Behavioral Health Today

Treating Chronic Pain with Pain Reprocessing Therapy with Dr. Jaimee Arnoff – Episode 201

For many suffering from chronic pain it is challenging to re-trust your body, but with Pain Reprocessing Therapy it is possible to explore that sensation and welcome it. In this episode, Dr. Erin Elmore speaks with Dr. Jaimee Arnoff. Jaimee is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in CBT and Pain Reprocessing Therapy. She brings 10 years of both clinical and lived experience to her work, treating children, adolescents, and young adult clients who experience anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. In her own journey of chronic pain, Jaimee was diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia and Fibromyalgia, in addition to multiple other conditions that cause inflammation and related nerve pain. Together Erin and Jaimee discuss using Pain Reprocessing Therapy to create new neural pathways that promote safety within the body, the common challenges experienced by those living with chronic pain, steps to reprocessing pain, and the success of PRT with clients as a complement during their pain journey.

 

For more information about Jaimee and BFF Therapy, please visit: https://www.bfftherapy.com

For more information about Pain Reprocessing Therapy and finding a directory of PRT certified therapist, please visit: https://www.painreprocessingtherapy.com

For more information about Pain Reprocessing Theray and the Pain Psychology Center, please visit: https://www.painpsychologycenter.com

Finally, for more information about Flowly, the biofeedback app, please visit: https://www.flowly.world

Clinicians Series: Parental Tips to Communicating with Your Teen with Michael Klinkner, LCSW – Episode 200

Today, we’re celebrating our 200th episode of Behavioral Health Today! In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Michael Klinkner. Michael is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 22 years of experience helping children, adolescents, and adults in therapy. Michael has specialty training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Neurolinguistic Programming. Currently, Michael is working with Evolve Counseling in Arizona where he treats a variety of issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and ADHD, focusing primarily on children, teen, and adolescent populations. Together Graham and Michael discuss the current pressures of teens, how to have tough conversations, connecting with your child by building routines into your day, a foundation for your child’s consumption of social media, and the importance of family values and the discussion of those as a family system. All behavior is communication, but if we can give them a different way to do it by coaching the parents up and tooling them, we can see changes actually occur.

 

For more information about Michael Klinkner and Evolve Counseling, please visit: https://www.evolvecounselingaz.com

Connect with Michael on Instagram at michael_klinknercouseling, or visit: https://www.instagram.com/evolvecounseling_AZ/

Finally, connect with Michael on Facebook at michaelklinknercounseling, or visit: https://www.facebook.com/michaelklinknercounseling

Applying Motivational Interviewing & Understanding Our Biases with Marya Wright, LCSW – Episode 199

Our social landscape in our environment contributes to the biases that we hold. So self-examination work is really important to understand yourself so you can understand others in a deeper empathetic way. The spirit of motivational interviewing can be used in such a way that can lower barriers of the systems that we work in as to interface with clients, support the clients where they're at, and find a way to curate change that will be longstanding. In this episode, Dr. Erin Elmore speaks with Marya Wright, LCSW. Marya is a nationally distinguished social worker, consultant, international trainer, and facilitator with experience in organizational leadership, child welfare services, and curriculum development. She is the President and CEO of Wright Community Services, LLC, a company that strives to empower system-involved families through awareness, services and education while also providing consultation, training, and system specific facilitation to agencies that services these communities.

 

For more information about Marya Wright Consulting, please visit: https://www.maryawrightconsulting.com

For more information about Wright Community Services, and their community resources and storefront, please visit: https://www.wrightcommunityservices.com

For more information about Motivational Interviewing in Social Work Practice by Melinda Hohman and contribution by Marya Wright, please visit: https://www.maryawrightconsulting.com/press-room

For more information about the article White Supremacy by Tema Okun, please visit: https://www.dismantlingracism.org/uploads/4/3/5/7/43579015/okun_-_white_sup_culture.pdf

Maintaining Your New Year’s Resolution Using Motivational Interviewing with Pam Pietruszewski, MA – Episode 198

