Let's Get Psyched: Recent Episodes
KUCR
We address the challenging and controversial issues facing our society from a psychological and psychiatric perspective, and the implications for clinical practice. Hosted by psychologist Eyrn Parks, PhD, with co-hosts: child and adolescent psychiatrist Toshia Yamaguchi, MD, psychiatrist Diem Nguyen, MD, and psychiatry residents Edgar Ortega, MD, Joshua Poole, MD, Alan Atkins, MD, and Saloni Singh, MD.
Let's Get Psyched is recorded in the studios of KUCR 88.3FM, on the campus of University of California, Riverside. Produced by Eyrn Parks and Elliot Fong. Logo created by Nathan Rogers, MD.
We asked one of the leading researchers of female sexuality and dysfunction about flibanserin. How does it work and how does it differ from medications for sexual dysfunction in men?
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Al
Guest: Anita Clayton, MD
We share our most challenging supervision experiences—both as a supervisor and trainee. Dr. Marshall Forstein emphasizes the importance of being vulnerable and having integrity in one’s communication.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Al
Guest: Marshall Forstein, MD
In our new series called "Fireside Chat," we will feature more intimate conversations with former guests. Join us for our first episode of this series, where we invited psychiatrist Dr. Marshall Forstein back to discuss the complexities of both providing and receiving clinical supervision. Please be sure to catch the very end of the episode, when Dr. Forstein shares a special song he shared with us.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Al
Guest: Marshall Forstein, MD
How can a desire to please and/or be the one person to help someone with a long mental health history lead to problems? How should a clinician respond when a client believes they can only be helped by that clinician? How should a clinician respond when the client seems to be attracted to the clinician? We share our personal experiences.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Al, Yasmine
We share our policies on sharing personal information with clients and when oversharing can cause problems. Is there an “appropriate” amount of self-disclosure or is less more? Are there situations where disclosing personal information can help a client achieve their goals?
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Al, Yasmine
In his book, The Sober Truth, psychiatrist Lance Dodes shines a light on the poorly conducted research supporting the 12 Step approach to treating addiction. In this episode, Dr. Dodes discusses how a religious, one-size-fits-all approach came to shape our understanding of addiction and dominate self-help, residential, and intensive outpatient treatment programs in the United States.
Hosts: Eyrn, Al
Guest: Lance Dodes, MD
References:Dodes, Lance, and Zachary Dodes. The Sober Truth. Beacon Press, 2014.
Dr. Deepika Shaligram joins us to discuss her work, research, and passion in providing culturally sensitive care when working with South Asian American youth.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Al, Yasmine
Guest: Deepika Shaligram, MD
References:
- Shaligram D, Khan M, Adiba A, Anam S. Cultural Considerations for Working with South Asian Youth. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2022 Oct;31(4):789-803. doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2022.06.006. Epub 2022 Sep 7. PMID: 36182225.
- Sharma N, Shaligram D, Yoon GH. Engaging South Asian youth and families: A clinical review. Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2020 Sep;66(6):584-592. doi: 10.1177/0020764020922881. Epub 2020 May 25. PMID: 32449476.
- The Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program: https://www.mcpap.com/
We welcome Megan Aguilera to the “Let’s Get Psyched” team by asking her to discuss one of her special interests. Terms such as “susto” and “ataque de nervios” are frequently used in Latin America to describe a variety of emotional reactions and behaviors that are often similar—but distinct from—mental health conditions commonly seen by clinicians. Megan, a fourth year medical student at the University of Colorado Denver, helps us sort through how and when these terms are used while also sharing her understanding of these terms amongst her family and community.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Al
Guest: Megan Aguilera, MS4
Join us for part three of our discussion with psychiatrist, Harvard Professor, and agent of change Dr. Chris Palmer. He lays out why it is important to distinguish between disorders of the brain and conditions with external causes when treating patients and how prescribing psychotropic medication without sufficient consideration of metabolism has led to worse outcomes. Finally, he shares his approach to prescribing and speculates on how appropriate consideration of mitochondrial functioning will change the field. Stick around for a special after show where there's a behind-the-scenes peak of the team considering the real-world implications of sharing Dr. Palmer's work.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Al
Guest: Chris Palmer, MD
Resources:
Brain Energy by Chris Palmer, MD
Kossoff, Eric, et al. Ketogenic Diet Therapies for Epilepsy and Other Conditions, 7th ed., Springer Publishing Company, 2021.
Why are there higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and early deaths amongst people diagnosed with a mental disorder? Dr. Chris Palmer joins us to advance the idea that mental disorders are actually metabolic disorders of the brain. After integrating research from several fields and sources, he claims that understanding metabolism at the cellular level is “the only way to connect the dots in the mental health field.” Please consult your doctor before applying any treatments discussed on this podcast.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Al
Guest: Chris Palmer, MD
Resources:
Brain Energy by Chris Palmer, MD
Kossoff, Eric, et al. Ketogenic Diet Therapies for Epilepsy and Other Conditions, 7th ed., Springer Publishing Company, 2021.
We talk to Harvard professor and psychiatrist Dr. Chris Palmer about how mitochondrial functioning and nutrition can open up new approaches to treatment. Dr Palmer shares a compelling personal account of mental illness, homelessness, ineffective therapy, and a quest to find treatment. This led to his exciting research on dietary changes and brain functioning.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Al
Guest: Chris Palmer, MD
Resources:
Brain Energy by Chris Palmer, MD
Kossoff, Eric, et al. Ketogenic Diet Therapies for Epilepsy and Other Conditions, 7th ed., Springer Publishing Company, 2021.
There are many biases and misconceptions associated with BDSM and non-conventional sex practices associated with the kink community. We tackle these controversial topics with therapist Nina Ruedas. We learn about these communities while also discussing boundaries and how to maintain safety in a non-conventional relationship.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Al
Guest: Nina Ruedas, MS, LMFT
We asked Palm Springs-based therapist Nina Ruedas to share what she sees as common misconceptions and the most important components of sex therapy. She also discusses the most common issues addressed in sex therapy.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Al
Guest: Nina Ruedas, MS, LMFT
Dr. Noshene Ranjbar joins us again. In this episode, Dr. Ranjbar draws on parallels between current events in Iran and her work with providing mental health care for Native Americans in the United States. We explore how a field, such as psychiatry, can meet a community’s needs while also providing adequate care for those that need it.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Al
Guest: Noshene Ranjbar, MD, Yasmine Dakhama, MS4
References:
- Learn more about the Farsi-speaking Empowerment and Trauma Relief Program for Iranians: https://cmbm.org/our-work/farsi-speaking-scholarships/
- Learn more about Dr. Ranjbar’s recent work:
- Ranjbar, MD. Noshene E., MD. Matt Erb, MD. Julie Mari Tomkins, MD. Krishna Taneja, and MD. Amelia Villagomez, Implementing a Mind-Body Skills Group in Psychiatric Residency Training, 2021.
- Ranjbar, N., M. Erb, O. Mohammad, and F. A. Moreno, "Trauma-Informed Care and Cultural Humility in the Mental Health Care of People From Minoritized Communities.", Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ), vol. 18, issue 1, pp. 8-15, 2020 Jan. PMCID: PMC7011220 PMID:
Born and raised in Tehran, Iran until immigrating to the US in adolescence, Dr. Noshene Ranjbar is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Arizona. As a faculty member with The Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM), she created a Farsi-speaking Empowerment and Trauma Relief Program, which mentors Farsi-speaking individuals in an evidence-based small group model of self-care and trauma/stress relief. In this episode we discuss recent events in Iran, its impact at the individual and community level and what role psychiatrists can play in helping address subsequent trauma.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Al
Guest: Noshene Ranjbar, MD, Yasmine Dakhama, MS4
References:
- Learn more about the Farsi-speaking Empowerment and Trauma Relief Program for Iranians: https://cmbm.org/our-work/farsi-speaking-scholarships/
- Learn more about Dr. Ranjbar’s recent work:
- Ranjbar, MD. Noshene E., MD. Matt Erb, MD. Julie Mari Tomkins, MD. Krishna Taneja, and MD. Amelia Villagomez, Implementing a Mind-Body Skills Group in Psychiatric Residency Training, 2021.
