Behavioral Health Today

Part 1: FAQs to Starting Therapy with Dr. Erin Elmore – Episode 152

In honor of Mental Health Month, we would like to speak to our listeners who might be thinking about starting therapy on their own and answer some frequently asked questions to better guide those starting therapy for the first time. In this episode (part 1 of 2), Producer Peter Fenger speaks with Dr. Erin Elmore. As you know, Erin is our co-host and Licensed Clinical Psychologist. She specializes in working with children and adolescents and one of our most experienced content experts here at triad. Together Peter and Erin discuss the process of starting therapy, different types of therapy access and which medium, either online or in-person, would be a good fit for those new to therapy. We talk about how to find a therapist, highlight details to understanding the levels of therapy degrees, using insurance, the application process, and some red flags to look out for. It takes a lot of courage to be a first-time client in therapy, but our goal is to make that process easier to understand and encourage others to seek needed help.

 

If you are in crisis and need to speak to a therapist, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741 and speak with a crisis counselor.

For a list of crisis hotlines, please visit https://blog.opencounseling.com/hotlines-us/

For more information about finding an In-Person therapist, we recommend psychologytoday.org, goodtherapy.com, or find-a-therapist.com.

For more information about finding a therapist online, we recommend betterhelp.com, zencare.co, goodtherapy.org, ginger.io, or if you’re seeking a child therapist, please visit presencelearning.com.

For more information on Own Your Past Change Your Future by Dr. John Delony, please visit https://www.ramseysolutions.com/store/books/own-your-past-change-your-future-by-dr-john-delony

For more information on Best Mental Health Apps for 2022, please visit: https://www.verywellmind.com/best-mental-health-apps-4692902

For more information about mental resources and about the APA, please visit: https://www.apa.org

For more information about Psychology Tools Self-Help resources, please visit: https://www.psychologytools.com

To view our own archive of past episodes and various topics around mental health, please visit: https://www.triadhq.com/bht

Brain Food & Nutritional Psychiatry with Dr. Drew Ramsey – Episode 151

When we consider our health, we typically think first of the foods that we tend to eat. Our third largest body organ is the brain. And when we consider nutrition as an aspect of our mental wellbeing, we have control over the healthy food choices that positively impact our brain and our mental health. In today’s episode, Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Dr. Drew Ramsey. Drew is a diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He has a psychiatric practice and the founder of the brain food clinic in New York City. Drew co-hosts Friday Sessions an IGTV series on male mental health for Men’s Health Magazine. He’s delivered three TED Talks and appeared on the BBC documentary Food and the Brain. Drew has authored four books, including his newest book , Eat To Beat Depression and Anxiety, and his writings have been featured on the Today’s Show, CBS Sunday Morning, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Together Graham and Drew discuss nutritional psychiatry and the importance of food on mental health, the reasons behind why we eat, using foods as a primary preventative option for our mental health, teaching ways for clinicians to incorporate nutrition into their practice, nutrient density, and the eight favorite foods for optimal impact on the brain. Evolve as a eater and be open to these things that actually have some real positive impact on the things that we can control and contribute to our wellbeing.

 

To learn more about Dr. Drew Ramsey, please visit: https://drewramseymd.com

For more information about Dr. Ramsey’s new book, Eat To Beat Depression and Anxiety, please visit:https://drewramseymd.com/books-publications/eat-to-beat-depression-and-anxiety/

Follow Dr. Ramsey on Instagram, please visit: https://www.instagram.com/drewramseymd/

Follow Dr. Ramsey on Facebook, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/drdrewramsey/

Follow Dr. Ramsey on Twitter, please visit: https://twitter.com/DrewRamseyMD

Re-Imagining the AMHCA with Dr. Beverly Smith – Episode 150

Dr. Beverly Smith is the 45th President of the American Mental Health Counselor’s Association (AMHCA) and leads from a heart of advancement as she ushers her organization into a new paradigm. In today’s episode, Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Dr. Smith. She has 26 years of professional counseling experience in various settings including private practice, public education, corrections, community counseling, and higher education. She is the owner and principal therapist of B. Smith Consulting Group, LLC as well as an adjunct professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Mercer University. Together Graham and Beverly discuss her professional life, leadership qualities, the areas of focus of AMHCA, leadership and strategic support, multicultural and social justice advocacy, counseling compact, and other services AMHCA provides for its members. If you have a desire to be a member of AMHCA, join. If you have a desire to be a leader, go for it. Plan strategically, but also surround yourself with people who can help you plan and help advance the agenda of the profession, as well as help your Individual experience personal success. Where you are gifted and where you have a gift to give, then serve and work in your gifted areas.

