Psychologists Off the Clock

What comes to mind when you think of happiness? Joy? Pleasure? A sense of fulfillment? While these states of happiness may make us feel truly wonderful, they are temporary and context-specific. Join us for a discussion about the core components of the “New Happiness,” a path for finding a deep and lasting sense of contentment that springs from discovering and acting upon one’s personal spiritual values. In this inspirational and heartfelt episode, Dr. Matthew McKay, an expert psychologist, professor, and accomplished author provides a fresh perspective on how to cultivate lasting happiness based on psychological research and spiritual wisdom. He also explains the importance of acting on love. Always. Listen and Learn: What role can spirituality play in happiness? How to achieve genuine happiness based on spiritual values and actions The importance of service values and self-growth values, and why both are necessary to experience a deep sense of connection and happiness How moments of choice and pain serve us on the path toward happiness How to love in the face of loss and change Resources: Article Diana sent her psychology tribe: “How to be Happy? A Nearly 90-Year-Old Has Some Advice,”article in Glamour Magazine What Debbie is reading to her kids: Lulu is Getting a Sister: (Who WANTS Her? Who NEEDS Her?) by Judith Viorst Watch and read more about Dr. Sonia Lyubomirsky’s Pie Chart of Happiness here and here Read about 5 Gates of Grief here: The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief  by Francis Weller ACT and Process-Based CBT with Dr. Steven Hayes, “Psychologists off the Clock” Episode Process-Based CBT: The Science and Core Clinical Competencies of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy edited by Steven C. Hayes and Stefan G. Hofmann About Dr. McKay: Matthew McKay, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology at the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA and co-director of the Bay Area Trauma Recovery Clinic with Dr. Robyn Walser. He also co-founded Haight Ashbury Psych Services, a low-fee community clinic, in San Francisco, CA and is the publisher and co-founder of New Harbinger Publications. Dr. McKay specializes in cognitive-behavioral approaches to treating anxiety and depression and co-developed numerous ACT-based protocols, including ACT for interpersonal disorders, ACT for couples, ACT for anger problems, and ACT for spiritual growth. Dr. McKay is also an accomplished writer, having authored and co-authored several books including The New Happiness: Practices for Spiritual Growth and Living with Intention, The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook, The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook, Self-Esteem, Thoughts, and Feelings, When Anger Hurts, and ACT on Life Not on Anger. Dr. McKay received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology. Books by Dr. McKay: The New Happiness: Practices for Spiritual Growth and Living with Intention by Jeffery C. Wood and Matthew McKay ACT on Life Not on Anger by Georg H. Eifert, Matthew McKay, and John P. Forsyth The Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Skills Workbook by Matthew McKay, Jeffery C. Wood, Jeffery Brantley The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook by Martha Davis, Elizabeth Robbins Eshelman, and Matthew McKay  __________________________ Thank you for joining us on this episode of Psychologists Off The Clock. We appreciate your feedback. Please take a moment to leave a quick rating and review of the show on Apple Podcasts. It helps us spread the word to more folks like you! Subscribe for free where you listen to podcasts! Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Deezer, TuneIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Discussions of diversity issues are more critical than ever. And yet, conversations about these topics can be difficult, polarizing, and ineffective, leading to anger and hurt on both sides. In this episode, Debbie interviews Dr. Anatasia Kim and Dr. Alicia del Prado about their new book It's Time to Talk (and Listen): How to Have Constructive Conversations About Race, Class, Sexuality, Ability, and Gender in a Polarized World. Drs. Kim and del Prado offer a glimpse into their practical eight-step approach, the Kim Constructive Conversations Model. This approach can help listeners have difficult conversations by talking authentically about issues related to culture and diversity. If you’ve ever had discussions about diversity issues with co-workers, family, or friends that led to anger or frustration, this episode is for you! Listen and Learn: Why conversations about diversity issues can be so painful and challenging. Why we might sometimes choose not to speak up about diversity issues, and why sometimes it’s worth the effort. How values-guided conversations can promote healing. How to set an effective tone in a conversation and how to raise difficult issues while maintaining the relationship. Ways to respond to valid emotions (like fear and anger) without losing effectiveness. About Drs. Kim and del Prado: Anatasia S. Kim, Ph.D., is a tenured associate professor at The Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA, where she also has a private practice specializing in treating adolescents and young adults. She is a National Ronald McNair Scholar and the recipient of numerous awards, including the American Psychological Association Minority Fellowship, Okura Mental Health Fellowship, and APAGS Guardian of Psychology Award. Kim has served as president of the Alameda County Psychological Association, chair