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While most of us intuitively believe that our assessment of our lives is largely objective and a direct result of what has been happening to us, it's clear that subjective perceptions of objective events play a significant role in shaping the ultimate emotional experience of those events. This highlights the importantly interplay between personality traits and life satisfaction, raising questions about how much flexibility we have to change, reinterpret events, and see things differently to enhance well-being.  Professor Dr. Rene Mõttus joins us for a discussion of his recent paper, "Most People’s Life Satisfaction Matches Their Personality Traits." In this discussion, we explore:  

• why the Big Five stands out as a widely accepted and utilized model of personality.
• an overview of the Big Five model.
• exploring the relationship between personality traits and life satisfaction, and its importance due to its implications for psychological well-being. 
• the methodology employed in the study and the challenges involved in clearly defining core concepts such as "life satisfaction" to ensure measurable and reliable outcomes.
• the particular traits that serving as stronger predictors of well-being.  
• Personality traits that exhibit varying degrees of stability over the lifespan, and changes in these traits can affect life satisfaction as people age.  
• how extraversion and neuroticism play a pivotal role in determining life satisfaction.
• moderating factors, such as life events and cultural contexts.
• the surprising correlations between specific personality traits and life satisfaction, challenging conventional wisdom in the field.  
• applying these findings in clinical practice to enhance well-being, such as guiding therapists in working with clients and understanding the potential for change and effect sizes.  

Dr. René Mõttus is a personality psychologist whose research delves into the intricacies of human individuality, encompassing personality measurement, development, and the interplay between personality traits and well-being.  Dr. Mõttus earned his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Tartu in 2009. His doctoral research focused on the universal and specific aspects of personality traits across various representations.  In 2010, he joined the University of Edinburgh as a postdoctoral researcher. His academic trajectory at Edinburgh includes appointments as a lecturer in 2013, reader in 2019, and professor in 2024.  Since 2023, Dr. Mõttus has also served as a professor of psychology at the University of Tartu, contributing to the academic community in his home country.  Beyond his teaching and research roles, Dr. Mõttus is the Editor-in-Chief of the European Journal of Personality, where he oversees the publication of cutting-edge research in personality psychology.  He co-hosts the Personality Psychology Podcast, engaging audiences in discussions on the latest developments in the field. Additionally, he authors the blog "People Unexplained" on Psychology Today, exploring various facets of human behavior and personality.   

Blog: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/people-unexplained

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Compulsive reassurance seeking can be a challenging issue for both clients and therapists to manage. Clients are often highly adept—sometimes knowingly, sometimes unknowingly—at eliciting excessive reassurance from therapists and family members. At the same time, resisting the urge to seek reassurance can feel nearly impossible for clients. In this episode, Amanda Petrik-Gardner, LCPC, joins us to discuss core themes from her new book, "The Compulsive Reassurance Workbook". Our conversation covers:

• What compulsive reassurance seeking is and its significance across various mental health presentations.
• Differentiating between normal reassurance seeking and compulsive reassurance seeking.
• Common triggers that lead to compulsive reassurance seeking.
• The importance of distress tolerance in managing reassurance-seeking behaviors.
• Mental health disorders that are more susceptible to compulsive reassurance-seeking behaviors.
• he cycle of reassurance seeking and how it perpetuates anxiety.
• Avoiding the use of clinical interventions (e.g., a thought record) as a safety behavior.
• Key components of the reassurance-seeking cycle.
• Effective metaphors for psychoeducation.
• Guidance for family members on navigating this specific challenge.
• Treating compulsive reassurance seeking in complex situations (e.g., trauma, pandemics, checking the accuracy of completed tasks).
• The role of “extinction bursts” in exposure-based work.
• Relapse prevention and normalizing setbacks.
• Understanding when to approach versus step back from a feared stimulus.
• Managing dysfunctional beliefs about worry.