How are people most motivated? They're motivated by feeling invested, having that engagement, being in the same head space as the person helping them and having their thoughts considered. In this episode, Dr. Erin Elmore speaks with Pam Pietruszewski, MA. Pam has more than 30 years’ experience designing and implementing programs to integrate behavioral health and primary care services. Her work includes the program Getting Candid: Framing the Conversation Around Youth Substance Use Prevention funded by the CDC, and DIAMOND, a depression care management program that received the 2010 Gold Award from the American Psychiatric Association. Pam holds a master’s degree in counseling and psychological services and is a member of the national Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT). Together Erin and Pam discuss the spirit of motivational interviewing, the power of reflective listening, change talk, and how to use motivational interviewing to maintain your new year’s resolutions. The normal natural evolution of any self-improvement is tracking the small steps along the way. And Motivational Interviewing helps facilitate that.

 

For more information about Motivational Interviewing, please visit: https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/service/motivational-interviewing/

For more information about The Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainings (MINT), please visit: https://motivationalinterviewing.org

For more information about National Council for Mental Wellbeing, please visit: https://www.thenationalcouncil.org

Part 2: Moral Opportunity and Engaging with Your Societal Position with Brian Lowery – Episode 197

This episode resumes our conversation with Dr. Graham Taylor and his guest Brian Lowery. In our last episode, we asked what if we could change the word privilege into something different that wasn’t so reactionary, and defined privilege as aspirational, almost virtuous opportunities, that strives for collective transcendence. We discussed how defensiveness and the feelings of guilt, shame, and avoidance toward our privileges deprives us of a richer life. And how appropriately identifying our privileges will direct our actions to steward our lives in creating a better world. And lastly, we discussed what a more just and equitable world would look like, allowing differences between people to contribute to society and their natural talents to flourish because of equitable access. And how in modern times, we should have a minimal level of life quality. We’ll resume our talk today by discussing societal organization and the collective production of social goods. It’s important to remember the way things are, are because we’ve structured it this way. We live in the society that we’ve created. So, if we conditioned it, we could recondition it to something better.

 

For more information about Brian Lowery and his podcast Know What You See, please visit: https://www.knowwhatyousee.com

For more information about Selfless by Brian Lowery and his new book, please visit:https://www.harpercollins.com/products/selfless-brian-lowery

For more information about articles and other media content by Brian Lowery about race, equity, and privilege, please visit: https://www.knowwhatyousee.com/media-page

For more information about Brian Lowery and Stanford Graduate School of Business, please visit: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/brian-lowery

Part 1: Moral Opportunity and Engaging with Your Societal Position with Brian Lowery – Episode 196

If you could change the word privilege, given its recent incendiary tendency, so that it wouldn't be so reactionary, what word would you choose that might invite and allow a conversation between folks that might be a little more inviting, a little bit more engaged, and a little bit more inclusive? In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Brian Lowery. Brian is a professor of Organizational Behavior and a Social Psychologist by training at Stanford Graduate School of Business. Brian is driving an initiative to shape enlightened and purposeful leaders for a diverse society. Brian’s research examines the operation of racial attitudes below the threshold of consciousness and the perception of inequality. He has been published in major scholarly journals such as the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, and Law and Human Behavior. Together Graham and Brian discuss how identifying privilege can direct our actions and provides an opportunity to improve ourselves and our community. They discuss how defensiveness and the feelings of guilt, shame, and avoidance towards privilege deprives us of a richer life. And lastly, they discuss what a more just and equitable world would look like and how in current times, we should have a minimal level of life quality. We will resume this conversation in our next upcoming podcast.

