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

In today's episode of Psych Talk I discuss interventions for suicidal behavior. I discuss primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention for suicidal behavior, screening and risk assessment, and means restriction. I further discuss psychotherapy interventions that are effective in reducing suicidal behavior, as well as suicide-specific interventions that can be used as an adjunct to treatment as usual. Lastly, I finish with discussing care, monitoring, and follow up after a suicide attempt.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale: https://cssrs.columbia.edu/wp-content/uploads/C-SSRS_Pediatric-SLC_11.14.16.pdf

 Suicide Assessment Five-step Evaluation and Triage: https://store.samhsa.gov/product/SAFE-T-Pocket-Card-Suicide-Assessment-Five-Step-Evaluation-and-Triage-for-Clinicians/sma09-4432

ASQ Toolkit: ⁠https://www.nimh.nih.gov/research/research-conducted-at-nimh/asq-toolkit-materials⁠

CALM Training: https://zerosuicidetraining.edc.org/enrol/index.php?id=20

Gun Violence Restraining Order: https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/GV-restraining-order

The Collaborative Assessment & Management of Suicidality: https://cams-care.com/?gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwmbqoBhAgEiwACIjzEEhcQ4fJ336NKmU7lXAHDtTlh7sysScigKJFDRexQVnGBMxQqnnBThoCNqgQAvD_BwE

AIM-SP: https://www.preventsuicideny.org/suicide-safer-care-practices-the-aim-model/

Crisis Resources:

https://988lifeline.org/

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/

https://thrivelifeline.org/about

https://www.callblackline.com/

https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/

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. Z, a licensed clinical psychologist, about chronic suicidality. Dr. Z first discusses the spectrum of suicidality, as well as the difference between passive and active suicidal thoughts. We discuss chronic suicidality vs. acute suicidality, as well as some interventions used to manage chronic suicidality. Dr. Z discusses what both clinicians and non-professionals can do to help someone who is experiencing chronic suicidality, as well as provides hope and encouragement for those who may be currently struggling.

Dr. Z and I have a very open conversation. If you are currently struggling with suicidal ideation or this topic is difficult for you, please skip this episode.

Connect with Dr. Z

IG: @that.turkishpsychologist

TikTok: @that.turkishpsychologist

Crisis Resources:

https://988lifeline.org/

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/

https://thrivelifeline.org/about

https://www.callblackline.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 Dr. Lauren Cook, licensed psychologist, speaker, and author, specializing in millennial and Gen Z mental health. Dr. Lauren is the author of the book Generation Anxiety in which she discusses why Millennials and Gen Zers are the most anxious generations. We discuss the unique challenges that millennials and Gen Z are facing and how to cope with anxiety in the face of these stressors that are mostly out of our control. Dr. Lauren also discusses what anxiety is, the first steps to take when acknowledging and addressing our anxiety, as well as where she believes the future of mental health is going for these two anxious generations.

Connect with Lauren:

Website: https://www.drlaurencook.com

IG: @drlaurencook

TikTok: @dr.laurencook

Podcast: The Boardroom Brain

Pre-Order Generation Anxiety Here

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

September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month with World Suicide Prevention Day falling on September 10th. In today's episode of Psych Talk I discuss 988 - the three digit number for the United States' national crisis and suicide lifeline. 988 became the new number for the hotline in July 2022, replacing the old 10 digit phone number in hopes of increasing ease of remembering the number in a crisis. In this episode I explain what 988 is, what happens when you call, text, or chat with the hotline, and answer some FAQs about the hotline - are they tracking me? Will the police be called? Additionally, I shared some of the data about usage and outcomes over the past year that the hotline under this new number has been active, as well as future directions for the hotline.

Resources:

https://988lifeline.org/

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988/faqs

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/

https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/

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 Khalida Himes, LCSW a school social worker, speaker, and content creator. Khalida shares her journey to becoming a school social worker and why she is so passionate about working with students. We discuss the role of a school social worker, as well as misconceptions about what school social workers do. Khalida shares insights about the mental health and other challenges our students are currently facing, including challenges of returning to school after the summer. Further, Khalida discusses how parents and school staff can help support students who may be struggling with their mental health in school.

Connect with Khalida:

IG: @sassyblacksocialworker

TikTok: @sassyblacksocialworker

Website: https://www.erbconsulting.org/

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