S5E7 Narcissism in Therapy: Moving past social media labels | Dr Ruth-Ann Harpur

What do you do when a client arrives in therapy convinced that their partner, parent or sibling is a narcissist?

In this episode, Dr Natalie Stott speaks with clinical psychologist Dr Ruth Ann Harpur about the sizeable gap between narcissism as a clinical concept and narcissism as social-media shorthand for somebody who has behaved badly. The conversation also tackles the difficult boundary between a painful relationship and abuse. Ruth explains why coercive control, financial restriction and physical violence...

S5E6: How to Find Your Therapy Niche with Josephine Hughes

Do therapists really need a niche, or is this simply another piece of marketing advice that makes private practice feel more complicated than it already is?

In this episode, Dr Natalie Stott speaks with counsellor and Good Enough Counsellors podcast host Josephine Hughes about finding the clients you genuinely want to work with. They explore why being trained to work with a wide range of people can make narrowing your focus feel uncomfortable, particularly when you are worried about finding enough clients.<...

S5E5: Practical AI for Therapists: Green, Amber and Red Uses

How can therapists make practical use of AI without handing over sensitive information, clinical judgement or half the contents of their inbox?

In this solo episode, Dr Natalie Stott explores how AI has moved beyond simple chatbot prompts. Today’s tools can listen, create, research and act on your behalf. That brings useful opportunities for clinical work and private practice. It also introduces risks that cannot be solved by removing a client’s name and hoping for the best.

Natalie introduces a gree...

S5E4: How Therapists can start and grow a business | Dr Jo Carlile from PEAR

What happens when a therapist has a business idea but no idea how to build it?

In this episode, Dr Natalie Stott speaks with clinical psychologist and Pear founder Dr Jo Carlile about moving from private practice into entrepreneurship. Jo explains why she now sees every private therapist as a founder. She also shares how her therapist identity helped her spot gaps in the way people find therapy and in the support available to private practitioners.<...

CONTENT NOTE

This episode discusses sexual abuse, including childhood sexual abuse, trauma memory, shame and the effects of abuse on sex and relationships. Please listen in a way that prioritises care of yourself

EPISODE SUMMARY

How do you name possible sexual abuse without turning therapy into another experience in which something is being done to the client?

In this episode, Dr Natalie Stott speaks with counselling psychologist and EMDR trained Dr Kelly Savery about working with sexual abuse and sexual trauma. They explore the language of victimhood and survival, the care...

S5E2 What Community Psychology can teach every therapist | Dr Ron Dodzro

How much of what brings someone to therapy can really be understood by looking at the individual alone?

In this episode, Dr Natalie Stott is joined by clinical psychologist Dr Ron Dodzro, also known as The Accessible Psychologist on social media, to explore community psychology and what changes when therapists widen the lens beyond the person sitting in front of them.

Drawing on his work in prisons and with young people affected by community violence, Ron discusses what it...

S5E1: What if compassion makes a client feel worse? | Professor Paul Gilbert

What do you do when a client understands compassion perfectly well, but rejects it, distrusts it or feels worse when you introduce it?

Professor Paul Gilbert developed Compassion Focused Therapy for precisely the clients who cannot simply “be kinder” to themselves. In this episode, he explains the three clinical shocks that helped shape CFT. This is for those moments when clients can produce more balanced thoughts but deliver them in a cold or hostile tone. Many people experience kindness as weak...

Mastering Therapy is back for Season 5.

And this season we’re going quite a few places.

We open with Professor Paul Gilbert, founder of Compassion Focused Therapy, getting very practical. We talk through how to work with clients that really dislike the very concept of compassion despite in therapy recognising they might really need it

I’m talking to Dr Ron, The Accessible Psychologist, about community psychology, diversity, working in UK prisons and why he thinks being anti-diagnosis can sometimes be a position of privilege.

There’s Dr Kelly Savery...

BONUS: When Clients Disappear: The Reality of Therapy Endings (PT2)

Ever had a client vanish just before their final session? Or wondered why endings can feel so awkward sometimes for everyone in the room? This bonus episode of Mastering Therapy is a practical guide to therapy terminations, with a clinician’s eye on what really happens (and what goes unsaid). The conversation explores messy endings, why clients “ghost”, and how therapists can plan for sessions that fizzle or never happen at all.

