Mental Health Matters: Recent Episodes
Todd Weatherly
Todd Weatherly, Therapeutic Consultant and mental health professional hosts #MentalHealthMatters. Interviewing doctors and therapists, treatment professionals, organizational leaders, and other members of the mental health community about the importance of mental health awareness, treatment and the future of addressing mental health in the US. Discussing how to support mental health in our communities from hospitals to the dinner table and what to do when crisis arises.
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The fastest way to derail care for autistic clients is to treat every behavior like a clue you already solved. Todd Weatherly sits down with Dr Ingrid Boveda, founding psychologist at Hive Psychological Services and co-founder of CoGenuity, to challenge the reflex to label first and ask later and to show what neurodivergent-informed assessment and treatment planning can look like when it actually fits real brains.
We dig into why “standard” mental health treatment often fails people on the autism spectrum: overwhelming group-heavy schedules, skills taught without a path to real-world use, and clinical assumptions that turn sensory overload into “defiance.” Dr Bovita explains how she approaches complex psychological assessment by spending less time fixating on test scores and more time translating the why behind behavior. We also talk about medication response differences, nervous system regulation, and how diagnostic labels can become incomplete stories that flatten a person’s strengths, needs, and identity.
If you work in behavioral health, support a neurodivergent loved one, or just want a smarter way to interpret behavior, this conversation gives you practical language and a clearer lens. Subscribe for more conversations on mental health and substance use treatment, share this episode with a clinician or parent who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway: where do you see “asking the why” change outcomes?
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The loudest stories about teen treatment often skip the most important question: what does high-quality care look like right now, and how do you tell the difference? Todd Weatherly sits down with Dr. Stephen DeMille, Executive Director of Redcliff Ascent and Three Peaks Ascent, to give families a clearer map of modern adolescent mental health treatment, including wilderness therapy and other higher levels of care.
We talk candidly about why parents hesitate to “press go” when their child is struggling, and why waiting for rock bottom is a gamble that can shrink options fast. Stephen explains how licensing, accreditation, and stronger state oversight have raised the bar across the behavioral health field. We also dig into level-of-care matching, because placing a teen too low can create a painful loop of treatment failures that makes later recovery harder.
Then we get specific about outdoor behavioral healthcare. Stephen breaks down why nature-based therapy can be so effective for adolescents: a novel environment that disrupts old patterns, a tight peer community where feedback lands differently, and therapeutic approaches like narrative therapy that fit naturally around a campfire. We also address safety head-on, including perceived risk versus actual risk and what published wilderness therapy risk data suggests when compared with common teen activities.
If you’re weighing residential treatment for teens, wilderness therapy, or other intensive mental health options, this conversation is built to replace fear with clearer thinking and better questions. Subscribe for more conversations like this, share the episode with a parent who needs it, and leave a review with the question you still want answered.
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Stress doesn’t always come from what’s happening today. Sometimes it’s the nervous system running an old program, one you learned as a child. We sit down with Lolita Guarin, stress management expert and creator of the Calm Process, to talk about the hidden roots of burnout, overwhelm, and chronic anxiety and what actually helps when “self-care” starts feeling like another task.
Lolita shares her lived experience as an immigrant and an adult child of an alcoholic, including how chronic stress escalated into a health crisis that forced a hard re-evaluation of her pace, boundaries, and self-talk. We dig into why quick fixes like yoga or journaling can become stress bandages when your mind keeps scanning for danger, and how patterns like people pleasing, hypervigilance, and fear of saying no can show up at work, in friendships, and in intimate relationships.
Lolita’s talks about the CALM Process as a practical stress management framework: Control what you can, practice Acceptance, Limit what doesn’t work (and ask where it came from), then Multiply what does work. We also explore a powerful idea beneath it all: real change often means breaking loyalty to an old identity, even when that identity once helped you survive. If you’re looking for trauma-informed stress relief, stronger boundaries, and a clearer path to resilience, this conversation is for you.
Subscribe to Head Inside Mental Health, share this with someone stuck in survival mode, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show. What part of the Calm Process do you need most right now?
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A lot of families aren’t looking for more theories they’re looking for something that works on a Tuesday night when everyone is overstimulated. We sit down with Calial McCarty, a child and family therapist and board certified autism specialist, to talk about what neuroaffirming therapy looks like when parents feel like they’ve “tried everything” and still end up in crisis.
We dig into autism, ADHD, pediatric mood challenges, and PDA (pathological demand avoidance), with a focus on the missing link in so much behavioral health care: translating good clinical ideas into real home practice. Calial explains how she uses parent coaching and PCIT-informed strategies to help caregivers build skills without awkward roleplay, and why simple language, visuals, and nervous system safety can change the whole tone of a household. We also talk about the harm families experience when providers invalidate them, and the mindset shift that helps both therapists and parents move away from one-size-fits-all expectations; all covered in her book Naturally Divergent.
Medical complexity comes up too because mental health and physical health don’t live in separate boxes. Calial shares how she supports families in advocating with doctors, staying careful about scope, and pushing for more collaboration across systems, including awareness of concerns like PANS/PANDAS when symptoms shift suddenly. We wrap with a look at Neurobloom Center, a new community-based hub designed to reduce silos and offer sensory-friendly supports, trusted providers, and inclusive spaces.
If you found this helpful, subscribe, share the episode with a parent or clinician who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find neuroaffirming resources. What “rule” are you ready to drop to protect peace at home?
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A teen can be brilliant, funny, and “fine” on the surface while their nervous system is running on fumes underneath. That’s where we start with Dr. Rob Gent, Chief Clinical Officer at Pacific Quest and clinical psychologist with deep expertise in neurobiological development and family systems. We dig into why age and maturity don't line up with traditional expectations in adolescents and young adults with today's generations of youth. And target the modern mix of ultra-processed food, poor sleep, chronic stress, and screen saturation can show up as anxiety, depression, ADHD symptoms, brain fog, and shutdown.
We also get concrete about what parents can do when home starts to feel like a daily negotiation with safety on the line. Dr. ob explains why reliable, predictable boundaries are not “tough love,” they are a loving structure that calms the nervous system and makes real empathy possible. We talk about the trap of micromanagement, the “behavioral hamster wheel,” and the shift to relational leverage, where trust and attunement start doing the heavy lifting.
From there, we go deeper into regulation versus dysregulation, Dan Siegel’s flipped lid, and why calm doesn't necessarily mean regulated. We explore integrative mental health care and functional psychiatry, plus experiential regulation tools like gardening, movement, and time outdoors. The thread tying it all together is shame, and Rob’s reminder that there’s no pill for shame, but empathy can dissolve it when it’s backed by consistent boundaries and co-regulation. If this conversation helps, subscribe, share it with a parent or clinician, and listen and follow Head Inside for more.
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You can’t “therapy” your way out of a housing crisis, and you can’t build recovery on top of benefits rules that punish stability. Todd Weatherly sits down with returning guest Sarah Summy, CEO of Lakewood Center in Greater Orlando, to pull apart the real-world mechanics that keep people with chronic mental illness and substance use needs stuck in cycles of homelessness, hospitalization, and incarceration.
We start with a sharp example from pop culture: the Hulu film Patrice and the disability benefits “marriage penalty” that forces couples to choose between love and survival. From there, we follow the money and the incentives, from corporate wage practices that lean on public assistance to insurance policies that will fund “treatment” while refusing to cover the housing that makes treatment work. Sarah makes the case plainly: for many people with severe and persistent mental illness, housing is the care. Community is the intervention. We also dig into the barriers that show up outside psychiatry, including denials of skilled nursing care over drug screens and the ripple effects of opioid-era pain management policies, even in hospice.
If you care about mental health care access, supportive housing, Medicaid and Medicare policy, or what a functional continuum of care should look like, this conversation will give you both language and leverage. Subscribe, share this with someone who works in health care or policy, and leave a review so more people can find it.
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Care usually shows up when things are already on fire and then we act surprised when “stabilized” doesn’t mean “better.” We have a conversation with mental health pioneer and consultant Amanda Koplin to unpack a mental health treatment model that works in the messy middle of real life: jobs you can’t quit, families who are exhausted, and symptoms that don’t fit neatly into 50-minute sessions.
We get into what wraparound, in-home behavioral health care actually looks like, from designing a plan that evolves over time to supporting the entire family system, not just the person of concern. Amanda explains why she often starts with the one person who’s ready to change, how boundaries can coexist with depression, addiction, and eating disorders, and why many families “freeze” their parenting at the age mental illness first appears. We also talk about re-parenting through missed developmental stages, building emotional regulation, and creating structure that doesn’t disappear the moment the crisis passes.
Then we go straight at the hard stuff: the crisis trigger point in community mental health, the difference between safety systems and treatment systems, and the insurance math that pushes people out of care before they’re truly ready. Along the way, we explore what “success” really means, how building life assets reduces relapse risk, and why the right team requires the right personality match, not just the right credentials.
If you care about mental health outcomes, family systems therapy, addiction recovery, and practical solutions beyond the hospital revolving door, this conversation is for you. Join us and don't forget to subscribe and share with someone who is looking for options in their recovery journey.
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Perfection can look like excellence from a distance, yet up close it there's the potential for problems. We sit down with Dr. Greg Chasson—professor, board‑certified psychologist, and leading authority on OCD and related disorders—to separate what’s truly clinical from what’s simply crushing your workflow. Greg explains why OCD is defined by intrusive thoughts while perfectionism is often rule‑bound thinking that can calcify into inoperative rigidity. That clarity can give organizations and people the key to better choices and systems that support vs. hinder performance.
Greg shares his workplace‑ready translation of exposure therapy: the Emphasis A‑B‑C framework. A is for a tiny set of mission‑critical tasks that deserve 110 percent and perfectionistic focus. B is where most work lives—done to standard and delivered. C is skipping the task entirely. If everything is A, burnout follows and option C might prevail as the response even with important tasks; if most is B, learning speeds up and quality improves over cycles, not in a single heroic pass; a learning organization will no how C can be effective not just an outcome of perfectionistic procrastination. We explore how this approach reduces procrastination, prevents hidden “polish” rituals, and puts momentum back into complex projects without lowering the bar.
Greg offers practical ways to re‑center on values: assertive communication that replaces sanctimony, decision practices that prioritize service and learning, and acceptance skills that separate controllables from noise. Along the way, we touch on real‑world tensions—identity, workplace expectations, and how moral certainty can backfire—and show how metacognition helps teams think about their thinking. If you’re leading a team, scaling a function, or simply tired of “almost ready” in your personal life, this conversation gives you language and tools to move. Enjoy the episode, and if it helps you unlock progress, subscribe, share it with a teammate, and leave a quick review so others can find the show.
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What if the missing link in recovery isn’t motivation, but a map? We sit down with recovery advocate and addictions counselor Mo Rhode, operations and outreach lead at Insight Recovery in Asheville, to trace the real paths people take from hospital stabilization to lasting change—and why too many fall through the cracks. Mo brings a rare blend of professional know‑how and lived experience, sharing how she walks into overburdened hospitals, time‑strapped clinics, and isolated private practices with a simple offer: kindness, clarity, and concrete next steps.