For more information about Brian Lowery and his podcast Know What You See, please visit: https://www.knowwhatyousee.com

For more information about Selfless by Brian Lowery and his new book, please visit:https://www.harpercollins.com/products/selfless-brian-lowery

For more information about articles and other media content by Brian Lowery about race, equity, and privilege, please visit: https://www.knowwhatyousee.com/media-page

For more information about Brian Lowery and Stanford Graduate School of Business, please visit: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/brian-lowery

 

Clinicians Series: Affirming Care with Steven Haden, MSW – Episode 195

Envision: You offers programs for parents, caregivers, and clinicians that tailors content to create identity-affirming and culturally relevant care. Their programs aim to co-create healing spaces that validate identity and help to understand different experiences. In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Steven Haden, MSW. Steven is the CEO and Co-Founder to Envision: You, a non-profit that works to improve the behavioral health outcomes of the LGBTQ+ community by addressing the disparity in the care they receive. Steven is a Certified LGBTQ+ Affirming therapist, Mental Health First Aid Instructor, and public speaker on issues related to behavioral health concerns from the perspective of lived experience. Through Envision: You, Steven has helped lead an initiative to implement a multi-media public awareness campaign and no-cost virtual behavioral telehealth services to increase access to LGBTQ+ affirming care. Together Graham and Steven discuss the various programs of Envision: You: How to Have the Talk, Q is for Questioning, Finding Hope, IDEA Initiative, the Mental Health Action Toolkit, and the Affirming Care course. They also discuss updates on the You: Flourish app, currently in development. Envision: You is working every day to help create communities that are safer and more welcoming to members of the LGBTQ+ community. There is hope and there are people that care about you members of the community.

 

For more information about Envision: You, please visit: https://www.envision-you.org

For more information about the You: Flourish app, please visit: https://you-flourish.com

If you’re looking to initiate conversation and learn how to have “the talk”, please visit: https://www.envision-you.org/how-to-have-the-talk

For more information about Q is for Questioning, please visit: https://www.envision-you.org/q-is-for-questioning

For more information about Affirming Care and training, please visit: https://www.envision-you.org/lgbtq-behavioral-health-training

Healing Power of Psychedelic Psychotherapy with Natalie Liberman LCSW LMFT – Episode 194

 

A snake that is unable to shed its skin does not deserve to live. We know those traumatic memories are imprinted in our sensory and emotional nodes leading to trauma getting stuck in our neural network that alters aspects of our lives that we may not even be consciously aware of. With the advances in clinical trials on psychedelic substances and psychotherapy, research has shown that psychedelics with the guidance of a therapist can be used as tools to reach our secondary consciousness and release deep traumas held deep within our minds. To share her personal experiences with the inclusion of psychedelics Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Natalie Liberman, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Natalie has been a faculty at Gerry Grossman Seminars (since 2012), and an Adjunct Faculty at Pepperdine University, Graduate School of Education and Psychology (since 2015). In her private practice, Natalie works with an array of clients dealing with substance abuse, trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, career and life transitions, sexual problems, social anxiety disorders, communication issues, self-esteem, and general quality of life issues. Today's show is going to be more of a human-interest-focused show as we discuss with Natalie, her life, her personal growth, and her work in therapy. In the words of Natalie, “I haven't had a journey that was not impactful and I've never experienced things that felt out of control. Every journey that I had been on, had provided me such an impactful insight for myself to be able to see who I am.”

 

Connect with Natalie Liberman on Instagram @insight_with_natalie or visit:

https://www.instagram.com/insight_with_natalie/

Or email Natalie at natalie@insightwithnatalie.com

For more information about How to Change your Mind by Michael Pollan, please visit: https://michaelpollan.com/books/how-to-change-your-mind/

For more information about This is Your Mind on Plants by Michael Pollan, please visit: https://michaelpollan.com/books/this-is-your-mind-on-plants/

For more information about Fantastic Fungi on Netflix, please visit: https://www.netflix.com/title/81183477

For more information about Another Self on Netflix, please visit: https://www.netflix.com/title/81380432

For more information about It Didn’t Start with You by Mark Wolynn, please visit: https://markwolynn.com/it-didnt-start-with-you/

For more information about the Psychedelic Somatic Institute, please visit: https://www.psychedelicsomatic.org

