Working Out The Inside: The Myths, Truths, and Essential Work of Psychotherapy

Welcome back to the Working Out the Inside podcast--episode 20--Codependence No More.  We look at why codependence does not just mean being dependent on someone, how it's not just a term used in addiction work but in any kind of relationship work, and how we can have healthier relationships when we recognize and eliminate it.   Your host is Andrew Nargolwala, MSW, LCSW (NJ and NY), MA of Advanced Psychotherapy and Healing Associates in Cresskill, NJ.  The artwork is by Fotini Hamidieli.  Your questions on particular episodes and your suggestions for future topics are always welcome, either left on the site or by email.  I can be reached directly at amn219@nyu.edu.  

Another great listener-suggested topic!  How are issues of gender addressed in psychotherapy?  What are the roots of gender identity--biological, cultural?  Your host is Andrew Nargolwala, MSW, LCSW (NJ and NY), MA, the owner and Clinical Director of Advanced Psychotherapy & Healing Associates in Cresskill, NJ. The painting is by the wonderful artist Fotini Hamidieli. Please subscribe, leave comments and suggestions for future episodes, and feel free to email me at amn219@nyu.edu.

Welcome back! This is episode 18—What is Good Therapy?  In this segment, we will look at these questions and more: how do we know the psychotherapy we are doing is working? What are the components of good therapy—and a good therapist? How can we judge as patients if it is the right kind of therapy for us? When is it time to make a change in our treatment? Your host is Andrew Nargolwala, MSW, LCSW (NJ and NY), MA, the owner and Clinical Director of Advanced Psychotherapy & Healing Associates in Cresskill, NJ. The artwork is by the wonderful artist Fotini Hamidieli. Please subscribe, leave comments, as well as suggestions for future episodes, and you can email me at amn219@nyu.edu.

This is episode 17—Mass Shootings and Mental Health. Some of the questions addressed include are mass shooters mentally ill? Is it possible to predict when a mass murder such as in El Paso will occur—and to stop it from happening? Why does America have many times more mass killings than any other nation? Could psychotherapy before such an incident help prevent future victims? What are the dangers of diagnosing someone at a distance? Your host is Andrew Nargolwala, MSW, LCSW (NJ and NY), MA, the owner and Clinical Director of Advanced Psychotherapy & Healing Associates in Cresskill, NJ. The artwork is by the wonderful artist Fotini Hamidieli. Please subscribe and leave comments and suggestions, and you can email me at amn219@nyu.edu.

Welcome back to the Working Out The Inside podcast. This is episode 16: Psychopaths, Sociopaths, Anti-Social Behavior, and Consequence in Psychotherapy. Some of the issues discussed include what is the difference between psychopaths and sociopaths, are psychopaths and sociopaths born that way or created over time, how is anti-social behavior a different category, why is psychotherapy contraindicated with psychopaths, was Tony Soprano a psychopath or just a good family man, and why is certainty of consequence an underrated aspect of dealing with deviant behavior--whether in psychotherapy or other forms of treatment? Your host is Andrew Nargolwala, MSW, LCSW (NJ and NY), MA, the owner and Clinical Director of Advanced Psychotherapy & Healing Associates in Cresskill, NJ. The artwork is by the wonderful artist Fotini Hamidieli. Please subscribe and leave comments and suggestions, and you can email me at amn219@nyu.edu. (Note email address correction.)

Welcome back!  Some of the issues discussed in episode 15--what is the difference between solitude and isolation?  Are we born to be social creatures, as we hear so often?  How do we achieve a healthy balance between being alone and being with others?  How is unconditional self-love different from narcissism?  Is self-love an endless excuse for bad behavior?   Your host is Andrew Nargolwala, MSW, LCSW (NJ and NY), MA, the owner and Clinical Director of Advanced Psychotherapy & Healing Associates in Cresskill, NJ. The artwork is by the wonderful artist Fotini Hamidieli. Please subscribe and leave comments and suggestions, and you can email me at amn219@nyu.edu. (Note email address correction.)         

