Practical for Your Practice

Feeling stressed? You’re not alone! And that’s exactly the point of this lively episode of Practical for Your Practice! Hosts Jenna Ermold and Carin Lefkowitz welcome back the always-animated (and self-proclaimed “gesturing Italian”) Dr. Gabriel Paoletti for a refreshingly human take on stress.

From cheesesteaks to “mamma mia” stress cues, this conversation dives into how we can rethink stress, not as something to eliminate, but as a signal that something meaningful is at stake. Dr. Paoletti breaks down how stress can actually help performance, especially when we approach it as a shared experience, a “team sport”, instead of a solo battle.

Tune in for practical strategies (and a few laughs) on how to build your “stress team,” use humor to stay grounded, and create simple cues that help you, and those around you, catch stress before it catches you.

Bonus: Find out why “halloumi” might be the most unexpectedly perfect stress word ever.

You can leave us a voice mail message at speakpipe.com/cdpp4p, or send us an email at [email protected]. Your message could be featured in an upcoming episode!

Dr. Gabriel Paoletti is the Director of Human Performance Optimization (HPO) Integration and HPRC in support of the Advanced Research for Military Optimization, Readiness, and Rehabilitation (ARMORR) – Consortium for Health and Military Performance (CHAMP), a center at the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Maryland. He oversees the strategic and operational components of delivering comprehensive health and performance education on Total Force Fitness and Human Performance Optimization to the DoD and national security community. Over the past 15+ years, Dr. Paoletti has applied the latest human performance research to create and lead over 400 distinct human performance optimization and leadership development programs for audiences throughout the world, ranging from leaders at the Pentagon, Army, Marine, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard service members to Fortune 500 companies, professional athletes, CEO’s and government leaders. Under his leadership, his team has been officially selected to develop holistic human performance curricula for half of the U.S. Armed Forces. Dr. Gabriel Paoletti graduated from Saint Joseph’s University with a double major in economics and philosophy, graduating first in his class in both majors. He received his Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and his Doctor of Education in Leadership from Creighton University.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• https://www.hprc-online.org/mental-fitness/stress/unlock-your-full-potential-hprcs-personal-stress-toolkit
• https://www.hprc-online.org/mental-fitness/mental-health/build-your-stress-team

Calls-to-action: For example:

• Identify who is on YOUR stress team
• Review the resources from HPRC
• Subscribe to the Practical for Your Practice Podcast
• Subscribe to The Center for Deployment Psychology Monthly Email
• Leave us a question or comment on Speakpipe

Suicide prevention isn’t only about assessing current risk for self-harm. It’s also about recognizing that we can’t predict if and when that risk will increase. Patients spend most of their lives outside of our office, and an unexpected crisis can increase their risk of self-directed violence exponentially. The risk may be especially heightened for firearm owners, who have immediate access to a highly lethal method of injury. Fortunately, that risk can be reduced if we simply put a few moments’ delay between impulse and action in the form of secure firearm storage. Yet many clinicians, including our hosts, shy away from that conversation, especially with military-connected patients. Our guest today, Dr. Curt West, offers common sense and clinically sound advice for how to engage in this important discussion.

Dr. James “Curt” West is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and a Scientist at the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). He is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and has presented to the APA on physician and patient conversations on firearm safety. In addition, he has participated in the forum on health and family firearm safety and created an online course for the APA on firearm safety. Dr. West is the host of the podcast “Let’s Talk About Your Guns.” Prior to his work at USUHS, he worked as a military psychiatrist and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan as an Operational Stress Control and Readiness psychiatrist, and later served as the Deputy Commander of Behavioral Health at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• An article from the APA Monitor, “Navigating Firearm Safety Discussions in Clinical Settings.” https://www.apa.org/monitor/2025/07-08/firearm-safety-clinical-settings

• The BulletPoints Project, a clinical resource for preventing firearm injury www.bulletpointsproject.org
• Fact sheets published by the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress: www.cstsonline.org
• Let’s Talk About Your Guns podcast: https://www.cstsonline.org/suicide-prevention-program/projects/talk-about-guns
• Pause To Protect, a resource for safely storing firearms: www.pausetoprotect.org

