Getting to the Couch

About Getting to the Couch

Getting to the Couch is a mental health podcast that helps people overcome the barriers to starting and staying in therapy. Hosted by Ben Santee, MA, LPC, and Flavio Da Silva, LMSW, CAADC, each episode explores the questions many people have about counseling, mental health, relationships, emotional wellness, trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, addiction, LGBTQ+ concerns, child and family therapy, and the real-life challenges that prevent people from getting the help they deserve. Whether you're considering therapy for the first time, currently working with a therapist, supporting a loved one, or you're a mental health professional looking for practical insights, this podcast offers evidence-informed conversations, expert guests, and honest discussions that make psychology understandable and approachable. Topics include: • How to find the right therapist • What happens during your first therapy session • Anxiety and depression • ADHD in children and adults • Trauma and PTSD • Relationships and attachment styles • Parenting and child therapy • Couples counseling • Addiction and recovery • LGBTQ+ mental health • Telehealth and online therapy • Hospitalization and transitioning back to outpatient care • Insurance and financial barriers to treatment • Mental health myths and stigma • Therapy techniques and treatment approaches • Self-advocacy in therapy • Emotional resilience and personal growth Our goal is simple: remove the mystery from therapy so more people feel comfortable getting to the couch. New episodes feature licensed therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and other mental health professionals sharing practical advice you can use in everyday life. If you've ever wondered whether therapy is right for you, this podcast is for you.

Publisher

Ben Santee MA, LPC-S & Flavio Da Silva LMSW, CAADC

Category

education · education · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

10 Jan 2025

Latest episode

9 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

18 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   9 Oct 2026

   GTTC S2 E4: Barriers to therapy for men

   Send us Fan Mail Why do so many men struggle to get to the couch? For some men, seeking therapy can feel like admitting weakness, while cultural expectations around masculinity, self-reliance, and emotional control can make vulnerability uncomfortable. Add demanding careers, parenting, relationships, and the constant challenge of work-life balance—and when does a man finally make time for his own mental health? What happens when stress, loneliness, anger, relationship problems, or emotional e...

2. 

   13 Mar 2026

   GTTC S2 E4 Virtual Therapy, Limitations and Considerations

   Send a text Is virtual therapy truly expanding access to care—or are we overlooking who it may not serve well? In this episode of Getting to the Couch, we take an honest look at the promise and the pitfalls of telehealth. From convenience and accessibility to privacy concerns, tech disruptions, and clinical fit, we explore how virtual therapy can be transformative for some clients—and deeply frustrating or ineffective for others. We unpack the critical question: When is virtual therapy the ri...

3. 

   13 Feb 2026

   GTTC Season 2, Episode 3: Impacts of Preperation for Therapy

   Send a text What actually makes therapy work—and what happens before anyone even sits on the couch? In this episode of Getting to the Couch, we dive into how preparation shapes the therapy experience and why what happens between sessions can be just as important as what happens during them. We explore how clients and therapists both prepare for meaningful work, and how intention, reflection, and follow-through can dramatically influence outcomes. We also unpack the role of therapeutic “homewo...

4. 

   28 Nov 2025

   GTTC Season 2, Episode 2.2: Challenges to the LGBTQ+ Community

   Benjamin Santee and Flavio Da Silva explore the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, offering insights for effective therapy utilization in this interview episode.

5. 

   1 Nov 2025

   GTTC Season 2, Episode 2 Part1: Challenges to the LGBTQ+ Community

   Send us a text What happens when the very spaces meant to heal become places of uncertainty? When the professionals trained to help become sources of hesitation? Welcome back to Getting to the Couch. In this episode, we're peeling back the layers on a troubling reality: mental health care and medical treatment are becoming increasingly complicated terrain for LGBTQ+ individuals. We're exploring how current socio-political forces are reshaping the landscape of care itself, leaving many w...

6. 

   5 Sept 2025

   GTTC Season 2, Episode 1: Bridging The Gap: Hospitals to Outpatient Care

   Send us a text Confidentiality is one of the cornerstones of therapy—but what does it actually mean, and where does it begin and end? In this episode of Getting to the Couch, we break down the purpose of confidentiality, the legal and ethical boundaries around it, and how breaches—intentional or not—can shake a client's sense of safety and trust. We talk about what therapists are required to protect, when they're legally obligated to break that promise, and why these boundaries matter more th...

7. 

   2 Sept 2025

   Getting to the Couch Ep. 11 Capstone Conversation for Season 1

   Host [Host Name] and guest [Guest Name] discuss Season One's mental health journey, exploring therapy, insurance, and LGBTQ+ challenges in this capstone interview.

8. 

   20 Jun 2025

   Getting to the Couch Ep. 10 Stages of Change

   The hosts explore the Stages of Change model, breaking down each stage with real-world examples and clinical insight to understand the push and pull between wanting change and making it happen.

