Best Rahim Thawer, MSW Podcasts (2025)

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CBT Shorts: The Aftermath of Being Ghosted 41:14

9M ago41:14

41:14

We all know how infuriating it can be when someone ghosts you after a couple of dates. It's okay to feel frustrated and deceived. But what else comes up for you in those moments? 🤔 In our latest Shorts episode, we're bringing you the key moments from the original episode so you can dive into the heart of the discussion where we explore the underlyi…

1
CBT Shorts: Can’t Break My Soul - When Dating Meets Grind Culture 36:21

10M ago36:21

36:21

In this special Shorts episode, we revisit some highlights from a previous season that dive deep into personal journeys and the challenges of dating apps. Our guest, Terence, believes that everyone is on their unique path. Yet, he struggles with feelings of resentment when judged by people with impressive job titles and comfortable bank accounts. J…

1
When your queerness feels constantly challenged 31:01

10M ago31:01

31:01

Lindsay Wynn, founder and CEO of Momotaro Apotheca, shares her experience of feeling excluded and questioned about her bisexual identity at a gay bar. She explores the feelings of self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and sadness that arose from this encounter. Lindsay reflects on her journey of self-discovery and the challenges of navigating her sexual i…

1
Getting out of your mind and into your body with somatic therapy 38:41

11M ago38:41

38:41

Instead of exploring thoughts patterns using CBT this episode, Rahim interviews somatic counsellor Megan Blair, who then guides him through a mini session where Rahim plays the role of the client who is encouraged to explore what his body is experiencing and what insight it can give him. They discuss the practice of somatic experiencing and its foc…

1
CBT Shorts: Muscles and my fear of being overlooked 26:54

11M ago26:54

26:54

In this bonus Shorts episode of The CBT Dive, we’ve taken the highlights from a previous season for you to dip into. Host and psychotherapist Rahim Thawer talks with Al about body image concerns amongst gay men and the pressures to either achieve or maintain a particular physique. This preoccupation is about optimising the ways they can participate…

1
Parenting an ageing parent: Offering care with renewed boundaries 37:01

12M ago37:01

37:01

Our guest this episode is a medical worker named Ale who joins psychotherapist and host Rahim Thawer to discuss his complicated relationship with his mom and the difficult feelings that arise when she calls asking him for money. In a departure from our usual episode, Rahim pivots from using a thought record to using a problem solving worksheet to b…

1
Feeling frazzled and not knowing where to start 41:48

1y ago41:48

41:48

Host and psychotherapist Rahim Thawer talks with David, a masters student who is struggling with balancing his career with his schoolwork. Together they delve into the feelings and thoughts of dread, exhaustion, urgency, and self-criticism that emerge in the evening when David is done with work for the day but procrastinates before starting his sch…

1
CBT Shorts: Trepidation of being a "bottom" on Grindr 34:30

1y ago34:30

34:30

In this bonus Shorts episode of The CBT Dive, we’ve taken the highlights from a previous season for you to dip into. Host and psychotherapist Rahim Thawer talks with Adnan about his experience with hesitating to indicate he’s a “bottom” on dating app due to femmephobia and bottom-shaming in the gay community. ABOUT THE CBT DIVE PODCAST The CBT Dive…

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Masking jealousy with stoicism in a poly relationship 31:20

1y ago31:20

31:20

In this conversation, psychotherapist and host Rahim Thawer is joined by José, a psychologist and poet who lives with their partner. José shares their experience as the anchor partner in a polyamorous relationship and they explore the feelings and behaviors that arise in certain situations, such as when their partner shows affection to another part…

1
CBT Shorts: My father is dishonest and consistently disappointing 20:50

1y ago20:50

20:50

In this bonus CBT Shorts episode, we’ve taken the highlights from a previous season for you to dip into. Host and psychotherapist Rahim Thawer talks with Farrah about her experience with a dishonest and disappointing father. ABOUT THE CBT DIVE PODCAST The CBT Dive is a video podcast that brings therapy skills to the real world. Each episode welcome…