We unpack why substance use almost never exists without a mental health component, and how removing alcohol or drugs doesn’t resolve the deeper patterns driving reactivity and avoidance. From the science of brain change and epigenetics to the day‑to‑day work of therapy, groups, and structure, we look at what truly sustains recovery after detox. Mo’s story charts the shift from reactive to rooted—how abstinence became her operating system, not a punishment. She reframes “sensitivity” as strength, explains why treatment is anything but coddling, and offers a powerful message to parents: leaving to heal can be the most courageous way to return whole.
Along the way, we confront silos between hospitals and community resources, highlight practical differences between detox, residential, PHP, and IOP, and share how outreach can reduce readmissions by turning a crisis handoff into a warm connection. If this resonates with you, follow the show, share it with someone who needs a map, and leave a review to help more people find real pathways to recovery.
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When treatment ends, real life begins—and that’s where so many families feel alone. We sit down with Dave Herz, co-founder of Wonder, to unpack a practical, hopeful approach to aftercare that meets teens and young adults where they live: at home, at school, in the community. Dave shares how Wonder’s dual-coaching model pairs a parent coach with an individual coach for the young person, then brings everyone together for monthly in-home family sessions that reset expectations, strengthen boundaries, and rebuild trust.
Across the conversation, we tackle the questions parents ask home at night with their child... "How do I hold a boundary without blowing up the relationship? What do I do when my kid crumbles after PHP and sobs on the floor? How do we handle school refusal that has dragged on for months?" Dave explains why the first job, the first paycheck, and opening a bank account can be more powerful than a dozen lectures—and how stacking those “small” wins rewires confidence. We also address higher-acuity realities: suicidal ideation, recent attempts, and the fear that keeps parents on edge. With real-time coaching, young people learn to reach out before they spiral, while parents practice being steady and present without rescuing.
You’ll hear candid stories, clear tools, and a throughline of hope grounded in experience: boundaries that stick, rapport that’s earned, and momentum built one doable step at a time. If you’ve wondered how to translate residential gains into a life that works at home, this is a blueprint for confident, compassionate next steps. If this conversation helped, subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help others find the show.
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The finish line of treatment isn’t the finish line of recovery—it’s the starting gun for real life. We sit down with behavioral health leader Nico Doorn, Executive Director of Release Recovery Austin, to unpack how transitional living, coaching, and community convert clinical gains into durable daily habits that actually hold under stress. From morning routines and medication refills to friendships, classes, and cravings, we map the busy, imperfect days where recovery either sticks or slips.
Nico walks us through a clear framework grounded in safety, connection, and purpose. We explore how sober living homes and aftercare programs feed critical real-world data back to clinicians— Who showed up? Who isolated? ho ate—and why that feedback loop prevents small bumps from becoming full-blown crises. We tackle a hard truth about the system: insurance often ignores housing and coaching even though these supports are the backbone of long-term outcomes. So we talk budgeting for a year, not a month, and why a four-to-eight-month stay with tapered support gives clients time to stabilize, rebuild, and launch.
Families get a spotlight too. Many want information but truly need help with letting go. We share practical ways to set boundaries, tolerate discomfort, and move from rescuing to coaching. As discharge nears and treatment fatigue sets in, we show how to shift from authority to ally—keeping alumni connected through check-ins, dinners, and peer groups. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s resilience: bumps, not crises; early calls, not emergency rooms. And at the heart of it all is therapeutic alliance and meaning. When clients find an anchor—school, work, service, running, 12-step, art—they gain a reason strong enough to say no when life inevitably tempts their sobriety.
If you care about substance use recovery, mental health support, and what truly works after treatment, this conversation offers a candid, systems-level view with human warmth. Subscribe, share this episode with someone who needs a next-step plan, and leave a review to help more families find real-world guidance.
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What if the most healing room in mental health is one where a team of doctors and professionals focus their full attention on a single person with warmth, precision, and zero pretense? We take you inside the Yellowbrick Treatment Program's “rounds,” an empathic approach to mental healthcare where hidden patterns surface, shame softens, and change becomes less about willpower and more about regulated choice. The team explains how focusing on core enactments, those repeating relational loops that drive distress, turns everyday interactions into a living, breathing lab for growth.
From there, we widen the lens to families. Connected autonomy becomes the north star: real independence rooted in internalized, trustworthy bonds. You’ll hear how sessions tackle hot‑button dynamics around boundaries, power, and resources, creating a space where parents and emerging adults practice new choices without losing agency. It’s deliberate exposure to what matters most, not staged exercises that fall apart outside the room.
On the brain‑health front, we dig into a multimodal approach that pairs meds, pharmacogenomic testing, and direct adherence data with neurofeedback, TMS, direct‑current stimulation, sleep hygiene, nutrition, chronotherapy, EMDR, and autonomic retraining. The team shares outcome highlights, including qEEG changes toward regulation and TMS response rates that outpace FDA trials—likely because stimulation is embedded in a rich daily ecology of skill‑building, community living, and attuned relationships. The takeaway is clear: no silver bullets, just converging vectors that nudge the brain past homeostasis so healthier circuits can take hold.
We close with a simple invitation: if you value science, humility, and care that fits real life, pull up a chair. Subscribe, share with someone who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest insight or question so we can keep the conversation moving.
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Change doesn’t fail because people are weak; it fails because we try to do it alone. We sat down with Dr. Amanda Falk, Partner and Chief Clinical Officer at The Dorm, to unpack how a true treatment community helps young adults move from symptom relief to purpose-driven lives. Amanda brings deep clinical expertise in DBT, CBT, EMDR, and family therapy, but her core message is simple: relationships make recovery sticky, and the milieu is the method.
We dig into the first month of care, when few new clients feel “ready.” Instead of waiting for motivation, the team builds it through orientation, peer mentorship, and small wins. The milieu becomes a laboratory where patterns surface and are reshaped, then tested in the world while support remains close.
We also confront systemic barriers—insurance that splits housing from care, compressed timelines that undermine outcomes—and talk about what real change requires: programs collecting and sharing data, aligning on standards, and pushing policy so payers fund what works.
If you care about young adult mental health, transitional treatment, and outcomes that last, this conversation offers a clear, practical path forward. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help more listeners find these tools and stories.
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The question families often have to ask isn’t about diagnosis—it’s about dollars. We pull back the curtain on how mental health and substance use treatment actually gets paid for, from the moment you ask “do you take my insurance?” to the day a claim is approved, denied, or appealed. With Travis Herman, we map the terrain: building a real clinical profile, matching to the right level of care, and threading the needle through deductibles, coinsurance, and out-of-network pitfalls.
We get specific about carve outs that shrink behavioral health networks, marketplace HMOs with no out-of-network benefits, and plans that fund PHP or IOP but exclude residential care. You’ll hear why timing matters—especially when deductibles reset—and how a solid Verification of Benefits protects you from surprise bills and false assumptions. We also explore practical tools families can use right now: single case agreements to align rates, payment plans within in-network contracts, medical lending options, scholarships for veterans and first responders, and the role of superbills for programs that can’t bill insurance directly, like many wilderness models.
Most important, we center clinical fit over convenience. If legal issues restrict travel, we tailor in-state options. If co-occurring disorders complicate recovery, we prioritize programs licensed to treat the full picture. And if past short stays failed, we design longer, stepwise care that documents medical necessity and improves the odds of sustained stability. The takeaway is clear: find the right care, for long enough, with a plan that uses insurance strategically instead of letting insurance steer the whole journey.
If this conversation helped you see a path forward, follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review with the one insurance question you still want answered.
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Feeling overwhelmed, reactive, or stuck in cycles that don’t make sense? We sit down with Dr. Kerry Horrell, staff psychologist of the Compass Program for Young Adults at the The Menninger Clinic to map a clearer path: learn how to “mentalize” in everyday life, reduce shame, and rebuild trust in your own mind. Carrie breaks down the neuroscience of big emotions—why your survival brain can hijack thinking—and shows how simple practices during calmer moments help you keep access to choice when it counts.
We dig into the difference between logic and experience. If a fear response was learned in your body, new experiences reshape it. Kerry explains how exposure, done safely and gradually, provides the fresh data your nervous system needs to update its predictions. Along the way, we explore why many therapies work for the same reason: the human bond. Research on common factors shows alliance, empathy, and collaboration drive most of the change, while techniques amplify what trust has already made possible.
The conversation widens into meaning and spirituality, not as doctrine but as direction. When life becomes a checklist of symptom control, hope shrinks. Asking Why stay? What do I live for? reconnects us to what’s sacred—love, belonging, creativity, nature—and gives pain a purpose to lean against. We discuss practicing self-compassion, and thinking about thinking can turn reactivity into reflection and isolation into connection. By the end, you’ll have a grounded way to understand your mind, tools to calm your body, and questions that help you build a life that feels like your own.
If this resonates, follow the show, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help others find these conversations. Your reflections and questions keep this community growing.
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What if the most powerful trauma intervention isn’t a technique, but the moment someone finally feels safe with you? We sit down with Momentum Recovery's Executive Clinical Director, Caitlin Rainwater, to unpack how healing from co-occurring substance use and trauma often begins long before anyone tells their story. Caitlin shares why she starts with safety cues and steady presence, then layers in tools like Brain Spotting, EFT, and breathwork only when a client’s nervous system is ready to hold more. It’s not anti-technique—it’s pro-timing.
We also get practical about families. Many parents arrive in crisis, operating on anxiety and love in equal measure. Caitlin explains why a short, intentional pause in contact can disrupt entrenched cycles and create space for reset. From there, she teaches a simple but transformative frame: blips vs bombs. Not every missed appointment is a catastrophe; not every pang of discomfort needs rescuing. Recalibrating threat helps parents shift from constant pursuit to becoming a secure base—the dependable presence their emerging adult can move toward by choice, not pressure.
Caitlin reframes addiction as an adaptive survival strategy that made sense until the costs outran the benefits. That compassion opens doors to healthier regulation: breathwork to ride waves of sensation, experiential practices to build capacity, and a relationship that makes risk feel possible. We talk about building clinician confidence without clinging to a single modality, coaching parents to take small, safe risks that prove their child can cope, and using one person’s change to tilt an entire system toward healing. Join us for this conversation offering language and perspective for the recovery journey.
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What if the mental health system focused on continuity over fragmentation, dignity over coercion, and a practical blend of medicine, lifestyle, and belonging that actually changes outcomes. Our default model is more emergency care than health care: ten-minute psychiatrist visits, revolving-door hospitalizations, and poor aftercare often worsen psychiatric health.
We talk about alternatives that work: home-based ACT with true collaboration, campus-style therapeutic communities that provide structure without pressure, and metabolic psychiatry that treats weight gain, sleep, and insulin resistance as central to mental health—not an afterthought. You’ll hear how autonomy, harm reduction, and everyday connection turn “noncompliance” into engagement. The result isn’t just fewer ER visits; it’s a return to roles, relationships, and purpose.
