Psych Up Live

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.

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.

In this episode, Tom Matt, author and acclaimed radio host of Bommer's Rock on six Michigan radio stations, draws upon his own battle with drugs and alcohol and the personal life changes he has made to pass forward the lesson learned -"It is never too late to change!" From young people who feel stuck to Baby Boomers anxious about life after retirement, he discusses roadblocks and well a ways to redefine and revitalize self. In the back and forth with Host Suzanne Phillips, he will draw upon examples to address questions like: How do you start? How do you face the roadblocks? What gives you the courage to face your fears and others' doubts? He informs and inspires.

In this Episode, Dr. John Duffy, the author of the best selling book, The Available Parent: Expert Advice for Raising Successful and Resilient Teens and Tweens, addresses the questions and concerns that parents always ask or are too afraid to ask "Where did we go wrong?" "Why is her goal to torture us?" John Duffy defines and describes the role of an Available Parent in the context of adolescent development. He clarifies the common parent/teen clashes in terms of the physical, social and psychological challenges that make teens as wonderful as they are complicated. With humor and examples he describes what " Never Works" as well as "What Does Work." Throughout, he shows parents how to be available is a way that changes and improves the parent/teen relationship and fosters the resilience and growth of their teen.

Many aspects of our culture perpetuate the Casanova Myth, the belief that what most young men want is sex with as many women as possible without concern for the women or any goal of commitment. Is it true? Do you believe it? Do young men and women believe it? In this episode, Dr. Andrew Smiler, licensed therapist and expert on boys, men, and masculinity, will draw upon his fascinating book, Challenging Casanova: Beyond The Stereotypes of the Promiscuous Young Male, to consider what young men really want. He will explore the unvoiced relationship goals and sexual behavior of the majority of young men. He will consider the unvoiced pressures and challenges that many young men face as well as the impact of cultural expectations, parental silence, and non-stop media suggestion on young men's definitions of self, sexuality, choices and safety.

Many aspects of our culture perpetuate the Casanova Myth, the belief that what most young men want is sex with as many women as possible without concern for the women or any goal of commitment. Is it true? Do you believe it? Do young men and women believe it? In this episode, Dr. Andrew Smiler, licensed therapist and expert on boys, men, and masculinity, will draw upon his fascinating book, Challenging Casanova: Beyond The Stereotypes of the Promiscuous Young Male, to consider what young men really want. He will explore the unvoiced relationship goals and sexual behavior of the majority of young men. He will consider the unvoiced pressures and challenges that many young men face as well as the impact of cultural expectations, parental silence, and non-stop media suggestion on young men’s definitions of self, sexuality, choices and safety.

Many aspects of our culture perpetuate the Casanova Myth, the belief that what most young men want is sex with as many women as possible without concern for the women or any goal of commitment. Is it true? Do you believe it? Do young men and women believe it? In this episode, Dr. Andrew Smiler, licensed therapist and expert on boys, men, and masculinity, will draw upon his fascinating book, Challenging Casanova: Beyond The Stereotypes of the Promiscuous Young Male, to consider what young men really want. He will explore the unvoiced relationship goals and sexual behavior of the majority of young men. He will consider the unvoiced pressures and challenges that many young men face as well as the impact of cultural expectations, parental silence, and non-stop media suggestion on young men’s definitions of self, sexuality, choices and safety.

Many aspects of our culture perpetuate the Casanova Myth, the belief that what most young men want is sex with as many women as possible without concern for the women or any goal of commitment. Is it true? Do you believe it? Do young men and women believe it? In this episode, Dr. Andrew Smiler, licensed therapist and expert on boys, men, and masculinity, will draw upon his fascinating book, Challenging Casanova: Beyond The Stereotypes of the Promiscuous Young Male, to consider what young men really want. He will explore the unvoiced relationship goals and sexual behavior of the majority of young men. He will consider the unvoiced pressures and challenges that many young men face as well as the impact of cultural expectations, parental silence, and non-stop media suggestion on young men’s definitions of self, sexuality, choices and safety.

In this episode Dr. Deborah Serani, psychologist and author discusses the reality of depression as a mood disorder in later life. Drawing upon her new and comprehensive book “ Depression in Later Life: An Essential Guide,” she underscores that depression is too often overlooked by those suffering, their families and even at times by their physicians. In the back and forth with host Suzanne Phillips, Dr. Serani provides crucial information and illuminating examples that will be as valuable for health-care professionals as for seniors who don’t understand why they are suffering. She will answer questions like: What Is Geriatric Depression? Isn’t Depression a normal part of aging? Why is it so often missed or dismissed? What are the steps for proper assessment? What are the treatment options? Are depressed seniors a suicide risk? Adding to this, Dr. Serani considers the power of “conscious aging” as an asset to physical and emotional well-being. This is an important show for all.

In this episode, Ken Page, LCSW, psychotherapist and author of the bestseller, Deeper Dating: How to Drop the Games of Seduction and Discover the Power of Intimacy invites you to give up the need to be marketable or perfect and to instead identify and embrace your core gifts. He offers the steps from embracing an authentic self to recognizing the difference between attractions of deprivation and attractions of inspiration. Drawing upon his own life and many vivid examples, Ken Page guides you through the seven skills of Deeper Dating and the where and how to bring these skills to the dating world. He then discusses how to build sexual, romantic and emotional intimacy in new healthy relationships. With these in mind, you will think of yourself, dating and the choice of a truly loving relationship in a powerfully new way.