Podcasts about professional psychology

Nicole Sonnefeldt, MA (she/her) is an alternative relationship coach, educator and consultant, and the founder of Freeform Coaching: Relationship Coaching for Conscious Non-Monogamy. A former trauma and couples therapist with a Master's in Counseling Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Nicole blends her personal experience as a queer woman in the lifestyle, non-monogamy, kink and sex work with her professional training and expertise to assist individuals, couples and polycules in creating intentional and equitable relationships of all shapes and sizes. *BRANDITSCAN** **Protect Your Digital Presence** One of the best defenses against social media fraud, impersonation, and stolen content. Protect your name, likeness, and online presence today, and get your first month free when you sign up through my link: **Sign Up:** https://branditscan.com/?aff=marcelaalonso ### **PODCAST AFFILIATES** **SDC | The Lifestyle Community** Looking to explore the lifestyle, meet open-minded people, or learn more about non-monogamy? Join one of the largest lifestyle communities online. **Explore here:** https://www.sdc.com/signup.php?ref=37593 **ProDx Health | Wellness From Home** Take control of your sexual wellness with private at-home testing kits. Convenient, easy, and informed health tracking. **Shop Kits:** https://prodxhealth.com/products/pro-13-home-collection-kit?variant=42594725298278&_ef_transaction_id=&oid=1&affid=123 **Mums Candy | Sweet Deliveries** Treat yourself to fun candy and treats delivered directly to your door. **Get Treats:** https://www.mumscandy.com?sca_ref=11159574.RUXJwCcADs0U8m ### **FOLLOW MARCELA** **Exclusive Content (OnlyFans)** * **VIP Membership:** https://onlyfans.com/marcela_luv * **Free Membership:** https://onlyfans.com/latinamilfnyc **Untamed in the City (Substack)** Deep dives and personal writing on lifestyle and culture. **Subscribe:** https://substack.com/@untamedinthecity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the Weight and Healthcare newsletter! If you like what you are reading, please consider subscribing and/or sharing!Diabetes Prevention Programs are a group of programs that are created to prevent the onset of Type 2 Diabetes, often in people who have been identified as at-risk. Most include behavior changes, social support, and include weight loss as a metric and/or the primary outcome. The assumption is typically that any health changes and/or reductions in the development of T2D are because of any weight loss. In discussing these programs previously I've expressed the concern that any differences in health/T2D development were more likely due to behavior changes/support than any weight loss and that, because of their insistence on a weight-loss focus, the programs likely included much more restriction than is necessary to create any health changes, which could create harms including weight cycling (which can actually drive T2D,) weight stigma (which can actually drive T2D,) and disengagement from behaviors that might actually support health and make T2D less likely (with the clear and critical understanding that whether or not someone develops T2D involves myriad factors, many of which are completely outside of their control, including genetics.)Enter the new systematic review “Potential mechanisms for change in diabetes prevention programs” which sought “to investigate potential mechanisms for change in diabetes prevention programs (DPPs), and assess the strength of associations.” Their hypothesis was that “ Weight loss would be less strongly associated with improved health than other mechanisms.” SummaryA group of researchers, several of whom work in weight inclusive Type 2 Diabetes preventions and management, sought to fill a gap in research around Diabetes Prevention Programs (DPPs). These program seek to delay/prevent onset of Type 2 Diabetes and typically include multiple interventions but often target an end goal of weight loss. There is a significant lack of research that even attempts to determine which aspects of DPPs might actually be responsible for any benefits and which might be unhelpful or cause harm. These researchers undertook a systematic review to attempt to determine just that. The AuthorsWe'll begin, as we always do, with the authors. Spoiler alert, this is going to be much shorter than these typically are. The study received no funding and the authors disclosed no conflicts of interest. I'll do my usual deeper dive into their work and, as a reminder, working in the space in which you are researching is not considered a conflict of interest that requires disclosure but is something that always makes me give extra scrutiny to methodology. As usual, if you want to skip this part you can scroll down to where it says “The Study.”Margit I. Berman is an Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of St. Thomas. Dr. Berman is the author of a “A Clinician's Guide to Acceptance-Based Approaches for Weight Concerns: The Accept Yourself! Framework” This is not a DPP program but does have a section on Health at Every Size™ approaches to Diabetes and Cardiovascular Health. [Note: that Health at Every Size is the trademarked brand of the Association for Size Diversity and Health) Martha Burla - per LinkedIn currently works at the Feinberg School of Medicine in the Department of Medical Social Sciences where she supports research on patient reported outcomes and shared decision making. She is also pursuing a PhD in Health Sciences from Rush University with the hope of continuing to research patient decision making and autonomy.Hannah Martin - per her Linkedin she is a PhD candidate at the University of Otago, Dunedin New Zealand. Her research focuses on Intuitive EatingMegrette Fletcher - is the owner of Inclusive Diabetes Care, LLC which offers free and paid resources for weight-inclusive diabetes care. Full disclosure, Megrette and I have worked together including speaking on the same panel and on a writing project.Elizabeth A. Michaels - per LinkedIn, works at Christopher Rural Health Planning Corporation Primary Care including Coordination of Diabetes Program in accordance with AADE Standards , Individualized Nutrition Consultation and Diet Instruction, Nutrition Therapy for Emotional Eating, Personalized Meal Plans and Recipe Development, Provision and Marketing of Community Health Classes, Development of Educational Resources and Materials, Diabetes Medication and Insulin Management, Continuous Quality Improvement Tracking, Patient Goal Setting and Ongoing Support, Auditor AADE Programs, and Development and initiation of CDCs Diabetes Prevention ProgramLauren Brittany Beach- Per LinkedIn they are an Assistant Professor at Northwestern University's Department of Medicine Social Sciences and Department of Preventive Medicine in the Feinberg School of Medicine and “a leader with a strong track record of scientific research and business development across a wide variety of therapeutic areas, including infectious disease, oncology, cardiology, endocrinology, nephrology, rare disease, and more. In my roles as Assistant Professor, ADVOCATE Center Director, and Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center Executive Team member at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, I am recognized for innovative and high impact contributions in research, mentorship, education, and service. I have 20 years of experience translating results from cutting-edge science into narratives that resonate with funding agencies, regulators, clinicians, and the public. I have experience directing interdisciplinary teams in the United States and globally of up to 60 people to solve complex research and operational challenges on time and on budget. Trained in genetics, law, and epidemiology, I am a skilled data scientist and technical writer with experience in research and regulatory communication in both the discovery and clinical research domains.”Michelle L. May - per LinkedIn May is an Associate Professor in the Psychology Department at Arizona State University and the creator of the Am I Hungry? Mindful eating program offering “experiential mindful eating workshops, retreats, and corporate wellness programs. We have trained over 800 health and wellness professionals in over 40+ countries to offer mindful eating programs, coaching, and therapy in their communities, practices, and workplaces.“Pamela J. Bagley - per LinkedIn Bagley is Coordinator of Biomedical Research Support at Dartmouth Biomedical Libraries.Heather B. Blunt - is a Research and Education Librarian, Public Health Lead in Medical and Health Sciences at the Dartmouth Biomedical Libraries with subspecialties in Medical and Health SciencesThe StudyThe authors begin by explaining diabetes prevention programs (DPPs), including that they can vary but often have multiple components including medical and/or psychosocial interventions. They point to the DPP-ILI (Intensive Lifestyle Intervention) as a typical intervention that focuses on creating 7% weight loss using multiple components. They also point out that in one study the DPP-ILI reduced diabetes incidence by 58% compared to a placebo, but that participants don't necessarily find the program either “helpful or tolerable” and the programs often having drop out rates from 40-80%. They also note that the DPP-ILI contains multiple elements - change in weight, physical activity, food, social support, psychological change, education, and self-monitoring and self-awareness that may impact onset of diabetes. Finally, the authors point out that “despite their efficacy, it is possible that DPPs may include harmful elements such as exposure to weight stigma or healthism.” I'll also add, based on about 100 years of research, exposure to the harms of weight cycling since the vast majority of people who lose weight will gain it back.Here the researchers hit on an issue I would suggest is not just with DPPs but with all health interventions that are based on weight loss. As these authors put it, “it is striking how little is known about which components of these interventions cause a delay in diabetes onset, and which components may cause harm.” As is, again, the case with almost all, if not all , research that tries to claim that weight loss create health benefits, more than twenty years in, the research into the DPP-ILI “was not designed to test the relative contributions of dietary changes, increased physical activity, and weight loss to the reduction in the risk of diabetes.” Given our culture's obsession with weight loss (driven by, and with tremendous profit to, the weight loss industry,) the assumption with the DPP (and in general) is always that weight loss (and, typically, very small amounts of weight loss) causes health benefits, literally ignoring all of the behavior changes and other components that precede both the (small, typically temporary) weight loss and the health changes/benefits. The researchers note that “clinicians have focused on the importance of weight loss…recommending weight loss, however, may be a particularly likely candidate to cause harmful or null effects in DPPs.”Considering weight loss, the researchers note that long-term weight loss is “not achievable for most people” and, further, that weight loss programs can induce or exacerbate weight stigma and expose participants to discrimination. They point out that despite the “transient” nature of weight loss in DPPS, “the delayed onset of diabetes can be largely retained, suggesting that mechanisms other than weight loss may contribute to the benefits.”In part 2 we'll look at the study methodology and what they found.If you think my work is valuable, and you want to support my ability to do it, you can become a free or paid subscriber. Both support the work I do here! Liked the piece? Share the piece!More researchThe Research PostMore resourcesThe Resource Post*Note on language: I use “fat” as a neutral descriptor as used by the fat activist community, I use “ob*se” and “overw*ight” to acknowledge that these are terms that were created to medicalize and pathologize fat bodies, with roots in racism and specifically anti-Blackness. Please read Sabrina Strings' Fearing the Black Body – the Racial Origins of Fat Phobia and Da'Shaun Harrison's Belly of the Beast: The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness for more on this. Get full access to Weight and Healthcare at weightandhealthcare.substack.com/subscribe

Listen ad free on Patreon.In today's episode, I sit down with Dr. Tiffany Towers, Clinical Director and licensed clinical psychologist at Seasons Malibu. Dr. Towers studied psychology and theater at Barnard College at Columbia University and earned her Doctorate in Clinical Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Her work pairs her strong clinical training with a creative, narrative-based approach to therapy.Dr. Towers and I discuss how looking at addiction through the lens of story can help loosen the grip of all-or-nothing thinking. Instead of seeing yourself as permanently defined by past behavior, this approach opens the door to examining patterns, shifting roles, and building a more flexible sense of identity.We also walk through the range of modalities used at Seasons, including EMDR, Brainspotting, somatic work, equine therapy, CBT, and DBT, with a focus on what they actually look like in practice and how to find credible versions of these treatments outside of a residential setting.Dr Towers also emphasizes the value in meeting people where they are, where that is abstinence or harm reduction, and how thoughtful, individualized care can support meaningful progress in either direction.My goal with this episode is to translate high-level clinical insight into something you can use and apply to your own life. Whether you are in recovery, considering change, or working in the field, this conversation offers a grounded, practical way to think about healing and what comes next.Today's episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠Seasons ⁠⁠in Malibu. For over 18 years, Seasons has been a sanctuary for individuals seeking to reclaim their lives from addiction and mental health challenges. Our story began with a simple but profound vision: To create a luxurious sanctuary for individuals struggling with addiction or mental health issues, where they can receive the finest, evidence-based treatment in the world.Built on Compassion, Driven by ExcellenceWhat started as a small number of compassionate professionals has grown into one of the nation's most respected luxury treatment centers. But growth has never meant losing sight of what matters most—the individual engaging with our therapists, one-on-one, taking the courageous first step toward healing.From the beginning, we understood that truly transformative treatment requires more than clinical protocols. It demands a personalized approach, led by the most qualified professionals, in an environment that nurtures the whole person. That's why we've assembled a team where every primary therapist holds a Doctorate in Psychology - a distinction virtually unmatched in our field.Check out ⁠⁠⁠Seasons Malibu⁠⁠⁠ online or call 1-866-314-5160 for more information.Connect with Seasons on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠DM me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Message me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen AD FREE & workout with me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email me chasingheroine@gmail.comSee you next week!

How can leaders create more clarity in uncertain times? In this episode, Kevin and Karl Hebenstreit discuss why clarity has become such a critical leadership need, especially in uncertain times, and why so many performance problems can be traced back to assumptions instead of explicit conversations. They talk about the danger of relying on the Golden Rule in leadership, the importance of moving toward the Platinum Rule by understanding how others want to be treated, and the reality that expectations must flow in every direction, not just from leader to team member. Karl shares practical insights on making one-on-ones more effective, keeping goals current as priorities change, and creating the consistency, communication, coaching, and compassion that build confidence and engagement. Listen For 00:00 Why clarity matters in leadership 01:49 Guest introduction Karl Hebenstreit 02:50 Why this topic is so timely 03:10 Clarity vs inclusivity in leadership 04:11 Clarity builds confidence 05:36 The big idea behind explicit expectations 05:54 The problem with the golden rule 06:40 Why expectations must be explicit 07:10 Expectations go both ways 09:02 The cost of unclear expectations 11:04 The platinum rule explained 12:22 Emotional intelligence and expectations 13:55 What if you cannot meet expectations 18:06 Why leaders struggle with expectations 20:26 Why one on ones matter 23:09 How to run effective one on ones 25:04 Why goals must be updated regularly 27:04 The seven Cs of expectations 31:57 Final leadership challenge Karl's Story: R. Karl Hebenstreit Ph.D., PCC, PHR is the author of the PenCraft Award-winning and international conference best-seller The How and Why: Taking Care of Business with the Enneagram (now in its third edition), the PenCraft Award and Readers' Favorite 5-Star Award-winning Nina and the Really, Really Tough Decision (available in English, Spanish, French, Greek, and Portuguese), and the Axiom Award-winning Explicit Expectations: The Essential Guide & Toolkit of Management Fundamentals. He has 25+ years of global experience in the biotechnology, healthcare, telecommunications, high-tech, pharmaceutical, and real estate services industries. He holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from Alliant International University/California School of Professional Psychology, a MS in Human Resource Management from the Rutgers Graduate School of Management and Labor Relations, and a BA in Psychology, French, and Political Science from Rutgers College. Karl received his executive coaching training through Fielding Graduate University. He is an accredited Enneagram Teacher, an IEA Accredited Professional with Distinction, and is also certified in the Myers-Briggs Type Instrument (MBTI). http://www.performandfunction.com/ https://linkedin.com/in/rkarlhebenstreit Looking to Develop Stronger Leaders? Want help developing the leaders in your organization? Reach out to explore how the Kevin Eikenberry Group can support your team at info@kevineikenberry.com  Book Recommendations Explicit Expectations: The Essential Guide & Toolkit of Management Fundamentals by R. Karl Hebenstreit Ph.D. The How and Why: Taking Care of Business with the Enneagram Nina and the Really, Really Tough Decision Like this? Making One-on-Ones More Effective (in 20 Minutes or Less) Transforming the Workplace with Purpose and Authenticity with Kelly Winegarden Hall Coaching Power with Luciana Núñez Join Our Community If you want to view our live podcast episodes, hear about new releases, or chat with others who enjoy this podcast join one of our communities below. Join the Facebook Group Join the LinkedIn Group   Leave a Review If you liked this conversation, we'd be thrilled if you'd let others know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Here's a quick guide for posting a review. Review on Apple: https://remarkablepodcast.com/itunes   

Linda Michaels is a psychologist in private practice in Chicago and a co-founder of the Psychotherapy Action Network (PsiAN). She trained at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and completed the Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy program at the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute. Before becoming a clinician, she worked in marketing, innovation, and management consulting, including work with organizations in the U.S. and Latin America. Michaels is the chair and co-founder of PsiAN, a public-facing effort focused on helping people understand different forms of psychotherapy and advocate for the kind of care they are seeking. She is also a Consulting Editor at Psychoanalytic Inquiry and Clinical Associate Faculty at the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis. She is currently a Fellow at the Lauder Institute Global MBA program. In this conversation, we trace her path from market research to psychotherapy and then to organizing. We talk about what clients say they want from therapy and how training, insurance, and digital platforms have reshaped the conditions under which psychotherapy is practiced and accessed. We also discuss her writing and research, including PsiAN's national survey work on public attitudes toward therapy ("Going Beneath the Surface: What People Want from Therapy") and a follow-up paper published in 2025 ("The Therapy World Has Changed: Where are We Now?"). We talk about her 2025 article in The American Psychoanalyst, "Corporations in the Consulting Room: What do we stand for, and what stands in our way?" and her edited volume, Advancing Psychotherapy for the Next Generation: Humanizing Mental Health Policy and Practice. Linda also recounts some of the advocacy work she's done and the adversity PsiAN has faced, including being sued by a major therapy platform, as well as how institutional alliances across our professional organizations are reshaping the contemporary mental health marketplace. *** Thank you for being with us to listen to the podcast and read our articles this year. MIA is funded entirely by reader donations. If you value MIA, please help us continue to survive and grow. https://www.madinamerica.com/donate/ To find the Mad in America podcast on your preferred podcast player, click here: https://pod.link/1212789850 © Mad in America 2026. Produced by James Moore https://www.jmaudio.org