Feedback or comments?  Email us at: [email protected]

Amanda Petrik-Gardner, LCPC specializes in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders. Amanda is the creator of the OCD Exposure Coloring Books and The Compulsive Reassurance Workbook, now available on Amazon. Amanda is on the board for OCD Kansas, an affiliate of the IOCDF (International OCD Foundation) and the president of the Kansas Counseling Association. She has completed the Behavioral Therapy Training Institute through the IOCDF and the Professional Training Institute through the TLC Foundation for BFRBs. Amanda currently provides Teletherapy to the states of Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri, Michigan, Maine, Arizona and Florida.

https://www.amandalcpc.com

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Behavioural activation is one of the best, if not the best treatments for depression. Clinical psychologist and author, Dr. Nina Josefowitz joins us for an in-depth discussion of themes contained in her new book The Behavioural Activation Workbook for Depression.  In this discussion we cover:    

• The basic premise of behavioral activation and how it differs from other depression treatments.
• The negative feedback loop of depression and why it is so challenging to break.
• How behavioral activation addresses the physical and emotional symptoms of depression.
• The role motivation plays in behavioral activation and how individuals can overcome a lack of motivation.
• The difference between the causes of depression and its treatment.
• The importance of individuals assessing their level of depression before starting treatment.
• The purpose of activity monitoring in the context of behavioral activation.
• Common pitfalls people encounter when trying to monitor their activities and mood.
• How detailed activity monitoring should be to be effective.
• Specific examples of mood-boosting activities.
• The importance of identifying personal values when setting goals for managing depression.
• Common avoidance behaviors that perpetuate depression.
• How the physical environment impacts an individual's ability to engage in positive activities.
• Common setbacks individuals face when engaging in behavioral activation.
• Strategies for sustaining progress in managing depression.
• The benefits of combining behavioral activation with medication for a more comprehensive treatment plan.

Nina Josefowitz, PhD, is a clinical psychologist. In addition to her clinical practice, she teaches at the University of Toronto, and has offered training in North America, Asia, and Africa. She is author of numerous professional articles on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and issues related to general clinical practice. Along with David Myran, she coauthored CBT Made Simple and has co authored the new book The Behavioural Activation Workbook Depression (available on Amazon.com). She has appeared in court numerous times as an expert witness in cases involving interpersonal violence. Dr. Josefowitz was on the Council of the College of Psychologists of Ontario for 9 years, and President of the College from 2001-2003. She has published in the area of trauma, cognitive behavior therapy, women’s issues, ethics and clinical psychology.   Dr. Josefowitz is well known for integrating years of clinical experience into a practical, actionable strategies.  

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Navigating relationships with emotionally immature parents can evoke very strong reactions, which can be difficult to navigate. In many clinician's experience, when this topic comes up, people tend to react in one of three ways: defending their parents as perfect, blaming them for all their struggles, or questioning their own perceptions entirely - all of which can create stuck points. Author and psychologist, Dr. Lindsay Gibson, who has written and lectured extensively on the topic of emotional immaturity joins us for a discussion of some of the core themes covered in her new book “Disentangling from Emotionally Immature People”.  In this discussion we cover:  

• why has this topic been such a focus over her career 
• the kinds of emotional activation in clients can that flow from discussions around emotionally immature parents.
• the key traits that distinguish emotionally immature people from those who are more emotionally mature
• developmental factors that contribute to emotional immaturity in adults
• recognizing emotional immaturity in parents to help adult children heal from past traumas
• the primary coping mechanisms that emotionally immature people use, and how these impact their relationships
• practical steps can adult children take to set and maintain healthy boundaries with emotionally immature parents
• best practices for communicating effectively with emotionally immature parents, especially during conflicts
• considering whether forgiveness is necessary for healing from the impact of emotionally immature parents, and what alternatives exist if forgiveness is not feasible
• how can adult children of emotionally immature parents focus on building healthy, fulfilling relationships outside of their family of origin

Lindsay C. Gibson, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist with more than thirty years’ experience working in both public service and private practice. Her books—including the #1 Amazon best seller, Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents—have sold more than a million copies, and have been translated into thirty-seven languages. In the past, Dr. Gibson has served as an adjunct assistant professor, teaching doctoral clinical psychology students clinical theory and psychotherapy techniques. She specializes in therapy and coaching with adults to attain new levels of personal growth, emotional intimacy with others, and confidence in dealing with emotionally immature family members. Her website is available at http://www.lindsaygibsonpsyd.com.

