Author Shane Birkel, LMFT

Shane Birkel, LMFT

About the Author

Shane Birkel is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Dover, NH, with years of experience working with both individuals and couples. Shane believes that each one of us can be fulfilled in our lives and relationships, and that the process of therapy can help us grow faster than we ever have before. To learn more about Shane’s work, check out his popular podcast “The Couples Therapist Couch.”

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Couple hugging near tree leafs

Starting Therapy Starting Couples Therapy: What to Expect and How to Prepare

A woman sitting on a window sill using a laptop

Starting Therapy Alma vs. BetterHelp: Which is Best for Finding a Therapist?

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Starting Therapy Alma vs. SonderMind: Compare Online Therapy Options

Couple hugging near tree leafs

Starting Therapy Starting Couples Therapy: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Man and woman holding hands together

Starting Therapy Premarital Counseling Questions & How to Get Started

Man in blue shirt in front of laptop

Clinician Perspectives Mental Health: Why Human Connection Delivers Better Results

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Starting Therapy Alma vs. Grow Therapy: Which is Best for Finding an Online Therapist?

woman in white long sleeve shirt sitting on white couch with laptop

Starting Therapy What to Expect from a Therapy Consultation

Person seated at a table holding pen on the left hand and browsing phone at the right, with a coffee cup and glasses on the table.

Voices & Advice Ask Alma: How Do I Stick to a Routine When I Hate Structure?

A smiling, masculine individual with light skin gazes into the camera with one arm folded behind their head. They wear a black and white checkered shirt over a dark tee. Photo by Jorge Salvador via Unsplash.

Starting Therapy Is Therapy Worth It? An Honest Review: Benefits, Tips, and More

A person with dark skin and braids pulled back sits in a relaxed, reclined position on a bright orange armchair. One foot is flat on the ottoman in front of them, while the other dangles off with their leg stretched out. They are seated by a bright window in the corner of a room.

In Session Is It Time to Change Therapists? Here’s How to Tell

A person with long, red, curly hair sits cross-legged on a teal couch in a dimly-lit room, covering their face with their hands.

Voices & Advice Do I Have Trauma? Signs & Advice From a C-PTSD Survivor

A happy couple stands in an enclosed sunroom overlooking some greenery. One stands laughing with their arm around the other, who is clutching the arm and smiling in return. Both appear to be laughing.

Mental Health 101 What Are Attachment Styles — And Can I Change Mine?

A blurred silhouette of a person with their hand stretched out, gesturing as if to say, "Stop." They appear to be on a balcony, with a hint of blue sky and a city backdrop. On top of the image is a message box with a float cursor. It is a new message, addressed to "Ask Alma." It has a subject line that reads: "I don't believe my friend is autistic."

Voices & Advice Ask Alma: My Friend Diagnosed Herself as Autistic. I Don't Buy It

A young Asian American social work student speaks with her mentor.

Clinician Perspectives Why Mentorship Matters

Two individuals sit outside, surrounded by greenery. They are both smiling, holding fidget toys in one hand and a cell phone in another.

Starting Therapy How to Tell If a Therapist is (Really) Neurodiversity-Affirming

A couple sits outside in a grassy field, with tall city buildings fading on the horizon, as they stare into each other's eyes. One of them, with long dark hair, reaches to place their hand on the other's neck. The person with short hair smiles contentedly in return, placing a hand on the extended arm.

Voices & Advice Call It What It Is: How to Know If You’re 'Trauma Bonded'

A desk decorated with numerous small succulents in terracotta and pink planters, with two hands leaning over, clutching a filled coffee cup over an open notebook.

Voices & Advice 5 Tips For an ADHD-Friendly Workspace

In a dark room after an online therapy appointment, a woman looks dejectedly through a sun-soaked window, throwing shadows across her face.

Alma News Therapy Doesn’t Always Work. (Here’s Why.)

Two people entering their couples therapy session, hand in hand.

Mental Health 101 Reactive Attachment Disorder in Adults: Signs to Look For and How to Heal

Four individuals sit around a table, engaged in conversation. One person is looking down at a tablet, another is looking up and smiling at someone across the table, another is smiling and looking down, and another is holding a to-go coffee cup.

