Behavioral Health Today

Gateway Traps and Demand Reduction with Tim Hitchens - Sex Trafficking Part 2 - Episode 33

In the second episode of the 3-part series addressing sex trafficking and the work being done by Ho`ōla Nā Pua, Tim Hitchens, the Education Program Manager at Ho`ōla Nā Pua, talks with Behavioral Health Today about gateway traps and sex trafficking (those things that we may not realize, but are contributing to sex trafficking). Together Tim and Graham dispel myths and assumptions surrounding the belief system around sex trafficking and ask for us to be mindful of the impact of our actions. 

For more information about Ho`ōla Nā Pua visit: https://hoolanapua.org/

For information about Shared Hope International visit: https://sharedhope.org/

The National Human Trafficking Hotline is (888) 373-7888 or visit: https://humantraffickinghotline.org/

Polaris Project visit: https://polarisproject.org/

Culture Reframed visit: https://www.culturereframed.org/

Jackson Katz visit: https://www.jacksonkatz.com/

Demand Abolition visit: https://www.demandabolition.org/

Tony Porter: A Call to Men visit: https://www.ted.com/talks/tony_porter_a_call_to_men

Advocacy, Awareness, and Prevention of Child Sex Trafficking with Jessica Muñoz & Tammy Bitanga - Episode 32

The first in a 3-part series addressing sex trafficking and the work being done by Ho`ōla Nā Pua. Jessica Munoz, founder and president, and Tammy Bitanga, Community Outreach Coordinator, join Behavioral Health Today's Dr. Graham Taylor as leaders in the anti-trafficking movement in the Hawaiian Islands. Tammy shares her own story of survival and rise out of her circumstances of early childhood abuse and how it drives her to do the work with Ho`ōla Nā Pua. Today, Ho`ōla Nā Pua has developed their own crisis hotline, mentoring program, and developing Hawaii’s first residential treatment center for children who have been trafficked.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline is: (888) 373-7888.

If you are in Hawaii and you're looking for help: (808) 435-9555

For more information about Ho`ōla Nā Pua visit https://hoolanapua.org/

For more information about the CSE-it (See-It) Tool visit: https://www.westcoastcc.org/cse-it/

Humor in Psychotherapy with Dr. Steven M. Sultanoff - Episode 31

Humor shifts how we feel, think, act, and impacts our physiology and biochemistry. In this episode, Dr. Steven M. Sultanoff joins Dr. Graham Taylor to explain how humor can be incorporated in the therapeutic relationship to improve the bond between the therapist / client and as a tool for intervention within a therapeutic approach. Humor can be used as a way to unstick our thinking and disrupting painful feelings so we can be more confident in our ability to manage feelings.

For more information:

• Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor visit: https://www.aath.org/
• International Society for Humor Studies visit: http://www.humorstudies.org/
• Dr. Steven Sultanoff and information about humor visit: http://www.humormatters.com/

For CE course information on incorporating humor into psychotherapy visit: https://aatbs.com/integrating-humor-into-psychotherapy-theory-rationale-research

Bold Parenting (Part 2) with Dr. Erin Elmore - Episode 30

In part two of Bold Parenting, Behavioral Health Today takes you behind the therapy door to demystify, and safely help people realize the benefits of treatment. Dr. Erin Elmore joins Dr. Graham Taylor again to talk about the types of clients, beginning steps of assessment, the therapeutic tools, and goal planning treatments for teens and families. Together Erin takes Graham through the full process of patient introduction, her approach to therapy, examples of a session and techniques used, and finally bringing the therapy to a close. The relationship between therapist and patient is a meaningful one and when other life issues or developmental tasks come up, meaningful treatment allows for future consideration.

