Thoughts on Record: Podcast of the Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! Assessing & treating adult ADHD can be both very challenging as well as highly rewarding for client and clinician alike. Psychologist & author, Dr. Russell Ramsay joins us for an in-depth discussion of the assessment and treatment of adult ADHD building on themes in his new workbook, The Adult ADHD and Anxiety Workbook.  In this discussion we cover: why Dr. Ramsay wanted to write a workbook focused on both ADHD and anxiety and why individuals with ADHD may be particularly prone to anxietya brief description of the symptom clusters of ADHD and why a dimensional approach can be helpfulan evolutionary angle to understanding ADHDan extensive discussion of tricky diagnostic issues including: nuance around contextualizing the later emergence of childhood symptoms; assessing ADHD in female clients; understanding the impact of "masking" on the presentation of symptoms; the impact of high trait agreeableness and pleasing behaviours on functional impacts; the course of symptoms over the lifetimethe contribution of undiagnosed ADHD to treatment resistance around other co-morbid conditionsaddressing the interpersonal challenges that can come with ADHDunderstanding rejection sensitivity in the context of ADHD  a strengths-based lens on ADHDthe so-called "ADHD tax"Comments or feedback?  Email the podcast at: oicbtpodcast@gmail.comJ. Russell Ramsay, PhD, ABPP, is a licensed psychologist specializing in the assessment and psychosocial treatment of adult attention deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD). Before embarking on his solo virtual practice, he was cofounder and clinical director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Adult ADHD Treatment and Research Program, where he was professor of clinical psychology in psychiatry. Ramsay is widely published, including five books on adult ADHD; lectures internationally and virtually; and is in the Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) Hall of Fame. He is from the Greater Philadelphia, PA, area.

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! Many clinicians experience a sense of helplessness around effectively managing calls from loved ones of an individual living with a mental illness who is not willing to engage in treatment.  There is frequently an impression that little can be done until the affected individual wants to change.  Dr. Alec Pollard joins us for a discussion of he and his co-authors new book "When a Loved One Won't Seek Mental Health Treatment".  In this conversation we cover:    why Dr. Pollard and co-authors wanted to write this bookthe challenge for clinicians in fielding calls from loved ones seeking treatment for a loved one who is not motivated to engage in changewhere traditional approaches to a treatment avoidant loved one have fallen shortoperationally defining "treatment avoidance" through a lens of non-blameteasing apart the impact of symptoms vs. treatment avoidanceunderstanding how the loop of accomodation-minimization within the "family trap" can keep an individual stuck in treatment avoidancecontextualizing the counterintuitive impact of accommodation considering the extent to which family members are realistically positioned to provide assistance to family members given the complexities involved and the slippery slope of the family trapparallels to the family trap within the client-therapist relationshipthe line between clear, transparent boundaries and minimization on the part of the family member and the temporal course matterswhy their approach focuses almost exclusively on the family member as opposed to the loved one that won't seek treatmentcreating a recovery friendly environmentthe complications that personality challenges in either a family member and/or client can presentunderstanding when a family when should enlisting professional assistancehow to discuss this conundrum with a family member who calls for assistance with a loved oneC. Alec Pollard, PhD, is founding director of the Center for OCD & Anxiety-Related Disorders at Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute, and professor emeritus of family and community medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He is a licensed psychologist with a special interest in the study and treatment of individuals with anxiety and emotional disorders who refuse or otherwise fail to benefit from evidence-based treatment. Pollard, codeveloper of the family well-being approach (FWBA), has authored or coauthored more than one hundred publications and leads the Family Consultation Team at Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute.

