Thoughts on Record: Podcast of the Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! Digital media is changing the way young people experience—and express—mental health struggles, particularly depression. Child and adolescent psychiatrist, Dr. Meredith Gansner, joins us to discuss themes in her new book Teen Depression Gone Viral.  

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! At first glance, perfectionism looks like an asset; however, the same internal drive that fuels greatness can also erode well-being, leaving success feeling empty and unsatisfying. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Heather Wheeler, psychologist and former elite athlete, to explore the psychology of perfectionism in high achievers. In this conversation we cover: Defining perfectionism: What is it and is it ever adaptive?Early Conditioning: The role of coaches, parents, and social environments in shaping perfectionistic traits.When It Becomes Harmful: How to recognize when a drive towards excellence is tipping into burnout or mental health risk.Identity & Performance: How high performers conflate self-worth with performance—and what happens post-retirement.Working with High Performers: Navigating some of the specific challenges that can come with working with high performers Perception by others: How perfectionistic high performers can be perceived by others in an untoward fashion and what can be done about it Evolutionary Significance: The potential evolutionary origins of perfectionismUnmet Needs: How leveraging awareness of unmet needs, loneliness and a lack of connection within one's broader life can help high performers achieve a higher quality of life Injury & Recovery: How a perfectionistic mindset can both help and hinder the recovery process.Mental Health Risks: Links between perfectionism and anxiety, depression, and eating disorders in high performers.Values: Facilitating effective discussions with high performers in therapeutic, parenting and coaching contexts Heather is one of Canada's leading experts at the intersection of mental health and high-performance sport. Recognized for her deep knowledge and skill as a Clinical Psychologist with expertise in performance psychology, alongside her passion and enthusiasm for creating change, Heather's impact is system-wide; including support for athletes, coaches, sport leaders and organizations across all levels of the Canadian sport system. She has been on the leading edge of the evolution of mental health prioritization in sport in recent years, helping build awareness of the unique challenges related to “mental injuries,” including eating disorders. She is adept at driving high-performance cultures through a series of steps and processes that develop the right conditions for people and organizations to grow to their full potential. As Mental Health Lead for Athletics Canada, Swimming Canada and Canadian Sport Institute Ontario, Heather leads the path for early intervention and treatment of athletes and coaches. She is also the psychologist for the HighPerformance Centre – Ontario (HPC-ON), working with the national swim team athletes and coaches and creating a psychologically-informed environment. She has been supporting high-performance and world-class athletes and coaches on their journey up to and including the Olympics and Paralympics since 2008 and is a provider for Game Plan's Mental Health Network. Heather has over two decades of experience providing psychological assessment and evidence-based treatment to diverse populations, in both private practice and the public healthcare system.  Beyond clinical practice and leadership roles, Heather is a sought-after keynote speaker and workshop facilitator, known for creating engaging, transformative experiences and workshops related to mental health for high-performers. www.heatherwheeler.com 

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! Dr. Chris Taplin,a psychiatrist and founder of Ottawa's TMS Life clinic, joins us for a deep dive into one of the most promising frontiers in psychiatric care: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS. As clinicians, many of us have encountered the heartbreak of treatment-resistant depression — watching clients struggle despite best-practice psychotherapy and pharmacology. TMS offers a non-invasive, evidence-based alternative that is reshaping how we approach these cases. In this conversation, we unpack the science, patient experience, clinical decision-making, and broader implications of this technology. Whether you're a skeptic, a curious clinician, or already working with neuromodulation, I think you'll find this a thoughtful, grounded look at where TMS fits in the future of mental health treatment.Topics We Cover:

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Joe Pierre, psychiatrist and author of False, to explore why people believe things that aren't true—and why challenging those beliefs is rarely as simple as presenting the facts. Drawing from research in psychiatry, cognitive science, and social psychology, Dr. Pierre unpacks the emotional, identity-based, and relational roots of misinformation and conspiratorial thinking.  Whether you're a clinician, educator, or simply someone trying to make sense of our “post-truth” era, this conversation offers an evidence-based look at the psychology behind false beliefs. In this conversation we discuss: Why smart people believe irrational things  The emotional and identity functions of conspiracy theories  How misinformation spreads—and why it's so sticky  The limits of fact-checking and logic-based persuasion  The "prognosis" for someone who believes in conspiracy theories  The role of mental illness in extreme beliefs (and where the line is)  Online echo chambers, tribalism, and distrust in institutions  The psychological appeal of certainty in uncertain times  Strategies for promoting critical thinking and intellectual humility  Bio: Joe Pierre, MD, is a clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. With a background in both molecular biology and psychology from MIT and medical training at UCLA, Dr. Pierre's career has focused on severe mental illness, particularly psychotic disorders. In addition to his clinical work, he's a prolific writer and commentator on the psychology of belief, delusion, and misinformation. His Psych Unseen column for Psychology Today explores the intersection of psychiatry, media, and culture. False is his definitive exploration of why we believe things that aren't true, and what that means for our mental health and collective future.drjoepierre.compsychologytoday.com/us/blog/psych-unseen@psychunseen@psychunseen.bsky.social

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Scott Waltman and Kasey Pierce coauthors, along with Trent Codd, Ed.S of The Stoicism Workbook - to explore how ancient Stoic philosophy can offer powerful tools for managing today's challenges. From emotional resilience and anxiety to self-compassion and values-driven living, we unpack how timeless Stoic principles can help you navigate stress, uncertainty, and personal growth.Whether you're a mental health professional, a fan of philosophy, or just someone looking for practical ways to feel more grounded, this conversation brings Stoicism down to earth—with insights that align closely with many therapeutic frameworks.We discuss:What Stoicism is and why it's still relevantThe Stoic approach to emotional resilience and anxietyThe difference between values and virtuesHow to apply Stoic practices in daily lifeBuilding tolerance for discomfort and uncertaintyTransforming self-criticism into self-compassionSocratic questioning as a tool for insight and changeEmbracing acceptance without falling into complacencyCultivating wisdom and living in alignment with what matters mostScott Waltman, PsyD, ABPP, is a clinician, international trainer, and practice-based researcher. His interests include evidence-based psychotherapy practice, training, and implementation in systems that provide care to underserved populations. He is president-elect of both the Academy of Cognitive & Behavioral Therapies and  the International Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapies. He is board certified in Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology. Dr. Waltman, worked as a CBT trainer for one of Dr. Aaron Beck's CBT implementation teams in the Philadelphia public mental health system. He is a practicing Stoic and the first author of The Stoicism Workbook: How the Wisdom of Socrates Can Help You Build Resilience and Overcome Anything Life Throws at You. Kasey Pierce is a writer and Stoicism columnist from the metro Detroit area. She has contributed as a freelance content editor for Donald Robertson's “Verissimus” (St. Martin's Press) and serves as the editor of Tim LeBon's “365 Ways to Be More Stoic” (John Murray Press). Kasey recently coauthored “The Stoicism Workbook” with CBT practitioners Scott Waltman and R. Trent Codd. Additionally, she is the. communications director for Plato's Academy Centre, a nonprofit in Athens, Greece, dedicated to promoting philosophy as a way of life. Kasey's passion lies in making the intersection of Stoic philosophy and cognitive behavioral therapy accessible to everyday people, using relatable examples and humor to enhance understanding and application. https://www.instagram.com/socraticmethodcbt/https://www.instagram.com/kcdwrites/

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! Building emotional security and navigating conflict with intention often defines the success of our closest relationships.  Join us for an in-depth discussion with psychologist Dr. Betsy Chung to explore these and other topics explored in her new book The Couple Skills Workbook: Manage Conflict, Increase Trust & Intimacy, and Build a Better Relationship.  In this conversation we cover: how a lack of emotional security in one's childhood impact their romantic relationships as an adulthow old defenses from childhood can still affect us in adult relationships as well as common signs that someone is still relying on these childhood defenseswhat emotional attunement looks like in a healthy relationship and how couples can improve their emotional attunementwhat effective acknowledgment looks like in everyday interactions between partnersthe importance of unconditional acceptance and how to accept each other's flaws and differences without feeling resentmenttools for repairing relationship ruptures. What are the first steps a couple should take when trying to reconcile after a heated argument?Bio: Dr. Betsy Chung, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and relationship expert with a passion for helping individuals cultivate healthier, more fulfilling relationships. She began her academic journey at the University of California, Irvine, where she earned a degree in Psychology and a minor in Education. In 2010, Dr. Chung completed her doctoral degree in clinical psychology at Alliant University and became a licensed psychologist in California in 2013. Dr. Chung's diverse career includes experience in various mental health settings, from in-patient and partial hospitalization to outpatient substance abuse rehabilitation and community mental health clinics for children. Since 2015, she has focused on private practice, where she discovered her true passion for guiding individuals and couples toward stronger relationships.Her latest book, The Couple Skills Workbook: Manage Conflict, Increase Trust & Intimacy, and Build a Better Relationship, provides a hands-on approach to building trust, communication, and emotional intimacy. Through her work, Dr. Chung continues to empower people to develop greater self-awareness and relational intelligence.https://www.drbetsychung.com

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! In this episode, we sit down with Donna Jakson Nakazawa to explore a topic at the core of many people's therapeutic journeys: recovering from the impact of adverse childhood experiences. Her new book, The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Guided Journal, offers a compassionate, science-backed approach to understanding how trauma shapes our lives—while providing actionable steps to rewire the brain for healing. Whether dealing with childhood trauma, chronic stress, or emotional adversity, Nakazawa's work equips readers with practical tools to process their past, build resilience, and cultivate an internal sense of safety. Join us as we dive into this powerful conversation.Why it's important to revisit childhood adversity to achieve a fully actualized adulthoodHow adverse childhood experiences impact brain developmentSafely managing the challenging emotions that can arise when processing past traumaKey reflective questions that can help uncover how childhood experiences shape adult patternsA helpful approach for those feeling stuck in anger or resistant to exploring this contentThe power of narrative in understanding and making sense of our personal storyThe protective role of positive childhood experiencesHow connection serves as the antidote to traumaWhy naming emotions is essential for emotional regulationHow to effectively create emotionally corrective experiencesDonna Jackson Nakazawa is an award-winning science journalist, author, and internationally recognized speaker whose work focuses on the intersection of neuroscience, immunology, and human resilience. With a passion for helping individuals heal from trauma, Nakazawa has written several groundbreaking books, including “Childhood Disrupted”, “The Angel and the Assassin”, “Girls on the Brink”, and her latest, “The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Guided Journal”. Drawing on over 30 years of experience in journalism and research, Nakazawa has developed science-based techniques for trauma recovery, such as her pioneering "Neural Re-Narrating" process. Her work is deeply rooted in neuroscience and the power of writing as a tool for healing. As the creator of “Your Healing Narrative”, she teaches writing-to-heal workshops that combine mindfulness, self-compassion, and neuroscience to help people transform their lives.  Nakazawa is also a regular speaker at major universities and conferences, where she shares her expertise on trauma, adversity, and emotional well-being. Her insights have been featured in numerous media outlets, including “The New York Times”, “The Washington Post”, “The Today Show”, and NPR. She is known for her compassionate, accessible approach to complex scientific topics and her dedication to empowering individuals to reclaim their health and well-being.http://donnajacksonnakazawa.com

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! Many of us accept freewill as an undeniable truth, assuming that we are the architects of our own decisions and destiny. Yet, a growing body of scientific research challenges this notion, suggesting that our sense of freewill may be more of an illusion than reality. This emerging perspective carries profound implications, urging us to reconsider the foundations of personal responsibility, ethics, and the way we govern our society.  Dr. Yona Bouskila joins us to explore this provocative subject, drawing on insights from his thriller, The Unthinkable Truth, which expertly blends scientific inquiry with imaginative fiction.  In this conversation we cover: the motivation behind delving into free will in The Unthinkable Truth and  how the book challenges conventional views on decision-making and destinythe fusion of neuroscience, philosophy, and AI in the book, with a particular focus on the Theory of Apparent Mental Causation, and the evidence that underpins this perspectivehow main character George Bennet's journey reflects the broader questions about the extent of human free will the role of AI, exemplified by the character Sherlock, in the exploration of free will and contrast its capabilities with human reasoningthe scientific tools and methods employed in the book to tackle the age-old question of free willthe interplay between personal responsibility and free will, and consider how these concepts might influence moral and legal frameworks in society.the ethical dimensions of using AI to understand and potentially influence human decisions, weighing its possible dangers and benefits.the key philosophical arguments against the existence of free will as presented in the book, and discuss how these are either supported or refuted by scientific evidence.the future of free will research and its potential impact on society, both in theory and in practice.A scientist by training, a thinker by nature, and an author by passion, Yona Bouskila has a particular fascination with the human mind in all its aspects. This enduring passion, together with his penchant for thrillers, served as the driving force behind The Unthinkable Truth, which he describes as a unique blend of thought-provoking science and thriller that culminates in an eye-opening revelation on the mind and humanity. He studied biology (with philosophy) and received a PhD in neuroscience from UCLA. He is involved in medical research and development. Before that, he conducted brain research at several institutions in the US and Europe. He writes short stories, often with a humorous slant, and his debut novel was published in May 2024. He lives in England with his wife and pets, where he enjoys the Surrey countryside and contemplating Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Unthinkable-Truth-Yona-Bouskila-ebook/dp/B0CW1N2JTJ/Visit the author's website: https://www.yonabouskila.com/