Expect practical tools on handling your own reactions, scripts for easing those tricky conver...

What really happens when a client goes blank in therapy?

This episode dives into dissociation and distress in therapy sessions. Dr Natalie Stott helps make sense of those in-the-room moments where clients disconnect or shut down. Instead of offering set techniques, she shares what clients say actually helps, mistakes therapists often make, and how to understand what's really going on beneath the surface. There’s a strong focus on noticing before intervening, working collaboratively, and pacing sessions with care.

Highlights include:

01:15 What clients need when dissociating

04:11 Perfectionism and the urge to fi...

Do you wonder how much of yourself to share with clients in therapy?

Self-disclosure in therapy can feel like a tightrope walk,one foot in humanity, one in professionalism, and absolutely no brick walls in sight. In this sharp, practical episode, Dr Natalie Stott explores the everyday moments when clients ask about your personal life, and how your answer (or non-answer) shapes the relationship. Get clear on the difference between purposeful self-disclosure and those accidental reveals, like a stray photo on LinkedIn or being spotted with your dog at the park. We talk genuine connection, boundaries, and...

How do you end your therapy sessions?

This episode looks at the art of closing a clinical hour in therapy by host Dr Natalie Stott. The discussion focuses on those crucial last few minutes of a session, how they shape the client's week, and what endings can reveal about both therapist and client. The episode covers practical ideas, common challenges in managing endings, and reflects on the role of therapist self-awareness. Full of practical tips and honest reflections, this episode offers a thoughtful approach to a part of therapy training many miss.

S4E11: When Compassion Meets Cash: The Therapist’s Money Dilemmas | Dr Katja Windheim

Let’s talk about the money elephant in the therapy room. In this episode, clinical psychologist Katja Windheim aka “The Money Psychologist”— joins us to dissect why charging, chasing payments, and setting fees make therapists squirm more than the average tax return.

We get specific about how feelings, professional culture, and early training all shape our relationship to cash and what to do when your compassionate side wants to offer therapy for the price of a sandwich. Expect practical tips on st...

S4E10: Understanding Maternal Rage: A Guide for Therapists | Dr Caroline Boyd

EPISODE SUMMARY

Is it just anger—or is it maternal rage? Dr. Natalie Stott sits down with Caroline to unpack why mothers feel rage so acutely, and why it matters to name it as a distinct experience. We look at the four contextual forces shaping maternal anger, how cultural myths make mothers feel inadequate, and how therapists can best support clients when rage is shrouded in shame. The episode covers practical steps for mapping client “parts”, bringing the body into therapy, and normalising anger...

S4E9 Changing emotion with emotion in EFT | Dr Anna Oldershaw

EPISODE SUMMARY

Most therapists are comfortable talking about emotions, but Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) takes things several steps further. In this episode, Dr. Natalie Stott sits down with Dr Anna Oldershaw, consultant clinical psychologist and EFT trainer, to demystify the nuts, bolts, and chairs of EFT. They explore why “changing emotion with emotion” is central, the art of letting clients discover their own “Rome”, and why the therapy is more than a rebranding of common practice. Whether you’re curious about chai...

S4E8: Beyond Diagnosis: Building Confidence in Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice | Dr Jo Mueller & Dr Lauren Breese

EPISODE SUMMARY

This episode of Mastering Therapy welcomes clinical psychologists Dr. Lauren Breese and Dr. Jo Mueller of the neurodiversity practice (alongside Dr Sibohan Higgins) for a sharp, practical exploration of adult autism and neurodivergent parenting. They discuss the misconceptions that trip up therapists, why autism isn’t synonymous with mental health struggles, and the surprisingly liberating power of discussing neurodivergence early.

There’s a clear rundown of adapting therapy for autistic adults—including navigating unpredictable sessions, sensory overwh...

