MDOT with Phil Miller

On this episode of the Modern Day Overthinker podcast, host Collin Strajack interviews therapist Phil Miller, who specializes in couples counseling, family therapy, and individual therapy, practicing just outside Grand Rapids, Michigan. The discussion highlights the most common issue in couples therapy: communication breakdowns, often described as a lack of connection or difficulty understanding each other’s perspectives. Miller, trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), emphasizes helping couples access deeper emotions and longings to rebuild trust and intimacy. He notes that while most clients are married, he also works with premarital couples and families, addressing challenges like post-marriage adjustments and the emotional complexities of living together, which can feel overwhelming even after the honeymoon phase.

The podcast also explores individual therapy, with Miller addressing men’s mental health, a key focus during Mental Health Awareness Month (this was recorded in May). Common issues for men include emotional communication struggles, anxiety, perfectionism, and pornography addiction, often compounded by societal expectations to suppress emotions. Miller, who has personal experience with anxiety, underscores the importance of therapy for therapists, destigmatizing mental health care. He discusses the challenges of fatherhood, its impact on mental health, and the power of presence in relationships and parenting. Additionally, they touch on systemic barriers like state-specific licensing for therapists, which complicates access to care, and the critical role of empathy and support in addressing severe mental health crises, such as suicidal thoughts, emphasizing the importance of community and connection.