Sanity

In the second episode of the podcast series on psychedelic assisted therapy, the hosts and experts delve deeper into possible harms associated with recreational and inappropriate use of psychedelics. This coverage includes exploring the psychological impact of incorrect dosages, discussing potential neuroscientific theories including ego dissolution and the intensification of emotional experiences, and highlighting the importance of controlled settings to prevent harmful consequences. The discussion also covers the potential therapeutic benefits when used correctly and methodically in treating conditions such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse along with the crucial role of post-therapy integration. Additionally, questions about cultural harms, accessibility, cost, and implications for future research are considered.

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In this episode of the Sanity x ABCT collaboration series, two experts in the field of psychedelic assisted therapy, Dr. Jason Luoma and Dr. Brian Pilecki, shed light on the process, potential benefits, and risks of this growing treatment approach. Topics discussed include the classes and applications of different psychedelics, the importance of a therapeutic context, and the current state of research on these substances. They emphasize the necessity of proper guidance and caution in using these psychedelic substances due to their powerful psychological effects. Also, they discuss that while individual substances may result in considerably different experiences, and are often influenced by environmental factors, the general structure of a therapeutic session remains the same: preparation, the psychedelic experience, and post-session integration.

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On this inaugural episode of the Sanity Podcast and the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) collaboration series, host Dr. Jason Duncan interviews his two guests, outgoing and incoming presidents of ABCT, Dr. Jill Ehrenreich-May and Dr. Sandra Pimentel respectively, on their share their experiences and insights in ABCT governance over the last year. They delve into the organization's recent and future initiatives, such as diversity and inclusivity efforts, student empowerment, accountability measures, and more. The discussion further explores upcoming events and novel offerings at the annual ABCT convention, including a new styled presidential address, panels, keynote speakers, wellness activities, and unique presentations. This episode provides a thorough look into the functioning of ABCT and as it aims to foster engagement with its growing community.

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In this episode of the Sanity Podcast, host Dr. Jason Duncan reconnects with Dr. Craig Henderson to discuss family-based treatment solutions for adolescent substance abuse and other related mental health disorders. Dr. Henderson elaborates on the increasing prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders among teenagers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and shares insights into the importance of acknowledging and tackling substance abuse issues in this age group. The discussion also explores the influence of family dynamics on the mental health and resilience of adolescents, the challenges posed by societal pressures, and the scope for engaging broader family networks or 'families of choice' in therapeutic healing processes. The podcast episode wraps up with Dr. Henderson highlighting various resources for support and recovery, including the 'Consortium on Addiction Recovery Support' (COARS), the 'Partnership to End Addiction' and others, available to families dealing with substance abuse.

00:22 Introduction and Guest Background

00:59 The Current State of Adolescent Substance Abuse

01:27 Impact of COVID-19 on Adolescent Mental Health

13:42 The Role of Family in Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment

17:47 Understanding Family-Based Therapies

23:39 The Influence of Peer Groups and Social Factors

30:29 The Role of Parents in Emerging Adulthood

34:24 Parenting Challenges and Joys

35:37 Balancing Parenting and Caregiving for Aging Parents

36:18 Learning to Parent at Different Life Stages

37:03 Two Rules for Parenting

37:22 The Importance of Family in Therapy

37:43 The Role of Family in Therapy

39:11 Challenges of Non-traditional Family Structures in Therapy

39:42 Inclusion of Chosen Family in Therapy

41:37 The Role of Therapists in Family Therapy

43:50 Core Elements of Effective Family Therapy

49:15 The Importance of Fidelity in Therapy

49:16 The Role of Research in Improving Family Therapy

51:45 The Importance of Self-check in Therapy

59:26 Addressing Substance Use and Mental Health Issues in Teens

59:52 National Initiatives to Address Substance Use

01:07:38 Final Thoughts: The Power of Kindness and Support

On this episode of Sanity, Dr. Jason Duncan and Dr. Jonathan Abramowitz discuss the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or the DSM. The DSM is widely used by psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals to not only diagnose individuals with mental health disorders, but also to submit codes for insurance reimbursement for those receiving treatment. As important as it is, there are some major flaws with its structure. Dr. Abramowitz takes a deep dive into some of the major flaws of this classification system, including the lack of an underlying theory and issues with reliability and validity. Multiple examples of the current issues with the DSM are applied to clinical situations, and Dr. Abramowitz begins to discuss solutions to these problems. Tune in to learn more about the DSM, and continue listening to Episode 2 on specifically improving the DSM for anxiety and OCD!

