The Christina Crowe Podcast: Making the invisible VISIBLE

Long wait times. Limited access. A mental health system struggling to keep up. But what if there was another way?In this episode, we take you behind the scenes of Dig A Little Deeper’s Nurse Practitioner-led mental health clinic, an innovative model that’s bridging gaps in Ontario’s healthcare system. Our lead NP joins me to share the origin story—how we built this clinic, the challenges we faced, and why Nurse Practitioners are reshaping the future of mental health care.We dive into:The flaws in Ontario’s current mental health system (and how we’re addressing them),How our NP-led model improves access, reduces wait times, and integrates care,The debate around private vs. public healthcare—and why collaboration is key,What this means for clients, clinicians, and the future of mental health care.If you’ve ever wondered what’s possible beyond the waitlist, this episode is for you.About our Guest: Carole Gionet is a Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, with a Master’s Degree in Nursing.  She has over 20 years’ experience in primary health care and mental health care. Carole has worked in a variety of settings: community health centres, university health centres and various hospitals. She currently works at SickKids Hospital in psychiatry and also for Dig a Little Deeper, providing private services across Ontario. At Dig Carole offers comprehensive assessment, diagnosis and treatment for common mental health conditions to children through to adults. Find Carole: Website Resources for After the Show: Our Clinic: Integrated Mental Health and all service our FAQ’s. Check out the NPAO, and learn about NP Led Clinics The OG: The ADHD Resource Hub, learn about getting an ADHD Diagnosis in Canada. Find Christina (CRPO #3908):  Website | Find a Therapist | Get Assessed by an NP in Ontario | Instagram | Podcast page. A gentle reminder that this is not therapy, and Christina nor Katie are your therapist. If you need more one on one support or treatment, please check out the links posted above or our Resources page on our website.LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | iHeart Radio | AmazonMusic | Castbox | RSS

Many adults with ADHD go undiagnosed for decades, often dismissed or misdiagnosed along the way. But what happens when they finally get the right diagnosis?Today, we sit down with Dr. Betty Tang from Vancouver Coastal Health’s Remote Coastal Psychiatric Clinic to discuss the challenges of identifying ADHD in adults—especially in women—and the critical gaps in mental health training that contribute to missed diagnoses.🔍 In this episode, we explore: How Dr. Tang transitioned from child psychiatry to adult ADHD care, Strategies for supporting children with ADHD in schools and at home, The huge variance in ADHD knowledge among mental health clinicians—and how to fix it, What happens when a client’s doctor lacks ADHD expertise, How a psychiatrist’s lack of ADHD knowledge can impact psychotherapy.If you've ever struggled to get an ADHD diagnosis or wondered why so many adults fall through the cracks, this episode is a must-listen.🎧 Tune in now to hear how we can bridge the ADHD diagnosis gap!Resources for After the Show: https://adhdskillsbuilder.com/https://mind-space.ca/ The Reckoning: Reflecting on a (late) ADHD Diagnosis as an Adult by Christina CroweADHD: More than a Buzzword by Sheena ScottThe OG: The ADHD Resource Hub, Getting Assessed in OntarioAbout our Guest:  Dr. Betty Tang is an adult psychiatrist interested in shared care with primary caregivers, providing education to clinicians, patients and the public. Dr. Tang currently works in British Columbia, for Vancouver Coastal Health Authority for remote rural communities. There’s two teenagers at home who make her laugh and lovingly make fun of her on the daily.Find Katie (CRPO #11244):Website | InstagramFind Christina (CRPO #3908): Website | Find a Therapist | Get Assessed by an NP in Ontario | Instagram | Podcast page. A gentle reminder that this is not therapy, and Christina nor Katie are your therapist. If you need more one on one support or treatment, please check out the links posted above or our  Resources page on our website.LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | iHeart Radio | AmazonMusic | RSS