- Ranjbar, N., M. Erb, O. Mohammad, and F. A. Moreno, "Trauma-Informed Care and Cultural Humility in the Mental Health Care of People From Minoritized Communities.", Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ), vol. 18, issue 1, pp. 8-15, 2020 Jan. PMCID: PMC7011220 PMID:
Psychiatrist and researcher, Dr. Paul Weigle, joins us once again to share his expertise on clinical assessment of social media use and the issue of patients diagnosing themselves. He also provides suggestions for what parents can do to prevent social media use from becoming a problem and how to talk to their child if it is.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia
Guest: Paul Weigle, MD
The San Mateo County Office of Education in California filed a federal lawsuit against social media companies over social media's harmful effects on students. We asked psychiatrist and expert Dr. Paul Weigle to speak to us about the impact of social media on children and adolescents. He also shares his opinion on the role of parents and legislation in limiting the risks.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia
Guest: Paul Weigle, MD
Dr. Shawn Christopher Shea shares several techniques of clinical interviewing he developed and adapted from other disciplines that can be life changing for the patient and the clinician. We are enthralled once again.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Al
Guest: Shawn Christopher Shea, MD
Resources:
https://suicideassessment.com/
CASE Approach online courses
Dr. Shawn Christopher Shea joins us for Part 1 of clinical interviewing strategies. He has developed an extensive training program and has taught thousands of clinicians to achieve mastery in the art and technical skill of clinical interviewing. He is a thoroughly engaging speaker who takes seriously his role as a healer with the opportunity to save people's lives.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Al
Guest: Shawn Christopher Shea, MD
Resources:
https://suicideassessment.com/
CASE Approach online courses
Early in his career, Dr. Shea discovered that two clinicians interviewing the same patient managed to gather vastly different information relevant to the patient's suicide risk. It led to the development of the Chronological Assessment of Suicide Events to reliably arrive at the patient's actual intent and risk for suicide.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Al
Guest: Shawn Christopher Shea, MD
Resources:
https://suicideassessment.com/
CASE Approach online courses
Warning: This episode involves discussions of abuse, violence, and victimization. It may not be suitable for children and may trigger powerful emotions and/or memories of trauma. Support is available through the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 and online at thisishumantrafficking.com.
We have a very powerful discussion on the tactics used by sex traffickers and the path to justice from the perspective of FBI Victim Specialist Anne Darr. We developed this show with Anne Darr to promote awareness during National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. We hope it educates listeners on the challenges and complexities around investigating and uncovering such crimes. Sex trafficking is a serious national and global problem, which has led to millions of victims. We are deeply thankful for the work of Anne Darr and her commitment to helping people escape from sex trafficking and reclaim their life. With contribution from UCR psychology intern, DeAndrea Knight.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Al
Guest: FBI Victim Specialist Anne Darr, M.A. NCC
Warning: This episode involves discussions of abuse, violence, and victimization. It may not be suitable for children and may trigger powerful emotions and/or memories of trauma. Support is available through the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 and online at thisishumantrafficking.com.
For National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Victim Specialist at the Denver Division of the FBI, Anne Darr, joins us to talk about how to notice victims of sex trafficking and the vulnerabilities that perpetrators exploit. She also discusses a phenomenon similar to "Stockholm Syndrome," in which victims of trafficking appear to support the people harming them.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Al
Guest: FBI Victim Specialist Anne Darr, M.A. NCC
Dr. Chochinov returns to the show to dive into the patient dignity question, the platinum rule, and how biases in the healthcare system can impact both patients and providers.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia
Guests: Harvey Max Chochinov, MD, PhD, FRCPC, Yasmine Dakhama, MS4
References:
Chochinov HM. The platinum rule: a new standard for person-centered care. J Palliat Med. 2022;25(6):854-856. doi:10.1089/jpm.2022.0075
Chochinov HM. The Platinum Rule: A New Standard for Person-Centered Care. J Palliat Med. 2022 Jun;25(6):854-856. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2022.0075. Epub 2022 Feb 25. PMID: 35230173; PMCID: PMC9145569.
Chochinov HM, McClement S, Hack T, Thompson G, Dufault B, Harlos M. Eliciting Personhood Within Clinical Practice: Effects on Patients, Families, and Health Care Providers. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2015 Jun;49(6):974-80.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2014.11.291. Epub 2014 Dec 17. PMID: 25527441.
Chochinov HM. Dignity and the essence of medicine: the A, B, C, and D of dignity conserving care. BMJ. 2007 Jul 28;335(7612):184-7. doi: 10.1136/bmj.39244.650926.47. PMID: 17656543; PMCID: PMC1934489.
We explore Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov's work on dignity therapy, its application in practice, and ways we can enhance humanism in medicine. Dr. Chochinov is a psychiatrist and researcher in palliative and end-of-life care. Our discussion also touches on burnout and systemic challenges the field of medicine faces.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia
Guests: Harvey Max Chochinov, MD, PhD, FRCPC, Yasmine Dakhama, MS4
References:
Website to learn more about online dignity therapy training workshops: https://dignityincare.ca/en/
Chochinov HM, Hack T, Hassard T, Kristjanson LJ, McClement S, Harlos M. Dignity therapy: a novel psychotherapeutic intervention for patients near the end of life. J Clin Oncol. 2005 Aug 20;23(24):5520-5. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2005.08.391. PMID: 16110012.
Chochinov HM. The platinum rule: a new standard for person-centered care. J Palliat Med. 2022;25(6):854-856. doi:10.1089/jpm.2022.0075
Chochinov HM. The Platinum Rule: A New Standard for Person-Centered Care. J Palliat Med. 2022 Jun;25(6):854-856. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2022.0075. Epub 2022 Feb 25. PMID: 35230173; PMCID: PMC9145569.
Chochinov HM, McClement S, Hack T, Thompson G, Dufault B, Harlos M. Eliciting Personhood Within Clinical Practice: Effects on Patients, Families, and Health Care Providers. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2015 Jun;49(6):974-80.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2014.11.291. Epub 2014 Dec 17. PMID: 25527441.
Chochinov HM. Dignity and the essence of medicine: the A, B, C, and D of dignity conserving care. BMJ. 2007 Jul 28;335(7612):184-7. doi: 10.1136/bmj.39244.650926.47. PMID: 17656543; PMCID: PMC1934489.
Be on the lookout for outcome manipulation! Pharmaceutical companies are important innovators, but they are businesses first. In this episode, renowned pharmaceutical critic, Dr. Daniel Carlat, gives us tips on spotting common research methods used to bias findings.
Hosts: Al, Toshia
Guests: Daniel Carlat, MD, Yasmine Dakhama, MS4
Renowned psychiatry professor Dr. Daniel Carlat details his journey from pharmaceutical spokesperson to receiving legal threats from pharmaceutical companies. Dr. Carlat gets candid about his transformation and his doubts along the way.
Hosts: Alan, Toshia
Guests: Daniel Carlat, MD, Yasmine Dakhama, MS4
Dr. Rebecca Capasso returns to the show to discuss assessment of violence and what to do when the patient has access to a gun. What are the important questions to ask? When should confidentiality be breached to ensure safety?
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia
Guests: Rebecca Capasso, MD, Imaan Alaidroos, MD
References:
Psychiatrists 4 Gun Violence Prevention website: https://www.psychgvp.org/
Baxley F, Miller M. Parental Misperceptions About Children and Firearms. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2006;160(5):542–547. doi:10.1001/archpedi.160.5.542
Salhi C, Azrael D, Miller M. Parent and Adolescent Reports of Adolescent Access to Household Firearms in the United States. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(3):e210989. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.0989
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention- Teens and Suicide: What Parents Should Know
As mass shootings continue to horrify our communities, we seek explanations. Politicians seem to believe that mental health experts have the solution. Do we? Gun violence is 20-25 times higher in the United States than in other higher income countries. What accounts for that difference? Spokesperson for Psychiatrists 4 Gun Violence Prevention and adult inpatient psychiatrist, Dr. Rebecca Capasso, joins us to provide answers and to discuss the work her group is doing.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia
Guests: Rebecca Capasso, MD, Imaan Alaidroos, MD
References:
Psychiatrists 4 Gun Violence Prevention website: https://www.psychgvp.org/
Statement from the American Psychiatric Association on Firearm Violence: https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/news-releases/apa-statement-on-firearm-violence
APA Position Statement on Firearm Access, Acts of Violence and the Relationship to Mental Illness and Mental Health Services: https://www.psychiatry.org/getattachment/8b32e119-1995-4ac6-bc66-5c3972cb221f/Position-Firearm-Access-Acts-of-Violence-and-the-Relationship-to-Mental-Health.pdf
Psychologist Dr. Judy Reaven returns to the show to share her evidence-based program to help teachers, school administrators, and parents provide an education constructed to help students with autism thrive in the classroom. Dr. Reaven developed the Facing Your Fears program for children with ASD and anxiety.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Al
Guest: Judy Reaven, PhD
Adaptation to a neurotypical environment comes in many forms. But what is meant by "masking" or "camouflaging" within the autism community? We invite autism intervention expert, Dr. Judy Reaven, to provide some insight into these concepts and how one's identity is shaped by these experiences.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Al
Guest: Judy Reaven, PhD
Join us as we discuss the reasons for grief and healthy ways to manage it with Dr. M. Katherine Shear, a leading expert on grief and therapeutic interventions for the bereaved. We also discuss important cultural differences in the expression of grief.
