“What they are modeling is an abuse of power” In this episode CTA Co-Directors Christine Sefein and Michael Olan sit down with Naomi Epps Best. Naomi shares her harrowing experience as a whistleblower during her time at Santa Clara University, where she was subjected to disturbing content in her human sexuality class and was denied accommodations for her privacy and beliefs. Naomi is known for her opinion piece in the @WSJopinion and for her numerous appearances across platforms bringing light to the situation in therapy education. This conversation delves into the ideological conflicts present in modern education, the emotional toll of speaking out, and the importance of authenticity in therapy. Naomi reflects on the decline of academic rigor and the personal costs associated with her journey, ultimately emphasizing the need for courage and open discussions in the face of prevailing ideologies.
Find Naomi’s Work Here: https://clinicallyincorrect.substack….
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
00:52 Whistleblower Experience at Santa Clara University
06:17 Critical Social Justice in Education
12:11 Classroom Dynamics and Student Reactions
18:03 The Impact of Ideology on Clinical Training
23:02 The Gap in Practical Training
24:42 Motivations Behind Becoming a Therapist
27:00 Disillusionment with the Profession
29:41 Emotional Toll of Leaving the Profession
32:38 Moral Injury in Therapy
34:46 Finding Power in Speaking Out
38:00 The Dangers of Consent in Therapy
40:19 The Shift in Therapy Ideology
45:15 Hope in Open Dialogue
48:32 Admissions and Activism in Therapy Education
49:49 The Rigor of Graduate Programs
52:37 The Personal Cost of Speaking Out
55:33 Navigating Relationships and Professional Identity
59:12 The Impact of Ideological Conflicts in Therapy
01:02:29 The Threat of Divergent Worldviews in Therapy
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