Podcasts about ucla semel institute

What does it really mean to grieve — and when does grief become a danger to your life? In this weighty episode, host Gabe Howard sits down with Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor, a leading expert in psychology whose work on grief and loss has touched millions. Dr. O'Connor shares groundbreaking insights on the subtle yet critical differences between the stereotypical grief process and prolonged grief, revealing why your heart can literally stop functioning due to loss. From staggering statistics showing a man's heart attack risk skyrockets on the day his spouse dies, to the intimate science of how our bonds regulate our well-being, this conversation is as thought-provoking as it is moving. Discover practical strategies to navigate those raw, overwhelming moments of loss, and learn how to build a personal toolkit for healing. Whether you're coping with grief yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode promises a deep, human exploration into turning heartbreak into hope. This episode has been sponsored by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). “It's not just that you're having grief, which is normal. It's that we're unable to find a way to adapt given that we have grief. So people with prolonged grief feel like life holds no meaning anymore, or they feel so angry and bitter about what's happened that they have trouble connecting with their living loved ones.” ~ Mary-Frances O'Connor, PhD Our guest, Mary-Frances O'Connor, PhD, is a professor of psychology at the University of Arizona, where she directs the Grief, Loss and Social Stress (GLASS) Lab, investigating the effects of grief on the brain and the body. Her book “The Grieving Brain” was included on Oprah's list of Best Books to Comfort a Grieving Friend. O'Connor holds a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Arizona and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in psychoneuroimmunology at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Having grown up in Montana, she now lives in Tucson, Arizona. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can't imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first-ever clinical trial of ketogenic therapy for pediatric bipolar disorder is now enrolling.In March, we announced two new initiatives funded by the Baszucki Group aiming to explore ketogenic metabolic therapy in pediatric bipolar patients.The first major initiative—now actively enrolling participants—is a multi-site clinical trial conducted by four institutions within the Baszucki Group-funded Child and Adolescent Bipolar Network (CABIN): the UCLA Semel Institute, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.In this video, Dr. David Miklowitz, a renowned expert in adolescent bipolar disorder and the study's lead investigator, joins Dr. Bret Scher to discuss the new trial.As a Professor of Psychiatry at the UCLA Semel Institute and Senior Clinical Research Fellow at Oxford University, Dr. Miklowitz brings decades of insight to the discussion. Together, they explore the design and objectives of this groundbreaking study and share how families in Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Denver, and Pittsburgh can take part in this important research effort aimed at transforming outcomes for young people living with bipolar disorder.In this interview you'll learn:✅ The challenges of diagnosing bipolar disorder in kids and teens✅ How family involvement impacts long-term outcomes✅ Why standard treatment approaches may not always work for adolescents✅ The potential benefits of ketogenic therapy as an adjunctive treatmentFor those interested in enrolling in the study, visit the link below to learn more about the study, the participant criteria, and how to enroll!https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06920940?term=miklowitz&rank=1Expert Featured:Dr. David Miklowitzhttps://www.uclahealth.org/providers/david-miklowitzResources Mentioned:Living Well with Bipolar Disorder by Dr. David MiklowitzCMEs Mentioned:Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hopehttps://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illnesshttps://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/About us:Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Despite grief being one of the most universal of human experiences, there is still much that we do not know about it. Can we die of a broken heart? What happens in our bodies as we grieve; how do our coping behaviors affect our physical health, immunity, and even cognition? While we may be more familiar with psychological and emotional ramifications of loss and sorrow, we often overlook its impact on our physical bodies. In The Grieving Body: How the Stress of Loss Can Be an Opportunity for Healing, the follow-up to its successful predecessor The Grieving Brain (2022), grief expert, neuroscientist, and psychologist Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor focuses on how the painful ordeal of grief impacts the body. O'Connor shares scientific research, charts, and graphs coupled with personal stories, revealing new insights on grief's physiological impact and helping illuminate the toll that loss takes on our cardiovascular, endocrine, and immune systems and the larger implications for our long-term well-being. The Grieving Body is for anyone who has experienced loss and who may want to learn more about what they are going through and how to support them. Mary-Frances O'Connor, PhD, is a professor of psychology at the University of Arizona, where she directs the Grief, Loss and Social Stress (GLASS) Lab, investigating the effects of grief on the brain and the body. Her book The Grieving Brain was included on Oprah's list of Best Books to Comfort a Grieving Friend. O'Connor holds a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Arizona and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in psychoneuroimmunology at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Dr. Anthony Back, Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington, is a pioneer in patient-oncologist communication and co-founder of the nonprofit VitalTalk. Educated at Stanford and Harvard, with training at UW and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, his research spans physician-assisted dying, communication pedagogy, and psilocybin therapy for healthcare providers and patients with cancer-related anxiety. He is also an ordained Zen priest in Roshi Joan Halifax's lineage.   Buy the Book The Grieving Body: How the Stress of Loss Can Be an Opportunity for Healing Elliott Bay Book Company

Not every OCD theme is about a fear, sometimes it is about a feeling. That is the case with Tourettic OCD. Tourettic OCD is not triggered by an intrusive thought, but rather a somatic urge. Compulsions can include sudden, repetitive movements or vocalizations.It can be tricky to figure out what is a tic and what is tourettic OCD. That is why I invited Dr. John Piacentini to the show. Dr. John Piacentini is a Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the UCLA School of Medicine and Director of the Child OCD, Anxiety, and Tic Disorders Program at the UCLA Semel Institute. In addition, he is Chief of Child Psychology for the Semel Institute Medical Psychology Program and Chair of the UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital. In this week's AT Parenting Survival Podcast Dr. Piacentini breaks down the difference between Tourette's, tics and OCD - and helps clarify what Tourettic OCD is and how it is treated.To learn more about Dr. Piacentini and The Child OCD, Anxiety, and Tic Disorders Program at the UCLA Semel Institute click here.***This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go tohttps://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parentingThis podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.Parents, do you need more support?

David Miklowitz, Ph.D., has been pioneering family psychoeducational treatments for bipolar disorder by integrating psychotherapy and family therapy with medication. Dr. Miklowitz's research emphasizes the critical role families play in identifying the early signs of bipolar disorder and how family members can help a patient implement effective strategies in managing their symptoms.  This episode of Menninger Clinic's Mind Dive Podcast features Dr. Miklowitz, accomplished psychologist and author, joining Menninger Clinic clinicians and co-hosts Dr. Kerry Horrell  and Dr. Bob Boland for a comprehensive look at bipolar disorder, its effect on family dynamics and how patients and their families can work together to better navigate life after a diagnosis. Dr. Miklowitz is a professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Medicine and a senior clinical researcher at the University of Oxford. He directs the Child and Adolescent Mood Disorders Program and the Integrative Study Center in Mood Disorders at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Dr. Miklowitz is also a renowned author and his latest book, “Living Well with Bipolar Disorder: Practical Strategies for Improving Your Daily Life”, will be available September 16th, 2024.   “There is a grief over the lost healthy self where people start thinking of their lives as bifurcated before and after they became ill,” Dr. Miklowitz mentioned. “We try to help normalize it and help them figure out what is their personality versus their disorder.” Follow The Menninger Clinic on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to stay up to date on new Mind Dive episodes. To submit a topic for discussion, email podcast@menninger.edu. If you are a new or regular listener, please leave us a review on your favorite listening platform! Visit The Menninger Clinic website to learn more about The Menninger Clinic's research and leadership role in mental health.

If your child is afraid to speak around certain people, like adults or strangers, or in certain situations, like at school, they may be struggling with selective mutism. Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder characterized by an inability to speak in certain settings and to certain people. It is commonly misunderstood as shyness or a child could even be misdiagnosed as having Autism Spectrum Disorder or Oppositional Defiance Disorder. But what exactly is selective mutism and how can we tell the difference?  Today's guest helps demystify selective mutism and offers a lot of insight into ways we can help children thrive. Dr. Danielle Cornacchio is the newest member of ChildNEXUS! She is a clinical child psychologist specializing in evidence-based treatments for childhood anxiety, OCD, and disruptive behavior disorders. Dr. Cornacchio has particular expertise in behavioral treatment for childhood selective mutism. In this episode, Dr. Cornacchio explains what selective mutism is, but perhaps more importantly, she explains what it is not. She takes the time to describe what treatment for selective mutism might look like and emphasizes the importance of parent education and participation. Listen to learn more about this often misunderstood condition.   Show Notes: [2:27] - Selective mutism is classified as an anxiety disorder. It is a consistent failure to speak in certain situations despite speaking fine in others. [4:03] - Selective mutism is not Autism Spectrum Disorder or Oppositional Defiance Disorder. It is often misunderstood or misdiagnosed. [7:13] - Kids with selective mutism will typically speak around their parents and siblings at home but won't speak at school. [11:24] - Information and research on treatment for selective mutism is very new but Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the most beneficial. [14:04] - Dr. Cornacchio shares some of the ways selective mutism shows up including learning situations where talking is not necessary and something called contamination. [17:58] - Therapy sessions once a week are not enough if parents and family members are not also working with a child at home. [21:14] - It's human nature to want to protect your children and reduce their stress, but to overcome challenges, children need to step out of their comfort zones. [24:13] - Dr. Cornacchio demonstrates the steps in early therapy sessions with children with selective mutism including behavior descriptions and labeled praise. [26:34] - The type of question that we ask a child who is ready to speak really matters. [28:11] - Giving children ample time to answer a question can be uncomfortable for parents. [29:29] - After 5 seconds of wait time, if the child does not answer, Dr. Cornacchio demonstrates how to rephrase the question and try something different. [31:47] - But what happens if the child still does not answer a question after different strategies? [33:29] - Teachers do not have the luxury of trying questions multiple times and waiting for answers. But there is a Plan B for teachers to not ever give up on a question. [37:37] - It is important to connect with a provider, but it is challenging to find one that treats selective mutism.   About Our Guest: Dr. Cornacchio completed her PhD in Clinical Science in Child and Adolescent Psychology at Florida International University and her predoctoral internship training at the UCLA Semel Institute. She currently serves as a clinical instructor at the UCLA Psychology Department. Dr. Cornacchio founded and currently directs The WaveMind Clinic in Los Angeles, a clinic dedicated to providing specialized care to children and families with a variety of mental health needs, including selective mutism, OCD, and disruptive behavior disorders. She directs a training program for psychology students and postdoctoral trainees learning Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and treatment for childhood selective mutism. Dr. Cornacchio leads training for educators and professionals interested in learning more about how to treat selective mutism. Dr. Cornacchio's research interests focus on innovative treatment formats for difficult-to-treat child anxiety. She conducted the first randomized controlled trial of an intensive group treatment program for children with selective mutism and is currently co-authoring a manual that's in press on the delivery of intensive treatment for children with selective mutism.    Connect with Dr. Danielle Cornacchio: WaveMind Clinic Website ChildNEXUS Provider Profile Email: dcornacchio@wavemindclinic.com    Links and Related Resources: Selective Mutism Association website with many resources and a provider database Dr. Steve Kurtz's Selective Mutism Learning University self-guided course   Connect with Us: Get on our Email List Book a Consultation Get Support and Connect with a ChildNEXUS Provider Register for Our Self-Paced Mini Courses with LIVE AMA Sessions   The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