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! Whether it's in our personal relationships, at work, or even with ourselves, boundaries are essential for our well-being and peace of mind. Yet, many of us - even clinicians I might add - at times struggle with this practice, often feeling overwhelmed, guilty, or unsure of how to start. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Sharon Martin discuss insights from your new book "Better Boundaries Guided Journal" which offerings practical advice and thoughtful discussion on how to establish boundaries that protect our time, energy, and emotional health.  In this conversation we cover: what inspired her to create the "Better Boundaries Guided Journal"the most common misconceptions people have about setting boundaries.the flexible application of boundaries.overcoming the fear of conflict or potential for ejection that may come with setting boundaries.the role that guilt play in preventing people from setting boundaries, and how can someone work through these feelings?managing the challenge of connecting with resentment that has built up when we do start enforcing boundaries.  why clinicians may be particularly challenged with respect to implementing the very boundaries that they encourage for their clients.  the influence of family of origin on our boundary-setting abilities. boundaries as an extention of self-care.  the importance of recognizing personal rights in boundary-setting and how someone can begin to assert these rights in a way that feels authentic to them?helping clients who are considering putting hard boundaries between themselves and their family, including no contact.  enforcing boundaries within the workplace. setting realistic expectations around boundary setting and the reactions of others using boundary setting to evaluate the health of a relationship. Bio: Dr. Sharon Martin, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and psychotherapist devoted to teaching clients to love and accept themselves. She has practiced psychotherapy for over twenty years, drawing strongly on positive psychology and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques. Martin is a regular columnist for popular online publications, including Psychology Today and PsychCentral. She is a frequent guest on health and wellness podcasts. Her well-informed insights are featured on numerous websites, including The Good Men Project, Highly Sensitive Refuge, and Healthline.  Along with her extensive contributions to online media, Martin authors both e-books and printed titles. Her newest book, The Better Boundaries Workbook, helps clients find their voices and express their needs, allowing them to set limits and cultivate healthier relationships in their lives. Martin provides freely accessible affirmations and worksheets via her website, reflecting her passion for helping people learn self-compassion and self-acceptance.

Comments or feedback? Send us a text!While most of us intuitively believe that our assessment of our lives is largely objective and a direct result of what has been happening to us, it's clear that subjective perceptions of objective events play a significant role in shaping the ultimate emotional experience of those events. This highlights the importantly interplay between personality traits and life satisfaction, raising questions about how much flexibility we have to change, reinterpret events, and see things differently to enhance well-being.  Professor Dr. Rene Mõttus joins us for a discussion of his recent paper, "Most People's Life Satisfaction Matches Their Personality Traits." In this discussion, we explore:  why the Big Five stands out as a widely accepted and utilized model of personality.an overview of the Big Five model.exploring the relationship between personality traits and life satisfaction, and its importance due to its implications for psychological well-being. the methodology employed in the study and the challenges involved in clearly defining core concepts such as "life satisfaction" to ensure measurable and reliable outcomes.the particular traits that serving as stronger predictors of well-being.  Personality traits that exhibit varying degrees of stability over the lifespan, and changes in these traits can affect life satisfaction as people age.  how extraversion and neuroticism play a pivotal role in determining life satisfaction.moderating factors, such as life events and cultural contexts.the surprising correlations between specific personality traits and life satisfaction, challenging conventional wisdom in the field.  applying these findings in clinical practice to enhance well-being, such as guiding therapists in working with clients and understanding the potential for change and effect sizes.  Dr. René Mõttus is a personality psychologist whose research delves into the intricacies of human individuality, encompassing personality measurement, development, and the interplay between personality traits and well-being.  Dr. Mõttus earned his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Tartu in 2009. His doctoral research focused on the universal and specific aspects of personality traits across various representations.  In 2010, he joined the University of Edinburgh as a postdoctoral researcher. His academic trajectory at Edinburgh includes appointments as a lecturer in 2013, reader in 2019, and professor in 2024.  Since 2023, Dr. Mõttus has also served as a professor of psychology at the University of Tartu, contributing to the academic community in his home country.  Beyond his teaching and research roles, Dr. Mõttus is the Editor-in-Chief of the European Journal of Personality, where he oversees the publication of cutting-edge research in personality psychology.  He co-hosts the Personality Psychology Podcast, engaging audiences in discussions on the latest developments in the field. Additionally, he authors the blog "People Unexplained" on Psychology Today, exploring various facets of human behavior and personality.   Blog: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/people-unexplained

Comments or feedback? Send us a text!Compulsive reassurance seeking can be a challenging issue for both clients and therapists to manage. Clients are often highly adept—sometimes knowingly, sometimes unknowingly—at eliciting excessive reassurance from therapists and family members. At the same time, resisting the urge to seek reassurance can feel nearly impossible for clients. In this episode, Amanda Petrik-Gardner, LCPC, joins us to discuss core themes from her new book, "The Compulsive Reassurance Workbook". Our conversation covers:What compulsive reassurance seeking is and its significance across various mental health presentations.Differentiating between normal reassurance seeking and compulsive reassurance seeking.Common triggers that lead to compulsive reassurance seeking.The importance of distress tolerance in managing reassurance-seeking behaviors.Mental health disorders that are more susceptible to compulsive reassurance-seeking behaviors.he cycle of reassurance seeking and how it perpetuates anxiety.Avoiding the use of clinical interventions (e.g., a thought record) as a safety behavior.Key components of the reassurance-seeking cycle.Effective metaphors for psychoeducation.Guidance for family members on navigating this specific challenge.Treating compulsive reassurance seeking in complex situations (e.g., trauma, pandemics, checking the accuracy of completed tasks).The role of “extinction bursts” in exposure-based work.Relapse prevention and normalizing setbacks.Understanding when to approach versus step back from a feared stimulus.Managing dysfunctional beliefs about worry.Feedback or comments?  Email us at: oicbtpodcast@gmail.comAmanda Petrik-Gardner, LCPC specializes in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders. Amanda is the creator of the OCD Exposure Coloring Books and The Compulsive Reassurance Workbook, now available on Amazon. Amanda is on the board for OCD Kansas, an affiliate of the IOCDF (International OCD Foundation) and the president of the Kansas Counseling Association. She has completed the Behavioral Therapy Training Institute through the IOCDF and the Professional Training Institute through the TLC Foundation for BFRBs. Amanda currently provides Teletherapy to the states of Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri, Michigan, Maine, Arizona and Florida.https://www.amandalcpc.com

Comments or feedback? Send us a text!Behavioural activation is one of the best, if not the best treatments for depression. Clinical psychologist and author, Dr. Nina Josefowitz joins us for an in-depth discussion of themes contained in her new book The Behavioural Activation Workbook for Depression.  In this discussion we cover:    The basic premise of behavioral activation and how it differs from other depression treatments.The negative feedback loop of depression and why it is so challenging to break.How behavioral activation addresses the physical and emotional symptoms of depression.The role motivation plays in behavioral activation and how individuals can overcome a lack of motivation.The difference between the causes of depression and its treatment.The importance of individuals assessing their level of depression before starting treatment.The purpose of activity monitoring in the context of behavioral activation.Common pitfalls people encounter when trying to monitor their activities and mood.How detailed activity monitoring should be to be effective.Specific examples of mood-boosting activities.The importance of identifying personal values when setting goals for managing depression.Common avoidance behaviors that perpetuate depression.How the physical environment impacts an individual's ability to engage in positive activities.Common setbacks individuals face when engaging in behavioral activation.Strategies for sustaining progress in managing depression.The benefits of combining behavioral activation with medication for a more comprehensive treatment plan.Nina Josefowitz, PhD, is a clinical psychologist. In addition to her clinical practice, she teaches at the University of Toronto, and has offered training in North America, Asia, and Africa. She is author of numerous professional articles on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and issues related to general clinical practice. Along with David Myran, she coauthored CBT Made Simple and has co authored the new book The Behavioural Activation Workbook Depression (available on Amazon.com). She has appeared in court numerous times as an expert witness in cases involving interpersonal violence. Dr. Josefowitz was on the Council of the College of Psychologists of Ontario for 9 years, and President of the College from 2001-2003. She has published in the area of trauma, cognitive behavior therapy, women's issues, ethics and clinical psychology.   Dr. Josefowitz is well known for integrating years of clinical experience into a practical, actionable strategies.  

Comments or feedback? Send us a text!Navigating relationships with emotionally immature parents can evoke very strong reactions, which can be difficult to navigate. In many clinician's experience, when this topic comes up, people tend to react in one of three ways: defending their parents as perfect, blaming them for all their struggles, or questioning their own perceptions entirely - all of which can create stuck points. Author and psychologist, Dr. Lindsay Gibson, who has written and lectured extensively on the topic of emotional immaturity joins us for a discussion of some of the core themes covered in her new book “Disentangling from Emotionally Immature People”.  In this discussion we cover:  why has this topic been such a focus over her career the kinds of emotional activation in clients can that flow from discussions around emotionally immature parents.the key traits that distinguish emotionally immature people from those who are more emotionally maturedevelopmental factors that contribute to emotional immaturity in adultsrecognizing emotional immaturity in parents to help adult children heal from past traumasthe primary coping mechanisms that emotionally immature people use, and how these impact their relationshipspractical steps can adult children take to set and maintain healthy boundaries with emotionally immature parentsbest practices for communicating effectively with emotionally immature parents, especially during conflictsconsidering whether forgiveness is necessary for healing from the impact of emotionally immature parents, and what alternatives exist if forgiveness is not feasiblehow can adult children of emotionally immature parents focus on building healthy, fulfilling relationships outside of their family of originLindsay C. Gibson, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist with more than thirty years' experience working in both public service and private practice. Her books—including the #1 Amazon best seller, Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents—have sold more than a million copies, and have been translated into thirty-seven languages. In the past, Dr. Gibson has served as an adjunct assistant professor, teaching doctoral clinical psychology students clinical theory and psychotherapy techniques. She specializes in therapy and coaching with adults to attain new levels of personal growth, emotional intimacy with others, and confidence in dealing with emotionally immature family members. Her website is available at http://www.lindsaygibsonpsyd.com.

Comments or feedback? Send us a text!Assessing & treating adult ADHD can be both very challenging as well as highly rewarding for client and clinician alike. Psychologist & author, Dr. Russell Ramsay joins us for an in-depth discussion of the assessment and treatment of adult ADHD building on themes in his new workbook, The Adult ADHD and Anxiety Workbook.  In this discussion we cover: why Dr. Ramsay wanted to write a workbook focused on both ADHD and anxiety and why individuals with ADHD may be particularly prone to anxietya brief description of the symptom clusters of ADHD and why a dimensional approach can be helpfulan evolutionary angle to understanding ADHDan extensive discussion of tricky diagnostic issues including: nuance around contextualizing the later emergence of childhood symptoms; assessing ADHD in female clients; understanding the impact of "masking" on the presentation of symptoms; the impact of high trait agreeableness and pleasing behaviours on functional impacts; the course of symptoms over the lifetimethe contribution of undiagnosed ADHD to treatment resistance around other co-morbid conditionsaddressing the interpersonal challenges that can come with ADHDunderstanding rejection sensitivity in the context of ADHD  a strengths-based lens on ADHDthe so-called "ADHD tax"Comments or feedback?  Email the podcast at: oicbtpodcast@gmail.comJ. Russell Ramsay, PhD, ABPP, is a licensed psychologist specializing in the assessment and psychosocial treatment of adult attention deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD). Before embarking on his solo virtual practice, he was cofounder and clinical director of the University of Pennsylvania's Adult ADHD Treatment and Research Program, where he was professor of clinical psychology in psychiatry. Ramsay is widely published, including five books on adult ADHD; lectures internationally and virtually; and is in the Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) Hall of Fame. He is from the Greater Philadelphia, PA, area.

