Psych Up Live

Bullying impacts millions of children, parents, and individuals in our schools and communities. Given that bullying and being bullied can leave life long scars, we need to address the fear, intimidation shame and abuse of power that fuels bullying. In this episode, Connie Palmer LCSW, teacher, counselor and therapist brings us the Bullies To Buddies Program. Drawing upon this model created by school psychologist, Izzy Kalman, Connie Palmer discusses the rationale and a curriculum for empowering victims with tools to verbally respond to bullies. She discusses the role she has played in coaching children from kindergarten on in a way that changes the bullying dynamic and the negativity and victimization in a school culture. She will demonstrate the technique of defusing the bully in role playing exercises with host, Suzanne Phillips and will address questions like: What about physical threats? What can teachers and parents do? How can we help bullies? Can they ever really be buddies?

Dr. Kristen Neff and Dr. Christopher Germer, renowned experts in self-compassion and mindfulness, have just released a new book, The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength and Thrive. The book is a culmination of years of collaboration, research and practical application in the training of thousands of people in Mindfulness Self-Compassion. In this episode, co-author Dr. Christopher Germer, discusses the essence and benefits of Mindful Self-Compassion in a way that makes it useable and effective. He exemplifies the difference and the important connection between mindfulness and self-compassion and the way we can apply Mindful Self-Compassion to daily life. He considers why people tend to be resistant to being self-compassionate and how Mindful Self-Compassion enhances motivation and change. He offers a special focus on the power and use of Mindful Self-Compassion for caregivers across professions, who have compassion for others.

From the time I heard Dr. Hull discuss his work with children and adolescents diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) and High Functioning Autism (HFS), I wanted all parents to hear him. In this episode, he brings us his passion and expertise. He clarifies diagnosis by demystifying the strengths and difficulties these children have in social, emotional and behavioral areas. He discusses how to approach fears, understand rituals, reduce feelings of terror and maximize use of special interests. Dr. Hull recognizes the mix of love, challenge and concern that parents carry. Reminding them that they are not alone, he offers strategies to foster connection, growth and improved relationships with their children. To hear Dr. Hull discuss his creative use of play with children and adolescents is to understand how he helps parents and children build bridges of connection and growth to each other.

Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by self-starvation. Both professionally and in the public eye, this disorder has been associated with females. In reality, 25% of those suffering are males; but as a group, they have been overlooked, misdiagnosed or misinformed. In this episode, Dr. Tom Wooldridge, Psychologist, Eating Disorder Expert, Clinician and author discusses his groundbreaking book, Understanding Anorexia Nervosa in Males. In the discussion with host, Suzanne Phillips, Dr. Wooldridge addresses the symptoms, causes and unique issues particular to males who control their eating with dangerous consequences. He considers the impact of media on male body image, the role of bullying, and the anxiety about relationships and sexuality. In his discussion of causes and treatment, Dr. Wooldridge offers professionals, parents and males an integrative model that accounts for bio-behavioral, family system, medical, psychodynamic and spiritual factors.

Most people have faced unexpected stressful situations. There are even times, often in midlife, when it seems like the challenges just won’t stop. In this episode, psychologist and author, Dr. Pete Stebbins, using surfing as a metaphor, draws upon his clinical and personal experience to offer strategies for coping and proceeding effectively with life. Whether facing the stress of divorce, illness, bereavement, wedding plans or debt, we are guided to consider how to appraise the problem, understand our personal stress reactions, manage mindset, regulate emotions, and re-set lifestyle and purpose. Dr. Stebbins invites us to develop the skills to successfully surf the waves of life and ride out the Tsunamis.

In this episode, bestselling author and speaker Bruce Van Horn shares the ingredients of his important new book, Worry No More! 4 Steps To Stop Worrying And Start Living. With wisdom and humor this “recovered worrier” draws upon the best practices of experts and integrates them with what he has practiced on a daily basis in his own life. Crystalizing a way out of “ Worry” in 4 interesting and effective steps, he invites you to join him in living life instead of worrying about it.

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 a #metoo culture that has given voice to denied sexual abuse and misconduct, and at a time when campus sexual violence continues to be a tragic reality, the importance of giving and understanding sexual consent between people of any age is without question. In this episode Drs. Jason Laker and Erica Boas review and discuss the findings of their "Consent Story" research in which they asked college students about sexual experiences and how they communicate sexual intention, consent or dissent. Drs. Laker and Boas then compare and discuss new research that considers giving and getting sexual consent from members of LGBTQ and Kink groups. The findings are surprising and very important in contributing to thinking about communication that makes sexual consent essential to sexual relating.

Anti-bullying sites report that bullying has become an epidemic. One in 7 students K – 12, bully or are a victim of bullying. 75% of school shootings are linked to bullying and there is a strong link between bullying and suicide. Against this backdrop, Alan Eisenberg, Founder of Bully Recovery, Coach, and author of A Ladder In The Dark: My Journey From Bullying To Self-Acceptance and Crossing the Line, shares his childhood experience of bullying, his years of suffering with Complex PTSD and the path to recovery. What Alan offers is the story behind the statistics that few share and too few adults hear. Alan reveals the daily terror, shame, and self-blame that the bullied child or teen faces alone. He reports the loss of the authentic self, the need to fit in and his own misuse of violence. Bringing us to his adult story, Alan shares how his suffering continues until he seeks professional help and begins the steps and strategies that support bully recovery. His story offers answers.

In this episode Wendy L. Patrick JD, author, speaker and trial attorney introduces us to 'The Stealth Predator.' As described in her article in Psychology Today, this predator is one who gets 'over on others' while flying 'under the radar'. Grooming victims, these predators ultimately betray their victim's loyalty by exploiting them financially, emotionally and sometimes sexually. They are well practiced at engaging in uncharged bad acts. Who are they? Vic Schermer, MA, psychotherapist considers what makes people vulnerable to stealth predators including history of abuse and trauma, need for approval, unmerited trust in others, feelings of shame, guilt, inferiority. How do we protect ourselves? Robert Klein Ph.D., psychologist asks whether there is a 'new normal' in social relations such that we accept and even admire the power of those able to con, manipulate and take advantage for their own gain. Can metoo change this social current?