Psych Talk

In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Elyce Mandich, LCSW about transitioning out of the public sector of mental health to the private sector. Elyce discusses her journey to becoming a social worker and the various settings she has worked in, including child protective services, the school system, and private practice. Elyce discusses both the benefits and challenges of working in the public sector of mental health, both for clinicians and those receiving services. Similarly, Elyce discusses the benefits and challenges of working in private practice for both clinicians and clients. Further, Elyce gives advice for graduate students or anyone in the mental health field uncertain of the type of work they want to go into or transition into.

Connect with Elyce:

IG: @thetherapyco_

Connect with Me:

Follow me on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jessicaleighphd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Welcome to Group Therapy Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join my Facebook community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Through What You Go Through⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mind Over Matter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Resources:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anti-Racism Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LGBTQ+ Affirming Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Helping Professional's Guide to Boundary Setting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Intro/Outro Music

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Life of Riley⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ by Kevin MacLeod

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music License⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The holidays are often a joyous time for many people surrounded by friends and family; however, for those who are grieving, the holidays can be an extremely difficult time. In today's episode of Psych Talk I discuss navigating grief during the holiday season. First, I talk about what grief is and why it may be worse for individuals during the holiday season. Then I discuss what not to do when grieving during the holidays, as well as many things individuals can do to help cope with their grief and remember a loved one they have lost during the holidays. Lastly, I discuss how individuals can support a love one who is grieving.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Live Like Clare

Self Care & Mental Health During the Holidays with Dr. Elizabeth Easton

Grief

Connect with Me:

Follow me on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠@jessicaleighphd⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the podcast on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠@psych.talk.podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Follow me on Threads @jessicaleighphd

⁠⁠⁠⁠Welcome to Group Therapy Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join my Facebook community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Through What You Go Through⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ways to Work With Me:

⁠⁠⁠⁠Mind Over Matter⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠LGBTQ+ Affirming Masterclass⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Be a guest on my podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

Resources:

⁠⁠⁠⁠Anti-Racism Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠LGBTQ+ Affirming Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠The Helping Professional's Guide to Boundary Setting⁠⁠⁠⁠

Intro/Outro Music

⁠⁠⁠⁠Life of Riley⁠⁠⁠⁠ by Kevin MacLeod

⁠⁠⁠⁠Music License⁠⁠⁠⁠

In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Dr. McKenna Hereford about health and mental health disparities in a variety of marginalized populations. Dr. Mac shares her journey to becoming interested in and researching mental health disparities and some of the common mental health and healthcare disparities that people may be aware of. We then dive deeper in discussing disparities in various racial and ethnic groups, as well a disparities faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. Dr. Mac discusses the unique challenges  barriers individuals face that contribute to these disparities, as well as how can we start working towards and lessening the mental health and mental health care disparities marginalized populations experience.

Connect with McKenna:

IG: @revealingtheivorytowerpodcast

Podcast: Revealing the Ivory Tower

McKenna's Past Psych Talk Episode:

Multiple Diagnoses and "The Complex Patient"

Connect with Me:

Follow me on IG ⁠⁠⁠@jessicaleighphd⁠⁠⁠

Follow the podcast on IG ⁠⁠⁠@psych.talk.podcast⁠⁠⁠

Follow me on TikTok ⁠⁠⁠@jessicaleighphd⁠⁠⁠

Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠ 

Follow me on Threads @jessicaleighphd

⁠⁠⁠Welcome to Group Therapy Podcast⁠⁠⁠

Join my Facebook community: ⁠⁠⁠Grow Through What You Go Through⁠⁠⁠

Ways to Work With Me:

⁠⁠⁠Mind Over Matter⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠LGBTQ+ Affirming Masterclass⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Be a guest on my podcast⁠⁠⁠

Resources:

⁠⁠⁠Anti-Racism Resources⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠LGBTQ+ Affirming Resources⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠The Helping Professional's Guide to Boundary Setting⁠⁠⁠

Intro/Outro Music

⁠⁠⁠Life of Riley⁠⁠⁠ by Kevin MacLeod

⁠⁠⁠Music License⁠⁠⁠

In today's episode of Psych Talk I welcome back Gabby Morreale, LPC, a licensed therapist specializing in eating disorders and currently transitioning into maternal mental health. Gabby and I have a raw and honest conversation about postpartum body image. Gabby describes many of the struggles individuals face in the postpartum period when it comes to their body and body image, as well as societal messages that individuals receive about their postpartum body. Gabby spends a lot of time discussing "bounce back culture" the belief that bodies should "bounce back" to pre-pregnancy size quickly. Gabby discusses letting go of expectations surrounding your postpartum body, acceptance of your body, and coping with changes. Additionally, Gabby provides listeners with tips to take care of themselves and their body in the postpartum period.