Dr. Abramowitz is a Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Director of the OCD and Anxiety Disorders Clinic. He is an internationally recognized leader in the treatment of OCD and anxiety disorders and has published over 300 books and scientific articles in these areas. He is a Past President of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) and the founding Editor of the Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders (JOCRD).

Social Media Information:

Twitter: @drjonabram

On this episode of Sanity, Dr. Jason Duncan and Dr. Jonathan Abramowitz continue their discussion on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or the DSM. Specifically, they take an in-depth look at anxiety and obsessive compulsive and related disorders. Dr. Abramowitz discusses the main differences between OCD and other disorders, such as hair-pulling (trichotillomania), and how focusing on the mechanisms of each disorder is the most important part so someone can receive effective treatment. He also shares information about an alternative model to the DSM focused on biological processes; however, this model is not without its own issues. Despite its many problems, Dr. Duncan and Dr. Abramowitz concede the DSM is the best tool clinicians and other mental health professionals have, but it should continue to be criticized so it can be improved for years to come. Tune in to hear more about this extremely important conversation regarding the future of the field!

Dr. Abramowitz is a Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Director of the OCD and Anxiety Disorders Clinic. He is an internationally recognized leader in the treatment of OCD and anxiety disorders and has published over 300 books and scientific articles in these areas. He is a Past President of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) and the founding Editor of the Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders (JOCRD).

Resources and links:

Conversion - Documentary

https://www.amazon.com/Conversion-Zachary-Quinto/dp/B09RW4XW2C

Social Media Information:

Twitter: @drjonabram

On this episode of Sanity, join us for Part 1 of a 2-part discussion between Dr. Jason Duncan and Dr. William Sanderson on how evolutionary psychology can be applied to current issues humans are facing. They briefly review mismatch theory, which is the concept that humans evolved with certain traits that were key to our survival; however, these same traits are not as functional in the modern world as they were in the past. Specifically, Dr. Sanderson discusses how the traits of selfishness, violence, and ethnocentrism were highly adaptive and selected for, but they may lead to our existential destruction in the modern world. The first part of this discussion is focused on political polarization and how ingroup/outgroup bias, the media, and moral indignation have led to the current political climate in the United States. Join us for Part 2 where Dr.’s Duncan and Sanderson will be discussing how evolutionary traits may be contributing to nuclear threat and climate change. If you are interested in learning more about evolutionary psychology, check out the previous podcasts with Dr. Sanderson!

Resources and Links:

Christopher Hitchens book: A Long Short War: The Postponed Liberation of Iraq

https://www.amazon.com/Long-Short-War-Postponed-Liberation/dp/0452284988

Dr. Sanderson’s Psychology Today Blog: Our Evolutionary Selves:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/our-evolutionary-selves

The Status Game: On Human Life and How to Play it: On Social Position and How We Use it:

https://www.amazon.com/Status-Game-Position-Governs-Everything-ebook/dp/B08H7Y414K

Social Media Information:

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/sandersonhofstra

Blog: Our Evolutionary Selves: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/our-evolutionary-selves

Youtube Lectures: https://sites.google.com/view/sandersonhofstra/humannature

Twitter: @WCSphd

On this episode of Sanity, join us for Part 2 of the 2-part discussion between Dr. Duncan and Dr. Sanderson on how evolutionary psychology can be applied to current issues humans are facing. Part 1 of this discussion primarily focused on political polarization in the United States. The focus of Part 2 is covering how evolved traits, such as ingroup and outgroup bias, aggression, selfishness, and lack of future orientation that were once paramount to our survival could ultimately lead to destruction of our species. Dr. Sanderson discusses how this destruction might occur through escalation of aggression and nuclear threat and an under-appraisal of risk associated with climate change. If you are interested in learning more about evolutionary psychology, check out the previous podcasts with Dr. Sanderson!

