Back from the Abyss: Psychiatry in Stories cover image

Back from the Abyss: Psychiatry in Stories

Latest episodes

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Mar 28, 2025 • 23min

The Art of Deprescribing

Send BFTA a commentDr. H breaks down the complex task of deprescribing into six clear steps, starting with the most important and challenging question of all:   Who is the patient and why are they suffering?"Bringing Therapy into Med Management"-- a psychotherapy training intensive with Dr. H for psych NPs and PAs this October in Ft Collins https://www.craigheacockmd.com/training/BFTA on IG @backfromtheabysspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/backfromtheabysspodcast/BFTA/ Dr. Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/
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5 snips
Mar 14, 2025 • 1h 11min

Developing field awareness: Working with transference and countertransference

Keri Haynes, a Colorado-based group therapy expert and consultant, joins Dr. Heacock for a compelling discussion. They delve into transference and countertransference, illustrating their profound impact on therapist-client relationships. Keri shares her insights on the dynamics of group therapy, emphasizing how emotional exchanges can deepen connections. The conversation also highlights the significance of self-awareness for therapists, especially in navigating trust after trauma. Personal anecdotes enrich the dialogue, revealing the transformative journey within therapy.
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Feb 28, 2025 • 1h 4min

Sex Hormones and Psychiatric Illness with Dr. Neill Epperson

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Neill Epperson, Chair of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado, dives into the fascinating relationship between sex hormones and psychiatric health. They discuss postpartum mental health challenges and the complexities of individual hormone responses. The role of estrogen in brain function is highlighted, showcasing its impact on cognitive abilities. They also explore menopause, hormonal therapy, and the need for tailored treatments. Overall, it's a compelling look at how hormones intricately weave into mental health and wellness.
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Feb 14, 2025 • 45min

Adventures in Exposure Therapy (Re-release)

Send BFTA a commentThis is a re-release of an episode called "Adventures in Exposure Therapy" which first published in 2020. That episode was the second of a two part exploration of OCD, the first episode was called "OCD in the Time of Corona." In brief, "OCD in the Time of Corona" was the story of Dr. H's patient Erin, who suffered from disabling OCD that focused on a catastrophizing fear of cold sores and the herpes virus.  Dr. H initially treated Erin, then referred her to Dr. Amy Indermuehle, a CO based psychologist and OCD expert, who then took over the exposure therapy. "Adventures in Exposure Therapy"  is a conversation with Dr. Amy both about the fascinating specifics of Erin’s OCD tx, as well as a ton of wisdom and guidance about how to do exposure therapy for various presentations of OCD.Dr. Amy Indermuehlehttp://facemyanxiety.com/"I Love You, I Hate You, Are You My Mom?"  A intensive experiential workshop exploring transference with Dr. H and Dr. Hillary McBride, May 28-30 in Victoria BChttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/i-love-you-i-hate-you-are-you-my-mom-tickets-1112117516429?aff=ebdssbdestsearchBFTA on IG @backfromtheabysspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/backfromtheabysspodcast/BFTA/ Dr. Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/
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Jan 31, 2025 • 53min

Can MDMA save a marriage? One couple's story

Send BFTA a commentToday’s story is the story of so many marriages— starting off with hope and excitement, then settling into careers and kids and unforeseen challenges,  then facing emerging disenchantment and mounting frustrations,  then maybe even reaching a breaking point, where the marriage seems unable to withstand all the stuff life is throwing in its path.  For Daniel and Mindy, their initial years of love and hope and adventure were slowly buried by layers of physical and emotional pain, by Daniel’s chronic and worsening depression, by Mindy’s frustration and anger and shame. Teetering on the edge, they decided to begin working with MDMA, hoping to rediscover what they had somehow lost."I Love You, I Hate You, Are You My Mom?"  A intensive experiential workshop exploring transference with Dr. H and Dr. Hillary McBride, May 28-30 in Victoria BChttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/i-love-you-i-hate-you-are-you-my-mom-tickets-1112117516429?aff=ebdssbdestsearchBFTA on IG @backfromtheabysspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/backfromtheabysspodcast/BFTA/ Dr. Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/
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Jan 17, 2025 • 18min

