Behavioral Health Today

Clients could know intellectually that they were safe, but they didn't feel it in their body. Healing has to happen at the level of threat physiology, not just cognition. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon speaks with Dr. Katelyn Lehman. Katelyn is a pioneering practitioner and the founder of Quantum Clinic, a Los Angeles-based wellness center dedicated to heart-brain coherence and nervous system healing through sympathetic resonance. Her innovative approach to mental health has been featured in Goop, the LA Times, NBC, and Beverly Hills Times, where she’s been recognized for building a movement of radical reconnection, with nature, our bodies, intuition, and one another. By blending science and spirituality, she’s reshaping the landscape of mental wellness, offering transformative healing experiences. I’m excited to welcome Katelyn back to our Clinicians Series, where we take listeners behind the therapy door to explore the strategies and approaches that truly support mental health. In this episode, we dive into the creation of Quantum Clinic’s integrative, somatic model, blending heart-brain coherence biofeedback, float therapy, and expressive arts, to address trauma, chronic stress, pain, and mood disorders. We unpack the science and clinical safeguards behind the work, explore applications including psychedelic integration, and discuss how other clinicians can thoughtfully incorporate body-based approaches into their own practice.

 

For more information about Quantum Clinic, please visit: https://www.quantumclinic.com/

For more information about Quantum Clinic services, please visit: https://www.quantumclinic.com/wellness-services-los-angeles

If you would like to connect with Dr. Katelyn Lehman, please email at:  caitlin@quantumclinic.com.

Connect with Quantum Clinics on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@quantumclinic

Connect with Quantum Clinics on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/quantumclinicusa/

Connect with Quantum Clinics on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/quantumclinicusa

Connect with Quantum Clinics on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/quantumclinicusa

For articles and thought leadership by Dr. Katelyn Lehman, please visit: https://drklehman.medium.com

Connect with Dr. Katelyn Lehman on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelynlehman/

When your teen is struggling, the natural instinct is to rush in and fix it. But constantly bailing them out can actually push them further away. True support isn't about steering the car for them, it’s about having the courage to let them safely scrape their knees so they can learn how to heal and grow. In this episode, host Peter Fenger sits down with Sophia Vale Galano, a California-based psychotherapist with over a decade of experience supporting teenagers and families. Sophia holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from NYU and brings a deeply holistic lens to mental health, integrating advanced training in sex therapy, animal-assisted therapy, yoga, and Reiki into her thriving practice. Together, Peter and Sophia dive into the practical roadmap laid out in her new book, “Calming Teenage Anxiety: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Your Teenager Cope with Worry”. They explore how parents can move past fear and confusion to build a home rooted in confidence, connection, and emotional resilience.

 

To learn more about “Calming Teenage Anxiety: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Your Teenager Cope with Worry” by Sophia Galano, LCSW, please visit: https://sophiagalano.com/book/

For more information about the audio book version of “Calming Teenage Anxiety”, please visit: https://www.audible.com/pd/Calming-Teenage-Anxiety-Audiobook/B0G21TFB9H

For more information about Sophia Galano, please visit: https://sophiagalano.com

Connect with Sophia on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/sophiavale_galano/

Connect with Sophia on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiavalegalano/

Healing isn't about 'fixing' a survivor or making choices for them; it’s about restoring the power of choice that trauma stole. In this episode, host Sharlee Dixon sits down with Erin Williamson, the Chief Programs and Strategy Officer at Love146, a leading organization dedicated to preventing child trafficking and providing holistic care for survivors. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s in Public Administration and over two decades of experience across social services and criminal justice, Erin brings deep expertise to the complex realities of human trafficking and child sexual exploitation. Her leadership extends nationally through her service on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Advisory Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and Youth in the United States. Through her work at Love146, she continues to drive innovative survivor care and prevention education programs nationwide. We are thrilled to welcome Erin back to our Clinicians Series, where we take listeners behind the proverbial therapy door to explore the strategies and approaches that truly support mental health. Together, we dive into Love146’s mission and trauma-informed clinical work with youth who have experienced trafficking and sexual exploitation. We examine how trust is built, how healing is sustained across complex systems, and how challenges and breakthroughs are navigated. Ultimately, we discuss how insights from the therapy room inform prevention, education, and the vital resources available to parents, clinicians, and communities who want to get involved.