Resources and Links:

On Human Nature by E.O. Wilson:

https://www.amazon.com/Human-Nature-new-Preface-Revised/dp/0674016386

On Aggression by Konrad Lorenz:

https://www.amazon.com/Aggression-Harvest-Book-Hb-291/dp/0156687410

Social Media Information:

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/sandersonhofstra

Blog: Our Evolutionary Selves: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/our-evolutionary-selves

Youtube Lectures: https://sites.google.com/view/sandersonhofstra/humannature

Twitter: @WCSphd

On this episode of Sanity, Dr. Jason Duncan along with Dr.’s Rego, Stern, Szuhany, Pimentel, & von Stietz cover the immense topic of using metaphors, pop-culture, movie/TV show characters, and athletes/sports in therapy sessions. They provide rationale for making these references with therapy clients, and explain how this process has been around since the advent of psychology. These references can be especially helpful to clients as they allow them to build connections between psychological principles, their own experiences, and their interests outside of the therapy room. It assists in making these principles applicable and memorable, which means clients are more likely to incorporate them in their daily lives. Making these connections also allows clients to discuss difficult topics, such as traumatic events, if they can relate them to the experiences of beloved characters/celebrities/athletes. The guests provide guidance on how to utilize these various references in the therapy room and offer advice when a client may be getting the “wrong message.” The combined expertise of these individuals is invaluable to clinicians, clients, and everyone in between. Tune in for a great episode about the importance of utilizing these techniques with clients!

Resources and Links:

Stories and Metaphors in Cognitive-Behavior Therapy by Otto

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1077722900800279

The Big Book of ACT Metaphors:

https://www.amazon.com/Big-Book-ACT-Metaphors-Practitioners/dp/

Oxford Guide to Metaphors in CBT: Building Cognitive Bridges:

https://www.oxfordclinicalpsych.com/view/10.1093/med:psych/9780199207497.001.0001/med-9780199207497

Social Media Information:

Twitter:

@drjessicabstern

@sandrapimphd

@CBTSoCal

@CBTSportPsych

Instagram:

@drjessicabstern

@CBTSoCal

@CBTSportPsych

Websites:

https://www.drjessicabstern.com/

https://nyulangone.org/doctors/1174953459/kristin-l-szuhany

http://www.simonrego.com/

Podcast Trailer for MovieHouse Sports Psychology:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2OWNKLqrV8Vj3l59bClZsb

MyBestPractice:

MBP - Extend 3 Month Free Trial

On this episode of Sanity, Dr. Jason Duncan and Dr. Jon Abramowitz discuss the treatment of exposure for anxiety disorders, including OCD. Dr. Abramowitz is an internationally recognized expert in anxiety and OCD, and he has published countless books and articles about the topic. Dr. Abramowitz differentiates between the traditional model of exposure therapy, habituation, and the new model, inhibitory learning. This new model is beginning to gain traction in the treatment of anxiety disorders due to its focus on learning feared situations are not as scary as previously believed and individuals can manage anxiety should it arise. The inhibitory learning model is linked to better long-term treatment outcomes. Dr. Abramowitz emphasizes therapists can still utilize habituation, but it is important to recognize when habituation is not effectively targeting anxiety. He discusses other pitfalls of exposure therapy and breaks down various components to be utilized within exposures. Dr. Abramowitz provides countless examples of these techniques applied to clinical situations. Tune in to learn more about exposure and the development of the inhibitory learning model!

Resources and Links:

Exposure Therapy for Anxiety: Principles and Practice:

https://www.amazon.com/Exposure-Therapy-Anxiety-Principles-Practice/dp/146250969X

Clinical Handbook of Fear and Anxiety: Maintenance Processes and Treatment Mechanisms

https://www.amazon.com/Clinical-Handbook-Fear-Anxiety-Maintenance/dp/1433830655/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=abramowitz+clinical+handbook&qid=1573923646&sr=8-2

Getting Over OCD: 10-Step Workbook

https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Over-OCD-Second-Self-Help/dp/1462529704

The Family Guide to Getting Over OCD:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+family+guide+to+getting+over+ocd&i=stripbooks

Articles by Michelle Craske:

https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Michelle-G-Craske-39584843

Lab Website:

https://jonabram.web.unc.edu/

Personal Website:

http://www.jabramowitz.com/

Social Media Information:

Twitter: @drjonabram

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