Introducing Ultrahuman's ‘Easing Depression' curated by Diana Winston.In this series, you will learn 5 science-backed practices to help prevent depressive thoughts and emotions by training your mind to be in the present moment.Diana Winston is the Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA Semel Institute's Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC), a best-selling author and an internationally renowned mindfulness teacher. For the full experience download the Ultrahuman App.For the full experience download the Ultrahuman apphttps://ultrahuman.onelink.me/QqSM/rr0l4xan

Introducing Ultrahuman's ‘Easing Depression' curated by Diana Winston.In this series, you will learn 5 science-backed practices to help prevent depressive thoughts and emotions by training your mind to be in the present moment.Diana Winston is the Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA Semel Institute's Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC), a best-selling author and an internationally renowned mindfulness teacher. For the full experience download the Ultrahuman App.For the full experience download the Ultrahuman apphttps://ultrahuman.onelink.me/QqSM/rr0l4xan

Introducing Ultrahuman's ‘Easing Depression' curated by Diana Winston.In this series, you will learn 5 science-backed practices to help prevent depressive thoughts and emotions by training your mind to be in the present moment.Diana Winston is the Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA Semel Institute's Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC), a best-selling author and an internationally renowned mindfulness teacher. For the full experience download the Ultrahuman App.For the full experience download the Ultrahuman apphttps://ultrahuman.onelink.me/QqSM/rr0l4xan

Introducing Ultrahuman's ‘Easing Depression' curated by Diana Winston.In this series, you will learn 5 science-backed practices to help prevent depressive thoughts and emotions by training your mind to be in the present moment.Diana Winston is the Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA Semel Institute's Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC), a best-selling author and an internationally renowned mindfulness teacher. For the full experience download the Ultrahuman App.For the full experience download the Ultrahuman apphttps://ultrahuman.onelink.me/QqSM/rr0l4xan

Introducing Ultrahuman's ‘Easing Depression' curated by Diana Winston.In this series, you will learn 5 science-backed practices to help prevent depressive thoughts and emotions by training your mind to be in the present moment.Diana Winston is the Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA Semel Institute's Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC), a best-selling author and an internationally renowned mindfulness teacher. For the full experience download the Ultrahuman App.For the full experience download the Ultrahuman apphttps://ultrahuman.onelink.me/QqSM/rr0l4xan

Introducing Ultrahuman's ‘Easing Depression' curated by Diana Winston.In this series, you will learn 5 science-backed practices to help prevent depressive thoughts and emotions by training your mind to be in the present moment.Diana Winston is the Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA Semel Institute's Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC), a best-selling author and an internationally renowned mindfulness teacher. For the full experience download the Ultrahuman App.For the full experience download the Ultrahuman apphttps://ultrahuman.onelink.me/QqSM/rr0l4xan

Introducing Ultrahuman's ‘Easing Depression' curated by Diana Winston.In this series, you will learn 5 science-backed practices to help prevent depressive thoughts and emotions by training your mind to be in the present moment.Diana Winston is the Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA Semel Institute's Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC), a best-selling author and an internationally renowned mindfulness teacher. For the full experience download the Ultrahuman App.For the full experience download the Ultrahuman apphttps://ultrahuman.onelink.me/QqSM/rr0l4xan

Introducing Ultrahuman's ‘Easing Depression' curated by Diana Winston.In this series, you will learn 5 science-backed practices to help prevent depressive thoughts and emotions by training your mind to be in the present moment.Diana Winston is the Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA Semel Institute's Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC), a best-selling author and an internationally renowned mindfulness teacher. For the full experience download the Ultrahuman App.For the full experience download the Ultrahuman apphttps://ultrahuman.onelink.me/QqSM/rr0l4xan

Introducing Ultrahuman's ‘Easing Depression' curated by Diana Winston.In this series, you will learn 5 science-backed practices to help prevent depressive thoughts and emotions by training your mind to be in the present moment.Diana Winston is the Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA Semel Institute's Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC), a best-selling author and an internationally renowned mindfulness teacher. For the full experience download the Ultrahuman App.For the full experience download the Ultrahuman apphttps://ultrahuman.onelink.me/QqSM/rr0l4xan

Join authors of Whiteout and Robin D.G. Kelley for a discussion of the roots of the surprisingly white opioid crisis in racial capitalism. In the past two decades, media images of the surprisingly white “new face” of the US opioid crisis abounded. But why was the crisis so white? Some argued that skyrocketing overdoses were “deaths of despair” signaling deeper socioeconomic anguish in white communities. Whiteout makes the counterintuitive case that the opioid crisis was the product of white racial privilege as well as despair. Anchored by interviews, data, and riveting firsthand narratives from three leading experts—an addiction psychiatrist, a policy advocate, and a drug historian—Whiteout reveals how a century of structural racism in drug policy, and in profit-oriented medical industries led to mass white overdose deaths. The authors implicate racially segregated health care systems, the racial assumptions of addiction scientists, and relaxed regulation of pharmaceutical marketing to white consumers. Whiteout is an unflinching account of how racial capitalism is toxic for all Americans. In this special event hosted by Haymarket, Robin D.G. Kelley will discuss with the authors Helena Hansen, Jules Netherland, and David Herzberg how Whiteness drove the opioid crisis. ———————————————————————————————————————————————— Get a copy of Whiteout from Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/1039/978052038... ———————————————————————————————————————————————— Panelists: Helena Hansen, an MD, Ph.D. psychiatrist-anthropologist, is the interim chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and interim director of the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA. She is the author of Addicted to Christ: Remaking Men in Puerto Rican Pentecostal Drug Ministries (UC Press 2018) and is editor of Structural Competency in Mental Health and Medicine: a Case Based Approach to Treating the Social Determinants of Health (Springer 2019). Julie “Jules” Netherland, PhD, is the managing director of the Department of Research and Academic Engagement at the Drug Policy Alliance. Netherland previously worked in DPA's New York Policy Office where she was instrumental in passing New York's first medical marijuana laws. She is the editor of Critical Perspectives on Addiction (Emerald Press, 2012). David Herzberg is Professor of History at the University at Buffalo (SUNY). He researches the history of drugs and drug policy in America with a focus on pharmaceuticals. He is the author of two books: White Market Drugs: Big Pharma and the Hidden History of Addiction in America and Happy Pills in America: From Miltown to Prozac. He is also co-editor of Social History of Alcohol and Drugs: An Interdisciplinary Journal, the journal of the Alcohol and Drug History Society. Robin D.G. Kelley is Professor and Gary B. Nash Endowed Chair in U.S. History at UCLA. He is the author of Hammer and Hoe, Race Rebels, Freedom Dreams: The Black Radical Imagination, and Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original, among other titles. His writing has been featured in the Journal of American History, American Historical Review, Black Music Research Journal, African Studies Review, New York Times, The Crisis, The Nation, and Voice Literary Supplement. Watch the live event recording: https://youtu.be/dDr0kA6XmMo Buy books from Haymarket: www.haymarketbooks.org Follow us on Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/haymarketbooks This event is sponsored by the Drug Policy Alliance, Boston Review, University of California Press, University at Buffalo (SUNY) and Haymarket Books.

In this episode, we connect with Dr. David Miklowitz, a Professor of Psychiatry in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the UCLA Semel Institute, and a Senior Clinical Research Fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at Oxford University. As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Miklowitz specializes in adolescents and children that suffer from bipolar disorder. By utilizing the resources that the family unit can offer, he has developed effective strategies to treat young people who suffer from this illness. Dr. Miklowitz wants to give people tools to manage their disorder – or support a loved one with the illness. With this in mind, he wrote The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide: What You and Your Family Need to Know, a book that outlines how to deal with mood episodes, reduce recurrences, avoid misdiagnosis, get the most out of treatment, resolve family conflicts, and more… Offer: Magnesium is integral for 600+ biochemical processes in the human body. The common misconception is that consuming more magnesium will automatically improve health and well-being. The truth is that there are various forms of magnesium, each of which is essential for a variety of physiological processes. Most people are inadequate in all forms of magnesium, while even those considered "healthy" typically only ingest 1 or 2 kinds. Consuming all 7 of magnesium's primary forms is the key to accessing all its health benefits.That's why we packed 7 forms of 450mg of elemental magnesium into each serving of  Wild Mag Complex. One dose a day is all you need. Learn more and grab a bottle today at WildFoods.co. Use code GENIUS for 10% off your order. Jump into the conversation now to discover: How bipolar disorder is characterized. How family-focused therapy can be effective in treating bipolar disorder. Three kinds of bipolar disorder, and what the symptoms are. The differences between “ordinary teenage behavior” and bipolar disorder. How early intervention can help prevent certain symptoms. To find out more about Dr. Miklowitz and his work, click here now! Episode also available on Apple Podcast: http://apple.co/30PvU9C

What is the best approach for preventing youth with substance use disorder? Learn from Dr. Sid Puri who reaches kids with SUD in LA County. "Prevention begins at birth or before." "It's the end of casual drug use" - because of fentanyl Dr. Siddarth Puri Dr. Puri is the Associate Medical Director of Prevention at the division of Substance Abuse Prevention and Control (SAPC) at the Los Angeles Department of Public Health and an attending on the addiction consult service at Los Angeles County-USC Hospital. He completed his medical education at UC Davis and his adult psychiatric residency and both his child and adolescent, and addiction psychiatry fellowships at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.

