The Christina Crowe Podcast: Making the invisible VISIBLE

Welcome to The Christina Crowe Podcast, and I’m your host, Psychotherapist Christina Crowe. I love making invisible things visible, and today I'm speaking with Cathy Gatlin, founder of Improv4Health in Toronto, ON. Cathy is an improv instructor who recently reintroduced me to the immense benefits of improv and how it can help get us out of our heads, into our bodies and actually feel comfortable doing so.  We talk about: What is improv, and who can do it? How can improv help social anxiety? What Cathy noticed about therapists in improv groups, Listen in as Cathy & Christina do some improv, and How improv can improve your self-confidence and help you feel comfortable in your own skin.  Our Guest: Cathy Gatlin is the instructor for Improv4Health. Over the last 22 years Cathy has taken classes at Second City, Bad Dog Theatre (formerly Theatresports) and most recently at the Kate Ashby Academy.  For several years Cathy was in the improv troupe “Born a Swirly” and performed throughout the city of Toronto. Cathy's passion is building community, as well as strengthening confidence in kids and adults. Cathy currently teaches improv at Toronto’s St. Joseph’s Hospital, in the inpatient child mental health unit.  Teaching at St. Joe's has helped Cathy create a strong online improv curriculum. Find Cathy: Improv4Health | Instagram | Twitter  and check out her upcoming classes: Increase Confidence, Creativity and Connection. April 4th (Tuesdays 7:30-9 pm Adult Class) April10 (Mondays 4:30-5:30 9-16 year old class).  Resources mentioned in the show:  Learn more about ADHD: The ADHD Resource Hub Use the discount code ‘CCPODCAST’ at checkout, for 15% off on DIY*ADHD, or ‘PEBBLE’ for 15% off DIY*ADHD: Couples. Find Christina (CRPO #003908): Website | Meet the Team | DIY*ADHD course | Instagram | TikTok 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 in the Show info and episode notes on the main podcast webpage.  LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Overcast | Stitcher | RSS

In today’s episode, I'm breaking down the mystery behind the couples that we couple therapists were SO sure would make it, but for some reason, they didn’t.  Was the mystery in fact that the couple modality was not neurodivergent-affirming? Did we miss a diagnosis?  In couple therapy today, there are a few well described and successful approaches, like Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method or Relational Theories.  Couples can find some initial success with these, and then there are some couples who continue to struggle, despite both partners having the best intentions. Is your partner (or you) behaving the way they are in the relationship because they are choosing to do so, despite its effect on you?  Or are they committed to the relationship, yet despite all their best efforts, they can’t seem to get it together and do not know why. Any of the traditional couples therapy approaches can be used when trying to discern the answer to that question, as long as the therapist knows that is the question they should be probing.   Resources mentioned in the show:  ADHD couples: solutions beyond traditional couples therapy. Check out DIY*ADHD: Couples for couple therapists, coaches, family therapists and ADHD therapists.  The ADHD Resource Hub Sign up for the DIY*ADHD: Couples Newsletter to stay up to date on updates or new digital download bundle add-ons. Use the discount code ‘CCPODCAST’ at checkout, for 15% off on DIY*ADHD, or ‘PEBBLE’ for 15% off DIY*ADHD: Couples. Find Christina (CRPO #003908): Website | Meet the Team | DIY*ADHD courses | Instagram | TikTok 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 in the Show info and episode notes on the main podcast webpage.  LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Overcast | Stitcher | RSS

In today’s episode, I'm breaking down a familiar tyranny of positivity - the mentally strong checklist. It's fantastic that we are all seeking to insulate ourselves from things that keep us off the ‘mentally strong’ list. However the phrase might suggest to some that we are mentally weak if we don’t follow the checklist. I’m here to tell you, that is absolutely absurd. Resources mentioned in the show: Our Graduate Intern Clinic The Dig Deeper Blog Our list of mental health resources and connections, and some free downloads, The ADHD Resource Hub Sign up to be notified about the launch of DIY*ADHD: Couples for couple therapists. Use the discount code ‘CCPODCAST’ at checkout, for 15% off on DIY*ADHD. Find Christina (CRPO #003908): Website | Meet the Team | DIY*ADHD course | Instagram | TikTok 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 in the Show info and episode notes on the main podcast webpage. LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Overcast | Stitcher | RSS