We also spotlight the principle of starting treatment at the first call, include families from day one, keep the same team across phases, and protect a person’s social role in school or work. Medicines can quiet voices; community rebuilds a life. When funding models pay for coordination and continuity, extended care becomes not only humane but cost-effective compared to incarceration and repeated hospital stays. The takeaway is simple and challenging: meet people where they are, stay long enough to matter, and make belonging part of the treatment plan.
If this resonates, share the episode with someone who needs a more hopeful map of care, follow the show for more expert conversations, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway—what would you change first in your community?
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Join us for our conversation with Dr. Andrew Rubin, licensed clinical psychologist and founder of the International Society for Autism and New Directions for Young Adults. We dig into Direction Therapy, a coordinated, multidisciplinary model that starts with strengths, maps real developmental capacity, and treats anxiety as the sneaky saboteur of progress. Instead of forcing neurodiverse young adults through group-heavy or mismatched clinical interventions, the team sequences support, skills, and exposure in a way that actually sticks—and measures what matters along the way.
We talk about the problem with “evidence-based” when it assumes abilities clients don’t yet have. Dr. Rubin shares what he’s learned from hospital teams, research labs, and years of hands-on work: frequent, structured communication across clinicians beats siloed care every time. We get practical about tools too. From AI-assisted progress tracking and real-time decision support to TMS, biofeedback, and emerging platforms like PRISM, tech can shrink the gap between a bad week and a crisis by surfacing the right signals early and getting the right person to the right place at the right time.
Independence isn’t a slogan; it’s a chain of specific, repeatable wins. That’s why vocational training and internships are baked into the model—so clients can safely test roles, build tolerance for uncertainty, and convert potential into competence. Families get a path to bring structure home without turning life into a clinic: clear routines, simple prompts, and shared dashboards that help everyone stay aligned. If you care about autism support, anxiety treatment, college success, or reducing hospitalizations, this is a grounded, hopeful blueprint for change.
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In this story about alignments and synchronies, Todd Weatherly sits down with Marla Shaul, Clinical Lead at Guest House Ocala, to uncover a remarkable tale of transformation with an unexpected revelation.
Through chance or fate or the conspiracy of the Universe to draw us together, we discover that Marla had been a client at Four Circles wilderness program at the time when Todd served as CEO. Though their paths hadn't directly crossed then, mysterious forces brought them together as professionals creating a powerful full-circle moment that highlights the transformative nature of recovery.
Marla candidly shares her journey through addiction, incarceration, treatment attempts, and relapse before finding lasting sobriety. With over 10 years in recovery, she offers profound insights into what makes transformation stick. "Once you know what sobriety feels like, and then you relapse, it feels so much worse," she explains, touching on the moment she finally surrendered to the recovery process.
Beyond clinical insights, Marla shares personal wisdom about authenticity and boundaries that resonates far beyond the treatment setting. Whether you're a behavioral health professional, someone in recovery, or simply interested in the human capacity for transformation, this episode offers hope, practical wisdom, and a reminder that our greatest challenges often become our greatest gifts to share with others. Join us for this remarkable story of re-discovery in reflection on the journey.
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Join us for a fascinating conversation with Vince Benevento, founder of The Causeway Collaborative. Drawing from his personal journey through recovery as a young man, Vince created something different - a program specifically designed for young men who need more than just talk therapy. Through male mentorship, community engagement, career development, and practical life skills, Causeway helps bridge the critical gap between intensive treatment and true independence.
Our compelling conversation when we begin discussing parental expectations versus a young person's authentic path. "If you want to have a meaningful, lifelong relationship with your kid, maybe it makes sense to modify your expectations and actually listen to what your kid has to say," Vince advises, challenging parents to prioritize connection over achievement metrics.
For parents, professionals, or anyone concerned about supporting young men through mental health challenges, this episode offers valuable insights into creating pathways that actually work - even for those most resistant to help.
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Dr. Mark Komrad, distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and author of "You Need Help!: A Step-by-Step Plan to Convince a Loved One to Get Counseling" returns to our show to walk us through the progression from acute mental health crisis to meaningful independence. He explains why residential treatment often works better than outpatient care during severe episodes, and what "success" looks like at each stage of recovery. For parents supporting adult children with mental illness, he offers a powerful framework for understanding when and how to encourage independence despite the "gravity of regression" that pulls families back into old patterns.
Whether you're or a loved one is facing a first psychiatric crisis or have been navigating this journey for years, this conversation offers both practical guidance and genuine hope. Dr. Komrad's compassionate insights help listeners recognize that recovery isn't linear but follows a "jagged line" of biology rather than the smooth parabola of physics—with ups and downs that are normal parts of the healing process. Join us in our conversation to discover how to better support your loved one while preparing them for meaningful independence.
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What if we approached mental illness not with the question "what's wrong with you?" but with "what's happened to you?" instead? Dr. Weston Robinson challenges everything we think we know about psychiatric treatment in this paradigm-shifting conversation offering that people who may be sick are not broken.
His work stands in stark contrast to traditional models that over-pathologize and over-medicate, instead offering a humanistic vision that sees each person as whole and worthy. This perspective fuels his compassionate approach at Eternal Strength, his intensive outpatient program for adolescents and young adults, where the guiding principle is simple yet profound: "You're not broken."
Perhaps most powerful is his wife's insight that "the majority of the problems in the world would be solved if we could increase and sustain authentic empathy." In a field increasingly dominated by corporate interests and diagnostic labels, Dr. Robinson's message serves as a vital reminder that at its heart, mental health care should be about humans helping humans.
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In this episode we interview Dr. Sarah Anderson, professor at Midwestern University and mental health occupational therapist, who unveils the powerful intersection of neurodiversity and recovery in this intriguing conversation.
With neurodivergent individuals making up a significant portion of those struggling with addiction, Dr. Anderson's expertise couldn't be more timely. She explains how ADHD, autism, and other neurocognitive differences affect executive functioning – impacting impulse control, emotional regulation, and the very skills needed for successful recovery. "Substance use often helps with coping," she notes, especially when we understand how a person's brain uniquely processes information and responds to their environment.
Dr. Anderson champions a treatment approach that integrates sensory processing assessments into addiction and mental health treatment. Through her work at Scottsdale Providence Recovery Center and her private practice, she demonstrates how simple environmental modifications and personalized tools dramatically improve outcomes. From creating sensory-friendly spaces to developing individualized systems for time management, her methods honor neurodiversity and help clients embark on a journey of discovery for personal values. Her approach offers a framework for sustainable change that extends far beyond the treatment setting for long-term success.
Whether you're a mental health professional seeking innovative approaches, someone in recovery looking for more effective strategies, or simply interested in understanding neurodiversity better, this conversation offers invaluable insights. Discover how the subtle yet powerful adjustments in how we approach mental health can transform lives when we honor each person's unique neurological makeup.
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The fight for adequate mental health coverage can feel overwhelming, especially when insurance companies deny care that clinicians deem necessary. Joe Feldman turned his personal battle into a mission when his child's residential treatment was denied coverage through fabricated documentation. After winning a federal lawsuit, he created Cover My Mental Health to help others navigate the same challenging landscape.
At the heart of Feldman's approach is understanding the critical disconnect between what insurance companies call "medically necessary" and what clinicians know as "generally accepted standards." This gap allows insurers to deny appropriate care while claiming to follow policy guidelines. Through Cover My Mental Health, Feldman provides powerful resources that help bridge this divide by empowering clinicians to document their expertise and treatment decisions effectively.
The podcast explores broader issues in mental health coverage, including the troubling difference between physical health treatment (covered through recovery) and mental health care (often only covered through stabilization). Feldman challenges the economic arguments against comprehensive coverage, noting how some industries have already recognized the value of fully funding treatment programs and seeing remarkable outcomes.
Ready to advocate for better mental health coverage? Visit covermymentalhealth.org for free resources, templates, and tools designed to help you overcome insurance obstacles and access the care you or your loved ones deserve. Together, we can push for a system that values recovery, not just crisis stabilization.
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Shattering misconceptions about eating disorders leads us to a profound realization: these complex conditions aren't about control—they're about safety. This conversation with Jennifer Stanger, a therapeutic consultant specializing in eating disorder treatment and intervention, reveals why traditional approaches often fail and what truly works for lasting recovery.
Drawing from both personal and professional experience, Jennifer explains how eating disorder treatment lags behind other behavioral health fields in addressing co-occurring conditions. While substance use treatment has evolved to integrate mental health approaches, eating disorder programs often work in isolation, treating symptoms without addressing underlying trauma, anxiety, depression, and family dynamics.
We dive deep into the neurological impacts, discussing how eating disorders impair the frontal cortex similar to substance use disorders, making rational decision-making nearly impossible. Our discussion brings clarity to recovery challenges, particularly the rarely-discussed physical and psychological distress of weight restoration. Join the conversation as we uncover better approaches to healing.
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What happens when young people grow up deprived of essential experiences that previous generations took for granted? Dr. Danny Recio, TedX Pura Vida Speaker, Co-Founder of New Summit Academy, Program Director for The Bridge Young Adult Gap Program, and Co-Founder of the Supportive Immersion Institute in Costa Rica, introduces us to the concept of "experiential deprivation" and its profound impact on mental health.
Our brains evolved to learn through direct experience—the more enriching the experience, the more neural connections form. Yet many young adults today struggle with anxiety and insecurity because they've missed crucial developmental experiences that once came naturally.
Through his work with cross-cultural immersion programs, Danny has developed a powerful approach called "supportive immersion". When young adults enter an entirely new cultural context like Costa Rica, they discover that "not knowing" becomes acceptable, even expected. This creates a liberating environment for growth, where contribution to community replaces the American fixation on independence. One student powerfully described the program as "based on failure, and that's a good thing," highlighting how safe exploration builds resilience.
Want to learn more about addressing experiential deprivation through supportive immersion? Visit bridgecostarica.com to explore Dr. Recio's innovative approach to mental health and development through cross-cultural learning.
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The digital landscape has created an entirely new frontier for sexual violence, one that leaves lasting trauma without physical contact. In this eye-opening conversation with Dr. Kristen Zaleski, Chief Clinical Officer for the Mental Health Collective and recognized expert on sexual violence, we explore the disturbing world of technology-facilitated sexual violence and AI-generated pornography.
What began as Polaroid pictures passed around high schools has evolved into sophisticated algorithms capable of creating fake but convincing sexual imagery of anyone—celebrities, teachers, ex-partners—with devastating consequences. Dr. Kristen Zaleski, Co-Founder of the Neurodivergent Collective, shares shocking insights from her research: 90% of tech-facilitated sexual violence targets women, making it uniquely gendered compared to other forms of sexual assault. Perhaps most surprising, adults over 55 represent the second most victimized demographic after teenagers.
Our conversation extends beyond the problems to explore solutions—from Meta's facial recognition technology that helps remove reported content to the critical importance of education. Dr. Zaleski emphasizes that parent-child conversations about consent and healthy relationships don't require lengthy, uncomfortable "big talks"—just consistent, straightforward information.
Listen to understand how this growing epidemic affects everyone from teens to seniors, and what we can all do to protect ourselves and our loved ones in an increasingly digital world.
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Trauma doesn't discriminate. Whether physical or psychological, it can disrupt lives and leave us feeling isolated in our suffering. But what if our darkest experiences could become a bridge to helping others?
