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Episode 1: “The Language of the Transgender World”
Language is the number one way that trans and gender non-conforming folks know that they are safe. Here, Barbara Alexander, from On Good Authority, interviews Rena McDaniel, who tells us that in order to be respectful to Transgender folks, we need to know their pronouns!
Episode 2: “Problems of Elderly Transgender Folk”
One of the biggest issues that older transgender individuals face is housing discrimination. Here, Barbara and Rena continue their conversation about the challenges facing the transgender community.
Episode 3: “Can we Understand Addictions? Is there a real answer?””
This is the first of three podcasts about addiction and here, Barbara Alexander from On Good Authority interviews two psychiatrists – Mark Willenbring and Brian Johnson who have somewhat differing views on the neurology of opiate addictions.
Episode 4: “Treating Opioid Addictions”
What works? The Twelve Step model or New Pharma or some Combination? Hear Drs. Willenbring, Johnson, and Dr. Ishani Dalal talk to Barbara Alexander, from On Good Authority, about their differing views.
Episode 5: “Why do Addicts Relapse?”
“The fact is, every addict loves getting high. What every addicted person wants more than anything in the whole world is to be able to use their drug of choice without consequences.” So says Dr. Mark Willenbring as he, Dr. Brian Johnson, and Dr. Ishani Dalal continue their conversations with Barbara Alexander, from On Good Authority.
Episode 6: “Living with a Schizophrenic Child.”
Retired Administrative Law Judge, Karen Mellow describes to Barbara Alexander, with brutal frankness, what life with a schizophrenic child is like. Any parent and any therapist working with this population needs to hear this interview!
Episode 7: “The Schizophrenic Child becomes an Adult”
Retired Administrative Law Judge, Karen Mellow tells us, continuing her conversation with Barbara Alexander that when your schizophrenic child turns eighteen, “That’s a whole other catastrophe… On that day, he is an adult and if he chooses to live on the street and starve, that’s his business and there’s no way you can intervene.”
Episode 8: “Diagnosing Public Figures from Afar”
The Goldwater Rule. The temptation to assign diagnostic labels to public figures is hard to resist, especially when the behavior of those public figures is particularly outlandish. But is it ethical to diagnose someone whom we have never met? These are not easy questions and frequent speaker Mark Smaller will address them.
Episode 9: “Diagnosing Public Figures from Afar. Part 2.”
If we perceive a public figure as dangerous, is it immoral for therapists not to speak out? And do we have a duty to warn? Barbara and Mark continue their conversation about these ethical challenges
Episode 10: “Feeding Disorders in the DSM-5”
The DSM 5 upended the diagnostic criteria for Eating Disorders in Childhood and Adulthood. Dr. Greg Neimeyer unpacks this for us and discusses eating disorders in childhood.
Episode 11: ” Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Disorders in the DSM 5″
Dr Neimeyer explains how the DSM 5 doesn’t confine feeding and eating disorders to either childhood or adulthood, and gives us a developmental overview.
Episode 12: “Post Traumatic Growth, Part 1”
Post-traumatic growth is not about returning to the same life as it was previously experienced before a period of traumatic suffering, but rather it is about undergoing significant ‘life-changing’ psychological shifts in thinking and relating to the world that contributes to a personal process of change that is deeply meaningful. Here to discuss how she works with trauma survivors to embrace change, take healthy risks, and increase self-compassion is Lisa Ferentz, LCSW-C, DAPA, a recognized expert in the strengths-based, de-pathologized treatment of trauma.
Episode 13: “Promoting Post-Traumatic Growth, Part 2”
Lisa Ferentz continues our discussion on Post-traumatic growth, with particular emphasis on the neurology of trauma and on the impact of the trauma survivors’ often brutal experience. This has an impact, as well, on the therapist, whose role is to help the survivor helping understand the world and their place in it.
Episode 14: “Hoarders: When does collecting become hoarding? Part 1”
In their book Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things, Randy Frost, Ph.D. and Gail Steketee, Ph.D. identify the key traits that identify a hoarder. Here Dr. Steketee discusses the difference between a hobby and an obsession?
Episode 15: “Hoarders: Why cleaning out their homes never works, Part 2”
Dr. Frost details how compulsive behaviors drive sufferers to pile objects throughout their homes. Hoarders’ beliefs about possessions and their difficulties in spatial perception undermine ordinary efforts. Frost explains the underlying causes and methods of minimizing the effects of the emotionally exhausting disorder.
Episode 16: “Hoarders: Drive-By Non-Shopping!”
Working with hoarders requires creativity because of the unique meaning they attribute to every little thing. First goal:stop acquiring!
Episode 17: “It’s not Depression – It’s Grief!”
We are too quick to mistake normal grief for depression. Only 10 to 15 percent of grievers have severe reactions to the loss of a loved one and thus might need treatment that includes prescription medication and therapy. Dr. Melissa Perrin explains how to tell the difference.
Episode 18: “Surprise, Surprise! Men and women experience Depression differently!”
Dr Melissa Perrin parses out the different diagnostic categories in the DSM 5, including Major Depressive Disorders, Chronic Depressive which is Dysthymic, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, Substance Induced Depressive Disorder, and Depressive Disorder due to Another Medical Condition.
Episode 19: “Unlike the song from ‘Mash,’ Suicide is not painless – especially for the survivors!”
All losses of loved ones through death have an element of trauma built into them.
That’s most particularly true when the losses are themselves inherently tragic and when they leave people struggling to make sense of the experience. These challenges are so fundamental, so existential, so resonant that they leave people often questioning and broken, and sometimes seeking answers then in the context of psychotherapy, counseling, and good social work practice. Here, Dr. Robert Neimeyer explains this.
Episode 20: “Helping suicide survivors heal.”
Stigma about suicide is a serious problem for survivors. We need to recognize that this is a circumstance of death that is very difficult for the survivors and for others who know and care about them. Dr Robert Neimeyer continues our previous conversation, suggesting that therapists ask survivors, “What do you need in relation to this loss now? And from whom do you need it?