Connect with Gabby:

IG: @gabriellelpc

IG: @recoveredandrestored

TikTok: @gabriellelpc

Website: www.recoveredandrestoredtherapy.com

Email: [email protected]

Gabby's Past Psych Talk Episodes:

Infertility and Mental Health

Recovered: The Truth About Eating Disorders

Connect with Me:

Follow me on IG ⁠⁠@jessicaleighphd⁠⁠

Follow the podcast on IG ⁠⁠@psych.talk.podcast⁠⁠

Follow me on TikTok ⁠⁠@jessicaleighphd⁠⁠

Follow me on ⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠ 

Follow me on Threads @jessicaleighphd

⁠⁠Welcome to Group Therapy Podcast⁠⁠

Join my Facebook community: ⁠⁠Grow Through What You Go Through⁠⁠

Ways to Work With Me:

⁠⁠Mind Over Matter⁠⁠

⁠⁠LGBTQ+ Affirming Masterclass⁠⁠

⁠⁠Be a guest on my podcast⁠⁠

Resources:

⁠⁠Anti-Racism Resources⁠⁠

⁠⁠LGBTQ+ Affirming Resources⁠⁠

⁠⁠The Helping Professional's Guide to Boundary Setting⁠⁠

Intro/Outro Music

⁠⁠Life of Riley⁠⁠ by Kevin MacLeod

⁠⁠Music License⁠⁠

In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Dr. Elizabeth Easton, licensed clinical psychologist, about self-care and mental health during the holidays. Elizabeth talks about why it is important to prioritize self-care during the holidays and typical mental health struggles that many of us face. Elizabeth talks about navigating grief during the holidays, managing stress, boundary setting, and how to manage expectations. Further, she discusses the importance of routine and engaging in the rituals that make the holiday season special for you, with the overall emphasis on connecting with yourself during this time of year.

Connect with Dr. Easton

Easton Psychological Services

Eating Recovery Center

Pathlight Mood and Anxiety Center

Connect with Me:

Follow me on IG @jessicaleighphd

Follow the podcast on IG @psych.talk.podcast

Follow me on TikTok @jessicaleighphd

Follow me on Youtube 

Follow me on Threads @jessicaleighphd

Welcome to Group Therapy Podcast

Join my Facebook community: Grow Through What You Go Through

Ways to Work With Me:

Mind Over Matter

LGBTQ+ Affirming Masterclass

Be a guest on my podcast

Resources:

Anti-Racism Resources

LGBTQ+ Affirming Resources

The Helping Professional's Guide to Boundary Setting

Intro/Outro Music

Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod

Music License

In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Dr. Lucy Leibowitz, PhD who is a licensed psychologist who specializes in pediatric psychology. Dr. Lucy discusses what initially got her interested in medical anxiety and procedural preparation and discusses some of the common medical procedures that individuals have anxiety about. She discusses how anxiety around medical procedures may present in children, teens, and adults, as well as the consequences of this anxiety. Dr. Lucy discusses how common anxiety around medical procedures are, how she helps kids and families prepare for procedures, and how guardians, partners, and loved ones can support someone who experiences anxiety around medical procedures.

Connect with Lucy:

IG: @lucyleibowitz_phd

Website: www.drlucyleibowitz.com

Connect with Me:

Follow me on IG ⁠⁠@jessicaleighphd⁠⁠

Follow the podcast on IG ⁠⁠@psych.talk.podcast⁠⁠

Follow me on TikTok ⁠⁠@jessicaleighphd⁠⁠

Follow me on ⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠ 

Follow me on Threads @jessicaleighphd

⁠⁠Welcome to Group Therapy Podcast⁠⁠

Join my Facebook community: ⁠⁠Grow Through What You Go Through⁠⁠

Ways to Work With Me:

⁠⁠Mind Over Matter⁠⁠

⁠⁠LGBTQ+ Affirming Masterclass⁠⁠

⁠⁠Be a guest on my podcast⁠⁠

Resources:

⁠⁠Anti-Racism Resources⁠⁠

⁠⁠LGBTQ+ Affirming Resources⁠⁠

⁠⁠The Helping Professional's Guide to Boundary Setting⁠⁠

Intro/Outro Music

⁠⁠Life of Riley⁠⁠ by Kevin MacLeod

⁠⁠Music License⁠⁠

In today's episode of Psych Talk I chat with Jess Sprengle, LPC a licensed therapist specializing in eating disorders, queer and trans affirming care, and neuro-affirming care. Jess discusses her journey to working with these populations and provides a brief overview of various eating disorders. Jess then provides listeners with information about eating disorders specifically in queer and neurodivergent populations and unique challenges that queer and neurodivergent individuals face when it comes to eating disorders and eating disorder treatment. Further, Jess provides words of encouragement and advice for queer and neurodivergent people who have eating disorders.