 

To learn more about Love146, please visit: https://love146.org

For additional resources about risk factors and protection, please visit: https://love146.org/resources/

For more information about bringing the Not A Number program to your community, please visit: https://love146.org/notanumber/

If you would like to make a donation to Love146, please visit: https://love146.org/ways-to-give/
Sign up for Parent Tip emails by visiting: https://love146.org/caregivers/

Connect with Love146 on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/love146.org

Connect with Love146 on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/love146/

Connect with Love146 on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/love146/

Connect with Love146 on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/user/love146US

Healing begins when we reframe the story. When we move past digital buffers and step into true presence, we realize we aren’t alone, and we finally welcome our full humanity. In this episode, host Peter Fenger sits down with John Morgan, a social worker, filmmaker, and the founder of Soft Work. Soft Work is a men’s mental health support network dedicated to helping men, particularly Black men, embrace vulnerability as a pathway to healing, connection, and emotional growth. With over a decade of experience in community mental health, including impactful work in Akron’s public schools and at the county’s first Black-owned, nationally accredited mental health agency, John brings a deeply informed, practice-driven approach to group-based healing. Alongside his clinical work, John is the co-founder of Live Your Purpose Media, a storytelling platform using film to explore issues at the intersection of wellness, equity, and social justice. Through powerful visual narratives focusing on Black maternal health, incarceration, and men’s mental health, his filmmaking extends the mission of Soft Work, challenging stigma, amplifying lived experience, and creating space for collective healing. We’re excited to welcome John back to the show as part of our Clinicians Series, where we take listeners behind the proverbial therapy door to explore the strategies and techniques that support men’s mental health. In this conversation, we dive into the philosophy and practice behind Soft Work, looking at how group-based support for men is thoughtfully designed, facilitated, and sustained, from building trust and navigating challenges to recognizing deeper needs and fostering long-term healing.

 

For more information about Soft Work, please visit: https://www.soft-work.org

To contact Soft Work, please email at: support@softwork.org

For more information about Live Your Purpose (LYP) Media, please visit: https://www.lypmedia.com

For more information about Live Your Purpose podcast, please visit: https://www.lypmedia.com/podcast

For more information about LYP Media films, please visit: https://www.lypmedia.com/film

Contract LYP Media to purchase the film rental at:  info@lypmedia.com.

Shop the LPY store at: https://www.lypmedia.com/shop

Connect with LYP Media on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/liveyourpurposemedia

Connect with LYP Media on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-morgan-133a47296

Connect with LYP Media on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@mr.lyp1?_t=ZP-8u40QM2Q3Op&_r=1

Connect with LYP Media on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw1reF41STK-a0I5KjGhv4g

Connect with Soft Work on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/softworkorg

The 2026 ASWB exam is shedding rote memorization in favor of real-world application. It’s no longer about proving what you can remember it’s about proving how you practice. In this episode, host Sharlee Dixon sits down with Robin Bartee, LCSW, an exam prep creator and social work expert within the Level Education Group family. Together, they break down the major 2026 ASWB exam overhaul and explore what this massive shift toward competency-based testing actually means for candidates. Robin brings over two decades of diverse field experience to the conversation. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, her career spans community education, non-profit leadership, therapy, and clinical supervision. After earning her master’s degree in Bilingual/Bicultural Social Work from New Mexico Highlands University, she later returned to her alma mater as a contingent faculty member teaching social work ethics and research methods. Passionate about mentoring the next generation of professionals and building "self-sustaining healing systems," Robin lends her deep expertise to help candidates cut through the test anxiety, understand the new exam structure, and trust their clinical reasoning. Whether you're a recent graduate or a seasoned veteran in the field, this episode is your strategic roadmap to conquering the new exam layout.

 

For more information about the ASWB Exam, please visit: https://www.aswb.org/exam/

To download the ASWB Examination Guidebook, please visit: https://www.aswb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025-ASWB-Examination-Guidebook-Pearson-VUE.pdf

For more information about AATBS Exam Prep, please visit: https://aatbs.com/social-work

For more information about upcoming ASWB exam changes, please visit: https://aatbs.com/social-work/upcoming-social-work-exam-changes