This is the second of a series of posts about the literary alchemy of J. K. Rowling, a discussion jumpstarted by a post by ‘Iris' at a Strike fan website, an article that championed a Jungian perspective on this subject. The first post in this series, Literary Alchemy – A Primer for Those Interested in J. K. Rowling's Artistry, both explained what the ‘Iris' post asserted and reviewed much of the critical literature that the brevity of the S&E Files article prevented her from discussing. See that post for links to this material. The conversation between Nick Jeffery and John Granger above was recorded in the same spirit as the first post was written, namely, simultaneously a welcome to Strike fans and Rowling readers who have learned about literary alchemy only recently and an introduction to the work of the last twenty five years on this subject. Upcoming posts in the series will include a counter-point discussion in the debate Rowling is fostering about whether a psychological or spiritual perspective is better for understanding art and life and a review of the alchemical signatures that crowd Rowling-Galbraith's Hallmarked Man.This post is largely links to sources for points Nick and John discuss in their naturally enthusiastic and contrarian conversation, question by question. Enjoy!1. Welcome to the Conversation! (Nick) I just sent out an article about literary alchemy, John, in response to an article written by ‘Iris' and posted on the Strike-Ellacott Files website, a piece titled ‘What is Literary Alchemy? Spotting symbols that map Strike and Robin's growth.' What advice or guidance would you give to, say, Cormoran Strike readers who are brand new to the subject? * There are three types of alchemy and it is important to understand the common ground they share and the differences between them;* The first type is alchemy proper, which is to say ‘metallurgical alchemy,' the sacred science of purifying metals and the adept's soul via the creation of a Philosopher's Stone that will transform lead to gold and exude an elixir of life, the drinking of which will bestow immortality;* The second and third types of alchemy derive from interpretations of metallurgical alchemy's aims and the symbolic texts detailing the work in the hermetic laboratory;* Literary alchemy is the use of metallurgical alchemy's language, colors, sequences, and symbols in plays, poetry, and story to foster an edifying and transformative experience in the artist's theater or reading audience;* Psychological alchemy is Carl Jung's use of metallurgical alchemy's texts during and after WWII to illustrate his ideas of the integration of the conscious and unconscious aspects of the human mind;* Metallurgical alchemy was practiced in China, the Levant, India, and Europe within the revealed religious traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity until its degeneration in the late Medieval period and eventual evolution into the strictly materialist chemistry we know today;* Literary alchemy has been a continuous stream in literature from Dante, Chaucer, Shakespeare, and the Metaphysical poets through to Dickens, Yeats, the Inklings, Joyce, Nabokov, and J. K. Rowling;* The academic study of “alchemy in literature” was the province of Baconian and allegorical readings of Shakespeare (cf., Beryl Pogson, Peter Dawkins, Martin Lings) until the late 20th Century and the advent of academic specialists in ‘Hermetic Studies,' e.g., Stanton Linden, Lyndy Abraham, and Charles Nicholl (cf., Cauda Pavonis: A Journal of Hermetic Studies, 1982-2000).* Jung and his followers used their psychological interpretations of metallurgical alchemy as allegories of the soul to interpret mythology (cf., Erich Neumann, Marie-Louise Von Franz, Robert Johnson);* Jungian analysis of story using Jung's ideas of subconscious archetypes within a collective unconscious was popularized by Joseph Campbell in his guides to Joyce's Ulysses and his more well known works on mythology (e.g., The Hero With a Thousand Faces);* ‘Isis' in her S&E Files article, ‘What is Literary Alchemy?,' suggests that Rowling-Galbraith is writing an allegory of soul transformation in the Cormoran Strike series using metallurgical alchemy's symbols and sequences as understood by Carl Jung and his disciples rather than as used by English writers since the 13th Century;* It's a challenging theory, the depth of which is hard to grasp without an appreciation of the types of alchemy, what they have in common, and their differences in approach and subject matter.2. The Lake: (John) What I found most fascinating in your post, Nick, was your best guesses about where Rowling would have learned about literary alchemy. She claimed in 1998 that she'd read a lot of alchemical texts from which she set the “magical parameters” of the Hogwarts Saga; if you had only three chances to name one of those books, what would you choose? * Charles Nicholl's The Chemical Theatre;* Titus Burckhardt's Alchemy: Science of the Cosmos, Science of the Soul (or Mirror of the Intellect: Essays on Traditional Acience and Sacred Art);* Lyndy Abraham Summerhaze's Marvell and Alchemy or her Dictionary of Alchemical Imagery;* Martin Lings' The Secret of Shakespeare3. Carl Jung, Alchemy: (Nick) I see you're chafing at the bit, John, with book titles I haven't mentioned so let me name-drop the author not on my list because, as you pointed out, he wasn't really a literary alchemist so much as a psychologist who discussed alchemy as a means of illustrating his own ideas about the ‘Great Work.' You've written, though, that literary alchemy as with metallurgical alchemy is a subset of soul-allegories or Psychomachia. Don't Jung's ideas jibe with that? * Yes and no!* Jung's ideas of the soul and archetypes (or archetypal forms) are based on late 19th Century Volkischer German ideas, which is to say, modern and materialist (some say ‘vitalist') premises. His hostility to Christianity and Judaism was grounded in his acceptance of Darwinian evolution and derived philosophically from Nietzsche (see Richard Noll's The Jung Cult and The Aryan Christ).* He conflates the spiritual with the psychological, consequently, and embraces integrated individual psychological health as the telos of human existence, none of which is consistent with traditional metallurgical or literary alchemy (see Titus Burckhardt's Mirror of the Intellect, Philip Sherrard's ‘An Introduction to the Religious Thought of C. G. Jung,' and Harry Oldmeadow's ‘C.G. Jung & Mircea Eliade: ‘Priests without Surplices'? Reflections on the Place of Myth, Religion and Science in Their Work.'* Psychological alchemy, insomuch as it is ‘Jungian,' is well removed from the other two types of alchemy. Which is not to say that Rowling is not a Jungian and hence a Jungian psychological alchemist.4. Back into the Lake: (John) You covered in your article, though, Nick, the several reasons to think it possible, even probable that the evidence from Rowling's life suggests she is using Jungian ideas in her literary alchemy. Iris over at S&E Files obviously thinks that is the case. What are the for and against ideas with respect to Rowling being a Jungian? There's Plenty of Evidence That Rowling IS a Jungian Writer:John Granger's discussion in Troubled Blood: A Jungian Reading* Robin's name-dropping Jung in conversation about astrology;* The Jungian notes sounded throughout Strike 5: Archetypes, Synchronicity, Persona;* The connection between Jung's illustrated ‘New Book' and Talbot's ‘True Book;' and* Pointers to Cupid-Psyche myth as understood by Jungians (see below)The Advent of Prudence Dunleavy, Jungian Psychologist, in Ink Black Heart* Hard to imagine a more sympathetic portrait of a Jungian than half-sister Prudence!* She clearly was the genius behind the Rokeby reconciliation in Hallmarked ManThe Cupid and Psyche myth underpinning the Strike series* A Mythological Key to Cormoran Strike? The Myth of Eros, Psyche, and Venus (note the discussion here of the Jungian understanding of this specific myth)* Ink Black Heart: Strike as Zeus to Robin's Leda and as Cupid to Mads' Psyche* ‘Rowling Points to Myth of Cupid and Psyche in order to Console Strike Fans Disappointed with Hallmarked Man‘* The Hallmarked Man‘s Mythological Template (Nick Jeffery, John Granger)Anything Else? Oh, yeah —* Rowling studied mythology in her ‘Classical Studies' program at UExeter and almost certainly encountered Jungian interpretation of myths there (e.g. the work of Neumann, Johnson, Campbell).* Rowling told Val McDermid if she had not become a successful writer she would have sought training and certification as a psychologist. * Her work reflects a broad reading in psychology (cf., Louise Freeman Davis' ‘J. K. Rowling and the Phantoms in the Brain,' ‘Cormoran Strike and the Itch that Cannot Be Scratched') and it is likely that she has read her fair share of Jung and Jungian authors during her studies.* Rowling benefited from psychological therapy and exercises herself when suffering from depression, the experience of and recovery from which she depicted in story via the Azkaban Dementors and Robin Ellacott's treatment for PTSD in Lethal White.And There is Plenty of Evidence That Rowling Is NOT a Jungian Writer:* Rowling has never been asked or revealed how she learned about literary alchemy; this includes, of course, any reference to Carl Jung, whose work was not focused on literary alchemy per se but a psychological interpretation or explanation of metallurgical alchemy's symbolism.* All that Rowling has revealed about her experiences as a patient seeking help with depression are about Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), which treatment modality owes nothing to Jung or to Jung's students.* It is possible that Rowling encountered esoteric metallurgical alchemy, the precursor to literary alchemy, in her study of astrology, the complementary traditional sacred science to alchemy, a skill-set with which we know she was accomplished. That route to alchemy would have led her to Perennialist interpretations of alchemy, most notably Titus Burckhardt‘s Alchemy, Science of the Cosmos, Science of the Soul; the paperback cover of the Penguin Metaphysical Library edition of that book (1974) features an androgynous giant named REBIS standing on a dragon and a winged golden sphere (i.e., Rubeus, Norbert, Snitch).* As mentioned above, it is more likely that she encountered literary alchemy in her study of Shakespeare. The year she was studying for her A Levels, she traveled to see a production of King Lear which has prompted the idea that it was on her list of texts to prepare for her tests. The most challenging interpretation of Lear then in print was Charles Nicholl's The Chemical Theatre (1980), a book that explains almost every scene in perhaps Shakespeare's greatest tragedy as a parallel step in the Great Work of alchemy. If the budding astrologer was fascinated by this allegorical interpretation of the Bard, the most popular work in print at that time that championed reading Shakespeare as the author of soul allegories was Perennialist Martin Lings‘ The Secret of Shakespeare (1984).* Literary Alchemy is a tool set employed not only by Shakespeare but by a host of Rowling favorite authors to include Dickens, Nabokov, Lewis, and Tolkien. This view of alchemy, that is, as an allegorical depiction of the soul's transformation that affects that same cathartic experience in its theater or reading audiences, is the one found in Rowling's work, which is well removed from psychological alchemy, an analytic art which, though it springs from metallurgical alchemical texts, does not aim at the transformation at work in the sacred art or the science of traditional alchemy. * Rowling's use of chiastic structures and psychomachian allegory, tools that complement literary alchemy in spiritual perspective and aim, make a Jungian rather than a literary and Perennialist view of alchemy seem unlikely.* Alchemy: Jung, Burckhardt, or Maclean? John Granger, April 2007* Rowling's Soul Triptych Psychomachia: Is It From Shakespeare's ‘Macbeth'? John Granger, September 20245. The Debate at King's Cross: (Nick) So, John, you've mentioned Jung quite a few times in your posts about the Mythological framework of the Strike series and even written about the Jungian ideas of animus and anima with respect to Cormoran and Robin's relationship. You seem fairly confident, though, that Rowling is writing from the traditional esoteric ideas of alchemy a la Shakespeare rather than Jung's. Why is that? * Everything you just said!* As noted, Jung's ideas are modern and psychological while the stream of literary alchemy in English Literature is almost exclusively more Medieval and pointedly spiritual;* The Most Notable Exception: Angela Carter's The Passion of the New Eve (1977), that reads like a Jungian ‘Red Book' slide-show (think Bombyx Mori) or a transgender Odyssey written for feminists. Rowling has never mentioned her to my knowledge but it would be surprising if she hadn't read this book more than once. What Alana Bolton Cooke wrote about Carter's Passion could be said about Rowling's literary alchemy if she is a Jungian writer (or about Galbraith's fictional Elizabeth Tassel?):Angela Carter in The Passion of New Eve (1977) uses the exoteric phases of alchemy and Carl G. Jung's theory of esoteric alchemy as a means of demonstrating allegorically the idea ofrebirth and renewal. The purpose of this allegorical method is to produce an 'alchemical' change of thought in the reader about sexuality and gender associated with women's repression and liberation. In the novel Carter develops themes and ideas explored in her essay, The Sadeian Woman: An Exercise in Cultural History (1979), an analysis of the Marquis de Sade's pornography and its affect on the roles of men and women in society. The clash of opposites involved in combining alchemical symbolism, feminism and pornography within the fiction can be seen as representative of the state of chaos present in alchemy before the beginning of change. The circular narrative and alchemical structure of the fiction creates a literary version of the alchemical process as it brings together opposites involved in chaos, represented by events and characterisation that the protagonist, Evelyn/Eve, experiences, until, in the manner of alchemy, harmony is reached. The harmony created represents women's empowerment. Carter uses Evelyn's individuation process to encourage growth within the reader by altering patterns of thought to bring about change through self-confrontation and self-knowledge. The structure of Carter's fiction, thus, corresponds to the process of esoteric alchemy contained within the structure, imagery and symbolism of exoteric alchemy. The fiction is designed to stimulate the unconscious of the reader and make conscious hitherto unknown and repressed thoughts about gender and sexuality to bring about change in the lives of men and women.* I think what Rowling said she was trying to do with Harry Potter's meeting with Dumbledore at the dream-like King's Cross strongly suggests she is aware of the two approaches and wants readers to discuss them – but that she has made her own choice, however conflicted she may be.* In her 2008 interview with Adeel Amini, Rowling said that her hope for Harry's post-mortem conversation with Dumbledore at King's Cross was to stimulate “a debate” among readers about whether it was a psychological moment, that is, a fantasy in which Harry understands what he's been missing all along, or a spiritual event in which he is actually speaking with the late Headmaster:Enough Potter-plot, I think. Moving on to a slightly more contentious issue, Rowling has categorically said that she does believe in a higher power, a statement reinforced by her childhood church-going (“Till I was 17,” she clarifies). It must be difficult to reconcile her religious beliefs with those that denounce Harry Potter as anti-Christian, I wonder aloud. Rowling's expression does not change a fraction. “There was a Christian commentator who said, which I thought was very interesting, that Harry Potter had been the Christian church's biggest missed opportunity. And I thought, there's someone who actually has their eyes open.“I think he said it before the publication of the seventh book, and with the publication of the seventh book I think that clarified a lot of people's view on where I was standing. But I should emphasise that I am not pushing a specifically Christian agenda, and indeed till the very last moment in book seven, one can interpret what happens to Harry after he presents himself with death as him going into an unconscious state in which his subconscious reveals to him what he already knew.” I hum in faux-comprehension of what she's referring to; luckily my clued-in companion is nodding wildly. Proceed. “Any re-reading of Chapter 35 will show you that there's nothing that the Dumbledore he sees tells him that he couldn't have guessed for himself or already realised, and of course there's a key piece of information that Dumbledore doesn't articulate that Harry has realised. So you can deliberately interpret it that way, or you can say that he did go into a state of limbo beyond which there was another life, and that idea was expressed repeatedly, and most explicitly at the end of book five, Order of the Phoenix, where Harry understands that there is an ‘on', that you do go on. “I wanted there to be a debate there, so of my three main characters - when they come into the room which examines death at the Ministry of Magic - Hermione, the ultimate sceptic and a hyperrational person, hears nothing behind the veil and is scared of it. Ron is just uneasy; Ron is someone who does not grapple with anything deeper than beer, if he can avoid it. Harry's drawn to it, and therein lies Harry's slightly reckless, almost morbid streak, because Harry does have a hint of that dangerous adolescent trait which is the attraction to death.” Heavy. Obviously with this ambiguity, you do get a fair degree of misinterpretation as well; there is a certain section that does dislike Harry Potter intensely. “Oh, vehemently,” says Rowling, before muttering under her breath “…and they send death threats.”* I think that “debate” she's trying to foster is between the psychological, call it ‘Jungian' “just inside your head” subconscious perspective, and the authentically spiritual view of her work (well, of art and human existence, too, of course). And that this debate is one she has had for most of her life. Check out her comments about the “greatest missed opportunity” and explain to me how that doesn't line up with her preferring the spiritual, albeit “not explicitly Christian,” to the psychological and humanist. 7. Jungian Readings of Rowling's Work: (Nick) John, you're familiar with what has been written by Potter Pundits because of your PhD critical literature surveys; what are the better ones about Rowling and Jungian psychology and what do they emphasize? Here are seven off the top of my head (and Thesis ‘Works Cited' drafts):* Grynbaum, G.A. (2000). The Secrets of Harry Potter. The San Francisco Jung Institute Library Journal: Reviews From a Jungian Perspective of Books, Films and Culture, [online] 19 (4) pp. 17-48* Patrick, Christopher and Sarah (2007), ‘Exploring the Dark Side: Harry Potter and the Psychology of Evil,' in Mulholland (ed.), The Psychology of Harry Potter, BenBella Books, pp 221-232* Gerhold, C. (2011). The Hero's Journey Through Adolescence: A Jungian Archetypal Analysis of “Harry Potter.” PsyD. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. * Rectenwald, Bob (2019). ‘Carl Jung's Impact on the Work of J. K. Rowling' * Skipper, Alicia and Kate Fulton (2021) ‘Out from the Shadows into the Light: Persona and Shadow in Harry Potter‘ in Anne Mamary (ed.) The Alchemical Harry Potter: Essays on Transfiguration in J. K. Rowling's Novels, McFarland, Jefferson, NC, 2021, pp 79-96* The Unfolding Journey, Jung's Shadow Self in Harry Potter: Confronting the Darkness Within (YouTube video)* My own Troubled Blood: A Jungian ReadingBob Rectenwald's piece is the best of the six I didn't write but it shares the several faults all the Jungian pieces make:* the first failing of even the best Jungian readers is the assumption that Rowling is a Jungian, which is an open question;* the next is that Jung's ideas (and Joseph Campbell's) are indisputably true; and* the last is, when alchemy is mentioned, the critics do not clarify either the commonalities of or the differences between literary alchemy, psychological alchemy, and Jungian analytic psychology. * Note, though, that Rowling, while aware of such Jungian tropes as the Hero's Journey, tweeks it shamelessly, adding a symbol of Christ and resurrection scene in every Potter story (cf., How Harry Cast His Spell, ‘The Harry's Journey,' pp 21-28).* Read her brief PotterMore piece on alchemy and note that it is written in such a way that it can be read as confirmation of either a psychological or spiritual perspective on alchemy and art:One interpretation of the ‘instructions' left by the alchemists is that they are symbolic of a spiritual journey, leading the alchemist from ignorance (base metal) to enlightenment (gold). There seems to have been a mystical element to the work the alchemist was engaged upon, which set it apart from chemistry (of which it was undoubtedly both an offshoot and forerunner).This “original writing” by Rowling, especially the words “spiritual” and “mystical,” suggests that she is a Perennialist rather than a Jungian, at least with respect to her understanding of alchemy. But the debate is still possible with Jungians who read those words as cyphers for the subsconscious contact they hold we have with archetypes.8. Back to the Alchemy: (John) I think the real question of whether Rowling's literary alchemy is predominantly literary and spiritual or psychological in orientation comes down to the postmodern confusion about the immaterial aspects of the human person, which is to say, the soul (or mind, psyche) and the spirit. Rowling's recent work may seem prosaic or secular to a casual reader who compares it to the relatively otherworldly and “obviously” symbolic Potter books, but she loads each Strike book with Shakespearean romance of soul and spirit, i.e., alchemical dramas, and hermetic tropes. I'm writing a piece now about the lions, dogs, incest, and the red man and white woman in Hallmarked Man, each of which are touchstones of alchemy. I think, though, that your work with Rowling's favorite books and her epigraph sources, Nick, point to a strong spiritual rather than psychological foundation in Rowling's work —* Louisa May Alcott, Little Women* Dodie Smith, I Capture the Castle* The Victorian Women Poets in Running Grave* Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Aurora Leigh* Robert Browning, The Ring and the Book* The Jungian love of the I Ching, Running Grave's epigraph source9. Jung in Running Grave: (Nick) Rowling's favorite writers, from Shakespeare and Nabokov to C. S. Lewis and Victorian Women poets, all clearly believe in a world-transcending spiritual realm. Given the quantity of the Jungian scholarship in Rowling Studies that Iris referred to and you've mentioned, it's curious -- if Rowling is aware of it and is resistant to it -- that she doesn't push back against it explicitly in her work. Can you think of a character that seems something like Jung in the books, someone as bad as Prudence Dunleavey is good? I can think of three:* United Humanitarian Church's guru Jonathan Wace in Running Grave: his “psychologizing of religion,” the comparative religion avenue to denial of any true faith, the psychological critical analysis of a patient using mythological tropes (”Artemis”), the cult leader, and the abuser of women and children -- he's a ringer for Jung! * Paul Satchwell, one-eyed serpent with a one-track mind, in Leamington Spa, a true Jungian artist working psycho-sexual motifs graphically on canvas:Naked figures twisted and cavorted in scenes from Greek mythology. Persephone struggled in the arms of Hades as he carried her down into the underworld; Andromeda strained against chains binding her to rock as a dragonish creature rose from the waves to devour her; Leda lay supine in bulrushes as Zeus, in the form of a swan, impregnated her.Two lines of Joni Mitchell floated back to Robin as she looked at the paintings: “When I first saw your gallery, I liked the ones of ladies…”Except that Robin wasn't sure she liked the paintings. The female figures were all black-haired, olive-skinned, heavy-breasted and partially or entirely naked. The paintings were accomplished, but Robin found them slightly lascivious. Each of the women wore a similar expression of vacant abandon, and Satchwell seemed to have a definite preference for those myths that featured bondage, rape or abduction. (Troubled Blood, 542)* And then there are the Masons, kind of an old school Jungian cult in Hallmarked Man. Like the UHC and “harmless” fraternal and charitable group with Christian touches but which doesn't change a man or human nature per Hardacre (and which harbors the rich and powerful like Lord Branfoot). * Coupled with Prudence, the Front of Jungian Beliefs, we get the front and back of Jung in Rowling's work, a characteristic touch of Rowling nuance as she did with Islam in Hallmarked Man.10. Conclusion: (John) I'm obviously not a Jung fan and I don't think Rowling is writing Jungian psychomachia in alchemical symbols a la Angela Carter, but I see how people would come to a contrary conclusion; Rowling's ‘spiritual not religious' public statements and political positions with respect to Same Sex Attraction and abortion line up much more easily with New Age and Jungian types than with any kind of orthodox Christianity. The great thing about essays like Isis' at S&E Files is that it brings more people into the conversation of what literary alchemy is and the various approaches to it. You've been reading about literary alchemy for several years now, Nick; what do you think the person whose first encounter with the subject was the S&E Files article do to hone their alchemy detection skills? * “Read your books and online talks, John!”* How Metallurgical Alchemy Worked and How it Became Literary Alchemy (from Deathly Hallows Lectures, Chapter 1):Alchemy, in a nutshell, was the science for the perfection or sanctification of the alchemist's soul. This heroic venture I need to say straight off is all but impossible today because the way we look at reality, at ‘things' per se makes the Great Work itself almost an absurdity. Unlike the medieval alchemists, we moderns and postmoderns see things with a clear subject/object distinction, that is, we believe that you and I and that table are entirely different things and between them is there is no connection or relation. The knowing subject is one thing and the observed object is completely ‘other.'To the alchemist that is not the case. His efforts in changing lead to gold are based on the premise that he as the subject will go through the same types of changes and purifications as the materials he is working with. In sympathy with these metallurgical transitions and resolutions of contraries, his soul will be purified in correspondence as long as he is working in a prayerful state within the Mysteries (sacraments) of his revealed tradition.Now, historically there was an Arabic alchemy, a Chinese alchemy, a Kabbalistic, as well as a Christian alchemy; each differs superficially with respect to their spiritual traditions but in every one, the alchemist was working with a sacred natural science or physics to advance his spiritual purification. This was only possible because he looked at the metal he was working with as something with which he was not ‘other' but with which he was in relationship, artifex and artifact in sacred art imitating and accelerating the work of the Creator creating a bridge, so that, as lead changes to gold or material perfection, his soul was going through similar transformations and purifications.The common ground is the logos in every created thing, to include persons (cf. John 1:9), which are all continuous with the Logos fabric of reality. As much as the alchemist identifies with this metaphysical ground, purifying himself of the ‘old man' or ego-driven individual and identifying himself with the spiritual Heart or light within him, that light will become his dominant quality, hence his “illumination” or “enlightenment”. And lead or solid darkness turning into gold, hard light.How does this edifying magic become the scaffolding for Harry's adventures? Largely through the genius of William Shakespeare. Hermetic wisdom and alchemical efforts were such commonplaces in Elizabethan England that Shakespeare and his contemporaries recognized, I think. that the magic of staged drama is essentially alchemical. If we groundlings are all watching what's going on up on the stage and everything is working the way it's supposed to, the subject-object distinction dissolves inasmuch as we identify with the characters and their agonies through our logos-imaginations. As they go through their changes, like the metals in a crucible, we identify with them and pass through the same cathartic moment.As the great dramatists of that period realized, “if what we're doing is alchemical, why don't we use alchemical imagery and language, too?” And, voila, literary alchemy is born. This stream of English literature in which narrator or characters and the reader or audience in correspondence pass through the stages of the alchemical work, the black the white and the red (basically dissolution, purification, and then perfection) runs through the next five centuries of poetry, stage work, stories and novels. You may not have recognized it, but its a big part of things you have read.* Literary Alchemy: Sacred Science, Sacred Art, and ‘The Alembic of Story':A Perennialist Explanation of J. K. Rowling's Signature Hermetic Symbolism This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hogwartsprofessor.substack.com/subscribe

