Today we are joined by Dr. Elena Touroni and Dr. Tom Pennybacker, co-founders of The Chelsea Psychology Clinic—one of London’s leading private mental health practices. With backgrounds in clinical psychology and decades of combined experience in the NHS and private sectors, Dr. Elena and Dr. Tom have built a clinic known for its evidence-based approach, discretion, and high-quality care tailored to individuals, couples, and families.

In this episode, we explore:

• What inspired them to launch a private clinic in central London

• The unique needs of high-functioning individuals and professionals seeking mental health support

• How their clinic balances clinical excellence with a warm, personalised approach

• Trends they’re seeing in modern psychological challenges and therapy

Whether you're curious about private psychology services, the evolution of mental healthcare in the UK, or what it takes to build a trusted clinic in one of the world’s busiest cities, this episode offers an insightful, behind-the-scenes look.

Meriel Stanton, a Zurich-based psychotherapist specializing in integrative and somatic approaches to mental health, shares what it’s like to be a psychologist at the world’s most luxurious mental health clinic.

Paracelsus Recovery, located in Zurich, is renowned for its one-client-at-a-time model—catering exclusively to ultra-high-net-worth individuals, including CEOs, celebrities, and royalty. With a dedicated team and a deeply personalized approach, it offers unparalleled discretion and care for those facing complex mental health and addiction challenges.

In our fast-paced, post-COVID world, balancing the demands of work, personal life, and self-growth has made mental fitness more crucial than ever. Just as we work out our bodies for physical strength, building mental resilience and clarity is essential for thriving in today’s challenging environment.

Our guest today is Aditi Surana, award-winning high-performance coach, behavioural analyst, actor mental fitness expert from India, is renowned for her work with individuals and organizations looking to boost mental resilience, manage stress, and achieve peak performance. In this episode, we’ll explore Aditi’s inspiring journey, what mental fitness truly means, how we can develop it, and why it’s as critical as physical health.

https://www.aditisurana.com/

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Nowadays, many professionals face constant stress and pressure from work, which often leads to burnout—leaving you feeling drained, overwhelmed, and disconnected. It’s easy to miss the signs, and societal expectations make it hard to ask for help or admit you’re struggling. The pandemic has only made things worse, blurring the lines between work and home, piling on more stress and anxiety. Without the right tools to recover, like self-assessments or therapy, burnout can take over, making it hard to feel balanced or productive again.

Our guest today is Dr. Matthew Slavin, a clinical psychologist known as “The Burnout Psychologist,” specializing in helping driven professionals manage stress, avoid burnout, and perform at their peak.

In recent years, the science of human connection has taken center stage, revealing how our brain chemistry shapes everything from trust to empathy. One molecule, in particular, has gained a lot of attention: oxytocin, often called the ‘love hormone.’ It’s being studied for its role in building relationships, fostering cooperation, and even influencing business success. Yet, while some embrace these findings, others remain skeptical about how a single hormone could impact such a wide range of behaviors. That’s why today, we’re diving into the science of human connection and exploring these claims with one of the top experts in the field, Dr. Paul Zak.

Zak has published more than 200 peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, and commentaries. He was listed by researchers at Stanford University as being in the world's top 0.3% of the most cited scientists.

Zak graduated with degrees in mathematics and economics from San Diego State University before acquiring a PhD in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. He is professor at Claremont Graduate University in Southern California. He has studied brain imaging, and was among the first to identify the role of oxytocin in mediating trusting behaviors between unacquainted humans. Zak directs the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies at Claremont Graduate University and is a member of the Neurology Department at Loma Linda University Medical Center.

App SIX: https://your6.com/

Zak’s research: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/digital-health/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2024.1397557/full

In recent years, psychedelics have made a surprising shift—from symbols of 1960s counterculture to potential breakthroughs in mental health treatment. They’re now being studied for a range of conditions, from depression and PTSD to addiction. Yet, while some people might be unfamiliar with these treatments, others remain skeptical. That’s why today, we’re taking a closer look at the science behind psychedelics and hearing from one of the top experts in the field.

Dr. Albert Garcia-Romeu from Johns Hopkins University, a leading expert in psychedelic research. He’ll help us explore whether the current research truly lives up to the hype. We’ll discuss the latest developments in using psychedelics to treat mental health issues, and dive into how these substances interact with the brain.

Ever wondered why certain individuals or teams consistently outperform others, reaching levels of success that seem unattainable to most?

Dr. Mark Houghton, a cognitive psychologist and co-creator of the Expert Modelling methodology, joins us to demystify this phenomenon. By studying high performers across various fields—finance, healthcare, sports, and more—Mark has developed methods to reverse-engineer their success. In this episode, we explore how exceptional performance can be understood, modeled, and even taught to others, making peak performance achievable for everyone.

Dr. Mark Houghton - www.i-performance.co.uk

Athletes’ mental health has received significant attention recently, with Olympians like Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles bringing the conversation to the forefront. While the spotlight may be new, the practice of sport psychology has long been established. What role do sport psychologists play in supporting athletes? How could athletes’ mental health shape broader public views on mental health? Dr. Jamie Shapiro, a mental performance consultant for the U.S. Paralympic team and a former competitive gymnast, has firsthand insight into the unique challenges athletes encounter.

Jamie Shapiro, PhD, is a professor and the director of the Masters in Sport and Performance Psychology program at the University of Denver. She is a former president of the Society for Sport, Exercise, & Performance Psychology, Division 47 of the American Psychological Association (APA). She also works as a consultant with Sport & Performance Excellence Consultants based in Denver, Colorado, where she consults with youth, collegiate, elite, and Paralympic athletes from a variety of sports, including gymnastics, skiing, snowboarding, swimming, and more. She has a particular interest in working with athletes with disabilities and has worked as a mental performance consultant for U.S. Paralympic athletes and teams. She is also a former competitive gymnast and gymnastics coach.

In today's world, especially after the COVID pandemic, finding and maintaining love has become more challenging than ever. Yet, a stable relationship remains one of the few things deeply tied to our overall happiness. Many turn to dating apps in search of a soulmate, but is this truly the best approach? What are the most effective ways to find true love, and what qualities should you prioritize when looking for a partner?

Our first guest is Ty Tashiro PhD. Ty is a renowned psychologist, relationship expert, and the author of an incredibly insightful book 'The Science of Happily Ever After’. Ty received his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Minnesota, and he has twice been an award-winning professor.