Hosts: Eyrn, Al
Guests: M. Katherine Shear, MD, Yasmine Dakhama, MS4
Dr. Shear returns to the show for a deep dive into the evidenced-based therapy she and her colleagues developed. Given the enormous losses from the pandemic and the DSM 5-TR Committee's recent decision to add Prolonged Grief as an identifiable disorder, our interview of her is certainly timely.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia
Guests: M. Katherine Shear, MD, Yasmine Dakhama, MS4
In our final episode with Dr. Roukaya Benjelloun, she highlights various psychiatric subspecialties and considers the future direction of psychiatry in the country. Dr. Benjelloun is Department Chair of Mental Health at Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences, Psychiatry Residency Program Director, and Associate Professor of Psychiatry in Casablanca, Morocco.
Hosts: Toshia, Alan
Guests: Roukaya Benjelloun, MD, Yasmine Dakhama, MS4
References:
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Benjelloun R, Otheman Y, El Kettani C. Consultation liaison psychiatry for COVID-19 inpatients: A novel care delivery program in Morocco. Curr Psychol. 2022;41(8):5731-5733. doi: 10.1007/s12144-020-01200-6. Epub 2020 Nov 16. PMID: 33223784; PMCID: PMC7669262.
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Barrimi M, Serraj K, Rammouz I, Alouane R, Messaoudi N, Bellaoui M. Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Suicide Attempts Among Patients With Severe Psychiatric Disorders in Eastern Morocco. Crisis. 2021 Oct 22. doi: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000825. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34674543.
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Mekki-Berrada A. 'Ayn mika: Traumatic experience, social invisibility, and emotional distress of sub-Saharan women with precarious status in Morocco. Transcult Psychiatry. 2019 Dec;56(6):1170-1190. doi: 10.1177/1363461518757798. Epub 2018 Mar 8. PMID: 29516775.
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Zandi T, Havenaar JM, Limburg-Okken AG, van Es H, Sidali S, Kadri N, van den Brink W, Kahn RS. The need for culture sensitive diagnostic procedures: a study among psychotic patients in Morocco. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2008 Mar;43(3):244-50. doi: 10.1007/s00127-007-0290-0. Epub 2007 Nov 30. PMID: 18060339.
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Zarrouq B, Abbas N, Hilaly JE, Asri AE, Abbouyi S, Omari M, Malki H, Bouazza S, Moutawakkil SG, Halim K, Ragala ME. An investigation of the association between religious coping, fatigue, anxiety and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco: a web-based cross-sectional survey. BMC Psychiatry. 2021 May 22;21(1):264. doi: 10.1186/s12888-021-03271-6. PMID: 34022849; PMCID: PMC8140317.
In our second episode of this three-part series, Dr. Benjelloun joins us as we dive further into our discussion on culture and cultural sensitivity as it relates to psychiatric practice in Morocco. Dr. Roukaya Benjelloun is Department Chair of Mental Health at Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences, Psychiatry Residency Program Director, and Associate Professor of Psychiatry in Casablanca, Morocco.
Hosts: Toshia, Alan
Guests: Roukaya Benjelloun, MD, Yasmine Dakhama, MS4
References:
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Benjelloun R, Otheman Y, El Kettani C. Consultation liaison psychiatry for COVID-19 inpatients: A novel care delivery program in Morocco. Curr Psychol. 2022;41(8):5731-5733. doi: 10.1007/s12144-020-01200-6. Epub 2020 Nov 16. PMID: 33223784; PMCID: PMC7669262.
-
Barrimi M, Serraj K, Rammouz I, Alouane R, Messaoudi N, Bellaoui M. Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Suicide Attempts Among Patients With Severe Psychiatric Disorders in Eastern Morocco. Crisis. 2021 Oct 22. doi: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000825. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34674543.
-
Mekki-Berrada A. 'Ayn mika: Traumatic experience, social invisibility, and emotional distress of sub-Saharan women with precarious status in Morocco. Transcult Psychiatry. 2019 Dec;56(6):1170-1190. doi: 10.1177/1363461518757798. Epub 2018 Mar 8. PMID: 29516775.
-
Zandi T, Havenaar JM, Limburg-Okken AG, van Es H, Sidali S, Kadri N, van den Brink W, Kahn RS. The need for culture sensitive diagnostic procedures: a study among psychotic patients in Morocco. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2008 Mar;43(3):244-50. doi: 10.1007/s00127-007-0290-0. Epub 2007 Nov 30. PMID: 18060339.
-
Zarrouq B, Abbas N, Hilaly JE, Asri AE, Abbouyi S, Omari M, Malki H, Bouazza S, Moutawakkil SG, Halim K, Ragala ME. An investigation of the association between religious coping, fatigue, anxiety and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco: a web-based cross-sectional survey. BMC Psychiatry. 2021 May 22;21(1):264. doi: 10.1186/s12888-021-03271-6. PMID: 34022849; PMCID: PMC8140317.
Culture’s impact on the practice of psychiatry can have many implications as it relates to stigma, access to treatment, diagnostic clarity, and treatment planning. In this episode, we invited Moroccan psychiatrist, Dr. Roukaya Benjelloun, and American medical student, Yasmine Dakhama, to guide our discussion on the interplay between culture and psychiatry in Morocco. Dr. Roukaya Benjelloun is the Department Chair of Mental Health at Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences, Psychiatry Residency Program Director, and Associate Professor of Psychiatry in Casablanca, Morocco. In collaboration with a research team, Yasmine conducted medical anthropological research assessing the psychosocial, cultural, and economic factors implicated in kidney transplantation in the Sous-Massa region of Morocco in 2021.
Hosts: Toshia, Alan
Guests: Roukaya Benjelloun, MD, Yasmine Dakhama, MS4
References:
-
Benjelloun R, Otheman Y, El Kettani C. Consultation liaison psychiatry for COVID-19 inpatients: A novel care delivery program in Morocco. Curr Psychol. 2022;41(8):5731-5733. doi: 10.1007/s12144-020-01200-6. Epub 2020 Nov 16. PMID: 33223784; PMCID: PMC7669262.
-
Barrimi M, Serraj K, Rammouz I, Alouane R, Messaoudi N, Bellaoui M. Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Suicide Attempts Among Patients With Severe Psychiatric Disorders in Eastern Morocco. Crisis. 2021 Oct 22. doi: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000825. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34674543.
-
Mekki-Berrada A. 'Ayn mika: Traumatic experience, social invisibility, and emotional distress of sub-Saharan women with precarious status in Morocco. Transcult Psychiatry. 2019 Dec;56(6):1170-1190. doi: 10.1177/1363461518757798. Epub 2018 Mar 8. PMID: 29516775.
-
Zandi T, Havenaar JM, Limburg-Okken AG, van Es H, Sidali S, Kadri N, van den Brink W, Kahn RS. The need for culture sensitive diagnostic procedures: a study among psychotic patients in Morocco. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2008 Mar;43(3):244-50. doi: 10.1007/s00127-007-0290-0. Epub 2007 Nov 30. PMID: 18060339.
-
Zarrouq B, Abbas N, Hilaly JE, Asri AE, Abbouyi S, Omari M, Malki H, Bouazza S, Moutawakkil SG, Halim K, Ragala ME. An investigation of the association between religious coping, fatigue, anxiety and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco: a web-based cross-sectional survey. BMC Psychiatry. 2021 May 22;21(1):264. doi: 10.1186/s12888-021-03271-6. PMID: 34022849; PMCID: PMC8140317.
As we see more patients who have had Covid-19, we ask psychiatrist, Dr. Imaan Alaidroos, to speak with us about the neuropsychiatric impact of the disease. In this episode, Dr. Alaidroos outlines the treatments that are currently being studied for the neuropsychiatric symptoms of Covid-19. We also chat about the implications of these symptoms for the field of mental health.
Hosts: Alan, Toshia
Guest: Imaan Alaidroos, MD
References:
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Qureshi, A. I., Baskett, W. I., Huang, W., Shyu, D., Myers, D., Raju, M., Lobanova, I., Suri, M., Naqvi, S. H., French, B. R., Siddiq, F., Gomez, C. R., & Shyu, C. R. (2021). Acute Ischemic Stroke and COVID-19: An Analysis of 27 676 Patients. Stroke, 52(3), 905–912. https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.120.031786
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Helms J, Kremer S, MerdjiH, Clere-JehlR, Schenck M, KummerlenC, et al. Neurologic features in severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. N EnglJ Med. 2020;382:2268–2270. doi: 10.1056/NEJMc2008597.
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FerrandoSJ, KlepaczL, Lynch S, TavakkoliM, DornbushR, BaharaniR, Smolin Y, Bartell A. COVID-19 psychosis: a potential new neuropsychiatric condition triggered by novel coronavirus infection and the inflammatory response? Psychosomatics. 2020;61:551–555. doi: 10.1016/j.psym.2020.05.012.
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Parra A, JuanesA, LosadaCP, Álvarez-SesmeroS, Santana VD, Martí I, et al. Psychotic symptoms in COVID-19 patients. A retrospective descriptive study. Psychiatry Res. 2020;291:113254. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113254.
