Behavioral Health Today

Clinicians Series: Couples Focused Work with Michele Haley, Ph.D. - Episode 56

 This episode is part of our Clinicians’ Series, where we take a deeper dive into the strategies and therapeutic practices around couples focused work. In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor is joined by Dr. Michele Haley. Michele has nearly two decades of experience in couples therapy, romantic relationship, and group work. Together they discuss terrific strategies for healthy couples communication, skill building, emotional regulation, identifying I-statements, listening exercises, and non-violent communication work. There is hope for couples and what they can achieve in their lives.

If you are in danger of intimate partner violence, please visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org or call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

For more information about Futures Without Violence, visit: https://www.futureswithoutviolence.org

For more information about the Aspire App, visit: https://www.whengeorgiasmiled.org/aspire-news-app/

For more information about the Hot Peach Page, visit: https://www.hotpeachpages.net/index.html

For more information about Gary Chapman’s book The Five Love Languages, visit: https://www.5lovelanguages.com

For more information about Sue Johnson’s book Hold Me Tight, visit: https://drsuejohnson.com/books/

For more information about John M. Gottman’s book The Seven Principles for Making Marriages Work, visit: https://www.gottman.com/product/the-seven-principles-for-making-marriage-work/

 

If you're looking for workshops on  learning about couples, counseling, or workshops for patients about Couple's communication, please visit: https://www.togetherwell.org/

And, if you are a therapist interested in joining TogetherWell, visit: https://www.togetherwell.org/join

Suicidal Crisis and the Art of Mental Wellness with Kevin Hines - Episode 55

In today's episode Kevin Hines, award winning global speaker, author, filmmaker, and suicide prevention and mental health advocate, tells his story of living with mental illness, being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and his survival after jumping from the golden gate bridge. Together Dr. Graham Taylor and Kevin discuss suicide prevention, the art of wellness, ways to successfully live well, and ways we can craft language and help those in suicidal crisis.

“You don't need to see the light at the end of the tunnel to know that it's there. You have to find a way to make it and find a way to move forward until you reach the hope.” 

If you believe someone you suspect is in a suicidal crisis, simply ask:

• Are you okay? Is something wrong? Can I help you? I am worried about you?
• or - I want to ask you a very serious question, but I don’t want to offend you. Are you thinking about killing your self? Have you ever made plans to take your life?

If you are hearing this message and happen to be a suicidal individual, ask for help. Use four simple but effective words, “I need help now”. And you must say it to every person you come across until someone is willing to guide you to safety.

 

If you are in crisis, please text CNQR to 741-741 or call 1-800-273-8255. (+1 for military or veterans)

 

For more information about Kevin Hines, visit: https://www.kevinhinesstory.com

 

Visit his YouTube channel with over 400 videos on how to better your life today:

https://www.youtube.com/kevinhines

 

Please visit his video playlist, Series: The Art of Wellness (A Ten Step Guide to Better Mental, Brain, Mind, Behavioral, and Physical Wellbeing)

 

Listen to his podcast, Mental Health Marvels Podcast

Eating Disorders with Lauren Smolar from NEDA - Episode 54

Eating disorders have the second highest mortality rate of any mental illness. In this episode Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Lauren Smolar, Senior Director of Programs at the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). Together they discuss the behavioral patterns that lead to an eating disorder, questions around what defines certain eating disorders, warning signs that could indicate an eating disorder, and the impact of social media and COVID on eating disorders.  They also talk about crafting language so that you can approach someone in a way that’s helpful and nonjudgmental. If you're observing behaviors that have changed dramatically in somebody, even if it's their attitude around food or their feelings around being around you, those can be signs of concern and something to really look into and seek help for. Get involved in National Eating Disorders Awareness Week Feb. 22nd through 28th #NEDAwareness

 

If you are looking for help, please visit: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/screening-tool or call or text the NEDA helpline at 1-800-931-2237

To participate in this year’s Eating Disorders Awareness Week, get involved by visiting: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/get-involved/nedawareness

