Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes

Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes
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Jan 16, 2026 • 1h 3min

1090-Revolutionary Discoveries in Schizophrenia Causes and Treatments

00:00 Intro & Schizophrenia Research Overview 00:11 Genetic and Environmental Foundations 00:31 Neurotransmitters and the Dopamine Hypothesis 01:56 Role of Stress and Trauma 03:32 Neurological Findings in Schizophrenia 06:59 Autoimmune Disorders and Inflammation 10:04 Inflammation & Immune System Impact 13:06 Stress Hypothesis and PTSD Link 15:44 Childhood Trauma and Brain Development 17:01 Physical Stress & Sleep Deprivation 17:59 HPA Axis, Cortisol, and Neurotoxicity 20:31 Hormonal Influences: Estrogen, Testosterone, Oxytocin 27:00 Testosterone Effects in Men & Women 31:02 PCOS, Testosterone & Psychosis Risk 34:39 Oxytocin's Role in Stress and Social Function 35:46 Gut Microbiome and Schizophrenia 38:42 Microbiome Imbalances and Supplementation 41:06 Diet, Blood Markers & Monitoring Insights 43:13 Wearable Tech & Digital Biomarkers 44:08 Medication Impacts & Side Effects 45:53 Sleep Disruption and Psychotic Symptoms 47:07 Deep Sleep, Memory & Inflammation 50:53 Sleep Architecture in Schizophrenia 53:01 Antipsychotics, Fatigue, and Motivation 54:25 Vagus Nerve & Parasympathetic System 55:28 Neuromodulation: Ultrasound & Alternatives 56:34 Key Takeaways: Stress, Inflammation, and Recovery 58:00 Q&A: Oxytocin Nasal Spray & New Therapies 59:09 Empowerment and Reducing Relapses 01:00:31 Menopause, Estrogen & Late-Onset Schizophrenia 01:01:31 GABA, Glutamate, and Brain Chemistry Recap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jan 9, 2026 • 59min

1089-Exciting Treatments for PTSD_ New Ways to Heal your Trauma

00:00 Introduction & Overview of Emerging PTSD Treatments 00:31 EMDR: Gold Standard Trauma Processing 01:53 Who Benefits Most from EMDR 02:31 Cognitive Behavioral Therapies & CPT 03:23 CPT Techniques: Reframing Trauma 04:43 Benefits of CPT for PTSD Symptoms 05:17 Prolonged Exposure Therapy & VR Integration 06:16 Processing Memories with Wise Mind 07:27 Desensitization & Reducing Avoidance 09:05 Handling Triggers & Building Empowerment 10:38 Medications: SSRIs & Prazosin 11:57 Evaluating Medication vs Holistic Approaches 13:00 Psychedelics for PTSD: MDMA, Psilocybin, LSD 14:43 Mechanisms & Evidence for Psychedelic Therapy 17:01 Psilocybin: Neurogenesis and Mindfulness 18:10 Acceptance & Commitment Therapy with Psychedelics 19:33 LSD-Assisted Psychotherapy & Core Belief Change 21:21 Ego Dissolution & Brain Networks 22:12 Outcomes & Complex PTSD Treatment 23:39 Other Psychedelics & Their Status 24:39 Trauma Sensitive Yoga: Benefits & Caveats 25:48 Yoga for Mindfulness and Body Awareness 27:09 The Role of the Gut Microbiome in PTSD 28:36 Microbiome, Stress Response & Neuroinflammation 30:45 Balancing Gut Health to Aid Healing 31:48 Vagus Nerve Stimulation: Resetting the Stress System 33:04 Biofeedback & Strengthening Vagal Tone 35:04 Empowerment via Vagus Nerve Stimulation 37:36 Non-Invasive Vagal Stimulation Methods 39:21 Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for PTSD 41:44 Sleep, Hyperarousal & PTSD 43:37 Addressing Sleep Apnea and PTSD Outcomes 45:01 Targeting Sleep for Better Recovery 46:07 Oxytocin Nasal Spray for Social Connection 47:01 Oxytocin for Reducing Fear and Withdrawal 48:43 Summary: Holistic Treatment Goals for PTSD 51:01 Physical, Interpersonal, and Emotional Tools 53:39 Cognitive and Environmental Strategies 55:25 Wrap Up: Empowerment and System Rebalancing 56:16 Q&A: Audience Questions & ECT Comparison 57:14 Closing Remarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jan 2, 2026 • 1h 1min

1088-Natural Ways To Beat Anxiety Without Taking Pills_ Holistic Healing

00:00 Introduction & Goals 01:00 Understanding Anxiety: Symptoms and Roots 03:30 Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn & Flop: The Stress Response 07:00 How Anxiety Affects Mind and Body 10:00 Chronic Anxiety & Stress Physiology 13:00 Traditional Treatments & Their Limits 16:00 Emerging Treatments: TMS, Ketamine, Esketamine 20:00 Vagus Nerve, Gut-Brain Axis & Inflammation 23:00 Microbiome, Peptides & Mood Regulation 27:00 Key Gut Peptides & Anxiety 31:00 Natural Ways to Boost Gut Health & Peptide Activity 36:00 Diet, Supplements, and Probiotics 41:00 Intermittent Fasting for Gut, Mood & Anxiety 48:00 Sleep: The Overlooked Intervention 51:00 Building a Better Sleep Routine 54:00 Holistic Approaches: Healing Body & Nervous System 56:00 Audience Q&A - Microbiome, Diet & Mood 58:00 Final Thoughts, Gradual Change & Goodbye Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Dec 23, 2025 • 1h 11min