S4E7: Online Therapy Across Borders: Risk, Cover, Compliance | Dr Tess Browne

EPISODE SUMMARY

What happens when your therapy room has no borders—literally? In this episode, Dr. Natalie Stott and Dr Tess Browne tackle the practical realities of working with clients overseas, from risk management to insurance headaches. If you’ve debated taking your private practice global, wondered about how to safeguard clients abroad, or been baffled by tax as a travelling clinician, this one’s for you. The discussion steers clear of legal jargon, focusing instead on the right questions to ask your insure...

S4E6: The Power of Empathic Confrontation and Mode Mapping: Schema Therapy | Dr Jo White

Ever had a client say, “I know it’s not logical, but I just feel… defective”?

This episode of Mastering Therapy unpacks schema therapy with ISST-certified schema therapist and supervisor Dr Jo White. Hosts Dr Natalie Stott and Jo tackle the origins of schema therapy, why Jeff Young developed it when CBT wasn’t cutting the mustard, and what exactly a “schema” is. Expect practical metaphors, mode maps, and hear how limited reparenting can shift entrenched patterns. From how schemas form in childh...

What happens when you blend the structured world of EMDR with the nuanced, parts-based approach of IFS?

Dr. Natalie Stott sits down with David Polidi—EMDR therapist and “IFS guru” (his clients’ words, not his)—to get practical about integrating Internal Family Systems and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing in complex trauma work. They tackle everything from how to honour protectors (without bulldozing them) to what actually happens in this mysterious “Phase 2.5,” and how to avoid getting tangled in your own parts as a therapist. Plus, the age-old questions: Do you really need bilateral stimulation? And can you use a part...

S4E4: Therapist Drift. Skill or laziness? | Dr Gracie Mclaven

EPISODE SUMMARY

Is “therapist drift” a mark of incompetence, or creative clinical freedom? In this episode, Dr. Gracie McLaven sits down with Dr. Natalie Stott to deconstruct the practical realities of blending therapy models, from DDP to EMDR and ACT, in a world obsessed with protocols and evidence bases.

The conversation sidesteps the usual platitudes, digging into the messy, human reality of clinical practice, where intuition meets integration and sometimes, the best work happens outside the boxes.

Expect a wry look at t...

S4E3: Clinical Supervision PART 2: The Bits Nobody Taught You | Dr Paul Grantham

EPISODE SUMMARY

What really makes supervision high quality, and why do most of us avoid thinking about it until there’s a complaint on the horizon? In this episode, Dr. Natalie Stott and Dr Paul Grantham wade into the murky waters of supervision for therapists—shining a light on everything from note-taking and record keeping to supervision of supervision (yes, it’s a thing). Listen in as they pick apart the shoulds, coulds, and musts of being a supervisor, who should keep the no...

S4E2: What's the point in Clinical Supervision Part 1: Dr Paul Grantham

Supervision in therapy: necessary evil or vital lifeline? This episode of Mastering Therapy sees Dr. Natalie Stott joined by Dr Paul Grantham, founder of SDS Seminars, to dig into the messy world of supervision standards, expectations, and practicalities. Whether you’re working in private practice or deep in the NHS trenches, clarity matters—especially when every regulatory body seems to follow its own script. From navigating BPS and HCPC requirements to handling complaints (without breaking into a sweat), this is a sharp, practical guid...

S4E1: 6 things the best ACT therapists do differently: Dr Joe Oliver

Are you curious about what sets great ACT therapists apart?

This episode of Mastering Therapy looks at ACT with special guest Dr Joe Oliver, director of contextual consulting, a highly skilled clinical psychologist and ACT trainer. The discussion covers what experienced ACT therapists do differently, how to use perspective taking, metaphors, and present moment work well, and how to guide clients from values to real action. Listeners will get ideas on avoiding common pitfalls and practical tips to take into sessions straight away.<...

Season 4 coming on Thursday 12th Feb 2026

** Check out Mastering Therapy’s Youtube Channel for all podcast episodes **

For notification on up coming episodes and for occasional summaries of tools discussed on the podcast sign up here: www.masteringtherapy.com

To recommend a topic you’d like to hear about, or if you’d like to appear on the podcast please get in touch at www.masteringtherapy.com/guest

For private psychology services and therapy visit www.drnataliestott.com

*****

How do you reflect on your year in practice?

