The Relational Psych Podcast

Tyson talks with Sally Bjorklund about a psychoanalytic understanding of sexuality and gender identity, tracing the evolution of theories about sex and gender from Freud through to Contemporary Relational analytic theory. Their conversation touches on the uses of sex and gender, polymorphus perversity, and exploding dice.

Sally is a psychoanalyst  practicing in Seattle. She works with adults and couples and provides clinical consultation for therapists. She was co-founder and faculty of  Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy Seattle (RPPS). She is a clinical supervisor for the National Training Program of the National Institute for the Psychotherapies, is on the editorial board of the journal Psychoanalytic Perspectives, and teaches locally in various programs. She was a contributor to "Clinical Implications of the Psychoanalyst's Life Experience:When the Personal Becomes Professional” and has written and presented on various topics including sex and gender, adoption, aging, working with hard to reach patients and erotic transference.

https://www.sallybjorklund.com/

Further Learning: 

Sexuality, Intimacy, Power by Muriel Dimen 

Gender in Psychoanalytic Space edited by Muriel Dimen 

Assuming a Body by Gayle Salaman

Gender Trouble by Judith Butler

Gender as Soft Assembly by Adrienne Harris

Gender Born, Gender Made by Diane Ehrensaft

Please Select Your Gender by Patricia Gherovici

Podcast interview with Avgi Saketopoulou on her new book co-authored with Ann Pelligrini, Sexuality Beyond Consent.

© Relational Psych 2023

W: www.relationalpsych.group
E: [email protected]
P: (206) 589-1018 

Adolescence can be a turbulent time full of big emotions, struggles with identity, and conflicts around independence. In this episode, licensed therapist Tyson Conner speaks with psychologist Don Schimmel about how psychodynamic psychotherapy can help teenagers navigate this critical developmental stage. They discuss important concepts like viewing symptoms as "coded communications," avoiding power struggles, and relating to teens through playfulness. Schimmel explains how therapy provides adolescents with a much-needed transitional relationship as they separate from dependence on parents. The therapists also talk about when psychodynamic therapy may not be the right approach, how to introduce reluctant teens to the idea of therapy, and what parents should expect from the process. If you have a troubled teen or just want to understand adolescent psychology better, don't miss this insightful chat.

Don Schimmel is a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst based in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. He has over 50 years of experience working with adults, children, adolescents, families, and couples. He is a senior faculty member at the Seattle Psychoanalytic Society and Institute, teaching seminars on Self Psychology, Relational theory, Intersubjectivity, Freud, and Object Relations Theory. Don also leads classes on treating children, adolescents, and their parents and provides ongoing individual and group consultation to psychotherapists in the northwest. 

For those interested in Don's classes, he regularly offers continuing education courses in child and adolescent psychotherapy and Self Psychology through the Northwest Alliance for Psychoanalytic Study. If you have questions or would like more information, you can check the Alliance website course offerings or contact him directly at [email protected]

Further Learning: 

The Northwest Alliance for Psychoanalytic Study

© Relational Psych 2023

W: www.relationalpsych.group
E: [email protected]
P: (206) 589-1018 

In this episode, Tyson Conner speaks with Peter Jabin, a pastoral psychotherapist and spiritual director, about the importance of grief and communal grieving practices. They discussed how grief is a natural and necessary part of being human, and how ritual and community can help us metabolize loss in a healthy way.

Peter explained the concept of the "five gates" of grief, outlining different pathways into the grieving process beyond just the loss of a loved one. They talked about how grieving builds resilience and connection, countering the common notion that it is a sign of weakness. Peter also shared about the communal grieving rituals he facilitates, inspired by traditions from Burkina Faso, and how they create a "sudden village" to process grief in a spiritual context.

This conversation explores how fully engaging with grief through community and ritual can lead to healing and wholeness, even in the midst of cataclysmic changes in society and the environment. It is an invitation to bear witness to loss and honor what we love through the transformative power of grief.

Peter Jabin is a Pastoral Psychotherapist, Spiritual Director, and Grief Mentor based in Seattle.

Peter can be found at his website www.JabinCounseling.com . His linktree for grief retreats can be found here: https://linktr.ee/griefsupport .

Further Learning: 

Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief, by Francis Weller

The Smell of Rain on Dust: Grief and Praise, by Martín Prechtel

© Relational Psych 2023

W: www.relationalpsych.group
E: [email protected]
P: (206) 589-1018 

Tyson meets with Karen Weisbard to discuss the concept of the social unconscious, the law of interrelatedness, and a different approach to crossing the increasingly vitriolic political lines drawn in American society. 

Karen is a clinical psychologist and psychoanalysts. She has been practicing as both for over 20 years.

Karen can be found at her website https://karenweisbard.com/ .

