Behavioral Health Today

Toniebox: A Tool for Childhood Development & Creativity with Drew Vernon– Episode 242

If you give children stories with heroes, they learn how to become the heroes of their own story. In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Drew Vernon. Drew is the Marketing Director at Tonies, a screen-free audio system recently named as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Education Companies.  Drew leads Tonies Education, promoting screen-free learning with schools, libraries, and other early education organizations. Previously, Drew was the Brand Manager for The LEGO Group where he created Prescription for Play, building a network of 2,000 pediatricians to connect half a million children with their first LEGO play experience.  Drew also founded the first state-licensed, pay-by-the-hour childcare center in Connecticut.  Drew has an MBA in Brand and Product Management from the University of Wisconsin, where he was recognized as one of “8 to Watch under 40”. Together Graham and Drew discuss cultivating children’s creative responsibility and how the Toniebox can be a tool for parents and kids to come together as well.

 

For more information about Tonies and the Toniebox, please visit: https://us.tonies.com
Connect with Tonies on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/tonies.us/
Connect with Tonies on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/tonies.us
To learn more about Drew Vernon, connect on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewvernon

Clinicians Series: Pathways of Transcendent States of Consciousness with Shai Tubali, PhD – Episode 241

To escape life is a disservice. It robs somebody of an opportunity to really lean into things in a much more meaningful way. In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Shai Tubali, PhD. Shai is an academic philosopher, speaker, and leading authority in the field of self-development and self-empowerment. Shai is also a best-selling author of numerous books inspiring many thousands on their inner journeys of mental, emotional, and spiritual transformation. Shai’s active vision is a spirituality that does not lead away from the world, but rather straight into the heart of life. Strongly believing that to be a realized human means to stand exactly in the middle between humanity and spirit, it’s his deep passion to bring about a much-needed shift in contemporary spirituality: an inner transformation that leads to embracing all of our earthly and spiritual aspects, with the heart at its center. Together Graham and Shai discuss the expansive model of meditation and the process of helping people move through places of ambiguity and complex experiences into a more integrated, holistic and kind of clarified self-transformation.

 

For more information about Llewellyn’s Complete Book of Meditation by Shai Tubali, please visit: https://store.shaitubali.com/product/llewellyns-complete-meditation/
For more information about Shai Tubali, his work, and his meditation courses, please visit: https://shaitubali.com
For more information about upcoming events, please visit: https://shaitubali.com/event-directory/
For guided meditation videos please visit Shai’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQwf6sSC-F2sH4uDOmJkKsw

CBHA: Whole Person Advocacy with Dr. Le Ondra Clark Harvey – Episode 240

It's nice to be able to give voice for those that can't for themselves, until they can. CBHA is the voice of their agencies at the state Capitol, and with state agencies, and the federal government. Our purpose is to ensure that federal, state, and county programs can support integrated healthcare services for people of all ages. In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Dr. Le Ondra Clark Harvey. Dr. Le Ondra Clark Harvey is a psychologist, the Chief Executive Officer of the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies and the Executive Director of the California Access Coalition. Le Ondra has maintained an impressive record of leadership including serving on national and local boards including the American Psychological Association (APA), National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Cal NonProfits Board and more.  In addition, Le Ondra has received numerous awards in recognition of her work and was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to his Master Plan on Aging Advisory Committee, by Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis to the CA Institute for Regenerative Medicine, and by the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Advisory Committee for Women’s Services. Together Graham and Le Ondra discuss the goals and various programs of CBHA, and the work they’re doing to promote whole person wellness.

 

For more information about the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies, please visit:

https://www.cccbha.org

 

For more information about National Council, please visit:

https://www.thenationalcouncil.org

 

For more information about 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, please visit:

https://988lifeline.org

 

Expressing Mental Wellness Through Theater with Fadi Skeiker – Episode 239

There is a cathartic moment in every story. That cathartic moment would be the point of connection where it would help people to deal with what they are going through. In this episode, Dr. Erin Elmore speaks with Fadi Skeiker. Fadi is a theater educator of Syrian origin, an author and a scholar who has directed, devised and led applied theater work all over the world. Fadi holds a BA from the Higher Institute of Theatrical Arts in Damascus, an MA from Emerson College in Boston and a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin. Fadi has published articles in multiple journals and co-wrote a published training manual on the use of applied theater as a tool to address human rights and women’s equality issues in Jordan in addition to a book on his work on applied theatre and refugees. In addition to being a theatre scholar, Fadi is also an accomplished Theatre director whose work has been featured in university setting and most recently at the Wilma Theatre in Philadelphia. Together Fadi and Erin discuss healing through creative expression and his work with Syrian refugees in drama workshops. Through his work he provides an outlet for refugee storytelling and a safe environment for perspective building.