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Assessing & treating adult ADHD can be both very challenging as well as highly rewarding for client and clinician alike. Psychologist & author, Dr. Russell Ramsay joins us for an in-depth discussion of the assessment and treatment of adult ADHD building on themes in his new workbook, The Adult ADHD and Anxiety Workbook.  In this discussion we cover: 

• why Dr. Ramsay wanted to write a workbook focused on both ADHD and anxiety and why individuals with ADHD may be particularly prone to anxiety
• a brief description of the symptom clusters of ADHD and why a dimensional approach can be helpful
• an evolutionary angle to understanding ADHD
• an extensive discussion of tricky diagnostic issues including: nuance around contextualizing the later emergence of childhood symptoms; assessing ADHD in female clients; understanding the impact of "masking" on the presentation of symptoms; the impact of high trait agreeableness and pleasing behaviours on functional impacts; the course of symptoms over the lifetime
• the contribution of undiagnosed ADHD to treatment resistance around other co-morbid conditions
• addressing the interpersonal challenges that can come with ADHD
• understanding rejection sensitivity in the context of ADHD  
• a strengths-based lens on ADHD
• the so-called "ADHD tax"

Comments or feedback?  Email the podcast at: [email protected]m

J. Russell Ramsay, PhD, ABPP, is a licensed psychologist specializing in the assessment and psychosocial treatment of adult attention deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD). Before embarking on his solo virtual practice, he was cofounder and clinical director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Adult ADHD Treatment and Research Program, where he was professor of clinical psychology in psychiatry. Ramsay is widely published, including five books on adult ADHD; lectures internationally and virtually; and is in the Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) Hall of Fame. He is from the Greater Philadelphia, PA, area.

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Many clinicians experience a sense of helplessness around effectively managing calls from loved ones of an individual living with a mental illness who is not willing to engage in treatment.  There is frequently an impression that little can be done until the affected individual wants to change.  Dr. Alec Pollard joins us for a discussion of he and his co-authors new book "When a Loved One Won't Seek Mental Health Treatment".  In this conversation we cover:    

• why Dr. Pollard and co-authors wanted to write this book
• the challenge for clinicians in fielding calls from loved ones seeking treatment for a loved one who is not motivated to engage in change
• where traditional approaches to a treatment avoidant loved one have fallen short
• operationally defining "treatment avoidance" through a lens of non-blame
• teasing apart the impact of symptoms vs. treatment avoidance
• understanding how the loop of accomodation-minimization within the "family trap" can keep an individual stuck in treatment avoidance
• contextualizing the counterintuitive impact of accommodation 
• considering the extent to which family members are realistically positioned to provide assistance to family members given the complexities involved and the slippery slope of the family trap
• parallels to the family trap within the client-therapist relationship
• the line between clear, transparent boundaries and minimization on the part of the family member and the temporal course matters
• why their approach focuses almost exclusively on the family member as opposed to the loved one that won't seek treatment
• creating a recovery friendly environment
• the complications that personality challenges in either a family member and/or client can present
• understanding when a family when should enlisting professional assistance
• how to discuss this conundrum with a family member who calls for assistance with a loved one

C. Alec Pollard, PhD, is founding director of the Center for OCD & Anxiety-Related Disorders at Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute, and professor emeritus of family and community medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He is a licensed psychologist with a special interest in the study and treatment of individuals with anxiety and emotional disorders who refuse or otherwise fail to benefit from evidence-based treatment. Pollard, codeveloper of the family well-being approach (FWBA), has authored or coauthored more than one hundred publications and leads the Family Consultation Team at Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute.