Many clinicians experience a sense of helplessness around effectively managing calls from loved ones of an individual living with a mental illness who is not willing to engage in treatment.  There is frequently an impression that little can be done until the affected individual wants to change.  Dr. Alec Pollard joins us for a discussion of he and his co-authors new book "When a Loved One Won't Seek Mental Health Treatment".  In this conversation we cover:    why Dr. Pollard and co-authors wanted to write this bookthe challenge for clinicians in fielding calls from loved ones seeking treatment for a loved one who is not motivated to engage in changewhere traditional approaches to a treatment avoidant loved one have fallen shortoperationally defining "treatment avoidance" through a lens of non-blameteasing apart the impact of symptoms vs. treatment avoidanceunderstanding how the loop of accomodation-minimization within the "family trap" can keep an individual stuck in treatment avoidancecontextualizing the counterintuitive impact of accommodation considering the extent to which family members are realistically positioned to provide assistance to family members given the complexities involved and the slippery slope of the family trapparallels to the family trap within the client-therapist relationshipthe line between clear, transparent boundaries and minimization on the part of the family member and the temporal course matterswhy their approach focuses almost exclusively on the family member as opposed to the loved one that won't seek treatmentcreating a recovery friendly environmentthe complications that personality challenges in either a family member and/or client can presentunderstanding when a family when should enlisting professional assistancehow to discuss this conundrum with a family member who calls for assistance with a loved oneC. Alec Pollard, PhD, is founding director of the Center for OCD & Anxiety-Related Disorders at Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute, and professor emeritus of family and community medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He is a licensed psychologist with a special interest in the study and treatment of individuals with anxiety and emotional disorders who refuse or otherwise fail to benefit from evidence-based treatment. Pollard, codeveloper of the family well-being approach (FWBA), has authored or coauthored more than one hundred publications and leads the Family Consultation Team at Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute.

Dialectical behavior therapy or DBT is a wonderful suite of tools that help people to be more effective with respect to managing their emotions and becoming more interpersonally effective.  These are challenges that often loom especially large for those who are highly sensitive.  Emma Lauer, LCSW joins us for a discussion of her workbook DBT Skills for Highly Sensitive People.  In this conversation we cover:   what inspired Emma to speak about the implementation of DBT in a way that is tailored specifically to sensitive individuals.defining a highly sensitive person in the context of mental health and therapy and how this construct has been empirically defined.tell-tale life experiences that are typical of a highly sensitive individual.the biggest myths, misconceptions or “lore” about highly sensitive people.contrasting sensitivity with weakness.why emotional sensitivity can be a super power.current self-defeating cultural narratives, behaviours and values around emotional experiences.the unique challenges that highly sensitive individuals face that DBT can help address.distress tolerance vs. an unhealthy escape from difficult emotions.the importance of the so-called "window of tolerance" and top strategies for expanding the window of tolerance.some of the unique interpersonal challenges that highly sensitive people experience and how DBT can help to address this.managing uncertainty as a central challenge of managing a highly sensitive temperament.Laura's favourite emotion regulation strategies.some of the challenges of implementing mindfulness for highly sensitive individuals. Emma Lauer, LCSW, is a therapist specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, self-harming behaviors, and trauma. Emma is an eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)-certified therapist, an EMDR Consultant-in-Training, and she has taught both undergraduate and graduate-level courses at Arizona State University. She currently practices therapy and oversees interns and other staff therapists as clinical supervisor at Find Your Shine Therapy, a group private practice in Tempe, AZ.https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/emma-lauer-tempe-az/418090

In addition to being a topic that appears frequently in the realm of pop psychology, emotional intelligence is a subject of serious, rigorous academic inquiry.  Clinical psychologist & author, Dr. Stephanie Catella joins for us for a discussion of core-themes in her new book  The Emotional Intelligence Skills Workbook: Improve Communication and Build Stronger Relationships.  In this conversation we cover:   why Dr. Catella to create a workbook specifically focused on Emotional Intelligence (EI)?the current operational definition of EIcommon misconceptions people have about EIclinical presentations that may be particularly useful addressing EI?the importance of providing psychoeducation around emotions reacting v.s responding a values-driven path to EIradical acceptance as an advanced EI skill mentalizing  & attunment in the context of EIdefining genuine, effective, values-driven empathy and differentiating this from more manipulative concepts like agentic extraversiona consideration of fact vs. fiction around the emotional intelligence of narcissistic individuals the effective ingredients around effective, values-driven assertiveness and the value of being kind  the benefit to improve one's mental health and overall well-beingthe evoking of schemas that can occur in the context of this workComments or feedback?  Email us oicbtpodcast@gmail.com.  Stephanie Catella, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist with expertise in transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for trauma, anxiety, and building emotional intelligence. After completing fellowships at the San Francisco VA and the University of California, San Francisco, she codirected the Berkeley Cognitive Behavioral Therapy clinic with Dr. Matt McKay. In addition to her private practice, she authored an FDA-cleared prescription digital therapeutic for fibromyalgia, and serves as an advisor to HealthTech companies.www.drstephcatella.com 

Bipolar disorder is often thought of as a mental disorder that is treated exclusively with medication when in fact there are a number of evidence-based psychotherapeutic techniques that can be used to complement traditional pharmacotherapy.  Dr. Holly Swartz joins us for a discussion of the core themes in her new book, Social Rhythm Therapy for Bipolar Disorder.  In this conversation we cover:a brief overview of bipolar disorderwhat Social Rhythm Therapy (SRT) is and how it is used to treat bipolar disorderthe key principles and components of SRTchallenges or considerations when implementing SRT with adolescents or young adults with bipolar disorderhow SRT complements other treatments for bipolar disorderhow SRT addresses the relationship between daily routines, sleep patterns, and mood regulationimplementing SRT within a family systemaddressing challenges related to sleep from a behavioural vs. pharmacological routethe unique challenge that technology, screen-time etc. pose to forming healthy biological routinesadvice for mental health professionals who are interested in incorporating SRT into their practice for bipolar disorderComments or feedback?  Email the podcast: oicbtpodcast@gmail.comIf you are finding value in the podcast, a rating on your podcast platform of choice would be greatly appreciated.Holly A. Swartz is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She received her undergraduate degree from Harvard College, medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and completed her psychiatric residency training at New York Hospital / Cornell University School of Medicine. Dr. Swartz's research focuses on understanding and optimizing treatments for mood disorders. She is well known for her work evaluating Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) and Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) as treatments for depression and bipolar disorder. Her research focuses on the role of IPSRT and pharmacotherapy in the management of bipolar II depression and IPT in the management of maternal depression. She is engaged in collaborative projects to develop computational frameworks to model dyadic interpersonal behaviors in relation to psychotherapy process and outcomes and to understand neural correlates of change in chronotherapeutic behavioral interventions. Her research has been funded by the National Institute of Health, National Science Foundation, and the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation. Dr. Swartz has held elected leadership positions for national and international professional organizations, including serving as President of the International Society of Bipolar Disorders (ISBD ; 2024-2026), President of the International Society for Interpersonal Psychotherapy (ISIPT ; 2015-17), and Board Member of the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology (ASCP ; 2021-2029).  She is the 2018 recipient of the Depression and Bipolar Association (DBSA) Gerald L. Klerman Senior Investigator Award in recognition of outstanding research contributing to the understanding, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of mood disorders. She is the author of over 100 publications, co-author of Bipolar II Disorder: Recognition, Understanding and Treatment (American Psychiatric Association Publishing, 2019), author of The Social Rhythm Therapy Workbook for Bipolar Disorder: Stabilize Your Circadian Rhythms to Reduce Stress, Manage Moods, and Prevent Future Episodes (New Harbinger Press, 2024), and Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Psychotherapy. She serves as a member of the Scientific Advisory Boards of DBSA and the International Bipolar Foundation.https://www.psychiatry.pitt.edu/about-

Challenges related to attachment in relationships - especially in the context of romantic relationships - can evoke very strong emotions and behavioral urges that can often backfire, sometimes causing the very thing we fear most; namely, the dissolution of a relationship.  Psychologist, author, speaker & teacher, Dr. Leslie Becker-Phelps joins us for a discussion of her latest release, The Insecure In Love Workbook.  In this discussion we cover:    what inspired Dr. Becker-Phelps to write The Insecure in Love Workbook and the clinical realties of this challenge that she had in mind when constructing her approacha brief overview attachment and how it relates to our relationships how early life experiences influence our attachment styles in adulthooddifferentiating between normal relationship challenges and issues stemming from insecure attachment patternsthe most common self-defeating patterns that people engage in when an attachment feels threatened the critical importance of self-awareness in managing issues related to attachmentDr. Becker-Phelps' STEAM model (5 domains of self-awareness: Sensations, Thoughts, Emotions, Actions, Mentalizing)helping clients navigate challenges related to self-acceptance and compassionate self-awarenesswhat determines sustainable compatibility whether it is healthy to accommodate or even “give in” to one's attachment stylenavigating an intense attraction to someone from the lens of attachment the line between co-regulation & subjugation/unhealthy accommodation in a relationship Comments or feedback?  Email us at: oicbtpodcast@gmail.com Dr. Leslie Becker-Phelps is dedicated to helping people understand themselves and what they need to do to become emotionally and psychologically healthy. She is in private practice, hosts a YouTube channel, and is a prolific writer. She has authored The Insecure in Love Workbook, Insecure in Love, and Bouncing Back from Rejection. She also writes the Authentically You blog and the Making Change blog on Psychology Today. To learn more about Dr. Becker-Phelps, visit www.drbecker-phelps.com

The last decade has seen the ascendency of a number of "public intellectuals" who have come under increasing scrutiny around allegations of misinformation, conspiracy mongering, grifting & intellectual inconsistency.  Importantly, many have achieved "guru" status with millions of followers and devotees on YouTube and other social media platforms.  Professors & podcasters, Drs. Matt Browne & Chris Kavanagh joins us for a conversation in which we cover their critical consideration of the "guru-sphere" in their podcast Decoding the Gurus.  In this conversation we cover:    why they started the Decoding the Gurus podcast and the ethos of the podcastwhy they have chosen to focus on secular gurus a consideration of their "gurometer" with pertinent examplesguru "adjacent" individuals who frequently host discussions with the gurusthe guru mindset: Machiavellian bad actors or delusional self-belief (or both)?  the natural history of the guru from anonymity to ascendency what gurus tell us about ourselveswhy gurus curry command so much loyalty in their followers factors in the current landscape that may be contributing to the rise of the guruwhy more gurus have not taken up the "right to reply" opportunity on Decoding The GurusFeedback or comments?  Email us at: oicbtpodcast@gmail.comAn Australian psychologist and numbers-guy, Dr. Matt Browne is a research professor in psychology at CQU where he does research on all manner of things, but particularly enjoys looking into why people believe the things they do: religion, conspiracy theories, alternative medicine and stuff. He's into social media in the same way people slow down for car accidents.Dr. Chris Kavanagh is Northern Irish cognitive anthropologist who occasionally moonlights as a social psychologist. Chris has long standing interests in the psychology of conspiracy theorists and pseudoscience. His academic research focuses on the Cognitive Science of Religion and ritual psychology.. Chris is an Associate Professor in Psychology at Rikkyo University and a Researcher at the University of Oxford Centre for the Study of Social Cohesion.