Working with Latinx Populations with Dr. Lisa Sanchez-Johnsen – Episode 193

Working with the Latinx population, we try and work within those cultural values. We don’t want to necessarily change anybody’s values and respect is a key component in Latinx culture, but we want to work with their cultural values and help them to interpret in a new way. In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Dr. Lisa Sanchez-Johnsen. Lisa is an academic leader in the areas of health equity and multicultural and Latinx health and she has 30 years of experience conducting research and clinical work with Latinxs, Blacks, and other ethnic minorities in culturally competent health behavior assessments and interventions. Lisa is an Associate Professor and the Vice-Chair for Research in the Department of Family Medicine at Rush Medical College at Rush University Medical Center. She is also the Co-Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Workgroup in the Department of Family Medicine, as well as Core Faculty and Director of Integrated Behavioral Health & Wellness, DEI, and Research in the Rush-Esperanza Family Medicine Residency Program. She also has an adjunct Associate Professor position in the Department of Psychology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. In 2008, Lisa received the Distinguished Professional Early Career Award from the National Latino Psychological Association based on her research, her teaching, her clinical practice, service, and mentorship as it relates to Latino Health. Together Graham and Lisa discuss the use of Latinx, Latino, Hispanic, etc. as an identity, the noteworthy medical health, and mental health-related issues, the acculturation of stress, Latinx worldviews, the importance of within-group differences, and the importance of understanding ethnic identity and cultural values. One of the things we get to do as practitioners is, we get to kind of shade in and develop with them a greater appreciation for who they are within the context of their family, their community, and their cultural heritage.

 

For more information about Rush University Department of Family and Preventative Medicine, please visit: https://www.rushu.rush.edu/rush-medical-college/departments/family-preventive-medicine

To connect with Dr. Lisa Sanchez-Johnsen on LinkedIn, please visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanchez-johnsen-lisa-5525962a

To connect with Dr. Lisa Sanchez-Johnsen on Twitter follow @DrlisaSJ, or visit: https://twitter.com/DrlisaSJ

Part 2: Clinicians Series: Perinatal Mental Health with Tracy Gilmour-Nimoy, LMFT – Episode 192

This episode resumes our conversation with Dr. Graham Taylor and his guest Tracy Gilmour-Nimoy, LMFT. In our last episode, we discussed the common challenges of people who have experienced pregnancy-loss, Infertility, birth trauma, donor conception, and surrogacy adoption. Graham and Tracy shared some of the experiences for the non-pregnant partner and the importance of making space for their feelings, the importance of trauma-informed care of the medial system and how the process of pregnancy is, in itself, a traumatic experience. And finally, we discuss how to enter a relationship and help clients work through exercises and strategies when someone is really struggling from grief. We’ll resume our talk today by discussing the sacred space of therapy and creating an environment that welcomes vulnerability.

 

 

For more information on Tracy Gilmour-Nimoy and TGN Therapy, please visit: https://tgntherapy.com

For more perinatal resources found on TGN therapy, please visit: https://tgntherapy.com/perinatal-resources

For more information about Postpartum Support International, please visit: https://www.postpartum.net

Part 1: Clinicians Series: Perinatal Mental Health with Tracy Gilmour-Nimoy, LMFT – Episode 191

In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Tracy Gilmour-Nimoy, LMFT. Tracy brings both lived and clinical experience to today's show, including difficulty conceiving infertility, high-risk pregnancy, traumatic delivery, infant pregnancy loss, and pregnancy after loss. Tracy is a licensed marriage and family therapist and certified perinatal mental health professional. She works with individuals, parents, and families throughout their reproductive and family starting journey. Tracy has become a fierce advocate of perinatal and reproductive mental health with the goal of supporting and empowering other women, individuals, parents, and families. Together Graham and Tracy discuss the common challenges of people who have experienced pregnancy-loss, Infertility, birth trauma, donor conception, and surrogacy adoption. They shared some of the experiences of the non-pregnant partner and the importance of making space for their feelings, the importance of trauma-informed care of the medical system, and how the process of pregnancy is, in itself, a traumatic experience. And finally, they discuss how to enter a relationship and help clients work through exercises and strategies when someone is really struggling from grief. We will resume this conversation in the second part of this clinician’s series episode.

