Can I Say That? Free Speech, Self-Censorship, and Mental Health with Dr. Chloe Carmichael

In this 60-minute continuing education course, Dr. Chloe Carmichael explores the psychological importance of free speech, open dialogue, and authentic self-expression in clinical, professional, and relational contexts. Drawing from her book Can I Say That? Why Free Speech Matters and How to Use It Fearlessly, Dr. Carmichael examines how language supports emotional regulation, metacognition, problem-solving, social connection, and self-efficacy.

The course highlights the mental health costs of chronic self-censorship, including suppression, repression, denial, reduced authenticity, weakened social support, and increased vulnerability to anxiety, depression, and groupthink. Dr. Carmichael also discusses the difference between healthy self-restraint and harmful self-silencing, helping clinicians better understand how clients may struggle to speak honestly in relationships, workplaces, academic settings, families, and broader social environments.

Participants will learn practical tools for helping clients speak up with greater confidence and discernment, including the WAIT framework, reflective listening, thought replacement strategies, mind mapping, role play, debrief planning, and techniques for increasing tolerance when listening to opposing viewpoints. The course also addresses how clinicians can support clients in building more resilient relationships by balancing authenticity, emotional safety, grace, and respectful dialogue.

This training is designed for mental health professionals who want to better understand the connection between free expression, psychological well-being, and relational health, while gaining practical strategies to support clients who struggle with self-censorship, conflict avoidance, rejection sensitivity, or difficulty engaging in difficult conversations.

Earn 1 continuing education contact hour when you complete this self-study course. Watch and listen to the content, pass the quiz and download your certificate of completion.

Please check with your state board to see if they will accept NBCC continuing education contact hours. Mustard Consulting, LLC is a NBCC Approved Provider, No. 7061

Please note: There are NO REFUNDS for Podcourses, the Podcourse Bundle, CE Courses and Digital Downloads.

Learning Objectives:

Describe the role of language and open dialogue in emotional regulation, metacognition, problem-solving, and relational connection.
Identify potential unintended consequences of vague or unevenly enforced speech rules, including increased uncertainty, self-censorship, helplessness, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and vulnerability to groupthink.
Explain how chronic self-censorship may interfere with authenticity, self-efficacy, social support, close relationships, and inclusive dialogue.
Outline the benefits of free speech and open dialogue for affect regulation, complex problem-solving, collaborative thinking, and robust social dynamics.
Apply the WAIT framework to help clients assess when, how, and whether to speak up in difficult conversations.
Demonstrate counseling strategies that support authentic communication and emotional regulation, including reflective listening, thought replacement, role play, journaling, debrief planning, and mind mapping.

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Continuing Education Contact Hours:

Mustard Consulting, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7061. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Mustard Consulting, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Can I Say That? Free Speech, Self-Censorship, and Mental Health with Dr. Chloe Carmichael

Earn 1 Continuing Education Contact Hour.

Buy Now - $20

About Dr. Chloe Carmichael

Dr. Chloe Carmichael is a clinical psychologist and USA Today bestselling author of Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of Your Anxiety (St. Martin’s Essentials, 2021), endorsed by Deepak Chopra. Her new book, Can I Say That? Why Free Speech Matters and How to Use It Fearlessly. explains how to unlock the mental health benefits of free speech. The book has been endorsed by Dr. Phil, Jack Posobiec, Patrick Bet-David, Michele Tafoya, and more. Dr. Chloe presents onsite and virtual workshops, equipping individuals and organizations with evidence-based strategies to strengthen personal and professional development.

Dr. Chloe attended Columbia University for a BA in Psychology and graduated summa cum laude with Departmental Honors in Psychology. She completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Long Island University. She completed clinical training at Lenox Hill Hospital, Kings County Hospital, and various community and university counseling centers. Her work on psychotherapy has been published through academic sources like Guilford, and she has presented at the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. She has taught at Long Island University and served as adjunct faculty at the City University of New York.

Financial and Non-Financial Disclosures:
Dr. Chloe Carmichael is the author of Can I Say That? Why Free Speech Matters and How to Use It Fearlessly, which is discussed and referenced in this training, and she may receive royalties from book sales. Dr. Carmichael and Lisa Mustard/Mustard Consulting, LLC share revenue generated from sales of this continuing education course.

Frequently Asked Questions

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I'm interested in presenting a Podcourse or CE course - what are your requirements?

Thank you for your interest! Please email hello@lisamustard.com for more information.

We follow the NBCC guidelines for presenters and subject matter:

"The subject matter must be directly and primarily related to an NBCC Content Area; and, the presenter of the program, or author preparing the publication, must qualify as a presenter/author (presenter) for the subject matter presented.

Qualifying programs must be taught or authored by presenters who possess appropriate qualifications, as required by this Policy.

Qualified presenters and authors are classified by three (3) specific categories. The following categories identify the relevant education and/or experience requirements for a presenter to qualify to present/ author programs that are offered for NBCC continuing education credit.
1. Category 1 Presenter Qualifications:
In order to qualify as a Category 1 Presenter, the individual must:
(a). Hold a graduate degree in a mental health field from a regionally accredited educational institution; and,
(b). Be qualified by appropriate education, experience, and/or training to present/author the particular subject matter, or author the publication concerning the subject matter.

2. Category 2 Presenter Qualifications:
In order to qualify as a Category 2 Presenter, the individual must:
(a). Hold a graduate degree from a regionally accredited educational institution directly related to the subject matter presented; and,
(b). Be qualified by appropriate education, experience, and/or training to present/author the particular subject matter, or author the publication concerning the subject matter.

3. Category 3 Presenter Qualifications:
In order to qualify as a Category 3 Presenter, the individual must:
(a). Be qualified by appropriate education, experience, and/or training to present/author the particular subject matter, or author the publication concerning the subject matter.

4. Additional Presenter Requirements and Restrictions.
(a). Each program presenter must qualify under this Policy to teach the particular subject matter presented by that individual.
(b). Honorary academic degrees must not be used to qualify a presenter to present or author programs offered for NBCC credit.
(c). Individuals who have received academic degrees outside the United States may or may not be qualified to present programs for NBCC credit. Such foreign degreed individuals may be required to submit the results of an international degree equivalency evaluation. NBCC will determine whether the individual qualifies as a presenter under this Policy."