Our guest Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor is a renowned grief expert, author, neuroscientist, and an associate professor of psychology at the University of Arizona, where she directs the Grief, Loss, and Social Stress (GLASS) Lab, which investigates the effects of grief on the brain and the body. In this episode, she discusses groundbreaking discoveries about what happens in our brain when we grieve, providing a new paradigm for understanding love, loss, and learning about the changes that occur in the brain during the grief process, and how we can develop a toolkit to go about restoring a meaningful life while grieving. In her new book, The Grieving Brain, Mary-Frances O'Connor, PhD, gives us a fascinating new window into one of the hallmark experiences of being human. O'Connor has devoted decades to researching the effects of grief on the brain, and in this book, she makes cutting-edge neuroscience accessible through her contagious enthusiasm, and guides us through how we encode love and grief. With love, our neurons help us form attachments to others; but, with loss, our brain must come to terms with where our loved ones went, or how to imagine a future that encompasses their absence. Based on O'Connor's own trailblazing neuroimaging work, research in the field, and her real-life stories, The Grieving Brain does what the best popular science books do, combining storytelling, accessible science, and practical knowledge that will help us better understand what happens when we grieve and how to navigate loss with more ease and grace. Learn more at her website: https://www.maryfrancesoconnor.com/ About Mary-Frances O'Connor, PhD is an associate professor of psychology at the University of Arizona, where she directs the Grief, Loss and Social Stress (GLASS) Lab, investigating the effects of grief on the brain and the body. O'Connor earned a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Arizona in 2004, and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in psychoneuroimmunology at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Following a faculty appointment at UCLA Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, she returned to the University of Arizona in 2012. Having grown up in Montana, she now lives in sunny Tucson, Arizona. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aimatmelanoma/support

When is it important to consider an evaluation for your child? Well, the earlier the better. But then the question is, what are the differences between evaluations and which is best for your child? My guest on today's episode helps break it down and dives deep into the differences between a neuropsychological evaluation and a psychoeducational evaluation. Not only that, but we also discuss the challenges of evaluating non-English speakers and identifying neurodevelopmental disorders in children whose native language is not English. I am thrilled to have Dr. Vindia Fernandez with me today. Dr. Fernandez is a pediatric neuropsychologist who specializes in working with children, adolescents, and young adults with neurodevelopmental issues including autism, epilepsy, ADHD, and learning disabilities as well as schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. As a private practice neuropsychologist in Southern California, she also sees the impact and importance of culturally and linguistically appropriate evaluations. Today she shares with us her valuable expertise. Show Notes: [0:48] - Dr. Fernandez is the founder of the Center for Pediatric Neuropsychology to address the growing need for appropriate evaluations for Latino/a children. [2:16] - Dr. Fernandez defines a psychoeducational evaluation, as that is the most commonly used assessment offered to parents of school-aged children. [3:40] - A neuropsychological evaluation is not a specific type of evaluation but more an assessment performed by a neuropsychologist. [5:19] - It not only helps identify the learning difficulties a child may have, but also gets deeper into the medical side of things to find possible underlying medical issues. [7:01] - The purpose of an evaluation in schools is different from the evaluations done when a parent goes to see a neuropsychologist.  [8:50] - Psychologists in a private practice have a lot more flexibility in diagnosing as opposed to the more narrow guidelines of a school evaluation. [9:36] - A diagnosis is important but it is what you do with that information that is the most valuable. [11:04] - Dr. Fernandez wrote an article about dyslexia and she discusses some of the reasons why students could have trouble reading. [13:54] - The intervention and accommodations that are recommended as a result of the evaluation will certainly differ depending on what those results are. [15:31] - Oftentimes there is more than one issue that the student is struggling with. All issues need to have an intervention simultaneously. [17:32] - For a period of time, minority or underrepresented populations were overrepresented in special education. [18:44] - Several laws have since been passed as a result of some landmark cases in education. [20:00] - Some immigrant parents may not have a lot of experience with formal education and may feel uncomfortable in a professional setting. [21:49] - Developing rapport with parents is important. [22:37] - The parent interviews and questionnaires that are a part of the evaluation process will vary in detail. Some parents share a lot of information and others do not.  [25:52] - One myth is that bilingual children automatically have a limited vocabulary when they learn two languages simultaneously. [27:42] - We should not overpathologize differences in learning, but working with specific populations, it is important to be aware of various cultures and backgrounds. [29:37] - The types of children Dr. Fernandez usually sees are the ones who are struggling in school in comparison to their peers.  [31:25] - When there's a level of distress associated with the learning difficulty that can't be explained by normal development, the behaviors are red flags. [33:21] - Don't ignore your gut feeling. If you feel that your child is struggling more than their peers, seek an evaluation to determine the root cause of the struggle.   About Our Guest: Dr. Fernandez obtained her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Houston where she studied pediatric neuropsychology and completed research on the neuroanatomical markers of dyslexia. She completed her APA-accredited internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the UCLA Semel Institute. Her specialty training includes working with children, adolescents, and young adults with neurodevelopmental issues including autism, epilepsy, ADHD, and learning disabilities as well as schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. Dr. Fernandez has also worked closely with the UCLA PEERS Program and developed a passion for teaching social skills to neurodiverse youth. In 2017, Dr. Fernandez founded the Center for Pediatric Neuropsychology in part to address the growing need for culturally and linguistically appropriate evaluations for Latino/a children. She is an attending clinician and volunteer clinical faculty member in the UCLA Hispanic Neuropsychiatric Center of Excellence and collaborates with the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health on program development and training.   Connect with Dr. Vindia Fernandez: PediatricNeuropsych.com ChildNEXUS Provider Profile - Vindia G. Fernandez, Ph.D.   Links and Resources: ChildNEXUS Home Page Dyslexia Blog Article ChildNEXUS Live Back to School Town Hall   Join our email list so that you can receive information about upcoming webinars - ChildNEXUS.com The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

Dr. Wasserman is a licensed clinical psychologist with areas of specialization in posttraumatic stress, intergenerational trauma, and military behavioral health. She is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Pepperdine University's Graduate School of Education and Psychology. She also co-directs the Jerry Butler Pepperdine Union Rescue Mission Counseling Center, a student training clinic that provides services for Los Angeles' homeless, where she also facilitates group supervision. Dr. Wasserman's areas of scholarship include war-related trauma, cultural, historical, and intergenerational trauma, post-traumatic growth, and resilience.  She teaches courses on psychological assessment, interpersonal skills and group therapy, and the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders in the MA programs. In addition, she teaches doctoral practicum, psychological assessment, and dissertation intensive within the PsyD program. After graduating from University of California, Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Religious Studies, Dr. Wasserman earned her master's degree in Psychology and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. She completed her predoctoral internship at UCLA Semel Institute and a formal two-year postdoctoral fellowship at UCLA's Nathanson Family Resilience Center, working primarily with military and veteran families and individuals who have experienced trauma. During fellowship, she created and authored a manualized training program for military and veteran families to help support reintegration following the transition from active duty to veteran status. Dr. Wasserman maintains a private practice in the Los Angeles area where she specializes in posttraumatic stress disorder, sexual trauma, intergenerational trauma, and military/veteran behavioral health. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Families OverComing Under Stress, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and integrates these practices in her work with clients.  In her free time, Dr. Wasserman can be found hiking with her partner and dog and frequenting a local farmers' market.Contact info (Email, website, phone#, social media handles) for the notes of the show info@drmeli.comwww.drmeli.com(818) 705-6806@DrMeliWasserman Support the show

For many families in the NICU community, specialist appointments and recurring hospital stays are not uncommon. And it can feel challenging to know how to not only navigate their ongoing medical challenges and procedures, but also to ensure that they feel seen, heard, and validated throughout their experiences. Which is why we are thrilled to have a conversation with Dr. Eric Riklin of the UCLA Family Development Program as a guest for today's podcast episode!Dr. Riklin not only brings the wisdom of a Clinical Psychologist to this episode, but he also offers his own personal experience of spending a large majority of his childhood in a medical facility undergoing multiple medical procedures and facial reconstruction surgeries. For parents who are looking for insight on how to navigate medical challenges alongside their children as they age, this episode is for you.In this episode, Eric shares:Ways that loved ones in his life helped make hospital experiences feel normal and a special part of his childhoodWords of hope or encouragement for parents who feel guilt or shame about their child's recurring hospital stays and visitsTangible or practical things that parents can do to prepare their children for an upcoming hospital stay or appointmentWe hope that parents of medically complex NICU children feel empowered and reminded that you do not navigate this journey post NICU alone.