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Farooq, S., Tunmore, J., Wajid Ali, M., & Ayub, M. (2021). Suicide, self-harm and suicidal ideation during COVID-19: A systematic review. Psychiatry research, 306, 114228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114228
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Stefano, G. B., Büttiker, P., Weissenberger, S., Ptacek, R., Wang, F., Esch, T., Bilfinger, T. V., & Kream, R. M. (2021). Biomedical Perspectives of Acute and Chronic Neurological and Neuropsychiatric Sequelae of COVID-19. Current neuropharmacology, 10.2174/1570159X20666211223130228. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159X206662112231
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de Erausquin, G. A., Snyder, H., Carrillo, M., Hosseini, A. A., Brugha, T. S., Seshadri, S., & CNS SARS-CoV-2 Consortium (2021). The chronic neuropsychiatric sequelae of COVID-19: The need for a prospective study of viral impact on brain functioning. Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association, 17(6), 1056–1065. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.12255
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PashaeiY. Drug repurposing of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: Could these drugs help fight COVID-19 and save lives? J. Clin. Neurosci. 2021;88:163–172. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2021.03.010.
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Dąbrowska, E., Galińska-Skok, B., & Waszkiewicz, N. (2021). Depressive and Neurocognitive Disorders in the Context of the Inflammatory Background of COVID-19. Life (Basel, Switzerland), 11(10), 1056. https://doi.org/10.3390/life11101056
Kępińska AP, Iyegbe CO, Vernon AC, Yolken R, Murray RM, Pollak TA. Schizophrenia and Influenza at the Centenary of the 1918-1919 Spanish Influenza Pandemic: Mechanisms of Psychosis Risk. Front Psychiatry. 2020 Feb 26;11:72. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00072. PMID: 32174851; PMCID: PMC7054463.
As we see more patients who have had Covid-19, we ask psychiatrist, Dr. Imaan Alaidroos, to speak with us about the neuropsychiatric impact of the disease. In this episode, Dr. Alaidroos explains the mechanisms behind the neuropsychiatric symptoms and the specific neuropsychiatric symptoms that have been associated with Covid-19.
Hosts: Alan, Toshia
Guest: Imaan Alaidroos, MD
References:
1.Méndez, R, Balanzá-Martínez, V, Luperdi, SC, Estrada, I, Latorre, A, González-Jiménez, P, Feced, L, Bouzas, L, Yépez, K, Ferrando, A, Hervás, D, Zaldívar, E, Reyes, S, Berk, M, Menéndez, R (La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital, Valencia; Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia; University of Barcelona, Barcelona, University of Valencia, CIBERSAM, Valencia; La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital, Valencia; University of Valencia, Valencia; Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Barwon Health, Deakin University, Geelong; The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Center for Biomedical Research Network in Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain). Short-term neuropsychiatric outcomes and quality of life in COVID-19 survivors. J Intern Med 2021; 290: 621– 631.
2.Nakamura, Z. M., Nash, R. P., Laughon, S. L., & Rosenstein, D. L. (2021). Neuropsychiatric Complications of COVID-19. Current psychiatry reports, 23(5), 25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-021-01237-9
3.Banerjee, D., & Viswanath, B. (2020). Neuropsychiatric manifestations of COVID-19 and possible pathogenic mechanisms: Insights from other coronaviruses. Asian journal of psychiatry, 54, 102350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102350
4.Borah, P., Deb, P. K., Chandrasekaran, B., Goyal, M., Bansal, M., Hussain, S., Shinu, P., Venugopala, K. N., Al-Shar'i, N. A., Deka, S., & Singh, V. (2021). Neurological Consequences of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Concurrence of Treatment-Induced Neuropsychiatric Adverse Events in COVID-19 Patients: Navigating the Uncharted. Frontiers in molecular biosciences, 8, 627723. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmolb.2021.627723
5.Jansen van Vuren, E., Steyn, S. F., Brink, C. B., Möller, M., Viljoen, F. P., & Harvey, B. H. (2021). The neuropsychiatric manifestations of COVID-19: Interactions with psychiatric illness and pharmacological treatment. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine& pharmacotherapie, 135, 111200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2020.111200
6.Roy, D., Ghosh, R., Dubey, S., Dubey, M. J., Benito-León, J., & Kanti Ray, B. (2021). Neurological and Neuropsychiatric Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic. The Canadian journal of neurological sciences. Le journal canadien des sciences neurologiques, 48(1), 9–24. https://doi.org/10.1017/cjn.2020.173
Prolonged Grief Disorder has recently been formally added to the DSM-5-TR. But are mental health professionals pathologizing a normal part of the human experience? We invited psychiatrist, researcher, and Director of the Center for Prolonged Grief at Columbia University School of Social Work, Dr. Katherine Shear, to discuss the differences between grief as a disorder and grief as a normal reaction. Besides being at the forefront of the movement to include prolonged grief as a disorder, she has also developed a therapy to help those suffering from overwhelming, extended grieving.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Joshua, Alan
Guest: Katherine Shear, MD
How is human psychology an evolutionary adaptation? The field of evolutionary psychology attempts to answer this question and the result is frequently controversial. Dr. Phuong Vo joins the discussion to help us take a more critical approach to these theories.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Joshua
Guest: Phuong Vo, MD, MS
Depression is an extremely common and debilitating condition. Are there situations where depression could have actually helped humans survive? Along with Dr. Phuong Vo, who completed her masters in Evolutionary Medicine, we work through a number of theories on how being depressed could sometimes be adaptive.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Joshua
Guest: Phuong Vo, MD, MS
On April 21, 2021 the “21st Century Cures Act” mandated that all healthcare providers grant clients/patients access to their chart “without delay” and without charge. Make sure you listen to all 3 episodes as we have noted psychiatrist and trainer in medical record keeping, Dr. Tony Thrasher, to answer our questions. In this episode, Dr. Thrasher outlines exceptional situations when the provider can keep notes private. We also discuss the importance of reviewing the prognosis with patients.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: Tony Thrasher, MD, DFAPA
On April 21, 2021 the “21st Century Cures Act” mandated that all healthcare providers grant clients/patients access to their chart “without delay” and without charge. Make sure you listen to all 3 episodes as we have noted psychiatrist and trainer in medical record keeping, Dr. Tony Thrasher, to answer our questions. In this episode, we discuss our takes on using "woke language" in our documentation.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: Tony Thrasher, MD, DFAPA
On April 21, 2021 the “21st Century Cures Act” mandated that all healthcare providers grant clients/patients access to their chart “without delay” and without charge. While providing access to one’s chart usually works very smoothly for medical treatment, it’s a different story for psychiatric and psychological treatment. For example, it’s common for a client to lack insight about themselves—that’s a big reason for going to therapy. So how will the treatment be affected when the client reads about how their psychologist or psychiatrist thinks they don’t know what the problem actually is? Make sure you listen to all 3 episodes as we have noted psychiatrist and trainer in medical record keeping, Dr. Tony Thrasher, to help us answer these questions. In this episode, Dr. Thrasher suggests creative ways to use the open note as a clinical tool that promotes transparency and mutual understanding between doctor and patient.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: Tony Thrasher, MD, DFAPA
Since the inception of Obama Care, services for people with autism have expanded considerably—but perhaps not equally—in the United States. We talk to experts in autism, Dr. Barry Prizant and Dr. Alice Kuo about what to look for in an effective treatment and a treatment provider. They also discuss the obstacles that come from differences in income and insurance.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia
Guests: Alice Kuo, MD, PhD, MBA, Barry Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP
References:
SCERTS model: https://scerts.com/
Diagnoses of autism are on the rise in the United States. Portrayals of autism are increasingly visible in the media and television. But what is most important to know in understanding people with autism? We invite autism expert and author of “Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism,” Dr. Barry Prizant, to share his perspective. We discuss using music and theater as a way for the autism community to connect with others, develop important skills, and actively engage.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia
Guest: Barry Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP
References:
SCERTS model: https://scerts.com/
The Miracle Project: https://themiracleproject.org/
The Spectrum Theatre Ensemble: https://www.stensemble.org/
Uniquely Human the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uniquely-human-the-podcast/id1532460901
We asked child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Linda Schmidt to join us again, this time for a discussion on her experiences training mental health professionals in Ukraine before the war. She shares the challenges of practicing psychiatry in Ukraine and the treatment available to the population.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: Linda Schmidt, MD
References:
Circle of Family Foundation: https://k-s.org.ua/resilience_for_ukraine/
The ongoing war in Ukraine has been devastating to every aspect of life there. Prompt and effective mental health care is desperately needed now and for the years ahead. In this episode we invited psychiatrist Dr. Linda Schmidt to join our discussion on psychiatric services before the war and to share some insights into current conditions. Since 2015, Dr. Schmidt has traveled several times to Ukraine for the purpose of providing training for mental health professionals and has also worked to increase humanitarian aid to the region.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: Linda Schmidt, MD
References:
Circle of Family Foundation: https://k-s.org.ua/resilience_for_ukraine/
Founder of the pro-euthanasia group Exit International and former physican, Phillip Nitschke, has created the Sarco suicide pod. Dr. Nitschke (who also has a PhD in Physics) is planning to make the plans accessible for 3-D printing to "democratize" euthanasia technology. Is this a step towards making suicide a human rights issue or an international public health nightmare? Listen to our interview with Dr. Nitschke and decide for yourself.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: Philip Nitschke, PhD, MBBS
References:
Berman, Athey, A., & Nestadt, P. (2021). Effectiveness of restricting access to a suicide jump site: a test of the method substitution hypothesis. Injury Prevention, 28(1), 90–92. https://doi.org/10.1136/injuryprev-2021-044240.