Mindfulness is an area of clinical and intellectual focus which has grown tremendously in popularity and includes many secular practices such as breath work, body scanning & self-compassion.  OICBT psychologist Dr. Kiran Vadaga joins us for an in-depth conversation in which explore observations around the importance, and potential benefits, of being a more mindful observer of our feelings (particularly those which are pleasant.  In this conversation we cover:  a quick primer on some of the assumptions of Buddhist Psychology; namely, the impermanent nature of reality and the impersonal nature of realitywhy are so quick to struggle against these assumptionsthe four Noble truths (1. there is suffering, 2. there are causes for suffering, 3. there is a way out of suffering 4. the way out of suffering is by following the eightfold noble path)contrasting buddhist psychology with the three waves of Western psychology (behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, and secular mindfulness practices)current secular mindfulness practices current evidence for mindfulness-based interventionsmindfulness of feelingsBuddha's discourse on the Four establishments of mindfulness (i.e., mindfulness of mind, mindfulness of body, mindfulness of feelings, and mindfulness of phenomenathe law of dependent originationa self-inquiry approach around the investigation of the four establishments of mindfulness and the law of dependent originationfindings and implications in treating different mental ailments (i.e., depression, mania, anxiety, inattention, and addictions)Comments or feedback?  Email us at: oicbtpodcast@gmail.comDr. Kiran Vadaga obtained his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Concordia University, Montreal. He completed his pre-doctoral internship at the McGill University Health center and supervised practice at the Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (OICBT). He provides Psychodiagnostic assessment and treatment for adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Borderline personality disorder (BPD). He also provides treatment for adults and the elderly struggling with mood and anxiety-related disorders. Dr. Vadaga uses an integrative approach to treatment drawing from cognitive, behavioral, interpersonal, and mindfulness traditions.https://www.ottawacbt.ca/mr-kiran-vadaga

CBT interventions are often favoured for being empirically supported; however, it is not always clear how efficacy of these interventions maps to the actual functioning of the brain.  Esteemed neuropsychologist and psychoanalyst, Dr. Mark Solms, joins us for an in-depth discussion of the clinical implications of his research into the biological underpinnings of consciousness as discussed in in his wonderful book, The Hidden Spring: A Journey to the Source of Consciousness.   In this discussion we cover : why Dr. Solms gravitated towards a psychoanalytic framework to explore the underlying neuroscience of brain functionthe definition of consciousness that Dr. Solms employs when considering matters related to consciousnessthe brain's "workflow" with respect to constructing conscious experiencehow the brain weighs the importance of various competing needs the unexpected role of the brain stem and cortex in consciousness levering critical implications of this model of information processing to enhance standard CBT interventions consideration of therapeutic potential of the therapeutic alliance through the lens of Dr. Solm's system of consciousnesswhat his model can teach us about the origins of psychopathology and challenges with personalityleveraging the content of our dreams knowing their biological basis (Dr. Solms elucidated the specific neurobiological origins of dreaming, beyond REM sleep)Comments or feedback?  Email us at: oicbtpodcast@gmail.comMark Solms, PhD, is Director of Neuropsychology at the University of Cape Town. He is Director of Training of the South African Psychoanalytical Association, Member of the British Psychoanalytical Society and Honorary Member of the New York Psychoanalytic Society. He is Director of the Science Department of the American Psychoanalytic Association and Co-Chair of the International Neuropsychoanalysis Society. He was Research Chair of the International Psychoanalytical Association.  He was awarded the Sigourney Prize in 2012. He has published more than 350 papers in both neuroscientific and psychoanalytic journals, and six books, including The Brain and the Inner World (2002), which was a bestseller translated into 12 languages and his latest book The Hidden Spring. His selected writings were published as The Feeling Brain (2015). He is the editor of the Revised Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud (24 volumes) and the Complete Neuroscientific Works of Sigmund Freud (four volumes). 

There has been increasing discussion of the metabolic basis of mental disorders and the potential benefit a low-carb/ketogenic approach could hold with respect to the treatment of mental disorders.  Psychiatrist Dr. Georgia Edes joins us for a discussion of major themes of her new book Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind.  In this conversation we cover: why Dr. Edes wanted to write this bookthe underlying evidence to suggest that there is likely a fundamentally metabolic mechanism underlying mental disorderswhat contributes to the evolution of developing a metabolic disorder within the brainsigns that one could be in a danger zone from a metabolic perspectivecontroversies and emerging views around cholesterol and other markers of metabolic health from an energy balance perspectivewhat a brain healthy diet looks like from a metabolic perspectivethe role inflammation plays a potentially in the development and maintenance of mental disordersDr. Edes staged model or algorithm of progression through paleo to keto to carnivore to evaluate what benefits a metabolic approach might offer measures beyond nutritional factors that could impact upon metabolic healthdiscriminating between a metabolically-based depression vs. depression precipitated by loss of a job, relationship or similar (i.e., perhaps an expected and reasonable response to a stressor)safely and effectively combining pharmacological and nutritional strategies how can psychologists & psychotherapists, how can we leverage knowledge of the underlying metabolic processes to optimize their clinical - mainly psychotherapeutic - interventionsFeedback or comments?  Email the podcast: oicbtpodcast@gmail.comDr. Georgia Ede is an internationally recognized expert in nutritional and metabolic psychiatry. Her twenty-five years of clinical experience include twelve years at Smith College and Harvard University Health Services, where she was the first to offer students nutrition-based approaches as an alternative to psychiatric medication. Dr. Ede co-authored the first inpatient study of the ketogenic diet for treatment-resistant mental illness, developed the first medically accredited course in ketogenic diets for mental health practitioners, and was honored to be named a recipient of the Baszucki Brain Research Fund's first annual Metabolic Mind Award. Her new book Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind was released on January 30, 2024.

Female involvement with the criminal justice system can prompt significant internal dissonance as well as challenge conceptualizations around female violence, motherhood, mental illness etc.  Forensic psychotherapist Anna Motz joins us for a fascinating discussion of her book “If Love Could Kill: The Myths & Truths of Women Who Commit Violence”.   In this discussion we cover:  why Anna wanted to write this book and the underlying message of the title (“If Love Could Kill”)why Anna has gravitated to the psychodynamic model for working with female offendersthe role that trauma plays in these clinical cases how myths, assumptions & expectations about motherhood/woman in general  play into the way we see & conceptualize these clients within the justice system as well as mediamedia coverage of female sexual offendersmedia portrayal of female custodial environments e.g. Orange is the New Blackthe added complications of having children involved in these casesthe absolute need to be able to hold opposites/dialectics in considering these cases with humanity/objectivitythe relegation of these woman to society's “shadow" and how we might integrate them as individualsmanaging vicarious/secondary trauma when working with this population maintaining positive regard in the context of some very challenging client behaviour a brief meditation on the implications of the cases for conceptualizations of free willthe rise of the True Crime genre and what it might say about us as a society Feedback of comments?  Email us at oicbtpodcast@gmail.com. Anna Motz was born in Oxford, England, and raised in New York City. She received a degree in psychology from Oxford University. She lives and works in Oxfordshire as a consultant clinical and forensic psychologist and psychotherapist for Central and North West London NHS Trust, providing specialist consultation, assessment, and treatment for high-risk women, in partnership with His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service. Motz is a member of the Advisory Board for Female Offenders, under the UK Ministry of Justice.

Host note: folks, I invite you to pay very close attention to what Dr. Hollis has to say...could change your life.Jungian/Depth psychology provides a wonderful framework for exploring questions related to meaning and the self that can at time fall outside of boundaries of what is typically explored in cognitive behavioural therapy.  Esteemed author and Jungian analyst Dr. James Hollis joins us for an in-depth discussion of core themes explored in his new book, A Life of Meaning: Relocating Your Center of Spiritual Gravity.  In this conversation we cover:  defining depth/Jungian psychology knowing the wants, needs & agendas our unconscious might havea consideration of whether the desires of the unconscious be used as a compass with respect to where to take one's lifecomparing and contrasting the wisdom of the unconscious vs. that of the ego and what each mode has to teach the other the importance of a constant bidirectional conversation/negotiation between the unconscious and the egodefining the shadow and the value of shadow workknowing when we have aligned the will of our unconscious and conscious minds  developing flexibility in tolerating an emergent, incongruent sense of self   especially if our unconscious makes conscious a particularly challenging fork in the road that would potentially upset others or ourselves.  recognizing key opportunities for change/departures in one's lifeComments or feedback?  Email us at: oicbtpodcast@gmail.com James Hollis, PhD was born in Springfield, Illinois, and graduated from Manchester University in 1962 and Drew University in 1967. He taught Humanities 26 years in various colleges and universities before retraining as a Jungian analyst at the Jung Institute of Zurich, Switzerland (1977-82). He is presently a licensed Jungian analyst in private practice in Washington, D.C. He served as Executive Director of the Jung Educational Center in Houston, Texas for many years, was Executive Director of the Jung Society of Washington until 2019, and now serves on the JSW Board of Directors. He is a retired Senior Training Analyst for the Inter-Regional Society of Jungian Analysts, was first Director of Training of the Philadelphia Jung Institute, and is Vice-President Emeritus of the Philemon Foundation. Additionally he is a Professor of Jungian Studies for Saybrook University of San Francisco/Houston. He has written a total of seventeen books, which have been translated into 19 languageshttps://jameshollis.net/welcome.htm

Existential boredom is a challenge for many that can lead to a pathological engagement with shallow amusements (which may only deepen the despair and lead to more boredom).  Dr. Kevin Gary joins us for a discussion of some of the core themes covered in his book Why Boredom Matters: Education, Leisure, and the Quest for a Meaningful Life.  In this discussion we cover: why Dr. Gary wanted to write this book situational vs. existential boredom comparing and contrasting existential boredom and depression the benefits of making our boredom explicit rather than pushing it away the relationship between boredom and despair the despair of possibility vs. despair of necessity and the impact on mood the unique challenges that aging might pose with respect to boredom identifying constructive & nonconstructive ways of coping crafting an effective leisure practice how to "fall back in love" with an activity or passion that used to drive us but we have become disenchanted with  healthy boredom vs. unhealthy boredom (like something that might arise with ADHD) Comments or feedback?  Email the podcast: oicbtpodcast@gmail.comBio: Kevin Gary is a professor at Valparaiso University, where he teaches theology, education, and in the Christ College Honors Program. Kevin's work addresses questions about meaning and purpose, focusing especially on human flourishing. His book Why Boredom Matters: Education, Leisure, and the Quest for a Meaningful Life was published by Cambridge University Press in 2022. Kevin examines the problem of boredom and related problems associated with boredom avoidance. Rather than avoid or resign ourselves to boredom, he charts a middle way that guides us to how to productively and wisely contend with this troubling mood state.

Understanding the evolutionary significance of depression can quite helpful in its conceptualization and treatment.  Founder in the field of evolutionary medicine, Dr. Randy Nesse, joins us for an encore discussion in which we consider how striving, motivation and desire for control can play into the evolution of depressive symptoms. In this conversation we cover:  why failure to give up an unachievable goal may be a central cause of some forms of depression and why low mood might be advantageous in these situationshow understanding dynamics around food-foraging can give us insight into how our nervous system cues us to disengage from various activities at the best cost-benefit ratio  the types of stressors that might be particularly likely to evoke a response of “ceaseless striving” that can potentially cause depressionsome of the other causes of depression that exist outside of this modelhow this model can inform our assessment and treatment of depressionmania through the lens of an evolutionary modelthe compassionate consideration of grief (and complicated grief) from an evolutionary lensdifferentiating between the “necessary” pain of to alert oneself to a life circumstance that needs remediation vs. the opposite – where perhaps the mood problem is causing the life circumstance (i.e., the normal emotion regulation mechanisms have broken down)   the role of medication in treating depression given some of the caveats around the evolutionary origins of depressionRandolph M. Nesse, MD, is a founder of the field of evolutionary medicine and co-author with George C. Williams of Why We Get Sick. He served for many years as Professor of Psychiatry, Professor of Psychology and Research Professor at the University of Michigan. He was the Founding Director of the Center for Evolution & Medicine at Arizona State University and Foundation Professor in the School of Life Sciences from 2014 to 2019, where he is now a Research Professor.  He is a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science, a distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and an elected Fellow of the AAAS.