In this revisited episode, we are joined by Dr. Jason Schiffman. He is the founder and Director of Camden Center, a nationally recognized center of excellence for treating mental health and addictive disorders. First, Jason explains whether celebrities struggle differently than the rest of us and how the support system of a celebrity differs from the general public. Later, Dr. Schiffman discusses the complexities and benefits of group therapy for someone who is in the public eye. Tune in as we speak about the importance of vulnerability to building the foundation of emotional wellbeing.   IN THIS EPISODE:   [02:30] Do celebrities struggle differently than the rest of us?  [08:50] How does the support system of a celebrity differ from the general public? [15:35] The problems related to having celebrities in group therapy.  [21:35] The importance of vulnerability to building the foundation of emotional wellbeing.   KEY TAKEAWAYS:   The drive that can lead to a sufficient amount of work ethic to become famous is the same thing that can drive you to develop shame-related emotions. Support happens from anyone who really authentically cares about that person.  Putting a celebrity in a group therapy session can cause problems in terms of the dynamic between that person and the other group members.  To improve your psychological well being, you need to find the strength to be vulnerable.    LINKS MENTIONED:   Website   www.camdencenter.com   BIO:   Jason Schiffman, MD, MA, MBA, is the founder and Director of Camden Center, a nationally recognized center of excellence for the treatment of mental health and addictive disorders located in Los Angeles and San Francisco.  He earned his Medical Doctorate and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Southern California (USC) and completed his residency in psychiatry at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior where he served as chief resident of the UCLA Anxiety Disorders Program. Upon completion of residency, Dr. Schiffman founded the UCLA Dual Diagnosis Program where he continues to serve as Medical Director. Dr. Schiffman is a diplomate of the National Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is also board certified in Addiction Medicine.  Dr. Schiffman has extensive research experience in molecular biology and is the author of numerous scientific publications in this field. He is a nationally recognized expert on addiction and co-occurring mood, anxiety, and trauma related disorders, and has written extensively on the subjects of addiction, anxiety, and trauma in both the academic and popular press. One of Dr. Schiffman's primary interests is the development of novel healthcare systems for the treatment of psychiatric and addictive disorders. His goal in establishing Camden Center was to create a facility where patients could receive world-class treatment that resulted in true recovery.

This topic is one of my most favorirte topics to explore because understanding our nervous systems and having the power to self-regulate is essential for our wellbeing and living from a balanced, centered place. On today's podcast, Bhanu Harrison, a Clinical Social Worker, Trauma Informed Mindfulness Teacher and trainer breaks it down for us. We discuss what self-regulation actually means, we explore the importance of understanding the Polyvagal Theory, neuroceptions and our Window of Tolerance. You will learn so much from this episode to support you navigating stress and working with burnout. Take a listen and share your thoughts with us!    Cuirous to build a sustaianble mindfulness practice to supporrt you having resources and capacity to navigate the ups and downs of life? Learn more and sign up for your 7-day free trial at Centered in the City. Create daily practices that get to support you feeling centered and balanced.  For Mental Health Awareness Month in May, I am offering the first 5 people who sign up to Centered in the City this week, a 1:1 coaching session with me. During this session you will get 1:1 support designing and creating your ritual. Sign up here.    ***** Bhanu Joy Harrison, LCSW, SEP I am a licensed Clinical Social Worker in Albuquerque, NM focusing on body centered and mindful approaches to trauma resolution and self-regulation. I offer classes and workshops on mindfulness meditation and body-oriented neuro-education, including UCLA's Mindful Awareness Practices for Daily Living; (MAPs I), Managing Chronic Pain with Mindfulness, Mindfulness for Challenging Emotions and CEU classes on mindful living, ethics and body awareness tools for bodyworkers, social workers and counselors. I am a UCLA- Trained Mindfulness Facilitator and Affiliate MAPs Teacher, UCLA Semel Institute, Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC). I teach Trauma Informed Mindfulness Facilitation Skills in the UCLA Teachers Training program (TMF) as well as mentoring students in this program. I am an adjunct faculty member at the Mindfulness Coaching School and a Certified Professional Mindfulness Teacher through the International Mindfulness Teachers Association (#P-0020). I have many somatic based and trauma informed meditations on the free mindfulness app Insight Timer (www.insighttimer.com/choosingmindfulness) I incorporate mindfulness, neuro-education, Somatic Experiencing and holistic health skills into my body-centered psychotherapy practice focusing on trauma resolution and joyful living. In addition, I hold a New Mexico license as a Clinical Social Worker (C-05529) and certifications as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and EMDR Therapist.

Signe talks to Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson, who demystifies the “art form” that is social skills and gives insight on how to be better friends, partners, and colleagues.  Dr. Laugeson is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, and is a licensed clinical psychologist. She is the Founder and Director of the UCLA PEERS Clinic, which is an outpatient program providing evidence-based social skills training for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities and other social challenges across the lifespan. Dr. Laugeson is the author of The Science of Making Friends: Helping Socially Challenged Teens and Young Adults.  To learn more about Dr. Laugeson and the UCLA PEERS Clinic, visit: https://www.semel.ucla.edu/peers

Dr. Jason Schiffman is the founder and Director of Camden Center, a nationally recognized center of excellence for treating mental health and addictive disorders. First, Jason explains whether or not celebrities struggle differently than the rest of us and how the support system of a celebrity differs from the general public. Later, Dr. Schiffman discusses the complexities and benefits of group therapy for someone who is in the public eye. Tune in as we speak about the importance of vulnerability to building the foundation of emotional wellbeing.   IN THIS EPISODE:   [02:30] Do celebrities struggle differently than the rest of us?  [08:50] How does the support system of a celebrity differ from the general public? [15:35] The problems related to having celebrities in group therapy.  [21:35] The importance of vulnerability to building the foundation of emotional wellbeing.   KEY TAKEAWAYS:   The drive that can lead to a sufficient amount of work ethic to become famous is the same thing that can drive you to develop shame-related emotions. Support happens from anyone who really authentically cares about that person.  Putting a celebrity in a group therapy session can cause problems in terms of the dynamic between that person and the other group members.  To improve your psychological wellbeing, you need to find the strength to be vulnerable.    LINKS MENTIONED:   Website www.camdencenter.com https://oconnorpg.com/podcasts/lights-camera-anxiety-impact-of-fame-on-mental-health-with-dr-jason-schiffman   BIO:   Jason Schiffman, MD, MA, MBA, is the founder and Director of Camden Center, a nationally recognized center of excellence for the treatment of mental health and addictive disorders located in Los Angeles and San Francisco.  He earned his Medical Doctorate and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Southern California (USC) and completed his residency in psychiatry at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior where he served as chief resident of the UCLA Anxiety Disorders Program. Upon completion of residency, Dr. Schiffman founded the UCLA Dual Diagnosis Program where he continues to serve as Medical Director. Dr. Schiffman is a diplomate of the National Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is also board certified in Addiction Medicine.  Dr. Schiffman has extensive research experience in molecular biology and is the author of numerous scientific publications in this field. He is a nationally recognized expert on addiction and co-occurring mood, anxiety, and trauma related disorders, and has written extensively on the subjects of addiction, anxiety, and trauma in both the academic and popular press. One of Dr. Schiffman's primary interests is the development of novel healthcare systems for the treatment of psychiatric and addictive disorders. His goal in establishing Camden Center was to create a facility where patients could receive world-class treatment that resulted in true recovery. Toward this end he developed the Camden Model of care, which identifies and treats both the symptoms and causes of mental health disorders through diagnostic evaluation, feedback-based treatment planning, and the matching of patients with individualized, multidisciplinary teams of expert clinicians.

Have you ever felt like you are sacrificing your originality and identity for stability and security? Have you found it difficult to let go and do something risky or follow your gut instinct when it sounds crazy? Today we have a celebrity guest on the show who is going to walk us through what it means to be your true self. Dr. Reef Karim; a double board certified humanistic psychiatrist by day and an actor, comic, and host by night; joins us to chat about his work on neuroscience, performance training, business strategy, psychology, creativity, and existentialism. Dr. Karim dives into his journey through med school and how he chose to live a fulfilling life by combining his performance background with his scientific background. He discusses the purpose of shifting one's internal madness from chaos to creativity and how he founded the Mad Genius Incubator to help people do just this. Dr. Karim breaks down the neural networks and frameworks in our brain that guide our creativity and how we can tap into these to maximize our potential in all facets of our lives. Dr. Karim specializes in upgrading the minds of entrepreneurs with a rebellious spirit. He founded the powerful and highly successful Mad Genius Business Incubator and the Master The Madness self-exploration platform. He served as an Assistant Clinical Professor at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience for over a decade, published in prestigious medical journals like the International Journal of Neuroscience, and now speaks on stages all over the world. As a creative artist, Reef acted in lead and supporting roles in many feature films and television shows, performs improv and sketch comedy, does stand up in popular comedy clubs, and danced on tour with headlining artists.Reef's innovative work on redefining madness, thinking like a mad genius, and shifting humanpathology to human potential, has been profiled in Time, Forbes, Business Insider, Oprah.comand many other media outlets, and he's been interviewed by Oprah, Larry King, Deepak Chopra, Anderson Cooper and others for his forward thinking methodology and experiential wisdom.Connect with him at:MadGeniusIncubator.comReefKarim.comGetMentalClarity.com

