Sanity

On this episode of Sanity, Dr. Jason Duncan and Master CBT Clinician Dr. Robert Leahy discuss the powerful, and often painful, emotion of regret. Dr. Leahy describes regret as the result of decisions we make, and we can experience it regarding choices we either do, or do not, pursue. Regret is an important emotion because it forces us to review our choices and learn from our experiences. As Dr. Leahy says, “Never waste a good mistake,” because there is always an opportunity to learn something. In his new book, If Only: Finding Freedom from Regret, Dr. Leahy shares steps people should take when they are feeling regret in order to process it in an adaptive way. He discusses common pitfalls of the human experience, such as valuing “existential perfectionism,” or the belief everything should be fulfilling and going right in order for our lives to have meaning. Dr. Leahy notes the importance of acceptance, gratitude, and contentment, rather than perfection, in order to live a rich and meaningful life. Dr. Leahy is a wealth of knowledge, having authored numerous books, treatment manuals, and serving as the director for the American Institute of Cognitive Therapy NYC. Tune in to learn more about Dr. Leahy’s perspective on regret and to hear countless examples of applying these strategies to your own life.

If Only: Finding Freedom from Regret by Robert Leahy

https://www.amazon.com/If-Only-Finding-Freedom-Regret/dp/1462547826

The Worry Cure by Robert Leahy

https://www.amazon.com/Worry-Cure-Seven-Steps-Stopping/dp/1400097665/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1400097665&psc=1

Beat the Blues Before they Beat You: How to Overcome Depression:

https://www.amazon.com/Beat-Blues-Before-They-You/dp/1401921698#:~:text=Using%20mindful%20awareness%20practices%20and,step%20instructions%20to%20help%20you

Other Books by Robert Leahy/Amazon Office:

https://www.amazon.com/Robert-L-Leahy/e/B000APW3QO/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk

Social Media Information:

American Institute for Cognitive Therapy

https://www.cognitivetherapynyc.com/

Psychology Today Blog:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/robert-l-leahy-phd

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MyBestPractice:

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On this episode of Sanity, Dr. Jason Duncan and Lisa Pote discuss current happenings at the Beck Institute. They talk about the creation of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and how the Beck Institute is attempting to disseminate skills originally taught by Dr. Aaron Beck to a wide range of individuals, including clinicians, other professionals, and potential clients. Lisa Pote describes some of the challenges our field currently faces, and how the Beck Institute is working to overcome these issues through innovations in accessibility and training. Finally, future directions for the Beck Institute are discussed. If you are interested in learning more about CBT or what is available through the Beck Institute, check out the various links below!

Looking to better understand CBT for potential clients or find certified therapists:

https://cares.beckinstitute.org/

Professionals and CBT courses available at the Beck Institute :

https://beckinstitute.org/

Social Media Information:

Twitter: @LisaPote

Facebook: Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Twitter: @BeckInstitute

On this episode of “Sanity” Dr. Jason Duncan and Dr. Scott Waltman discuss some of the pitfalls mental health professionals make when implementing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). The most common pitfalls identified in research completed by Dr. Waltman included socratic questioning and guided discovery. Dr. Waltman and Dr. Duncan discuss socratic questioning, its origin with the Greek philosopher Socrates, and how it can be an effective tool in therapy. They provide numerous benefits to this intervention, including helping clients “become their own therapists.” Dr. Waltman discloses the framework for honing the skill of socratic questioning from his new book, Socratic Questioning for Therapists and Counselors: Learn How to Think and Intervene Like a Cognitive Behavior Therapist. Dr. Waltman also identifies a number of other pitfalls therapists make when implementing CBT, such as setting an agenda, pacing the session, receiving feedback from clients, reviewing and developing individualized homework, trouble selecting when to implement interventions and deciding where to intervene. He describes his own therapeutic techniques and how to combat some of these pitfalls. Dr. Duncan and Dr. Waltman both emphasize the importance and difficulty of learning these important skills. They described numerous resources for therapists interested in learning more about CBT, including websites, research studies, books, trainings, and certificates.

