Creative Mind Audio

“This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal.“ - Toni Morrison

Actor and writer Amber Tamblyn reads comments by journalist Rebecca Solnit, followed by Solnit talking about activism for social change and not giving up.

Psychologist Melanie Joy talks about how distressing media and events can be for highly sensitive people, and how our intense emotions can turn us away from things we desire to change in the world....

In the audio: writer, director, actor Amber Tamblyn reading the words of Rebecca Solnit, from video by Tamblyn.

Solnit: "They want you to feel powerless and surrender and let them trample everything and you are not going to let them.

You are not giving up, and neither am I.

The fact that we cannot save everything does not mean we cannot save anything and everything we can save is worth saving.

You may need to grieve or scream or take time off, but you have a role no matter what, and right now good friends and good principles are worth gathering in.

Remember what you love. Remember what loves you. Remember in this tide of hate what love is."

Read more and see link to video in Substack post of Amber Tamblyn: Time to Make Peace with the Fight - A little love letter from me to your shattering, post election. Nov 06, 2024.

Audio of Rebecca Solnit is from Climate One video interview with Ariana Brocious.

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Audio: Toni Morrison, from Instagram reel by Shonda Rhimes.

Toni Morrison wrote “This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal.“ -

From post No Place for Self-Pity, No Room for Fear: Toni Morrison on the Artist’s Task in Troubled Times By Maria Popova.

“This is the only real concern of the artist, to recreate out of the disorder of life that order which is art.” — James Baldwin

(From Medium post "Adversity is the Key to Evolution for Writers: James Baldwin’s Wisdom for Surviving Chaos: By Gabriella H.)

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Dr Melanie Joy is "a Harvard-educated psychologist specializing in relationships, communication, and the psychology of social change."

Her segment in this Creative Mind Audio is an excerpt from the episode “How to Stay Emotionally and Psychologically Safe in the Midst of Distressing Media with Dr Melanie Joy” of the HSP and Neurodivergent Podcast on the Sensitive Empowerment site of Julie Bjelland, LMFT - where you can find many more of her articles, books, courses, Sensitive Community and other resources.

Video excerpt from the podcast:

» Learn about Courses for Sensitive and Neurodivergent People by therapist Julie Bjelland, LMFT, including "Brain-Training Techniques to Reduce Anxiety & Overwhelming Emotions."

⏩ Free class by therapist Julie Bjelland: High Sensitivity and Anxiety. "Why is anxiety so high in highly sensitive people? We will explore this, learn about the trait of high sensitivity and how it might make us more susceptible, and share tools and resources that will help you reduce anxiety naturally and thrive."

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Dr Melanie Joy comments: "And it's also those of us who are most sensitive who are in some ways most likely to turn away because it's so painful for us. We're more easily dysregulated."

What is nervous system dysregulation?

Dr Cathleen King, DPT, is a "doctor of physical therapy who teaches neuroscience principles, and is a mind-body practitioner." She writes:

"Ever feel like your body and mind are constantly on edge, even when there’s no clear reason?

“Maybe you find yourself tense, restless, or easily overwhelmed, or perhaps you’re dealing with physical symptoms that seem tied to stress, but you can’t quite figure out the cause.

"It could be that your nervous system is sending out signals that it’s out of balance or what experts often call a dysregulated nervous system.

"A dysregulated nervous system can turn routine experiences into sources of stress. The things you used to handle easily may feel intimidating or exhausting, and tasks that once brought joy might feel overwhelming.

"This state can leave you feeling anxious and jumpy like you’re always bracing yourself for something—even if nothing specific is wrong."

From her article Understanding A Dysregulated Nervous System: The Symptoms and Signs.

» Also see related post wit Dr Cathleen King: How to feel safe in stress and trauma healing, and the Cell Danger Response.

📖 Free ebook by Dr. Cathleen King: How Healing Happens - a 127 page guide on "brain retraining and nervous system somatic healing."

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Stuck in our comfort zone and insecurities

Topics above in this Substack article of mine include anxiety, and feeling safe or unsafe - both affect how we engage with the world, with other people, and work to change social issues.

Dr Mihaela Ivan Holtz of Creative Minds Psychotherapy helps creative people in TV/Film, performing and fine arts, and writes about the emotional and creative pleasures - and challenges - of their inner life as artists.