Calls-to-action: For example:

• Explore the resources mentioned in this podcast to learn more about firearm safety and its connection to suicide prevention
• Listen to the “Let’s Talk About Your Guns” podcast to empower yourself to engage in conversations about firearm safety with your patients.
• Subscribe to the Practical for Your Practice Podcast
• Subscribe to The Center for Deployment Psychology Monthly Email
• Leave us a question or comment on Speakpipe

We often think of nightmares as a symptom that occurs as part of another condition, like PTSD or depression. But nightmares can be frequent and disruptive enough that they require their own clinical focus. We currently have 3 gold standard options for treatment: Imagery Rehearsal Therapy; Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescription Therapy; and Lucid Dreaming. Our guest today, Dr. Courtney Worley, introduces us to the diagnosis of Nightmare Disorder, explains why it deserves its own attention, and gives us an overview of the most effective treatments. Join us for a discussion that appeals to sleep nerds and healthy skeptics alike.

Dr. Courtney Worley is a Diplomate In Behavioral Sleep Medicine and Board-Certified Clinical Psychologist. She completed her Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 2012 at The University of Alabama with specialized coursework in health and geropsychology. Dr. Worley specializes in providing Evidence Based Psychotherapies for PTSD, Insomnia, Nightmares and Depression. She has an active clinical practice in the Department of Veterans Affairs, at Upward Behavioral Health, and with NOCTEM Health. She is the co-author of The nightmare and sleep disorder toolkit: A workbook to help you get some rest using imagery rehearsal therapy and other evidence based approaches from New Harbinger Publications.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• The Nightmare and Sleep Disorder Toolkit: A Workbook to Help You Get Some Rest Using Imagery Rehearsal Therapy and Other Evidence-Based Approaches by Courtney Worley and Michael Nadorff.
• Geoffroy, P. A., Borand, R., Ambar Akkaoui, M., Yung, S., Atoui, Y., Fontenoy, E., Maruani, J., & Lejoyeux, M. (2022). Bad Dreams and Nightmares Preceding Suicidal Behaviors. The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 84(1), 22m14448. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.22m14448

Calls-to-action: For example:

• Routinely ask about nightmares and dreams as part of your clinical assessment
• Obtain training in at least one of the evidence-based treatments for nightmare disorder
• Subscribe to the Practical for Your Practice Podcast
• Subscribe to The Center for Deployment Psychology Monthly Email
• Leave us a question or comment on Speakpipe or our social media channels

Welcome back to Practical for Your Practice! In our Season 7 kickoff, hosts Drs. Jenna Ermold, Kevin Holloway, and Carin Lefkowitz set the stage for a new theme: The Seven Sins of Evidence-Based Practice. Inspired by Carin’s favorite film Seven, this season dives into the common pitfalls clinicians face when delivering EBPs and how we can learn, grow, and support each other through them.

In this episode, our hosts get candid about their own “sins”:

• Kevin reflects on the dangers of “EBP stew” – straying from validated protocols without consultation.
• Carin admits to the “sexy assessment sin” – neglecting routine and thorough assessment, both at intake and throughout treatment.
• Jenna opens up about perfectionism – the belief that you must be flawless before implementing EBPs, which can hold clinicians back from valuable learning experiences.

Together, they emphasize that these “sins” aren’t failings, they’re part of being human and growing as providers. With humor, food analogies, and lots of honesty, the team models how to normalize mistakes, seek consultation, and embrace imperfection on the path to better care.

Actionable Intel:

1. Stick close to validated EBP protocols and get consultation to avoid drift.
2. Invest in both initial and ongoing assessment to guide treatment decisions and track progress.
3. Don’t let perfectionism keep you from starting – growth happens in the doing.

Join the Conversation: Have your own “EBP sin” to confess? Share your stories with us! Email, leave a voicemail on SpeakPipe, or connect with us on social media.

Stay tuned for more episodes this season as our guests share their own challenges, lessons learned, and strategies for avoiding (or recovering from) the Seven Sins of EBP.

Until next time—stay curious, and mind your EBPs.