In today’s episode, I'm speaking with executive ADHD coach Cameron Gott, from Virginia. I first learned about Cameron’s coaching perspective many years ago when I came across his website and his ADHD adapted version of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. The simplicity of his tool, as many things in ADHD life go, serve as grounding reminders of what we should be prioritizing.  We talk about:  How Cam developed the 'ADHD Hierarchy of Needs',  The roles of coaching and psychotherapy in the treatment of ADHD,  The things we think adults with ADHD really need to know.  Find Cam: Translating ADHD Podcast | LinkedIN | Twitter  Resources mentioned in the show:  Do you need therapy or coaching for your ADHD? by Julia D'Addurno (Cam's ADHD Hierarchy of Needs inside!) Use the discount code ‘CCPODCAST’ at checkout, for 15% off on DIY*ADHD.  Sign up to get early access to DIY*ADHD: Couples for couple therapists and ADHD couple coaches.  About Cam: An Executive ADHD coach since 2000, Cameron Gott, PCC works with creative leaders and business owners worldwide to help them take action more efficiently and lead more effectively. He co-hosts the Translating ADHD podcast and trains and mentors ADHD coaches through Coach Approach Training. He teaches group coaching classes through Translating ADHD and Melissa Orlov’s ADHD Marriage program. Cam speaks and teaches on a variety of topics including ADHD and coaching. He is now curious about the nexus of ADHD, Positive Intelligence and the role of emotion in leadership and motivation through his Equanimity group coaching effort. Cam lives outside of Charlottesville, VA in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains with his wife and two children.  Find Christina (CRPO #003908): Website | Find a Therapist | Instagram | TikTok | Dig Deeper Merch 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 in the Show info and episode notes on the main podcast webpage.  LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Overcast | RSS

Hello everyone, welcome to The Christina Crowe Podcast, where we connect the dots in search for more balanced mental health. I’m your host Christina Crowe and today we are talking about the powerful combination of creativity and human connection, and how my two guests, Cheryl Bower and Rob Russell from Voices Rock Canada, have leveraged that in their lives. Today we talk about: The power of singing and music, on our experiences after trauma and ongoing challenges with managing our mental health, How a (really big!) group of Toronto doctors found healing through singing during the pandemic, Why remembering the importance of community can save us all, Most importantly, why no one is really tone deaf and how we could all sing a lot more. Resources from today's show: Check out Voices Rock Medicine - maybe your doc is there! and Voices Rock Medicine on Canada’s Got Talent, (whaaaa? So cool!) Use the discount code ‘CCPODCAST’ at checkout, for 15% off on DIY*ADHD. SIGN UP to be the first to know about DIY*ADHD Couples, coming soon! Find Voices Rock Canada: Voices Rock Canada | Facebook|  Instagram | Twitter | Youtube About our Guests: Cheryl Bower is the founder and president of Voices Rock Canada, a Toronto-based rock and pop music organization focused on creating joy and community through the power of music. In addition to her work with Voices Rock Canada, Cheryl sits on the boards of numerous arts organizations in the GTA and won the Civic Service Award through the Toronto Real Estate Board for her organizational skills in raising over $140,000 for various causes. Ron Russell, a retired letter carrier, has been singing with Voices Rock Canada since 2020. Prior to joining, Ron was also a professional entertainer. The focus on community and music provided by the choir has been a pillar of support for Ron as he navigated the COVID lockdowns and a cancer diagnosis. Find Christina (CRPO #003908): Website |Find your Therapist | Instagram | TikTok 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 in the Resource list here and on the main podcast webpage.

Today, we are making invisible things visible for people who struggle with either behavioural or substance use disorders, and may also have ADHD. It can be hard to appreciate just how closely intertwined these conditions are, and I’m here to shine a light on them. Today I cover: Why do people with ADHD self-medicate more than others? Is ADHD the real 'gateway' risk? What if you have a history of substance use or addiction? How do you know if you actually have a substance or behavioural 'addiction'? What new data and Guidelines tell us about how to proceed. Resources: Check your use: The CRAFFT Questionnaire The ADHD Resource Hub: Screeners, Guidelines, Treatmentand more. American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP) 31st Annual Meeting in 2020: ADHD Meds May Boost Treatment Retention in Comorbid Addiction From Canada’s Centre on Substance Use and Addiction: Finding Quality Addiction Care in Canada: Drug and Alcohol Treatment Guide, and Life in Recovery. Understanding the science and goals behind Harm Reduction, Knowing Your Limits with Cannabis: A Practical Guide to Assessing Your Cannabis Use Couples’ therapists! Sign up to be notified about DIY*ADHD Couples: COMING SOON. Find Christina (CRPO #003908): Website | Find your Therapist | DIY*ADHD course | Instagram | TikTok 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 in the Show info and episode notes on the main podcast webpage. Looking for one on one support or treatment in Ontario, Alberta or PEI? Find your Therapist LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Overcast | Stitcher | RSS

Today, we are making invisible things visible for people interested in psychotherapy with horses! Equine-assisted psychotherapy has been around for quite some time, and after my own personal, and now professional experiences, I can’t wait to share more about how therapy with horses might be exactly the experience your nervous system is looking for. I cover: The backstory of my interest and experiences with horses, Who we are partnering with for equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP), A brief touch on the science behind EAP, The conditions EAP can help treat, Where you can learn more. Resources: READ: How horses help us heal, on The Dig Deeper Blog, Learn about Program offerings and Sign up for our Equine Therapy newsletter, Learn about the neuroscience behind equine-assisted psychotherapy, Use the discount code ‘CCPODCAST’ at checkout, for 15% off on DIY*ADHD. Looking for one on one support or treatment in Ontario, Alberta or PEI? Meet the Team. Find Christina (CRPO #003908): Website | Meet the Team | DIY*ADHD course | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 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 in the Show info and episode notes on the main podcast webpage. LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Overcast | Stitcher | RSS