1
Reframing the fear of being excluded 40:04

1y ago40:04

40:04

Host and therapist Rahim Thawer talks to Vance, a sex and intimacy coach, who discusses his behaviors and thoughts when he feels excluded, and his desire for a group of friends. Vance shares his experiences with friendships and the fear of being too much for others. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the isolation that can come with pe…

1
When capitalism turns you against yourself 40:04

1y ago40:04

40:04

Psychotherapist and host Rahim Thawer and Riz discuss Riz’s travel adventures and how they have led to unique stressors and insights into his relationship with money. Riz shares situations that have brought up difficult feelings, such as feeling cheated and disappointed when spending money on experiences that don't meet his expectations. Rahim help…

1
When you're trying to disrupt the trauma of poverty 38:14

1y ago38:14

38:14

In this episode, host Rahim Thawer talks to Kae about the recurring feelings of stress around when rent is due. The conversation explores Kae's thoughts and emotions related to financial struggles, self-criticism, and worries about falling back into unhealthy habits. Rahim and Kae also cover topics such as maintaining psychological safety, rational…

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E22 The aftermath of being ghosted 1:49:54

2+ y ago1:49:54

1:49:54

When you’re ghosted by someone after a couple of dates, it’s legitimately infuriating. It’s okay to feel frustrated and even deceived. But, what else comes up for you in those moments? In this episode, we explore the underlying fears that get reawakened after a ghosting experience. These include fears of being unworthy or unattractive and also an o…

1
E21 Interview: Culturally adapted CBT and treatment for complex disorders, in-person and online 44:54

2+ y ago44:54

44:54

In this interview, Dr. Farooq Naeem shares his longstanding research interest in CBT and culture. He discusses how CBT concepts can conflict with the beliefs of people in non-Western cultures and then delves into the various ways people can understand and approach depression and schizophrenia from their own worldviews. He also discusses his researc…

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E20 Interview: Adapting CBT interventions for sexual and gender minorities 39:21

3y ago39:21

39:21

In this interview, Dr. Trevor Hart discusses the need for CBT interventions that target sexual and gender minorities (SGM) and explains how they differ from standard psychotherapy. He addresses some of the critiques that are often shared about the CBT approach and shares his perspectives on the utility of goal-oriented models. Finally, he tells lis…

1
E19 Questioning my lived experience as a valid credential 1:13:46

3y ago1:13:46

1:13:46

When community organizations create roles for people with lived experience, how does this get experienced on the employee side? In this episode, we talk to a harm reduction activist, drug user, and community worker committed to gay men's health. He explores the imposter syndrome and feelings of self-doubt when working next to academics and other cr…

1
E18 Self-criticism as a motivator or reinforcer of low self-worth 1:01:26

3y ago1:01:26

1:01:26

You have a work assignment but you avoid getting started, worry about failure, catastrophize, and then negate positive feedback when it's been submitted and reviewed. Sound familiar? In this episode, we explore a common but frustrating pattern. We query the possibility of Adult ADHD and locate its roots in childhood family dynamics. Sebastien leave…

1
E17 Performative activism and the betrayal of a close friend 1:15:08

3y ago1:15:08

1:15:08

If you were called out publicly (or worse, cancelled altogether), would your closest friends stick by your side and be there for you? In this episode, we examine the impact of being betrayed by close friends on social media for their own self-preservation. We also explore how the loss, grief, and trauma can permeate all future relationships and lea…

1
E16 Can’t Break My Soul - When Dating Meets Grind Culture 1:14:34

3y ago1:14:34

1:14:34

We’re all on our individual journeys. That’s what this guest strongly believes. Still, there’s legitimate resentment that comes up when you feel judged by people on dating apps who appear to be well sorted with their nice job titles and cushy bank accounts. In this episode, we conjure up Beyonce to help reframe the feelings of inadequacy that arise…