Seantae Jackson never expected to become an advocate for trauma survivors. Then came the day her family's vehicle was struck head-on at a combined vehicle speed of 160 mph on a desolate Wyoming road. In seconds, everything changed - her husband trapped in burning wreckage, her teenage son flatlined three times in the ambulance, and every family member fighting for survival with catastrophic injuries.
From her hospital bed, Seantae made a decision that would transform her pain into purpose. Named after her husband's trauma ID bracelet, the Sandal Blue Foundation was born to ensure no accident survivor would face recovery alone. "Trauma makes us feel isolated," Shantae explains. "If the only thing we do is make people feel less alone, that's what we want to do."
Whether you've experienced trauma firsthand or support someone who has, this episode offers a roadmap for finding hope and connection when life transforms in an instant. As Seantae beautifully reminds us: "There is hope to be had, and it's worth having that hope, no matter what the ending of your movie is."
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When David McNeese sought treatment for his own substance use in 2012, he had no idea it would lead him to pioneer an innovative recovery program that challenges traditional approaches. What began as a passion project with no financial backing—literally living in the basement of their first recovery house—has evolved into a sophisticated clinical program incorporating adventure therapy, martial arts, and holistic approaches alongside traditional therapeutic support.
David and his team blend Brazilian jiu-jitsu, hiking, rock climbing and other physical activities with clinical work, creating powerful metaphors for recovery. The conversation delves into how recovery programs must evolve to meet changing needs, offering multiple pathways beyond traditional 12-step approaches. David's philosophy embraces personalization and flexibility.
For anyone interested in innovative approaches to recovery, supporting young adults through life transformation, or understanding how experiential therapy creates lasting change, this episode offers authentic insights from someone who's built a program from the ground up.
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Every parent knows the heart-wrenching reality: you're only as happy as your least happy child. Attorney Laura Sundberg knows this terrain intimately. With over three decades of legal expertise in trusts and estates, she found herself navigating unfamiliar territory when her son developed severe clinical depression and anxiety. What began as mysterious medical symptoms evolved into a complex mental health journey requiring specialized care. Through this experience, Laura discovered a game-changing resource many families don't know exists; a therapeutic consultant.
In this deeply personal conversation, Laura reveals how professional guidance transformed her family's approach to treatment selection and recovery support. Laura reveals how therapeutic consultants provide crucial navigating for those seeking appropriate treatment. Unlike general referrals or internet searches that might lead to inappropriate placements, consultants who regularly visit and evaluate programs nationwide can identify the right fit for specific needs.
The discussion bridges personal experience with professional insights, exploring how these challenges intersect with estate planning. Traditional special needs trusts often fail to address the unique complexities of mental health conditions. Laura shares essential considerations for creating effective trusts for beneficiaries with mental health challenges, including authorizing trustees to work with therapeutic consultants, providing liability protection, and ensuring appropriate discretion for difficult decisions.
Whether you're a parent navigating a child's mental health journey, a professional working with families in crisis, or someone planning for a loved one's long-term care needs, this conversation offers invaluable guidance from those who've walked the path. The message is clear: you don't have to navigate these challenges alone, and finding the right professional support can make all the difference.
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What happens when we shift our focus from "fixing" young adults to understanding the family systems that shape them? Dr. Vaughn Heath and Steve Roth of the Arise Society join host Todd Weatherly in this groundbreaking conversation exploring how anxiety moves through family systems like electricity through a circuit, with parents often functioning as "capacitors" and struggling young adults becoming the "grounding wire" for family tension.
The experts dive deep into Bowenian family systems theory, explaining four emotional regulatory mechanisms that families use to manage anxiety: distance, engagement, triangulation, and reciprocal positioning. When these mechanisms become rigid rather than flexible, young adults develop symptoms like depression, anxiety, and motivational issues.
This episode challenges conventional treatment models by showing that accountability-based approaches often carry implicit judgment and shame. Instead, pattern recognition empowers young adults to understand the gap between their intentions (wanting connection) and effects (pushing people away). The goal isn't perfect independence—which no one truly achieves—but building healthy support systems and family relationships. This conversation offers profound insights for parents, mental health professionals, and anyone interested in how family dynamics shape our lives and relationships.
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In this deeply insightful conversation we welcome Dr. Jack Hinman, founder of Engage Transitions, and Eric Fawson, Clinical Director at Elements Wilderness Treatment Program, to explore how our earliest relationships create templates that shape our connections throughout life. Both experts bring unique perspectives from their extensive work with young adults and families navigating mental health challenges in therapeutic settings.
For parents struggling to navigate relationships with young adults, the experts offer a practical framework: love unconditionally, support positive growth, refuse to enable destructive patterns, and—perhaps most challenging—don't treat young adults as fragile. As Jack explains, "Your attachment style is not locked in. It can continue to grow and change," offering hope that we can all move toward more secure attachment through self-awareness and practice.
Whether you're seeking to understand your own relationship patterns, parent more effectively, or simply connect more authentically with others, this episode offers profound insights into the invisible forces that shape our most important connections.
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Dr. Michael Gurian, New York Times bestselling author of 32 books, takes us deep into the crisis facing boys today with his latest book "Boys: A Rescue Plan" where he offers a roadmap for raising healthy and fulfilled men. This conversation reveals what Dr. Gurian calls "a mismatch of the male brain with our systems." Drawing from neurobiological research, he demonstrates how male brains develop and function differently from female brains—not better or worse, just different. Yet our educational, counseling, and family systems often fail to accommodate these differences, leaving boys struggling and vulnerable.
Dr. Gurian challenges the big three; academic, political and media influences and extremes in the gender debate, offering a science-based perspective. He introduces the concept of "bridge brains"—individuals whose brain patterns fall between typical male and female—and makes crucial distinctions between biological sex and social gender constructs. His definition of healthy manhood as "a loving, wise, and successful male adult" provides a positive framework for male development beyond toxic stereotypes.
Join us to hear Dr. Gurian's guidance for parents and professionals working with gender-questioning youth. By distinguishing between "gender dysphoria" and "brain sex dysphoria," he advocates for supportive approaches that acknowledge biological realities while respecting individual experiences. This conversation offers practical wisdom for anyone concerned about the well-being of boys and young men in today's complex world.
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A lawyer-turned-therapist opens up about watching family members struggle through addiction and mental health challenges while navigating her own recovery journey. Heidi Stewart, who works at the Aegis First Episode Psychosis Clinic in Asheville, NC, shares profound insights from both sides of the treatment equation.
Heidi challenges the "tough love" approach that permeates American attitudes toward addiction and mental illness. "The way I deal with it is 'I love you' and I set a boundary," she explains, offering a more effective alternative to cutting ties. This perspective comes from painful personal experience – watching her father battle alcoholism, losing two brothers to substance use disorders, and supporting her adult daughter through ongoing recovery.
The episode highlights a comprehensive care model that wraps psychiatrists, nurses, therapists, peer support specialists, and education/employment experts around each client. For families walking this difficult path, Heidi offers practical guidance on setting loving boundaries, navigating the legal system, and maintaining hope. The message echoes throughout: recovery is possible with the right support.
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Dr. John Santopietro never planned to become a leader in mental healthcare transformation, but after witnessing systemic failures firsthand, he couldn't stay on the sidelines.
From his unique beginnings working in a family fish market where he observed countless personality types, through his Quaker education emphasizing introspection – Dr. Santopietro's path to psychiatry reveals how personal experiences shape professional passions. Today, as Senior Vice President at Hartford HealthCare and Physician-in-Chief of their Behavioral Health Network overseeing 3,000 employees, he's implementing bold solutions to fix a fractured system, including The Ridge Recovery Center.
The conversation delves into a troubling shift in psychiatric care – from an earlier model focused 80% on understanding patients to today's approach emphasizing 80% management of symptoms. Dr. Santopietro shares how integrating mental health into primary care dramatically improves both psychiatric and medical outcomes, with diabetic patients seeing A1C levels drop a full point when receiving comprehensive care. His team-based approach, embedding psychologists across medical specialties from orthopedics to cancer treatment, demonstrates how breaking down silos between providers elevates patient care.
Join us for a conversation that offers both practical wisdom for clinicians and hope for patients navigating a complex system, reminding us that at its heart, healing comes from human connection.
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Dr. Michael Groat, President and CEO of the Lindner Center of Hope, talks with us this week about how therapeutic communities break free from traditional care silos and embraces a truly integrated approach.
Our conversation explores how the Lindner Center's unique continuum of care—from acute hospitalization to residential treatment and outpatient services—creates seamless transitions for patients navigating complex mental health challenges. At the heart of this approach lies the therapeutic community philosophy that fosters belonging, collaboration, and mutual support. Our talk reveals how creating a positive staff culture directly impacts patient outcomes through neurobiological mechanisms that transmit emotional states before conscious thought occurs. This science-backed insight illuminates why environments where staff feel valued and engaged consistently produce better healing outcomes.
Dr. Groat emphasizes the importance of collaborative care and making the shift from "sickness care" to "wellness care"—a transformation that requires providers to look beyond symptom management toward cultivating a vision of what recovery and thriving can look like for each individual. This creative, person-centered approach stands in stark contrast to assembly-line psychiatry that often leaves patients caught in cycles of crisis. Listen now to discover the powerful difference integrated, community-based treatment makes in people's lives.
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The delicate balance between mental health medications and addiction treatment remains one of healthcare's most challenging terrains. Lisa Wheeler, PA-C, brings her 30+ years of experience to this conversation, sharing how her journey into addiction medicine revealed both her passion for helping marginalized populations and the systemic problems preventing truly integrated care.
Wheeler's refreshingly authentic approach stands in stark contrast to traditional healthcare environments. "The person you see here in the room is the exact same person I am on the street," she explains, describing how dropping the clinical facade helps patients lower their guard and engage more honestly in treatment. This authenticity becomes particularly crucial when navigating the complicated territory where substance use disorders and mental health conditions intersect.
Our conversation talks about how truly effective treatment requires both specialized expertise and meaningful collaboration between providers—something our current healthcare system, with its territorial silos and corporate-driven patient volumes, makes increasingly difficult. For anyone navigating these waters themselves or supporting someone who is, this frank discussion offers valuable insight into finding providers who can genuinely help rather than simply perpetuate problematic patterns of care.
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Discover the transformative journey of Dr. Wendy Oliver-Pyatt, a trailblazer in mental health and eating disorder treatment. From her formative training at NYU Bellevue Hospital to her influential role as Nevada's Medical Director for Mental Health and Disability Services, Dr. Oliver-Pyatt's career is a masterclass in pioneering compassionate care. We explore how her unique blend of psychodynamic therapy and community psychiatry has revolutionized treatment approaches at centers like Galen Hope and Within Health. Her story is one of innovation, resilience, and a deep commitment to holistic healing.