 

For general information on child therapy visit: www.apa.org

If you would like to find a child therapist visit: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us

For more information for parenting tips visit: https://drerinelmore.com/for-parents/

 

If you would like to learn more on Child Development and the Stages of Attachment, we suggest The Developing Mind by Dr. Daniel J. Siegel: https://www.drdansiegel.com/books/the_developing_mind/praise/

Bold Parenting (Part 1) with Dr. Erin Elmore - Episode 29

In part one of a two part series, Dr. Erin Elmore sets the foundation for Bold Parenting, a style of parenting that includes structure and warmth to raising your child. Together, Erin and Dr. Graham Taylor discuss the varying styles of parenting, the different types of child attachments, and the developmental stages of children. The goal of bold parenting is to provide a structure for your child with a clear and high expectations that are consistent, yet flexible so the child may contribute their thoughts and feelings.

You can start today! There is no wrong time to begin this style of parenting. The research has shown children of Bold Parents to be self-reliant, academically successful, and well-behaved.

If you would like to find a child therapist visit: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us

If you would like more information for parenting tips visit: https://drerinelmore.com/for-parents/

If you would like to learn more on Child Development and the Stages of Attachment, we suggest The Developing Mind by Dr. Daniel J. Siegel: https://www.drdansiegel.com/books/the_developing_mind/praise/

The Psychology of Pandemics with Dr. Steven Taylor - Episode 28

Author of The Psychology of Pandemics, Dr. Steven Taylor joins Dr. Graham Taylor in a discussion about the current and past pandemics. Dr. Steven Taylor outlines the patterns that occur from a global pandemic, identifies the warning signs of stress and the components of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder for symptoms that linger past the COVID-19 Pandemic. Together they identify the issues occurring, possible solutions toward better awareness, and developing the resilience to get through this. Learn to identify the things we can control, seize those, and then the things that are out of our control will likely go much better.

For more information about the impacts of COVID-19 visit: https://coronaphobia.org

Free use self-assessment test to identify the warning signs of stress caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic, visit: https://coronaphobia.org/list/

The Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale with Dr. Kelly Posner - Episode 27

In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor is joined by Dr. Kelly Posner, the author of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale. Suicide prevention requires finding those who are suffering. The symptoms of depression can lead to suicide and 50% of people who commit suicide have seen their primary care doctor the month before they die. If we can be testing for suicide ideology like we test for blood pressure, we can correctly help those in need. The Columbia Scale questions are prescriptive enough for non-professionals, but flexible enough for the mental health professional to administer it. Suicide is a problem of our shared humanity, but it can be preventable.

For more information about The Columbia Scale/ Columbia Protocol:

• About the Scale: https://cssrs.columbia.edu/the-columbia-scale-c-ssrs/about-the-scale/
• About the Columbia Lighthouse Project: https://cssrs.columbia.edu/

• About the Columbia Protocol App:
- iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/columbia-protocol/id1450966911
- Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.pssolutions.lighthouse&hl=en_US

Mental Health and College Students with Dr. Kevin Bowman - Episode 26

Dr. Kevin Bowman and Dr. Graham Taylor discuss the demand for student mental health services, the response from college universities, and a list of services offered to students to enhance their learning and reach their full potential. Most young students entering college for the first time are at a formative stage in life where several developmental tasks can occur. As a result, and of concern, college campuses are seeing an increase in severity of depression, suicidal ideation, and anxiety in their students.

Psychoeducational Services via Telehealth with Stephanie Taylor from PresenceLearning - Episode 25

In this episode, Stephanie Taylor, Ed.S, NCSP, Clinical Director for Psychoeducational services at PresenceLearning, joins Dr. Graham Taylor to talk about the successes of teletherapy in students’ lives. Psychoeducational services in a telehealth setting allow for better student access, making meaningful connections, present an engaging student environment, and bring awareness to mental health components that oftentimes do not get addressed in our education system. Presence Learning teletherapy software provides a need for psychology services for students nationwide.