Today, episode 14—The Psychology of Suicide and the Path of Hope and Healing.  Many people are surprised to learn that suicide is the second leading cause of death in American 15 to 19 year olds. And suicide ranks 10th overall in causes of death in this country. This segment brings together many of the issues we’ve looked at previously and the ultimate consequences of not getting help or not being able to get help. Some questions we examine: why do people, especially young people, even consider taking their own lives? Can we predict who will try? What are the signs we can see in a loved one—or ourselves? What is the best way to try to help and to support someone who has contemplated or attempted suicide? What are some of the myths that persist about suicide?  What do we do if a loved one does take his or her own life?   Your host is Andrew Nargolwala, MSW, LCSW (NJ and NY), MA, the owner and Clinical Director of Advanced Psychotherapy & Healing Associates in Cresskill, NJ. The artwork is by the wonderful artist Fotini Hamidieli.  Please subscribe and leave comments and suggestions, or you can email me at amn219@nyu.edu.  (Note email address correction.)

Welcome back!  Today's episode is another great listener request--how we treat deep anxiety in psychotherapy, what is the effect on ourselves and our loved ones of prolonged anxiety, what level of anxiety is normal, how our sense of self and identity is related to anxiety, and more.  And, yes, the Buddha (the first psychotherapist) gets his props too.   Your comments on this or any other episode are very welcome, as are your suggestions for future segments. Please subscribe or follow--it's free! Your host is Andrew Nargolwala, MSW, LCSW (NJ and NY), MA, the owner and Clinical Director of Advanced Psychotherapy & Healing Associates in Cresskill, NJ. The artwork is by the wonderful artist Fotini Hamidieli.

We're very grateful and honored to have been selected by PodBean as one of its recommended podcasts for Mental Health Awareness Month.  This is another listener requested segment, episode 12--grief, loss, and healing.  Among the topics discussed are what is a normal time frame for grief to appear and to subside, what is the relationship between grief and depression, what can we say that is helpful to others who are grieving, what role can psychotherapy play in healing grief and loss, and more.  Your comments on this or any other episode are very welcome, as are your suggestions for future segments.  Please subscribe or follow--it's free!   Your host is Andrew Nargolwala, MSW, LCSW (NJ and NY), MA, the owner and Clinical Director of Advanced Psychotherapy & Healing Associates in Cresskill, NJ. The artwork is by the wonderful artist Fotini Hamidieli.

Almost daily, we get calls from couples and individuals in various stages of crises in their relationships.  What are the core concepts and tangible choices that people can make before and during relationships to possibly avoid major problems in the future?  What kinds of help are available once problems occur?  The suggestions discussed are for romantic relationships, but often can be applied to work interactions and friendship as well.   Your host is Andrew Nargolwala, MSW, LCSW (NJ and NY), MA, the owner and Clinical Director of Advanced Psychotherapy & Healing Associates in Cresskill, NJ. The artwork is by the wonderful artist Fotini Hamidieli. Please feel free to comment and subscribe. I love feedback as well as topic suggestions!

Welcome to episode ten!  In this segment, we celebrate some things parents do that are very healthy for their kids and themselves, while also offering some constructive criticism for some other behaviors and strategies.  In our practice, we get to work with many combinations of clients--individual therapy, couples therapy, parenting work, family therapy, and so forth--so we get to hear multiple perspectives on issues that are examined in these kinds of treatment.  As always, your comments and suggestions are very welcome.  It's free to listen or subscribe.   Your host is Andrew Nargolwala, MSW, LCSW (NJ and NY), MA, the owner and Clinical Director of Advanced Psychotherapy & Healing Associates in Cresskill, NJ. The artwork is by Fotini Hamidieli.

Welcome to episode nine--To Forgive or Not to Forgive: How We Work with Closure, Healing, and Forgiveness in Psychotherapy.  We look at the term "forced forgiveness," whether closure is something anyone can give us, whether we will be stuck in our development if we don't forgive, and other issues surrounding this vital topic.   Your host is Andrew Nargolwala, MSW, LCSW (NJ and NY), MA, the owner and Clinical Director of Advanced Psychotherapy & Healing Associates in Cresskill, NJ. The artwork is by the wonderful artist Fotini Hamidieli. Please feel free to comment and subscribe!  I love feedback as well as topic suggestions!

