’ cultural identities. 

Dr. Jason Branch and Dr. Cheryl Fisher delve into the complexities of trauma and its far-reaching effects on individuals and communities in this episode of Inside the Session. They explore the definitions of trauma, the impact of the pandemic as a collective trauma, and the concept of intergenerational trauma. Through engaging analogies, such as the house and the backpack, they illustrate how trauma manifests in our lives and the importance of self-awareness and therapy in the healing process. The conversation also touches on the roots of racism and privilege, emphasizing the need for open dialogue and understanding in addressing these issues. Ultimately, the episode serves as a call to action for listeners to confront their own traumas and embark on a journey of healing and liberation. 

Drs. Cheryl Fisher and Jason Branch take you Inside the Session with fellow Alliant MACC faculty members Dr. Donnette Deigh and Samantha Guber. Together, they explore the intersection of mental health, social media, and technology, featuring insights from mental health professionals on the impact of social media on mental health, the role of AI, and practical strategies for managing technology use. The conversation emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries, understanding generational perspectives, and using AI as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for human connection. 

In this inaugural episode of Inside the Session, hosts Dr. Jason Branch and Dr. Cheryl Fisher introduce themselves and their vision for the show, which aims to explore the intersection of current events and the counseling profession. They discuss the importance of authenticity, vulnerability, and the human experience in counseling, while also addressing the challenges counselors face today. The conversation delves into their personal journeys into the field, the impact of impostor syndrome, and the need for decolonization within the profession. The hosts emphasize the importance of creating a space for open dialogue and community building, encouraging listeners to engage in personal growth and reflection.