Clinician Perspectives 7 Mistakes Therapists Make When Choosing CEUs — And How to Avoid Them

A masculine-appearing person with short hair and a patterned button-up sits in a leather booth at a cafe, looking down at an open notebook with a coffee cup and smartphone within reach. They appear lost in thought, pen in hand, as if contemplating something to write.

Starting Therapy 7 Tips For Preparing For Your First Therapy Session

A feminine-presenting elder with short, dark hair sits on a couch, smiling and gazing into the camera as a small, white dog reclines across their lap. The couch they're seated upon is a stylish rust color, with decorative pillows, a plant, and a macrame wall hanging displayed above them.

Clinician Perspectives How to Find the Right Therapy Clients For Your Practice

A Black female therapist with box braids sits on a midcentury sofa upholstered in tangerine linen.

Starting Therapy How to Find a Black Female Therapist

A light gray couch with ornate blue and yellow pillows, with a framed piece of art on the wall and a floral decoration on the left side.

In Session 7 Signs That It’s Time to End Therapy

A person with long red hair sits on a red couch, dressed in all denim, looking down at a laptop.

In Session How to Break Up With Your Therapist: Templates and Tips

Haley Jakobson, a white queer femme, stands against an ornate tile backdrop while posing with her debut book, "Old Enough."

Voices & Advice I Have OCD, And Intrusive Thoughts Aren’t ‘Quirky’ — They’re Torture

Alma + Therapy for Black Girls

Alma News Conversation: Finding a Therapist Who Gets You

An exhausted, Black pregnant woman reclines in a chair made of cane, exposing their baby bump and cradling their stomach.

Clinician Perspectives Why Black Mothers Need Culturally Humble Care

A peek over dark green garden hedges that, together, form a mystifying maze.

Starting Therapy Demystifying Insurance: How Mental Health Benefits Work

A person lying in bed with their back against their wall, holding a coffee mug in one hand and a journal in the other, with their legs outstretched. They are surrounded by hanging plants, a nearby record player, and a mountain of pillows. They are staring in the direction of a window with a thoughtful expression.

In Session 9 Reasons Why Therapy Isn’t Helping and What to Do

emotional-exhaustion

Clinician Perspectives Emotional Exhaustion & Stress Amongst Clinicians: A Recipe for Burnout

A cognac-colored leather couch, bathed in sunlight shining through the window of a trauma therapist's office.

Starting Therapy How to Find a PTSD Therapist

A person with a dark ponytail and white headphones stands facing a leafy bush.

Mental Health 101 What is the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)? Is it Right For Me?

Progressive Muscle Relaxation (13 minutes)

Voices & Advice Next Time You Can’t Sleep, Try Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Matthew Ryan, LCSW, weighing the pros and cons of Alma, Headway, and SimplePractice.

Clinician Perspectives Therapist Reviews: Alma vs. Headway vs. SimplePractice

Mental Health 101 8 Things to Know Before Trying the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)

therapist-boundaries

Clinician Perspectives Setting Professional Boundaries: A Guide for Clinicians

A masculine-appearing person sits cross-legged in bed looking down at a laptop, with headphones on. They are in a cluttered but cozy room, with plants, bright windows, and decorative items.

Mental Health 101 Does Safe and Sound Protocol Work? SSP Review for C-PTSD (And More)

An illustration of a bright gold room, looking out of an open door into a new world of possibility.

Clinician Perspectives How Continuing Education Changed My Life (No, Really!)

Woman-typing

Alma News Alma vs. TherapyNotes

woman-working

Alma News Alma vs. SimplePractice

A child in a teal jacket, standing in a grassy field, presents a bouquet of bright, yellow dandelions.

Mental Health 101 Honoring Us All: Healing After Adult Child Estrangement

two people working on their taxes

Clinician Perspectives Tax Season Preparation: A Guide for Clinicians

Someone in a baby blue button-up and short hair sits at a cluttered desk, glass of water in hand, marking up a notebook at their desk. Scattered across the desk is a laptop, lamp, additional papers, and a plant. They appear cheerful but busy.

Clinician Perspectives 7 Things to Consider Before Starting a Therapy Private Practice

A clinician sits in front of her laptop, sitting down for a tele-therapy session.