The cracks in our healthcare systems are more visible than ever—but how did we get here, and more importantly, how do we fix them?Today, your hosts, psychotherapists Christina Crowe and Katie Richardson, sit down with Dr. Robert C. Smith to tackle the big questions shaping the future of mental health care.Together, we explore: How mental health training differs between the U.S. and Canada—what’s working and what’s not, Evidence-based strategies for integrating mental health care into primary care, What needs to change in medical education to prepare future doctors for real-world mental health challenges, The role of physician leadership in creating psychologically safe healthcare environments.From systemic reform to practical solutions, this conversation sheds light on the urgent need for change—and what we can do about it.🎧 Tune in now for an insightful, solutions-driven discussion on the future of mental health care!Resources for After the Show:  Read Dr. Smith's book, Has Medicine Lost Its Mind?available March 4th.  US friends, Take Action! Dr. Smith's Template Letter. Smith's Patient Centered Interviewing: An Evidence-Based Method, Fourth Edition  Ontario therapists: Get Involved This Election! Canada wide: ADHD Advocacy - what you can do to help. Burnout in healthcare: what you can do to protect yourself, by Christina Crowe, RP About our Guest: Dr. Robert C. Smith is a nationally recognized leader in evidence-based mental health care and doctor-patient communication. A University Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry at Michigan State University, Dr. Smith developed the first patient-centered method to train medical professionals to build strong partnerships with their patients. Dr. Smith’s expertise and dedication to reforming mental health care make Has Medicine Lost Its Mind? essential reading for policymakers, health care professionals, and anyone concerned about the future of mental health in America. Find Dr. Smith: Website | X | LinkedInFind Katie (CRPO #11244):Website | InstagramFind Christina (CRPO #3908):  Website | Find a Therapist | Get Assessed by an NP in Ontario | Instagram | Podcast page. A gentle reminder that this is not therapy, and Christina nor Katie are your therapist. If you need more one on one support or treatment, please check out the links posted above or our Resources page on our website.LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | iHeart Radio | AmazonMusic | Castbox | RSS

Join Dr. Dora Wynchank, a psychiatrist specializing in ADHD at PsyQ, as she sheds light on the often-overlooked challenges women face with ADHD during perimenopause and menopause. She discusses flexible medication dosing and the unique impact of hormonal changes on ADHD symptoms. Learn about the importance of thorough assessments and innovations like light therapy for managing symptoms. Dr. Wynchank also highlights the risks of untreated ADHD in older adults and urges for better support within the medical community.

Group therapy: mysterious, powerful, and sometimes a little intimidating. But what really happens in those sessions?Today, your hosts, psychotherapists Christina Crowe and Katie Richardson, sit down with Jared Dalton from Blueprint Counselling in London, ON, to pull back the curtain on group therapy—its benefits, misconceptions, and who it’s best suited for.🔍 In this episode, we explore: The key differences between group therapy and individual therapy How group therapy can be life-changing for people with social anxiety How to choose the right group by identifying what’s important to you A fascinating side quest into group ketamine therapy in OntarioIf you’ve ever wondered whether group therapy is right for you, or just want to understand this powerful approach, this episode has you covered.🎧 Tune in now and make the invisible, visible!Resources for After the Show:  Read: Finding the community that heals, by Katie Richardson, RP.  The OG: The ADHD Resource Hub. About our Guest: Jared is a queer and neurodivergent registered social worker, psychotherapist and university lecturer. He lives, works and plays in the place colonially known as London, Ontario. He is passionate about exploring the intersection between spirituality and mental health and has dedicated his career to supporting communities often marginalized in health and mental health systems. Find Jared: Instagram | Threads | Facebook | LinkedIn Find Katie (CRPO #11244):Website | InstagramFind Christina (CRPO #3908): Website |Find a Therapist |Get Assessed by an NP in Ontario | Instagram | Podcast page. A gentle reminder that this is not therapy, and Christina nor Katie are not your therapist. If you need more one on one support or treatment, please check out the links posted above or our  Resources page on our website.LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | iHeart Radio| AmazonMusic | RSS