Building a high-performing team isn't about being the smartest person in the room, it’s about making everyone feel seen enough to speak up. When you build a culture around psychological safety, you aren't just protecting feelings; you're scaling excellence. In this episode, host Sharlee Dixon speaks with with MichaelAaron Flicker. MichaelAaron is an entrepreneur, behavioral science strategist, founder of the Consumer Behavior Lab and CEO of XenoPsi Ventures, a brand incubator powering some of America’s fastest-growing companies. MichaelAaron partners with CEOs and executive teams to apply behavioral science to leadership, culture, and growth, helping organizations unlock performance by better understanding human behavior. A co-author of “Hacking the Human Mind”, MichaelAaron’s work has been featured in Fast Company and other leading publications, and has earned recognition including NJBIZ’s “40 Under 40” and multiple appearances on the Inc. 5000 list. MichaelAaron also hosts The Behavioral Science for Brands podcast, exploring how science and leadership intersect to build stronger teams and organizations. We’re excited to have MichaelAaron with us today, where we’ll explore how psychological safety can become central to a management philosophy, and the leadership behaviors that build trust, accountability, and high-performing teams, especially during times of change, uncertainty, and growth.

 

For more information about “Hacking the Human Mind” by Co-authored by MichaelAaron Flicker, please visit: https://www.hackingthehumanmind.com

For more information about MichaelAaron Flicker and the Consumer Behavior Lab, please visit: https://theconsumerbehaviorlab.com

Listen to The Behavior Science for Brands Podcast at: https://theconsumerbehaviorlab.com/podcast-overview.php

If you’re interested in Consumer Behavior Lab Consulting and Training, please visit: https://theconsumerbehaviorlab.com/work-with-us.php

For more information about the Hacking The Human Miind Masterclass, please visit: https://theconsumerbehaviorlab.com/masterclass.php

Our capacity to sit with uncomfortable physical sensations determines how big our world can be. When we stop running from discomfort, we stop letting old trauma triggers make our decisions for us. In this episode, host Peter Fenger sits down with Celia Bray, an Australian psychologist, founder of Somatic Psychology Australia, and author of “Inscribed: Your Body’s Hidden Script”. With over 25 years of global experience supporting individuals and communities, Celia’s work is rooted in a profound truth: true healing and wisdom come from listening to the body, not just the mind. After a critical health crisis forced her to re-evaluate her own hyper-logical approach to life, Celia dedicated her career to somatic therapy and experiential practices. Today, she helps people move past the limitations of traditional talk therapy to reconnect with their physical selves.

 

For more information about “Inscribed: Your Body’s Hidden Script” by Celia Bray, please visit: https://www.somaticpsychologyinternational.com/books

For more information about Celia Bray, please visit: https://www.somaticpsychologyinternational.com

Read the Somatic Psychology Blog: https://www.somaticpsychologyinternational.com/blog

Connect with Celia on social media:

• On Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/celiajbray/
• On Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celiabray/
• On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@celiabray5851

Traditional clinical interviews can have up to a 50% variance in ADHD diagnosis, leaving the door wide open for implicit bias. By utilizing machine learning-enabled, asynchronous assessments, Mentavi Health is wringing out biases related to race, gender, and appearance, and dropping the false-positive rate to just 12%. In this episode, host Peter Fenger speaks with Dr. Barry K. Herman, Chief Medical Officer at Mentavi Health. A Stanford-trained, board-certified adult and child psychiatrist with over 25 years of experience across managed care, pharmaceuticals, and digital health, Dr. Herman is a past president of AAPAL and a prolific researcher with over 100 scientific publications to his name. Join us as we explore Dr. Herman’s non-linear journey from traditional practice to population health, the clinical validation behind the Mentavi Diagnostic Evaluation, and how decoupling diagnosis from treatment is fundamentally shifting the timeline, accuracy, and accessibility of online mental health care.

 

For more information about Mentavi Health, please visit: https://mentavi.com

For more information about Mentavi Health’s Diagnostic Evaluation, please visit: https://mentavi.com/diagnostic-evaluation/

For more information about their assessment validation study, please visit: https://mentavi.com/press-release/mentavi-health-announces-results-from-first-of-its-kind-adhd-assessment-validation-study/

Connect with Mentavi Health on social media:

• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentavi_health/
• On Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mentavihealth/
• On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mentavihealth
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Mentavi/100085316731601/
• On X: https://x.com/MentaviHealth

Healing That Ends in Beauty: Plant Medicine & Conscious Integration with Dr. Richard Grossman, LAc, OMD – Episode 452

 