To learn more about Presence Learning visit: https://www.presencelearning.com/

For more information on teletherapy and telemental Health visit: https://www.apa.org/practice/guidelines/telepsychology

The Trauma of Human Trafficking with Allison Franklin - Episode 24

Dr. Graham Taylor is joined by Allison Franklin, the Director of the CARES program at the SAFE Alliance. She is a nationally recognized survivor leader and subject matter expert on sex trafficking. In this episode, Allison shares her own story of survival and an understanding of the narratives of the men and women trapped in this trafficking experience. Together Allison and Graham identify the warning signs and symptoms for early detection and the misconceptions within sex trafficking. Seeking help can be difficult, but programs like the SAFE Alliance are available to intersect the complex needs of victims and offer hope to break the cycle they are in.

 

For more information about Human Trafficking resources visit:

• SAFE Alliance: https://www.safeaustin.org/
• CARES: Support for those who have been trafficked: https://www.safeaustin.org/our-services/face-to-face-support/support-for-people-who-have-been-exploited/
• Human Trafficking Hotline: call 1(888) 373 -7888 or text “HELP” or “INFO” to 233733 available 24 hours, 7 days a week
• Polaris Project: https://polarisproject.org/
• Shared Hope International: https://sharedhope.org/

Daughters of Divorce and The Sleeper Effect with Dr. Kristen Wilkinson - Episode 23

In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Dr. Kristen Wilkinson about the 'Sleeper Effect', its effects, and developing an understanding to be able to identify it early. Children experience a myriad of psychological effects when families divorce or separate, but there is a phenomenon many 'daughters of divorce' experience that causes depression, anxiety, lack of trust, and intimacy problems to occur later in life. These issues can be tied back to the trauma experience(s) from their adolescence, defined as “The Sleeper Effect”. 

If you are a daughter of divorce and would like to share your story, Dr. Kristen Wilkinson is collecting stories to give women an opportunity. To reflect on their experiences as daughters of divorce, to think about their unsuccessful, intimate relationships, their roller coaster of mental health issues.

Please contribute by email: thesleepereffectproject@gmail.com or by visiting: https://www.kristenwilkinsonpsyd.com/about and click The Sleeper Effect in the navigation.

 

Shaping Treatment and Data Analysis with Cerner Sr. Health Care Executive Dr. John Rekart – Episode 22

In this episode, Dr. John Rekart joins Behavioral Health Today for a foundational discussion around how data can help us respond to mental health issues. Data management and collection of information cab be a helpful process for informing and shaping our understanding of mental health issues. Dr. Rekart talks about how to organize treatment approaches with the use of data and technology to create a discussion or to tell a story. 

 

For more information about Cerner Technologies visit: https://www.cerner.com/

For COVID-19 information from Cerner and PsychHub visit: https://psychhub.com/covid-19/

Virtual Reality and Mental Health with BehaVR CEO Aaron Gani - Episode 21

Aaron Gani, CEO of BehaVR, joins Dr. Graham Taylor to discuss virtual reality in behavioral health. BehaVR is a digital medicine company that specializes in virtual experiences to improve mental health. BehaVR has created a multi-session crafted experience to help people connect their mind and the physiological response.  VR offers improved retention, engagement, and a unique approach to therapy, providing clinicians the ability to craft an experience that helps people develop an understanding of their disorder earlier.

The Psychology of an Athlete with Joshua and Nikki Taylor – Episode 20

In this episode Joshua and Nikki Taylor, both collegiate and professional athletes, speak with Dr. Graham Taylor on the psychology of being an athlete and the mindset of self-motivation, the perspective of failure, developing emotional muscle, and self-awareness. They talk about the sports psychology of an athlete’s mind, their unique thinking process and training one’s self to think and emotionally respond purposefully to events in their lives.

Juuling, Vaping, and Marijuana: The Impact on Teens and Young Adults - Episode 19

Dr. Erin Elmore joins Dr. Graham Taylor to discuss the trend among teens of juuling, vaping, and e-cigarettes. They discuss ways to talk to teenagers about the dangers of juuling and vaping. Both juuling, the smoking of nicotine, or vaping of THC or CBD, the main components of marijuana, are newer forms of drug use. Vaping has become popular amongst older teens and young adults and as parents, teachers, and mental health providers should be aware of the risks, addictions, and ways to talk about this with teens and help them make informed decisions.