1087-Revolutionary New Treatment Strategies for Depression

00:00 Welcome & Overview of Depression Treatments 00:16 Emerging Interventions Explored 00:45 Deep Dive: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) 04:01 Effectiveness and Applications of TMS 06:02 Understanding Treatment-Resistant Depression 07:49 Neuroimaging Insights & TMS for Older Adults 11:05 Advances in TMS Targeting and Integration 14:43 Anti-Inflammatory Approaches in Depression 20:41 Inflammation’s Role in Mood Regulation 25:14 Managing Depression: Exercise, Diet, and Lifestyle 27:37 The Power of Diet & Probiotics 32:02 Reducing Stress and Repairing the Nervous System 34:12 Gut Health and Mental Health Connection 40:48 Microbiome, Leaky Gut, and Mood 45:03 Prebiotics, Fermented Foods & Microbiome Support 46:00 Phytotherapy: Herbal Approaches to Depression 48:42 Ketamine & Esketamine for Rapid Relief 51:11 Circadian Rhythms and Sleep in Depression 54:01 Routine, Light Therapy & Relaxation Strategies 55:04 Genomic Sequencing & Tailoring Treatment 56:26 Oxytocin, Chiropractic Care, and Vagus Nerve 59:59 Acupuncture & Innovative Nerve Stimulation 01:00:38 Conventional Checks: Hormones, Nutrition & Diagnosis 01:01:37 Why Depression Is Individualized 01:02:12 Importance of Holistic, Individual Approaches 01:02:35 Q&A: TMS for Substance-Related Brain Changes 01:04:02 Dietary Recommendations & Viewer Thanks 01:05:02 Therapy Protocols for TMS Clients 01:07:30 Exercise, Motivation & Client Engagement 01:08:25 Future Research and Alternative Medications 01:09:12 Closing Remarks & Takeaways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Dec 19, 2025 • 1h 57min

1086-The Impact of Trauma on Each PIECE of Life

0:00 Physical Impact 19:00 Interpersonal Impact 38:00 Emotional Impact 57:00 Cognitive Impact 1:16:00 Environmental Impact 1:35:00 Spiritual Impact Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Dec 12, 2025 • 1h 3min

1085-Addressing Drug and Alcohol Related Brain Damage - Counselor Training

00:00 Introduction: Drug-Induced Brain Damage 01:19 Physical, Emotional, and Cognitive Impacts 03:09 Alcohol’s Effect on the Brain and Body 04:19 Key Brain Regions Affected by Substances 07:22 Understanding Substance-Induced Brain Disorders 08:15 How Different Drugs Cause Brain Atrophy 08:56 Alcohol: Neurotoxicity and Deficiencies 10:59 Stimulants, Opioids, and Inhalants: Brain Impacts 14:23 Cannabis and Other Substances: Neurocognitive Effects 15:46 Substance Use, Symptoms, and Treatment Challenges 16:51 Hallucinogens and Long-term Perceptual Disturbances 20:01 Delirium and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy 23:04 Thiamine Deficiency: Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome 27:48 Diagnosing and Managing Alcohol-Related Brain Damage 31:02 Prevalence and Underdiagnosis of Brain Injury 34:39 Dementia Risks and Alcohol Consumption Guidelines 38:01 Healing the Brain: Recovery and Lifestyle Changes 42:01 Alcohol-Related Brain Disorders: Symptoms and Assessment 45:11 Treatment Options and Hope for Recovery 46:25 Vascular Dementia: Causes and Symptoms 49:28 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) 53:01 Diagnosing FASD and Client Profiles 56:00 Treatment Challenges for FASD 58:07 FASD in Correctional and Clinical Settings 59:39 Summary: Risks and Considerations for Clinicians 01:00:26 Q&A and Resources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Dec 5, 2025 • 58min

1084 - How Are Nursing Homes Failing Addiction Patients in 2025?

Explore the alarming state of addiction care in nursing homes. Discover statistics revealing high rates of substance use disorders among patients. Learn about the challenges of medication management, highlighting risks of self-administration and diversion. Delve into the vulnerabilities present in care settings that can lead to relapse. Understand the importance of screening for co-occurring issues and how emotional intelligence plays a role in recovery. Plus, find out about environmental triggers that threaten sobriety and strategies for prevention.
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16 snips
Nov 26, 2025 • 1h 16min

1083 - Managing Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussions

The podcast dives into the complexities of traumatic brain injury and concussions. It compares brain functions to computer parts, unpacking the various symptoms that can arise. Emotional challenges, such as grief and anxiety, are explored alongside concussion causes and misconceptions about recovery. There's a compelling discussion on CTE and its risks, especially in athletes. Listeners learn about practical management techniques, including cognitive rehabilitation, mindfulness strategies, and the importance of support systems to enhance recovery.
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Nov 22, 2025 • 1h 13min

1082 - Essential Skills for Diabetes-Related Disability Adjustment Counseling

Explore essential skills for counseling individuals with diabetes-related disabilities. Discover the impact of diabetes on mood, complications, and general health. Learn strategies for patient empowerment and acceptance, as well as practical tips for improving self-esteem and social interactions. Gain insights on managing nutrition, exercise, and medications while addressing stigma and peer support. Dive into ways to enhance healthcare engagement and navigate treatment targets for better quality of life!
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15 snips
Nov 10, 2025 • 1h 2min

1081 - 10 Tools to Understand and Address Agitation, Delirium and Sundowning

Explore the spectrum of cognitive impairment, from aging to dementia, and discover common misdiagnoses. Learn about reversible causes of cognitive changes, including hydration and medication side effects. The discussion highlights multi-component interventions versus relying on medications. Delirium types are defined, revealing critical distinctions between hypoactive presentations and sundowning. Engage with strategies to manage agitation and improve hydration for older adults. Practical tips abound, including addressing grief and anxiety, to enhance care and comfort.

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