Calls-to-action:

• Share your "EBP sin" via SpeakPipe, email ([email protected]) or on social media
• Subscribe to the Practical for Your Practice Podcast
• Subscribe to The Center for Deployment Psychology Monthly Email: https://deploymentpsych.org/CDP-MED-Opt-In

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an increasingly common diagnosis. Yet most behavioral health providers are unaware that they can play a role in both the assessment and treatment of OSA in their patients. Today we’re joined by an expert in the subfield of sleep psychology, Dr. Phil Gehrman. He shares basic information about what OSA is, how providers can effectively screen for it, and how they can facilitate treatment for this dangerous condition. Despite what you might have heard before, Dr. Gehrman posits that behavioral health providers can play “a huge potential role that really is untapped.”

Dr. Phil Gehrman is Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He directs the Sleep, Neurobiology and Psychopathology lab at Penn. He has an active research program exploring the mechanisms and treatment of sleep and circadian dysregulation in the context of mental health disorders. Dr. Gehrman’s clinical specialization is on the delivery of cognitive behavioral and chronotherapeutic interventions for insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, and other sleep disorders. The overarching goal of his work is to advance the understanding of the links between sleep and mental illness through translational research that spans biology to therapeutics.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• STOP Screening tool for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: https://deploymentpsych.org/content/insomnia-tools
• Motivational Interviewing for CPAP Adherence: Rapelli G, Pietrabissa G, Manzoni GM, Bastoni I, Scarpina F, Tovaglieri I, Perger E, Garbarino S, Fanari P, Lombardi C and Castelnuovo G (2021) Improving CPAP Adherence in Adults With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A Scoping Review of Motivational Interventions. Front. Psychol. 12:705364. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.705364
• Motivational Interviewing resources: https://deploymentpsych.org/Clinical-Skills-Resources
• Systematic desensitization: https://www.veterantraining.va.gov/insomnia/docs/PAP_Desensitization.pdf
• Practical for Your Practice voice mail: speakpipe.com/cdpp4p
• Practical for Your Practice email: [email protected]

Calls-to-action:

• Incorporate the STOP into your practice
• Become familiar with behavioral and motivational approaches listed above
• Connect with your local sleep medicine clinic
• Reach out to us via Speakpipe with your questions and comments
• Subscribe to the Practical for Your Practice Podcast
• Subscribe to The Center for Deployment Psychology Monthly Email at https://deploymentpsych.org/CDP-MED-Opt-In

Evidence-based psychotherapies for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), such as Prolonged Exposure and Cognitive Processing Therapy, are the best tools we have to treat PTSD for most people–at least as long as those in need are able to access these therapies. A number of barriers may exist, such as availability of trained therapists, insurance coverage (or lack thereof), or even life stressors standing in the way. During the COVID-19 pandemic, trauma exposure exploded exponentially while at the same time access to care due to lockdowns and social distancing was severely diminished. In this episode of Practical for Your Practice, we chat with Dr. Sheila Rauch, one of the authors of the Prolonged Exposure Therapist Guide, about her many exciting projects to expand access to effective care for PTSD. As she explains, “the more doors that we have for people with PTSD to enter and get effective treatment, the more people are going to actually do that.” Join us for one of our new favorite episodes to hear about self-help approaches, PE in primary care, immediate interventions in emergency departments, and shifting the name of PE to “Processing Emotions.”