In this remaster episode I'm talking to Carla Wills-Brandon about her book 'Heavenly Hugs: Comfort, Support, and Hope From the Afterlife' Does life end at death? The answer is no! The nearly 2,000 cases of departing visions and visitations from deceased relatives and friends collected by the author prove that there is life after death. At the moment of physical death, departed loved ones return to the dying to ease travel from this life to the next. Friends, family, and healthcare workers also report seeing these loving spiritual travel guides. Such encounters--reported by individuals from a wide variety of cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds--clearly illustrate that the personality, soul, or consciousness does not disappear or "die." To live our lives to the fullest, we must relieve ourselves of the false notion that death is the end. Departing visions help us do this. Heavenly Hugs will introduce you to both historical and modern-day departing visions, proving: The dying have been reuniting with the departed--for centuries Departed loved ones escort the dying to the other side or next dimension Something has often been seen leaving the physical body at the moment of death Famous people have experienced beautiful departing visions Bio Carla Wills-Brandon always wanted to do two things professionally: be of service to others, and write. After receiving a scholarship to California State University, Fresno, she graduated with high honors and a degree in psychology. She then went on to finish a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology, Fresno, an APA approved school. Her husband, Michael “Tex” Brandon, also received his PhD in Clinical Psychology from this institution. After publishing eight books, and developing a successful private practice as a State Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Carla decided to go back to school. Not interested in treading a traditional education path she completed a two year course of study and dissertation in a Doctor of Philosophy in Holistic Nutrition program at Clayton College of Holistic Health. Her dissertation was titled “A Four Pronged Approach to the Holistic Treatment of Food Disorders.” Carla has published 12 books, one of which was a "Publishers Weekly Best Seller." Her most recent book, “Beyond The Chase: Breaking Your Obsessions That Sabotage True Intimacy” is proving to be a great success. She has also lectured across the U.S. and U.K., and has appeared on numerous national radio and television programs, such as Coast To Coast Radio with George Noory, Geraldo Rivera, Sally Jesse Raphael, Montel Williams, Art Bell's Coast To Coast Radio Show, Uri Geller's Coast To Coast Radio Show and Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher. Considered a relationship and trauma expert, many of her media appearances have been dedicated to discussing healthy intimacy, recovery from sexual abuse and trauma resolution. She has also appeared on several programs with her husband Michael, as the two clinicians often see couples in their private practice as a couple. Aside from her work with relationships, intimacy issues, sexual dysfunction, addiction, trauma resolution and grief, Carla has been investigating spirituality and other related phenomenon for over a decade. Her major radio show appearances have been dedicated to topics ranging from Near Death Experiences, After Death Communications, Deathbed Visions and Premonitions. She is considered to be one of the leading researchers into deathbed visions. In her private practice, grief work, lectures and workshops she teaches people how to integrate these unusual encounters into everyday living. Currently, she is working on another project involving the mysterious departing visions of the dying. Carla and her family live on an island just off the coast of Texas in a 100-year-old historical home, which recently survived hurricane Ike in 2008. She and her husband, Dr. Michael Brandon Ph.D., a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, have been in private practice for over two decades. They have been married for over 40 years. The Brandons have two sons, Joshua and Aaron. Along with this, they have one Golden Retriever, four kitties, one Chinese box turtle, and two Love Birds. Sadly, the tarantula did not survive hurricane Ike. https://www.drcarlawillsbrandon.com/ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J1LYL55 https://www.pastliveshypnosis.co.uk/https://www.patreon.com/ourparanormalafterlifeMy book 'Verified Near Death Experiences' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXKRGDFP Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with clinical psychologist Dr. Chloe Carmichael, author of “Can I Say That? Why Free Speech Matters and How to Use It Fearlessly.”

Free Speech, Cancel Culture, and the Mental Health Benefits of Speaking Up: Clinical psychologist Dr. Chloe Carmichael, author of “Can I Say That? Why Free Speech Matters and How to Use It Fearlessly,” frames free expression as a mental health and problem-solving issue amid rising polarization, self-censorship, and cancel culture. Carmichael says authentic speech deepens cognition, aids emotional regulation, and strengthens social support, while chronic suppression can lead to repression, denial, anxiety, depression, and resentment. She describes fear and professional risk after publicly opposing child masking during COVID and argues that labeling speech as “violence” distorts reality, though true threats and incitement differ from words. She distinguishes self-censorship from healthy restraint, offers the WAIT test (Want, Appropriate, Inoculate, Trust), and discusses groupthink, innovation, misinformation debates, time-place-manner limits, and examples from corporate and university settings.

Send us a textOn this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast, I spoke with Dr. Alison Schmidt, founder and CEO of Unconvention and host of the (un)conversations® podcast, about how being your own advocate can reshape not only your finances, but also your life and values.

Send us a textABA on Tap is proud to present Dr. Tranika Jefferson, BCBA-D (Part 2 of 2):In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Tranika Jefferson, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA, IBA, a distinguished doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst and the founder of The Behavioral Wellness Academy. With over 16 years of experience in the field, Dr. Jefferson has dedicated her career to understanding the "why" behind human behavior and using evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to improve lives.Key Discussion Points:Holistic ABA Therapy: How Dr. Jefferson uses ABA to increase functional skills—such as communication and social play—while minimizing challenging behaviors like aggression and tantrums.Advocacy & Leadership: Her role as a speaker at the 2026 Black Women In Behavior Analysis Appreciation Day (BWIBAAD) conference and her work in fostering inclusive communities.Community Impact: Her commitment to accessibility, including the implementation of sliding-scale fee systems and partnerships with schools to support families who lack insurance coverage.Professional Journey: From her academic roots at Prairie View A&M University to her PhD from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Dr. Jefferson shares her passion for mentoring future clinicians.Dr. Tranika Jefferson is a native of Bryan, Texas, and a recognized expert in treating autism, intellectual disabilities, and mental health disorders. She is a three-time grant awardee for behavioral disability care and currently serves as a consultant to schools and community-based organizations in the Houston metropolitan area.Connect with Dr. Jefferson:Website: The Behavioral Wellness AcademyLinkedIn: Dr. Tranika Jefferson, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA, IBAInstagram: @tranikaj26*ALWAYS ANALYZE  RESPONSIBLY*Support the show

Send us a textABA on Tap is proud to present Dr. Tranika Jefferson, BCBA-D (Part 1 of 2):In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Tranika Jefferson, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA, IBA, a distinguished doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst and the founder of The Behavioral Wellness Academy. With over 16 years of experience in the field, Dr. Jefferson has dedicated her career to understanding the "why" behind human behavior and using evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to improve lives.Key Discussion Points:Holistic ABA Therapy: How Dr. Jefferson uses ABA to increase functional skills—such as communication and social play—while minimizing challenging behaviors like aggression and tantrums.Advocacy & Leadership: Her role as a speaker at the 2026 Black Women In Behavior Analysis Appreciation Day (BWIBAAD) conference and her work in fostering inclusive communities.Community Impact: Her commitment to accessibility, including the implementation of sliding-scale fee systems and partnerships with schools to support families who lack insurance coverage.Professional Journey: From her academic roots at Prairie View A&M University to her PhD from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Dr. Jefferson shares her passion for mentoring future clinicians.Dr. Tranika Jefferson is a native of Bryan, Texas, and a recognized expert in treating autism, intellectual disabilities, and mental health disorders. She is a three-time grant awardee for behavioral disability care and currently serves as a consultant to schools and community-based organizations in the Houston metropolitan area.Connect with Dr. Jefferson:Website: The Behavioral Wellness AcademyLinkedIn: Dr. Tranika Jefferson, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA, IBAInstagram: @tranikaj26*ALWAYS ANALYZE  RESPONSIBLY*Support the show

This episode personal. I'm sharing a major life update: I'm going back to school at 49 to pursue my Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.  This new chapter means I'm pressing pause on the podcast so I can focus my time and energy on deeper, more embodied work with my 1:1 clients, the Clear Vision Builders Book Club, in-person gatherings, and my upcoming therapeutic training. In this conversation, I'm opening up about why now is the time for reinvention, what led me to pursue mental health counseling, and how the lineage of strong, brave women in my family shaped this decision.  I also share what's continuing in my business, what's shifting, and all the ways you and I can stay connected in this next era. If you've ever wondered what it looks like to truly follow your Clear Vision in real time, this episode is an intimate behind-the-scenes look into my own evolution. With love,  Lisa My Offerings Clear Vision Builders Eight weeks of coaching, meditation, community, and meaningful action. Our next cohort begins January 2026.

Have you ever wondered why your child's behavior feels so personal? Why does your child's behavior set off such a strong reaction—even when you understand what they're struggling with? In this powerful episode of Complicated Kids, I talk with clinical psychologist Dr. Debra Brause about what's really happening inside us during those intense parenting moments. We explore why kids trigger old wounds, how shame gets unconsciously passed around, and what it looks like to shift from reacting to responding. Debra offers a grounded, compassionate framework that helps parents understand their emotional experience without blame—so connection becomes easier, calmer, and more sustainable. If you've ever wondered why certain behaviors from your child hit you harder than others, this conversation will feel like a deep exhale. Key Takeaways Kids absorb our emotional signals—not just our words. Parental triggers often originate in old wounds or unmet needs. Shame gets passed around until someone notices they're holding it. Awareness—not perfection—is the beginning of breaking cycles. Your child's behavior is communication, not an evaluation of your parenting. "Junky" feelings are cues to look within, not at your child. Neurodivergent kids often stir up intense emotions because they challenge old patterns. Self-regulation is a precursor to co-regulation. Even small shifts in awareness change the parent-child dynamic. Connection, not control, is the pathway to healing. About Debra Brause Dr. Debra Brause is a clinical psychologist who works from a neuro-affirming perspective with parents raising neurodivergent children and autistic adults. She earned her Doctorate in Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology and completed advanced training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy, diagnostic assessment at UCLA, and community mental health. She has taught Human Development at Alliant International University, supervised clinicians at multiple counseling centers, and regularly presents seminars on neurodiversity. Before becoming a psychologist, she spent a decade working in television and entertainment—experience that now informs her work helping clients move through emotional and creative blocks. About Your Host, Gabriele Nicolet I'm Gabriele Nicolet, toddler whisperer, speech therapist, parenting life coach, and host of Complicated Kids. Each week, I share practical, relationship-based strategies for raising kids with big feelings, big needs, and beautifully different brains. My goal is to help families move from surviving to thriving by building connection, confidence, and clarity at home. Complicated Kids Resources and Links

Breast cancer survivor Diane M. Simard is a member of GSSW's newly established Board of Advisors and a friend to the University of Denver. She has been working to raise awareness about the unique mental health needs of cancer patients and to transform systems to better meet those needs. In 2016, she founded the Center for Oncology Psychology Excellence, or COPE, at the University of Denver Graduate School of Professional Psychology. COPE is now part of their behavioral health psychology curriculum. Diane has authored three books and helped to establish the Ray of Hope Colorado Cancer Foundation's mental health support grant program.

#357: Dr. Molly Burrets is a clinical psychologist licensed in the state of California with 16 years of experience practicing psychotherapy, conducting psychological research, and teaching psychology at the undergraduate and graduate levels. From her office in the Los Angeles area, she runs a private practice where she treat couples seeking greater connection and less conflict, as well as women experiencing anxiety, depression, and reproductive concerns. Many of her clients are high-achieving professionals who have challenges balancing work, home life, and relationships.Dr. Molly Burrets is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern California in the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy, and a member of the editorial boards for Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice and Training and Education in Professional Psychology.Topics discussed:Knowing when to end a relationship and when to work through the difficultiesDr. Molly's story on calling off her wedding... and then marrying him 5 years laterThe psychology of partner selection and the impact of our caregiversTruth about marriage and basics to expect before you get married and make a commitmentHow women can reframe their mindset to recognize their self-worthSigns of an unhealthy and "toxic" relationship or emotional abuseENJOY 10% OFF THE WHAT FULFILLS YOU? CARD GAME AT www.whatfulfillsyou.com - code "WHATFULFILLSYOU10"Follow Dr. Molly Burrets on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmollyburretsFollow the What Fulfills You? Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatfulfillsyouFollow Emily Elizabeth's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyeduongSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/what-fulfills-you-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

How should we support the dying, and how should we approach death itself? What is conscious dying? What does Carl Jung's work say about facing death?In this episode we have the complex topic of how to face Death, through the lens of psycho analyst Carl Jung. I'm sure that some of you will have found this episode because you're facing death during this time, either your own or of a loved one; and to those of you I offer my condolences and healing prayers, and hope dearly that what we discuss today will offer some perspective and assistance, and my apologies in advance if any of our ideas cause you pain: death and mourning are extremely personal topics. But I also hope that many others of you are here simply to try and form a healthier relationship with death.The inspiration for this episode came not only from my own experience facing my own parent's mortality, but also from my intuition that our modern, consumeristic, aestheic and individualistic society has made us more afraid of death than ever; perhaps because of our modern societies focus on material well-being, and the power of technology to guarantee it. My gut feeling is that we need to become aware of this unconscious taboo, as it seems to be hindering a deeper and perhaps more wholesome acceptance of mortality in general. And that's why I wanted to speak to a specialist like my guest psychoanalyst Monika Wikman. Monika received her PhD in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology and then qualified as a Jungian psychoanalyst at the Jung-Von Franz Center for Depth psychology in Zurich. She is an expert on topics including archetypal phenomena surrounding death, dreams, active imagination and alchemy. Her work with the dying culminated in a research project called ‘Dreams of the Dying' at UC San Diego Medical Center. She is also the author of the book, “Pregnant Darknesss: Alchemy and the rebirth of consciousness”. What we discuss:00:00 Intro.04:30 How to support the dying.07:05 Death informs us.09:00 Facing our own mortality - the history of Conscious dying.13:18 The Osiris Myth. Dismemberment and rememberment.16:45 Death is the ultimate goal, an achievement, according to Jung.19:15 Death duellers.21:45 The last step of individuation.24:45 Symbolic death, according to Jung.30:00 ‘The wound is where the light enters you'. Rumi33:00 The religious function - Jung. 34:00 Monika's 2nd NDE - a relationship with the darkness.44: 00 Life after death and the subtle body.46:00 Prayer and connecting with the eternal.50:00 Only through limitation can we connect with the eternal.51:00 The subtle body - uniting psyche and matter.56:10 The Divine wedding - the marriage between opposites.57:45 Synchronicities around the dying. 01:07:00 Studying the dreams of the dying.01:11:30 Dead friends and family often come for them in dreams.01:15:20 Common motifs of crossing rivers, thresholds and initiations.01:17:00 How we mourn.01:29:20 If you didn't serve someone well you'll regret it after they die.01:22:00 Grief transforms.References: Monika Wikman, “Pregnant Darkness - Alchemy and the rebirth of consciousness”Wendell Berry poem - RisingMircea Eliade,  “Yoga: immortality & Freedom”Chiron, the wounded healer.C.G.Jung, “Memories Dreams and Reflections”.Ram Dass quote, ‘Dying is absolutely safe'Leonard Cohen quote, 'We are so lightly here'. (Not William Blake).