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! Dialectical behavior therapy or DBT is a wonderful suite of tools that help people to be more effective with respect to managing their emotions and becoming more interpersonally effective.  These are challenges that often loom especially large for those who are highly sensitive.  Emma Lauer, LCSW joins us for a discussion of her workbook DBT Skills for Highly Sensitive People.  In this conversation we cover:   what inspired Emma to speak about the implementation of DBT in a way that is tailored specifically to sensitive individuals.defining a highly sensitive person in the context of mental health and therapy and how this construct has been empirically defined.tell-tale life experiences that are typical of a highly sensitive individual.the biggest myths, misconceptions or “lore” about highly sensitive people.contrasting sensitivity with weakness.why emotional sensitivity can be a super power.current self-defeating cultural narratives, behaviours and values around emotional experiences.the unique challenges that highly sensitive individuals face that DBT can help address.distress tolerance vs. an unhealthy escape from difficult emotions.the importance of the so-called "window of tolerance" and top strategies for expanding the window of tolerance.some of the unique interpersonal challenges that highly sensitive people experience and how DBT can help to address this.managing uncertainty as a central challenge of managing a highly sensitive temperament.Laura's favourite emotion regulation strategies.some of the challenges of implementing mindfulness for highly sensitive individuals. Emma Lauer, LCSW, is a therapist specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, self-harming behaviors, and trauma. Emma is an eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)-certified therapist, an EMDR Consultant-in-Training, and she has taught both undergraduate and graduate-level courses at Arizona State University. She currently practices therapy and oversees interns and other staff therapists as clinical supervisor at Find Your Shine Therapy, a group private practice in Tempe, AZ.https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/emma-lauer-tempe-az/418090

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! In addition to being a topic that appears frequently in the realm of pop psychology, emotional intelligence is a subject of serious, rigorous academic inquiry.  Clinical psychologist & author, Dr. Stephanie Catella joins for us for a discussion of core-themes in her new book  The Emotional Intelligence Skills Workbook: Improve Communication and Build Stronger Relationships.  In this conversation we cover:   why Dr. Catella wanted to create a workbook specifically focused on Emotional Intelligence (EI)the current operational definition of EIcommon misconceptions people have about EIclinical presentations where it may be particularly useful to address EIthe importance of providing psychoeducation around emotions reacting v.s responding a values-driven path to EIradical acceptance as an advanced EI skill mentalizing  & attunement in the context of EIdefining genuine, effective, values-driven empathy and differentiating this from more manipulative concepts like agentic extraversiona consideration of fact vs. fiction around the emotional intelligence of narcissistic individuals the effective ingredients around effective, values-driven assertiveness and the value of being kind  the benefit to improve one's mental health and overall well-beingthe evoking of schemas that can occur in the context of this workComments or feedback?  Email us oicbtpodcast@gmail.com.  Stephanie Catella, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist with expertise in transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for trauma, anxiety, and building emotional intelligence. After completing fellowships at the San Francisco VA and the University of California, San Francisco, she codirected the Berkeley Cognitive Behavioral Therapy clinic with Dr. Matt McKay. In addition to her private practice, she authored an FDA-cleared prescription digital therapeutic for fibromyalgia, and serves as an advisor to HealthTech companies.www.drstephcatella.com 

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! Bipolar disorder is often thought of as a mental disorder that is treated exclusively with medication when in fact there are a number of evidence-based psychotherapeutic techniques that can be used to complement traditional pharmacotherapy.  Dr. Holly Swartz joins us for a discussion of the core themes in her new book, Social Rhythm Therapy for Bipolar Disorder.  In this conversation we cover:a brief overview of bipolar disorderwhat Social Rhythm Therapy (SRT) is and how it is used to treat bipolar disorderthe key principles and components of SRTchallenges or considerations when implementing SRT with adolescents or young adults with bipolar disorderhow SRT complements other treatments for bipolar disorderhow SRT addresses the relationship between daily routines, sleep patterns, and mood regulationimplementing SRT within a family systemaddressing challenges related to sleep from a behavioural vs. pharmacological routethe unique challenge that technology, screen-time etc. pose to forming healthy biological routinesadvice for mental health professionals who are interested in incorporating SRT into their practice for bipolar disorderComments or feedback?  Email the podcast: oicbtpodcast@gmail.comIf you are finding value in the podcast, a rating on your podcast platform of choice would be greatly appreciated.Holly A. Swartz is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She received her undergraduate degree from Harvard College, medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and completed her psychiatric residency training at New York Hospital / Cornell University School of Medicine. Dr. Swartz’s research focuses on understanding and optimizing treatments for mood disorders. She is well known for her work evaluating Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) and Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) as treatments for depression and bipolar disorder. Her research focuses on the role of IPSRT and pharmacotherapy in the management of bipolar II depression and IPT in the management of maternal depression. She is engaged in collaborative projects to develop computational frameworks to model dyadic interpersonal behaviors in relation to psychotherapy process and outcomes and to understand neural correlates of change in chronotherapeutic behavioral interventions. Her research has been funded by the National Institute of Health, National Science Foundation, and the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation. Dr. Swartz has held elected leadership positions for national and international professional organizations, including serving as President of the International Society of Bipolar Disorders (ISBD ; 2024-2026), President of the International Society for Interpersonal Psychotherapy (ISIPT ; 2015-17), and Board Member of the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology (ASCP ; 2021-2029).  She is the 2018 recipient of the Depression and Bipolar Association (DBSA) Gerald L. Klerman Senior Investigator Award in recognition of outstanding research contributing to the understanding, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of mood disorders. She is the author of over 100 publications, co-author of Bipolar II Disorder: Recognition, Understanding and Treatment (American Psychiatric Association Publishing, 2019), author of The Social Rhythm Therapy Workbook for Bipolar Disorder: Stabilize Your Circadian Rhythms to Reduce Stress, Manage Moods, and Prevent Future Episodes (New Harbinger Press, 2024), and Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Psychotherapy. She serves as a member of the Scientific Advisory Boards of DBSA and the International Bipolar Foundation.