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Dialectical behavior therapy or DBT is a wonderful suite of tools that help people to be more effective with respect to managing their emotions and becoming more interpersonally effective.  These are challenges that often loom especially large for those who are highly sensitive.  Emma Lauer, LCSW joins us for a discussion of her workbook DBT Skills for Highly Sensitive People.  In this conversation we cover:   

• what inspired Emma to speak about the implementation of DBT in a way that is tailored specifically to sensitive individuals.
• defining a highly sensitive person in the context of mental health and therapy and how this construct has been empirically defined.
• tell-tale life experiences that are typical of a highly sensitive individual.
• the biggest myths, misconceptions or “lore” about highly sensitive people.
• contrasting sensitivity with weakness.
• why emotional sensitivity can be a super power.
• current self-defeating cultural narratives, behaviours and values around emotional experiences.
• the unique challenges that highly sensitive individuals face that DBT can help address.
• distress tolerance vs. an unhealthy escape from difficult emotions.
• the importance of the so-called "window of tolerance" and top strategies for expanding the window of tolerance.
• some of the unique interpersonal challenges that highly sensitive people experience and how DBT can help to address this.
• managing uncertainty as a central challenge of managing a highly sensitive temperament.
• Laura's favourite emotion regulation strategies.
• some of the challenges of implementing mindfulness for highly sensitive individuals. 

Emma Lauer, LCSW, is a therapist specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, self-harming behaviors, and trauma. Emma is an eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)-certified therapist, an EMDR Consultant-in-Training, and she has taught both undergraduate and graduate-level courses at Arizona State University. She currently practices therapy and oversees interns and other staff therapists as clinical supervisor at Find Your Shine Therapy, a group private practice in Tempe, AZ.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/emma-lauer-tempe-az/418090

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In addition to being a topic that appears frequently in the realm of pop psychology, emotional intelligence is a subject of serious, rigorous academic inquiry.  Clinical psychologist & author, Dr. Stephanie Catella joins for us for a discussion of core-themes in her new book  The Emotional Intelligence Skills Workbook: Improve Communication and Build Stronger Relationships.  In this conversation we cover:   

• why Dr. Catella wanted to create a workbook specifically focused on Emotional Intelligence (EI)
• the current operational definition of EI
• common misconceptions people have about EI
• clinical presentations where it may be particularly useful to address EI
• the importance of providing psychoeducation around emotions 
• reacting v.s responding 
• a values-driven path to EI
• radical acceptance as an advanced EI skill 
• mentalizing  & attunement in the context of EI
• defining genuine, effective, values-driven empathy and differentiating this from more manipulative concepts like agentic extraversion
• a consideration of fact vs. fiction around the emotional intelligence of narcissistic individuals 
• the effective ingredients around effective, values-driven assertiveness and the value of being kind  
• the benefit to improve one's mental health and overall well-being
• the evoking of schemas that can occur in the context of this work

Comments or feedback?  Email us [email protected].  

Stephanie Catella, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist with expertise in transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for trauma, anxiety, and building emotional intelligence. After completing fellowships at the San Francisco VA and the University of California, San Francisco, she codirected the Berkeley Cognitive Behavioral Therapy clinic with Dr. Matt McKay. In addition to her private practice, she authored an FDA-cleared prescription digital therapeutic for fibromyalgia, and serves as an advisor to HealthTech companies.

www.drstephcatella.com 

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Bipolar disorder is often thought of as a mental disorder that is treated exclusively with medication when in fact there are a number of evidence-based psychotherapeutic techniques that can be used to complement traditional pharmacotherapy.  Dr. Holly Swartz joins us for a discussion of the core themes in her new book, Social Rhythm Therapy for Bipolar Disorder.  In this conversation we cover:

• a brief overview of bipolar disorder
• what Social Rhythm Therapy (SRT) is and how it is used to treat bipolar disorder
• the key principles and components of SRT
• challenges or considerations when implementing SRT with adolescents or young adults with bipolar disorder
• how SRT complements other treatments for bipolar disorder
• how SRT addresses the relationship between daily routines, sleep patterns, and mood regulation
• implementing SRT within a family system
• addressing challenges related to sleep from a behavioural vs. pharmacological route
• the unique challenge that technology, screen-time etc. pose to forming healthy biological routines
• advice for mental health professionals who are interested in incorporating SRT into their practice for bipolar disorder

Comments or feedback?  Email the podcast: [email protected]

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Holly A. Swartz is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She received her undergraduate degree from Harvard College, medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and completed her psychiatric residency training at New York Hospital / Cornell University School of Medicine. Dr. Swartz’s research focuses on understanding and optimizing treatments for mood disorders. She is well known for her work evaluating Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) and Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) as treatments for depression and bipolar disorder. Her research focuses on the role of IPSRT and pharmacotherapy in the management of bipolar II depression and IPT in the management of maternal depression. She is engaged in collaborative projects to develop computational frameworks to model dyadic interpersonal behaviors in relation to psychotherapy process and outcomes and to understand neural correlates of change in chronotherapeutic behavioral interventions. Her research has been funded by the National Institute of Health, National Science Foundation, and the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation.

Dr. Swartz has held elected leadership positions for national and international professional organizations, including serving as President of the International Society of Bipolar Disorders (ISBD ; 2024-2026), President of the International Society for Interpersonal Psychotherapy (ISIPT ; 2015-17), and Board Member of the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology (ASCP ; 2021-2029).  She is the 2018 recipient of the Depression and Bipolar Association (DBSA) Gerald L. Klerman Senior Investigator Award in recognition of outstanding research contributing to the understanding, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of mood disorders. She is the author of over 100 publications, co-author of Bipolar II Disorder: Recognition, Understanding and Treatment (American Psychiatric Association Publishing, 2019), author of The Social Rhythm Therapy Workbook for Bipolar Disorder: Stabilize Your Circadian Rhythms to Reduce Stress, Manage Moods, and Prevent Future Episodes (New Harbinger Press, 2024), and Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Psychotherapy. She serves as a member of the Scientific Advisory Boards of DBSA and the International Bipolar Foundation.

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Challenges related to attachment in relationships - especially in the context of romantic relationships - can evoke very strong emotions and behavioral urges that can often backfire, sometimes causing the very thing we fear most; namely, the dissolution of a relationship.  Psychologist, author, speaker & teacher, Dr. Leslie Becker-Phelps joins us for a discussion of her latest release, The Insecure In Love Workbook.  In this discussion we cover:    

• what inspired Dr. Becker-Phelps to write The Insecure in Love Workbook and the clinical realties of this challenge that she had in mind when constructing her approach
• a brief overview attachment and how it relates to our relationships 
• how early life experiences influence our attachment styles in adulthood
• differentiating between normal relationship challenges and issues stemming from insecure attachment patterns
• the most common self-defeating patterns that people engage in when an attachment feels threatened 
• the critical importance of self-awareness in managing issues related to attachment
• Dr. Becker-Phelps' STEAM model (5 domains of self-awareness: Sensations, Thoughts, Emotions, Actions, Mentalizing)
• helping clients navigate challenges related to self-acceptance and compassionate self-awareness
• what determines sustainable compatibility 
• whether it is healthy to accommodate or even “give in” to one’s attachment style
• navigating an intense attraction to someone from the lens of attachment 
• the line between co-regulation & subjugation/unhealthy accommodation in a relationship 

Comments or feedback?  Email us at: [email protected] 

Dr. Leslie Becker-Phelps is dedicated to helping people understand themselves and what they need to do to become emotionally and psychologically healthy. She is in private practice, hosts a YouTube channel, and is a prolific writer. She has authored The Insecure in Love Workbook, Insecure in Love, and Bouncing Back from Rejection. She also writes the Authentically You blog and the Making Change blog on Psychology Today.

To learn more about Dr. Becker-Phelps, visit www.drbecker-phelps.com