 

For more information on Tracy Gilmour-Nimoy and TGN Therapy, please visit: https://tgntherapy.com

For more perinatal resources found on TGN therapy, please visit: https://tgntherapy.com/perinatal-resources

For more information about Postpartum Support International, please visit: https://www.postpartum.net

Becoming a Therapist & Helpful Tips for Pre-Licensed Therapists with Ben Behnen – Episode 190

There is a huge jump from grad school to private practice life and from being a student to being a clinician full time. Unfortunately, there are challenges stacked up against beginning therapists that make it difficult to feel like they're doing enough whether it's professionally, developmentally, or even one-on-one with their clients. In this episode, Dr. Erin Elmore speaks with Ben Behnen. Ben has a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Mary’s University. He is currently accruing his hours to become licensed. Ben has taken his experience of becoming a MFT and turned it into a blog aptly named, “Becoming a Therapist”, where he writes a bi-weekly newsletter, hosts a podcast, and is building a community to help beginning therapists grow. Together Erin and Ben discuss the current state pre-licensure therapists are coming into, some of the challenges around the transition from student to clinician, the common struggles around imposter syndrome and frequent questions asked by pre-licensed therapists. There is a huge jump from grad school to private practice life, but resources like Ben’s website Becoming a Therapist can help guide that growth process.

 

For more information about Becoming a Therapist, please visit: https://becomingatherapist.me

For more information about Becoming a Therapist podcast, please visit: https://becomingatherapist.me/podcast/

To subscribe to the Becoming a Therapist newsletter, please visit: https://becomingatherapist.me/theragrowth-newsletter/

For more information about the pre-licensed experience, we suggest How to Survive and Thrive as a Therapist by Kenneth S. Pope and Melba J. T. Vasquez, please visit: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237428163_How_to_Survive_and_Thrive_as_a_Therapist_Information_Ideas_and_Resources_for_Psychologists_in_Practice

Asking the Right Questions about ADHD with Dr. Norrine Russell – Episode 189

ADHD is just one of those uniquely frustrating diagnoses to navigate as a parent. There are so many different professions and professional backgrounds that can diagnose and evaluate your child the pathway to getting your child his isn’t always clear. In this episode, Dr. Erin Elmore speaks with Dr. Norrine Russell. Dr. Russell is the founder of Russell Coaching for Students, which uses an innovative method of coaching for students with complex challenges, including those who have ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, and learning differences. Dr. Russell has over 20 years of experience in child development, learning styles, special needs, and positive parenting philosophies. She is the author of the recently published guide for parents Asking the Right Questions Before, During, and After Your Child’s ADHD Diagnosis. Together Erin and Norrine discuss how to get your child assessed for ADHD, getting accommodations for school, the benefits of a full evaluation process, building a treatment team, understanding medication for treating ADHD, and what questions to ask and how do you become an advocate for your child with ADHD. Parents, educate yourselves and be hopeful and optimistic because we can move ADHD out of the way of your child and build a successful future for you and your family.

 

For more information about Russell Coaching call 212-716-1161 or visit: https://russellcoaching.com

For more information about “Asking the Right Questions Before, During, and After Your Child’s ADHD Diagnosis” by Norrine Russell, please visit: https://russellcoaching.com/adhd-book-release

To listen to Norrine Russell on other podcasts and other topics, please visit: https://russellcoaching.com/podcastsspeaking-availability

For more information about the CHADD 2022 Conference, please visit: https://chadd.org/conference/

Follow Russell Coaching on Instagram at Russell Coaching LLC, or visit: https://www.instagram.com/russellcoachingllc/

Follow Russel Coaching on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/norrine-russell-820545184/

Environmental Mindfulness & Immersive Wellness with Joshua Sam Miller – Episode 188

