While Ann and Sue are in DC at the American Group Psychotherapy Association Conference, we thought this was the perfect opportunity to replay one of our favorite episodes.

Co-hosts Sue Marriott and Patty Olwell interview colleagues at the American Group Psychotherapy 2016 Association Annual Meeting in New York. They talk about why they love group therapy and why it is so valuable to their clients. We want to thank our interviewees for their help and insights.

Additional resources for this episode:

Please consider giving to Mental Health Liberation

We support mental health access to those traditionally left out of mainstream healthcare and use a portion of the income we receive from corporate sponsors to do just that!  We can only do that with the help of our Patrons – joining as a TU Neuronerd Podsquad premium subscriber, you support this mission and get a dedicated ad-free feed plus occasional very cool and unique study opportunities, reading groups, and unique surprises!  We invite you to join our community. Click here to join!

Mental Health Liberation is our primary partner at this time – please consider giving whatever you can to support mental health access for those traditionally left behind and support training for BIPOC therapists.

We support mental health access to those traditionally left out of mainstream healthcare and use a portion of the income we receive from corporate sponsors to do just that!  We can only do that with the help of our Patrons – joining as a TU Neuronerd Podsquad premium subscriber, you support this mission and get a dedicated ad-free feed plus occasional very cool and unique study opportunities, reading groups and who knows what else may come!  We invite you to join our community. Click here to join! 

You may have heard about this protocol on the Huberman Lab Podcast. Co-hosts Ann and Sue discuss the power of expressive writing as a tool for physical and emotional healing directly with the original researcher, Dr. James Pennebaker. While his protocol is not a simple “elixir” to cure mental or physical illness, Dr. Pennebaker has dedicated years of research and found this kind of expressive writing to be an effective method of healing for many people. Writing without boundaries or expectations can allow us to enter a stream of consciousness and better process our feelings and experiences of trauma.

00:49 – Dr. Pennebaker’s background

3:31 – Secrets are unhealthy 

12:45 – Interesting findings from his writing experiment

17:46 – Dr. Pennebaker’s blood draw study

21:35 – One of the big problems with expressive writing

25:52 – Understanding executive function and working memory 

27:31 – Three of the most impactful psychological tools 

33:37 – The difference between standard journaling and these writing exercises

38:40 – The benefits of open-ended questions

46:16 – The emergent process of writing

59:03 – Anecdote about how Dr. Pennebaker’s analysis contributed to an exoneration

1:02 – What language can tell us about political leadership

The Pennebaker Lanuage Lab

Linguistic Inquiry & Word Count – Text analysis tools

Publications – A list of Dr. Pennebaker’s publications

Website – Dr. Pennebaker’s UT website and information

Transcripts for A Neuroscience-Proven Expressive Writing Protocol with Dr. James Pennebaker (225)

Please consider giving to Mental Health Liberation

We support mental health access to those traditionally left out of mainstream healthcare and use a portion of the income we receive from corporate sponsors to do just that!  We can only do that with the help of our Patrons – joining as a TU Neuronerd Podsquad premium subscriber, you support this mission and get a dedicated ad-free feed plus occasional very cool and unique study opportunities, reading groups, and unique surprises!  We invite you to join our community. Click here to join! 

Mental Health Liberation is our primary partner at this time – please consider giving whatever you can to support mental health access for those traditionally left behind and support training for BIPOC therapists.

We support mental health access to those traditionally left out of mainstream healthcare and use a portion of the income we receive from corporate sponsors to do just that!  We can only do that with the help of our Patrons – joining as a TU Neuronerd Podsquad premium subscriber, you support this mission and get a dedicated ad-free feed plus occasional very cool and unique study opportunities, reading groups and who knows what else may come!  We invite you to join our community. Click here to join! 

We support mental health access to those traditionally left out of mainstream healthcare and use a portion of the income we receive from corporate sponsors to do just that!  We can only do that with the help of our Patrons – joining as a TU Neuronerd Podsquad premium subscriber, you support this mission and get a dedicated ad-free feed plus occasional very cool and unique study opportunities, reading groups, and unique surprises!  We invite you to join our community. Click here to join! 

In this episode, Ann and Sue share their research as well as personal experiences as caregivers for those with the illness and discuss the stigmas, invisibility, psychology of denial, support in advocating for your health, discussion of how to be a supportive caregiver, and secure relating in regards to chronic disease.