A late-in-life ADHD diagnosis can feel like a bombshell—bringing clarity, grief, and a flood of emotions. But what happens after the diagnosis?In this solo episode, host Christina Crowe, psychotherapist, dives deep into something she talks about all the time, but has never dedicated a full episode to before: The Reckoning.In this episode, Christina unpacks: The three distinct phases of "The Reckoning" and how long it really lasts, How to find opportunities in your late ADHD diagnosis, Key questions to ask yourself as you process your new reality, Where to find the best resources for support and growth,If you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, this episode will help you make sense of your journey, find self-compassion, and move forward with clarity.🎧 Listen now and start making sense of your ADHD Reckoning!Resources for After the Show:  The Reckoning: Reflecting on a (late) ADHD Diagnosis as an Adult Nigg, J. T., John, O. P., Blaskey, L. G., Huang-Pollock, C. L., Willcutt, E. G., Hinshaw, S. P., & Pennington, B. (2002). Big five dimensions and ADHD symptoms: links between personality traits and clinical symptoms. Journal of personality and social psychology, 83(2), 451–469. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.83.2.451 Take a Big 5 Personality test The OG: The ADHD Resource HubFind Christina (CRPO #3908): Website |Find a Therapist |Get Assessed by an NP in Ontario | Instagram |TikTok | XA gentle reminder that this is not therapy, and Christina nor Katie are your therapist. If you need more one on one support or treatment, please check out the links posted above or our  Resources page on our website.LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | iHeart Radio | AmazonMusic | RSS

What if understanding your brain could change the way you think about mental health, relationships, and self-compassion?Today on The Christina Crowe Podcast, we’re connecting the dots with my favorite teacher of neurobiology, Juliane Taylor Shore. Jules brings fascinating insights into how our brains shape our experiences—and how we can work with our minds instead of against them.🔬 In this episode, we explore: The differences between integrated vs. less integrated brain states, How self-compassion plays a crucial role in behaviour change & mental health, The impact of neurodiversity on processing emotions and experiences, Strategies to foster psychological safety in relationships.If you're curious about the intersection of neuroscience, mental health, and relationships, this conversation is packed with insights that will change how you see yourself and others.🎧 Listen now and start making sense of your mind!Resources for After the Show:  Setting Boundaries that Stick: How Neurobiology Can Help You Rewire Your Brain to Feel Safe, Connected and Empowered by Juliane Taylor Shore, LMFT, The OG: The ADHD Resource Hub, especially about ADHD and Emotions, and ADHD and Trauma. Guest Bio: Juliane Taylor Shore, LMFT, LPC, SEP, is a therapist, author, and teacher who is creating spaces where people can move into more self-compassion, self-trust, empowerment, and integrity. Jules regularly teaches and speaks to people from all around the world and translates new understandings in neurobiology into practices that can support brain change. She is the author of Setting Boundaries that Stick: How Neurobiology Can Help You Rewire Your Brain to Feel Safe, Connected and Empowered. Find Jules:Juliane Taylor Shore | Instagram: @JulianetaylorshoreFind Christina (CRPO #3908): Website | Find a Therapist | Get Assessed by an NP in Ontario | Instagram | TikTok | XA gentle reminder that this is not therapy, and Christina is not your therapist. If you need more one on one support or treatment, please check out the links posted above or our Resources page on our website.LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | iHeart Radio| AmazonMusic |RSS