1
E15 Honouring my identity and being expereienced as righteous 1:47:47

3y ago1:47:47

1:47:47

Friendships come easily to some of us while others struggle to be seen, understood, and affirmed. In this episode, we explore the story of someone who felt outcast by a group of peers who saw him as inconsistent around his values and behaviour. And, the skills to mend the ruptures were hard to conjure up on both sides of the divide. BrownGayRealnes…

1
E14 What it means for a queer woman to close the door on having children 1:36:16

3y ago1:36:16

1:36:16

While gay men often toss out their straight-world rule book and start anew, queer women don't always have the same luxury. Women are socialized, encouraged, and pressured to be so many things, including maternal. In this episode, Telsa considers what it means to be with a partner who doesn't want children. As a queer woman in her mid-thirties, she'…

1
E13 I experience intense connection and intense loss 1:18:55

3y ago1:18:55

1:18:55

What do your friends expect from you when you make plans together? Sometimes we might feel like we have to bring only positive energy or always be helpful in some way. In this episode, we gently shift away from assumptions about toxic friendships and begin to consider how low self-worth might contribute to our relationships going downhill. - WATCH …

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E11 The time I cursed at myself over a small mistake 1:26:29

3y ago1:26:29

1:26:29

Do you ever scold yourself for small mistakes? What's underneath that tendency to self-punish? In this episode, Dawn examines the time she cursed at herself for merely leaving a water bottle in her car. We did a deep dive to unearth a core belief around (in)competence and fears of future failures. - WATCH at thecbtdive.ca LISTEN wherever you get po…

1
E10 Career planning in my 40's and the grief of time passed 1:14:05

3y ago1:14:05

1:14:05

Sometimes self-doubt increases with age. And, we look back at the bold decisions of our twenties and thirties and wonder if we made the right choices. In this episode, Phil examines his grief, regret, and anxiety about changing careers in his mid-40s and wonders if he really should have left his post-secondary studies for a partner over a decade ag…

1
E9 Awake and frustrated: all about insomnia 49:43

3+ y ago49:43

49:43

What keeps you up at night? And how does a thought-restructuring tool help with sleep? In this special episode, I interview two sleep medicine specialists based in Australia. We discuss what drives sleep disturbance and insomnia and behavioural approaches to support people who struggle with getting good sleep. Have a look at the D-BAS 16 questionna…

1
E8 Applying for a job and hearing my mother's critical voice 57:36

3+ y ago57:36

57:36

Did your parents want you to be a doctor or an engineer? Perhaps they came from a place of precarity and unintentionally undermine your efforts to carve out your own path to be a creative, to freelance, to take risks. In this episode, Nino processes his preparation-avoidance ahead of a job interview. His avoidance is rooted in negative self-talk an…

1
E7 The curiosity of other couples when you're a single gay man 1:00:24

3+ y ago1:00:24

1:00:24

Being a single gay man isn't easy. Many of us long to be in relationships. We're intentionally crammed into urban centres to have access to one another and yet the dating culture feels a bit unkind. This is complicated by any mental health struggles because being able to know your needs and communicate them is a whole other skill set mired in stigm…

1
Special Episode: Muzzie Mental Health w/ Sogand Zakerhaghighi 52:29

3+ y ago52:29

52:29

This special episode is a departure from using intervention tools in real-time and instead explores their value from a population-based mental health perspective. In this episode, we explore what it means for Sogand Zakerhaghighi to be a visibly Muslim mental health professional living in Canada (and in Alberta specifically). We both delve into wha…

1
Episode 5: Trepidations of being a "bottom" on Grindr 1:12:49

3+ y ago1:12:49

1:12:49

We're so proud of ourselves for having secured rights and increased representation of queer people in popular media. But there's so much that continues to be problematic within our own communities that needs attention. For gay men, femmephobia and bottom-shaming top the list (no pun intended). In this episode, we explore what is at stake in connect…