Frank Gruba-McCallister is a clinical psychologist, educator, and scholar whose career spans more than three decades of teaching and academic leadership.  He served as Vice President of Academic Affairs at Adler University, where he helped to reorient the institution's mission toward training socially responsible practitioners. His leadership and curricular reforms contributed to Adler's doctoral program receiving the American Psychological Association's Board of Educational Affairs Award for Innovative Practices in Graduate Education in 2007. He has also taught at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and worked as a clinician in both medical settings and private practice. Throughout his career, Dr. Gruba-McCallister has been a steady voice at the intersection of critical psychology, humanistic and existential thought, and spiritual inquiry. He is the author of Embracing Disillusionment: Achieving Liberation Through the Demystification of Suffering, a book that examines how internalized oppression and ideological mystification compound human suffering and how healing demands a deep and sometimes painful confrontation with illusions. His newest book, Radical Healing: No Wellness Without Justice, published by University Professors Press, draws from liberation theology, critical theory, existential psychology, and transpersonal thought to explore the structural and spiritual roots of suffering. At its core is a call to restore moral responsibility, to reclaim compassion and justice as central to any meaningful model of care, and to invite those who seek to heal others to do so with humility, courage, and radical honesty. In our conversation, we discuss the origins of this work, the crises that shape our current moment, and what it might mean to envision psychotherapy as both a spiritual and political act. *** Thank you for being with us to listen to the podcast and read our articles this year. MIA is funded entirely by reader donations. If you value MIA, please help us continue to survive and grow. https://www.madinamerica.com/donate/ To find the Mad in America podcast on your preferred podcast player, click here: https://pod.link/1212789850 © Mad in America 2025. Produced by James Moore https://www.jmaudio.org    

Psychopathy is often portrayed as a rare and distant phenomenon – something confined to movie villains or prison cells. Yet when psychopathy is combined with narcissism and Machiavellianism to form what psychologists call the Dark Triad, its impact becomes far more immediate. Individuals with these traits can wield disproportionate influence over our culture, institutions, and daily lives. What goes on inside their minds, and how do they shape the world around us? In this episode, Nate is joined by Dr. Reid Meloy and Dr. Nancy McWilliams to explore the inner workings of the Dark Triad personality traits and their manifestation in modern culture. Together, they trace the evolutionary roots of these traits, examine the predatory ways Dark Triad individuals engage with others, and consider the profound implications for leadership, power, and governance. Ultimately, they emphasize the importance of truth and community when navigating the complexities of human behavior. Why are Dark Triad individuals more likely to occupy positions of power? How do current cultural norms and expectations actually incentivize Dark Triad tendencies, including in governance? Most importantly, how can reorienting towards collective communication and cooperation help create guardrails against these ‘darker angels' of humanity?  (Conversation recorded on July 22nd, 2025) About Nancy McWilliams: Dr. Nancy McWilliams, Ph.D., ABPP, is a distinguished psychoanalyst, author, and educator internationally recognized for her contributions to the field of personality theory and psychodynamic diagnosis. She is Professor Emerita at the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers. Her published work addresses the clinical and cultural relevance of language in diagnosing complex personality patterns, including narcissistic and psychopathic structures, and she has written on the psychology of altruism, moral development, and the enduring role of psychoanalytic thinking in understanding human nature.    About Reid Meloy: Dr. J. Reid Meloy, Ph.D., ABPP, is a board-certified forensic psychologist, former clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, and a widely cited authority on psychopathy, personality disorders, and targeted violence. Dr. Meloy has served as a consultant, researcher, and trainer for numerous law enforcement, intelligence, and corporate security agencies around the world. He is the author or editor of more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and several seminal books, including The Psychopathic Mind, International Handbook of Threat Assessment, and Violent Attachments.    Show Notes and More Watch this video episode on YouTube   Want to learn the broad overview of The Great Simplification in 30 minutes? Watch our Animated Movie.   ---   Support The Institute for the Study of Energy and Our Future Join our Substack newsletter Join our Hylo channel and connect with other listeners  

Mother of Courage: The True Story of an Armless Dentist and Her Triumph Over Tragedy by Dr Philip Chanin https://www.amazon.com/Mother-Courage-Armless-Dentist-Triumph/dp/B0D8RM8JSL Motherofcourage.com Mother of Courage is the inspiring true story of a young woman who loses both arms in a boating accident, yet valiantly finishes dental school, marries, raises two boys, teaches at an historically Black medical college, and becomes a nationally known advocate for people with disabilities. With grace, humor, faith, and a large dose of determination, Margaret Chanin transforms her tragic physical loss into a triumph of the human spirit-and shares her light with everyone she meets. Philip Chanin, EdD, ABPP, CGP, is a licensed clinical psychologist and consulting Buddhist psychotherapist, a nationally Certified Group Psychotherapist, and an Advanced Imago Therapist in private practice in Nashville, Tennessee. He is Board Certified through the American Board of Professional Psychology, and since 2005 he has been an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Bill Snyder is a Nashville-based science writer.About the author Dr. Philip Chanin is a Board Certified Clinical Psychologist. He loves writing, and there are 60 articles that he has written on his psychology practice website. He received a Bachelor's Degree from Amherst College and a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He is a Licensed Psychologist in Tennessee and has previously held licenses in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. Dr. Chanin did post-doctoral training in clinical psychology in Massachusetts and in Philadelphia, at The Devereux Foundation. He opened a private practice in Ardmore, on Philadelphia's Main Line. He then relocated back to Massachusetts, living on the campus of the Northfield Mt. Hermon School, and spent five years working at an inpatient substance abuse treatment hospital in New Hampshire. He then established a private practice in Keene, New Hampshire, before moving back to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1991. Dr. Chanin is Board Certified through the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), is a nationally Certified Group Psychotherapist, and is also an Advanced Imago Therapist in Nashville. He formerly served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Nashville Psychotherapy Institute. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, for whom he sees psychiatric residents for supervision and psychotherapy. In his free time, Dr. Chanin enjoys spending time with his wife and two grown step-children. He also enjoys reading, writing, walking, yoga, playing racquet sports, spending time with friends and colleagues, and traveling in the States and internationally. The publishing of his book, Mother of Courage: The True Story of an Armless Dentist and Her Triumph Over Tragedy, represents the fulfillment of a long held dream to tell his mother's story.

SHOW NOTES: https://eggshelltherapy.com/podcast-blog/2025/08/26/dreams/In this conversation, explore the significance of dreams in our lives, how they can serve as a window into our unconscious, and their potential to guide us through emotional healing. Dr. Ellis will share insights into the neuroscience of dreaming, the role of Jungian symbolism, and how dreams can help us process emotions, trauma, and even PTSD.We also discuss practical techniques for understanding and interacting with our dreams, including how to engage with recurring dreams and nightmares in a way that promotes healing and insight. About Dr. Leslie EllisDr. Leslie Ellis is a leading expert in the use of somatic approaches in psychotherapy, in particular for working with dreams, nightmares and the effects of trauma. She is the author of A Clinician's Guide to Dream Therapy (Routledge, 2019) and offers many training opportunities in embodied, experiential dreamwork based on her book.  She has a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, with a specialization in somatic approaches. Her dissertation on using focusing-oriented therapy to treat PTSD for refugees with recurrent nightmares won the Ernest Hartmann award from the International Association for the Study of Dreams.Fit, Healthy & Happy Podcast Welcome to the Fit, Healthy and Happy Podcast hosted by Josh and Kyle from Colossus...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifyEggshell Therapy and Coaching: eggshelltherapy.com About Imi Lo: www.imiloimilo.comInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/eggshelltherapy_imilo/ Newsletters: https://eepurl.com/bykHRzDisclaimers: https://www.eggshelltherapy.com/disclaimers Trigger Warning: This episode may cover sensitive topics including but not limited to suicide, abuse, violence, severe mental illnesses, relationship challenges, sex, drugs, alcohol addiction, psychedelics, and the use of plant medicines. You are advised to refrain from watching or listening to the YouTube Channel or Podcast if you are likely to be offended or adversely impacted by any of these topics. Disclaimer: The content provided is for informational purposes only. Please do not consider any of the content clinical or professional advice. None of the content can substitute mental health intervention. Opinions and views expressed by the host and the guests are personal views and they reserve the right to change their opinions. We also cannot guarantee that everything mentioned is factual and completely accurate. Any action you take based on the information in this episode is taken at your own risk.

Dr Catherine Hynes brings Neuroscience and Neuropsychology underpinnings to her Clinical work with trauma and dissociation. Lisa and Catherine discuss the impact of trauma on memory, the controversies around repressed memories, recovered memories and false memories, and explore best practice guidelines for therapists working in this space. www.catherinehynes.net/training/ to learn more about Catherine's training and workshops. Recommended reading and research in this topic: Callus, E., Gallina, E., & Fernandez, I. (2024).EMDR: dispelling the false memory creation myth in response to Otgaar et al. (2022a). Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1366137. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1366137 Dalenberg, C. J., Brand, B. L., Gleaves, D. H., Dorahy, M. J., Loewenstein, R. J., Cardeña, E., Spiegel, D. (2012). Evaluation of the evidence for the trauma and fantasy models of dissociation. Psychological Bulletin, 138(3), 550-588. Freyd, Jennifer (1996). Betrayal Trauma: The Logic of Forgetting Childhood Abuse. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Geraerts, E., Schooler, J. W., Merckelbach, H., Jelicic, M., Hauer, B. J. A.,& Ambadar, Z. (2007). The reality of recovered memories: Corroborating continuous and discontinuous memories of childhood sexual abuse. Psychological Science, 18, 564 –568. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2007.01940.x Goodman-Delahunty, J., Nolan, M. & van Gijn Grosvenor, E. Empirical guidance on the effects of child sexual abuse on memory and complainants' evidence, Report for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, 2017. Houben, S. T. L., Otgaar, H., Roelofs, J., & Merckelbach, H. (2018). Lateral eye movements increase false memory rates. Clinical Psychological Science, 6, 610–616. doi:10.1177/2167702618757658. Lee, C., de Jongh, A., & Hase, M. (2019). Lateral eye movements,EMDR, and memory changes: A critical commentary on Houben et al. (2018) [Letter]. Clinical Psychological Science, 6, 403–404. doi:10.1177/216770261983039 Loftus, E. (1993) The Reality of Repressed Memories. American Psychologist. 48(5):518-37 Pezdek, K., Finger, K., & Hodge, D. (1997). Planting false childhood memories: The role of event plausibility. Psychological Science, 8(6), 437–441. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.1997.tb00457. Ross CA, Ridgway J, Neighbors Q, Myron T. Reversal of Amnesia for Trauma in a Sample of Psychiatric Inpatients with Dissociative Identity Disorder and Dissociative Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. J Child Sex Abus. 2022 Jul;31(5):550-561. doi: 10.1080/10538712.2022.2067096. Epub 2022 Apr 19. PMID: 35437119.a van der Hart, O. & Nijenhuis, E.R.S. (1995) Amnesia for traumatic experiences. Hypnosis 1995; 22:73-86 van der Hart, O. & Nijenhuis, E.R.S. (1999) Bearing Witness to Uncorroborated Trauma: The clinician's development of reflective belief. Professional Psychology, Research and Practice. Vol 30, Number 1, pp 37-44.

What does it really take to make a long-term marriage work and why do so many couples struggle to stay connected over time? In this episode, I sit down with psychologist and author Dr. Bonnie Comfort to explore the hard truths and hopeful tools behind enduring love. With over 30 years of experience working with couples, Dr. Comfort offers a candid look into the complexities of modern marriage, the emotional minefield of infidelity, and why empathy, not perfection, is the real glue that holds relationships together. We talk about the cultural conditioning that encourages women to be overly pleasing, the evolving power dynamics in long-term relationships, and how to navigate the inevitable incompatibilities that arise between two people over time. Dr. Comfort's latest book, Staying Married Is the Hardest Part, is a compassionate, unflinching exploration of what it means to choose each other over and over again, even when it's not easy. In this conversation, we explore: - The infidelity trap and what it reveals about a relationship - The “glue” that helps couples weather storms and stay committed - The surprising risks inherent in couples' therapy - How empathy becomes a sustaining force in long-term love - Why cultural messaging still trains women to please at their own expense - How to make peace with the inevitable incompatibilities in marriage - The shifting power dynamics that unfold over decades together   Meet Dr. Bonnie Comfort: Dr. Bonnie Comfort is a clinical psychologist, author, and expert in marital therapy. She holds an MSW from the University of Manitoba and a PhD from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles. Her psychological thriller Denial was published in seven countries and translated into four languages. Her newest book, Staying Married Is the Hardest Part, offers a raw, honest take on the emotional and psychological complexities of committed relationships. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her long-time partner.   Connect with Dr. Bonnie Comfort:Website: www.bonniecomfort.comInstagram: @bonniecomfortauthor Facebook: Bonnie Comfort LinkedIn: Bonnie Comfort Buy her book Staying Married Is the Hardest Part: here Pre-order my book Stronger In The Difficult Places: drzoeshaw.com/book   Free Downloads: Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here   Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

“How do we create emotional safety and help each other regulate these emotions?” –Tarah KerwinDo you keep having the same fights over and over? Do you feel like your partner is just trying to set you off? I'm really excited to talk with relationship counselor Tarah Kerwin about relationship renovation.We dive into how childhood trauma (big and little) affects our relationships. Even if you think you didn't experience trauma, Tarah shows us how different experiences can affect how we react to our partners, who tend to trigger us the most.Many of us are in a transition period, perhaps becoming empty nesters or one person retiring, or stepping more into ourselves as responsibilities for others change. How does this shape our relationship? How can we make decisions based on clarity instead of anger or frustration or fear?We talk about: How childhood trauma shows up later and how kids can reflect back our traumaThe three Ps for relationships — predict, plan, prepareCodewords to stop overwhelm and resentmentTara Brach's RAIN techniqueDeveloping emotional safety go through transitions together and making decisions from a place of clarityCreating a time to prioritize your relationshipABOUT TARAHTarah Kerwin, along with her husband EJ, is dedicated to transforming couples' lives through meaningful connection and support. They've built not one but two companies, with their second, Relationship Renovation Coaching Consulting and Media, offering coaching sessions to couples worldwide through the innovative Relationship Renovation @ Home Program. Their goal is to provide real tools for couples to thrive, no matter where they are.The company also features a world-renowned podcast that dives into everything you want to know about relationships, helping listeners navigate the complexities of love and connection. Tarah's passion lies in helping couples experience less suffering and more growth.Tarah's journey into the field began with her Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in 2004. After beginning her career as a Marriage and Family Therapist in California, she moved to Arizona in 2010. It was there that she and EJ founded Relationship Renovation Counseling Practice, which set the foundation for their collaborative work.LINKShttps://relationshiprenovation.com/MENTIONED RESOURCEShttps://www.tarabrach.com/rain/DOABLE CHANGESAt the end of every episode, we share three doable changes, so you can take what you've heard and put it into action. Change comes from action. Sometimes action gets a bad rap. You can be kind to yourself. You can practice being AND doing, but for change to happen you have to take steps. The way we take care of ourselves is making the steps doable and focusing on one thing at a time. We take time to integrate the change and then move on to the next one. Pick a Doable Change that resonates with you the most to start from. Here are three Doable changes that we chose from this conversation. MAKE A CODE WORD. Create a code word that means, “I'm overwhelmed and starting to get resentful” or out of your zone of tolerance. Discuss what you need to do when you use your code word. If your partner chooses one too, respect their needs when they use it.SCHEDULE TIME TO FOCUS ON YOUR RELATIONSHIP. Even if you are in couples therapy or counseling, schedule time outside to...