Psychedelics, psychiatric meds, and the question of tapering

Dive into the intricate world of mental health as experts tackle the challenges of integrating psychedelics into treatment. Discover how psychiatric medications can interact dangerously with substances like psilocybin, ketamine, and MDMA. Hear about the critical need for careful medication tapering to enhance therapeutic outcomes. Packed with case studies, this discussion sheds light on the delicate balance of serotonin receptor dynamics and offers insights into navigating treatment-resistant conditions.
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Jan 3, 2025 • 1h 5min

In the room with Hillary McBride and Saj Razvi--- A moment to moment exploration of psychedelic somatic trauma therapy

Send BFTA a commentSaj Razvi and Hillary McBride return to BFTA, this time together, for one of the most compelling and fascinating episodes we have featured on the podcast-- an in depth, in the room exploration of the moment to moment unfolding of a psychedelic-assisted trauma session. During her training to work with Saj’’s psychedelic somatic model, called PSIP, Hillary did a profound session with Saj that led to some very unexpected gifts for Hillary. Interestingly, the psychedelic used for this session was THC— Saj has spoken extensively in past BFTA episodes why he considers vaped THC a particularly potent catalyst for somatic trauma work, to rapidly cut through dissociation and heighten autonomic reactions.First we’ll hear Saj give some background context and an introduction to the theory of his work, then we’ll hear Hillary enter into a very emotional and often physically grueling session, with both Saj and Hillary weighing in occasionally with commentary about the process, then finally we hear them both summarize what happened, how they understand the meaning and the story.A heads up, Hillary’s session gets very intense at times, if you don’t feel ready to hear someone walk the fires of their nearly annihilating trauma, maybe save this episode for another time."I Love You, I Hate You, Are You My Mom?"  A intensive experiential workshop exploring transference with Dr. H and Dr. Hillary McBride, May 28-30 in Victoria BChttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/i-love-you-i-hate-you-are-you-my-mom-tickets-1112117516429?aff=ebdssbdestsearchDr. Hillary McBridehttps://hillarylmcbride.com/Saj Razvi and the Psychedelic Somatic Institutehttps://www.psychedelicsomatic.org/BFTA on IG @backfromtheabysspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/backfromtheabysspodcast/BFTA/ Dr. Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/
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Dec 20, 2024 • 22min

Recognizing and Treating OCD

Send BFTA a commentIn this solo episode, Craig synthesizes the most salient aspects of identifying and treating OCD, with some cool musical interludes to boot-- in just over 20 minutes!"I Love You, I Hate You, Are You My Mom?"  A intensive experiential workshop exploring transference with Dr. H and Dr. Hillary McBride, May 28-30 in Victoria BChttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/i-love-you-i-hate-you-are-you-my-mom-tickets-1112117516429?aff=ebdssbdestsearchBFTA on IG @backfromtheabysspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/backfromtheabysspodcast/BFTA/ Dr. Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/
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Dec 6, 2024 • 1h 13min

Therapists in the abyss: A journey back to self

Send BFTA a commentYou don't end up working in psychiatry/mental health by accident-- therapists and psychiatrists almost always come from their own place of emotional pain. Here Dr. H sits down with his colleague Kristen, a well-respected Colorado psychotherapist who always appeared to have it all together, while battling her own inner demons of feeling like a fraud-- broken, unworthy, irredeemable.  This is Kristen's story of finding a way through her double life, of coming to peace with what she survived, how she coped,  and how this helps her to help others. BFTA on IG @backfromtheabysspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/backfromtheabysspodcast/BFTA/ Dr. Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/
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Nov 22, 2024 • 24min

What I'm thinking about now: Working in the Here and Now; Polypharmacy; Diagnostic Parsimony; Ketamine Microdosing; Psych NP Training

Send BFTA a commentIn this solo episode Dr. H shares his current thoughts on working in the here and now; polypharmacy; the root causes of suicidality; diagnostic parsimony ; ketamine microdosing; and online psych NP training programs.BFTA on IG @backfromtheabysspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/backfromtheabysspodcast/BFTA/ Dr. Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/

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