Dr. Waltman is a clinical psychologist, international trainer, and practice-based researcher. His interests include evidence-based psychotherapy practice, training, and implementation in systems that provide care to underserved populations. He is certified as a qualified Cognitive Therapist and Trainer/Consultant by the Academy of Cognitive & Behavioral Therapies and is board certified in Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology. He is a board member for the International Association of Cognitive Psychotherapy. More recently, he worked as a CBT trainer for one of Dr. Aaron Beck’s CBT implementation teams in the Philadelphia public mental health system. He is the first author of the book Socratic Questioning for Therapists and Counselors: Learn How to Think and Intervene like a Cognitive Behavior Therapist.

CBT Competence and Fidelity Measure - The Cognitive Behavior Rating Scale (Beck and Young, 1980): https://www.yu.edu/sites/default/files/inline-files/Cognitive%20Therapy%20Rating%20Scale%20%28CTRS%29.pdf

CBT Express: Effective 15-Minute Techniques for Treating Children and Adolescents by Jessica M McClure, Robert D. Friedberg, Micaela A. Thordarson, and Marisa Keller: https://www.amazon.com/CBT-Express-Effective-Techniques-Adolescents/dp/1462540317

Socratic Questioning for Therapists and Counselors by Scott H. Waltman, Trent Codd, III, Lynn M. McFarr, and Bret A. Moore: https://www.amazon.com/Socratic-Questioning-Therapists-Counselors-Psychology-ebook/dp/B08CXN96PS

Instagram @socraticmethod CBT

Listserv: https://www.newyorkcbt.com/

To be certified in CBT: https://www.abct.org/

Academy of Cognitive Therapy: https://www.academyofct.org/

Beck Institute: https://beckinstitute.org/

On this episode of Sanity, Dr. Jason Duncan and Dr. Drea Letamendi discuss how different sci-fi/comic/fantasy fandoms can be used to discuss psychological concepts. In fact, fandoms are great outlets to disseminate information about psychological science to the general public. Additionally, the possibilities are endless when it comes to fandoms, meaning any concept, from processing childhood trauma to how to handle problems with familial relationships can apply. Learning about how our most beloved characters endured challenging emotional experiences builds our own resiliency and can even help us to process some of our own emotions. Dr. Letamendi also provides valuable advice for how to choose a “mission” and stick with it, even though we will all have some type of “kryptonite.” Dr. Letamendi gives quick analyses of some of our most beloved characters, such as the Avengers, Thor, Loki, and Batman, and how psychology applies to the problems they face.

Ted X Talk: Capes, Cowls, and Courage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv9nlrM28Ro

Ted Session: Resiliency and Media during the pandemic: (couldn’t find the link for this one)

Podcast: The Arkham Sessions: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/92efb4c1-7a39-4553-aa38-887d4fdf13a3/the-arkham-sessions-psychology-of-batman-more?ref=dmm_acq_mrn_d_ds_sn_z_-c_c_539036640476_g_120309761644

Superhero Therapy Conference: http://www.superhero-therapy.com/the-1st-annual-superhero-therapy-conference-coming-september-16th-19th/

To find all the podcast episodes, see the other documentaries she’s on, see some of the articles: https://www.drdreapsychology.com

Twitter and Instagram: @arkhamasylumdoc

Dr. Robert Hindman is a clinical psychologist at the Beck Institute. He conducts various trainings and provides consultation and supervision for therapists. He has written books on cognitive therapy, anxiety, and mindfulness, and studies how organizations and therapists can best implement cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). In this episode, Dr. Robert Hindman and Dr. Jason Duncan discuss the increase in anxiety and uncertainty for those returning to work after quarantine from the COVID-19 pandemic. The unknown and uncertain are present now more than ever due to the ever-changing nature of the information we are given by the media and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). What’s more, intolerance of uncertainty is an important mechanism to keep us safe from danger, however, it can quickly become maladaptive and excessive. Dr. Hindman and Dr. Duncan explore options to address worry and uncertainty, including analyzing the utility of worry (i.e. does it make me feel better to worry about these things?), how to make the best decisions for yourself, exposure, both real and imaginal, to the sources of anxiety and fear, and examining and challenging worrisome thoughts. They discuss numerous examples of how applying these techniques can effectively reduce worry and intolerance of uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic.

