In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald, a PhD trauma researcher, about the intersection of trauma and joy. Dr. MC discusses how she came to specialize in researching trauma and defines for listeners what both trauma and joy are. Dr. MC discusses some common misconceptions about joy or how it is conceptualize, as well as some ways that trauma impacts joy. We discuss her book, The Joy Reset , and discuss six common barriers that prevent us from accessing joy - hype...
Jul 28, 2025•45 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Mary-Frances Moore, LMHC, CCTP-II about the psychological impacts of bariatric surgery. Mary-Frances starts the discussion by sharing what got her interested in the psychological impacts of bariatric surgery, what bariatric surgery is, and who is a good candidate for bariatric surgery . She discusses the purpose of a psychological evaluation before bariatric surgery and what such an evaluation entails. Mary-Frances describes ways individuals can psych...
Jul 21, 2025•50 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk I discuss Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I provide a brief overview of the history of ACT, its main goals, and what mental health conditions it is effective for. I then discuss the primary goal of ACT, cognitive flexibility, and discuss in depth the opposite of this, cognitive rigidity, and six ways cognitive rigidity may manifest. I then discuss the Hexa-Flex, which includes the six core components of ACT - contact with the present moment, cognitive de...
Jul 14, 2025•47 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Justin Gillespie, LMSW-Clinical, ADHD-CCSP about parenting with ADHD. Justin first shares his personal journey with ADHD and how he came to specialize in working with people with ADHD. He then defines what ADHD is, how it presents in adulthood, and some differences between childhood and adult presentations. We then discuss some ways and areas in which ADHD impacts functioning as an adult and how ADHD impacts parenting. Justin discusses some of the uni...
Jul 07, 2025•56 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Sam Gennuso, LMFT about stuttering and its connection with authenticity. Sam defines stuttering for listening and shares her personal story as a person who stutters. Sam discusses how stuttering can be a complex trauma and it it impacts one's self-esteem and self-concept. Further, she describes how stuttering relates to authenticity and vulnerability, and how that connection with authenticity has directed much of her clinical work. Sam describes vario...
Jun 30, 2025•1 hr 3 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Dr. Jessica Lamar about betrayal trauma. Dr. Lamar defines for listeners what betrayal trauma is and how she came to specialize in working with betrayal trauma. Dr. Lamara discusses the symptoms one may experience with betrayal trauma, as well as impacts of betrayal trauma, both on the individual experiencing it and their relationship with the person who betrayed them. Further, we discuss sexual bereavement and disenfranchised grief in the context of ...
Jun 23, 2025•44 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Dr. Kiki Fehling about Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Dr. Kiki is a DBT-Linehan Board Certified therapist, author, and speaker. We start the episode by discussing Kiki's journey into specializing in DBT. Kiki then goes on to define with DBT is for listeners and walks us through the four modules of DBT (mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness) and they share some skills from each. Dr. Kiki then discusse...
Jun 16, 2025•52 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Marley Herrera, LMFT about LGBTQ+ couples therapy. Marley first introduces herself and how she came to specialize in LGBTQ+ couples therapy. Marley then goes on to discuss the similarities and differences between couples therapy among queer couples and cis/het couples. We dive into various reasons LGBTQ+ couples may seek therapy and how broader systems impact what LGBTQ+ couples bring to therapy and the therapeutic process. Marley shares about the imp...
Jun 09, 2025•51 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk I discuss the intersection of neurodivergence, specifically Autism and ADHD, and LGBTQ+ identities. I start the episode by discussing Pride Month, defining neurodivergence, as well as defining the term "neuroqueer". Next, I discuss the intersection between ASD and LGBTQ+ identities, where I discuss statistics about the co-morbidity between the two, theories as to why there is such overlap, and unique challenges ASD-LGBTQ+ individuals face. Then, I discuss the int...
Jun 02, 2025•36 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Dr. Kim Van Dusen, PsyD, LMFT, RPT about play based parenting. Dr. Kim shares her journey into specializing in play therapy and parenting work. She defines for listeners what play based parenting is and some strategies used in play based parenting. Dr. Kim discusses some of the benefits of taking a play based parenting approach, including how it helps with emotional intelligence, as well as compliance and cooperation. Dr. Kim also discusses some first...