This episode marks the final of season three and offers a thoughtful approach to wrapping up the therapy year. Podcast Host and Clinical psychologist Dr. Natalie Stott leads listeners through the “Big 20 Questions” – a set of prompts designed to spark reflection and help therapists take stock, plan ahead, and care for themselves as well as their clients. From considering gratitude and values to learning from challenges, listeners are guided through practical steps for personal and professional growth.

Highlights include:

01:02 Gratitude and noticing what’s supporte...

SHORTS: S2E4 Why therapists need to talk about sex

Full episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/s2e4-why-therapists-must-talk-about-sex-with-lu-cook/id1773673403?i=1000698029637

Youtube: https://youtu.be/C9ViCr9kmCw

Guest Information:

Louise Cook is a COSRT / BACP / NCPS registered Psychosexual and Relationship Psychotherapist currently working in private practice. She specialises in working with couples and individuals who are struggling in their intimate life. She runs a busy private practice, After In Love Therapy, and hosts the podcast of the same name, where she explores sex, relationships and l...

S3E12: IFS & parts work | Dr Zandra Bamford

Have you ever wondered why some parts of you work so hard to protect you, while others seem to hold you back?

This episode dives into Internal Family Systems (IFS) with psychologist and certified IFS consultant Dr Zandra Bamford. Together with host Dr. Natalie Stott, they break down the basics of the IFS model, from managers and firefighters to exiles and the core self. Discover how IFS works, where it comes from, and why it can help clients heal old wounds. The episode covers how IFS can...

S3E11: Values Clarification beyond the card sort

What’s your go-to values exercise in therapy?

This episode dives into values work in ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) with Dr. Natalie Stott, a clinical psychologist and founder of Supervisor Platform. The conversation busts the myth that values work is just about worksheets and gives creative ways for therapists to help clients clarify and live by their values. Dr. Natalie Stott shares practical tools, approaches for overcoming common obstacles in values work, and highlights how values fit into different models of therapy. If you’ve ever felt...

S3E10: Bringing body work into the room | Dr Stephanie Minchin

Do you want concrete ways to bring the body into your therapy room without losing clinical rigour?

In this episode, Dr Stephanie Minchin (The Yoga Psychologist) lays out a clear, usable approach to integrating body work with talking therapy. We cover how to notice and use nonverbal data, why “embodiment” isn’t optional for clinicians, and simple practices you can introduce safely—no mats, no incense, just clinically sound, consent-led interventions. We also talk about pacing, consent, and how to avoid performative “somatic add-ons.”

Highlig...

S3E9 Therapeutic writing & journal prompts in therapy | Dr Hannah Taylor

Do you use therapeutic writing in your sessions?

This episode looks at therapeutic writing with clinical psychologist Dr Hannah Taylor. She shares practical ways journalling can support clients both inside and outside sessions, drawing from her background in compassion focused therapy. The conversation covers common barriers to journalling, the difference between journalling and therapeutic writing, and tips for making writing a helpful part of the therapy process. If you’re a therapist wanting to add simple writing tools to your practice, or someone thinking ab...

Have you used this nurturing figures tool in your sessions before?

In this episode of the Mastering Therapy Podcast, Dr. Natalie Stott discusses the use of nurturing figures in therapy sessions with experienced psychotherapist Wendy Castelino. The conversation covers various therapeutic modalities, such as CFT and EMDR, and the importance of nurturing figures for trauma and anxiety management. Wendy, who is accredited in multiple therapeutic disciplines, shares her journey from drama therapy to integrative psychotherapy and explains how nurturing figures can significantly impact therapy outcomes. The episode also includes practical advice on introducing and practicing nurturing figures...

Do you work with clients who struggle with health anxiety?

This episode dives into the world of health anxiety with consultant clinical psychologist Dr. Sophie Gwinett. Sophie shares her new layered model, offering a fresh and practical way to understand and formulate health anxiety. The conversation covers how traditional CBT can sometimes fall short, introduces the "house of health anxiety" metaphor, and discusses the powerful impact of early experiences. Listeners will hear practical examples for working with shame, cycles of anxiety, and how to build a more compassionate therapeutic approach. Sophie also explains how to collaborate with...

