We Are Human First

Today, Dr. Paula Christian Kliger and Lori Blumenstein Bott, LMSW, discuss the concept of sharing power, and its relevance in our current climate.We open with an excerpt from Isabel Wilkerson's book Caste (Amazon link below), comparing our country to a beautiful home with flaws in its foundation.Sometimes, when we retreat to our own corners, surrounded by those of similar perspectives, we get scared by people who are different than us. And we react accordingly, sometimes harkening back to old vulnerabilities.  This, of course, links back to our self-study model.   Think back to your school days, and how different students would react when called on.In order to learn from others and make the world a better place, we must learn to accept our own vulnerabilities, triggers, and imperfections.Resources:Isabel Wilkerson's book Caste: https://www.amazon.com/Caste-Origins-Discontents-Isabel-Wilkerson/dp/0593230256Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.comCall Psych Assets: 248-594-5979

Today we have all three of our hosts come together for a discussion on leadership, as Dr. Paula Kliger, Lori Blumenstein-Bott and Sara Kliger share their experience and perspective.Sara, as a millennial, talks about her role as a leader in organizations, and how she has had to grow into that role.  Paula and Lori then talk about how they've grown from that same early point in their careers to where they are now.One thing that these two baby boomers and one millennial have in common is that they are all women. Sometimes that affects leadership when a work-life balance and societal pressures enter into the picture.  Paula shares a personal moment from Sara's childhood that had an effect on her personally.Collaboration, listening, and sharing are all key aspects of leadership, This brings us back to the self-study model.  We must look back at our past experiences - in and out of the office - to gain a more informed picture of who we are and how we can lead others. Mindfulness is so important.Resources:Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.comCall Psych Assets: 248-594-5979

Today, Dr. Paula Christian Kliger, PhD, is joined once again by her daughter, Sara Kliger, RDT, LCAT.  We take a look at our collective trauma in 2020, and how that hits generations differently.Collective traumas and other life experiences can inform us, and we compare Sara's experience of September 11th with Paula's witnessing the events of the Vietnam War.It's important to recognize and validate trauma. It's equally as important to understand the impact it has on mind, body and soul.Paula and Sara take a combined look at the traumatic events of 2020 - from the pandemic to race relations.  What are the different perceptions across the generations?  Is there sometime tension between them?Resources:Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.comCall Psych Assets: 248-594-5979

Today, Dr. Paula Christian Kliger is joined by her daughter Sara Kliger, a licensed creative arts therapist and registered drama therapist.In future episodes of this series, Paula and Sara will cover generation and race issues, but today the focus is on trauma and crisis.  What is their collective impact on us, and how do we cope moving forward?Sara takes us through some of her background, working in New York City schools and as part of the Psych Assets team.  She's able to use the arts- drama, music, and spoken word - as a way of healing.  Much of today's trauma is being experienced collectively, and there's a degree of solace in that.  Sara explains how important it's been to connect with teachers, parents, and children - even remotely.Paula and Sara also talk about the success of their virtual therapy sessions, with participants joining from New York to California, and many places in between. This fits with the both the self study model and the need to have a shared experience.Resources:Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.comCall Psych Assets: 248-594-5979Dr. Kliger's book: Power Your Heart...You Power Your Mind: Self Study then Build a Bridge to Someone: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999853902/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_NGQ-EbASG4ETX

In today's episode, we use our self study model to look inward.   Last time, we spoke of the difficulties our society is facing between the pandemic and race relations.  Now, we look at where everything starts - ourselves.Find yourself, find your people, and get in touch with your story.  When you can really turn the mirror on yourself - your strengths and your areas of improvement - you can begin the journey to improve not only yourself, but those around you.Dr. Paula Kliger and Lori Blumenstein Bott, LMSW, explore these ideas today.Resources:Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.comCall Psych Assets: 248-594-5979Dr. Kliger's book: Power Your Heart...You Power Your Mind: Self Study then Build a Bridge to Someone: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999853902/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_NGQ-EbASG4ETX

There's no doubt we are living in unique times, with the various tensions in our country.In this episode, Dr. Paula Kliger and Lori Blumenstein-Bott, LMSW dive into the topic of tough conversations.  How can we be mindful and deliberate in starting these conversation with our co-workers of different backgrounds?  Why do we avoid them? And how do we push through any discomfort so that we can learn from each other?It starts with understanding our inner selves, and for organizations, that starts at the top.Lori and Paula also share how their different backgrounds have helped lead them to a better understanding of each other and improve their working relationship.Resources:Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.comCall Psych Assets: 248-594-5979

Diane Wilson rejoins Dr. Paula Christian Kliger and Lori Blumenstein-Bott for part 2 of their conversation around the brain.In our current pandemic, Diane talks about how a pivot may not be possible when in a certain mindset, and that's where neurofeedback can be employed.Sometimes you have to learn where your thresholds are - are you overwhelmed when you wake up in the morning?The mind is the mind. And we are bigger than the mind.Diane also talks about meditation and other tools that can be helpful. How do we get to a better place to cope with what's going on and arrive at more creative solutions?   Even something like walking or cooking can help with the mind-body connection.We hear about a client of Diane's that pivoted - from making jeans to making PPE for health care workers and first responders.You can start with small pivots - maybe even reaching out to folks in your network to get a change in perspective.Resources:Daring Greatly by Brene BrownPsych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.comCall Psych Assets: 248-594-5979The Good Brain Blog: https://www.grimardwilson.com/the-good-brain-blog

