Sanity

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)

On this episode of Sanity podcast, Dr. Julie Orris and Dr. Jason Duncan discuss Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, or DBT. DBT was originally designed as a treatment for adults with borderline personality disorder (BPD) to improve emotional regulation and decrease harmful, impulsive behaviors. Dr. Orris discusses the importance of dialectics, or opposing concepts in DBT, and a core purpose of the treatment is to “find the middle path.” Since the foundation of DBT, it has been well-researched and is an effective treatment not only for BPD, but for other mental health concerns in adults and children, such as anxiety or depression. Dr. Orris explains DBT has four distinct elements: emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. She discusses how mindfulness is taught in between each module because awareness of the present moment is an integral skill to DBT. At the end of the episode, Dr. Orris and Dr. Duncan discuss anxiety related to COVID-19 and how many of the fears we have are realistic. Using a DBT mindset, Dr. Orris encourages people to “find the middle path” of what reduces their anxiety about COVID-19 but allows them to live a meaningful life.

Resources:

Follow Julie Orris

https://www.julieorris.com/

Psychologist and co-founder of Evidence Based Therapy Partners 

http://ebtherapypartners.com

Book - Loving Someone with Borderline Personality Disorder

https://www.amazon.com/Someone-Borderline-Personality-Disorder-Control/dp/1593856075

Family Connection Program (Free resource for for those in a relationship with somebody who has Borderline Personality Disorder)

https://www.borderlinepersonalitydisorder.org/family-connections/

Find a certified DBT Therapist

https://behavioraltech.org/resources/find-a-therapist/

Adolescent DBT Model with a Parenting Component by Alec Miller:

https://www.amazon.com/DBT%C2%AE-Skills-Manual-Adolescents-Rathus/dp/1462515355/ref=asc_df_1462515355/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312029822325&

DBT Skills in Schools:

https://www.guilford.com/books/DBT-Skills-in-Schools/Mazza-Dexter-Mazza-Miller-Rathus/9781462525591

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

On this episode of Sanity, Dr. Jason Duncan and Dr. Erica Rozmid discuss how various skills from Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can be useful in coping with stress and uncertainty and ultimately create a more meaningful life. Dr. Rozmid is a CBT-oriented therapist, meaning, she approaches therapy from the perspective that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all connected, and we can intervene on our thoughts and behaviors to change our emotions. She also identifies as a DBT-oriented therapist. Dr. Rozmid discusses how using various DBT skills reduces high intensity emotions due to their focus on dialectics, or finding a balance between two seemingly opposing forces. She shares how using both sets of these skills, CBT and DBT, was especially useful during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, but they can be applicable to almost any discomforting, stressful, or disappointing situation. Dr. Rozmid provides numerous examples to illustrate these skills. Whether you are interested in learning how to apply these skills yourself or a therapist using them with clients, tune in for an informative episode on the use of CBT and DBT skills!

Resources:

Keep up to date with Dr. Rozmid

https://ericarozmid.com/

DBT Self-Help Website

https://www.dbtselfhelp.com/

Books

Mind Over Mood - https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Over-Mood-Second-Changing/dp/1462520421

Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts - https://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Unwanted-Intrusive-Thoughts-Frightening/dp/1626254346

Find a DBT Therapist

https://behavioraltech.org/resources/find-a-therapist/

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

On this episode of Sanity, Dr. Jason Duncan and Dr. Robert Friedberg discuss the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children, specifically as it relates to their development and academic trajectory. Dr. Duncan also brought a list of questions for Dr. Friedberg from concerned parents who are just wishing to do the best they can for their children. Not only does Dr. Friedberg provide helpful tips and strategies for kids, he also delves into what parents can do for their own mental health. He specifically focuses on strategies from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in order to reshape problematic thinking patterns and behaviors and facilitate acceptance. During these uncertain times, Dr. Friedberg offers advice and numerous resources to help parents navigate through the pandemic as it pertains to talking to kids about COVID-19, mask wearing, social distancing, online learning, and so much more. He wraps up the episode by talking about his future research on uncertainty tolerance and its contributions to anxiety. Tune in for a great episode for parents, or anyone working closely with children, to learn more about the best strategies to help kids cope with these stressful times!