If you are a therapist or counselor looking for continuing education, check out my NBCC Approved $5 Podcourses and other continuing education offerings.Plus, get your first Podcourse half off. Purchase this Podcourse here! Helping professionals, including students, counselors, and counselor educators, often pour into others while neglecting their own needs. Serving in multiple roles can enhance the lives of clients. However, without consistent self-investment, it can also lead to increased stress, depression, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion. Over time, the lack of boundaries and self-care may negatively impact both personal health and professional relationships. This engaging and metaphor-rich Podcourse offers a systematic approach to developing self-awareness, self-confidence, and sustainable self-care practices. Dr. Jason Branch shares practical tools and powerful insights drawn from his own experience with burnout. His relatable and transformative framework empowers participants to take better care of themselves. Participants will explore The Gator Life Model, which introduces a mindset shift that helps clinicians move from emotional overexposure to protected, empowered living. They will also learn the ESPM self-care model (Emotional, Spiritual, Physical, and Mental), which provides an actionable strategy for maintaining daily balance. Through this Podcourse, clinicians will gain greater clarity on their current boundaries, learn how to make intentional self-care deposits, and walk away with tools they can apply immediately to both their professional and personal lives. Purchase this Podcourse here! SEE THE FAQ on Podcourses HERE! (scroll to the bottom of the page) Remember, while you can listen to the show for free, those seeking continuing education credits can purchase them here.  Learning Objectives: Explain the importance of maintaining professional balance and utilize healthy boundaries and daily self-care practices to support personal and clinical sustainability. Create a strategic individualized self-care plan to increase self-awareness, self-confidence and self-care. Learn practical ways to reduce stress, depression and anxiety related to serving in multiple roles in the counseling profession. About Dr. Jason Branch: Dr. Jason Branch has over 20 years of experience in the mental health and counseling profession. Dr. Branch has worked in higher education, community and agency mental health centers, city government, corporate sector, and substance abuse treatment facilities. Dr. Branch is the Founder and CEO of J. Branch and Associates, a virtual clinical group private practice that provides therapy services to adults, adolescents, couples, and families in multiple states (GA, NJ, PA). Dr. Branch is a proud 2016 NBCC Minority Fellowship Program Fellow.  Dr. Branch is a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC), a consultant, and a counselor educator who engages in professional and scholarly work focused on Black male experiences, mentoring, cultural awareness, and increasing the practice of self-care for helping professionals. Dr. Branch obtained a dual degree in psychology and sociology from the University of West Alabama. He completed his Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Branch earned his doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from Auburn University. Dr. Branch currently serves as an Associate professor at the California School of Professional Psychology. He resides in San Diego, California with his wife and two children. About Lisa: Lisa Mustard, MPH, EdS, LMFT has worked for a college counseling center, addiction recovery center and has been working with a military branch for the past 14 years. Lisa is a lover of all things fitness and health, a Podcaster and Coach. Continuing Education Contact Hours: Mustard Consulting, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7061. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Mustard Consulting, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Completion Requirements: To obtain your certificate of completion, you must listen entirely to the audio, pass the Podcourse completion quiz and complete a satisfaction survey. Refund policy: No refunds are provided for self-study courses. Disclosure Statement for Dr. Jason Branch; Financial: Dr. Jason Branch receives a speaking honorarium from Mustard Consulting LLC. The Therapy Show with Lisa Mustard is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. Always consult with your own healthcare provider regarding any personal health or medical conditions. Connect with Lisa: Website Thank you for tuning into The Therapy Show. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode. Learn more about Dr. Jason Branch and his work at www.DrJbranch.com. Listen to 3 Parallels Podcast with Dr. Jason Branch: A show where we discover who we were, embrace who we are and make room for who we are becoming.  Youtube https://m.youtube.com/@3ParallelsPodcast Spotify  https://open.spotify.com/show/67uVN099dRZcRqAygVOO6s?si=lACRVD_sSwGDwoD5-zH35w Podcast Music Playlist (press shuffle, press play, pay attention to the breadcrumbs)  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2DCvaDp1wWypO59l1kearH?si=ca1d6c085ae243e9 As you dive into the podcast you now have access to the Gator Scales Journal to assist you in your development of becoming a Gator! Click the link to order your copy today! https://www.amazon.com/Gator-Scales-Journal-Jason-Branch/dp/B0DPXLXZWC

What happens when a crisis hits your business? Would you be ready—or reactive? In this thought-provoking episode, Tim Fulton sits down with Megan Paquin, founder and CEO of Paquin Public Relations, to explore the high-stakes world of crisis communications. With experience advising Fortune 100 brands, global institutions, and even litigation before the U.S. Supreme Court, Megan knows exactly how reputations are built—and how they can unravel in an instant. She shares candid insights on: • What crisis communications really is (and what it's not) • Why reputational equity is your best defense • The underrated power of asking for help as a business owner • How adopting an abundance mindset can reframe uncertainty and drive growth A seasoned strategist, accredited PR counselor, and entrepreneur, Megan also reflects on launching her own agency—and what she would've done differently if she could go back—she would have started sooner. Whether you're navigating a challenge now or want to prepare for what's ahead, this episode is packed with wisdom, strategy, and encouragement for small business leaders ready to grow with confidence. About Megan Paquin Megan Paquin, founder and CEO of Paquin Public Relations, has been trusted to lead communication initiatives for some of the world's most respected brands and institutions. Her expertise has been utilized in critical legal and business matters, from litigation at the United States Supreme Court to complex business disputes, and in some cases, criminal matters. Megan offers distinct expertise in integrated marketing and organizational development within her strategic communications practice. She is accredited in public relations and holds a certification as a public relations counselor. She attended the University of Central Florida, where she also served as an adjunct professor, earned a master's degree from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and is currently pursuing a PhD in her free time. Tim and Megan became acquainted when she joined the Small Business Matters mastermind group in 2022, shortly after launching her agency. Since then, she has seen amazing growth in her business. Episode Highlights: • What Matters to Small Business [0:2:45] • Journey to Junk Removal [0:04:53] • The Role of CEO [0:06:36] • Learning from Good and Bad Mistakes [0:08:18] • Generating and Retaining Customers [0:11:32] • Advice to New Business Owners [0:14:10] • Rapid Fire [0:15:51 • Takeaways [0:19:35] • Contact Information [0:20:24] • SBM News [0:20:50]

EPISODE SUMMARY: In this episode of NRCAC Team Talk, we spotlight the New Jersey Children's Alliance's groundbreaking, statewide approach to addressing problematic sexual behavior (PSB) in youth. Join guests Nydia Monagas, Maria Isabel Poontoriero (MIP), and Valeria Vila from NJCA as they discuss the development of this innovative program, its foundational framework, and key insights from its first year of implementation. Whether you're a child advocacy professional, part of a multidisciplinary team, or a Chapter leader seeking to strengthen your community's response to PSB, this episode offers valuable takeaways and inspiration. Tune in now and discover how your community can take steps toward a more coordinated and effective PSB response. Topics in this episode: What prompted the creation of a statewide PSB response (4:24) Formation of the workgroup (9:47) Program framework (12:22) Referrals Training Funding Quality assurance and data collection Challenges (19:31) How a case flows through the program (26:53) Feedback (30:58) What's next (36:13) Advice for other states (40:06) GUESTS: Nydia Y. Monagas, Psy.D., is the Director of Training and Statewide Initiatives with the New Jersey Children's Alliance (NJCA), a statewide non-profit whose mission is to promote and support communities in providing a coordinated investigation and comprehensive response to victims of child abuse, neglect and family violence. Dr. Monagas serves as co-chair of the Problematic Sexual Behavior (PSB) Statewide Response Workgroup, which established a statewide strategy to respond to cases involving PSB. Dr. Monagas is also an Associate Teaching Professor in the McCormick Center for Child Advocacy and Policy at Montclair State University, where she supervises the practicum experience for undergraduate Child Advocacy and Policy majors and teaches courses on child abuse and neglect, child advocacy, and other related topics. She is also the Director the Family Impact Seminars in New Jersey which provides state policymakers with nonpartisan, solution-oriented research on family issues. Dr. Monagas serves on several statewide Boards, including the New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect and the Child Advocacy Center-Multidisciplinary Team Advisory Board. Dr. Monagas previously conducted psychological evaluations and treatment for children and families involved with Child Protective Services. She completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology.  She also has a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology and a Post-Bachelor's Certificate in Child Advocacy from Montclair State University. Maria Isabella Pontoriero (“MIP”), LMSW, MPH, is a licensed social worker and forensic interviewer. MIP is Program Manager at the New Jersey Children's Alliance, managing New Jersey's statewide coordinated response to youth who are impacted by and/or initiate problematic sexual behaviors. MIP is also Founder and Consultant for Enhanced Choice Training & Consulting LLC, which provides specialized training, program development, and case consultation services to individuals and agencies who serve victims of crime and exploitation. In addition, MIP provides training and peer review feedback as a consultant on an as-needed basis for Modell Consulting Group and RADAR Child Forensic Interview Models. She previously served as Lead Social Worker for the New Orleans Children's Advocacy Center & Audrey Hepburn CARE Center at Children's Hospital New Orleans. There, she supervised the full-time and contract forensic interviewing staff and coordinated a child trafficking survivor services team called BRAVE (Building Resilience for All Victims of Exploitation). In partnership with the New Orleans Police Department, MIP developed Louisiana's first proactive recovery planning team that provided rapid recovery and advocacy response to missing and exploited youth who have left home. MIP develops and delivers in-service and New Recruits child abuse curricula for the New Orleans Police Department Training Academy. In her spare time, MIP loves to bake, read, and celebrate Mardi Gras! Valeria Vila, Ph.D., is passionate about leveraging data to inform evidence-based practices that promote community safety, reduce harm, and expand access to critical services for vulnerable populations. At the New Jersey Children's Alliance, she leads data efforts for the Problematic Sexual Behavior (PSB) Program, analyzing trends and shaping policy recommendations to strengthen services and support healing. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES: New Jersey Children's Alliance: https://njcainc.org Social Media Platforms Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/njcainc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/njcainc/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-jersey-childrens-alliance/ Northeast Regional Children's Advocacy Center: https://www.nrcac.org Regional Children's Advocacy Centers: https://www.regionalcacs.org Looking for training and technical assistance for your Chapter, Children's Advocacy Center, or multidisciplinary team? Northeast Regional CAC provides training and assistance services to help you implement an effective, sustainable, collaborative response to child abuse. Visit NRCAC.org/request to learn more and request assistance today! Have an idea for a future Team Talk guest or topic? We want to hear from you! Click here to share your suggestions. Disclaimer: This project was sponsored by NRCAC from Grant Award Number 15PJDP-22-GK-03061-JJVO awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, OJJDP or NRCAC.  

Send us a textABA on Tap is proud to present Dr. Scott O'Donnell. (Part 2 of 2)Dr. O'Donnell earned a bachelor's in Psychology minoring in Cognitive Neuroscience under the mentorship of Dr. Philip Hineline at Temple University where he assisted in conducting an experimental analysis of behavior with rats and pigeons. Dr. O'Donnell began working with adults with autism and intellectual disabilities in 2013, youth with autism and intellectual disabilities in 2015, and received his registered behavior technician credential in 2016 working for multiple companies providing autism services. Dr. O'Donnell earned his masters in Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis in 2018 from Purdue Global (nee Kaplan University) where he studied under Dr. Antonio Harrison, a researcher and practitioner of behavior analysis in health, sports, and fitness settings. In 2022, Dr. O'Donnell graduated with a PhD from The Chicago School for Professional Psychology where he researched applications of applied behavior analysis in non-traditional settings including sports and organizational behavior management under Dr. Jack Spear, publishing his thesis in 2021 reviewing behavioral interventions to improve the performance of competing athletes and conducted his dissertation on behavior analysis with competing golfers. Dr. O'Donnell works with under-served mental health populations providing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to clients on medical assistance in Philadelphia. Dr. O'Donnell is the President of the Philadelphia Metropolitan Association for Behavior Analysis. Dr. O'Donnell volunteers with his local civic association and promotes the use of radical behaviorism in government. Some of his research interests include translational behavior analysis (theory to practice), Health/Sports/& Fitness, social responsibility and sustainability, freedom and government, Relational Frame Theory, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, radical behaviorism, and self-applications of behavior analysis.Dr. Scott is a wealth of knowledge and an amazingly cool dude. We look forward to his next visit. This is a nice, super-chilled, tasty and refreshing brew. Feel free to pour generously and always analyze responsibly. Support the show