May 26, 2025•58 min
In this episode of Psych Talk, I chat with Katherine Fabrizio, LCMHC, psychotherapist and author of The Good Daughter Syndrome . Katherine defines for listeners what the "Good Daughter Syndrome" is and how it shows up in the mother/daughter dynamic. She talks about the various traps that "good daughters" fall into and why it is so hard for "good daughters" to set boundaries with "difficult mothers". Katherine discusses common mistakes Good Daughters make when trying to set boundaries or escape t...
May 19, 2025•56 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Dr. Sumi Raghavan, PhD, licensed clinical psychologist about burnout. Dr. Sumi starts the episode by discussing her journey into specializing in burnout. She defines what burnout is, with a specific focus on the aspects of cynicism and loss of meaning. Dr. Sumi then goes on to discuss burnout from a systems lens and discusses stressors and circumstances BIPOC folx, specifically, may experience that contribute to burnout. We then discuss burnout preven...
May 12, 2025•50 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Elizabeth Abbruzza, licensed therapist and clinical director of the Bellevue Trauma Recovery Center about Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT). Elizabeth discusses what ETT is, including the four types of brain stimulation ETT uses. She discusses the various presenting problems ETT can be used for, as well as beneficial outcomes she has seen in her clients. We discuss why Elizabeth decided to get trained in ETT over other trauma therapies, how clini...
May 05, 2025•46 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk I discuss Autism Acceptance Month. I start the episode by discussing the differences between autism awareness and autism acceptance. I then discuss the history of autism, as well as the current diagnostic criteria, including the various levels of support needs. I then discuss the causes of autism, based on the current scientific literature. I discuss the various contributing factors to the rise in autism prevalence since the 1960s, as well as misconceptions about...
Apr 28, 2025•1 hr 4 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Allie McQuaid, LCPC, PMH-C all about "de-influencing" from mommy culture on social media. Allie discusses her journey into leaning into both influencing and "de-influencing" culture on social media and defines for listeners what "de-influencing" is. She discusses reasons why people may want to lean into de-influencing culture, the harms of influencer culture, specifically when it comes to parenting influencers. We discuss social comparison when it com...
Apr 21, 2025•53 min
In today's episode I chat with Dr. Connie Zollner, licensed therapist, about sex addiction. Dr. Connie starts the episode by discussing her journey into specializing in sex addiction and defines for listeners what sex addiction is. We discuss risk factors for developing a sexual addiction, as well as some warning signs that someone is experiencing a sex addiction. Dr. Connie addresses some of the common misconceptions about sex addiction, as well as discusses sex addiction in neurodivergent clie...
Apr 14, 2025•47 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Dr. Melissa Stone, PsyD about romantic relationships in the postpartum period. We start the episode by Dr. Melissa sharing how she came to specialize in perinatal mental health and why discussing romantic relationships in the postpartum period is so important. We discuss many ways romantic partnerships are changed or challenged in the postpartum period and how resentment plays a role in the strain on partners in the postpartum period. We discuss mater...
Apr 07, 2025•53 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk I discuss pediatric chronic illness and its relationship to mental health. I start the episode by defining chronic illness, both generally and in children, discuss some common pediatric chronic illnesses, and the prevalence rates. Additionally, I talk about causes of pediatric chronic illness. I then discuss the relation between pediatric chronic illness and mental health, why concerns are co-morbid, and the bidirectionally of the relationship. I cover how mental...
Mar 31, 2025•43 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Meghan Breen, LCSW about Binge Eating Disorder. Meghan defines for listeners what Binge Eating Disorder is, as well as some risk factors for developing Binge Eating Disorder. Additionally, Meghan discusses some of the common misconceptions about Binge Eating Disorder. The bulk of our discussion focuses on the treatment of Binge Eating Disorders, the treatment options available and the challenges of treating this disorder. Meghan ends the episode by of...
Mar 24, 2025•54 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Dr. Megan Turner-Cabrera, PsyD, PMH-C about generational trauma and healing in the context of perinatal mental health and parenting. Dr. Megan starts the discussion by discussing what generational trauma is and how it may show up. We then discuss how people can start recognizing and building awareness of their generational trauma and how generational trauma may show up in parenting practices. Dr. Megan discusses how people can start addressing their o...