Kposowa, Hamilton, D., & Wang, K. (2016). Impact of Firearm Availability and Gun Regulation on State Suicide Rates. Suicide & Life-Threatening Behavior, 46(6), 678–696. https://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.12243.
Dr. Philip Nitschke is an Australian physician who campaigned successfully for the world's first assisted suicide law. He went on to found the non-profit, pro-euthanasia organization, Exit International. How did a physician trained under the medical ethics of beneficence and non-maleficence decide to make euthanasia and assisted suicide his life's work? Listen to our interview with him and decide where you stand.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: Philip Nitschke, PhD, MBBS
References:
Owens D, Horrocks J, House A. Fatal and non-fatal repetition of self-harm. Systematic review. Br J Psychiatry. 2002 Sep;181:193-9. doi: 10.1192/bjp.181.3.193. PMID: 12204922.
Seiden RH. Where are they now? A follow-up study of suicide attempters from the Golden Gate Bridge. Suicide Life Threat Behav. 1978 Winter;8(4):203-16. PMID: 217131.
In 1958 Dr. Lawrence Kohlberg proposed that every human being develops according to predictable stages of moral development. This proved controversial as his research was based only on boys and did not seem to fit certain cultures. We asked Dr. Bandy X. Lee, an expert in the psychological and social causes of violence, for a discussion of how one's moral stage influences one's propensity for violence.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: Bandy X. Lee, MD, MDiv
References:
worldmhc.org
On this episode we invite back Dr. Bandy X. Lee to discuss the problems with the New York incarceration facility Rikers Island and the difficulty in reforming it. Dr. Lee participated in an expert commission that produced a report that was eventually ignored, in favor of a report by a private consulting firm. The terrible results speak for themselves. Dr. Lee provides her insight into how things went wrong and the reforms that were ignored.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: Bandy X. Lee, MD, MDiv
References:
Marques, Stuart. “The Birth, Life and–Maybe–Death of Rikers Island.” NYC Department of Records & Information Services, NYC Department of Records & Information Services, 22 Mar. 2019, https://www.archives.nyc/blog/2019/3/21/the-birth-life-and-maybe-death-of-rikers-island.
We ask our guest, Dr. David Orentlicher, to explain how different work environments emphasize different ways of relating to others and thinking about problems. He's a good person to ask given he is a medical doctor, lawyer, professor, and elected representative.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: Nevada Assemblyman David Orentlicher, MD, JD
We have a conversation with an elected representative from Nevada who is also a lawyer, doctor, and law professor for his take on the pressures influencing political decision-making and voting, return guest Dr. David Orentlicher. We hear his views on what it will take to create true bipartisanship.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: Nevada Assemblyman David Orentlicher, MD, JD
A criticism of psychiatry (and psychotherapy in general) is that can be paternalistic. The clinician can set oneself up as an expert on the patient’s life which leads to withholding information, choices, and autonomy. The most extreme form of this is when a psychiatrist or psychologist commits an individual to a locked inpatient facility because s/he believes the patient might seriously harm themselves or someone else. But there are subtler forms of paternalism such as giving too much advice and limiting information about treatment options. When the overall condition of the patient is improved, does it justify being paternalistic? Listen to the show and decide for yourself.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan, Joshua
References:
Blease, Trachsel, M., & Grosse Holtforth, M. (2016). Paternalism, Placebos, and Informed Consent in Psychotherapy: The Challenge of Ethical Disclosure. https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-127954
Prass, Ewell, A., Hill, C. E., & Kivleghan, D. M. (2021). Solicited and Unsolicited Therapist Advice in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: Is it Advised? Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 34(2), 253-274. https://doi.org/10.1080/09515070/2020.1723492
We (especially Alan) want to make a point with this episode: electroconvulsive therapy is great. And by "great," we mean that ECT, in its current form, is an effective and underutilized treatment for a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, mania, catatonia, and psychosis. Please listen and then share this episode so the word can get out and the stigma against it can stop.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan, Joshua
References:
Singh, A., & Kar, S. K. (2017). How Electroconvulsive Therapy Works?: Understanding the Neurobiological Mechanisms. Clinical psychopharmacology and neuroscience : the official scientific journal of the Korean College of Neuropsychopharmacology, 15(3), 210–221. https://doi.org/10.9758/cpn.2017.15.3.210
Psychiatrist Dr. Marshall Forstein started his residency in Boston in 1981--just when the AIDS pandemic was starting. In our interview, he outlines how he spread the word on how to reduce the spread of the virus while facing prejudice and intransigence from a variety of sources.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: Marshall Forstein, MD
In 1997 Oregon became the first state to pass a law allowing terminally ill individuals to complete suicide with the help of a physician. Only 4 more states followed with their own "Death With Dignity" laws. Have any of the concerns raised in 1997 come to pass? Should this be a human rights issue? Join our discussion with guest David Orentlicher. Dr. Orentlicher is a doctor, lawyer, elected official, UNLV law professor, and medical ethicist, who has studied and published in this very divisive issue.
Hosts: Eyrn, Alan, Joshua
Guest: Nevada Assemblyman David Orentlicher, MD, JD
Do you think people who spend their day analyzing people for a living suddenly stop when they interact with friends and family? We share our thoughts on how much we do this and how it affects our relationships. We also touch on whether one’s theoretical orientation makes a difference. To help us answer these questions, a familiar voice returns to the show! Dr. Joshua Poole is currently supplementing his residency training with a course in psychoanalysis.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan, Joshua
Psychologists and psychiatrists rarely receive any type of training or experience in how to talk about religion in therapy--let alone how to utilize a person's spirituality to promote growth and change. Enter psychologist David Rosmarin's SPIRIT intervention. Dr. Rosmarin explains the practical ways religion can be incorporated in psychotherapy and the surprising research findings on the type of clinician best suited to provide this intervention.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia
Guest: David Rosmarin, PhD
References:
Clinical Protocol for Spiritual Psychotherapy for Inpatient, Residential & Intensive Treatment (SPIRIT)
McClintock, Clayton & Worhunsky, Patrick & Balodis, Iris & Sinha, Rajita & Miller, Lisa & Potenza, Marc. (2019). How Spirituality May Mitigate Against Stress and Related Mental Disorders: a Review and Preliminary Neurobiological Evidence. Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports. 6. 10.1007/s40473-019-00195-0.
Portnoff, Larissa & McClintock, Clayton & Lau, Elsa & Choi, Simon & Miller, Lisa. (2017). Spirituality cuts in half the relative risk for depression: Findings from the United States, China, and India.. Spirituality in Clinical Practice. 4. 22-31. 10.1037/scp0000127.
Rosmarin, D. H., Salcone, S., Harper, D., & Forester, B. P. (2019, September 19). Spiritual psychotherapy for inpatient, residential, and intensive treatment. American Journal of Psychotherapy. Retrieved from https://psychotherapy.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20180046.
Several mental health professionals decided to speak publicly about Donald Trump, but no one had the specific expertise, influence, and organizational talents of Dr. Bandy X. Lee, the author of "The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 37 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President." In this episode, Dr. Lee discusses how she came to the historical decision to speak out on the potential threat of Trump and thus step into a maelstrom of controversy. (This episode was originally recorded as part 1 of a two-part interview with Dr. Lee. Part 2 has been published as episode #112.)
