189. Healing a Profession in Crisis: Kathleen Mills on Breaking Free from Psychology's Woke Matrix

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You Must Be Some Kind of Therapist

Stephanie Winn

194 episodes

3 days ago

A podcast at the intersection of psychology and culture that intimately explores the human experience and critiques the counseling profession. Your host, Stephanie Winn, distills wisdom gained from her practice as a family therapist and coach while pivoting towards questions of how to apply a practical understanding of psychology to the novel dilemmas of the 21st century, from political polarization to medical malpractice. What does ethical mental health care look like in a normless age, as our moral compasses spin in search of true north? How can therapists treat patients under pressure to affirm everything from the notion of "gender identity" to assisted suicide? Primarily a long-form interview podcast, Stephanie invites unorthodox, free-thinking guests from many walks of life, including counselors, social workers, medical professionals, writers, researchers, and people with unique lived experience, such as detransitioners. Curious about many things, Stephanie’s interdisciplinary psychological lens investigates challenging social issues and inspires transformation in the self, relationships, and society. She is known for bringing calm warmth to painful subjects, and astute perceptiveness to ethically complex issues. Pick up a torch to illuminate the dark night and join us on this journey through the inner wilderness. You Must Be Some Kind of Therapist ranks in the top 1% globally according to ListenNotes. New episodes are released every Monday. Three and a half years after the show's inception in May of 2022, Stephanie became a Christian, representing the crystallization of moral, spiritual, and existential views she had been openly grappling with along with her audience and guests. Newer episodes (#188 forward) may sometimes reflect a Christian understanding, interwoven with and applied to the same issues the podcast has always addressed. The podcast remains diverse and continues to feature guests from all viewpoints.

All content for You Must Be Some Kind of Therapist is the property of Stephanie Winn and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

189. Healing a Profession in Crisis: Kathleen Mills on Breaking Free from Psychology's Woke Matrix

You Must Be Some Kind of Therapist

1 hour 27 minutes

1 month ago

189. Healing a Profession in Crisis: Kathleen Mills on Breaking Free from Psychology's Woke Matrix

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Kathleen Mills, a licensed professional counselor and co-founder of the Association for Mental Health Professionals (AMHP). Together, we explore the seismic shifts happening in the mental health field and why so many therapists are feeling disillusioned with the profession's current direction.

Kathleen shares her journey from running a successful group practice for over 30 years to founding AMHP as a response to what she sees as the profession's failure to truly heal people. We dive deep into the mind-body-spirit approach to healing that challenges the traditional "neck-up" therapy model, discussing why medication isn't the answer and how the counseling profession has lost the trust of the public.

This episode explores critical questions about professional integrity, the impact of woke ideology on therapy, and the rise of coaching as an alternative to traditional counseling. Kathleen doesn't hold back in her critique of how our field created the "gender affirming care nightmare" and social justice warrior mentality that's dividing rather than healing families. Whether you're a mental health professional questioning the status quo or someone seeking genuine healing, this conversation offers hope for a new paradigm in mental health care.

Kathleen Mills, LPC-S, CEAP, CIMHP, is a seasoned therapist and mental health professional with over 30 years of experience. Founding LifeTree Counseling in 1992, she employs a holistic "Six Pillars" therapeutic approach that addresses comprehensive life wellness. As a spiritually-motivated counselor, Kathleen guides clients toward restoration and purpose with grace.

Beyond clinical practice, Kathleen is passionate about supporting mental health professionals through PracticeMentors.us, where she conducts workshops and provides continuing education on business development, office operations, and ethical considerations for practitioners.

In 2022, Kathleen co-founded the Association for Mental Health Professionals (AMHP) with Phillip Crum. AMHP emerged as an alternative professional organization for mental health practitioners seeking a platform that aligns with traditional professional and spiritual values, offering a new professional home for those who feel marginalized by mainstream medical organizational policies.

A graduate of the University of North Texas with a Master of Education in Counselor Education, Kathleen continues to mentor associates and advocate for principled mental health practice. Kathleen co-hosts the podcast Therapy Disruptors, available on all platforms. Save the date for AMHP Conference 2026 - October 1st through 3rd in Dallas/DFW area.

[00:00:00] Start
[00:03:00] AMHP Origins And Purpose
[00:04:35] Mind-Body-Spirit Framework Shift
[00:08:43] Scope Of Practice And Limits
[00:12:15] Nutrition, Medication, And Holistic Care
[00:15:15] Framing Problems Versus Solving Them
[00:19:35] Transference, Boundaries, And Role Clarity
[00:23:53] Six Pillars Holistic Model
[00:34:33] Profession Direction And Identity Crisis
[00:54:15] Faith, Conversion Therapy, And Misconceptions
[01:12:00] Christianity, Grace, And Counseling Integration

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Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

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