of the California Psychological Association (CPA) Immigration Task Force, and diversity delegate of the CPA. She has presented and published in the areas of cultural competency and training, immigration, women of color in academia, and more. Alicia del Prado, Ph.D., is a tenured associate professor at The Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA, and a licensed counseling psychologist with a private practice in Danville, CA. She has published numerous journal articles and chapters on cross-cultural psychology, personality, acculturation, and ethnic identity, including the first enculturation scale for Filipino Americans. She provides consultation and training on multicultural issues to companies and colleges. Del Prado is chair and co-founder of the Asian American Psychology Association’s (AAPA) Division on Asian Americans with Multiple Heritages and was awarded both the Alameda County Psychological Association’s Janet Hurwich Award and the AAPA Okura Community Leadership Award. To Purchase The Book: It's Time to Talk (and Listen): How to Have Constructive Conversations About Race, Class, Sexuality, Ability & Gender in a Polarized World Resources: Dr. Kim’s webpages: https://anatasiakim.com/ and https://www.wi.edu/psyd-faculty-anatasia-kim Dr. del Prado’s webpages: http://www.drdelprado.com/ and https://www.wi.edu/psyd-faculty-alicia-del-prado __________________________ Thank you for joining us on this episode of Psychologists Off The Clock. We appreciate your feedback. Please take a moment to leave a quick rating and review of the show on Apple Podcasts. It helps us spread the word to more folks like you! Subscribe for free where you listen to podcasts! Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Deezer, iHeartRadio, TuneIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Racism is a public health crisis with deep, ongoing negative impacts on psychological and physical health. In this episode, Dr. Kristee Haggins, an African centered psychologist, discusses how to support healing racial trauma. Dr. Haggins describes how black people can connect with the truth of their history, cultivate healing, and make choices that are good for themselves, their families, and larger communities. Dr. Haggins also offers recommendations for the work that those who do not identify as black can do to promote racial healing and change. Listen and Learn: How do you know if you or someone you care about is experiencing racial trauma and stress? Effective healing and self-care practices that black communities are using to heal together Internal and collective “work” white and other non-black people can do to promote systematic and grassroots change Ways in which mental health professionals can better meet the needs of black and other diverse communities About Dr. Haggins: Dr. Kristee Haggins is a community healer, African centered psychologist and professor who takes a holistic approach to healing mind, body, spirit, and community. She is a founding member of Safe Black Space Community Healing Circles and is committed to promoting health and wellness particularly in the Black community. Dr. Haggins studied Psychology as an undergraduate at the University of Southern California where she received a B.A. with honors. She earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from The Ohio State University. Dr. Haggins has had a multifaceted career as a clinician, educator, consultant, trainer and university administrator. Currently, she is a professor at California Northstate University and at Alliant International University, Sacramento where she teaches courses in multicultural counseling and therapy skills. Dr. Haggins has expertise in racial stress and trauma; African American mental health; multicultural psychology/diversity issues; and spirituality and mental health. She offers training and tailored workshops and consultation in these areas, in addition to others upon request. In 2016 she was awarded the Community Healing Award by the Community Healing Network (CHN) for her collaboration with CHN and the Association of Black Psychologists. Resources:  Safe Black Space Community Healing CirclesAssociation of Black PsychologistsThe Racial Healing Handbook by Annelise SinghSomebody Told a Lie One Day quote by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do worries about your kids’ safety dominate your parenting choices? How often do you feel pressured to make parenting choices as a result of judgment from others? We are parenting in an age of overwhelming fear and constant judgment. Understanding how we got here, what the dangers really are (and are not), and how we can parent more courageously and wisely, can help us to better navigate parenting in the modern age. In this episode, Kim Brooks, author of Small Animals: Parenthood in the Age of Fear, joins Yael and offers deep wisdom in parenting well in the current cultural climate. Listen and Learn: Why parenting culture has devolved into fearWhat some of the important dangers are, and which common worries are not worthy of the attention we give themWhy we judge parents, particularly mothers, so harshlyHow to become a more brave and effective parent in this cultural milieu About Kim Brooks Kim Brooks is the author of Small Animals: Parenthood In the Age of Fear. Small Animals was an NPR Best Book of the Year and described by National Book Review as “an impassioned, smart work of social criticism and a call for support and empathy.” Kim’s writing has appeared in NYT, NY Magazine, Salon, and Buzzfeed. Kim has appeared on CBS This Morning, GMA, NPR’s All Things Considered, 20/20, among others. Resources