Mar 17, 2025•59 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk, I chat with Julia Larson, LPC-MG, LAC about dual diagnosis. Julia discussed her journey into mental health and what got her interested in working with individuals with dual diagnosis. She defines for listeners what dual diagnosis is (having both a substance use disorder and mental health disorder) and its prevalence. We discuss why the overlap between substance use disorders and mental health disorders is so common, some of the unique challenges those with a dua...
Mar 10, 2025•48 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Liz Rhea, LMSW about creating welcoming spaces in therapy. Liz defines what a "welcoming space" in therapy is and why it is so important for clinicians to create welcoming spaces. We discuss the role authenticity on the part of the therapist plays in creating a welcoming space, as well as practical steps therapists can take to create a welcoming space, with a specific focus on creating welcoming spaces for trans and queer clients. Liz also highlights ...
Mar 03, 2025•51 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk I discuss the connection between trauma and eating disorders. I start the episode by discussing various types of eating disorders and the factors that may contribute to the development of an eating disorder. I then define what trauma is and discuss the relationship between eating disorders and trauma. In this discussion I highlight the concept of minority stress and eating disorders, the functional relationship between trauma and eating disorders, as well as clin...
Feb 24, 2025•40 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Dr. Brittany Chidley, PsyD about the power of feelings. She describes what feelings are and why she is so passionate about discussing feelings and their importance. We discussed how feelings can impact us beyond simply how we experiences the, as well as why it is easier to talk about pleasant feelings compared to unpleasant feelings. Dr. Chidley discussed why it is common for us to suppress difficult feelings and how we can cope with our feelings in a...
Feb 17, 2025•52 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Dr. Emily Guarnotta, PsyD, PMH-C about perinatal OCD. Dr. Emily discusses her journey into specializing in perinatal mental health and defines for listeners what perinatal OCD is. Dr. Emily discusses some common signs and symptoms of perinatal OCD and common themes seen in perinatal OCD. She then discusses the similarities and differences between perinatal OCD and perinatal anxiety, highlighting the experience of intrusive thoughts. Further, Dr. Emily...
Feb 10, 2025•41 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Dr. Heather Taylor, licensed psychologist and grief specialist about anticipatory grief and grief anniversaries. Dr. Taylor shares her own story of grief and how that led her to specializing in working with those who are grieving. Dr. Taylor defines what anticipatory grief is and discusses various ways it may show up for individuals. We discuss both death and non-death experiences that individuals may have anticipatory grief about, as well as coping s...
Feb 03, 2025•52 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Hannah Carlsrud, LMHCA about the rising demands of motherhood. Hannah discusses her journey into specializing in perinatal mental health and then we start the conversation by discussing many of the rising demands placed on mothers in our society, how they impact mental health, and how demands have changed over time. Hannah discusses some of the sacrifices moms have to make when it comes to balancing raising children with their other responsibilities, ...
Jan 27, 2025•52 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Morganne Owens, LCSW and intuitive and holistic psychologist about ecological healing. Morganne shares her practice of holistic intuitive psychotherapy and how she became a holistic intuitive psychologist. Morganne then defines what ecological healing is and how the climate and nature impact wellbeing. Morganne describes the intersection between the individual, society, and climate when it comes to healing and ways individual can identify how the clim...
Jan 20, 2025•46 min
In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Andrew Robinson, LCSW about ADHD. Andrew starts the discussion by sharing his personal experience with ADHD and how he came to specialize in ADHD. He then discusses what ADHD is and common signs and symptoms of ADHD. Andrew discusses ADHD in women, how it may present differently than in men, and some unique struggles that women with ADHD may face. Andrew also discusses ADHD and grief, a topic not frequently discussed and very under researched. We end ...
Jan 13, 2025•46 min
Welcome back to Season 5 of Psych Talk! I am so happy to kick off the New Year with you discussing the topic of self-reflection. In today's episode I discuss what self-reflection is, the benefits of self-reflection, and how to practice self-reflection. I also discuss how to take actionable steps based on self-reflection and discuss the potential downsides of self-reflection. I end the episode by sharing some of the self-reflection I have done over the past year and goals I am setting based on th...
Jan 06, 2025•44 min
