THE MOST CHALLENGING LIVE COMPETITION IN MENTAL HEALTH!

In August 2021, courageous therapist trainees from around the world participated in the first-ever therapist competition to discover who is the best of the best. After two rounds of intense competition, celebrity judges James Boswell and Hanna Levenson crowned the winning trainee. Now, once again, hopeful trainees from around the world are preparing to participate in the 2ND SEASON of the most grueling live competition in mental health training: the THERAPIST THROWDOWN!

The Therapist Throwdown is a mock-therapist competition for undergraduates (bachelor students) and graduates (masters/doctoral students) where contestants respond to videos of standardized clients. Our goal is to promote a therapist training culture where trainees feel comfortable to experiment, show their mistakes, and get feedback, all in a context that is respectful, compassionate, and even fun!

NEW for this season:

  • Harder mock clients

  • Tougher alliance ruptures

  • Deeper misattunement

  • And bigger prizes!

View a recording of the Live Final Round here

2022 THERAPIST THROWDOWN RESULTS


The following trainees participated in the 2022 Therapist Throwdown. Their courage and dedication to therapeutic skill development is an inspiration for the field!

GOLD PRIZE (tied): Andy Blyth & Mikaela Grove

SILVER PRIZE: Kathryn Armstrong

BRONZE PRIZE (tied): Fances Grace Hart & Jennifer Gittleman

Honorable Mentions:

  • Nikol Hoxha

  • Aakriti Prasai

  • Clarisse Aeaea M. Kilboy

  • Greta Hacker

  • Joao Manuel de Almeida Oliveira

  • Kamila Grochowska

  • Renyi Huang

  • Roxanne Koh

2021 THERAPIST THROWDOWN RESULTS


The following trainees participated in the 2021 Therapist Throwdown. Their courage and dedication to therapeutic skill development is an inspiration for the field!

GOLD PRIZE: Jen Ying Zhen Ang, New York University, United States

SILVER PRIZE (tied): Zhaoyi Chen, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, United States

SILVER PRIZE (tied): Akiva Gornish, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, United States

Honorable Mentions:

  • Dara Auguste, Lamar University, United States

  • Ester Pena, Psychology Board of Australia, Australia

  • Esther Imogu, Lamar University, United States

  • Gonçalo Marques, Faculdade de Psicologia da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal

  • James Zech, Teachers College at Columbia University, United States

  • João Manuel A. Oliveira, ISPA-IU, Portugal

  • Karl-Oskar Argani Olsson, University of Gothenburg, Sweden

  • Minhnguyen Cao, The George Washington University, United States

  • Natasha Kostek, St. John’s University, United States

  • Rabeea Baloch, Lamar University, United States

  • Rita Vigil, Capella University, United States

  • Shanice Santa Olivo, Albizu University, Puerto Rico

  • Simon Yeates, IICP, Ireland

  • Stephanie Miodus, Temple University, United States

  • TJ Sullivan, Stony Brook University, United States

  • Trinity Dempsey, Eastland County Crisis Center, United States