Description: In this episode I'm joined by psychologist, mindfulness teacher and trainer and multi-time author Elisha Goldstein, PhD to talk about the “superpower” that mindfulness practice unleashes within us. Not a cure-all, but a significant power nonetheless, Elisha and I discuss the spaciousness that consistent mindfulness practice brings, how it decreases our unskillful reactivity in every day moments and provides a lasting change in one's perspective about and engagement in the moments of possibility each day. Elisha is a warm, extremely thoughtful and knowledgeable guide for both those new to mindfulness and those looking to deepen their practices from a secular perspective. About Elisha: Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D. is co-founder of The Center for Mindful Living in West Los Angeles and creator of the 6-month coaching program A Course in Mindful Living. He is a psychologist, author and speaker who synthesizes the pearls of traditional psychotherapy with a progressive integration of mindfulness to achieve mental and emotional healing. Dr. Goldstein contends that we have the power to transform our traumas and habitual patterns that keep us stuck in perpetual cycles of stress, anxiety, depression, or addiction and step into greater freedom and peace. He offers practical strategies to calm our anxious minds, transform negative emotions, and facilitate greater self acceptance, freedom and inner peace. Dr. Goldstein has published extensively and is author of numerous articles, chapters, and blogs, including the bestselling books (translated in 12 languages) Uncovering Happiness: Overcoming Depression with Mindfulness and Self-Compassion , The Now Effect: How This Moment Can Change the Rest of Your Life, Mindfulness Meditations for the Anxious Traveler and co-author of A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook, foreword by Jon Kabat-Zinn and MBSR Every Day: Daily Practices from the Heart of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction . He is also creator of the Mindfulness and Psychotherapy column at Psychcentral.com and a frequent contributor to the Huffington Post. Dr. Goldstein has also co-developed the popular CALM (Connecting Adolescents to Learning Mindfulness) program with his wife and psychologist Stefanie Goldstein, Ph.D. Dr. Goldstein's unique ability to make complex concepts simple has led him to be invited to speak nationally and internationally with mental health professionals, educators, business leaders and lay audiences. He has spoken at the UCLA Mindfulness and Psychotherapy Conference headlining Thich Nhat Hanh, Daniel Siegel, and Jack Kornfield, NICABM Seminars, Psychotherapy Networker, FACES Conferences, The Help Group, Kripalu, UCLA Semel Institute and Anxiety Disorder Clinic, Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC), InsightLA, the University of Washington with Dr. Alan Marlatt, Psychseminars, UCLA Extension, among others. He is currently a licensed Psychologist in private practice in West Los Angeles and also teaches mindfulness-based programs through The Center for Mindful Living and InsightLA. Find out more at www.elishagoldstein.com

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, our children and teens were faced with a huge transition. But now that schools are slated to reopen fully this fall, they are faced with yet another transition. Today's discussion is a wonderful gift for parents who may be concerned about their teens reentering in-person schooling, especially if they have social challenges.   On the show today is Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson, founder and director of the UCLA PEERS Clinic dedicated to providing parent-assisted social skills training. The best part about PEERS and Dr. Laugeson's work is that it is evidence-based, which means that research shows it works to help young people have more successful social interactions.    Right now, many students are anxious and may not feel equipped to deal with the social demands of returning to school. They have been safely tucked away at home learning behind a screen and keyboard. So what can we do as parents and caregivers to better prepare our teens for the unique social demands of adolescence after a pandemic? Listen on for Dr. Laugeson's examples, strategies, and even the language for teens to use when in different social situations.   Show Notes: [2:48] - For many, online learning was a struggle but for some, it was a gift. [3:25] - Because of the pandemic, kids have been socially isolated. We need to teach them friendship making skills. [4:15] - Parents need to think about where their kids are going to make friends. Extracurricular activities provide opportunities to connect with kids with similar interests. [5:51] - A lot of parents want to get their kids away from gaming and screens, but Dr. Laugeson has a different approach. [7:06] - Dr. Laugeson explains that some teenagers will revert back to parallel play which doesn't develop relationships. [8:37] - How should teens initiate initial conversation? Dr. Laugeson creates a scenario and how socially successful people initiate interactions. [11:00] - We tend to get a feeling based on others' behaviors that we are accepted into an interaction. Some teens struggle to read these cues. [12:33] - We need to help our kids by instructing them how to engage rather than just putting them into social situations. [13:24] - As kids build up social competence, they gain confidence and feel less social anxiety. [15:17] - Dr. Laugeson is the founder and director of the UCLA PEERS Clinic and she explains what the program is about and how it started. [16:19] - PEERS is evidence-based which is very important in social skills training. [17:54] - Parents need to be “smart consumers” when it comes to finding mental health services and social skills groups for their children. [19:23] - Parents and caregivers are educated on what their teens in social skills programs need to work on to be successful. [21:35] - Bullying rates are high and are particularly high for students with learning differences. [22:56] - The common advice to those being bullied is to ignore, walk away, or tell an adult. Dr. Laugeson explains why these strategies do not work. [24:18] - The reality is every kid gets teased. It is the reaction you have that determines if you are socially successful. [25:03] - Dr. Laugeson discusses what actually does work when being teased. [26:35] - When it comes to rumors and gossip, every instinct we naturally have is wrong. [28:52] - What needs to happen instead, is to take control of the rumor. Act amazed that anyone would believe or care about that rumor. [30:04] - Dr. Laugeson describes the “spread the rumor about yourself” strategy. [31:47] - In addition to helping students with strategies, Dr. Laugeson also provides examples and non-examples as well as effective language to use in situations. [33:52] - One of the first steps in changing reputation is to lay low for a while. Because of the pandemic, everyone has been laying low. Dr. Laugeson gives the steps in changing one's reputation. [36:00] - Entering school again is a great opportunity for a fresh start. About Our Guest: Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the UCLA Semel Institute and is a licensed clinical psychologist. Dr. Laugeson is the Founder and Director of the UCLA PEERS Clinic, which is an outpatient hospital-based program providing parent-assisted social skills training for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other social impairments from preschool to adulthood. She is also the Training Director for the UCLA Tarjan Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) and Program Director for Dissemination, Outreach, and Education at the prestigious UCLA Autism Center of Excellence. Having trained thousands of mental health professionals, educators, and families in the PEERS method, Dr. Laugeson is dedicated to developing and testing evidence-based treatments to improve social skills across the lifespan, and disseminating these empirically supported programs across the globe. As one of the only empirically supported social skills programs for youth with autism, her program is currently in over 70 countries and has been translated into over a dozen languages. Connect with Dr. Laugeson: UCLA Semel Institute PEERS Home Page Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Twitter Links and Related Resources: Bully Proofing Strategies for Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Social Challenges What Is Social Thinking? 5 Tips for Fostering Social Emotional Development in Twice Exceptional Children   Join our email list so that you can receive information about upcoming webinars - ChildNEXUS.com The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

Jasper Estabillo, Ph.D. is a Postdoctoral Clinical Psychology Fellow in the UCLA PEERS Clinic and a Postdoctoral Scholar in the UCLA Department of Psychology. She received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Louisiana State University and completed her predoctoral internship at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior in the Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities track. She has been fortunate to work with individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in a variety of research and clinical settings, and in her career, she aims to expand training for and access to evidence-based interventions for autism. In the UCLA PEERS Clinic, she leads PEERS for Young Adults social skills groups and is involved in the PEERS for Dating program. Website: https://www.semel.ucla.edu/peers Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter): @UCLAPEERS

Key Takeaways: How did Reef get his start in his medical career?  Conformity ages you. Originality keeps you young.  What does the word madness mean to you?  We are so dependent on our energy and that energy can be exhausted very quickly.  What are the threats to your energy?  Our minds are wired for conformity, but it’s what's killing us!  There’s so much fear happening, what can we do? You have to be in charge of what you let into your mind. Limit the kind of information you’re allowing into your life.  When we’re stressed, our minds immediately go back to default. We become rigid.  With creativity, we can disrupt patterns and default conditioning.  Imagine what life would be like if you could see past your habitual conditioning?  A mad genius moves forward. They’re looking for creativity. They’re looking to change their minds.  What are the different states of thinking that we often fall into?  Want to live to 123 years old? What’s the one thing you need to be doing today to succeed? Dr. Reef shares his thoughts.    Episode Summary: Dr. Reef Karim is passionate about living longer, and better. He shares why you need to embrace your inner mad genius and why being open to new thoughts, ideas, and expanding your mind, is the key to success and longevity in this week’s episode! It’s time to use creative thinking to disrupt patterns and change your default conditioning.    Guest Bio: Dr. Reef Karim, an expert in human behavior, has dedicated his life to educating, entertaining and helping people understand themselves better. Dr. Reef is a double board-certified psychiatrist, addiction medicine physician and relationship expert as well as a writer, host and media personality. He served as an Assistant Clinical Professor at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and founded a personal transformation and recovery outpatient treatment center in Beverly Hills for mental health, personal growth, toxic relationships and addiction recovery.   Resources for a Younger Lifestyle: Dr. Robyn Benson’s Free Youthful Aging eGuide FREE GIFT: Robynbenson.com/gift Connect with Dr. Reef: Madgeniusadvantage.com, Reefkarim.com & Instagram.  Dr. Reef’s free gift: Thecreatvitychecklist.com/ Quotes:   “I could write you a prescription, but expanding your mind is way more effective.”   “As you’re more expanded, more aware, more aligned, and as you’re more original in your life, you will be younger because you will have more energy.”   “The more novel, creative, present, and mindful that we are in our life, the better our life becomes.”