On this episode of “Sanity” Dr. Jason Duncan and Dr. William Sanderson discuss the application of evolutionary psychology to physical and mental health problems most humans face. They define mismatch theory, which suggests we, as human beings, were built for something entirely different than how we are functioning in our current environment. The mismatch between our biology and environment is related to a number of physical (obesity, diabetes, cancer) and mental health (depression, anxiety, suicide, substance use disorders) disorders. The reason for the mismatch can be traced to the technological revolution, our endless food supply, the change in our occupations, and variations in our exposure to light. Dr. Duncan and Dr. Sanderson explore how social comparison, which was integral to the development of our species, is exacerbated through exposure to supernormal stimuli, or stimuli in extreme excess, by the advent of social media. Likewise, the fact we are constantly bombarded with information about catastrophic events greatly contributes to anxiety. They also examine various options to reduce the harmful effects of our exposure to supernormal stimuli.

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 and Dr. Jacqueline Persons discuss the importance of cognitive-behavioral case formulation and tracking progress. The case formulation approach includes hypothesis testing of maintaining factors. It allows the clinician to pivot in treatment, when necessary, if specific interventions designed to target a certain mechanism are not successful in symptom reduction. Effective case formulations cover the three P’s: predisposing factors, precipitating factors, and perpetuating factors. The various benefits of progress monitoring are also discussed, and Dr. Persons provides resources for how to manage client progress, including how to effectively implement them in therapy. Dr. Persons describes how using a case formulation approach and using progress monitoring measures allow clinicians to adhere to evidence-based practice, especially when they may stray from a particular manualized treatment. This podcast is a great listen for both beginning and more experienced therapists seeking to improve treatment outcomes and learn effective strategies to adhere to evidence based practice!

Dr. Persons is a clinical psychologist that has worked in a private practice setting providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, training and consultation to professionals, and research, for more than 35 years. She is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California at Berkeley. She was past-president of the Association of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies and the Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology. She is a Distinguished Founding Fellow, Certified Cognitive Therapist, and Certified Trainer of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. She is the recipient of the Outstanding Clinician award from the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies and recipient of the Distinguished Contributions to Applied Research and Practice in Psychology award from the American Association of Applied and Preventive Psychology. She has authored 3 books and more than 70 articles and chapters.

Resources:

The Case Formulation Approach to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy:

PsychSurveys: https://www.psychsurveys.com/

Midas Practice: electronic medical records system

https://midas.umich.edu/application/electronic-medical-record-data/

Beck Depression Inventory

https://www.ismanet.org/doctoryourspirit/pdfs/Beck-Depression-Inventory-BDI.pdf

OQ-45: https://www.oqmeasures.com/oq-45-2/

Website: www.oaklandcbt.com

On this episode of “Sanity” Dr. Jason Duncan and Dr. William Sanderson discuss the application of evolutionary psychology to physical and mental health problems most humans face. Core principles of evolutionary theory are discussed, such as survival of the fittest, sexual selection, and inclusive fitness. Dr. William Sanderson explains how the environment we evolved in as hunter gatherers created certain traits necessary for our survival; however, those same traits are “mismatched” to our modern society in a number of ways. Various topic areas related to “mismatch” theory are discussed, including work satisfaction, relationships, eating/exercise, social media, and polarization. Dr. Sanderson and Dr. Duncan thoroughly dive into each of these areas and discuss how they lead to increases in misery, lower marriage and birth rates, and increases in nearly every medical and mental health disorder. Tune in to hear more about the importance of understanding evolution and to learn about what we can do to combat “mismatch.”

