Psych Up Live

No matter where you live, and regardless of your political perspective, there is a fairly good chance that you have experienced the impact of Climate Change- be it hurricanes, severe storms, flooding, or wildfires. In this show you will hear an insider's perspective from Dr. Deana Hence, a Climate Scientist. You will hear the reasons for her work, her concerns and her suggestions. Joining Dr. Hence, is Richard Beck, Past President of the International Association for Group Psychotherapy and Group Process, a psychotherapist in New York City who has worked in the aftermath of trauma including Climate Disasters. Richard Beck was the group leader in a documentary about climate change " Climate in Therapy" which included Dr. Deana Hence and other Climate Scientists. The documentary just won first place in the " Hot Docs Best Mid-Length documentary." Listen in

Dr. Deanna Hence PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Climate, Meteorology and Atmospheric sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She holds a BS in Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Science from the University of Michigan and an MS and PhD in Atmospheric Science from the University of Washington.

Richard Beck, LCSW,BCD,CGP, AGPA-F is the Past President of the International Association for Group Psychotherapy and Group Process. He has experience in trauma and responding in the aftermath of Climate Events. He is a psychotherapist in New York City with faculty appointments at both Columbia and Cornell Universities.

In this show relationship experts Dr. Judith Wright and Dr. Bob Wright discuss their new and interesting book, The Heart of the Fight: A Couple's Guide to 15 Common Fights, What They Really Mean & How They Can Bring You Closer. Dispelling many of the common myths of what you need to make a relationship work, these experts suggest that conflict is a couple's secret weapon for coming closer but you need to know how to fight and what to fight for. In a fascinating way they discuss the Art of the Argument: Six Skills for Battling to Bliss and the Fifteen Fights That Make or Break Your Relationship. From a closer look at fights like The Blame Game to You're Just Like Your Mother/Father, you will rethink the how and why of fighting in relationships. Ultimately this is a show that will expand the potential of your relationship.

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.

Whether you are someone who loves city living or would love the chance to go back to living in nature on a farm overlooking fields, you will be enthralled with Tamara Dean's telling of her re-location to the Driftless Area of Wisconsin. Together with her partner David, she shares the challenges, wonders and strenuous daily work of a life embedded in nature. From building their own farmhouse, hunting for water, to burning a hayfield to recreate a prairie you will be in awe of the challenges they face. You will also hear of the bonds with neighbors that are clearly different when dealing with fires, floods, beavers and tornadoes. A fiction writer, Tamara in this book shares the reality of pain and power of nature in a way most of us have never experienced. Listen in.

Guest: Tamara Dean

Tamara Dean is a writer whose essays and stories have been published in The American Scholar, The Georgia Review, The Guardian, One Story, Orion and The Progressive. She is also the author of an earlier book, The Human- Powered Home: Choosing Muscles over Motors. Tamara has been camping, fishing, hiking and gathering foods from an early age led by parents who grew up on farms in Wisconsin and had the opportunity to go to college and move to a small city. Her understanding and love of nature is a part of who she is.

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.

In this show, Dr. Frank McAndrew returns to Psych Up Live to answer the question, "Why Do We Fall For Conspiracy Theories? In addressing this question he also addresses the issue of why we hang on to conspiracy theories once we believe them. In his interesting response, Dr. Mc Andrew considers whether certain factors make us more susceptible to embracing conspiracy theories. He proposes that in reality most of us can fall for the " right" conspiracy theory due to certain biases in how we all process information. Once we believe a conspiracy theory, Dr. McAndrew discusses why these beliefs are very difficult to undo. He discusses the impact of many forms of media in often providing a " false consensus" and " Exposure Effect" that fuels conspiracy theories. Dr. Mc Andrews describes why conspiracy theories flourish in atmospheres of fear and the consequences of conspiracy theories. You will be intrigued and informed. Listen in.

