Pushing back on mental health paradigms with Darren Fleming

Nov 12, 2024

Darren Fleming, a behavioral scientist and psychologist, shares his insights on redefining mental health paradigms. He encourages stepping back from conventional labels and rigid goals to embrace a more intuitive approach to personal growth. Fleming emphasizes tuning into body sensations and letting go of self-imposed stories. He critiques overthinking in therapy and promotes present-centered awareness instead of goal fixation. The conversation also touches on the importance of emotional processing through journaling, enhancing self-awareness and fostering genuine progress.

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Episode notes

Intro

00:00 • 2min

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Breaking Free from Overthinking

02:04 • 14min

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Navigating Intuition and Narrative in Relationships

15:50 • 3min

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Exploring Intuition and the Integration of Self

19:13 • 2min

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Beyond Goals: Embracing Present Awareness

20:49 • 10min

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The Power of Journaling and Reflection

30:21 • 22min

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The Body Keeps the Score

Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

Bessel van der Kolk

In this book, Dr. Bessel van der Kolk uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma reshapes both the body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. He explores various treatments, including neurofeedback, meditation, sports, drama, and yoga, which activate the brain’s natural neuroplasticity to aid in recovery. The book emphasizes the power of relationships in both causing and healing trauma and offers hope through descriptions of novel approaches to treatment. It is based on Dr. van der Kolk’s own research and that of other leading specialists in the field.

Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway

Dynamic Techniques for Turning Fear, Indecision, and Anger into Power, Action, and Love

Susan Jeffers

In this book, Susan Jeffers offers dynamic techniques to help readers overcome their fears and take action towards their goals. The book emphasizes the importance of facing fears head-on, developing a stronger mindset, and taking small steps towards achieving goals despite fear. Jeffers also discusses the root of all fears as the belief that one cannot handle what happens, and provides tools to build confidence and manage thoughts positively. The book has been highly recommended by many therapists and business leaders for its practical and inspiring approach to managing fear and achieving personal growth.

Tao te ching

Laozi

The Tao Te Ching is a central text in Taoist philosophy and religion. It consists of 81 brief chapters or sections that discuss the nature of the Tao, which is described as the source and ideal of all existence. The text emphasizes living in harmony with nature, the importance of simplicity, humility, and the interconnectedness of all things. It critiques unnatural actions and social activism based on abstract moralism, advocating for a life of 'nonaction' (wu wei) and spontaneity. The text has been highly influential in Chinese philosophy and has been translated numerous times, making it one of the most translated texts in world literature.

Conversations with God

An Uncommon Dialogue

Neale Donald Walsch

In 'Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue,' Neale Donald Walsch engages in a profound and thought-provoking dialogue with God. The book was inspired by Walsch's personal crisis, during which he wrote an angry letter to God and subsequently felt answers filling his mind. The dialogue covers various topics such as the nature of God, the importance of love over fear, and the empowerment of individuals to create their own reality. It challenges traditional religious views and offers a refreshing and alternative spiritual perspective, emphasizing that we are all part of a unified, divine presence and that our thoughts and actions shape our world.

Don't Be a Dick

Active Journals

In this episode of Make Your Mind, I sit down with behavioural scientist, psychologist, and author Darren Fleming to explore a fresh perspective on mindset, mental health, and self-reflection. Darren’s book, Mindset Mastery, challenges some conventional mental health approaches, encouraging us to step away from labels, routines, and rigid goals in favour of a simpler, more intuitive path to personal growth.

After reading his book, I was intrigued. As someone who’s spent years using therapy, journaling, and structured habits as part of my mental health journey, I wanted to dive deeper into Darren’s idea of “doing less.” Some of these concepts might feel familiar, yet his approach struck a chord with me.

For Darren, real change starts by tuning into what’s happening in the body—without labelling, analysing, or resisting. His method is about experiencing body sensations and letting go of the stories we attach to them, which he sees as a pathway to an integrated self and genuine progress.

This episode dives into some potentially controversial ideas, and I’d love to hear your thoughts.

How do you feel about practices rooted in the mental health movement?

I’m still exploring these concepts myself, so if you’re on a similar journey, I’d love to hear your thoughts and keep the conversation going 📩 jess@archleys.com

To learn more about Darren and his work visit, www.darrenfleming.com.au

Buy his book here www.darrenfleming.com.au/books

Follow him on Linkedin here

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