The combination of music and nature can be a transformative one and a powerful tool to increase immersion and promote mindfulness in one’s life. In this episode, Dr. Erin Elmore speaks with Joshua Sam Miller. Joshua is a multi-disciplinary artist, environmentalist, and conscious entrepreneur on a mission to connect people to the natural world through immersive art. Recently, he has been an advocate for the importance of ocean conservation through Sounds of the Ocean, an immersive mindful experience which blends the arts and sciences to connect with marine life through sound. Joshua has committed himself to music as his primary expression since 2018. His music is inspired by the lineages of Nada Yoga, Afro-Cuban rhythm, Indian Raga, Jewish and Sufi mysticism, and Jazz with the goal of creating immersive content to support healthy lives and inspire meaningful action. Together Erin and Joshua discuss the inspiration and intention of his music, the power of sound to promote meditation and mindfulness, our connection of nature and humanity, and their advocacy for conservation and how Joshua’s music aims to encourage mindfulness as well as action by working with local NGOs and ocean conservation organizations.

 

For more information about Joshua Sam Miller’s music, upcoming shows, and Sounds of the Ocean, please visit: https://www.soundsoftheocean.com

Consider donating to Sounds of the Ocean and ocean conservation, by visiting: https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/sounds-of-the-ocean

For more information about Embodies Sounds and immersive wellness experiences, please visit: https://www.embodiedsounds.com

Connect with Joshua Sam Miller on social media:

On Instagram at sounds_oftheocean, or visit: https://www.instagram.com/sounds.oftheocean/

On Facebook at soundsoftheocean_fb or visit: https://www.facebook.com/soundsoftheocean.fb/

On YouTube by visiting: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy3GoDoYdDGpH-6Z3ruubSA

On Spotify by visiting: https://open.spotify.com/album/1ZeHixGlrxu0vL99JZGIi3?si=E7ICd0_0SBGMdH0iwQbdFA

And finally, you can visit Joshua’s personal website by visit: https://www.joshuasammiller.com

The Indianapolis Colts are Kicking the Stigma with Steve Campbell – Episode 187

We recognize that the stigma around mental health is preventing people from getting help. About 33% of all college students experience significant symptoms of depression, anxiety other mental health conditions, but only about 30% seek help. Talking about specifically college athletes, we know that only about 10% seek help. Despite this, data shows that up to 35% of these elite athletes suffer from some mental health crisis. With a program like Kicking the Stigma, a platform for vulnerable athletes to be open about their mental health, the Indianapolis Colts are addressing stigma in mental health and showing the world the power of vulnerability. In this episode Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Steve Campbell. Steve has more than 25 years of experience working in all levels of media, community programming, and public service. Steve served as Deputy Mayor of Indianapolis for Public and Neighborhood Affairs where he was responsible for directing various city operations in neighborhood development and outreach media communications, constituent service, environmental affairs, and public access to government. Currently, Steve is the Vice President of Communications for the NFL's, Indianapolis Colts and an active community volunteer. Together, Steve, the Colts, and the owners of the Colts, the Irsay family, have built a mental health awareness program called Kicking the Stigma, where they spread awareness about mental illness and encourage anyone battling with mental illness to seek the help they need. Together Graham and Steve discuss the purpose of Kicking the Stigma and the personal connection to the Colts organization, the program, and the various organizations partnered with Kicking the Stigma, the impact of athletes sharing their stories, and the power of vulnerability to model and encourage people to think about their own mental health, and finally the success of this campaign and the feedback they’ve received from motivated people. Kicking the Stigma is about the power of vulnerability and encouraging folks to reach out and talk to someone.

We encourage anyone interested in learning more about Kicking the Stigma tune into the Monday Night Football broadcast on November 28^th where the Indianapolis Colts are hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers.

For more information about Kicking the Stigma, please visit: https://www.colts.com/community/kicking-the-stigma/

View the list of resources for mental health and wellness resources, please visit: https://www.colts.com/community/kicking-the-stigma/resources

Interested in donating? Give to Kicking the Stigma by visiting: https://donate.onecause.com/kickingthestigma

For more information about Indianapolis Colts, please visit: https://www.colts.com