On this episode of Sanity, Dr. Jason Duncan and Dr. Dennis Zgaljardic discuss different aspects of neuropsychological assessments. They cover various areas of the brain and their functions, and they discuss how assessment tools can be used to determine where there might be deficits. Specifically, a neuropsychological assessment combines a number of different aspects, from the clinical interview, looking at neurological exams, and administering testing. Dr. Zgaljardic explains the purpose of some tests in measuring functioning in different areas, and he discusses how an apparent issue in one area, such as memory, may actually be related to a deficiency somewhere else, such as with attention. Dr. Zgaljardic provides numerous case examples and informs us how neuropsychological assessments can be used as a part of cognitive rehabilitation. Tune in to learn more about this fascinating area of psychology!

Resources:

Dennis' Private Practice:

https://gcneuropsychology.com/

Dennis' Twitter:

https://twitter.com/djzgaljardic?lang=en

Book - Man Who Mistook his Wife for a Hat:

https://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Mistook-His-Wife/dp/1491514078

Book - Descartes' Error: Emotion, Reason, and the Human Brain

https://www.amazon.com/Descartes-Error-Emotion-Reason-Human-ebook/dp/B00AFY2XVK/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=descartes+error&qid=1603579024&s=books&sr=1-1

APA - Society for Clinical Neuropsychology:

https://www.apa.org/about/division/div40

American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (Find a board certified neuropsychologist)

https://theaacn.org/

Vienna Beat by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

On this episode of Sanity, Dr. Jason Duncan and Dr. Emily Owens discuss psychosis and the prodromal stages of psychosis. They cover risk factors for developing psychotic disorders and share information about therapeutic interventions for these individuals. Dr. Owens provides numerous examples differentiating symptoms of prodromal psychosis from normal behavior, and she explains how it is often difficult to parse out psychotic symptoms due to the fact their age of onset is similar to many different mental health disorders. Dr. Owens also provides information about racial disparities in the diagnosing of psychotic disorders.

Resources:

Learn more about Emily:

https://www.cognitivebehaviorassociates.com/dr-emily-owens/

North American Prodromal Longitudinal Study: 8-9 sites of U.S. and Canada to identify prodromal individuals and follow up with them

CBT for Prodromal Psychosis

North American CBT for Psychosis Society:

https://www.nacbtp.org/

SMI Adviser:

https://smiadviser.org/

Vienna Beat by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

On this episode of Sanity, Dr. Jason Duncan and Dr. Jess Shatkin discuss mental illness prevention in children and adolescents. Dr. Shatkin shares his expertise on prevention practices, why they are important, and how we could improve them. He then specifies on specific practices for kids, which are especially salient due to the fact the majority of chronic mental health disorders develop in adolescence and early adulthood. Dr. Shatkin discusses best practices in terms of parenting, substance use, video gaming, screen time, and sex education, and cites data from various research studies supporting prevention strategies in these areas. He then shares information about the “Child and adolescent mental health studies” minor program he created at New York University (NYU), and how this program is having lasting effects on its students. Dr. Shatkin possess vast knowledge in this topic, and this episode is a great listen for anyone interested in learning more about combating risk for mental health disorders for kids and teens!

Resources:

Keep us with Jess' work:

https://www.drjesspshatkin.com/about.html

Jess' Book - Born to Be Wild: Why Teens Take Risks, and How We Can Help Keep Them Safe

https://www.amazon.com/Born-Be-Wild-Teens-Risks/dp/0143129791

Jess' Textbook - Child & Adolescent Mental Health: A Practical, All-in-One Guide

https://www.amazon.com/Child-Adolescent-Mental-Health-All/dp/0393710602/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=jess+shatkin&qid=1600552492&s=books&sr=1-2

Jess' Radio Show - About our Kids 

https://www.drjesspshatkin.com/siriusxm-radio.html

All the Kings Men - Book

https://www.amazon.com/All-Kings-Robert-Penn-Warren/dp/B000SZCNAW

Social Media Information:

Website: drjesspshatkin.com

Twitter: @drjesspshatkin

Facebook: Dr. Jess P. Shatkin

Vienna Beat by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

On this episode of Sanity, Dr. Jason Duncan and Dr. Michael Tompkins cover a transdiagnostic approach to treating emotional disorders, such as anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Dr. Tompkins, who has authored several books on this topic and is board certified in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), shares these disorders have similar mechanisms of avoidance, either emotional or behavioral. Therefore, the common ingredients to treatment for these disorders involve willingness and experiential approach. These two areas create a feedback loop; as someone becomes more willing to have anxious thoughts, engage in behaviors, or try new things, they are more likely to then approach those situations or thoughts, thus increasing their self-efficacy and beliefs they can continue to be willing to engage. Dr. Tompkins provides numerous examples of this phenomenon, and he shares his strategies with clients when treatment needs to shift to focus on one of these areas to keep the feedback loop in balance. Tune in to learn more about these concepts and their importance in treatment for emotional disorders!

