Psych Up Live

In this show, Dr. Frank McAndrew, social psychologist and the Cornelia H. Dudley Professor of Psychology at Knox College, takes on the questions many of us have pondered-Why do we pay to be scared by horror movies? Why do stories of Hunted Houses persist and intrigue us? What makes clowns loveable to some and terrifying to others? Are some people more likely to see ghosts than others? As someone who has studied and researched aspects of creepiness and horror, Dr. McAndrew offers a perspective you are not likely to find anywhere else. You will learn about the psychological mechanisms behind "creeped out" the "agent detection mechanism" tripped by haunted houses, the factors that might account for the " sensed presence" of another and other paranormal experiences. Buckle up and listen in to a fascinating show.

In the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the world is grieving. Families are suffering the traumatic loss of loved ones. Medical professionals grieve for patients they felt responsible to heal. First Responders, caregivers, teachers, adults and children carry the grief of a world of people lost suddenly to an unknown virus. In this episode, Dr. Joanne Cacciatore's personal and professional understanding of how to "bear the unbearable," of how to open a space to process, integrate and deeply honor our grief, is a gift. Drawing upon her unique and powerful book, Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief, her own experience of loss and decades of supporting individuals, families and communities, she invites a new meaning and experience of grief. She invites you to recognize grief as a natural process that unfolds in your own way and in your own time, restoring and illuminating your love and humanity. We need this show.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly 20 people per minute in the U.S. are physically abused by an intimate partner. Our guest, Betty Hafner is one of those who suffered. A teacher, counselor, and author, Betty will draw upon her beautiful but terrifying book, Not Exactly Love: A Memoir. She will give us the insider’s view of the dark and complex trap of Domestic Violence. You will hear about bruises on her wedding day, necessary denial, frozen fear, cycles of love and abuse, the reason people can’t leave, the shame and excuses, the split off professional life, the isolation, the echoes of historical roots, self-doubt, police, therapy and incremental steps of self-protection, self-esteem and a way out. Betty Hafner’s memoir reads with the power and suspense of fiction; but it is painfully true. Whether you are male or female, have suffered from domestic or intimate partner violence or tried to help someone who has, you will want to hear this show.

While the choice of using marijuana is personal and legalization is likely moving forward, Alex Berenson, former New York Times reporter, invites you to consider this question with your children- How dangerous is today’s marijuana? Drawing upon research, he clarifies that unlike the marijuana smoked in the 1970’s with a 2% level of THC, the main psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, today the level of THC is 25%. Underscoring this potency, Berenson untangles the THC in marijuana with the relatively small amount of CBD, the non-intoxicating extract of cannabis, used to treat medical problems. Many assume that recreational marijuana is safe and benign because of the medical association. The findings are quite the contrary. Berenson reports mental illness and violence as possible reactions from smoking marijuana-with increasing use increasing the risk. Whatever your opinion– for the sake of your children, listen in.

In this show Jennie Kramer, LCSW-R draws upon her experience in treating all forms of eating disorders and her co-authored book, Overcoming Binge Eating for Dummies to offer expert and useable information on Binge Eating Disorder (BED). With sensitivity and realistic perspective, she answers questions like-What is Binge Eating? Does it differ from compulsive eating or overeating? Who binges and why? She underscores the health risks associated with Binge Eating Disorder and describes first steps to change for those struggling. She accounts for the physical, psychological and social factors involved in change and highlights questions like the difference between emotional and physical hunger. She considers pros and cons of treatment options while at the same time offering 10 things to do now instead of bingeing. If you or someone you love needs clear and expert information on Binge Eating, this is the show to hear.

In face of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the teens are home and the college kids have returned. The nest is full and challenges to clash and opportunities for connection keep unfolding. In this episode, Dr. John Duffy, clinical psychologist, best-selling author, parenting and relationship expert, addresses the issues many are facing: How do parents cope with their kids' emotional reactions, day-to-day needs, their own jobs and their own relationship? How do teens cope when rites of passage have been canceled and being with peers happens only online? Can college kids psychologically go home again? How do they connect with family while maintaining their emerging victories of independence? What are the expectations, the realities and the memories to take away as individuals and family members face this unimaginable event in their lives?

In this show Michael Pipich, MS,LMFT, therapist and national speaker on Bipolar Disorder, draws upon his new book, Owning Bipolar: How Patients and Families Can take Control of Bipolar Disorder to make owning and properly treating Bipolar Disorder a reality. Citing research and clinical examples, Michael Pipich reports that too many patients and their families are frightened, confused and misinformed about bipolar disorder. As such, he offers listeners important information starting with the fact that Bipolar Disorder is no one’s fault. It is genetic. Michael discusses the difficulty with diagnosis and offers clinical ways to confront denial and the fear of losing creative potential. He discusses treatments that involve specific medications as well as various therapies for those suffering and family members. An important focus is his Three-Phase Approach to Bipolar Therapy. Michael Pipich’s goal is acceptance of Bipolar with less stigma and treatment with more success.

In this show, Dr.Rebecca Hershberg, author of The Tantrum Survival Guide, returns to Psych Up live to consider ways to foster resilience in children during Covid-19. She answers the questions that parents have been holding – How will my children remember this time in their lives? Will it be experienced as traumatic? What do I say when my 6 year old asks if Grandpa will die or when will we have play dates again? How can I juggle my job, the kids, the pets and decontaminating the mail? How do I answer questions I don't have answers for? Listen in. Rebecca will be drawing upon her expertise as a psychologist as well as her day to day life with her own little ones. She will to offer you ways to realize and utilize the power of your parent-child connection. You will be informed, reassured and invited to find the moments of laughter we all need.

In this show, host Dr. Suzanne Phillips joins her colleagues, Drs. Molyn Leszcz and Craig Haen, from the American Group Psychotherapy Association to support resilience and foster stress reduction in medical and mental health professionals facing the Corona Pandemic. The world watches with gratitude as medical health professionals work tirelessly to care for Covid patients despite supply shortages, fatigue, and fear of infection. New and existing patients turn to Mental Health Professionals to help contain fear, loss, and dysregulation in the face of an invisible and lethal threat. Drawing upon years of hospital experience and research in the aftermath of the SARS Epidemic, Dr. Molyn Leszcz discusses the principles, connections, coping strategies, physical and psychological safety that fuel resilience in Medical Professionals. Dr. Craig Haen considers both the strain and strategies for sustaining resilience in mental health professionals available to the emotional needs of patients.

In this episode Dr. Frank Sileo, award winning children’s author and psychologist, identifies common childhood challenges and feelings and discusses the power of stories to address them. He considers fears, stress, self-confidence, making mistakes, friends, gossip, being different and separation from parents. He demonstrates in the books he writes like, Sally Sore Loser; Don’t Put Yourself Down in Circus Town; Bug Bites and Campfires: A Story for Kids about Homesickness; A World of Pausabilities: An Exercise in Mindfulness, etc. what research has found about the power of books to develop empathy and coping skills. He shares an understanding of how reading takes children out of their world to another place where they see the world through another’s eyes. When that story is shared with a parent, teacher or another child, it is an intimate experience of shared imagination. If you love children and you love stories, listen in to learn how valuable the joy of reading can be.