

The Thinking Mind Podcast: Psychiatry & Psychotherapy
The Thinking Mind Podcast
"If you are interested in your mind, emotions, sense of self, and understanding of others, this show is brilliant."Learn something new about the mind every week - With in-depth conversations at the intersection of psychiatry, psychotherapy, self-development, spirituality and the philosophy of mental health. Featuring experts from around the world, leading clinicians and academics, published authors, and people with lived experience, we aim to make complex ideas in the mental health space accessible and engaging. This podcast is designed for a broad audience including professionals, those who suffer with mental health difficulties, more common psychological problems, or those who just want to learn more about themselves and others. Hosted by psychiatrists Dr. Alex Curmi, Dr. Anya Borissova & Dr. Rebecca Wilkinson. Listeners have also said:"Every episode is enlightening, the approach, conversations and depth of information is deeply enriching. So refreshing to hear practitioners with this level of insight into human behaviour. Thank you for the work and for sharing."Podcast related enquiries: thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com.If you would like to work with Dr. Curmi: alexcurmitherapy@gmail.comDisclaimer: None of the information in the podcast is intended as medical advice for any one invididual.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 15, 2023 • 1h 1min
Interview #52: How does Genetics Affect our Mental Health? (Professor Cathryn Lewis)
Cathryn Lewis, a Professor of Genetic Epidemiology and Statistics at King's College London, holds the position of Head of Department at the Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience.In this episode, we engage in an in-depth discussion on how our genetics influence the development of various mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. We explore the significance of mathematics and statistics in enhancing our comprehension of these conditions. Moreover, we delve into the potential role of genetic testing in treating these conditions as our understanding of genetics evolves over time. Additionally, we examine how genetics impact aspects of our psychology that we can all relate to, such as personalities. Lastly, we explore the qualities that contribute to a successful career in science and what characteristics define an exceptional scientist.You can watch this interview on YouTube! -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jtoLRmC5F4&t=2227sInterviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com - Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindGive feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

Jun 2, 2023 • 52min
Interview #51: Who Looks After Healthcare Workers? (with Dr. Helen Garr)
Dr Garr is a GP working in Nottingham and is one of the medical directors for NHS Practitioner Health. This is a free, confidential, NHS primary care mental health service with very specific expertise in treating health and care professionals. Dr Garr is a leader in the field of healthcare professional wellbeing and burnout. For more information or to find out about referring yourself to NHS Practitioner Health, visit: https://www.practitionerhealth.nhs.uk/ or https://canopi.nhs.wales/ in Wales.Interviewed by Dr. Anya Borissova.Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindGive feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

5 snips
May 19, 2023 • 1h 21min
Interview #50: The Evolution of Friendships and Dating (With Professor Robin Dunbar)
Professor Robin Dunbar is a British anthropologist and evolutionary psychologist and a specialist in primate behaviour. He is currently head of the Social and Evolutionary Neuroscience Research Group in the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford. He is best known for formulating Dunbar's number, a measurement of the "cognitive limit to the number of individuals with whom any one person can maintain stable relationships".He is the author of many books including Friends: Understanding the Power of our Most Important Relationships which we discuss today. Interviewed by Dr. Rebecca Wilkinson with Dr. Alex Curmi.Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindGive feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

May 5, 2023 • 46min
Interview #49: What can Freud tell us about History and Politics? (with Professor Eli Zaretsky)
Eli Zaretsky is Professor of History at The New School for Social Research. He has taught at Lang College since 1999. His interests are in twentieth century cultural history, the theory and history of capitalism (especially its social and cultural dimensions), and the history of the family. His most recent book is Political Freud, published in 2015 by Cambridge University Press. His earlier work includes Secrets of the Soul: A Social and Cultural History of Psychoanalysis and Why America Needs a Left.Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com - Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSpecial Thanks to www.wearegoat.com (insta: @wearegoat_official) for our new logo and art work! Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