Ayahuasca doesn't hand you a cure; it unlocks the healer already inside you. The visions may fade, but the capacity for pure, unconditional love remains. In this episode, host Peter Fenger sits down with Dr. Richard Grossman, a licensed acupuncturist, Doctor of Oriental Medicine, and author of “Trust and Forgive: The Medicine of Your Life”. Dr. Grossman’s lifelong dedication to the healing arts began in the wake of profound early trauma, sparking a fascination with the interconnected power of plants and the human mind. After training in Los Angeles and studying in Beijing under a World Health Organization program, he spent decades weaving together Oriental medicine, functional medicine, and deep spiritual practice. His extensive work with Ayahuasca and sound healing, shaped by years of study alongside indigenous shamans in Ecuador and Peru, has evolved into a unique synthesis of Amazonian shamanism, energy medicine, and multisensory ceremony. Today, Dr. Grossman guides individuals toward profound emotional, physical, and spiritual transformation, always rooted in a singular, core intention: helping others step out of suffering by discovering the source of joy within. Join us as we explore his journey from early trauma to a lifetime of healing, diving deep into the therapeutic dimensions of plant medicine, the role of sacred music, the integration of ceremonial insights, and how personal transformation ultimately contributes to collective healing.

 

For more information about “Trust and Forgive: The Medicine of Your Life” by Dr. Richard Grossman, please visit: https://www.amazon.com/Trust-Forgive-Medicine-Journey-Starts/dp/B0DCD87XN6

For more information about Dr. Richard Grossman and his work, please visit: https://heartfeather.com

If you would like to subscribe to The Medicine of Your Life newsletter, please visit: https://heartfeather.substack.com/subscribe

You can’t control your feelings, but you can influence them by choosing your next thought and action. In this episode, host Peter Fenger sits down with Anthony Verdino, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and author of the new book, “CBT Simplified: A Simple Guide to Understanding Cognitive Behavioral Therapy”. Drawing from his extensive background in outpatient hospital settings and private practice, Anthony specializes in using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients of all ages build mental resilience and emotional stability. Together, Peter and Anthony demystify mental health by breaking down complex concepts into a practical, accessible toolkit. From breaking the cycle of procrastination and mastering assertive communication to reframing negative thoughts, this conversation offers compassionate strategies to help you regain agency, lean into your challenges, and build lasting resilience.

 

For more information about “CBT Simplified: A Simple Guide to Understanding Cognitive Behavioral Therapy” by Anthony Verdino, LCSW, please visit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHG24D7M

For more information about Anthony Verdino, LCSW, please visit: https://www.anthonyverdino.com

Connect with Anthony on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-verdino-lcsw-87a6806b

Continuing education shouldn't be a chore to check off a list. By trading dry, slide-heavy lectures for creative, story-driven experiences, we can turn standard professional development into deeply engaging moments that actually stick. In this episode, host Sharlee Dixon sits down with Anne McSweeney, LCSW, the visionary founder of CEU Creations and a leader at CE4Less. After twenty years in the field, Anne is on a mission to eliminate "boring" continuing education by replacing compliance checklists with immersive, community-rich learning. Through her innovative work, she is building a multidisciplinary hub that gives social workers, nurses, and counselors the real-world tools they need to thrive. Join us as we explore how Anne is revolutionizing professional development, bringing education to life through storytelling, theater, and genuine human connection to foster deep clinical breakthroughs.

 

For more information about CEU Creations, please visit: https://ceucreationsinc.com
Learn more about the Ultimate CE Bundle: https://ceucreationsinc.com/ce-trainings/ceu-select-bundled-program/

Connect with CEU Creations on social media:

• On Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/CeuCreations/
• On Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/ceucreations/
• On X: https://twitter.com/ceucreations

You are not your cravings. True transformation isn't about white-knuckling through deprivation; it’s about creating space between the urge and your reaction so you can choose to act with intention. In this episode, host Sharlee Dixon sits down with Laura Elorza, a clinical psychologist dedicated to helping people break free from autopilot living and discover the difference between fleeting pleasure and genuine happiness. Laura is the mind behind Unconscious Moderation, a transformative platform that combines hypnotherapy, reflective journaling, and movement to help individuals reshape their relationship with alcohol, completely free of shame or labels. Drawing from her academic rigor, including a clinical psychology degree from Universidad EAFIT and a psychodynamically focused master’s from Universidad del Norte, Laura brings immense human-centered warmth to her work. Tune in as we explore how unconscious patterns drive our drinking habits, how to transition from coping to conscious moderation, and how to leverage mindful tools to build lasting change and discover true happiness.