Dr. Sterling is a Clinical Psychologist specializing in ASD and coexisting conditions, including anxiety and depression. She earned her B.S. in Psychobiology from UCLA and her M.S./Ph.D. from the University of Washington. She completed her Clinical Internship in Developmental Disabilities at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. During her Postdoctoral Fellowship at UCLA, Dr. Sterling was awarded funding from the NIH to conduct research on the physiology of anxiety among autistic youth. Her academic positions have included: Clinical Faculty in the UCLA Department of Psychiatry, Staff Psychologist at the UCLA Child and Adult Neurodevelopmental Clinic, Interim Professor and Director of the Autism Center at Claremont McKenna College, and tenure-track Professor in the Department of Psychology, California State University Long Beach. Dr. Sterling continues to work with autistic individuals and their families through her private practices in Southern California. Her Book: https://amzn.to/3tbvuFr For More Information: https://lindseysterlingphd.com/ All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Invisible and Scrutinized An interview with Dr. Sheila Modir on racial trauma and identity within the Middle Eastern North African (MENA) population. Curt and Katie talk with Sheila about how MENA individuals are impacted by racial profiling, prejudice, and the lack of data on the MENA community. We also explore typical coping strategies as well as how therapists can support MENA clients.      It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age. Interview with Dr. Sheila Modir Dr. Sheila Modir is a pediatric psychologist at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). She obtained a combined doctoral degree in Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara and her master’s degree in social welfare at UCLA. Prior to coming to CHOC, Dr. Modir completed her doctoral internship at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior where she worked at the UCLA Stress, Trauma, and Resilience Clinic. Her research interests include racial trauma and understanding risk and resilience factors in the context of trauma, and she has presented at conferences and published articles on this topic. Most recently, she has written a children’s book (coming fall 2021) called The Proudest Color, which is a timely and sensitive introduction to race, racism, and racial pride for children. In this episode we talk about: MENA (Middle Eastern and North African) clients The common mistake of assuming that all MENA clients are Muslim A lack of data on immigration and the demographics of these clients The lack of clinical research and education on MENA clients An invisible community that is greatly scrutinized due to profiling The layers of racial trauma Bronson Brenner’s ecological model: Sociopolitical discrimination, Institutional discrimination, Relational discrimination due to “cultural ignorance” The consistent portrayal of MENA individuals as terrorists, the Middle East as war-torn MENA individuals called terrorists versus white individuals called “lone wolves” who are “mentally ill” The impact of how the insurrection in January is viewed as “white terrorism” What influences racism and bias against MENA clients The typical coping strategies for MENA clients related to racial trauma Resignation, cowering, “getting used to it” leading to depression and anxiety Coping strategies, including education and being a cultural representative The contrast between the Asian American community pushing back against the “model minority” while MENA clients are aspiring to be a model minority The importance of identification of MENA individuals on the census How the Muslim Ban has impacted MENA individuals’ relationship with the government Clients minimizing, denying, not disclosing racial trauma The thirst for appropriate and accurate information on culture The benefit of affinity groups How non-MENA therapists can best support MENA clients The nuance of asking a MENA client to educate you as a therapist Collectivist culture and how it shows up in the room, how it can be complicated The challenge of cultural sensitivity when there is little research A call to action regarding research and education A Message from Therapy Reimagined: Therapy Reimagined 2021 – The Modern Therapist Conference Our Call for Sponsors is out! We’re looking for right-match sponsors & exhibitors. We are seeking collaborative relationships that support the psychotherapist community. We commit to intensively engaging our audience with our valued sponsors and we love when our sponsors are actively involved in our conference. Our conference attendees are: #ModernTherapists who understand the value of business and technology Ready to invest in themselves to launch (or scale) their small businesses Building their networks of treatment providers Hungry to engage in the resources in the psychotherapy community Savvy with social media and have (or are in the process of building) an engaged online following Marriage and Family Therapists, Social Workers, Counselors, Psychologists, and other mental health and wellness professionals Learn more here: https://therapyreimaginedconference.com/become-a-sponsor/ Resources mentioned: We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, so if you purchase after clicking below, we may get a little bit of cash in our pockets. We thank you in advance! For more information on Dr. Sheila Modir's research:    Modir, S. & Kia-Keating, M. (2018). Exploring the Middle Eastern American college student experience: Discrimination, adjustment, and coping. Journal of College Student Development 59, 563-578.doi:10.1353/csd.2018.0053 Learn more about her at: Twitter: @drsheilamodir Instagram: @thelittlewellnessbookshelf AMENA Psy Relevant Episodes: Iran, The News, and Your Clients White Terrorism and Therapy Let’s Talk About Race Again Connect with us! Our Facebook Group – The Modern Therapists Group Get Notified About Therapy Reimagined Conferences  Our consultation services: The Fifty-Minute Hour Who we are: Curt Widhalm is in private practice in the Los Angeles area. He is the cofounder of the Therapy Reimagined conference, an Adjunct Professor at Pepperdine University and CSUN, a former Subject Matter Expert for the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, former CFO of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, and a loving husband and father. He is 1/2 great person, 1/2 provocateur, and 1/2 geek, in that order. He dabbles in the dark art of making "dad jokes" and usually has a half-empty cup of coffee somewhere nearby. Learn more at: www.curtwidhalm.com Katie Vernoy is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, coach, and consultant supporting leaders, visionaries, executives, and helping professionals to create sustainable careers. Katie, with Curt, has developed workshops and a conference, Therapy Reimagined, to support therapists navigating through the modern challenges of this profession. Katie is also Past President of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. In her spare time, Katie is secretly siphoning off Curt's youthful energy, so that she can take over the world. Learn more at: www.katievernoy.com A Quick Note: Our opinions are our own. We are only speaking for ourselves – except when we speak for each other, or over each other. We’re working on it. Our guests are also only speaking for themselves and have their own opinions. We aren’t trying to take their voice, and no one speaks for us either. Mostly because they don’t want to, but hey.   Stay in Touch: www.mtsgpodcast.com www.therapyreimagined.com Our Facebook Group – The Modern Therapist’s Group https://www.facebook.com/therapyreimagined/ https://twitter.com/therapymovement https://www.instagram.com/therapyreimagined/   Credits: Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/ Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano http://www.crystalmangano.com/

When is it important to consider an evaluation for your child? Well, the earlier the better. But then the question is, what are the differences between evaluations and which is best for your child? My guest on today's episode helps break it down and dives deep into the differences between a neuropsychological evaluation and a psychoeducational evaluation. Not only that, but we also discuss the challenges of evaluating non-English speakers and identifying neurodevelopmental disorders in children whose native language is not English. Welcome to Diverse Thinking · Different Learning! I am Dr. Karen Wilson and I am thrilled to have Dr. Vindia Fernandez with me today. Dr. Fernandez is a pediatric neuropsychologist who specializes in working with children, adolescents, and young adults with neurodevelopmental issues including autism, epilepsy, ADHD, and learning disabilities as well as schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. As a private practice neuropsychologist in Southern California, she also sees the impact and importance of culturally and linguistically appropriate evaluations. Today she shares with us her valuable expertise. Show Notes: [0:48] - Karen introduces Dr. Fernandez and gives her background. Dr. Fernandez is the founder of the Center for Pediatric Neuropsychology to address the growing need for culturally and linguistically appropriate evaluations for Latino/a children. [2:16] - Dr. Fernandez defines a psychoeducational evaluation, as that is the most commonly used assessment offered to parents of school-aged children struggling in an educational setting. It entails different tests that serve the purpose of identifying areas of academic need. [3:40] - A neuropsychological evaluation is not a specific type of evaluation but more an assessment performed by a neuropsychologist. This type of psychologist has extensive training in brain-behavior relationships and neuroanatomy.   [5:19] - A neuropsychological exam not only helps identify the learning difficulties a child may have, but also gets deeper into the medical side of things to find possible underlying medical issues. [7:01] - The purpose of an evaluation in schools is different than the evaluations done when a parent goes to see a neuropsychologist like Dr. Wilson or Dr. Fernandez.  [7:26] - Dr. Fernandez explains how school evaluations work and the purpose they serve in informing services and accommodations in a school setting. There are specific legal mandates on how these evaluations are conducted. [8:50] - Psychologists in a private practice have a lot more flexibility in diagnosing as opposed to the more narrow guidelines of a school evaluation conducted by a school psychologist. [9:36] - An evaluation is only as important or as valid as the recommendations you impart to the family. A diagnosis is important but it is what you do with that information that is the most valuable. [11:04] - Dr. Fernandez wrote an article about dyslexia and today she discusses some of the reasons why students could have trouble reading. [13:54] - The intervention and accommodations that are recommended as a result of the evaluation will certainly differ depending on what those results are. [15:31] - Oftentimes there is more than one issue that the student is struggling with. All issues need to have an intervention simultaneously. Dr. Fernandez explains why that is important. [17:32] - Dr. Fernandez explains that there was a time when Spanish speaking children were evaluated using English language measures to determine whether or not they had intellectual disabilities. They were placed in special education programs en masse. [18:24] - For a period of time, minority or underrepresented populations were overrepresented in special education. [18:44] - Several laws have since been passed as a result of some landmark cases in education. Now the instruments have to be validated for the population that it is being used for. [19:29] - Dr. Fernandez says that when she evaluates a child who doesn't speak English or didn't speak English as their first language, her first thought is about the instruments and whether or not they are appropriate for the child. [20:00] - Something we need to always consider is that some immigrant parents may not have a lot of experience with formal education and may feel uncomfortable in a professional setting. [21:49] - Developing rapport with parents is important. [22:37] - The parent interviews and questionnaires that are a part of the evaluation process will vary in detail. Some parents share a lot of information and others do not. Developing trust and explaining why these questions are important is helpful. [24:39] - Being able to determine what is going on with a child, you have to look at the evaluation and the struggles the child has with a cultural lens. [25:52] - Dr. Fernandez explains a few perpetuating myths, one being that bilingual children automatically have a limited vocabulary when they learn two languages simultaneously. [27:42] - We should not overpathologize differences in learning especially when we are talking about children who are growing up differently. But working with specific populations, it is important to be aware of various cultures and backgrounds. [29:37] - The types of children Dr. Fernandez usually sees are the ones who are struggling in school in comparison to their peers.  [31:25] - When there's a level of distress associated with the learning difficulty that can't be explained by normal development, the behaviors are red flags for a problem that needs to be solved. [33:21] - Don't ignore your gut feeling. If you feel that your child is struggling more than their peers, seek an evaluation to determine the root cause of the struggle.   About Our Guest: Dr. Fernandez obtained her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Houston where she studied pediatric neuropsychology and completed research on the neuroanatomical markers of dyslexia. She completed her APA-accredited internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the UCLA Semel Institute. Her specialty training includes working with children, adolescents, and young adults with neurodevelopmental issues including autism, epilepsy, ADHD, and learning disabilities as well as schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. Dr. Fernandez has also worked closely with the UCLA PEERS Program and developed a passion for teaching social skills to neurodiverse youth. In 2017, Dr. Fernandez founded the Center for Pediatric Neuropsychology in part to address the growing need for culturally and linguistically appropriate evaluations for Latino/a children. She is an attending clinician and volunteer clinical faculty member in the UCLA Hispanic Neuropsychiatric Center of Excellence and collaborates with the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health on program development and training. Connect with Dr. Vindia Fernandez: PediatricNeuropsych.com ChildNEXUS Provider Profile - Vindia G. Fernandez, Ph.D. Links and Resources: ChildNEXUS Home Page Dyslexia Blog Article ChildNEXUS Live Back to School Town Hall

