Psych Up Live

This episode looks closely at today's adolescent girls. Guests, Dr. Mary Pipher and Sara Pipher Gilliam draw upon their new updated version of Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescents Girls, to compare the teenage girls of the 1990's with the middle though high school girls of today. Using Focus Groups of girls and mothers, interviews with teachers and guidance counselors, the latest research, as well as feedback from today's girls on the original book, they consider what challenges, needs, perils and joys have changed and what have remained the same. They will answer -How do developmental givens interface with social and cultural changes? What is the impact of social media, school shootings, and sleeping with cell phones? How have the girls of today embraced gender fluidity, racial diversity and the #metoo movement. Overall, they invite us to understand and celebrate the emerging selves and precious gifts of our adolescent girls.

Regardless of political perspective, it is difficult for anyone to grasp the reality or the implications of the Immigration Crisis today. Are there any routes to citizenship? Is a working visa a possibility? Can a person still seek asylum in the US? How many children remain separated from parents? What ever happened to the Dreamers? How many of those in the caravans remain in Mexico? Sarah Rogerson, Clinical Professor of Law at Albany Law School, and Director of the Immigration Law Clinic at Albany Law School returns to Psych Up Live to address these questions and many more. She clarifies what has changed in Asylum Seeking and the access to legal representation. She also shares what has been accomplished and what immigrants and immigration attorneys still face.

Whether you are a seasoned psychoanalyst, group therapist or someone interested in how and why psychoanalysis works and how psychoanalytic thinking has expanded – You have to hear Dr. Robert Grossmark. Drawing upon his new book, The Unobtrusive Relational Analyst, he discusses his work with patients who formerly would be considered unsuitable for psychoanalytic treatment. These are patients whose behavior in the session or the group often enact the trauma they never had the words to share. Drawing upon case studies, Grossmark exemplifies what it means to companion with a person rather than interpret or invite mutual examination of the analytic process. He describes a process that teeters on the edge of chaos but ultimately makes relatedness and reflective thinking possible. In a powerful way, you will even see and better understand glimpses of yourself and your family on the journey we all take- which at times gets pretty close to chaos!!

When we consider the definition of shame we often compare it to Guilt. Commonly, it is thought that we feel guilt for something we have done that is unacceptable; but with shame, we feel that we are unacceptable. In this episode Dr. Joe Burgo expands the formal definition of Toxic Shame discussed by John Bradshaw as the result of unspeakable child abuse or the oppressive force of social shame addressed by Brene' Brown. Drawing upon his new book, Shame: Free Yourself, Find Joy and Build True Self-Esteem, Dr. Burgo invites us to consider shame as an entire family of emotions like the pain of unrequited love, the embarrassment of exclusion, the exposure of getting sick at the party or the shame of a disappointed expectation like the college entry rejection or the canceled engagement. Essentially, Dr. Burgo invites us not to be ashamed of shame as it is an aspect of many human feelings. Rather than deny it, Dr. Burgo demonstrates how to use it to build Shame Resilience and Self-Esteem.

Despite the incredible access to information and opportunities available to teens in this culture, it is a difficult time for most. In 2019 alone, there were 46 incidents of gunfire on school grounds. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-24. Fifteen percentage of high school students were electronically bullied in the past year. Add the physical and emotional changes of teens, and it makes sense to help our teens build resilience. That is just what Cheryl Bradshaw offers in latest book, The Resilience Workbook For Teens. She provides teens with an evidenced-based tool that is personal, engaging and thought provoking. Drawing upon her teaching and clinical training, she clearly knows how to speak to teens and invites participation in a fast-paced book with activities that address five goals: Adapting to Change, Overcoming Anxiety, Finding Your Strength, Keeping Perspective, and Staying Focused. She helps them to embrace self and bounce back from adversity.

“Almost Sunrise” is a compelling documentary which follows two Iraq veterans, Tom Voss and Anthony Anderson, both tormented by the scars of moral injury and the accompanying anger and depression years after their return home. Close to the edge of suicide, the two embark on an extraordinary journey – a 2,700 mile walk across the country from Wisconsin to California, in order to reflect on their haunting experiences of war and to ultimately, save themselves. In this episode, we are privileged to have Tom Voss as our guest and to have the opportunity to hear his thoughts and perspectives on moral injury, the aspects of his journey that afforded steps toward remembering, feeling, connecting, self-compassion, connection with nature, breathing and forgiving, across miles and modalities. We will also hear what it meant to return home emotionally, where Tom has come and his on-going mission to help other veterans.

If you are lucky enough to be the parent, teacher, babysitter or grandparent of a "little one"- you must hear this show. In it, psychologist, Dr. Rebecca Schrag Hershberg draws upon her invaluable new book, The Tantrum Survival Guide to clarify, inform deconstruct and offer strategies for managing a toddler or young child's tantrums. She answers the What, Why and What to do Next about tantrums; considers the magic of " Love and Limits," exemplifies the power of Planning and Predictability and underscores the Problem of Inconsistent Limits. Drawing upon clinical material as well as "scenes from her own little ones," Dr. Hershberg invites us to consider the ABC's of tantrums and the possibility that we might be causing or re-enforcing them. In his forward of her book, Dan Siegel MD, renowned professor and mindfulness expert, describes Dr. Rebecca Hershberg as a brilliant translator of science and an astute, humble and hilarious observer of human nature. He's right! Listen in.

In this show, Carol Novello, founder of Mutual Rescue™ and author of the new book, "Mutual Rescue: How Adopting a Homeless Animal Can Save You, Too" shares her story and the countless stories of others who reveal the powerful impact of adopted pets and their owners upon each other. From Parkland HS students, who lost friends in the horrific school shooting, but found the presence and adoption of dogs to be the bridges from terror and loss to love and comfort, to couples improving their relationships, to people helped with physical illness, addiction recovery or finding a purpose in life – adopting a dog is a gift that keeps on giving, even to others beyond the pet and owner. Importantly, Carol underscores stories with research science which verifies and expands what people are reporting, even tracing how it is that wolves and wildcats came to be the dogs that love to sleep in our beds and the cats that own our sofas. Listen in and prepare to feel a heart tug!

In this show Gary Wilson, presenter of the popular TEDx talk ‘The Great Porn Experiment,’ and author of Your Brain on Porn, addresses the ever-increasing problem of internet porn addiction in young male teens as well as men of every age. Drawing upon scientific research and the reports of countless men seeking help for porn related sexual dysfunction, Gary Wilson clarifies the impact of chronic overconsumption of internet porn on the brain. His message is powerful in the clarity with which he discusses the nature of the sexual problems resulting from addictive internet porn use; how and why the brain keeps us bingeing; and detailed steps to reverse compulsive use and regain control. Everyone will be informed and I hope many will be helped by hearing this important show.

In this episode, Wesley C. Davidson and Dr. Jonathan Tobkes M.D. discuss their new and much needed book, When Your Child Is Gay: What You Need To Know. In the discussion with Host Suzanne Phillips, Wesley C. Davidson, shares her shock on realizing that her son is gay, her denial and the lack of resources available to her as a straight parent of an LGBT child in the 90’s. With her son’s permission and hindsight, she writes the book she needed for other parents. In the back and forth with host, Suzanne Phillips, Wesley Davidson and Dr. Tobkes discuss the denial, guilt, fear, anger, shame, and loss suffered by parents and children on the road to acceptance. They are joined by Dr. Shawnee Dawson, one of the parents interviewed. Dr. Tobkes shares some of the professional advice he provides at the end of each chapter. With respect and compassion, he normalizes feelings, addresses myths, and reduces fear. This is a show that you can’t miss.