Sheila A.M. Rauch, Ph.D., ABPP, co-led design and now serves as Deputy Director of the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program and Director of Mental Health Research and Program Evaluation at the Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center. For over 20 years, Dr. Rauch’s work in VA and Academic Medical settings focuses on developing programs, conducting research, and providing PTSD and Anxiety Disorders treatment with the goal to improve access to effective mental health treatment. Her research focuses on examination of mechanisms involved in the development and treatment of PTSD and improving access to effective interventions. She has led several PTSD treatment outcome and mechanisms trials including pharmaceutical and therapy trials focused on moving interventions for PTSD into medical and primary care settings. She has published over 220 peer-reviewed scholarly articles as well as many chapters and six books on anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She developed an effective primary care based PTSD intervention that is in use across VA and many civilian settings and has also worked to get treatment out of the clinic and into the hands of those who need it with apps, self-guided workbooks, and web-based interventions. Her work examines neurobiology and factors involved in the development, maintenance, and treatment of anxiety disorders, psychosocial factors in medical settings, and the relation between physical health and anxiety. Her recent books include Retraining the Brain and Making Meaning of Difficult Experiences.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Rauch, S. A. M., & Rothbaum, B. O. (2023). Making Meaning of Difficult Experiences: A Self-Guided Program. Oxford University Press.
• Virtually Better. (2024). Messy Memories [Mobile app]. Available on Google Play and Apple App Store
• PE in Primary Care training: VA and military providers can reach out to [email protected] for training, and civilian providers can reach out to [email protected]
• Practical for Your Practice voice mail: speakpipe.com/cdpp4p
• Practical for Your Practice email: [email protected]

Calls-to-action:

• Remember that emotions aren’t dangerous
• Get training in brief treatment models (e.g. PCPE. see above)
• Subscribe to the Practical for Your Practice Podcast
• Subscribe to The Center for Deployment Psychology Monthly Email at https://deploymentpsych.org/CDP-MED-Opt-In

Suicide is currently the second leading cause of death for youth aged 10 through 14. It’s a horrifying fact that has spurred providers into action. One of those providers is our guest on today’s episode. Allison Hannah, MSW, LCSW, has delivered evidence-based suicide prevention interventions to youth, from elementary school-aged children to teens. Listen in as she provides us with the basics of CBT for Suicide Prevention and ways to adapt it effectively for youth. Her experiences inspire hope for providers, clients and families.

Allison Hannah, MSW, LCSW, is a Military Behavioral Health Social Worker for the Center for Deployment Psychology (CDP). She assists in the implementation and expansion of the Star Behavioral Health Providers Program (SBHP). SBHP trains civilian behavioral health providers to work with service members, veterans, and their families. Allison is a veteran of the United States Army and United States Army Reserves and provided clinical services within the Child and Family Behavioral Health Services section at an active-duty Army base. She is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and is a Registered Play Therapist specializing in using evidence-based approaches to address trauma, adjustment and attachment related disorders.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• CBT for Suicide Prevention Training and Consultation at CDP. Visit our website to register: https://deploymentpsych.org/training
• Asynchronous trainings through the DoD Child Collaboration Study. Complete the courses here: https://deploymentpsych.org/DoDKidsStudy
• The 988 Lifeline website includes resources for youth in crisis. https://988lifeline.org/
• Practical for Your Practice voice mail: speakpipe.com/cdpp4p
• Practical for Your Practice email: [email protected]

Calls-to-action: For example:

• Get training and consultation in CBT for Suicide Prevention
• Increase your knowledge in adapting evidence-based treatments for youth
• Subscribe to the Practical for Your Practice Podcast
• Subscribe to The Center for Deployment Psychology Monthly Email at https://deploymentpsych.org/CDP-MED-Opt-In

Most digital media is designed to be addictive, and young brains are especially susceptible. Successful digital media content is stimulating, engaging, and targets the brain’s natural reward centers. This creates an unfair advantage over young brains, which have not yet fully developed their executive functioning. In today’s episode, Dr. Amanda Giordano introduces us to the “Four C’s” model of addiction, healthy vs unhealthy engagement with digital media, and interventions for youth and their families. She also shares who has her “six” and Actionable Intel to hone your skills.

Amanda L. Giordano, PhD, LPC is an associate professor at the University of Georgia who specializes in addictions counseling. She is the sole author of a clinical reference book titled, A Clinical Guide to Treating Behavioral Addictions and co-author of a textbook titled, Addiction Counseling: A Practical Approach. Dr. Giordano works to advance the counseling field with rigorous research and has published over 65 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. In 2024 she was awarded the Garry R. Walz Trailblazer award from American Counseling Association in recognition of her innovative work in the field of behavioral addictions.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Register now for Dr. Giordano’s pre-meeting institute at the 2025 EBP Conference! https://deploymentpsych.org/EBPConference
• Practical for Your Practice voice mail: speakpipe.com/cdpp4p
• Practical for Your Practice email: [email protected]