This Show offers a powerful and eye-opening consideration of medical care for marginalized people. Whether from a patient's perspective or the perspective of those who serve as medical caregivers, you will find Dr. Dean David Schillinger's TELLTALE HEARTS to be an extraordinary book and Dr. Schillinger to be an extraordinary person. What Dr. Schillinger offers is the gift of his own story in tandem with the unexpected, tragic, impressive and heart-breaking stories of his patients. Both sets of stories offer a glimpse of how industrialized medical systems can be dangerous for patients who are misunderstood, stereotyped and overlooked and for doctors who are struggling with burn-out, bias and at times frustration and despair. What Dr. Schillinger believes, and shares is the power of the patient's narrative. He exemplifies that when a patient is invited to be known, to tell their story, to be seen and respected– treatment and healing often become possible. Dr. Schillinger's description of his journey and his relationship with patients who dare to share and be known is medically and socially invaluable.

Ushered in by the restrictions and needs of the Pandemic, remote work and telehealth have become welcomed realities for people across the globe. In this show Dr. Haim Weinberg, Licensed Psychologist, Certified Group Psychotherapist, co-author of Theory and Practice of Online Therapy, Advances in Online Therapy: Emergence of a New Paradigm and author of countless articles and chapters on this topic, will offer an inside look of what makes teletherapy viable and crucial in meeting the mental health needs of people at this time. As a pioneer in this field, Dr. Weinberg will consider the obstacles, challenges and benefits to using telehealth. In the back and forth with Host Suzanne Phillips, he will discuss - What makes a therapeutic alliance possible across a zoom call? Can a person feel known and understood if they are not sitting with the therapist? Is a therapy group possible through a zoom call? What are the most common obstacles for the patient, the group and the group therapist? Can they all be overcome? What should a patient look for in searching for an online therapist? Listen in -You will be informed and maybe relieved to know that given the challenges people are facing worldwide, sometimes help is only a call away.

Dr. Haim Weinberg (PhD) is a licensed psychologist in Israel and California, a group analyst, and Certified Group Psychotherapist in private practice in Sacramento, California. He is the past President of the Israeli Association of Group Psychotherapy and of the Northern California Group Psychotherapy Society (NCGPS). Dr. Weinberg is the list-owner of the group psychotherapy professional online discussion forum. He served as the Director of International Programs at the Professional School of Psychology where he created and coordinated an online doctoral program in group psychotherapy. He co-edited a series of books about the social unconscious and wrote a book on Internet groups. His co-edited book "Theory and Practice of Online Therapy" was published just before the COVID-19 pandemic started. His new co-edited books are "Advances in Online Therapy: The Emergence of a New Paradigm" and "The Virtual Group Therapy Circle - Advances in Online Group Theory and Practice". Dr. Weinberg published 10 books, 24 book chapters and 55 articles. His books were translated in China, Japan, Romania, South Korea, the Czech Republic, and Israel. Dr. Weinberg developed group therapy training groups in Asia, and is leading online training process groups for therapists around the world.

The amount of stress worldwide is at an all-time high as the Corona Virus spreads. Self-Care and understanding alternative ways of easing pain are important. This show takes a close look at the varied forms of Alternative Medicine from Energy Medicine, Acupuncture, Chiropractic to religious belief, embraced by millions seeking relief for chronic pain, digestive disorders, fibromyalgia etc. Our guest author, Melanie Warner draws upon her important new book, The Magic Feather Effect: The Science of Alternative Medicine and the Surprising Power of Belief, to invite us into a personal research journey which involves her meeting with clinicians, scientists, and healers world-wide, to answer questions like- Why have these Alternative Medicines become so popular? Why do some people report dramatic relief while others don't? Can the results be subject to scientific proof? Is it the placebo effect? Do we need to recognize and use the surprising system of self-healing that belongs to us.

When you want to have a child but it is more difficult than you and your partner expected, it can feel devastating especially in a world that seems filled with beautiful children, pregnant women and happy couples. It is not an easy time but it can still be a time when your relationship, your search for medical expertise and psychological support, and your courage can make a difference. This is a show that will answer some of your questions and inform and support you on your journey. In this show, Dr. Elizabeth Grill, Director of Psychological Services at the Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and an Associate Professor of Psychology in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine, and Psychiatry at Weill Medical College of Cornell University will be discussing sexual health, the emotional aspects of infertility, IVF treatment, and third-party reproduction. She will be addressing the fears, confusion, grief, relationship sexual issues and questions that need to be asked and answered. She will be fostering resilience as she makes you feel informed about pathways to pursue and issues to face along the family building journey. She will also draw upon examples of weathering the course, facing the roadblocks and staying connected with love and hope.