The Verywell Mind Podcast

KJ Smith is an actress who stars in the BET comedy-drama series Sistas and Starz’s Power Book III: Raising Kanan. She isn’t shy about talking about her mental health. She has become an advocate for therapy and self-care.Some of the things she talks about today are how she learned to be comfortable with her emotions, how she modifies her environment to stay mentally healthy, and how she establishes healthy boundaries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Depression is complicated but some of the treatments can be simple. That doesn’t mean following through with these treatments is easy–battling depression is a tough job. But it does mean that a few lifestyle changes can sometimes make a big difference to someone who is living with depression. On today’s Friday Fix episode, I share how therapists often help people battle depression with behavioral therapy. Changing a few things in your calendar could reduce your depression. So today, I’m sharing what those things are and how they could help. And the best news is, it’s something you can try right away. You can put it into practice today and see if it works for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the really fun parts about having a podcast is that I get to answer your questions on the show in real-time. In my work as an author, it’s more of a one-sided conversation. I share my ideas in a book, and while I do receive plenty of messages from readers, I don’t really get to answer questions.But a podcast is different. I can answer questions in real-time. It’s almost like being able to have a two-way conversation with our listeners.So I thought it was a good time to do another Ask Me Anything episode. I love knowing what you want to learn more about. This week, some of the questions I answer involve negative thinking, relationship issues, and finding a therapist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Born Lenard McKelvey, Charlamagne Tha God is one of the most influential voices in media. He’s the outspoken host of The Breakfast Club, a radio show that reaches over 4.5 million listeners each week. He also co-hosts a popular podcast, The Brilliant Idiots, where he and Andrew Shulz discuss the biggest issues of the day.He hosts a TV show as well, called Tha God’s Honest Truth, which appears on Comedy Central. It’s a late-night show that addresses a variety of social issues.He became an advocate for mental health treatment a few years ago when he began talking about his experiences with anxiety. Some of the things he talks about in this episode are his experiences with therapy, how he manages his mental health, and why he thinks everyone should talk to a therapist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you thought about journaling but didn’t know where to start? Do you think writing about your feelings would be a waste of time? If so, you’re not alone.I hear many therapy clients say they’ve considered journaling over the years, but for one reason or another, they just didn’t start it. Or if they did start journaling, they didn’t stick with it.Staring at a blank piece of paper might feel intimidating. Or you might feel overwhelmed by the sheer volumes of journals sold in stores. But don’t give up on the idea of journaling. There’s tons of evidence that writing in a journal can be good for your emotional well-being. Not all journaling is created equal, however. There are a few things you can do to make it especially helpful in building mental strength. In today’s episode, I share what the research says about the benefits of journaling, how to use journaling to build mental strength, and the one thing you should avoid doing when you write in a journal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Daniel Pink is a New York Times Best Selling author whose books have sold millions of copies around the world.His fascinating titles about business and behavior include books such as When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing and Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us.His newest book, The Power of Regret, discusses how to use regret to move ourselves forward in life. He surveyed more than 15,000 people from around the world and uncovered some interesting facts about regret. Some of the things he talks about in this episode are the four types of regret, the things people regret the most, and how to turn regret into a powerful tool that helps you move forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Although online therapy has grown in popularity during the pandemic, a lot of people are still hesitant to try it. And it’s wise to question whether online treatment can be effective as face-to-face therapy.Afterall, the relationship between a client and a therapist is key to a positive treatment outcome. Can someone really establish a healthy alliance with a therapist over video chat or messaging?As a therapist who has only ever provided face-to-face treatment, I had a lot of questions myself. So I decided to test some of the major online therapy websites. I signed up for treatment as a client to see what it would be like to access services. I discovered that online therapy isn’t for everyone. But it did have some distinct advantages over face-to-face treatment in some areas.I also learned that not all online therapy websites are created equal. Some have better features, others are more affordable, and some specialize in specific treatments. I thought it would be helpful to share what I learned along the way. I talk about what I liked and didn’t like about online therapy. If you’re questioning online treatment for yourself or you’re wondering if you should suggest it for someone else, check out this episode. I’ll tell you the pros and cons of online therapy and how you can find the best online treatment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Diane Macedo is an Emmy Award-winning journalist who works as an anchor and correspondent for ABC News. She often appears on Good Morning America, World News Tonight, and World News Now. She’s also the author of The Sleep Fix, a book that describes how she overcame insomnia. By reading countless studies and interviewing many experts, Diane discovered strategies that helped her get better quality sleep. Now, she’s sharing those strategies to help other people learn how to fix their sleep problems, too. Some of the things she talks about in this episode are the biggest misconceptions about sleep, the strategies that help her sleep better, and how to know if you're getting enough sleep. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s true that happy people smile. But it may also be true that people feel happy because they smile.Faking a smile might boost your mood, reduce your stress, and help you bounce back from challenges fast.But you may have also heard about the dangers of forcing a smile when you aren’t feeling it. After all, aren’t you repressing your emotions?There’s a difference between faking a smile for someone else’s benefit and giving yourself a smile to boost your mood. This episode will explain what research says about this. I also explain how a fake smile impacts your brain, when to try it, and what benefits you can expect.And if you aren’t able to force a smile sometimes because you’re just not feeling it, that’s OK too. This episode shares another strategy that works well for those days when you can’t seem to muster a fake smile.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. William Miller discusses ambivalence, setbacks, and strategies for change. He emphasizes the importance of understanding conflicting feelings, handling mistakes, and guiding individuals through resistance to change. The podcast explores the need for substitutes in breaking habits and offers tips for navigating setbacks and self-improvement.