Calls-to-action: For example:

• Register now for Dr. Giordano’s pre-meeting institute at the 2025 EBP Conference! https://deploymentpsych.org/EBPConference
• Incorporate a few questions about addictions (besides substances) in your intake assessment.
• Create a family digital media plan. Many templates exist.
• Subscribe to the Practical for Your Practice Podcast
• Subscribe to The Center for Deployment Psychology Monthly Email at https://deploymentpsych.org/CDP-MED-Opt-In

If you’ve been side-eyeing the rise of AI in mental health, this episode of Practical for Your Practice is one you don’t want to miss. Dr. David Cooper, Executive Director of Therapists in Tech and member of the APA's Mobile Health Tech Advisory Committee (AND one of our EBP Conference 2025 PMI workshop presenters), joins us for a down-to-earth and engaging deep dive into what AI actually means for therapists. Spoiler: it’s not Skynet. Dr. Cooper breaks down the basics of generative AI, including what GPT really stands for and why therapists shouldn’t fear it—but should understand it. He explains how AI is being used in the behavioral health field with a focus on doing so ethically. This episode is your permission slip to play. Whether you’re AI-curious or totally intimidated, you’ll walk away with practical tips, reassuring insights, and a renewed sense of purpose. So go ahead—press play, stay curious, and start exploring how AI can actually help you do your job better.

David Cooper, PsyD. is a digital health expert who is currently the Executive Director of Therapists in Tech, the largest organization of clinicians in digital mental health. He has worked with organizations like the US Department of Defense, the AMA and FDA, Teladoc and many top hospitals in the US on their digital health strategies and portfolios.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Therapists in Tech
• Dr. Cooper’s PMI workshop: Ethics in Digital Health: A Guide on How to Approach the New Way We Practice Pre-Meeting Institute (May 6th, 1pm - 4pm ET)
• Practical for Your Practice voice mail: speakpipe.com/cdpp4p
• Practical for Your Practice email: [email protected]

Calls-to-action:

• Check out Therapists in Tech
• Register for Ethics in Digital Health: A Guide on How to Approach the New Way We Practice Pre-Meeting Institute (May 6th, 1pm - 4pm ET)
• Subscribe to the Practical for Your Practice Podcast
• Subscribe to The Center for Deployment Psychology Monthly Email at https://deploymentpsych.org/CDP-MED-Opt-In

Complex cases… The rule? Or the exception? In this episode of Practical for Your Practice, we sit down with Dr. Aaron Brinen, who argues that complexity is often the norm when it comes to client cases. Dr. Brinen shares valuable insights on how to effectively serve clients with complex issues, emphasizing the importance of a thorough case formulation. We dive deep into how this process can lead to more effective strategies for change. Tune in to learn why taking the time to understand a client’s “perpetual motion machine” can enhance your evidence-based practice and lead to better outcomes.

Aaron P. Brinen, PsyD, is a primary developer of recovery-oriented cognitive therapy (CT-R) along with Aaron T. Beck, MD. Under the guidance of Dr. Beck, Dr. Brinen has worked to formalize and standardize the CT-R protocol for individual and group therapy settings, as well as for use in team-based psychiatric care and during inpatient treatment. He is a co-author of the manual of CT-R for serious mental health conditions, and has been active in the training of community therapists from around the world.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Living Well with Psychosis Practical Strategies for Improving Your Daily Life (PROMO CODE: AU2E)
• Dr. Brinen’s presentation in CDP’s 2024 EBP Conference: Strategy for Change: Using Conceptualization to Drive Evidence Based Treatment Choices in Complex Cases
• Practical for Your Practice voice mail: speakpipe.com/cdpp4p
• Practical for Your Practice email: [email protected]

Calls-to-action:

• Watch Strategy for Change: Using Conceptualization to Drive Evidence Based Treatment Choices in Complex Cases
• Get a dry erase board or have plenty of paper on hand for case formulation
• Subscribe to the Practical for Your Practice Podcast
• Subscribe to The Center for Deployment Psychology Monthly Email at https://deploymentpsych.org/CDP-MED-Opt-In