© 2026 Western New York Public Broadcasting Association

140 Lower Terrace St.
Buffalo, NY 14202

Toronto Address:
130 Queens Quay E.
Suite 903
Toronto, ON M5A 0P6


Mailing Address:
Horizons Plaza P.O. Box 1263
Buffalo, NY 14240-1263

Buffalo Toronto Public Media | Phone 716-845-7000
BTPM NPR Newsroom | Phone: 716-845-7040
Differing shades of blue wavering throughout the image
Give Now
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
What’s Next?

Why Does Human Connection Matter in Therapy?

Published September 30, 2026 at 11:00 AM EDT
Ways To Subscribe

Therapist Wayne Brown of Willow Grove Counseling joins "What’s Next?" to discuss the growing role of artificial intelligence in mental health care and why he believes human connection remains essential to therapy. We also talk about students, teachers, the impact of current events on mental health, and the importance of self-care for therapists.

What's Next? 2026
Stay Connected
Latest Episodes
  • How Is New York State Funding Affecting Buffalo and Western New York?
    State Senator April Baskin joins What’s Next? to discuss how decisions made in Albany are affecting communities across Western New York. She discusses funding for food access, health services, and Buffalo’s fiscal stability, as well as efforts to expand opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses. Baskin also discusses auto insurance reform, India’s Law, and her legislative priorities for the next session.
  • Why Do Black Women Say They Can’t Be Their Authentic Selves at Work?
    A new report from Cornell University’s ILR Buffalo CoLab examines the workplace barriers facing Black women in Erie County, including wage disparities, discrimination, and the pressure to code-switch. On What’s Next?, Dr. Karen King, Sara Taylor, and Cathy Creighton discuss the report’s “concrete ceiling” and what employers and policymakers can do to create meaningful change.
  • How Is Environmental Contamination Affecting Niagara Falls Communities?
    On this episode of What’s Next?, Christen Civiletto discusses the toxic history of Niagara Falls, the ongoing concerns surrounding Love Canal and other contaminated sites, and the potential impact on public health.
  • What Does 50 Years of Community Service Look Like at the Belle Center?
    On this episode of What’s Next?, The Belle Center's Executive Director Lucy Candelario discusses how the center has evolved alongside a changing neighborhood, the growing needs she sees in the community, and the partnerships helping the Belle Center connect residents with resources. We’ll also take a tour of the Belle Center to see the space and programs firsthand.
  • What Happens When Medicaid Rules Change? Or What Will Medicaid Cuts Mean for Western New York?
    One year after the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, changes to Medicaid and SNAP are creating new challenges for families, healthcare providers, and communities.
  • Red background with a thick black stripe in the middle. In the top corner is "EPISODE 355" in white text. Then, centered from top to bottom, is: What's Next? logo, "What Can Africana Studies Teach Us About Juneteenth?", then a photo of Dr. Marcus Watson with his name underneath.
    What Can Africana Studies Teach Us About Juneteenth?
    On this episode of What’s Next?, Dr. Marcus Watson, Associate Professor of Africana Studies at Buffalo State University, discusses the history of Juneteenth, its significance in the American story, and why understanding this history remains important today.
  • Red background with a thick black stripe in the middle. In the top corner is "EPISODE 354" in white text. Then, centered from top to bottom, is: What's Next? logo, "How Can Juneteenth Inspire Action Beyond Celebration?", then a photo of Charlynn Rivera and Danessia Scott-Warren with their names underneath.
    How Can Juneteenth Inspire Action Beyond Celebration?
    On this episode of What’s Next?, contributor Saladin Allah speaks with Charlynn Rivera of the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center and Danessia Scott-Warren of the Niagara Organizing Alliance for Hope about social justice, community engagement, advocacy, and civic participation.
  • Red background with a thick black stripe in the middle. In the top corner is "EPISODE 353" in white text. Then, centered from top to bottom, is: What's Next? logo, "What Can We Learn from One's Survivor's Journey to Healing?", then a photo of TaJuan Williams with his name underneath.
    What Can We Learn from One Survivor’s Journey to Healing?
    On this episode of What’s Next? TaJuan Williams, author of Doscriosta, shares his personal journey as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and discusses the challenges of overcoming addiction, incarceration, and unresolved trauma.
  • Red background with a thick black stripe in the middle. In the top corner is "EPISODE 352" in white text. Then, centered from top to bottom, is: What's Next? logo, "How is Western New York Addressing Gaps in Mental Health Care?", then a photo of Molly Carr and Katie Diebold with their names underneath.
    How Is Western New York Addressing Gaps in Mental Health Care?
    On this episode of What’s Next?, we explore the Adult Critical Time Intervention (CTI) program and how it works to reduce homelessness, prevent rehospitalization, and connect individuals with essential services including housing, transportation, nutrition, and behavioral health treatment.
  • Red and black image with text reading "What's Next? Anniversary Special: WHERE DID THE MONEY GO? $92,896,293.56 PART III: WHAT HAS CHANGED?
    Where the Money Go? Part III: What Has Changed?
    In the final installment of What’s Next?’s three-part anniversary series marking four years since the May 14 Tops mass shooting, the focus shifts from promises to outcomes.