For more information about the National Eating Disorders Association, visit: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

Human Spirituality and the Awareness of Personhood with Dr. Ann Callahan, LCSW - Episode 53

In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Dr. Ann Callahan, LCSW about how we can use human spirituality to enhance our relationships with clients in ways that will increase their quality of life. Dr. Callahan shares her experience working in hospice and palliative care and ways to incorporate this perspective into a client’s assessment, ways to engage in nursing homes, expressions of spirituality, dignity and respect, and the importance of personhood. Spirituality can add to the liveliness of an environment as a strength and the wholeness of that environment. Connecting with people is the vehicle through which we help.

 

For more information about Dr. Ann Callahan, visit: https://dranncallahan.info

Read Dr. Ann Callahan in Social Work Today, visit: https://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/0720p10.shtml

For more information on Social Work Today, visit: https://www.socialworktoday.com

Pathway Home™: A Successful Transition with Mark Graham, LCSW - Episode 52

In this episode Dr. Graham Taylor talks with Mark Graham, LCSW, Vice President and manager of program services for Coordinated Behavioral Care (CBC). Mark has been instrumental in the creation of CBC’s innovative Pathway Home™ program, an evidence-based critical time intervention program that effectively transitions individuals from intensive behavioral health settings to the community. Together they discuss how the Pathway Home™ program addresses the issues and the core needs of their clients, creating a synergistic team of social workers, and how this relational model is creating stronger relationships by actively engaging their clients with conversational assessment and connects them to a program close to their home and meets their needs in a sustainable manner. Pathway Home™ has achieved an incredible 94% rate of participants staying out of the hospital after the first 30 days back into the community.

 

If you would like to learn more and discuss a referral, please email PathwayHomeInfo@cbcare.org or call (646) 930-8841

For more information about Pathway Home™, visit: http://www.cbcare.org/innovative-programs/pathway-home/

For information about Coordinated Behavioral Care, visit: http://www.cbcare.org/

For more information about the Psychiatric Services articles on Pathway Home™, view article here. 

An Ink Stained Life with Dr. Lloyd Sederer - Episode 51

There is hope to achieve what we all want. A life with relationships, work that expresses our inner passion, and a life that leaves an indelible 'ink-stained' contribution. In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor is joined by Dr. Lloyd Sederer, Mental Health Commissioner, adjunct professor, and author of a new book, “Ink-Stained for Life”, a collection of stories each matched by an essay connecting the story to today. The book takes you on a journey covering his development as a youth, gratitude, and a life of purpose and contribution. The stories in the novel demonstrate that when we come into people’s lives, we do leave an indelible mark, it can be a contribution that changes them forever.

 For more information about the novel Ink-Stained for Life, visit: https://www.askdrlloyd.com/ink-stained-for-life

For more information about Dr. Lloyd Sederer, visit: https://www.askdrlloyd.com/

For more information about the other books Dr. Sederer has authored, visit: https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/authors/lloyd-i-sederer-md

For more information about the National Alliance on Mental Illness, visit: https://www.nami.org/home

The Silent Domestic Abuse Pandemic with Dr. Teresa Albizu - Episode 50

United Nations report that 243 million women and girls between the ages of 15 and 49 worldwide have been subjected to sexual or physical violence by wanting to partner. Historically domestic violence is a taboo subject and people just do not want to talk about it. And in many cases, a lot of people even have some difficulty identifying that they may in fact, be in a situation of domestic abuse. In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor is joined by Dr. Teresa Albizu, founder and co-president of the R-A Pinnacle Group, an organizational behavior, and leadership development consulting firm and advocate for Safe Space Domestic Violence Services of Florida. Together they discuss domestic abuse and its many forms, the cycle of the learned behavior of participating in an abusive relationship, the learned tactics employed by perpetrators of intimate partner violence, and warning signs to recognize and raise a discussion to help someone you might suspect as a victim of domestic abuse.