She writes:

“Self-belief injuries, often rooted in early experiences, can trigger self-doubt decades after the initial relational trauma. If this is true for you, you may find that your belief in yourself is a weak flame flickering, at the mercy of any life’s winds.

Keep in mind that it’s normal to feel some self doubts or insecurities. That’s just part of being a human in the endless process of evolving.

Instead, a self-belief injury feels more like a constant preoccupation with your insecurities.

It can trap you in your comfort zone and cause you to avoid opportunities for growth.

You may find yourself paralyzed, afraid of taking on new challenges, and unable to pursue our goals or dreams.”

» Read more in article Rediscover Your Inner Gifts: Reconnect to with Your Belief in Yourself by Mihaela Ivan Holtz, Psy.D., LMFT | EMDR, Trauma

Dr Holtz notes more in another article how important emotional health is for living in challenging time:

"In the wake of all the current upheavals...many creative people are going through challenging but necessary transitions and changes right now.

"This is a time when creative professionals need to be able to open and expand to new options.

“Yet, that’s very challenging when one is also coping with old, unhealed emotional wounds.

"Old wounds erode trust in your own creative abilities, or your sense of agency. They disconnect you from your authentic core self.

"When a creative person doesn’t heal their past emotional conflicts and trauma, they...feel stuck or even like they cannot cope with the demands of their art, their career, or their personal life.

"Unhealed past emotional trauma holds you back from meeting the challenges of today."

From her article When a Creative Heals and Transforms, the World Heals and Transforms Too.

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Therapist Julie Bjelland says "the reason we call it hidden is because many of the things that we experience as autistic women are in fact things that are internal, that are not actually seen by other people.

"So I want to share some of those things. One of the things is this high intelligence and diverse interests. It's almost like having a supercomputer brain.

“We can really process enormous amounts of information quickly and we have an interest in a broad range of topics."

This audio is an excerpt from Episode 190-The Hidden World of Autistic Women of the HSP and Neurodivergent Podcast.

From the Episode Summary on the podcast page:

"In this episode of the HSP and Neurodivergent podcast, psychotherapist Julie Bjelland delves deep into the hidden world of autistic women, aiming to illuminate the unique challenges and strengths that have not been well understood until now.

"A significant focus is placed on the reality that many autistic women remain undiagnosed, often due to the subtle and internalized nature of their experiences.

"Julie shares profound insights from her personal journey and professional assessments, emphasizing how these experiences can profoundly impact personal identity and societal interaction.

"The discussion explores the concept of the "supercomputer brain" that many autistic women possess, which allows them to rapidly process enormous amounts of information and maintain an intense focus on subjects of interest.

"This capability, however, is often accompanied by a challenging mismatch between their intellectual ambitions and physical energy levels, a disparity that can lead to significant frustration and burnout."

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⏩ See list of Autism Resources - includes:

* Understanding Autism in Women: Comprehensive Guide

* Autism Education, * Support Group for Autistic Women,

* Autism Quiz, * Research: HSPs & Autism Similarities & Differences,

and more by Julie Bjelland, LMFT.

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See more neurodivergent posts and podcast episodes.

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Photo: Astrid Nielsen is a criminal records archivist and consultant to a Paris police department in the Frech tv series. (Learn more at the imdb page.)

From my query "is astrid french series a good depiction of autism." on search engine Perplexity :

"Yes, the French crime drama series "Astrid et Raphaëlle" (known as "Astrid: Murder in Paris" in English) is widely praised for its authentic and thoughtful depiction of autism through the character of Astrid Nielsen, played by Sara Mortensen.

Here are some key points about how the show portrays autism:

Astrid is openly identified as being on the autism spectrum from the very beginning. Her autism is treated as an integral part of her character rather than just a quirk or plot device.

Mortensen's performance as Astrid is lauded for capturing the nuances of autism, such as stimming behaviors, difficulty with eye contact, need for routine, and challenges with social interactions.

The show doesn't sensationalize or mock Astrid's autism. Instead, it highlights her exceptional memory, pattern recognition skills, and different way of perceiving the world as assets for solving crimes.

