The Unlicensed Therapist

Season Two Episode Eight The Wise Ones Series: The Human Therapist Versus AI with Dr. Paulette Didia
In this deep and wide‑ranging conversation, Matthew sits down with Dr. Paulette Didia, psychologist, researcher, and author of The Human Therapist, to explore what it truly means to be human in the therapy room—and why that humanity matters now more than ever.
Together, they unpack the real differences between counselors and psychologists, how clients can choose the right kind of therapist, and how clinicians develop their professional identity over time. Dr. Didia shares her personal origin story, the mentors and experiences that shaped her, and how her identity continues to influence her practice today.
The conversation moves into her upcoming book, The Human Therapist, where she discusses the central themes of human presence, relational depth, and the future of therapist training. She explains what she hopes the book will shift in the field and the conversations she hopes it will spark among clinicians.
Matthew and Dr. Didia also dive into one of the most pressing questions in modern mental health: Can AI replace therapy? Dr. Didia offers a grounded, nuanced perspective on what AI can and cannot do, the irreplaceable elements of human connection, the ethical risks of digital tools, and how AI may support—but never replace—clinical judgment, attunement, and relational skill.
From there, the conversation expands into the human need for connection, the rise of disconnection in modern life, the role of social media, and why the therapeutic relationship remains uniquely powerful. Dr. Didia speaks candidly about authenticity in clinical work, the psychological cost of self‑concealment, and how therapists can navigate personal identity in community mental health settings.
The episode closes with reflections on the future of mental health care, what “being human” means in her work, and where listeners can learn more about her writing, research, and upcoming book.
If you’re a therapist, counselor, psychologist, student, or simply someone who cares about the future of human connection, this conversation is rich, grounding, and deeply relevant.
Dr. Paulette Didia’s Professional Website:  https://www.makingmeaningpsychology.com/
The Human Therapist (Amazon):  https://www.amazon.com/Human-Therapist-Connection-Therapeutic-Relationship/dp/B0HBXKW584/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.y463kGItmlHX6jQtANrwIef32YVOisI8T8KhwtpeNKZAsdCj1dtjM1oGceSS_eXqMv3AtkMp1BKPeQlWeRY1mf4Z9GQbpAM1doN3IglO532pm6p2Kdl9OLJm2J0SFbCgGx6_k44bW6gSvzbVFdHvsBoEiMx3dNrr2o_hjRIuH4W3IyrBIor3FbvGQY7K1SfG1Ga6XoiNYWQ6OKV8djy11bn_cXn2lRrDwavQRIQ_sI4.WYs80iXxGeMFBJ3A0sjKMUeeTBTi69qzoFFCGMhoKcM&dib_tag=se&keywords=The+Human+Therapist&qid=1785786888&sr=8-1

Season 2 Episode 7 The Wise Ones Series More of a ”Jung” Therapist’s Journey with Andrew Shroyer MA, LAPC
In this episode, we continue our sit down with Andrew Shroyer, MA, LAPC, to explore the deep intersection of Jungian psychology, Christian theology, and the grueling reality of Community Mental Health (CMH).
Andrew opens up about his journey from a theological background to finding his therapeutic home in the depths of Jungian psyche and dream work. We dive deep into how a Christian worldview shapes his understanding of healing as a sacred, relational process rather than a list of symptoms to manage.
Andrew then pulls no punches about his time in CMH. We unpack CMH burnout through a brilliant Jungian lens, identifying the specific archetypes that hijack clinicians when the system pushes them to the brink. Finally, we discuss the ethical tensions that ultimately led him to leave CMH, the hauntingly beautiful client transformations that stayed with him, and what has surprised him most about reclaiming his autonomy in private group practice.
If you are an intern or new clinician feeling fractured by systemic demands, this episode is a masterclass in staying true to your clinical soul.
Connect with Andrew Shroyer You can find his professional profiles and practice links below:
Psychology Today Profile: Andrew Shroyer, MA, LAPC - Psychology Today
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/andrew-r-shroyer-pittsburgh-pa/1732983

Season 2 Episode 6 The Wise Ones Series A ”Jung” Therapist’s Journey with Andrew Shroyer MA, LAPC
In this episode, we continue our sit down with Andrew Shroyer, MA, LAPC, to explore the deep intersection of Jungian psychology, Christian theology, and the grueling reality of Community Mental Health (CMH).
Andrew opens up about his journey from a theological background to finding his therapeutic home in the depths of Jungian psyche and dream work. We dive deep into how a Christian worldview shapes his understanding of healing as a sacred, relational process rather than a list of symptoms to manage.
Andrew then pulls no punches about his time in CMH. We unpack CMH burnout through a brilliant Jungian lens, identifying the specific archetypes that hijack clinicians when the system pushes them to the brink. Finally, we discuss the ethical tensions that ultimately led him to leave CMH, the hauntingly beautiful client transformations that stayed with him, and what has surprised him most about reclaiming his autonomy in private group practice.
If you are an intern or new clinician feeling fractured by systemic demands, this episode is a masterclass in staying true to your clinical soul.
Connect with Andrew Shroyer You can find his professional profiles and practice links below:
Psychology Today Profile: Andrew Shroyer, MA, LAPC - Psychology Today
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/andrew-r-shroyer-pittsburgh-pa/1732983

Season Two Episode Five “Pulling Back the Curtain: The Truth of Private Practice” A grounded, honest, deep dive into the realities of solo private practice — the freedom, the burden, the business, the ethics, and the emotional weight that come with running your own therapy practice. This episode gives new and emerging clinicians the clarity, structure, and self‑reflection needed to decide whether private practice is truly the right next step.

In this one‑on‑one conversation, Bonnie Popso, LCSW — a seasoned social worker and therapist with decades of experience in Community Mental Health — shares her hard‑won insights and wisdom from the front lines of CMH. Together, we explore the realities, challenges, and heart behind serving communities in need.