Japanese author Haruki Murakami said it well, “A person's life may be a lonely thing by nature, but it is not isolated. To that life other lives are linked.” A key ingredient in transforming lonely human nature into a well-linked life is the faculty of mature social skills which make it possible to show interest in others, know how to make friends, read social situations, reciprocate in person or via text, put oneself in others' shoes and collaborate successfully. Executive Function is equally essential in managing social goals, solving social problems, and propelling our social connectivity with thoughtful reflection. However, not everyone is intuitive and equipped to form social connections and nurture interpersonal relationships well and hence may require specific skills training.On this episode, Founder/Director of the UCLA PEERS® clinic, associate clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the UCLA and  licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson discusses key components of evidence-based social skills program for preschoolers, adolescents and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other social impairments. About Dr. Elizabeth LaugesonDr. Laugeson is a clinical psychologist and an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Dr. Laugeson is the Founder/Director of the UCLA PEERS® Clinic,  an outpatient hospital-based program providing parent-assisted social skills training for preschoolers, adolescents and young adults with ASD and other social impairments. She also serves as the Training Director for the UCLA Tarjan Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD).Dr. Laugeson has been a principal investigator and collaborator on a number of studies funded by the NIH and CDC investigating social skills training for youth with developmental disabilities from preschool to early adulthood and is the co-developer of an evidence-based social skills intervention for teens and young adults known as PEERS®. Books:The Science of Making Friends: Helping Socially Challenged Teens and Young AdultsThe PEERS Treatment ManualThe PEERS Curriculum for School-Based ProfessionalsPEERS® for Young AdultsAbout Host, Sucheta KamathSucheta Kamath, is an award-winning speech-language pathologist, a TEDx speaker, a celebrated community leader, and the founder and CEO of ExQ®. As an EdTech entrepreneur, Sucheta has designed ExQ's personalized digital learning curriculum/tool that empowers middle and high school students to develop self-awareness and strategic thinking skills through the mastery of Executive Function and social-emotional competence.Support the show (https://mailchi.mp/7c848462e96f/full-prefrontal-sign-up)

Diana Winston, Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA Semel Institute's Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC) joins Allison Lindsay to discuss mindfulness, mosquitos, natural awareness, being a nun in Burma, neuroscience of mindfulness, the importance of the embodied experience in meditation, compassion and Covid, and keeping our practice fresh and relevant throughout our lives. An in-depth discussion of the benefits of mindfulness and the benefits it can bring when life gets challenging. https://www.uclahealth.org/marc/  http://www.dianawinston.com/

iana Winston is the Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA Semel Institute's Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC) and the co-author, with Susan Smalley PhD, of Fully Present, the Science, Art and Practice of Mindfulness.Called by the LA Times “one of the nation's best-known teachers of mindfulness,” she has taught mindfulness since 1999 in a variety of settings including hospitals, universities, corporations, non profits, and schools in the US and Asia.A sought-after speaker, she developed the evidence-based Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPS) curriculum and the Training in Mindfulness Facilitation, which trains mindfulness teachers worldwide. She is a founding board member of the International Mindfulness Teachers Association.Her work has been mentioned in the New York Times, O Magazine, Newsweek, the Los Angeles Times, Allure, Women's Health, and in a variety of magazines, books, and journals. She is also the author of Wide Awake for teens, and has published numerous articles on mindfulness.She is considered one of the early founders of meditation programs for youth, and taught on the seminal mindfulness and ADHD research study at UCLA in 2005. Diana is a member of the Teacher's Council at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Northern California where she was trained to teach by Jack Kornfield.She has been practicing mindfulness meditation since 1989, including a year as a Buddhist nun in Burma. Currently Diana's most challenging and rewarding practice involves trying to mindfully parent her young daughter.Find out more about Diana and her work here:- UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC) www.uclahealth.org/marc- www.dianawinston.com

Diana Winston is the Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA Semel Institute’s Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC). She was called by the LA Times “one of the nation’s best-known teachers of mindfulness. She has taught mindfulness since 1999 in a variety of settings including hospitals, universities, corporations, non profits, and schools in the US and Asia. Her work has been mentioned in the New York Times, Newsweek, the Los Angeles Times, Women’s Health, and in a variety of magazines, books, and journals. She is considered one of the early founders of meditation programs for youth, and taught on the seminal mindfulness and ADHD research study at UCLA in 2005. Diana is a member of the Teacher's Council at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Northern California where she was trained to teach by Jack Kornfield. She has been practicing mindfulness meditation since 1989, including a year as a Buddhist nun in Burma. Currently, Diana’s most challenging and rewarding practice involves trying to mindfully parent her young daughter. Her latest book is The little book of being: practices and guidance for uncovering your natural awareness. Please enjoy! Please visit https://nishantgarg.me/podcasts for more info. Follow Nishant: Instagram: instagram.com/garg_nishant https://www.facebook.com/NishantMindfulnessMatters/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishant-garg-b7a20339/ https://twitter.com/nishantgar

Trauma specialist, Catherine Mogil PhD shares several key factors in promoting resilience in children and families. We explore how meaning making and finding purpose influence how families move through adversity including COVID 19. Hear how lessons learned from military families can be applied to broader communities and whether snowplow parents impact resilience. Dr. Catherine Mogil is an Associate Clinical Professor at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior in the David Geffen School of Medicine. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and serves as the Director of Stress, Trauma and Resilience (STAR) Clinic and the Family Development Program. She is also the Director of the Prevention Center of Excellence, which provides training in trauma-informed and resilience-strengthening practices to providers in Los Angeles County. Her research focuses on developing effective interventions for children and families in high-stress environments. Some HighlightsMeaning making and finding purposeEmotional Communication in Families Promoting resilience in familiesLessons from military familiesStable care routines and how they impact familiesWorking with family systemsShifting from clinical practice to program developmentResourceshttps://drtamarasoles.com/https://www.facebook.com/catherine.mogilhttps://www.mhanational.org/blog/re-defining-resilience-perspective-toughness-bipoc-communitiesDMH-UCLA Prevention Center of Excellencehttps://www.wellbeing4la.org/UCLA Nathanson Family Resilience Centerhttps://nfrc.ucla.edu/ http://www.facebook.com/UCLANFRC http://twitter.com/UCLA_NFRC UCLA Division of Population Behavioral Health http://dpbh.ucla.edu/ FOCUS (Families OverComing Under Stress) for Active Duty Military Families  www.focusproject.orgSupport the ShowIf you're enjoying the show, help us spread the word so others can enjoy it as well1. Leave a review on itunes/apple podcast 2. Share an episode on Social media. Be sure to tag me on it so I can see @drtamarasoles on facebook, twitter and instagram

Dr. Ian Cook is the Director and CEO of the Los Angeles TMS Institute, and is Professor Emeritus at UCLA in both psychiatry and bioengineering.  For most of the past three decades, Dr. Cook's clinical focus has been on the treatment of mood disorders. He was the founding director of the UCLA Depression Research and Clinic Program in 2007 and started the UCLA TMS Program there in 2009. Before “Retiring" from his tenured professorship at the University, Dr. Cook held an endowed chair in depression research and was the Chief Translational Innovation Officer at the UCLA Semel Institute. His research has translated developments in biomedical science into useful therapeutics and diagnostics for the clinic. He is an inventor on several dozen patents on biomedical devices and methods. Dr. Cook received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University and earned his M.D. degree at the Yale School of Medicine. He completed his psychiatry training at UCLA's Neuropsychiatric Institute & Hospital (now the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior and the Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA) and an NIH-funded T32 research fellowship in psychobiology at UCLA before joining the full-time faculty. Los Angeles TMS Institute

Challenging times right now. How retain your sense of self well enough to meet them head on? We turned to Dr. Reef Karim, a leading expert in human behavior, to help us understand how we as humans react to prolonged stress and how to survive or even thrive these crazy times. Dr Karim is a double board-certified psychiatrist, addiction medicine physician, and relationship expert. He’s also a writer, host, and media personality. He’s served as an Assistant Clinical Professor at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience . He guest hosted Loveline  and was even named one of the sexist men alive by People magazine.. Here are some of the related questions we discussed: Does stress just make you more of what you already were – either an angel or an asshole? Should you be worried if you’re taking advantage of substances like alcohol to take the edge off our stress? How important is finding a new routine when so much of us have lost our old routines during this pandemic? What are a few steps you can take to come out of this situation actually feeling happier and more comfortable in your own skin? We kicked off the episode talking about our pet peeves during this time, what we’re binge watching…and avoiding…on TV. We also discuss that we should be doing ourselves while we’re stuck at home. Dr. Karim joins us at around the 27 minute mark. You can find Dr. Karim on Instagram: @reefkarim and at his website: reefkarim.com. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Diana Winston is the Director of Mindfulness Education at the Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC) at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. She co-authored with Susan Smalley, Ph.D. a book called Fully Present, the Science, Art and Practice of Mindfulness. Diana has practiced mindfulness for over three decades, including spending a year as a Buddhist nun in Burma, and she has taught meditation for over two decades in hospitals, universities, corporations, non-profits, and schools throughout the U.S. and Asia. She's been called by the LA Times "one of the nation's best-known teachers of mindfulness." Diana is also a founding board member of the International Mindfulness Teachers Association and a member of the Teacher's Council at the famous Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Northern California where she was trained to teach by Jack Kornfield. She's been mention in the New York Times, O Magazine, Newsweek, Women's Health, and a variety of other publications. In this episode, we discuss how Diana became a nun in Burma and then realized her meditation practice needed a big change, the concept of "enlightenment" and how it can be harmful, natural awareness, personalizing your meditation practice, and the infusion of meditation into the modern world. Diana also leads a powerful guided meditation.