Safe Space of Florida, Domestic Violence Services offers 42 centers for access to services and guidance. And they have a 24/7 hotline to provide individuals with crisis intervention, counseling, information referrals, and lethality assessment.

 

For more information about Safe Space of Florida, Domestic Violence Services, visit: https://safespacefl.org/ or call their 24/7 hotline at 1-722-288-7023

For more information on the National Domestic Violence Hotline, visit: https://www.thehotline.org/ or call their hotline at 1-800-799-7233

For information on the R-A Pinnacle Group, visit: https://www.rapinnaclegroup.com/

An Overlapping Opportunity Between Behavior Analysts & Psychologists - Episode 49

Between Behavior Analysts and Psychologists there’s an overlapping opportunity to help people with a multidimensional approach. In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor is joined by Dr. Kathleen Stengel, a board-certified Behavior Analyst and CEO of Neurabilities, and Dr. Greg Alberts, a neuropsychologist and director of neuropsychology services. Together they discuss the challenges of working together and the benefits in coordinating a multidisciplinary approach to understand somebody in all their different areas of their life. Neurabilities  was founded by this idea of multiple disciplines coming together under science. Together, Kathleen and Greg share their unique treatment plan and its contribution to their patients' care.

For more information about Neurabilities Healthcare, please visit: https://neurabilities.com/ 

For community resources from Neurabilities Healthcare, please visit: https://neurabilities.com/community-resources/ 

Sex Addiction Treatment and Recovery with Dr. Stefanie Carnes - Episode 48

A recent research study looking at prevalence rates of sexual addiction found that 10% of men and 7% of women fell into the clinical range of compulsive addiction. There are a lot of myths and stigma around sex addiction and on this episode Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Dr. Stefanie Carnes, president of the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP) and a senior fellow for Meadows Behavioral Healthcare. Together they discuss the importance of looking at this compulsive behavior in a sex positive framework and to allow people to embrace healthy sexuality through individualized plans of recovery. They discuss the developmental process of sexual addiction, some of the common early events for those dealing with this compulsion, what comprises healthy sexual behaviors, and the barriers for treatment and recovery.

For more information about IITAP, visit: https://iitap.com/

If you are looking for additional help to find a therapist for sexual addiction, please visit: https://iitap.com/search/custom.asp?id=5357

And, if you are looking for more information about Meadows Behavioral Healthcare, visit: https://www.meadowsbh.com/

Addiction Recovery with Tom Hill, MSW - Episode 47

Addiction recovery is the process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their fullest potential. In this episode Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Tom Hill, MSW a senior advisor for addiction recovery at National Council for Behavioral Health, encouraging a broader approach to understanding addiction and recovery. Together they discuss the recovery process, the significance in understanding shame, how community is an essential piece to the recovery process, and a system of recovery that focuses on building one’s strengths and focusing less on pathology or being deficits oriented. Addiction is a disease of isolation and the solution is connection. When you have a supportive community and learning how to have authentic connection with other people in a community is a very powerful experience.

For more information about National Council for Behavioral Health visit: https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/

For more information about Faces & Voices of Recovery, visit: https://facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/

Anxiety Disorders with Erin Elmore, Psy.D. - Episode 46

 In this episode, Dr. Erin Elmore joins Dr. Graham Taylor in a discussion about treating anxiety. They talk about how to put anxiety into a proper perspective, respond to stress in manageable ways, and how to befriend anxiety and to listen to what it's telling us. The conversation continues with ways to manage our stress by deep breathing, meditation, physical exercise, eating, sleep, gratitude practice, pro social behaviors, and early morning routines. There’s are all tools we can use to keep our stress in a manageable place, and actually enhance our performance to benefit our lives.

We know that anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting about 18% of the adult population every year. The good news is that they are highly treatable yet, only about 37% of the people suffering from anxiety really receive treatment.