For many mental health clinicians, crafting resilience is an afterthought to managing the day-to-day demands of their professional life.  Psychologist, consultant & author, Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier, joins us to discuss some of the themes explored in her new book: The Resilience Plan: A Strategic Approach to Optimizing Your Work Performance and Mental Health.the ethos behind the Resilience Plan what is burnout and what makes someone vulnerablesome of the unique traps around burnout that are laid for clinicians in private practice /mental health, including the temperament of cliniciansstrategies for developing a sustainable model of practice based on a realistic audit of one's current demands resilience as a process of validating our experience, being realistic and remaining forward looking. why we need to be strategic about our resilience creative problem-solving with respect to allocation of our time, money and other resourceswhy pushing yourself to be more resilient may cause more burnoutsome of the common rationalizations that clinicians employ to avoid self-care and how to flip some of these same rationalizations around to actually enhance self-carecrafting resilience in the face of some of the more challenging realities of the health care systemhow clinicians in solo practice can create a source of community how to create a resilience plan strategies for those running practices to build an environment where teams (or the individual) can thrive and are less prone to burnoutconsidering when it might be appropriate to take a leave of absence (with a specific focus on clinicians who may be self-employed) Throughout her career in business management and psychology, Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier has spearheaded a dialogue on the crucial issues of leadership resilience and workplace health. Drawing on her extensive background in corporate, insurance, governance and public sectors, she brings national and international perspectives and expertise on mental health and resilience as a key pillar of overall health. She is a bilingual practicing psychologist with over 20 years of experience in clinical psychology and advisory workplace psychology and holds a Ph.D. and an MBA from the University of British Columbia. Marie-Hélène  is a Member of the Global Clinical Practice Network of the World Health Organization, and past Director on the boards of the Canadian Psychological Association and the International Association of Applied Psychology. She has presented, authored and co-authored a number of industry and academic publications and has won numerous academic and industry awards. In 2024, Dr. Pelletier will release her new book, The Resilience Plan: A Strategic Approach to Optimizing Your Work Performance and Mental Health.Pre-Order the Book: https://theresilienceplan.com/Website: https://drmarie-helene.com/

Music is an under-explored tool with respect to the provision of psychotherapy as well as the crafting of peak experiences.  Clinical counsellor, performance coach and opera singer, Dr. Fiona McAndrew, joins us for an eclectic, wide-ranging discussion in which explore:Fiona's alternating journey between psychology and music a window into the psychological life of a top tier opera singermusic as tool to evoke and access emotions and spiritual experiences the emotional transaction between performer and artist Fiona's research on peak experience and peak states including a fascinating recounting of her own seminal peak experience while performing translating learnings from peak experience in the performing arts to the therapeutic domain  consideration of the evolutionary significance of peak experience and the utility for exploring one's sense of selfreflections on providing therapy to highly creative individuals a brief meditation on the beauty inherent to the human voice the appeal and utility of depth psychology, especially for managing dialectics and tolerating internal dissonance the unique challenges and opportunity of the mid-life passageFeedback or comments?  Email us: oicbtpodcast@gmail.comDr. Fiona McAndrew is a clinical counsellor and performance coach working internationally online and in person in central Helsinki. She holds a PhD from the University of Melbourne in Music Performance Psychology and a Master of Counselling (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) from Monash University, Melbourne which she integrates with a Jungian, depth psychology perspective to help a range of clients in the corporate world, elite athletics, professional performing arts, music, film and advertising. This experience is underpinned by training and publication as a research psychologist (B.A.Hons) (University of Western Australia) and professional performing arts training at the elite Opera Course at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London (PG.Ad.Dip.,Opera). She is also a trained Creativity Coach and holds a Certificate to administer the personality test, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).Fiona's special interest in positive psychology and performance grew out of her 25 year career as an international opera singer performing solo roles to critical acclaim for major festivals, opera houses and film. Until 2020, she was Deputy Head of Opera and Classical Voice as well as a lecturer in Musical Theatre at the well- known multi-arts conservatoire Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and is a frequent performance consultant at conservatoire and universities in New Zealand, Australia, and the UK.In 2020 she re-trained in counselling and her Masters research focussed on anxiety in mid-life women and chronic pain conditions. Her previous doctoral research into peak states of consciousness, looked at the ways in which music, language and movement in the communal experience of theatre can provide the conditions for the experience of awe that lies "beyond words".Fiona's diverse range of experience and skills and a network of international referrals and contacts, allows her to offer a creative, confidential space for clients to address issues and develop clarity in their working and personal lives. The term idir from the Irish language meaning between, refers to the creative space between client and therapist and between clients and their creative challengess.https://idircreativecounselling.com/Email: fmmcandrew@gmail.com

Mental health professionals have increasingly been seeing clients seeking services related to anxiety and depression stemming from serious, negative changes that have been occurring in our climate.  Psychologist and professor, Dr. Susan Clayton, who is one of the world's authorities on how the environment impacts upon psychological factors joins us for a discussion in which we cover: how the environment & climate impacts upon psychological well-being and functioning generallya working definition of climate anxiety (and associated terms which are frequently used in this context)the prevalence and nature of clinically significant climate anxiety and whether our current level of anxiety about the environment should even be considered disordered given the challenges we are facinga historical & evolutionary perspective on our attunement to the environment as humans and why it is hard for us to make realistic threat appraisals the pull for current climate challenges to evoke nihilism and the role grief work could potentially play in contending with emergent distress related to the climateother forms of psychological symptoms that we know can originate from climate change aside from anxietyhelping individuals to identify resources that will augment their sense of effective copinglinking a sustainable stance towards the environment with core human values and meaning  Dr. Clayton's suggestions around effective coping for those experiencing climate anxietyComments or feedback?  Email the show at: oicbtpodcast@gmail.com?  Finding value in the podcast?  A review or rating on your platform of choice is always appreciated!Susan Clayton , Ph.D., is the Whitmore-Williams Professor and Chair of Psychology at the College of Wooster in Ohio. Dr. Clayton's research examines people's relationship with the natural environment, how it is socially constructed, and how a healthy relationship with nature can be promoted. She has written about the effects of climate change on mental health, and has developed a scale to assess climate anxiety. She is author or editor of six books, including Identity and the Natural Environment, Conservation Psychology, and Psychology and Climate Change, and is currently the editor of the Cambridge Elements series in Applied Social Psychology and on the editorial board for journals such as the Journal of Environmental Psychology and Sustainability. A fellow of the American Psychological Association and the International Association of Applied Psychology, she was a lead author on the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 

Shame is among the most powerful of human emotions and can drive a number of both functional and dysfunctional behaviours.  Sheila Rubin, MA & Bret Lyon, Ph.D., join us for a comprehensive discussion of many of the themes in their new book Embracing Shame - How to Stop Resisting Shame & Turn it into a Powerful Ally.  In this discussion we cover: why they wanted to write this booka theoretically driven and evolutionarily informed definition of shameshame as a "binding" emotion that helps to de-intensify emotional reactions to stressors common reactions to shame (anger in, anger out, avoidance, withdrawal)healthy vs. unhealthy shameshame as potentially a developmental wound and how this manifests in adultsworking with clients who harbour shame but who are emotionally over-regulateddiagnosing the impact of shame within interpersonal interactionsSheila Rubin, MA, LMFT, RDT/BCT, and Bret Lyon, PhD, SEP, are co-creators of the Healing Shame–Lyon/Rubin Method and founders of The Center for Healing Shame. Through their in-person and popular online trainings, they have taught hundreds of psychotherapists throughout the world how to more effectively identify and work with shame. They live together in Berkeley, CA. For more, visit healingshame.com. 

Happiness is an elusive and frequently controversial topic of discussion.  Dr. Jeff Perron joins us for an extensive discussion of some of the themes he is exploring in his new substack project: The Psychology of Happiness.  In this discussion we cover:working within a workable & reasonable definition of happiness given the realities of the human condition the tension between schema-driven behaviours and values blending schema and values-orientated principles to create a pathway to happiness & well-being considering whether there is a room for clinicians to be perhaps more directive around the selection of values from an evidence-based perspectiveconsidering values from the lens of so-called "luxury beliefs" and evolutionary pressures (reproduction, safety & attachment etc)can values reflect adaptive schemas (in contrast to having only purely maladaptive schemas)brief thoughts on helping clients to understand their schema landscape and the value of integrating mode work into the treatment plan the importance of the "vulnerable child" being present in therapy as well as developing a healthy adult in parallelthe challenge of deploying self-compassion and to move through potential stuck points resolving conflict between values and how to accurately map behavioural investment into one's values guiding principles for implementing values Dr. Jeff Perron is a Clinical Psychologist and Author of The Psychology of Happiness, a Substack with over 15,000 subscribers. He is a Clinical Associate of the Ottawa Institute of CBT.  He writes detailed guides that explain evidence-based concepts associated with mental well-being and happiness. In his clinical work, he has spent years helping professionals align their lives more closely with their goals and values, supporting them in moving away from unnecessary suffering and towards meaning and fulfilment. Dr. Perron holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Ottawa. He also holds an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University and in the past has worked in the corporate strategy world.

For many clinicians body dysmorphic disorder or BDD is shrouded in mystery and can be an intimidating and tricky presentation to try and conceptualize and treat.   Physician, scientist, educator, and author, Dr. Katharine Phillips,  who has spent her career caring for patients, mentoring/teaching, and conducting groundbreaking scientific research on BDD joins us for a discussion in which we cover:  what BDD is and how it affects individualssubtypes of BDDthe special concern around insight in BDDdevelopmental experiences and factors related to temperament that might predispose someone towards BDDthe current gold standard treatment for BDD,  the typical response rate and the role medication can/should medication play in the overall strategy  challenges issues related to differential diagnosisadvice for family members concerned about a loved one with suspected or confirmed BDDComments or feedback?  Email the podcast at: oicbtpodcast@gmail.com Finding the podcast of value?  Please consider leaving a rating a review on your platform of choice.  Dr. Phillips graduated with honors from Dartmouth College and Dartmouth Medical School. She did her psychiatry residency at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School. She is currently Professor of Psychiatry, DeWitt Wallace Senior Scholar, and Residency  Research Director at Weill Cornell Medical College.Dr. Katharine Phillips is a physician, scientist, educator, and author who has spent her career caring for patients, mentoring/teaching, and conducting groundbreaking scientific research on body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Her research studies on BDD have identified and elucidated many aspects of this common and severe disorder, and she has developed and tested treatments, both medication and therapy, for BDD. Her scientific studies on BDD were continuously funded by the National Institute of Mental Health for more than 20 years.Dr. Phillips has received many honors and awards for her research, clinical work, and other academic contributions. Her awards include a Special Presidential Commendation from the American Psychiatric Association and the Outstanding Career Achievement Award from the International BDD Foundation for her research studies on BDD.Dr. Phillips has more than 350 scientific publications (original scientific articles, reviews, letters, and book chapters). She has written or edited 11 books on BDD and other topics, including the first book on BDD. Dr. Phillips has given more than 600 international, national, and local presentations for professionals, including more than 130 Grand Rounds.Dr. Phillips has served on many national boards and committees. She is an elected Fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology and a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. She is a member of numerous editorial boards, the American College of Psychiatrists, and the Scientific Advisory Boards of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and the International BDD Foundation. From 2002-2006 she chaired the National Institute of Mental Health's Interventions Research Review Committee (Scientific Review Group).To disseminate information about BDD and other topics, Dr. Phillips has done more than 500 media interviews. She has been interviewed by the New York Times, London Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Time Magazine, Newsweek, CNN, the BBC, National Public Radio, and many other media outlets. She has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, 20/20, Dateline NBC, the Today Show, and Good Morning America.https://www.katharinephillipsmd.com/

Hello everyone - hope you are well!  We just wanted to quickly let you know that we'll be taking a scheduled break for the rest of the summer and will be back with new episodes in the early fall.It's been a real joy recording and putting out the podcast - we're so grateful to each and every guest for their contribution to the path that we've been on with the podcast which is basically trying to get just a little bit closer to coming to grips with the unbelievably complex reality of the human experience. At last count there were over 3 million active podcasts on the Apple podcast platform - that is, of course, an absolutely huge amount of content to choose from.  We are so delighted & humbled by the number of listeners who have chosen to devote a little bit of their bandwidth to the content that we have been producing.  We have seen quite a sizable growth in the podcast over the past 8 months and we want to thank you for your support.  If you're relatively new to the podcast, we hope you are enjoying the content we have to offer.  If you have been enjoying the content, leaving a review on Apple podcasts would be tremendously helpful - it's a major benchmark that helps potential guests gauge the podcast and I can tell you for a fact that the warm feedback to date has really helped with the growth of Thoughts on Record – we're a relatively small, independent podcast and having solid reviews really helps potential guests cut through the noise of the countless invitations they receive.  It's also a great way for us to get feedback and to get a feel for how the content is resonating.  Passing the podcast along to a friend or colleague is also always appreciated.  If you have comments or feedback, you can always reach us at oicbtpodcast@gmail.com – we'd love to hear from you with any suggestions for guests or topics you might have!  I've really enjoyed interacting with those who have reached out so keep the emails coming!Well, that's it for now - looking forward to picking up the conversation in the fall!Take good care,Pete, on behalf of the OICBTwww.ottawacbt.ca