Today, we are making invisible things visible for people recovering from problematic substance use, and we talk about what recovery is REALLY like if you are a teen/young adult, or if you are the loved one of someone who struggles with the grips of problematic substance use. I’m with everyone’s favourite psychiatrist, @TheKicksShrink, Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza. I started watching Euphoria after I read his comments about it in a Time Magazine article, and I’m so glad I did. We talk about: What we love about HBO’s Euphoria, and what we’d like to tell people about what the show doesn’t cover, What’s it like working with teens to reduce their use of substances?, What’s the Sinclair Method and how does it help people reduce problematic drinking, How long does recovery actually take? What recovery from opioid use is like, and what should we know about the treatment options. Our Guest: Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza, MD is a triple board certified psychiatrist, in adult psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, as well as addiction medicine. He is based out of Northern Virginia and works primarily with children and adolescents through the major hospital system in the area, providing services as the psychiatrist for the adolescent partial hospitalization program, as well as outpatient medication management. He also has his own private practice, LouCouPsych, working with adults with a special interest in ADHD, addictions, depression and anxiety. He also works with the national basketball players association mental health and wellness program, and is available as a provider and resource for the Washington Wizards. Find Dr. Mirza: Website | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter Resources: Time Magazine: What Euphoria Gets Right—and Wrong—About Teen Drug Use and Addiction From Canada’s Centre on Substance Use and Addiction: Finding Quality Addiction Care in Canada: Drug and Alcohol Treatment Guide, and Life in Recovery. Understanding the science and goals behind Harm Reduction, Knowing Your Limits with Cannabis: A Practical Guide to Assessing Your Cannabis Use Looking for help with treatment in Ontario? Try ConnexOntario to find support near you. Check out the ADHD Resource Hub’s special subsections page for more on ADHD and Substance Use.  Use the discount code ‘CCPODCAST’ at checkout, for 15% off on DIY*ADHD. Find Christina (CRPO #003908): Website | Find a Therapist | Instagram  

Today, we are making invisible things visible for people who love to think about our human condition, the philosophers(!), and people with ADHD who struggle with the meaning of life, our purpose and how to make sense of our experience as humans. I cover: How my pursuit of a late-in-life ADHD diagnosis revealed some interesting (and obvious) signs of ADHD, from one of my philosophy professors, What “bibliotherapy” is, and how stories that are hundreds of years old, can help us with our mental health struggles, Nietzsche and concept of the Eternal Return, The art of taking responsibility for your life. Resources: Check out our vetted and recommended BOOK LIST! Bibliotherapy for all. Specifically related to this episode, I might recommend When Nietzsche Wept: A Novel of Obsession by Irvin Yalom. Learn about evidence-based treatment for ADHD, assessment and diagnosis pathways and find supportive articles HERE. Use the discount code ‘CCPODCAST’ at checkout, for 15% off on DIY*ADHD. Looking for one on one support or treatment in Ontario, Alberta or PEI? Meet the Team. Find Christina (CRPO #003908): Website | Meet the Team | DIY*ADHD course | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 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 in the Show info and episode notes on the main podcast webpage. LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Overcast | Stitcher | RSS

Today we are going to talk about one of the most interesting “interventions” we use as trauma therapists - EMDR Therapy.  EMDR in many ways can feel like the most direct intervention we do, almost like a psychological neurosurgery.  Luckily, we have an EMDR specialist here to talk us through it today, my great friend and colleague, Christina Janiga. We talk about: What exactly is EMDR therapy? What really happens in an EMDR session? How can EMDR deal with and heal nightmares or upsetting dreams, When is dissociation 'adaptive,' and how do you know if you dissociate? How we just named ‘precision psychotherapy’: getting creative with EMDR for neurodivergent brains. Resources mentioned in the show: EMDR Canada Dissociative Experiences Scale - II  Use the discount code ‘CCPODCAST’ at checkout, for 15% off on DIY*ADHD. SIGN UP to get notified about the launch of DIY*ADHD: Couples, an online course for Couples Therapists on ADHD in romantic relationships. About our Guest: Christina Janiga, she/her, is a Registered Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor, Certified EMDR Therapist and EMDR Consultant in Training (CIT). Christina is the director and founder of Christina Janiga Psychotherapy. Christina provides psychotherapy services and clinical supervision for the Burlington area and across Ontario. Christina has presented in schools, learning centres, shelters, and high-performance athletic facilities, and offers specialized strategies and solutions aimed at helping people cope with and manage a wide range of life transitions, anxieties, and challenges. Christina loves learning, a positive outlook in life, and a passion for sports. Find Christina Janiga: Website | Instagram | Facebook Find Christina (CRPO #003908): Website | Meet the Team | DIY*ADHD course | Instagram | TikTok 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 in the Show info and episode notes on the main podcast webpage. LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Overcast | Stitcher | RSS