Books by E.O. Wilson: https://www.thriftbooks.com/a/edward-o-wilson/205915/

Article: Work: The Tragedy of Our Age: https://quillette.com/2020/01/30/work-the-tragedy-of-our-age/

Anatomy of Love by Helen Fisher: https://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Love-Marriage-Completely-Introduction/dp/0393285227

Plagues and the Paradox of Progress: https://www.amazon.com/Plagues-Paradox-Progress-Healthier-Worrisome/dp/0262038455

The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature by Steven Pinker: https://www.amazon.com/Blank-Slate-Modern-Denial-Nature/dp/0142003344

The Moral Animal by Robert Wright: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-moral-animal-why-we-are-the-way-we-are-the-new-science-of-evolutionary-psychology_robert-wright/251990/?gclid=CjwKCAiA4veMBhAMEiwAU4XRr8NjU5tvr4h_-TEuXV-ssuGpd_lbjpEiWvfPydOaUP5hd6S0w7q8DRoCRpwQAvD_BwE#edition=2271847&idiq=3924813

Podcasts:

Joe Rogan’s Episode with Brett Weinstein: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRCzZp1J0v0

Sam Harris’ podcasts about social media: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/2edfbc78-8731-40fa-b5f7-498079d4a08b/making-sense-with-sam-harris?refMarker=dm_wcp_af_r&ref=dmm_acq_mrn_d_ds_rh_z_-c_c_538970003911_g_127821134784&returnFromLogin=1&

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 and Dr. Sarah Becker discuss the dissemination and implementation of effective therapy for psychological disorders. Dr. Becker explains the pitfalls psychologists and psychology organizations have made in marketing specific treatments to consumers. She provides comparisons between the fields of psychology and pharmacotherapy, and she discusses lessons psychologists can learn from how medications are marketed. Strategies for effective marketing are covered, and examples are given for how these strategies can be used for psychological treatments. Dr. Becker provides tips for how both individual psychologists and psychological organizations can implement these strategies to reach a greater number of consumers. In the second half of this episode, Dr. Duncan and Dr. Becker discuss the implementation of effective treatment and how clinicians and organizations can improve their use of various therapies. Tune in for valuable information about spreading psychological science to the general public and using treatments that work!

Resources and Links:

Twitter: #CBTworks (find therapists talking about CBT)

Therapy groups on facebook (CBT for depression)

Website for therapies for parents: https://effectivechildtherapy.org/

ABCT: https://www.abct.org

Social Media Information:

CV: https://vivo.brown.edu/docs/s/sb38_cv.pdf

Twitter: @sjbeckerphd

Training Organization: New England ATTC: https://attcnetwork.org/

Email: [email protected]

On this episode of “Sanity” Dr. Jason Duncan, Dr. Scott Kellogg, and Amanda Garcia Torres discuss transformational chairwork. Transformational chairwork is a transtheoretical psychotherapy technique which involves utilizing physical chairs in a session to parse out various “parts” of ourselves, speak from these parts, and allow our inner leader to gain control. Chairwork can also be used to role-play difficult conversations or as a part of grief therapy to reconcile any issues with individuals who have passed. Dr. Kellogg and Amanda Garcia Torres discussed the various components of chairwork and described how it can be used in conjunction with other psychotherapy modalities, such as cognitive restructuring in treatment for OCD. One of the core pieces of chairwork is about creating space for these various parts we may have been unable to hear through the chaos of everything else going on, or we have lost touch with. Amanda Garcia Torres also shares how chairwork can be used to treat issues related to social justice and traumatization from oppression. The episode ends with Amanda Garcia Torres leading Dr. Duncan through a chairwork role-play regarding feelings of anxiety. This is a great podcast for clinicians wanting to learn more about this psychotherapeutic technique, or any future client who may find this work beneficial for their psychological struggles.

Transformational Chairwork: Using Psychotherapeutic Dialogues in Clinical Practice by Scott Kellogg: https://www.amazon.com/Transformational-Chairwork-Psychotherapeutic-Dialogues-Clinical/dp/1442229535

Links to papers and research: https://transformationalchairwork.com/

Schema Therapy Bulletin: https://schematherapysociety.org/Sys/Login?ReturnUrl=%2fSchema-Therapy-Bulletin

Social Media Information:

Facebook and Instagram: @transformationalchairwork

LinkedIn: The Transformational Chairwork Psychotherapy Project

Website: https://transformationalchairwork.com/

Amanda’s Website: https://chairworktherapynyc.com/