AI is already shaping how people seek comfort, reassurance, and even intimacy. So what happens when more and more turn to machines for therapy? In this live-recorded conversation, Johanne sits down with psychodynamic psychotherapist Aaron Balick, author of The Psychodynamics of Social Networking and an early voice on the digitally extended self, to talk about what hyper-validation and frictionless companionship do to our capacity for real relating.

What is covered: The algorithmic self, relational complexity, sycophancy and the tolerance of otherness, what psychodynamic thinking brings to a debate dominated by measurables, and advice for therapists whose clients are using ChatGPT.
Show links:

• Aaron Balick's Substack Newsletter Depth Psychology in the Digital Age
• The unedited video recording of the live-streamed conversation
• Details for the Rupture & Repair Conference, Berlin, June 6–7, where AI in the Therapy Space, will be one of the presentations

In this episode, Johanne Schwensen sits down with psychologist Julie Haas to break the silence around a topic that affects millions, yet remains deeply misunderstood: the psychological impact of the menstrual cycle.

We often normalize suffering as "just part of being a woman," but Julie challenges this narrative. We dive into the science of how hormones shape our mental health and explore practical ways to move from "fixing" ourselves to working with our bodies.

What happens psychologically when moving doesn’t “fix it”?

In this episode of Therapy Talk, Johanne Schwensen speaks with clinical psychologist and psychodynamic psychotherapist Julia Wysokowsky about the emotional impact of moving.

Together they explore how mobility shapes identity, belonging, and emotional continuity, from the early euphoria of relocation to grief, loss of grounding, and the challenge of staying connected while always on the move. The conversation touches on unconscious motivations for moving, mobility as a defense against intimacy, and how cultivating rituals and relationships can help create an inner sense of home across changing environments.

A thoughtful listen for anyone who has lived between places or cultures.

Interested in exploring these themes further? Join the Rupture & Repair Conference in Berlin and online, where therapists and practitioners come together to explore how rupture, breakdown, and reconnection show up not only in therapy rooms, but in relationships, communities, and the wider world. Learn more and apply to contribute here.