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: Bandy X. Lee, MD, MDiv
In this episode we share our most challenging clinical experiences with people who don’t have a house. Dr. Matt Perry, who has spent his career devoted to social justice and helping those at the margins of our society, weighs in on our cases with his advice. We also invite as a guest co-host, Dr. Ruqayyah Malik, to share in this discussion of what works and what doesn't.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guests: Matt Perry, MD and Ruqayyah Malik, MD
What does a doctor who works with the unhoused have to say about what helps the most? Join our discussion with third year resident from Brown University, Dr. Matt Perry, who works with folks at the social margins.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: Matt Perry, MD
The Neurodiversity Movement is gaining momentum from academics and those suffering from the stigma of being diagnosed as different and disabled. Is there another way that society can view individuals with different styles of attention and communication that will foster awareness, inclusion, and appreciation of those differences? Psychologist Dr. Emma Girard joins our exploration of this topic and the practical considerations of a more accommodating society.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: Emma Girard, PsyD
References:
Bailin, A. (2019, June 6). Clearing Up Some Misconceptions about Neurodiversity. Retrieved from Scientific American Blog Network website: https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/clearing-up-some-misconceptions-about-neurodiversity/
Baron-Cohen, S. (2019, April 30). The Concept of Neurodiversity Is Dividing the Autism Community. Retrieved from https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/the-concept-of-neurodiversity-is-dividing-the-autism-community/
Prizant, B. M., & Fields-Meyer, T. (2019). Uniquely human : a different way of seeing autism. London: Souvenir Press.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) helps parents develop a balanced parenting approach with their child, starting with a warm relationship between parent and child. It is one of the most effective therapies for disruptive behaviors in children. Our guest, Dr. Emma Girard, developed the toddler version of PCIT. Join our discussion as we explore what parents can do to move out of the "coercive cycle" to develop leadership skills and the ability to manage emotions well.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: Emma Girard, PsyD
Has the American Psychiatric Association's "Goldwater Rule," which prohibits public comment and education on the psychology of elected officials by psychiatrists, helped or hurt our society? Listen to our interview with Dr. Bandy X. Lee on how she ultimately concluded the Goldwater Rule was not in the public's best interest. Dr. Lee is the author of "The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 37 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President." (This episode was originally recorded as part 2 of a two-part interview with Dr. Lee. Part 1 has been published as episode #117.)
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: Bandy X. Lee, MD, MDiv
American society has a long history of prejudice and discrimination against the LBGBTQ+ community--as does the field of psychiatry. In this episode with psychiatrist Marshall Forstein, former training director of Harvard's Cambridge Health Alliance Psychiatry Residency Program and former acting chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Cambridge Health Alliance, we discuss how things have changed as well as the work that needs to be done as we move to a more just and egalitarian nation.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: Marshall Forstein, MD
Bipolar disorder is often a poorly understood and debilitating mental health condition. Most are aware that medication is crucial, but few fully appreciate the role of behavioral therapy more than psychiatrist and author Dr. Chris Aiken. This episode's discussion sheds light on effective and underutilized ways of managing and supporting people with bipolar disorder.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: Chris Aiken, MD
We invite the editor-in-chief of the Carlat Report and co-host of the Carlat Psychiatry Podcast, psychiatrist Dr. Chris Aiken, to share his thoughts on the 3 most underprescribed medications in psychiatric practice. We weigh in on why this is and how the treatment of conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression can be improved upon.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: Chris Aiken, MD
In this episode, we discuss the discrepancy between the reputation and the reality of the Disney theme parks and the company itself. What is Disney's responsibility as the foremost culture creator of children? Toshia and Alan are joined by Professor Dundes of McDaniel College, who writes psychosocial critiques of Disney movies, and Michelle, a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow at UCR.
Hosts: Toshia, Alan
Guests: Lauren Dundes, ScD, MHS and Michelle Tom, MD
References:
Desta, Y. (2017, November 22). Pixar's Had a Problem with Women for Decades. Retrieved from https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/11/pixar-john-lasseter-boys-club
https://www.disneyinstitute.com/disneys-approach-employee-engagement-online/
https://thesociologicalcinema.tumblr.com/post/180534550650/the-cultural-iceberg
Are you a fan of all things Disney and Pixar? Toshia is too, but she can't help but wonder why Black leads in their movies turn into animals and why Elsa has to diminish her powers to be accepted into society. She turns to an expert on the psychosocial critique of Disney, Professor Lauren Dundes, for her insights on "Frozen" and "Soul." Professor Dundes taught the course "Decoding Disney" at McDaniel College. Dr. Tom, a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow at UCR, returns as a guest.
Hosts: Toshia, Alan
Guests: Lauren Dundes, ScD, MHS and Michelle Tom, MD
References:
Desta, Y. (2017, November 22). Pixar's Had a Problem with Women for Decades. Retrieved from https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/11/pixar-john-lasseter-boys-club
Woodford, R. (2003, September). Lemming Suicide Myth. Retrieved from https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wildlifenews.view_article&articles_id=56
There are now thousands of mental health apps that are purported to help people relax, focus, alleviate their depression, reduce anxiety, and even manage past trauma. We invited an expert in “mobile mental health technologies,” psychiatrist Dr. John Torous, to help identify what to look for in a mental health app and some of the challenges in using them regularly and in clinical practice.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: John Torous, MD
References:
APA App Advisor: https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/mental-health-apps
MIND: https://mindapps.org/
One Mind PsyberGuide: https://onemindpsyberguide.org/
Marshall, Jamie, et al. “Clinical or Gimmickal: The Use and Effectiveness of Mobile Mental Health Apps for Treating Anxiety and Depression.” SAGE Journals, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 25 Sept. 2019, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0004867419876700.
It's not just roads and bridges that need building; our mental health infrastructure is in poor shape. Our interview with Professor and Chairman Emeritus of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University School of Medicine, psychiatrist Allen Frances, MD, helps explain our poor mental health care system for some of the most vulnerable in our society.
Read Dr. Frances' article on President Biden's infrastructure plan: https://www.statnews.com/2021/07/09/ignoring-mental-health-infrastructure-costly-mistake/
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Diem, Alan
Guest: Allen Frances, MD
We invite psychiatrist Dr. Gino Mortillaro to share his thoughts on how female athletes, and gymnasts in particular, are treated differently than male athletes. We also discuss research on which mental health condition is most likely to affect elite athletes and the differences between genders.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Saloni, Alan
Guest: Gino Mortillaro, MD
Olympic gymnast Simone Biles told the press she would be practicing more mindfulness after withdrawing from the individual all-around competition in the Tokyo Summer Olympics 2021. We invite psychiatrist and former Team USA gymnast, Dr. Gino Mortillaro, to help us understand how mindfulness can help an athlete. We also take assessments of our own mindfulness with some interesting results.
Non-Attachment Scale: http://josephciarrochi.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/brief-measure-of-nonattachment.pdf
Acceptance and Action Questionnaire: https://stevenchayes.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/The-Acceptance-and-Action-Questionnaire.pdf
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Saloni, Alan
Guest: Gino Mortillaro, MD
Our conversation with Dr. Hayes touches on the nature of disease. We also talk about the separation of the self in the present and the "cacophony" of negative and positive "voices" that sometimes lead people into suffering.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: Steven C. Hayes, PhD
We talk to psychologist Steven C. Hayes about creating ACT and how the radically pragmatic principles of its infrastructure led to multiple applications and an explosion of publications on the topic.
*At 15:19 the audio recording dropped for about one minute due to internet instability.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: Steven C. Hayes, PhD
It's our 100th show! We take a brief moment to reflect on how we got to this point with our producer, Elliot Fong. We spend the majority of the show answering listener questions and topics that were too small to make an entire show, but are still interesting.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan, Diem, Saloni
Guest: Elliot Fong
Love and acceptance when we are young is crucial to becoming securely attached. And that level of attachment stays with us the rest of our lives. We invited professor and psychiatrist Dr. Jeff Katzman to explain attachment and how it can be repaired in therapy and in our own lives.
Hosts: Eyrn, Alan
Guest: Jeff Katzman, MD
Professor and psychiatrist Dr. Jeff Katzman recently released his second book with co-author Dan O’Connor entitled “Ensemble!: Using the Power of Improv and Play to Forge Connections in a Lonely World.” Join our conversation with him as we discover how to use the principles of improv to make genuine connections while releasing ourselves from “scripts” of who we’re supposed to be.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: Jeff Katzman, MD
Initial studies on frontline health care workers fighting COVID-19 show that about 14-15 percent develop mental health conditions such as Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and PTSD. One study released in 2020 indicated that the rate of “probable” alcohol use disorder could be as high as 43 percent. We invited 3 internists with 3 different COVID-19 experiences during the pandemic to share their most stressful moments and how they learned to cope.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Diem, Alan
Guests: Richard Loftus, MD, Eliane Coffler, MD, and Rob Mempin, MD
We invited two “warriors” from the HIV/AIDS fight, Dr. Richard Loftus and Jeff Taylor, to talk about the similarities with the COVID-19 pandemic. Are there lessons learned from the AIDS that we can use now? How was treatment and prevention affected by the unique political landscape that existed during the outbreak?
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Diem, Alan
Guests: Richard Loftus, MD, Jeff Taylor
We invite Colorado-based journalist Chris Walker to talk about how legalization of recreational use of cannabis is playing out. Spoiler Alert: We don't resolve anything, but cannabis is always interesting.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan, Saloni
Guest: Chris Walker
Many clinicians and first responders spend a significant amount of time treating and/or interacting with individuals who live outside because they lack a home. Over time, this interaction can lead to frustration as interventions seem ineffective. We invite journalist Chris Walker to sort through facts and fiction about the homeless population.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: Chris Walker
On this second episode we explore dating apps and sex addiction treatment with cybersex expert and lead author of the chapter “Hacking the Human Sex Drive” in the new APA textbook “The Technologic Addictions.” Are the new ways of connection and sexual connection over the internet a good or bad thing for society?
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Diem, Joshua, Alan
Guest: Lancer Naghdechi, MD
One of the many consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic is an even greater emphasis and utilization of the internet as a means of connecting with others and sexual gratification. We invite expert on “cybersex” Dr. Lancer Naghdechi of Rutgers to join our discussion in the first of two episodes on identifying how sex, pornography, sex addiction, and sexually themed apps are making their way into society and becoming mainstream.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Diem, Joshua, Alan
Guest: Lancer Naghdechi, MD
Every year, millions of parents consider how best to help their child struggling with mood, attention, and behavior problems. The risks to the child's self-esteem, falling far behind in school, and even endangering their own safety are often very real and significant. Medication is frequently considered. But what are some of the risks involved? We talk to expert Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr. Carl Feinstein for his take on this controversial topic.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan, Joshua, Saloni
Guest: Carl Feinstein, MD
The most important and influential document ever produced in the area of diagnosis of mental health conditions has been the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or DSM. It has shaped how we as clinicians conceptualize, research, treat, as well as how and whether we get reimbursed. Join our conversation with Dr. Carl Feinstein, a psychiatrist who participated in the formation of the most current version, the DSM 5. We explore some of the critical issues that must be considered as we place labels on people based on the specific criteria outlined in the DSM.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan, Joshua, Saloni
Guest: Carl Feinstein, MD
Not many people realize how much stress and pressure graduate students endure. We invite Ph.D. Candidate Karen Atkins (yes she's Alan's sister) to provide insights into why this life in grad school is unlike any other type of stress out there. She also shares her best advice on how to succeed.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Guest: Karen Atkins
No other court case (and subsequent rulings and legislation) has impacted mental health practice as much as Tarasoff v. Regents (1976). The parents of Tatiana Tarasoff sued the Regents of the University of California and psychologist Dr. Lawrence Moore for failing to warn them that a patient being seen at the university counseling center was planning to murder Ms. Tarasoff, a fellow student. In this show we try to offer some context for this tragedy while also discussing the difficulties of holding clinicians responsible for predicting violent acts.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan, Saloni
The polygraph ("lie detector") has had a controversial history since it was invented in California by John Larson, a police officer with a Ph.D. in physiology. Periodically used in criminal investigations, employee screenings, and identifying who might be leaking classified information, we discuss some of the research behind it as well as some risks associated with its use.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
We think this newly discovered waste clearance system of the body is so important we devoted an entire episode to it. The glymphatic system may play a role in Alzheimer's (and perhaps some cancers). Listen to our podcast to hear Alan and Toshia explain what it is and what you can do to make sure it operates well.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Are there situations that make you feel anxious? Has anxiety gotten in the way of fully enjoying your life? You can change your relationship with anxiety and expand your world in the process. We invite UCR Psychology Intern, Bryan Balvaneda to help us tackle one of the most common problems in humanity—too much anxiety!
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Diem, Alan
Guest: Bryan Balvaneda
With depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts on the rise, responding with self-compassion opens new possibilities of growth and change. Join our discussion along with guest host UCR Psychology Intern, Bryan Balvaneda on how developing this skill might help. We also ask: “Does self-compassion make a person “soft” and less productive?” Find out how much self-compassion you have by taking this online assessment: https://self-compassion.org/test-how-self-compassionate-you-are/.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Diem, Alan
Guest: Bryan Balvaneda
The "Warrior Toughness Program" was commissioned by the United States Navy and developed by a clinical psychologist, a Navy chaplain, and our guest, Navy SEAL Master Chief Stephen Drum. Join us as we interview him to find out the keys to developing mental toughness and the ability to make good decisions in high pressure situations.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan, Saloni
Guest: Stephen Drum
We invited retired Navy SEAL Master Chief Stephen Drum to talk about "Combat Psychology." What type of mindset helps to manage the stress of combat? What are the motivating factors to maintain focus and make good decisions while in combat? Listen to this episode to find out.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan, Saloni
Guest: Stephen Drum
Procrastination is the number one killer of time in the United States. Fortunately, the “Let’s Get Psyched” hosts are on the case. Tune in to learn a few facts about this actually complex phenomenon, as well as a few strategies for overcoming it.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Diem, Edgar, Alan
Have you ever been bothered by appearing more competent than you really are? Have you succeeded at something and then worried about how the expectations from others would now be too high? Have you ever attributed some of your successes to luck?” Answering “Yes” points to “Impostor Syndrome” and the need to listen to this podcast. Take the impostor phenomenon test yourself at http://impostortest.nickol.as/.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Diem, Edgar, Alan, Saloni
Is our growing obsession with video games and social media leading to shorter and shorter attention spans? Are video games contributing to aggression in children? These are not easy questions but we have psychiatrist and avid video game player Dr. Gino Mortillaro with us so we were ready for them.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Joshua, Alan, Saloni
Guest: Gino Mortillaro, MD
This week we invited Dr. Gino A. Mortillaro to talk about gender development. We focus on how parents should support their child's gender development. Parents usually have many concerns about how their child might be singled out for not acting in ways that match their biological sex.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Joshua, Alan, Saloni
Guest: Gino A. Mortillaro, MD
Can "happiness" be a specific goal in mental health treatment. Or should clinicians keep their focus on reducing symptoms instead? Does a psychologist's or psychiatrist's beliefs about what constitutes a happy life influence psychotherapy and counseling? The hosts of "Let's Get Psyched" care about questions like these.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
Freud believed that reports of a fear of dying actually reflected underlying childhood conflicts (classic!) rather than something more basic in human behavior. Join the group as we look at some of the research on "death anxiety." Is a fear of death behind many mental health conditions? How is a fear of death managed in a clinical setting?
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, Alan
This episode originally aired on KUCR in November of 2019. It touches on early adulthood, parenting styles, and the Matthew McConaughey movie.
Hosts: Eyrn, Toshia, and Joshua
Guest: Elliot Fong
This episode originally aired on KUCR in May of 2019, one of our very first episodes back when we called ourselves "Which Doctor." An interview with eco anxiety specialist Dr. Elizabeth Haase from the Climate Psychiatry Alliance.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Poole, Dr. Ortega
Guest: Elizabeth Haase, MD
The final episode in our cannabis trilogy and the final episode of 2020. We ponder and debate the cultural and between country differences in addiction and use of cannabis. We also offer our take on why the United States has the highest rate of drug addiction in the world.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Atkins
Guest: Saloni Singh, MD
With all the talk about political affiliations being similar to cults we decided to talk about what defines a cult and a bit on the reasons for joining one. During the discussion we talk about how psychiatry has looked at cults and if treatment after cults is just another type of brainwashing.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Ortega, Dr. Atkins
Guest: Saloni Singh, MD
We (finally) tackle the issue of cannabis use. Will people and society as a whole be better off by "transitioning" from alcohol to cannabis? What does the research say about the benefits and consequences of THC and other cannabis-derived compounds, such as CBD? How do we talk to our patients about their cannabis use? Do we all agree on these issues... No. Is that okay... Yes.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Nguyen, Dr. Poole, Dr. Atkins
Guest: Saloni Singh, MD
We (finally) tackle the issue of cannabis use. Will people and society as a whole be better off by "transitioning" from alcohol to cannabis? What does the research say about the benefits and consequences of THC and other cannabis-derived compounds, such as CBD? How do we talk to our patients about their cannabis use? Do we all agree on these issues... No. Is that okay... Yes.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Nguyen, Dr. Poole, Dr. Atkins
Guest: Saloni Singh, MD
Have you had a moment in your life when you felt like everything you did seemed to work? A period in which you felt in control, fully immersed and confident, and were able to ride that wave as far as it could take you? In this episode we discuss "peak experiences" and how we can include more of them in our lives. We also touch on experiences of "flow" and share examples from our own lives.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Ortega, and Dr. Atkins.
Dr. Jami Woods returns to the show to discuss controversial issues such as puberty suppression and public funding of gender-affirming surgical procedures. We consider the civil rights battle surrounding the transgender community. Our conversation with Dr. Woods was a great opportunity to highlight and celebrate Transgender Awareness Week (Nov 13-19).
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Nguyen, Dr. Ortega, and Dr. Atkins
Guest: Jami Woods, DPh, MD
Alan teaches Edgar improv! Is humor a valid medical treatment?
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Ortega, Dr. Atkins
We examine this billion-dollar industry.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Ortega, Dr. Atkins
Is gaining insight the key to making real progress in therapy or is it an indulgent pat on the back that cannot guarantee significant change?
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Poole, Dr. Atkins
We discuss parapsychology and Halloween. Edgar has more creepy stories to tell us.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Ortega, Dr. Atkins
How do you approach politics in the context of the therapeutic relationship? Is it helpful to do so? For some, politics is a large part of their life narrative and is woven throughout various domains of life. We discuss balancing professionalism and having an open and honest conversation.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Nguyen, Dr. Atkins
This episode originally aired on KUCR in October of 2019. This evening, the gang ventures outside the recording studio to test our mettle inside the Tomas Rivera Library, a reportedly haunted building on UC Riverside’s campus. We whisper spooky stories to each other while skeptically examining each others’ superstitious beliefs.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Nguyen, Dr. Ortega, Dr. Poole
Is the United States experiencing a wave of Authoritarianism that is expressing itself through support of Donald Trump? If so, why do some studies show that Trump supporters are actually less authoritarian than Bush and Romney supporters? We talk about the unique type of authoritarian beliefs that influence political activity as well as studies of obedience which often involve an authoritarian outlook.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Nguyen, Dr. Atkins
This episode originally aired on KUCR in October of 2019. This evening, the gang ventures outside the recording studio to test our mettle inside the Tomas Rivera Library, a reportedly haunted building on UC Riverside’s campus. We whisper spooky stories to each other while skeptically examining each others’ superstitious beliefs.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Nguyen, Dr. Ortega, Dr. Poole
Hypnosis played a formative role in the early days of psychoanalysis. Does it have a place in modern clinical practice? Who is more susceptible to being hypnotized? Dr. Ortega shares his story.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Ortega
Is a near death experience a neurological event, a life-changing spiritual awakening, or both? We talk about the common themes of NDEs and their large effects even years later.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Ortega, and Dr. Poole
During this politically charged season it’s easy to become confused about the best way to support our friends in the trans community. The truth is that there is a lot to keep in mind when thinking about trans issues and this episode is a good place to start.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Ortega, Dr. Atkins
Guest: Jami Woods, DPh, MD
Lying is an accepted form of communication. But sometimes we're not skilled enough to detect when it's happening. And some people are just better at it than others. We talk about some of the research on lying and how to discriminate between truth and fiction.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Ortega, Dr. Atkins
This week we decided to focus on "cancel culture" because it demands to be discussed. It's quickly generating a great deal of controversy and opinions on both sides. Is it just political correctness as many claim? We don't so much as add an exclusively psychological perspective but talk about what it means and how to evaluate its impact.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Atkins
We invite our (psychiatric) resident expert on Nature-Based therapies, Dr. Alan Atkins, for a deeper dive into "Wilderness Therapy." Could it be more helpful for wayward youth than group homes, residential drug rehab, or incarceration?
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Ortega, Dr. Atkins
What is "Nature-Based Therapy?" Well, we didn't know much about it until we asked our co-host, Dr. Alan Atkins, who is researching it as well as being a strong advocate of it. Are some mental health conditions made worse by our disconnection and estrangement from nature?
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Atkins
"Homecoming" has drawn attention for its cinematography and directorial style. It also raises very interesting questions about the trauma of veterans returning from war and the treatment of mental health conditions that have often developed. We discuss the story (spoiler alert) and seriously consider the type of treatment playing a key role in the series
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Ortega, Dr. Poole
Guest: Dr. Alan Atkins
This episode originally aired on KUCR in December of 2019. Dr. Alan Atkins joins us in one of his first episodes as a guest co-host to discuss one of his areas of interest: prison reform. The US prison system is the nation's largest mental health institution. We consider its role in rehabilitation.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Ortega
Guest: Dr. Alan Atkins
This episode originally aired on KUCR in June of 2019. We asked Dr. Kevin Simonson to "tune in" as a special guest to discuss the psychiatric research on psychedelics currently underway. Is this the future of psychiatry?
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Poole, Dr. Ortega
Guest: Kevin Simonson, MD
This episode originally aired on KUCR in June of 2019. We asked Dr. Kevin Simonson to "tune in" as a special guest to discuss the psychiatric research on psychedelics currently underway. Is this the future of psychiatry?
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Poole, Dr. Ortega
Guest: Kevin Simonson, MD
When we think of our lives and ourselves we're telling a story. How does this process affect our emotions, mood, and goals? How are our stories influenced by our culture? How can the telling of stories affect and improve psychotherapy?
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Ortega, Dr. Poole
Is it healthy to enjoy nostalgic feelings or does it mean one is stuck in the past? We explore the possible benefits of thinking about (or even reveling in) experiences in one's past.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Ortega, Dr. Poole
Many states and countries have banned "conversion therapy" which is a set of practices intended to change one's sexual orientation and/or behavior to exclusive heterosexuality and heteronormative thinking. We take a look what this practice actually involves and how it can be very damaging.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi
Guest: Dr. Alan Atkins
Love them or hate them we have to learn to live with anti-vaxxers! Will they extend the COVID-19 pandemic by refusing a vaccine (if one is developed)? We talk about the research on the personality and motivation for this segment of the population.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi
Guest: Dr. Alan Atkins
This is a show from July of 2019 featuring the late Amy Litteral as our guest. What should people look for when selecting a reputable substance abuse treatment program? What happens when treatment centers (essentially) pay clients to attend their programs?
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Ortega, Dr. Poole, Dr. Nguyen
Guest: Amy Litteral, LMFT
When is escapism good and when can it be unhealthy?
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Nguyen, Dr. Poole
Are there a few "bad apples" in police forces around the country or are systemic and cultural factors more influential in the disproportionate use of violence with people of color?
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Nguyen, Dr. Ortega
Why has belief in the science behind virus transmission seem to depend on one's political beliefs? Are certain personality types more likely to trust science than others?
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Nguyen, Dr. Ortega
Medical school students complete suicide at a much higher rate than the general population. Our resident experts in stress (and medical school) provide their insights and personal experiences into how the structure of the program creates stress and even traumatic experience.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Nguyen, Dr. Ortega
We examine the stress of medical professionals working on the front lines of the pandemic.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Nguyen, Dr. Ortega
CNN anchor Chris Cuomo said that the key to defeating COVID-19 is "will." What effect does a positive attitude have on health, recovery, and virus infection. The group takes a late detour into positive psychology and how we viewed psychotherapy before we became practitioners.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Ortega, Dr. Poole
The group addresses the impact of social isolation that is being caused by effort to control the spread of COVID-19. How can people thrive during this period of selective isolation? We also discuss the risks of isolation for children and those vulnerable to depression.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Ortega, Dr. Poole
The first of probably many "Shelter-in-place" episodes. We look at how the virus and our response to it has had a psychological impact on those infected, their families, healthcare workers, and each other.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Ortega, Dr. Poole
How do psychologists and psychiatrists lose their licenses? Has this changed over time?
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Nguyen
Our musings about the fear surrounding COVID-19 because we can't make ourselves think of anything else.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Nguyen
Guest: Elliot Fong
Do we have anything interesting or insightful to say about the movies "Parasite" and "Split"? Listen to our discussion with special guest host Rennie Burke of UCR's School of Medicine to find out.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Ortega, Dr. Poole
Guest: Rennie Burke
Are portrayals of psychologists and psychiatrist in movies and television accurate? We address this topic with special guest host Rennie Burke of UCR's School of Medicine. We also find time to talk about how losing one's sense of smell affects the quality of life. We make a brief detour into Scientology before wrapping up.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Ortega, Dr. Poole
Guest: Rennie Burke
Are you being influenced to buy things in a way that is outside of your conscious awareness? We tackle the topic of subliminal influence and "priming." How much is myth and how much is reality?
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Nguyen, Dr. Ortega
Guest: Dr. Michelle Tom
We are joined by second year psychiatry resident Dr. Michelle Tom to discuss cultural considerations that factor in the practice of psychiatry. Dr. Tom is currently co-writing a chapter on cultural considerations for the use of psychotropic medication with children and adolescents so we were anxious to pick her brain about this topic.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Nguyen, Dr. Ortega
Guest: Dr. Michelle Tom
The hosts conduct a thought experiment: What type of study would yield a great deal of useful data but is completely unethical. Just a thought experiment so don't draw any negative conclusions! We also discuss how psychologists consulted on torture.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Poole
The gang comments on the emerging realization that several major studies in psychology cannot be reproduced. We also discuss how some people marry themselves?
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Poole
We continue to talk about dreams, in particular judging the usefulness of Freud's analyses of dreams. We also discuss the different dreams people dream, especially those who have mental health conditions.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Poole, Dr. Ortega
What do your dreams and nightmares tell about you? Our panel of co-hosts reveal what they wrote in their dream journals, and dive into the layers of our brains. We also discuss research behind dream analysis.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Poole, Dr. Ortega
In Dr. Joshua's cozy living room, we look into two meditation apps and see which ones we prefer. Later in the episode we discuss misophonia, where individuals experience emotional and physiological responses to particular trigger sounds. Special guest Dr. Saloni Singh joins us.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Poole
Guest: Dr. Saloni Singh
We're gathered at Dr. Joshua Poole's home, next to the roaring fire. In this warm environment we discuss the special, and not-so-special holiday memories, such as the myth of Santa Claus and gift giving . Special guest Dr. Saloni Singh joins us.
Hosts: Dr. Parks, Dr. Yamaguchi, Dr. Poole
Guest: Dr. Saloni Singh