This episode promises to reshape your understanding of eating disorder recovery by emphasizing the crucial need for addressing psychological dynamics beyond behavioral symptoms. Dr. Oliver-Pyatt sheds light on the power of incorporating trauma history and relational insights into treatment plans. We critically examine the flaws in existing mental health care models, focusing on the tumultuous transition from residential to outpatient care. Highlighting the benefits Assertive Community Treatment programs, we discuss how integrating these principles can improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Join us as Wendy and I advocate for systemic change in mental health reimbursement, pushing for fair allocation of funds to enhance care quality.
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What if a single medication could revolutionize the treatment of thought disorder and psychosis? Join us as we invite Dr. David Pickar and the team he supports at Help in the Home back to the show to explore the potential of a new anti-psychotic medication approved by the FDA, Cobenfy. Setting itself apart by targeting the brain's cholinergic system and M1 and M4 receptors, Cobenfy sets a promising a new pathway for reduced side effects in antipsychotic treatment. We also discuss the FDA's pivotal move to relax restrictions on Clozapine, a decision that could reshape its role in mental health care and the med management challenges it has faced in the past.
From this springboard we dive into the sophisticated world of pharmaceutical innovation, focusing on the unique mechanisms behind anti-psychotics. We also shed light on the historical and financial intricacies of drug development, from the Hatch-Waxman Act to the current dynamics between pharmaceutical companies and the generic market. With the global antipsychotic market on the brink of expansion, we explore the delicate balance between groundbreaking medication R&D and the lived experience of those using these medications often for most of their adult lives. Join us for this enlightening episode that offers a candid look at the evolving landscape of mental health care.
What happens when a hurricane hits not just the physical landscape but also the heart and mind of a community? Join us on this compelling episode of Head Inside Mental Health, where we sit down with Dr. Eric Levine, President and CEO of CooperRiis, to discover the resiliency of community during a disaster. Eric shares his firsthand experiences, detailing the immense impact the storm had on the community in Asheville and the surrounding areas. His vivid recounting of the storm’s destruction and dedication of the staff at CooperRiis paints a powerful portrait of human endurance and compassion in the face of adversity.
Together, we explore Eric and his teams managed to maintain high-quality mental health services under such severe pressure, emphasizing the crucial role that dedicated staff and strong community support play during disasters. Eric opens up about the emotional toll on caregivers, highlighting the exhaustion and trauma that persist long after the storm has passed. We examine the challenges of sustaining compassionate care in an overwhelmed system, touching on complex issues like insurance reimbursement and resource allocation. This episode raises important questions about the sustainability of mental health support systems in crisis situations, urging listeners to consider the critical need for resources to support our most vulnerable populations.
What if the rapidly increasing potency of cannabis is silently fueling a mental health crisis? Join us on Head Inside Mental Health as we sit down with Dr. Rocco Marotta, a distinguished psychiatrist and neurologist with Silver Hill Hospital, to unravel the intricate link between cannabis use and psychosis. Dr. Marotta shares his compelling journey from a liberal perspective on cannabis to a tale of caution, shaped by firsthand experiences in the medical field. Explore the complex divide in cannabis perception—some hail it as a remedy for anxiety and pain management, while others see the potential dangerous consequences, particularly in psychiatric settings.
The conversation takes a critical turn as we examine the skyrocketing THC levels in modern cannabis and the resulting public health challenges. Discover the staggering increase in potency from Woodstock-era levels to today's potent strains, with some products reaching up to 80% THC. This shift places our youth at an unprecedented risk, raising urgent questions about substance use in schools and the role of education in mitigating these risks. The episode amplifies the need for systemic support and informed discussions to address these pressing societal issues.
Tragedy and triumph define the deeply personal journey of Jordan Lewis, an attorney who has made it his mission to champion mental health parity. Listen as Jordan opens up about loss and the journey of a parent with children in recovery from alcoholism and substance use. The episode offers an intimate glimpse into the complexities of family, the resilience needed for recovery, and the relentless pursuit of advocacy in mental health.
Join us as we confront the often frustrating realities of navigating healthcare systems for mental health treatment. Witness the challenges Jordan faced when advocating for his daughter after a miraculous coma recovery and his intense efforts to secure proper care against the odds. Through stories of self-advocacy, we explore the importance of questioning medical professionals and emphasize the empowerment that comes from informed involvement in the recovery process, including the difficult yet vital task of setting boundaries.
Jordan dissects the intricacies of the Mental Health Parity Act and the legal battles for insurance coverage of non-traditional therapies like wilderness and equine therapy. His insights into redefining therapeutic approaches and the societal biases against mental health treatment offer a fresh perspective on the ongoing fight for legislative and insurance support.
B Reeves takes us on a walk through his personal journey in recovery, revealing the raw yet rewarding path to sobriety. Growing up in Raleigh, North Carolina, B faced early exposure to substances, which set the stage for years of struggle. As B opens up about the "gift of desperation" leading to his pivotal moment of seeking help in 2018, listeners gain insight into the complex layers of addiction and the profound transformation that can occur when one commits to a life of sobriety.
In discussing the intersection of personal recovery and professional work, B addresses the critical importance of maintaining separate identities and heartfelt connections to personal recovery. He shares insights into the risks of complacency and the vital role of sustaining recovery practices like prayer, meditation, and community involvement. As we explore the journey of living recovery, B's story underscores the significance of embracing a lifestyle of awareness and continuous growth. Through his experiences, we are reminded of the profound impact of living one's recovery practice, fostering resilience, and nurturing a sense of well-being and faith.
Explore the societal underpinnings of pop psychology with us as we tackle the overuse and misunderstandings of terms like gaslighting and narcissism, particularly within the recovery community. Join us as we welcome back John Egan, Director of Business Development at Futures Recovery Healthcare, who shares his valuable insights and experiences as a therapist. Together, we navigate the delicate balance between sensitivity and the necessary discomfort for genuine personal growth, acknowledging that recovery is seldom a smooth journey.
Our conversation also highlights therapeutic processes like exposure therapy and emotional regulation, illustrating these concepts with real-life examples from residential treatment centers. By drawing parallels to societal issues such as political sound bites, we underscore the significance of real dialogue over mere confrontation.
Arriving in our conversation at the power of personal transformation, focusing on personal power over referent power; power by association. Societal pressures and pop psychology often push us toward external blame or validation, yet true growth demands introspection and accountability. Through the metaphor of climbing a mountain, we convey that the true beauty of achievement lies not in shortcuts, but in the effort and growth experienced along the journey. We also reflect on the complexities of human emotions, emphasizing empathy and self-reflection as key to fostering more compassionate interactions with others.
Can family dynamics make or break a young man's recovery journey? Vince Benevento, director and founder of Causeway Collaborative, joins us to unravel his personal and professional experiences in creating supportive environments for young men in recovery trying to get a launch on life. From his early days as an in-home therapist to establishing a full-fledged organization, Vince sheds light on the urgency to address educational and vocational gaps, while offering insights into reaching those resistant to traditional therapy methods. His fascinating journey reveals the transformative power of building therapeutic spaces that extend beyond conventional approaches.
The path to recovery is rarely straightforward, and our conversation delves into the rollercoaster ride of adolescent and young adult recovery. We share the story of a young man whose journey is marked by relapses and the essential role that family dynamics play in his healing process. The societal misconceptions surrounding recovery milestones are put under the microscope as we discuss the importance of supportive communities and meaningful activities in maintaining long-term sobriety. Practical strategies for families to set realistic expectations and foster open communication are explored, highlighting their critical role in ensuring sustained recovery and personal growth.
As we navigate the complexities of parenting teenagers, the discussion shifts to the evolving roles of parents as their children mature and strive for independence. We reflect on the unique challenges that come with granting autonomy and how to foster genuine connections with young adults. The chapter on post-pandemic parental expectations sheds light on the intensified pressures faced by families during this period, emphasizing the need for strong parent-child relationships amid shifting academic and social landscapes. Join us as we unravel these intricate dynamics and offer insights to guide families through the challenges of modern parenting.
Join us as we explore the complex landscape of adoptive families, particularly those who face the unique challenges that come with raising adolescents with severe attachment issues with Dr. Norm Thibault, a leading expert in adoption and attachment. Dr. Thibault is the founding owner of shares groundbreaking insights from scientists like Dr. Nim Tottenham and Dr. John Balin, revealing how early developmental factors can shape a child's life well before they've taken their first breath.
Parents of adopted children often find themselves on an emotional journey, reconciling their expectations with their current reality. Our discussion touches on controversial topics like the "primal wound" and challenges the notion that adoption is inherently traumatic. We also venture into the enigmatic world of epigenetics, using historical examples to illustrate how prenatal conditions influence future behaviors. With references to polyvagal theory, we emphasize the power of creating safe, nurturing environments to help reverse these effects, advocating for trauma treatments that prioritize nonverbal communication and healing.
Finally, we tackle the significant hurdles within the DSM-5 when diagnosing and treating complex developmental trauma in adopted children. Dr. Thibault underscores the urgent need for systemic changes in insurance practices to ensure mental health care is accessible and effective. We also confront the profound theme of loneliness, exploring the innate human desire for connection and the metaphorical journey some undertake to find their true "home." This episode is a heartfelt exploration of the intricacies of adoption, attachment, and the search for belonging in a world that often feels disconnected.
Join us for an engaging conversation with Webster Bailey, the Executive Director of the Metro Drug Coalition (MDC) in Knoxville, TN, who shares his inspiring work championing community-based recovery programs. Discover how his personal experiences in long-term recovery has fueled his passion for creating a thriving recovery community, and learn about the critical role of community support in addressing co-occurring mental health and substance misuse disorders. Coming to us from the home of the MDC, the Gateway Recovery Center, where evidence-based practices, education, recovery support, and harm reduction programs are making a significant impact.
The MDC stands out by providing rapid access to treatment, reducing wait times dramatically, and offering a welcoming environment powered by the dedication of volunteers, talented staff, and local agency collaboration. Dive into insights drawn from a successful community center model revealing how such programs build bridges to sustained recovery and foster hope and transformation.
With innovative programs at the heart of their center we hear about the House Managers Academy, a 10-week curriculum crafted to enhance peer support and positive outcomes in recovery residences. The benefits extend beyond residents, with house managers experiencing improved recovery rates as they apply their training personally. Practicing methodologies found in private pay residential centers such as trauma-informed care and alternative practices such as sober yoga classes and art therapy, Webster shares his vision of more inclusive and effective recovery environments for the future.
Join me as I welcome Barry Fell, Executive Director of TELOS Adolescent Treatment Center, to uncover the shifting approaches in adolescent behavioral health treatment. Barry shares his vision for how adolescent treatment has moved to embrace clinically sophisticated approaches, emphasizing a delicate balance between setting firm limits and nurturing personal growth.
Barry and I discuss the historical context of behaviorism, reflecting on approaches like Glasser's Reality Therapy, and how essential it is to contextualize these methods within modern treatment frameworks. We share stories that illuminate the challenges faced by both adolescents and staff in adapting to new environments, and the importance of consistency in structure to ensure authentic progress.
Finally, we focus on the transformative power of persistence and innovation in treatment. In the story of student’s journey to mastering the free throw we highlight the how the right challenge with the right guidance can foster transformative and enduring resilience . In our conversation we get to hear stories about renewal and growth that inspire hope and affirm that mental well-being is a journey not a destination.