Small Animals: Parenthood in the Age of Fear, by Kim BrooksKim’s WebsiteFollow Kim on TwitterMotherhood in the Age of Fear, New York Times essay by Kim BrooksWhat a Horrible Mother, Salon essay by Kim Brooks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you struggle with maintaining a healthy weight, it’s not your fault. Evolutionary biology, our obeseogenic environment, and psychological barriers make weight loss challenging. In this episode, Dr. Evan Forman, a senior researcher, and expert on obesity, offers cutting edge strategies that incorporate acceptance-based and behavioral skills to change your eating behaviors for good. Listen And Learn: Change your relationship with shame, stress, and other emotions that drive overeating and underexercisingNot waste your resources fighting what you cannot controlHow psychological acceptance enhances self-monitoring of food intake and weightHow to sustain motivation by clarifying values and cultivating willingnessStrategies to enhance stability and habit formation to lose and maintain weight loss About Dr. Forman:  Evan Forman, Ph.D, is a professor of psychology and the founding director of the Center for Weight, Eating and Lifestyle Science, or the WELL Center, at Drexel University. His research focuses on evaluating novel behavioral and technology-based approaches to treating obesity and weight loss. His recent research includes Mind Your Health, an NIH-funded study assessing an innovative acceptance-based behavioral treatment (ABT) for obesity. Dr. Forman also evaluates technological-based approaches such as computerized neurocognitive training, smartphone technology, and Artificial Intelligence to optimize weight control. His research has been supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for over 10 years. Dr. Forman has authored nearly 150 publications, including Effective Weight Loss, a set of books for clinicians and clients that is a part of the Oxford Press’s “Treatments that Work” series.  Resources:  Center for Weight, Eating and Lifestyle Science, or the WELL Center, at Drexel UniversityEffective Weight Loss by Evan FormanPsychologists Off The Clock interview on The Hungry Brain with Dr. Stephan GuyenetPsychologists Off the Clock Interview on Body Image with Dr. Emily Sandoz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is your marriage rewarding or is it feeing a bit mundane? Has sex become lifeless or non-existent? Do you miss the person you used to be before marriage? It is common for most long-term relationships to hit a “rough patch” during the mid-life years. What does it take to weather the rough patch and end up with a supportive, lasting marriage? In this episode, author and couples therapist Dr. Daphne de Marneffe discuss her new book, The Rough Patch: Marriage and the Art of Living Together, with Yael. Daphne offers us wisdom in overcoming marital challenges, Including challenges in our sexual relationships. Listen and discover new and helpful ways to understand and engage in your marriage! Listen to hear more about: Why rough patches are inevitable in long-term committed relationshipsWhy sex matters but at times is so challenging during the long haulWays to approach differences in sexual desireWhether or not to worry about fantasies and crushes outside the marriageThe difference between secrecy and privacy in marriage About Dr. de Marneffe Dr. Daphne De Marnefe Dr. de Marneffe completed her graduate work at UC Berkeley and her work has been published in academic journals, as well as in the popular press, including the New York Times. She is a contributing editor to Parents Magazine and writes a regular column on couple relationships. Dr. Daphne de Marneffe joins us to discuss her book, The Rough Patch: Marriage and the Art of Living Together. Her previous book, Maternal Desire: On Children, Love, and the Inner Life explores the role of child-rearing in women’s lives. Resources The Rough Patch: Marriage and the Art of Living Together, by Daphne de MarneffeDaphne’s New York Times pieceDaphne’s talk at GoogleDaphne’s websiteMaternal Desire: On Children, Love, and the Inner Life, by Daphne de Marneffe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Disability is an experience that millions of people have, and yet it is often overlooked in discussions related to diversity and inclusivity. Today Debbie talks with Dr. Erin Andrews, a rehab psychologist and advocates for disabilities rights. Listen and Learn: Why it’s okay to #SayTheWord Disability.How our attitudes related to Disability can contribute to stigma and shame.Disability culture, and models of Disability.Disability issues Related to parenting and children.How we could do better, and why we need to! Photo purchased from PhotoAbility , a source of Disability-Affirmative stock photos! About Dr. Erin Andrews: Dr. Erin Andrews is a clinical associate professor at Dell Medical School and supervisory psychologist and the co-director of psychology training at the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System. She is a board-certified rehab psychologist with her doctorate from Wright State University and a Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University. Dr. Andrews has had numerous publications and professional lectures on disability topics related to her areas of research interest in disability culture, identity and inclusion. She is a past co-chair of the APA Committee on Disability Issues in Psychology and chair of Division 22 Disability Identity Committee from its inception until 2018. Dr. Andrews has completed innovative work to address the needs of parents with disabilities. She is a co-founder