KEEP UP-TO-DATE WITH DR. BOB'S WORK

https://www.paloaltou.edu/faculty/robert-friedberg

WEBINARS

Concept Training - Robert D. Friedberg, Ph.D., ABPP - Normal worry versus anxiety during these strange days.

https://concept.paloaltou.edu/worry-vs-anxiety-during-these-strange-days/

BOOKS

Chansky, T (2014). Freeing your child from anxiety. NY: Harmony

https://www.amazon.com/Freeing-Anxiety-Revised-Updated-Life/dp/0804139806/

Tompkins, M. & Martinez, K. (2009). My anxious mind. Washington, DC: APA

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=my+anxious+mind&hvadid=241592112889

Clinical Practice of Cognitive Therapy with Children and Adolescents by Robert Friedberg

https://www.amazon.com/Clinical-Practice-Cognitive-Children-Adolescents/dp/1462535879/

CBT Express by Jessica McClure and Colleagues

https://www.amazon.com/CBT-Express-Effective-Techniques-Adolescents/dp/1462540309/

Handbook of CBT for Pediatric Medical Conditions by Robert Friedberg and Jennifer K. Paternostro

https://www.amazon.com/Cognitive-Behavioral-Pediatric-Conditions-Psychopathology/dp/3030216829/ref

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Youth: Traditions and Innovations by Robert Friedberg and Brad J. Nakamura

https://www.amazon.com/Cognitive-Behavioral-Therapy-Youth-Neuromethods/dp/1071607022/ref

The Kazdin Method for Parenting the Defiant Child by Alan Kazdin (book and YouTube series)

https://www.amazon.com/Kazdin-Method-Parenting-Defiant-Child/dp/0547085826/ref

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=the+kazdin+method+for+parenting+the+defiant+child

COPING RESOURCES

William Sanderson, Ph.D - Anxiety and Depression Clinic, Hofstra University

https://sites.google.com/view/sandersonhofstra/covid-coping-resources 

Columbia University Department of Psychiatry

· Frequently Asked Questions

· Coping

THERAPIST FINDERS AND EDUCATION RESOUCES

Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Research

https://beckinstitute.org/

American Psychological Association Division 53 (Clinical Child Psychology)

https://effectivechildtherapy.org/

Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies

http://www.abct.org/Home/

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

https://www.aacap.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. Craig Henderson discuss the opioid crisis and how it has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Henderson briefly reviews the origin of the opioid crisis which was primarily caused by the overprescription of opioids due to the fact they were believed to be non-addictive. He then shares how COVID-19 may be impacting the opioid epidemic, including discussion of drug supply chains, reduced social support, and increased stressors. Dr. Henderson reviews the development of addiction, which often begins in adolescence or young adulthood, and specific factors that contribute to substance use disorders. He then provides numerous examples and helpful resources for treatment, from medication assisted treatments (MATs) for opioid use disorder, to other psychological interventions that facilitate the engagement of family members. A multitude of resources for seeking help are provided at the end of the episode and below in the show notes. Tune in for an informative episode on the opioid crisis, its interface with the COVID-19 pandemic, and how to seek help, if needed.

Resources

Recommended Podcast

In Recovery with Dr. Nzinga Harrison

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-recovery/id1496791220

Center on Addiction.

This substance use recovery support organization provides families with personalized support and resources, meeting them where they are with compassionate, life-saving direct resources.

One-on-One Support - The helpline connects parents and caregivers to a trained and caring specialist. Specialists are ready to listen and help families find answers and make an action plan to help their child.

Please visit https://drugfree.org/ or connect with the organization by text, email or phone. Support is available in English and Spanish.

https://drugfree.org/article/get-one-on-one-help/

Help & Hope by Text - Parents and caregivers can sign up to receive tailored resources and skills delivered via text message.

Simply text ‘JOIN’ to 55753. Answer a quick series of questions about your child and their substance use. Receive messages with information and support specific to your family’s needs.

https://drugfree.org/landing-page/helpandhope/

Online Support Community - Free, live gatherings where specially trained parent coaches, with support from the organization’s helpline specialists, discuss real-life issues and common concerns families face in these unique and uncertain times.

You can sign up and learn more at https://drugfree.org/COVID

https://drugfree.org/article/online-support-community-for-parents-caregivers/

Parent Coaching - Parents can connect to one of the nonprofit’s trained volunteer parent coaches for free peer-to-peer support. This unique program provides families with guidance and support from someone who has “been there” and also struggled with a child’s substance use.

Visit https://drugfree.org/for more information

https://drugfree.org/article/volunteer-as-a-parent-coach/

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