Resources:

Keep up with Dr. Tomkins

http://sfbacct.com/

Book - The Anxiety and Depression Workbook

https://www.amazon.com/Anxiety-Depression-Workbook-Effective-Techniques/dp/1684036143

Book - Zero to 60

https://www.amazon.com/Zero-60-Frustration-Everyday-Irritations/dp/143383247X

Beck Institute

https://beckinstitute.org/

International OCD Foundation

https://iocdf.org/

Anxiety and Depression Association of America

https://adaa.org/

Vienna Beat by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

On this episode of Sanity, Dr. Jason Duncan and Dr. Katherine Dondanville cover post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its various treatments. Dr. Dondanville is board-certified in cognitive and behavioral psychology, and she specializes in a specific treatment for PTSD called cognitive processing therapy (CPT). CPT is a time-limited (around 12 sessions) approach which provides clients with background information on cognitive theories, explores negative beliefs, called “stuck-points” they developed related to their trauma, and then teaches them skills to challenge these beliefs. Dr. Dondanville explains CPT also addresses five themes often affected by traumatic events: safety, power/control, esteem, intimacy, and trust. Other treatment options for PTSD, such as prolonged exposure (PE) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) treatment are also covered. Dr. Dondanville provides numerous examples of how the components of CPT are delivered in therapy. She also shares a multitude of resources accessible to clinicians or people who are struggling with PTSD themselves. Dr. Dondanville discusses her research on PTSD, including the shocking statistic of 80-90% of civilians and 40-60% of active duty or veterans experience remission from PTSD. Tune in to learn more about PTSD and how it is effectively treated!

Resources:

Katy's University of Texas Profile:

http://profiles.uthscsa.edu/?pid=profile&id=3A90J17TT

Strong Star (Research Initiative)

https://patriot.uthscsa.edu/strongstar/

Strong Star Training Initiative 

https://www.strongstartraining.org/

CPT for PTSD (Training and Clinician Look up)

https://cptforptsd.com/

National Center for PTSD

https://www.ptsd.va.gov/

This American Life - 10 Session

https://www.thisamericanlife.org/682/ten-sessions

Social Media Information:

Twitter: @KatyDondanville

Instagram: strongstar_ptsd

Vienna Beat by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

On this episode of Sanity, Dr. Jason Duncan and Dr. Jonathan Grayson dive into OCD, defining and differentiating it from other mental disorders and “normal” behavior. They discuss the core features of the disorder, which are obsessions and compulsions, and provide multiple examples of how obsessions and compulsions might look in a clinical setting. Dr. Grayson introduces the topic of uncertainty and how it is the core of the problem for those living with OCD due to its contribution to avoidance and behaviors interfering with quality of life. Interestingly, once individuals learn to live with uncertainty as part of OCD treatment, they are actually more tolerant of it than those in the general public. They review treatment for OCD, including exposure and response prevention, and Dr. Grayson identifies common pitfalls with diagnosing and treating OCD, such as the end goal not including tolerance of uncertainty. Numerous client examples are provided along with rationales for Dr. Grayson’s treatment approach for specific obsessions or compulsions.

Resources:

Grayson Center

http://laocdtreatment.com/

Book - Freedom from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder-Personalized-ebook/dp/B0049U4KGM

Book - Is Fred in the Refrigerator

https://www.amazon.com/Fred-Refrigerator-Taming-Reclaiming-Life-ebook/dp/B07CQ66T6F

Book - Everyday Mindfulness for OCD by Jon Hershfield and Shala Nicely, with foreword by Alec Pollard

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XGRB72W/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

Other books by Jon Hershfield

https://www.amazon.com/Jon-Hershfield-MFT/e/B00GNT1XVW%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

Podcast - The OCD Stories

https://theocdstories.com/

International OCD Foundation

https://iocdf.org/

On this episode of Sanity, Dr. Jason Duncan and Dr. Paul Grant dive into Recovery-Oriented Cognitive Therapy, a new approach to cognitive therapy specifically designed to increase outcomes for those with serious mental illnesses, such as psychotic disorders. Dr. Grant explains how the focus of recovery-oriented cognitive therapy is on addressing negative beliefs an individual might have about themselves, others, or the future and building more adaptive “modes” of thinking by uncovering beliefs they have when they are at their very best. Through this treatment, individuals increase their sense of purpose and gain empowerment over their lives, which is often absent for those spending lengthy periods of time in psychiatric hospitals. This therapeutic approach is relatively new (past 10 years), however, initial study findings and past research on the various aspects of the model are promising. Dr. Grant also explains how this form of treatment can be useful for individuals with anxiety disorders, depression, or people who want to gain a deeper sense of purpose in their lives. Tune in for a great episode on a new therapeutic approach!