 

If you would like to get involved with AMHCA, please visit: https://www.amhca.org/home

Reach out to Dr. Beverly Smith personally at bevsmithphd@gmail.com

For more information about Dr. Beverly Smith’s private business, please visit B Smith Consulting Group, LLC and visit https://www.bscg.co

 

Dramatic Growth of Healthcare from Private Equity with Jon Wolf– Episode 149

Since 2011, Pyramid Healthcare, Inc. grew from 16 facilities to over 70 with 2,600 employees and is one of the largest healthcare providers in the country. Jon Wolf, Pyramid Healthcare’s founder, and CEO, credits their success to private equity investors and the opportunity it gave them to grow and serve the demand for mental health services. In today’s episode, Dr. Graham Taylor is joined by Jonathan Wolf. Jon is the CEO at Pyramid Healthcare, Inc. Founded in 1999, Pyramid Healthcare, Inc. is an organization of committed professionals, identifying human service needs and creating solutions for growth and improved quality of life. Pyramid Healthcare offers substance use and mental health programs and over 70 locations that help individuals of all ages manage chemical dependence. Mental health eating disorders and autism. Together Graham and Jon discuss the increase in private equity coming into the behavioral healthcare field and its benefits to both practitioners and to the patients they serve.

 

For more information about Pyramid Healthcare, Inc. please visit: https://www.pyramidhealthcarepa.com

For more information about private equity and Pitchbook, please visit: https://pitchbook.com

Valant EHR Solutions with Ram Krishnan – Episode 148

Valant EHR software understands both the technical aspects and the emotional aspects of what's happening between the client and the provider interaction at the time. Valant has created clinical documentation that happened in a way that retains the connection between the two, during a session, that's so critical. In today’s episode, Dr. Erin Elmore is joined by Ram Krishnan, CEO of Valant an EHR software solution for behavioral health private practices. Ram has experience in healthcare information management, working on market-changing products, and started as a systems engineer. He has an MBA from the University of Chicago.  Ram joined Valant in 2020 and has led the organization through its next stage of growth, listening to customers and building strong teams, providing a strong foundation for Valant to double down on serving the behavioral healthcare market. Together they discuss the common challenges with EHRs, the features of Valant including measurement-based tracking, billing software, and group therapy, and Valant’s specific focus on addressing the needs of behavioral and mental health. Valant gives you an integrated solution that allows you to provide better care, run a smoother and more efficient operation, and remain compliant.

 

For more information about Valant and their EHR software, please visit: https://www.valant.io

To request a free live demo of Valant’s EHR software, please visit: https://www.valant.io/request-live-demo/

 

Sex Therapy and How to Have a Sex-Positive Life with Dr. Janet Brito– Episode 147

Research shows that couples or individuals who can talk constructively together, or in therapy, tend to have more satisfying sexual and genuinely happier relationships. The topic for today's show is sex therapy and how to have a sex-positive life. To talk about this topic Dr. Graham Taylor is joined by Dr. Janet Brito. Janet is a nationally certified Latinx sex therapist, supervisor, speaker, and trainer. Janet is the founder and owner of the Hawaii Center for Sexual and Relationship Health, a group practice that specializes in relationship and sex therapy, out of control sexual behavior, and gender and sexually diverse populations, and The Sexual Health School, an online training program for healthcare professionals seeking human sexuality training. Together Graham and Janet discuss the challenges of shame and embarrassment around sexuality, the barriers to expressing your sexuality, exploring the origin of feelings with your sexuality, how the negative self-meaning system infiltrates your sexual life, normalizing and validating some of the age-related experiences that folks naturally go through as they age, and ways you can reframe your intimacy and partner connection through therapy. Give yourself permission to ask for help and to find a safe space where you can talk about some of these issues that may be bothering you and allow yourself to create new definitions of sex and pleasure. It's okay to be who you are.

