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OICBT clinician Dr. Kiran Vagada, C.Psych joins us to discuss a number of aspects of mindfulness including the definition of mindfulness, the evidence around mindfulness as therapeutic intervention, common myths around mindfulness, the "dark side" of mindfulness, the neurobiology of mindfulness as well as selected tools and strategies to help develop and stick with a mindfulness practice.  We also briefly touch on theories of consciousness as it relates to the practice of mindfulness.  

Dr. Kiran Vadaga, C.Psych, obtained his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Concordia University and completed his pre-doctoral internship at the McGill University health care centre. He provides psychodiagnostic assessment and treatment for adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), mood and anxiety disorders, and chronic pain. He also works with clients who have interpersonal difficulties. Kiran uses an integrative approach to therapy drawing from cognitive, behavioural, interpersonal, and mindfulness traditions.

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Dr. Charles Raison, MD, joins us in a wide-ranging discussion of depression from an evolutionary lens considering the role of inflammatory processes in the pathophysiology of depression; the potential adaptive role of depressive symptoms in the face of adverse environmental circumstances; potential pitfalls with respect to current diagnostic conceptualizations of depression; unintended side-effects of treatment of depression with antidepressants; and, the opportunity to leverage difficult circumstances for personal growth.  We also briefly touch on emerging evidence around psychedelic compounds in the treatment of depression as well as the potential utility of meditation practices.     

Dr. Raison is the Mary Sue and Mike Shannon Chair for Healthy Minds, Children & Families in the School of Human Ecology and a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Dr. Raison has written and published over 100 scientific papers as well as over 20 review papers and editorials. Chapters he has written have been featured in over 30 books, and he has written two books, most recently The New Mind-Body Science of Depression. The recipient of several teaching awards, Dr. Raison has received research funding from the National Institute of Mental Health, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. His visionary work focuses on the treatment of depression in response to illness and stress, translating neurobiological findings into novel interventions. In addition to his activities at University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dr. Raison is the mental health expert for CNN.com.

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Dr. Allan Abbass sits down to discuss Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) in the treatment of a variety of psychological difficulties.  We discuss the framework of ISTDP, conscious vs. unconscious anxiety pathways, patterns of body response that correlate with different types of emotional responses, where CBT and ISTDP overlap and where they may diverge and finally, the evidence base for this method.  We also briefly discuss how medication can augment but also impede psychotherapy. 

Host note: We will be offering a 6 week essentials of CBT workshop that I will be facilitating beginning March 24, 2023.  For more information and registration, please visit: https://www.ottawacbt.ca/news.  

Dr. Abbass is a psychiatrist, teacher, and researcher. He is a professor of psychiatry and psychology and the founding director of the Centre for Emotions and Health at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada. He has consulted widely for governments, universities, and health agencies on the cost-effectiveness and applicability of short-term psychotherapy. Dr. Abbass has provided over 300 invited presentations around the world as well as ongoing video-recording-based training to professionals in several countries. In addition, he has been awarded many research grants and has over 250 publications including his 2 books Reaching through Resistance and Hidden from View. He has won several awards and recognitions for education and research.  He is currently the President of the International Experiential Dynamic Therapy Association. He is proud to be the David Malan Visiting Professor of Psychotherapy at the Tavistock Institute, London, UK.

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Dr. Bruce Hubbard PhD is a clinical psychologist based in New York City who developed tinnitus, hyperacusis and high-frequency hearing loss in 2005. After many months of struggle, he was encouraged to learn that cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), the treatment for stress and trauma he’d practiced his entire career, was the most researched, clinically-proven approach to tinnitus. Armed with his own expertise in CBT and having read everything he could about tinnitus, he guided himself through a successful course of CBT.  Since then he’s guided hundreds of clients, many with severe tinnitus, in applying CBT to achieve high levels of habituation and resume full, valued lives with tinnitus. He founded CBT for Tinnitus, LLC, to help people apply principles and strategies of cognitive behavior therapy to address tinnitus and related hearing issues.  Dr. Hubbard is a Visiting Scholar at Columbia University - Teachers College, Past-President of the New York City Cognitive Behavior Therapy Association (NYC-CBT) and Board Certified in Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP).  https://www.cbtfortinnitus.com/

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Drs. Natasha Bouchard, C.Psych & Drs. Pamela Quintana, C.Psych discuss the delivery of CBT using Virtual Reality (VR) technology. We discuss the evidence for VR therapy, the neurobiological mechanisms by which VR may work, common applications of VR in the context of CBT, tips & tricks for clinicians and finally, equipment requirements and technical considerations.  

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Dr. Jennifer Karp, C. Psych discusses pathways to becoming a resilient parent through consideration of self-care, self-compassion, building a village of support, modelling acceptance of uncertainty, the importance of accepting all emotions (especially our own) and the value of staying calm and not taking things personally.  

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Dr. Melissa Tiessen, C.Psych and Dr. Karen Dyck, C.Psych, founders of www.intentionaltherapist.ca, speak to self-care for mental health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

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Eve Blouin, Ph.D. is a Positive Psychologist located in Ottawa, Canada.  We had a wide ranging conversation on creativity, flow states, crafting meaning and self-actualization.  You can learn more about Dr. Blouin's work here: https://bevycreative.com.  You can also visit her on her YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Xd0ky89YFiYCA-TplB1GQ

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Dr. Cathy Dandurand, C. Psych and Dr. Pete Kelly, C. Psych embark on a discussion of the amazing book The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking by Oliver Burkeman only to find themselves pulled into an epic exploration of existential and meaning-based issues relevant to clinical work and life. 

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Dr. Corace is the Director of Clinical Programming and Research in the Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders Program and the Executive Lead of the MindAbility Program at The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at University of Ottawa, an Adjunct Research Professor at Carleton University, a Clinical Investigator with the Institute of Mental Health Research, and a Clinical Health Psychologist. Working at provincial, national, and international levels, her work focuses on improving treatment access and outcomes for vulnerable populations struggling with substance use and mental health co-morbidities, with a focus on developing collaborative care models. She contributes her expertise to numerous standards and guidelines committees as well as policy development initiatives to improve mental health and addictions care, including serving as the Canadian representative to the United Nations (UN) Office on Drugs and Crime Expert Group on the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders in people affected by Mental and Somatic Co-morbidities. She was the recipient of The Royal’s 12th Annual Inspiration Award in the Young Researcher Category (2015). In 2013, the Ontario Ministry of Health Innovation Fund awarded the “Best Innovation in Mental Health Care Delivery” to Dr Corace and her colleague for our Regional Opioid Intervention Service. Dr. Corace is the President Elect of the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), and Chairs the CPA Opioid Crisis Task Force.