 

For more information about Fadi Skeiker, please visit: https://www.uarts.edu/staff-directory/fskeiker
For more information about the University of the Arts, please visit: https://www.uarts.edu
For more information about Four Immigrants, Four Stories, One Museum, the project with the Philadelphia Art Museum, you can watch a video with Tara Falk: https://blog.philamuseum.org/4-by-4-by-1-four-immigrants-four-stories-one-museum/
Connect with Fadi on social media:
On twitter: https://twitter.com/fadiskeiker
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fadiskeiker
On Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fadiskeiker

Rise of New Technologies in Behavioral Health with John Cray – Episode 238

The key to new technologies in behavioral health is early measurement, early identification of issues, and then making that identification actionable. Mental Health Technologies (MHT) has made that initial, and ongoing measurement, a seamless, easy opportunity for practitioners and patients to be involved in. In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with John Cray. John is the Chief Technology Officer of Mental Health Technologies, Inc., a platform for testing and screening patients for behavioral health disorders. John knows first-hand how much of a difference early mental health and substance use issues detection by primary care can make, in addition to an ongoing objective measurement of affecting conditions. John is a speaker on the challenges of mental health care and how technological innovation is disrupting the space. With authority and knowledge, he wants to help medical directors, CEOs, COOs, presidents, and founders in the industry learn about the importance of addressing mental health issues early.

 

For more information about Mental Health Technologies, please visit: https://www.mhtech.com
Connect with Mental Health Technologies on Linkedin, please visit: https://www.linkedin.com/company/42318573

NACBHDD: Power in Advocacy & Policy Work with Jonah Cunningham, CEO – Episode 237

Do what you can, how you can, where you can. In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Jonah Cunningham. Jonah currently serves as President and CEO of the National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors (NACBHDD). In this role, he proactively advocates for national policies that recognize and support the critical role counties play in caring for people affected by mental illness, addiction, and developmental disabilities. Previously, Jonah worked at Trust for America’s Health, a public health think tank, where he focused extensively on ways to reduce mortality from substance misuse and suicide. Jonah has received numerous awards and recognition for his commitment to the field of behavioral health and those served by the nation’s behavioral health system. He has a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Utah and a Master of Public Policy from The George Washington University. Together Graham and Jonah discuss the trends in mental health policy work that are engaging law makers and mobilizing communities. We have the attention. We have the energy. It's just channeling that in the ways that we can.

 

For more information about the National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors (NACBHDD), please visit: https://www.nacbhdd.org
To contact the National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors (NACBHDD), please email: info@nacbhd.org

Part 2: The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) with Sarah Marikos, MPH – Episode 236

In our show, we will resume our conversation with our host Dr. Graham Taylor and his guest Sarah Marikos around the topic of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). In our last episode, we discussed how identifying ACEs shifts the conversation around behavior and decision making to something deeper, that there is meaning behind the things we do, the thoughts we have, the decisions we make. That adverse childhood experiences are common, research showing that two out of three US adults have experiences at least one adverse childhood experience. We named the various adversities that contribute to adverse effects and how traumas, like emotional neglect, can be subtle and still cause very real challenges in our lives. We’ll resume our talk today by discussing the different health conditions caused by ACEs and toxic stress, and how our emotional experiences affect our physical immune system.

