"Friendship is the antidote to loneliness!" - Chris Gazdik

Friends are on the list of importance we've talked about on the last few shows and they are definitely a solid component of mental health. In fact, Chris tells some of his clients to go out and make friends as part of his therapy process.

But what are friends and how do we make them? Are there different levels of friendship and is everyone we meet a "friend"?

Tune in to find out and learn about friendship Through a Therapist's Eyes!

In our second episode on parenting Chris discusses a concept that is his own, The Lost Decade. The concept is from ages 4 to 14 parents make children such a priority that they not only neglect themselves but other relationships including their spouse. Obviously the answer is not to neglect your children but to remain balanced and keep the priorities we discussed in Episode #19 (God, Self, Spouse, Kids, Family, Friends) in order!

Tune in to find out about The Lost Decade Through a Therapist's Eyes!

Boundaries in our lives are very important! Boundaries are things that separate two things and in relationships they allow us to be our own unique person apart from the identity or influence of other people.

It's a pretty simple thing to do with friends, acquaintances, etc., but it can become more difficult when setting boundaries with family members.

In this episode Chris talks this touchy issue and gives some great advice on how to setup family boundaries and how they can be beneficial!

In this Episode Chris explains that full blown Depression is like experiencing a major grief reaction that just doesn't get better.  It can go on for months if not longer.

Chris also talks about the symptoms of Depression including the number #1 enemy of Depression, isolation!

Finally he explains why suicide is such a risk factor for the Depressed person and why admitting you are Depressed is a sign of courage, not weakness!

Tune into this Episode to see Depression Through a Therapist's Eyes!

We all have some level of anxiety at different times but when does Anxiety become a condition? In this episode Chris talks about the difference in the two. He talks about methods to manage anxiety that work well for all of us but that work against what our body is trying to do if the anxiety is a condition. He discusses the “Golden Rule” of Anxiety and challenging yourself by creating situations that create discomfort but help us to grow.

Tune into this episode to see Anxiety Through a Therapist’s

"He's bipolar!". "She's bipolar!".  I'm sure you've heard someone say this about another person at some point.  But what is bipolar disorder and how do you know if you or someone you know or love has it?

In this episode Chris dives into what bipolar disorder is, what it isn't, what to do if you think someone you know or love has it, and how to get a firm diagnosis!

Tune in to hear about Bipolar Disorder Through a Therapist's Eyes

Let your kid do whatever they want as long as it doesn't cause a problem for anyone else? That's the main idea from Love and Logic that Chris discusses in this episode on parenting. He also discusses different forms of disciplining children including privilege loss and corporal punishment. And he talks extensively about the major perspective shift that changed the way he works with kids: high structure with low power structure that teaches kids life lessons.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of [some form of] physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime. In this episode Chris interviews Margie Jo (MJ) Vess, a domestic violence survivor. Hear MJ's story of abuse over a six year marriage, how and why she got out, and what's she's doing now to use her experience to help others!

In this episode, as a result of a recent school shooting, Chris shares three steps to diffuse a bullying situation. A large majority of the time the bully can be stopped just by executing the first step. Is it easy? NO! But it may save lives.

This is a must listen for everyone as these steps can be used in schools, boardrooms, or any situation but definitely a must listen for parents to teach their children in today's world.  Tune in!

In this episode, Chris and Craig review the first 11 episodes of the show and Chris answers a few listener questions. The guys cover:

• Where we are after 11 episodes!

• What should listeners expect?

• What are the takeaways?

• What can listeners look forward to in future episodes?

• A brief summary of each show with listener questions answered along the way!

• What are Chris and Craig’s favorite shows so far?

Be sure to tune in!