 

For more information about Dr. Janet Brito and the Hawaii Center for Sexual and Relationship Health, please visit: https://sextherapyhawaii.com

For more information about the Sexual Health School, please visit: https://thesexualhealthschool.com

Follow Dr. Janet Brito on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/drjanetbrito/?hl=en

Or follow the Hawaii Center for Sexual and Relational Health on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/drjanetbrito/?eid=ARAK8WNJ_NeJZPk8Ss6Z3v-93vJj22UqHhxAFEBsEhgaHKrOLh4Nxnk8Q9gKcVE5QM_WBLaE712zju_R

If you are looking for a therapist who is trained in human sexuality, please visit the AASECT directory: https://www.aasect.org/referral-directory

Anniversary Special: Inner-Work for the New Trauma Therapist with Guy Macpherson Ph.D. – Episode 146

In celebration of our second anniversary, we’re re-releasing one of our favorite episodes from the past year. What the patient needs most is the ability to be themselves, but for them to see themselves, as therapists, we need to know ourselves fully first. In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor continues the discussion with Dr. Guy Macpherson, clinical psychologist, creator of the Trauma Therapist Project, and the host of the Trauma Therapist Podcast, about the Inner-Work for the New Trauma Therapist Course and the importance of understanding your journey and bringing that awareness into session. This course will walk practitioners through a personal discovery process to help give them as therapists a sense of who they are. The goal to empower therapists to believe who they are is enough but getting there can be very challenging within the context of working with someone who’s been impacted by trauma. “It's about being a human being with another human being”.

 

For more information about Trauma Therapist 2.0, please visit:
https://the-trauma-therapist-project.teachable.com/p/trauma-therapist-2-0-1

For more information on the Trauma Therapist Podcast, please visit:
https://www.thetraumatherapistproject.com/podcast

For more information about The Inner Work for New Trauma Therapists, please visit: https://the-trauma-therapist-project.teachable.com/p/inner-work-for-the-new-trauma-worker

Anniversary Special: Emotional Freedom Techniques with Dr. Deb Hordon– Episode 145

In celebration of our second anniversary, we’re releasing the second of two new episodes this week. In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor is joined by Dr. Deb Hordon. Deb has a Ph.D. in sociology from Columbia University and as over 23 years of experience, that includes consulting global exposure and certification through the International Coach Federation and Emotional Freedom Techniques, International. In her work, Deb is the founder of Cultivating Greatness, her private practice that provides services and leadership, coaching team effectiveness, career change, and organizational culture. Today, Graham and Deb discuss who might benefit from this type of therapy, the process of EFT and developing emotional muscle to find their emotional platform, and the benefits for both patients and a tool for self-care for practitioners.

Sign up for EFT Self Care: https://www.wellness-institute.org/emotional-freedom-techniques-eft-tapping 
 
Learn more about EFT Tapping: https://www.wellness-institute.org/more/eft-training 

For more information about Dr. Deb Hordon, please visit: https://www.debhordonleadership.com

For more information about EFT International, please visit: https://eftinternational.org

To read the article Don’t Let Your Trigger Sabotage Your Leadership, please visit: https://www.trainingjournal.com/articles/features/don’t-let-your-triggers-sabotage-your-leadership

To read the article Clinical EFT Improves Multiple Physiological Markers of Health, please visit: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6381429/

Anniversary Special: Integrating Spirituality and Therapy with Dan Kim, LMFT – Episode 144

In celebration of our second anniversary, we’re re-releasing one of our favorite episodes from the past year. At its core, spirituality is a connection and a relationship, but a disposition that flows from that. Therapy is spiritual work. In this episode, we proudly welcome our newest member to our podcast and today’s host Dr. Erin Elmore. Erin is joined by Daniel Kim, LMFT, who has 12 years of experience working with clients who struggle with trauma, relational problems, and spiritual issues. Dan has also worked with members of the clergy who struggle with deep personal issues. Together, Erin and Dan, discuss integrating faith with therapy practice, viewing therapy as spiritual work, working with pastors in therapy, and advocating for therapists to do their own personal work to become better at helping their clients. When we are helping people in our sessions experience unconditional positive regard, compassion, and love as a therapist, and treat our clients with worth and dignity, we help our clients love themselves with self-compassion and acceptance. That is spirituality.

 

For more information about Spiritual Strategy for Counseling and Psychotherapy by P. Scott Richards, PhD and Allen E. Bergin, PhD, please visit: https://www.apa.org/pubs/books/4317077

For more information about How God Changes Your Brain by Andrew Newberg, M.D. and Mark Robert Waldman, please visit: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/120938/how-god-changes-your-brain-by-andrew-newberg-md-and-mark-robert-waldman/

For more information about Building Moral Intelligence by Michele Borba, Ed.D, please visit: https://www.micheleborba.com/books/building-moral-intelligence/

For more information about Soul Searching by Dr. William Doherty, please visit: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/soul-searching-15

For more information about Daniel Kim and his private practice, please visit: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/daniel-c-kim-la-mesa-ca/475310