 

For more information about NumberStory.org and exploring your ACEs number, please visit: https://numberstory.org
For more information about healing and prevention, please visit: https://numberstory.org/take-action/
For more information about the ACE Resource Network, please visit: https://aceresourcenetwork.com
Finally, connect with NumberStory on social media;
On facebook, at mynumberstory or visit: https://www.facebook.com/mynumberstory
On Instagra, @mynumberstory or visit: https://www.instagram.com/mynumberstory/
On Twitter, @mynumberstory or visit:
https://twitter.com/mynumberstory

Part 1: The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) with Sarah Marikos, MPH – Episode 235

We are the sum total of our past experiences. The season of childhood is a particularly vulnerable time, and what happens to us between the ages of birth to 18 has long and deep consequences in who we become. The reality is that children face adversity regardless of our best efforts to protect them and things happen that are often outside of our control. Adverse childhood experiences, referred to as ACEs, describe traumatic experiences that can have lasting effects into adulthood. Learning about one's ACEs can equip us to better care for our children as well as inform us to care for adults with ACEs. In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Sarah Marikos, MPH. Sarah is an epidemiologist with a background in public health. As the Executive Director of ACE Resource Network, Sarah led the launch of NumberStory.org, the first national public awareness and education campaign on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), childhood trauma, and toxic stress that can increase the risk for poor health outcomes and educational challenges. Sarah has a Master’s in public health in epidemiology from San Diego State University; two Bachelor’s degrees in Interdisciplinary Studies and Geography from UC Berkeley; and was a Human Impact Partners’ Health Equity Fellow.

 

For more information about NumberStory.org and exploring your ACEs number, please visit: https://numberstory.org
For more information about healing and prevention, please visit: https://numberstory.org/take-action/
For more information about the ACE Resource Network, please visit: https://aceresourcenetwork.com
Finally, connect with NumberStory on social media;
On facebook, at mynumberstory or visit: https://www.facebook.com/mynumberstory
On Instagram, @mynumberstory or visit: https://www.instagram.com/mynumberstory/
On Twitter, @mynumberstory or visit: https://twitter.com/mynumberstory

The Future of Humanization in the Workforce with Heather McGowan – Episode 234

Investments in the humans around us are the greatest investments we can make. In this episode, Dr. Erin Elmore speaks with Heather McGowan. Heather is a thought leader, author, and one of the leading voices on the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Heather’s groundbreaking approach to the future of work and learning has made employees more fulfilled and innovative, leaders more potent and empathetic, and businesses more effective at reaching their goals in a rapidly evolving market. Heather is at the forefront of challenging what it means to be a leader in the future of work. She would say it’s not about lifting up the ‘best’ or most dominant performers, but rather selecting the most collaborative, the most empathetic, and the most fundamentally human among us to lead. Together Erin and Heather discuss the challenges of an outdated workforce system, adaption to new technologies, recent trends that are challenging the workforce, and the opportunity we have now to improve our outcomes when we embrace an empathic work environment where empathy drives performance.

 

For more information about Heather McGowan, please visit:

https://heathermcgowan.com

 

For more information about

The Adaptation Advantage: Let Go. Learn Fast. And Thrive in the Future of Work

by Health E. McGowan and Chris Shipley, please visit:

https://heathermcgowan.com/the-adaptation-advantage-book

 

For more information about

The Empathy Advantage: Leading the Empowered Workforce

by Heather McGowan and Chris Shipley, please visit:

https://heathermcgowan.com/the-empathy-advantage-book

 

For videos to watch Heather speak, please visit:

https://heathermcgowan.com/speaking-videos

 

To book Heather at a speaking engagement, please visit:

https://heathermcgowan.com/keynote-booking

 

Connect with Heather on LinkedIn at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermcgowan

Pathways to Transcendent States of Consciousness with Shai Tubali, PhD – Episode 233

What if we had a path that could assist us with developing meaning, a greater personal depth, a better order to and clarity of are often complex and challenging lives. What if this path wove together both psychological and spiritual principles into an accessible model with processes that move us through our ambiguous, complex experiences and into a more integrated, holistic, and clarified self-transformation? In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Shai Tubali, PhD. Shai is an academic philosopher, speaker, and leading authority in the field of self-development and self-empowerment. Shai is also a best-selling author of numerous books inspiring many thousands on their inner journeys of mental, emotional, and spiritual transformation. Shai’s active vision is a spirituality that does not lead away from the world, but rather straight into the heart of life. Strongly believing that to be a realized human means to stand exactly in the middle between humanity and spirit, it’s his deep passion to bring about a much-needed shift in contemporary spirituality: an inner transformation that leads to embracing all of our earthly and spiritual aspects, with the heart at its center. Together Graham and Shai discuss techniques of meditation and the pathways to transcendent states of consciousness.  If we understand that our mind can be the source of our suffering, it can also be the source of our happiness. Nothing else can endow us with this kind of happiness. Meditation is the way to cultivate our mind, thus making it a source of happiness.