00:05 – Information about the May Modern Attachment Conference

7:55 – The difference between the names Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

12:21 – How we use attribution error in coping with long COVID

19:04 – Understanding deep fatigue post-infection and the effects

24:42 – Markers of long covid 

32:39 – Touching base with Westernized culture stigmas

34:37 – Impactful ways to emotionally support someone struggling with chronic illness

39:17 – The power in being able to tap in with our bodies

42:11 – Discussion of the book “Grappling with Cure” by Eli Clare

44:15 – Important reminders on taking your medical care seriuosly/advocate for yourself 

Brilliant Imperfection: Grappling with Cure by Eli Clare – A book Sue has been using as a resource for understanding and supporting chronic illness

The Lonely, Isolating, and Alienating Implications of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – Samir Boulazreg, Samir and Rokach, Ami – NIH Article

Post-Exertional Symptom Exacerbation (PESE) – Long Covid Physio

A discovery in the muscles of long COVID patients may explain exercise troubles – NPR

Controversies related to chronic fatigue syndrome – Wikipedia article

ME/CFS Research Published 26 December 2023 – 1 January 2024 – The ME Association

The psychological impact of COVID-19 on the mental health in the general population – National Library of Medicine, Oxford University Article

Please consider giving to Mental Health Liberation

We support mental health access to those traditionally left out of mainstream healthcare and use a portion of the income we receive from corporate sponsors to do just that!  We can only do that with the help of our Patrons – joining as a TU Neuronerd Podsquad premium subscriber, you support this mission and get a dedicated ad-free feed plus occasional very cool and unique study opportunities, reading groups, and unique surprises!  We invite you to join our community. Click here to join! 

Mental Health Liberation is our primary partner at this time – please consider giving whatever you can to support mental health access for those traditionally left behind and support training for BIPOC therapists.

We are kicking off the new year with a special conversation between co-host Sue Marriott and special guest Jeff Lutes. Both members of the LGBTQ+ community, this discussion dives into raising families, the evolution of the community, allyship, gender, and the importance of advocacy. While there has been some progress, the LGBTQ+ community still actively faces discrimination. Whether you’re a practicing therapist with clients in the community or have LGBTQ-identifying loved ones, this episode is for you. Through a personal and professional lens, this conversation offers new perspectives and shines a light on the significance of staying educated and being an active voice.

2:00 – Jeff’s anecdotes about religion and sexuality

11:18 – How advocacy can be a thankless job 

12:00 – Introduction to the Contemporary Relationships Conference 

14:34 – The difference between being trained in accepting versus educated 

16:48 – The importance of knowing the correct terminology 

20:39 – What we can learn from the polyamorous community 

22:58 – Definition of queer and who that represents

24:37 – Let’s talk about pronouns 

31:21 – Explanation of dead naming and why it is wrong

42:15 – Conversion therapy research and findings 

47:00: Trailblazers in Love, Jeff’s book 

Jeff Lute’s Website – Information, credentials, presentations and publications

Contemporary Relationships Conference – Conference information and proposals

Jeff specializes in creating collaborative conversations with clients that generate new possibilities for change.  Using a postmodern approach, he listens carefully to each client’s story and strives to understand how they might make meaning of themselves, others, and the world around them. He founded the Contemporary Relationships Conference and has presented to audiences around the country, including the American Association of Marriage & Family Therapy,  the American Family Therapy Academy, the American Counseling Association, and the Texas Psychological Association. He is also the author of Trailblazers In Love, as well as chapters in three counseling textbooks. Lutes also wrote a children’s book about adoption, deaf culture, and non-traditional families and has been a contributing writer at Bilerico and Therapy Matters.

We support mental health access to those traditionally left out of mainstream healthcare and use a portion of the income we receive from corporate sponsors to do just that!  We can only do that with the help of our Patrons – joining as a TU Neuronerd Podsquad premium subscriber, you support this mission and get a dedicated ad-free feed plus occasional very cool and unique study opportunities, reading groups and who knows what else may come!  We invite you to join our community. Click here to join! 

Please consider giving to Mental Health Liberation

We support mental health access to those traditionally left out of mainstream healthcare and use a portion of the income we receive from corporate sponsors to do just that!  We can only do that with the help of our Patrons – joining as a TU Neuronerd Podsquad premium subscriber, you support this mission and get a dedicated ad-free feed plus occasional very cool and unique study opportunities, reading groups, and unique surprises!  We invite you to join our community. Click here to join! 

Mental Health Liberation is our primary partner at this time – please consider giving whatever you can to support mental health access for those traditionally left behind and support training for BIPOC therapists.

We explored many ideas this year and despite the variety of topics we found a consistent theme – nurturing secure relating in an insecure world. With wide-ranging interviews and, we were met with rich conversations and endless opportunities to grow. As we close out 2023 with gratitude, Ann and Sue look back at important episodes from this year, review lessons learned, and share exciting announcements to come in 2024.