Anniversary Special: Recognizing Bias and Promoting Equity with Ami Roeschlein & Terence Fitzgerald – Episode 143

In celebration of our second anniversary, we’re releasing the first of two new episodes this week. In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor is joined by Ami Roeschlein and Terence Fitzgerald. Amy is a licensed marriage and family therapist and consultant for the national council for mental wellbeing. She has over 25 years of experience training providers, leading healthcare teams, designing innovative behavioral health programs, and using implementation science to create change equality and social justice within organizations, cities, and states. Terence has a racial scholar and Clinical Associate Professor of Social Work at the University of Southern California. Terrence has experience spanning from education as a School Social Worker to social justice grassroots organizations, focusing on marginalized, children and families, and professional experience aligning the curriculum of midwest school districts for the purpose of meeting state and federal requirements. His research on racism and sexism can be seen in his books, White Prescription: the Dangerous Social Potential for Ritalin and Other Psychotropic Drugs to Harm Black Males and his most recent book, Black Males and Racism: Improving the Schooling and Life Chances of African-Americans. Together, Graham, Ami, and Terence discuss the programs that have impacted communities toward greater equity, the importance of cultivating cultures and creating an environment to identify bias and overcome bias collectively in teams, and the positive outcomes from addressing biases toward greater equity.

 

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

For more information about National Council Racial and Equity Resource Page, please visit: https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/resources/addressing-health-equity-and-racial-justice/

For more information about the NeuroLeadership Institute, please visit: https://individuals.neuroleadership.com/?hsLang=en

For more information about Learning for Justice, please visit: https://www.learningforjustice.org

For more information on The Reality of Diversity, Gender, and Skin Color by Kimberly Finney and Terence Fitzgerald, please visit: https://titles.cognella.com/the-reality-of-diversity-gender-and-skin-color-9781516542994

Anniversary Special: The Impact of Untreated Trauma with Wendy Byrd, LPC, LMFT – Episode 142

In celebration of our second anniversary, we’re re-releasing one of our favorite episodes from the past year. Trauma and traumatic events can impact us, and those effects can ripple to other aspects of our lives that we may not be aware of. In today’s episode, Dr. Graham Taylor is joined by Wendy Byrd, LPC, LMFT, and president of the Board of Directors for EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). Together they discuss the impact of trauma and the ways the brain stores a traumatic event, like issues in avoidance, betrayal of self, substance use, shame, and the biological and physiological effects of our own body. We also discuss how trauma can ripple into our family system and impact relationships in your life, show up in how you parent your children, and the risks of secondary trauma. We want to encourage the importance of seeking treatment, so once trauma does it negatively affect those in your lives, around you nor limit your potential in life.

 

For more information about EMDR International Association

https://www.emdria.org

For more information about Wendy Byrd and her private practice, please visit:
https://www.wendybyrd.com

National Council’s Advocacy for Wellness with Aaron Williams, MA – Episode 141

There's been an awakening and awareness to the things that input into holistic wellness. In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor is joined by Aaron Williams. Aaron works as the integrated care consultant and senior advisor for the National Council of Mental Wellbeing. Aaron has more than 18 years of experience providing training and technical assistance and behavioral health services with an emphasis on substance use treatment and prevention, workforce development, and the implementation of evidence-based practices and clinical settings. Together Graham and Aaron discuss the National Council and its focus, services, and goals. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing is an advocacy organization that provides advocacy on Capitol Hill, public education, technical assistance in integration of mental health and primary care, programs for ethnic and racial equity in healthcare, and commitment to providing resources to help implement programs and training for the improvement of the nation’s mental wellness. National Council is assisting providers who are doing significant work to make sure that people have the potential and the ability to really engage with the world.

 

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

For more information about NatCon22, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s annual conference, please visit: https://eventscribe.net/2022/NatCon22/

For more information about the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Technology Transfers Center, please visit: https://www.samhsa.gov/technology-transfer-centers-ttc-program

For more information about PCSS and providing opioid use disorder services or medications for addiction, please visit: https://pcssnow.org

For more information about the Opioid Response Network (ORN), please visit: https://opioidresponsenetwork.org

Part 2: Nuts and Bolts to Planning Your Retirement with Dr. Jana Martin – Episode 140

This episode resumes the conversation with Dr. Graham Taylor and Dr. Jana Martin. In our last episode, we discussed the nuts and bolts of setting up one's private practice. In today’s episode, we discuss nuts and bolts of planning for retirement from a mental health practice. Dr. Jana Martin is the CEO of the American Insurance Trust, a provider of malpractice insurance and other products for psychologists and allied healthcare professionals. Jana's clinical experience includes many years of working in hospitals and mental health clinics, as well as independent practice in which she worked with children, adolescents, and adults. Together they discuss using your license in a myriad of opportunities for professional and personal expression, balancing your private practice with other areas of interest, planning for retirement and savings plans, understanding your malpractice insurance and other aspects of insurance, and finally the grief process in giving up your practice. Success doesn't happen by accident. You make it happen and that's important for practitioners to think about. If you are considering retirement, please view the recommended checklists in the resources below.