 

For more information about Llewellyn’s Complete Book of Meditation by Shai Tubali, please visit: https://store.shaitubali.com/product/llewellyns-complete-meditation/
For more information about Shai Tubali, his work, and his meditation courses, please visit: https://shaitubali.com
For more information about upcoming events, please visit: https://shaitubali.com/event-directory/
For guided meditation videos please visit Shai’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQwf6sSC-F2sH4uDOmJkKsw

 

Clinicians Series: Leadership Development with Dr. Richard Winters – Episode 232

Today’s episode is part of our clinicians’ series, where we provide a more practice, more hands-on experiential understanding of the application of various techniques, strategies, and constructs to help appreciate the dynamics that take place and the process of change that can be transformative. In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Dr. Richard Winters. Richard is a practicing emergency physician and an executive coach at Mayo Clinic. He is also the director of Leadership Development for the Mayo Clinical Care Network, where he facilitates retreats and delivers programs that train leaders at healthcare organizations worldwide. Richard has authored the recently published Wall Street Journal bestselling book You’re the Leader Now What? Leadership Lessons from Mayo Clinic. Together Graham and Richard discuss imposter syndrome most leaders experience, the importance of self-awareness, authenticity, approaching one-on-one conversations, developing a shared reality, and the concept of the five hats of leaders: teacher, mentor, coach, supervisor, and sponsor. The individuals who step up and lead are the individuals that are going help us make the world a better place. And I think each of us are exactly the right people to do.

 

For more information about Dr. Richard Winters, please visit: https://www.richardwinters.com

For more information about You’re the Leader Now What? Leadership Lessons from Mayo Clinic by Richard Winters M.D, please visit: https://www.richardwinters.com/book/

If you are a physician looking to coach or be coached, please join a community at: https://wecoacheachother.com

 Connect with Richard Winters on Twitter, please visit: https://twitter.com/drrwinters

Connect with Richard Winters on LinkedIn, please visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardcwinters/

Clymb: Peaking Children’s Emotional Wellness with Ashley Williams, CEO – Episode 231

One out of five young people in the United States suffer from a mental or emotional behavioral disorder. Clymb, an interactive emotional wellness program, is about equipping our young people with the tools so that they can summit their lives successfully and teaching kids early on how to master the emotional aspect of their selves. In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Ashley Williams.  Ashley Williams is an educator, emotional wellness advocate, mindfulness expert, and successful CEO of Clymb. Realizing that the development of emotional intelligence skills in youth predicts later life outcomes, Ashley launched Clymb - an interactive emotional wellness software for school-age children.  She is the 2022 Culture Builder of the Year for Baltimore, which honors her work to make children’s happiness a policy priority. Ashley has been featured on NPR, the Baltimore Sun, Champions of Wellness, and Technically, among many others. She has received Mayoral Recognition for her advocacy work to advance emotional wellness for Baltimore City youth. She is an alumnus of the John Hopkins Social Innovation Lab and was recognized by T. Rowe Price as a Highlighted Moonshot Innovator. With over a decade of experience in the field of emotional wellness, she has dedicated her career to helping individuals and organizations increase their overall happiness and satisfaction in life.

 

For more information about Clymb, please visit: https://clymbup.io
To connect with Clymb on social media,
@clymb_up on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clymb_up/
@Clymb_Up on Twitter: https://twitter.com/clymb_up
@Clymb on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clymb

Untangled: The Path to Zen Practice with Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison – Episode 230

The emotional walls that protect us at some point, imprisons us. And unless we open the door, we won’t see the shadow in front of us to walk through it. In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison. Koshin is an author, Zen teacher, Jungian psychotherapist, and ACPE Certified Chaplaincy Educator. Koshin began his formal Zen training in 1987. He completed six years of training at the Jungian Psychoanalytic Association as well as clinical contemplative training at both Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center and New York Presbyterian Medical Center. Koshin is a renowned thought leader and author in contemplative care; his work has been featured in the New York Times, PBS, CBS Sunday Morning and other media outlets. Koshin is the author of the recently published book Untangled: Walking the Full Path to Clarity, courage, and Compassion.

