Mary Morgan is an individual and couples psychoanalyst, Fellow of the British Psychoanalytical Society and Honorary Member of the Polish Society for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. She has written extensively in the field of couple psychoanalysis and teaches and supervises internationally. She is the author of ‘A Couple State of Mind: Psychoanalysis of Couples and the Tavistock Relationships Model’ .In this episode we discuss: - How and why couples commonly run into problems- Typical difficulties with communication people have - The impact of the "romantic ideal" on relationships in the West- How trends like non-monogamy impact modern couples - Red flags a relationship is in trobule - Green flags couples therapy is progressing wellInterviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Alex is a consultant psychiatrist and a UKCP registered psychotherapist in-training.If you would like to invite Alex to speak at your organisation please email alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Speaking Enquiry" in the subject line.Alex is not currently taking on new psychotherapy clients, if you are interested in working with Alex for focused behaviour change coaching , you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Coaching" in the subject line.Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com - Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast Tiktok - @thinking.mind.podcast 

Dr Livia Martucci is a consultant in perinatal psychiatry, and is the clinical lead for perinatal services in South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. She is experienced in assessment and management of many common and complex mental health problems including anxiety, panic, OCD, depression and other disorders such as Bipolar Disorder as well as psychotic illnesses, both in the perinatal period and more generally in men and women, and has experience of partners/fathers with antenatal and postnatal anxiety or depression. She has worked with mother and infant dyads providing parent infant psychotherapy.She is currently chair of the faculty of perinatal psychiatry for the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Alex is a consultant psychiatrist and a UKCP registered psychotherapist in-training.If you would like to invite Alex to speak at your organisation please email alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Speaking Enquiry" in the subject line.Alex is not currently taking on new psychotherapy clients, if you are interested in working with Alex for focused behaviour change coaching , you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Coaching" in the subject line.Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com - Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast Tiktok - @thinking.mind.podcast Disclaimer: None of the information discussed in this podcast is intended as individual medical advice, changes to medication plans should always be made via discussion with the prescriber.  Abrupt withdrawal of medication can cause serious adverse effects. 

Dr. Awais Aftab, a Cleveland psychiatrist and author of Conversations in Critical Psychiatry, joins this insightful discussion. He delves into the philosophical angles of psychiatry and the challenges of psychiatric diagnoses. Aftab argues for a holistic view of mental health, blending biological, psychological, and social factors. He critiques the rigidity of current classification systems and emphasizes the complexities of depression and anxiety. Aftab also calls for improved pharmaceutical accountability, advocating for a more integrated approach to mental health care.

Professor Brendan Kelly, a leading psychiatrist and author at Trinity College Dublin, delves into the intricacies of happiness and mental health. He critiques the medicalization of unhappiness and the societal influences shaping our well-being. Brendan shares insights on agency in the workplace, the rise of youth suicide rates linked to technology, and the complex relationship between hedonism and contentment. Drawing from Buddhism, he emphasizes the fluid nature of self-identity, urging a shift towards purposeful living.

Join Professor David Taylor, a leading expert in psychopharmacology, as he dives into the effectiveness of antidepressants and the science behind their use. He unpacks common misconceptions about emotional numbing and withdrawal symptoms while advocating for evidence-based prescribing. The conversation touches on emerging treatments like ketamine and psilocybin, and new innovations for psychosis treatment. With insights drawn from over 375 clinical papers, Taylor emphasizes a personalized approach to mental health medication.

Mentalisation-Based Therapy (MBT) is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy designed to enhance a person’s ability to mentalise, especially in emotionally intense situations. It was developed by today's guests Prof. Peter Fonagy and Prof. Anthony Bateman for treating borderline personality difficulties (BPD) but has since been adapted for other mental health conditions, including anti-social and narcissistic personality difficulties, eating disorders and more. Today we discuss: - What does it mean to mentalise? - Do we have a problem with mentalising in our society?- Useful definitions of Personality & Personality Disorder.- How early attachment relationships influence our psychological health.- What an MBT session looks like.- Some of the research that has been done and that is planned on the effectiveness of MBT. - The potential utility of combining MBT with psychedelics. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Alex is a consultant psychiatrist and a UKCP registered psychotherapist in-training.If you would like to invite Alex to speak at your organisation please email alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Speaking Enquiry" in the subject line.Alex is not currently taking on new psychotherapy clients, if you are interested in working with Alex for focused behaviour change coaching , you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Coaching" in the subject line.Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com - Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

Today Alex discusses the concept of self-esteem; including core components of self-esteem, how poor self-esteem can affect your life and how people's self-esteem becomes disrupted through the lens of different psychological theories. We also discuss different interventions one could consider to improve their self-esteem, any why good self-esteem is essential for a successful life. Further reading:The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem by Nathaniel BrandenNeurosis and Human Growth by Karen HorneyOn Becoming a Person by Carl RogersGestalt therapy – excitement and growth of the human personality  by PerlsHefferline, GoodmanGames people Play by Eric BerneI’m OK - you’re OK by Thomas HarrisSelf-compassion meditation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_80y_CT32c&t=5sAudio-essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Alex is a consultant psychiatrist and a UKCP registered psychotherapist in-training.If you would like to invite Alex to speak at your organisation please email alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Speaking Enquiry" in the subject line.Alex is not currently taking on new psychotherapy clients, if you are interested in working with Alex for focused behaviour change coaching , you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Coaching" in the subject line.Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com - Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast Tiktok @thinking.mind.podcast

Adam Lane Smith is a renowned Attachment Specialist with over 15 years of experience in psychology and relationships. Formerly a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, he has dedicated his career to helping individuals and couples overcome attachment issues and build secure, meaningful connections. Adam has worked with a diverse clientele, including death row inmates and Fortune 500 executives. Adam has his own podcast and youtube channel with over 100k subscribers, though which he aims to educate as many people as possible about the art and science of attachment. Today we discuss:Some of his more recent Tweets about the limits of self-love, the importance of health aggression and the danger of repeating unconcious childhood patterns in adulthood. Common attachment patterns and their fascinating underlying biology. The right and wrong reasons to pursue content creation, and how to ethically pursue content creation to augment your business. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Alex is a consultant psychiatrist and a UKCP registered psychotherapist in-training.If you would like to invite Alex to speak at your organisation please email alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Speaking Enquiry" in the subject line.Alex is not currently taking on new psychotherapy clients, if you are interested in working with Alex for focused behaviour change coaching , you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com with "Coaching" in the subject line. Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com - Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

In this engaging discussion, Alex Ruck Keene, a prominent barrister at 39 Essex Chambers and a Professor at King's College London, dives into the ethical implications of the Mental Health Act. He explores what it means to be sectioned, the safeguards in place for patients, and the pressures faced by mental health professionals. The conversation delves into complex topics like assisted dying and mental capacity, challenging listeners to consider the balance between patient autonomy and legal responsibilities. A thought-provoking listen for anyone interested in mental health law.

Joanna Moncrieff, a British psychiatrist and professor at UCL, shares her critical insights into the serotonin theory of depression. She discusses the lack of evidence supporting the idea that low serotonin causes depression and calls for a reevaluation of antidepressants' effectiveness. The conversation dives into the multifaceted nature of depression, emphasizing social factors and personal experiences over strict biological interpretations. Moncrieff also highlights the risks of long-term medication use, advocating for a nuanced approach to mental health that includes comprehensive support systems.