 

For more information about the Trust, please visit: https://www.trustinsurance.com/
For more information about retirement plan services, please visit: https://parma.trustinsurance.com/Products-Services/Retirement-Plan-Services
For a checklist to closing your practice, please visit: https://www.apaservices.org/practice/good-practice/Spring08-Closing.pdf?_ga=2.121453387.277493456.1615834482-261152715.1586437412
Or alternatively, another checklist can be found here: https://www.apaservices.org/practice/business/management/tips/closing.pdf?_ga=2.53860459.277493456.1615834482-261152715.1586437412

Part 1: Nuts and Bolts to Starting Your Private Practice with Dr. Jana Martin – Episode 139

Today's podcast is part one of a two-part series, focusing on one's private practice in today's podcast, we'll be addressing the nuts and bolts of the early stages of setting up one's private practice. And part two, we're going to be addressing the thoughts and considerations and nuts and bolts regarding planning for retirement and one's life. In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor is joined by Dr. Jana Martin. Jana is the CEO of the American Insurance Trust, a provider of malpractice insurance and other products for psychologists and allied healthcare professionals. Jana's clinical experience includes many years of working in hospitals and mental health clinics, as well as independent practice in which she worked with children, adolescents, and adults. Together they discuss self-care, transitioning from clinic to home, finding a great location for your office, how to make yourself known in your community, finding mentors or professional network, the importance of a consultation group, risks of malpractice, and protection of insurance, and the responsibility and privilege to helping others. Connections are very powerful. Keep in mind, that you never know if someone that you meet today will be someone who can forward your career tomorrow.

 

For more resources for students and early career practitioners, please visit: https://parma.trustinsurance.com/Resource-Center/Student-Early-Career-Resources

For more information about Professional Liability Insurance for Psychologists, please visit: https://www.trustinsurance.com/Insurance-Programs/Professional-Liability

For more information about Professional Liability Insurance for Allied Healthcare Professionals, please visit: https://www.trustrms.com/Insurance-Products/Professional-Liability-for-Allied-Healthcare

For more information about Telepsychology Competencies Credential, please visit: https://parma.trustinsurance.com/Independent-Learning/Telepsychology-Competencies-Credential

For more information about the Trust, please visit: https://www.trustinsurance.com/

 

Systemic Suicide Prevention with Ryan Lindsay – Episode 138

A little over 12 million adults think about suicide a year, a little over 3 million make a plan and a little over a million attempt suicide. Then about 600,000 people received medical attention and the number of people who died by suicide is around 46,000. So, at each ideation to action spectrum, we need something different, and we need responses that look different based on the imminence of risk in a moment. In today’s episode, Dr. Erin Elmore is joined by Ryan Lindsay. Ryan is an associate professor of practice at Washington University in St. Louis at the Brown School, where he chairs, teaches, and advises the students within the mental health concentration in the Master of Social Work program. Ryan specializes in several evidence-based treatments and is currently a certified Dialectical Behavior Therapist and expert in the application of Prolonged Exposure Therapy for complicated PTSD. His work also includes community-level intervention through his involvement in school-based suicide prevention and community-based suicide prevention efforts. Together Erin and Ryan discuss the unique perspective of social work training to look at individuals within the context of systemic access to resources and equity of access, the nuances of suicidality, gaps in our mental health training for risk assessment, and envisioning of new systems of suicide prevention.

 

If you are in crisis please contat the National Suicide Hotline. Please text CNQR to 741-741 or call 1-800-273-8255. (+1 for military or veterans)

 

For more information about suicide prevention, please visit the National Suicide Prevention Resource center at https://sprc.org
For more information on the National Institute of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, please visit: https://www.nimh.nih.gov
For more information about the Trevor Project, please visit: https://www.thetrevorproject.org
For more information about the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, please visit: https://brownschool.wustl.edu