Today, Dr. Paula Christian Kliger and Lori Blumenstein-Bott are joined by licensed clinical professional counselor Diane Wilson.  Diane is certified in neurofeedback and her work overlaps with the work of Psych Assets.Diane explains how she's always been interested in the brain, and how a car accident and resulting traumatic brain injury further ignited her passion.  Shifting and pivoting have been key parts of her work, and that's never been more relevant than now.As an example, the group discussed some technical issues they had setting up today's podcast, and how they battled through and remained resilient through them.  This allowed them to stay focused and record the show.  Diane explains "active control" and  some "in the moment" things you can do to remain focused.Diane explains neuroscience, neurofeedback, and brain scans - and how they can help her clients "unfold their brains."  This can help with both mental and physical health issues.Resources:Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.comCall Psych Assets: 248-594-5979The Good Brain Blog: https://www.grimardwilson.com/the-good-brain-blog 

As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, today we look at Dr. Kliger's Self Study Model, and how mindfulness can help us through.How do we live in the moment and prep for the future?  How will we handle re-emergence when some of our old world is gone?It's important to focus on what you can do, not what you can't.  Use isolation and silence as gifts in terms of mindfulness, self restriction.  We can find peace and learn much about ourselves through meditation and mindfulness - even something as simple as paying more attention to our morning routines. We can use this time as an opportunity.For those that aren't isolated, and perhaps crave some alone time, it's important to have a "reset."Finally, the Coronavirus can be used to focus on our inter-dependence with each other, and the gratitude that can evoke.Resources:Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.comCall Psych Assets: 248-594-5979 

Today, Dr. Paula Christian Kliger and Lori Blumenstein-Bott, LMSW, continue their exploration of the self-study model, with a look at our blind spots.We tend to be self-aware in most of our roles in life, but we all have psychological blind spots - they may be subconscious.  They may be the result of prior experience.  We don't know they are there.  It's like driving a car.  When you first get your license, you  have to pay extremely close attention.  As you gain experience though, you tend to go onto auto-pilot.We sometimes see these blind spots in our marriages, our relationships, and even in the workplace.   Today, we explore how to uncover these blind spots, and break these cycles.Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.comCall Psych Assets: 248-594-5979

Face-to-face communication skills are important, but in our current world of social distancing, it's important to be able to communicate well over video chat, telephone, and email.Today, Lori Blumenstein-Bott and Dr. Paula Christian Kliger explore how they teach clients about active listening. We are often so eager to step in, we don't recognize we aren't hearing, or listening.  When we express something we've been passionate about for a long time, we sometimes forget that others are hearing it for the first time.Not only will listening help you better understand the situation you are in, but it will also help you be heard by others.Non verbal communication is also essential, now more than ever. Understand how the people in your organization receive and process information.The Coronavirus has wreaked havoc on our economy as well as our collective psyche. But the silver lining may be that pushing the pause button gives us some much-needed time for self study.Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.comCall Psych Assets: 248-594-5979

Spring holidays look very different this year. In this stressful time, gratitude may be the farthest thing from your mind.  However, it is easy to find gratitude in the current world around us.  Health care workers, supermarket employees, delivery drivers, and more.Today, Dr. Paula Christian Kliger and Lori Blumenstein-Bott explore gratitude, how it fits into their self-study model, and how powerful it can be during a time of isolation.Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.comCall Psych Assets: 248-594-5979

Today, Dr. Paula Christian Kliger and Lori Blumenstein-Bott begin their discussion of the Coronavirus and its psychological effects.  Our hosts, at home in two different states, explain how the crisis has affected them personally, but then take a deeper dive into how it's affecting clients and how we can all best deal with COVID-19 and the toll it's taking on all of us.Resources:Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.comCall Psych Assets: 248-594-5979

In this second part of a two-part series, we continue our discussion of the Self-Study Model, focusing on the importance of curiosity in appreciating others and ourselves. We also examine how best to dedicate oneself to finding purpose in life. It’s a discussion you don’t want to miss.Resources:Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.comCall Psych Assets: 248-594-5979

As we begin a New Year, we address what we consider – in both our clinical and organizational consulting work – the foundation for everything: The Self-Study Model. Join us as we take a look at how we can observe ourselves more effectively, self-reflect more deeply, and expose ourselves to life and other people more fully and rewardingly.Resources:Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.comCall Psych Assets: 248-594-5979

Leadership. It’s not just about the leader and at work but, rather, the whole person in life, 24-7.Clinical Psychologist Dr. Paula Kliger and Therapist Lori Blumenstein-Bott examine overcoming blind spots and potential barriers to becoming a more effective leader.Resources:Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.comCall Psych Assets: 248-594-5979

As we enter the holiday season, how might we think about and approach making this a truly meaningful time of year? Clinical Psychologist Dr. Paula Kliger and Therapist Lori Blumenstein-Bott look at the challenges and the opportunities the holidays can bring about in our lives.Resources:Psych Assets website: https://www.psychassets.comCall Psych Assets: 248-594-5979

In their inaugural We Are Human First podcast, Clinical Psychologist Dr. Paula Kliger and Therapist Lori Blumenstein-Bott examine the dynamics of leadership within an organization, including the importance of leaders first understanding themselves in order to effectively guide, manage and support their team members.Resources:Psych Assets WebsiteCall Psych Assets at 248-594-5979

Join Dr. Paula Kliger and Lori Blumenstein-Bott, LMSW of Psych Assets  as we focus on people and their relationships...how we think...what empowers us... and how and where we can enable positive change.More: Psych Assets WebsiteCall Psych Assets at 248-594-5979