1
Episode 4: Fear of flying & processing grief 1:16:55

4y ago1:16:55

1:16:55

What is the connection between aerophobia and grieving the loss of a parent with whom you had a complicated relationship? On the surface, these things are seemingly unrelated. However, for my special celebrity guest Zoë Ligon who examines her experiences of panic while flying, we began to understand the panic as a trigger for past trauma and terror…

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Episode 3: Big ideas and difficulty following through 57:05

4y ago57:05

57:05

Do you (or someone you know) struggle with following through on personal projects? It's really hard to have a brilliant mind and always second-guess yourself. This is the struggle for many adults living with ADHD including this week's guest on The CBT Dive. In this episode, we explore how Zee compares himself to others whose job performance and car…

1
Episode 2: Muscles and my fear of being overlooked 51:54

4y ago51:54

51:54

Gay men talk quite a bit about body image concerns and pressures to either achieve or maintain a particular physique. This preoccupation is about optimizing the ways they can participate in gay men's spaces, including dating and hookup culture. In this episode, we meet Al who seemingly has the body he's always wanted but we dig a bit deeper into th…

1
Episode 1: My father is dishonest and consistently disappointing 52:56

4y ago52:56

52:56

ABOUT THE CBT DIVE PODCAST The CBT Dive is a video podcast that brings therapy skills to the real world. Each episode welcomes a new guest who wants to explore a challenging situation using the most common cognitive behavioural therapy tool: the thought record. ABOUT HOST Rahim Thawer is a queer, racialized social worker and psychotherapist based i…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Rahim Thawer, MSW Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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The CBT Dive

Rahim Thawer, MSW

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CBT Shorts: The Aftermath of Being Ghosted 41:14

1
CBT Shorts: Can’t Break My Soul - When Dating Meets Grind Culture 36:21

1
When your queerness feels constantly challenged 31:01

1
Getting out of your mind and into your body with somatic therapy 38:41

1
CBT Shorts: Muscles and my fear of being overlooked 26:54

1
Parenting an ageing parent: Offering care with renewed boundaries 37:01

1
Feeling frazzled and not knowing where to start 41:48

1
CBT Shorts: Trepidation of being a "bottom" on Grindr 34:30

1
Masking jealousy with stoicism in a poly relationship 31:20

1
CBT Shorts: My father is dishonest and consistently disappointing 20:50

1
Reframing the fear of being excluded 40:04

1
When capitalism turns you against yourself 40:04

1
When you're trying to disrupt the trauma of poverty 38:14

1
E22 The aftermath of being ghosted 1:49:54

1
E21 Interview: Culturally adapted CBT and treatment for complex disorders, in-person and online 44:54

1
E20 Interview: Adapting CBT interventions for sexual and gender minorities 39:21

1
E19 Questioning my lived experience as a valid credential 1:13:46

1
E18 Self-criticism as a motivator or reinforcer of low self-worth 1:01:26

1
E17 Performative activism and the betrayal of a close friend 1:15:08

1
E16 Can’t Break My Soul - When Dating Meets Grind Culture 1:14:34

1
E15 Honouring my identity and being expereienced as righteous 1:47:47

1
E14 What it means for a queer woman to close the door on having children 1:36:16

1
E13 I experience intense connection and intense loss 1:18:55

1
E11 The time I cursed at myself over a small mistake 1:26:29

1
E10 Career planning in my 40's and the grief of time passed 1:14:05

1
E9 Awake and frustrated: all about insomnia 49:43

1
E8 Applying for a job and hearing my mother's critical voice 57:36

1
E7 The curiosity of other couples when you're a single gay man 1:00:24

1
Special Episode: Muzzie Mental Health w/ Sogand Zakerhaghighi 52:29

1
Episode 5: Trepidations of being a "bottom" on Grindr 1:12:49

1
Episode 4: Fear of flying & processing grief 1:16:55

1
Episode 3: Big ideas and difficulty following through 57:05

1
Episode 2: Muscles and my fear of being overlooked 51:54

1
Episode 1: My father is dishonest and consistently disappointing 52:56