In this deep-dive episode, Dr. Faisal Rafiq explores the clinical science, supervision nuances, and lived experience surrounding Spravato® (esketamine) and IV ketamine as tools for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), suicidality, and trauma-linked shutdown.

Through the story of Emily, a 32-year-old nurse whose depression was unresponsive to conventional treatments, we see how structured ketamine therapy provided more than symptom relief—it offered a psychological reset.

Theme: A story-driven exploration of OCD — from the first intrusive thought to the relentless rituals that follow, and ultimately, the path toward understanding and healing.

Episode Summary:

In The Piercing Thought, Dr. Faisal Rafiq unravels the hidden world of obsessive-compulsive disorder through the lens of a fictional patient, “Eli.” Listeners will follow Eli’s descent into cycles of fear and ritual, how one thought hijacked his peace, and the clinical framework that explains this experience. The episode explores common misconceptions, evidence-based treatments, and how modern psychiatry helps patients separate the thought from the thinker.

In this episode, Dr. Faisal Rafiq explores the complexity of Complex PTSD (cPTSD)—a condition shaped by chronic, repeated trauma that often masquerades as mood, personality, or anxiety disorders. Through a trauma-informed lens, this episode walks clinicians through recognizing cPTSD’s emotional and somatic layers, differentiating it from BPD or TRD, and understanding why traditional diagnostic frameworks often fall short.

Dr. Rafiq breaks down symptom clusters, guides clinicians on medication strategies, and introduces emerging treatments like Rexulti and Auvelity, while also revisiting underutilized options like Elavil for trauma-linked insomnia and pain. A critical theme is the importance of sequencing care properly—using medication to stabilize before engaging in deep trauma therapy such as EMDR or IFS.

With supervision reflections woven throughout, the episode reinforces the message:

Complex PTSD isn’t a broken brain—it’s an adapted one.
Treatment begins with safety, structure, and steady presence.

In this episode, Dr. Faisal Rafiq describes the unmatched effectiveness of lithium as a mood stabilizer, highlighting its role in treating bipolar disorder and its unique status as one of the few naturally occurring psychiatric medications. He discusses key side effects—including the classic “peeing like a racehorse”—as well as important monitoring protocols, and the differences between extended-release and immediate-release formulations. A must-listen for clinicians seeking clarity on lithium’s powerful role in mood disorder management.

In this episode of The Supervised Mind, Dr. Faisal Rafiq discusses the often-overlooked topic of deprescribing in clinical practice. He shares a compelling case study of a young patient to illustrate the complexities of medication management and the importance of understanding when to reduce or stop medications. The conversation emphasizes the need for clinicians to approach deprescribing with care, supervision, and a focus on the patient's current story rather than past diagnoses. Practical tips for young clinicians are provided, highlighting the relational aspect of deprescribing as a critical skill in psychiatry.

In this podcast episode, Dr. Faisal Rafiq shares a case of a patient with bipolar disorder who had difficulty responding to traditional mood stabilizing medications. He also discusses the classical model of treating bipolar disorder and when it may break down. He suggests adapting the framework, removing mood stabilizers in some cases and using antipsychotics as a primary anchor. Dr. Rafiq also provides some clinical pearls and final thoughts, emphasizing the importance of working with a supervisor and having a strategy and when.