Introduction & Framing
- Opening reflection: the cultural drive toward toxic productivity and constant striving
- Quick interactive poll: “What unrealistic expectations of therapy have you heard from clients?”
- Set the stage: differences between therapy and coaching, what therapy can and cannot do
- Brief cultural lens: AI vs human therapist, calling out myths, stigma, and culturally shaped expectations of treatment
Psychoeducation & Misinformation
- Facts vs. Myths about therapy, treatment outcomes, and “quick fixes”
- The problem with self-diagnosis: pre-packaged labels from influencers/social media
- Overuse of technology, constant comparison (“compare & despair”), and the role of imposter syndrome
Unmasking & Identity Struggles
- Why “unmasking” is terrifying: the facades people put forward to meet unrealistic expectations
- Striving and busyness as avoidance of self-reflection
- The hidden cost: loss of personal awareness and self-understanding
Interactive Learning
- Role Play Sequence:
- Therapist-client dynamic addressing self-diagnosis
- Overfunctioning and avoidance of self-awareness
- Imposter syndrome and compare/contrast spirals
- After each role play: ask guiding questions, encourage reflection, highlight clinical takeaways
- Video Clips (1 & 2): examples of client misconceptions and therapeutic correction
Practical Applications
- Tools for teaching critical thinking skills as part of psychoeducation
- Strategies to gently confront unrealistic expectations of therapy
- Integrating cultural and generational considerations into treatment
- Using humor, metaphors (e.g., “apple cider vinegar cures”), and media literacy to build rapport and insight
Q&A: “What strategies resonate most with your clinical work?”


