Jessica Medina (she/her)

Jessica joined Momma on March 18, 2024 for a live Q&A via Twitch and YouTube to talk about Therapy for the Educated: Pitfalls & Perils

She has joined many other times as well - check them out here, here, here or here!

About Jessica

Jessica Medina is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She loves creating innovative & fun pop-culture based therapy interventions such as Roblox, Animal Crossing, and Inside Out. Jessica uses techniques like mindfulness, play, geek culture, and pop-culture to explore the chaos that can be everyday life.  She has extensive experience working with children/teens/adults, school-based counseling, trauma, anxiety, divorce, depression, OCD, grief, LGBTQIA+, alternative lifestyles, suicide ideation, self-harm, and healing from difficult family dynamics.

This will be Jessica's SIXTH time joining us on ETFA!!!

Socials / Links for Guest Connection

• Website - https://www.happylilbrains.com/

• X / Twitter - https://twitter.com/happylilbrains

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/happylilbrains/

• TAGGS Presenter Link - https://event.taggsummit.org/speakers/jessica-ehrman/

References / Things Mentioned During the Stream

• Revenge Bedtime Procrastination

• Applied Behavior Analysis

• CBT & DBT & EMDR

• Geek Therapy

• Current Fave Songs - Johnny B Goode & Next to Me

• Violence in Geek & Gamer Communities Episode

Episode Summary

If you've ever felt dismissed or misunderstood in therapy because you're too educated or well-informed, this episode is for you—tune in to learn how to advocate for the care you deserve.

Key Takeaways:

• Therapists may face challenges in working with highly educated clients, including inflexibility and feeling intimidated by the client's knowledge.

• Therapists should be open to receiving information and education from their clients, as the clients are the experts on their own lives.

• When terminating therapy, therapists should provide referrals and not abandon or neglect the client.

• Clients may experience negative effects when therapy is unexpectedly terminated.

• Taking breaks and setting boundaries can help prevent revenge bedtime procrastination and create a healthier work-life balance. Therapists should be transparent and communicate openly with their clients to prevent harm in therapy.

• Therapists have a responsibility to set boundaries and refer clients to more suitable professionals when necessary.

• Finding a therapist who aligns with the client's values and interests is important, especially in alternative lifestyles or communities.

• Power differentials in therapy should be recognized and therapists should use their power ethically and responsibly.

• There is a need for more regulation and accountability in some therapy fields.

• Maternal mental health should be recognized and addressed during and after pregnancy.

In this episode of Even Tacos Fall Apart, MommaFoxFire interviews Jessica Medina, a licensed marriage and family therapist, about the challenges of therapy for highly educated clients. This was Jessica's sixth appearance on the podcast, where she shares her insights on a variety of mental health topics!

The conversation begins with Jessica explaining what she considers a "highly smart and well-educated" client. She notes that while therapists are typically well-educated in their field, they may struggle with clients who are experts in other areas. She also highlights that clients who have done extensive personal research on their mental health conditions may be seen as difficult, which can create challenges for the therapeutic relationship.

The conversation shifts to the common challenges therapists face when working with these clients. Jessica mentions the rigidity in some therapists' approaches, particularly those who are inflexible in their use of specific therapeutic techniques like CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) or DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy). She also discusses how therapists might refer out clients they find difficult or intimidating, sometimes due to their own feelings of inadequacy or imposter syndrome.

Jessica shares her personal experience as a therapist seeking therapy, emphasizing how difficult it can be to find a therapist willing to work with another therapist. She points out that therapists may avoid working with peers due to the fear of being judged or challenged. This leads to a broader discussion about the potential harm therapy can cause, particularly when a therapist's approach or biases interfere with the client's needs.

The conversation also touches on the ethical guidelines therapists must follow when terminating therapy with a client. Jessica explains that in California, therapists are required to provide at least three referrals if they are unable or unwilling to continue working with a client. She underscores the importance of handling these situations delicately, as unexpected termination can have significant negative effects on a client's mental health.

Throughout the episode, Jessica and MommaFoxFire explore the importance of finding the right therapist and therapeutic approach. They discuss how therapy can unintentionally cause harm when therapists prioritize their theoretical frameworks over the individual needs of their clients. Jessica emphasizes the need for therapists to be flexible and client-centered in their approach.

The episode concludes with Jessica reflecting on the emotional challenges of pregnancy and the lack of focus on maternal mental health. She expresses a desire for greater awareness and support for pregnant individuals, particularly regarding the mental health challenges they face both during and after pregnancy.

Overall, this conversation highlights the complexities of therapy for educated clients, the potential pitfalls in the therapeutic relationship, and the importance of finding a therapist who truly understands and meets the client's needs.