I've never highlighted a book as much as They're Not Gaslighting You: Ditch the Therapy Speak and Stop Hunting for Red Flags in Every Relationship.  It's my favorite book in 2025! Watch the Video Interview Author Dr. Isabelle Morley gives us a timely book that rejects the reckless proliferation of the following terms:  Sociopath Psychopath Love bomb Narcissist Boundaries Borderline Toxic Gaslighting Who is Dr. Isabelle Morley? Dr. Morley is not a chronic gaslighter trying to convince the world that she doesn't gaslight by writing a book about it. Here's her resume: Author of Navigating Intimacy and They're Not Gaslighting You Co-host of the podcast Romcom Rescue Contributor to Psychology Today Advisory Board Member of the Keepler app Founding Board Member of UCAN Member of the American Psychological Association Certified in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) The Gottman Method – Completed Levels 1 and 2 Relational Life Therapy – Completed Level 1 PsyD in Clinical Psychology from William James College, 2015 Doctoral project researching hookup culture's impact on relationship formation, 2015 Master's in Professional Psychology from William James College, 2013 Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University, 2011 My Fatima Story I dated a woman for two years. Let's call her Fatima. In the second half of our relationship, Fatima bombarded me with many of the highly charged and often misused words listed above. After she dumped me the fifth and final time, I finally pushed back on her barrage of accusations. I said to her, “So, you truly believe I'm a narcissist? Let's look up the clinical definition of a narcissist and see how I stack up.” She agreed. Perplexity wrote: To be clinically considered as having Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) according to the DSM-5, an individual must exhibit at least five out of nine specific characteristics. These characteristics, as summarized by the acronym “SPECIAL ME,” include: Sense of self-importance Exaggerating achievements and expecting to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements. Preoccupation Being preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love Entitled Having unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with their expectations. Can only be around people who are important or special Believing that they are “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions). Interpersonally exploitative Taking advantage of others to achieve their own ends. Arrogant Showing arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes. Lack empathy Being unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others. Must be admired Requiring excessive admiration. Envious Often being envious of others or believing that others are envious of them. These symptoms must be pervasive, apparent in various social situations, and consistently rigid over time. A qualified healthcare professional typically diagnoses NPD through a clinical interview. The traits should also substantially differ from social norms. I asked her how many of these nine characteristics I exhibited consistently, pervasively, and in many social situations. She agreed that I was nowhere near five of the nine. Admittedly, I sometimes exhibited some of these nine characteristics in my intimate relationship with Fatima. I'm certainly guilty of that. However, to qualify as a true narcissist, you must display at least five of these nine characteristics often and with most people, not just your partner. To her credit, my ex-girlfriend sheepishly backed down from that accusation, saying, “You're right, Francis, you're not a narcissist.” Later, I would educate her (or, as she would say, “mansplain”) about another of her favorite words: gaslighting. I mansplained by sending her a video clip of renowned couples therapist Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman, who explained why standard disagreements and having different perspectives aren't gaslighting. Soon after explaining that, Mrs. Gottman explains why, in some ways, “everybody is narcissistic.” Watch 6 minutes from 1:35:30 to 1:41:30: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9kPmiV0B34&t=5730s After listening to an expert define gaslighting, Fatima apologized for incorrectly using the term. This is what I loved about Fatima: she wouldn't stubbornly cling to her position when presented with compelling evidence to the contrary. This is a rare trait I cherish. Narcissists and sociopaths are about 1% of the population, so it's highly unlikely that all your exes are narcissists and sociopaths. Still, Fatima flung other popular, misused terms at me. She loved talking about “boundaries” and “red flags.” According to Dr. Morley, my ex “weaponized therapy speak.”   Dr. Morley writes, “It's not a new phenomenon for people to use therapy terms casually, even flippantly, to describe themselves or other people. How long have we referred to someone as a ‘psycho' when they're acting irrationally or being mean?” Although weaponized therapy speak isn't new, it's ubiquitous nowadays. Dr. Morley's book sounds the alarm that it's out of control and dangerous. Three types of people would benefit from Dr. Morley's book: People like Fatima: Does someone you know tend to denigrate people using therapy speak? Are they intelligent, rational, and open-minded like Fatima? If so, they must read this book to recalibrate how they use these powerful words. People like me: Are you (or someone you know) accused of being a psychopath, a gaslighter, or a person with OCD? Actual victims: The explosion of use of these powerful words has diluted their meaning. As a result, the real victims of narcissists and sociopaths are now belittled. Their true suffering is minimized when every other person has a sociopath in their life. Their grievances are severe. Let's not equate our relationship problems with their terror. I'll list some of my favorite chapter titles, which will give you a flavor of the book's message: Chapter 4: Are They Gaslighting You, or Do They Just Disagree? Chapter 5: Do They Have OCD, or Are They Just Particular? Chapter 6: Is It a Red Flag, or Are They Just Imperfect? Chapter 7: Are They a Narcissist, or Did They Just Hurt Your Feelings? Chapter 9: Are They a Sociopath, or Do They Just Like You Less Than you Like Them? Chapter 11: Did They Violate Your Boundaries, or Did They Just Not Know How You Felt? I will quote extensively to encourage everyone to buy Dr. Mosley's book. Most quotations are self-explanatory, but sometimes I will offer personal commentary. Excerpts The trend of weaponized therapy speak marks something very different. These days, clinical words are wielded, sincerely and self-righteously, to lay unilateral blame on one person in a relationship while excusing the other from any wrongdoing. ========== Many times, we use these words as protective measures to help us avoid abusive partners and reduce our risk of “wasting” time or emotional energy on family or friends who don't deserve it. But using these terms can also absolve people from taking responsibility for their actions in their relationships. They can say, “I had to do that because of my obsessive-compulsive disorder” or “We didn't work out because she's a narcissist,” instead of doing the hard work of seeing their part in the problem and addressing the issues behind it. As a couples therapist, I'm particularly concerned with how the enthusiastic but inaccurate embrace of clinical terminology has made it harder to sustain healthy romantic attachments. With Fatima, our relationship woes were always my fault because I crossed her “boundaries” and I was a “narcissist.” If I disagreed, I was “gaslighting” her. Or I was being “defensive” instead of apologizing. And when I apologized, I did so incorrectly because I offered excuses after saying I'm sorry (she was right about that). The point is that she used weaponized therapy speak to demonize me, alleviating herself from the burden of considering that perhaps she shared some of the responsibility for our woes. ========== Their friend doesn't agree with their warped view of an event or their disproportionate reaction? The friend is an empathy-lacking narcissist who is actively gaslighting them. ========== In one memorable session of mine, a client managed to accuse their partner of narcissism, gaslighting, love bombing, blaming the victim, lacking accountability, having no empathy, and being generally abusive, manipulative, and toxic . . . all within twenty minutes. Although Fatima and I went to couples therapy, I don't remember Dr. Mosley being our facilitator, but that sure sounds like Fatima! LOL! ========== I'm certified in emotionally focused couples therapy (EFCT), which is a type of couples therapy based on attachment theory. ========== For example, if you feel like a failure for letting your partner down, you might immediately minimize your partner's feelings and tell them they shouldn't react so strongly to such a small issue. (For anyone wondering, this isn't gaslighting.) That makes them feel unheard and unimportant, so they get even more upset, which makes you dismiss their reaction as dramatic, and round and round it goes. Welcome to my world with Fatima! ========== You could claim your partner is toxic and borderline because they're emotionally volatile and unforgiving. You could say their feelings are disproportionate to the problem, and their verbal assault is bordering on abusive. But your partner could say that you are a narcissist who is gaslighting them by refusing to acknowledge their feelings, showing no empathy for the distress your tardiness caused, and shifting the blame to them (just like a narcissist would!). You'd both be wrong, of course, but you can see how these conclusions could happen. ========== Weaponized therapy speak is our attempt to understand people and situations in our lives, yes, but it is also a strategy to avoid responsibility. It puts the blame solely on the other person and allows us to ignore our part. ========== However, the vast majority of partners and friends are not sociopaths, narcissists, or abusers. They're just flawed. They're insecure, demanding, controlling, emotional, or any number of adjectives, but these traits alone aren't pathological. ========== But doing such things now and then in our relational histories, or doing them often in just one relationship, doesn't mean we have a personality disorder. These diagnoses are reserved for people who exhibit a persistent pattern of maladaptive behaviors in most or all of their close relationships. ========== I wasn't an abusive partner. I was a messy newcomer to relationships, as we usually are in our teens and twenties, trying my best to navigate my feelings while following bad examples from television and making plenty of other blunders along the way. Stonewalling was immature and an unhelpful way of coping, but it wasn't abuse. ========== If we're looking for a partner who will always do the right thing, even in the hardest moments, we're only setting ourselves up for disappointment. As I mentioned before, really good people can behave really badly. ========== If we don't know the difference between abusive behavior and normal problematic behavior, we're at risk for either accepting abuse (thinking that it's just a hard time) or, alternatively, throwing away a perfectly good relationship because we can't accept any flaws or mistakes. Alas, Fatima threw away a perfectly good relationship. I was her second boyfriend. Her lack of experience made her underappreciate what we had. She'll figure it out with the next guy. ========== Disagreeing with someone, thinking your loved one is objectively wrong, arguing about what really happened and what was actually said, trying to find your way to the one and only “truth”—these are things that most people do. They are not helpful or effective, but they also are not gaslighting. ========== “What? I didn't say yes to seeing it, Cece. I said yes to finding houses we both liked and visiting them. Sometimes you just hear what you want to and then get mad at me when you realize it's not what I actually said,” Meg answers. “Stop gaslighting me! Don't tell me what happened. I remember exactly what you said! You told me yes to this open house and then changed your mind, and I'm upset about it. I'm allowed to be upset about it; don't invalidate my feelings!” Cece says, her frustration growing. Meg feels surprised and nervous. She didn't think she was gaslighting Cece, which is exactly what she says. “I didn't mean to gaslight you. I just remember this differently. I don't remember saying I would go to this open house, so that's why I don't understand why you're this upset.” “Yes, you are gaslighting me because you're trying to convince me that what I clearly remember happening didn't happen. But you can't gaslight me because I'm positive I'm right.” ========== Cece's accusation of gaslighting quickly shut down the conversation, labeling Meg as a terrible partner and allowing Cece to exit the conversation as the victor. ========== I find gaslighting to be one of the harder labels to deal with in my clinical work for three reasons: 1. Accusations of gaslighting are incredibly common. I hear accusations of gaslighting at least once a week, and yet it's only been accurate about five times in my entire clinical career. Boyfriend didn't agree with what time you were meeting for dinner? Gaslighting. Spouse said you didn't tell them to pick up milk on the way home, but you swear you did? Gaslighting. ========== You could say, “I want you to know that I really understand your perspective on this. I see things differently, but your experience is valid, and it makes sense. I'm not trying to convince you that you're wrong and I'm right, and I'm sorry if I came across that way.” WHAT IS VALIDATION? Validation is another word that suffers from frequent misuse. People demand validation, but what they're really asking for is agreement. And if someone doesn't agree, they call it toxic. Here's the thing, though: Validation is not the same as agreement. ========== You can disagree in your head but still validate how they feel: “Hey, you're not crazy. I see why you'd feel that way. It makes sense to me. I'd probably feel that way too if I were in your shoes, experiencing our interaction the way you did. I care about your feelings.” ========== “I bet it felt really awful to have me challenge your experience and make you feel like it wasn't right or valid.” I regret I learned this lesson too late with Fatima. I was too slow to validate her feelings. We learn something in every relationship. Ideally, our partner is patient with us as we stumble through the learning process, often repeating the same error until we form a new habit. However, Fatima ran out of patience with me. I couldn't change fast enough for her, even though I was eager to learn and dying to please her. By the time I began to learn about proper validation and apologies, she had given up on me. ========== My husband, Lucas, hates it when lids aren't properly put on jars. You know, when a lid is half on and still loose or haphazardly tightened and askew? I, on the other hand, could not care less. I am the only perpetrator of putting lids on wrong in our house. I barely screw on the top to the pickles, peanut butter, medications, water bottles, or food storage containers. I don't even realize that I do it because I care so little about it. This drives Lucas absolutely crazy. I love this example because it's what I would repeatedly tell Fatima: some habits are hard to break. Dr. Mosley knows her husband hates half-closed jars, but she struggles to comply with his wishes. We're imperfect creatures. ========== Is your partner always leaving a wet towel on the floor after showering? Red flag—they're irresponsible and will expect you to clean up after them. Is your friend bad at texting to let you know when they're behind schedule? Red flag—they're selfish, inconsiderate, and don't value your time. It's all too easy to weaponize this term in a relationship, in hopes that it will shame the other person into changing. ========== People aren't perfect. Individually, we're messy, and in relationships, we're much messier. We all make mistakes, sometimes repeatedly for our entire lives. Instead of labeling all unwanted behaviors as red flags and expecting change or running away altogether, try a new approach: Identify why those behaviors hurt you and share that with your loved one instead. ========== When confronted with the knowledge that we've hurt someone, many of us become defensive. We hate the idea of hurting the person we love and since we usually didn't intend to hurt them, we start explaining why our actions weren't that bad and why they shouldn't feel upset. It comes from a place of inadequacy, self-criticism, and remorse. If the other person responds like this but you can tell they care about your pain, this may be a good time to give them some grace in the form of empathy and time. Wait a few hours or even a few days, then try the conversation again. For every criticism I had about Fatima's behavior, she had 20 criticisms about my behavior. As a result, I had many more opportunities to fall into the trap of becoming defensive. It's so hard to resist. I'm still working on that front. ========== We all have a touch of narcissism, which can get bigger at certain points in life, ========== Conflicts are upsetting, and we've all developed ways of protecting ourselves, whether it's getting loud to be heard or emotionally withdrawing to prevent a panic attack. Underneath these less-than-ideal responses, though, we feel awful. We feel scared, insecure, inadequate, unimportant, and alone. We hate fighting with our loved ones, and we really hate that we've hurt them, especially unknowingly. We're not being defensive because we have a narcissistic belief in our own superiority; we're doing it because we're terrified that the person won't understand us and will see us negatively, so we need to show them our side and explain to them why we aren't to blame. ========== But whether it's an inflated ego, vanity, self-absorption, or just unusually healthy confidence, these traits do not make a narcissist. To have NPD, the person must also require external validation and admiration, and to be seen as superior to others. This is the difference between a big ego and grandiosity. Grandiosity goes several steps beyond confidence—it's a near-delusional sense of importance, where someone exaggerates their achievements and expects others to see them as superior. ========== Some people suck. They're immature, mean, selfish, and unremorseful. Some people don't respect other people in their lives. They lie and they cheat, and they don't care that it hurts others. But they can be all these things and still not be a narcissist. There's a lot of room for people to be awful without meeting the criteria for a personality disorder, and that's because (you guessed it!) people are flawed. Some people feel justified in behaving badly, while others just don't know any better yet. Our growth is messy and not linear. ========== The reality is that anyone who genuinely worries that they are a narcissist, probably isn't. That level of openness and willingness to self-reflect is not typical of a narcissist. Plus, narcissists don't tend to believe or care that they've hurt others, whereas my clients are deeply distressed by the possibility that they've unknowingly caused others pain. ========== As with gaslighting, I have rarely seen people accurately diagnose narcissism. To put it bluntly, I have never seen a client in a couples therapy session call their partner a narcissist and be right. In fact, the person misusing the label usually tends to be more narcissistic and have more therapy work to do than their partner. ========== person involved with a narcissist to accurately identify the disorder because people with NPD are great at making other people think they are the problem. It's an insidious process, and rarely do people realize what's happening until others point it out to them or the narcissist harshly devalues or leaves them. Now, you might be in a relationship with someone who has NPD, but instead of jumping to “narcissist!” it's helpful to use other adjectives and be more specific about your concerns. Saying that a certain behavior was selfish or that a person seems unremorseful is more exact than calling them a narcissist. ========== Love bombing can happen at any point in a relationship, but it's most often seen at the start. ========== Love bombing is also a typical follow-up to fights. ========== Humans are a complicated species. Despite our amazing cognitive capacities and our innate desire to be good (well, most of us anyway), we often cause harm. People act in ways that can damage their relationships, both intentionally and unknowingly, but that doesn't make them sociopaths. In fact, anyone in a close and meaningful relationship will end up hurting the other person and will also end up getting hurt at some point because close relationships inevitably involve a degree of pain, be it disappointment, sadness, anger, or frustration. Even when we're doing our best, we hurt each other. We can't equate normal missteps and hurt with sociopathy. ========== People love to call their exes sociopaths, just like they love calling them narcissists. Dr. Mosley focuses on the term sociopath because it's more popular nowadays than the term psychopath, but they both suffer from misuse and overuse, she says. If your partner (or you) use the term psychopath often, then in the following excerpts, replace the word “sociopath” with “psychopath.” ========== calling someone a sociopath is extreme. You're calling them out as a human who has an underdeveloped (or nonexistent) capacity to be a law-abiding, respectful, moral member of society. And in doing so, you're saying they were the entire problem in your relationship. Unless you were with a person who displayed a variety of extreme behaviors that qualify as ASPD, that conclusion isn't fair, accurate, or serving you. Again, you're missing out on the opportunity to reflect on your part in the problem, examine how you could have been more effective in the relationship, and identify how you can change for the better in your next relationship. If you label your ex a sociopath and call it a day, you're cutting yourself short. ========== Let the record show that I have never seen someone use the term sociopath correctly in their relationship. ========== some boundaries are universal and uncrossable, but the majority are personal preferences that need to be expressed and, at times, negotiated. Claiming a boundary violation is a quick and easy way to control someone's behavior, and that's why it's important to clarify what this phrase means and how to healthily navigate boundaries in a relationship. Fatima loved to remind me of and enforce her “boundaries.” It was a long list, so I inevitably crossed them, which led to drama. ========== There are some boundaries we all agree are important and should be uncrossable—I call these universal boundaries. Violating universal boundaries, especially when done repeatedly without remorse or regard for the impact it has on the other person, amounts to abuse. ========== The main [universal boundaries] are emotional, physical, sexual, and financial boundaries ========== Outside of these universal, uncrossable boundaries, there are also individual boundaries. Rather than applying to all people, these boundaries are specific to the person and defined by their own preferences and needs. As such, they are flexible, fluid over time, and full of nuance. If they are crossed, it can be uncomfortable, but it isn't necessarily abuse. ========== boundary is a line drawn to ensure safety and autonomy, whereas a preference is something that would make you feel happy but is not integral to your sense of relational security or independence. ========== While a well-adjusted person might start a dialogue about how to negotiate an individual boundary in a way that honors both partners' needs, an abusive person will never consider if their boundary can be shifted or why it might be damaging or significantly limiting to the other person. Instead, they will accuse, blame, and manipulate their partner as their way of keeping that person within their controlling limits. ========== The point is that as we go through life, our boundaries shift. As you can see, this is part of what makes it difficult for people to anticipate or assess boundary violations. If you expect and demand that the people close to you honor your specific boundaries on certain topics, but you're not telling them what the boundaries are or when and how they've changed, you're setting your loved ones up for failure. ========== And again, people unknowingly cross each other's individual boundaries all the time. It's simply inevitable. ========== It will create an unnecessary and unproductive rift. 3. We Mistake Preferences for Boundaries Boundaries protect our needs for safety and security. Preferences promote feelings of happiness, pleasure, or calm. When someone crosses a boundary, it compromises our physical or mental health. When someone disregards a preference, we may feel annoyed, but it doesn't pose a risk to our well-being. ========== You've Been Accused of Violating a Boundary If you're in a close relationship, chances are you're going to violate the other person's boundaries at some point. This is especially likely if the person has not told you what boundaries are important to them. However, you might also be unjustly accused of violating a boundary, perhaps a boundary you didn't know about or a preference masquerading as a boundary, and you'll need to know what to do. ========== I never thought of telling Fatima that she was “borderline.” It helps that I didn't know what the term meant. Dr. Mosley says that a person must have several of the “borderline” characteristics to have borderline personality disorder (BPD). Fatima only had one of them, so she did not have BPD. Here's the only BPD trait she exhibited: Stormy, intense, and chaotic relationships: Have relationships that tend to be characterized by extremes of idealization and devaluation in which the person with BPD idolizes someone one moment and then vilifies them the next. Because they struggle to see others in a consistent and nuanced way, their relationships go through tumultuous ups and downs, where they desire intense closeness one minute and then reject the person the next. Fatima promised me, “I will love you forever,” “I want to marry you,” “I will be with you until death,” “I'll never leave you,” and other similar extreme promises. Three days later, she would dump me and tell me she never wanted to get back together. Two days later, she apologized and wanted to reunite. Soon, she would be making her over-the-top romantic declarations again. She'd write them and say them repeatedly, not just while making love. Eventually, I'd fuck up again. Instead of collaborating to prevent further fuck ups, Fatima would simply break up with me with little to no discussion. This would naturally make me question her sincerity when she repeatedly made her I-will-be-with-you-forever promises. You might wonder why I was so fucking stupid to reunite with her after she did that a couple of times. Why did I always beg her to reconsider and reunite with me even after we repeated the pattern four times? (The fifth time she dumped me was the last time.) Humans are messy. I expect imperfection. I know my loved one will repeatedly do stupid shit because I sure will. So, I forgave her knee-jerk breakup reaction because I knew she didn't do it out of malice. She did it to protect herself. She was in pain. She thought that pulling the plug would halt the pain. That's reasonable but wrong. That doesn't matter. She's learning, I figured. I need to be patient. I was hopeful we'd break the pattern and learn how to deal with conflict maturely. We didn't. I'm confident she'll figure it out soon, just like I learned from my mistakes with her. ========== If I had to pick one word to describe people with BPD, it would be unstable. Fatima was unstable in a narrow situation: only with one person (me) and only when the shit hit the fan with me. Aside from that, she was highly stable. Hence, it would have been ludicrous if I accused her of having Borderline Personality Disorder. Luckily, I never knew the overused borderline term; even if I did, I wouldn't be tempted to use it on her. ========== Just as with red flags, we all exhibit some toxic behaviors at times. I don't know anyone who has lived a toxic-free existence. Sometimes we go through tough phases where our communication and coping skills are down, and we'll act more toxically than we might normally; this doesn't make us a toxic person. Indeed, many romantic relationships go through toxic episodes, if you will (should we make “toxic episode” a thing?), where people aren't communicating well, are escalating conflicts, and are generally behaving badly. We need to normalize a certain level of temporary or situational toxicity while also specifying what we mean by saying “toxic.” This is the only way we can determine whether the relationship needs help or needs ending. ========== trauma is itself a heavy, often misunderstood word. Its original meaning referenced what we now call “big T” trauma: life-threatening events such as going to war or surviving a car crash. Nowadays, we also talk about “little t” trauma: events that cause significant distress but aren't truly life-threatening, like being bullied in school or having an emotionally inconsistent parent. ========== Avoiding relationships with anyone who triggers hard feelings will mean a very lonely existence. ========== a trauma bond is the connection that survivors feel with their abuser. ========== A captured soldier who defends his captors? That person is, in fact, trauma bonded. ========== soldiers aren't trauma bonded after going to war together; they're socially bonded, albeit in an unusually deep way. A captured soldier who defends his captors? That person is, in fact, trauma bonded. ========== None of us get to have a happy relationship without hard times and hard work. It's normal and okay to sometimes struggle with the person you're close to or love. When the struggle happens, don't despair. Within the struggle are opportunities to invest in the relationship and grow, individually and together. ========== If you determine your relationship is in a tough spot but not abusive, now's the time for some hard relational work. A good cocktail for working on your relationship is specificity, vulnerability, and commitment. ========== Making a relationship work requires you and your loved ones to self-reflect, take responsibility, and change. This process won't just happen once; it's a constant cycle you'll go through repeatedly over the course of the relationship. You'll both need to look at yourselves, own what you've done wrong or could do better, and work to improve. Nobody is ever finished learning and growing, not individually and certainly not in a relationship. But that's what can be so great about being in a relationship: It's a never-ending opportunity to become a better person. And when you mess up (because trust me, you will), be kind to yourself. As I keep saying, humans are wonderfully imperfect. Even when we know what to do, sometimes we just don't or can't do it. ========== In this world of messy humans, how do you know who will be a good person for you to be with? My answer: Choose someone who wants to keep doing the work with you. There is no perfect person or partner for you, no magical human that won't ever hurt, irritate, enrage, or overwhelm you. Being in close relationships inevitably leads to big, scary feelings at times, so pick someone who wants to get through the dark times with you. Remember that when people are behaving badly in a desperate attempt to connect—not control—they'll be able to look at themselves, recognize the bad behavior, and change. Pick someone who has the willingness to self-reflect and grow, even if it's hard. Someone who will hang in there, even during your worst fights, and ultimately say, “Listen, this is awful, and I don't want to keep arguing like this, but I love you and I want to figure this out with you.” Wow. So well said. And this, in a paragraph, explains where Fatima and I failed. I dislike pointing fingers at my ex when explaining why we broke up. I made 90% of the mistakes in my relationship with Fatima, so I bear most of the responsibility. However, Fatima was the weaker one on one metric: having someone who wants to collaborate to make a beautiful relationship despite the hardships. The evident proof is that she dumped me five times, whereas I never dumped her or even threatened to dump her. I always wanted to use our problems as a chance to learn and improve. Fatima used them as an excuse to quit. She tried. She really did. However, she lacked the commitment Dr. Mosley discussed in that paragraph. Perhaps another man will inspire Fatima to find the strength and courage to bounce back and not throw in the towel. Or maybe she will mature and evolve to a point where she can be with someone less compatible than I was for her. She would often declare, “Francis, we're incompatible.” I'd say, “No, we are compatible; we have incompatibilities. Everyone has incompatibilities. We just need to work through them. If there is a willingness to collaborate, we can solve any incompatibility. The only couples who are truly incompatible are the ones where one or both individuals refuse to budge or learn. We can overcome countless incompatibilities as long as we both want to be together.” ========== We have wounds and scars and bad habits. We rely on ineffective but protective coping mechanisms. We push others away when we're hurt or scared. ========== Everyone behaves badly sometimes. But even then, odds are they're not gaslighting you. Conclusion I'll repeat: They're Not Gaslighting You: Ditch the Therapy Speak and Stop Hunting for Red Flags in Every Relationship is my favorite book in 2025! Buy it! Feedback Leave anonymous audio feedback at SpeakPipe More info You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com. If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!  On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon Rewards start at just $2/month! Affiliate links Get 25% off when you sign up to Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free! In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.  Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees! For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.

