Therapy, Without the Couch

People use that phrase, "trust your gut." But first we need to learn your gut, and know if it's giving you any good guidance...Then we need to make that information actionable. This episode gives you some tips.

When labeling yourself and your identity, do you need a villain to push against, so you can be the hero? Are you defining yourself by the opposing view? Does this help or hurt us?

I discuss the changing face of American healthcare with new political leaders in DC and a larger voice on social media of people wanting something different. However, we must face the tradeoffs - there are no free lunches, there is no gain without loss. The yearned for days of yore had perhaps less processed foods, but also a less mobile lifestyle and less opportunity for women in the workplace. People want to live longer but may not want to sacrifice the daily comforts that are the price of a longer lifespan. I attempt to shine a light on the systemic issue of health, on a personal as well as a societal level.

I try to be a good man and father. Maybe I don't always succeed. But what and who shaped me? What mentors, models and guides did I have? Perhaps this self-disclosure episode will offer insight into how I got here, and how you might seek to shape the little man you are raising? #becomingaman #parentingtips

Both PPD and midlife crises can be seen as depressive episodes requiring medication and therapy. Here we explore alternate ways of understanding and managing these significant lows anyone may face in their lives - are there beliefs and behaviors that should be considered along with the biologic factors after giving birth for women, or with age-related factors for men? In both cases, more accepting of reality of one's circumstances can be key!

Health Anxiety, Health-related OCD, Hypochondriasis - many names, pretty much the same struggle. Here we discuss fear of illness and death, why it hits some more than others, and how to manage the struggle for yourself and your loved ones.

A former patient and current clinician joins me to discuss her journey through trauma and the therapy that helped her. We talk about facing shame, owning your narrative and embracing your sexuality. We also discuss how trauma impacts intimate partnered relationships.

*Trigger warnings: Rape, sexual assault and suicide are discussed.

Here I discuss the danger of rating our "goodness" or status only on visible, quantifiable metrics. What about being a good person, or happiness, or feeling energetic, or connecting with your family? While less visible, comparable, or tangible - aren't these areas just as important? Even more so...than say, wealth or number or kids or cars? This gets more personal than usual as I share some of my own struggles and insecurities - hey y'all, we all have our issues!

Here we review the many factors that factor into attraction - what gives you an "Ooooh" excitement versus an "Ewwww" detest and "ick" - including past relationships, family of origin, sociocultural unconscious factors, peer pressure, and so on. Learn a bit more about why we are drawn to certain people and not others - and is that a good thing? Should you listen to that pull or ignore it because it is repeating unhealthy patterns?

We dive into the notion of identity - what defines you? What makes you, YOU?! Is it what you do? What you like or believe? Can you be defined by something even if you feel like an imposter? Is our identity ever-changing? Listen to hear more...