Clinician Perspectives The First Therapy Session: A Guide for Clinicians

Person sitting at a desk while on the phone and looking at notes

Clinician Perspectives AI & Behavioral Health: What Every Clinician Should Know

Two hands holding a black paper heart together.

Mental Health 101 Why I’m Not ‘Fighting’ My Eating Disorder Anymore

An image of two hands gently placing a pillow in white linens on a sun drenched bed.

Clinician Perspectives Resourcing Yourself to Overcome Burnout as a Therapist

Alma News Introducing Alma Integrity Standards

Loving Kindness Meditation

Voices & Advice Loving Kindness Meditation

Overhead view of a person using a computer at a desk at home, with books and a mobile phone nearby

Alma News How Alma Minimizes Paperwork & Saves Time for Clinicians

Two parents walk away from the camera along a paved path in the woods. In between them is their toddler, clasping each of their hands.

Mental Health 101 Reunification Therapy For Divorce: Repairing Parent-Child Relationships

A teenager bathed in sunlight from the window, talking animatedly with her virtual therapist at her computer.

Starting Therapy Therapy for Teens

A screenshot from Naomi's video interview with Alma.

Clinician Perspectives How Naomi Cohn, LCSW, uses Alma to avoid provider burnout

A therapist bonding a child she supports, playing a video game side-by-side.

Starting Therapy Child Therapy: How It Works, Types, and Finding the Right Therapist

Three rough stones, each vaguely resembling the shape of a heart, in the well-groomed sand of a zen garden.

Mental Health 101 Family Constellation Therapy

A therapist and their client seated at a café table in wishbone chairs, with the therapist taking notes on a clipboard.

Clinician Perspectives Unpacking Holiday Stress & Healthy Coping Strategies: A Provider’s Guide for 2023

A disappointed mother trying to teach her daughter a family recipe in her dimly-lit kitchen.

Mental Health 101 Why Our Families Affect Us So Much

A swimmer floats on open waters, striking the delicate balance between resting and drowning.

Clinician Perspectives Building Sustainability Amidst the Chaos

A person of color sitting in a doorway, with a few plants surrounding them, and a rainbow decoration on a nearby shelf.

Clinician Perspectives What is a ‘Wiley Treatment Planner’ and Should Therapists Use Them?

A behind-the-scenes image of a therapist featured in Alma's new campaign, resting on a couch in her office.

Voices & Advice Not just anyone.

An experienced Latina therapist sits with a young mentee at a sun-drenched table inside a quiet café.

Alma News On unequal access to mentors in behavioral health care

A fleeting glance from within a quiet therapy office, looking through an open door into an empty hallway.

Clinician Perspectives As a therapist, I miss open doors.

Person sitting in a bean bag chair with legs resting on a table while looking contemplatively at a laptop

Alma News Assessment Tools in Alma: Supporting Therapists and Client Relationships

Voices & Advice People-Pleasing Isn’t 'Manipulative' — It’s Fawning

A light-skinned hand squeezing some kind of blue stress ball or putty.

Mental Health 101 What is a ‘Trauma Response,’ Actually? And How Many Are There?

A hand holds a charred, smoking piece of palo santo wood in total darkness.

Clinician Perspectives Therapists: You're Not Ineffective, You're Exhausted.

A screenshot from Meagan's video interview with Alma.

Clinician Perspectives Why I chose Alma for my private practice

A clipboard with a checklist sits on a coffee table between a therapist and their patient. Perhaps it is a clinical assessment…

Clinician Perspectives How Therapists (Really) Measure Progress

Several seeds of a dandelion floating through the air, suspended as if by magic against a green woodsy backdrop.

Clinician Perspectives Doing and Knowing: On Fostering Growth in the Therapy Room

Close-up of a calculator and paper chart

Clinician Perspectives The Most Overlooked Tax Deductions for Therapists

Closed closet doors thrown into relief by shadows from bright afternoon sunlight.

Clinician Perspectives On Coming Out to Clients as a Queer Therapist

A collection of downtrodden folks of all walks of life, crossing a busy downtown crosswalk.

Clinician Perspectives Demystifying Minority Stress Theory and Its Impact on Mental Health

Many ornate brass keys laid flat in a perfectly repeating pattern on a marigold backdrop.

