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Financial Anxiety and Trauma in Therapy: How to Help Clients Repair Their Relationship with Money with Michelle Johnston, MA, Registered Psychologist

Earn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button.

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Course Information: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGwdscmxRc/eMAWaVkmEJT-TsbziTbAYQ/view?utm_content=DAGwdscmxRc&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h973397ed37

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Episode Summary: Money is woven into nearly every part of life, yet conversations about financial stress are often missing from therapy. In this episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, host Shaina Siber sits down with Michelle Johnston, MA, Registered Psychologist, to unpack the ways financial anxiety and trauma impact mental health and what therapists can do to help.

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Topics Covered:

  • Common behavioral and emotional patterns of financial anxiety (avoidance, overspending, fear-based decision-making).
  • How early money messages and financial trauma shape adult beliefs, emotions, and relationships.
  • Practical therapeutic strategies to reduce financial stress and support values-aligned decision-making.
  • Why reflecting on our own money stories is vital for clinicians who want to address financial anxiety in a culturally responsive way.

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About Our Guest: Michelle Johnston is a registered psychologist and the founder of Take Care Therapy Co. in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with over 10 years of experience in the mental health field. She specializes in helping individuals navigate financial stress, work/life balance, personal growth, and overall well-being. Michelle works with youth, adults, and couples, integrating evidence-based modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT). She is also Trauma of Money™ certified and brings extensive training in trauma, anxiety, and relational health to her practice.

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Conflict of Interest Disclosure: The host, Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, is the Founder of Affirm Mental Health, an accredited CE provider. She receives financial compensation from Affirm Mental Health for the development and delivery of continuing education content. There are no other conflicts of interest to disclose.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical training or treatment. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional.

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