 

For more information about Unconscious Moderation App, please visit: https://um.app

Save 20% on your subscription with promo code LAURA20UM or try the app risk-free for 30 days, get the app on the Apple App Store: https://mydry30.onelink.me/drgz/t9hhpvrf

Get the app on the Google Play store: https://mydryjourney.onelink.me/FGbQ/y0tq3bzz

Connect with Unconscious Moderation on social media:

• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/um_app_?igsh=Mmhzb3dnc3draHUz
• On Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@um_app_?_t=ZS-8ysHMPJfW36&_r=1
• On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UM_App_Official
• On Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unconscious-moderation/posts/?feedView=all

Your greatest leadership value isn't birthed from your perfection, but from your pressure points. The things that broke your heart or kept you up at night are the exact experiences that unlock genuine self-empathy, and it is only by directing accurate empathy inward that we can effectively externalize it to lead others. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon speaks with with Dr. D. Ivan Young, a globally recognized authority in human behavior, leadership psychology, and the science of emotional mastery. As an ICF Master Certified Coach, a prestigious designation held by fewer than one percent of coaches worldwide, Ivan is renowned for his evidence-based approach to creating lasting change for high achievers. His TEDx talks have garnered over five million views, and his insights are regularly featured in Forbes and MSNBC, making him a trusted advisor to Fortune 100 executives and global institutions. Today, we are honored to discuss his latest book, “Leading From the Heart”. Join us as we explore the vital transition from emotional to ethical intelligence, and discover how leaders can move beyond merely "performing" presence to practicing the genuine self-empathy and compassionate leadership required for true greatness.

 

For more information about “Leading From The Heart” by Dr. D. Ivan Young, please visit: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Leading-from-the-Heart/D-Ivan-Young/9798895655290

For more information about Dr. D. Ivan Young, please visit: https://drdivanyoung.com

Watch Dr. Young’s TEDx Talk on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/7vZmOF11P9A?si=8cY6iHeMw_7JSaq2

For more information about URIEL Ai, plese visit: https://drdivanyoung.com/ethical-intelligence-the-evolution-of-ai/

Connect with Dr. Young on social media:

• On Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/drdivanyoung/
• On Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/DrDivanYoung/

We're conditioned to stand right next to everything we thought we wanted, the money, the status, the life that looks right from the outside, and still feel empty. Real contentment isn't a checklist you complete. It's the stillness you finally allow yourself to step into. In this episode, Peter Fenger sits down with Danielle Diamond, a renowned yoga and lifestyle expert with more than twenty years of experience helping people build strength, resilience, and mental clarity. Danielle is the creator of Zen Strength Yoga, a modern approach that blends yoga with functional fitness, and her work has been featured on the Today Show, Dr. Oz, Yoga Journal, and more. As a contributor to Yahoo Beauty and The Huffington Post, she has long championed honest conversations around mental health and self-acceptance. Her forthcoming memoir, “Happy Adjacent”, draws on her own personal journey to reframe happiness and destigmatize mental illness, offering tools through movement, mindfulness, and radical honesty that help others feel seen, supported, and grounded. Today, Danielle opens up about a childhood shaped by fame and quiet chaos, a lifelong search for real happiness, and the healing she found by finally going inward. Her story and her memoir challenge us to rethink resilience, presence, and what it truly means to be well.

For more information about “Happy Adjacent” by Danielle Diamond, please visit: happy-adjacent.com

Connect with Danielle Diamond on social media:

• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happyadjacent_/
• On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happyadjacent_
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/happyadjacent/

The 2026 National MFT Exam isn't exactly the test you thought you were studying for. While most candidates were focused on the January handbook, a quiet, unannounced revision in March 2026 moved the goalposts while many were already mid-sprint. Whether you’re weeks away from your window or just beginning to map out your licensure journey, understanding this "recalibration" is the difference between passing with confidence and being blindsided by a screen full of surprises. In this episode, Peter Fenger and Sharlee Dixon break down the high-stakes reality of the AMFTRB’s silent update. We dig into the major shifts in domain weighting and why a "typical" study plan might now be missing the mark. We explore the two biggest curriculum additions: the integration of AI in clinical practice and a deeper, more intersectional focus on cultural competency. We tackle the tough questions: Why did the board change the outline without an announcement? How do you pivot your strategy when the website and the handbook don't match? And most importantly, how do you handle the "test anxiety 2.0" that comes when the testing body itself breaks standard protocol?

 

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