I’m your host, psychotherapist Christina Crowe, and I love making invisible things visible.  Today I’m sharing a re-play that covers content that comes up over and over again in therapy sessions. In today’s episode, I'm breaking down the nuances between the coexistence of ADHD and Depression. I’ll share with you why they might coexist, how to tell them apart, and what to do about it. Resources for After the Show:  In Ontario? Get low-cost CBT from our supervised and ADHD-trained counselling intern clinic.  Thriving Through the Seasons: Coping with Seasonal Depression and ADHD, by Julia D'Addurno  On Depression: The Why, The Beginning and the Recovery, by Christina Crowe Access: Our list of mental health resources and connections, and some free downloads, or sign up for quality affordable therapy in Ontario, The OG: The ADHD Resource Hub, especially on ADHD and all its comorbidities Find Christina (CRPO #003908): Website |Find a Therapist |Get Assessed by an NP in Ontario | Instagram |TikTok | X A gentle reminder that this is not therapy, and Christina is not your therapist. If you need more one on one support or treatment, please check out the links posted above and on the Resources page on our website. LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | iHeart Radio| AmazonMusic | RSS

I’m your host, psychotherapist Christina Crowe, and I love making invisible things visible.  Today I’m sharing a re-play to cover us over the winter break, that covers content that comes up over and over again in therapy sessions. Today, listen in as Certified Conscious Parenting Method Coach Sabrina Belo, walks us through exactly what ‘Conscious Parenting’ is, and why it's a great fit for ADHD families. We talk about why it’s a natural fit for ADHD families, but also, What’s really hard about it (at first)? Why this perspective shift can be so transformational, not only for kids, but also for parents.   Resources for After the Show:  Read: The Dig Deeper Blog, Finding Joy in the Holidays: Rethinking Traditions with Heart by Sabrina Belo  Parenting through transformative experiences: how an ADHD diagnosis can change your family life for the better, by Sabrina Belo  The OG: The ADHD Resource Hub, including ADHD and Parenting: Family life, parenting & solutions that work. Get 25% off anything at the Dig Deeper School - use coupon HOHOHO24 until Dec 31st.  Find Sabrina: Work with Sabrina | Instagram  Find Christina (CRPO #003908): Website |Find a Therapist |Get Assessed by an NP in Ontario | Instagram |TikTok | X A gentle reminder that this is not therapy, and Christina is not your therapist. If you need more one on one support or treatment, please check out the links posted above and on the Resources page on our website. LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | iHeart Radio| AmazonMusic | RSS

The link between ADHD and substance use disorders (SUD) is often misunderstood—but getting it right is critical for effective treatment.In this solo episode, host Christina Crowe, psychotherapist, revisits one of the podcast’s most important topics to share new insights and updated recommendations for those navigating both ADHD and substance use.🧠 In this episode, Christina covers: The connection between untreated ADHD and substance use, The short- and long-term effects of cannabis on the ADHD brain, Why understanding substance use within the ADHD context is so important, What therapists need to know when treating ADHD alongside SUD, The pros and cons of ADHD medication for those with a history of substance use.Whether you're a clinician, someone with ADHD, or supporting a loved one, this episode breaks down the critical nuances of ADHD and addiction—so treatment can be safe, informed, and effective.🎧 Tune in now for the latest on ADHD & substance use!Resources for After the Show:  The OG: The ADHD Resource Hub, in particular, ADHD & Special Topics: SUD Substance Use Disorders and ADHD: 5 Key Facts and Additional Resources + Substance Use Disorder and ADHD: Safe, Effective Treatment Options, Webinar with Dr. Wilens Cannabis and ADHD – A CADDRA Policy Statement ConnexOntario: 24/7 Access to Mental Health, Addiction, and Problem Gambling Information Primary reference: Ahmed, G. and Chang, S. (2024, Sept. 28). Overcoming Challenges in ADHD Care: Assessment and Treatment of Patients with Concurrent Substance Use Disorders. [Conference presentation]. CADDRA Annual Conference, Winnipeg, MB.Find Christina (CRPO #3908): Website |Find a Therapist | Get Assessed by an NP in Ontario | Instagram |TikTok | XA gentle reminder that this is not therapy, and Christina nor Katie are not your therapist. If you need more one on one support or treatment, please check out the links posted above or our Resources page on our website.LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | iHeart Radio| AmazonMusic | RSS