Further Learning: 

https://www.routledge.com/Toward-a-Social-Psychoanalysis-Culture-Character-and-Normative-Unconscious/Layton-Leavy-Sperounis/p/book/9780367902049

https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Doer-Done-Jessica-Benjamin/dp/1138218421

https://www.amazon.com/Social-Unconscious-Selected-International-Analysis/dp/1843100886

© Relational Psych 2023

W: www.relationalpsych.group
E: [email protected]
P: (206) 589-1018 

In this thought-provoking episode, host Tyson Conner speaks with clinical psychologist Dr. Tyson Bailey about the importance of discussing suicidal thoughts openly in therapy. They cover the cultural taboos and shame around suicide that often prevent people from speaking up, even with a therapist. Dr. Bailey explains that research actually shows talking directly about suicide reduces risk, but it's most helpful within an established therapeutic relationship. He details the criteria clinicians use to determine if hospitalization is necessary, and emphasizes that hospital stays for suicidality are brief. 

Tyson and Dr. Bailey explore how human connection and belonging are key protective factors against suicide. They examine the functions of shame and the need to address suicide as a societal issue. Listeners are encouraged to find trusted supports, ask questions, and focus on listening. This nuanced discussion provides insight into experiences of suicidality and how therapists respond with compassion. 

Tyson Bailey is a board certified clinical psychologist who is an co-owner of Spectrum Psychological Associates. He has published and presented on trauma, suicide, and psychological assessment. 

Dr. Bailey’s practice and training information can be found at his website: https://www.drtysonbailey.com/

Further Learning: 

Suicide Prevention Resource Center - http://www.sprc.org/about-suicide

VA Coaching Into Care - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7irBvan2XB4

Now Matters Now - http://www.nowmattersnow.org/

Trevor Project – 24-hour hotline supporting LGBTQ youth in crisis – 888-488-7386

Trans Lifeline - Peer support hotline for trans people – 877-565-8860

Washington Recovery Helpline - 24-hour help for substance abuse, problem

gambling and mental health – 866-789-1511

Suicide Prevention Apps - https://www.tomsguide.com/us/suicide-prevention-apps,review-2397.html

Check https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/injury-and-violence-

prevention/suicide-prevention/suicide-prevention-1 for updated resources

© Relational Psych 2023

W: www.relationalpsych.group
E: [email protected]
P: (206) 589-1018 

In the first episode of Season 2, Tyson sits down with his supervisor and mentor, Rachel Newcombe, to discuss how people teach and learn. They talk about disruptions, the similarities between psychoanalysis and teaching, and what this podcast is trying to do.

Rachel Newcombe is a psychoanalyst, supervisor and teacher in the San Juan Islands, Seattle, Washington, and New York City. Her writing has appeared in Contemporary Psychoanalysis, The Psychoanalytic Review, The Rumpus, 7X7LA, Anti-Heroin Chic, Ellipsis Zine, and elsewhere.

Rachel’s twitter and instagram handle is @rachelnewcombe8

An example of her hybrid writing can be found here: https://www.ellipsiszine.com/memories-of-ambivalence-by-rachel-newcombe/


Further Learning: 

The International Forum for Psychoanalytic Education: www.ifpe.org

Between the Covers Podcast: https://tinhouse.com/podcasts/

Between Us: a Psychotherapy Podcast: https://soundcloud.com/betweenuspodcast

Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/72657.Pedagogy_of_the_Oppressed

Psychoanalysis at the Crossroads by Fred Busch: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/121105239-psychoanalysis-at-the-crossroads

When Teachers Face Themselves by Arthur Jersild: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1796385.When_Teachers_Face_Themselves

Can the Monster Speak? By Paul Preciado: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57030264-can-the-monster-speak-a-report-to-an-academy-of-psychoanalysts

© Relational Psych 2023

W: www.relationalpsych.group
E: [email protected]
P: (206) 589-1018 

Season 2 of the Relational Psych Podcast begins on September 19th!

© Relational Psych 2023

W: www.relationalpsych.group
E: [email protected]
P: (206) 589-1018 

We’re going on a break! In this episode, Tyson explains our release schedule, the summer break, and some plans for Season 2 of The Relational Psych Podcast.

Further Learning: 

Go fly a kite.

© Relational Psych 2023

W: www.relationalpsych.group
E: [email protected]
P: (206) 589-1018 

Tyson talks with Dr. Kerry Horrell, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine and Clinical Psychologist at the Menninger Clinic, in Houston, TX. They discuss religious trauma, what it is, how it interacts with shame, attachment, and self-image, and what helps people who have experienced religious trauma. 

Experiment:

The Self-Compassion Break

Further Learning: 

Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez

Healing Spiritual Wounds by Carol Howard Merritt

Pure by Linda Kay Klein

The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer

Dr. Kerry Horrell’s podcast Mind Dive

© Relational Psych 2023

W: www.relationalpsych.group
E: [email protected]
P: (206) 589-1018 

Tyson sits down with Dr. Baylee Hoey to discuss the kinds of executive dysfunction someone with ADHD might encounter, the kind of shame they might feel throughout their life as they have difficulties adapting to the world, and how they can create healthier and creative coping strategies to help navigate life.

Further Learning: 

The Neurodivergent Friendly Workbook of DBT Skills by Sunny Jane Wise

ADHD, Executive Functioning, and Shame by Dr. Baylee Hoey

ADHD, Anxiety, and Depression by Dr. Baylee Hoey

© Relational Psych 2023

W: www.relationalpsych.group
E: [email protected]
P: (206) 589-1018