Welcome back!  In this episode, we try to demystify the process of being happy and explore how psychotherapy can start to provide the ongoing plan, structure, and support for someone to start the journey of healthy self-love and self-actualization.  I talk about how our culture often works against internal growth, focusing instead on external achievement only, as well as the vital importance of a personal and professional support system in helping us achieve and maintain balance.  We look at recent news stories that illustrate how destructive it is to lose that balance.  Also, was Buddha the first psychotherapist?  Tune in and find out..... Your host is Andrew Nargolwala, MSW, LSCW, MA, of Advanced Psychotherapy and Healing Associates in Cresskill, NJ.   Please feel free to comment and subscribe!  And I love topic suggestions!  

Another suggested topic from a listener.  In this segment, we look at what abusers depend on, what they would have you believe as a victim that isn't true, how families can be affected and have an effect, my own experience as a victim as well as treating victims and abusers as a psychotherapist, and more.   Your host is Andrew Nargolwala, MSW, LCSW (NJ and NY), MA, the owner and Clinical Director of Advanced Psychotherapy & Healing Associates in Cresskill, NJ. The artwork is by Fotini Hamidieli. Please feel free to comment or subscribe.

Welcome back!  In this segment, we look at the difference between normal distractibility and hyperactivity and the diagnoses of ADD and ADHD, why adolescent issues often raise the possibility of a diagnosis, the risks versus the benefits of medication, and more.   Your host is Andrew Nargolwala, MSW, LCSW (NJ and NY), MA, the owner and Clinical Director of Advanced Psychotherapy & Healing Associates in Cresskill, NJ. The artwork is by Fotini Hamidieli. Please feel free to comment or subscribe!

In this segment, we address the difference between people being difficult and being abusive; how to set boundaries; why people are abusive, both in person and online; what is narcissism and what are personality disorders, what to do when you are targeted, how to get help, and more.   Your host is Andrew Nargolwala, MSW, LCSW (NJ and NY), MA, the owner and Clinical Director of Advanced Psychotherapy & Healing Associates in Cresskill, NJ. The artwork is by Fotini Hamidieli. Please feel free to comment or subscribe!  

We see countless articles warning of the harm of divorce, especially to children. But what do children actually say about divorce in the privacy (and confidentiality) of their individual therapy? What do couples say about relationships in their own individual work? There is no doubt that divorce can be painful and even traumatic, but when is it actually a positive step, whether or not children are involved? Is staying together for the children actually good for the children—or anyone involved? What should couples therapy address at the core? In this segment, we examine the difference between the symbol of marriage and the living reality of a relationship. Your host is Andrew Nargolwala, MSW, LCSW (NJ and NY), MA, the owner and Clinical Director of Advanced Psychotherapy & Healing Associates in Cresskill, NJ.  The artwork is by Fotini Hamidieli.  

Welcome back.  This segment deals with issues I'm often asked about regarding addiction.  I worked in a substance abuse program for some years and continue that work as part of my private practice. So many people are affected by some form of addiction--whether themselves, a family member, or a friend.  I try to address the mindsets underlying both addiction and recovery, whether mandated treatment works, the nature of both denial and codependency, what are the core topics of psychotherapy when working with addiction issues, and more.   Your host is Andrew Nargolwala, MSW, LCSW (NJ and NY), MA, owner and Clinical Director of Advanced Psychotherapy & Healing Associates in Cresskill, NJ.  The artwork is by Fotini Hamidieli.    

This episode is about depression--how is it different from just feeling down, the blues?  What are the different kinds of depression?  What is the gold standard of treating depression?  Throughout this podcast, I hope the segments help to demystify and clarify core topics in mental health, particularly around psychotherapy's role in treatment.  I welcome your questions and your suggestions for future topics.  Your host is Andrew Nargolwala, MSW, LCSW (NJ and NY), MA, the owner and Clinical Director of Advanced Psychotherapy & Healing Associates in Cresskill, NJ.  The artwork is by Fotini Hamidieli.  

Welcome to the first episode of Working Out the Inside: The Myths, Truths, and Essential Work of Psychotherapy.  I'm Andrew Nargolwala, and I've been a psychotherapist for more than 16 years.  I run a group private practice in Cresskill, NJ and also work for a large public agency.  I hope with this podcast to help demystify the process of therapy and make it more understandable for a general audience.   This segment talks generally about what psychotherapy is, what does it focus on, what should you look for in a therapist, and the core questions that lead to both symptom relief and self-discovery.  Future topics will address topics such as depression, anxiety, addiction, relationships, parenting, and more.  I welcome your questions and feedback as to what you would like to hear discussed in the future.