Storylines explore the discrimination and misunderstanding Astrid faces due to neurotypical society not accommodating her needs. For example, she attends an "Autistic Adults Anonymous" support group.

Autistic viewers have praised the show for its realistic and compassionate representation, with one commenter stating "I am autistic and I really appreciate how thoughtfully Astrid is portrayed."

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Many of us benefit from working with a therapist in their office for various emotional and mental health challenges, but for many people, this form of help may not be available or desirable.

A Scientific American post quotes Kathryn Boger, a psychologist at Harvard Medical school: “There have been studies that have shown that virtual CBT [Cognitive Behavioral Therapy] can be just as effective as in-person CBT for various mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety.”

Therapist Hayley Schiller, LMSW notes “When Covid-19 led to mass shutdowns globally, we as a society quickly turned to technology to find ways to work, interact, and even receive medical attention.

“One of the byproducts of this concept is a major surge in Teletherapy. People could now access mental health services from the comfort of their own home.”

She continues in her article Reasons Why Online Therapy Works.

Here are some excerpts:

Online Therapy is Great for People with Busy Schedules

One of the biggest reasons why people do not consistently attend therapy has to do with scheduling.

This makes sense. If a person works eight hours a day, needs to commute, and wants to have dinner at a reasonable hour, it can be challenging to fit other things into their schedule.

Additionally, many therapists are off on the weekends. Utilizing online therapy, you can have a session at a time that works for you.

Online Therapy is Great for Parents

Just like people with busy schedules, parents can have great difficulty timing therapy around their responsibilities as a caregiver. By being able to attend therapy from home, you no longer need to worry about child care.

Online Therapy Can Be a More Comfortable Option for Those with Chronic Conditions

Chronic pain and other chronic medical conditions can limit a person’s access to therapy as when there is a flareup in one’s diagnosis, it may be hard to get up, get dressed, and commute to an office.

Yet, many physical and mental health providers recommend therapy and stress management to people with chronic conditions.

You Will Meet Some Fantastic Therapists That Would Have Been Too Far to Get to Otherwise

Whether a therapist works remotely or in an office, they still go through the same extensive background check on their certification. However, one big difference is how far away of clients each type of provider can see.

Think about it. If you go in person to a service provider you can only go as far as you’re willing to travel on a regular basis.

With online therapy, you are able to meet therapists from a further vicinity than you would be able to travel normally.

Here at Online-Therapy our providers use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

In addition, however, we also have providers who are also trained in modalities based in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Positive Psychology.

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Online-Therapy: “Providing therapists to help people in need of emotional support.” For individuals and couples.

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References & Resources

Online Talk Therapy Works as Well as an In-Person Session, a New Study Shows By Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, August 31, 2023.

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Video list: Online Therapy

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The Autism Research Institute notes “Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorder in the United States, affecting about 18% of the general population. Research has shown that the incidence of anxiety in people with autism may be significantly higher than in the general population.”

(Image: autistic artists Director Tim Burton, Musician Maja Toudal. Burton has openly discussed being autistic, and experiencing depression and anxiety. (See more in references below.)

Therapist Tara Geraghty-Ellis, MSW notes “There are a few mental health conditions that often co-occur with autism, including anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.”

She explains much more in her article CBT for Adults with Autism.

Here are some excerpts, followed by reference and resources:

Anxiety and depression are two of the most common comorbidities. Anxiety and depression are more prevalent in the autistic community, compared to the general population.

40% of autistic people have elevated anxiety levels or an anxiety disorder. The Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research (SPARK) autism research project surveyed adults with autism and found that 47% scored above clinical cut-offs for depression and 83% had been diagnosed with depression.

What Causes People with Autism Anxiety?

Autistic individuals face certain challenges that may be the cause behind the elevated anxiety levels found in the community.

Some things that might cause anxiety in someone with autism include:

* Disruptions to their routine, even small ones.

* Unfamiliar or unpredictable social situations.

* Situations where it’s hard to know what other people are thinking or feeling their own thoughts and feelings, especially unfamiliar or unpleasant ones, or the physical symptoms that can accompany them.

Because many autistic individuals struggle with social interaction and communication, stress, and anxiety can be caused by navigating difficult social situations.