 

For more information about Untangled: Walking the Full Path to Clarity, courage, and Compassion by Koshin Paley Ellison, please visit: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/60568473
For more information on the New York Zen Center, please visit: https://zencare.org
To connect with New York Zen Center on Instagram please visit: https://www.instagram.com/newyorkzencenter/?hl=en
For more information about Commit to Sit, please visit: https://zencare.org/commit-to-sit-90-day-practice-periods/
For more information about Foundations in Contemplative Care, please visit: https://zencare.org/foundations-new/
For more information about Wholehearted: Slow Down, Help Out, Wake Up by Koshin Paley Ellison, please visit: https://zencare.org/wholehearted-slow-down-help-out-wake-up/
And finally, for more information about Awake at the Bedside, contemplative Teaching Some Palliative End of Life Care by Koshin Paley Ellison, please visit: https://zencare.org/awake-at-the-bedside-contemplative-teachings-on-palliative-and-end-of-life-care/

EPPP FAQs & the EPPP Part 2 with Dr. Kristen Wilkinson – Episode 229

The EPPP is a major hurdle and big commitment to study and pass, but support is available, and we are here cheering for you. In this episode, Dr. Erin Elmore speaks with Dr. Kristen Wilkinson. Dr. Wilkinson is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist at The Barrington Center for Counseling and Psychotherapy in the Chicago area. She also is a contributing writer for StepMom Magazine and an Adjunct Professor at Midwestern University. Kristen’s specialties include working with young adults, women, divorce, stepfamilies, and bariatric surgery candidates. She has extensive training in working with anxiety, depression, body image, perfectionism, grief and loss, adjustment, and relationship and family concerns. Kristen is one of the longest standing EPPP coaches with Triad. Together Erin and Kristen discuss frequently asked questions around the EPPP, preparing for the exam, setting goals, and new information about the EPPP Part 2.

 

To listen to our Sleeper Effect episode with Dr. Kristen Wilkinson, please visit: https://www.triadhq.com/podcast-archive/daughters-of-divorce-and-the-sleeper-effect-with-dr-kristen-wilkinson-episode-23
To contribute to The Sleeper Effect Project, contribute by email: thesleepereffectproject@gmail.com or visit: https://www.kristenwilkinsonpsyd.com/about and click The Sleeper Effect in the navigation.
For more information about the EPPP, please visit: https://www.asppb.net/page/EPPPPart1
For more information about AATBS Exam Prep EPPP materials, please visit: https://aatbs.com/psychology/eppp
For more information about Academic Review EPPP Study Bundles, please visit: https://www.academicreview.com/psychology
For more information about Taylor Study Method’s EPPP online program, please visit: https://www.taylorstudymethod.com/

When Birds Sing: From Trauma to Triumph with Arielle Spring – Episode 228

Every spring when the birds would sing, I would pray that you were okay. In this episode, Dr. Graham Taylor speaks with Arielle Spring. Arielle Spring is a living example of a phoenix rising. She began her life in an idyllic setting surrounded by loving parents and a sibling. She started to soar as a classical pianist and was mentored by a renowned piano teacher. Arielle’s life took a sudden turn in her sophomore year of high school when she experienced the first of a succession of traumas including sexual assault, the loss of her piano teacher, and becoming homeless.  Arielle began her ascent through hard work and dedication to discovering her true self. She took a job as a domestic violence crisis group facilitator which inspired her to create her own domestic violence support group. Arielle went on to become a certified professional life coach and health coach.  Arielle has discovered that her passion for music and design have spilled over into writing and books, publications and blogging are her current pursuit. Arielle is the author of the memoir titled When Birds Sing: My Journey from Trauma to Triumph detailing her journey through abuse to the moment when a conscious awakening prompted her to discover a power greater than herself.

 

For more information about When Birds Sing: My Journey from Trauma to Triumph, please visit: https://www.ariellespring.net/when-birds-sing
For more information about Arielle Spring and her work, please visit: https://www.ariellespring.net/
To connect with Arielle Spring on Instagram at ariellespringauthor, or visit: https://www.instagram.com/ariellespringauthor/
To connect with Arielle Spring on Facebook at When Birds Sing and Arielle Spring, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/people/When-Birds-Sing/100083006238902/