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! Challenges related to attachment in relationships - especially in the context of romantic relationships - can evoke very strong emotions and behavioral urges that can often backfire, sometimes causing the very thing we fear most; namely, the dissolution of a relationship.  Psychologist, author, speaker & teacher, Dr. Leslie Becker-Phelps joins us for a discussion of her latest release, The Insecure In Love Workbook.  In this discussion we cover:    what inspired Dr. Becker-Phelps to write The Insecure in Love Workbook and the clinical realties of this challenge that she had in mind when constructing her approacha brief overview attachment and how it relates to our relationships how early life experiences influence our attachment styles in adulthooddifferentiating between normal relationship challenges and issues stemming from insecure attachment patternsthe most common self-defeating patterns that people engage in when an attachment feels threatened the critical importance of self-awareness in managing issues related to attachmentDr. Becker-Phelps' STEAM model (5 domains of self-awareness: Sensations, Thoughts, Emotions, Actions, Mentalizing)helping clients navigate challenges related to self-acceptance and compassionate self-awarenesswhat determines sustainable compatibility whether it is healthy to accommodate or even “give in” to one’s attachment stylenavigating an intense attraction to someone from the lens of attachment the line between co-regulation & subjugation/unhealthy accommodation in a relationship Comments or feedback?  Email us at: oicbtpodcast@gmail.com Dr. Leslie Becker-Phelps is dedicated to helping people understand themselves and what they need to do to become emotionally and psychologically healthy. She is in private practice, hosts a YouTube channel, and is a prolific writer. She has authored The Insecure in Love Workbook, Insecure in Love, and Bouncing Back from Rejection. She also writes the Authentically You blog and the Making Change blog on Psychology Today. To learn more about Dr. Becker-Phelps, visit www.drbecker-phelps.com

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! The last decade has seen the ascendency of a number of "public intellectuals" who have come under increasing scrutiny around allegations of misinformation, conspiracy mongering, grifting & intellectual inconsistency.  Importantly, many have achieved "guru" status with millions of followers and devotees on YouTube and other social media platforms.  Professors & podcasters, Drs. Matt Browne & Chris Kavanagh joins us for a conversation in which we cover their critical consideration of the "guru-sphere" in their podcast Decoding the Gurus.  In this conversation we cover:    why they started the Decoding the Gurus podcast and the ethos of the podcastwhy they have chosen to focus on secular gurus a consideration of their "gurometer" with pertinent examplesguru "adjacent" individuals who frequently host discussions with the gurusthe guru mindset: Machiavellian bad actors or delusional self-belief (or both)?  the natural history of the guru from anonymity to ascendency what gurus tell us about ourselveswhy gurus curry command so much loyalty in their followers factors in the current landscape that may be contributing to the rise of the guruwhy more gurus have not taken up the "right to reply" opportunity on Decoding The GurusFeedback or comments?  Email us at: oicbtpodcast@gmail.comAn Australian psychologist and numbers-guy, Dr. Matt Browne is a research professor in psychology at CQU where he does research on all manner of things, but particularly enjoys looking into why people believe the things they do: religion, conspiracy theories, alternative medicine and stuff. He's into social media in the same way people slow down for car accidents.Dr. Chris Kavanagh is Northern Irish cognitive anthropologist who occasionally moonlights as a social psychologist. Chris has long standing interests in the psychology of conspiracy theorists and pseudoscience. His academic research focuses on the Cognitive Science of Religion and ritual psychology.. Chris is an Associate Professor in Psychology at Rikkyo University and a Researcher at the University of Oxford Centre for the Study of Social Cohesion.