The autistic brain also can struggle with changes in routine or any type of unexpected change, and identifying, understanding, and managing emotions (a condition known as alexithymia).

What Causes People with Autism to Experience Depression

» For more, see the transcript.

[In case you didn't know already, the voice is AI-generated.]

References and Resources

Autism and Anxiety page, Autism Research Institute.

Being Both Highly Sensitive and Autistic: The Sensitive Autistic Neurotype

See more of my Sensitive & Neurodivergent posts.

Image with Director Tim Burton, Musician Maja Toudal is from my post Autism: Imagination, Attention and Other Assets for Creative People.

Maja Toudal: “I remember kind of being told as a teenager when I was diagnosed that autistic people aren’t that creative.”

Google: “Tim Burton has openly discussed experiencing depression, anxiety, and feeling like an outsider throughout his life, often channeling these emotions into his dark, gothic, and whimsical art. He has described the internet as a source of anxiety that makes him feel “depressed” and “scared,” choosing to avoid it to maintain his mental well-being.”

» Also see video lists

Neurodivergent & Neurocomplex

Anxiety Relief - Managing Stress

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Personal note: I have come to learn about how many aspects of autism have affected my life. Many years ago, working as a visual effects camera operator (before the ‘modern’ era of computer graphics), I used cocaine to help keep me going for 12-18 hour shifts, and also found it eased my life-long depression and anxiety. But I developed a 3-year addiction that negatively impacted my life in many ways. Working with a CBT psychotherapist helped get me past the addiction.

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What is CBT?

The Psych Central mental health site notes “Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) “is a type of evidence-based psychotherapy used to help treat a wide range of physical and mental health conditions including: depression, anxiety and chronic pain.”

Dr. Caroline Norman, PhD writes about how much anxiety and stress can impact our mental and physical health, and the quality of our life, and provides suggestions based on CBT.

Here are some excerpts from her related article Five CBT Stress-Busting Tips For Spring.

Symptoms Of Chronic Stress

There are a number of symptoms that we can look out for to identify chronic stress.

Physical symptoms can include headaches, difficulties in sleeping, muscle and joint pain, and a weakened immune system leading us to catch viruses such as colds or flu.

Emotional symptoms are often irritability, lack of focus and concentration, withdrawal from friends and family, anxiety, or low mood.

Behaviours related to stress can include excessive alcohol intake, smoking, gambling, shopping more than usual, and dietary changes such as over or under-eating.

If you do notice any of these signs or symptoms of stress then it can help to seek professional support from your doctor, alongside using the self-help techniques explored below.

Five CBT Stress-Busting Tips For Spring

CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) works by helping us to understand the links between our thoughts, behaviours and feelings.

For example, if we think of a meeting with our boss as overwhelming then we’re likely to feel stressed about it and engage in unhelpful behaviours such as not sleeping the night before.

However, if we see the meeting as a challenge, we can rise to rather than as overwhelming then we may feel more relaxed, sleep better and perform better.

The situation is the same, but our thoughts about it are different and have different outcomes for us.

Here are some CBT tips to help you to spring-clean your mind this season and to support you to manage stress differently:

“We live in a world that’s designed to hijack your dopamine. We’re scrolling, sending another text, looking at videos.

“Understanding what is happening in the brain is the key to changing our lives.

“Dopamine itself is a signal. It’s a neurotransmitter that’s essential for the experience of pleasure, reward, and motivation.” Dr. Anna Lembke, Chief of Addiction Medicine at Stanford.

In this creative mind audio, Dr. Lembke explains how much this neurotransmitter affects our motivations and attention and quality of experience, including happiness.

The first short segment is from the video trailer for her Masterclass, followed by a clip from a Fresh Air interview with Terry Gross, then a short clip from a sample video from her class.

Her Masterclass program: Dopamine: Take Your Brain Back.

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Her book: Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence.

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From article by Dr. Cathleen King: How Long Does it Take to Rewire the Brain After Addiction?

“Addiction messes with the way your brain’s reward system works, especially when it comes to dopamine. This chemical is responsible for making you feel happy and accomplished.

“Normally, things like spending time with friends, exercising, or doing hobbies release dopamine and make you feel good.” [See a related article of hers below.]