Strength in vulnerability combined with an internal sense of safety are among the most powerful psychological tools that one can curate to promote wellness and healthy boundaries.  Four-time Olympian, speaker & author, Silken Laumann, joins us for a very special discussion where we cover:  a brief overview of Silken's story and her rise to prominence nationally and internationallyfinding an "extra gear" with respect to performance and the balance between connecting with the reality of one's situation & processing difficult emotions while remaining goal driventhe importance of vulnerability with respect to promoting and maintaining mental wellness as well as connection with othersSilken's perspective on the impact of adverse early life experiences on the formation of self-esteem, coping, attachments, detection of threat etc.  the challenge (and sometimes imposibility) of maintaining attachments with important figures in our life and the critical importance of boundariesnavigating guilt that can arise from detaching from significant others who are felt to present a challenge to one's own wellness the power of an apologypros and cons of using intensive/high-level exercise/activity to assist with emotion regulation & growth of self-esteemwhy Silken has taken such a strong stance around being vulnerable in sharing her story and how it informs the ethos of her charity UnsinkableSilken's lens on cultivating vulnerability in the service of sharing your story and what must be in place psychologically for this to be a safe, healthy & healing process the importance of clearly and honestly assessing one's needs in the service of self-carean overview of Silken's charity, Unsinkable, and it's core of storytellingthe myths and realities of the mental health of elite athletes the perhaps unexpected challenge of achieving great success early in life and the challenge of transitioning out of elite athletics Four-time Olympian Silken Laumann is one of Canada's most inspirational leaders, a best-selling author, and a child and mental health advocate. Silken's Olympic story is legendary and inspirational. As reigning world champion, Silken fought back from a devastating rowing accident, to win a bronze medal in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.  In her best-selling memoir, Unsinkable, Silken shines a spotlight on all the obstacles she has encountered and overcome. Silken speaks candidly about her athletic success and triumph over physical adversity, but also the intense personal challenges of her past and the fierce determination she applies to living a bold and successful life today. Silken is the founder of Unsinkable, a multimedia non-profit organization that uses story-telling and lived experience to move people further along their mental, physical and spiritual journey.https://www.weareunsinkable.com/Host note: A very special thanks to Jennifer Elia for facilitating this conversation!

Despite being among the most common of mental disorders that a clinician is likely to encounter, major depressive disorder presents both the client and therapist with a considerable amount of complexity and nuance to navigate with respect to conceptualization and treatment.  Leading international expert in major depressive disorder, Dr. Keith Dobson, joins us for an in-depth exploration of depression where were cover:  a brief overview of what  depression is and how it affects individualsfeatures of depression to be aware of that do not necessarily fall within the diagnostic framework but that would nonetheless be useful for clinicians to keep in mind when assessing clientshow depression is conceptualized from a cognitive behavioural perspectivethe developmental experiences that might predispose someone towards depressionconsideration of “at-risk” temperaments associated with development of depression the evolutionary origins of depression exploring the concept of complicated grief vs. depression some of Dr. Dobson's reflections on the conceptualization of depression based on his extensive experience in studying depression gender and depressionchallenges related to differential diagnosis discussing medication with client in the context of psychotherapy depression in the context of trauma gold-standard psychotherapy for depression and the integration of stepped care principles Dr. Dobson's is a Professor Emeritus of Clinical Psychology at the University of Calgary, where he has served in roles such as Head of Psychology and Director of the Clinical Psychology program. His research has focused on both cognitive models and mechanisms in depression, and the treatment of depression, particularly using cognitive-behavioural therapies. He is also a Principal Investigator for the Opening Minds program of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, with a focus on stigma reduction related to mental disorders in the workplace. Further, he has written about developments in professional psychology and ethics and has been actively involved in various organizations, having served as President of the Canadian Psychological Association, the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, the International Association for Cognitive Psychotherapy, and the Canadian Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapies. He has also received numerous prestigious academic awards and was recently named as an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Many clinicians pride themselves on practicing within an evidence based framework; however, within psychology the influence of pseudoscience and pop psychology has been at times problematic and even harmful.  Psychologist, professor & author, Dr. Hupp joins us to discuss his recently edited book Investigating Pop Psychology: Pseudoscience, Fringe Science & Controversies.  In this conversation we cover:   why Dr. Hupp wanted to put together this bookthe state of psychology & clinical psychology as a science considering recent challenges around the so-called replication crisisconsideration of potential factors that have contributed to the evolution of pseudoscience in psychology, including human factorsthe quality of the information landscape (news, social media, click bait) at the present time and how this might contribute to the propagation of pseudoscienceexploring the potential impact of "pop psychology" on the current research funding landscapewhen misinformation in the sphere of pop psychology goes from being light entertainment to being potentially harmfulfeatures of human psychology that make us predisposed to fall for pseudoscience, including confirmation biaswhat clinicians should keep in mind with respect to the critical consumption of informationdifferentiating between pseudoscience and when the scientific method is employed in more “fringe” areasadvice for those who want to study within a fringe areareadily recognizing false claims/charlatans/hidden agendas etc.Dr. Hupp's favourite examples from the book that illustrate the principles discussed balancing exploring novel areas of investigation that could yield fascinating results while remaining firmly grounded in scientific principles, critical thinking, testable hypotheses - when it might be worth taking “flyers” on strange or novel ideasStephen Hupp, PhD, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Professor of Psychology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. His books include Investigating Pop Psychology (with Richard Wiseman), Investigating Clinical Psychology (with Jonathan Stea), Pseudoscience in Therapy (with Cara Santa Maria), and Dr. Huckleberry's True or Malarkey? Superhuman Abilities: Game Book for Skeptical Folk. 

Dr. Daniel Z. Lieberman returns for an encore discussion on Thoughts on Record to discuss his most recent book Spellbound, which explores the untapped potential of our unconscious minds. In this conversation we cover:defining of our conscious and unconscious mindswhy Dr. Lieberman wanted to write this bookgetting to know what wants, needs & agendas our unconscious mind might haveunpacking the wisdom of fairy tales about the unconsciousshadow work: what the shadow is, the Jungian notion of shadow work and the value it might have through the lens of your bookwhat are archetypes, why do we have/need them and “where” do they reside within the structure of the psyche of the unconscious mind  the notion of the fascination with someone being perhaps, in part, related to our seeing a universal archetype in that personwhy integration such an important process for adults to engage inthe gift and burden of awareness leveraging the desires of the unconscious as a compass with respect to where to take one's lifeknowing when we have aligned vs misaligned the will of our unconscious and conscious mindDaniel Z. Lieberman, MD is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at George Washington University, where he has earned awards for both teaching and research. He studied the Great Books at St. John's College and attended medical school at New York University. He is the coauthor of the international bestseller The Molecule of More, which has been translated into 20 languages, and the author of the recently published, Spellbound: Modern Science, Ancient Magic, and the Hidden Potential of the Unconscious Mind. Dr. Lieberman has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and leading psychiatric textbooks, and has provided insight on psychiatric topics for the US Department of Health and Human Services, the US Department of Commerce, and the Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy.https://www.danielzlieberman.com/

Despite anxiety in social situations being a fairly normative experience, we know that the symptoms and disability associated with social anxiety disorder can be very life-limiting when it comes to important aspects of life such as establishing a romantic relationship, professional advancement and overall quality of life.  Internationally recognized expert on cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety disorder, Dr. Richard G. Heimberg, joins us for an in-depth discussion in which we cover:  what social anxiety disorder is and how it affects people  an evolutionary lens on social anxiety disorderthe developmental experiences that might predispose someone towards social anxiety disordertemperament & genetic factors associated with development of social anxiety disorderprevalence rate across gender   features of social anxiety disorder to be aware of that don't necessarily fall within the diagnostic framework but that would nonetheless be useful for clinicians to keep in mind  challenges related to differential diagnoses including shame/social withdrawal in depression and avoidant personality disordersubtypes of social anxiety disorderbarriers to accessing treatment for clients with social anxiety disorder (e.g., managing the first contact with the clinician)the current gold standard psychotherapeutic treatment for social anxiety disorderindividual vs. group therapy for social anxiety disorder comorbidity with substance use disorders medication in the overall treatment of social anxiety disorder, including specific implementation within the context of psychotherapy  the special concern around "Zoomers" and social anxiety owing to increased screen time, social isolation (especially during COVID)what is cutting edge in the current understanding and treatment of social anxiety disorderRick Heimberg, PhD, is an internationally recognized expert on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for social anxiety disorder. He is the Thaddeus L. Bolton Professor Emeritus in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Temple University, where he founded and directed a specialty social anxiety clinic, and he was previously Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University at Albany of the State University of New York. He is past president of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies and the Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology. He is a recipient of Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies, and the Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association, as well as awards from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, the American Society for Group Work, Temple University, and from Florida State University (where he earned his doctoral degree in 1977). Together with his colleagues, postdoctoral fellows, and doctoral students, he has published more than 500 articles, chapters, and books on understanding and treating anxiety, including Managing Social Anxiety: A Cognitive-Behavioral Approach, which was released in its third edition in November 2019 (coauthored with Debra Hope and Cynthia Turk). Dr. Heimberg has also been widely recognized for his commitment to the education and training of doctoral students in clinical psychology. He received the Outstanding Mentor Award from the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies and similar awards from the Society of Clinical Psychology, the Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology, and the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students.

Diagnostic frameworks like the DSM are often regarded as definitive, having an almost canonical-like quality.  On the other hand, there are many in the field who have become increasingly critical of the DSM and its shortcomings.  That said, the DSM has been quite helpful in a lot of ways with respect to organizing our thinking around mental illness as well as facilitating research.  Professor Dr. Miri Forbes joins us for a discussion of some of her research examining symptom overlap and repetition among DSM diagnoses.  In this discussion we cover:     Dr. Forbes' long-standing interest in symptom level structure of psychopathologygeneral thoughts on the nature of mental illness vs. normal and expected reactions to psychosocial stressthe major concerns that have coalesced around the DSM model of psychopathology a description of HiTOP - a alternative diagnostic frameworkthe phenomenon of diagnostic inflationa review of key questions addressed in recent research by Dr. Forbes and colleagues including:  1) How many distinct symptoms comprise the hundreds of diagnoses defined in DSM-5?  2) What proportion of these symptoms repeat across multiple diagnoses and/or chapters?  3) What patterns are evident in the symptom overlap among diagnoses within and between different chapters? 4) Are some chapters of psychopathology more prone to symptom repetition than others? 5) which symptoms show the greatest non-specificity as indicators of varied manifestations of psychopathology? Conundrums around the search for biomarkers relative to our diagnostic systems and circular reasoning inherent in thisthe primacy of the DSM framework relative to other systems availablethe need for more continuum based perspectives to be integrated into existing  and emergent diagnostic frameworks Miri Forbes is an Associate Professor in the Centre for Emotional Health and School of Psychological Sciences at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. Dr Forbes was awarded her PhD in Psychology in 2014, and went on to do postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Minnesota and Macquarie University, before receiving back-to-back fellowships to fund her own program of research. She is a member of the Executive Board of the international Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) Consortium and a member of the Executive Committee of the Centre for Emotional Health. Dr Forbes' current research focuses on improving our understanding of the empirical structure of psychopathology based on the specific patterns in which symptoms of mental disorders tend to co-occur.https://miriamkforbes.academ