From trauma and incarceration to leading a transformative organization, Sue Polston's journey is nothing short of inspiring. In our latest episode of Mental Health Matters, we sit down with the Executive Director of Sunrise Community for Recovery and Wellness, to explore how her personal challenges have shaped her as a leader of their peer support network. Sue's story is a powerful testament to resilience and the potential of peer support in mental health care. By sharing her lived experiences, Sue highlights the undeniable value of peer support, often overlooked and underfunded, yet crucial in empowering others on their recovery journeys.
Our conversation also delves into the systemic issues plaguing mental health care, such as the disconnect between government initiatives and the palpable needs of disenfranchised communities. Sue candidly discusses the hurdles nonprofits face, from resource constraints to the necessity of a continuous, long-term approach in treatment and recovery. Her rise from a volunteer role to executive director showcases the significance of community, passion, and perseverance in both personal and professional arenas.
Finally, we shine a light on the critical shortage of therapists, long waitlists, and the overwhelming caseloads impacting mental health professionals. Sue emphasizes the need for better compensation and support for these unsung heroes, whose work is vital yet often undervalued. Join us as we express our gratitude to Sue for her invaluable insights and invite you to tune in to future episodes for more compelling discussions on mental health and recovery.
What happens when a community faces the emotional aftermath of a disaster? Join us for a compelling discussion with Meredith Switzer, Executive Director of All Souls Counseling, as she shares her expertise in navigating the intricacies of post-disaster trauma. Meredith distinguishes between the urgency of crisis management and the enduring challenge of trauma, revealing how immediate needs for essentials can evolve into long-term psychological battles. She brings to light the evolving demands of communities in the wake of a crisis, underscoring the vital role of addressing both survival needs and mental health support.
Our conversation turns to the pressing need for comprehensive mental health outreach in Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. We explore the strategic collaboration with Vibrant Emotional Health, aiming to craft holistic plans that span short to long-term interventions to avert tragedies like suicide. The episode shines a spotlight on the resource disparities plaguing smaller communities and the importance of local accessibility over centralization. With the 25th anniversary of All Souls Counseling on the horizon, we reflect on the growing community support that fuels their mission to serve beyond local Asheville.
We also delve into the power of mental health education as a tool for building resilience and prevention. Meredith passionately speaks about the importance of proactive mental health strategies, emphasizing a shift from crisis response to preventative care. As All Souls Counseling continues to expand its influence and resources, we celebrate their contributions and reinforce our commitment to fostering hope and healing. This episode is a beacon of gratitude and anticipation for future dialogues in our shared journey toward mental wellness and community empowerment.
What truly defines resilience in the face of a crisis? Join me in dissecting the subtle difference between crisis and trauma, illustrating how unresolved trauma can impede healing and recovery after disasters like Hurricane Helene that struck the Western North Carolina community.
Emotional wellness often takes a back seat until a crisis forces us to confront it head-on. In our journey through emotional recovery, we touch on the significance of seeking support during vulnerable times. Personal experiences, like those related to anniversaries of loss, highlight how unprocessed emotions can disrupt our daily lives. The importance of proactive mental health practices, compassionate workplace policies, and learning from the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on mental well-being are key points of reflection.
The complex landscape of mental health issues unfolds as we examine psychosis, mood disorders, and the critical nature of understanding and treatment. From the generational shifts in mental health awareness to the necessity of personalized care, we stress the significance of early assessments for effective management. With resources like All Souls Counseling and The Aegis Center in Asheville, listeners are encouraged to prioritize mental health and utilize available support systems for stability and recovery. Remember, your mental health matters, and taking the first step toward support can pave the way for long-term wellness.
We had the honor of sitting down with Dr. Alok Madan from Houston Methodist to dissect the critical issues facing behavioral health. Dr. Madan sheds light on the immense demand for mental health professionals and reveals the inefficiencies that plague hospital systems, often leading to inconsistent patient assessments and treatments. His integrated model of care at Houston Methodist offers a beacon of hope, emphasizing coordinated care and high-quality evaluations across multiple entry points.
We also tackle the broader challenges faced by mental health providers within the constraints of the current healthcare system. Time restrictions, profit-driven models, and insurance constraints that limit the effectiveness of diagnoses and treatment plans, leaving both providers and patients in a bind. Dr. Madan and I delve into the need for more flexible, patient-centered approaches, advocating for increased financial investment to enable thorough and continuous care. We discuss how transformative shifts in priorities—from financial gain to patient well-being—could lead to meaningful improvements in mental health services.
The episode concludes with a focus on the profound impact untreated mental health issues have on individuals and the broader healthcare system. Dr. Madan explains how untreated psychiatric conditions can exacerbate chronic medical conditions, resulting in increased emergency room visits and hospitalizations. By highlighting some of the innovative approaches he has fostered at Houston Methodist, such as negotiating better reimbursement rates and eliminating common barriers like co-pays, we envision a future where quality mental health care is readily accessible. This conversation underscores the urgency of rethinking our approach to mental health care and seizing opportunities for meaningful change.
Join us on Mental Health Matters as we welcome Robert Trout, Executive Director and Founder of the Experiential Healing Institute, to unpack his innovative approach to family therapy. Robert's unique methods—ranging from group facilitation to rites of passage—emphasize the power of family systems in achieving lasting mental health success. Discover how his new platform, ParentTrainers.com, connects families with professionals to provide essential resources and support.
In an emotionally charged chapter, we delve into the nuances of family interactions and conflict resolution. Robert emphasizes the need for genuine connection and understanding, offering strategies to manage high-stress situations with empathy and calm. Hear how creative techniques, like face painting during family meetings, can break old communication patterns and foster stronger relationships. This episode is packed with practical advice and inspiring stories designed to equip families with the tools they need to build a supportive, nurturing home environment. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a visionary in the field of experiential healing.
Join us on Mental Health Matters to share time with Mary Marcantonio, the visionary founder and CEO of Equinox Counseling and Wellness Center. With over three decades of experience, Mary introduces us to the innovative Equinox treatment model, which uniquely integrates residential treatment, adventure therapy, and community-based clinical settings to offer comprehensive support for youth and their families.
In our discussion, we uncover the powerful role of the Parent Leadership Academy in equipping parents with the tools they need to break free from ineffective parenting cycles. Mary sheds light on how weekly sessions with a parent leadership coach can guide parents towards adopting principled, relationship-focused methods. We also explore the broader implications of community support and family systems approaches, emphasizing the significant impact of real-time guidance in nurturing healthier family dynamics and improved child well-being.
Reflecting on the evolving landscape of community and parenting, we discuss the shift from communal child-rearing practices to more isolated, screen-centric lifestyles. Mary shares her thoughts on the critical need for physical activity and direct social interaction in today's tech-heavy world, particularly in the wake of the pandemic's disruption of social norms. We spotlight the urgency of educational reform and how Equinox is blazing a trail in creating innovative models for better mental health outcomes. Join us for a compelling conversation filled with transformative insights and pioneering strategies aimed at keeping families strong and connected.
Are you prepared to safeguard your loved ones with mental health challenges through meticulous estate planning? Join us as we unravel the complexities of creating special needs trusts with Dr. Deborah Silberstein, a leading authority in trusts and estate planning with Rubin & Rudman in Boston. Dr. Silberstein shares insightful real-life examples, including a poignant case study of a family with a schizophrenic son, to highlight the nuances and best practices in protecting vulnerable beneficiaries while preserving essential government benefits.
Transitioning to crisis preparedness, we stress the importance of a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) for individuals living with mental illness. Discover how a WRAP can provide a proactive framework for health and crisis situations, potentially even influencing court outcomes. We also delve into alternatives to guardianship, such as healthcare proxies and powers of attorney, to manage health and financial matters more autonomously. Learn the critical distinctions between advanced directives and healthcare proxies, ensuring that appointed agents are well-guided by detailed wishes.
Lastly, we navigate the intricate world of psychiatric advanced directives, particularly for those with severe and persistent mental illnesses. Dr. Silberstein addresses common challenges, including resistance from psychiatrists and the need for flexibility in care plans. Join us for an episode that reveals the value of working with knowledgeable attorneys to avoid common pitfalls and ensure comprehensive future planning.
What if the key to enhancing mental health care for adults lies in an integrative, person-centered approach? Join us on Mental Health Matters as we welcome Sarah Summey, Lakewood Residential Treatment Center, to unpack the secrets behind their innovative treatment model. Sarah's rich background in behavioral health care and her passionate advocacy efforts with organizations like NAMI and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention provide a solid foundation for this enlightening discussion.
Listen as Sarah reveals Lakewood Center's unique blend of assisted living and behavioral health care, designed specifically for adults with chronic mental illness. This episode dives into the transformative power of personalized and collaborative care strategies making significant improvements in residents' quality of life through coordinating multiple service providers.
Together, we explore broader community mental health challenges and potential solutions, emphasizing open communication, the pitfalls of rigid service structures and treatment silos, and the role of peer support and nonprofits. Sarah's insights highlight the importance of grassroots movements and collaboration within the mental health sector, offering a hopeful vision for future improvements. Whether you're a mental health professional, a caregiver, or someone interested in the field, this episode is a treasure trove of valuable perspectives and actionable insights.
Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Clay Weaver, CEO of LifeSkills South Florida, as he reveals the intricacies of high-end crisis stabilization and treatment for severe mental health conditions. Gain unmatched insights from Clay's extensive 25-year career in behavioral health care management, as he explains how LifeSkills' unique care model and tailored support services like daily case management and in-home therapy provide stability and meaningful lives for those battling chronic mental illnesses. This episode offers a glimpse into the innovative approaches that make LifeSkills a standout program for complex mental health cases.
We also tackle the challenging financial and legal landscapes of mental health treatment, particularly in Florida. Clay sheds light on the critical need for individualized programming and wraparound support, likening the care for mental health conditions to that of chronic physical illnesses. Through our discussion, we scrutinize the current gaps in mental health care compared to physical health care, explore changing generational attitudes, and express cautious optimism for future policy shifts and improvements. Tune in to understand the evolving mental health care landscape and the ongoing efforts to better support this vulnerable population.
What if there was a way to redefine mental health care for individuals with complex needs? Join us as we sit down with Dr. Christopher Fowler, the Executive Clinical Director for The Monarch Community, to uncover the transformative power of compassion in mental health treatment. Discover how Therapeutic Communities (TCs) can profoundly enhance quality of life for those challenged by severe and persistent mental illness, and why family involvement is pivotal in the recovery process. Through Dr. Fowler's lens, learn how patient-centered approaches, as opposed to intensive clinical environments, foster meaningful attachments and create a safe space for healing.
Dr. Fowler sheds light on how emotion regulation and co-regulating affect play crucial roles in therapeutic settings. Discover how the techniques used to manage and defuse crises reduce the frequency of emergency room visits and prevent long-term mental health impacts. We explore the success of integrated care models and discuss the potential of nationwide implementation. Dr. Fowler shares insights into the challenges and benefits of sustainable long-term care models, emphasizing the need for comprehensive community-based support. Tune in to envision a future where improved mental health care models can prevent homelessness and offer dignity and hope to those in need.