of the Disabled Parenting Project (DPP), a resource for support and information for parents and prospective parents with a wide range of disabilities. Her advocacy work in this area includes representing the American Psychological Association (APA) during a 2013 congressional briefing regarding parents with disabilities and participating in a White House forum on the civil rights of parents with disabilities in May 2016. Dr. Andrews has received numerous awards for her work, most recently an APA Citizen Psychologist Presidential Citation in 2018. Resources: Erin’s book, Disability as Diversity: Developing Cultural Competence is now available!Article “#SayTheWord: A Disability Culture Commentary on the Erasure of ‘Disability’”Dr. Erin Andrews’s professional webpage: https://dellmed.utexas.edu/directory/erin-andrewsDisabled Parenting Project: http://www.disabledparenting.com/author/erin/Stella Young’s TED TalkRhoda Olkin’s book What Psychotherapists Should Know About Disability.No Pity: People with Disabilities Forging a New Civil Rights Movement by Joseph ShapiroAPA Division 22: Rehab Psychology Webpage: https://division-rehabpsych.squarespace.com/List of Suggested Reading in Rehab Psychology APA Citizen Psychologist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our human brains have evolved to be quite “tricky.“ They have the capacity to provide compassionate caring and also callous destruction. Dr. Paul Gilbert offers hope: “We get to decide which evolved part of us runs the show.” In this interview, Dr. Gilbert, father of Compassion Focused Therapy, discusses “caring psychology” — psychology that integrates evolution science, attachment theory, mindfulness, neuroscience, and Jungian archetypes. This approach offers a coherent model to alleviate human suffering. Listen and Learn: How our tricky brains are a mismatch for our modern-day environmentThe difference between seeking safety and feeling safeWhy our minds loop and what to do about itCaring psychology and hope for our planet About Dr. Gilbert: Paul Gilbert, FBPsS, Ph.D., OBE is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Derby and honorary visiting Prof at the University of Queensland. Until his retirement from the NHS in 2016 he was Consultant Clinical Psychologist for over 40 years. He has researched evolutionary approaches to psychopathology with a special focus on mood, shame, and self-criticism in various mental health difficulties for which Compassion Focused Therapy was developed. He was made a Fellow of the British Psychological Society in 1993, president of the BABCP 2002-2004, and was a member of the first British Governments’ NICE guidelines for depression. He has written/edited 21 books and over 250 papers and book chapters. In 2006 he established the Compassionate Mind Foundation as an international charity with the mission statement: To promote wellbeing through the scientific understanding and application of compassion. There are now a number of sister foundations in other countries. He was awarded an OBE by the Queen in March 2011 for services to mental health. He established and is the Director of the Centre for Compassion Research and Training at Derby University UK. He has written and edited many books on compassion. His latest Book is Living Like Crazy. Resources: The Compassionate Mind FoundationLiving Like Crazy by Paul GilbertThe Compassionate Mind by Paul GilbertTed Talk: How Mindfulness Fosters Compassion with Paul GilbertCFT Made Simple by Russell Kolts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join Diana for a short but sweet Soothing Rhythm Breathing break! Soothing Rhythm Breathing is a simple technique from Compassion Focused Therapy. It is particularly helpful when you find yourself anxious, angry, over-busy, or emotionally dysregulated. Soothing Rhythm breathing stimulates the vagus nerve, increases heart rate variability, and activates the Parasympathetic Nervous System. Soothing Rhythm Breathing shifts your body/brain systems from drive and threat toward safeness and compassion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do you set unrealistically high expectations for yourself and others? Are you goal-driven, always busy, and have a hard time relaxing? Do you avoid making mistakes? And when you do, do you dwell on them? If so, you may be a perfectionist. Underneath perfectionism is a desire for approval and to connect. Yet, perfectionists often find themselves disconnected from their values and fearing other’s judgment. In this episode, Diana interviews Sharon Martin, LCSW, an expert on perfectionism, about the underpinnings of perfectionism and CBT strategies to let go of your self-critic and find more balance. Listen and Learn: the key signs of perfectionismhow and why perfectionism developsthe dark side of perfectionismstrategies to unhook from and challenge perfectionism thinkingCBT techniques to change perfectionistic patterns Resources: CBT Workbook For Perfectionism by Sharon Martin, LCSWSharon Martin’s blogThe Gift of Imperfection by Brene BrownBrene Brown’s Ted Talk on Vulnerability and Imperfection About Sharon Martin, LCSW: Sharon Martin, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist and codependency expert practicing in San Jose, CA. She specializes in helping perfectionists and people-pleasers embrace their imperfections and overcome self-doubt and shame. Her own struggle to feel “good enough”, inspired her passion for helping others learn to accept and love themselves. Sharon writes for PsychCentral.com and is the author of the book The CBT Workbook for Perfectionism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.