Apr 21, 2023 • 1h 3min
Interview #48: Why Aren't We Using Hypnosis? (With Dr. David Spiegel)
Dr. David Spiegel is an American psychiatrist and Associate Chair of Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine, where he is known for his research into psycho-oncology; the neurobiology of therapeutic hypnosis, and the role of the mind-brain-body connection in the management of various conditions. He directs the Stanford Center on Stress and Health and is a recognized authority on hypnosis's clinical utility and neuroscience.Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com - Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSpecial Thanks to www.wearegoat.com (insta: @wearegoat_official) for our new logo and art work! Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

Apr 13, 2023 • 48sec
Announcement: We are Re-Branding! Subscribe to avoid missing any new episodes!
*Announcement! From April 14th 2023 the Maudsley Learning Podcast will be changing its name to The Thinking Mind Podcast and will have a completely new look! Make sure you follow or subscribe on your podcast player to avoid missing any new episodes!*Special Thanks to https://www.wearegoat.com for our new logo and art work! Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com - Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindGive feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

Apr 7, 2023 • 50min
Lived Experience #5: What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder (with Kitty Wallace from the BDD Foundation)
As head of operations for the Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) Foundation in the UK, Kitty Wallace supports sufferers and their families, raises awareness of the condition and much more. But she’s also had her own experience of living with BDD. Her story shows that recovery may not always be a straight line, but it’s always possible. Find out more on the BDD Foundation website https://bddfoundation.org/.Interviewed by Dr. Rebecca Wilkinson - Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com - Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindGive feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

Mar 24, 2023 • 1h
Interview #47: When Anxiety gets Severe (with Lisa Williams at the Anxiety Disorders Residential Unit)
This week Alex meets with Lisa, a CBT therapist at the Anxiety Disorders Residential Unit. The ADRU specialises in severe cases of anxiety conditions such as social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). The patients at the ADRU undergo an intensive 12 to 16 week residential programme with the goal of helping them understand their condition and develop better coping strategies to help manage their condition in their day-to-day lives. Alex and Lisa discuss how the ADRU works, what a patient there is likely to expect, the value of cognitive behaviour therapy as well as compassion focused therapy, the role of trauma in these conditions and how these conditions can be viewed holistically. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com - Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindGive feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

Mar 10, 2023 • 51min
A Day in the Life of a Psychiatrist
This week Anya chats with Alex and Rebecca about what training in psychiatry is like: why it's a rewarding speciality to choose for your medical career, what makes it challenging, how to carve out your own unique career path and good mindsets to adopt around helping people with mental health difficulties. Alex, Anya and Rebecca are all medical doctors and currently training psychiatrists within the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. Interviewed by Dr. Anya Borissova - Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com - Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindGive feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

Feb 24, 2023 • 50min
Interview #46: Sex, Drugs and MRI Scanners (with Dr Matt Wall and Natalie Ertl)
In this week's episode Anya and Alex speak to Natalie Ertl (@NatalieErtl1) who is currently a research assistant at Invicro and PhD candidate at Imperial College London, specialising in functional MRI applications in psychopharmacology. With Natalie is Dr Matt Wall (@m_wall) who is a psychologist, cognitive neuroscientist and fMRI specialist at Invicro and Imperial College London researching cannabis, psychedelics, sex hormones and addiction.We talk about current understanding of what happens in the brain with sex and sexual desire, and current theories on what might contribute to difficulties with sexual desire or enjoying sex. From there, we find out what kind of drugs are being tested and how researching sexual function works. And what discussion about sex would be complete without a mention of Freud? We hope you enjoy! Further reading on the studies mentioned: Bremelanotide (women): https://www.jci.org/articles/view/152341Kisspeptin (women): https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2797718?resultClick=3Kisspeptin (men):https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2800937Interviewed by Dr. Anya Borissova with Dr. Alex Curmi Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com - Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindGive feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast