Being UnNormal

 We are back - and with an episode that was come back worthy. In this episode we talk about the intersection of youth mental health and education. Hayes Freedom High School in Camas, Washington has come under threat of consolidation within a district that has a history of shutting down programs that serve the most vulnerable and neurodivergent population in its town. We talked to two teachers about why this "student first" model of education has such a high success rate, why Hayes needs to stay small and in its current location, and what teachers are seeing in our children and their mental health. 

A special heartfelt thank you to Principal Amy Holmes for creating a trauma informed education setting and to all the teachers that have worked for Hayes past and present. A special shoutout to Monica Winkley and Mark Gardner for coming on the show to talk about these important issues.

Links to mental health surveys discussed in today's show:

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/p0331-youth-mental-health-covid-19.html

https://www.npr.org/2023/02/13/1156610138/the-mental-health-of-teen-girls-and-lgbtq-teens-has-worsened-since-2011

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/02/13/1156663966/teen-girls-and-lgbtq-youth-plagued-by-violence-and-trauma-survey-says

If your ready to work with us or for more information about Kimberly and her work check out our website at https://www.coachwithkimberly.com

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In this episode we welcome back Alicia Paz to talk to us about the 4 Pillars of DBT treatment.  DBT is a  modified type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Its main goals are to teach people how to live in the moment, develop healthy ways to cope with stress, regulate their emotions, and improve their relationships with others. DBT treatment includes 4 Pillars (or focus categories) which are:

1. Mindfulness
2. Distress Tolerance
3. Interpersonal Effectiveness
4. Emotional Regulation

Alicia breaks down what each pillar means individually and how they are used as a whole during DBT treatment. She also gives us some coping skills to use when we are feeling anxious or overwhelmed. 

If your ready to work with us or for more information about Kimberly and her work check out our website at https://www.coachwithkimberly.com

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In this episode we welcome Erica Vest-Wilcox from the Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Program on the show to talk about skills to help those diagnosed with bipolar disorder learn self-management techniques, which allows them to effectively manage their illness. Erica and I talk about things like triggers,  stigma, the differences between Bipolar 1 & 2,  understand your warning signs, and development of a personal care plan.

Erica also shares with us some of the latest research developments happening at the University including PRIORI, an app that helps individuals with bipolar self manage their symptoms.

To find out more about becoming a study participant or about the Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Program you can reach them at 877-864-3637 or visit their website at: Prechter Program | Michigan Medicine | University of Michigan (umich.edu)

If your ready to work with us or for more information about Kimberly and her work check out our website at https://www.coachwithkimberly.com

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Email us with any questions! [email protected]

If you like the podcast - don't forget to share us with a friend! Follow up on social! Thank you supporters and listeners, we can't do this without the fans! 

In this episode we welcome back Dr. Joel Nigg from the Center For ADHD Research at the Oregon Science and Health University. Joel shares with us the latest findings in ADHD Research such as:
- Maternal Inflammation Markers
- The Data on Different Risk Factors for Children with ADHD
- The Likelihood of Increased Outcomes for Children with ADHD (psychosis, schizophrenia, alcohol use, suicide attempts, depression, drug use)
- Study Findings on Micronutrients and the Role of Diet (gut/brain connection)
- Environmental Factors & Genetics

We also talk in depth about the role of stigma and lack of education on the diagnosis, and why we as a society should be taking ADHD much more seriously than we have in the past.

To make a donation to fund this amazing research (every penny is donor matched) you can easily do that online HERE. To keep up with the amazing work the Center does, you can find them HERE

If your ready to work with us or for more information about Kimberly and her work check out our website at https://www.coachwithkimberly.com

Follow us on social media!
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Email us with any questions! [email protected]

If you like the podcast - don't forget to share us with a friend! Follow up on social! Thank you supporters and listeners, we can't do this without the fans! 

On this episode we welcome back Kathryn Nulf to the show to talk about the psychology of coming out. Coming out is a term used in the queer community to describe revealing your sexuality to your friends, family, and community. Kat and I discuss the 6 six stages of coming out, what the psychological impact can be of accepting your sexuality, and how you can support a loved one as an ally. We break down what the ripple effects of coming out can look like, the considerations that happen when deciding to come out, and devastating effects if you are rejected by loved ones when you come out.  We also talk about the importance of pride, community, and releasing shame as you step into your full identity going forward. 

If your ready to work with us or for more information about Kimberly and her work check out our website at https://www.coachwithkimberly.com

Follow us on social media!
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Email us with any questions! [email protected]

If you like the podcast - don't forget to share us with a friend! Follow up on social! Thank you supporters and listeners, we can't do this without the fans! 

On this episode we talk with Dr. Joseph Shrand who is the Chief Medical Officer of Riverside Community Care, has been a Lecturer of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and an adjunct Faculty of Boston Children's Hospital. Dr. Joe is the author of the book Outsmarting Anger: Seven Strategies to Defuse our most Dangerous Emotion and about to release Manage Your Stress: Overcoming Stress in the Modern World.  Dr. Joe breaks down how the emotion of anger can trigger our fight response, the importance of recognition when we feel anger, why the emotion of anger can get a bad rap, and the correlation between anger and the 3 R's (relationship, residence, resources).  The big takeaway of the episode: there is nothing wrong with anger, it's what you do with it that matters. Dr. Joe shares with us the steps and strategies he talks about in his book, and gives us practical tips on how to manage our anger. 

If your ready to work with us or for more information about Kimberly and her work check out our website at https://www.coachwithkimberly.com

Follow us on social media!
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Email us with any questions! [email protected]

If you like the podcast - don't forget to share us with a friend! Follow up on social! Thank you supporters and listeners, we can't do this without the fans! 

On this week's episode we welcome Dr. Sislena Ledbetter to the show to talk about the college transition and mental health needs on campus.  Dr. Sis talks about common mental health issues that arise during the transition to college, the role parents can take before and during to help their child be successful when they leave the nest, common mental health issues and struggles college students face, what the common misconceptions about the college transition we tend to overlook, and how Covid impacted mental health on campus. We chat about how to reframe "failure",  the importance of connection for students, and how parents can help their children get to the "other side of through".

If your ready to work with us or for more information about Kimberly and her work check out our website at https://www.coachwithkimberly.com

Follow us on social media!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachwithkimberly 
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Email us with any questions! [email protected]

If you like the podcast - don't forget to share us with a friend! Follow up on social! Thank you supporters and listeners, we can't do this without the fans! 

In this episode we welcome Jacqueline Holden to the show to talk about Perinatal mental health. Perinatal mental health covers the period from pregnancy to around 3 years postpartum. Jacqueline talks to us about what the reality of the motherhood transition looks like, how postpartum mood/anxiety can appear at anytime during the perinatal stage, and common issues new parents/families experience during this time in their lives. We break down the expectations on new families, how to normalize conflict in our relationships, and myths about motherhood. 

Perinatal mental illness is a significant complication of pregnancy and the postpartum period. These disorders include depression, anxiety disorders, and postpartum psychosis, which usually manifests as bipolar disorder. Perinatal depression and anxiety are common, with prevalence rates for major and minor depression up to almost 20% during pregnancy and the first 3 months postpartum. Postpartum blues are a common but lesser manifestation of postpartum affective disturbance. Perinatal psychiatric disorders impair a woman's function and are associated with suboptimal development of her offspring. Risk factors include past history of depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, as well psychosocial factors, such as ongoing conflict with the partner, poor social support, and ongoing stressful life events. Early symptoms of depression, anxiety, and mania can be detected through screening in pregnancy and the postpartum period. Early detection and effective management of perinatal psychiatric disorders are critical for the welfare of women and their offspring.

If your ready to work with us or for more information about Kimberly and her work check out our website at https://www.coachwithkimberly.com

Follow us on social media!
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Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/coachwithkimberly
Email us with any questions! [email protected]

If you like the podcast - don't forget to share us with a friend! Follow up on social! Thank you supporters and listeners, we can't do this without the fans! 

In this episode we welcome Dr. Alison McAllister & Kate A. Placzek to talk about PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder).  Per Dr. Alison McAllister's article on PMDD (found here) PMS symptoms can range from abdominal pain to mood issues, and if they are severe enough to cause functional impairment and interfere with life’s normal activities, they can be classified as PMDD. PMDD is a luteal phase-specific syndrome on the severe end of the PMS spectrum.  Approximately 3-8% of menstruating women suffer from the same constellation of symptoms as PMS but experienced at a much higher intensity.  Kate and Alison break down the science around our menstrual cycles, mood, and what's happening to our hormones during our cycles.

If your ready to work with us or for more information about Kimberly and her work check out our website at https://www.coachwithkimberly.com

Follow us on social media!
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Email us with any questions! [email protected]

If you like the podcast - don't forget to share us with a friend! Follow up on social! Thank you supporters and listeners, we can't do this without the fans! 

In honor of Valentine's Day, we are re-releasing one of our favorite episodes! In this episode we welcome back Melissa Parnell to talk about sex baby! We chat about our sexual identification, sexual satisfaction, and what makes good sex great! We talk about how we can communicate our needs to our partners, how self exploration is an important component of healthy sexual expression, and of course the truth on the "O". We break down what sexual attunement is, what sabotages passion, and how to foster sexual curiosity.

If your ready to work with us, or for more information on Being UnNormal check out our website at www.beingunnormal.com
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Instagram: Being UnNormal (@thebeingunnormal) 

If you like the podcast - don't forget to share us with a friend! Follow up on social! Thank you supporters and listeners, we can't do this without the fans!