9. 

   6 Jun 2025

   Getting to the Couch Ep. 9 Confidentiality in Therapy

   This episode explores confidentiality in therapy, examining its importance and ethical considerations for mental health professionals and clients.

10. 

    16 May 2025

    Getting to the Couch Ep. 8 - The Role of Coordination of Care in Therapy

    Send us a text What if the biggest barrier to therapy isn’t motivation—but miscommunication? In this episode, we explore how coordination (or lack of it) between therapists, doctors, schools, and families can deeply impact a person’s ability to access and stay in therapy. How does behind-the-scenes collaboration support healing—and what happens when it’s missing? Join us as we uncover why connecting the dots outside the therapy room is just as crucial as the work done within it. R...

11. 

    18 Apr 2025

    Getting to the Couch Ep. 7 Barriers to Therapy with Children

    Send us a text In this episode, we’re exploring the real-world challenges and breakthroughs in child therapy and animal-assisted interventions—with insights from our incredible guest, Emily Blazic, a licensed therapist who brings deep experience to the conversation. Whether you're a parent, a professional, or just curious about how therapy really works with kids. Referrances or Resoures Articles: 1. National Institute of Mental Health. (2020). Child and adolescent mental health. ...

12. 

    5 Apr 2025

    Getting to the Couch Ep. 6 Shame as a Barrier to Therapy

    Send us a text What if something deeper than fear or doubt was keeping you from therapy? What if it’s not just about finding the right time or therapist—but something harder to name? In this episode, we explore the complicated role of shame in getting to therapy and staying in it. How does shame show up in ways we don’t expect? And what happens when we finally face it? Let’s talk about it. Referrances or Resoures Articles: 1. Harper, F. W., & Schmidt, L. D. (2016). Sha...

13. 

    21 Mar 2025

    Getting to the Couch Ep. 5 - Self-Advocacy in Therapy

    Send us a text Is therapy something you just ‘go along with,’ or do you have a say in shaping your experience? In this episode, we’re diving into the power of self-advocacy in therapy. Can you request a specific approach? What about switching therapists if the fit isn’t right? How do you voice your needs without feeling awkward? Let’s explore how speaking up can transform your therapy journey and help you get the support that truly works for you. Promotion of the Remote Area Medic...

14. 

    7 Mar 2025

    Getting to the Couch Ep. 4 - Understanding Modalities and Their Use in Therapy

    Send us a text This episode discusses common approaches used in therapy and the application of these modalities to client needs. Removing does this help with removing the mystery to the process of therapy? Your support is always appreciated and Welcomed! Here is a link to support this podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2391677/support Thanks you for listening! Promotion of the Remote Area Medical Clinic with Ferrist State Univeristy Students. Caring Minds Counseling LLCCaring M...

15. 

    21 Feb 2025

    Getting to the Couch Ep. 3 - Treatment Planning

    Send us a text The episode discusses the improtance of treatment planning in therapy and highlights one of the most important elements to the treatment planning process. Tune in to find out. Your support is always appreciated and Welcomed! Here is a link to support this podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2391677/support Thanks you for listening! Promotion of the Remote Area Medical Clinic with Ferrist State Univeristy Students. Caring Minds Counseling LLCCaring Minds Counseling...

16. 

    7 Feb 2025

    Getting to the Couch Ep. 2 - What to expect at the first session

    Send us a text This podcast episode discusses what to expect at the first therapy session. Adjusting expectations of what the first session is and understanding the role of self-advocacy. Your support is always appreciated and Welcomed! Here is a link to support this podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2391677/support Thanks you for listening! Promotion of the Remote Area Medical Clinic with Ferrist State Univeristy Students. Caring Minds Counseling LLCCaring Minds Counseling of...

17. 

    24 Jan 2025

    Getting to the Couch Ep. 1 - Selecting a Therapist or Counselor

    Send us a text This episode provides a brief overview of what to consider when selecting a therapist or counselor. Your support is always appreciated and Welcomed! Here is a link to support this podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2391677/support Thanks you for listening! Promotion of the Remote Area Medical Clinic with Ferrist State Univeristy Students. Caring Minds Counseling LLCCaring Minds Counseling offers professional therapy services in Grand Rapids, MI, and statewide cli...

18. 

    10 Jan 2025

    A little bit about us.

    Send us a text This podcast episode gives you a brief description of its hosts and why they have chose to do a podcast about the challenges to getting in and staying in therapy. Your support is always appreciated and Welcomed! Here is a link to support this podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2391677/support Thanks you for listening! Support the show Thanks for listening! I hope this episode helped you in getting to therapy and utilizing therapy effectively. If you have any questions abou...

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 36 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

60

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Getting to the Couch

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.