One of Kobe Bryant's greatest legacies is Mamba - a name he gave to the state of being highly focused for high performance and success. As Psychiatrist, Coach, and Neuroscientist Dr. Reef Karim explains, there is much we can do to emulate Kobe's drive, focus and discipline by better understanding the Mamba Mentality. Dr. Reef Karim, an expert in human behavior, has dedicated his life to educating, entertaining and helping people understand themselves better. Dr Reef is a double board certified psychiatrist, addiction medicine physician and relationship expert as well as a writer, host and media personality. He served as an Assistant Clinical Professor at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and founded a personal transformation and recovery outpatient treatment center in Beverly Hills for mental health, personal growth, toxic relationships and addiction recovery. The good doctor is a highly sought after speaker and is well known in the media with appearances on:Oprah, Dr. Oz, Larry King Live, Dr Phil, Anderson Cooper 360, Nightline, The Today Show, Chelsea Lately and many others. Dr. Reef hosted the television show “Broken Minds” on the Discovery Network and hosted the forensic cult show “House of Clues” on Court/Tru TV. He guest hosted the popular radio show “Loveline” with Adam Corolla and guest hosted KFI news in Los Angeles. Dr. Reef Karim co-authored the dating book “Why Does He Do That? Why Does She Do That?” and his medical expertise and research has been published in prestigious medical journals including “The International Journal of Neuroscience” and “The Journal of Addiction Medicine.” He is also a regular contributor to The Huffington Post. Dr. Reef is all about self expression. He believes that laughter really is the best medicine and as such, has studied improv for years and performs stand up at comedy clubs all over Los Angeles. With improv and performance training, he’s had the opportunity to act in both Bollywood and Hollywood movies playing lead and supporting characters and he’s worked as the medical consultant on big movies and television shows including: Private Practice, Alias, Bourne Identity and many others. Dr. Reef recently launched a production company that focuses on developing content for new media and broadcast television called, Little Boy Big Suit Entertainment. For his work in medicine, advocacy and entertainment, Dr. Reef was voted one of “People Magazine’s Sexiest Men Alive.” MEDIA PRESS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Technology, overwork, high stress work environments, and work politics can all lead to BURNOUT in the healthcare universe. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized burnout as an occupational hazard. It can lead to feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, mental distance from ones job with feelings of negativisim, and reduce professional efficacy.In some cases it may cause a person to turn to suicide. In this episode special guest Dr. Reef Karim joins us to share his personal story on dealing with burnout along with his creative journey and how he's helping others. Dr. Reef Karim ,is a leading expert in human behavior, has dedicated his life to educating, entertaining and helping people understand themselves better. He's not only a psychiatrist but a stand up comedian, actor, and Bollywood dancer! Dr Reef is a double board certified psychiatrist, addiction medicine physician and relationship expert as well as a writer, host and media personality. He served as an Assistant Clinical Professor at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and founded a personal transformation and recovery outpatient treatment center in Beverly Hills for mental health, personal growth, toxic relationships and addiction recovery. Dr. Reef believes "You don't have to live small or live in fear of your potential." His mission is to empower people to find their energy purpose and passion. To learn more about Dr. Reef Karim go to: http://reefkarim.com This episode is sponsored by Trusted Heallth and we are joined by Co-Host Sarah Gray, who is the Founding Clinician at San Francisco healthcare startup, Trusted Health. She graduated from Penn Nursing in 2013 and began her nursing career at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital. Prior to moving away from the bedside four years later, she was a Clinical Nurse III, Evidence Based Practice Fellow, and served on hospital-wide committee boards. At Trusted, she works alongside clinicians and entrepreneurs and leverages her clinical insight and passion for innovation to change how nurses manage their careers and solve for inefficiencies within healthcare staffing. Special Thanks To Our Sponsor And Co-Collaborator Trusted Health Checkout Trusted Health's Free 2019 Travel Nurse Compensation Report https://www.trustedhealth.com/travel-nurse-compensation-report-2019 For more information on Trusted Health and how you can join their team click on http://www.trustedhealth.com/hypo Nurses get 1 CE for listening go to:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KFYQRCX Throw us some bucks, and help support our cause! Venmo: @Nurses-Hypo https://www.gofundme.com/nurses-hypochondriacs-podcast Give us a rating on itunes... Need consulting or have questions: nursesandhypochondriacs@gmail.com If you or someone you love has contemplated suicide please call National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255

This week our guest on the podcast was Diana Winston, the Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA Semel Institute’s Mindful Awareness Research Center. Diana is the co-author of Fully Present, the Science, Art, and Practice of Mindfulness and has taught mindfulness since 1999 in a variety of settings including hospitals, universities, corporations, non-profits, and schools in the US and Asia. Diana’s work is really interesting and our conversation touched on a number of issues including being a nun in Burma, her latest book The Little Book of Being, mindful parenting and why the LA Lakers and Chicago Bulls are using mindfulness. If you enjoy this episode you can find more about Diana in our show notes and please give us a rating and subscription on Itunes! To find out more about Diana: Twitter- https://twitter.com/dianawinston Website-http://www.dianawinston.com

Diana Winston is the Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA Semel Institute’s Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC) and the co-author, with Susan Smalley PhD, of Fully Present, the Science, Art and Practice of Mindfulness (DaCapo, 2010). She teaches mindful awareness practices to the general public to promote health and well-being.

Today's Flash Back Friday comes from Episode 110, published in October 2012. Throughout our life, we often experience “aha” moments of truth and clarity, but why don't those moments of clarity last? In this 10th show, Jason Hartman's guest, Elisha Goldstein, PhD, author of The Now Effect: How a Mindful Moment Can Change the Rest of Your Life, explored the reasons and asked the question, “What if an awareness of that space, that moment, could change the rest of your life?” Elisha explains that what we practice and repeat becomes habit. Our brain is wired to routine and to the negative. By becoming aware of automatic thoughts and processes, we can stop them and make different choices. The space in which this awareness happens, Elisha refers to as “choice points.” Practicing and repeating new and positive choices, such as compassion and kindness, creates new habits of thinking. Elisha elaborates on how this process works in the brain. He also discusses intuition and provides some basic practices to help rewire our brains to make our intuition more reliable, to make better choices, and how to become grounded in the here and now and learning to recognize the good in any given moment. For more details, listen at: www.HolisticSurvival.com. Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D. is in private practice in West Los Angeles and is author of the book The Now Effect: How This Moment Can Change the Rest of Your Life and co-author of A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook, foreword by Jon Kabat-Zinn. He synthesizes the pearls of traditional psychotherapy with a progressive integration of mindfulness to achieve mental and emotional healing. He contends that we have the power to transform our traumas and habitual patterns that keep us stuck in perpetual cycles of stress, anxiety, depression, or addiction and step into greater freedom and peace. He offers practical strategies to calm our anxious minds, transform negative emotions, and facilitate greater self-acceptance, freedom and inner peace Dr. Goldstein, who comes from a family of psychologists, advocates that mental health comes from an approach that looks at all aspects of the self – physical, mental, emotional and even spiritual. As a licensed Psychologist, he teaches mindfulness-based programs in his own practice and through InsightLA. He has spoken at the UCLA Mindfulness and Psychotherapy Conference headlining Thich Nhat Hanh, Daniel Siegel, and Jack Kornfield, The NICABM Conference, Psychotherapy Networker, FACES Conferences, UCLA Semel Institute and Anxiety Disorder Clinic, the University of Washington with Dr. Alan Marlatt, and often hosts daylong courses atUCLA Extension. He is author of the popular Mindfulness and Psychotherapy Blog on Psychcentral.com and writes for the Huffington Post, Mindful.org and Mentalhelp.net. He has designed the 12-week Mindfulness at Work™ program that is currently being conducted in many mulinational corporations and has been published in The Journal of Clinical Psychologyand quoted in the New York Daily News, Reuters, NPR, UCLA Today, Examiner.com,Beliefnet.com, Body & Soul, The Week Magazine, among others. In addition to his books, he has created popular CDs and MP3 albums including Mindful Solutions for Stress, Anxiety and Depression, Mindful Solutions for Addiction and Relapse Prevention, Mindful Solutions for Success and Stress Reduction at Work, and Mindful Solutions for Adults with ADD/ADHD. Website: www.ElishaGoldstein.com The Now Effect: How a Mindful Moment Can Change the Rest of Your Life

Dr. Lobsang Rapay joins Dr Hill to discuss his early experience as a Tibetan monk and how it lead to a life in clinical psychology. Dr Rapgay talks about distancing yourself from your emotions in order to not be controlled by them. He speaks about techniques for extinguishing learned fear responses after the fact, as well as using mindfulness to conquer fear and anxiety. Bio: Dr. Lobsang Rapgay, PhD, Adjunct Assistant Professor Lobsang Rapgay, Research and Clinical psychologist at the Department of Psychiatry UCLA. He was the Director of the Behavioral Medicine Clinic and Program and an Assistant Clinical Professor at UCLA Semel Institute at UCLA for over six years. He is currently studying the behavioral and neural correlates of fear re-consolidation.

When tragedies strike students, their families, teachers and your classroom can be impacted. In this segment our guest provide guidance for teachers on how to help students cope with tragedy. @flourishingkids @blairconsult @bodymindchild @bamradionetwork Cathy Paine, Chair of National Emergency Assistance Team and member of National Association of School Psychologists. Mark DeAntonio MD Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Director of the Inpatient Child and Adolescent Service at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Joan Young is an elementary school teacher in the San Francisco bay, and a clinical psychologist. Nancy Blair is a professional development consultant, former teacher and school administrator.