Practical for Your Practice

About Practical for Your Practice

Three clinical psychologists and trainers at CDP come together to talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of actually implementing Evidence-Based Psychotherapies (EBP’s). Practical for your Practice is a bi-weekly podcast featuring stories, ideas, support, and actionable intel to empower providers to keep working toward implementing EBP’s with fidelity and effectiveness. This project is sponsored by the Uniformed Services University (USU); however, the information or content and conclusions do not necessarily represent the official position or policy of, nor should any official endorsement be inferred on the part of, USU, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.

Publisher

The Consortium for Defense Psychology

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

27 Jul 2021

Latest episode

5 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

98 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Oct 2026

   The Hollow Bunny and Communities of Practice

   Between heavy caseloads, administrative demands, and the isolation of remote or siloed practice, it is easy for clinicians to feel like they are treading water alone. But what happens when we actively choose to build connection where we are? In the Season 8 finale of Practical for Your Practice, hosts Dr. Carin Lefkowitz, Dr. Jenna Ermold, and Dr. Kevin Holloway wrap up the season with a candid conversation about the necessity of community in mental health practice. They dive into the subtle shift from clinical consultation to true peer support, how intentionality can stave off burnout, and the origin story of a very unusual, custom-carved trophy born out of clinic stress and shared values. Tune in to discover why finding your "people" is essential to sustaining this work, and how a little irreverence, snark, and intentional connection can change your practice. And remember to stay curious and mind your EBPs! Resources mentioned in this episode: CDP Consultation Services: https://cdp.usuhs.edu/resources/consultation-services (https://cdp.usuhs.edu/resources/consultation-services) Episode 7, Season 8: Behavioral Activation with Dr. Shannon Blakey https://cdp.usuhs.edu/Podcast-Ep-92 (https://cdp.usuhs.edu/Podcast-Ep-92) Calls-to-action: Share your impactful moment in the comments or via https://www.speakpipe.com/cdpp4p (https://www.speakpipe.com/cdpp4p) Subscribe to the Practical for Your Practice Podcast Subscribe to The Consortium for Defense Psychology Monthly Email (https://deploymentpsych.org/CDP-MED-Opt-In)

2. 

   21 Sept 2026

   Big T or Little T: Navigating the Fuzzy Edges of Criterion A

   Accurately diagnosing PTSD is the first step in getting a patient connected with the best care. But understanding and applying Criterion A (of the DSM-5) can be a challenge for even the most experienced clinician. The process can give Goldilocks vibes: are you being too lenient or too strict with the definition of “trauma?” On this episode, Drs. Carin Lefkowitz and Kevin Holloway are joined by Dr. Kelly Chrestman, a subject matter expert in PTSD. She helps us navigate the blurry edges of Criterion A as we try to get it “just right.” Kelly Chrestman, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist with over 30 years of experience specializing in evidence-based treatments for trauma and stress-related conditions. As a Senior Military Mental Health Psychologist at the Consortium for Defense Psychology (CDP), she provides consultation and training both domestically and internationally, concentrating on stress and trauma, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Prolonged Exposure Therapy. She is co-author of Prolonged Exposure for Adolescents with PTSD and co-developed the PTSD Learning Center and Operation AVATAR, an immersive learning platform hosted in Second Life. Her work merges rigorous scientific research with culturally informed practices, aiming to translate psychological principles into practical, actionable, and accessible tools for practitioners. Resources mentioned in this episode: Brewin, C.R., Lanius, R.A., Novac, A., Schnyder, U., Galea, S., 2009. Reformulating PTSD for DSM-V: life after criterion A. J. Trauma Stress 22 (5), 366–373. https://doi.org/ (https://doi.org/) 10.1002/jts.20443. Gradus, J.L., Galea, S., 2022. Reconsidering the definition of trauma. Lancet Psychiatry 9 (8), 608–609. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(22)00196-1 (https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(22)00196-1). Gradus, J.L., Galea, S., 2023. Moving from traumatic events to traumatic experiences in the study of traumatic psychopathology. Am. J. Epidemiol. 192 (10), 1609–1612. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwad126 (https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwad126). Marx, B.P., Hall-Clark, B., Friedman, M.J., Holtzheimer, P., Schnurr, P.P., 2023. The PTSD Criterion A debate: a brief history, current status, and recommendations for moving forward. J. Trauma Stress 37 (1), 5–15. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.23007 (https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.23007). Saraiya, T. C., Bauer, A. G., Banks, D. E., Brown, D. G., Jarnecke, A. M., Ebrahimi, C. T., & Bernard, D. L. (2025). Are we gatekeeping trauma? A conceptual model to expand criterion A for invisible, identity-based, and systemic traumas. Social Science & Medicine, 375, 118090. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118090 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118090) Calls-to-action: Join us for consultation as you navigate the fuzzy edges of criterion A in your practice. https://cdp.usuhs.edu/resources/consultation-services (https://cdp.usuhs.edu/resources/consultation-services) Share your impactful moment in the comments or via https://www.speakpipe.com/cdpp4p (https://www.speakpipe.com/cdpp4p) Subscribe to the Practical for Your Practice Podcast

3. 

   7 Sept 2026

   Don't Burn OUT, Burn IN! Stoking the Flame With Occupational Therapy

   In this episode, hosts Drs. Jenna Ermold and Carin Lefkowitz welcome occupational therapists Staci Molinar and Michelle Luken for the podcast's very first deep dive into the world of Occupational Therapy (OT). Moving far beyond traditional views of OT as purely physical rehabilitation, Staci and Michelle reveal how OT acts as a powerful, practical bridge for mental health care, helping Service members and Veterans translate psychological skills into daily habits, routines, and real-world environments. The discussion spotlights the Burn In Model, a contemporary framework co-created by Michelle that reimagines burnout through the metaphor of a fire. Rather than viewing wellness as a passive state, the model focuses on actively stoking your inner flame by creating alignment across three core pillars: Being, Doing, and Belonging. Whether addressing transition out of military service, deployment stress, or provider fatigue, this conversation offers a refreshing, highly actionable approach to sustainable wellbeing and interdisciplinary care. There’s no single way to recover from burnout and stoking your fire starts with intentional, everyday choices like listening in and following Practical for Your Practice! Dr. Michelle Luken is an occupational therapist, scientist, and Military Veteran. She served for 10 years in the U.S. Army, including time as a Combat and Operational Stress Control OT supporting service member behavioral health, readiness, and human performance. Michelle is also the co-creator of The Burn In Model, a contemporary framework that helps people and organizations understand burnout, alignment, and what supports sustainable engagement in life and work. Staci Molinar is an occupational therapist, educator, and officer in the United States Army Reserve. Throughout her 13-year Army career, she has served primarily in the Combat and Operational Stress Control and Holistic Health and Fitness missions, including three overseas deployments supporting service member readiness and performance through behavioral health and wellness initiatives. Staci is currently a faculty member in the U.S. Army-Baylor Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program. Resources mentioned in this episode: https://www.burninnotout.com/ (https://www.burninnotout.com/) Calls-to-action: Share your impactful moment in the comments or via https://www.speakpipe.com/cdpp4p (https://www.speakpipe.com/cdpp4p) Subscribe to the Practical for Your Practice Podcast Subscribe to The Consortium for Defense Psychology Monthly Email (https://deploymentpsych.org/CDP-MED-Opt-In)

Reach and audience

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

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

14 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 24 / 100

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

Quality

17

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

77

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Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

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

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