Ever wondered how you can turn an unexpected family crisis into a beacon of hope for others? Elizabeth Fikes joins us on Mental Health Matters to share her transformative journey from an international branding manager to Co-Founder and Director of Outreach at Stonewater Adolescent Recovery. Inspired by her brother Brian's battle and triumph over substance use disorder, Elizabeth offers an intimate look into their family's ordeal, the obstacles they faced, and their unwavering commitment to working with families in need. Her candid storytelling underscores the urgent need for specialized care for young people grappling with substance use and co-occurring mental health issues.
Getting adolescents into treatment when they’re resistant is no straightforward task, and we dive deep into this challenge with Elizabeth's expert insights. She shares practical intervention strategies, emphasizing the importance of trust and the shift towards therapeutic approaches. Real-life anecdotes highlight the urgency and complexity of the process, particularly how adolescent development and peer influence can complicate interventions. Elizabeth stresses the importance of compassionate, professional help, illustrating how Stonewater's unique approach tackles these issues head-on, ensuring the safety and well-being of adolescents.
Creating a supportive treatment environment is more than just a mission statement at Stonewater; it’s a lived reality. Elizabeth walks us through the culture of care that permeates their program, from communal activities to direct care staff training. We also unpack the growing parental concerns over adolescent marijuana usage, especially in the context of legalization, and the critical role of family programming in supporting children post-treatment. Wrapping up, we explore the broader landscape of navigating family treatment resources, shedding light on the continued need for supportive systems and ongoing communication to aid families through their mental health journeys. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation that combines personal experience with professional wisdom, offering valuable takeaways for anyone touched by adolescent substance use and mental health issues.
Unlock the secrets to building resilience with Carla Gomez from Aspen Growth Coaching. Carla joins us on Mental Health Matters to share her transformative journey in mental health and parent coaching, driven by her personal experiences with loss. Hear about her innovative resilience-based methods and the profound impact of addressing root causes in mental health treatment. Carla's dedication to educating families and preventing future crises shines through, offering invaluable insights for anyone navigating the complexities of mental health.
Discover the nuances of therapy language and the critical importance of recognizing individual thresholds in relationships. We delve into the value of establishing a supportive presence and maintaining a consistent baseline, highlighting how continuous support and accountability tools can foster healthier interactions and sustained progress after treatment.
Lastly, Carla and I tackle the intricate dynamics of family systems and therapy. We explore the necessity of confronting multi-generational issues and cultural considerations to foster genuine progress. Carla's expertise provides a compelling discussion on the importance of mental well-being, the significance of accessible mental health resources, and the positive impact her services bring to the community. Tune in to Mental Health Matters for an uplifting conversation that promises to offer practical tools and heartfelt insights.
What does it take to maintain healthy relationships during recovery? Join us on Mental Health Matters as we unpack this intricate dynamic with Dr. Brooke Keels, Chief Clinical Officer at Lighthouse Recovery. Together, we explore how early recovery relationships often mimic unhealthy familial patterns and why personal health must be the cornerstone before venturing into romance. Dr. Keels sheds light on the modern-day ease of accessing both substances and relationships and the potential traps of these early bonds.
We dive into the importance of non-romantic, meaningful connections and the challenges society imposes on friendships between men and women. Through our conversation, we reveal what truly constitutes a successful relationship, underscoring the pillars of mutual respect, continuous growth, and genuine connection. We discuss the sacredness of vulnerability and the art of offering constructive feedback with genuine care. Learn from Dr. Keels about the necessity of clear relationship visions and the courage to confront and navigate personal unhealthiness. Tune in for a compelling discussion on achieving authentic health and connection, both in the realm of recovery and beyond.
What if the key to mental health recovery isn't about fixing what's broken but nurturing what's already there? Join us on Mental Health Matters as we chat with the visionary Dr. Ross Ellenhorn, a distinguished sociologist, psychotherapist, and social worker who challenges traditional psychiatric approaches. Dr. Ellenhorn unpacks his pioneering work in psychiatric hospital diversion and the transformative idea of "holding" in therapy. Discover how his innovative programs are reshaping mental health care.
Our discussion ventures into the heart of Dr. Ellenhorn's philosophies, emphasizing the importance of social inclusion, the dignity of risk, and the power of community-based support systems. We also delve into his thought-provoking books, particularly "Purple Crayons," which draws inspiration from the beloved children's book "Harold and the Purple Crayon" to explore creativity and drawing outside the lines.
We look beyond the realm of therapy to the broader societal impact on mental health, from the role of community in a child's development to managing personal and relational egos. Dr. Ellenhorn's insights illuminate the pitfalls of over-reliance on diagnoses and therapist-centric solutions, advocating instead for environments that foster independence and personal growth. Tune in for a compelling conversation on navigating the complex landscape of mental health care and the essential elements of healthy human connections.
Have you ever wondered what it truly means to live a life of recovery beyond mere sobriety? Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with John Egan, a dedicated professional in substance use disorder treatment. John takes us through his personal journey from the Y2K software development era to his life-changing decision for sobriety on August 16, 2007. His story is one of trials, triumphs, and the profound realization that recovery is much more than just abstinence—it's a complete transformation involving honesty, resilience, and a deeper sense of purpose.
This episode touches on how enduring life's hardships can lead to resilience and long-term fulfillment. We share personal stories that resonate deeply, illustrating how meaningful conversations and shared experiences can shape our lives profoundly. From hidden costs in everyday life to the profound impact of daily practices, John’s insights emphasize the value of struggle and the overlooked beauty in overcoming challenges, making this episode a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone on a similar path. Prepare to be inspired as you learn how to turn past struggles into strengths and cultivate a purposeful, fulfilling life.
In this episode I chat with Jeff Holloway, Executive Director of First Light Wilderness Therapy, about the current state of wilderness based treatment and changes that are on the horizon. We discuss how the media fails to understand the complex nature of behavioral health and how this leaves the state of mental health treatment in our country.
In this episode we sit down with Dr. Mark Komrad, a renowned psychiatrist, educator, author, and medical ethicist. Named "National Exemplary Psychiatrist" and "Mental Health Professional of the Year" by NAMI, Dr. Komrad is also author of the book "You Need Help! A Step-by-Step Plan to Convince a Loved One to get Counseling".
Dr. Komrad is teaching Faculty at Johns Hopkins and serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Maryland and Tulane, He offers a unique approach in his private practice by combining psychopharmacology and psychotherapy – a method becoming increasingly rare in today's mental health landscape.
With a commitment to educating and advocating for ethical practices in psychiatry, Dr. Komrad's influence extends beyond his clinical practice to his appearances on TV, radio, and in Hollywood productions, all in an effort to present accurate portrayals of psychiatrists and mental illness.
Recognized nationally for his exceptional contributions to the field, Dr. Komrad's dedication to mental health and ethical standards is truly commendable. Join us for a lighthearted conversation about very serious matters with one of the fields leading experts. http://www.komradmd.com/Biography.html
http://www.youneedhelpbook.com/Overview.html
In this episode we sit down with Beth Lemmel, Founder and Owner of BestFit Employment Coaching. It can be terrifying and gut wrenching to get back out in the world of work after an interruption in your life or after leaving a bad job. Beth and I talk about the mental strategies she helps her clients use to overcome fear and past failures to re-conceive of work as something that can be life fulfilling. Check Beth out at Find a Job - Bestfitemploymentcoaching
We interview Rev. Brian Combs, founding pastor of Haywood Community Church, in downtown Asheville, NC. Rev. Combs approaches his ministry consistent with the core values of Jesus, as they see it. A ministry of love and compassion. As a result his church is one of the prominent resources for the homeless and disenfranchised; members of our community suffering from a variety of conditions including serious mental illness and addictions. Listen to this heart felt interview with Brian as we explore his perspective on empathy.
In this episode I welcome my special guest who talks about his experience emerging as a transgender young adult. What it was like for him, how it may be different for others, identity traps that people find themselves in, and a little advice for those going through it. Join us for an eye opening episode of Mental Health Matters.
Join me for a truly informative conversation with Lisa Culkier, with Burns & Levinson Law firm. Lisa is a partner and co-chair of the Private Client Group specializes in complex trust and estate litigation, service as a trustee and conservator, and sophisticated high-asset family law. She works frequently with families experiencing crisis and legal issues involving family members with substance use or mental health conditions. Lisa is one of the most resourceful and knowledgeable attorneys in the country on such matters and I am privileged to have her as our guest on the show. More on her practice at Lisa M. Cukier | Private Client - Burns & Levinson (burnslev.com).
I was honored to be ask to speak at the The Florida Bar 2023 Attorney Trust Office Conference on Therapeutic Consulting. Dorian Sylvester, Executive Director of the Corporation of Guardianship, joins as my co-presenter where we will delve into the collaborative relationship between consultants, trust officers, and attorneys in the comprehensive management of beneficiaries facing mental health conditions.
In today's legal landscape, legal professionals and trust officers frequently navigate uncharted waters when dealing with families or beneficiaries grappling with mental health issues or substance use disorders. In our presentation we talk about the invaluable role of therapeutic consulting in providing essential support to beneficiaries and their families in the face of these challenges.
I get to sit down with the leadership team from CooperRiis and talk about what makes a therapeutic commuinty and how is theirs special. Joining me are Executive Director, Dr. Eric Levine; Chief Program Officer, Dr. Lisa Schachtman; Chief Clinical Officer, Johnnie Featherston; and Community Psychiatrist, Dr. Bill Anixter. Having worked both for and with CooperRiis over the years, we enjoyed a lively conversation with some folks I've known for the better part of my professional career. Join some of the top minds in the field as we discuss what community and recovery have to do with one another.
As we grapple with the repercussions of program closures and the intensified scrutiny directed towards the realm of behavioral health treatment for adolescents and young adults, one often-overlooked group deeply affected by these changes is the dedicated staff who were integral to these programs. In today's episode, I talk with Jeremiah Horne to gain valuable insights from his personal experiences, shedding light on the challenges faced by those in the field and the broader implications for all of us.
They aren't kids and they aren't new having just celebrated their 20th anniversary. CooperRiis is a residential mental health therapeutic community program in Western NC, but unlike anything we have in the region. They have just opened a new Partial Hospitalization (PHP) Outpatient Center here in Asheville and it's a program model of distinction compared to others nationwide. I talk with President & CEO Dr. Eric Levine about their new presence in our vibrant treatment community.
Joining us this episode is Vince Benevento, founder and director of The Causeway Collaborative based out of CT and NY. We explore his history and how it brought him to work with young men needing a boost to get their lives underway and techniques he has honed and crafted after decades of doing the work. Learn about what it takes to bring the launch platform for those stuck in pre-launch.
Dr. Katy Parker joins us again for a candid and revealing discussion about suicide. In the midst of suicide prevention month, we talk about causes, interventions, and the different ways people reach this most devastating state and even decision. This conversation is not for the faint of heart but critical for families faced with this terrifying condition.