Dr. Cathleen King, DPT is “an expert on chronic illness, chronic trauma, relationship/attachment repair, and inner child healing.”

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Trauma recovery physician Aimie Apigian, MD, says in her The Biology of Trauma podcast:

“You’ve tried to quit multiple times with genuine commitment and motivation... Is our biology predisposing us to addictive tendencies in measurable ways? Yes, it is. And understanding this gives us leverage points for effective treatment.” [See more below.]

More resources below.

Therapist Jessica Baum writes, “You might not use the word safety when talking about your relationships. But you do know the feeling of walking on eggshells, shrinking yourself to avoid conflict, or bracing for the moment they pull away or you explode.

“Safety is the presence of steadiness, not just lack of chaos, where you can exhale and be your full self, knowing you’ll still be loved.”

This episode starts with therapist Jessica Baum from a short podcast interview reel, followed by an excerpt from a video interview on the Real Love Ready YouTube channel.

The final section of this Creative Mind Audio is an excerpt from the video introduction to her online course 7 Stages of Detoxing from Toxic Relationships.

Jessica Baum LMHC is a “celebrated author of Anxiously Attached: Becoming More Secure in Life and Love and a licensed expert therapist with over 15 years of professional experience helping individuals heal from trauma bonds, unhealthy relationship dynamics, narcissism, gaslighting, and other relationship challenges.”

One of her books: Safe: An Attachment-Informed Guide to Building More Secure Relationships.

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Continued with videos, and links to resources.

Do feelings of insecurity and self-doubt impact our creativity? Of course.

In this audio and the related article, artists and psychologists express perspectives on our common feelings of insecurity and self-doubt – and how to improve our confidence.

Actor Annette Bening thinks we benefit from some insecurity.

In a video interview, actor Jessica Chastain commented: “I had a lot of insecurities and like confidence issues when I was younger.”

Like a number of artists, Chastain has talked about being a highly sensitive person.

Psychotherapist and sensitivity coach Julie Bjelland and her colleague talk about this topic in one of her podcasts titled "Confidence, Where it Comes From and How to Get it."

Psychotherapist Mihaela Ivan Holtz writes about how you have to ‘show up’ when you "step onto the stage or when you are about to present your creative ideas to other people."

She also notes “If you are a highly creative person – someone with a big drive or determination to achieve your life goals or dreams – an injured self-esteem will show up in your journey over and over again…It will interfere with your ability to invest yourself in creating your life."

See article with videos, links to resources and more: How Creative People Feel Insecure, and How to Gain Confidence.

Learn about articles, books, podcasts, free and paid courses, a private community and more to help Highly Sensitive People thrive by Julie Bjelland, LMFT at her site Sensitive Empowerment.

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View selected episodes and articles with more resources: The Creative Mind Audio Podcast page on the main site.

“From a young age, many of us learned to brace for life instead of relax into it.

“This constant vigilance trains the nervous system to stay in survival mode: blocking rest, repair, and true healing.”

Dr Cathleen King teaches neuroscience principles related to trauma and health recovery.

This audio is from one of her videos.

She notes in the description, “In this video, we’ll explore how early life experiences shape chronic stress patterns, why the nervous system learns to protect instead of restore, and how you can begin retraining your body to feel safe enough to heal... from autoimmune conditions, trauma, or persistent health issues.”

Excerpt from her video:

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» Visit her Primal Trust site to “Learn to consciously self-regulate your biology and heal.” Includes free ebook: “How Healing Happens”, plus membership community with live classes, plus article, newsletter and more.

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Dr. Hollis, a Jungian analyst, is author of multiple classes on the Jung Platform site. This is a brief audio excerpt from his free video talk Introduction to Jungian Shadow Work.

The registration page summarizes:

“In this introduction you will learn more about Carl Jung’s concept of the Shadow and how it is relevant in your daily lives.

“The talk offers guidance and tools to become more conscious of Shadow aspects within ourselves, groups and other individuals.

“Becoming conscious of the shadow is the first step in the process of individuation, the process of psychological growth according to Jung.”

» Register free to view the full video talk: Introduction to Jungian Shadow Work.

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» Also see the Jungian Psychology Resources page - Videos, articles and programs about depth psychology teachings of Jung, to enhance our personal growth and creativity.

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