It’s coming….. Pre-order your book today!

4:21 – Reviewing the series, Secure Relating in an Insecure World

7:45 – Ann and Sue’s favorite topics from the series

17:45 – Takeaways from our two-part Dream series

22:47 – Explanation of failed mourning from episode 210 with Dr. Carol George

29:46 – How Ann and Sue practiced self-care this year

31:28 – Looking deeper into systems of poverty with Dr. Sharon Lambert

36:33 – Exploring our internal audiences

43:01 – Important lessons from the episode 207 with Dacher Keltner

45:40 – Austin IN Connection Live Event Announcement for 2024:  It will be a Secure Relating LIVE weekend!  Stay tuned – but we welcome those traveling and will make sure there are plenty of opportunities to connect!

This Jungian Life – A podcast from our guests on episode 201 that dives into Jungian dream analysis

https://therapistuncensored.com/episodes/healing-intergenerational-ancestral-trauma-with-linda-thai/

https://therapistuncensored.com/episodes/navigating-racial-trauma-part-1-203/

https://therapistuncensored.com/episodes/intergenerational-conversation-climate-202/

https://therapistuncensored.com/episodes/interpreting-dreams-with-a-jungian-lens-unlocking-a-world-within-ourselves-201/

https://therapistuncensored.com/episodes/awe-for-collective-healing-series-sriw-ep-6/

https://mentalhealthliberation.org/bipoc-therapy-fund/

We support mental health access to those traditionally left out of mainstream healthcare and use a portion of the income we receive from corporate sponsors to do just that!  We can only do that with the help of our Patrons – joining as a TU Neuronerd Podsquad premium subscriber, you support this mission and get a dedicated ad-free feed plus occasional very cool and unique study opportunities, reading groups, and unique surprises!  We invite you to join our community. Click here to join! 

For listeners of the show, Dipsea is offering an extended 30-day free trial when you go to DipseaStories.com/TU

Go to Zocdoc.com/TU and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Then find and book a top-rated doctor today.

Go to Cozyearth.com/TU

We support mental health access to those traditionally left out of mainstream healthcare and use a portion of the income we receive from corporate sponsors to do just that!  We can only do that with the help of our Patrons – joining as a TU Neuronerd Podsquad premium subscriber, you support this mission and get a dedicated ad-free feed plus occasional very cool and unique study opportunities, reading groups, and unique surprises!  We invite you to join our community. Click here to join! 

Get 15% off with the code TU at oneskin.co

Get 55% off at Babbel.com/TU

Go to Cozyearth.com/TU

While just the word vulnerability can trigger our defenses, it can also be a great gateway to secure relating and deepening the connection with our authentic selves. In a society heavily influenced by social media, unhealthy gender roles, and many other factors – Ann and Sue dive into the importance of changing the narrative and stepping out of our defensive invulnerable state and into our healthy, vulnerable selves. 

Time Stamps for Ditching Invulnerability

1:09 – Introduction to toxic invulnerability 

4:54 – Different ways we can stay in a place of invulnerability 

5:58 – Does being defensive mean I’m being invulnerable?

8:36 – How invulnerability is toxic on an individual level

9:30 – The relationship between perfectionism and invulnerability

14:05 – Social media’s influence on keeping us afraid of vulnerability

16:12 – Sue’s Beyonce anecdote 

19:51 – Practicing active vulnerability 

27:28 – Anxiety and invulnerability 

28:01 – Signs of invulnerability we may not recognize 

34:23 – Why we should call it harmful invulnerability versus toxic invulnerability

37:05 – Embracing our most authentic selves through vulnerability

Brene Brown’s Website – A resource where you can find her content on shame and vulnerability

“It’s Not All in Your Head – You Do Focus Differently on Zoom” – Scientific American article on Zoom and human connection

https://therapistuncensored.com/episodes/you-are-kenough-liz-plank-211/

We support mental health access to those traditionally left out of mainstream healthcare and use a portion of the income we receive from corporate sponsors to do just that!  We can only do that with the help of our Patrons – joining as a TU Neuronerd Podsquad premium subscriber, you support this mission and get a dedicated ad-free feed plus occasional very cool and unique study opportunities, reading groups, and unique surprises!  We invite you to join our community. Click here to join! 

Pre-order your book, here!!

Get 15% off with the code TU at oneskin.co

For listeners of the show, Dipsea is offering an extended 30-day free trial when you go to DipseaStories.com/TU

Go to Zocdoc.com/TU and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Then find and book a top-rated doctor today.