Master's level therapist Kassie Love, with Sage Counseling & Wellness in metro Atlanta, shares her insights on effective individual therapy for those who suffer from thought disorder and psychotic conditions. Regular talk therapy is often ineffective for individuals with such conditions. Kassie and I talk about the difference between therapy for those often referred to as the "worried well" and those with severe and persistent mental illness (SMI). It's good to know what works for the condition you have; a little professional guidance goes a long way.
We welcome to the show elder law expert and trust attorney Dr. Debra Siberstein; partner attorney at Burns Levinson. She gives some sound advice on setting up special needs trusts for loved ones with some specific advice on work with families challenged by caring for a loved one with lifelong severe and persistent mental illness. Join us for this informative talk about establishing and managing long-term care resources for loved ones with chronic conditions.
How do you deal with people in a crisis or in distress? The brain can be a tricky thing but there are some mental health techniques that are useful no matter who you are or what you do. Glasser, Maslow, Jung, Socrates... they all used some simple techniques in brilliant ways.
In this interview, we sit down with Beth Russo, Executive Director of Eblen Charities, to explore their critical community work and discuss the intersection between poverty and mental health.
Beth sheds light on the unique challenges faced by individuals living in poverty and the overlooked impact on their mental well-being. She offers valuable insights into the various factors that contribute to this issue, such as limited access to healthcare, financial stressors, and social isolation.
Join us for an enlightening conversation as we learn from Beth about what solutions we need to start making a significant difference in the lives of the impoverished by addressing mental health challenges head-on.
Join us for a lively conversation with Dr. David Pickar, MD, a distinguished research psychiatrist with a specialization in schizophrenia and an extensive background in the study of clozapine. Dr. Pickar brings unparalleled expertise and a wealth of firsthand experience to our discussion; an invaluable resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of these complex topics.
Also joined by returning guests, the Help in the Home team, we explore the multifaceted aspects of treating individuals suffering schizophrenia and disorders involving psychosis from medication management to supported independent living. Good times had by all in our interview but a little spicy in parts so fair warning to sensitive ears.
This week I talk with the founders and staff of Help in the Home (helpinthehomellc.com); a privately owned agency that provides personalized care through support and community to help adults with complex mental health needs achieve stability, independence, and inclusion. We talk about how complex a job it can be to serve these individuals in an independent living setting and how subtle success can look on a day to day basis.
Dr. Alok Madan is the Vice Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health at Houston Methodist running one of the most comprehensive psychiatric assessment and outpatient treatment programs in the country. He and I talk about the trouble with treatment world poorly meeting the needs of those with mental health conditions. He's striving to build a program that might just be a blueprint for the solution to our problems.
Today I talk with Dorian Sylvester about the financial safety of those struggling with mental health challenges. We discuss what it's like to be the person to provide barriers and tools for those in the process of treatment to manage their financials wisely. Dorian is the Executive Director of the Corportation of Guardianship which provides support services for older adults and individuals including Guardianship, Trustee of Special Needs Trusts, Power-of-Attorney, Representative Payee, and Proxy/Successor for family members who are seeking assistance with long-term care.
Corporation of Guardianship | (corpguard.org)
Christ Howard, with Ethos Recovery, talk about the edgy side of recovery and how finding a voice with clients is a journey and truth comes in all kinds of forms. Chris is an exceptional recovery professional with a few seasons on him to have seen how the approach and practice have changed over the years.
Dr. Katy Parker is actively working to start a program in a small town in Georgia and is experiencing push back from neighbors who have no context for her work or expertise. Dr. Parker and I talk about NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) and the ways that assumptions and stigma stand in the way of treatment for those with mental illness.
Dr. Katy Parker and I continue our conversation about adolescents. We talk about long-term goals, motivation, and overcoming the threshold of anxiety in order to engage with the things that matter most.
I talk with my good friend Dr. Katy Parker about what it looks like to fully commit to a marriage. We talk about resentment, the difference between preservation and corruption, and coming to terms with who we are.
I chat with colleague Dr. Katy Parker about all things adolescents. We talk about thinking ahead, consequences, and what it means to grow up.
Author and speaker Gabe Howard and I talk about the mental health treatment field and how, though getting somewhat better, isn't providing the care it should for our country and its people. We all suffer as a result.
Dr. Jason Frishman comes back to talk about his Journeymen group and what it means to be a good dad. We share personal stories and short comings that fathers all seem to share. We even get excited about how to support schools as a way to engage with our sons and daughters. Great listen for parents and dads especially.
We talk with Travis Herman, National Accounts Representative with Lakeview Health about all the twists and turns you have to take using insurance for mental health or substance use treatment. Join us for this deep dive into this maze.
A meeting of the minds. Todd talks with long time colleague and friend Dr. Katy Parker, founder of the Front Porch Social Club recovery program. They dive into what motivates people to do what they do and how, on the other side of experience, they realize there were deeper forces at work.
In this episode we talk with Florida Marchman Act attorney Joe Considine - https://joeconsidinelaw.com/ Joe is an advocate and champion for mental health in the state of Florida helping families put measures into place to assure completion of treatment for those suffering from complex mental health and co-occurring addictions issues. Joe and Todd talk about what parents should do when faced with these issues and how to navigate raising children in a dangerous world.
Having a diagnosis can be helpful when faced with mental health or substance use challenges but over identifying with your condition can be detrimental. Todd talks with guest, Erin Watt with the Integrative Health Network, about how a diagnosis can trap you into a false identity and strategies having a healthy definition of self.
In this episode, we get to talk with Dr. Summer Watson coach, author, and film maker and founder of KORE women consulting https://www.korewomen.com/ . Summer and I talk about the role of trauma in the conflict of today's world and some ways to work through it finding the positives we all have in common.
In this episode, we interview Dr. Jason Frishman counselor for The Journeymen Foundation for good dads https://www.facebook.com/JourneyMenFoundations/ . We talk about the difficulties of navigating stereotypes and social pressures in the effort just to be the best men, partners, and parents we can be.
On this episode we take time to talk with Jennifer Nicolaisen, Founder and Director of Seekhealing.org to talk about how connection is at the root of all healing and even wellbeing for everyone. Join us to hear about this grass roots recovery and community support organization and how they are making an impact on our community.
This week on Mental Health Matters, we interview friend and recovery advocate Jason Kirshner focusing on the role of identity in doing long term personal work in a culture of immediate gratification, social media, and stigma.
Today on Mental Health Matters we interview Therapeutic Consultant, Joanna Lilley with lilleyconsulting.com. Todd and Joanna cover some broad territory on the topic of working with families in crisis and navigating the treatment world. Listen in to hear some professional wisdom from the top of the field.
Reed Smith with Centered Recovery dives deep when he and Todd stand on the edge of the rabbit hole of how spirituality and being in the present moment play an instrumental role not just in recovery but the phases of life as a whole.
In this episode we get to interview Kayla Davenport with First Light, a wilderness treatment program in North Georgia. We talk about change and family and what helps adolescents start growing into healthy young adults.
In this episode, Todd shares time with Brian Tomes Co-Founder and Admissions Director of Equinox Residential Treatment Center in Western North Carolina. Brian and Todd talk about what it means to work with teens and families struggling with emotional regulation, behavioral issues, substance abuse, and gender identity.
With all the posturing, fighting and drama going on about gender identity, sexual orientation, and prejudices flying left and right of center Todd and Jackie dive in for an attempt at constructive dialogue.
September is Mental Health and Suicide Awareness/Prevention Month. Todd and Jackie take a somber but insightful look at this far too common occurrence in our world.
Having a diagnosis can be helpful when faced with mental health or substance use challenges but over identifying with your condition can be detrimental. Todd talks with his guest Erin Watt, with the Integrative Health Network, about how a diagnosis can trap you into a False Identity and strategies for staying out of it.
In this episode, Todd interviews Business Action Coach, Bill Gilliland. Bill and Todd talk about the intersection of how asking good questions, staying emotionally well and learning to listen are among the most important tools for effective business leaders.
Taking children into adulthood is bittersweet and can be a tough thing for parents to endure. Jackie and Todd talk about this dilemma that all parents eventually face. The struggles and conflicts are all part of it but knowing yourself and knowing your kid are some of the best tools you can have.
We talk with Reed Smith co-founder of Centered Recovery and co-creator of the Centered Model. Todd and Reed jump a little into the rabbit hole of consciousness and the role it plays in transformative change.
Special guest this week, Susan Stader, Founder and Director of NextStep Recovery. We talk about the adolescent treatment industry now under fire for abuse and neglect. Susan and Todd both got their start in the field of adolescent treatment and talk about the old days and what makes good treatment for human beings as a whole.
Life is messy. Is that always a bad thing? Why do things, including people's lives, get messy? Todd and Jackie dive into this topic with their own personal stories. Messy sometimes allows us to stumble into insight or even personal life transformation. Listen in and tell us what you think.
What is it. How do you prevent it. What do you do about it when it happens. Todd and Jackie dive into their own experience with this arriving at some answers and some even better questions.
May is Mental Health Awareness month and Todd is joined by Dawn Westmoreland, HR Consultant and host of The Empowered Whistleblower. Todd and Dawn look at Mental Health care de-stigmatization, employee engagement, emotional health crisis prevention and care. A whole host of information and resources in this episode.
Todd and Jackie keep on the subject of change and talk about how cognitive dissonance plays a role in people getting stuck in entrenched positions and maybe what we can do about it.
We want so much for our own children but they, quite literally, have a mind of their own. As the saying goes "Children come through you not from you." Join Todd and Jackie for a conversation about managing expectations you have of the world and very specifically when it comes to raising your children.
We have all kinds of trouble to deal with in this world from college admissions, to credit cards, and banks, and auto loans to the DMV. What are the rules? How do we navigate the rules and how do we read the people who are making them? What's a good strategy here. Todd and Jackie talk about the rules that are both for and against you and some ways to deal with them along with some frustrations of their own.
Why are apologies so hard? We have created a culture where being right becomes an absolute no matter the consequences. How did we get here? How do we take a softer approach? Todd and Jackie talk about their own struggles with apology and get a little vulnerable to get to some solutions.
There are lots of obstacles and complications in today's world including systems and people that are not user friendly. How do you stand up for yourself? There's an art and a mindfulness to it. You have to know your audience. You have to not take things personally sometimes. Sometimes you just have to keep going. Todd and Jackie talk from their experience both being a part of and having to navigate complex service systems, like college or the DMV, and what worked and what didn't.
2020 and our first month of 2021 have given us evidence that we need some new ways to interact with one another. How prepared are you for the next encounter with someone you disagree with? Todd and Jackie talk in this episode about having new approaches for socialization with the world at large starting with a fresh mindset.
In this New Years episode Todd and Jackie talk not about resolutions but what it means to have resolve after a year of trying times and a lot of unknown ahead.
In this episode Todd and Jackie talk about the recent events at the Capitol and explore how to make the world a better place to live for everyone.
In this episode we honor the holidays and focus our discussion on what grace and forgiveness really mean in the experience of every day life.
Todd & Jackie continue their conversation on strategies for expending, preserving and fortifying your emotional well being.
In a time when stress and uncertainty are at an all-time high, how are you keeping it all together? Today's episode talks about acknowledging the big things going on in our lives and ways to find rest, manage conflict, and give a little grace to ourselves.