Resources:

Center for Recovery Oriented Cognitive Therapy

https://beckinstitute.org/center-for-recovery-oriented-cognitive-therapy/

Book - Recovery-Oriented Cognitive Therapy for Serious Mental Health Conditions

https://www.guilford.com/books/Recovery-Oriented-Cognitive-Therapy-Serious-Mental-Health-Conditions/Beck-Grant-Inverso-Brinen/9781462545193

Book - Asylums: Essays on the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates by Erving Goffman

https://www.amazon.com/Asylums-Essays-Situation-Patients-Inmates/dp/0385000162/ref=asc_df_0385000162/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312021251979&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8656133040061873383&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9027691&hvtargid=pla-421236664470&psc=1

Beck Institute

https://beckinstitute.org/

Association for the Advancement of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies

https://www.abct.org/

Mental Health America

https://mhanational.org/

National Alliance on Mental Illness

https://www.nami.org/Home

Vienna Beat by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

On this episode of Sanity, Dr. Jason Duncan and Dr. Amanda Loerinc Guinyard discuss a new model of exposure treatment called the inhibitory learning model. Traditionally, exposure therapy was believed to work due to habituation, or the diminishing of a response to the feared or anxiety-provoking stimulus. Dr. Loerinc Guinyard describes how recent research suggests exposure therapy works because an individual is learning the previously feared stimuli no longer produces an anxiety response, known as the inhibitory learning model. Another aspect of this model includes an individual learning even if they are in an anxiety-provoking situation, they can tolerate and cope with those emotions. Positive Affect Treatment, a new therapy developed in part by Dr. Loerinc Guinyard, is also covered. This therapy is a transdiagnostic approach, meaning it can be useful for a number of different disorders, and its focus, not surprisingly, is on increasing positive emotional experiences, thoughts, and enhancing compassion. This is a great episode for those wanting to learn more about new therapeutic approaches and models!

Resource:

CBT Center of Boston:

http://www.cbtcenterboston.com/

Concord Center in Massachusetts: 

https://www.concordcbt.com/

Treatments that Work Series

https://global.oup.com/academic/content/series/t/treatments-that-work-ttw/?cc=us&lang=en&

ABCT (Find a Therapist)

https://www.findcbt.org/FAT/

Academy of Cognitive Therapy (Find a Therapist)

https://www.academyofct.org/search/custom.asp?id=4410

Anything written by Michelle Craske: https://www.psych.ucla.edu/faculty-page/mcraske/

Social Media Information:

Website: https://www.cbtcenterboston.com/about

Instagram: @amandaloerincguinyard

Vienna Beat by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

On this episode of Sanity, Dr. Jason Duncan and Dr. Elizabeth Turk-Karan discuss how exposure therapy works, and how it is used to treat a number of different anxiety-related disorders. Dr. Turk-Karan shares how we all need some levels of anxiety to function properly, but sometimes, our anxiety can be triggered inappropriately. When this happens, exposure can be used to reduce the anxiety we feel. Dr. Turk-Karan explains how exposures are set up collaboratively with patients, and they include a hierarchy, from least to most anxiety-provoking. Patients are asked to “climb the ladder” and repeat these exposures for homework. Exposure works best when it induces sufficient anxiety, the patient’s anxiety levels drop, and when they are done repeatedly over time, not just in the office. As Dr. Turk-Karan explains, while this therapy sounds tough, trained therapists are there to support their patients every step of the way, and they would never ask a patient to do something they would not do themselves. Various types of exposure treatment are discussed, such as in vivo and imaginal, and numerous examples are provided. Tune in to learn more about this revolutionary and successful treatment for anxiety!

Resources:

Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety and the University of Pensilvania:

https://www.med.upenn.edu/ctsa/

The Treatments that Work:

https://www.oxfordclinicalpsych.com/page/ttwseries/treatments-that-work-series

ABCT (Find a Therapist):

https://www.findcbt.org/FAT/

International OCD Foundation:

https://iocdf.org/

Social Media Information:

Twitter: @Center4Anxiety

Vienna Beat by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

On this episode of Sanity podcast, Dr. Robert Hindman and Dr. Jason Duncan explore the benefits of mindfulness. Often times, when people hear the word, “mindfulness,” they think of meditation, deep breathing, and relaxation. But, as Dr. Hindman explains, it can be so much more than that. Mindfulness consists of two principles: bringing awareness to the present moment and accepting the experiences in the present moment non-judgmentally. Formal mindfulness is more similar to meditation training, whereas informal mindfulness can be practiced at any point or during any activity. Although Dr. Hindman states, “mindfulness is a simple concept that is difficult to describe or define,” he provides numerous examples of this intervention throughout the episode and even gives a short demonstration. In addition to allowing us to more fully experience the present moment, mindfulness can also be useful when implemented with other psychotherapy interventions, such as exposure. Tune in to learn more about this incredibly beneficial technique and how it can be useful for you personally or for your clients!

Resources:

Rob's Mindfulness trainings:

https://psychwire.com/beck/cbt-mindfulness-series

Beck Institute:

https://beckinstitute.org/

Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Second Edition: Basics and Beyond:

https://www.amazon.com/Cognitive-Behavior-Therapy-Second-Basics/dp/1609185048

Recovery Oriented Cognitive Therapy by Aaron Beck

https://www.amazon.com/Recovery-Oriented-Cognitive-Therapy-Serious-Conditions/dp/146254519X/ref=asc_df_146254519X/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=509494905560&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13476877864518209000&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1027271&hvtargid=pla-949065801338&psc=1

Vienna Beat by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)