Connect with Jess:

IG: @thecrankytherapist

Blueskye: @thecrankytherapist

Connect with Me:

Follow me on IG ⁠@jessicaleighphd⁠

Follow the podcast on IG ⁠@psych.talk.podcast⁠

Follow me on TikTok ⁠@jessicaleighphd⁠

Follow me on ⁠Youtube⁠ 

Follow me on Threads @jessicaleighphd

⁠Welcome to Group Therapy Podcast⁠

Join my Facebook community: ⁠Grow Through What You Go Through⁠

Ways to Work With Me:

⁠Mind Over Matter⁠

⁠LGBTQ+ Affirming Masterclass⁠

⁠Be a guest on my podcast⁠

Resources:

⁠Anti-Racism Resources⁠

⁠LGBTQ+ Affirming Resources⁠

⁠The Helping Professional's Guide to Boundary Setting⁠

Intro/Outro Music

⁠Life of Riley⁠ by Kevin MacLeod

⁠Music License⁠

If you are listening to this episode in real time, you are likely aware of everything currently occurring between Israel and Palestine. I do not have ties to Israel or Palestine, nor do I feel I am the right person to be at the forefront of this conversation - we need to be listening to and learning from those who are directly impacted. However, regardless if if you are Jewish, Muslim, have ties to Palestine or Israel, or do not, seeing the news and media coverage is likely negatively impacting your mental health. Thus, in today's episode of Psych Talk, I discuss ways we can protect our mental health [as much as possible] when consuming upsetting media. I talk about how there is no right or wrong way to cope with what is currently going on and how we each have to do what feels best for us. Further, I provide a number of tips on ways we can protect our mental health while still being informed about what is occurring. Further, I discuss how to speak with children about what is currently happening (and has been happening) between Palestine and Israel. Although this episode was inspired by current events, the tips I share can be generalized to any news or social media coverage of horrific and upsetting information.

Mentioned In This Episode:

How to Talk to your Kids About Isreal/Gaza

Connect with Me:

Follow me on IG @jessicaleighphd

Follow the podcast on IG @psych.talk.podcast

Follow me on TikTok @jessicaleighphd

Follow me on Youtube 

Follow me on Threads @jessicaleighphd

Welcome to Group Therapy Podcast

Join my Facebook community: Grow Through What You Go Through

Ways to Work With Me:

Mind Over Matter

LGBTQ+ Affirming Masterclass

Be a guest on my podcast

Resources:

Anti-Racism Resources

LGBTQ+ Affirming Resources

The Helping Professional's Guide to Boundary Setting

Intro/Outro Music

Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod

Music License

In today's episode of Psych Talk, I chat with Maria Atkinson, LCSW all about trauma. We discuss her journey to becoming a licensed clinical social worker specializing in trauma, what the phrase "trauma is stored in your body" really means, and the mind-body connection when it comes to trauma. Maria discusses what mindfulness is, how it can be beneficial for individuals who have experienced trauma, and guides listeners through a Safe Space meditation. Additionally, Maria discusses how breath work can be beneficial to regulate our nervous system. Further, as a certified yoga instructor, Maria also discusses trauma-sensitive yoga and how that can be beneficial for individuals who have experienced trauma.

Connect with Maria:

IG: @thelcswforyou

TikTok: @thelcswforyou

Connect with Me:

Follow me on IG @jessicaleighphd

Follow the podcast on IG @psych.talk.podcast

Follow me on TikTok @jessicaleighphd

Follow me on Youtube 

Follow me on Threads @jessicaleighphd

Welcome to Group Therapy Podcast

Join my Facebook community: Grow Through What You Go Through

Ways to Work With Me:

Mind Over Matter

LGBTQ+ Affirming Masterclass

Be a guest on my podcast

Resources:

Anti-Racism Resources

LGBTQ+ Affirming Resources

The Helping Professional's Guide to Boundary Setting

Intro/Outro Music

Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod

Music License

In today's episode of Psych Talk, I discuss grief therapists and other mental health professionals experience after the death of a client. This is not something readily talked about in graduate school or that mental health professionals are necessarily prepared for. I discuss the unique challenges therapists face when it comes to grief, how many of us do not feel we can grieve in "traditional ways" (e.g. attend funerals), ethics surrounding attending end of life traditions, as well as my own experiences with the passing of clients. I also discuss things to consider when deciding how or if you want to engage in traditional death rituals such as attending a wake/funeral, sending cards or flowers, etc. Lastly, I discuss ways therapists and other mental health professionals can grieve and cope with their grief, while remaining within ethical bounds.

Connect with Me:

Follow me on IG @jessicaleighphd

Follow the podcast on IG @psych.talk.podcast

Follow me on TikTok @jessicaleighphd

Follow me on Youtube 

Follow me on Threads @jessicaleighphd

Welcome to Group Therapy Podcast

Join my Facebook community: Grow Through What You Go Through

Ways to Work With Me:

Mind Over Matter

LGBTQ+ Affirming Masterclass

Be a guest on my podcast

Resources:

Anti-Racism Resources

LGBTQ+ Affirming Resources

The Helping Professional's Guide to Boundary Setting

Intro/Outro Music

Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod

Music License