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! Mindfulness is an area of clinical and intellectual focus which has grown tremendously in popularity and includes many secular practices such as breath work, body scanning & self-compassion.  OICBT psychologist Dr. Kiran Vadaga joins us for an in-depth conversation in which explore observations around the importance, and potential benefits, of being a more mindful observer of our feelings (particularly those which are pleasant.  In this conversation we cover:  a quick primer on some of the assumptions of Buddhist Psychology; namely, the impermanent nature of reality and the impersonal nature of realitywhy are so quick to struggle against these assumptionsthe four Noble truths (1. there is suffering, 2. there are causes for suffering, 3. there is a way out of suffering 4. the way out of suffering is by following the eightfold noble path)contrasting buddhist psychology with the three waves of Western psychology (behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, and secular mindfulness practices)current secular mindfulness practices current evidence for mindfulness-based interventionsmindfulness of feelingsBuddha’s discourse on the Four establishments of mindfulness (i.e., mindfulness of mind, mindfulness of body, mindfulness of feelings, and mindfulness of phenomenathe law of dependent originationa self-inquiry approach around the investigation of the four establishments of mindfulness and the law of dependent originationfindings and implications in treating different mental ailments (i.e., depression, mania, anxiety, inattention, and addictions)Comments or feedback?  Email us at: oicbtpodcast@gmail.comDr. Kiran Vadaga obtained his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Concordia University, Montreal. He completed his pre-doctoral internship at the McGill University Health center and supervised practice at the Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (OICBT). He provides Psychodiagnostic assessment and treatment for adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Borderline personality disorder (BPD). He also provides treatment for adults and the elderly struggling with mood and anxiety-related disorders. Dr. Vadaga uses an integrative approach to treatment drawing from cognitive, behavioral, interpersonal, and mindfulness traditions.https://www.ottawacbt.ca/mr-kiran-vadaga

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! CBT interventions are often favoured for being empirically supported; however, it is not always clear how efficacy of these interventions maps to the actual functioning of the brain.  Esteemed neuropsychologist and psychoanalyst, Dr. Mark Solms, joins us for an in-depth discussion of the clinical implications of his research into the biological underpinnings of consciousness as discussed in in his wonderful book, The Hidden Spring: A Journey to the Source of Consciousness.   In this discussion we cover : why Dr. Solms gravitated towards a psychoanalytic framework to explore the underlying neuroscience of brain functionthe definition of consciousness that Dr. Solms employs when considering matters related to consciousnessthe brain's "workflow" with respect to constructing conscious experiencehow the brain weighs the importance of various competing needs the unexpected role of the brain stem and cortex in consciousness levering critical implications of this model of information processing to enhance standard CBT interventions consideration of therapeutic potential of the therapeutic alliance through the lens of Dr. Solm's system of consciousnesswhat his model can teach us about the origins of psychopathology and challenges with personalityleveraging the content of our dreams knowing their biological basis (Dr. Solms elucidated the specific neurobiological origins of dreaming, beyond REM sleep)Comments or feedback?  Email us at: oicbtpodcast@gmail.comMark Solms, PhD, is Director of Neuropsychology at the University of Cape Town. He is Director of Training of the South African Psychoanalytical Association, Member of the British Psychoanalytical Society and Honorary Member of the New York Psychoanalytic Society. He is Director of the Science Department of the American Psychoanalytic Association and Co-Chair of the International Neuropsychoanalysis Society. He was Research Chair of the International Psychoanalytical Association.  He was awarded the Sigourney Prize in 2012. He has published more than 350 papers in both neuroscientific and psychoanalytic journals, and six books, including The Brain and the Inner World (2002), which was a bestseller translated into 12 languages and his latest book The Hidden Spring. His selected writings were published as The Feeling Brain (2015). He is the editor of the Revised Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud (24 volumes) and the Complete Neuroscientific Works of Sigmund Freud (four volumes). 

Dr. Georgia Ede discusses the metabolic basis of mental disorders and the benefits of a low-carb/ketogenic approach. Topics include: metabolic mechanisms underlying mental disorders, brain-healthy diet, inflammation's role in mental disorders, progression through paleo to keto to carnivore diets, combining pharmacological and nutritional strategies for mental health.