If you would like more information on the various self-care apps, please visit:
• Calm App - https://www.calm.com/
• Breathe App - https://getbreathe.com/
• Happify App - https://www.happify.com/
• Pacifica/Sanvello App - https://www.sanvello.com/

And for more information on Dr. Erin Elmore, please visit: https://drerinelmore.com/

Support for Therapists with Michele Haley, Ph.D. and TogetherWell - Episode 45

On today's podcast Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with the founder and director of TogetherWell, Michele Haley, Ph.D. Together, they discuss the importance of workshops, collaboration, and the benefit to therapists by being involved in professional workshops. TogetherWell provides educational workshops for therapist to help manage their practice and stay up to date with best practices, a community for mentor support, and education for early career practitioners. They also offer workshops to help spread mental health education within local communities.

If you are an early career therapist looking for more information to guide your practice, network, find a mentor, or if you’re a veteran therapist looking to expand your network and help your community, we encourage you to visit TogetherWell at https://www.togetherwell.org/

And, if you are a therapist interested in joining TogetherWell, visit: https://www.togetherwell.org/join

You can connect with TogetherWell on social media:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/togetherwellorg

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/togetherwellorg

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/togetherwell/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5IYy3v0UepcZpJKtnAALQ

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/togetherwellorg/

Families, Holidays, and Relational Conflict with Dr. Kristen Wilkinson - Episode 44

Families and the holidays, what could possibly go wrong? In this episode Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Dr. Kristen Wilkenson about the relational stress brought on by the holidays and some solutions that can help navigate relational conflicts. Together they discuss differing personality styles, shared goals, empathy building, how to set boundaries and how to craft the language. "If we can focus on our feelings and needs it equips us to have difficult conversations." Berné Brown states “clear is kind”, the clearer we can be the kinder we can be to ourselves and also the relationship.

For more information about Psychology Today, visit: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us

If you are looking for additional help to find a therapist or a support group, please visit: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists

Vicarious Trauma (Part 2) with Jana Martin, Ph.D. and Lidia Michel, Psy.D. - Episode 43

In part 2 of our conversation, Dr. Graham Taylor continues the discussion with Dr. Jana Martin, CEO of The Trust, and Dr. Lidia Michel around vicarious trauma. In the last episode, we talked about vicarious trauma, its effects, and some of the warning signs that might harm our world view. In today's episode, we discuss preemptive self-care solutions and solutions you can use while in a session with a client. Additionally, we discuss vicarious resilience and the benefits to therapists gained through witnessing human resiliency. 

 

For more information about The Trust and ways to engage yourself and empower your clients visit: https://www.trustinsurance.com/

For more information about Trauma Stewardship by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky with Connie Burk visit: https://traumastewardship.com/inside-the-book/

For more information about Real Happiness at Work by Sharon Salzbery visit:

https://www.sharonsalzberg.com/real-happiness-at-work/

Vicarious Trauma (Part 1) with Jana Martin, Ph.D. and Lidia Michel, Psy.D. - Episode 42

In part one of this discussion, Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Dr. Jana Martin, CEO of The Trust, and Dr. Lidia Michel about vicarious trauma, its effects, and some of the warning signs that it may be harming our world view. Part of a practitioner’s work requires them to listen, to and sit with their patients, and hear to their stories of significant challenge. But there is a cost to this for therapists, a cumulative and a lasting impact on the practitioner.

We encourage practitioners to talk with colleagues and put this kind of trauma into context. Ask people “how have I changed since I started this work?”, ask “how does my anger show up now?” and invite these conversations around vicarious trauma so we can carry it in the healthiest way possible. We need to have special care for ourselves and to even see our own self-care as a form of honoring the work we do.

For more information about The Trust and ways to engage yourself and empower your clients visit: https://www.trustinsurance.com/

For more information about Trauma Stewardship by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky with Connie Burk visit: https://traumastewardship.com/inside-the-book/

For more information about Real Happiness at Work by Sharon Salzbery visit:

https://www.sharonsalzberg.com/real-happiness-at-work/