Have you ever wondered about how EMDR can be used beyond the traditional uses in trauma? or what an I-EMDR session contains?

This episode features Dr. Jonathan Hutchins, a clinical psychologist, EMDR supervisor, and soon-to-be EMDR trainer. His vast experience covers EMDR for trauma, including new intensive approaches, neuropsychology, and working with those with traumatic brain injury, autism, and ADHD. The conversation offers practical ideas on adapting EMDR, insight into current research, and guidance on bringing intensives into practice.

Highlights include:

07:53 What are EMDR intensives?

12:29 Benefits of EMDR intensives for reducing...

Have you supported a client through fertility treatment or baby loss?

This episode welcomes Dr. Kara Davy, a clinical psychologist and EMDR consultant whose specialisms include ADHD and supporting individuals and organisations around infertility and baby loss. Kara shares her own journey and how lived experience alongside her professional background led her to focus on this area. The discussion covers practical advice for therapists, navigating the line between general and specialist support, when to refer clients onwards, and understanding the mental health impacts of fertility issues and miscarriage. Listeners will come away with clinical tips, an understanding...

Have you ever wondered how therapy might change if you included the body’s energy systems, not just thoughts and feelings?

This episode features clinical psychologist Dr Coral Westaway, who brings her training in energy psychotherapy to show how tapping, chakras, and meridians can be used safely alongside models like EMDR and IFS. The discussion covers how clinicians can use standardised energy psychology techniques in practice, how to explain them to clients, and why they can feel both gentle and powerful when working with trauma.

The conversation also includes a live demonstration of EFT (Emotional fr...

Have you ever wondered how to help clients safely rewrite the ending to painful memories?

This episode features clinical psychologist and trauma specialist Dr. Melissa Snaith, who shares her training in schema therapy, trauma-focused CBT, and imagery rescripting. The discussion covers how clinicians can use rescripting techniques with clients who have experienced trauma, offering simple ways to introduce, adapt, and safely practise this powerful method in different therapeutic models. The conversation covers how to help clients manage strong feelings while working with imagery, how to use grounding if sessions become too intense, and how to tailor rescripting...

S3E3 Burnout in therapists | with Dr Claire Plumbly

This episode unpacks the topic of burnout in therapy, featuring Dr. Natalie Stott in conversation with clinical psychologist, trauma expert, and author Claire Plumbly. Claire outlines how burnout affects therapists, why it can be tricky to spot, and what to do about it. The discussion covers key risk factors, the link between trauma and burnout, signs to watch for, how to intervene early, and practical ways to reset. Listeners will find clear ideas for preventing burnout, both for themselves and for their clients.

...

S3E2 A therapists guide to ADHD | Dr Michaela Thomas

In this episode of the Mastering Therapy Podcast, Dr. Natalie Stott is joined by Dr Michaela Thomas, an ADHD expert with lived experience. They discuss key aspects of ADHD, including the importance of neuroaffirmative language, the complexity of ADHD diagnoses, and practical strategies for therapists to support neurodivergent clients. Michaela shares her personal journey with ADHD, the challenges associated with masking, and the stigma around ADHD assessments. They also explore how therapists can create a safe and supportive environment for clients with ADHD, the nuances in using...

In this first episode of Season 3, Dr. Natalie Stott dives into one of the biggest disruptors facing our profession: AI, and specifically ChatGPT.

The conversation unpacks how therapists and clients are already using AI—sometimes to surprising effectand where the fault lines lie:

Season Three of Mastering Therapy Sept 4th 2025

In this announcement for Season Three of Mastering Therapy, Dr. Natalie Stott reveals the new episodes set to release on September 4th. The season will explore a variety of therapeutic modalities including EMDR intensives, energy psychology, and Internal Family Systems (IFS). Unique to this season are live demonstrations and role plays to showcase practical clinician methods. Special episodes will address the impact of AI, specifically ChatGPT, in therapy, as well as delve into topics like therapist burnout and supervising challenges. Featuring expert interviews and role plays, this season aims to...