While many of us regularly use music to enhance our well-being or increase performance, we are often unaware of the underlying science around music as tool to improve our lives.  Reverberation Studio Co-founders, Michael Hermann (CEO) and Anna Gabriel join us for a discussion of Reverberation Studio, an undertaking they have started with legendary recording artist, Peter Gabriel.  Reverberation's mission is to do everything better with music.  In this discussion we cover:  the ethos of Reverberation Studio & the types of projects that Reverberation plans to undertake  why it has been important to integrate an evidence-based perspective into Reveberation's framework  why humans have the capacity to create and enjoy music  musical tools that Anna & Michael use in their personal, business and creative lives  the application of music to enhancing athletic performanceapplications of music from a psychotherapeutic perspectivethe impact of systems level changes in the way music is made & distributed (including the potential for AI-generate music) on using music to enhance well-beinghow we can be more intentional about integrating music into our livesReverberation Co-Founder & CEO, Michael Hermann launched Wicked Cow (Reverberation's managing partner) in 1995 as a TV production company, producing its inaugural project, Reverse Angle, a sports/entertainment show Michael hosted airing on Fox Sports. In the late 1990s into the 2000s, Michael consulted for the CEOs of two of the most pop-culture-shaping brands of their time—FUBU and Maxim Magazine. In 2004, he transformed Wicked Cow into a brand strategy/business development agency spending the next decade helping to oversee culturally iconic brands.  In 2013, Michael co-founded with Derek Jeter, their content and media studio, Jeter Publishing, which featured a two-imprint joint venture with publishing giant, Simon & Schuster, and several best-sellers. Next for Michael was the creation of Wicked Cow Studios, and its children's book sensation, Lulu Is A Rhinoceros, which it co-created and published. Now, Wicked Cow is engineering a world-class brain brand through its revolutionary neuroscience-driven media company, It's All In Your Head. Michael was recently appointed to Fast Company's Impact Council.Reverberation Co-Founder: Born in London, England, Anna Gabriel moved to the US in 1992 to launch her career as a photographer and video director.  Her fine art photography has been exhibited in galleries in Sundance, Boston, New York, and London. She has also worked as a portrait photographer, photographing musicians including Iggy Pop, Moby, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and PM Dawn. Anna has been directing music videos since 1997 and has worked with an array of global music stars including Joseph Arthur, Jesca Hoop, Emmanuel Jal, Adam Masterson, and Shelly Segal. She directed the documentary/live concert films Growing Up on Tour: A Family Portrait, Still Growing Up: Live & Unwrapped and Taking The Pulse: Live in Verona. Anna has also filmed and directed documentary work for non-profit organizations such as Happy Hearts Fund and Delete Blood Cancer. In November 2009, Anna and Hunter Heaney founded the non-profit organization, The Voice Project. More recently, Anna created the multimedia photographic portrait series, EyeD, featuring an unusual and intimate glimpse into the souls of Lou Reed, David Byrne, Brian Eno, Tom Petty, Paul Simon, Eddie Vedder, Susan Sarandon, and Johnny Depp by photographing only their eyes.  It has been featured in the Morrison Galleries in NYC, LA, and at the Alaia Foundation in Paris.Reverberation Studio

While OCD is a generally a very recognizable form of mental disorder, there are many nuances and complexities with respect to both its treatment and diagnosis. Psychologist, professor & author, Dr. Christine Purdon, joins us for a deep dive on OCD in which we cover:  what OCD is and how it affects the individual and family members how is OCD usually conceptualized from a cognitive behavioural perspectivethe developmental experiences that might predispose someone towards OCDgenetic and temperament based risks associated with OCDthe trajectory of OCD symptoms over the lifespanfeatures of OCD to be aware of that don't necessarily fall within the diagnostic framework but that would nonetheless be useful for clinicians to keep in mindthe common types of OCDuncertainty as being a key challenge within the context of OCDdifferential diagnoses in the context of OCDOCD as a response to trauma the current gold standard psychotherapeutic treatment for OCD the role medication can and should play in treatmentshortcomings of the CBT ERP modelwhy individuals with OCD are unable/willing to trust their own judgmentassessing and addressing attachment issues that are internalized in the OCD “voice”Dr. Purdon is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario and has expertise in the assessment and treatment of mood and anxiety disorders in adults. She has practiced and taught cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) for over 20 years, has over 80 publications on OCD, anxiety & intrusive thoughts and, is certified by the Canadian Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies (CABCT).  She provides psychological services through the University of Waterloo Centre for Mental Health Research and Treatment Unsubsidized Psychological Services stream.  She is also Director of Clinical Training for the Clinical Psychology Program at the University of Waterloo. Dr. Purdon's research interests include the persistence of anxiety and its cognitive manifestations, such as obsessions, worry, rumination, doubt, and behavioural manifestations, such as compulsions and escape/avoidance behaviours. She is also interested in how anxiety influences attentional and memory and is co-atuhor of the self-help book Overcoming Obsessive Thoughts: How to Gain Control of Your OCD.https://uwaterloo.ca/psychology/people-profiles/christine-purdon

Despite typically being scientifically-minded individuals, many clinicians have often wondered about aspects of the human experience that defy rationale explanation, but yet feel profoundly meaningful.  Psychiatrist and author, Dr. Bernard Beitman, joins us for a discussion of many of the core themes in his book Meaningful Coincidences: How & Why Synchronicity and Serendipity Happen.  In this conversation we cover:  what has driven Dr. Beitman's interest in researching coincidencethe necessary and sufficient conditions or characteristics to call an experience a formal coincidencethe challenge and opportunity of determining "meaning" in the context of coincidences given the subjective nature of meaning as well as the observation that meaning that change or emerge over timea framework for determining meaning in the context of synchronicity & coincidenceshow to navigate the challenge of the potential presence of symptoms of psychosis (e.g., delusions of reference, mania) in the context of appropriately evaluating and integrating meaningful coincidences into clinical workhow we can sit with the distress & uncertainty that typically comes with powerful experiences of coincidence and synchronicity Dr. Beitman's response to those who take a purely “actuarial” or statistical approach to coincidencesthe importance of attuning to the emotional valence of an experience to determine it's form, function & meaninghow therapists can help their clients leverage coincidences in their day-to-day lives/therapeutic journeythoughts on the yet undiscovered psychological substrate or plane/dimension of existence (e.g., field of consciousness) that would need to be in place for coincidences to have maximum meaning the potential for psychedelics to be able to expand our capacity to expand our ability to connect seeming unrelated objects or event Dr. Bernard Beitman attended Yale Medical School graduating in 1964. He did his one-year general medicine internship at Mount Zion Medical Center in San Francisco and then completed the three-year psychiatric residency at Stanford in 1974 after working in the U.S Public Health Service Hospital in San Francisco from 1971-1973 as the hospital's psychiatrist. He then joined the faculty of the department of psychiatry at the University of Washington in Seattle. After ten years there he then joined the faculty at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he became a world leader in the study of chest pain and panic disorder which led to his becoming chair of the psychiatry department.  Building on his book The Structure of Individual Psychotherapy, he created the book Learning Psychotherapy which was taught to half the psychiatric residency training programs in the United States. In 2006 he started formal research into coincidences and then, in 2009, moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, to join the Division of Perceptual Studies of the University of Virginia, which supported his coincidence work as a non-paid faculty member. As a self-described “recovering academic,” he led the development of The Coincidence Project.https://www.coincider.com

At the moment there is no more talked about neurotransmitter than dopamine. Our collective obsession with dopamine has led to a huge amount of content generated around so-called “dopamine fasts”, how to leverage dopamine for motivation, worries about dopamine-driven addiction to devices, pornography, food etc.  In addition, there is a tremendous amount of confusion and misunderstanding around what dopamine actually does within the brain, especially with respect to the experience of pleasure.  Professor, psychiatrist and author, Dr. Daniel Z. Lieberman, joins us for a discussion of the major themes explored in his and Michale E. Long's book, The Molecule of More.  In this conversation we cover:  why Dr. Lieberman wanted to write this bookwhat dopamine is, its function in the brain and the structures that regulate its functiona comparison of the dopamine system with neurotransmitter systems that are thought to be more related to "here and now" psychological experiences (e.g., serotonin, oxytocin, endorphins etc.)the neurobiology & genetics of “dopamine-driven” personalities vs. more “here and now” personalities/temperaments and the benefit of having a diversity of personalities in society, the workplace, a relationship etc. how the information and/or goals pointed to by dopamine can be integrated into one's values to generate actionable wisdom, especially around long-term goals the connection between dopamine and mental disorders with a special focus on ADHD, including the effective treatment of ADHD with compounds that promote the release of dopamine within the brainthe potential for our society to create challenges with attention & concentration given the infinite potential for dopamine-driven distractionhow we can learn to be a responsible steward of our dopamine system in a world where there is increasingly unlimited access to food, sex, pornography, information, news, visual stimulation (YouTube, TikTok etc.)how to create a sense of future & achievement without falling prey to immediate gratificationDr. Lieberman's view of so-called "dopamine fasting" and his own self-compassionate journey with respect to managing various pulls related to dopamine whether “healthy” psychological processes can become addictions through the lens of dopamine (e.g., entrepreneurship, starting companies, forming/beginning relationships)the fascinating relationship between testosterone & dopamine Bio: Daniel Z. Lieberman, MD is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at George Washington University, where he has earned awards for both teaching and research. He studied the Great Books at St. John's College and attended medical school at New York University. He is the coauthor of the international bestseller The Molecule of More, which has been translated into 20 languages, and the author of the recently published, Spellbound: Modern Science, Ancient Magic, and the Hidden Potential of the Unconscious Mind. Dr. Lieberman has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and leading psychiatric textbooks, and has provided insight on psychiatric topics for the US Department of Health and Human Services, the US Department of Commerce, and the Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy.https://www.danielzlieberman.com

Imposter syndrome combined with the somewhat curious & paradoxical phenomenon of over-identification with being a clinician is a familiar combination for many psychotherapists.  Drs. Melissa Tiessen & Karen Dyck of the Intentional Therapist join us for a discussion of these important barriers to clinician well-being.  In this conversation we cover:   imposter syndrome & ill-suited syndromethe rigours of the profession vs. the personal and coping resources the majority of clinicians are able to bring to bear to manage these demandsdangers of unaddressed imposter syndrome in clinicians both related to the delivery of clinical services as well as the management of private practicesinternal and external factors that drive imposter syndrome in cliniciansover-identification with being a clinician - signs, symptoms and copingfinding a balance between the very real competency based demands of being a clinician (e.g., continuing education, requirements of regulatory bodies) and sustainable self-care that does not become avoidance  Host note: We will be offering a 6 week essentials of CBT workshop that I will be facilitating beginning March 24, 2023.  For more information and registration, please visit: https://www.ottawacbt.ca/news Please come join us!Dr. Karen Dyck completed her doctoral degree in clinical psychology at the University of South Dakota and currently works in private practice in Oakbank, Manitoba.  She is also presently the Executive Director of the Manitoba Psychological Society.  Before shifting to private practice, Karen spent the bulk of her career working within the Rural and Northern Psychology Program at the University of Manitoba's Department of Clinical Health Psychology, and is a former chair of the Rural and Northern Psychology Section of the Canadian Psychological Association.  Dr. Melissa Tiessen completed her doctoral degree in clinical psychology at McGill University and currently works in private practice in Ottawa, Ontario.  Melissa also previously worked in the Rural and Northern Psychology Program at the University of Manitoba, as well as has served as the Education Director for the CPA, overseeing the organization's accreditation and continuing education activities.  Karen and Melissa both have a longstanding interest in self-care and workplace wellness initiatives.  Recognizing that there are so many female mental health professionals, like themselves, who are trying to balance careers with additional caregiving roles, in 2019 Karen and Melissa co-founded Intentional Therapist.  Their mission is to help female mental health professionals stay healthy and happy through intentional, creative, and playful self-care.  https://www.intentionaltherapist.ca/

Given that mental health treatment outcomes have not improved dramatically over time despite a wealth of research, novel psychotherapies and pharmaceutical compounds, it is important that new theories around mental disorders continue to be identified and explored.   Harvard psychiatrist & researcher, Dr. Chris Palmer, joins us for a discussion of some of the core themes in his new book Brain Energy, which paints the picture of a potential “unifying” underlying metabolic mechanism with respect to mental disorders that might allow better understanding and treatment of brain illness.  In this conversation we cover:the client journey that led Dr. Palmer to want to write this bookan overview of Dr. Palmer's conceptualization of mental disorders, including differenting between expected and adaptive responses to stressors vs. true brain disorders a review of some of the findings that have suggested a link between metabolic processes and the evolution & maintenance of mental disorders and how this model accommodates comorbiditythe importance of neuronal activation - both over- and under-activation - in Dr. Palmer's modelthe risk factors that contribute to developing a metabolic disorder within the brainimplications of the Brain Energy model with respect to why established pharmacotherapy (or even psychotherapy) might actually workmedical & self-help treatments that this model suggests might be helpful, including the role of supplements & medications which impact upon metabolismHost note: We will be offering a 6 week essentials of CBT workshop that I will be facilitating beginning March 24, 2023.  For more information and registration, please visit: https://www.ottawacbt.ca/news Please come join us!Dr. Christopher M. Palmer is a Harvard psychiatrist and researcher working at the interface of metabolism and mental health. He is the Director of the Department of Postgraduate and Continuing Education at McLean Hospital and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. For over 25 years, he has held administrative, educational, research, and clinical roles in psychiatry at Harvard. He has been pioneering the use of the medical ketogenic diet in the treatment of psychiatric disorders—conducting research in this area, treating patients, writing, and speaking around the world on this topic. Most recently, he has proposed a comprehensive theory of what causes mental illness, integrating existing theories and research into one unifying theory—the brain energy theory of mental illness.https://brainenergy.com/

