Psychofarm Podcast

Psychodynamic technique is the throughline of this episode, which argues that the core skills of therapy belong at the center of psychiatry, not at the margins. The conversation maps five levels of intervention, from level zero through interpretation, while stressing that the most important work usually happens earlier: frame, alliance, follow the affect, and technical containment. Rather than glamorizing clever interpretations, the episode shows why reflective listening, emotionally accurate language, and careful therapeutic interventions help patients think, regulate, and elaborate on their experience. It’s a practical discussion for clinicians who want to improve interviewing, formulation, and treatment across everyday psychiatric practice.

Lots of material from this lecture is from here:

https://www.appi.org/Products/Psychotherapy/Clinician-Technique-in-Personalized-Psychotherapy

In this episode, Dr. Harvey and Dr. Malzberg walk through the full history of transcranial magnetic stimulation, from Dr. Tony Barker’s 1985 discovery in a UK engineering lab to the 2008 FDA clearance of the Neurostar system for treatment-resistant depression. They explain how a magnetic field bypasses the skull to induce electrical current in the brain, why early TMS likely underdosed patients, and how new coil designs, expanded indications, and accelerated protocols have transformed the field into one of psychiatry’s fastest-moving areas.

In this episode, Dr. Fu and Dr. Malzberg share practical systems for time protection: start on time, end on time, finish documentation inside the visit, and use tools like AI scribes and quiet typing gear. They also lay out clear messaging rules so emails, texts, and forms do not become off-the-clock clinical care, plus the value of emergency slots. The deeper work is emotional: process the job with mentors or supervision, know your limits, and build a real life outside medicine so you can stay effective for the long game.

In this episode, Dr. Malzberg and Dr. Fu tackle one of psychiatry’s hottest diagnostic debates: complex PTSD versus borderline personality disorder. They walk through the DSM-5 and ICD-11 definitional differences, the historical roots of the C-PTSD concept in Judith Herman’s work, and the real clinical distinctions clinicians can use to differentiate the two. More than a theoretical argument, the conversation zeroes in on how to communicate these diagnoses to patients, why BPD stigma drives some of the debate, and what therapies fit each presentation… from DBT and mentalization-based therapy to EMDR and trauma-focused approaches.

Subtle psychosis can be missed when you rely on checklists or slip into an interrogator stance. We break down a clinician-friendly approach to detecting psychosis early: use countertransference as a signal, mirror emotion without agreeing with delusions, and clarify the patient’s narrative without derailing it. You’ll also get an OLDCARTS-style framework for taking a voice-hearing history (onset, location, duration, character, and more), plus practical alliance moves for paranoia. We close with how to bridge the treatment gap once you’re seeing the pattern clearly.

Bipolar diagnosis is tricky without labs, so this episode lays out a practical, semi-structured interview you can use in real clinics. We start with what many clinicians skip: a medication and substance timeline, plus medical causes, before jumping into mood symptoms. Then we map major depressive episodes, screen for hypomania with narrative follow-ups, and compare behavior to baseline instead of trusting yes/no answers. Along the way we cover classic pitfalls and mimics, including PTSD insomnia, borderline traits, psychosis-related agitation, and ADHD mislabeling. Finally, we talk about when tools like the MDQ or Rapid Mood Screener help, and why collateral history can change the case.

How do you actually evaluate a “delusion” in the room, especially when the belief could be plausible, culturally reinforced, or tied to mood or substances? In this episode, we break down a practical approach to psychosis language, why “fixed false belief” is often insufficient, and the interview questions that help clarify origin, certainty, flexibility, and function. We also use the TALD framework to expand beyond the usual linear vs circumstantial vs tangential model of thought disorder, then apply everything to a case vignette where a single supplement becomes the explanation for an entire life collapse. Educational and clinically focused.

TALD: https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0920996414005933-mmc1.docx

Understanding Delusions Paper: https://journals.lww.com/inpj/fulltext/2009/18010/understanding_delusions.2.aspx

What does “psychosis” actually mean, and how do clinicians recognize it in practice? In this episode, we define psychosis as a syndrome (not a single diagnosis) and walk through the core symptom domains: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking/speech, disorganized behavior, and negative symptoms. We focus on the differential diagnosis, including how to distinguish schizophrenia-spectrum and schizoaffective disorders from mood disorders with psychotic features, trauma-related phenomena, borderline personality disorder, neurodevelopmental presentations (including autism spectrum traits), and substance-induced psychosis. We share red flags that can be easy to miss, like new-onset suspiciousness, functional decline, social withdrawal, and subtle thought disorganization, and we emphasize the value of collateral history and longitudinal follow-up. We close with treatment implications: when antipsychotics are helpful, why risks and benefits need to be individualized, and when psychotherapy and supportive interventions are the better first move. Educational disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.

In this episode, we outline the top 10 things clinicians need to know before prescribing clozapine. Aimed at psychiatrists and trainees, we cover when to use Clozaril. for treatment-resistant schizophrenia and highlight unique benefits like reducing suicidal behavior and aggression. We also discuss why this gold-standard treatment remains underused and review the monitoring protocols. Crucial safety considerations are addressed, including how to watch for neutropenia and constipation. Tune in for practical tips on clozapine titration, side effect management, and best practices to ensure safe and effective use of this life-changing medication.

Today we tackle a nerve-wracking topic for many clinicians: psychiatric disability assessments and paperwork. We break down everything from FMLA leave and short-term disability to Social Security benefits, explaining how to evaluate mental health impairments and fill out disability forms ethically. They discuss how to handle patient requests for time off work, balance treatment with recovery, and even touch on ADA accommodations like emotional support animals. Without the jargon, they share tips to avoid pitfalls and personal biases, helping you feel more confident in this tricky area. It’s a practical guide to navigating the gray areas of disability claims in mental health care.