Mental Health 101 The Role of Diagnosis in Therapy

A hand holds up a reflective glass fragment, revealing a small sliver of someone's face, including a pensive eye staring back.

Mental Health 101 Recognizing and Treating Dissociative Identity Disorder

Sitting on a green, grassy lawn under a blue sky, a redhead enjoys an ice cream bar.

Starting Therapy 9 Reasons To Consider Therapy, Even If You’re Feeling ‘Fine’

An LA woman protests the US Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v Wade, chanting while holding a cardboard sign that says "My Body My Choice."

Clinician Perspectives A Roe v. Wade Resource Guide for Mental Health Care Providers

Large rocks along a shoreline

Clinician Perspectives Gender-Affirming Care: Thoughts & Perspectives from Therapists

A person places sticky notes on their wall to visualize and plan their work as a coping strategy for ADHD.

Voices & Advice Getting Organized: Effective Strategies for Adults with ADHD

Over a table with a pastry and coffee, a woman holds her friends hand as a show of support.

Mental Health 101 Mental Health Statistics That You Should Know

An open planner showing many blank dates without any appointments.

Clinician Perspectives A Guide for Getting More Referrals to Your Therapy Private Practice

A person with long red hair and tattooed arms covers their face with their hands.

Voices & Advice Demand Avoidance: A Guide For When You’re Too Anxious to Do Anything

A neon pink sign in the shape of a smiley face looks down on a dark room, imposing its toxic positivity on all.

Voices & Advice ‘Good Vibes Only’: People With Mental Health Struggles Aren’t Disposable

Three different monkey-in-a-barrel figurines, tenuously linked up against the backdrop of a sunny sky, showing the importance of community and a three-pronged approach to fighting stigma.

Clinician Perspectives Destigmatizing mental health

A young woman looks up, hopefully, while walking through the neighborhood.

In Session How Can I Tell If Therapy is Working?

Rejected ideas, shown as crumpled pieces of paper aimed for the trash bin.

Mental Health 101 What is Rejection Therapy?

Writing

Alma News How Cross-State Licensure Reform Can Ease America’s Mental Health Crisis

Two black parents cradling their swaddled newborn in a trendy apartment.

Clinician Perspectives The State of Black Mental Health: Thoughts & Perspectives from Black Therapists

An outstretched hand made of clay, holding a purple egg whose shell has been cracked to reveal "superfood" blueberries inside.

Mental Health 101 5 Types of Disordered Eating That Are Normalized

A smiling person with long brown hair sits reclined on a white sofa, leaning on one arm, gazing across the room.

Starting Therapy How to Know if a Therapist is Right For You

A photograph of two friends who seem to be blissfully disengaged from thinking about food, centered on a snack held in one hand.

Voices & Advice Coffee Isn’t Breakfast, And 5 Other Lessons From Eating Disorder Recovery

A Black therapist taking progress notes on her clipboard while seated in front of a patient.

Alma News Alma’s Influence

A Sikh man wearing a dastar straightens his turban in the mirror.

Starting Therapy How to find a culturally sensitive therapist as an Indian American person

Writing

Clinician Perspectives The Most Common Challenges Facing Therapists

A man works at his coffee table to calculate the cost of therapy after finishing a virtual consultation.

Starting Therapy Does Insurance Cover Therapy? How to Calculate Your Cost

A woman sits on her parquet floor, reflecting on the abstract line art she has painted on posters laid out before her.

Mental Health 101 Cognitive behavioral therapy: What it is, how it works, and who it’s best for

A dream-like rendering of an archway to a mysterious set of cobalt-blue stairs, leading upward.

Mental Health 101 Psychodynamic therapy: What it is, how it works, and who it’s best for

A young Latinx adult skateboarder in a bucket hat, taking a break to sit on their board at a sunny Californian skate park.

Starting Therapy How to find a culturally sensitive therapist as a Latinx person

An Afro-Caribbean person finds calm before a virtual therapy session by sipping tea and petting their small, tawny dog.

Starting Therapy How to find a culturally sensitive therapist as an Afro-Caribbean person

A black man with dreadlocks lies, despondent, on a gray loveseat before a therapist holding a clipboard.

Clinician Perspectives Why Cultural Sensitivity Matters in Addiction Treatment