Evidence-based, psychological models & treatments for chronic pain are an exciting development in the understanding and management of non-structural chronic pain.  Director of the documentary This Might Hurt, Kent Bassett, and Dr. Lilia (Lily) Graue join us for a discussion of the psychological treatment of chronic pain. In this episode we cover: an overview of This Might Hurt and why Kent wanted to make this documentary, including his personal journey with chronic painthe kinds of precautions and relationship building that had to be put in place to make a film within a health care settingresponse to the film from both consumers and medical professionalsa review of neuroplastic chronic pain/symptoms with a significant contribution from central sensitization what the standard medical model has wrong about the treatment of painnavigating the perception among clients that they are being told “it's all in their heads"tell-tale patterns in symptom presentation that typically suggest that pain is of a psychogenic, rather than structural originthe urgency to integrate this framework into common interventions for chronic pain, including CBTa brief overview of the interventions typically employed within psychological treatments for chronic painthe role of medication including antidepressants but also opioids etc.in the treatment of chronic painListeners of Thoughts on Record can access This Might Hurt for free for two weeks beginning February 6, 2023 by visiting (use the password: tor2023): https://www.thismighthurtfilm.com/thoughtsDr. Lilia (Lily) Graue is a physician, psychotherapist, coach, and grief tender in Mexico City, where she's practiced, lectured, and mentored for over 20 years in both Spanish and English. Her approach is collaborative, trauma sensitive, healing centered, and mindfulness and compassion based. She brings together radical care approaches to foster healing, and mentors healthcare professionals in engaging critical and feminist perspectives to promote justice and equity in medicine and healthcare. In addition to her work in chronic pain recovery, Dr. Graue has extensive experience in the fields of eating disorders and medical family therapy. She is a Clinical Advisor for Lin.Health and part of the Medical Advisory Board for The Better Mind Center. https://liliagraue.com/ Kent Bassett is an Emmy-nominated editor and filmmaker from Arizona. He directed This Might Hurt, a feature documentary about a radical treatment for chronic pain that premiered at the Austin Film Festival. Once on the fringes, the brain-retraining paradigm explored in the film, Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET), has been proven effective in randomized controlled trials and is now listed by the HHS as a “best practice” to combat the opioid crisis. His most recent editing work is the Hulu documentary Not Going Quietly, a profile of activist Ady Barkan as he fights for universal healthcare in the wake of an ALS diagnosis. In addition to film work, Kent serves as a pain recovery coach and he draws frequently from his personal experience with tendonitis and repetitive stress injury.https://www.thismighthurtfilm.com

Psychological suffering appears to be greatly facilitated by unfavourable comparisons that we make between ourselves and others in many domains of life. However, there are surprising dynamics (and even upsides) to these comparisons or modelling depending on the context.  Entrepreneur & author, Mr. Luke Burgis, joins us for a discussion of the themes in his widely acclaimed book Wanting - The Power of Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life.  In this discussion we cover:important experiences in Luke's journey that led to him to want to write the book “Wanting”the difference between wanting vs. likinga brief summary of René Girard's theory of “mimetic desire”—that is, the idea that most human wanting comes from imitating the desires of others and that each of us is surrounded by people who generate, shape, and manipulate our desiresa consideration of the common challenges (and upsides) of mimetic desire embedded in everyday life, including of identity formationdynamics related to whether the “model” of imitation is near (a next door neighbour) or far (a celebrity) and how this distance influences whether a model of imitation will spark desire/inspiration vs jealously/conflict the delicate dance that leaders must manage with respect to inspiring but also not inciting jealously & conflictexploration of the notion that scapegoating & blame are common, but pathological ways of stopping the cycle of mimetic conflictconsideration of the impact of social media on psychological well being through the lens of mimetic desire"thin" vs. "thick" desires and the implications for meaningfulness in lifehow to foster motivation, move humanity forward and pursue excellence/achievement without unleashing cycles of mimetic desire that lead to competition and conflictComments or feedback?  Email the show @ oicbtpodcast@gmail.com.  Host note: We will be offering a 6 week essentials of CBT workshop that I will be facilitating beginning March 24, 2023.  For more information and registration, please visit: https://www.ottawacbt.ca/news Please come join us!Bio: Luke Burgis has co-created and led four companies in wellness, consumer products, and technology. He's currently Entrepreneur-in-Residence and Director of Programs at the Ciocca Center for Principled Entrepreneurship where he also teaches business at The Catholic University of America. Luke has helped form and serves on the board of several new K-12 education initiatives and writes and speaks regularly about the education of desire. He studied business at NYU Stern and philosophy and theology at a pontifical university in Rome. He's Managing Partner of Fourth Wall Ventures, an incubator that he started to build, train, and invest in people and companies that contribute to a healthy human ecology. He lives in Washington, DC with his wife, Claire.https://lukeburgis.com/@lukeburgis

Effective coping almost always hinges on an accurate appraisal of the stressful event that is being navigated, particularly with respect to what can be controlled versus not. In this 3rd annual Fireside Chat, the host of Thoughts on Record, Dr. Pete Kelly, C.Psych, shares some observations on the relationship between truth, control & coping and why it is often so hard to see things as they are (and not as we wish them to be) and how this can at times sabotage our efforts at managing situations that come up in our lives.  In this discussion we cover:a practical and workable definition of "truth" within psychotherapy  common reasons why it is difficult for us to embrace the truth of what is going on in our livesthe unintended consequences of emotional avoidance on the coping strategies selectedthe two main categories of coping - problem-focused & emotion-focused coping and when they are best deployedan overview of the likely emotional outcomes when there is a mismatch between the demands of the situation and the category of coping used and how to use your emotional reaction to tell if you are on the right track or notComments or feedback?  Email the show @ oicbtpodcast@gmail.com.  Host note: Thanks to everyone for the support this year!  Just a quick note to say that we will be offering a 6 week essentials of CBT workshop that I will be facilitating beginning March 24, 2023.  For more information and registration, please visit: https://www.ottawacbt.ca/news Please come join us!

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can at times be difficult to differentiate from the anxious distress that can accompany depression, health anxiety, some presentations of OCD and even social anxiety.  As well GAD, is often treated as a “catch-all” diagnosis that is applied to any client expressing distress. One of Canada's leading voices in the understanding and treatment of GAD, Dr. Melisa Robichaud joins us for an extensive discussion of GAD with respect to: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) from a diagnostic lensuncertainty as being a key challenge within the context of GADthe developmental experiences & biological factors that might predispose someone towards developing GADwhether anxiety disorders in childhood reliably predict GAD in adulthoodthe evolution of GAD over the developmental lifespan and whether GAD gets worse with ageuseful features of GAD to be aware of that do not necessarily fall within the diagnostic framework but that would nonetheless be useful for clinicians to keep in minddifferentiating between GAD and the “anxious distress” that can so frequently accompany an episode of major depression applicability of ACT and other 3rd wave CBT therapies to GADthe vital importance of psychoeducation and pacing of therapy in the treatment of GADthe role of medication in the treatment of GADComments or feedback?  Email the show: oicbtpodcast@gmail.comDr. Melisa Robichaud received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Concordia University in Montreal. She is currently an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia (UBC), a clinical instructor in the UBC Department of Psychiatry, and a clinical associate in the Department of Psychology at Simon Fraser University (SFU). She is also certified as an expert in cognitive-behavioural therapy by the Canadian Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies (CACBT).  Dr. Robichaud worked in the former Anxiety Disorders Clinic of UBC Hospital, where she provided assessment and treatment to anxiety disorder patients. She also trained and supervised psychiatry and psychology residents in how to assess, diagnose, and treat anxiety disorders.  Dr. Robichaud has been actively involved in non-profit organizations dedicated to the dissemination of best practice treatment for individuals struggling with anxiety disorders. She is a former President of CACBT (2016-2019), and is on the CACBT Certification Task Force. She also served on the Board of Directors of Anxiety Canada (formerly AnxietyBC) from 2006 to 2010, was the Director of Programs (2007-2010), and is currently on the Anxiety Canada Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Robichaud's area of specialization is cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders. She has established expertise in treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), health anxiety (also called illness anxiety or hypochondriasis), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, body-focused repetitive behaviours (e.g., hair pulling, skin picking), and post-traumatic stress disorder. Dr. Robichaud's particular area of expertise is CBT for GAD. She ran the GAD treatment program at the former Anxiety Disorders Clinic of UBC Hospital, and has provided workshops to professionals internationally on how to recognize and treat GAD. She has published numerous scientific articles and book chapters on the subject, as well as co-authoring several books on the treatment of GAD, including “Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: From Science to Practice” (2ndedition), "The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Workbook: A Comprehensive CBT Guide for Coping with Uncertainty, Worry, and Fear", and “The Worry Workbook: CBT Skills to Overcome Worry and Anxiety by Facing the Fear of Uncertainty”.

As is the case in many areas of life, for those who are perfectionistic, sex and sexual expression can be areas where emotional over-control & cognitive/behavioural inflexibility can impair pleasure, erode intimacy and create anxiety.  International trainer, educator, couples and sex therapist & author, Dr. Tom Murray joins us for a discussion of core themes of his new book Making Nice With Naughty: An Intimacy Guide for the Rule Following, Organized, Perfectionist, Practical and Color-Within-The-Lines-Types.  In this discussion we cover:  why Dr. Murray wanted to write this bookwhy he built his book on a strong Radically Open DBT (RO DBT) framework but with the addition of many other strategies drawn from within CBT (ACT, REBT etc)the four features of being emotionally “over-controlled” (or OC)why the over-controlled temperament might hold special concern within the context of sexexamples of challenges emblematic of the problems that an OC might report in the content of sex therapythe impact that perfectionism might have in the context of sex (either towards the self or towards the partner)how OC coping strategies around threat reduction can backfire specifically in the context of sexstarting points for OC clients who want to step into and/or reclaim (or even just claim!) their sexualitythe conundrum of waning desire within long-term relationships, with a focus on the potential origin of gender differenceshelping clients to become comfortable first with their own inner experience through fantasy etc before perhaps being vulnerable with another Dr. Murray's reflection on the experiential aspect of being a sex therapistFeedback or comments?  Email the show at oicbtpodcast@gmail.comDr. Tom Murray, an international trainer, educator, and couples and sex therapist, is a widely sought-after expert in sexuality and intimate relationships. He authored the 2022 book, Making Nice with Naughty: An intimacy guide for the rule-following, organized, perfectionist, practical, and color-within-the-line types.  Dr. Murray has appeared in numerous venues, including the Huffington Post and The Daily Mail, as well as radio, television and podcasts, including the Practice of Being Seen and Shrink Rap Radio. He's a highly acclaimed presenter at local, regional, and national conferences on various mental health and relationship topics. Dr. Murray has published numerous articles in professional journals and has faculty affiliations with UNC Greensboro, Walden University, and Lindsey Wilson College. He currently teaches at Northwestern University's Family Institute.  In addition to his couples and sex therapy practice, Dr. Murray is passionate about Highly Sensitive Persons, artists, actors, dancers, musicians, and other creative types. With nearly a decade of experience as the director of a counseling center for one of the premier art conservatories in the nation, Dr. Murray integrates knowledge from business, positive psychology, sports psychology, mindfulness, and performance optimization to manifest creative aspirations. Dr. Murray lives in Greensboro, NC, along with his two sons. In addition to his strong passion for sex-positive, clinical practice, and advocacy, Dr. Murray enjoys writing jokes, taking comedy improv courses, cooking and baking, singing, and participating in his faith community.https://drtommurray.com/forensic-services/