This week on The Moving On Method®, Michelle Dempsey-Multack and Dr. Cassie Bowles delve into the complexities of detachment, particularly in the context of trauma and mental health. They explore how detachment can serve as a coping mechanism, its spectrum from mild to severe, and its implications on relationships and emotional well-being. Their conversation emphasizes the importance of awareness, compassionate curiosity, and the journey towards healing and reconnection with oneself. They also touch on the challenges of navigating relationships post-trauma and the significance of seeking help when needed. Together they will cover: How detachment is a coping mechanism against overwhelming emotions Self-Awareness is the first step towards change and healing There is a spectrum of trauma levels AND MORE Dr. Cassie Bowles graduated with honors from the University of California, Berkeley, earning a Bachelor's Degree in American Studies. Following a few years working in health care consulting and the non-profit world, she returned to graduate school in 2014 to complete a Doctorate of Psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Cassie has trained in academic medical centers, schools, and private practice settings, working with a wide range of clinical presentations from depression and anxiety to complex medical diagnoses. She completed training in psychodiagnostic testing and assessment in the Infant and Preschool Clinic at UCLA's Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, working with families of young children to address developmental and behavioral concerns. As an intern at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, she received training in neuropsychological assessment and cognitive behavioral therapy at the Children's Orthopaedic Center. While at CHLA, she worked primarily with adolescents diagnosed with post-concussive syndrome and other neurological disorders such as epilepsy. Finding herself drawn to depth work and interested in deepening her clinical skills as a therapist, she completed an internship and post graduate fellowship in psychodynamic psychotherapy at the Wright Institute Los Angeles, working with adults on an ongoing basis. While she considers herself a generalist in clinical practice, she takes special interest in working with parents, survivors of sexual and gender-based trauma, and phase-of-life/personal identity issues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It could be argued that agents of capitalism have built the patriarchal system as a means to keep both men and women controlled and in line. But what if we broke free? What would happen to sex, love and freedom then? Dr. Kate Balesteri joins us to discuss what patriarchy actually is, how it hurts all genders, and how we (men, women and every gender) can take back our agency while heightening our authenticity and consciousness. You can find Dr. Kate Balestrieri at: https://www.modernintimacy.com/dr-kate-balestrieri-sex-therapist/ Facebook http://facebook.com/dr.katebalestrieri http://instagram.com/drkatebalestrieri Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@drkatebalestrieri Dr. Kate Balestrieri"s Bio: Dr. Kate Balestrieri, Psy.D., CSAT-S, is a Licensed Psychologist (Clinical and Forensic) in CA, FL, NY and IL. She is a Certified Sex Therapist, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist – Supervisor, and PACT III trained couples' therapist. Dr. Balestrieri earned her Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, and completed her Post-Doctoral Fellowship though the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, with a concentration in Forensic Psychology. In over 16 years of clinical experience, she has conducted clinical and forensic evaluations, provided expert witness testimony in court, and been a treatment provider in clinical, forensic, and correctional settings. The Founder of Modern Intimacy, Dr. Balestrieri is a passionate advocate for mental, relational and sexual health. Throughout her work, Dr. Balestrieri focuses on helping people build resilience and recovery from what ails them to move from a position of pain or discomfort to one of thriving, holistically in their lives. A sex positive provider and human, Dr. Balestrieri is dedicated to helping people have a more expansive and integrated relationship with sexuality. Dr. Balestrieri is a regular contributor for PopSugar, Poosh, YourTango, Psychology Today, House of Wise and has been featured in many other publications. She is also the host of the Get Naked with Dr. Kate podcast, on which she discusses mental health, sex and relationships. You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio or anywhere you get your podcasts! How to find Sunny Megatron: Website: http://sunnymegatron.com Facebook http://facebook.com/sunnymegatron Twitter http://twitter.com/sunnymegatron Instagram http://instagram.com/sunnymegatron Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@sunnymegatron YouTube https://www.youtube.com/sunnymegatron American Sex Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/2HroMhWJnyZbMSsOBKwBnk How to find Kate Loree: Website http://kateloree.com Instagram: http://instagram.com/opendeeplywithkateloree Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@opendeeplywithkateloree Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kateloreelmft Twitter http://twitter.com/kateloreelmft YouTube https://youtube.com/channel/UCSTFAqGYKW3sIUa0tKivbqQ Book referenced: How to find Sunny Megatron: Website: http://sunnymegatron.com Facebook http://facebook.com/sunnymegatron Twitter http://twitter.com/sunnymegatron Instagram http://instagram.com/sunnymegatron Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@sunnymegatron YouTube https://www.youtube.com/sunnymegatron American Sex Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/2HroMhWJnyZbMSsOBKwBnk How to find Kate Loree: Website http://kateloree.com Instagram: http://instagram.com/opendeeplywithkateloree Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@opendeeplywithkateloree Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kateloreelmft Twitter http://twitter.com/kateloreelmft YouTube https://youtube.com/channel/UCSTFAqGYKW3sIUa0tKivbqQ Book referenced: What Happened to My Sex Life?: A Sex Therapist's Guide to Reclaiming Lost Desire, Connection, and Pleasure by Dr. Kate Balestrieri Open Deeply podcast is not therapy or a replacement for therapy. Open Deeply podcast is not therapy or a replacement for therapy.

Send us a textABA on Tap is proud to present Dr. Scott O'Donnell. (Part 1 of 2)Dr. O'Donnell earned a bachelor's in Psychology minoring in Cognitive Neuroscience under the mentorship of Dr. Philip Hineline at Temple University where he assisted in conducting an experimental analysis of behavior with rats and pigeons. Dr. O'Donnell began working with adults with autism and intellectual disabilities in 2013, youth with autism and intellectual disabilities in 2015, and received his registered behavior technician credential in 2016 working for multiple companies providing autism services. Dr. O'Donnell earned his masters in Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis in 2018 from Purdue Global (nee Kaplan University) where he studied under Dr. Antonio Harrison, a researcher and practitioner of behavior analysis in health, sports, and fitness settings. In 2022, Dr. O'Donnell graduated with a PhD from The Chicago School for Professional Psychology where he researched applications of applied behavior analysis in non-traditional settings including sports and organizational behavior management under Dr. Jack Spear, publishing his thesis in 2021 reviewing behavioral interventions to improve the performance of competing athletes and conducted his dissertation on behavior analysis with competing golfers. Dr. O'Donnell works with under-served mental health populations providing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to clients on medical assistance in Philadelphia. Dr. O'Donnell is the President of the Philadelphia Metropolitan Association for Behavior Analysis. Dr. O'Donnell volunteers with his local civic association and promotes the use of radical behaviorism in government. Some of his research interests include translational behavior analysis (theory to practice), Health/Sports/& Fitness, social responsibility and sustainability, freedom and government, Relational Frame Theory, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, radical behaviorism, and self-applications of behavior analysis.Dr. Scott is a wealth of knowledge and an amazingly cool dude. We look forward to his next visit. This is a nice, super-chilled, tasty and refreshing brew. Feel free to pour generously and always analyze responsibly. Support the show

This episode is sponsored by: Set For LifeSet For Life Insurance helps doctors safeguard their future with True Own Occupational Disability Insurance. A single injury or illness can change everything, but the best physicians plan ahead. Protect your income and secure your future before life makes the choice for you. Your career deserves protection—act now at https://www.doctorpodcastnetwork.co/setforlife______What if you could control your dreams? In this episode, Dr. Bradley Block sits down with Dr. Kristen LaMarca to explore the world of lucid dreaming where you recognize you're dreaming and take the reins. Dr. LaMarca shares her personal journey with lucid dreaming, from overcoming sleep paralysis to using it as a creative tool, and explains how it can transform mental health. They discuss practical techniques to induce lucid dreams, the science behind its benefits (like treating nightmares and boosting creativity), and common myths—like the idea that it ruins sleep quality. With actionable tips and real-world applications, this episode is a must-listen for physicians looking to enhance their own well-being or help patients tackle sleep-related challenges.Three Actionable Takeaways:Start with Dream Recall: Keep a dream journal or voice memo right after waking to improve memory of your dreams—step one to becoming lucid.Spot Dream Signs: Look for recurring, impossible, or improbable elements in your dreams (like driving from the backseat) and rehearse recognizing them to trigger lucidity.Stabilize the Dream: If you become lucid but start waking up, stay calm, rub your hands, or spin your dream body to stay in the dream state longer. About the show:The Physician's Guide to Doctoring covers patient interactions, burnout, career growth, personal finance, and more. If you're tired of dull medical lectures, tune in for real-world lessons we should have learned in med school!About the Guest:Dr. Kristen LaMarca, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified behavioral sleep medicine expert, specializing in applied psychophysiology. With a BA from Marquette University and advanced degrees from the California School of Professional Psychology, she's a published author and scientific reviewer. She excels with complex cases because she is known for creative interventions, empathy, and evidence-based therapies like CBT and mindfulness.Website: https://www.luciditysleeppsych.com/kristen-lamarca-phdmindfulluciddreaming.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulluciddreaming/?hl=enAbout the Host:Dr. Bradley Block is a board-certified otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates in Garden City, NY. He specializes in adult and pediatric ENT, with interests in sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Block also hosts The Physician's Guide to Doctoring podcast, focusing on personal and professional development for physicians.Want to be a guest? Email Brad at brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com (mailto:brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com) or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more!Socials:@physiciansguidetodoctoring on Facebook@physicianguidetodoctoring on YouTube@physiciansguide on Instagram and Twitter Visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect, dive deeper, and keep the conversation going. Let's grow! Disclaimer:This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, financial, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional for personalized guidance.

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/

Emetophobia - an intense fear of vomiting and any thoughts or sensations associated with vomiting - is a more common struggle among anxious people than anyone might initial think. But Emetophobia can make its way into virtually every aspect of life, often resulting in a highly restricted lifestyle and a dramatic decrease in the ability to function.This week Dara Lovitz and Dr. David Yusko join Drew and Josh to talk about emetophobia. Dara suffered for over 30 years before finally overcoming emetophobia through exposure based treatment with Dr. Yusko. Now they're sharing this experience with others in need of help, which is pretty awesome.If your anxiety is driven by an intense fear of vomiting, this episode is absolutely worth a listen. ---Dara Lovitz is an attorney working for a legal nonprofit organization, adjunct professor of animal law at two law schools in the Philadelphia area, and an author. She is a recovered emetophobe and co-wrote her fourth book, Gag Reflections: Conquering a Fear of Vomit Through Exposure Therapy, with her therapist Dr. David Yusko. With Dr. Yusko, she also co-founded Emetophobia Institute, which is the premier online resource for individuals struggling with emetophobia as well as therapists of all experience levels who wish to learn how to help their clients conquer emetophobia.Dr. David Yusko is a licensed clinical psychologist in Pennsylvania and is the co-founder of the Center for Anxiety & Behavior Therapy. He received his Psy.D. in clinical psychology from the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Upon completing his doctoral studies, Dr. Yusko joined The Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety (CTSA) at the University of Pennsylvania where his expertise in anxiety disorders broadly speaking was developed and refined. Under the mentorship of Dr. Edna Foa, Dr. Yusko focused his career on providing clients, and teaching other mental health professionals, evidence based treatments for anxiety related disorders (e.g. OCD, panic disorder, social phobia, PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and specific phobias).---Disordered Roundtables are here! Think of it as "Disordered Live", a way for members of our audience to spend time with us in an intimate virtual setting (attendance is limited) to engage in real time sharing and discussion on specific anxiety disorder and recovery topics. To be notified when new Disordered Roundtable sessions are scheduled,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠visit our homepage and get on our mailing list⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.---Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can't stop or control? Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Worry and Rumination Explained⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/worryrumination⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-----Want to ask us questions, share your wins, or get more information about Josh, Drew, and the Disordered podcast? Visit us on the web:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://disordered.fm⁠

In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Jayne Mattingly, an inspiring figure in the realms of chronic illness and disability advocacy. We dive into the concept of body grief and explore its seven stages, offering insights and strategies that can resonate deeply with those living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Jane shares her personal and professional journey, highlighting how acknowledging body grief can lead to healthier coping mechanisms and a more resilient approach to managing chronic illnesses. Our discussion provides valuable perspectives aimed at improving your quality of life with MS while navigating the challenges it may bring. Tune in for a heartfelt and insightful conversation filled with expertise and encouragement for your MS journey! About our guest: Jayne Mattingly, 33, is an Eating Disorder therapist turned, Chronic Illness and Disability Advocate, Author and Body Acceptance social Media Influencer and Artist. Jayne is a leader who speaks up for those that are disabled, chronically ill, struggling with eating disorders, and/or mental illness. Her vulnerable, open, and honest content breaks barriers for those who are left out and unseen in an ableist-focused world. She holds a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, specializing in eating disorder recovery and body image struggles. Jayne candidly shares her learnings, hardships, and growth, all while breaking stigmas and normalizing body grief. Her content, mission, upcoming book; This is Body Grief (published by Penguin Random House) and newsletter, Body Grief (on Substack), non-profit, provide a safe space and support for an unseen and unheard community. Jayne is also newly disabled by her progressive and degenerative illnesses; Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, intracranial hypertension, and now a severe allergy to the metal that has been implanted in her body and as a result has had more than 19 brain procedures and total hysterectomy. She relies on her rollator, wheel chair and her service dog Wheatie. Jayne is a Chicago, Illinois, native and now lives in Charleston, South Carolina, with her husband and pets. Connect with Jayne: Website: https://www.jaynemattingly.com/ Resources mentioned in the episode: Jayne's book, This Is Body Grief - https://www.jaynemattingly.com/the-book Jayne's substack: https://jaynemattingly.substack.com/ Additional Resources: https://www.doctorgretchenhawley.com/insider Reach out to Me: hello@doctorgretchenhawley.com Website: www.MSingLink.com Social: ★ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mswellness ★ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctor.gretchen ★ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/doctorgretchenhawley?sub_confirmation=1 → Game Changers Course: https://www.doctorgretchenhawley.com/GameChangersCourse → Total Core Program: https://www.doctorgretchenhawley.com/TotalCoreProgram → The MSing Link: https://www.doctorgretchenhawley.com/TheMSingLink

On “Jesuitical” this week, Zac and Ashley are joined by Sister Josephine Garrett, a sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth, a licensed counselor, host of the “Hope Stories” podcast and the author of the new book, Wilderness Within: A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation. Presently a counselor in private practice, Sister Josephine earned a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2019. Prior to entering religious life, she worked as vice president in the home loans division of Bank of America. She resides in Tyler, Tex. Zac, Ashley and Sister Josephine discuss:  - The challenges (and graces) that emerge in the spiritual wilderness - How therapy and counseling compare to spiritual direction and prayer - Why Lent promotes deeper reflections on our relationships with others and ourselves In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley are joined by America's editor at large, James Martin, S.J., to give an update on Pope Francis' health after his 13th day in Gemelli Hospital, where he is being treated for pneumonia in both of his lungs. They also discuss Father Martin's viral prayer for the pope during his illness, which is linked below.  Links for further reading:  Wilderness Within: A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation  A prayer for Pope Francis during his grave illness Update: Pope Francis' CT scan shows ‘normal progression of the lung inflammation' Pope Francis beats back speculation of imminent death or conclave as he continues pneumonia recovery Hope Stories with Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow.   You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical.  Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America Media at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Grateful for a soulful conversation with Tarah Kerwin, licensed marriage and family therapist, founder of Relationship Renovation, and Relationship Renovation at Home Program. Please join us as we discuss: her personal story of relationship struggles and triumph her insights on the Relationship Renovation Model what she means by old story/new story a discussion on avoidance as a coping strategy coupleship and emotional safety and so much more! Welcome to The Healing Place Podcast! I am your host, Teri Wellbrock. You can listen in on Pandora, iTunes, Blubrry, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Deezer, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and more, or directly on my website at www.teriwellbrock.com/podcasts/. You can also catch our insightful interview on YouTube. Bio: Tarah Kerwin Tarah Kerwin, along with her husband EJ, is dedicated to transforming couples' lives through meaningful connection and support. They've built not one but two companies, with their second, Relationship Renovation Coaching Consulting and Media, offering coaching sessions to couples worldwide through the innovative Relationship Renovation @ Home Program. Their goal is to provide real tools for couples to thrive, no matter where they are. The company also features a world-renowned podcast that dives into everything you want to know about relationships, helping listeners navigate the complexities of love and connection. Tarah's passion lies in helping couples experience less suffering and more growth. Tarah's journey into the field began with her Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in 2004. After beginning her career as a Marriage and Family Therapist in California, she moved to Arizona in 2010. It was there that she and EJ founded Relationship Renovation Counseling Practice, which set the foundation for their collaborative work. Through their podcast, social media programs, and the Relationship Renovation model, Tarah and EJ have made a deep impact, helping thousands of couples strengthen their relationships around the world. Website: https://relationshiprenovation.com/   Teri's #1 book as a new-release in the Aging Parents category: https://a.co/d/5m1j2Kr Teri's audiobooks: https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Teri+Wellbrock&ref=a_pd_The-Be_c1_narrator_1&pf_rd_p=df6bf89c-ab0c-4323-993a-2a046c7399f9&pf_rd_r=B7A6GV5QNZFF621RXWP4&pageLoadId=lXhpwTs0D4YwhCM8&creativeId=16015ba4-2e2d-4ae3-93c5-e937781a25cd Teri's monthly newsletter: https://us18.campaign-archive.com/?u=8265f971343b0f411b871aba1&id=1352bd63df Teri's book launch team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unicornshadows   AMAZON AFFILIATE Teri Wellbrock and Unicorn Shadows are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. In other words, I make commission off of purchases made using any affiliate links on my site.

Dr. Graham Taylor is a clinical psychologist, Chief Learning Officer at Triad, and founder of The Taylor Study Method, one of the Triad family's EPPP preparation programs. He has over 25 years of experience working in both hospital and private practice settings working with individuals, couples, and families. Graham resides in Honolulu, Hawaii where he maintains a private practice.Dr. Lawrie Ignacio is a licensed clinical psychologist and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree (B.A.) in English Literature from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. She received her Master's degree (M.A.) in Philosophy from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. In 2004, she earned her Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University, Hawaii. Dr. Ignacio teaches courses as an Adjunct Professor at Hawai'i School of Professional Psychology at Chaminade University in Honolulu and the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. Dr. Ignacio resides in Honolulu where she maintains a private practice. Her professional interests and activities include adult psychodynamic and existential psychotherapy, trauma, clinical personality assessment, and the teaching of psychology.In This Episodewww.SelfMeaningBasedTherapy.com---If you'd like to support The Trauma Therapist Podcast and the work I do you can do that here with a monthly donation of $5, $7, or $10: Donate to The Trauma Therapist Podcast.Click here to join my email list and receive podcast updates and other news.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.

Finding Alignment in a Second Career – Special Series Becoming a Therapist: An interview with Iris Wilson-Farley In this new series, Curt and Katie interview graduate students and will follow them on their journey to becoming a therapist. Our second interview is with Iris Wilson-Farley, a 54-year-old trans woman and graduate student pursuing her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Iris shares her journey moving from a 32-year corporate career to becoming a therapist, her passion for working with the LGBTQ+ community, and her reflections on safety, technology, and additional training opportunities. Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com! In this podcast episode, we meet Iris Wilson-Farley, an aspiring therapist We continue our new series on becoming a therapist, with Iris Wilson-Farley, who in her process of self-discovery realized that her career was misaligned. She is now pursuing a degree in counseling. The motivation to transition careers from HR to Therapy Iris shares how her personal journey as a transgender woman and her positive counseling experiences inspired her to pursue a more meaningful career in therapy, focusing on giving back to the LGBTQ+ community, particularly older adults. The challenges and surprises in an online graduate program for therapists Iris discusses the challenges of adjusting to an asynchronous online program, balancing studies with her HR job, and the valuable multicultural and social justice emphasis in her curriculum. The perspective gained from entering therapy grad school as a second career clinician She highlights the wisdom, emotional intelligence, and lived experiences she brings as a second-career student, including her unique insights from being a client herself. Discussing safety concerns and multicultural awareness in the mental health profession Iris reflects on addressing safety concerns as a trans therapist, particularly in the face of potential discrimination, and shares her commitment to finding a supportive and affirming work environment. How is AI and technology addressed in therapist graduate school? Drawing from her corporate experience, Iris explores the integration of technology and AI in therapy, advocating for its potential to enhance the field while emphasizing the need for ethical considerations. What additional training can be helpful when starting out as a therapist? Iris expresses interest in pursuing additional certifications in sex therapy and religious trauma to better serve the LGBTQ+ community and address gaps in her training. Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement: Our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined Modern Therapist's Survival Guide Creative Credits: Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/ Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano https://groomsymusic.com/

Dr. Supatra Tovar is one of the only clinical psychologists in the country who is also a registered dietitian and accredited fitness expert. Dr. Tovar's unique background and integrated specializations allow her to provide holistic mind-body treatment for trauma, eating disorders, depression, and anxiety for children and adults. Dr. Tovar has numerous scholarly and professional presentations at several national conferences on a variety of health topics, including the detection and treatment of disordered eating, dissociation, weightism, and mindfulness interventions for eating disorders. Dr. Tovar earned her doctorate in psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology and has two master's degrees, a Master of Science in Nutrition and a Master of Arts in Psychology. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American Psychological Association. Since founding her first Pilates studio almost twenty years ago, she has been designing exercise and nutrition programs as well as helping clients emotionally and mentally heal. She created ANEW Insight to inspire and guide a client's journey to improving their relationships with their mind, body, and spirit. https://www.anew-insight.com/podcast https://www.anew-insight.com/course Get Dr. Supatra Tovar's Book, Deprogram Diet Culture.

