Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Podcast

Dr. Michael Cummings discusses a new study challenging the idea of depression as a chemical imbalance. The podcast explores the complexities of depression beyond serotonin levels, the effects of antidepressants and ketamine on dendrites, the link between depression and accelerated aging, health issues related to depression, and the impact of psychotherapy and medication. It also covers the role of chronic stress on the brain and how individuals can overcome depression.

Join Mary Jo Peebles, a distinguished psychoanalyst and author of 'When Psychotherapy Seems Stuck', as she delves into the transformative power of psychotherapy. She discusses the rise in mental health challenges post-COVID and the critical role of resilience. Personal growth for therapists is emphasized, as well as the importance of building authentic connections in therapy. Peebles explores the brain’s adaptability and the misconception of therapy as a quick fix, promoting a deeper understanding of lasting change through emotional investment.

Dr. Mark Solms, author of,  The Hidden Spring, gives us a guided tour of a journey into different aspects of consciousness, how Freud can be updated with the work of Jaak Pankseep and affective neuroscience, as well as some of the more fundamental principles and groundbreaking work in which he comes to the conclusion that the why, how and where of consciousness centers on our “in the moment” experience of emotions and feelings. By listening to this episode, you can earn 1.5 Psychiatry CME Credits. Link to blog. Link to YouTube video.

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Dr. Cummings to discuss the benefits, progress, and fears related to electroconvulsive therapy. For years the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy has been debated, but we’ve learned that it still remains an essential part of psychiatric treatment in patients with severe mental health disorders. By listening to this episode, you can earn 1 Psychiatry CME Credits. Link to blog. Link to YouTube video.  

Dr. Robert Feinstein discusses the cognitive apprenticeship model in psychotherapy training, emphasizing the importance of live supervision and individualized therapy. The significance of common factors in therapy, like therapeutic alliance and understanding patient characteristics, is highlighted. The podcast explores diverse supervision techniques and the impact of the supervisor-trainee relationship on learning and preventing burnout.

In this episode of the podcast, I speak with Dorothy Kaufman, a marriage and family therapist who was married to the late Daniel Wile. We discuss the book that they both co-authored together called, Solving the Moment: A Collaborative Couple Therapy Manual. Dan is a well-known marriage and family therapist, the creator of Collaborative Couple Therapy, and spoken very highly of by Dr. Gottman. By listening to this episode, you can earn 1 Psychiatry CME Credits. Link to blog. Link to YouTube video.

In this episode of the podcast, I will be discussing something near and dear to my heart—a tool I created to measure the connection between physician/student and teacher/medical learner in medical education. It is a tool called the Connection Index and its purpose is to improve the quality of the medical education experience. I wanted to answer the question of how we create better supervisors and mentors as students embark on their own “hero’s journey” to becoming physicians. By listening to this episode, you can earn 0.5 Psychiatry CME Credits. Link to blog.  

In this episode of the podcast, we discuss the work of Karen Horney, M.D., titled, Neurosis and Human Growth: The Struggle Towards Self Realization. In the book, Horney discusses the concept of neurosis as it stands juxtaposed against what she deems healthy growth and human development. We will be discussing this concept and some of her prevalent theories introduced in the writing, such as the development of neurosis, the contrast to the healthy individual, the components of growth, the tyranny of the “should,” the search for glory, and neurotic claims. We hope that you will be inspired to pick up this book by Karen Horney and join us in thinking about her important work. By listening to this episode, you can earn 1.25 Psychiatry CME Credits. Link to blog. Link to YouTube video.

PANS/PANDAS is the hypothesis that there are certain types of obsessive compulsive symptoms, tic symptoms or restrictive eating symptoms that are caused by an infection and the immune response to an infection. Kyle Williams, MD, PHD and Sarah O'Dor, PhD join the podcast to discuss their research and diagnoses of PANS/PANDAS.  By listening to this episode, you can earn 1.5 Psychiatry CME Credits. Link to blog. Link to YouTube video.

Dr. Herbert Harman, a psychiatrist and practice line director at Vituity with military experience, dives into the profound topic of moral injury. He explains how this concept, often confused with PTSD, emerges from ethical conflicts, particularly in combat and traumatic healthcare settings. Harman shares personal stories that highlight the emotional struggles veterans face, including guilt and isolation. He emphasizes the importance of compassionate care for mental health professionals navigating these issues, advocating for tailored therapeutic approaches to support healing.