

Savvy Psychologist
QuickAndDirtyTips.com
Seeking a healthier emotional life? It’s time to bring a trained psychologist and mental health expert along for the ride. Dr. Monica Johnson explains the why behind complex emotions, helps you form better relationships, and guides you down the path of self-understanding.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 26, 2025 • 16min
The power of being DUMB to build a good life
540. On her final episode, Dr. Monica Johnson shares a brain dump of quick and dirty tips to help listeners build a life worth living. She looks at the benefits of being DUMB—an acronym covering Decode/Disrupt patterns, Uncomfortable Engagement, Meaning-Making/Mastery, and Belonging.Find a transcript here. Savvy Psychologist is hosted by Dr. Monica Johnson. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail at 929-256-2191. Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips.Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://quickanddirtytips.com/savvy-psychologisthttps://www.facebook.com/savvypsychologisthttps://twitter.com/qdtsavvypsychhttps://www.kindmindpsych.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 19, 2025 • 27min
Structural dissociation: Understanding your personality's survival parts
539. Dissociation is a normal human experience, but when it's outside of normal limits, it can be dysregulating. In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson and Alexandra Mejia look at the signs of structural dissociation, the importance of building a baseline of coping skills, and the need for trauma-informed, integrated therapy (like DBT and somatic work) for long-term healing.Learn more about Sasha at her practice, MindfulInsightsMHC.Find a transcript here. Savvy Psychologist is hosted by Dr. Monica Johnson. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail at 929-256-2191. Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips.Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://quickanddirtytips.com/savvy-psychologisthttps://www.facebook.com/savvypsychologisthttps://twitter.com/qdtsavvypsychhttps://www.kindmindpsych.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 12, 2025 • 31min
How can you walk with grief instead of fighting it, with Hilary Bucell
Hilary Bucell, a licensed clinical social worker and grief expert, dives into the profound realm of loss and grief. She distinguishes between grief and depression, emphasizing that grief is the emotional response to loss. Hilary explores various types of loss, including ambiguous and disenfranchised grief. She introduces helpful tools like journaling and rituals for managing grief and shares the importance of self-compassion. Finally, she encourages listeners to 'move with grief' rather than fight it, using an analogy of navigating a riptide.

12 snips
Nov 5, 2025 • 13min
Seasonal Affective Disorder: How to manage the winter blues
Winter doesn't have to bring you down! Discover how regulating sleep and boosting light exposure can lift your mood. Learn about the surprising benefits of exercise and social connections in combating the winter blues. Explore evidence-based treatments like light therapy and cognitive behavioral strategies designed specifically for Seasonal Affective Disorder. Plus, get practical tips for enhancing your diet and maximizing natural light in your everyday routine!

Oct 29, 2025 • 14min
How can you improve your sleep for better mental and physical health?
Discover why sleep is a crucial foundation for your mental and physical health. Learn about the impact of seven or more hours of sleep on mood, memory, and immune function. Dr. Johnson discusses how sleep regulates emotions and can dampen anxiety and depression. Explore the risks of insomnia and the importance of cognitive behavioral therapy for treatment. Get practical tips for improving your sleep routine, including the best wind-down practices and the benefits of morning light exposure.

Oct 22, 2025 • 13min
Deception and illness: Factitious disorder versus malingering
Delve into the intriguing world of deceptive illness behaviors. Discover the stark differences between factitious disorder and malingering, alongside their motivations. Explore the profound impact of social media on illness performance and the modern pursuit of attention as a driving force behind deception. Learn about the serious medical and social consequences of these behaviors and how trauma and unmet emotional needs can shape them. Therapeutic approaches like CBT and DBT offer paths toward authenticity and healing.

12 snips
Oct 15, 2025 • 12min
The psychology of money: How your brain, history, and emotions influence your financial habits
Money is more than just numbers; it’s an emotional landscape influenced by our childhood beliefs. The concept of mental accounting explains how we categorize our finances, affecting our spending decisions. Discover the intriguing phenomenon of doom spending, used as a form of emotional regulation. Research shows that experiences bring more happiness than material purchases, while optimism can enhance savings and reduce anxiety. Learn practical strategies to change your money story and make mindful spending choices aligned with your values.

Oct 8, 2025 • 9min
Understand the fight, flight, freeze, and fawn survival responses
533. Do you snap at your loved ones, shut down in meetings, or go to great lengths to please others? In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson looks at the four survival responses: fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. She looks at how these deeply rooted biological reactions manifest in your daily life and offers strategies for understanding your nervous system's attempts to keep you safe.Find a transcript here. Savvy Psychologist is hosted by Dr. Monica Johnson. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail at 929-256-2191. Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips.Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://quickanddirtytips.com/savvy-psychologisthttps://www.facebook.com/savvypsychologisthttps://twitter.com/qdtsavvypsychhttps://www.kindmindpsych.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 1, 2025 • 8min
How to deal with emotionally immature people
532. It's possible to have healthy, reciprocal relationships, even if you’re dealing with emotionally immature people. In this episode, Dr. Monica Johnson looks at how to reclaim your peace by understanding this dynamic. She looks at why your boundaries are essential and offers insights on how to disengage from unhealthy patterns so you can prioritize your well-being.Find a transcript here. Savvy Psychologist is hosted by Dr. Monica Johnson. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail at 929-256-2191. Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips.Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.Links: https://quickanddirtytips.com/savvy-psychologisthttps://www.facebook.com/savvypsychologisthttps://twitter.com/qdtsavvypsychhttps://www.kindmindpsych.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 24, 2025 • 10min
How a love triangle can build a better relationship
531. Have you ever wondered why some relationships last while others fizzle? In this episode, Dr. Johnson looks at Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love to help you understand the dynamics of your relationships. She looks at the roles of emotional closeness, physical attraction, and long-term commitment, and how their presence or absence shapes different kinds of love.Find a full transcript here. Savvy Psychologist is hosted by Dr. Monica Johnson. Have a mental health question? Email us at psychologist@quickanddirtytips.com. Find Savvy Psychologist on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more psychology tips.Savvy Psychologist is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.