What makes diversity and inclusion—seemingly so simple—also so complicated and difficult to achieve? Truly bringing inclusion to life can sometimes feel quite challenging, especially when there seem to be forces pulling in many directions, and various inherent dilemmas involved in working with and across differences. In this episode, we will explore how to bring inclusion to life and how to understand and manage some of the paradoxes and tensions of inclusion. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:Leading in a diverse organization can often feel very challenging, especially given some of the pulls and pushes these days related to DEI. What is involved in inclusive leadership geared toward helping oneself and others work well with our many differences and toward gaining the benefits of diversity? In this episode, we will discuss how to bring inclusion to life -- the essence of inclusive leadership, what makes it challenging, and how to manage the inevitable tensions involved in working with and across differences. Bringing inclusion to life involves being authentic and helping others do so, fostering more experiences of inclusion for more people, and behaving and leading inclusively. But inclusion is also difficult. We will discuss and unpack core dilemmas that are part and parcel of inclusion, including the tensions between fostering self-expression and requiring mutual adaption, between being flexible and open about boundaries and norms and keeping them stable and well-defined, and between increasing comfort and safety and leaving our comfort zones and taking more risks. Join us to learn more about the everyday work of inclusive leadership.***ABOUT OUR GUEST:Dr. Bernardo Ferdman is an internationally recognized expert and thought leader on inclusion, diversity, and inclusive leadership, with over 39 years of experience in the U.S. and around the world as an organization and leadership development consultant and executive coach. He is passionate about creating a more inclusive world where more people can be fully themselves and accomplish goals effectively, productively, and authentically, and he works with leaders and employees to develop and implement effective ways of using everyone's talents and contributions and to build inclusive behavior and multicultural competencies. Bernardo is principal of Ferdman Consulting, which specializes in supporting leaders and organizations in bringing inclusion to life in leadership practices and in organizational cultures and systems, and he is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the California School of Professional Psychology, where he taught for almost 25 years. Bernardo has written extensively on inclusion and inclusive leadership; his most recent book is Inclusive Leadership: Transforming Diverse Lives, Workplaces, and Societies. He received his Ph.D. in Psychology from Yale University in 1987. He is afellow of various professional organizations and was the recipient of the Society of Consulting Psychology's 2019 Award for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Consulting.***IF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE, CAN I ASK A FAVOR?We do not receive any funding or sponsorship for this podcast. If you learned something and feel others could also benefit, please leave a positive review. Every review helps amplify our work and visibility. This is especially helpful for small women-owned boot-strapped businesses. Simply go to the bottom of the Apple Podcast page to enter a review. Thank you!***LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE:Guest LinkedIn Profile: https://linkedin.com/in/ferdman ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/ferdmanconsultingGuest Website: https://ferdmanconsulting.com (firm); https://inclusiveleader.com (book)Our website: www.gotowerscope.comhttps://linkedin.com/in/ferdman; https://www.linkedin.com/company/ferdmanconsulting; https://x.com/bferdman; https://www.instagram.com/bferdman; https://ferdmanconsulting.com (firm's website); https://inclusiveleader.com (book website)#Inclusive:leadership; #DEI; #paradoxes; bringing inclusion to life; #TheHardSkillsTune in for this empowering conversation at TalkRadio.nyc

I'm delighted to speak with Dr Jim Taylor this week. Jim is an internationally recognised authority on the psychology of performance, sport, and parenting. Jim has worked with professional, Olympic, collegiate, and junior-elite athletes in skiing, cycling, triathlon, tennis, track and field, swimming, football, golf, baseball, and many other sports.  Jim received his Bachelor's degree from Middlebury College and earned his Master's degree and Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Colorado. He is a former Associate professor in the School of Psychology at Nova University in Ft. Lauderdale and a former Clinical Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver. Jim has been a consultant for the United States and Japanese Ski Teams, the United States Tennis Association, and USA Triathlon, and has worked with professional and world-class athletes in multiple sports. He has been invited to lecture by the Olympic Committees of Spain, France, Poland, and the U.S., and has consulted with the Athletic Departments at Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley. Jim has published more than 1000 articles in scholarly and popular publications, and has given more than 1000 workshops and presentations throughout North and South America, Europe, and the Middle East. He is the author of 19 books and the co-editor of five textbooks. His books have been translated into 10 languages. A former world-ranked alpine ski racer, Jim is also a 2nd degree black belt, certified instructor, and tournament fighter in karate, marathon runner, Ironman triathlete, 2x national triathlon champion, and 3x World Championships medallist.

On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy welcome Dr. Amber Thornton, a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in parent mental health and well-being. She shares tips from her new book, “A Parent's Guide to Self-Regulation: A Practical Framework for Breaking the Cycle of Dysregulation and Mastering Emotions for Parents and Children” including how parents can help themselves and also co-regulate their children's emotions. Tune in to learn more about common “hot spots” (such as bedtime or getting out the door on time), addressing your own childhood emotional needs that may not have been met, and ways to identify and address your own dysregulation. This episode offers a good reminder to parents who may be struggling that you're not alone, you don't have to be perfect, and there are tools to help you become a better parent for yourself and your children. ABOUT DR. AMBER THORNTON:Amber is a licensed clinical psychologist and strong advocate for the mental health and well-being of parents. She loves writing and creating content online that will speak to the everyday struggles of motherhood and parenthood. She holds a BS is psychology from Ohio State University and a PsyD in clinical psychology from Wright State University School of Professional Psychology. She's an Ohio native who has made Washington, DC her home since 2018. She loves spending time with her husband and two children. Today she's here to talk to us about concept from her new book, “A Parent's Guide to Self-Regulation: A Practical Framework for Breaking the Cycle of Dysregulation and Mastering Emotions for Parents and Children,” which came out in June 2024.ABOUT US: Brainy Moms is a parenting podcast hosted by cognitive psychologist Dr. Amy Moore. Dr. Amy and her rotating co-hosts bring listeners conversations with experts on topics in parenting, child development, education, psychology, mental health, and neuroscience. Listeners leave with tips and helpful advice for helping moms and kids thrive in life, learning, and relationships. This episode is co-hosted with Sandy Zamalis. Find us and our show notes at www.TheBrainyMoms.com and follow us on social media @TheBrainyMomsCONNECT WITH US: Website: www.TheBrainyMoms.com Email: info@TheBrainyMoms.com Social Media: @TheBrainyMoms Our sponsor's website: www.LearningRx.comSandy's TikTok: @TheBrainTrainerLadyDr. Amy's brand new IG: @DrAmySaysGraceDr. Amy's website: www.AmyMoorePhD.com

“God will not have his work made manifest by cowards”  Ralph Waldo Emerson.  Join us for this delightful conversation with Dr. Beth Rom Rymer and Neill Clark on the topic of risk taking in our lives.  We contemplate ideas by Machiavelli, Goethe, Lincoln and George Washington.    We discuss psychological and moral risks - courageous action for things aligned with our values and even better, for principles greater than ourselves.  As this episode is being recorded and released, Dr. Beth Rom Rymer is running for President Elect of the American Psychological Association.    Dr. Beth Rom-Rymer's distinguished career includes groundbreaking work with survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence advocacy, and forensic geriatrics. She had been a lecturer at The University of Chicago and Northwestern University for over two decades; led the successful legislative movement for prescriptive authority in Illinois and is a national and international leader with Prescriptive Authority Movements around the globe.  Dr. Rom-Rymer co-founded and is President of the Association of Jewish Psychologists. She has won numerous awards for her work, including:   Distinguished Illinois Psychologist from the Illinois Psychological Association (2012 and 2014);  Outstanding Psychologist of the Year from APA's Division 31 (2014); APA Presidential Citation for Outstanding Leadership (2015); APA Karl Heiser Award for Legislative Advocacy (2015); Wellner Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Register of Health Service Psychologists (2016); Social Impact Leaders Award from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (2018). Neill W. Clark, JD, antitrust attorney, current Mayor of Sparta, New Jersey and coach to competitive runners, brings in some athletic examples of risk and reward.  This episode was recorded on August 20th, 2024Support the Show.This show was created with love on my volunteer time. One small gift you can give me back is to take the time to leave the show a comment and rating on iTunes. You can also support the production costs of the show by buying me a $3 coffee at buymeacoffee.com/dralexandra. I will be encouraged by your support, and thank you!

 Episode NotesHave you ever wondered any of these: What the science is behind creativity? What causes creativity in the brain? What part of the brain is used in creativity? Or maybe even how to activate creativity in the brain? In this episode Kate speaks with Dr. Cheryl Arutt a clinical and forensic psychologist based in Los Angeles, California working with actors, writers, directors and showrunners supporting their psychological well-being. A specialist in trauma recovery, creativity and post-traumatic growth, Dr. Cheryl is currently Access Hollywood's go-to psychologist for trauma issues, a frequent psychological expert on many networks including CNN, HLN and DiscoveryID, and has been interviewed by the BBC and 20/20 Australia.  For more information about Dr. Cheryl please visit askdrcheryl.com, and for info about her online courses for creative artists please visit www.thecreativeresilience.comDr. Cheryl explains how creativity works and what it even is from a Brain Science Perspective. We talk about the link between education and creativity. I ask her if we are doing enough to foster creativity & creating thinking in the school system? And she gives us some actionable things we can do at home for ourselves and our children to rev our own creative engines. One of my favourite moments though, comes towards the end  when I ask her about the possibility of the opposite of inheriting generational trauma existing. We know we can inherit trauma but can we inherit magical wonderful things too? We shared a really tender moment - one where I felt like she was talking to ALL of us. It's beautiful, uplifting and inspiring.  I think you'll be really moved by it. What Dr. Cheryl Arutt & I talk about-What creativity IS from a brain science perspective. -What is really going on inside our psychology when people say “I'm not creative”-Why processing trauma including intergenerational trauma, and converting it to post traumatic growth is so important (and is absolutely possible)-The link between education and creativity. Are we fostering creativity and creating thinking enough in the school system? And if we are seeing that our children are not getting as much focus on creativity in school what can we do at home? -What is the one question you can ask yourself (or your kids) to kick start your creativity (what is another way to do that/look at that/solve that)-How the “we only use 10% of our brains” thing is a myth-How to use creativity to safely access our traumas -What is EMDR (eye movement and desensitization and reprocessing therapy how it was discovered and how creative people can use it to heal trauma and access even more of their innate creativity-Post traumatic growth - learning to integrate and recognize all the ways you grew as a person as a result of living through your trauma-What she thinks creativity is trying to do - from a brain science perspectiveAbout Dr. Cheryl AruttDr. Cheryl Arutt is an accomplished clinical and forensic psychologist based in Beverly Hills, CA whose amalgamation of rigorous training and experience allows her to engage with people from a place of deep insight and empathy. Through compassion, skill and sometimes even humor, she helps her patients uncover what is in the way of living a full-access life, empowering them to move forward.Following over 20 years as a working actor, Dr. Cheryl's interest in human behavior shifted to psychology after volunteering on a crisis line. With scholarships from both SAG and AFTRA to study at University of California, Los Angeles, Dr. Cheryl graduated summa cum laude and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She earned her Doctor of Psychology degree from California School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles, where she received the Outstanding Doctoral Project Award for her Clinical Dissertation: Healing Together: A program for couples coping with the aftermath of rape.Her postdoctoral fellowship at WILA culminated in a certificate of psychoanalytic psychotherapy, and she received further advanced training in Interpersonal Neurobiology with Dr. Daniel Siegel, with whom she gave a TEDx talk. A lifelong student of power dynamics and an ally for social justice, Dr. Cheryl taught courses to PhD and PsyD students at Allliant International University/CSPP, including: Intercultural Processes and Human Diversity, Sex Roles and Gender, Ethics and Clinical Interviewing.Dr. Cheryl Arutt - Clinical PsychologistAs a trauma specialist, Dr. Cheryl helps her patients understand how adaptations to the source of distress often outlive their usefulness and provides guidance and inspiration to navigate life from a place of wholeness. In continual pursuit of deepening her knowledge of trauma recovery and post-traumatic growth, Dr. Cheryl is devoted to continuing education in effective and evidence-based therapies, including EMDR therapy. A certified Rape and Domestic Violence counselor for decades, Dr. Cheryl also serves on the Board of the national victim's organization, PAVE, dedicated to shattering the silence of sexual violence.  Dr. Cheryl understands and supports the unique needs and challenges of creative artists and performers. In collaboration with Dr. Cheryl, actors, writers, showrunners, musicians and other creative professionals learn to thrive and clear obstacles to their success and happiness, both personally and professionally. She is a firm believer that the best way to protect the art is to protect the artist.In addition to working with people in private practice, Dr. Cheryl enjoys speaking to professional organizations, institutions of higher learning, at events and on television about creative resilience, post-traumatic growth, recovery from trauma and why people do what they do.  Dr. Cheryl Arutt: website | facebook | instagram | twitterKate Shepherd: art | website | instagram | twitterMorning Moon Nature Jewelry | website |  instagramCreative Genius Podcast | website | instagram Resources discussed in this episode:-Dan Siegel, MD-Dan Siegel's “Window of Tolerance”-EMDR Institute-Access Hollywood video about EMDR-Bessel van der Kolk, MD book: The Body Keeps the Score 

Dr. Carpenter and his spouse, Mary A. Carpenter, LMSW are the founders of Insight Counseling Services. Dr. Carpenter has a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Forest Institute of Professional Psychology; earned a Master of Science in Counseling and Substance Abuse Rehabilitation from Pace University, and has an Associates of Arts in Theological Studies from Kent Christian College. In this episode Sathiya and Dr. Carpenter discuss: [04:05] The Definition of Sexual Abuse [08:32] The Complexity and Importance of Sexual Abuse [10:32] Indicators and Symptoms of Sexual Abuse [10:49] Topic 1: Signs of abuse in children [12:21] Topic 2: Sexual identity confusion in male victims [15:08] Topic 3: Impact on self-identity and masculinity [22:45] The impact of sexual abuse on sexuality [23:35] The influence of cultural experience on defining sexual abuse [25:56] Conditioning and sexual orientation [34:23] Early Orientation Feelings [34:41] Psychosexual Developmental Timeline [41:58] Link between Sexual Abuse and Sexual Addiction [46:12] The importance of personal growth [47:57] Resources for personal growth"

Finally! A catch-up with Rayell Grayson, LCPC CADC, owner and president of Head/Heart Therapy, the practice I built, owned for a decade, and sold last year. Tea is spilled, fears are expressed, and love is freely shared.  Our convo demonstrates the myriad ways owners can show up––for ourselves, our employees, and the leaders who will one day succeed us, especially if that future owner holds multiple intersectional identities. GUEST BIO Rayell Grayson, LCPC CADC, (she/her/hers) is a therapist, a mentor, and the owner of Head Heart Therapy. She is a licensed clinical professional counselor and certified addictions counselor, holding a Master's of Arts degree in clinical counseling psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. AUTHENTIC LEADERS GROUP  Are you a therapist stepping into leadership for the first time?  Or maybe you've been in a leadership position for a while, but are bumping up against new struggles? Our Authentic Leadership Group is here to help you become the authentic and wholehearted leader you aspire to be. And we believe this journey is best undertaken with the guidance of experienced mentors alongside fellow learners. Next cohort starts November 2024!  Join Sarah in this journey of self-discovery and leadership mastery, where you'll enhance your leadership skills and forge meaningful connections with fellow therapists who are committed to their own growth and the betterment of the therapy field. Register now at https://www.headheartbiztherapy.com/authentic-leaders-group SUPPORT THE SHOW Conversations With a Wounded Healer Merch Join our Patreon for gifts & perks Shop our Bookshop.org store and support local booksellers Share a rating & review on Apple Podcasts *** Let's be friends! You can find us in the following places… Sarah's Website: www.headheartbiztherapy.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeadHeartBizTherapy/ Instagram: @headheartbiztherapy Anne's Website: www.spareroomwellness.com Instagram: @spareroomwellness  

Welcome to the Arete Coach Podcast with host Severin Sorensen and his guest Gail Schaper-Gordon, Ph.D. In this episode, Severin speaks with Gail, a Vistage Executive Coach, business psychologist, organizational consultant, and experienced CEO. Gail has 22 years of experience as a successful CEO and business leader, having founded and run several small to mid-market professional service companies, including Aegis Psychological Corporation and Behavioral Health Information Management Systems, which were cornerstones of a behavioral health care delivery system of more than 500 mental health care providers serving a quarter of a million individuals. She received her Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of California and her Ph.D. in Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology. In this engaging conversation, Severin and Gail explore her pathway into executive coaching, her Vistage Chair practice, and her passion for business psychology. Gail shares her approach to coaching, emphasizing the importance of resilience and adaptability in both personal and professional life. She discusses the power of leaning into one's uniqueness and embracing different perspectives to drive change and create value. Gail also highlights the significance of deep listening and empathy in coaching, describing her method as being fully present and listening from a deep feeling place. Throughout the discussion, Gail's commitment to continuous learning and growth shines through as she shares her passions, heartaches, and the many ways she contributes her mindshare, wisdom, and energy to others. This episode aligns perfectly with the Arete Coach Podcast's mission to explore the art and science of executive coaching. Gail Schaper-Gordon's memorable quotes r capture key insights from the conversation. "The best questions and the most powerful questions are the ones that I don't even remember asking and that people come back and tell me about them." "You learn that you take your time, you find your right space to grieve, and then you go back. It's not about being consumed by grief. It's about continuing with life and managing all that." "My why is to make sense so that people with us why observe about elements of every situation and make sense out of them. They take complicated or what may appear to be complicated factors, problems, concepts, and organize them to create solutions that are sensible and easy to implement." - "I think that I've learned that the less my opinion is expressed in a group, the less that they hear what my idea of a solution would be in a group meeting. And the more that I listen and give them the space, the better." The Arete Coach Podcast seeks to explore the art and science of executive coaching. You can find out more about this podcast at aretecoach.io. This interview was conducted on November 23, 2021, via Zoom Video. Copyright © 2024 by Arete Coach™ LLC. All rights reserved.